Episode 5: The Capital

 

 

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THE TRAIN STATION - NIGHT

The station was chaos.

People everywhere—pushing, shouting, rushing in all directions. Vendors hawking food and trinkets. Porters hauling luggage. The noise was overwhelming after the relative quiet of the countryside.

Alessia held Lucia in her arms while Dante and Marco clung to her skirts, all three children wide-eyed with fear and exhaustion.

"Stay close," the officer said, his hand on her elbow, gently guiding them through the crowd. His other officers formed a loose protective circle around them, keeping the worst of the jostling crowd at bay.

Alessia had never been more grateful for anyone in her life.

They made their way through the massive station—all marble and iron, grander than anything she'd ever seen. Gas lamps cast everything in golden light. The ceiling soared impossibly high above them.

"This way," the officer directed, leading them toward the exit.

But before they could reach it, another officer approached, saluting sharply. "Sir, the prisoners are secured and ready for transport. The magistrate's office is expecting your report tonight."

The officer's expression tightened. "Tonight?"

"Yes, sir. Given the severity of the crimes—the kidnapping operation—they want your testimony immediately."

Alessia saw the conflict in his face. He looked at her and the children, then at his subordinate.

"Lieutenant Marcos," he said, turning to one of the younger officers. "I need you to escort this lady and her children to the Rose and Thorn inn. Make sure they have a room—put it on my account. See that they're safe and settled."

"Yes, sir." The lieutenant stepped forward, his expression kind.

"But—" Alessia started to protest. "You don't have to—"

"I have duties I can't neglect," the officer said, his voice apologetic. "The men we captured today are part of a larger criminal network. I need to give my report while the details are fresh. But Lieutenant Marcos will take good care of you. I trust him completely."

"I understand. Of course. Your duty comes first."

"Not first," he said quietly. "But it's necessary." He turned to the lieutenant. "The Rose and Thorn, near the barracks. Mrs. Donnelly will have a family room. Make sure they have everything they need."

"Yes, sir."

The officer looked at Alessia one more time. "Tomorrow, if you need help finding your way to the barracks, ask Mrs. Donnelly. She knows how to reach me."

"Thank you. For everything."

He nodded, then turned to handle his duties, already being drawn into conversation with other officers about the captured bandits.

Lieutenant Marcos smiled at Alessia. "This way, ma'am. I'll have a carriage brought around."

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THE CARRIAGE - NIGHT

The lieutenant was efficient and kind, helping Alessia and the children into the carriage with gentle hands. The children were half-asleep already, exhausted beyond measure.

As the carriage began to pull away from the chaos of the station, Alessia leaned out the window, catching one last glimpse of the officer who'd saved them. He was surrounded by his men, giving orders, his posture radiating authority and command.

She realized she didn't even know his name.

"Excuse me!" she called to Lieutenant Marcos, who was riding alongside the carriage. "The officer—the one who helped us—what's his name?"

The lieutenant looked surprised by the question. He called back, but his words were drowned out by the noise of the street—vendors shouting, carriage wheels clattering on cobblestones, the general din of the capital at night.

"What?" Alessia called again.

The lieutenant shouted louder, but a passing street vendor with a bell drowned him out completely. She caught fragments—something that sounded like "Commander"—but couldn't be sure.

The carriage turned a corner, and the moment was lost.

Alessia sat back, frustrated. Well, if she needed to find him tomorrow, she could ask Mrs. Donnelly. He'd said the innkeeper would know how to reach him.

Still, it seemed odd not to know the name of the man who'd saved her life.

The children slumped against her, finally giving in to sleep. She wrapped her arms around them and watched the city roll past outside the window.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow she would find Sebastian and tell him the truth.

She didn't know that the kind officer whose name she couldn't hear was the very husband she was seeking.

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THE ROSE AND THORN INN - LATE NIGHT

The inn was modest but clean. Lieutenant Marcos helped them inside, where the proprietor—a sturdy woman with kind eyes—immediately began fussing.

"Lieutenant! What brings you here at this hour?"

"Mrs. Donnelly, the Commander asked me to escort this lady and her children. They need a room for the night. He said to put it on his account."

"The Commander sent them?" Mrs. Donnelly's entire demeanor changed, her eyes softening as she looked at Alessia's worn appearance and the exhausted children. "Of course, of course! Poor dears. Come, I have a family room on the second floor. Clean beds, fresh water. You'll be comfortable."

"Thank you," Alessia managed.

Mrs. Donnelly led them upstairs while Lieutenant Marcos waited in the lobby. The room was simple but clean—two beds, a washbasin, a small table. To Alessia, who'd been sleeping in a cold attic room, it looked like luxury.

"There's a water closet at the end of the hall," Mrs. Donnelly said. "Breakfast is served at dawn in the common room. If you need anything, anything at all, you just call for me."

"Thank you. This is perfect."

After Mrs. Donnelly left, Alessia got the children settled. They were asleep almost before their heads hit the pillows, exhausted from the journey and the trauma of the attack.

There was a soft knock at the door.

Lieutenant Marcos stood there, looking respectful. "Just wanted to make sure you were settled, ma'am."

"We are. Thank you for your help."

"The Commander wanted me to tell you that if you need anything tomorrow—help finding your way, or assistance with the barracks—you can ask Mrs. Donnelly to send for him. He'll help however he can."

"He's very kind."

"He's a good man. The best officer I've ever served under." Marcos paused. "He doesn't usually take such personal interest in civilians. You and your children must have made quite an impression."

Alessia felt her cheeks warm. "He saved our lives. We're very grateful."

"Well, good night, ma'am. You're safe here."

After he left, Alessia sat in the quiet room, her mind racing. The officer—the Commander, Mrs. Donnelly had called him—had been so kind. So helpful. So different from what she'd expected military men to be like.

She thought of Sebastian, somewhere in that massive military complex she'd glimpsed on the way here. An officer of the Royal Guard.

Would he be anything like the Commander who'd saved her life?

She hoped so.

She fell asleep with that hope, not knowing that the kind Commander and her absent husband were the same man.

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MORNING - THE STREETS OF THE CAPITAL

Alessia woke to sunlight streaming through the window and the sounds of the city—so different from the quiet mornings of the village.

The children were still asleep, exhausted from yesterday's ordeal. She let them rest a bit longer while she washed her face and tried to make herself presentable.

Her reflection in the small mirror was sobering. Dark circles under her eyes. Hollow cheeks. Worn dress that no amount of mending could make look new. Hands rough from work.

She looked like what she was—a poor woman who'd been struggling for years.

What would Sebastian think when he saw her?

Would he even recognize her as his wife from that one night five years ago?

Stop, she told herself firmly. It doesn't matter what he thinks of how you look. You're here to tell him about his children. That's all.

When the children woke, she took them downstairs for breakfast. Mrs. Donnelly fussed over them, serving generous portions of porridge and fresh bread. The children ate with the careful thoroughness of those who'd known hunger.

"Will you be staying another night?" Mrs. Donnelly asked kindly.

"I... I'm not sure. It depends on—" Alessia hesitated. "On what happens today."

"Well, if you need the room, it's yours. The Commander has an account here. Said to charge it to him."

Alessia's pride stung. "I can't accept that. I barely know him."

"He helped you, didn't he? Let him help. Men like the Commander don't offer help lightly." Mrs. Donnelly patted her hand. "You're safe here, dear. Whatever you're facing, you're safe here."

After breakfast, Alessia gathered her courage and her children and stepped out into the morning streets.

The city was even more overwhelming in daylight. So many people. So much noise. Buildings so tall they blocked the sun.

But she'd come too far to turn back now.

"Come," she said to the children, taking their hands. "Let's go find your papa."

She followed the directions Mrs. Donnelly had given her, walking through the busy streets toward the military district. The buildings grew larger, more imposing. More guards appeared on the streets, their uniforms crisp and intimidating.

And then she saw it.

The Royal Guard Complex.

Enormous. Imposing. Guards in crisp uniforms stood at every entrance. Flags snapped in the breeze. The whole place radiated authority and power.

Somewhere inside those walls was Sebastian. Her husband. The father of her children.

The man who thought she didn't exist.

Alessia took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and walked toward the main gate with her children.

It was time for the truth to come out.