The Kievan Rus and the Girl

[Sir Dmitrii Zurban]

Home[/i][/url][/size]

One…two… three… days had passed, oh he missed her so much. He remained at home recuperating, Resting, soaking, reading, stretching… the wounds had scabbed and scars developed underneath. Soon Kaelyn would have her wedding… Should he go? Should he just show up? His mind bounced between the feelings for Willa and his love for Kaelyn… should he deny her love’s fate? She wanted her brother’s blessings and he had denied her… He just growled at the thought of him hurting her. Then he thought about Willa… She brought about the good in him… she made him consider life worth living.

In the short time they had been together, he had never felt better, despite his wounds. He smiled at the thought of chiding him in the search for Kaelyn… now he had time to think of why she did… she cared… but how much? Could he, would he allow himself to love again? If he knew she could love him, he would find it easier to release his steeled heart.

Six…seven…eight days passed. He sat in his reading room refreshing himself on strategy. The book on Sarasin battle tactics against the Templars intrigued him. Only the announcement that Kaelyn had come to see him could break his thoughts on the book and the girl Willa...

Seeking Her Brother…[/i][/url]

The hug and kiss he gave his sister solidified the fact that he truly had a family and it was growing… But something was missing… he only smiled at the thought of Willa… would she still care after a week of no contact? He knew not the ways of women’s hearts… his past had been confined to those that used him, the ones he used, and Tory… Willa was nothing like Tory… totally opposite… but he grew to enjoy the ways Willa was… Matter of factly, he could not get the golden hair and her blue eyes out of his head.[/color][/font]

[Sir Dmitrii Zurban]

The Unexpected Visit

The head cook had given Willa a couple of days off, since she had been working in the kitchen none stop since her arrival. The gentle hand scooted the girl out of the kitchen at the break of dawn. The lass only blinked and found herself standing in the hallway of the castle with a startled and nearly lost expression on her face. Well... what was she to do? The young woman turned away from the kitchen as she slowly walked down the hall. The passing guards spoke back and forth, both tipping their heads politely to her as she returned the silent greeting. Though it was their conversation in passing that perked her interest...

"Isn't that the Bailiff's daughter? "

"Aye… though thankfully the old man is out of the city for a while.. having to deal with something out in the country side. "

"He'll be a couple of days north.. and that means a bit of peace for us. " The conversation continued but both men chuckled softly and turned the corner.

The blue eyes watched them for a long moment... before the small grin came to her lips. Oh she shouldn't… but... a nice ride outside the walls would be heavenly. She laughed softly to herself as she dashed off down the halls. One of the first smiles she had worn since His departing. The apron and such was shed as she slipped into her room. Then came the rummaging through the chest for the split riding skirts of a soft brown was tugged out and set out onto the bed. From there, the layers of clothing was removed as she changed her clothing. The weather was warming up, so she put on a soft beige blouse to accompany the simple and modest skirt. As well as slipping the small pack over her shoulder. Well can't go anywhere unprepared.

She made her way out to the stable as she waved to the stable hands. They had gotten used to seeing her out there as she lifted a hand to brush it down the horse's nose. A sweet little mare snickered softly as she flicked her ears. "Ready fer a ride is ya? "

She asked softly then giggled as she waited for the stumbling lad to saddle her. "Thank ya." She offered with a little wave as she caught the reigns in her hand. Born a country girl as she waved off a hand up into the saddle. There was something uplifting about that feeling.

With a glance around at the warm sunshine she simply picked a direction and set off. It was time to explore! The wind caught a hold of the blonde hair as she touched her heels to the flanks of the horse. The horse whined softly as she suddenly stretched out. The long legs of the horse began to consume the ground as the light hearted laughter came as she leaned down over the neck. The morning wore off into afternoon.,. and she and the horse had slowed, spending a bit of time just walking through the fields.

She slipped down and took her time to pick some flowers, being silly... since there was none about she tucked a few into the braided hair. Her belly protested softly the absence of food... so with that in mind she sought out a field nearby, it was simply by luck there was a hedge of wild blackberries. The delighted little chuckle was given as she slipped down and pulling a pouch out of the saddle bag, began to select the soft round berries. There was a slow delight in it all as she walked around the field.

She had no idea of knowing how far she had traveled as she caught sight of the castle in the distance. Another castle! How exciting… as she pondered a few moments, then swung up into saddle once more. The light touch came to the horse's flanks, as the trotting carried her towards the castle. The day out in the sunshine had warmed her cheeks into a gentle rosy color as she found herself slowly closing in on the castle itself. Though now the sun was beginning its decent into the western sky as she canted her head a bit.

Surely whoever lived here would give her directions to get her back to the city... while not entirely lost, she could use the direction as to how to get back before the dead of night! The soft fingers fished out another of the berries as she popped it into her mouth , letting it roll about on her tongue as she studied the castle. She tucked the pouch away as she fished out the little knife that had been a gift to her father... that she had ah... ahem... borrowed and slipped it into a pocket of the skirts. Well it never hurt to be prepared... just in case.

As she approached the small smile was given as she looked at the guard there at the gate. "Good eve ta ya... is yer Lard abouts ? " She asked with a small lift of her chin. Her mother had once told her... if ever in a place where you are lost... simply pretend you are not. People will believe anything you tell them... if you are convincing enough.

Dmitrii spent his days reading the military strategy of famous generals and commanders and playing his musical instrument. His favorite book was the scrolls handed down to one author about Leonidas of Sparta and his battles against the Persians. After the books, followed, the playing the Bandura he had brought from Kyiv… his step-mother Yelena having taught him as a boy. He was not as good as the bards, but it relaxed him.

Looking out the window of his bedchambers, he would glance down at the water that surrounded his home. Not a real Castle but a large home that could be defended if necessary. It was much larger than any domicile for a mere warrior; but Dmitrii, though he considered himself a lower class, was no mere warrior. Scanning the fields that surrounded the water, he smiled thinking of Willa.

He missed her so much… He missed the blue eyes, the golden hair… her smile and soft voice… though, she was odd in one aspect. She did not wish to speak of where she was from and appeared too concerned for people truly knowing her. If she wanted him to know, she would tell him; til then he would not speak of it.

He was alone… no one to give his emotions to… no one to speak of mindful concerns to… It was easy to speak to her… but til he would see her again, he would just do as the healers told him.

Then one evening, just after a supper meal, he retired to his music room to play the bandura…

With a knock on the door, the head servant, Erin, opened the heavy door. Before him stood a beautiful girl with golden hair that was blown by the wind… and a guard from the front gate… “M’Lady wishes tae see MiLord…” the guard responded. Erin nodded to the guard… then opened the door wider… “C’min M’Lady… Ah shall announce yae tae M’Lord…”

Moments later, Erin had Willa waiting in the receiving room down stairs. “M’Lord, there bae a young lass wishin’ tae see yae downstairs…”

Not knowing Willa, Erin described the girl to him and Dmi got a large smile upon his face… Rushing down stairs, he entered the room to see Willa looking at an old map of Kievan Rus hanging upon the wall… “Drash vit tye… [polite Hello] M’Lady, what are ye doing here this time of eve?” the familiar smile had seized his face, the beard pushed to its quirky position. Approaching her, he extends his arms to her.

They had bade her to wait as she stood with her hands folded neatly before her. The small smile and nod was given as she watched the maid and guard depart the room. She heaved a sigh of relief for a moment and took time to inspect her surroundings. The light steps moved here and there about the room, though it was the map upon the wall that caught her eye. The small frown touched her face for only a moment. Only because it was something she couldn't read. She had moved up closer to it... inspecting each area of the map.

The day colored her cheeks as the nasty little freckles decided to show themselves as she heard the door open. The smile itself was bright and wide, as she realized it was her heart standing in the doorway. "Good evenin , M'lord…" She spoke quietly and properness and ladylike be damned as she moved into those open arms of his. Her own slipped up around his neck… as the light hearted laughter slipped out. "I didna knowed it wus yer home! " She exclaimed with an excited tone. "I gots meself lost… an… figured I'd as' me way back.. "

The small lass's heart sang merrily within her chest as she gave him that hug. Somehow… this... was well worth getting herself lost! Oh joy for silly mistakes and getting lost!!

Strong arms wrapped about her like a safety blanket, pulling her close to him. “Do yu always go out alone?” leaning down to kiss her lightly… his steel grey eyes searched her blues… “I am glad yu got lost… and found yer way here… I have missed yu ever so much Willa my dear…” then his head maneuvered for a more intimate kiss.

The girl that had stolen his heart was where she belonged… in his arms… yet in his arms she trembled… Was she scared, or was she so naïve of love…? No matter, she was here and now they would enjoy time together.

"Nawt always…" she managed to speak as she found herself encircled by his arms. The press of his strong chest against her own, caused her belly to flutter a bit as she seemed so terribly uncertain of herself. The second kiss was heavenly though it left her a bit light headed. She had spent a few nights awake attempting to sort out just what it was that Dmitrii did to her... besides the smiles and the soft words... there was a tenderness about him that so few got to witness.

Reluctantly, he took her arms from around his neck; for if they were to stay embraced, he would sure try to take her to his bedchambers. But he did not see her in the light of a consort or trollop… she had his heart… something he thought not possible again… Was he falling in love? Was she him?

She would have denied him that... the trying for more then a few delicate kisses. Curious of course... but there was a matter of honor and pride that simply couldn't be crossed. Not even if she wanted to. She would not dishonor the man that she… loved? Perhaps it was that... she couldn't really find anyone that could tell her about it… what it felt like... how one knew for certain? The whole thing seemed to be played out of one of her books... there was however still that small smidge of doubt.

Taking her hand, he led her to the dining area. “Anna…” he called out. The chief cook came from the main kitchen… “M’Lady Willa, this is Anna…she is the head cook…” Looking from Willa to Anna, then back again. “I am sure yu are hungry… Anna will fix anything yu wish to eat…”

Anna greeted Willa as “M’Lady” and curtseyed deep, her eyes gazed to the floor, her head tilted downwards in due respect to a Lady of the House. The woman spoke English but it was heavily tainted with a Rus accent.

She held onto his hand as he lead her through to the dinning room. Willa offered a little nod of her head, as her stomach decided to be a touch more vocal about the matter. The bashful smile was given to the Lady Cook as she dipped into a small curtsy. "Good evenin , Miss Anna. " She spoke softly and offered a tentative smile.

“In the meanwhile, I will show yu my modest living quarters…” Leading her into a well-furnished main kitchen… thru a door to an exterior room which was the cooking area… “The kitchen and cooking areas”… then he lead her back to the dining room… a small table that seated eight… back thru the foyer to a small room to the side for baths. A wooden tub, surrounded by a canopy for privacy sat in the corner near a small fireplace. Large containers of water stood by the fireplace. In a room behind that one was several more round tubs for the laundress to perform her job.

Willa simply followed, listening, hanging onto every word he spoke as she slipped into the kitchen. The blue eyes widened a bit as she looked around. One could get delightfully lost in the kitchen as this. Which she could easily see herself doing. The lass seemed to look at everything, or as much as she could take in as she followed him again. It was a pleasure to see that Anna took great pride in keeping her kitchen clean and organized. From there she followed him onward through the baths. Not entirely unlike those she had known in France.

The tour continued back thru the foyer, to the waiting room where Willa had waited. He explained the large map of Kievan Rus and the odd writings upon it in Cyrillic, his native language. There he pointed out his city of Kyiv explaining to her his city. “Now it lays in ruins thanks to the Mongols…” he sighed. “I fear Kyiv shall never be the same…”

He took her thru the main ball room where tapestries of Kievan Rus and Argania hung. He explained to her the scenes upon each one… She could tell this room could be rearranged to accommodate a large dance area or some sort of party.

Then he guided her upstairs to the second floor. On this floor, he explained the additional rooms that could be either for dancing, meetings, or quartering of troops if necessary. The large room at the north end was a room for sparring, or practicing his art of war on cold evenings. The room had several tapestries of battles and weapons were strategically placed about the room. At one of the windows, he pointed to additional structures such as the livery stables, the animal pens, and guards’ quarters. Then his hand holding hers, he lead her to the stairs and they ascended to the third floor. One thing she would notice was all the windows had glass… and each had a heavy shutter board on the outside should the castle need to be defended.

She continued at his side as she paused to look at the tapestries. The soft fingers brushed against the woven fabrics as she looked over the subjects with a critical eye. There wasn't much she could say on it, only nodding now and then as she looked out over the yard to the barn and stables. The little grin was given... how strange it was, she was more akin to being there... working with the animals then to be lead about and introduced as a Lady. Not that she minded at all, however part of it seemed so false.

To the third floor… “Here are all the bedrooms…” smiling, the beard quirking in its familiar manner. “I have eight bedrooms, each with its own sitting room.” Smiling… “So yu know, I did not design this place my dear, only purchased it…” he winks. As they walked past the bedrooms, the open doors invited looks as all the rooms were neatly arranged and furnished with all the amenities one would need for a stay. Then as they walked farther down the hall to the south end, she could see the more lived-in rooms for the servants, though each one was large and still accommodated with whatever one would need.

Smiling at her, he guided her to the fourth floor of this small self-sustaining castle. The fourth floor was dedicated to Dmitrii himself. He had vases, statues, and hung tapestries, all of Kyiv and other places in Kievan Rus… all to make him feel more at home. It was not lavish as other Lords, but he was comfortable.

In the corner of one room on the north end, stood the Bandura in a wooden rack made for it. Bookshelves lined the walls and held many books in Kievan Rus, Arganian, French, Latin, and German. The five basic languages he spoke. In another small room on the south end, nearest the fireplace was another bath. The tub was an ornate wooden tub with carvings. In the center of the floor were two large rooms, one was a really nice sitting room, the double window looked out over the large lake where the castle was built into the water., the other was his bedroom, with a large bed with a canopy; a deep feather mattress was covered by an ornately sewn blanket and pillows. “And this is my bed…” he glanced at her with a wicked smirk.

The stairs were taken up to the fourth floor... this... was what she wished to see. She slipped away from him to look at the various items. These were pieces of himself. Small monuments to the man she had come to adore so much. She hadn't spoken much, there was little reason to as she walked softly about. The fingers again lifted to brush along the spine of the books as she read over the titles... well those that she could. "I thought ya said ya didna likes ta read? " She asked finally as she looked back to him. The curious gaze there as she moved back to his side. The other collection of things in the rooms were noticed... though she averted her eyes from the bath itself. And has he offered her a view of his bedchambers, she was rather bright red and retreated from the door... looking anywhere but at him... or the lovely bed within.

He chuckles... "I know I have many books, and I do not like to read, but read I must, to learn…” said with a mild shrug.

The announcement of food by a young herald interrupted the pair. He just smirked and guided her back down the stairs behind the young lad. “So yu like my home Willa?” he inquired as they descended stairs. “Each floor also has a guardrobe (toilet), emptied every day…” Was he bragging? Just maybe!

Truth be told... she was never so glad to see a young man to interrupt their conversation in her whole life! But at the same time she seemed terribly embarrassed as she kept her eyes averted most of the time as they moved to the lower, safer floors. "Verra much... otherin den da castle in da city... I ain'ts ne'er see'd a home sae fine..." She answered softly. It was strange for her... as it brought up any number of uncertainties all over again.

At the table, Dmi assisted Willa to her seat, pushing in the chair. Upon the table were cheeses of two kinds, breads, pastries, and slices of pork and duck, and a mug of ale and a bottle of wine. “Shall there bae anything else M’Lord…” [/b][/i]Dmi smiled… “Nyet Spa sib a…” [no thank you] then he motioned for Anne and her husband Erin to sit. “Sa dyitz pa zal shta” [sit please]. The table of eight soon filled up with other servants. Dmitrii was not use to eating alone and therefore afforded his servants to dine at his table.[/color]

She was seated herself among the others with a soft "thank ya." as the bright eyes flickered among them, studying features and otherwise. Though she made no move to fill her plate. Not yet. She folded her hands into her lap attempting to remember all the rules and such her mother tried to teach her. It was so very odd, it seemed many of the lessons she couldn't understand years ago... were falling into place now. For a moment she only stared at a plate, lost in that thought of hers.

As they sat eating, his eyes would veer from whatever conversation was being discussed to her… he’d smile then glance back at the converser… Were their looks and glances unnoticed… by the man Erin, yes…but Anna noticed and it brought a smile to the older woman’s face. Her Lord and master had regained his gleam of happiness that she missed so much.

Looking to Willa… “Ye like my home , yes? I hope, now yu know where I live, that yu can visit more often… Once Kae is married and after the Festival of Beltane is done, rotations on the wall shall decrease… I will spend more time here than in the city.”

She listened to the conversations that floated about and answered questions when they were directed to her. She ate quietly for the most part, as the soft gaze seemed more inclined to rest upon Dmitrii... then to the others. At times she blinked and stared at them as if surprised they were there. It was difficult to keep up with any conversation other then words that came from Dmitrii's mouth.

Erin and Anna had finished and excused themselves and not shortly thereafter the rest of the “guests” departed to complete their chores before evening lights were extinguished. Now it was just Willa and Dmi at the table.

Looking around, he then scooted nearer to her. “I am glad yu got lost. It has been misery without yu around. I have missed yer eyes, yer soft voice…” his hand found hers.

“I hear that you are learning to play an instrument… I play… a little bit… ever heard of a bandura?” Before she could even answer, he stood, and took her hand. “Come, I show yu…” then he lead her back up the stairs to the fourth floor…

As the others departed and dinner finished she held onto his hand and lightly caressed it with the other. "Aye wella... I'm sorra I be interuptin yer rest… I knowed yer body an such need it." She spoke with the gentle undercurrent of concern for his well being. "Aye... Miss Faerun be teachin me da violin. "

His floor… and into his bedroom… feeling a slight tug on his hand, he turns around. “Tis alright… my bandura is there…” pointing to the corner. A smirk, the beard quirking a bit… then his thumb rubbed the back of her hand and led her in.

Another smirk crossed his face as he picked up the bandura, pointing to where she could sit… then sitting on the padded stool, setting the instrument on his lap holding it straight up. He began to strum the strings… some singly, some in bunches as they melded into a rhythmic tune. It was a talent to play a forty string instrument but he made the Kievan instrument sing… all the while, smiling and looking at her. “Don’t be shy, tis only my bedroom…” he winks.

She answered the questions as he lead her once more through the halls.When they approached his bedchambers... she became hesitant to step any further than the threshold between the room. He was finally able to coax her inside as she seated herself gingerly. Keeping as far away from the bed as possible. The music he played was beautiful as she closed her eyes for a moment to allow herself to get lost in the patterns of the music. "ya play wun'erfully"

As it was that day and into late evening, so went the whole week following… the two enjoyed the simple things… being with one another… discussing things each other liked and disliked, his playing the bandura and allowing her to play a violin upon which she was learning… and afterwards late into the evenings Lady Willa was escorted home to the Castle by three soldiers loyal to Dmitrii. The week was too fast for Dmi, as he enjoyed the valuable little time he and Willa shared.

The time passed so eagerly into the hands of Father time as they enjoyed the stolen company of one another. The young woman hung on his words... and bashfully, nervously, played for him the little bit of violin that she had relearned. He was kind in not pointing out her faults, as she knew she had them... and saw a few of his own; but still even those were treasured beyond words. She had to return to the castle... and in that there was a horrid goodbye... the promises of seeing each other soon... still difficult to do. [/font]