“This is the second visit we’ve had from your armed forces,” said Vellor as he led them along the street to the administration complex. “The first was back in February, when your army attacked the place and took fifteen thousand men prisoner.”

     “No hard feelings I hope,” said the Princess uncomfortably. Of course, Tibre! Third of the four great garrison cities that had contained the bulk of Carrow’s armies before the war. That was why the name had seemed so familiar to her. Tamwell would have recognised the name immediately, of course, and Brailsford probably had as well. They hadn’t mentioned it to her because they’d just assumed she'd known it as well.

     “On the contrary,” said the Major. “It was brilliantly planned and executed. As a military man I am in awe of the man behind it. Your field Marshall Amberley, I presume? I look forward to meeting him after the war. Your army is superb! If it were larger, you would be a power that would make even Kelvon nervous.”

     “You are too kind.” Ardria looked back at the wall, remembering her father telling her that their forces had ignored the gates, deeming them to be too predictable as a point of entry, and had decided to blow holes directly through the walls themselves. Looking back at how thick and strong they were, she tried to imagine the size of explosive charge that would have been necessary, and what it would have done to anyone who'd happened to have been on the other side at the time. Had they known where the hospital was? Yes, of course they had. Carrow and Helberion had been spying on each other for decades. The demolition team would have known the exact position and use of every smallest building in the city, and now that she looked, she could see that the section of wall behind the storerooms was visibly newer than the rest, as if it had been recently repaired.

     “I was one of those who was a guest of your country for a while,” continued Vellor. “Colonel Hemdall was not, though, which I think is a pity. Almost everything we know of your people comes from propaganda spread by the Ministry of Truth. They say that you are cruel, merciless killers who take delight in torturing anyone you take alive. As a result, there was much terror when it was apparent that your people had succeeded in taking the city. Many kept on fighting long after they should have surrendered, and died as a result. In your POW camps, though, I learned the truth about you. That you're just people, not so different from us.”

     “We've learned a lot about you as well, in the short time we’ve been in your country," said the Princess. "Captain Leese in particular. He is a man of uncommon intelligence and good sense. If he had been adopted on our side of the border, we would have been proud to have him in the armies of Helberion. I do hope he won't find himself in trouble for the position we put him in.”

     “He'll be called to Charnox to answer for his actions, but I don’t think he has much to worry about. If I'd been in his place, I think I would have done exactly the same thing.”

     There was a pair of guards at the entrance to the building who simply saluted as the Major led his three guests through. Inside, they were left in a reception room, with a guard who watched them with wide eyed awe and terror, while the Major went off alone to inform the Colonel. “So far, so good,” said the Princess. She tried to look at her reflection in the window so she could smooth down her hair. “Were you here in February, Captain?”

     “Yes,” replied Tamwell, “although it's hard to separate my memories of this place from my memories of the other three cities. I was tired by the time we got here, and we knew we still had another city to go. I had more on my mind than sightseeing.”

     “Yes, of course. It must have been terrible....” She remembered the Carrowman who'd been left to look after them and decided to change the subject in case he'd also been here. “I wonder how things are going back home,” she said instead.

     “If the Carrowmen are still willing to negotiate with you, then the war must still be going on. Our boys are still holding out. They may even be winning.”

     “Do you think that's likely?”

     “I'd prefer not to speculate in present company.”

     “Yes, of course.”

     There were some chairs in the room. She sat down to ease her aching body. No matter how much time you spent in the saddle, you could only ride for so long before it began catching up with you. She looked out the window again. “This city seems almost deserted.”

     “They're all in Helberion right now," Tamwell replied. "Nobody left here but a skeleton crew. That's encouraging. It means their military forces are almost totally committed. They have no reserves to speak of.”

     “That's also worrying. They won't want us passing that information back to Marboll.”

     “I'm pretty sure our intelligence services have other ways of gathering that information. They won't worry about our telling them things they already know... Ah!” Ardria followed Tamwell's gaze through the still open door and saw Major Vellor returning with a Colonel. She stood, smoothed down her gown and tried to look confident and regal. Own the room, she remembered her father telling her once. The main part of being the King, or the Queen, is to own the room you're in, even if you're a guest in someone else’s palace. Don't wait to be greeted, greet them first. That's how you take control.

     The moment the Colonel came through the door, therefore, Princess Ardria came forward to greet him, her hand outstretched. “Colonel Hemdall I presume. It is a great pleasure to meet you. I wish it could have been under different circumstances, but we have to make the most of the situations we find ourselves in, do we not?”

     The scowl on the Colonel’s face told her that he knew exactly what she was doing, but he took it in good grace. “We do indeed,” he said. He glanced at Captain Tamwell and the pistol on his belt, then dismissed him from his attention and returned to the Princess. “This is an unexpected honour, your Highness. I do hope you'll understand that he have to make sure that you are who you say you are before we inform the King of your presence.”

     “Yes, of course.” She produced the letter addressed to King Nilon and handed it across. He examined the seal with a raised eyebrow, and then to her consternation broke it and opened the letter. “That was addressed to the King!” she exclaimed.

     “I speak for the King here.” He scanned his eyes down the letter. “Negotiate a cessation of hostilities,” he said, his thin mouth curling upwards with amusement. “I do love these diplomatic euphemisms.” He folded the letter up again and handed it back. “Very well. We'll find quarters for you and your men for the night, and you can continue on to Charnox in the morning, with a military escort.”

     “Thank you, Colonel. Would it be possible for my handmaid to join me here, tonight?”

     “Yes, of course. I'll have a man sent to your encampment to fetch her.”

     “I should also mention that we are escorting a Carrow aristocrat to Charnox. Duchess Soonia Darniss Pardew. She will be assisting us in our negotiations.”

     “Indeed? I imagine there's quite a story to be told there.” He waited, but the Princess only smiled back. “Very well,” he continued. “I'll have her sent for as well. We eat at eight. I would be honoured if you, the Duchess and your two companions would agree to dine with me and my staff.”

     While our men are killing each other on the battlefield, thought the Princess. She didn't say that, though. “We would be delighted,” she said instead. Hemdall nodded, then turned and left the room without another word.

     “Well, that was easy,” said Ardria.

     “Every time our luck holds out, I grow more nervous,” said Tamwell. “Let's not look a gift horse in the mouth, though.”

     A Carrow soldier in an immaculate uniform appeared in the doorway. “If you'll come with me,” he said, “I'll show you to the guest rooms.”

     “Thank you, Private,” said the Princess.

☆☆☆

     The Princess never slept well in a strange bed, and being in a Carrow military base made it even worse, but Teena and the two Captains shared the room with her, and their presence reassured her enough for her to get a few hours sleep.

     When morning came, the Private returned and invited all of them but Teena to breakfast with the Colonel. “I'm guessing I'm sitting here alone again,” said the handmaid sulkily. “I should be serving you, Your Highness! Not some crass Carrow blockhead! Otherwise, why am I here?”

     “I would much prefer to be served by someone I trust,” replied Ardria, “and there’s no-one I trust more than you. Having that Carrow soldier constantly hovering behind me made my spine itch, and I know the Captain wasn’t happy about it either.”

     Tamwell looked up, then returned his attention to the view of the empty parade ground outside the window. Ardria went over to take Teena's hands in hers and give them a gentle squeeze. “Just knowing you're here makes me feel better, though. Your very presence gives me courage.”

     Teena beamed happily, and as soon as the others had left she got out her needle and thread and started darning holes in the Princess’s travel gowns.

     As the evening before, Ardria and the Colonel sat at the ends of the long table. Captains Tamwell and Brailsford sat to her left, wearing swords and pistols. A violation of every civilised protocol, but this was an exceptional situation.

     Soonia Darniss sat to the right of the Princess, close enough for their knees to bump under the table. They both studiously avoided the eyes of the other. At the other end of the table, Major Vellor sat beside Brailsford and two Carrow Captains sat beside Darniss. The former Matron was beaming as she chatted with the Carrow soldiers, discussing recent political and social events. As before, the Helberians listened carefully to everything that was said, but there was nothing as shocking as last night's revelation that Marboll was all but surrounded and that the final push to take the capital was expected any day now.

     They ate sausages, bacon and beans with fried bread served by Carrow soldiers in houseman uniforms, washed down with Lydian tea. It was perfectly prepared and delicious, but after having seen the arid state of the Carrow countryside Ardria doubted that most other people in the country were eating this well. Common courtesy prevented her from saying anything at the table, though.

     “I spoke to King Nilon last night, by telegraph,” said Colonel Hemdall when they were polishing their plates clean with the last pieces of bread. “He confirmed that he is expecting you, and is eagerly looking forward to meeting you.”

     “As we are to meeting him,” said the Princess.

     “He did have some instructions for me, though. Private Blake, if you would be so good?”

     One of the soldiers who'd been serving them nodded and went to the door. Ardria watched curiously as he beckoned to someone outside, then half rose from her seat in shock as half a dozen armed soldiers came walking in, holding guns that they aimed at Brailsford and the Helberians. Tamwell and Brailsford shot to their feet. Their hands went for their pistols, but the Carrow soldiers lifted their weapons higher and their fingers tightened on the triggers. The two Captains reluctantly let their hands drop.

     “What is this?” demanded Tamwell.

     “I’m afraid I must ask you to surrender your weapons,” said the Colonel. “If you don’t, you will be shot, and your Princess and the Duchess will continue on to Charnox without you.”

     “You will do nothing to me!” said Brailsford, though. “Any harm done to a soldier of the Empire will be answered forcefully.”

     “Oh I don’t think so,” replied the Colonel. “You have been out of touch with events in your country for some time now, so you don't know what I know. Emperor Tyron has bigger things on his mind than you and your men. Just two days ago, news reached us that the provinces of Ukrann and Listania seceded from the Empire...”

     “Impossible!” shouted Brailsford. “You're lying!”

     “Would I be so bold as to arrest a Captain of the Empire unless I were completely sure of my facts? I'm afraid it's no lie, Captain. The majority of the soldiers stationed in those provinces have joined the rebels, apparently keen to carve out their own little kingdoms. They are fighting those regiments still loyal to the Empire, and our analysts expect them to win. Other provinces are teetering on the brink. So you see, Tyron is in no position to declare war on anyone at the moment, even if he could spare the time to think of you. In any case, it's too late. The deed is done. I'm afraid that all the men you left camped outside the city are dead.”

     “My men!” cried Tamwell.

     The Colonel nodded regretfully. “Them as well. Everyone you left outside.” He turned back to Brailsford. “You and your men were given the chance to leave the country. You should have done so.”

     “You'll answer for this!” spat the Kelvon Captain. “I swear it!”

     “Choose your words carefully, Captain, or I may wonder whether you are worth the risk of keeping you alive. Surrender your weapons, and you will be treated well. If you do not, you will die.”

     “It is my sworn duty to protect the Princess!” protested Tamwell.

     “Princess Ardria is in no danger. She is far too valuable alive. You need have no fear on her account, I promise you.”

     Tamwell and Brailsford glanced at each other, then they unbuckled their sword belts and placed them on the table. They then carefully drew their pistols and, holding them by the barrels, placed them on the table as well. Soldiers came forward to take them.

     “My handmaid?” said Ardria, feeling a sense of shock settling over her like a heavy, suffocating blanket. She realised her hands were trembling and she stopped them with an effort. Appearances were all she had left now.

     “I'm sorry,” said the Colonel, and Ardria felt her guts grow heavy in her stomach as if they had suddenly turned to stone. “We only have your word that she was, truly, nothing more than a handmaid. These two...” He indicated Tamwell and Brailsford. “...I am confident are nothing more than soldiers, but your maid? Who knows what special training she might have had. Unarmed combat, sabotage. She might even have been a wizard for all I knew.”

     “She was a maid!” said Ardria, feeling tears of rage filling her eyes. “The only special training she's had was in palace etiquette.”

     “Then I'm truly sorry. If it's of any comfort to you, it was quick and painless. She never knew anything about it.”

     He rose to his feet. “And now, you must make preparations for departure. The King is waiting for you.”