by R. E. Steele
Roxanna also rather wondered how they hadn’t yet been spotted by any imperial troops. Yes, silence and swift movement helped, but Roxanna had long been under the impression that the gang was being closely followed, and large numbers of enemy troops made up for any stealth the Lystra Gang used. They had been forced to change course several times during their journey to a port, but somehow, this didn’t seem to be problem for the old woman. How was she avoiding the Kalarian soldiers? Roxanna would have to ask her.
Roxanna speculated how far they would go. They had been travelling for several minutes already. She had expected her mysterious ally to be nearby, since the noblewoman made no mention of special arrangements, like horses or other means of transportation. But they were still walking, which roused Roxanna’s inquisitiveness.
“How much further?” she asked.
“Not much more,” said the old woman. “You are not tired, are you? I took you as stronger than that.”
“Oh no,” said Roxanna. “I was simply curious. It’s dangerous for us to be out at night like this, especially with the Kalarians nearby.”
“Have no fear,” said the noblewoman. “They know to leave me alone.”
Roxanna marveled how this could be. Had the woman struck up some kind of deal with them, or was the person whom she was taking Roxanna to really that powerful? This last thought was immensely cheering, for it proved that whoever he was, he was capable of beating Nikolos. In this respect, he would prove to be a more worthy husband than Vasilis would have been. But she shouldn’t indulge in such thoughts yet. She needed to know who this man was, what he was like, before she committed her heart. Though admittedly, the mystery and capability surrounding him had her greatly intrigued.
At last, they reached a clearing where the lady stopped. Roxanna stopped too. She could see the stars, but there were clouds moving in. If she wasn’t mistaken, it would start storming soon.
“Queen Roxanna of Oreias, I would like to present my son,” said the lady with a grand gesture.
To Roxanna’s shock and horror, a tall man with a familiar set of armor walked out of the trees. It was Emperor Nikolos!
Roxanna turned to flee, but the clearing was soon edged with Kalarian soldiers. Now Roxanna understood why imperial troops had left them alone. The old woman, whom Roxanna now guessed was indeed Nikolos’s mother, had led her into a trap.
“Madam, your pardon,” said Nikolos with a courteous bow. “May I escort you to my camp?”
Roxanna hesitated. To go willingly was against everything she believed, but to fight would be pointless, and her dignity might suffer for it. No, better to go quietly and wait for an opportunity. The rumble of thunder told her that her screams wouldn’t be heard anyway.
“You may, though I will agree to nothing,” said Roxanna coldly.
Nikolos nodded and smiled. “I expected nothing less.
Roxanna took his arm, but as she turned to leave, she noticed something golden in the woods. It was Celena’s hair. She had followed her. The locks soon disappeared. Roxanna prayed she wouldn’t be caught.
Chapter 54
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
~Psalm 37:23
Vasilis was happy for his brother, when he heard that Roxanna had consented to the marriage between Theodoros and Estella. He hadn’t been sure his brother’s idea would sway her. Pleased she had relented from her stubbornness; he was beginning to feel more favorable toward her. But he wasn’t completely easy. The timing was too convenient.
Had she decided to stay and fight for Oreias, or was she planning to go with him? He guessed the former, which would be dangerous for her. She had to know that she couldn’t win in a fight against Nikolos and all his forces, not on her own anyway. So, what was she going to do?
Regardless, this put him in a sticky situation. This entire time, he planned to leave with the others. But despite their differences, Vasilis felt a duty to protect Roxanna. True, he hadn’t sought her out, and the expectation that had once existed between them meant nothing now. Her contempt for him made that clear. Still, he felt he should protect her. Perhaps, once the others were safely aboard ships, he would stay, even without her knowledge, just to make sure she was alright.
Suddenly, Celena burst into the tent.
“Roxanna! She had been captured!” cried the youngest of the sisters.
“She has!?” exclaimed Vasilis.
Theodoros and Estella went white. “How?” they both exclaimed.
“There was this old woman she kept talking to,” said Celena. “I had seen them speaking before. I didn’t have a good feeling about her, but Roxanna seemed to like her. I didn’t say anything in case I was wrong, but I always remained nearby whenever I saw them talking. Well, it turns out, the noblewoman is Nikolos’s mother, the dowager empress. She tricked Roxanna into a trap, where Nikolos took her!”
Silence filled the tent. They were all so stunned they couldn’t say anything.
“We have to help her!” exclaimed Celena. She dashed forward and pleaded with Vasilis. “You have to help her! I will go after her myself, but you are her only chance!”
Vasilis knew she spoke the truth. Despite being in shock, he had no doubt that he would have to be the one to rescue Roxanna. No one else stood a chance. Roxanna had once said Celena was stronger and braver than most people were aware, and she was showing it now. He had no trouble believing she would try to rescue her sister singlehandedly, and Estella too for that matter. But they couldn’t do it on their own. He had to do it, even if the odds were against him.
“Of course, I’ll go after her,” stated Vasilis as he tried to comfort Celena. “You needn’t worry about that. It’s succeeding in freeing her that’s going to be difficult. Last time, Nikolos didn’t take her very far. I don’t think he will make the same mistake. No doubt, he plans to lock her in some stronghold until he can find a way to force her into marrying him. That was always his goal to begin with.”
“Why is he so obsessed with gaining her as a bride?” asked Estella. “Our kingdom was never that impressive in comparison to his empire. As much as it pains me to say it of my own sister, surely he could do better.”
“Not necessarily, and this is not just my own partiality speaking,” said Vasilis. “I have been among the Kalarians enough in recent years to understand something of their views. Kalarians Emperors often marry the daughters of those whose kingdoms they conquer, because it makes their claim to those lands more secure. It’s harder to start a revolution when the blood of a nation’s beloved leaders is mixed with that of the imperial conquerors.
“There is also the matter that, as far as character goes, Roxanna is exactly the kind of bride a Kalarian Emperor would choose. They like their women to be capable of ruling on their own. Understandably so, since the men are often off fighting to expand their empire, or putting down rebellions. They like strong women, since they feel such traits will add to the strength of their empire now, and in future generations. Roxanna has proven herself a worthy opponent to Nikolos. She held him off for a time, which is no small feat, and then managed to elude him up until this point. From what I have heard, the princesses of other empires are spoiled and incapable. Roxanna is not. Naturally, he is going to prefer her over someone closer to him in prestige. There is also the matter that, she has spurned his offers and formed a sort of alliance with me. On a personal level, that is going to cause him to want her even more. He wants to prove himself superior to me, not that he has to try that hard.”
“So how do we get her out then?” asked Theodoros.
“That’s the difficult part,” said Vasilis. “We all know I’m no general. I can plan a raid or small attack well enough, but this is going to require more. I suppose it would be best if I know what we are up against before I make any plans. We don’t know where Roxanna is being taken, nor how much time we have.”
“Could it be possible that Nikolos will take her into Kalare?” asked Celena.
>
What she didn’t say was that if that were so, their chances of freeing Roxanna were almost nonexistent.
“It’s possible, but I doubt it,” said Vasilis. “Nikolos will want to marry her within Oreias, so that the people know she consented willingly. It will reduce the chances of rebellion. There is also the matter that I’m still free. If he acts as I expect, he is going to use her as bait, to lure me into another trap.”
“Then what are we going to do?” asked Theodoros. “We can’t lose you too.”
“Find the stronghold without springing the trap,” said Vasilis. “It’ll be difficult, but I doubt it will be impossible. We should pray for God’s guidance.”
Chapter 55
And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
~ Isaiah 30:18
Roxanna was taken to Oreiasan Castle, the place she most considered to be home, and the last place she had been before fleeing. It looked much the same way it had when she left. Apparently, Nikolos had restrained his soldiers from looting it. In fact, it appeared that this was where Nikolos had chosen to set up his headquarters, since taking over her kingdom. The castle was clean and well maintain, almost as if she had never left.
But it wasn’t exactly the same. Hateful Kalarian banners hung from the walls and ceiling, instead of just Oreiasan ones. Strange that Nikolos had permitted some of them to remain up. Roxanna saw one when she glimpsed at the throne room. There was also a flag that was a combination of both the Kalarian and Oreiasan banners. She turned away in disgust.
“A symbol, of what I hope will be a fruitful union between us,” explained Nikolos.
She watched him closely. While he had been naught but courteous to her the entire time, his words still angered her, and there was no ignoring the fact that she was his prisoner.
“A presumptive one,” she stated.
He smiled, much as one does when indulging a spoiled child.
“Ah yes, defiant to the last,” he said. “I would expect nothing less from the lady I intend to make Kalare’s future empress.”
Roxanna turned and said nothing more to him. She felt it wasn’t wise to provoke him too much. He might be tolerant of her defiance now, but she doubted he would be as lenient as Vasilis had been. Anyone could see that while Vasilis was easygoing, Nikolos was not. Provoking Vasilis was rather like provoking one’s pet dog. He usually played along. Only a particularly trying remark would make him angry. Nikolos was more like a wolf. You could do the same thing for a time, but the game would be much shorter, and more dangerous.
Nikolos waited a moment, to see if she had anything more to say. When she remained silent, he ordered that she be taken to her apartments. They were ones she had used just before she fled. No doubt, Nikolos had guessed as much, and put her there on purpose. But why that was, Roxanna couldn’t say just yet. She hadn’t had time to think.
She was given a hot bath, a hot dinner, and clean linens. She was waited on with promptness and courtesy by the maids who attended her, who were Kalarian no less. She was dressed magnificently, far better than she had been when she was queen. All in all, she had nothing to complain of as far her treatment went.
She supposed this was Nikolos’s way of convincing her into marrying him. By showing she would be treated well, and with the respect due a Kalarian Empress, he was trying to impress her, warm her up to the idea of becoming his wife. But Roxanna wasn’t swayed. Had she not known who he was, and how he conducted himself as the leader of a militant empire, he might have stood a chance. Even she had to admit, he was handsome, and under different circumstances, she might have been honored by the offer of his hand. But no, he had fought against her father, taken her kingdom, and ultimately would force her to marry him against her will. That, for her, was enough. She would never consent.
So that left her with only one option, escape. But that single option might not be one at all. She had looked for ways to slip through the halls unnoticed, and while she saw potential, as this had once been her home, the sheer number of guards on duty made unobserved travel nearly impossible. If she tried to go out through any of the gates, she would be caught and apprehended immediately, such was the net Nikolos had around her.
None of her old servants were present to help her either. Even if some had remained, Nikolos wouldn’t have trusted them enough to allow them access to her. Yes, he gave her just enough freedom that it could hardly be called imprisonment, but it most definitely still was.
So, without outside help, which would also be hard pressed to reach her, Roxanna didn’t see any way out. She doubted she could befriend any of the new servants. Even if they were sympathetic to her, they had probably been carefully selected. Her actions were being reported to Nikolos even now. The dowager empress was no source of help either. Roxanna was so furious with her for tricking her, that it was wise the woman kept her distance.
But Roxanna was more furious with herself. Looking back, she had seen that something was off about the dowager, but had refused to look further, because the old empress had told her what she wanted to hear. Now, Roxanna wondered how much of her poor opinion of Vasilis, had been due to the empress’s influence. Some had, but Roxanna had to admit, the woman was working with what had already been there. Roxanna had been too harsh toward Vasilis. He had been right to be cautious, since she had now fallen into Nikolos’s clutches.
Roxanna doubted she could expect help from Vasilis either. She didn’t doubt that she was allowed to remain in Oreias, because Nikolos intended to use her as bait to lure Vasilis into a trap. Roxanna sincerely wished Vasilis would just leave her, and let her own people rescue her. She had acted with the intent of defying him, and now she deserved to be left by him. She realized she only had God to rely on now. She prayed He would be merciful and teach her to trust Him more. It was her lack of trust in Vasilis that had gotten her into trouble, and to be perfectly honest, her lack of trust in God as well.
Chapter 56
A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
~ Proverbs 16:9
Vasilis followed the trail that Nikolos’s men had made, when they took his beloved prisoner. Yes, Vasilis finally felt comfortable calling Roxanna his beloved, even if he suspected she wouldn’t agree with it. If he was going to be in a hopeless situation, he might as well admit his hopeless love and make himself happy. He didn’t expect his actions to change Roxanna’s opinion of him, even if they were what she wanted him to do. But he had to try. He couldn’t leave her to be forced into an unwanted marriage with Nikolos. Better Roxanna be free to marry whom she wished, even if it did break Vasilis’s heart, than she be married to his despised rival, and her greatest enemy. Vasilis prayed God would show him a way to help her.
But perhaps the situation wasn’t as hopeless as Vasilis thought. As he traced the army’s tracks, he realized they were heading toward Oreiasan Castle. Vasilis could well guess Nikolos’s reasons for choosing the castle. It was an impressive fortress, and was the last Oreiasan post to fall. He probably also wanted to win over Roxanna, by showing her their ideal living situation. Perhaps he wanted to intimidate her as well, by showing her he controlled everything she cared about.
Vasilis chuckled to himself. If he was right, that Nikolos was keeping Roxanna in Oreiasan Castle, he had just handed Vasilis a great advantage. Vasilis wasn’t completely familiar with the structure and layout of the castle, but he had seen blueprints of it. He had Roxanna on his side too, who would know the castle better than anyone else there. If Vasilis could just figure out a way to contact Roxanna, then they could work something out. He just had to get near enough to her, to be able to speak.
Vasilis continued to follow the trail, which the Kalarians took few pains to hide. It was as Vasilis thought. Nikolos guessed Vasilis had feelings for Roxanna, and was going to try to free her. Vasilis was walking
into a trap. But this didn’t worry Vasilis overmuch. He had outsmarted Nikolos before, and he would do it again.
Sure enough, it was Oreiasan Castle that waited for him at the end of the tracks. Vasilis remained in the nearby forest for a moment, to avoid being seen, and to piece together a plan for getting in. A disguise would help, but he had used that tactic so many times, Nikolos was probably expecting it. Vasilis could see that all visitors were carefully scrutinized, and their baggage searched thoroughly. There would be no sneaking in that way. It occurred to Vasilis that he might just be able get in by a more conventional manner, merely sticking to the shadows and sneaking in. He was dressed properly for the part. He was wearing his thief’s clothes, which were dark and durable, and possessed some armor. If he met a knight, he might have some trouble, but Vasilis knew he was one of the best swordsmen around. Outside of Nikolos himself, Vasilis felt certain he could face any challenger.
With this in mind, he crossed the clearing through the shadows cast by the castle’s tall towers. They were so tall, it was difficult for the guards above, to make out what was beneath them. The cloudy, moonless night hid him well too. He waited a moment, to make sure he hadn’t been spotted. All was safe, however. Not so much as a suspicious peep was uttered by any of the soldiers. They went about their business as usual.
Vasilis then went to work scaling the wall. He still stuck to the shadows, knowing he would be vulnerable as he climbed. He had watched the guards, learning their patterns and movements. There was no variation, a dangerous thing in Vasilis’s opinion. It was too easy to exploit such a weakness if someone creative like him showed up. The Kalarian love of efficiency was getting in the way of their effectiveness.