Revenge is Sweet??

[Sir Dmitrii Zurban]

That evening before the dining hour, in her room Ae lounged in her deep water tub, up to her chin. It was to be the last time for a while as they were heading to Turas Lan in the morning. The maid Marie placed a rose color dress out for her and at the same time, the riding outfit Ae had worn on the trip to Lake Manor. It was the perfect time to talk to her servant.

"Marie? Isn't it wonderful how Dmitrii finds way to economize and make use of what is already here? For instance, I know I wear gowns his first wife once had made; they are so lovely and with your alterations, they fit beautifully. Did you know he is so clever... he has an idea to save work and space, too? We are going to be brides... both of us." Ae managed to see Marie's reaction in the looking glass without turning about. Talk about a shock.

"Yes, he has decided to arrange a marriage with you and his servant, Julius. Isn't that wonderful? You both will need only the one room and neither of you will be more than a shout away from us. Fewer linens, and all the associated expenses. You will not need to lodge alone when we travel. Isn't that grand?"

"You know if you object, you can always appeal, but Julian is a handsome man, is he not? You two are friends, eh? Why not let this secret slip and tell him before Sir Zurban announces it?" It was difficult for Marie to tell if Ae was joking or not, for she did mention the economy of the second hand gowns.

Ae was in deep now; in the bath tub water and into the little joke she and Dmi intended to get a bit of fun revenge on their servants for playing a practical joke, back when Kaelyn came to visit. "Be assured Marie, I will not let himself push you into anything you do not want."

The good Marie stood holding a large towel for Aegraine and stood there expressionless. Her thoughts were not on her work, for Ae had to exit her bath and reach out for the towel for herself.

"Marie?" lePower pried the maid's fingers off her towel and taking it wrapped up and asked once more, "Marie? So what do you think?”


SL NOTE: Dmitrii's head servant and friend, Julian, the resident joker... and the timid handmaiden, Marie, conspired to be absent for assistance of their Lord and Lady when Dame Kaelyn came to visit unexpectedly. Dmi and Ae had been very drunk the night before, after receiving blessings from her father to marry, and were in no shape or form to meet Dmi's sister, Kaelyn.... especially since it was Ae's first time meeting Kaelyn as Dmitrii's sister... And a plot is formed by Dmi and Ae for sweet revenge...


Dmitrii and Julian were in the stables, rubbing down the horses after a ride out to the far ends of the property where a man and his family had began to build a house.

“Squatters again MiLord… What shall we do about them? Everyone is getting them…” Julian appeared frustrated.

Dmitrii stopped and looked over the big black Friesian at Julian… “War has been rough for all my friend… We have plenty of land…”

“But MiLord, they are but refugees… where does their fealty lie?” Julian retorted.

Dmitrii laughed… “Julian, yu trust no one… the Mo’r Triath allows refugees seeking freedom into Skye… we trust him… Besides, the man swore fealty to me… We have a bargain for his toil and labor…”

“MiLord… tis not a laughing matter… the man dealt but a meager bargain… in his behalf…” Julian continued.

“Julian… Nay allow it to bother you so much… the bargain was sufficient… didn’t yu notice the man’s children… they were almost skin and bone…” Dmi said defensively.

“Whatever MiLord… yer wishes are obeyed…” Julian huffed and started brushing his mount again.

“Speaking of wishes, Julian…” Dmitrii changed the conversation.

“Yes MiLord…?” Julian responded.

“I have been thinking… it is time yu took a wife…” Dmitrii brushed the Friesian casually without looking at Julian.

“What MiLord?” Julian halted brushing and looked at Dmitrii… “Begging MiLord’s pardon, what did yu say?”

“Look at it this way… Yu are nay getting any younger… nor I… and I am getting married…” Dmitrii nonchalantly peeked over the big black.

Julian swallowed hard… “But MiLord… I like the women too much to settle to one… besides who would be willing to put up with me… or I with them???”

Dmitrii hid his face behind the large horse’s body and smirked wickedly. Gathering his emotions, he looked over the horse’s back. “Julian… I know… but Marie would be a grand choice… she is young… steadfast… works hard… and not a bad looking woman… I feel it would be a grand match…” then he bent over brushing the horse’s leg.

“Marie? Oh MiLord… she is so timid around me… how could I even consider…” Julian retorted.

“But yu are such a jovial person… that would bring it out of her…” he chuckled softly behind the horse. “Besides, maybe she likes yu more than yu know…”

“Oh MiLord…” Julian said shaking his head. “What if I should desire another after I am married.??”

“Phe shouw…” [enough] “I have made my decision… Yu and Marie shall be married upon the day I am…” Dmitrii pretended to be frustrated at Julian… “If yu desire another AFTER you are married… there is always the Gilded Lily…” And with that said, Dmi tossed the brush to Julian after walking behind his steed. “Yu finish up… I am going to see my fiancé…”

Julian hid behind the horse… and as Dmitrii walked around, he caught the unexpected brush and looked down as the man spoke… “As yu wish MiLord…”

Dmitrii took one last look back at Julian, as he begrudgingly brushed the horse, mumbling to himself. Dmi smirked and walked out, knowing the seed of revenge was laid.

[Sir Dmitrii Zurban]

Later that evening, while Dmitrii and Aegraine were sitting at the hearth fire, in another room, Julian was polishing Zurban’s boots for the trip to Turas Lan the next day. The low summer fire glowed enough to see for the work he did, throwing eerie shadows up to the rafters of the kitchen. Then as if out of the dark, walked in Marie with a pair of boots in her hand and a brush for polishing. She sat herself down on the same bench, a few feet apart and began to clean a small pair of boots. There was a silence and then the maid began to speak, more openly than she had previously.

“These boots are for the Lady, I had stored them in a trunk, from my little brother. Such a lady, she came here barefoot and carried in the door, like ...ach. Julian, I struggle with what I need to tell you. They have it in their heads, himself told her we are going to be matched up like cart horses, wed when they are..."

Julian continued his task; the first of Dmitrii’s riding boots was almost perfection. Julian smirked at her raving banter and started to brush the second boot; only a simple glance her way. “I am sure MiLady will appreciate the fine gesture Marie…” he paused and listened… “It seems that MiLord and she drank too much b’cause of her Father, nay MiLord… Hold it not against her, lass…” then he listened to her banter continue…

"I hope that is correct, this has been a sober, dignified household. I should not like to see it change." What she really meant that she did not want her little world to be altered. It was a promotion to be the new lady's maid, but upsetting to Marie's comfortable daily routine.

“Does that not gall you? We are not their pets. We have free will, do we not?” Marie used her anger to make one of the boots she polished to glow, striking it with the brush with a determined fury.

Julian could not help but smirk… “I am nay so pleased to wed… but I do not feel as I am a cart horse… often an ass, but nay a cart horse…” he teased her a bit and watched her frustration being taken out on the boot. “We have free will… we are nay slaves… MiLord is just looking out for our benefit… The match could be of worse case… you are nay a bad lot…” then he took to brushing the boot again.

“I know you like to flirt with the women, lots of the ladies talk. I am beyond that; widowed by two good husbands. Time has come to me early in life to be settled with the life I have, you know?”

One might expect the look of surprise to cross his face… but instead, there was a wicked smirk… “Oh, so-called ladies kissin’ and tellin’ no less, eh??” then he slowly brushed the boot, listening, offering one glance at Marie. “Aye lass, yer a fine lot… a man would be proud ta have ye warm his hearth and bed…” Julian just wiggled his eye brows.

“I tell you, I would leave this employment, if there were any other its equal to be had. We cannot let them play with our lives, like that, can we?” Firelight glittered on held back tears welling up in her eyes. "I had closed my mind on the idea of warming anyone's hearth or… you know, back when my last husband died in that war." Marie hung her head over the boot she cIeaned and tried to hide her facial expression. "I never thought of anything beyond my work here at Lake Manor, yet now I might have to leave."

“Leave??” now the surprised look took on a position upon his face. “Now why would ye leave? Tis nothing bad here… MiLord does treat us fair… and tis fact none is equal anywhere, save the Mo’r Triath’s lot…” Then he scooted his small stool next to hers… “Lass, am I such a bad lot to fret ye so?” Seeing her eyes well up… “Oh lass… I shall speak te MiLord…” his knuckles wiping away her tears as they fell.

It grew late and Marie took the lady’s recently cleaned boots in one hand and picked up the light, to walk with them in the dark corridor and up the stairway.

“Julian? Remember when you suggested that we just ‘forget to set out their day garments; and I laughed and said to you it might funny to short sheet both their beds… I did not undo that prank. Did you?” There was no time to fix what had been done.

“Ummm…” his free rubbing his chin … then an evil smirk crossed his face, nodding his head … “Fine suggestion too Marie…”

After they walked to their respective rooms, Julian remained to assist Dmitrii with his clothes for the morrow, and refilled his basin with clean water. As his Lord and Master prepared for bed, Julian requested and was allowed to leave. Dmitrii pulled back the blanket and climbed into bed… suddenly his toes curled backwards, as his knees stopped in the upright position… his face blushed as he yelled out… “JUUULLLIIAAANNNN…” Next door a shriek could be heard…

In the adjoining room, the lady it seems did not see the humor in this situation. "What the hail!" Aegraine shrieked and began to curse, "Dat blast it! Who is responsible for this!" she tore at the too short confining sheet and flung it off the bed. "Marie! Get in here!" She was in no mood to be ignored as when she'd found there was no day garment anywhere to be found that morning. Sometimes one had to draw the line with servants and this was the time.

Julian began to laugh in his own room… sticking his head out the door, he glanced at Marie’s room and winked as he saw her looking what the calamity was.

Marie scurried along the corridor, a fast flash of a side glance to Julian as she ran by, hand over her mouth, laughing at the panic and the yelling. A real lady does not use the type of words that this engineer was shouting at that poor innocent short folded sheet. There was going to be a fuss that was a fact, but it was all so funny that it was worth it.

[Sir Dmitrii Zurban]

The next morning, at the table, two sat, their eyes burning holes in the two servants. Two worked, serving their Lord and Lady, as if nothing happened. Silence was the forte of the day. As the two servants disappeared behind the kitchen door, Dmi looked to Aegraine. “Well… any reaction from Marie?” the Kievan paused, looked at the door then back to his fiancé… “Seems Julian does not mind the idea… He favors Marie as a wife. He has nay spoke ill of the idea… I tend to think he prefers the pranks as a challenge, though…” Then he sat, his fingers stroking his neatly trimmed beard on the chin.

"Nothing; no apology or excuse. Do you think they really wanted to be wed, already? Perhaps it was on their minds and they were reluctant to tell you?" Aegraine was at that stage in life when being in love and married were what the world revolved about. She wanted to see everyone as happy as they were.

Dmitrii shrugged… “Marie has had a bad go of husbands… she is a strong woman, despite yer young age… but two husbands for such a lass, both died upon a field of battle.” He shakes his head. “At least Julian would not be in battle unless the entire country was invaded…” then he looks to his fiancé. “Though I was more teasing, it would have been a good fit. I shall put the revenge to a halt… and let them know the truth…” then he began to poke at his food.

"I see both of them are having fun with those pranks of theirs; it has to stop, you know? Coming home to Lake Manor ought to be relaxing, safe and comfortable." There was no mention of her outburst of temper last eve when she discovered the latest trick of the servants. "I thought they both were going to ask you to change your mind, but Marie did not even take my offer of speaking to you, if she objected to the match." What she had hoped was going to be a way to open talks with their serving folks about the trouble caused by playing tricks on others had backfired. "I have no idea what to do next." Ae glowered at the kitchen door.

Dmitrii looked at the plate and fiddled with the food. Then looking to Aegraine, he nods… “I shall speak to them today… The pranks are getting more precarious…” he shakes his head and puts a bite into his mouth. “They use to be kinda funny, small, usually funnier… but yer right lass, tis good to come home and relax, instead of dodging pranks…”

In the kitchen, Julian held his ear to the door seam. Glancing at Marie… “We are not scheduled for the gallows…” he whispered with a smirk. Standing upright, he walks to Marie at the counter… the knife in her hand, while she cut fresh potatoes. “Yu should have seen MiLord… even his beard was red from embarrassment, or anger, at the short sheets.” Picking up a potato, he bit off a piece and began chewing it.

"She was angry at first but just asked me to help her remake the bed, with no mention of the short sheet." Marie paused and rested the knife on the cutting board and looking over to Julian as if he had any answers, stated, "The lady is not sleeping well, of late. Mornings, I find her sitting on the window sill, looking out over the landscape. I cannot fathom what is going on with her. I try to be there if she wants to talk, but so far we become friends slowly." She slid the cut vegetables into a bowl and began to chop an onion, for the same dish.

Swallowing, he looked at Marie… “Two husbands eh? Good men… strong?” he fiddled with the potato, then glanced at the knife and then back at her face. “Ever considered one more… say one not so apt to get killed?” Biting off another piece he chewed slowly.

[b]"Good men, the both. Wars got them both, as well as my brothers and my Father." [/b]She swept the onions into the fry pan and the aroma of onion sautéed in butter wafted out across the kitchen space. "The idea of one more had not crossed my mind, until this plan of his lordship's."

"Well, I used to think I did not want to marry and leave this house, to live in less grand surroundings. I cannot bear the thought of another one I loved dying in battles. Wars took my brothers, father, uncles and both husbands. Even if these days be peaceful, wars come again, don't you know? "

She did not need to add how she feared Dmitrii being killed in war and then what would become of Lake Manor, then. Marie bent over her chopping board and moved vegetables about with her knife, not selecting any of them. "I might think on that idea; a man not likely to be the target of an enemy's arrow... a man who knows how to laugh and enjoy life."

"Did you see their faces when the sheets were found short! Oh my! I would nave not dared to even think of doing such a thing....but it was so funny! "[/i][/color]

Julian walked from the door to where Marie was… “Would I be befittin’ a place in yer life? I shant leave MiLord… and I’d hate seeing you leave…” his hand upon her wrist, making her pause in her tasks. “I am a servant… just as yu… I shall never own land, nor be a Lord… But I would make sure I was home every night… and ensure that yer bed is warmed by a man… and yu would not have a deceased by war husband again…” he swallowed and looked at her. “If MiLord is serious about the match, would ya consider me the least?”

Such a large change of heart. Could this philandering man settle down with just one lass? Could Julian be serious? Or is he just pondering the situation?

"If himself is serious, I will consider it. It is only shouldn't becoming a couple be up to the two themselves or their wise old parents?" In her mind, Marie thought she was too old, too plain to end up with the charming Julian. She did, however, have an idea that might satisfy both their employer's directions and allow them both escape, if this match was not to their liking.

"If there is no objection to it, perhaps hand-fasting for a year and a day might be the thing? You might find yourself missing the other ladies, the young and pretty ones, eh?" She ducked her face as if to look at the chopped vegetables on the board before her. The shadow of her cap hid what expression her eyes had in them at the moment. "My friend Dora did that, for a year and a day. Tis popular back in Ulster, she has told me. If they compel us to be wed, and it ends, then we could still be as good friends as brother and sister, think you?"

Julian was surprised at Marie regarding his offer… He was speechless…

But before he could speak, Dmitrii entered the kitchen. “Ahhh, I am glad I have yu both here…” he smiled and his accent rolled off his tongue. “Marie… Julian… I have some news…” He tried to hold back the smile as they both gasp ready to hear the Lord’s own commands for them to be wed. “I think the pranks need to stop…” then he looked straight at Julian… “T’was fun before, but they have been getting more difficult to handle… and now it is more than just yu and I…”

Dmitrii paused, still wanting to laugh, as the two exhaled a sign of relief at another subject. “Any more pranks, and a relief from duties shall result…” was it harsh? Yes… but it was needed for Julian. “Now on a different subject…” The pair inhaled… “I am sure yu two have heard of the matching. I think it would be a grand match… for the both of yu… and for us…” he saw them clutch hands under the table, and he smiled. “But tis nay for us, M’Lady and me, to decide yer fate. Yu both have a safe job here, lest pranks begin… and no need for the marriage.” He smirked and canted his head. “Unless yu both decide differently…” then he turned and walked out of the room…

Julian exhaled and looked at Marie… then he realized he held her hand.

Marie looked back, allowing her hand to be held, for the first time since her last dear departed husband marched off to his last war. The memories of what life had been for her came storming back from the darkness in the closed part of her mind and came back how lonely she had been these recent years. It looked to her as if nothing was going to change. Well, the practical jokes had to stop.

"He is the most just and fair man." She watched Dmitrii go through the door and flicked her gaze back to Julian. "Life goes on, eh? Like before without the pranks. Although they were so fun to plan." [/font]