PROLOGUE
Pest, Hungary
The Estate of József and Mária Fehér
Spring 1855
"Czanna, hurry. There is no time to waste!"
"What is it, Frederic?" Eighteen-year-old Czanna Fehér stepped from her bedroom into the grand hallway on the upper level of her family's ancestral mansion. By closing the heavy wooden door against her maid, who still lingered in the room, Czanna ensured her conversation with her brother would remain private. It was important in these days after the Grand Revolution of 1848. Even the walls had "ears." Indeed, since the revolution for independence had failed, their entire family was constantly on guard against spies.
Taking her brother's outstretched hand, Czanna rushed with him down the hall, noticing details about the corridor she had always taken for granted: the white, gold-flecked marble flooring; the gold, woolen curtains and the gold hardware holding them in place; the white and gold tiles of the arched ceiling and the white columns with gold trim that supported them.
At the end of the passage loomed her favorite feature, though it stood more exactly outside the hallway. There at the very end of the pathway stood a heavy gold-flecked glass door, opening up onto a balcony that supported a three-tiered fountainfrom which water fell down in every direction and at every hour of the day. At the very top of the white fountain stood the statue of Dacso Fehér, one her noble ancestors. And, there he reposed, captured in time, ever alert and ready to take action to defend his home, should there be a need.
Yet, she had only a moment to admire the grand walkway and its balcony because Frederic was ushering her toward the third-floor study, a room where they had often played in their youth. He opened the door, closing it as they both hurried past the large rectangular desk that stood so stately upon a wall-to-wall woolen rug of blue and gold. Her brother didn't hesitate in his movements, ignoring the alcove overlooking the estate and guiding her into a corner of the room. There he paused, and, since Frederic was acting in so clandestine a manner, Czanna prayed the acoustics of the spot would keep their conversation from being overheard.
As soon as they were both seated in the blue-and-gold chairs and were facing one another, she asked, "What has happened?"
Frederic looked cautiously around the room before he murmured, "Our parents have been arrested and are awaiting trial."
"Arrested? Awaiting trial? Surely you jest!"
"I do not," he said. "Indeed, it is true. There is even talk of hanging them both for their part in the rebellion of 1848."
"No! It cannot be true! The new government would never go so far as to arrest a nobleman and his wife."
Frederic reached out and took Czanna's hand into his own as though to comfort her. But, such consolation lasted only a moment before his gaze bore into her own, and he said, "I fear it is no lie. Now, listen to me carefully. Someone—and we don't know who—has reported our parents as part of the noblemen who helped Lajos Kossuth when he was in power in 1848. As you know, his followers, save some who escaped, have either been imprisoned or executed."
"No!" Czanna let out a scream.
"Sh-h-h. Do not cry out again, Czanna. Now, listen and hear me well. I am working with others who supported the Kossuth revolution; we are planning to make an appeal to Emperor Franz Joseph to free our parents. I believe we will be successful. But, you must remain strong as I tell you this next part: our entire family, including you and me as well as our little brother and sister, could be hung along with our parents if the appeal does not go well."
Czanna gasped. "But, I thought the new government had proclaimed they would support the idea of freedom for all, including all those who supported the 1848 Revolution."
"Although there is talk of this, it is not true," replied Fredric. "Listen carefully. I was able to speak briefly to our father today, and we both agree you and the rest of the family must flee. It is for your own safety and the preservation of our family. You must leave here this very night, and you must take our younger brother and sister with you."
"Tonight? Leave Hungary? Leave the only home I've ever known?"
"I fear you must," answered Frederic. "Neither I nor our father can envision any other way to keep you and the rest of our family safe."
Czanna looked away, forcing herself to become calm. Then, after a moment, she said softly, "Yes, of course. I am sorry I am so shocked; it is only that—" Her voice broke. Then, looking up at her brother, she asked, "And you? You have mentioned our brother and sister, but what about you? You are coming with us, are you not?"
Frederic glanced away from her, his composure hard, although a muscle twitched in his cheek. At last, he said, "No. I am staying here. I fear I cannot escape with you. There are people I am working with who also wish to free our parents, and if I am not here to help these people, our parents' freedom is not assured."
"Oh, I see. You are to stay here and help our parents. And, of course there is no one else who will work harder than you to free them. Still, if I must leave tonight, how will I ever be able to go away unseen? Where would I go?"
"To America. You must go to America."
"To America? But, America is so far away, and I hear it is a savage land."
"Yes, I have been given rumors to believe the same as you," said Frederic. "But, there are reasons why America is the only country where our father and I believe you and the rest of the family will be safe. It is there where you will be able to hide yourself from any Hungarian spies. I have already spoken to our father's manservant, Henrik, and I have asked him to accompany you. He, however, refused the coin I offered him to do it. He said it is his duty to ensure you and our brother and sister are kept as safe as possible. He will guide you and shelter you as much as he is able. He also understands why I must stay here to try to free our father and our mother, and he agrees with our father and me. He has also given me his solemn word of honor to help you and our brother and sister to reach the American frontier with as little incident as possible. Henrik will, of course, be bringing his own daughter with him."
"Yes, of course. Since she is his only family, she, too, must embark upon this journey. Although she is barely ten years and four, I believe I shall welcome her assistance very much, especially since our younger sister is still a babe."
"Yes. Now, listen well to me. You and the others are to sail north on the Danube this very night, and once you are out of the city of Pest, you and the others will go by coach to the coast, there to set sail for America. I have purchased the boarding tickets for you all on a ship sailing from the port there tomorrow. The name of the ship is on the tickets. I will now give them to you and not to Henrik. Count them and ensure there are five." Frederic handed her the tickets.
"Yes. There are five tickets here."
