One of Us

V

     Rowena found Lord Tobias behind a stack of leather bound books written over the generations by royal scribes.

     "Lord Tobias?" She asked, trying not to startle him.

     "Hmm?" he lifted his head and adjusted his spectacles, "Ah my fair Princess," He swept into a bow, "How may I assist you?"

     "Have you heard what's happened?" Rowena asked

     Lord Tobias looked at her over his glasses, "You mean the dramatic return of Yossi ben Akiva?"

     She nodded.

     "Hmmm," he rumbled, "I know my lady what he meant to you in the past, but I would caution you to guard your heart and emotions now, seeing as what information has come to us since he left you"

     "Tobias, I am in perfect control of my emotions!" She shot back, clearly not.

     Lord Tobias grumbled again and began polishing his glasses, "Whatever you say my lady."

     Returning the glasses to his nose, he fixed his attention on his manuscripts.

     Rowena turned and wandered among the untidy shelves of books that overflowed onto the floor in stacks.

     "Do you really think he could have changed that much in two years?." she challenged

     "Never underestimate the unfathomableness of a man's heart." Tobias replied, "And don't forget we have reputable reports detailing his actions as well as his own confession of identity. He is certainly not the same Yossi we knew."

     "That's what I mean, he's so changed. I wonder what happened." Rownena began to pace, "I mean he was so committed to our cause. Yes, there were some things we disagreed on, but I couldn't believe it when we heard he joined Dusan. I mean, the man's a monster, the things he does to those unfortunate enough to cross his path, let alone his own people, I can't reconcile my Yossi joining him of his own free will."

     Lord Tobias sighed, "Your Yossi?"

     Rowena avoided his gaze.

     "My princess," Tobias sighed, "he stopped being your Yossi, our Yossi when he began to shed innocent blood. There is much we do not yet know"

     Rowena was silent for a while.

     "I forgot you knew him too...before."

     "Yes, and I would like to think we were close, but I suppose not close enough. Incidentally," Tobias asked, "Have you asked Yossi?"

     "Asked him what?"

     "What happened? Why he left?"

     "No, I-"She paused, "I never had the chance and now things are different. I'm about to become queen and he's a prisoner. I can't just talk to him."

     "No, not exactly, being royalty can be quite debilitating, but if these questions are going to haunt you and affect your judgment when it come to his sentencing-"

     Rowena let out a little gasp

     Tobias raised his eyebrows "Oh yes. As you said, you're going to be queen."

     "But surely-" Rowena broke off

     "The queen never gives way to her emotions when justice must be met and the safety of her kingdom is at stake." Tobias reminded her sharply.

     She bit her lip and stared at the floor.

     "In any case" he softened, "I think you should find a way to have your questions answered."

     "But how?" posed Rowena glancing up at him.

     Lord Tobias smiled at her, "You're a clever one, my lady, I'm sure you'll figure it out."

     Rowena smiled as the suspicion of an idea flashed before her mind.

     "Well, um..., I think I'll just go and take a short rest before dinner, you know. It's been a trying day thus far." As she turned to go he added,

     "Rest well, my lady, and if you happen to speak with our mutual friend, ask him what his parents' names were. I'm trying to compile this record and it would save these old bones a trip down those horrid stone steps."

     "Of course."