The passage of time dulls memory and erodes the edges of truth. This is especially true when the keepers of that history have a vested interest in shaping things to their own advantage. This was the case with Lord Demian. He was one of few nobles in all of Pskov who had known Domazhir; indeed he was his oldest child. His influence had been felt throughout the reign of Vsevolod I, his brother, and Zinovii, his nephew. The ascension of Leontii to the throne provided another opportunity for the crafty count to assert his power.
As the most seasoned member of the court, and the eldest in the family, Lord Demian was charged with educating the new Duke about the history of the House of Pskov. Leontii’s training had been as a militarist, at which he excelled. But, a true ruler had to have some knowledge of history. It was in this way that Demian influenced the young Duke.
Day by day, Demian sent to Leontii the chronicles of the House of Pskov, chronicles that he himself had commissioned, written, and edited. Needless to say, the overall intention was to paint Demian in the most positive light possible, and to convince the young Duke of the necessity of heeding his advice above all else.
Leontii himself was the most gifted ruler to sit on the throne of Pskov. He was a brilliant strategist and diplomat. Not only that. He was also heir, through his mother, to the throne of Polotsk. The political maneuverings of his grandfather, though clumsy, had been effective. Unlike his predecessors however, Leontii was a true leader.
As he read through the chronicles of the House of Pskov, it was clear to him that his uncle, Count Demian, was jockeying for influence and position. Leontii did not mind. He knew that Demian was a wise man, and so he would willingly listen to his advice. What he would not do was to be controlled by him.
