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?
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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…
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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…”
You always leave me wanting more! :o)
But, the almost-tears that Percilla saw in Paris didn’t show here, though she imagined the pain was the same, or worse. Some form of compassion moved Percilla to follow the Elder, and it proved difficult. The Elder’s stride was long and smooth, and Percilla was hard pressed to follow quietly. But the effort was rewarded, as Percilla came across a balcony, overlooking the mountain valley, and there stood the Elder in the evening light, the lights of Zurich twinkling beyond the pines.
The Elder stood rail straight, arms at her side, fists clenching and releasing, her head erect and proud. Percilla stepped quietly towards her, her eyes never leaving the Elder, watching as the grand lady’s shoulders began to quake, and as she threw her head back her hair fastening loosened, releasing a cascade of shoulder-length platinum tresses that, even more than ever, brought back Katerina Romanov’s beauty.
Percilla began to make a small move toward her, and was about to clear her throat and discreetly announce her presence, when a voice broke the silence, “Your Grace? Are you well?” Percilla’s eyes snapped toward the sound, and she shrank against the wall and into the shadows as she saw Eason approach.
The Elder turned with a start, her hair swinging round her neck, her mouth set in a firm line, and her eyes glittering in the light. “Ah, Isha. How come you here? I did not hear you.”
“You left the hall, Madam, and I was concerned. I did not find Percilla at all, and I came to search for her. I didn’t mean to intrude, if you wish your privacy, I shall leave – “
“You are not intruding, least of all you. Stay a moment, Isha, and watch the evening with me.”
Eason walked closer, the light revealing a face sincere and full of concern. “Madam Romanov, you’re troubled, that is plain. All of us in the room saw and know of Sir George’s insolence. We all know you did what was needful – “
“You know not all of the matter, young one,” the Elder said. “Sir George’s quarrel with Gunther goes back to an incident which cost Gunther so much, and has forced him to remain in Paris, for a time, healing…”
“Madam, I know of Gunther’s actions at Munich. Not the full tale, but enough to know that he acted heroically, as much as I saw at Bern, just yesterday. Who but he, would have brought your fellow Elder out of there, at such cost to himself?”
“I know. I have trust with Gunther, for he has earned it time and again. Trust is such a precious thing, Isha, more than you realize yet. The Order depends on it; it is nearly our life’s blood. We trust ourselves to each other, every day, for the Enemy we face brings not only death, but also discord. Breaking the trust and the faith in each of us, damages us even more than injury.”
“So, that’s what you spoke of at Paris, then? When Lord Stavros assaulted Gunther, about ‘bringing discord within these walls’?”
“Da, exactly. I would tell you, that the others, the Elders, allow some latitude with their dealing with subordinate knights, almost to the point of breaking discipline. I have always insisted on loyalty to the Order, first above all. That is why I worry for Gunther. His loyalty is to me, personally, and would follow any command of mine to the detriment of the Order.”
“But, that’s just human nature, Lady. People naturally gravitate to strong persons and leaders, and that includes you. Forgive my inexperience in these matters, but my loyalties are personal, as well. My first loyalty is to Percilla, more than the Order, I fear. But that’s not out of disrespect, it’s because I’ve known Percilla for nearly all my life. She’s familiar, in a whirlpool of events that spins me onward.”
She smiled slightly at the remark. “And what if there were other familiar things, Isha? Your new friends, the brothers Marcelle and Alfred, eh? Are there no loyalties to them?”
“Of course there are, Madam! They are comrades, and we’ve been through so much already, with more to come. I only hope I’m worthy of their company.”
“Do you mean, that you are not asking me to include Alfred in the expedition again? You do not question my decision?”
“No, Madam! I wouldn’t do such a thing. You know so much more, so much bigger a picture than I, how could I make a decision for you, or even dare to advise you?”
“Then, Isha, you are now showing loyalty to me, over the Order…”
“On the contrary, My Lady, that is precisely the opposite! Your loyalty is to the Order, is it not? Therefore, your decisions are all based on how best to serve the Order. If I trust your actions, then I’m confident the Order is best served if I follow your orders. It’s not so much loyalty to you, dear Lady, as it is that I trust your decisions. I trust you.”
Percilla watched a subtle change in Katerina Romanov’s demeanor begin, while Eason spoke. Her shoulders relaxed, her hands simply resting on the rail of the balcony, but her eyes still sparkling with her recent tears held in check. When she looked to Eason again, she looked more feminine than she had even seemed; Katerina the Elder had left for a moment, and Katerina the woman had awoken. When she next spoke, her voice was not the imperious arching tone; it was husky, no longer a dowager’s rasp, but deeper and sensuous. Eason could not fail to notice.
“I know that you trust me, Isha. That is part of the problem, you see? I cannot share trust with you yet, because of so many reasons. You are of the Outer Court, and not to know the secrets I possess. You are needing those secrets soon, as you gird yourself for the tasks ahead, which I see and you do not. I fear that trust is one-sided here; your trusting in me, and oh, how I wish I could give more trust to you.” Eason drew closer, and tentatively, reached a hand to comfort this woman in her turmoil. Katerina gratefully took his hand in both of hers, turning to face him.
“I would trust you more, Isha. I would be so pleased, to confide much with you. I do not understand this, but I sense a kindred soul with you, someone with whom confidence can be placed.”
Eason looked at her, “I’d be honored, and grateful, for your confidence, Madam…” and, he searched his memory for the name, “…Katerina.”
An unbroken silence followed, Eason and Katerina simply looking in each other’s eyes, standing still. Percilla watched, and was torn by two burning sensations. Here was a woman who commanded nations, and was plainly lonely and starving for someone to trust, within all these plots and conspiracies. And here also, was a woman who was… falling for Eason. Trying to let herself fall for a younger man. It was incredible, but here, before her eyes, she was watching an impossible romance?!?!
Katerina’s demeanor melted further, at the sound of Eason’s voice using her name. A single tear leaked from her eye, tracing her cheek. Eason looked at her, and saw her vulnerability, her lonliness, and saw how much it was costing her, this terrible lowering of her guard and her barriers to all others. He was awed by the trust she saw showing, in letting down her defenses to him.
“I thought that, when you hugged me today,” Eason said, “that you simply held me in some closer esteem than others. Am I seeing something more? Trust me, by telling me. What is troubling you, Katerina?”
After a silence, she said, “It is in no small part because of Percilla Raymondeva, that my attention is on you, Isha.” Percilla’s ears fairly twitched at her name. “Your young and fair companion is destined to play a great role in the Order, greater than she could now hope to understand. To play that role, she must do one thing: survive. I pray that the Enemy has not fully realized who and what she is. When They do, They will come for her in earnest. And that is when, dear Isha, you will be in terrible peril. You may well be the last line of her defense.
“I would ask you, learn all you can about the arts of the Order, so that you might be prepared to be as ferocious in battle as Gunther himself. Her life, and yours might depend on it. That is in part, why I am concerned for you. I ask you to do things which no one has a right to ask of you. But ask is what I do. But, not only for the sake of the future of the Order. But because, I have found myself concerned for more than your safety, and more than is proper. I have committed a dangerous act, Isha. I have allowed myself to care for someone again.”
Eason was shocked to silence for a second, then found his voice. “You… care for me? How could caring for someone be a dangerous act? Isn’t that what men and women do, out of the nature of the heart?”
“Not in the world of the Order, Isha. Friendships are rare things, in their own right. There are many comrades in the Order – yours with Marcelle and Alfred, as example. But feelings of deeper attachment, such as yours and Percilla’s, those are rare things. It has happened before, many times, with men and women of the Order. And always, there has been difficulty, and rarely do such affairs of the heart end happily.”
Eason’s next words surprised all in hearing, as he looked at their hands entwined together. “I felt that there was something unique about you, Katerina. In Paris, I felt it when we talked, you were so compelling. And now, hearing you confess these things to me, I can’t help but be awed, and honored, and… feeling these things in return.” He looked into the taller woman’s eyes, now shining with something more than tears. “I find myself caring for you, Katerina.”
And slowly, as their eyes passed messages to each other unspoken, Eason’s and Katerina’s hands loosened, then reached for each other, forming a gentle embrace. They held each other for long moments, Katerina’s tight-throated sobs the only sound. Eason stroked her shoulder and her back, comforting her as one would a child. He breathed in the scent of the Duchess’s hair, youth restored by some spell. This awesome woman, old and young, steel and satin, wielding power and lives, was in his arms in the evening light, exposing her secret heart to him. Eason could not help but be moved.
The embrace relaxed, Katerina’s sobs lessening to a sniffle, as they looked again at each other’s eyes. Her only choked word, “Spasiba, Isha…”, was a whisper scarce heard.
“Katerina…” Eason whispered. And slowly, gently, almost afraid, Katerina inclined her head and brushed her lips to Eason’s, pulling back to gauge his reaction, then pressing once again, firmer, in a true kiss.
Eason drank in her kiss, the kiss of a young and vital woman restored to beauty. The kiss grew firmer, their arms encircling each other, clinging tighter, breath coming faster, small content sighs in her throat as she too, drank in the kiss.
Percilla saw none of this. At the first kiss, her eyes squeezed shut, her fists balled, her jaw ground her teeth in rising rage. When her eyes opened, the dusky black Romany eyes were changed – they were a brilliant glowing blue, sparking and heated.
And Eason and Katerina broke suddenly apart, panicked and shocked, at the sound that came from around the corner – the sound torn from a young throat, grating and rasping in a shriek of fury.
The fury of a woman scorned.