Page 53 of A War Apart

He gestured for me to wait in the small entrance hall and went to announce me. He returned a moment later. “My lady asks you to attend her in the drawing room.”

The baroness didn’t look up as I entered the room. “I hope you’re not here to change the fabric on my order, Sofia Stepanova. I must tell you, I’m quite settled on that color.”

“Not at all, my lady. I had some new trim arrive this morning, and I wanted to show you.”

Lady Heli glanced at me. “Close the door, child. There’s a draft, and these old bones don’t tolerate the cold.”

As I did, the baroness set aside the book she was reading and beckoned me closer. “Do you have news?”

“Yes, my lady. I would have waited to tell Izolda, but I was nearby, and I do have some new trim with me.”

“So long as you don’t make a habit of coming to my quarters. What news?”

I took out the trim and handed it to her as I relayed what had happened in Princess Alisa’s quarters.

The baroness ran her fingers over the sample of fabric. “Good. It’s good that we’re the first to hear of this. His majesty will be glad to know how quickly news reaches court. Well done, Sofia.” She offered a rare smile.

I smiled back, grateful for the compliment. Perhaps I wouldn’t be a complete waste here at court.

A moment later, the baroness was back to her usual business-like self. “You should build contacts within Alisa’s household. She’s close to the tsar and highly ambitious. News alwaysreaches her first. The tsarina and dowager tsarina are more sequestered than the rest of the court, but an ally or two in the Tsarina’s Tower wouldn’t go amiss, either.”

Being with the princess when the tsar stormed in was lucky, but Lady Heli was right. I couldn’t expect to be so fortunate all the time. Most of the information I would gather would come from allies and contacts, friends I made at court. I needed to extend my social circle. “I met the baroness of Arick today, and her husband’s manservant last week. Those connections would be worth developing as well, yes?”

“Kazimir Vladimirovich. Pah.” The baroness scowled. “Common trash marrying his way into nobility. He sullies the tsardom. But you’re correct. He has Miroslav’s favor, and having eyes on him could be beneficial. “You have good instincts, girl.”

“Thank you, my lady.”

“Remember, in future, send your news through Izolda. If you’re seen coming and going from my quarters too often, we’ll both draw unnecessary attention.” She handed me back the trim sample and waved a hand in dismissal.

I bowed. “Yes, my lady.”

As I left, the baroness called after me. “Close the door, child! The draft!”

Chapter nineteen

Gathering an Army

Han

Things moved quickly once Prince Radomir joined our cause. The tsar sent messengers around the country, calling men to meet us at the prince’s fortified castle, a day’s ride from his dacha. We moved into the castle before the first snow, and the recruits began arriving just as a thin sheet of white spread over the ground.

Upon their arrival, Tsar Borislav and the prince locked themselves in a room and began drawing up campaign plans, leaving me with the overwhelming task of organizing the men into units.

I sat in a small room inside the front gate. Outside the door, an endless line of men stretched down the road. My chest swelled with pride. So many. So many had come.

“Full name and town of origin,” I said to the next arrival, a slight man with a crooked nose.

“Nikolai Igorovich of Sobralen, your highness.”

I fought back a laugh. “I’m not the prince, sir. I’m Han Antonovich. Soldier. Former soldier,” I corrected, seeing the man’s eyes snag on my arm. “Any combat experience?”

“No, sir.”

“Not a problem. We’ll train you.” The prince’s clerk was assisting me. I pointed to a spot on his paper. “Put him here. Nikolai Igorovich, you’ll be reporting to Captain Matvey Il’ich. Last I saw him, he was in the smithy. He’ll get you settled in.”

The next few hours passed similarly, men stating names and locations until their faces all began to bleed together. I rubbed my hand over my face as another recruit opened the door.

“Name?” I asked, not opening my eyes.

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