empire, he gives victory to his followers. But Christians can die. I don't want Taina to be a nation of martyrs."
"So you marry him because that's what the Widow forced us to promise in order to get you back, and then we're so weak, having this man of twigs for a king - did you see his arms? I don't know if he can even lift a sword. If he were a tree he'd fall over in the first wind."
"But he has the heart of a king, you said. If there's time enough, can't he learn all the rest?"
"So you like him," said Father.
"He freed me. You didn't see the bear. He was the god of bears, I swear it, Father. Terrifying. But Ivan faced him. Stayed with me and didn't attempt to flee even as the bear climbed the pedestal. Did what I asked him to do to save us."
"Obedience is not a quality of kings."
"He did what was needed. In the moment of danger. Afterward... I don't know, perhaps he really does come from a land where everything is crazy and the sun shines at night. But if the people would follow him, I don't think he would disappoint them. Especially if he has time to learn."
"But he may not have time. And they may not follow him."
"They would not follow him," said Katerina. "Not now. Not yet."
"Maybe this is the man God brought us," said King Matfei. "In my heart I want to have faith. Father Lukas says that Christ said that God works through the weak things of the world to achieve his great purposes. But can I bet on this boy Ivan, when my people's lives are at stake?"
"More to the point," said Katerina, "do we have any other choice?"
"If only you could lead them in battle."
"Do you think I haven't thought of that, Father? But I am no soldier. I can govern, I can hold the kingdom together and give justice to the people, but who would follow me into battle?"
"Put Dimitri in charge, in your name - "
"Then Dimitri would be king," said Katerina. "The king is the war leader. The war leader is the king."
"Not if you're the one giving them the orders. Making the plans. You will be the king, Katerina, even though you can't lead them into the fray."
"No, Father. They have to see the king putting his life at risk, fighting alongside them. They have to see the king's arm fall upon the enemy and rise up soaked in blood and gore. There's no escaping that. You're a man of peace - you would have turned away from battle if you could. But you did what your kingdom required."
"Katerina, you're smarter than ten sons. You're right, though. You can't lead men into battle. You will stay home and have babies - lots of them, mostly sons, so our kingdom will never be left without a male heir again!"
"Ivan's sons," said Katerina.
"Your sons," said Father. "Maybe we'll be lucky. Maybe he'll marry you, get you pregnant with a boy, then take sick and die."
Katerina gripped her father's arm. "How can you say such a thing?" she whispered harshly. "It's the sin of David, to wish for the death of a loyal man."
"Get Father Lukas to read you the story again, Katerina."
"I can read it myself."
"King David's sin wasn't wishing, it was doing."
"Would you wish my child fatherless?"
"I would raise the baby as my own, if this Ivan were to die. But have no fear - the Pretender will probably use every spell she knows to keep him healthy. He's too useful to her and too destructive of all our hopes for her to let him come to harm."
"Don't despise him, Father," she said. "Teach him. Make a man of him."
"Of course I'll teach him," he said impatiently. "And I don't despise him, I told you that. I admire his heart. But those weak arms - what were his parents thinking?"
"I think they were raising him to be a cleric."
"Good for them. They should have taught him that when clerics see princesses lying enchanted in a place of power, with a huge bear as guardian, they should go away and let her be until a real man arrives to have a go at the task!"
"He is a real man, Father. In his heart."
Father put his arm around her, held her close. "Who am I to stand in the way of love?"
Katerina grimaced. Father kissed her forehead, then led her into the