Union Court of Pskov-Novgorod

[N Katsyev]

Pskovskeey Kremlin​

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Mina slipt her arm through Miquel's and led him down the hallway slowly as he spoke seeing that this would take a more direct approach. She cast her eyes down to the floor as they walked as if in thought before nodding and turning her face to him with a barely perceptible smile, "Well, I am glad to know that by something so easy I can make happy those to whom we owe a notable debt of gratitude. Not only of course for the obvious - the skills they have imparted to our own craftsmen and crews, but also for their hard work and dedication of service. In fact, if your King would be willing, I think it would be appropriate to award our new residents with some sort of bonus don't you? Maybe the equivelant of twenty roobls from your crown's treasury and for my part I shall grant them lands around one of our newest settlements at Zavidgrad."

She paused for a moment letting Miquel think over her propostion. They reached a door with two Kremlin guards outside and she stopped, turning to face Miquel fully, "One last thing Miquel? It seems you saved the most complicated and involved issue for last. Not a wise thing to do when speaking to a woman with many demands upon her time and not enough of the latter to be sufficient. Maybe we can finish this trade discussion some other time?" The tone of her voice and the expression on her face while pleasing was stern and spoke what words her lips did not utter, that this last sentence would of course be the case. "Da sveedanya Miquel, your chambers are awaiting you just as you have left them." With a slight nod Mina passed through the door of her study and shut it behind her...

 

[Mettermrck]

Syevernaya Gryadka

”As you can see, they’ve finished putting in this little side gate. It’s a modest affair, but I thought it has a couple nice uses. For one, it swings eastward and strikes the main road east of Pskov, the one that goes to Novgorod? That way we can go to that fair city without bustling through crowded Pskov,” Joao said with a wink. He turned his horse slightly so he had a better view of the gate. Yelezevita sat next to him, as they were out on one of their frequent tours of the construction. Joao found great pleasure in showing her the latest projects that were developed or completed, and enjoyed the excited eye she had for the elegance and opulence with which he was bringing their home to life. ”It’s also a quiet private road, that has a cutoff near here that swings to the main road to Pskov. So if we ever need discretion in coming to and from our home, we can make use of this.”

They turned and slowly trotted back to the main grounds, a few hundred yards away through dense patch of forest Joao had left intact for maximum effect and privacy. It came upon them suddenly, the main grounds, when suddenly the blanket of trees, snow-covered and melting, gave way to a vast open panorama. It still had much left to be completed, but Joao was already starting to have his breath catch each time he saw it anew. Syevernaya Gryadka...the large white building with its grand architecture, large windows, and imposing grip on the flat lands below its namesake ridge. And inside, a grand open courtyard that led elegantly to the rear gate and grounds, where someday, when the weather, improved, magnificent gardens would be planted.

He turned to Yelezevita with a grin and pointed out the large oak side doors that had just been put in the previous day. ”Now the entire interior is enclosed as we want it, and all doors and partitions are in place, though you can still make some modifications to the spacing of the rooms. All in all...one hundred and fifty of them. And four hundred servants.” He sighed with pride. ”I so long for the day when we can truly make this ours. Not much longer, my dear.” Joao reached out and squeezed her hand, which was as cold as his, so he caressed it gently to warm it, before beckoning towards the front entrance.

As they rode, he began discussing the idea he had had the previous week. ”One good snowstorm, and I’m out like a hibernating bear on your father’s couch,” Joao laughed, grinning. ”I know nothing of running an estate in weather like this, and I know you do. So I wanted to bring to your attention, if you haven’t already thought of it, of course, for hiring a steward for administering the more menial duties. After all, this is for your comfort, not for your labor. I leave the decision up to you, naturally. In these matters, I respect your judgement. And since the interior is your domain, you’ll be needing to work closely with a new steward.” He nodded in emphasis, and they continued to ride down the main pathway that would serve as the main gate.

”They’ve cleared several thousand yards of forest to form a nice wide avenue. They’ll grade it here at the front so a visitor will see the main house up on a hill like, and we can see off to the main road. Eventually in the spring, I’d like to put in a set of small bushes or trees, to highlight this display. Ach! How I love it so!” He grinned, looking at her, excitement in his eyes.

 

[N Katsyev]

Pytalovo​

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As Azim spoke Golytsin's eyes went back to the portrait of his sister in law, he remembered once watching the artist transfer the delicate lines of the then nineteen year old Princess onto the material that now rest above this mantle. It almost seemed surreal to look at Mina so, no matter how good the artist he realized - one could never reproduce Mina. For being simply in her presence, being near her, the teasing and tantalizing sensation that any moment you may actually come into contact with this creature - all of this could never be transferred to a simple image.

Azim's last remark however brought Mikhail's eyes once more away from the portrait and onto his brother of profession, he raised a large bushy eyebrow slightly, "I would say you are right - though i'm not sure how any man can ever expect to truly and completely intuit the interests of his puppeteer. Though you sound as if you have your Mina very well figured out, we are all still guessing of ours - we have conjectures of course, everyone has their own interpretation. I love Mina as family, respect her as a sovereign and admire her for her devotion, yet I would never once take the chance of assuming for her."

All at once his face which had become rather hard and thoughtful began to soften and he smiled, taking his eyes finally off the portrait and onto his audience, "Right, to the task at hand." Mikhail rose up out his seat and beckoned Azim to follow him as he led the way over to a desk with a map ready and stretched out upon it. He leaned onto the table in a stance that had obvious been practiced uncounted times before and turned his eyes up to meet Azim, "I must admit to actually being rather excited... we have planned this for so long, and now to have the opportunity to set some of this in motion... it is almost thrilling. Now..." , began Golytsin as he proceeded to start talking over the plans with Azim...

 

[N Katsyev]

Syevernaya Gryadka​

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Lizaveta Melnikova shifted a bit in her saddle as a cool breeze overtook them in front of the gate. Her cold blue eyes which seemed to fit so perfectly with the surroundings glancing between Joao and what he would indicate, his voice carrying strongly over the wind and the cracking of the branches in his obvious excitement. He then led the way as they turned and began heading for the main grounds, Yeleziveta cast another glance over her shoulder at the 'discreet' road before looking forward again, speaking though not facing Joao but the scenery ahead, "Sometimes I get the feeling you were planning this home long before you met me. It seems you've thought of everything to such a mastery that would take years to acquire."

She's was actually rather surprised when he mentioned the eventual dimensions of the home for the fire time. Her bottom lip dropping slightly and her eyes widdening in a way that cast a most delightfully novel look across her face, "So large with so many servants and only you and I... " The edge of her lips curled with a wickedly amused smile, "Perfect." She paused and urged her horse closer to Joao's and taking her hand in his while they looked about them. She smiled in a most feminine and desirous nature and laid her head against Joao's arm that she pulled toward her, "I've been thinking... There are so many lands i've not been to, including your own. And we shall travel much... yes? And with so many rooms, I think it would be a crime if we decorated them all in the more traditional ways. I doubt we will need many for a time - what if we were to as we travelled collect things along the way. Diversify by theme, and of course we can import from places we'll never go to..." In her moment of coquettery forgetting for the time his words about the steward.

 

[Blade!]

.... "I must admit to actually being rather excited... we have planned this for so long, and now to have the opportunity to set some of this in motion... it is almost thrilling. Now..." , began Golytsin as he proceeded to start talking over the plans with Azim...

Azim kept his eyes on the map, silently mouthing the Russian names of these lands and reconciling them with the names he knew if any. He traced his finger on the map and began to speak, as he pointed at...

...after the three night's intense work, and many mugs of the potent Russian drink, Azim and Aladdin boarded their sleigh and whipped back up the road towards Pskov. Strangely enough, Azim felt warmer.

 

[Mettermrck]

Syevernaya Gryadka

Joao's eyes acquired a faraway look when Yelezevita mentioned the planning of such a residence. He turned to her with a warm smile. "You know one of the reasons I love you is your nobility. You're beautiful, refined, and are conscious of who you are and what you expect out of life. This...", he pointed to the building and its grounds. ...this is part of what I dreamed of and what I hoped I would one day come to expect. And when I knew that you would become my wife...well, I knew that it was not you being worthy of this building. Rather much the opposite. And I knew you, more than anyone, could appreciate this dream of mine." Flushing a little at having opened up so much, he squeezed her hand and went back to looking at the main building.

And as Yelezevita spoke of travelling, his wides widened with excitement. "Oh yes, my dear. I remember at Isaborska I told you I pictured you holding high style in the Lisbon court, and that was no idle flattery. And think of all the courts we'll visit along the way. Perhaps...well, once we're settled in here...I'll take you to Portugal and kingdoms and courts along the way. What a grand pair we will make!"

 

[unmerged(10364)]

A simply dressed man enters the court of Pskov-Novgorod. He begins to speak.

"Mighty Union Court of the Republic of Pskov-Novgorod,

I am Ivan Vadislaw, ambassador to the court of Serbia. My king, Stefan Brankovic, has sent me here to further our friendship between our two countries. He hopes that we will be able to gain a mutual understanding. If you wish for me to stay here, say so or I'll head home to not disturb you. By the way, my king has given me this sealed letter for you."

He awaits the answer.

 

[N Katsyev]

Great Hall, Pskovskeey Kremlin​

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It was sunday and the daily flocks of audience seekers was habitually not-present as with the exception of foreign digniatries the Czarina saw nobody on sundays. Ivan Vladislaw was led by Alexei Timkin into the hall, flanked on either side by Kremlin guards and they quietly approached the Czarina seated at her usual table and reading as well as nursing a small bowl of shchi.

Told beforehand of the Serbian's coming when her beautiful gray eyes rose to meet his image they betrayed no surprise. She lay her spoon down in the bowl with a slight clink and shifted in her seat to face him better. She exchanged a look with the guards on either side before returning her eyes to Ivan and motioning him to take the seat at the table opposite her.

Alexei Timkin took the sealed letter from Ivan and set it into the Czarina's outstretched palm who went about opening it. Her eyes rising briefly from the letter only once to Ivan, "Hungry?" The servants did not even await Ivan's response before walking off and soon returning with a bowl of the cabbage soup with chunks of kielbasa for the Serbian and setting it before him.

Mina finished going over the letter and set it down on the table before her. Her arms clasped about her waist, she watched him silently for a moment a look bordering on sarcastic amusement on her face, "Before I even consider consenting to helping you. I think you should probably tell me a thing or two about Srvye. I must admit, it is far from my own lands and my knoweledge of its recent history is by nature broken at best. Though my ambassador in the region has written to me a number of times now as to the state of things in the Balkans. Some of the things I hear about Srvye are most displeasing indeed. I don't suppose there is anything you would like to clear up for me? Any possible points of contention you would wish to explain?" Mina paused, the same expression remaining, awaiting Ivan's response.

 

[Blade!]

Azim was bitter chilled from the sleigh ride back to the Kremlin in Pskov. Any illusionary feeling of warmth he had derived from the productive trip, or anticipation of returning towards the warm halls of Pskov, had long since dissapated in the face of the biting wind and heavy snow. He returned to his room to see the servants start the fire, but upon seeing Alladin shivering, Azim decided to move their persons to the Great Hall and its fire.

As he approached the Great Hall he inquired with the guard at the door as to whether this was a good time to enter.

 

[unmerged(10364)]

Ivan took a spponfull of the soup.

"Hmmm, excellent. Well, Czarina, what would you like me to clarify for you? There are a lot of rumours going around..."

 

[N Katsyev]

Melnikov Residence, Pskov​

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The snow melting under an ever-stronger Russian spring sun was dealt another serious blow by one of Russia's finest warriors. His horse's hooves smashing it into the slushy mud below as it carried him toward his destination. Indeed the gray horse's belly and legs as well as the lower half of the rider were both speckled in mud and grime from the ride north to the city.

Yeleziveta and Joao were walking in the gardens at the fore of the house, servants busy about them cleaning and making some sort of sense out of the world of mud that was northern Russia in spring. Lizaveta turned her head to look at the oncoming warrior who looked so alien compared to the peaceful scenery around. His long hair shaggily hanging unkempt about his shoulders from under his helm, the various blemishes on his armour that indicated the striking of weapons, the mud that covered both he and his mount, the scabbard at his side that housed a wicked sword and the long lance he supported in his right hand.

A sight that on a battlefield would make even the strongest man's stomach begin to turn only lifted the heart of the notorious socialite and her fiance. Yelezvieta pressed Joao's hand before letting go of him and taking the first few steps toward the warrior who was entering the yard, and called out to him, "Kak vashi dyela, bayetz!?"

The muddy warrior stopped and tossed down his lance, its long wooden pole bouncing only once with its impact into the soft earth. Yelezvieta's eyebrow raised slightly as the figure did not answer, only seemed to shift a bit in his saddle. Finally however the response came when the warrior called out, "Yah!" and pressed his heels to the horse who then charged forward. Yeleziveta let out a shriek as the horse's powerful galloping legs sent a spray of slush, mud and water in all directions, including all over her dress and figure. The warrior reached down from his saddle in a deft movement, lifting her off the earth and with the ease of his powerful arm set her on the back of the horse behind him.

Yelezvieta screamed and struck the warrior's cuirass with her hand, "Volodya, you've gone mad! I shan't let you marry that poor delicate Syerinka if you treat her so!" She ruefully shook her hand yet held tightly onto Vladimir's torso with the other arm as they came about in a circle in front of the home.

Vladimir pulled ever so gently at the reigns and they slowed as they neared Joao. He reached up and pulled the helm from his head and tucked it under his arm. Before turning a grinning face to Yeleziveta over his shoulder, "Pleasant day for a ride don't you think Liza?" Yeleziveta did her best to cast him a glance of daggers but caught up in the excitement of the moment and somewhat humbled by her apperance could not help but crack up in laughter and giggles much as she had exchanged with this same man when they were both small children. She took some of the mud from her dress and smeared it into Vladimir's face.

Vladimir turned to Joao, one half of his face covered in mud gradually being shaken off by his own laughter, "How are things your excellency?" Vladimir winking with the one at least somewhat clean side of his face.

 

[Mettermrck]

Melnikov Residence

Joao turned to regard the galloping knight, and for a moment, thought this was the lost Melnikov brother come home, Yuri. Only his bellow and grin clued him in that this was Vladimir, and he smiled as he watched Yelezevita walk off towards him. Joao followed slowly, stepping carefully in the deepening mud, deciding not to venture too far in the muck.

With shocked horror, he watched Vladimir gallop past his sister, dousing her with copious amounts of mud, turning her from a blonde beauty into some sort of an unformed pottery sculpture. Instinctively, he gasped, until through her shrieks of delight and tantrum, he could tell this was brother and sister in a family ritual that surprised neither. With a rueful grin, he stepped closer, watching the two greet each other, nodding to Vladimir as he trotted closer. "I'm doing splendidly, Sir Vladimir. I'm thinking you're probably the only knight on this earth brave enough to pull off that maneuver."

He heard a door opened, and turned to watch a figure step out from the main building, curious to see what was going on. With her unkempt robes, and fur cloak hastily thrown-over her bodice, Serena looked as if she had dashed from her chair, anxious to see her champion returned home. She raced out a few steps, a wide anxious smile on her face, only to rear up in horror at the ghastly muddy sight of Vladimir and Yelezevita atop his horse. With a slow descent into nervous fright, she stumbled backwards, taking a few tentative steps back towards the house, and moving back inside. Whatever was wrong, she wasn't prepared for it.

 

[N Katsyev]

Foyer, Pskovskeey Kremlin​

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The guard at the door, Sviatslav, nodded his head respctfully to Azim, "I assume the Czarina will be with you shortly if you don't mind waiting a bit? I understand she is meeting with an emissary from Srvye. Is there anything I can have the servants bring you while you wait?"

Great Hall, Pskovskeey Kremlin​

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Mina's full lips slowly descended to form a line showing neither displeasure nor the opposite - though the faces of Alexei and the two guards probably were more telling. One of the guards started as if to take hold of Ivan's shoulder but a quick halting glance from the Czarina cut abrupt the measure. Mina watched the Serbian take the spoonful to his mouth and raised a finely kept eyebrow, waiting until he had begun to chew to speak, "Do you take me for a fool?"

Her gray eyes flashed as she stood from the table and glared back down on the Serbian whom she now appeared much more tall then as he sat, she paced for only a moment with her head bowed slighlty as if in thought before she turned her gaze onto Ivan again, "You've come a long way, I wouldn't suggest making that journey and your own life forfeit by playing the idiot. Rumours such as the validity of your rulers, of your crusade to convert our slavic brothers to the papist faith, of your instigating a war against Venice. These and many more, tell me something convincing otherwise and we may just be able to avoid this meeting ending in a most unpleasant fashion."

Mina's features began to relax slightly and she stepped around to Ivan's side of the table. She pulled a chair from next to him, the graceful beautiful figure of the Czarina sat next to him, facing him with her torso and crossing her legs. She leaned her head against her hand, resting on the table letting her hair fall about her arm and a slight smile came at the corner of her mouth, her voice came somewhat softly if not directly, "Now, my dear Vanya, you may enlighten me." Her eyes glanced only briefly up at the guard who firmly laid his hand on Ivan's shoulder before turning them back on Ivan.

 

[unmerged(10364)]

Ivan didn't look scared nor angry. He took another spoonfull of the soup, wiped his mouth with his hand and began to talk, eye to eye to the Czarina.

"Dearest Czarina, I was not playing fool at all. I was assuring that we both talked about the same problems taht my country is now encountering. Misinterpretation as plagued my country since it's humble beginings. You wish to know the whole story? Very well then. After you hear it, you may judge me and my country.

First, I will talk about Djuradj Brankovic. He was a humble king but made some errors along the path. He freed Serbia from vassalization to Venice, killing numerous Venetians along his freedom war. Then, shortly before his death, he restablished contact with Venice and made himself friends with the Doge. He then fell ill and died. The general of all armed forces then, was General Mikhail Obrenovic. He decided to make a coup d'état. He suceeded in killing all of his opposition.

Then, he expanded our relations with Venice. He was so blinded by Venetia's corruption that he nearly started a war with Moldavia to further the Doge's interests. However, Obrenovic had not killed all of his opposition. Djuradj's son was still alive and forming a coalition. A civil war erupted and Venice used this turmoil to declare war to Serbia. Djuradj's heir won the civil war and Obrenovic died.

Now, there was a venetian ambassador named Abramo. He was arrested and sent to jail. However, he died. King Stefan ordered his corpse to be sent to an individual grave with all the usual ceremonies but some soldiers disobeyded his orders and instead, dragged the corpse in the streets of the capital and later, threw it in a common grave. Upon hearing this, my king arrested the soldiers in question and they were sent to prison.

For what you claim about a crusade is totaly wrong. Serbia has had no entention to start any kind of crusade to convert people to any religion. The pope in Rome simply offered my king to convert to Christianity to save his country. Only him.. and he thaught long and hard about it. He wasn,t so sure and demanded a solution to end the conflict with Venice before converting. However, since then, the Pope has not sent any message.

Also, may I point out to you that Serbia never did anything to provoke a declaration of war from Venice. The Doge simply taught it was a good time to vassalize us again since our country was in civil war. However, his plans went not so as planed since king Stefan has won the war and now refusing to revassalize to Venetia. it must be pointed out that Venice had no reason to declare war since Serbia was willing to open her borders to the fullest and to sign numerous treaties. I hope it satisfies your need of information dear Czarina."

 

[N Katsyev]

Melnikov Residence, Pskov​

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Vladimir smiled at Joao and was about to respond when he saw Serena emerge from the door, his heart immediately leaping at her sight. However his forehead furrowed as she looked aghast almost in terror as she looked upon them and fled back into the house. Vladimir gave only a momentary and curious glance once more to Joao before turning, swinging his leg agily over the horses's neck and slipping from the saddle into the mud.

Running with a respectable speed for a man armoured so he cleared the distance between himself and the front steps and bounded them up three at a time. Yeleziveta looked with shocked outrage as her brother abandoned her on top of the gray beast, now casually walking about without its master. She turned to Joao, her eyes narrowing though she could still barely contain a smile that wanted to come to her face, "Get me off this beast!"

Vladimir pressed open the barely closed doors, his footsteps resounding loudly against the wooden floor he was now tracking mud across from his caked boots and that still dripping from his face and armoured torso. Serena was there hudled near the floor and his face instantly softened, guessing at the cause of her odd behavior. He stepped forward and knelt before her, the chain of his hauberk clanging against the wooden floor with the motion. He bowed his head before her, the tangled long golden hair falling about his face and spoke lowly, "Your champion returns, wounded only in the heart by his great desire to be with you once more my love. Wounds which I expect shall heal quickly... and you shall not worry my pet, for I do promise to bathe imminently."

 

[Blade!]

The guard at the door, Sviastslav, nodded his head respctfully to Azim, "I assume the Czarina will be with you shortly if you don't mind waiting a bit? I understand she is meeting with an emissary from Srvye. Is there anything I can have the servants bring you while you wait?"

*Azim smiled at Sviastlav*

"Ah thank you... some warm soup and vodka would be most appreciated. Please do not indicate that there is any pressing need, I do not wish to disturb the Czarina and her load of work. Warm food will keep me fine company, as I await her luxury of time."

 

[Mettermrck]

As Vladimir ran towards the main house, Joao put out his hands to help Yelezevita down from the horse, struggling to contain his mirth, not completely sure how she would react to the laugh that was threatening to escape him. As he set her down, he held her close, grinning at her, and knowing that his mischief was going to cost him - but he couldn't resist. Running his finger down her cheek, which was muddy from Vladimir's ride, he pretended to study the mud on his fingertip. "My dear. I believe brown is definitely not your color."

Indoors, a nervous Serena was leaning on the wall, wondering just what Vladimir's meant in such condition. He looked as if he had seen a campaign or a battle. And when he burst through the door, she let out an involuntary shriek. Her fright was quickly dissipitated by his reassuring words and soon she was smiling sheepishly. Turning towards him, she placed her hands on his cheeks, with a nervous smile. "Oh, Volodya...I worry too much. I don't care about a bathe, you silly man, now that you're home." And with a coy giggle, she hugged him close, not caring about the dirt and grime that got on her dress, just glad that Vladimir was home, and unhurt.

 

[unmerged(9167)]

Miquel was relaxing in his room when the knock on door came. He frowned and walked to the door. He opened it and sighed when he saw that it is Sir Basileus. Miquel doesn't want to see Basileus, not now. However, this is a loyal soldier to King Constantine, so Miquel welcomed Basileus into his chamber. Miquel spoke,

What can I do for you, Basileus?

Basileus walked and looked out of the window for a moment. He then turned to Miquel, with only little pain. Basileus took pleasure in that fact, that he is able to move to some extent now. Then he answered Miquel with uneasiness,

Do you know where Sveltana lives?

Miquel was puzzled and asked,

Who is she?

Miquel thought that Basileus seemed strangely tact and almost shy. It seemed to be way out of character of Basileus. He wonders what is up. At that moment, Basileus answered with his normal bluntness,

Svetlana Zhakaryevna Kharina.

Miquel shook his head, to show that he doesn't know who Svetlana Zhakaryevna Kharina is. Basileus was disappointed but he covered it up with a smile. Miquel asked of what is up with him. Basileus answered,

She was a kind woman... I met her at dance during the celebration of the engagement of Joao and Yelezevita. She was wonderful dancer and sweet. I would like to see her again as I haven't seen her since the dance.

He sighed then noticed that Miquel seemed to be very surprised and possibily in shock. He asked Miquel with concerning tone in Greek, a slip of tongue,

What is matter, Miquel?

Miquel couldn't follow what Basileus said for he was in shock and he wasn't fluent with Greek even as Greek is one of two court tongue in Zaragoza. Then Basileus asked the same question but this time in fluent Russian, of which they have conversed in. Basileus smiled slightly as he thought to himself, "How interesting... I am speaking much better Russian than I am with Catalan now. To such extent where my Greek accept is almost completely gone in Russian yet, my Catalan tends to have thick Greek accent. Whereas, Miquel is very fluent with Russian but only rusty Greek. How irony, we are both subject to the same ruler yet, we need to communicate in foreign language." Then at at this moment, his thought process was broken as Miquel answered,

Well, I had a hope for her... Are you sure that she is engaged to Joao?

Basileus nodded. Miquel sighed in despair. Basileus had a slight frown, as he regretted bringing the pain to his friend but he will find out soon enough anyway. Miquel seemed to be very quiet for now. Basileus was concerned about this. He spoke,

There are, as we say in Roman Empire, plenty of fishes in sea. Just catch another fish if a fisherman captured the fish you are trying to reel in. Trust me... if it is meant to be, it is meant to.

Miquel gave no answer. Then he looked up and whispered,

Thank you for trying to help me. I would like to have a moment to myself, if you don't mind. You could try to speak with an official in court about Kharin, or even find the directory.

Basileus looked into Miquel's eyes and nodded relucantly. He whispered in Greek,

Be well, my friend. May God guide you.

Then he left the chamber. He suddenly if he really want to intrude in with Sveltana and her family. He actually had a small doubt and even a fear, which is unusally to him. He then made a resolution at this moment and walked to ask an official,

Do you know where Kharin residence is?

 

[N Katsyev]

Pskovskeey Kremlin​

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Mina listened to what Ivan had to say with what appeared at least, to be interest. When he finished she sat back in her chair and nodded, realizing that none of this was really any care or of any concern to her in the long run anyway - not that any of it could really be confirmed anyway. With a tone and face that conveyed something akin to boredom she responded, "Spaseeba Vanya. I'll consider what you've told me, though even if in the end I do decide to help you, it shall not be for quite some time. The wars that currently rage in Russia require the utmost prudence, as who knows on whose doorstep destruction may come next. I will however accept you as an ambassador from Serbia, as whether your government is legitimate or not, it is in power, which means its the only one for me to really care about. Kiril here shall show to your chambers, have a good day, I hope we speak again soon, information from the Balkan peninsula is for me little and far between."

The guard with his hand on Ivan's shoulder, Kiril, released his hold and cleared his throat, "Come with me." After which he would show Kiril to his chambers.

With the departing of the Serbian a page ran up from the door and whispered something in Alexei's ear, before waiting obviously somewhat anxiously for a response. Alexei turned to Mina, "The man, Azim, from the Zayyanid Caliphate is waiting outside, shall we send him in?"

Mina looked over to the fire briefly, the site of Azim's and her first meeting before nodding affirmitively with a sigh to Alexei, slightly put-out after the less than pleasant meeting with the Serbian. The page quickly darted across the hall again, before peeking out the door into the foyer at Azim and Aladdin enjoying the refreshments requested, "The Czarina will see you now, if you'll come with me..." The page waiting for Azim's response to lead him back into the hall and to the table where the Czarina continued to sit.

 

[N Katsyev]

Melnikov Residence, Pskov​

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Yeleziveta almost jumped when Joao touched her cheek with his finger. Her cold blue eyes on him hardening when he spoke until finally her jaw dropped and her eyes narrowed, "... You....!" She drew out the word with exasperation, until lunging forward she shoved her hands into his chest, sending him sprawling into the much beneath them, "Eugh!" She eyed him a moment as he lie in the cold wet mush of the earth and turned quickly so that he would not see the devlishly pleased smile that came upon her lips as she ascended the stairs toward the home.

Vladimir returned Serena's embrace with a bit more care and tenderness, genuinely not wanting to get her dirty and of course not wanting to hurt her against his armour, "Well, whether you care about me taking a bath or not is really of little consequence as i'm definitely taking one. I can only imagine how I must smell." He pulled gently away from her with a grin, though keeping his hands on her shoulders, "Though, if you keep clinging to me so tightly, I may just have to drag you into the bath with me." He winked at Serena before hearing Yeleziveta's footsteps enter the hall, he turned briefly to view his mud covered sister begin ascending to the upstairs and coming back to view Serena again with a playful grin.