Rudarlia

“ I collected information from all sources, in the course of conversations with men of all classes, and I also thought deeply on the nature of the Rudarlian people. This was the most difficult part of the whole problem; for, of all things, national character is the most complex. Along one road, a nation may be steered as easily as a flock of sheep; along another, the first few yards will split it into a hundred conflicting elements.
Rudarlia was mainly an agricultural country, and it has always seemed to me that such are best governed by a system akin to the patriarchal ”

“ The country around the château was some of the most beautiful to be found in Rudarlia, and some days we spent the sunny hours in riding out exploring, as free from care as two children. Then, in the evenings, we would sit on the terrace which we liked most and watch the night.
I wonder how many people know the charm and understand the mystery of a warm summer's evening. ”

“ You will remember saying last night that the present government in Rudarlia left the army in an almost necessitous state, almost without clothing and food?"
"That is so," said Quarovitch, with a perplexed look.
"It struck me," I said, after a moment's hesitation, "that a man like yourself, with a certain sum of money, might do a great deal to alleviate such conditions among the men under your command." ”

“ She spoke with a little dry huskiness that sounded strangely pathetic.
"Leave Rudarlia, that would be your wish, would it not, to return to your own country, away from sorrowful sights and remembrances?"
There was tragedy in her reply:
"My own country, where is it? My father is dead. I had no friends before I married, I was too young; and the few of my countryfolk who accompanied, and remained with me, are gone."
"Then, madame, remain here, where you will be always an honoured guest. The people love you, I know; and you can devote your time happily to whatever you desire, without hindrance. ”

“ Ah! all Rudarlians will rejoice when this becomes known, and every man and woman will be bound even more firmly in their devoted loyalty to you."
"God grant it; but you must realise, and make others understand, that such change takes time to carry out. Therefore try and curb impatience, believing that our best endeavours will always be for Rudarlia."
It took months of hard work by able-minded men to work out the details of our scheme, and as many more to perfect the machinery.
In the meantime, I set to work upon the army, and other matters that were of great importance. ”

“ If ever a man of his age had vice written clearly upon his face, he had; and I thought to myself that it would go even worse with Rudarlia under his rule than under Ivan's, should he ever come to the throne. There was cruelty, craftiness, and gross sensuality in his countenance.
Luckily, after walking up and down the platform two or three times, in close conversation with his companions, he disappeared once more into the miserable room. As he did so, an official approached and, with many bows, informed us that our special was waiting, a few yards down the track, with our baggage on board. ”

“ It will be our part, after that, to show you that Rudarlia remembers those who loved her, even in the midst of their own unhappiness."
"Oh, how can I?" I heard her murmur, "how can I, I, the wife of the usurper?"
"Madame, your husband's sins must be answered for by himself; you, however, have never been associated with him in the minds of the people. Only by your goodness, kindness, and charity, are you judged by them; even my mother, who has, God knows, suffered greatly at Ivan's hands, will never think of you except with loving thoughts, as one who was sinned against. ”

“ You in the army will fight, because it is your duty; you of the farms, in self-protection; and both for Rudarlia."
"And the King," said Quarovitch. "Don't forget that, your Majesty; Piotr, here, would not have raised a hand if Ivan had been still reigning; and I should have hated doing so."
"It is lucky you are seldom at Court, Colonel, because I can see that you would forget your soldierly habits for those of the courtier." ”

“ I think it is permissible to say, with a good deal of pride, that Rudarlia was ready for whatever happened; that is, as far as a nation can be prepared. It depends so much upon what is willed--destiny, or God's will, if it suits you better. Perhaps the terms are synonymous; they were to me. But even if a nation is destined to be overthrown, and swept away, even if the national life must end, the individual element remains, so that every man, be he king or peasant, must profit by straining every particle of energy for his nation and, in so doing, the sacrifice he makes will strengthen himself. ”

“ We had numerous conversations about Rudarlia, and I found that he was a man of ideals, as well as being professionally a brigand; what is more, I believed him when he told me that he had only taken to it when there was no other way open.
Mr. Neville had asked him whether he would give up his present career, if the laws were readjusted.
"Give us fair taxation, and justice, and we will serve God and the King until the end," had been his response.
"Ivan?" I asked.
"I said a 'King,'" was the stern reply. "One who puts his country before such things as his mistresses ”

“ Mr. Neville used to gibe at me without mercy, but his crowning insult was when he called me "Romeo"; that caused a most unkingly tussle, in which I am loath to say Victor II. of Rudarlia won by very little: my old tutor was astonishingly tough.
Zeula, who was present, laughed like a schoolboy; and I am convinced, had anyone seen us, every single subject of mine would have heard the rumour that their King had gone mad.
But even waiting comes to an end, and the day dawned when Irma and I became one. I do not believe that two souls have ever fused more completely into one than hers and mine. ”

“ Should I remain in England, with everything a man could wish for, or come here to Rudarlia, and exert myself to the utmost, in trying to cleanse the country of abuse?
Although I was young, I was not idiotic in my romanticism. I fully realised the futility of starting to wage war on a throne without a great deal of assistance. Could I obtain sufficient following, was I capable of directing the campaign? I would not use force, it would have to be far more subtle; the Press must be won over first, and the natural leaders among the people. ”

“ God made me, by birth, your King; you, by the loyalty and devotion you have shown, have brought me near the throne. I thank you in my murdered father's name and my own. If it is willed that I shall fill the place you would have me fill, I promise you that Rudarlia shall have a monarch who thinks of his country first in all things, and that unjust taxation, favouritism, and wanton waste of public moneys shall be unknown while I have the honour to be your King. ”

“ I cried breathlessly.
"He is," said Mr. Smith gravely.
"And you are working for him. Oh, thank God, I can see the way clearly now; let me do something to help."
"Eh?"
"Ever since I first went to Rudarlia, I have been trying to find some way out, and could discover no plan to work on, for Ivan's heir, they say, is as bad as he is--but now--a King of Merlin's blood. Oh, thank God! Tell me the groom's name, is he alive?" In my excitement I had risen and was bending over him.
I looked into his eyes as his face was raised to mine; they were full of tears.
"His name, Victor, is Bauen." ”

“ Of the thirty-five thousand men who had entered Rudarlia through Melanov, only seventeen thousand surrendered, the rest had been killed, wounded, or were already prisoners.
Their surprise, to which they had evidently looked to end the war quickly, had failed utterly. Our northern frontier was now safe, and I could throw most of our men to the relief of Avilinoff. We had lost altogether some four thousand men in killed and wounded. I left eleven thousand to clear up the scattered Bornians, and guard the frontier and prisoners, the other twenty-five thousand I hurried south. ”

“ Again I caught a crafty gleam in his eye.
"Prince Alexis," I said, "listen to me, you have a little, very little, of the same blood as mine; for that reason alone, I intend to pay your debts to the amount of thirty thousand, no more. Had you shown one spark of feeling for Rudarlia, I should have given you a pension. As it is, I shall not; but, that you may have a clean start, I will give you another thirty thousand in addition. Take my advice and invest it; try and live decently and honourably." ”

“ It seemed to me that, even if we could, nothing decisive could result, for we were not in a position to invade Bornia. On the other hand, if we allowed them to force a way slowly into Rudarlia, there would be more chance of victory. With our small army we could wage a defensive campaign, where we could hope for nothing from the offensive. We should be fighting on our own territory, of which we should know every inch; and, as to the morale of our troops, well, I had always understood that men would fight to the death in defence of their own. ”

“ So that evening we sat on the terrace as usual, and instead of wasting the time--if it can be so harshly described--we tried to work out some way of encouraging art in Rudarlia. It was a most puzzling question, for there was always the danger of overdoing the assistance we could give to artists, as well as the chance of offending their susceptibilities by what they might look upon as charity; they are so very difficult to tackle, these people with artistic temperaments. ”

“ He would have bent in homage, had I not anticipated it by advancing a step or two and taking his hand.
"Your Majesty," he said slowly, "I have waited for this day, praying that I might be spared to see my King upon the throne of Rudarlia."
"General, before I knew that I was to be a King, even when a little boy at school, I thought of and longed to see the victor of Vortz, so God has been good to us both." I turned to Bauen. "A chair for General von Vorkovitch." Then turning to the old man, I continued, "Sit, General, we shall want all your strength, perhaps, to win us more battles." ”

“ I said, "you know as well as I do that our enemy is Bornia, is it not so?"
"I am afraid she is."
"Personally, I am convinced that before long we shall be forced to fight."
"That is so, your Majesty."
"I do not believe that anything would induce her to stop her preparations, preparations that are being conducted secretly."
"I am afraid that it is extremely unlikely."
"Very well, I am determined that Rudarlia shall be victorious, and I consider it essential that they shall underestimate our forces."
"But why retain the obsolete weapons, your Majesty?"
"Can the men fire with them?" ”

“ Not dead, oh dear no, but it will be some time before he is upon his feet. That is the story. Now look at Monsieur Stevens well; remember the face of the man who overthrew the best swordsman in Rudarlia. You shall see him again, I promise you, but now I take him with me."
Before I could say anything, this astonishing man had ushered us both out of the room, closing and locking the door behind him.
Baron Sluben was outside too; but he was as puzzled as ourselves, until Mr. Smith whispered something in his ear which caused him to glance at us keenly.
Mr. Smith turned to us. ”

“ I had not made enough noise to disturb him, and when I asked him quietly to raise his hands above his head he spun round like a flash.
"My God!" he cried.
"No, only your King. Quick, up with them!"
I have never seen a man more surprised; but he recovered very quickly and held his hands up. In one of them was a package of papers. His face had gone white, and his eyes glistened.
"Baron Goltz, you are a very dirty traitor, and as such I am going to shoot you. Have you anything to say?"
I had made up my mind, as he raised his hands, that it was in the interests of Rudarlia that he should die. ”

“ Count Zeula, I should be pleased if you would ride with me; and you, too, gentlemen, if so inclined."
"Thank God we shall have a King," I heard some one mutter, and then Mr. Smith and I were alone again, waiting for our horses.
"Am I wise?" I asked.
"Yes, Victor, I think you are, only I am nervous for your safety."
"I feel that nothing could hurt me to-day," I said, laughing. "But there is one thing I have forgotten, I wish Bauen to ride with us, to let the people see that loyalty such as his is not forgotten by my family."
"God made you a King before ever you came to Rudarlia, Victor." ”

“ Colonel Woolgast having left the room, I turned to Mr. Smith.
"Have you done anything about Prince Alexis?" I asked.
"I am sending a man to watch him. Woolgast will see to it that he does not enter the Royal apartments. In a little time you will have to receive a great number of people; I will be by your side to tell you what I can of them, to give you a better idea of what to say. All are devoted to Rudarlia. I am glad you said what you did to Woolgast, he is not titled, you know, and some rather snub him on that account; but he is a good man, loyal to a degree to his country." ”

“ One day some man, driven desperate, will commit the crime of regicide, but perhaps it would not be a crime in this case."
"Would that improve matters?" asked Mr. Neville.
"That I cannot say. The next heir to the throne is a cousin, with little Rudarlian in him; from all accounts he resembles the present man in tastes and habits. Ah! if only I had been in Karena twenty years ago, with just the troops I have here, history would have been written differently, and Rudarlia would have been another country, unless Merlin's son had developed badly. ”