No War? What Now?

[Sir Dmitrii Zurban]

Peace?
The Story of Dmitrii and Aegraine

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After the War

“True Warriors” choose to confront forces that oppose peace and transform them. Dmitrii has been classified as a true warrior. A warrior’s first obligation is servitude to whatever cause he or she is defending. It could be country, religion, his or her people, principles or ideologies or whatever they feel strong enough to fight for.

There is a difference between warriors, war mongers, and conquerors. Conquerors are about overtaking people by whatever means necessary to advance their agenda or ideologies. War mongers are those who enjoy the carnage and brutality of combat particularly on a large scale. A warrior fights in defense or protection of his or her way of life. Ultimately what all true warriors strive for is peace.

Some scenes of battle, much like storms over the ocean, sunsets on the horizon, or the night-sky seen through a telescope, are able to intimidate the single individual and hold him in a spell. There is the collective joy of comradeship and the enchantment in destruction. Men who have lived in the boroughs of combat long enough to be veterans are sometimes possessed by a fury that makes them capable of anything, storming against the enemy until they are either victorious, dead, or utterly exhausted.

Now Dmitrii has traded his swords for a cane; the light black and silver armour had been traded for a more casual attire of black boots, black trousers, a pale green shirt, and a dark green and black high-collar jacket. Limping along, atop the battered walls of Turas Lan, he surveys what war had done to his city. Men and women working hard to repair the walls to its former state… others working on shops, homes, and buildings inside the great walls. Turas Lan was coming to life, as a flower struggling against winter, only to bloom in spring.

He was alone again. He had not seen Aegraine for a month… and he missed her. Willa had not been seen in almost six… and Victoria had been dead more than two years now. He had fought in numerous battles… all for freedom and peace… He knew there would be a time for this man to take up the swords once more… but for now, he would enjoy peace…

A Dance upon the Wall with Victory

It was a time for battle and using what the Weapons Master taught her about cannon and Aegraine went forth and did as she had been taught.

“When this is over, I’ll do my dance on the wall for you. I will." Aegraine joked with the cannon crew that critical day, as the light of dawn began to reveal what exactly was out there, before the gates.

Now the battle was over now and in the jubilation of the moment, Captain lePower parked her boots, armor parts and jacket, for the reduced, more freeing costume of shift tucked into her black trousers.

One step onto a crate and there she stood, arms waving to the winds. It was tradition among her Mother’s people that after a victory, one from the company would dance atop the wall or the highest point at a hill fort to coax the spirit Victory to stay with these people, these fighters.

In the old days, her Mother had her body painted with white and blue, swirls and traditional markings to make sure she was visable from a distance. As a child, little Aegraine helped with the painting and walked with Aurilla to the wall’s edge. "The Golden One" folks called her mother. Tall and impressive a figure of a woman by any standards, seeing Aurilla dance atop the wall was the image she had most clear of her parent. Masses of light blonde curly hair flew into the swirling winds as the painted woman danced in sensuous rhythm to entice the spirit of Victory to come and enjoy the mortal pleasure of life.

Each movement was a symbol of what humans enjoy after a battle is won; feasting, drinking and any pleasurable interaction humans might fancy. Aegraine remembered this dance; one she herself was too shy and reserved to do in public.

She had promised the crew and got atop the wall, with a modified version of her Mother’s family rite. When Aegraine danced, it was a short shimmy , with a shoulder shake, to the clapping of the crew. One move she did exact. The sultry look over her left shoulder, to let Victory know it was the spirit that gave humans a win; it was this spirit’s good will they courted. A walk over. A hand stand and Aegaine vaulted off the wall and stuck the landing. Amid cheers and applauding she called out, “Thank you for your efforts. May the spirit of Victory remain with you all!”

Down from the walls to ground level, the first time she touched ground in over three days, the young woman wandered amid rubble and the confusion of the after battle to find her little home untouched.

“What has become of Dmitrii?” was the main question in her mind as she greeted the dogs Beo and Wulf. They waited at the door and followed her in. All the time she was washing off the soot of cannon firings her ears were ringing with the sound of the shots and she had to wonder if her ears might be damaged.

She had tried to do a man’s work with such dedication that it is no wonder Aegraine soon a she pulled a clean shift over her, fell into her bed and slept the sound sleep of the exhausted. Beo perched on her left. Watching the door as usual and Wulf collapsed over her feet, to his claimed space on the blanket.

It was restful. And in this rest, Aegraine dreamed she was dancing atop a wall. Somewhere in a less civilized nation, after a great victory. In this dream she did the dance as her Mother had done, wearing body paint and going through the motions of having close contact with the unseen spirit. Victory. She could feel his touch, standing back of her. Moving in close and intimate. Now the dance called for the look over her left shoulder and Aegraine did this correctly. Only this time she could see a shadow form, a man’s shoulder and part of his chest. A bearded face leaned over her shoulder, almost touching her lips. She had seen that smile before…no. Not a smile. A smirk!

The dream continued in ways she would never speak about, but it was just a dream and Aegraine enjoyed it without reservation. In the day she faced the realization that Dmitrii was more to her than commanding officer, good friend and even cooking teacher. She was attracted to the man, in every manner she knew about. And she did not know what to do about that. But where was Dmitrii?

Later that morning, the fever took her and Aegraine battled an illness common among the city survivors.

Eventually, she was well enough to go out to the gates and begin to make notes about reconstruction and making the gates defensible against cannon.

What if it were like before? What if Dmitrii had not survived and no one told her? The people she asked had no answer for her. She kept seeking information, so far without a clue.

One day high upon the wall as Aegraine directed workmen… one of the gun crews attempted to get Aegraine’s attention… they seemed a bit excited and was pointing to a lower level upon the wall… “Cap’n…look there… tis wot yae been lookin’ faer Nay???”

Now Dmitrii had traded his swords for a cane; the light black and silver armour had been traded for a more casual attire of black boots, black trousers, a pale green shirt, and a dark green and black high-collar jacket. Limping along, atop the battered walls of Turas Lan, he surveys what war had done to his city. Men and women working hard to repair the walls to its former state… others working on shops, homes, and buildings inside the great walls. Turas Lan was coming to life, as a flower struggling against winter, only to bloom in spring.

Sans weapons but a small dagger at his hip, Dmitrii limped along the walkway to the stairs that led to the ground floor… He cursed in Russian when he stepped down and the pain of the weak thigh muscled strained. Unknowing of the commotion from above, his concentration more upon his healing thigh.

"Let me see!" Aegraine pulled out her spy glass on the necklace and peered over the edge of the wall she was atop, metal rimmed wax notepads clinking as she leaned over the edge to see better. It was Dmitrii, after all these weeks of no news, he was alive after all. "Ah, I will give him my reports directly." she said to the crew, trying to ignore their laughing and jokes.

There was a zip line to the lower level, for they had been measuring the height of the facing to be reinforced. Grabbing heavy gloves and hooking her self into the safety rig, Aegraine went over the edge and upon a smooth woven rope weighted at the base of it, slid to the level where Zurban walked. Once landed, the Captain tossed her gloves one direction and her knit cap the other, running directly to the Weapon's Master. She was wearing a man's clothing for work at the wall, with an addition of a knee length skirt, lest the Church warn her again about her obligation to dress as a woman. Her braided hair was wrapped about her head, except for the unbraided end flying in the air like wild feathers in the wind, when the knit hat was discarded.

"Dmitrii! I thought you were dead! I asked all over, I searched and no one could tell me even a hint." She went to hug her long missing commander but hesitated, modifying her gesture to a much lighter touch. He had been injured and how much more than she might guess by a glance, she did not risk causing more pain. "I have my reports for you." This she spoke loud enough the crew members hanging over the wall edge might hear. More quietly she added, "I missed your guidance. I missed you."

"What happened? Are the Lord and Lady safe? We have had so little news here in town."

To Dmitrii’s surprise, she came from nowhere, and both did not realize just how much her being here and alive meant to him. Disregarding any military protocol, his emotions taking precedence, he took her into his arm, while the other leaned against the cane. “Nyet [no], I am alive… a bit trodden, but no for worse…” he paused as he leaned into her a bit and held up the cane. “I see yu are well…” despite the bruises of battle.

Missed him? The familiar smile would go unnoticed as his face was past her view as he pulled her in close in a hug. Oh she felt so good in his arms. “Da, Dyh vetit chka….[yes, my dear] I have missed yu…so very much…” he whispered in her ear. Yep… time to push her back a bit… for those that looked upon them and… his own rising emotions might be concernable; but she did feel good next to him.

And with that, his voice raised as he looked at her with that oh-so familiar smile, the beard quirking at the right places and leaned upon the cane. “Lord Adam and I went deep into Scot lowlands… and stood upon Hadrian’s wall with a force of 100,000.” He chuckles… “Now General Maahes drives deeper south toward London…” He looks at her odd… “And here in the city, we fought against Maubrey too as well… seems I got a a good one this time…” pointing to the thigh. “Nothing serious, nor permanent, save a scar…”

“I had heard that Lord Adam has been addressing the High Councils of the new Nations in the Blue Castle… and Lady Bess… she tends their children…” He chuckles… “I have heard that Lord Adam wishes to change such things as communications…” he takes her arm and continues along the wall to the stairs… and uses her as a brace along with the cane to the ground level.

“Ae.…” as he looks at her a bit, using her name… “I leave for Lake of the McLeod this afternoon… Lord Adam has ordered me home to rest… I am returning home.” He chuckles… “Says I am like an old guard dog.” He paused a bit… “I would be happy for yu to come stay with me…” he looks down… then back up at her… “I mean… if yer duties are done…” Oh he was not very good at this stuff; Ice-breaking was not his forte.

Aegaine stood beside him, walking step and step along, as a slim but sturdy support. She looked up at him with a glorious transparent clear happiness in her smile. In the past, had not all her close friends and companions vanished into the maw of the battle monster? Not Dmitrii. Here he was, injured to be sure, but alive and there was no better gift life could give her at this time.

"Boss." Hugh called out from the ledge above them, "Do not let her bake scones for ya." The statement was followed with uproarious laughter from the crew.

"Aye! They were good for naught but chucking at the enemy. I hit one with one of them scones and cleaved his helmet clean through. And his skull as well." George had to add his own comments. The jokes went on and on, better some of them were not audible to the folks below the ledge.

"Your crew! They are simply terrible." The Captain rolled her eyes, at their opinion of her lack of culinary skills. "So were the scones. Simply awful." It was good to hear laughter after the war times.

The Hecklers above teased her, and he fell into the groove of teasing her too, as he nudged her with his elbow. "My Crew? They are yers now…” His weight shifted to the good leg and the hand upon the cane as they walked from the wall. “Mabbe ye should have made more and saved on the arrows…”

"I have the drawings prepared for reconstruction of the walls, fortifying them in case of attack by cannon, one day in the future. I can take time off, while the debris is being cleared." She thought it through, not carefully but did think before she replied to him. Aegraine unfolded a parchment from inside her jacket and handed it along with a few drawings she had tucked in with it. "See? Once the broken stone is clear, it will be time for rebuilding; stronger and better. Lest someone come next time with cannon." After all, that was the logical conclusion.

He paused to look at the drawings, setting them on a nearby cart, leaning his cane, and spread them out. His fingers traced the new supports inside the wall… supported between two layers of brick, and mortared. “Not bad…” Glancing over his shoulder watching some people attempting to move the debris, he looks back at her. “If we need more laborers, let me know, I shall approach the Mo’r Triath…” he smiled using Adam’s new title.

"I need to tell you, I have made peace with my Father; he is sending his crew and supplies to aid with the new gate system and wall repairs." She had not told the Lord and Lady; she had not asked permission of Dmitrii or anyone, for who knew when they might return.

She had spoken to him, confidentially, about her Father, and the problems between them; and when she spoke of reconciliation, he smiled and his hand found her lower back with a slight pat. “Tis good to hear….I am proud of yu…” pausing to absorb the other part of the comment and look at the plans again… “Oh really? A new gate system? Now that should be interesting…” Once again he paused… this time, the familiar smile crossed his face. “Ae…shall I meet him this time?” his voice soft and almost timid of sort… Then he rolled the wall plans and handed them back to her; taking his cane he started to limp along the way they walked.

"If these plans suit you, I am able to step away from work a while. Dmitrii? I would love to visit your home, if your family does not mind." LePower linked arms with Zurban.

Dmitrii closed his elbow onto her arm as she offered additional support, then he chuckled… “I trust yu explicitly with the defense of Turas Lan my dear Ae… I am a warrior, not an architect…” he smirked… His expression changed a bit… “I have no family, save Kaelyn and her children… and maybe Adam and his family…” he looked down… Adam and he had been friends for two years now… and Bess and Aodhan had treated him like part of the family. “I would love to have yu stay with me for a wh…” his sentence broke abruptly as she spoke… his eyes widening a bit…

"You know that my servant, the old Widow Lynch might want to accompany me. I fear she will follow me if I were to leave her behind."

“Da, I know the Lady Lynch…” then he blushed… the tan skin around the neatly trimmed beard turning a slight pink. “Ummm… yes, she can come I guess…” Though his own servants would mind their own business, he knew not what the Lady Lynch would do should he attempt to get close to Aegraine. Still he offered her a timid smile, and began to limp along, his mind wandering.

"Are you sure you are ready for travel? It is not far, is it?" She did not see his horse nearby and wondered about that.

Supported slightly against her arm, he raised the cane and pointed to the stables down the street… “Troika is in the Livery… and he is prepared…” shrugging… “I have not much here…” he looked at her. “What do yu require to take… I have some of Victoria’s clothes left, should yu not wish to bring anything…” With a slight chuckle… “Maybe less than an hour ride… we can depart anytime yu are ready…” he offered her a smile, the familiar scrunching of the beard accompanying it.

"I am more ready to depart than you can imagine; I had Alt ready for a ride this afternoon." Her hair was wrapped about her head and the end of braid escaped and caught flight in the air currents, like dark feathers alive. "A hair brush would be a good idea. And to stop by and let Widow know we are leaving."

Dmitrii smiled brightly, the neatly trimmed beard crinkling in all the right places to provide a charming, strangely odd appearance to his face. “I am truly glad yu wish to spend time with me…” the last word “alone” was left off as she spoke of a hairbrush and the widow Lynch… He truly hoped the eagle eye would not go with them.

In the livery stable, he took down the board and pulled upon the reins. The large black Friesian stepped proudly out of the stall. It was already saddled with the black saddle and silver/black blanket. Stepping carefully onto a crate, he swung a sore leg over the saddle and slipped the boots into the stirrups. Sliding the cane into a loop on the saddle, he looked at Ae and smirked. “Ready?”

Then the pair rode off toward Aegraine’s cottage.

Trust

Meanwhile, at Aegraine's small rented dwelling, Old Dora and her man Clovis sat on the step outside the weathered wooden door, counting their accumulated pennies and making plans. "The Lady Beathag gave her blessings, Dorie. Have you told the Captain, yet? Beltane is almost here." The firewood gather, now taking a turn as remover of stone blocks and rubble leaned forward to see what the old lady's expression told.

"No. I will wait until after." Dora was afraid to tell Aegraine about the couple's plans to be handfasted on Beltane. "She may not afford a new member in her household." She had hoped to change her life little.

"Our house is in the wood land, with farm lands, you know that well." Just as Clovis was speaking, two horses drew up and halted.

"Dora! My hairbrush and the second saddle bag, please. I am going on a visit." Aegraine called out, still on horseback.

Dmitrii sat proudly upon the large black horse as he looked down toward the elder man and woman. A bow of his head greeted the pair as he sat waiting for Aegraine.

"With him?" Lynch dragged her reluctant feet in the house and returned with the requested items. "I am going, with you, I swear. You give me no notice! Lend me your mule, Clovis. I will be back Almighty knows when." her disapproval was clear in voice tone and the clipped phrases. She clumped into the house, her wooden patterns pounding the wooden floor planks expressed her anger.

With him? she said. Had they too heard of his promiscuous behavior before and after Willa? Had they seen him after a bit too much ale? His personal life had not paralleled his professional life as a warrior. He had been a young man living an experienced young life before Victoria. And her death had taken it toll upon him… but all that had been in Inverness. He walked the straight-and-narrow when he and Willa were together, but the months after her sudden disappearance disturbed him, and with no warning, his loneliness got the best of him. He had sought the company of anyone who could eliminate the solitude of his heart. Would his promiscuity in times of emotional isolation be a problem for him now??? Would they think ill of him for that? And could he be the perfect gentleman all hoped for with such a beautiful woman? All this and more wandered aimlessly thru his mind while he patiently waited.

"Now Dorie, why not let the girl go, have fun. You told me this is a friendship, did you not?" The old woodsman whispered to Dora, his gruff voice somewhat kinder, convincing, as when he got her to promise their hand-fast. "You tell me she is a good girl; that she can be trusted. So? Can you not do as she does for you? Trust. All will be well." he followed Dora's every step, lest the two outside on horses hear his words.

"Here is the pack; I have put in some spring onion, lest they have none." Old Dora hung her head and steeled her will not to go run off and grab the first mule she found unattended and race after. Trust. It does little good to preach it and not have it in one's heart. Today, Dora Lynch realized how difficult it was to let go, even to see her employer ride off for a visit away from home. Away from her control.

"I heard you had a home in the country, but no more than that." Aegraine turned Alt to the road and kept him up with Dmitrii. She turned and waved back to Dora and flashed a happy smile, proud that she was let go without her shadow, the old woman finally began like to treat her as an adult, not her little girl.

If one had paid close attention, they would have seen him exhale when the widow Lynch did not depart with them. Riding beside one another, he looked at Aegraine and smiled bright. “Da, tis a more than sufficient manor for me… I have a little bit of land, a fine manored home, and sufficient servants to keep me more than comfortable.” And he smirked… grinning at her… “And more places than we need to play…” then he winked at her.

"You will meet my Father; I told him about you, Dmitrii, and the work to defend Turas Lan's walls. The repair crews on the way are the way. lePower family supports each other's defense efforts. You two will have lots to discuss, that is, if you like hearing about the castles he designed." She was in such a good mood; all was right with the world and what more could a girl ask?

“I would be so glad to meet yer father.” He commented. The man sounded hard… but fair… and an enterprising man when it come to his profession. But his main effort was to be with Aegraine… to attune himself with her… to relax… and recuperate. What better way to get healthy than with a beautiful woman by his side. All he did with that thought was look at her, completely… and smile that familiar facial expression he was infamous for.

As the horses began to hit their stride as Clovis and Dora watched, the old woman asked. "And do you trust me that I will tell her we are man and wife, after Beltane?"

Dmitrii took one last look over his shoulder at the elder pair behind them. Then he looked to Aegraine, her long hair down around her shoulders. Trust… ah yes… now did they trust one another?

Aegraine had lived out in the world but she was not of it. She had observed her Father's various women come and go, as he tried to get over loneliness after her mother died. As a young girl, she had even tried to introduce him to Lady Poe, but there was no third wife for Martin. Therefore, gossip did not prejudice her and she knew firsthand what it was to be alone.

All that mattered now was how she got along with Dmitrii, for they had become the best of friends and she had hopes this was a beginning. He had given her options; let her choose in work assignments, to accompany Lady Eirian to the town and more. She knew him as one not to try and force her into anything she did not want. Aegraine had utmost faith in her friend, that this visit would be enjoyable for them both.

"I wish I had been trained as a healer, to make sure you are recovering from the battle injury." The joy of seeing him survived the war still kept her in good spirits. It was not long before Dmitrii's estate came into view and Aegraine slowed Alt, as she took a first look at the manor house, from a distance.

Uh oh, there was that wicked little smirk he had as he looked at her. His steel-grey eyes sparkled as the neatly trimmed beard quirked in the familiar manner. As he pulled back on the reins to stop the large black Friesian, he watched her come closer to him stopping beside him. Then in a soft baritone voice, accented by the distinct Russian rolling r’s, he spoke… “Lady Aislin and her healers took care of me well-enough… they instructed me to keep it clean and do not move much…” he winked at her… “And to exercise it regularly as they demonstrated… after it heals of course…” and the smirked formed into a smile, shifting the beard a bit. “Yu being with me shall make me recover that much faster…”

Home !!

Then they rode close enough to see his home, as if it were floating on a reflecting pool. Aegraine just stopped and took it all in. Dmitrii's manor house rose above a quiet span of water, pale gray and stately. Each corner was rounded with a tower crowned with a conical roof, in contrast the roof of dark tile arched above the main section of its rectangular shape. Many windows let light into the structure, the builder had not stinted on using glass. There was a mood to this structure and to lePower is spoke of serenity and security. "This is your place? I can now see why Lord Adam sent you here for rest and recovery."

“Da… tis mine… It once belonged to a MacLeod, who bought it from a MacDonald… Now it belongs to a Zurban…” he quirked his lips into a smile. “Tis much more than I ever expected… but it was a gift of Lord Adam, and some of the Templar brothers…” He paused a bit… “It is way too big for me alone…” glancing her direction… “But one day I hope to have some leisure time to enjoy the place… and invite friends over…” offering a bit of a shrug.

"Lady Aislin! I'm so glad you have had the best possible care; all will be well. I am certain of it." It was an immense relief to hear. Aegraine was reassured he would recover completely, in time. When the fever struck her, after the city had been secured, it had been Widow Lynch and one cup after another of her willow bark tea. "Did she require you to drink gallons of willow bark tea?" she laughed. "Dora insisted nothing else cures pain."

Dmitrii laughed. “Nyet… but whatever it was, I am sure it was worse tasting…”

"Exercise for your mind? I brought my playing cards and dice." She patted the second saddle bag, the one which was picked up at her humble home. “I have chess men as well, if my servant has not tossed them in the fire as 'evil gambling implements.'. Do you play chess?" The alternative plans she had drawn up for several styles of city gates were in the same bag, another item to discuss.

The laughter quieted to a more familiar, seductive smirk… “Nothing is wrong with my mind, I am assured… but dice and cards can be beneficial… but as far as chess… I am but at a loss… strategy is not the best suit for me… I leave that to the generals…” followed by a wink. Though strategy is not lost upon Dmitrii… how else could he stay alive thru so many battles at a young age.

It was the "T" word that gave Aegraine cold chills. Templar men once hired her Father's construction crew to work in underground halls and drainage system, in a remote holding somewhere in France. With her extended family involved in the project, it was inevitable the leaders met Aegraine and her Mother, Aurilla. One of their group had called her an "abomination”, strange offspring of that wild woman and the nickname her older cousins began to call her. "Wall Rat".

"Templar, you say? I have seen some of their organization, when I was a child." Aegraine tried to say this lightly, as if it were a passing thought.

“Da… The Templars have been most gracious and generous… their roots here in Skye runs deep. They have fought and died for Skye and Scotland’s freedom, just as the pure-blood Scots.” He pauses in their defense, as it seemed to bother Aegraine… he reminded himself he would speak of the Templars at a later, more prudent time.

Then she changed the subject, "Such a grand home it is! And I cannot wait to see where the light from those side windows hits." Try as she might, Aegraine just had to glance at Dmitrii and observe him looking at his home manor house, safe in a time of peace that he fought for and was injured to secure. Peace. It was so a different state.

“My home… Da, tis more than sufficient…” he laughs… “More than an old battlehound as myself could ever dream of…” He was more than a warrior… he was the Prince of Argania… his sister Kaelyn had so deemed him a title, lands, and wealth untold, nor cared for… and he was the bastard son of the Ambassador from Kievan Rus… Did that deem him royalty? He thought not…!!

Still he looked upon the building as some sort of foundation. He had no fealty save the Mo’r Triath… he had no lands, save those granted in Argania, of which he held no feelings for…. Ah yes… his home… Turas Lan… Skye… his best friend Adam… and her… Then he looked at Aegraine… the facial expression would offer no clue as to his thoughts…

Dare he speak those thoughts to her? Every time he has professed deep affection, love, or the forbearance of emotion, he has lost the beneficiary of those emotions. Touch a hot rod iron once, and yu never do it again… But Dmi had already grasp the hot iron twice before… and burned twice… Victoria had died fighting for her home… Willa, God Knows, just disappeared… shall he grasps that burning rod once again? Steel grey eyes shifted as the thoughts went thru his head…

Aegraine was thinking about, walking in the doorway of Dmi's home, how lovely this place was and reminded herself once more of her place in life, lest she forget. She was no one of importance outside of Waterford or Ulster and away from her family. Several hours ago, Ae was atop the city wall, covered with limestone dust and joking with the cannon crew about ...why she was still wearing her work clothes, jacket, trousers and short skirt, gray and yet dusted with construction dust. Her braid undone let long dark hair blow about, so untidy.

Good that Dmitrii had only seen the outside of her current dwelling; that was bad enough. In a dark shaded cobblestone street, it sat at the far end of Weir Lane, a stone and wooden outline, one of the older constructions. She had been able to rent its two large rooms very cheap, using only the larger room. Nearby, some homes were rubble, now after the war, so in that she was fortunate. But it spoke of a poverty that Aegaine had not known until she was forced to make her way in the world alone.

Then he winked at her after a few moments thought… “Come, let us go home… I want to show yu the place to which I retreat…”

"I should love to see your home!" The bright smile she flashed to her very best friend in this world did not hide how much she liked this man, although she would have bet he could not guess. Nightmares of war in Ulster had dimmed to a faint shadow. If Aegraine thought of Jerome these days, time was healing the loss. The future, she did not allow herself to think beyond to the moment and maybe tomorrow's breakfast. At least she did not admit to more than that. There was time enough for a leisurely visit to Dmitrii's home, before her Father arrived with the wall repair crews.

The bright smile was infectious, and he too offered his own familiar smile in return. Now it was as if his chest thrust out in pride. The pair rode to the front of the manor and he slide off the horse… then limped to Alt’s side and extended out arms to catch her from her own mount. Once again the bright smile he had upon his face could be seen. “Come I shall show yu…”

It had been a long day, with work upon the walls and a ride out to the Zurban estate. Aegraine was glad of assistance as she slid off Alt and her boots touched the ground, once more. "Thank you, Dmi." With one hand, she had to tug the short skirt back into decent level, for it would not do for his servants to see her dressed in a man's work clothes. She did not want to make a bad impression on this visit.

It was as if an electric shock reverberated thru his body when his hands went to her waist when she slid from the horse… and amplified when she touched the ground before him, there bodies so close. His steel grey eyes caught hers as she looked at him, then deferred to the skirt, his hands snapping away from her waist. Odd moment?? Possibly !!

Then as she dismounted, he took her hand… and with a slight squeeze… “I am so glad yu accepted the invitation…” Pointing back over a crest of a set of rolling hills to the north… “There beyond the hills, just inside the forest is where my sister lives… in Ravenscrest… maybe later, we can go visit her…”

He was so excited to have her with him… if not for their rugged and hazardous lives, the pair would have been like children skipping along the path to his door, and into the building, but both of them, haggered by their pasts, walked like adults much older than they really were.

In the past three years, Aegraine had been through two sieges, the death of her closest friends in battle and now here in Skye’s recent war. After a month long wait, not knowing if Dmitrii lived or not, she had no word until today. Today, the tide turned; all would be well. The gray oaks they had seen along the way reached up to a robin's egg blue sky. Dark gray and black wrinkled in their ancient bark, the trees rose fifty or more feet into the air. Their limbs stretched up into the springtime air, and were rewarded at the crowns with light green leaflets, the first level of forest greening. Along the pathway, wild flowers bloomed, random blue, white and pink amid the grasses. It was as if one tick of time, everything was changing and it was wonderful to her.

"I look forward to meeting you sister. Her family does not reside here?" lePower came from an extended clan that spent their lives in a common estate or in camp while traveling together. She was still becoming accustomed to the ways in this land.

Dmitrii smiled at her… “Nyet… they live in Argania… though most of her immediate family is dead… save me…” the next part of that subject he let alone, due to the sadness of it… he would eventually tell her of Kae’s most recent tragedy of her losing her husband and children in the war, but that would be another day.

As they neared the doorway, they were met by servants who were eager to welcome their returning Lord… and as they saw Aegraine, their smiles grew even moreso. For they too, knew of his losses, and wished more than their own benefit, for him to have “someone special” in his life.

Dmitrii introduced each one of the servants who either bowed or curtsied and eagerly offered their services… “Shall MiLady bae stayin’ a few days?” The older woman asked of Aegraine, in her best English version of the Scottish brogue. Dmitrii just stood by her and looked at her with that charming familiar smile, waiting for an answer.

"Yes, I will be staying..." she replied to the woman, careful to modify her too English accent, "For several days, unless work calls me back early." Only Dmi could her add, "I hope they do not call me back oversoon."

Again Dmi smiled that familiar, charming smile. “And if I can prevent that… I shall…” Dmitrii added with a wicked smirk; tugging at her arm pulling her inside.

“Aye Milord…” the woman added, as she looked to Aegraine… “Ah fear an all out war shall bae the only thing tae drag yae tae apart naew lassy…” the older woman remarked winking at Aegraine.

Dmitrii and Ae entered his manor as the mild breeze caused the Zurban flag and the Gryphon flag atop the roof to flutter…

…….…….

On the wall just above the door was the Zurban crest…

Once inside, he would give Aegraine the grand tour of his manor.

“Please follow me… let me show yu my humble abode…”

Upon the wall of the hallway, hung two pictures side-by-side… one was his Father, Leonid Kravchenko, and his Mother, Lady Serene Urquhart.... On the opposite wall was one of him and his half-sister… Kaelyn Rose

Taking her hand, he led her down the hall toward the Main Dining Hall, that would convert to a ballroom… with a 8-person table, and a long table for 30 or so people …

…….

“Tis too large for me alone… so…” again he takes her hand and leads her to a smaller dining room, just off the kitchen area… the sweet smells of breads and meats roasting filled the air…

In the corner of the cozy dining room was a wooden stand with an odd-looking stringed instrument. It was a musical instrument of his homeland of Kievan Rus… called a bandura….

With the aromatic scents coming from the kitchen, he had to see what widow Gracie MacLeod was cooking… Gracie was a member of Clan MacLeod and a hired cook. Now she and her son reside in quarters off the large kitchen.

Hand-in-hand, the young couple walked thru the hallway to an open doorway… There was a large, three sectional kitchen with fine stoves and open firepits. Several tables were filled with breaddough, knives, baskets, and other cookingware.

…….…….

…….…….

The servants all bowed until Gracie came to him and curtsied… When she rose, she looked right at him and shook her finger… “MiLord, if’n yae please… if ya nae bus’ness stay outta mnae kitch’n… Yae ar’ laird of the house, Ah bae mistress o’ Kitchen… Nae git… please…” then she winked at Ae and turned to go back to work.

Dmitrii laughed, and looked at Ae… then pulling her hand he exited by what looked like a backdoor… only to find themselves in the bakehouse… Smells of baked bread of various sorts… he saw Gracie coming, and with a laugh, he tugs Ae by the hand and scurries off down the hall once more…

…….

He paused briefly in his own personal room… armour in one corner, weapons of various sorts; old and tested, and new protoypes above the mantel of a nice fireplace… on the other walls were the same. He looked at her and smiled… “Need I comment??”

Walking slowly from his personal room to a much larger room… the parlor… elegantly furnished, he could have royalty visit, no??

Thru the window of the parlor, one could see the glistening water that surrounded the manor;, to the far left side, one could see Troika, his black Friesian, gracing upon green grass.

When he thought she’d had her fill of the scenery outside, and the parlor inside, he tugged her hand again and headed for a set of wide stairs heading upwards. “Well, that’s it downstairs… now the subsequent floors…” he winked…

At the top of the stairs, was a large room, a salon; once again filled with paintings, finely carved columns, large windows on both the east and west sides…and once again a beautiful view of the entire estate.

They had milled about the room, side by side, his every word describing each and every object that had a story to tell. Then he smirked, and clutched her hand gently… “Come… see the rest…”

The hallways was as ornate as the others, but this hallway led to many bedrooms… some fancy, some plain, some Spartan in nature… On this end of the hallway, he pointed to three closest bedrooms.
The guest room….

My room… said with a wicked smirk…

Upon the end of his bed, carved in the footboard, was the Arganian symbol.

“And yers, when yu stay here… see, it even has a personal bath for you…”

Oddly enough, her room and his room were joined by a locked inner door.

And so they retired to the downstairs dining room, where Gracie had prepared them a fine meal. Both of them chose to eat in the cozy dining room.

They sat across a well appointed dining table, plates upon chargers with his family emblem on gleaming metal surfaces. She used her best table manners tonight and with some difficulty managed to refrain from slipping a knife off her place serving into her sleeve cuff. This was one old habit that had to stop, and stop right now.

At a campfire along the trail, out on the walls with the cannon crews, or at table of his smaller dining room, Dmitrii was the same person, to her. Aegraine did not expect another person to be perfect, for she knew she herself was not. It was not human nature to be flawless. She was taken with him, as he is. What was that particular smile of his? The smirk so very Dmi. Hopefully, a good thing.

"I have been concerned," Aegraine cut bits from the meat and vegetable, taking small bites proceeded to enjoy the fine dinner. "What will become of all of us defense workers at the walls, once repairs are complete and peace reigns." It was as if a loud, relentless machine suddenly went still, quiet and the suspense of what came next unnerved lePower. "I don't want to move onto a new project with Father's organization. I like it here."

Dmitrii was chewing on a piece of duck when she asked her question… finally grinding it small enough to swallow, he replied. “Be not concerned… Adam will keep a military force busy… most of the knights and sergeants will be training soldiers in other countries to build the ancillary protection forces of that country, and readying them to supply arms in case the Mo’r Triath calls forth the Gaelic Nations Army once again. As for the defense workers, they shall be converted to construction units across the nations.” Then he fiddled with some vegetables, and looks to her. “As for you… You may also be called to other lands of the Nation to train construction crews.”

Then he scoops up some beans and eats them. After swallowing that, he looks to her again and smirks… “Fear nay, Yu shant leave again… Yu are the Griffin’s Captain of Engineers… and my…” his words break off… “Yu have a home here…” he cut off his own sentence and pokes the table with his knife as he indicates his words. “As well if yu must travel, I can travel with you… as yer Commander…” he winks at her.

"Your home is marvelous, Dmi." She waited as one of the servers filled goblets for them to drink. As the servant left them alone, once more.

“Why thank yu my dear… I am glad yu like it…” he smiles and pushes the plate away. “When yu are done, I shall invite the servants to partake of such fine food.”

Aegraine leaned forward over the table edge, long dark hair over both shoulders and onto the table end, itself, "And there is a bath in the room? This has to be the ultimate luxury! I can see myself in it every day I am here!"

And as she leaned, he too did so… “aye… tis just for yu… and I can see yu in it everyday too…” he said softly… then he realized what he said and blushed, his meaning lost in a twix of words… “eerr, I mean…” his face red by now… and he laughed from embarrassment. Such an accomplishment, for Dmitrii hardly ever blushed… but the miscontruance of meanings to words in relationship to his thoughts forced the blush. “my apologies M’Lady…” Good thing he whispered it too, for just as he sat back with a flushed face, Gracie MacLeod walked in…

“Howz th’ food MiLord? Does it meet yaer approval…” she inquired. She saw the blush upon his face and smiled, winking at Aegraine in the situation the pair was in. “MiLady? Dae yae require anythin’?” then he almost laughed at Dmitrii’s expression and shake of his head no.… Curtseying, she spoke softly… “By yaer leave MiLady…MiLord…”

He looked down and shook his head, mumbling softly in Russian at his situation. Aegraine was a beautiful woman… both of them young and energetic… both were single with no love interest elsewhere… and the biggest factor was his personal feelings toward her, though he had not spoken them directly. Did he want to see her in the bath? Hell yeah… Would he voice his desires? Hell no !! Did he have desires for her? Hell yeah !! Would he pursue them? Hell yeah… with protocol, chivalry, and manners… as far as young blood would allow.

After dinner, they sat before a small fire in the hearth, not only for light as it was mid spring and the warm, balmy days still had a touch of chill to the evening air. Aegraine held up the glass goblet, still almost filled with the light wine from dinner. Light from the fire glittered in the cut glass of the goblet and sparkled through the wine.

He preferred the pillows upon the floor than the chair. He placed his arm upon the seat of the chair and lowered his head upon his arm, his free hand holding a glass of wine. His steel-grey eyes looked up at her.

"Have you heard there is rumor in the town that there will be Jousts held, this spring or early Summer? I have seen such contests twice before, in Waterford. Such horses they had!" Aegraine swirled the wine in her glass, then looked over its rim to Dmitrii. "Have you been to jousts, before?"

“Nyet… I have not heard… t’would be a grand idea though…” he paused and smiled… the shadows casting an eerie, yet charming darkness upon his bearded face. “Aye… I have jousted many times… quite regularly in Paris… and several times in Inverness… and if they Mor Triath has one, I shall enter…” he paused… “Upon one condition…” he smirked at her confused look. “If yu shall allow me to wear yer favor…”

"I would." It came in quiet tones, almost bracketed with silence, before and after. This unexpected question caught her without an elaborate answer, just the direct truth, for after which Aegaine went on, about jousts back in her homeland.

"My brother Francis remains in Waterford, in charge of the house at Bargonne. He is the one who manages all the contracts and correspondence for the entire family business, as well as the horses. The jousts were his idea, back then."

“Knowing Adam like I do, he shall make his first joust a grand event… I just hope he can get back in time for his own event…” he chuckled.

"It's late and regretfully, time for me to retire for today. Tomorrow if you have the time, Dmi, I intend to challenge you to game of cards... in the meantime we need to think of what to bet, as I brought no money with me." She stood, ready to walk to the stairs to the room indicated for her and turned and laughed, "Dora sent me here with nice fresh onions, but I suspect they will not make much of value to ante, eh?"

Her retirement meant he would be alone… without her; though she would merely be in the next room. He sighed slightly and nodded his head. “If yu must my dear…” and he stood and extended a hand to her. A wager?… his thoughts causing a wicked smirk… “Nyet, no onions…” he winks… “I can think of other niceties as a wager…” then he smirked everso wicked, this time his look and his smirk out of character for him. “But I am sure yu are quite the card player…” changing the subject.

His offer of the loan of a gown while visiting would be most appreciated. This was a lovely home, a setting not suitable for Aegaine's work jacket and trousers. To say nothing of her manish styled boots. It was the boots which made her feel out of place in this setting, for the pillows before the fire promised more than comfort. This was the first time the young woman really wished she had dressed for this occasion, not to climb over the stone wall ledges of the city.

Here they were, standing close together, facing one another; the only light was that of a small hearth’s flame… She was so beautiful… her dark hair down around her face… Enchanting, despite the work jacket, trousers and manish-styled boots. It was with ever last bit of strength he could muster to keep from pulling her into his arms… He could taste her lips, even though they had never even kissed… He could feel her arms wrapped around him… though it was not real… If she was to request an escort upstairs, it would be too challenging upon his resilience as a knight… for he was a mere man.

Around the corner of the doorway, a glow of a candle carried forward to this room began illuminate the hall behind Dmitrii, so that she saw and he did not. "The maids are almost here, with a candle to light the way, Will you walk with us? I know this mighty early, but I was to work at the city walls at dawn tonight."

"Dame lePower?" a voice of one of the maid servants spoke from just outside the room, "Pardon the intrusion, but your bath is ready."

"Tomorrow, when you have done all the healer's have planned for you, bring your good luck tokens and be ready! I will bet what you choose."

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