"Is she indeed…" The Premier said in a quiet voice. After a few moments of silence in the dark study the Premier stood, "Then we will free her, as soon as I explain the political situation to you, my Sovereign."
Bastian internally groaned, if he'd been hungry this morning then she must be as well. And she must be cold also.
"Can she not be brought to a room to rest on a warm bed at least?" He asked, almost in a pleading tone.
The Premier gave him a strange look, illuminated by the thin light of the window, almost as if he'd gone mad, "My Sovereign, I do believe that your country comes before your Queen." He said in a stern voice.
Bastian relented, although he was now overcome with worry for Hydrangea. He knew that Cadarama's welfare was important but as was hers.
"Excellent, if you will follow me to the dining hall I can explain everything to you in detail." He said as he opened the door.
Bastian followed him down the flight of stairs to the main hall, walking across it they arrived at a set of double doors. The two guards at each side opened them and Bastian was greeted by the sight of a dining hall.
The room was rectangular and fit a long rectangular table down the middle. Chairs lined it, ten along the sides and one at each end. On the wall to at the head of the room shields and banners hung proudly. Below these sat the crest of Crescent, an upside down crescent moon with a large Cadaraman ship sitting in the centre of it.
He walked and sat at the head of the table, the Premier made no objections and sat to his left.
Soon servants began pouring in and the table was lined with food. Once their plates were filled, along with their wine goblets, the Premier began telling Bastian everything.
"As soon as you escaped your island the Lords sent ships to Wanington and Crescent, since they could reach Waxingville easily. These ships relayed that the Sovereign was under arrest for treason, and that we Premiers were to search for you. They had already made a deal with Mathuba, the Mathubans would help to storm the palace and to defeat any resistance. In exchange for their help the daughter of Lord Stone would wed the sultan of Mathuba and help them in their struggle with Selva. You have heard of their aqueducts that are being built in the Selvan mountains, have you not?"
Bastian nodded that he had, he glanced out the window, light was fading fast and the candles were glowing brighter.
"Now, Hector did the unwise thing and blatantly defended you. Joshua, because of his proximity to both Mathuba and the Lords, held his tongue and complied with the Lords' wishes."
Bastian recalled that Joshua Davies was the Premier of Waxingville.
"Now, we both know that Mathuba cannot be trusted, they are a deceitful band of wretches and thieves. If we let the dreaded Lords build an alliance with them then our great country of Cadarama is doomed. They will destroy Waxingville first and then Wanington, lastly Crescent. Viskogorny cut ties with us as soon as the whisperings of a coup arose, and now they are dealing with internal strife."
"How so?" Bastian asked as he swirled the red wine in his goblet.
"The unquiet has grown and there is now a rebellion against the Tzar. They have attacked some of our people in the northern regions and do not cease in their so-called "freedom fighting". The Tzar silently gifted us fire lances and so we have a stronger defence but they are dangerous. They call themselves, the Emissaries of Deliverance and should not be trifled with." He ate his turkey leg and Bastian stirred the broth filled with peas and potatoes.
He was reminded of when he'd spilt stew all over himself at Hydrangea's house, a small smile framed his lips as he thought about how Hydrangea had laughed.
"Now," The Premier interrupted his memories, "I will give you all of the supplies you'll need to journey through Viskogorny, and you may take any of my men that you wish."
Bastian nodded, "Thank you, Baldwin. Your patriotism will not be forgotten."
They ate the rest of the meal in silence. And as soon as it was finished and the sky was as dark as pitch Bastian brought up the subject of Hydrangea again.
They stood in the main hall and Bastian had just asked if she could now be freed.
"Are you certain that she is your Queen?" The Premier asked with a strange look in is eyes.
Bastian returned his look with confusion, "I do not know why you continue to ask that. I would not forget who my wife was or is."
The Premier nodded, seeming satisfied with something, he waved to two of his men and called, "Bring up the woman from the cells and bring her to the guest room."
The two guards retreated from the space to follow out the orders. The Premier gave him one last look and then walked away and up the stairs to what he could only assume was his private chambers.
Bastian went to the room that had been given him and sat on the edge of the canopy bed.
The room was lit by a roaring fire and a few candle sticks here and there.
After a few more seconds of waiting in the darkness his door was knocked upon and he said, "Enter."
He was surprised when it was a maid and not Hydrangea or a guard, "The Premier is waiting for you in his study." She said in a mumbling manner.
He immediately arose and walked to where he knew the study to be with its elaborate door. He knocked and the Premier called for him to enter.
"Where is my Queen?" He asked without preamble.
"She will be here momentarily." The slimy man answered. Bastian felt apprehensive for what this spider had planned.
A few moments later the door was knocked upon and the Premier told them to enter.
The door was opened and two soldiers with a blindfolded and gagged Hydrangea came in. Bastian drew in a sharp inhale.
"Release her." He said in a deadly tone once he'd found his voice. The two guards looked to their Premier for permission. The spider nodded, a pleased smile on his lips.
The guards released and Bastian quickly grabbed her as it looked as though she was swaying. Hastily removing the blindfold from her dirtied face and the gag from her lips she blinked and stared at him in confusion. Her pale skin was still stained with dried mud, and some smatterings of blood. Her raven hair was matted in knots. But her eyes, her eyes still shone in that darkness.
He held her shoulders as she gained her bearings, he watched her, trying to hide the earnest concern he felt at that moment.
He now realized what the Premier had planned, he was testing him to see how attached he was to Hydrangea. He wanted to know what his weakness was and he'd found it, it was Hydrangea, his flower.