The headquarters of the Zurich enclave is, same as that of Paris, a place of opulence and style, an outward display of wealth, more fit among the privileged classes of Europe than a secret society. But, all the more to conceal its devices, I would suppose, and successfully, as well. The chalet is of the French influence of architecture, but there are more Gothic elements as well, and the German is also present.
We were very quickly whisked inside the estate, as we were to be concealed within these fair walls. Percilla took everything in, as I did, with a wary glance around the place. There were many people here, more than we saw at Paris of London. The couple that met us at the train platform vanished when we entered, but later, as the company assembled for luncheon in a large and airy dining salon, we were all formally introduced. At that point, I recalled Gunther’s words to Percilla, back at Bern: ‘Each place must be visited in order, and on time. There are individuals in each location, which you must meet, and in turn, must be made aware of you.’ As it turned out, this also applied to Zurich.
The Englishman who met us was Sir George Bolingbrook, the acting chief of the enclave. As Gunther explained later in private, Sir George, a Knight of the Inner Court, stepped into the chief’s place when the head of the enclave fell injured during the battle at Munich that injured Elder Melchior and the others. Sir George’s loyalties to his former chief manifested a loathing for Gunther, which obviously continued to this day.
There were thirteen members of the Zurich group present in the chalet, and as it was explained to me, there are many more; just not all at the chalet at once, many being afield on the business of the Order. It would seem that many of them were present here, for our arrival. No, more for Percilla’s arrival, than mine.
But the surprise of the day came toward the end of the luncheon, and as we began to discuss business in earnest. As Percilla and I were being introduced around the room, the elderly woman who Sir George escorted at the platform entered the room – no, she swept in and dominated the room, all rising and bowing, and I still am astonished at my own blindness, because the old, average-looking woman was none other than Elder Romanov herself!!
The Elder acknowledged the salutations of all present, and singled out each member present with a personal greeting, as if she knew each and everybody there – which I do not discount as beyond this extraordinary woman’s abilities. Not the least of which was the simple fact that she was here, in Zurich, apparently arriving even before we got here!
“Hello again, Marcelle and Alfred”, the Elder greeted the brothers who, as one, smiled and bowed. “I see that your adventure with our new acolytes has been filled with the unexpected.”
“Greetings again, Sir Gunther,” she said to the Knight-commander as he kissed her hand with a bow. “Your reports thus far have been most insightful. We shall discuss them at length, later this evening.”
“I am glad to see you here, Percilla Raymondeva,” she said to Cilla, who properly did a curtsy to the Duchess. “You now understand a little more about yourself, I imagine?” I sense that the Elder had received a full report of the events of Bern from Gunther.
“Yes, Your Grace,” Cilla properly replied. “Under Sir Gunther’s tutelage, I am better prepared than ever to serve the Order. I must have you recognize his abilities, if you haven’t already.” I had the feeling she already had.
But, when she approached me, something odd happened. The Elder turned to me, and the expression on her face was one of relief, I daresay of being truly glad to see me. I made the impetuous act of raising her outstretched hand to kiss it, bowing over her knuckles as is customary, but with a deft move of her wrist, she twisted her hand around to clasp my hand to her cheek, drawing us closer.
“Eason Eduardovich. Of all those here, I am gladdest to see you,” she said to me, softly, then bestowed light kisses on both cheeks, which I returned. The same thing I observed in Paris, I saw once again. The touch, the feel, the scent of this noblewoman was not that of age, but of a woman still vital and youthful. Such a contradiction, in this deposed empress. I must confess here, that I was moved by the intimacy of our reunion, certainly the infectiousness of her greeting.
“Madam Romanov”, I was moved to say to her, “Of all here, I am delighted most to see you again – especially as I did not expect our meeting at all.”
“Ah, and still charming as before, as well,” she replied, and I swear I did not expect in the next moment, for her to embrace me, right there in the room. I could not help but to return the hug, and that which I had noticed before was even more pronounced. This dowager, in her seventies if she was a day old, felt in my arms like a woman a third her age! The strength of her arms was not that at all of an old woman. Her body pressed into mine, the full length from leg to neck, and I was instantly consumed with the most disrespectful ideas, which I cannot compel myself to write here. Suffice to say that such a thing might have been scandalous…
…especially since, as we broke the embrace, I noticed Percilla’s eyes on the Duchess and I, and there was the most fiery look of fury in them, was it … jealousy???
Bttt
Our first night with the Zurich enclave was chiefly set by the arrival of the Elder from Paris, by whatever means the Elders possess, even before we ourselves arrived. Later that evening, after being relaxed and refreshed, and Gunther was certain of our safety after inspecting the enclave personally, the whole membership present met in conference. It was the single largest gathering of the Knights of the Order I had seen to date. But even before that, there were individuals who stood out in memory and introduction, and I must set them down here, lest I not recall.
One lady who caught my attention, and I daresay, any man’s attention, was one of the Knights who introduced herself to me without waiting for someone else. She simply walked up to me, hand outstretched, pumping in a man’s handshake.
“You are Signore Eason?” she fairly slurred her words through a lopsided mouth, the left side curled up in a kind of perpetual smirk by a scar which looked awfully like a knife wound. “I was told that you were to be found here by tonight. I am Contessa Ramona Vespici, from Rome. It is understood that you have only just joined the Order while in Paris, no?”
“That’s right,” I said, returning the handshake and taking in the sight of this woman. “So, there is an enclave in Rome, as well, Countess?”
“Si, signore,” she replied with a laugh, “but you are not quite correct – Contessa is but my name, not my title. It is more correct to say, Dame Contessa, I believe. Less confusion, not so?”
I must have blushed a bit at that, saying, “My apologies, Lady, I couldn’t have known. I’m just awash with names, today…”
“No doubt, no doubt,” Contessa said, smiling. “It has been said that you and your fair lady St. Cyr are to be shown off and named for all to see, and that word came from the Elder herself. I would be curious to know her reasoning, but what good does it do to question, eh?”
“Yes, what indeed,” I said. Contessa was a striking woman, regardless of her deformity, a mane of wild black hair, eyes like coals, dusky skin, typical of the Italian heritage. She was a comely woman, not slender but muscularly built, and would quickly capture a man’s attention with a smoky glance or two.
Contessa took me in hand, and began shuttling me around the room, meeting many more faces and hearing more names until my mind was even more awash then before. But one thing that she said, stuck in my mind: why would the Elder want Cilla and I shown around to all here? What purpose might there be?
=====================================================
May 25th, 1935
Zurich
I am so torn and twisted in the winds of my feelings, tonight. Such a day of whirling names and sights! So much has happened, I must get things straight and orderly once again.
I was so shocked to see the Elder here. How on earth did she manage to arrive here before us! And how is it we didn’t recognize her at the platform? And that “greeting” to Eason - what the devil is going on???
Such a gathering we had, as well. It seemed that all afternoon was set aside for getting acquainted with people before something momentous. But, I began to piece together an agenda, from the snatches of conversations and hints under breath, many of which were confirmed at the evening’s conference…
==================================================
The members of the Order of the Dragon assembled in a ballroom converted to a boardroom. Percilla marked the opulent fixtures all about them, signs of accumulated wealth and power. The Elder chaired the conference, of course, flanked this time by Sir George, representing Zurich, Dame Contessa representing the Rome enclave, and Gunther as the de facto leader of the expedition. The rest of the Zurich enclave was in attendance, as were other visitors the party met in the blur of introductions of the day, including to the party’s joy, Jean-Marie from the Bern safehouse. Eason sat at Percilla’s side, joined by the brothers as always. The Elder began the conference with her usual style of simply announcing herself, and lecturing the assembly on her thoughts.
“Shall we begin, Lords and Ladies? We are met tonight due to extraordinary events, and must not only respond to them, but also plan accordingly. For it is now clear that, by chance rather than design, the Enemy has learned in part of our plans.”
“I have received excellent report of the events in Bern yesterday. Largely in part to Sir Gunther’s leadership in crisis, we are confident the Enemy has only discovered the Bern safehouse, which is no longer occupied. However, we are uncertain that the expedition has been discovered, though its mission not compromised. Therefore, it shall continue, but quickly.
“It is the intent to have the expedition depart tomorrow morning for Vienna, then on to Budapest without stopping. It is more imperative that Budapest receives you, with no further delay. Once there, the next stage to Bucharest can begin. Sir George, I would hear your report.”
Sir George rose and spoke, “Your Grace. The Enemy sacked the safehouse in Bern, but there was no information for discovery. The house was thoroughly cleansed of our operation; no trace of the Order will be found. All of the Knights there are safe in either Geneva or here.
“Further intelligence shows the passage to Vienna is secure,” he went on. “On the expedition’s next leg, there will be no repeat of Bern – or Munich, I daresay…”
“Then you dare to say more, Sir George?” Gunther growled.
“I simply state,” George replied smoothly, “that for the expedition’s next journey, there shall be little to no chance of The Enemy finding them along the way, as opposed to the two incidents I mentioned. You should recall that The Enemy found us both times – and both incidents, if I recall, were with someone present in charge?”
“That will be all, Sir George,” the Elder stated, low and calmly, though Eason noticed the room seemed to chill from her voice. George saw her eyes, and sat down slowly, smug at having scored against Gunther. Percilla regarded Sir George through narrowed eyes, mistrusting this man more.
“I have been in contact with Budapest today,” the Elder went on, “and I concur with Sir George, in that the route is safe, for now. The Zurich enclave shall make all arrangements necessary for the journey. That leaves the leg from Budapest onward, and for that, I have summoned Dame Contessa. Madam, I would hear you.”
Contessa rose, and began, “Your Grace, Lords and Ladies, I shall conduct the expedition from Bucharest to Sibiu’, personally. I shall further, with Sir Gunther’s assistance, secure from Budapest eastward, as best as I can manage. I have selected several from the Rome enclave who have volunteered, and those from Bucharest as well. There shall be sufficient strength of numbers to achieve our goals,” she ended confidently.
“I now turn to the expedition, itself,” the Elder said. “Sir Gunther, your party reacted well to its first encounter with the Enemy. I expect you shall continue your instruction in regards to the acolytes’ training?”
Gunther rose. “Yes, Your Grace, that was my intention – you have something to contribute, Sir George?” he growled across the table.
“I merely observed, “Sir George remarked, “that I agree you will continue training acolytes – assuming they survive the training regimen you have constructed for them, what, with live Enemy to test against…”
“As if you could do better, George, when the Enemy went undetected under your nose in Bern…”
“At least all I lost was a safehouse, Gunther, as opposed to your using acolytes as shields. Who on earth said you could lead a field operation again, such a mistake…”
“Sir George, Rise And Face Me.”
The Elder’s voice was clipped and biting. “It was I who placed command of the expedition in Sir Gunther’s hands, at the behest of Elder Melchior, who has recently returned to service to The Order. You are questioning the judgment of two Elders, Sir Knight. Is it your intention to commit further insubordination this night?”
George’s jaw was quivering; he knew his very real peril, though his next actions did not save him. “Your Grace, I would never disrespect or show defiance to you, or any of the Elders –“
“However, a Knight-Commander under my direct orders is fair game, da?” she retorted, a tight-lipped smile creasing her face. “And that was a question that Elder Melchior himself asked, how did the Enemy reside in Switzerland without detection? Can you make answer?”
“I – I, cannot say for certain, Your Grace, my reports told nothing of any kind…”
“If your information is that flawed, Sir Knight, then how can you expect to advise the Elders competently on who should command a field expedition, especially one of such import to the Order?” she asked.
“Perhaps my information would be less flawed,” George blurted, “if I had the patronage of Your Grace, that Gunther seems to enjoy…”
And Eason knew, instantly, that George had gone too far. George suddenly sensed it, too, as the lights began to flicker in the ballroom and the air began to fill with the unique smell of a thunderstorm. And the Elder rose to her full height, her eyes open wide and boring into George, who now stood hapless and frozen, wilting visibly under that gaze.
When she spoke again, the Elder’s voice was a study of control. “You, Sir George, have assisted me in making a decision this night, one which I had put off making until after this expedition is complete. I can no longer afford to delay further. You are relieved of your duties as chief of the Zurich enclave, effective tonight, and you shall accompany me back to Paris in the morning. Leave this room at once. Sir Alfred Pettibone?”
Pettibone rose quickly, trying not to notice as Sir George was escorted from the room by two of the Zurich knights. “Yes, Your Grace?”
The Elder delayed speaking until she was certain that Sir George could not hear the next statement. “It is my intention, since you have displayed the proper abilities and dedication to the Order,” the Elder was saying, “to offer you the charge of the Zurich enclave, for the foreseeable future. This will mean staying here, while the expedition moves on, I regret to say, but your services are more useful and required here. Dame Contessa?”
Contessa rose as well. “You shall accompany the expedition to Budapest, in Sir Alfred’s place. While they wait there for further instruction, you shall continue on to Bucharest to perform your next tasks.”
“Your Grace?” Alfred asked gently. “I can imagine you will predict my response to Your Grace’s decision, as generous as this is…”
“Da, Alfred Stefanovich, I can and I do,” the Elder said. “You wish, of course, to accompany your brother and your friends, and that you consider yourself unworthy of the responsibility. I, however, am confident of your abilities, and I am not permanently separating this party. But, circumstances do not give me luxury. I ask you to accept your new assignment, Sir Knight. Shall I expect otherwise?” Alfred, seeing himself outmaneuvered, graciously accepted.
The meeting broke up silently, as the Elder rose and departed without a further word. The party approached Alfred, not knowing further what to do.
“Well, mon frere, either my hearty congratulations, or my deepest condolences, on your promotion,” Marcelle said as he embraced Alfred.
“Thank you, brother, I think,” Alfred said with a wry grin. “Well, I always did say I wished to see other places than England, and here’s my opportunity, for a while, anyway.”
But, Eason was not of the same mind. “I cannot believe this, that she’d break us up like this. We were all to go on to Romania together!”
“Ah, but we serve the Order, do we not?” Marcelle answered. “In whatever capacity we are due – wait a moment, where is she?”
“The Elder left the room,” Alfred said.
“No, not the Elder,” Eason said, “Percilla. Where did she go? I didn’t see her leave!”
“She could not have gone out of the chalet, Eason, so do not worry,” Marcelle said. “Your concern is natural, but I am certain she is safe…”