Zhanna and Vika held their breath and crossed their fingers as they prayed the carriage driver wouldn't report them. The driver arrived soon and rode the carriage out of the city quickly, just before the gates were closed. He had no idea that his passengers were the missing princess and her maid. His cart wasn't even meant for carrying people, he only accepted because of the generous amount Vika offered him.
He raced towards the city gates and managed to escape before they were shut, but not without 'tipping' the guard at the gate. The princess and her maid were missing, and the queen had ordered the gates to be closed until they were found.
Zhanna breathed a sigh of relief once they passed the kingdom gates. She didn't know what was going through the driver's mind, but she hoped her plan would work. She remembered everything Boris had done to her and smirked inwardly- it was time for him to pay.
Suddenly, the carriage slowed and came to a stop.
"Your Highness... sorry, I mean Princess Zhanna... no, Zhanna, there are guards outside the carriage."
Zhanna sighed in frustration. She had a feeling they wouldn't make it to the next city in time. It was time for Plan B.
Zhanna signaled to Vika, and they quickly changed into men's clothing, put on wigs, and packed their other clothes, money, and food into a sack. Zhanna peeked through a hole in the tent to check if the coast was clear, and her eyes immediately locked with one of the guard's.
Zhanna panicked. Before the guard could blink again, she had pulled away from the hole. The guard rubbed his eyes, unsure of what he had seen, and began questioning the driver about the goods he was transporting.
"We've got to go. Once you're out of the carriage, run and don't look back," Zhanna whispered to Vika.
Vika nodded slowly as she held the sack. Who knew fleeing from that wicked queen would feel this relieving? She took a deep breath to steady herself, then quietly climbed down from the carriage. Zhanna followed, but the guards had already spotted Vika's leg as she climbed down and moved toward the back of the cart, catching Zhanna in the act.
"Greetings, gentlemen," Zhanna said in her most convincing male voice. But when the guards didn't react, she bolted into the bushes nearby without looking back.
"Who was that man in your cart?" one of the guards asked.
"I had no idea he was there," the driver replied, nervously considering whether he could flee. He was transporting stolen goods and hard drugs, and if the guards found out, he would be executed. He didn't want to die. When he saw the 'man' jump out of the cart, he felt relieved. He didn't know who that person was, but they had just saved his life.
Without missing a beat, the driver straightened, eyes wide in mock alarm.
"Ah! Gentlemen, you need to see this!" he shouted, diving into his performance. "There are hard drugs in my cart! I- I think that man must've put them there!"
His voice shook just enough to sound convincing. A perfect victim. A perfect setup.
Now all he had to do was sell the lie, and pray they bought it.
***
[In Volkorod]
After his encounter with King Igor, Shura headed to his mother's favorite spot by the lake and tried skipping stones across the water. He remembered the last moment they had shared there before she was killed.
(Flashback)
"Don't cry, Mama," little Shura said, climbing into her lap and wrapping his tiny arms around her. "That bad man didn't marry you… but it's okay. You don't need him!"
Valeria gave a weak smile, brushing his hair gently as he looked up at her with wide, serious eyes.
"I'm big now," he declared proudly. "I can fight him for you! Like a real warrior!"
She let out a soft laugh, her heart aching and full all at once.
"Yeah… like a warrior," she whispered. She kissed his forehead, pulling him close.
"Do you know what would make me really happy?" Valeria asked, brushing a lock of hair from Shura's face.
The boy looked up at her, curious, his small hands still clutching her sleeve.
"If you became a warrior," she said with a warm smile. "A strong, noble warrior."
Shura's eyes lit up. "Like the ones in the stories?"
Valeria nodded, her expression growing wistful. "Yes… but not just any warrior. You come from a long line of dragon warriors, Shura. Fierce and brave. My ancestors once fought alongside dragons to protect our people. The blood of the dragon warriors runs in your veins."
Shura's jaw dropped. "We have dragons?"
"Not anymore," she said softly, "but the strength is still inside you. Waiting. And one day, when you're ready… you'll feel it."
He puffed out his chest, trying to look brave. "Then I'll be the best dragon warrior ever! I'll protect you, Mama."
Valeria's heart swelled. She pulled him close, whispering, "And I'll always be proud of you, no matter what."
Their ancestor, Dobrynya, had been blessed with the power to kill witches, werewolves, and other mythical creatures. He passed down this gift with a condition: only a few people in each generation would carry the gift. The witches used this against them, killing many, and scattering the remaining members of their bloodline.
Valeria worked at the castle not just for wages, but for protection. She didn't know if any other families besides hers had survived, but she was determined to keep the lineage alive. Shura then made a promise to his mother: he would avenge their people and kill all the witches.
(End of flashback)
Shura didn't know if she had meant it literally, but he intended to fulfill that promise. When she died, he swore by her grave that he wouldn't rest until he had killed the last witch alive. Valeria had died the day the witches were burned by the black magician. Sadly, not all of them had perished. One still remained and if her power wasn't contained, she could bring the witches back again.
"I knew I'd find you here, cousin," said Kazmir, son of a duke and Shura's cousin, tapping him on the shoulder and snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Sadgor has been causing trouble recently. What should we do?" Kazmir asked.
"Let's shake them up a bit then we go witch hunting. I made a promise to my mom, and I won't stop until she can truly rest in peace," Shura replied.
Kazmir nodded. He knew about Shura's vow. As much as he hated to admit it, his aunt had never truly found peace. Every year on her death anniversary, heavy rain fell and most of the time, it flooded the graveyard.
Kazmir and Shura gathered their fighting squad and headed to their base in the woods.
...
Meanwhile in Koldunova…
"What do you mean the princess is missing and cannot be found?!" Queen Darya screamed. She hurled her hot cup of tea at a maid. The tea scalded the maid's skin, and the broken cup left a deep wound. The maid didn't dare scream or cry; she simply bowed and waited for the queen's dismissal.
"You," Queen Darya said, pointing to another maid. "Take this filthy thing out of here and clean up the mess."
Staring out her window, Queen Darya thought deeply. She had never known Zhanna to be rebellious. What would she tell Boris if he came? And more importantly, how was she supposed to accomplish her plan now?
"Zhanna, Zhanna. You think you're smart and want to rebel against me? Well, game on," she muttered, then sent for the Royal Guards Commander.
***
Boris had spies in the kingdom. The moment it was announced that the princess had gone missing, they wasted no time sending a message to him via bird.
"What's this?" Boris said, taking the letter. His frown deepened as he read it. By the time he finished, his face was contorted in fury.
"Pavel! Get the carriages ready. We're going to Koldunova. And tell the queen I want the marriage moved up," Boris ordered his guard, who bowed and left.
Boris opened the letter one more time.
"My bride… MISSING!" he growled, then tore the letter apart in rage.