María was about twenty paces from Juan. She wasn't going to make it before she had to deal with the captain. She swore silently and continued walking toward Juan. The prisoner was looking directly at her. It was frustrating that the captain may have recognized her but Juan didn't. The door to the throne room was about forty feet straight ahead, through the crowd. There were still guards on either side of the door. They were looking at her now, too. She had to get there and she wouldn't be able to do it alone.

"Sir, I have a report for the general," she said angrily without stopping or turning.

Right now, seconds mattered. She needed to get closer to Juan. She also wanted him to hear her voice and know who she was. The captain would know who she was too, for certain, but there was no way of avoiding that.

"It is you!" the captain roared when María spoke. "Stop at once and raise your arms!"

María slowed but she didn't stop. She needed to be in front of Juan.

"I said stop!" the captain cried.

María reached the edge of the crowd. She stopped.

"Now," the captain said, "raise your arms slowly with your hands out. If you make any sudden motions you will be shot," the captain said.

The young woman did as she'd been told. She watched Juan's eyes as they widened with surprised recognition. The soldiers stationed around the room still hadn't gone for their own weapons. She only had a few moments before they would be ordered to do so.

"You," the captain barked. "Corporal."

One of the noncommissioned officers standing beside the throne room door came to attention. "Sir?"

"Take her weapon!" the captain ordered.

"Yes, sir!"

"My-my legs," María said. She stopped in front of Juan and started to wobble. "May I sit down?"

"Stand where you are!" the captain snarled.

"But they were hurt when I was beaten-"

"Silencio! he yelled.

María trembled for a moment more. The soldier had entered the crowd of prisoners on the opposite side and was making his way toward her. She couldn't wait any longer. She didn't think they would shoot her here, especially if she were down. That might start a riot. Moaning loudly, she dropped to her knees and fell forward against Juan.

"Get up!" the captain yelled.

María attempted to rise. As she pretended to struggle back to her feet, she drew the guns from her waistband. She shoved them into Juan's hand.

He took them clandestinely. Ferdinand had leaned over to help María. Juan slid a gun under his bent knee.

"Amadori's in the throne room," María whispered as hands helped her to her knees.

"We'll never make it-" Juan whispered back.

"We must!" she hissed. "We're dead anyway!"