She could hardly believe it, but it was Alexius Vasilas! She forgot what she had been about to say and could only stare at him as he advanced towards her.
“Where is the King?” he asked in German.
Even as he spoke, she knew he recognised her.
“Where is the King?” he asked again, but now in English.
“He has left the Palace,” Theola replied.
“How long ago?”
“Why are you here? And why are you dressed like that?” Theola enquired.
“I represent The Kavõnian people,” he answered, “and I am now in command of the Kavõnian Army.”
He spoke impatiently as if he had no wish to answer questions. Then before Theola could speak, he said,
“I must ask you to tell me at what hour the King left the Palace.”
“A long time ago.”
“An hour – two hours?”
Alexius Vasilas snapped the question at Theola and
