Chapter 104 - War Room

"What should we do now? Do you want to stay and help the Duke?" Alexa asked the First Prince when the group met in the early afternoon, after the news they received.

The Duke of Burgundy was now marching against Flanders, just south of Konrad's kingdom. As a precaution, while his uncle was making arrangements in one of the two capitals of the Duchy of Würtz, Konrad must take steps to defend the northern portion. Würtz was unlikely to be attacked, and even more unlikely that Konrad's castle would be attacked soon. But the subject stirred spirits and more than that, it brought more than a dilemma.

Their route in the original plan would necessarily pass through the lands of Burgundy towards the south of France. Now, they had to define new routes, or decide what was most important.

Alexa was left out of the meeting that Duke Konrad called earlier, although even a certain nightingale was invited. His warriors and Magnus stood by the young Duke to devise a defense plan. But now only Magnus' group was gathered around a table in the war room, where the map used in the morning was still spread out.

"I have already spoken to my cousin and his men, and we have already decided that it's not necessary at this time. The kingdom can receive reinforcement from Holstein and the Empire. I am going to send a letter to my father, and the messenger will leave tonight with a few other letters. I suppose the Emperor will call my father for consultation soon. We don't have much to fear, I believe," while he explained to the gathered party, Alexa tried to analyze his face, looking for signs that would contradict him. The Prince spoke in a serious, assertive, and calm tone, but his frown worried her.

One of the men suggested a route, but that included going through the mountains and reaching Venice. Alexa rather wished not to go to Venice, if she could avoid it, but she also didn't want to say anything that could raise any suspicion. Rising restlessly from her chair, she walked across the room to where Romeo was, in his cage, quite still.

Reaching out a finger into the cage, a strong peck surprised her, and Alexa withdrew her hand, startled,

"Ouch! Why did you do it?"

~ Why do you want to upset me now? ~ Alexander replied rudely, and Romeo turned his back on Alexa on the perch. She contained her laughter, because he was so cute! He had no idea how cute his tantrum was in the shape of a bird. She wondered whether it reflected in his human form.

"Listen, Zand," she whispered, "I know you want to be with your best friend right now, but look ... He can't hear you or anything!"

"You could stay, too. Magnus goes to fetch the antidote on his own as he planned to do from the beginning," it was a suggestion, or perhaps a request, but his tone was moody. She was thoughtful for a moment, and looked sideways at Magnus, leaning over the map with the other men, not even paying attention to her or Alexander.

"Are you more concerned with the Duke here, inside a castle, one day from Holstein, with access to various resources and great advisers, than with your brother? Who is going on this journey just to help you?" she whispered in exasperation.

~ I trust his ability, ~ Alexander said. ~ You don't know him, but nothing can stop him. ~

Alexa had already seen him in action, the day Magnus jumped on a moving carriage and fought with an assassin, and also in the Bride's Parade. She also witnessed the duel against Florian, when Magnus looked insane and cruel.

"Even the greatest Greek warrior had a weakness. There's no invincible person, Alexander. I've seen incredible warriors killed because of a sneaky lunge from a short, unqualified being," she spoke of her family, destroyed despite her extraordinary abilities.

But of course, Alexander had no way of knowing. And her husband said,

~ In the situation you are in, sleeping at night, you will be a nuisance on this trip. Let's just stay here. It's safe for you. ~

Really, the maiden had not thought about the practical aspect of her condition. They would have to think of a way to make this trip. During the nights, she would be asleep, or rather, practically dead and a literal burden. Alexa raised a finger to argue.

"Well," she heard Magnus's voice stand out in the middle of the conversation, and stopped to listen because it seemed important, "I will avoid the route through Venice, since the di Borghesi are in dispute with a Doge from there. I think the quickest alternative is to go by boat to the west of France. From there we can travel faster to the south of the country, avoiding all border disputes."

One of the men gave a low laugh, and commented,

"I thought you didn't like boats, Your Highness."

"Just because I don't like to depend so much on knowledge that I don't master. When I am on my horse, I know how to maneuver it and dominate my destiny. But a boat ... It is knowledge that escapes me entirely."

"We heard that a caravel named Lagos was in Holstein yesterday, coming from Denmark," another of Magnus's friends, named Dyderich, commented, and Magnus agreed that he was thinking about that boat.

"A caravel? How intriguing," Alexa had heard that caravels were the fastest and most modern exploration sh.i.p.s. But as little as she knew, they were not part of the merchant sh.i.p.s that used to sail the northern seas. Still, the news could be good.

~ Tell him you are not going, Alexa, ~ insisted the Second Prince. ~So he doesn't have to do this maneuver just to lessen the problem of traveling with a woman who dies every night! ~

"What's wrong with you, Alexander? Why are you talking like that?!" she no longer understood the real reason for Alexander's irritation. At first she thought it was because he wanted to be close to his best friend in a time of political tension. Maybe he was even afraid to leave for unknown lands. After all, Alexander was almost killed by a tavern cat. Now he claimed to be concerned about her safety, and even his brother's mobility. Or was it everything at once?

~ Let's not talk on here, ~ he said in reply.

Realizing that her opinion had not even been requested at the meeting, Alexa took the cage and left the room without warning. After closing the door behind him, she murmured,

"I don't know why you're so angry today, Alexander. But it's out of the question that I stay. We have gone too far, including accepting a ritual so that we could make this trip. Konrad will be fine."

He was silent, and she wondered whether or not her speech had worked.

"We won't have much time later, Alexander, so tell me a few things I need to know."

~ Like what, for example? ~

"Maybe I need to move to Holstein's court. As I said, the priest wants my help. I may have to impersonate you. "

~ Is it not enough having you to mock me? ~

'Hm, so that's the reason,' the maiden grimaced,

"Alexander! I didn't tell any compromising detail, only that I saw it... Wouldn't I see it, anyway?"

Alexander sighed,

~ I wasn't there to know the circ.u.mstances. Just take into account that ... I was weak, and long time sick. Yeah, sick, ~ he pointed out.

Alexa scratched her eyebrow,

"There no reason for such a fuss about it. I needed to pee, that's all."

~ Well, usually when I wake up, ... Tell me if it will happen to you too. Whether it is the soul or the body. Father Agnello said it's the body, because it happens to every man, he said. Even with the priests. But he also said that I had better pray as soon as I woke up, to avoid impure thoughts… ~

"Are you talking about getting… hard, red and big? Upon waking up?" she said falsely innocent just to provoke him. Lady Eudoxia had described it and what could be done about it, from a woman's point of view, of course. But she imagined that Alexander knew how to handle the problem better than she would. What a fake!

~ Alexa! ~ he was exalted. ~ Why don't you show some modesty?! ~

"Hm… Alexander. What exactly are you talking about? Who do you think you're kidding? Why do you think I would believe that you, a handsome prince in the prime of life, are someone who has never had the pleasures of the flesh satisfied? I am modest and a maiden, yes, but not an idiot."

After a moment of silence, which Alexander probably used to think about whether to carry on this conversation, he asked,

~ In any case, take good care of my body ... wife. And tell me if it happens when you wake up in my body. ~

"I will do that. But, this whole conversation got me thinking ... I'll probably run into your lovers. I need to know who they are!" she stated with a condescending and casual air, keeping a slight smile on her face. The bird stirred in the cage,

~ Who did I marry?! Who's this crazy woman?! ~ he exclaimed.

"Ah, as I imagined! The Prince is desperate and afraid that I would find out who his courtesans and close lady friends are! Alexander, don't worry! It's just convenient for me to know everything about them… Their names, their nicknames, the gifts they like to receive and anything else… Come on, tell me now!"

~ You have no idea how threatening it sounds! ~ he protested, jumping from one perch to the other.

"Um, if you're not going to tell me, I'll find out soon, anyway," she stated, laughing. But then Alexander surprised her with his question,

~What about you, Alexa? When do you intend to tell me about your lover? ~