Behind the Mask (81 page)

“Of course I do!” she snapped. “Come along. We’ve got to hurry.”

“Just our luck,” Magda said, scurrying down the hall at her sister’s side, “Nikolaus is out of the country.”

“A lot of good he’d do us, anyway,” Lena said, and Magda couldn’t argue. “I’d wager that whatever is going on, he brought it upon us.”

“When he shows up,” Magda said, breathlessly trying to keep up with her sister, “do you want to slap his face off, or should I?”

“If either of us is alive by then, we’ll do it together.”

Magda couldn’t believe this was happening. The very idea of having their home overtaken by depraved fanatics was her worst nightmare coming true. She didn’t even have to ask Lena where they were going. Ever since they were old enough to walk, they’d been taught what to do if the castle was invaded. Lena took Magda’s hand as they crept around the corner of a darkened hallway and into the chapel. They were quickly hidden away, but Magda didn’t feel safe. In fact, she felt downright terrified.

Cameron pushed open the doors to the chapel and stepped quietly inside, with only the lantern in Georg’s hand to guide them down the aisle between the pews. Cameron’s heart quickened as he moved stealthily behind the altar. He pressed his fingers carefully beneath the altar cloth, searching for the tiny latch that opened a concealed compartment, where he found a little lever. Pushing it provoked a loud clicking sound as a section of the floor boards behind the altar sprung up enough for him to get his fingers beneath the edge of the trap door.

Magda heard the door above them click open and she gasped. She and Lena retracted into a corner of the cold little room, lined with provisions of food and water. “Oh, help,” she whispered. “How did they find us here?”

“Hush up!”

“Maybe it’s Nikolaus,” she whispered. “Maybe he’s come back. Maybe—”

“I said hush up!” Lena repeated.

Magda had no trouble keeping quiet as a faint light emitted from above, and a man wearing a hooded cloak descended the creaking steps. Then another followed him down.

“Find them!” she heard one of them order in a gruff voice.

Lena stood up tall, urging Magda to stand beside her. It was obvious they had no retreat, and they were determined to face this with dignity.

Cameron held his breath as Georg lifted the lantern high.

“What do we have here?” Cameron muttered, noting the two women clinging to each other, courage carved into their expressions. “I believe we’ve come upon the Princesses du Woernig. How quaint.”

Magda could see nothing but shadowy features beneath the hooded cloaks. But she felt certain their doom was imminent.

“Whatever you’re after,” Lena stated firmly, “you won’t get away with it.”

“Spoken like a true princess,” Cameron stated coldly. “But . . . we already have.” There was a moment of silence. “Where’s your brother?” he demanded. Neither of them responded. “Where’s your
brother?”
he shouted.

“We don’t know,” Lena retorted. “He’s out of the country. He might be back tomorrow, but we don’t know.”

“Good,” Cameron said more calmly. “When your brother comes back, we’re going to have a little surprise waiting for him.”

Magda held to Lena more tightly, wondering what these men were up to, astonished that they had managed to get past the tight network of the Duke’s Guard that kept this fortress safe. And even more astonished that they had found this place that no one knew about beyond the royal family and their closest friends.

“All right,” Cameron added, unable to suppress a chuckle, “let’s get down to business. I’ve got a wedding to get to.”

“You?” Georg quipped. “I’m supposed to give the bride away.”

With purpose Cameron pushed back the hood of his cloak, and Georg raised the wick on the lamp to illuminate the room.

Magda looked into the face of their conqueror and heard Lena gasp just before a hysterical scream escaped her own mouth.

Cameron hadn’t known what to expect at this point, but he questioned his methods when Lena pressed her back into the wall, turning white as a blizzard, as if she’d stopped breathing. Magda screamed over and over, as if she’d seen some kind of apparition. Then he realized that from her perspective, she had.

“Magda,” he said, taking hold of her shoulders. “Magda, look at me.” She did and screamed again. “It’s all right,” he said, holding her tightly against him. He could feel her fists pushing against his chest, fighting to free herself. But he held her tightly, whispering close to her ear, “Listen to me, Magda. I’m not a ghost. It’s me. I’m real.” Her screaming subsided into sobs, but she continued to struggle and squirm. “Do you remember,” he whispered, “how we would sneak away . . . to the library . . . or the maze in the garden? Do you remember what very good friends we were; how we read stories to each other and . . .” He felt her soften in his arms. “It’s me, Magda.” He eased back and looked into her eyes. “It’s me.”

“Cameron,” she murmured and lifted a shaking hand to touch his face. “Cameron!” She sobbed laughter. “You’re alive. It’s a miracle. Oh, praise heaven. It’s a miracle!”

Cameron laughed and hugged her tightly, then he held out a hand toward Lena. “Cameron,” she murmured and slipped her hand into is. “It really is you.”

“It really is,” he said, drawing her into his embrace as well. “I’ve come back.” He smiled at Georg over the top of their heads. “I’ve really come back.”

“This is all very quaint,” Georg said, and the girls turned as if they’d just noticed he was there, “but I’ve got work to do, and you should get some sleep.”

“I’m not sure I
can
sleep,” Cameron admitted.

“Fine,” Georg said, “but I’m certain you can find someplace more comfortable to reminisce.” He led the way back up the creaky stairs and the women followed. Cameron came up last and closed the trap door, amazed at the way it meshed into the pattern of the floor.

Georg left to see that everything was under control, while Cameron talked with Magda and Lena for nearly three hours. He told them of all he’d been through and why, and all that he planned to do. They were stunned to realize that he intended to supersede Lance at the wedding. But he told them of his love for Abbi, and how she had changed him. He brought out the handkerchief she had given him for luck, and tears filled their eyes at the irony.

“Abbi’s a wonderful girl, Cameron,” Lena said. “It’s funny, but Magda and I both felt drawn to her the first time we met her, even though it was difficult to define the reasons. We’ve hardly spent any time with her at all, but we sensed something special.”

“Now, perhaps we understand,” Magda said. “Perhaps she was the means to answer prayers, when we didn’t even know for certain what to pray for.”

The women finally returned to bed, declaring they had to look somewhat presentable for this wedding. Cameron returned to the chapel alone and knelt in prayer. The light of dawn crept through the stained glass above him, but he was oblivious to the passing of time. The gratitude that filled his heart was more than he could put to words. He begged forgiveness for the choices he’d made that had been less than ideal, although he found some peace in being able to face God and know that he’d earnestly tried to do the best he could under the circumstances he’d been confronted with. He acknowledged God’s hand in bringing him this far, and God willing, they would see this day through together.

Cameron was startled from deep thought when he felt something being placed over his shoulders. Cameron touched the red fabric and pulled it tightly around him as he glanced up to see Georg.

“Did you get any sleep?” Georg asked.

“This was more important,” Cameron said with reverence. “Did you?”

“No. But everything is unpacked and in order. Franz will have your things ready. I’ve got to go soon. There’s some breakfast waiting for us upstairs. You need to eat and get cleaned up before you make an appearance.”

“The Guard?” Cameron asked.

“They are all accounted for and will be assembled in an hour. There are only two missing beyond the captain and those who are currently on shift with Gerhard. Garver, who of course, is ill. And Wurtzur, who is out of the country as Nikolaus’s escort.”

Cameron nodded. “Just give me a moment,” he said and closed his eyes, uttering one more brief prayer that all would go well.

After eating a quick breakfast with Georg, Cameron cleaned up, and with some help from Franz—a dear man he had once worked with closely—he saw the transformation of himself taking place in the mirror. Wearing his full uniform, he studied his own reflection carefully, more choked up than he wanted to admit.

“It’s you,” Georg said, his voice tender.

“It doesn’t feel like me,” Cameron replied, hearing a tremor in his own voice. “It feels like a dream of me.” He sighed and added, “How do you suppose, Georg, with as perceptive as Abbi is, that she hasn’t discovered who I am?”

“She hasn’t been looking. There are certain things that are important to Abbi, and the rest goes unnoticed. She knows you don’t want her to know or you would have told her, so I doubt she’d even try to find out.”

“If she’d tried, she could have found out easily enough.”

“But she didn’t, and we both know that’s been best for her. But it’s almost over now.” He put a hand on Cameron’s shoulder. “Come along,” he said. “They’re waiting.”

A few minutes later, Cameron uttered another prayer, knowing that the entire military force of Horstberg was gathered on the other side of the door where he stood. When he hesitated, Georg said, “Just do it.”

Cameron took a deep breath and pushed open the doors, stepping out into the bright morning sunlight. Lieutenant Joerger, a trusted ally, was standing closest to the door. He barked an order and the entire force came to perfect attention in unison. Cameron forced down the knot in his stomach and whispered to Georg, “Here goes.” His facetious tone didn’t quell his nerves as he added, “The civil war test.”

Cameron stepped forward slowly, almost expecting opposing loyalties to break out in bloodshed. He had no idea how many of these men would prefer to see things remain as they had been. And he wondered if he’d ever had to draw so much courage as to walk directly between the two lines of men facing each other, all with swords at one side, and pistols at the other. He walked slowly and steadily across the courtyard, giving every man the opportunity to see for himself that he was indeed alive and well. Then he turned back and called loudly, “There has been a change in command, as I’m certain you’ve figured out by now. I regret the deception that was necessary to reach this point, but I can assure you that all deception is in the past. Within a matter of hours, I will see the truth uncovered and exposed for what it is. I stand before you asking only that you serve me as you once did, trusting that I would not expect such loyalty if I were guilty of the crime for which I was accused. I am here to meet my commitment to serve this country, with honor and integrity; to see that everything we do is done for the best interest of Horstberg and her people. If there is any man who cannot abide by that precept, who cannot accept me as your leader, I want to know now. Having an opinion will not threaten any man’s rank or reputation. But I expect to know where I stand. And I’ll not have grumbling or dissension behind my back. Either you’re with me, or you’re not.”

With his announcement made clear, Cameron walked back down the aisle of men. He’d barely taken a step when the officers closest to him went down on one knee, pressing a fist to their chests in a well-known gesture of loyalty. He took another step and the next in line did the same. It was difficult for Cameron to hold back his humility as each man went to his knee, falling like dominoes as he walked between them. He turned and looked back at the entire force on bended knee. Then the lieutenant at his side did the same. For a full minute there was silence while Cameron gathered his composure.

“Help me, Lieutenant,” he whispered.

The lieutenant bellowed an order and the men came to their feet in unison, then they turned to face front, each boot resounding on the stone courtyard collectively. The lieutenant ordered the men who were on duty to return to their posts, and those who had been assigned for the procession to the cathedral to be prepared to depart at the appointed time.

“Anything else, sir?” the lieutenant asked.

Cameron called with authority, “When Nikolaus du Woernig returns, I want him arrested. He will be tried for treason on several counts. That will be all.”

The lieutenant dismissed the men and they dispersed.

“Very good,” Georg said quietly to Cameron.

Cameron only sighed, unable to find words to express all he was feeling.

“The committee is waiting, sir,” the lieutenant said to Cameron.

“Of course,” Cameron said, reminded that he still had much to contend with. “Thank you.”

He went back inside and hurried down the long hall, forcing back his tender emotions, along with his raw nerves.

“Cameron,” Georg called and he stopped and turned back. “I’m going now. You’re on your own.”

Cameron stepped back toward Georg. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t need to say anything. I’ll see you in a few hours, you know.”