Book 1 - Chapter 5 - Rebel Leader

April 21, 1000

 Outside all is dark. It must be one in the morning by now. The moon is full. Not a soul stirs in the entire inn. A chill air flows with a regularity that is driving me slowly insane. What is that?  

Adrenaline pumps to every limb of my body. I look over the desk that hides my body. My heart pumps so fast it almost hurts. Will this man, supposed rebel, really help me? What am I to him? My body shudders. The cold tile underneath is chill to the touch. I shift.

A foot! Coming down the stairs is a pair of feet. The shoes are the same as Los was wearing at dinner. It must be him. He comes a step at a time. The farther he is coming towards me the more I can see of him. He is still in the same outfit as from dinner. A hood still is over his head. I guess my old thought that he had just come in was wrong.

 He is off the stairs. I duck my head. What do I say to him? 'Hello, I am Belladona's daughter and you have to take me in'? He will think me insane! 

"What do you want?"

he asks.

I gasp.

He comes around to me. I stand on quaking knees.

"I... I heard you are a leader of some sort and-"

Before I say another word he puts an arm around me.  His fingers tighten around me.
"You will be coming to my room,"
he says.
I wriggle just a bit. He holds me tight. Too tight.
Los pushes me. Up the stairs then into the dark hallway. To the second door and in.
Once inside he pushes me from him. I turn and stare.

 Only two candles are lit in the room. Los's face is in deep shadow under his hood.
My mouth is dry. Words refuse to form. I lick my lips.
"I.."
"What do you want with me? Spit it out! I haven't time to waste on young girls!"

"Please, I think I can be of service to you,"
I say. My brain whirls. Keep things straight!
"How?"
I smile. Perhaps if he thinks I look respectable enough he'll help!(perhaps I am going insane!)
"I am Belladona's eldest daughter and wish to help the people."
 He goes around me to the window. A hand covers his face. After a moment he turns toward me again.

"Ha ha ha! Yeah, sure, and I'm a king!"
Oh, how can he? My hopes fly away like the geese in fall.
 This man will be of no help. I turn to leave. His hand snatches my wrist.

He forces me down until I sit by the wardrobe.
"Did you honestly think I would let someone who knows what I do go?"
he asks.
His face is hard. Brows low and mouth a frown.
I stay where he put me, head down. There is nothing now.

 All my plans are gone. I am alone and yet not. A captive with no hope of rescue. Will he ever let me go? Perhaps he will let me loose... after the war, perhaps.

No! I can't give up. Thousands are depending on me. With Mam fleeing I, by default, will become Chief whether the people know it or not. Even though I am now disowned the laws are clear.
Tanki, give me strength and wisdom. Help me to know what it is that You have willed.
I end my prayer.

 A moment later fear leaves. Determination replaces all else. I stand.
Los is facing the window. He has not noticed I have moved. Outside it rains again. In one corner I can hear the plink! of rain falling through a small hole in the rooftop.
"Los!"

He turns to me.
"I am the daughter! Ask me anything and I will reply truthfully! I can prove it, try me. I must help my people during this war. I will not give up on them no matter what!"
He gapes at me. I don't stop.
"Fighting is coming, war! I can help. Being the daughter there are places I can get into that you can't. If we plan on saving Ponia and bringing it into a new era you need me. Other talented people will step forward, I am sure. Get used to  it!"
 He says nothing.
I put my hands into my bun. Feeling for it.

I find it. The pin. The queen's pin. Only those who are either a queen or an heir to the throne may carry it.
I pull it out and show it to Los in my open palm.
"Not possible..."
he whispers.
"War is here and I am who I say. We will have to fight to the death. The other country will give us nothing. Yet I can be a diplomat. I've been trained for that much at least! Please, let me help, I must do something for my people."

 A finger gently brushes the pin.
Its diamonds twinkle in the candlelight.
"You had best put it someplace safe, it is the only proof we have to show others who you are,"
he says.
My head nods.
I push the pin back into my bun.
"Very well. Then you accept me and what help I may give to you?"

"It is a deal!"