((Coop with YourLordAndConqueror))

Ancyra, 1110

"Leave me alone! I told you to stay away from me!" Juliana yelled at the men. She had it up to here with this. "Both of you, leave me alone! I will get the money, I'll have it by the end of the week."

The smaller of the two men stepped forward. "Sure Juli, we believe you, like the last dozen times you said you would. We don't like being played Juli...I think it's high time that we take what is ours."

Juliana suddenly realized what was going to happen and turned to run out into the street, but was tackled by the bigger of the men and pinned to the ground. Juliana screamed.

The ruckus forced a halt of the procession navigating the street, as what little passer byes there were, scattered in all direction. Anna opened the carriage's door and peered out, looking fruitlessly for the source of the commotion, until finally she addressed a guard.

"What is going here? Why have we stopped?"

The man snapped to attention. "Your Highness, just some local trouble, as soon as the street is clear, we'll be on out way."

When the man finished, Anna was already stepping out of the carriage. He tried to protest, but an upraised hand in his direction immediately silenced him. As she made her way into the alley, the guards fell in line and followed her in.

The sight which greeted her brought forth disgust and rage. Her imperious voice rang clearly above the screams of the girl pinned to the ground.

"Desist your actions and answer for your crimes!"

Her eyes glared them while the rest of her features remained impenetrable. A palla of a light purple covered her head and draped itself over her shoulders, covering most of the upper body. Extending from under it was a rich purple silk robe with gold filigree and embroidered motifs of light pastels in shades of yellows, oranges and greens.

The smaller of the two men looked up to Anna. His jaw dropped as he started to kick the other, bigger guy.

"Nothing your maj...majesty, we're just collecting a debt this one owes us. She tried to run and-"

Juliana yelled at the smaller one. "I don't owe you anything! I've paid it all the time!"

Anna motioned her men forward and as soon as she gave the signal they moved upon the two debt collectors.

"I care little for your excuses. If you have a legitimate claim you shall have take it up with the Imperial law. Now, yield!"

The little man waited just long enough for the big man to let go of Juliana before both stood as far back from Anna as possible, both fearing that if they ran they would sign their death warrant.

They were promptly surrounded by the armed men.

"Take them to the local magistrate." Anna's voice had returned to a more measured tone. She watched as a handful of her guards dragged away the offenders, before turning back toward the street from which she came.

Juliana quickly got back up and dusted herself before fixing her mangled tunica, then chased after Anna. "Your Majesty, your Majesty..."

Anna turned brusquely, annoyance crept on her features and yet her voice was measured, even soft. "What is it?"

Juliana stopped short and bowed deeply. "Thank you your Majesty, not many people I know of would have been so kind." Juliana seemed on the verge of asking something, the words caught in her mouth.

"Yo-your Majesty...I beg of thee most humbly...please, do not leave me here."

Anna's face remained impassive. "Very well, one of my guards will accompany you back to your home."

Juliana's eyes started to tear. "I...I have no home your Majesty...I ask humbly...I ask humbly that...may I accompany you as a servant..." Juliana's eyes filled with fear and hope, but also with great strength and resolve.

Pitying the pathetic girl, Anna nodded and spoke softly. "Hush now, get into the carriage and calm yourself."

Juliana's eyes lit up slightly, and she bowed again. "Thank you, your Majesty." Juliana quickly stepped into the carriage and tentatively sat down.

Anna followed her in and sat on the opposite side. No sooner she was seated, the carriage got under way once more. She studied thoughtfully her newest charge and finally broke the silence after few minutes.

"Tell me, what is your name?"

Juliana was startled by the sudden break in silence. She nervously brushed her dark brown hair out of her eyes, and tried to wipe a bit of the dirt from her face. "Juliana, your Majesty."

Mechanically, Anna pushed back her palla, revealing her dark hair. "Juliana, you look tired. Come, sit next to me." She indicated the empty space next to her.

Juliana tentatively stood up and then sat back down next to Anna. "Yes, I am a bit tired, your Majesty, I've...I've had a long day so far." She seemed a bit tense at being so close to Anna, and seemed to stop and start to say something.

Anna gave the girl a comforting smile and continued in a soothing voice. "Calm yourself now, you have nothing to fear from me. Rest yourself on my lap." Before Juliana could protest, Anna's forefinger found itself on the girl's lips. "Hush, you are no good to me tired."

Juliana nodded to Anna and gently rested her head on the woman's lap. A few moments passed before she spoke. "Your Majesty, may I be so bold as to ask why you are in Ancyra?"

Anna gently ran her fingers through the girl's matted hair. "It was a convenient stop. I am on my way to join my husband who is besieging Iconium."

Juliana sighed to herself. "I wish I had a man to look after me...I wouldn't have had to deal with those...those pigs of Markellinos'. I would have a home and children..."

"You have a home now, worry not, those men cannot reach you now." Anna's voice was but a delicate whisper. "Rest, there will be ample time to recount your tale later on."

Juliana closed her eyes and whispered "thank you" before dozing off.