To Zhanna, it was good that Vika had gone before her 'cause she could be easily recognised by the guards.
Zhanna ran as fast as she could towards the market in the village. If she got there, she could easily mingle with the crowd and the guards wouldn't be able to find her. She hoped Vika had gone to their scheduled meeting place.
As Zhanna ran, the villagers stared at her but chose not to indulge themselves in whatever was going on. They were probably reasoning why she was being chased by a bunch of guards. Whatever they were thinking, Zhanna prayed that they shouldn't join the guards in chasing her, she wanted to cause commotion but not too much of a commotion.
Zhanna arrived at the wagon yard minutes later. She had finally lost the guards. Vika was already there, waiting by the freight wagon- a large wooden wagon with a curved canvas roof, used by merchants to carry goods. Zhanna created a distraction while Vika sneaked into the freight wagon with their supplies- clothes, wigs, maps, foods, money and other stuffs that were in the bag.
Things were surprisingly going smoothly, too smoothly. Zhanna didn't trust it.
They were 'locked and loaded' in the wagon waiting for the driver to show up and get them out of here. The driver actually had no idea they were there, it was all part of the plan. If the driver knew, there was no telling whether he would help them escape or turn them in. So, they had to keep things low.
The driver arrived soon enough and they began their journey to the border checkpoint. Zhanna had cut a small hole in the canopy where she could use to view their surroundings as they went. Everything went as planned, they got to the border, the driver showed all his particulars, it was confirmed and he was allowed to go. He had just crossed the border when he heard an announcement.
"All gates are to be sealed at once! The princess is missing!"
The voice rang out from a castle guard on horseback, his horn slung over his shoulder. He rode past the wagons and coaches, shouting again, "Search every corner! No one leaves the city without inspection!"
Zhanna clutched Vika's hand. Thank heavens they had passed, she thought. Her mind was at rest…
…until she noticed the wagon had stopped moving.
[Meanwhile in Volkorod a storm was brewing]
King Igor was tense as he heard the footsteps walk in. He knew it was him, his son- a famous warrior, Shura. Looking up, he stared at his face. His boy was looking more handsome than ever, resembling his mother more and more every day.
"Shura my son…"
"My King, you summoned me," Shura bowed, cutting off whatever affection Igor had tried to show.
King Igor was throw off balance. He expected it actually, after what had happened to Shura's mother, it wasn't easy for Shura to forgive him.
"Indeed I summoned you. I have an offer for you," King Igor spoke, hoping deep down that Shura would agree, "I want to choose you as my next successor to the throne…"
Shura gave a cold laugh. "Why now?" he asked, voice quiet. "What's changed? Finally think that this abandoned trash is now useful!"
Igor stepped forward, almost desperate now. He had promised Valeria, Shura's mother, that her child would be the next King. He knew he had failed to keep most of his promises to Valeria but he swore on his life at her grave that he would fulfil that promise and that's what he'd do whether Shura listens or not.
"Shura, it hasn't gotten to that. Listen to me."His tone softened. "I'm going to tell you everything; about your mother, about our relationship, how she died. All of it."
"I'll name you officially as my son. Give you command, status, whatever you want."His voice cracked slightly. "Just… accept the crown. It's what your mother wanted for you."
"What my mother would have wanted!" Shura snorted. He paced slowly around the table, his hands tracing the lines as he walked. "Let me ask you this, FATHER. Why don't you give the crown to your son- Boris?" He stopped and looked up.
"Why do you choose to reward me with all this now? Do you think I'm a fool? Do you really believe I don't see your plan?" He scoffed.
"Are you that desperate to wipe me off the face of the earth? You want me to become king, knowing it would split the palace in half…or worse. Everyone is against me. No one wants a maid's son as a king!" He paused, breathing heavily.
"I've been alive for twenty-five years, and no one knew I was your son. If I'm announced as king now, don't you know what that would cause?"
King Igor's spirits were weighed down as Shura's words cut deeper and deeper.He was about to speak when Shura cut him off instantly.
"Do not summon me if you want to speak to me as a 'father'. I have no relationship with you. You killed my mother after promising her the world, left a young boy to fend for himself at the age of seven and now you're offering me this?" He scoffed. Anger rising in his voice as he spoke each sentence
"You think I'll be your next scapegoat? Nice try."
Without waiting for dismissal, Shura turned and marched out.
King Igor was left alone in his chambers.He knew it was all his fault. He had been too weak to make the right decision and stand against his parents' words back then. If only he had been braver… he, Valeria, and Shura could've been a family by now.
---
Queen Kira sat in her chambers with Boris, her son. Her chamber was directly beside the king's chamber and they could hear the conversation that was going on inside the king's chambers.
"It's relieving to know that the son of a maid knows his place" Queen Kira said.
"It is relieving...but I don't still get why father is pushing the crown to him and not me" Boris said.
"It doesn't matter whom your father pushes the crown to, you would still be king. After all Volkorod has only one prince and the tribunal won't agree to Shura becoming King, I'll make sure of that. Boris, all you have to do is to get married according to the law and that crown would be yours" Queen Kira said. Boris nodded and smirked, the crown was meant for him and him alone.