"Ew! Vasily stop it!"
Svetlana cried as she cowered in the corner of the chamber. Her older brother smirked at the uncomfortable and disgusted look on his sisters face. This was one of his favorite pastimes; making her squirm as he told her stories of torture.
"And then you know what the tartar did to her?"
He said in a voice that clearly displayed his depravity. She shook her head fearfully as he leaned over to whisper to her the horrifying truth. However she was spared from hearing this as the door to the chamber opened to reveal a tall 15 year old boy with a red scarf tied in a bow behind his neck. Svetlana, upon seeing him, felt this was her chance to escape and she pushed her brother aside. Vasily stumbled back a bit as his now 20 year old sister ran to the young man and embraced him. Her shoulders began to shake as he returned her embrace and rubbed her back. He then looked over at Vasily with ice in his blue eyes.
"What is going on here?"
He asked in a warning tone.
"H-he's doing it again!"
Svetlana replied as she cried into her younger brothers tunic.
"SHE'S LYING!"
Vasily roared. Ivan ignored his elder brothers protest as he took the edge of his scarf and dried his elder sisters eyes. He then pressed a tender kiss on her forehead.
"I will take care of this."
He whispered as he placed himself in front of her.
"It's not right for a man to treat a young woman that way. Especially not her own brother."
He told his brother with fists clenched. Vasily could feel the room growing colder and Ivan's breath became visible.
"She's just a woman Ivan. Good for nothing but alliances and babies."
Vasily said with a cocky smirk on his face. Ivan's fists clenched tighter.
"I would suggest you take those words back brother."
Ivan said with an frigid smile on his face.
"And why should I?"
Vasily questioned him. Ivan stepped forward and as his foot made contact with the ground ice began to form and creep across the carpet covered floor of the chamber.
"Because if you don't I will be having to teach you a lesson da?"
The ice grew farther and farther out as Vasily backed away in fear of the magic his younger brother was now using. He gave out a cry of pain as he ran into the corner of the room where the ice caught up with him. It began to cover his feet and creep up his ankles.
"Let me go you piz`da!"
Vasily growled spitefully.
"Not until you apologize to svetlana."
Ivan said the cold look still on his face as the ice continued its accent. However before it cold even reach his knees footsteps could be heard coming down the hall towards the room they occupied. It was there father with his two generals flanking him. They where making there way to the war room when they had noticed the commotion coming from the room to there right. When they reached the doorway they where greeted with the sight of his children in the midst of a conflict. One that was not befitting of princes.
"What is going on here?"
He asked darkly. Ivan tuned his attention from his brother to his father which caused the ice to retreat back towards its chosen possessor. Vasily pointed an accusatory finger at Ivan before exclaiming.
"He was trying to kill me!"
"No I wasn't I was trying to get him to apologize to Svetlana."
Joseph turned to his daughter who was now much calmer.
"What happened moy vorobey?"
"Vasily was harassing me again papa. He had me backed into a corner telling me vulgar stories. It was only thanks to Ivan that he stopped."
She told him as the tears welled up in her eyes again. Her father embraced her and rubbed her back.
"Dry your tears my dear, papa will deal with this. Now run along your mother is waiting for you."
He kissed his daughters cheek before she left to go see her mother. Joseph turned to his two sons whom now stood glaring at each other. Joseph cleared his throat to bring there attention to him.
"Boys you know that fighting is not allowed in my palace nor is harassment. And that there are consequences for your actions."
He turned to Vasily.
"You will apologize to your sister and because you like to talk about dirty things you will be working in the stables cleaning out the stalls for two weeks."
"IM NOT A KID ANYMORE YOU CANT MAKE ME DO IT!"
"BUT I AM STILL YOUR KING AND AS SUCH YOU WILL OBEY!"
Joseph roared at his son. Vasily spat at his feet before storming off in a rage. Joseph sighed in frustration before turning back to his youngest.
"Ivan you know your not supposed to use your magic on others."
"I'm sorry papa but I couldn't just let him continue hurting her."
Joseph's face softened at his sons sense of honor.
"I know my son. Your intentions where in the right place but you broke a rule and as such you must be corrected."
He nodded ready to take whatever punishment his father gave him.
"You will work in the armory cleaning and polishing until every blade and every shield gleams."
Ivan nodded and watched his father turn towards the door.
"Now come you must continue your princely studies."
His face brightened at this as he followed them to the war room.
—-
"This rots! I should be in that room with father not shoveling horse derr`mo!"
Vasily complained as he scooped up fecal matter with a shovel and placing it into the nearby wheelbarrow.
"I'm a prince not a serf! I should be back in the palace being waited on hand and foot! The next time I see that little termite I'll squash him!"
"Oh I think there are better ways of getting back at your brother than simply squashing him."
Upon hearing the voice he turned to see a tall figure in the shadows. The figure moved into the light to reveal there true identity. Vasily snorted at him.
"What are you doing here?"
He rudely asked the boyar of Tver.
"I could ask you the same thing your highness."
Lazar replied with a smirk on his face.
"Father is punishing me for no good reason."
"I see."
He replied and wrinkled his nose in disgust.
"So what's this way I can get back at him?"
Vasily inquired with impatience in his voice.
"It's rather simple really."
Lazar replied casually.
"All you have to do, is take the throne."
Vasily looked at him in utter shock.
"But that's impossible! I'm not crown prince I can't take the throne!"
"For now that is. But don't fret about the details Vasily."
Lazar said his smirk transforming into a grin.
"We will take care of the rest."
"Who's we?"
Lazar chuckled.
"You ask too many questions your highness. But don't worry you will meet the others soon enough."
He snapped his fingers and the stable hand brought him his horse.
"I must be off your highness but we will meet again soon."
Vasily watched as his new ally left though the stable doors and out of sight.
'Me, Vasily Shuysky, crown prince of Muscovy. It has a nice ring to it.'
He thought to himself with an evil grin.
'And when I'm Tsar I will make sure that it's Ivan shoveling horse derr`mo not me!'
—
Lazar sped across the planes of the west towards his castle where a meeting was to be held. News had come in from Novgorod. The Germanic tribes where attacking the boarder lands with great ferocity and if they took Novgorod then…. Lazar dreaded the very thought. He would not stand by and let Novgorod be pounded into the earth. At least not yet. Nor would he allow tsar Joseph to achieve his dream of unification. 'If anyone is to sit on a throne it shall be me.'
He thought to himself as he saw the walls of the city form on the horizon. A devilish smirk formed on his face as he arrived at the gates.
'I shall be the one to rule all of Muscovy and Novgorod! I Lazar Kaganovich shall be Tsar!'
—
"And you have gathered us all here because?"
Nikita nquired as he took a swig of vodka. He placed it down on the long oak dining table where supper had been laid out for the five men whom where to attend the meeting.
"Because I have news from the palace. News that is very beneficial to our plans for the Shuysky family."
"Then by all means enlighten us."
Beria commented impatiently as a servant girl refilled his wine glass. He reached out and pinched her flank causing her to squeak like a mouse. He smirked at her reaction.
"First of all princess Svetlana has come of age."
"Is that so?"
Lazar nodded.
"It is indeed. It would be an advantage for us if one of our children where to marry into the royal family. Of course I have no sons so one of you three must attempt to marry into the family."
"I have two daughters so I have no chance."
Malenkov commented.
"I have two sons so I should have a chance."
Kruschev smirked.
"I have one son Sergo and I will make sure he marries the princess."
Beria said his elbows on the table and fingers laced together.
"At least we have three dogs in the fight. Now let's discuss our plans for the two kingdoms."
Beria motioned to a servant to bring the map. The servant quickly fetched it and spread it across the table for all the boyars to see.
"As you all know Muscovy and Novgorod are mortal enemies; but neither have taken each other out or conquered each other because of those that boarder them. So far Novgorod has had it better off than Muscovy because of there alliance with the commonwealth. But as of late there has been a development here."
Lazar pointed to the sea between Novgorod and the commonwealth.
"There have been reports of an invasion by the Germanic tribes from the sea. Prince Gilbert and prince Ludwig are leading the charge. If I know anything about our dear Tsar he will try to make an alliance with those two barbarians."
He sneered.
"And how would he do that?"
Krustchev asked as he took yet another swig of vodka.
"By marrying his daughter off to one of the princes. Of course he would not force his precious vorobey to marry anyone but he would attempt to play Cupid with them in an attempt to."
"So what can we do?"
Malenkov enquired
"It's very simple gentlemen. We get the princes to declare war against Muscovy instead and we get Novgorod to fight them as well. And once the two kingdoms pound each other to dust we step in and take over."
"That is all well and good Lazar but how are we going to get Novgorod to fight Muscovy?"
Beria asked with a bored look on his face.
"That is why I have requested that Tsar Trotsky meet with us."
Krustchev choked on his vodka at hearing this.
"You summoned him here?! Do you know how dangerous that man is?! If any of us displeases him he might zap us where we stand!"
Malenkov exclaimed.
"Calm down malenkov I am sure Lazar has already figured out how to avoid such a situation."
"Spasibo Beria, and I do indeed have a plan."
He smirked
"Let's call it an offer he can't refuse."
—-
Hooves thundered through the underbrush of the tick northern forest, charging southeast with all speed. The men on the horses where dressed in armor, there faces hidden by there steel helmets. These men where the guards of the Tsar of Novgorod whom was now in the center of there moving shield. He was a tall slender man with wild curly hair that sat on his sculpted face. A tick mustache sat beneath a large pointed nose and beneath his thin lips grew a tick go-tee. His blue eyes where pointed directly ahead towards his destination. Though he was Tsar of all Novgorod Trotsky was a very unhappy man. His wife had died of a terrible illness leaving him without an heir. He had mourned her loss for many years before searching for another bride and he had found one. But his rival had snatched her away. His hold tightened on the reigns of his horse as he thought of his sworn enemy. Joseph Shuysky the man whom stole the fair Sofya from him, the man who had many children, the man who wanted to steal his very kingdom from him for this silly dream of unifying them all under his rule. If anyone should unite the Slavic peoples against the two empires that boardered them. It should be him. His kingdom was the cultural birthplace of the people not Muscovy. Not to mention he was descended from the great Nevsky himself. 'It's my right to rule all of this land not just Novgorod.' He thought bitterly as he approached the gates. The guards on the towers called down to them as they halted.
"WHO GOES THERE?!"
"HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS TSAR TROTSKY OF NOVGOROD REQUESTS ENTRY!"
Knowing that there master was expecting the Tsar the men opened the gates and took there horses to be fed and watered.
"Come with me I will take you to Boyar Lazar."
One of the guards said and the men followed. They soon entered the dining hall where the four men waited for him. Lazar bowed to Trotsky in greeting
"I am glad to see that you made it here safely your highness. May I offer you a seat?"
"Indeed. Now tell me what have you summoned me here for."
"Your highness knows of course that the Germanic armies are attacking your southwestern boarder?"
Tsar Trotsky had one of his men sample the wine and food before beginning to eat.
"Of course I do. I am not ignorant of the goings on in my kingdom."
He growled.
"Of course I meant no offense your majesty."
Lazar apologized as the Tsar took a sip of his wine.
"You see your highness we called you here to request your help."
"With what I may ask?"
"We wish to overthrow Tsar Joseph Shuysky."
Beria stated plainly
"But we cannot do it alone you see. The Tsar's son Ivan is too powerful for us and if we do not overthrow his father and get rid of this princeling then he could one day overthrow you."
Trotsky looked at them skeptically
"How could the son of that man pose a threat to me? Even if he does have magic he is not as experienced as myself at the sacred art."
"That may be so your highness but prince Ivan is being trained by general Konstantin as we speak. Not only that but he possesses the power of ice and snow."
The Tsar almost choked upon hearing this. General Konstantin was well known for his magical abilities. If he was training this child there was no doubt that in time he would become strong very quickly. Not to mention that the prince was his magical opposite. Every magic had an opposing power to balance it. Fire and water, earth and air, space and time, sun and moon, lightning and ice. Lightning and ice where rare powers as they had branched off from fire and water. Both where considered the cold forms of there parent magics as the user had to distance themselves emotionally in order to call upon its might. Though ice was less emotionally distant than lighting was. Lightning was straight forward, direct, and to the point. It was simply lighting no more no less. Ice however had two sides one soft and one hard. This switch between light and dark was what kept Trotsky's power in check. No practitioner of the cold fire could successfully subdue winters might without a great struggle. Sure they could make a few dents but that was all they could do. Trotsky stroked his go tee thoughtfully as his brow furrowed in worry.
"Tell me then why do you need my help? After all my magic is no match for his."
He asked.
"If you will allow me your highness I can explain our plan to you."
Trotsky motioned for him to continue.
"As you know Svetlana has come of age for marriage. As such princes such as the ones on your boarder and our sons will be summoned to the castle. This will of course halt any advances on your boarder. Our plan is for one of our sons to marry the princess and to cause a rift between your two enemies. This will cause a war between them which is where you will come in. You will ally yourself with them and insure that crown prince Yakov is killed."
"What will that do? Joseph still has two other sons killing one won't stop the dynasty."
The Tsar said in irritation.
"Yes your highness but you see it's the middle son whom we want to be heir instead of Yakov. He is more…easily manipulated."
Lazar explained.
"So you plan to put a puppet on the throne?"
He inquired.
"Yes your highness."
"But what will stop this Ivan from overthrowing his own brother?"
"That is another reason we need you sire. You have a magic smith whom is able to make say shackles that would prevent a person from using there magic yes?"
"Indeed I do."
"Good because that is how we will render the prince unable to fight back. With him out of the picture you can use the war to conquer Muscovy for yourself and that your highness will be the end of the Shuysky dynasty."
"I see."
The Tsar muttered. He was silent for the longest time.
"Why should I trust you though? You are all his boyars after all. What can you promise me besides his kingdom?"
"What about his wife Sofya? From what I know your highness had a desire to marry her."
Beria suggested. Malenkov and krustchev felt there hearts sink in dread as they watched the man seated across from them stiffen in suspicion.
"How do you know that?"
He asked in a low threatening tone.
"I have my sources."
He replied.
"I see….."
They watched with baited breath as he finished the last bites of his meal
"I will go along with your scheme but I must have some conditions. First of all when the war is won all of the Muscovite lands are to be mine. And you must deliver Sofya to me."
"Of course your highness! We will fulfill these conditions to the letter!"
Krustchev exclaimed
"Yes your highness! To the letter!"
Malenkov added.
"Good."
He rose from his seat
"Thank you for the meal lazar but I must get back over the boarder before morning light. After all we mustn't arouse the suspicions of that fool."
"Of course your highness my men will insure you cross over safely."
They bowed to him a final time before he left the room his guards following behind him. As the door closed the men sighed in relief.
"I can't believe that he took the bait."
Malenkov said.
"Did you doubt my negotiation skills?"
Lazar inquired with a dark tone.
"Neyt neyt it's just that Tsar Trotsky is a very suspicious man that is all!"
He said holding up his hands in defense.
"I'm glad to hear that. Now that that is settled."
He drew his Yakutian (1) and thrust it into the map where Moscow sat.
"It is time to put our plans into action."