Instructions from the King - Closed for Perplexia

[Zephreck]

William felt the chill of the early morning on the wind that came through his window. The air was saturated with moisture from the night’s storm. He hated to plan a trip this time of year. The weather would be miserable, it was quite possibly the worst time to travel. As the weeks went by traveling would become slower until the choked roads would be almost impossible to traverse. But when you received a message from the King it was not ignored. It wasn’t a question of if, but rather how would he make the trip. He had spent the previous day and a good portion of the night getting his affairs in order and setting up the patrol that would go with him to answer the King’s summons. The next several weeks harvesting of the crops would continue. This time of year crops were gathered, processed, processed and stored. Livestock would slowly return and be stored into stables and pens, everything was counted and reported eventually to the King so that proper taxes and tithes could be given. It was the first week of September and William winced at the thought of making not one but two trips to see his King when he normally only made one. Which meant he would have to travel again later in another month or so to take his yearly reports to the King. It just did not make sense. Why not wait to make this trip in the next several weeks? Why was he commanded to report now? Normally a king’s summons would be known well ahead of time. This did not make any sense to William. And that caused him to worry. But he could never refuse. Normally a summons would be less...secretive and more generally stated. So much was left out of the official paperwork.

Over the next several weeks in addition to crops being gathered and counted and stored, the shepherds would begin to slowly bring in livestock to protect the cows and in some cases even the sheep would have to eventually be brought in before winter’s heavy hand settled in on them. Then there would be the inspection of the houses of his workforce. Before the storms intensified repairs would need to be made. Timber needed to be moved and stored at each residence for heat, and timber that was needed for repairs had to be cut and taken. Construction repairs needed to be done before heavy snow began to fall. Roofing thatch had to be woven and installed, peat harvested and applied, nails needed to be shaped and made by his smiths, tools needed to be inspected, repaired, created. There were a great many things that needed to be tended to.. so the timing of this request was “troublesome” at best.

William groaned and mentally went over everything yet again in his head. Duty rosters had been drawn and dispersed. Men had already been assigned to protect those who would be working in the fields and would be collecting the crops and animals. No one was usually spared to create a traveling force this time of the year. But he had to take at least some men to protect this mission. Eventually he chose seven men with Michael and himself to lead them. It would deter any usual robbers but was not even a full company of men. But he already felt like he was taking too many men away from his estate. It would have to do.

He grabbed a small bag of clothing that he had packed earlier as well as a special satchel that would carry his writing correspondence and maps and headed outside into the weather. Normally he enjoyed the fall weather. He always loved storms but they would make this trip more difficult. Within the distance of a few steps, his cloak was already pressed against him and water was running off his shoulders and back and flowed down into diverging trails. He stepped out of the weather into a barn and was grateful that he would be able to climb into a saddle that was dry. Tonight would be miserable indeed.

The people he had chosen for this trip were already packed and ready to go. He checked each and made sure they were armed and as secure as possible and signaled Michael that he was ready to head out. He would weather the storm just as the rest of the men did. He would not travel inside the singular carriage or even in the wagon that followed behind it with supplies stowed inside. They would travel mostly at night and had a long journey ahead of them. At 5’ 10” he was not the tallest man there. He smiled when he thought of Rafael who was only 5'6" and who was the shortest of the group. His slight form almost looked like a child but he was grinning and happy to be amongst them. William was whipcord strong and lean and most of the others looked similar. Michael was the heaviest of them all and was by far the strongest of them. William nodded to Michael and allowed him to lead the procession and waited to slide into his place just ahead of the carriage. As they left the barn and advanced into the night he shook his head and leaned forward so that the hood of his cloak gave him some protection from the rain. What a miserable night indeed.

 

[Perplexia]

For as long as she could remember Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanova The Grand Duchess of Russia had been enamored by the tales her Gypsy Nanny had told her and her siblings. At the age of 8 after the bedtime stories of fairies and how they only came out when the moon was half hidden. She snuck from her bed, left the castle and snuck into the woods surrounding the estate to search for them. It was that night her true passion for the supernatural emerged.

In the darkness, with nothing but a lantern she searched high and low for the magical beings. Only to be interrupted by a terrifying growl, big eyes glowed at her through the darkness. The ground vibrated with such a thunder, she froze as it grew closer. In a moment another figure struck the beast with a fierce roar, claws blood teeth, the sight caused her to stumble backwards, tripping and hitting her head. The last vision she remembered was a man whispering to her in Russian, letting her know she was safe now. When she awoke she was in the stables, a wooden animal clutched in her hand.

When she tried to tell the story of her adventure, she was told she must have been dreaming. Scolded for the vibrant imagination, and warned that her tale was the border of a lie. So she clung to her wooden animal, to remind herself daily that it happened. From that day almost nightly she would take midnight rides hoping to come across the man again. Any superstitions, books, anything that was supernatural she wanted to learn about. Piecing things together as she grew through the years, she concluded that with the strength and speed, the man that saved her must have been a vampire, the beast, probably a werewolf.

It was upon her return from a ride July 17, 1918, her nanny appeared holding her bag from the corner. “Come, we must leave,” she told her. The tone in her voice had told her that it was urgent, there was no arguing. They traveled by night with a band of gypsies keeping her hidden and staying off the main roads. She was told the fate of her family, and what her fate would be if she was caught. Her only hope was to make it to England and throw herself to the mercy of King George V. There was no other option if she wanted to live.

The journey by night took a year and two months. Several times coming close to detection. The King was gracious enough to take pity on her. But advised she could not stay in England as it would put his country in a vulnerable position if her presence were detected. His solution was to marry her to a man of nobility and they move to the territory of Canada. If not, she would have to find another asylum. Anastasia was intelligent enough to know that if England wanted to avoid a war with Russia, the other countries would as well. Thanking the king for his graciousness, she agreed. Within a week, fully veiled and assumed to be a secret mistress, they headed for his estate in the country. It was there she would meet her intended, there a priest would marry them in a chapel, and from there they would head to the closet port and head to canada.

The idea of becoming a mans property, had never been on her to do list. Luckily she had been the youngest. There were several that had to be married off before her. It had allowed her to continue her studies into the supernatural unnoticed. Sitting in her suite at the Kings Country estate, she held the wooden animal tightly in her hand. The black thick veil still covered her face, in case a servant was to enter. Noone could be trusted.

 

[Zephreck]

William’s mind wandered as he rode. He was being called to present himself to the King to become married. He knew this because of what papers were requested by him with the incredibly brief letter. Most marriages were arranged to build estates but he knew nothing of the individual he was going to be given. He had no idea who he would be married to. As he rode through the night his mind created nightmares for him to marry.

As the night progressed the stormy conditions concealed anything but swirling gusts of wind and rain choked conditions. Around 5 am they were approaching a small town that was little more than an inn and collection of barns. He stamped his heels and sped up his horse so that he could move ahead to motion to Michael. Money was paid so that the carriage and wagon could be parked and the mounts could be tended to. Everyone was fed and the men were allowed to rest while others kept watch. Rain slacked during that first day but as night approached and they left to get back on the road the first nips of winter’s breath blew across everyone and rainy conditions persisted. This went on for several days as they journeyed towards the King’s country estates.

The closer they traveled to the estates, the more questions were asked of the group. When they were within a town that was not far from the estates, he took time to restock provisions. He also purchased four more extra mounts just in case they needed them. The day he went to see the King, he first met with Michael and gave coin and instructions for them to rest the horses and asked him to watch everyone closely. No one was allowed to speak of their residency. He could take no chances. He still did not know of the reason for his summons. As he crossed the yard from the barns he noticed a small chapel had been recently decorated but the recent storms had scattered the decorations. An official scribe met him and directed him to the side entrance of the chapel.

As soon as he entered into the room he could feel tension in the room. Two of the King’s guards stood on either side of him and another pair stood to the doorway which led away from the room. William knelt to his knee and looked up into the King’s face and stood when allowed. His voice was full of authority when he spoke and William’s eyes hardened at their tone. “You are to be wed this day to the Grand duchess of Russia, Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanova. As soon as you are married you will be traveling to a closed port and will board a ship. I need you to travel with her to a location that cannot be given to you yet. I am commanding you to protect her with your life and it any further intentions of this court will be given to you upon the correct time.” William nodded and said “Yes sire”. And with that the meeting was over. The guards moved a step to give him room to turn and followed him out the door. A flurry of activity ensued thereafter. He was directed out the side of the chapel and towards a guest house. Once there he was bathed and presented with a perfectly tailored dress blues in his house colors. His personal belongings were sent for so that he could collect his official family seal which would be needed for the marriage license. Bewildered and more than a little angry he was led back towards the chapel this time under a draped canopy. As he walked into the chapel he could hear an old organ playing wedding music and he stared ahead as he was led past numerous people he did not recognize. A small figure stood at the central altar wearing an exquisite wedding gown with an attached heavy veil.

 

[Perplexia]

Anastasia was brought in an exquisite pearl and lace wedding gown with a matching thick veil. The King was very adamant that she was treated according to her station. Because of the witness’ that would be at the chapel, he ordered that the priest not say her full name, nor the veil be lifted for a kiss. Until her and her betrothed were safely upon the ship and its anchor hoisted and out to sea, even then she was to maintain her face covering. All it took was one person to recognize her, and her life would be void. There would be nothing anyone could do for her.

During the ceremony she stood quietly when she was to face her groom. She could make out his features enough to tell he wasn’t ghastly. His hair, dark and long, his eyes ice blue. From what she could tell by his expression, he wasn’t thrilled about this arrangement either. Yet he was a loyal subject, and was obeying his King's wishes. Stories had been passed through gossip that she had heard when she was in Russia, of men taking out their disappointment on their wives. From only seeing them to procreate, and even then making it a less than pleasurable experience, to humiliation and flaunting their mistress’ in front of them.

The priest asked “Count William Alexander Van Riechter, do you take Anna to be your wife till death do you part.” Her betrothed answered “I do” He then turned to her “Anna do you take Count William Alexander Van Riehter to be your husband to love and obey till death do you part?” Anna scoffed, obey her ass. The priest gave her a firm stare and she composed herself. “I do”. “I now pronounce you man and wife. May I now present Count and Countess William Alexander Riechter”
The small group of witnesses rose and clapped. Taking Williams arm the went straight to the carriage. The woman that acted as her ladies maid while she was there handed her the wooden animal. Anna took it, thanking her and clutched it tightly as the carriage door shut and they began their journey.

“Thank you for your sacrifice on behalf of the King. I will explain the reasoning for all of this when we have our rooms on the ship. Please understand that this situation we find ourselves in was unavoidable. I will be your wife in name only, no duties are expected of you”

 

[Zephreck]

William was silent a moment. This little ... girl in front of him...his wife... What in the hell was she thinking? Nothing expected of him? Everything was expected of him. Did she doubt his promise to take her as his wife?

He stared at her and could not speak. Instead his anger boiled inside him and it was everything he could do to not visibly shake from it. She did not know him! He was always honorable! Sacrifice?
Not to mention that she smelled amazing and her eyes.. Dammit why did her eyes have to be so full of secrets and be so damned lovely. How in the hell was he so aroused?!? He did not know this woman.

When at last he spoke he tried his best to stay civil. Tried his best to keep his anger down, and to definitely not show his arousal! He shifted in his seat and hated how uncomfortable his clothing was currently.
"Never doubt my words. I have pledged to be your husband and I plan on being everything a husband should be." He forced himself to breathe and to slowed his breathing. He drove deep inside himself and forced himself to calm down. "This was my decision. I am never forced to play as a puppet. I may not know you but when I give my word I keep it. I have sworn to protect you and will do so."

As the words left him he turned and looked out the small circle window and kept telling himself that he had to relax and to not let this relationship be a troublesome one...

 

[Perplexia]

Anna sighed shaking her head in frustration. She waited a few moments before speaking. “What I meant by sacrifice, is that you were uprooted from the life you had built in England.” She knew too much what that was like. To lose your entire life in an instant, and all the people you loved. She had no doubt he meant what he said to her. His conviction in the words were more than apparent. It was admirable in a way.

“Thank you for agreeing to protect me” she said softly, still staring out the window. Her fingers stroked the neck of the wooden bear. All of her notes, journals and books she’d gathered over years, stories that she’d accumulated about the supernatural were all gone. Anna was determined not to give up her passion. Though she wasn’t sure how her new husband would feel about it. Perhaps it was best to keep it a secret until she knew more about him and his demeanor.

They arrived at the ship, and boarded. They were given the best cabins. Certainly not up to par with anything their stations in life have accustomed them to. But better than the alternatives by far. Anna gave her husband a slight curtsy before going into her cabin and shutting the door behind her. Taking off the veil she placed it upon the table next to the door. Collapsing in a pile upon the floor she wept softly, grieving for the loss of the life she had once know and the uncertainty of the one ahead of her.