"Saints Boris and Gleb be thanked," said Ludmilla. "We will have need of your skills and potions before the night is over," she said as she started toward the door, van Hoek behind her.
"Hercegek," Zozia said in a warning tone. "I need you here."
"And ordinarily, I would comply with your wishes," said Saint-Germain, "but not when so many are in danger." He went around the table to kiss her hand. "No doubt Graf von Altenburg will see you are handed safely into the carriage."
"I will," said von Altenburg from farther down the table.
"Thank you," Saint-Germain said, then bowed to Marfa and Menshikov and the guests before he resigned himself to ruined clothes; he dropped his wig on the table; he hurried out of the room and rushed for the door as more lightning flared and thunder pealed over the sodden city in the marsh.
Text of a letter from Moricz Losi in Transylvania, Hungary, estate manager for Ferenz Ragoczy, Grofok Saint-Germain, in care of Arpad Arco-Tolvay, Hercegek Gyor, at Sankt Piterburkh, Russia; written in code carried by private courier and delivered on August 1st, 1704.
To Ferenz Ragoczy, Grofok Saint-Germain, currently in the new city of Sankt Piterburkh in Russia, the greetings of Moricz Losi at the Grofok's estates in Transylvania.
My most esteemed Grofok,
It is my pleasant duty to inform you that your lands are in good heart, and that the weather has been kind to us all. The orchards bloomed in good time and most kept their buds long enough to make fruit. The vineyards are much the same, but for the eastern-most plantation of Bull's Blood where grapes have been slow to fruit. Your cattle, sheep, and hogs are thriving, and the first lambs and piglets have arrived, most doing well, although the brindled sow ate three of hers before we could take them from her. There are nine mares in foal, and the first of this year's get are expected to drop in the next week. The tenant peasants have planted three fields in wheat and oats, and will shortly start on the squashes and melons, lettuces, and long-beans in the nearer fields. We look toward a fine season of growth. I have already arranged for a large number of tenants to help us through the harvest, and I have ordered ten more barrels for wine. The cook recommends smoking as much pork and ham as we can, in case the Austrians return and take sheep and calves for their men. The shepherds have plans to move the flocks higher into the mountains as soon as all the lambs are a month old, to keep them from the soldiers. We are going to have a larger
amount of wool this year, unless the rebels, or the Austrians, raid the estate, which is not impossible.
As
you instructed me, I have sent your invitation to Roma to the man Niklos Aulirios, and he has replied, saying he is most grateful for your offer of hospitality; he will arrive after the harvest at Senza Pari and Villa Ragoczy. I will inform you as soon as he is here. I understand that he is to be treated in the same way that your manservant Hroger is treated, as he served in a similar capacity to one of your blood.
In regard to blood, I will admit that when you answered the King of Poland's summons to his country, I was startled to see you comply so readily, but now I understand better why you did: in the last three months, Austrian soldiers have come here to demand you accompany them. In spite of all your assurances that you are in no way associated with II Ferenc Rakoczi, the Austrians continue to believe that you are part of those who privately support the rebels. Since March they have become more demanding; they have carried off a chest of gold coins--for which I am abashed. I told them you had no dealings with those opposing the Hapsburgs, but, as you feared, your name is sufficient for the Austrians to hold you in some way responsible for all that has happened in this part of the country. The things I said when you left last summer I now regret, for you would most certainly have been taken to prison. There has been a great deal of uproar about the rebels; until the matter is settled, I think it would be wise for you to remain away, reluctant as I am to say so.
News has come from your press at Venezia that your printer has taken a second shop for the business now that the new presses have arrived from Amsterdam. He informs me that you have authorized this expansion, and that he has added three apprentices to his staff, and would like to double that number next year. If this is satisfactory to you, you may want to send him word yourself, for he is a careful man, and will only proceed with your knowledge and approval. I have not told him where you are beyond that you were in Poland from July through March. I can impart more, if it is your wish, but until you authorize me to do so, I will only tell him you are away.
Trusting that this finds you in good health and good fortune, and
the hope that you are enjoying the hospitality of Arpad, Hercegek Gyor, another Hungarian among the Russians, I promise you my continued devotion,
Your servant to command,
Moricz Losi
estate manager
on April 19th, 1704, in Transylvania, Hungary
7
Yrjo Saari stood on the step of Zozia's house, staring at Hroger in grim determination, his presence seeming to cool the glorious morning sunshine, for although he showed proper deference he also determined to do everything he intended. It was not quite 6:00 A.M. and the household had only been up for an hour; Saari appeared willing to wait until sunset and longer, if he had to. "He said I should be allowed to talk to him, your master. I am determined to see him." His voice was flat, and his Russian had the first-syllable accents of Finnish. "I will not be deterred."
"Then I suppose you had best come in," said Hroger, standing aside to admit the former Watchman, curiosity increasing. He pointed to a bench near the stove. "If you would like a cup of tea, there is a pot of it on the hook," by which he meant the warming-hook attached to the metal chimney.
"I want to see Hercegek Gyor," he said as he made for the stove. "But I would like a cup of tea. Will the Hercegek join us shortly?"
"The Hercegek is occupied with the Ksiezna. It isn't my place to disturb him," Hroger said. "I will pour you some tea, and inform the Hercegek that you are waiting to talk to him as soon as it's acceptable to do so."
"I'll wait as long as I must." He sat down.
Hroger reached into the cupboard for a tea-dish, then took the pot from the hook and poured the dark, fragrant liquid into it. "Would you like butter or sugar?"
"A little butter," Saari said as if it were a major concession.
"Butter then," Hroger said, taking the tub down from its place on the top of the cupboard; he opened it and used the paddle to make a small curl. "Will this suffice?"
"It will." Saari nodded approval and relaxed enough to say, "Thank you."
"You'll want to let it cool a short while," Hroger recommended, sliding the butter onto the tea, where it quickly melted and formed a shiny puddle on the surface.
"I've seen the Ksiezna out in her carriage. She is Polish."
"Yes, she is," said Hroger, wondering what Saari was seeking.
"The Hercegek is Hungarian, I'm told. Not many Hungarians in Sankt Piterburkh," Saari remarked as he blew on the surface of his tea.
"Only one other that I'm aware of," said Hroger.
"Who might that be?" Saari asked.
"One of the embankment designers is from Buda. His name is Janos Czobor, I believe. He has constructed embankments along the Drina and the Drave, among other rivers. He has worked in Austria and Bohemia, as well."
"Then he's the sort of man the Czar wants here," Saari stated.
"So it would seem." Hroger wrapped his hands in sooty cloths, looked into the fire-box, then poked at the glowing embers.
Saari studied Hroger for the better part of a minute. "You are not Hungarian."
"No. I come from Spain." He did not add that when he had lived there, it had been a Roman province. "The Hercegek and I met in Roma, many years ago."
"He is widely traveled, then, your master?"
"Quite widely," said Hroger, volunteering nothing more on the extent of Saint-Germain's wanderings. He straightened up, put the poker back in its holder, and unwrapped his hands.
"The Czar is also widely traveled," said Saari. "He has been to Germany and Holland and England and France and Austria and Poland. Perhaps he has gone other places as well."
"Yes, he is well-traveled," Hroger agreed.
The silence that fell between them this time lasted until Salomea came into the main room, a bundle of freshly dried clothes in her hand. She regarded Saari in surprise, and waited for Hroger to explain.
"This is Yrjo Saari, one of the Finnish Watchmen."
"Former Watchman," he corrected.
"You're the one who's been in the care-house, aren't you?" Salomea asked, coming over to the stove.
"I have," said Saari, a bit embarrassed to admit it.
"The care-house helped the Hercegek after he was waylaid and beaten," said Salomea.
"I know. It was I and my men who found him and carried him to the care-house." He tried not to sound too proud of this accomplishment, but there was a kind of satisfaction in his voice that he could not conceal.
Salomea looked at him with increased interest. "No wonder the Hercegek was concerned for your recovery."
"He is an attentive man, most careful about his obligations," Saari approved. "He's been a great help to the care-house."
Watching the two of them, Hroger realized that they were attracted to each other; he sat back on the kitchen stool, regarding them with awakened interest.
"He is a most generous man," said Salomea. "He often extends charity when he can. Not many rich men do that."
"He has done that in my case," said Saari, and drank a little of the tea although it was still quite hot.
"It has been his habit for many years," said Hroger, thinking that Saint-Germain would not say so himself.
"A good man to have for a master," said Saari, a bit wistfully. "All men seek good masters, if they are honora--"
They were interrupted by Zozia calling from the other room. "Salomea! Go to the bath-house and tell them I will be there shortly!"
Salomea was immediately on her feet, her manner transformed into quiet submissiveness. "Yes, Ksiezna," she said, and went into the servants' room in order to leave by the back door; the two men heard it open and close.
Saari continued to drink his tea, but there was a thoughtful shine in his eyes and he looked carefully at Hroger, a measuring expression coming over his face. After a few minutes had passed, he said, "A very interesting woman."
"Would you like me to tell her you said so?" Hroger asked, amusement lurking at the back of his faded-blue eyes.
"No. Not yet, anyway." He went on with his tea, content to be quiet.
In less than ten minutes, Zozia emerged from her room, an Ottoman robe wrapped around her, her braided hair in some disarray, and wooden shoes on her feet that clapped noisily as she walked. "Is Salomea here?" she demanded, then stopped still as she realized that Saari was looking at her. Gathering her dignity, she said, "If she hasn't come back from the bath-house--"
"I am back, Ksiezna," Salomea answered from the servants' room. "I am ready to escort you to the bath-house."
"We'll leave by the back door," said Zozia; there was a hectic flush to her cheeks and she moved carefully as if she were not fully awake.
"Yes, Ksiezna," Salomea said, appearing in the door to the main room; she curtsied to Zozia and did not so much as glance at Saari.
"Bring my towels," Zozia ordered as she crossed the room.
"Of course, Ksiezna. I have them ready." She fell in slightly behind Zozia as they hurried from the room.
"My master should join us shortly," said Hroger once the back door slammed. "Unless he decides to dress for the day first."
"Does he need your help?" Saari sounded wary, as if his keeping Hroger from attending Saint-Germain could well lead to trouble between master and manservant. "Do you need to go in to him?"
"Not yet." He could see Saari was not convinced. "He will summon me if he needs me."
"You must know best."
Again the two waited in silence, and then Saint-Germain appeared in the bedroom doorway, still in his chamber-robe and wig-less. He nodded to the two men. "Good morning. I trust I see both of you well."
Saari got to his feet and ducked his head. "Yes, as well as is possible." He was a hand's-breadth shorter than Saint-Germain, who was slightly less than average height, but built like the trunk of a tree, so that even his respectful bow seemed a kind of concession. "As you see, I have answered your invitation."
With a slow return nod, Saint-Germain regarded Saari. "Heer van Hoek told me you still have some trouble to contend with."
"I have lost some of the coordination on my left side, which has left me leaning a bit," he explained uncomfortably. "And in spite of all Ludmilla Borisevna and Heer van Hoek could do, part of my hand is numb, and from time to time, I get dizzy headaches."
"I'm sorry to hear it." He came across the room to the stove. "I've been told you are not permitted to continue as a Watchman."
He took a last sip of tea and set the dish aside. "That's right, because I can't run very fast and sometimes my headaches limit my work--not often, but enough to bring doubt on my ability to do what must be done," he admitted, making an attempt to conceal his distress. "I wish I didn't have to give up that work. I have liked being a Watchman."
"What will you do?" Hroger inquired.
Summoning all his courage, Saari addressed Saint-Germain directly, reciting what was obviously a prepared request. "I would like to be your body-guard, Hercegek--you need one. Not the sort some of the foreigners have--strong men who keep others at bay--but as someone who can watch for trouble, identify those who may have reason to harm you, and make note of any untoward persons paying too much attention to you." When Saint-Germain said nothing, he added, "I know most of the thieves and robbers in Piter, and I can deter them from preying upon you, all without fuss."
