You Will Pay for This

One

A knock came at the door. Christina rose. “I’ve got it.” She went to the door, baby Timmy in her arms. A soldier stood outside the small house, looking grim. “Hello…”

“Ma’am, I must ask you to leave. This is a matter for your brother and husband. Julian Greenwave, Mark Orangefire, the king wants you dead.”

Christina was shocked. Who wouldn’t be? Her husband, Mark, was taken outside, as was her brother, Julian. She sat there numbly, Timmy slipping from her arms. Christina slid onto the floor and sobbed into a handkerchief. It was lilac silk, embroidered with deep purple flowers. She assumed they were lavender. The door reopened. Christina looked up. The soldier looked uneasy to see her so upset. “Ma’am, I must have a word with you.”

She looked straight into his eyes, wishing she wouldn’t be exiled if she glared at him, boring her eyes straight into his soul. Shakily, Christina got to her feet, her deep blue dress rustling slightly.

“Ma’am, the king has found you a more suitable husband. He wants you to be his wife.” Christina’s eyes widened. “What an honour, huh?” He grinned. “My wife said you should be proud.” He looked proud himself, eyes glowing, as if he was delivering the incredible news. “i...I”

“Speechless, huh? You lucky girl! I must be off. Have a good one, ma’am!”

Christina was dumbfounded. She couldn’t, no, wouldn’t marry him. The king himself! No, surely it was a cruel trick, often played by the king’s messengers. But the soldier looked so proud, so happy.

“Christina!” Julian yelled. Christina blinked.

“Oh, uh, yes, Julian?”

“We’ll run away tonight. Midnight, when the moon is high. Uh, that is, if you want to…”

“I’ll do it.” Christina said immediately.

“And, Christina?” Mark said.

“Mhm?”

“What is that soldier say to you? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”

Maybe she had. She wanted tell her husband, but she knew he would tell her to do it, to obey the king. “Oh, nothing.” She said. “Absolutely nothing.”

Two

“Christina. Christina, wake up. We must leave.”

Christina peeled open her eyes. She hauled herself out of bed and got dressed in a simple tan dress.

Soon they were ready. Ready to run. Run from the disagreements. Run from unfairness. Run from the king. Julian's musses stained as hauled massive cartons of supplies onto the canoe.  Christina stepped inside the boat, Timmy held in her arms, a small, fast asleep bundle.

There was a yell. Christina fought back a scream, rumbling with the ropes, untying the canoe… And they slipped away from the bank. They were off! Mark and Julian snacked up paddles, steering them away. A group of soldiers bust from the bushes. Then the king, on a pure white horse. His eyes glittered with malice. “Oh, Christina Greenwave.” He said. “You will pay for this.”