Chapter Twelve

VITALIYA

 

Pomeria was nice, and Vitaliya wouldn’t have minded staying longer. But with a promise secured from the countet, Ioanna was already prepared to move on. Far too soon, they were in the carriage and pulling away from the villa. Aelia, who was more restless than usual today, rode up with Vel, leaving the princesses alone in the carriage.

“Maybe you can return, some day,” Ioanna suggested, when Vitaliya expressed regret over the brevity of their visit. “I’m sure the countet would welcome you.”

“I hope I can,” Vitaliya sighed. “I hope we can. Together.”

“I can hardly imagine life after this,” said Ioanna. “Isn’t that odd? Becoming empress and ending the war…I know I want to do it, but when I try to picture it in my mind, it comes out blank like a canvas with no paint yet.”

“No, I feel the same way. I just hope you’re not too busy being empress to escape now and then.”

“I might be, at first. There’s a lot to do.”

“And there will be suitors too, I expect.” Vitaliya thought, once again, of the Masimi prince she’d invented for Ioanna. She’d almost forgotten he wasn’t a real person. “Piles of them. You’ll need me to help you eat all the chocolates.”

“What!” Ioanna burst out laughing. “What are you talking about?”

“You don’t think an unmarried empress won’t have thousands of suitors? You’ll have to put them up in the stables once you run out of guest rooms.”

“I’ll send them all home, then,” said Ioanna.

“You can’t do that. They’re all very important princes. They’ll be offended.”

“More offended than if I make them sleep in the stables?”

“Princes love stables,” Vitaliya said in the most authoritative voice she could manage.

Ioanna laughed again. “I can’t imagine I’ll have any time for suitors. I will have quite enough to do already.”

“I’ll handle them for you. When they come in, I’ll rank them on wealth, power, and attractiveness. They’ll have to score above a certain number to move on. Then I’ll judge the gifts they’ve brought.”

“That is not especially romantic.”

“You’re empress now. You don’t have time for romance. We must be objective about these things. In any case, this can’t be news to you. Even as crown princess, I’m sure there were plenty of—”

“Some, but I turned them away the first time they told me a lie. It made for short courtships. And my parents didn’t want me marrying a foreigner, so I never had any princes.”

“I’m surprised they didn’t just pick someone for you.”

“I never considered it before, but I suppose I am as well,” Ioanna admitted. “Perhaps they thought it would be a waste of time. Seeing as they clearly never intended for me to become empress.”

“Well, good. Now we get to decide without their interference. I’m sure they’d have chosen someone dreadful anyway. I’ll do a much better job.”

A little smile curled at the side of Ioanna’s mouth. “Might I make an observation?”

“No, how dare you.”

“You seem worried.”

“I’m worried we’re riding to our deaths, yes,” said Vitaliya. Her face warmed. “I thought that was something we had in common.”

“I don’t think you want me to have any suitors,” said Ioanna.

“It doesn’t matter what I want! They don’t need my permission to turn up on your doorstep.”

“I think you’re jealous.”

“Why shouldn’t I be? They’ll all be so busy courting you that they’ll stop coming to see me, and I’ll have to buy my own flowers from now on. I hate paying for things.”

“You’re twisting,” said Ioanna. “You think I can’t tell? Never lying, but never saying what you mean either. Netheia was good at it too.”

“Don’t compare me to her!”

“I’ll tell them I’m courting you, and they’ll leave me alone. Would you like that?”

Vitaliya lapsed into dumbstruck silence.

“What’s wrong?” asked Ioanna.

“That’s…you shouldn’t do that. You’re too important—an empress should be with someone powerful and wise and, and besides, they’ll all be so much better than me! Once you meet them, you’ll forget why you ever liked me to start.”

“Where were they when I was alone?” asked Ioanna. “Where were they when I had nothing but a muddy wagon and few paladins? Where were they when Netheia came to arrest me?”

“I’m only here by coincidence—”

“You’ve had plenty of chances to leave. You don’t know what it means to me that you’ve chosen to stay.”

“Don’t say that,” whispered Vitaliya. “You’ll start making me feel like I might be special.”

“If you don’t already, then I’ve been communicating very poorly with you.” Ioanna leaned forward. “What would you do if I said I didn’t want to be empress? That I was going to run away and forget Xytae. Would you go with me?”

“Of—of course,” said Vitaliya.

“How many of those princes would say the same?”

“I don’t—”

“None of them, I’d think. They’ll be coming to court the empress. Without my title, what am I to them?”

“Xytae will need alliances,” said Vitaliya desperately. “You can’t just, just…”

“An empress can do whatever she likes. Isn’t that what you told me?”

“You won’t, though,” said Vitaliya. “You’ll do the right thing. No matter how much you hate it. You’ll do what’s best for Xytae.”

“Don’t be so certain,” said Ioanna. “Maybe I’ll surprise you.”

 

The next town they arrived in was called Enona, but this time their reception was different. As they moved through town, people stopped to watch the wagon go past—which wasn’t unusual by itself. But the murmurs and awed faces that followed certainly were. Perhaps Enona was a particularly boring sort of place?

When they reached the baron’s home, Vitaliya watched as Ioanna selected yet another sealed letter from her pile. But she never had the chance to hand it over to the guards because the carriage was waved ahead without question.

“Either these guards aren’t being paid enough, or we’ve been expected,” commented Vitaliya. “Ioanna, you didn’t send word ahead, did you?”

“No,” Ioanna shook her head, confused. “Perhaps Grandmother did?”

“I don’t think so,” commented Aelia, who was currently in the carriage alongside them, and had been for the last hour or so. “I’m surprised, honestly—I knew this would happen, but I didn’t think it would be so soon.”

“What would happen?” asked Vitaliya. She had not had a real conversation with Aelia since their argument in the garden. Aelia did not seem to be at all angry with her, though, and it was difficult to keep up her annoyance with someone who was so cheerful.

“Rumors are spreading about Ioanna. Well, less rumor and more fact, at this point. People are excited.”

“Is that good or bad?” worried Ioanna.

“I suppose it could go either way,” mused Aelia. “But right now, I’d say it’s a good thing.”

Outside the baron’s villa, they were met by not only more guards, but an assortment of eager servants and even the baron himself.

“Call me wildly optimistic, but I don’t think he’s going to be difficult to convince,” muttered Vitaliya.

“Crown Princess!” he cried in delight before Ioanna even had completely stepped down from the carriage. “It is an honor to have you here.” He came forward to clasp her hands. “I’d feared we might not be important enough to expect you as a visitor. I’m glad to see my worries were in vain.”

“You have heard of my cause?” asked Ioanna.

“Rumors say you were at Pomeria, and the countet gave their support after you demonstrated your incredible blessing. I hope you don’t find us imprudent, but we were hoping—”

“Yes, I know.” Ioanna smiled. “I’ve grown accustomed to proving myself in these past few weeks.”

“No disrespect meant—”

“Nonsense. You’d be a fool to take me at my word.” Ioanna looked around. “And this is your staff? Quite an impressive reception.”

“My father was a member of the Order of the Sun, well loved by our people. He died defending Enona from a wild gryphon—we suspect it was rabid, for they don’t usually come down from the mountains. I always regretted his early death, but in later years I came to be grateful he never lived to see what Xytae became.” The baron shook his head ruefully. “When news of your blessing came to us, naturally, we were all excited.”

“I’d love to hear more stories of your father,” said Ioanna. “I had no idea he was a paladin. It’s rare for them to marry.”

As they were escorted into the villa, still followed by the flock of servants, Vitaliya felt herself smile. People were finally beginning to realize how wonderful Ioanna was. No matter what happened between them in the future, she would not have to spend it alone.

 

Vitaliya was rather sad to leave Enona the next morning, for everyone had been so cheerful and friendly. They’d suffered through the war with Masim, losing family and resources to the campaign and obviously were tethering on the end of hope before Ioanna’s emergence.

Their next destination was Lysera, another small barony only a few days away from Enona, and the journey was uneventful. Like Enona, it was a community that mostly relied on its vineyards, for little else would grow so near to the rocky, colder northern border.

When their carriage rolled to a halt outside the city walls, Vitaliya watched as Ioanna selected yet another letter from her pile. But after a minute, when nobody approached the window or opened their carriage door, Ioanna got up.

Vitaliya watched as she stepped out, still holding the letter in her hands. The carriage was positioned so she could see four guards blocking the way—an excessive number, she thought, for a community so small. She wondered if they were going to get the same reception they had at Enona, but from the expressions on their faces, that wouldn’t be the case here.

“The baron isn’t able to see you,” one of the guards said. “You’ll have to move on.”

“What?” Vel laughed incredulously. “You can’t be serious!”

“I’m afraid so. Please, go. We cannot accommodate you here.”

“Listen here, you—” began Orsina angrily, but Ioanna raised a hand.

“It’s quite all right,” she said. “We don’t want any unpleasantness. If the baron won’t see us, we’ll be on our way. We’ve many other stops to make.”

“But—” Orsina protested.

“No, I don’t want to force my presence upon anyone.” Ioanna stepped back into the carriage and pulled the door shut behind her. “Let’s go. No sense in spending any more time here.”

After a moment, in which Vitaliya imagined Orsina and Vel both giving the guards dirty looks, the carriage began to move again.

“You probably could have ordered them to step aside,” commented Vitaliya.

“I suppose, but I don’t want to have to bully anyone into joining us. It sounds like the baron’s already made his choice. Our time would be better spent soliciting those who are still open to my ideas.”

“All right, but I’m going to make sure he’s not invited to your coronation!”

Ioanna smiled. “I’m not angry, really. I understand why he’s afraid.”

They made it back to the road without further incident. After a time, the farmlands became woodlands, which was pleasant because the trees shielded them from the worst of the sunlight. Vitaliya closed her eyes and fell into a not-quite-sleep.

She was pulled back into waking when the carriage rolled to an unexpected halt. Vitaliya opened her eyes in time to see Ioanna frown. From outside came the sound of muffled voices.

“What’s going on?” asked Vitaliya.

Ioanna opened the carriage door and stepped outside. Vitaliya would have much preferred to remain safely inside, but her curiosity was stronger than her self-preservation, so she followed—though only partway, so she could duck back inside if the situation turned bad.

Over Ioanna’s shoulder, Vitaliya could see Orsina and Vel both standing in front of the carriage, their swords drawn. Aelia was still up in the driver’s seat, but purple light had gathered around both her hands. All three were facing a group of people who blocked the road. With only a glance, Vitaliya could tell they were bandits.

These were not the children that had waylaid Otho’s wagon. They were adults, dressed in hardened leather and carrying swords that looked like they’d been taken off the bodies of real soldiers. Vitaliya tried to do a quick count but lost track after fifteen.

“I’m beginning to really dislike this place,” Vitaliya said.

“We just want to talk,” said the bandit nearest to the front of the group—the leader, Vitaliya supposed. Neither Orsina nor Vel seemed terribly convinced, but Ioanna stepped out of the wagon’s shadow and into the dappled sunlight.

“Wait,” she said. Vel looked back at her in horror, but Orsina did not move. “I want to hear what they have to say.”

“Probably that this is a toll road. We’ve all heard it before,” said Orsina dryly.

“It usually is, but it happens that passage is free today. It’s my birthday,” said the bandit woman. Vitaliya sputtered with laughter.

“Both of you get back in the carriage,” ordered Orsina. “We’ll deal with them.”

“I’d like to hear them out, actually,” said Ioanna. “We’ve already stopped. What’s a few more minutes?”

“They’re saying the emperor’s dead,” said the bandit woman, speaking hurriedly so that Orsina and Vel might hold off on attacking just a bit longer, “and the rightful heir was chased out of Xyuluthe. Now, we’re not ones to get involved in political struggles. What’s the difference between one empress and another, right? It hardly makes a difference out here. Except they’re saying this princess is different. Saying she’s promised to end the war, and maybe even do something about the priestesses snatching children and sending them off to die in the desert.”

“You—” Vitaliya had never seen Ioanna so incredulous before. “You want to join me?”

“Well, under normal circumstances, we wouldn’t get involved. Nobles’ promises don’t mean much after they’ve got their end of things, right? Except they’re saying you’ve got Truthsayer magic.”

“Yes,” said Ioanna. “That’s how I know it’s not really your birthday.”

This got a round of laughter from the assembled bandits, and the woman grinned.

“Everyone here knows how to fight. We’ve got our own gear, our own food, and you can pay us after the fact plus interest. You can’t say yes to those town guards and no to us. I’ll be offended and might even take it personally.”

“You’d be taking orders from paladins,” warned Ioanna. “Could you tolerate that?”

“Nobody mentioned paladins,” muttered someone in the group.

“Shut up!” the leader bellowed over her shoulder. “D’you want to break a noble’s face or not?”

“I’m not sure if you’re in this for the right reasons,” said Ioanna. “I find no glory in combat or suffering. If I knew a way to reclaim my throne without bloodshed, I would happily take it.”

“We’re not monsters, princess,” said the bandit leader. “We work the same—always give people a choice before the swords come out, right? That’s just civilized. Less mess, less trouble.”

“You can’t be seriously considering this!” objected Orsina. “We are not so desperate that we need to ally ourselves with common criminals!”

“We’re a little desperate,” said Vitaliya.

“Their intentions are honest,” said Ioanna. “And Xytae is their country, so they’ve a right to fight for it.”

“They’ll turn on you the moment they get a better offer from your sister! And besides, what will the next noble you visit say when you ride up to his house escorted by a company of bandits?”

“Can’t speak to that second one, but I can guarantee we’ll not fight for the other princess. Look.” She leaned forward and adjusted her sleeve, and Vitaliya realized her arm was a different color than the rest of her body, the color of polished wood—which it was, Vitaliya realized. Her arm was made of wood and metal; a bizarre and beautiful piece of craftsmanship.

“I was in Masim,” she said. “Lost my arm for the glory of the Empire. They sent me home, and the Temple of Inthi made me this thing. It even moves.” She wriggled some of her fingers to demonstrate. “Nice, isn’t it? Spent nearly every last copper I had on it. But then the Temple of Reygmadra got word. I already had the papers saying I was released from my service for my injury, but they took it back. Said the new arm negated it. And it was back to the battlefield. Or it would have been if I hadn’t made a run for it.”

“I am sorry,” said Ioanna. “That was unjust—and as far as I know, illegal.”

The bandit woman shrugged. “Maybe so, but I had no way to appeal it. And now they say I’m a deserter.”

“I promise I’ll have your name cleared once I’m empress,” Ioanna said. “And anyone else in your situation.”

Vitaliya could tell neither Orsina nor Vel were pleased with this decision, but she thought she might be on Ioanna’s side with this one. If the woman was telling the truth—and Ioanna would say so if she wasn’t—then she would be a helpful ally.

“Crown Princess, with all due respect—” began Orsina.

“I’ve made my decision,” Ioanna interrupted. “What is your name?”

“Modia. And this is the Bronze Boars.” She gestured back at the other bandits. “They may not be used to taking orders from paladins, but I’ll keep ’em in line, and you can hold me to it if I don’t.”

“Murderers and thieves. Knight-Commander Livius is going to kill us,” muttered Orsina.

“‘Us?’” Vel objected. “You’re safe! It’s me that has no goddess wife for protection!”

“Can we all please calm down?” interrupted Ioanna. “Modia. I’m still in the process of soliciting nobles and will be passing through several more communities. I think it would be best if you went on ahead of us—I can’t promise I’d be able to stop any local guards from arresting you, nor do I think your presence would add a great deal of credibility to my cause. But I will write you a letter, so you won’t be turned away at Nassai.”

“Nassai? Is that where your troops are gathering?” asked Modia.

“On my grandmother’s lands.” Ioanna nodded. “She is my most powerful supporter, and none of this could have happened without her influence. I only ask you keep the location a secret as you travel. My sister will learn of us eventually, but it’s my hope it won’t be too soon.”

“On my honor, we will tell no one,” swore Modia. “Unless they swear to join us.”

“Thank you,” said Ioanna. “And I’m sorry for what you’ve been made to endure.”

“Wasn’t your doing,” said Modia, with a wave of her hand. “And look—you’re undoing it anyway. That’s more than I’d ever expect from a princess. Maybe things won’t be terrible forever. I suppose we’ll see.”