Cinderella and the Colonel (9 page)

“And everyone knows Crown Prince Steffen of Arcainia married a commoner. Yes
, she has the title of Marquise because she killed the ogre, or troll, or what-have-you who ruled the lands before her, but it wasn’t inherited,” the Colonel said.

“You are correct
,” Marie said.

“
But you still don’t approve?” the Colonel said.

Marie shrugged. “Tru
ly it is none of my affair. I will always advocate for lovers to follow their hearts.”

“What do you think
, Cinderella?” the Colonel asked.

Cinderella
stared at the basket in her hands. The Colonel’s beginner but well-constructed base was still intact, but the layers Cinderella added were lopsided and filled with holes. “I think I have no talent for basket weaving.”

The Colonel chuckled as he set his basket aside. “You’ll get better. I’m off. It
was good to meet you, Marie Raffin,” he said, standing and bowing to both ladies. “Until next time. Stay safe, Pet,” he said, reaching out to brush Cinderella’s cheek with his hand.

Cinderella leaned out of
his range. “Good day to you, sir.”

The Colonel smiled to Marie. “She plays hard to get
, but she enjoys it,” he said before ducking out of the tent to avoid the basket Cinderella threw at him.

“
That man,” Cinderella seethed.

Marie twitched the tent diver aside to watch him go. “He’s not what I expected.”

“He’s worse, isn’t he?”

“No
,” Marie hesitated. “I think he may be serious about you.”

“What? If
that was a joke, it wasn’t very funny, Marie,” Cinderella said, joining Marie to watch Friedrich disappear into the market. Even though he and Cinderella were on good terms, most of the market vendors treated Friedrich with suspicion, whispering behind his back and watching his movements with narrowed eyes.

“I wasn’t jest
ing.”

“It makes no sense. Why would a colonel want a penniless Trieux noble—t
he daughter of someone he hated? Besides, you saw him. He is a charmer and a player.”

“Yes
,” Marie said. “But how many charmers have you seen sit down and make baskets with those whose hearts they intend to play with?”

Cinderella froze in the middle of stack
ing baskets.

“What do you think of him?” Marie asked.

“It doesn’t matter what I think of him. He could never afford me,” Cinderella said.

“You don’t know
that. He may be rich,” Marie said.

“Everyone knows it is most
ly the second and third sons of Erlauf nobility who become officers. He has a high social rank and pocket money enough to live comfortably, but he could not possibly supplement Aveyron’s income,” Cinderella said.

“Does he need to?”

“Do you really mean to say you would rather see me with that Erlauf rat than Julien or Marcus?”

“No.
But…”

“
But?”

“You smiled. Your smile
has been a rare thing these days.”

“It
was a sarcastic smile! I find that man to be indecent and barely tolerable. I cannot
believe
you would even entertain the idea that he would seek to have my hand, and that I would rejoice over it!”

Marie shrugged. “
Perhaps you are right.”

“Of course I am right
,” Cinderella said.

“But if that is the case, if I were you
, I would think about how one would decline the suit of such a high-ranking officer.”

Cinderella looked her friend in the eye. “He isn’t serious
, Marie. I am a toy to him.”

“
Perhaps, but it would be wise of you to prepare. Just in case,” Marie said.

Cinderella mulish
ly tucked her chin to her neck, ready to argue her case. The fight deflated her, though, when she remembered the warnings from the market venders that she hadn’t heeded. “Alright,” she agreed.

“
Thank you, Cinderella.”

“Of course
,” Cinderella said, puttering with the baskets.

“Personal
ly, I am surprised. He seems much more likeable than I would have estimated.”

“What do you mean
, likeable? He acts like a half-daft yokel.”

“I thought his defense of Prince Severin and his bride
was quite endearing,” Marie said, her eyes on the ground.

Cinderella winced
at her callous words. Of course Marie—a duke’s daughter but the wife of a merchant—would be touched by his actions.

“It
was quite honorable of him,” Cinderella said. “Now, what
really
brought you here?”

“Oh
, yes. I wanted to talk to you about Colonel Friedrich. I did not think I would get the chance to meet him.”

“My apologies
for the experience.”

Marie laughed.
“Cinderella! At the very least, you must admit he makes a better basket than you.”

“Thank you for the reminder. I shall
have to keep that in mind if I ever decide to pursue the livelihood of basket weaver.”

“I have the report from General
Harbach,” Merrich said, entering Friedrich’s office.

“What report?”

“The one detailing the questioning of your would-be killers—that delightful group of men you ran into with your trollish lady love.”

Friedrich ignored the taunt.
“And?”

“It’s not good,” Merrich said, tossing the report on Friedrich’s desk before he sat down in an empty chair. “You were strategically targeted.”

Friedrich snorted. “That is hardly a surprise,” he said, paging through the report.

“Yes, but that’s not the bad news.”

“Oh?”

“They weren’t Trieux rebels or advocates,” Merrich said.

“I should think not. Even Trieux citizens would not be so stupid as to murder me with Trieux weapons. It would start another wave of persecution and suspicion. Our government would crack down even harder on them,” Friedrich said, propping his military boots up on a footstool.

“I don’t believe you are taking this seriously enough,” Merrich said.

“Why would you say that?”

“Because if they weren’t Trieux
rebels, and no one from Erlauf would hurt a hair on your head, that means we have another enemy out there,” Merrich said.

“
The assailants were paid a private contract?” Friedrich frowned, skimming the papers.

“Yes. They met with a handful of contacts in various countries before receiving you as their elimination assignment. It’s all very cloak
-and-dagger. What’s most disconcerting is that they were officially hired and dispatched by a dark mage.”

“A mage?”

“One exiled by the Veneno Conclave, yes. Worst yet, she was only a representative. She didn’t write the contract out of personal spite.”

“
Whom did she represent?”

Merrich shrugged. “They didn’t know. All they said was that she hired them on behalf of an organization or movement of some sort.”

Friedrich grimly leaned back in his chair. “I don’t like it,” he said. “A month ago our southern border was plagued with wraiths. Last week, a company from the Fifth Regiment took out a giant, and now we hear my assassins were hired by a mage?”

“That’s too much activity from dark magic to be a coincidence,” Merrich said. “We used to get a handful of evil based entity fights per year. Now they happen almost weekly.”

“And yet the parts of Erlauf that used to belong to Trieux remain unscathed,” Friedrich said.

“You think Trieux is somehow involved?”

“No. I think whoever or whatever is doing this is lulling them into a false sense of security. Our troubles are not widely publicized, after all.”

“What do we do?”

Friedrich tapped his fingers on his desk. “I will speak to the Commander. Before we take any serious action, it would be wise to speak to representatives from the Veneno Conclave. We don’t want to step on their toes, after all.”

Merrich nodded. “I will tell Hardbutt.”

Friedrich rolled his eyes. “One day General Harbach will catch you on that, and he will string you up by your tongue.”

Merrich laughed. “Thank you for your concern, but you had best worry about your own neck first.
Which reminds me, I saw Diederick earlier today.”

“
Oh?”

“He said to tell you if you got yourself killed by assassins he would refuse to allocate funds for a gravestone or coffin.”

Friedrich winced. “Sometimes I wonder how he obtained his high position with his terrible personality.”

Merrich slapped his leg and stood. “He’s good at what he does.
But enough of our dreary discussion. Work calls, and I intend to go out tonight. Will you come with? Friedrich?” Merrich asked when his friend didn’t respond.

“Sorry, just thinking,” Friedrich said.

“Of what?”

Friedrich hesitated. “
I had decided to take additional precautions regarding Cinderella’s safety, but I don’t think it’s enough. I might need to place more soldiers on guard duty around her as well.”

“That would be wise. You can bet whatever is behind this flux of darkness will aim for her now that you have made your
infatuation with her infallibly clear.”

“I don’t think she will warm to the idea of strange men following her around.”

Merrich shrugged. “So introduce her to them. I’m off. Read the report before you talk to the Commander, please,” Merrich said before disappearing through the door.

Friedrich barely noticed his friend’s exit. “Introduce her? Why not? It’s earlier than I wanted them to know of her
, but her safety…” Friedrich trailed off. “I’ll do it,” he decided. “It will take some planning, but I will bring Cinderella to the First Regiment.”

Chapter 6

“This isn’t the way to the library
,” Cinderella said as she followed the Colonel down a side street in Werra.

“I know.”

“You said we were going to the library.”

“I did.”

“You said you had an easier way to get into the library.”

“I lied.”

Cinderella stopped walking and folded her arms across her chest.

When the Colonel realized she wasn’t follow
ing him anymore, he stopped and retreated to her side. “It was the only way to get you to leave the stand. I want to introduce you to some of my friends.”

Cinderella narrowed her eyes. “Why?”

“I met Marie; I thought it would pleasant if you met some of my men.”

“
The soldiers under your command, you mean? Why would I want to meet them?”

The Colonel smirked down at Cinderella. “Why wouldn’t you?”

“I’m going back,” Cinderella said.

“I
have a farming book.”

Cinderella stopped and turned around. “What?”

“In my office I have a newly purchased book that details farming and growing techniques. If you come with me, I will give it to you,” the Colonel said, adjusting the brim of his military hat.

Cinderella thought for several seconds. Books
were expensive—that was why she was reduced to breaking into the library. With a reference book, Cinderella might not need to perform that illegal activity so often, which would be a blessing. She suspected some of the patrol leaders deduced she was the culprit. Wherever she went, city patrols dogged her steps.

“Alright
,” Cinderella agreed.

The Colonel’s smug smile said he knew she would agree to the bargain.

“But if you are taking me somewhere indecent to meet these chums of yours…”

“We’re go
ing to my regiment’s camp. It will be perfectly safe, and your reputation will remain intact,” the Colonel said once again leading the way.

The Colonel’s camp
was outside Werra, stationed on parkland previously owned by the Trieux King. What once was a party pavilion was now a mere field washed with burgundy and gray-colored tents.

A battalion of soldiers
were practicing with their swords, while a company raced their horses farther out. Men swarmed in and out of the camp, going about their duties and preparing for patrols.

As Cinderella and the Colonel entered the campgrounds
, most of the soldiers stopped to gawk.

“Colonel
, is this her?”

“Petite little th
ing, isn’t she?”

“You sure she’s Trieux? I
never seen hair like that before.”

Words became indistinguishable as men crowded around Cinderella and the Colonel. They saluted before speak
ing their mind, shouting to be heard over one another.

The Colonel ignored the buzz
, and seized a soldier by his shoulder and dragged him out of the crush. “Is Merrich here?” the Colonel asked.

“No
, Sir. Colonel Merrich was called to the palace this morning.”

“Excellent
,” the Colonel said with a smile.

Cinderella
edged closer to the Colonel as soldiers jostled around her. They remained a respectful distance from her, but there were so many, and they were
loud
.

The Colonel put an arm around Cinderella’s shoulders. “Men
, listen up. This is Duchess Lacreux of Aveyron. I want you to treat her with the respect and honor she’s due.”

Cinderella slithered out of the Colonel’s arm
, shocked when soldiers started whistling and cat calling.

“The Colonel’s got a woman!”

“Never thought I’d see the day the Colonel was tamed.”

Cinderella looked at the Colonel
, but he was
smiling
of all things, as if happy with the soldiers’ observations.

“
That’s enough. Get back to work, you lazy slugs,” the Colonel said after a few minutes of chatter.

The soldiers departed
, gossiping and watching Cinderella and the Colonel with interest.

“Who is Colonel Merrich?” Cinderella asked.

“My goat-footed best friend. You’ll meet him, someday,” the Colonel said, a pleased smile pasted on his lips as he looked out over his camp.

“
Humph,” Cinderella said.

“Would you like a tour of the grounds?”

Cinderella self-consciously smoothed her skirts. “Couldn’t we just go to your office?” she asked. She had been so dazzled by the offer of the book she hadn’t thought the situation through. She was marching into the enemy’s camp. These men had killed Trieux soldiers, and under the orders of their queen and her consort, they had killed nobles, too.

The Colonel studied Cinderella before offer
ing his arm—for once acting like a gentleman. “Just a stroll,” he said.

Cinderella reluctant
ly placed her hand on his arm and allowed the Colonel to lead.

“Our patrol squads leave from this part of the camp. You can see them gett
ing ready for the changeover,” the Colonel said as they neared a field where six organized patrol squads were lined up.

“You use dogs?” Cinderella said
, noting the presence of at least one black and brown canine with each squad.

“The dogs
were recently put on patrol thanks to our scramble in the ruins. They are skilled at tracking and catching,” the Colonel said. “Gustav, Ivo.”

Two men from two different squads jogged up to the Colonel.
A dog trotted along with each man.

“Colonel
,” they said in a chorus, saluting him.

“Please introduce your fine companions to Lady Lacreux
,” the Colonel said.

“Lady
,” both soldiers said, bobbing forward in bows.

“This here is Valor
,” one of the soldiers—the younger one with mud-brown hair—said, crouching next to his black and brown dog. The dog’s triangular ears flicked when it heard its name. “She’s been my partner for two years. She’s got the heart of a lion and is a fine lady,” he said, petting the dog.

The dog’s tail thumped on the ground
, and she looked up at the soldier with a dog smile before fixing her brown eyes on Cinderella. Her tail wagged more as she looked hopeful, her body quivering in her desire to be petted.

“She’s still a little young
,” her handler said.

“Just like you
,” the other soldier muttered.

The Colonel pet Valor
, briefly inspecting her ears and teeth before running his hands down her body. “You’ve taken good care of her,” he said.

“Thank you
, sir,” the soldier saluted.

Valor
, egged on by the Colonel’s attention, went so far as to nudge Cinderella’s hand. Cinderella stroked the dog’s body. The large canine leaned into her, her curly tail flapping like crazy.

“And who is your fine look
ing companion, Ivo?” the Colonel asked, turning to the second soldier—an older, grizzled man.

“This is Mammoth
,” the soldier, Ivo, said.

“How long
have you had Mammoth?” Cinderella asked, studying Ivo’s large dog.

“
Almost eight years, Your Ladyship,” Ivo said, tipping the brim of his hat to Cinderella.

Mammoth
was more controlled than Valor, and made a point to keep his attention hinged on Ivo—as if disgusted by Valor’s eagerness.

“Mammoth
, greet the lady properly,” Ivo said.

To Cinderella’s surprise and delight Mammoth slid forward on his front paws
, bowing to Cinderella.

“
That’s a boy,” Ivo gruffly said, placing his hand on Mammoth’s head.

“Thank you
, soldiers,” the Colonel said.

Sens
ing the dismissal, Gustav and Ivo saluted the Colonel, bowed to Cinderella, and headed back to their positions. Their dogs followed them, although Valor shook her tail at Cinderella a few times before she hurried after her handler.

Cinderella and the Colonel
left the outpost and moved on to a wooden structure. Builders swarmed around it, climbing the roof and nailing shingles in place. “This is the mess hall, or what passes for one as they finish building it,” the Colonel said.

The build
ing held an assortment of empty tables, two masonry ovens, an earth oven, and a fleet of men and women.

The Colonel led Cinderella
to swarming cooks and their hot ovens located in the back of the building. “Berta is the lord and ruler of the kitchens. We’re fed only because of her diligence. Berta, come meet my lady love, Lady Lacreux.”

Berta
—a large, red-faced woman—wiped her hands on her apron. “So you’ve finally been bested, eh, Sir?” the woman laughed. “You must be quite the woman to tangle with the Colonel. Welcome to the First Regiment,” Berta said to Cinderella.

“Thank you
,” Cinderella said, aware of all the other cooks and kitchen help staring at her.

Berta turned aro
und and bellowed. “What are you gawking at like a bunch of turkeys? Get back to cookin’ ‘n have the decency not to gossip of the Colonel’s Woman in front of her!”

“Thank you
, Berta,” the Colonel wryly said.

“They’re a talkative lot
, but they know the kitchens,” Berta said. “Just finished baking my famous molasses bread. Want a piece, Colonel?” Berta asked, waddling over to a wooden table to hack at a dark brown loaf of bread without waiting for a reply. “What about you, Lady? You’re all skin and bones. You could use some fattening,” she said, cutting a second piece.

She slathered both pieces with butter before present
ing them to Cinderella and the Colonel.

“There
. Don’t that hit the spot?” Berta asked.

Cinderella took a bite out of the bread. “Fantastic
,” she said.

“I would join th
e Army again just to eat your food, Berta,” the Colonel said.

Berta’s ruddy face turned a darker shade of red. “Colonel
,” she said, sketching a tipsy curtsey.

“We’ll ge
t out of the way. Thank you, Berta,” the Colonel said.

Berta dipped a second curtsey and waddled back to her minions. “Stoke the fire
, and get those dishes washed!” she roared as Cinderella and the Colonel left the mess hall.

The Colonel led Cinderella through the grounds
, waving and acknowledging his men, who watched them with ill-disguised interest.

Cinderella
was relieved when the Colonel led the way into a plain but solid building. “This is the regiment’s headquarters. Any visiting colonels stay here, but it’s mostly living quarters and offices for me, the general I serve, and the officers below us.

“I see
,” Cinderella said, following the Colonel through the building.

“Kurt! Kurt
, where—oh,” the Colonel said when a huge, hulking soldier stepped out of the shadows in front of him.

“This is Ensign Kurt Werlauf. Ensign
, Lady Lacreux,” the Colonel said.

“Good afternoon
, Ensign,” Cinderella said.

Kurt-the-giant bowed.

“Kurt isn’t much for talking, but he’s a fantastic soldier. He carries my flag for me—though he’s sorely overqualified and should be a rank or two above that,” the Colonel said, slapping Kurt on the shoulder. “Kurt, please escort Lady Lacreux to my office.”

“The book—” Cinderella started.

“Is waiting for you on my desk. I’ll be along in a minute, although I shall miss you every second we are apart,” the Colonel said, clasping Cinderella’s hands.

“I would
have thought you wouldn’t act so silly in front of your men,” Cinderella said plucking her hands from the Colonel’s grasp.

“Where would be the fun in
that, Pet?”

Cinderella waggled her hand at him. “Be
gone. I want my book.”

“As you wish
, Dearest,” the Colonel said before he headed up the hallway.

Ensign Kurt led Cinde
rella in the opposite direction, the wooden floor boards creaking under his massive girth. He stopped outside a wooden door and opened it, revealing Colonel Friedrich’s office.

It
was stuffed with books, scrolls, maps, and papers. The walls were lined with bookshelves, a full scale model of Trieux and Erlauf was nestled into the window seat, and the fireplace was clean and empty.

Writ
ing utensils, sticks of wax, and bottles of ink were everywhere. There were two chairs in the room besides the Colonel’s stationed behind his desk, but they were the only bare surfaces in the room.