Page 112 of A War Apart

“Purpose?”

“Be with family, sir. Rather not be here when the fighting starts,da?”

The guard rolled his eyes as he lifted the cloth that covered the driver’s belongings. “It’s all bluff and bluster. Borislav wouldn’t destroy the city, not when he’s gone to all this trouble to take it.”

Destroy the city? Why would they think Tsar Borislav would destroy the city?

“Still,” the driver said. “I’d rather not have an army between me and my wife. I’m sure you understand.”

“Best be on your way, then.” The guard stepped back and nodded for us to drive on.

We were past the worst of it, but I didn’t take a breath until I could see the camp. The tents of Borislav’s army faced the city, illuminated in the winter night by their fires. The tents bordered the road; anyone who wanted to pass would have to go directly through the center of the camp. Doubtless they were checking all the travelers, ensuring none of Miroslav’s army—or Miroslav himself—escaped.

As we neared the tents, I bit my lip. Was Han in there somewhere? Did he know I was coming? I still couldn’t believe he was alive. Wouldn’t be able to believe it until I saw him.

“We’ll get off here,” Izolda said.

“You sure?” The driver frowned at her as he pulled to a stop. “I’d be happy to see you through, at least to the other side of the camp.”

“My brother wanted to take us through himself.” She shrugged, the picture of nonchalance. “Protective, as I said.”

“If you insist.”

We climbed off the wagon, and Izolda pulled a handful of coins from the pack Alexey had given her. “Our thanks, sir, and may Otets bless you.”

He inclined his head. “Stay safe.” He made a clicking sound with his mouth and drove on.

We watched as a guard stopped him at the edge of the camp. The wind carried their words away, but the guard looked briefly in the back of the sleigh and waved him on.

Izolda waited until he was out of sight before starting forward. She took the baroness’s arm. “Let’s go.” We walked the short distance to one of the guards, who watched our approach.

“Names?”

Lady Heli drew herself up to her full height. Despite her disheveled appearance, her bearing was unmistakably noble. “Baroness Heli Fedorova of Tsebol, cousin to Borislav, who is Heir of the Sanctioned and rightful Tsar of Inzhria. I wish to see my cousin.” Izolda held out a ring as the baroness said, “My seal, if you require proof.”

The soldier blinked several times, stunned, as he accepted the ring. Recovering himself, he said, “Wait here, my lady.”

He strode to another guard and spoke animatedly, too quiet for us to hear. In a moment, he returned and bowed to the baroness, handing her ring to her. “Welcome, Lady Heli. We didn’t know to expect you. I’ll escort you to his majesty, if you’ll follow me.”

He turned to leave, but I cleared my throat. “I’d like to see the Survivor of Barbezht first, if I may,” I said, more bravely than I felt. My whole body was shaking, and not from the cold.

The soldier looked to Lady Heli for confirmation. She nodded.

He led us past the first tents and into the camp. A young man sat in front of a fire, sharpening an ax. He jumped to his feet at our approach.

“Show this woman to Captain Han Antonovich’s tent,” the guard said.

Captain Han Antonovich. It was him. He was alive.

And a captain. What had happened while I was gone? Was the gossip true? Maybe the tsar had given him a magic hand. He couldn’t lead soldiers one-handed. Could he?

“Miss?” The young man looked at me expectantly. Izolda, Lady Heli, and the guard were already gone. “This way, please.”

I’d never be able to find my way back to the road, I knew, as he led me through the maze of tents. Despite the late hour—I wasn’t sure what time it was, but it had to be late—there were still a large number of fires, with men sitting around them, talking and eating. We walked a long way into the camp before my guide finally stopped.

“Here we are. I don’t know if the captain’s back yet, though. I think the commanders were meeting with the tsar.”

I looked at the tent before us. The soldier could probably hear my heart pounding. Otets’ Blood, the whole camp could probably hear it. “That’s alright. I’ll wait.”

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