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Excellent Sytass! I'm rather intrigued on where your headed with the story. Looking forward to the new chapter.
Joe
Joe
Thanks, people. I am not quite sure where I am headed - I have some ideas but am not quite sure yet. I'll make up my mind during the day. 
And if it's a long, tiring day again, Samuel will stay in prison a while longer.
I'm pretty curious about the next chapter, too.
I'm pretty curious about the next chapter, too.
Originally posted by Sorcerer
And if it's a long, tiring day again, Samuel will stay in prison a while longer.
I'm pretty curious about the next chapter, too.
Well, the trouble with being an accountant is that december till february is a rather busy time.
So I am afraid unless my work schedule eases up, I will not post as often as I'd like to. I'd prefer to update every day, but I'm pretty sure I cannot keep it up at the moment.Although I *may* make an update today or tomorrow.
Originally posted by Sytass
Well, the trouble with being an accountant is that december till february is a rather busy time.
Especially with the Euro, I guess?
Actually, that's our smallest concern at the moment as we witched successfully during 2001. It's just the usual turn of year hubbub.
Hehehe, the Systass typo follows me wherever I go.
For those who might be waiting for an update on how Samuel's tale cpntinues, I have good news - I will add new chapters this weekend.
For those who might be waiting for an update on how Samuel's tale cpntinues, I have good news - I will add new chapters this weekend.
Originally posted by Sytass
Hehehe, the Systass typo follows me wherever I go.
For those who might be waiting for an update on how Samuel's tale cpntinues, I have good news - I will add new chapters this weekend.
Systass get you priorities straight. This AAR comes first your job second. Sigh, I guess we'll have to wait.
Joe
These are the reasons why I love this game soo much! Now if we can just solve that crazy crashing problem LOL
Your work is wonderful, hope you don't mind if I print it out for my own enjoyment.
Keep up the good work,and would I love to play with all of you guys in one HUGE multiplayer!
Berek
Your work is wonderful, hope you don't mind if I print it out for my own enjoyment.
Keep up the good work,and would I love to play with all of you guys in one HUGE multiplayer!
Berek
Not at at all.
Au contraire, I feel honooured and re-assured. Actually, I would like to write fantasy novels (have a lot of inspiration for it, for over 10 years now). However, it would be in German, of course, as that's my first language.
Well, why not start with a collection of short stories. Publish them thru a small magazine to get started.
The key is not to get discouraged.
Berek
The key is not to get discouraged.
Berek
Tell me when you do write something, I'll look out for it on the bookshelves.
Good work, Sitass.
Good work, Sitass.
***Chapter 4 - Fortune smiles upon me again***
It took me a while to realize I was alive. I felt a bit of pain in my arm, but a quick check revealed that it was not broken. I hadn't opened my eyes yet, but I had felt some warm wetness through the rags that supposedly once were a sleeve of the clothing I had received in prison. Obviously I was bleeding. Slowly, reluctantly, I opened my eyes. Dust bit in them, and I closed them again. But not only that...there was a blinding light. Daylight. The sun was shining, into the collapsed part of the fortress that used to be my cell. I smiled, then laughed, seeing full daylight for the first time in three years. Ir ubbed over my bearded chin and looked outside.
Rebels were around the city, not too many of them, but still a rather considerable rag tag force. A cannon, an old antique gun, was aimed at the walls, firing another shot as I watched. Somewhere to my right there was a rumbling as the cannon ball hit the walls of the fortress at Krems. The insurgents were firing muskets at the defenders, as well, and I saw a few of them dieing from fire from the Austrian troops. I wondered what I should do. Run across the field, hoping to get through to the rebels and join them? Or should I remain where I was, relatively safe, but likely doomed to remain a prisoner?
I made my decision rather quickly. More time in this prison, as nicely as the guards had treated me, was nothing for a man who grew up in the bustling Istanbul, in the deserts of Africa, in the hills of Anatolia, who longed to return to the lands of his ancestors. I jumped from the debris, and ran as good and fast as I could towards the rebels, shouting in various languages not to shoot at me. I felt musket bullets swish through the air near me as I ran, waving all the time, not knowing if the rebels or the Austrians fired at me. I could see some rebels pointing at me, then at the Austrians behind and above me, and they began to cover my run with their fire.
The rebels were maybe 700 yards away, and the air bit in my lungs as I ran and ran, and I didn't notice I had passed the rebel lines until after I collapsed among them. A few of them gathered around me and asked me a hundred questions, which I answered as good as possible. They brought me water and I drank hastily. One of their leaders, a man who was called Donnerfaust (Thunderfist), a tall mountain of a man, approached me and asked who I was and why I was held imprisoned. He made it quite clear that if I should turn out to be convicted of a crime, they would have less mercy on me than my previous captors. I told him in brief my story. Donnerfaust nodded first, then said nothing for a while. He seemed to be deep and thought and looked at me, wondering whether or not my tale held true. I felt reminded of the officer who had taken me prisoner so long ago, but Donnerfaust's features were far friendlier, despite his menacing stature, than those of the Austrian soldier.
Eventually, Donnerfaust picked me up by my arm and I rose to the feet, or rather jumped, so hard was his pull. He notioned me to follow him and took me to a tent where the leader of the rebels was residing. I was introduced to him as Count Kerentzky. He was a fair man, rather young, perhaps even younger than me, and he had the flicker of passion in his eyes, passion for a cause he believed in. He bade me to take a seat at his table on which a map of the fortress was spread out. Donnerfaust had told him my story, even briefer than I had told it. Kerentzky nodded, and dismissed his trusted aide, leaving me alone with him and a guard, a peasant with a long pike and two pistols shoved into his belt.
Count Kerentzky
Kerentzky smiled. "You seem to be a lucky person."
I could but nod.
He looked at me softly, then turned to his guard and asked him to see to it that I'd receive proper clothing, food, and wine. For the first time in years I received a proper meal, and was wearing fresh clothes. I thanked the count shortly, too occupied with eating. He smiled.
When he was sure I was not hungry anymore, he asked me to tell my story again, which I did again, this time more detailed,a s Kerentzky asked a number of question, obviously very interested in what I had come through.
When I had finished, he nodded. "I wish I could help you in your finding your way home. But as you can see..." He paused and laughed a bit. "I am a bit occupied at the moment."
Krentzky's face became grim, no friendliness was on it now, and I was distressed at first. He had the appearance of an angel of wrath preparing to strike vengeance on the sinners. I shuddered.
"The Emperor has risen taxes once again, while cutting back the priviliges of the local nobility and their faithful lieges", he explained. "This is why we fight, fighting to keep intact the order that was, and fighting against the Emperor who wants to expand his influence where it's inappropriate."
As quickly as his face had darkened, it now brightened up again, and I saw again the young, idealistic man before me. He looked directly at me and flashed me a bright smile. "There may be something I can do for you. I have relatives in Poland. Viscount Karentzky even exerts some influence at the court. He might be able to help you. I can provide you with a map to the border if you like, and a letter of recommendation." He thought briefly. "Well, and you need some gold, of course."
I was puzzled. Once again, someone I hardly knew offered me generous assistance. Was there providence after all? I dismissed that thought quickly, and asked, "Sire, why are you offering me such generous aid?"
He smiled. "I hold no great friendship for the Austrians. And anyone held unjust as a prisoner escaping from them deserves all help he can receive." His fingers reached for a crucifix pendant that hung from a fine silver chain around his neck. "Besides, I need to make up for my sins...." His voice was suddenly very weak and sad.
I felt tempted to inquire into this sadness, but thought better of it. "Thank you, Sire", was all I saw fit given under these circumstances.
Coutn Kerentzky smiled again, all sadness gone in an instant. "Catch a night's worth of sleep while I prepare everything for your departure."
I slept well that evening, free after so long a time, sleeping on a field bed that seemed like pure luxury after years on a hard bunk. I had bathed, shaved, and eaten well. I slept for what seemed like days, refreshing and very necessary to my mind and body.
I left the next day, well provided for by Count Kerentzky and made leave for the Polish border. It was not until years later, that I learned that Count Kerentzky's rebels were beaten before Krems, that he had been captured and publically hanged. And I learned that he had viciously killed many young girls among his lieges for his own unnatural desires before he began his fight against the opressors.
[Sorry, no update on gameplay yet, just a quick intermezzo which takes me to my new land to play, Poland.]
It took me a while to realize I was alive. I felt a bit of pain in my arm, but a quick check revealed that it was not broken. I hadn't opened my eyes yet, but I had felt some warm wetness through the rags that supposedly once were a sleeve of the clothing I had received in prison. Obviously I was bleeding. Slowly, reluctantly, I opened my eyes. Dust bit in them, and I closed them again. But not only that...there was a blinding light. Daylight. The sun was shining, into the collapsed part of the fortress that used to be my cell. I smiled, then laughed, seeing full daylight for the first time in three years. Ir ubbed over my bearded chin and looked outside.
Rebels were around the city, not too many of them, but still a rather considerable rag tag force. A cannon, an old antique gun, was aimed at the walls, firing another shot as I watched. Somewhere to my right there was a rumbling as the cannon ball hit the walls of the fortress at Krems. The insurgents were firing muskets at the defenders, as well, and I saw a few of them dieing from fire from the Austrian troops. I wondered what I should do. Run across the field, hoping to get through to the rebels and join them? Or should I remain where I was, relatively safe, but likely doomed to remain a prisoner?
I made my decision rather quickly. More time in this prison, as nicely as the guards had treated me, was nothing for a man who grew up in the bustling Istanbul, in the deserts of Africa, in the hills of Anatolia, who longed to return to the lands of his ancestors. I jumped from the debris, and ran as good and fast as I could towards the rebels, shouting in various languages not to shoot at me. I felt musket bullets swish through the air near me as I ran, waving all the time, not knowing if the rebels or the Austrians fired at me. I could see some rebels pointing at me, then at the Austrians behind and above me, and they began to cover my run with their fire.
The rebels were maybe 700 yards away, and the air bit in my lungs as I ran and ran, and I didn't notice I had passed the rebel lines until after I collapsed among them. A few of them gathered around me and asked me a hundred questions, which I answered as good as possible. They brought me water and I drank hastily. One of their leaders, a man who was called Donnerfaust (Thunderfist), a tall mountain of a man, approached me and asked who I was and why I was held imprisoned. He made it quite clear that if I should turn out to be convicted of a crime, they would have less mercy on me than my previous captors. I told him in brief my story. Donnerfaust nodded first, then said nothing for a while. He seemed to be deep and thought and looked at me, wondering whether or not my tale held true. I felt reminded of the officer who had taken me prisoner so long ago, but Donnerfaust's features were far friendlier, despite his menacing stature, than those of the Austrian soldier.
Eventually, Donnerfaust picked me up by my arm and I rose to the feet, or rather jumped, so hard was his pull. He notioned me to follow him and took me to a tent where the leader of the rebels was residing. I was introduced to him as Count Kerentzky. He was a fair man, rather young, perhaps even younger than me, and he had the flicker of passion in his eyes, passion for a cause he believed in. He bade me to take a seat at his table on which a map of the fortress was spread out. Donnerfaust had told him my story, even briefer than I had told it. Kerentzky nodded, and dismissed his trusted aide, leaving me alone with him and a guard, a peasant with a long pike and two pistols shoved into his belt.
Count Kerentzky
Kerentzky smiled. "You seem to be a lucky person."
I could but nod.
He looked at me softly, then turned to his guard and asked him to see to it that I'd receive proper clothing, food, and wine. For the first time in years I received a proper meal, and was wearing fresh clothes. I thanked the count shortly, too occupied with eating. He smiled.
When he was sure I was not hungry anymore, he asked me to tell my story again, which I did again, this time more detailed,a s Kerentzky asked a number of question, obviously very interested in what I had come through.
When I had finished, he nodded. "I wish I could help you in your finding your way home. But as you can see..." He paused and laughed a bit. "I am a bit occupied at the moment."
Krentzky's face became grim, no friendliness was on it now, and I was distressed at first. He had the appearance of an angel of wrath preparing to strike vengeance on the sinners. I shuddered.
"The Emperor has risen taxes once again, while cutting back the priviliges of the local nobility and their faithful lieges", he explained. "This is why we fight, fighting to keep intact the order that was, and fighting against the Emperor who wants to expand his influence where it's inappropriate."
As quickly as his face had darkened, it now brightened up again, and I saw again the young, idealistic man before me. He looked directly at me and flashed me a bright smile. "There may be something I can do for you. I have relatives in Poland. Viscount Karentzky even exerts some influence at the court. He might be able to help you. I can provide you with a map to the border if you like, and a letter of recommendation." He thought briefly. "Well, and you need some gold, of course."
I was puzzled. Once again, someone I hardly knew offered me generous assistance. Was there providence after all? I dismissed that thought quickly, and asked, "Sire, why are you offering me such generous aid?"
He smiled. "I hold no great friendship for the Austrians. And anyone held unjust as a prisoner escaping from them deserves all help he can receive." His fingers reached for a crucifix pendant that hung from a fine silver chain around his neck. "Besides, I need to make up for my sins...." His voice was suddenly very weak and sad.
I felt tempted to inquire into this sadness, but thought better of it. "Thank you, Sire", was all I saw fit given under these circumstances.
Coutn Kerentzky smiled again, all sadness gone in an instant. "Catch a night's worth of sleep while I prepare everything for your departure."
I slept well that evening, free after so long a time, sleeping on a field bed that seemed like pure luxury after years on a hard bunk. I had bathed, shaved, and eaten well. I slept for what seemed like days, refreshing and very necessary to my mind and body.
I left the next day, well provided for by Count Kerentzky and made leave for the Polish border. It was not until years later, that I learned that Count Kerentzky's rebels were beaten before Krems, that he had been captured and publically hanged. And I learned that he had viciously killed many young girls among his lieges for his own unnatural desires before he began his fight against the opressors.
[Sorry, no update on gameplay yet, just a quick intermezzo which takes me to my new land to play, Poland.
]
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***Chapter 5 - The Polish Cause***
It was early july 1709 when I reached the border to Poland. I was travelling as a commoner, the gold Count Kerentzky had supplied me with bought me passage and lodging where necessary. A guard at the border tried to make some difficulties at first. But as soon as I showed him my letter of recommendation he became very friendly.
Kerentzky's uncle, the Viscount Kerentzky, lived near Krakow, and I sought him out in his castle. He was a man very similar in appearance to his nephew. He was of course older, but his eyes were as passionate as those I had seen in the young Kerentzky. Finding him was not easy, as I spoke no Polish, and only few spoke French. I received an audience, and, clad in commoner's clothes as I was, I felt out of place at his small court, even though it was far from being of the splendour of that in Istanbul.
I handed him the letter from the young Count and he read it carefully. When he had finished he looked back up at me. "You are a friend of my nephew, I see. And you have a most unusual path behind you", he said in flawless French. He thought for a second. "Please stay with me a while. I will acquaint you to the Polish customs..." - at that he rolled his eyes in mockery - "...and see how I might help you out." I thanked him and retired to the chambers a servant showed me to.
I spent the next days with the Viscount, discussing various matters. He, like most I met who I told about my life, asked many questions, that I answered willingly. He also told me about the state Poland was in.
"Our king has pledged allegiance to Czar Peter. He hopes that this will give him protection, and raise him in his favor." Kerentzky snorted. "This used to be a powerful country, but today it is weak." He looked up at me. "I can well relate to how your Mustafa and Ahmed felt." He lit his pipe. "Poland a vassal of Russia! Who would have thought that!" Our army is small, King August II thinks we don't need it with Russia backing us."
He continued with his complaints. King August II had become a vassal of Czar Peter in 1703. A lot of members of the nobility, almost the whole Sjem, the assembly of the nobles, was against it, and the air smacked of revolt. Most thought that Russia was a rival, not a friend, and that Poland should seek its friends in the west. The king had already shown signs of giving in, but the main factor preventing breaking the pledge he gave, was a fear of war against Russia and her allies in Saxony and Denmark.
I could relate to the Viscount's concerns as he could to those of the Turkish sultans. Russia was emerging as a major force in Europe, and Poland was in danger of getting into the swirl of their expansion. I expressed my sincere sympathy for the cause of the Viscount, and as his family had helped me greatly, I felt obliged to offer my assistance, no matter how meager it might be, to their cause.
The Viscount was very glad about such an offer, and he discussed various proposals for the Polish king, that he wanted to present in the name of the Sjem. The most prominent would be to increase the military before breaking his vow. This would certainly be risky. He might regard the nobles who signed that petition as traitors. But disposing of them would have caused major uprisings. If he accepted, there'd be minor quabbles, but Poland would be free again.
It was a month later, august 1709, that the members of the Sjem met the king in Warszawa in a secret council to hand him their petition. I was present, watching the things from the back. King August was visibly shocked. He knew that without the support of the nobility his reign was doomed. He tried to argue hings in his favor, but in vain. Eventually, he had to agree. The military would be built up again, and, once strong enough, Poland would break loose from the Russian yoke.
That evening, however, at a soirée where many nobles were present, my fate was sealed.
It was early july 1709 when I reached the border to Poland. I was travelling as a commoner, the gold Count Kerentzky had supplied me with bought me passage and lodging where necessary. A guard at the border tried to make some difficulties at first. But as soon as I showed him my letter of recommendation he became very friendly.
Kerentzky's uncle, the Viscount Kerentzky, lived near Krakow, and I sought him out in his castle. He was a man very similar in appearance to his nephew. He was of course older, but his eyes were as passionate as those I had seen in the young Kerentzky. Finding him was not easy, as I spoke no Polish, and only few spoke French. I received an audience, and, clad in commoner's clothes as I was, I felt out of place at his small court, even though it was far from being of the splendour of that in Istanbul.
I handed him the letter from the young Count and he read it carefully. When he had finished he looked back up at me. "You are a friend of my nephew, I see. And you have a most unusual path behind you", he said in flawless French. He thought for a second. "Please stay with me a while. I will acquaint you to the Polish customs..." - at that he rolled his eyes in mockery - "...and see how I might help you out." I thanked him and retired to the chambers a servant showed me to.
I spent the next days with the Viscount, discussing various matters. He, like most I met who I told about my life, asked many questions, that I answered willingly. He also told me about the state Poland was in.
"Our king has pledged allegiance to Czar Peter. He hopes that this will give him protection, and raise him in his favor." Kerentzky snorted. "This used to be a powerful country, but today it is weak." He looked up at me. "I can well relate to how your Mustafa and Ahmed felt." He lit his pipe. "Poland a vassal of Russia! Who would have thought that!" Our army is small, King August II thinks we don't need it with Russia backing us."
He continued with his complaints. King August II had become a vassal of Czar Peter in 1703. A lot of members of the nobility, almost the whole Sjem, the assembly of the nobles, was against it, and the air smacked of revolt. Most thought that Russia was a rival, not a friend, and that Poland should seek its friends in the west. The king had already shown signs of giving in, but the main factor preventing breaking the pledge he gave, was a fear of war against Russia and her allies in Saxony and Denmark.
I could relate to the Viscount's concerns as he could to those of the Turkish sultans. Russia was emerging as a major force in Europe, and Poland was in danger of getting into the swirl of their expansion. I expressed my sincere sympathy for the cause of the Viscount, and as his family had helped me greatly, I felt obliged to offer my assistance, no matter how meager it might be, to their cause.
The Viscount was very glad about such an offer, and he discussed various proposals for the Polish king, that he wanted to present in the name of the Sjem. The most prominent would be to increase the military before breaking his vow. This would certainly be risky. He might regard the nobles who signed that petition as traitors. But disposing of them would have caused major uprisings. If he accepted, there'd be minor quabbles, but Poland would be free again.
It was a month later, august 1709, that the members of the Sjem met the king in Warszawa in a secret council to hand him their petition. I was present, watching the things from the back. King August was visibly shocked. He knew that without the support of the nobility his reign was doomed. He tried to argue hings in his favor, but in vain. Eventually, he had to agree. The military would be built up again, and, once strong enough, Poland would break loose from the Russian yoke.
That evening, however, at a soirée where many nobles were present, my fate was sealed.
***Chapter 6 - The Viscount***
At the soirée I was introduced to a young Countess named Catherine, daughter to Prince Tuvalski. She was a joyful girl of eighteen, and to say that I was smitten at first sight was a vast understatement. We conversed in the tight bonds that etiquette forced upon us, but we did manage to arrange for further meetings, all within socially acceptable settings. I will not elaborate here my feelings for her, as all who have been in love once will know them, and those who haven't will likely ridicule them. It became apparent, however, that there was a bond forming between us.
Her father was a gentle man, and he was friendly towards me. However, I knew he wouldn't allow his daughter to marry a commoner, and this put the most grievous strain onto my heart. And so, although we could spend time with each other, we knew we could never be together under such circumstances. And so, time passed. Sometimes I was eager to leave it all, away from this pain, and to England, leaving Viscount Karentzky, who had taken me into his service and whose trusted aide I became. Then again, I knew I couldn't leave the vicinity of Catherine, and I watched jealously that she took no other suitors, and her father seemed reluctant to give her hand to someone she didn't approve of.
My beloved Catherine
By 1711, the Polish army had grown in size to an extent that they could measure up with the Russians. The marshals Poniatowski and Sapieha were able commanders over their troops. The Viscount Kerentzky had become a very good friend and benefactor. He treated me almost like a son. My love for Catherine was still tested by not being able to make our relationship official. It was shortly after my 28th birthday in april of that year that Kerentzky received the news of his nephew executed for treason against the Emperor of Austria. This put him in great distress, for the Count was to be his heir, as he had no offspring himself.
After a week of mourning, he summoned me to him, asking me what he should do.
"Sire", said I, "you are not too old to marry. You could still have..."
He smiled weakly, interrupting me with a wave of his hand. "Look at me", he said. I am over 70 now. I have seen so much in my life, and I don't think now is the time for marriage." He sighed. "But I do need a heir." He looked at me. "Samuel, I love you like a son, and you have been the closest friend I have had in over ten years."
I smiled, flattered. "Thank you, Sire."
He smiled a bit softer, his wrinkled face grimacing slightly. "Don't call me Sire, Samuel."
I looked at him puzzled. "But..."
"I'd like for you to call me father." He looked at me expectingly.
I looked back, trying to understand what he was offering me here. He wanted to adopt me, a penniless young man as his son, someone he hadn't known until two years ago. Someone who had nothing but the most extraordinary luck in his life. Who still wanted to go home to England...and who would be bound to Poland by such an offer...bound to Catherine...
I kneeled down before him, tears in my eyes, and took his hand, kissing it. "I...I don't know..."
I could feel that he smiled as he laid his hand on my head. "It is alright, my son."
And so I became Samuel Kerentzky. Which felt odd, as I hadn't had a last name until then, not knowing my true roots. It was not a month later that I was finally marrying Catherine, making her my beloved wife and taking her to live at Kerentzky Castle near Krakow. Shortly thereafter, King August II delivered a formal note to Moscow, proclaiming that Poland would no longer need Russian protection. This sent the country through violent tremors, as there were still some among the nobility who would have liked to move even closer to the Russians. To counter any such movements, members of the Sjem mingled their families with the nobility of France, Austria, and Venice. The aristocrats saw a chance to put more strains on the king, demanding higher pensions. If he did not comply, they would go into armed revolts. Reluctantly, the King agreed. Rumors had it that the king had to lend money to finance this.
At least it was a peaceful time. I became involved with royal trade, and saw to it that the markets developed to our favor. In november 1712, Catherine gave birth to a child, our firstborn son. We called him Peter, after the old Viscount, thus honouring the generosity I had experienced from him. The baptizing became a feast that even I, who only observed the religious rules for reasons of etiquette, enjoyed immensely and which was a splendid feast.
On september 2nd, 1713, Viscount Peter Kerentzky died. It was a hard time, and my heart was filled with sincere grief. Now I was the Viscount Kerentzky. Often at night, I was lieing in bed, wondering what I had done to deserve such a luck. For the first time in my life I was contented with what I had and did, I was with a woman I loved, had a son I was very proud of. How long could such a streak of good luck last?
At the soirée I was introduced to a young Countess named Catherine, daughter to Prince Tuvalski. She was a joyful girl of eighteen, and to say that I was smitten at first sight was a vast understatement. We conversed in the tight bonds that etiquette forced upon us, but we did manage to arrange for further meetings, all within socially acceptable settings. I will not elaborate here my feelings for her, as all who have been in love once will know them, and those who haven't will likely ridicule them. It became apparent, however, that there was a bond forming between us.
Her father was a gentle man, and he was friendly towards me. However, I knew he wouldn't allow his daughter to marry a commoner, and this put the most grievous strain onto my heart. And so, although we could spend time with each other, we knew we could never be together under such circumstances. And so, time passed. Sometimes I was eager to leave it all, away from this pain, and to England, leaving Viscount Karentzky, who had taken me into his service and whose trusted aide I became. Then again, I knew I couldn't leave the vicinity of Catherine, and I watched jealously that she took no other suitors, and her father seemed reluctant to give her hand to someone she didn't approve of.
My beloved Catherine
By 1711, the Polish army had grown in size to an extent that they could measure up with the Russians. The marshals Poniatowski and Sapieha were able commanders over their troops. The Viscount Kerentzky had become a very good friend and benefactor. He treated me almost like a son. My love for Catherine was still tested by not being able to make our relationship official. It was shortly after my 28th birthday in april of that year that Kerentzky received the news of his nephew executed for treason against the Emperor of Austria. This put him in great distress, for the Count was to be his heir, as he had no offspring himself.
After a week of mourning, he summoned me to him, asking me what he should do.
"Sire", said I, "you are not too old to marry. You could still have..."
He smiled weakly, interrupting me with a wave of his hand. "Look at me", he said. I am over 70 now. I have seen so much in my life, and I don't think now is the time for marriage." He sighed. "But I do need a heir." He looked at me. "Samuel, I love you like a son, and you have been the closest friend I have had in over ten years."
I smiled, flattered. "Thank you, Sire."
He smiled a bit softer, his wrinkled face grimacing slightly. "Don't call me Sire, Samuel."
I looked at him puzzled. "But..."
"I'd like for you to call me father." He looked at me expectingly.
I looked back, trying to understand what he was offering me here. He wanted to adopt me, a penniless young man as his son, someone he hadn't known until two years ago. Someone who had nothing but the most extraordinary luck in his life. Who still wanted to go home to England...and who would be bound to Poland by such an offer...bound to Catherine...
I kneeled down before him, tears in my eyes, and took his hand, kissing it. "I...I don't know..."
I could feel that he smiled as he laid his hand on my head. "It is alright, my son."
And so I became Samuel Kerentzky. Which felt odd, as I hadn't had a last name until then, not knowing my true roots. It was not a month later that I was finally marrying Catherine, making her my beloved wife and taking her to live at Kerentzky Castle near Krakow. Shortly thereafter, King August II delivered a formal note to Moscow, proclaiming that Poland would no longer need Russian protection. This sent the country through violent tremors, as there were still some among the nobility who would have liked to move even closer to the Russians. To counter any such movements, members of the Sjem mingled their families with the nobility of France, Austria, and Venice. The aristocrats saw a chance to put more strains on the king, demanding higher pensions. If he did not comply, they would go into armed revolts. Reluctantly, the King agreed. Rumors had it that the king had to lend money to finance this.
At least it was a peaceful time. I became involved with royal trade, and saw to it that the markets developed to our favor. In november 1712, Catherine gave birth to a child, our firstborn son. We called him Peter, after the old Viscount, thus honouring the generosity I had experienced from him. The baptizing became a feast that even I, who only observed the religious rules for reasons of etiquette, enjoyed immensely and which was a splendid feast.
On september 2nd, 1713, Viscount Peter Kerentzky died. It was a hard time, and my heart was filled with sincere grief. Now I was the Viscount Kerentzky. Often at night, I was lieing in bed, wondering what I had done to deserve such a luck. For the first time in my life I was contented with what I had and did, I was with a woman I loved, had a son I was very proud of. How long could such a streak of good luck last?
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