The Perfect Sin

Chapter 7

I  study  the eyes of my  Lietuenant as the rest of the soldiers wait for the departure signal.

 “How can it be that there are no more pallets, Lietutenant?”

 “My queen, I am but the messenger. The Elder informs me of the lack.” The bowing Lietutenent briefly glances at the agitated Queen before continuing. “If you are truly angry with your servant then we can have the Elder receive his last breath.”

 I sigh before dismissing  my Lietuenant. As Queen and wife I know that Aleksey needs to lay down even without being told; the wounds that he receieved demand constant attention. I  look toward the Heavens, waiting for a response but none come to my rescue.

 “Lieutenant,”  I call  from my  horse Graystorm.

 “Here, my lady,” the Lieutenant responds.

 “He will receive his last breath, then come back to me.”

 The Lieutenant nods his response before rearing his own steed. I  know in my heart that Aleksey’s well being is more important than some Elder’s greed. Arkady, my former second in command, walks beside me pulling me out of myreverie. I  look down at him, waiting for his wise words to fall upon my ears.

 “Yekaterina. You do not have to have that man carry out that order.”

“ Arkady it does have to happen. Do not question your Queen or your words will be treated as treason.”

 “Forgive me, I mean no harm. What we have lack in is pallets therefore we can use rope  and wood instead. Aleksey can be tied to you by using rope and wood.”

 “Very well, your plan should work. It is but  a day’s journey from the City of Walls to my Palace. Let us leave once Aleksey is secure. ”

 Aleksey is  strapped to me with wood and rope. In the eyes of my men I am  a loving wife and fierce warrior, but Arkady knows of the truth. I  want to see Aleksey crumble at my  feet and now that was attained. Who knew that Vasily was right when he labeled his own flesh a monster. Arkady remembers the day precisely for he told it to me himself.

 Tsar Vasily approachs the Kingdom of Nalema as if the Kingdom Of Vauclya was not an enemy. Tsar Aleksey sooths his messenger’s fears saying that Tsar Vasily was coming to their homeland.

 Tsar Vasily notes to himself that the southern country was well off, even if he did take half of the Kingdome through force. The Tsar’s Knights standd guard outside the gate and wait for their Tsar’s return. Vasily looked over his shoulder to make sure his Knights were comfortable.

 “Men, stand at the ready. I will return shortly.”

 “Greetings Tsar Vasily, I am Anja of the Senko House. I will guide you to my Tsar’s War room.”

 The pair arrive at the War room in record time. Anja then begins to open the door and both servant and Tsar entered the room.

 “Welcome, Tsar Vasily: Tsar of the northern kingdom. Also the bloody bastard that wiped out half of the Senko House,” Anja declared to the men in the War room.

 “Greetings! Anja,please take a seat while you wait for us. Tsar Vasily, what brings you to the south?”

 All eyes and hears were anticipating the words the was soon to come out of the man’s mouth. All old enough knew of the betrayel between the former Tsar of the kingdom of Nalema and Tsar Vasily.

 “Marry my daughter, that is all.”

 “You want me to marry a monster? Why so?”

 “One can get addicted to the dark if there is no one to pull him from the depths.”

 “You feel as if I am living in the depths?”, Tsar Aleksey inquired.

 “Marry my daughter or do not marry my daughter, that is all.”

 “Da, I will marry your daughter. Leave now.”

 Vasily turned with a hidden smile. He made a sharp right and continued on his way to the front gates of the Kingdom. Anja rushed out of the War room and Vasily called out.

 “All is well Anja of the Senko House. This bastard was here before you even knew the meaning of the word Anja. I can find my way out.”

 Anja returns to her Tsar’s throne room and waits for his punishment. 

 “Do not fret Anja, that man has his pride. Allowing you to guide him was an insult. Return to your former state of mind and prepare for the coming of the Tsaritsa.”

 Anja knew she was dismissed as she made her way out of the chamber, it is not something that must be spoken. Tsar Aleksey was a man who expected perfection from everyone.

 “Kad, how long do you intend on only standing by. I know of your presence, brother.”

 Arkady emerges from the shadows revealing his true self. What most do not know is that the Aleksey copy enjoyed observing from the shadows, waiting for the moment to pounce.

 “Brother, I have observed the lady of the cabin. Monster is not a word I would use to describe her.”

 “Kad, why have you been observing Vasily’s daughter, without my permission?”

 “Lex, I am merely confirming my doubts. She could have been an assassin therefore I observed her movements.”

 “Tell me nothing about her. She is merely a woman who will bear the heir to the throne.”

 “Brother, beware of the woman; a strong presence surrounds her.”

 With those final words, I flash  myself into the present time. Graystorm, the lead horse is galloping ahead of the main branch. The remant caught up with their Queen who is already over looking the path leading to their home. 

 Widows, healers, youth, and elders stream out of the Kingdom in anticipation for their returning soldiers. None expected their Tsaritsa to arrive with their Tsar on her back nor were they enthusiastic about Queen bringing the black and white Knights and soldiers home. 

 I gratefully accept the help of  my own men as they cut Aleksey from Graystorm’s backside. The healers rush the Tsar, now in worse condition to the monarchs personal bed chambers.

 Arkady already knows his job since I  ordered it; bathe then make his way to the Kingdom of Nalema with a platoon of soldiers. I am going to make some changes and it starts with the Kingdom of Nalema.