Too Close To Tell You
AN: Still don't own it… Give up already…
Chapter 3 -Hasty Retreat
The Tsar stepped out of the council chamber; his face was pale and carried a nervous look. He smoothed his coat down and stopped. Anastasia sat there looking at him, her eyes already knowing what he had to say.
'It's over then?' She asked the green filling up with tears. 'Russia has been decided?'
He nodded. 'Germany has broken through our southern front and French the east. It's only a matter of time before they reach Petrograd. I'm sorry Anastasia. I have failed my family. Tonight there's a ball it's a ruse for our escape I will expect you to wear your finest gown tonight. After all… It may be the last time we see Mother Russia for a long while.' With out another word he turned and strode away.
'Yes daddy…' She answered obediently. Kurando placed a hand on her shoulder and walked with her back to her room.
As she stepped through the door she collapsed to her knees. 'Nooooooo.' She cried out. She hit the floor over and over again crying loudly, crying until she couldn't cry any more. 'Why? Why? Why!' Kurando helped her up to the seat in the corner of her room and held her until she could barely sob. He tilted her head to face him her emerald eyes had become puffy and red from the tears that had fallen.
He said nothing to her, which was exactly what she wanted. She wanted to be held, to feel safe even if it was only for a moment. A knock suddenly broke that sweet feeling. 'Princess Anastasia your bath has been drawn…' It was Myrtle's voice through the door.
He stood outside the door to the bathroom. Soldiers of the Royal Guard scoffed at him as they marched past. He stood staring ahead, waiting patiently for the princess to emerge. It had been an hour since she had gone in, but was hardly worrying as the maids would most likely fuss over her for another hour. Suddenly she came out, her long hair loose around her shoulders, the waves happily bouncing around free of the regular braids. She stood there staring at him, 'Well do I look all right? As if I am in my finest gown?' She asked. Her cream gown shimmered with the gold roses embroidered into it. The bodice made of the finest silks and lace and tied up, pushing her swelling breasts up for all to see. She wasn't dressed as she usually was, as a young lady, but a young woman.
'You look beautiful.' Kurando answered bowing to her as if he were a suitor.
She blushed. 'I feel silly. Dressing for a funeral and looking as if I were going to a wedding!'
The corners of his mouth turned up slightly. 'Shall we princess?'
Only a few minutes before the Royal Courtier announced their names. She looked at little Alexei, and smiled. He looked so cute in that outfit, matching his fathers. This was the first ball he was permitted to attend. Her sisters had been announced already and as was tradition they had to have met all the nobles in the hall before Anastasia could be announced. He smiled at her. 'Ana? I love you.'
'Oh Alexei I love you too.' She hugged him and suddenly he handed her a small piece of parchment old and faded. 'What's this?'
He smiled. 'For a long time I've known that I won't grow to be a man.'
She gasped. 'Alexei don't say such things! You'll bring them upon yourselves.'
'It's all right.' He answered. 'I love you and that's all that counts. And I know you love me too Ana.' He kissed her on the cheek and raced into the hall as her name was announced. She opened the small parchment and gasped. 'The gallery of the Dead.' It was a full map. She shoved it into her bodice and stepped out into the hall. Countless nobles greeted her and asked for her to dance with them. She smiled weakly and made small excuses about feeling unwell. Kurando stood behind her father and smiled at her, she looked a vision of perfection. She smiled back and came and joined her father. The Tsarina had gone to greet and socialize.
'Remember what I have said Anastasia…' The Tsar offered nothing more, except placed a small heavy satchel in her palm. 'You have my blessings, no matter the course of life you wish to take.' He kissed her on the cheek and joined his wife on the dance floor.
'I suddenly feel faint.' She said her face noticeably paler than before.
He led her to the balcony overlooking the square. People crowded around the palace gates, still shouting those profane curses.
'Do you feel a little better Anastasia?' He asked his hands holding her shoulders up. 'It's not the best place… um… but every where else is closed off…' He looked around.
'Its fine Kurando, it's just… This is my homeland and I may never be able to come back here again. I'm scared for my family, because I know their fate. And I know they can't escape it.' Tears filled her eyes again. 'Why is it that I'm the only one that lives?'
Kurando stared into her eyes. 'Anastasia… I can't answer that, but I know that when you accept that fate, you have let destiny decide it. Maybe mother saw what you feared the most in the fountain of Sakune. Its images can't be predicted; it's called the Holy Mirror because no one knows what divination you'll receive from the eyes of a god.'
She smiled. 'You're saying that if I have hope then maybe my fear may never be realized?'
He nodded. 'Just a little hope, and believe that your family will be safe.'
She hugged him gently. 'I do believe, and I believe because I have you, my pillar of strength, my Kurando.' He nodded and held her as tightly as she held him.
A young man sat on the edge of the stone fence, a book in one hand as he spotted the two love birds embracing on the large balcony. Forgetting their surroundings if only for a moment. 'The two lovers embraced under the moonlight.' He laughed loudly. 'How his strong hands held the young princess safely! How pathetic!' He dropped from the tree, determined to finish the job he had started. That damn samurai had foiled his plans once before, but he smiled at the memory because it brought the urge to slit the princesses throat even deeper, slower. How he wanted to kill her while the samurai watched helpless to do anything for her. The thought was ecstasy to him. He laughed and strolled to the large gate. The angry people of Russia yelled at him throwing their arms through, their bloodlust almost as good as his own. 'Its time we made history.' He pulled the lever and the large gate swung open letting the thousands of revolutionists swarm through the palace.
'Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Kill! Kill them all!' He laughed, 'But the family is mine!'
Screams filled the air, making the two lovers separate from their blissful hug. Anastasia peered over the balcony as thousands of people swarmed into the palace overpowering the guards. 'Oh no!' Anastasia yelled running to the ballroom, Kurando close behind her. Her mother and Alexei made it to safety as her father pulled the door behind them and locked it. Her family was making their escape and it was time for her and Kurando to do the same. People threw rocks at the nobles, pelted the guards with clubs, wood even lead pipes. Kurando took her hand and led her away from the centre of the ruckus. He ran pulling her towards the lower stairs hoping and pushing her behind a statue as people looted her home. When they had finished pulling the paintings apart and setting fire to the place, they moved on. He pulled her down into the cellar. 'I'm sorry princess, but I think our only way out is…'
'The Gallery of the Dead?' She finished and then shivered, 'Its fine, we have got to get out of here.'
He nodded and opened the large stone door.
'Trapped like the little rats that you are…' The voice said, making Anastasia jump behind Kurando. She gripped his gloved hand tightly. 'Rasputin!' She cried out in anguish.
'Close little princess, very close. When you killed Rasputin did you know he had a family? A son?' the voice whispered hoarsely.
'And a daughter.' Another just as creepy voice answered. 'He did have a wife too, but he killed her.'
The young man stood there staring at the beautiful princess and her pale uncovered throat. The urge to put a knife through it returned again. His wore clothes similar to Rasputin, but blue and silver instead of the wicked red. The daughter wore a tight black skirt and a small vest that showed much more than it covered.
'Ah, dear sister, it seems our little rodents fell for our trap.' He laughed. 'As did the family.'
'What?' Anastasia cried out. 'No!'
'Yes the boy was the easiest, he offered no struggle. Really quite boring. At least he bled well.' The woman said holding her brothers hand.
Tears sprouted in Anastasia's eyes. 'Alexei? Why! What did he ever do to you? He was just a little boy! Why? Why!' She yelled at them.
'Nothing.' The man answered. 'But it was fun just the same. Our real dilemma is you, princess. You see, you are the reason our father is dead. And you will be the one we enjoy killing the most. Only one thing though. That damn Samurai has foiled our plans every time, so we figured we'd kill two birds with the one stone.'
'Yes, let's make them bleed brother.' The woman answered with a smile that sent shivers down Anastasia's spine. 'Let's kill them.'
At that moment the door to the Gallery of the Dead opened with out a thought Kurando grabbed her arm and led her through, closing the door behind them.
'Our little rats have found a hole dearest sister.' He answered looking to her surprised.
She nodded. 'That I see dear brother, but they must come up for air eventually, I will look for an exit. Then our little rats won't be able to hide any more.'
It was darker than she remembered, and any noise seemed to echo for miles around. The light of a few torches lit the place in several areas, but other than that all was dark. She stood underneath one of the glowing lanterns. Kurando had to stop so she could catch her breath. 'I-I'm sorry.' She whispered.
'It's okay. I think we're safe here for a while.' He answered standing beside her, 'my problem is that we're stuck here. This place is like a maze and we have no idea where we are.'
She sunk to the floor and buried her head in her knees. She cried feeling even more helpless than before. Those two freaks had slaughtered her family like cattle. Even her little Alexei. 'I don't care any more Kurando.' She whispered through her tears. 'I tried so hard to help the people, I even helped my father put an end to the oppression that Rasputin caused, and the people turn on me like wild dogs.'
'Anastasia…' He whispered putting his hand on her shoulder.
'I hate them!' She yelled quickly standing up, 'Rasputin! Nicholai! Kato! The people of Russia! I hate them all!' Her tears flowed down her red face as she screamed in the dark halls. 'I wish I was dead!'
Kurando grabbed her and pulled her close. 'Don't say things like that. We'll get through this, we have to.'
She pulled away. 'Why? Why can't I just die and be with my family again? What's keeping me here Kurando? My royal duty? My people? What? Answer me! What in the hell keeps me here on this earth any more?' She screamed.
'Me.' He whispered back.
She froze and stared at him, she felt every wall inside her just crumble away. He was right, and as much as she hated it, she knew it was true. 'I'm sorry.' She answered wiping the tears away.
He caressed her cheek with his hand. 'It's all right, I understand that you are hurting and it's all right to let it out. But for now we really need to get out of here. Problem is I don't know where we are or where we're going.'
'I know you love me to Ana.' She pulled the piece of parchment from her bodice. 'It's a map.' She whispered. 'Alexei gave me a map to the Gallery of the Dead.'
Kurando took it, examined it for a moment. 'These symbols, I don't understand them, do you?'
Anastasia looked at them for a moment. 'They're Cyrillic symbols, part of the Russian alphabet.'
'This one.' Kurando said picking the symbol.
'That's 'Peh." She answered. 'It's the second letter why?'
'Because that's our ticket to freedom.' He answered smugly. 'See the way we came in is here, we're here now, but there are two exits, here and here. This one goes to the bridge, and I bet that's where they'll be waiting for us.'
She watched his finger pointing in all directions. 'Kurando, I don't understand maps.'
His face went blank for a moment. 'Its okay, what does that word say?' He asked pointing at the word that spelt . She looked at it for a moment. 'It says, 'The Queens Crucifix."
He looked at her. 'The Queens Crucifix? What's that?'
'It's a church on the outskirts of Petrograd, but no one has been there for years, it has been condemned for destruction only recently. A little boy got killed by a falling beam.' She said. 'People protested when the government agreed to pull it down.'
'On the outskirts of the city? That's perfect, lets head there.' He said before she could hesitate about the idea. He grabbed her wrist and led her through the dimly lit or very dark tunnels.
Finally they reached a little trap door above a set of stairs. They opened it to find a completely empty church room. Pews lay broken scattered on the floor. A huge beam lay sprawled across the tiled floor. It was like nothing would ever disturb it.
'What are you doing here?' A little boy's voice called. 'This is my place.'
Anastasia had to stop herself from screaming. A young boy's form stood behind them, glowing eerily. He looked so sad; his chest looked as if it had been crushed like a pancake.
'You're the little boy that died here, aren't you.' Anastasia whispered. 'You poor thing you can't rest in peace.'
He moved to face her. 'You're right I can't rest because I don't want to be dead. I want to play, but the cobwebs. I'm scared of spiders.' He whispered.
Anastasia began to dust the cobwebs off the window, 'Here does this help?' She asked holding the shutters open.
He smiled. 'Thank you princess…' He seemed to fly out the window.
Kurando grabbed her by the arm. 'Anastasia we have to get out of here.' She raced down the stairs, and suddenly her ankle caught in the second stair. She fell sprawling to the ground. Voices could be heard in the distance. Kurando had no time to check if she was okay. He flung her over his shoulder and ran with all he could out the gates and into the snow covered wilderness beyond…