The game

I look around me confused. The moment we arrived in the courtyard of the castle, the general ordered one of his men to imprison me. Then, does he suspect me? Or is he really not interested?..

"Let's play a game, shall we? Don't worry, I'm sure to keep my promise to you." And he smiled as he stepped away...

I'm being taken to the same dugeon where we used to keep the war prisoners. Damn. There aren't many chances, but what if someone actually recognizes me down there? Supposing they're not all dead already, that is... Their soldiers are all around the place. I obviously have no chance of escaping on my own. The fact that I'm familiar with the places is of no help if the security is so high.

When we arrive in front of the thick wooden door, my heart starts beating like crazy. What now? I may never get out of here alive. Is it worth it? They'd treat me better if I told them who I am. At least until they'd find the best way to deal with such a nuisance. But there's always the possibility that the council would deny my words. And not even all our soldiers are aware of my real connection with the crown; it's been like that ever since I was young, and presented before important visitors of our father as Charles' cousin, not older sister.

I see nothing in the darkness that openes before me, on the other side of the door. My eyes will adjust to it eventually, but right now I feel like walking inside a tomb.

"Ligia!"

As soon as I walk in, a shadow appears in front of me and grasps my shoulder. I freeze. This man knows me! It's over.

"This is my sister", the man says to the soldier that had brought me in.

"Right", he answers a little surprided, knowing how I had been found in the woods. "Stay together, then".

(Hmm, I wonder if I should tell the general. He seemed quite taken with the girl...)

"Thank you, sir", says *my brother* and drags me along to a corner of the room. Then he makes me sit next to him and whispers at my ear:

"It's all right, it's me".

Yes, I've known it for a while now. Marcus... Did he willingly surrender himself so that he'd end up in here? What a stupid man. This makes it so much harder. At his side, I could never act the way I need to fulfill this mission. This person traps me way more than the walls that surround me right now. Isn't he aware?

"Marcus.."

That's all I can say... At least I'm not alone.

         ....

Later that night, we hear voices on the corridor. The keys clank and the door openes once more. This time, two soldiers with torches enter first and I can finally see more clearly my suroundings. There a are a few more people inside, sitting against the wall, around the room. Five soldiers, slightly injured and tired, and two women dressed up in peasants' clothes, just like me.

I see general M. walking in and leading the way to a tall and pale young man wearing a lieutenant's uniform. He looked terribly displeased of being in this kind of place, but patiently tolerating the general's whim.

"Here, boy. What say you?"

The general familiarly put his arm around the lieutemant's shoulders and gave him a friendly slap on the chest, in high hunour.

"Sir, I'm really not..."

"Lieutenant, this is an order from your superior. Disobedience is punishable by death!"

The general's victim sighed and took a quick glance around the room. His eyes rested one moment on Marcus and his indifferent voice turned severe:

"Since when do we tolerate rebels? And traitors, on top of that. I saw this man when he was captured. He didn't lift a finger to fight."

The general starded laughing.

"The girl, Leon! Get a girl! My word, this mood of yours is exactly what drives me to extreme measures like these!"

"Ah, General!"

One of the soldiers with torches suddenly remembered the scene this morning and he leaned forward to report it to the general.

"Hmm? Family, are they?" Then to me:

"So your kin is a rebel. No winder you tried so hard to protect the likes of him this morning."

The lieutenant mechanically turned his blue piercing eyes our way. My heart started to pound. This is bad! We shouldn't stand out like this.

"You have such a strange way with women, sir. Is imprisoning and questioning them all you can do?"

Marcus spreaks up in a relaxed manner, unaffected by the remarks at his surrender.

The general sneers.

"It's only natural to doubt, since she's an enemy's sister. I really don't see the resemblance, by the way. In looks nor guts. Do you, Leon?"

The lieutenant was unpaciently drumming his fingers along the haft of his sword.

"Let's go, General", he said in a tired tone.

A few moments of silence. I feel them crawling like a rope around my neck as if my life depended on them. If I don't make my move now, there'll never be a next time. I stand up and bluntly say:

"Let me out. I'm sick of this game, I'd rather just die."

"Go ahead!"

Leon's voice is disdainfully sarcatic as he immediately arms his gun and hands it over without hesitation. There's no time for second thoughts. I'd rather them suspect my nerve than ignore my prudence. I take the gun to my head and pull the trigger.