Next morning Tatyana arose feeling refreshed—feeling giddy even. Tired yes, but very relaxed—and peaceful. After all, love is always a pleasant surprise when it appears out of the clear blue sky.
Truly, no one honestly believes they can cause it to happen; and many would say that for them—when love finally came knocking—it was only because love found them (not the other way around). Many might also say that love often comes when you’re not really trying to find it, and sometimes only after you’ve already given up hope. It’s rarely exactly what you expected; and even when you’ve seemingly got it all sorted out there’s inevitably something different or quirky that you have to try and accept about the other person.
What had always concerned Tatyana was the realization that she had a rather slim chance of finding a husband while working as a barmaid in a tavern. She was probably correct too, in that people may have liked her and she was certainly beautiful, but there were harsh realities to her lowly station in society. Boys from good families didn't go courting barmaids; plus the low-life’s who frequented a tavern at night weren’t likely the marrying kind either. If there was any chance at all in finding a “man,” it could only have occurred from a sheer stroke of luck. A miracle might be another word for it.
And Ludmilla, for her part, had correctly sized up the men of the town and their attitudes regarding Tatyana. They saw her as the cute kid-sister who’d developed into a curvy, buxom woman. However, she was technically off-limits beyond kidding with her and making casual advances; which they saw as harmless fun even if Tatyana didn’t find it terribly playful. Frankly she was tired of it (night after night the same old thing, the same old crude comments, and the same old gropes and grabs). She’d love to escape a life like that, if she could. But she could never leave her father—that was the real problem. Bogdan was her only family; and Bodgan’s whole existence was that run-down tavern.
True, Ludmilla’s presence had put a sudden halt to the degrading treatment inside the dining hall. No one would act that way toward Tatyana again, that was for certain. Even in her absence, few would dare try patting Tatyana's fanny or copping a feel of her breasts when she bent over a table. Quite the contrary, the way Ludmilla saw it was that the men in the tavern—the regulars who’d known her since she was a darling little girl singing and dancing for them while they clapped and sang along—were happy for her. Now that she’d found someone who cared for her it meant their “little sister” was finally in love. What’s more, they’d see to it no one else bothered her either. From now on, they’d protect her from others and warn the uninformed that Tatyana was not to be touched. That’s why Ludmilla drank with them. It made them feel like “Lyev” was someone they could trust; and now that they liked “him,” they’d make sure no one took advantage of Tatyana. They’d be glad to do so, too! Ludmilla knew it in her heart.
Yet Tatyana didn’t concern herself with any of that in the morning when she woke up and got right to work on her daily chores. She was now something she always wanted to be—a happy teenager in love for the first time, smitten with her new-found “boyfriend,” without a care in the world. Life suddenly seemed so simple; and so peaceful. She felt normal. Felt just like any other girl in town; and rightly so, because now she had exactly what they had. She could now look forward to the future.
Her father Bogdan awoke that next morning feeling rather pleased with his new situation as well. He had a daughter who was happy with her life; and he had—quite possibly—a future son-in-law in the works who might prove to be quite a reliable business partner someday! Of course the way Bogdan imagined things was not ALL concerned with business. No, he certainly had worried many a night in the past about his daughter ever finding a husband. He’d suffered these past seven years over his wife’s passing, yes. But he also dreaded the consequences of raising a daughter in such a sordid environment, with lecherous men around her night after night. Though it haunted him frequently, he tried not thinking about what she might turn into as an adult, having grown up this way. Would she become an old maid; missing out on the things other girls got to experience? Would she end up taking over for him when he got too old to work, and be forced to hire some unreliable dotard to help out around the place? Even worse, would she marry some opportunistic fiend who only wanted to take over the family business and reduce Tatyana to a mere servant?
Bogdan had always desired to do something better for his lovely daughter, oh, yes. But what? There was always so much work to do! All the cooking and the cleaning and the brewing and the endless nights of drunken carousing inside the tavern. Yes Tatyana had missed out on so much as a little girl. She’d missed out on a childhood and it saddened him. He loved her so very much. And yet now—that happiness in her eyes the evening before—with her heart so filled with joy? Any father could see it in his daughter’s face when she had fallen in love. This now brightened Bogdan’s outlook on life. It gave him a measure of relief, too! Thanks to “Lyev,” a new future beckoned for his only daughter!
And yet perhaps Bogdan could dare to envision even more, regarding random fate and the will of the Lord. Truly, Tatyana’s new “young man” was amazing. So hard working. So easy to get along with. Everyone in the tavern the previous night really liked “Lyev”; and what’s more “his” ideas for the tavern were quite innovative.
Distilling vodka? Yes, that was a brilliant idea; and not too difficult to do. Bogdan was not just being polite about it the day before either. In fact he knew how to produce the beverage; but had never pursued it. No, it wasn’t much more complicated than making bread or brewing ale. The equipment his father had used was quite rudimentary in fact, but the product? It was rather potent! It was quite a process too, but Bogdan looked back on it fondly like it was yesterday; helping his father distill a gallon of homemade vodka in the tavern’s kitchen when he was a boy.
With Tatyana’s new man working alongside—why they could make ten times that amount and before long who knows? They could be bottling and storing entire cases of it for guests—maybe even selling the surpluses at the market! Oh, the possibilities. Having a business like this, Bogdan fantasized, could mean increased revenue, hiring staff, and turning the tavern into a profitable business.
Frankly it had never “made money” at all…the tavern that is. Not even from the start. They made bread, traded it for vegetables and grains from the market, brewed ale, served customers, and used the revenue to purchase supplies to make more bread and pay rent to their landlord. Each year, their coffers would fill and then slowly empty as the winter began.
Not that this was all that bad, really: Bogdan’s father had done it that way and supported a family. Bogdan intended to do the same—and it would have worked out fine, of course—but now there was not even a son and heir to take it over someday, just Tatyana. Therefore, what if this “Lyev” could become something more than just a “boyfriend?” Perhaps, just perhaps, Bogdan might have a “son-in-law” to take over and he could someday retire. As Bogdan began his work day, these thoughts ran through his mind. Suddenly the bread-making and his other daily chores? They didn’t bother him so much. Just like with Tatyana, life suddenly seemed so light and uncomplicated.
Ludmilla, to be sure, awakened that morning in a rather similar frame of mind. Similar but not exactly the same of course; because her mind was focused on getting herself up and getting going. She’d have a long journey home, and this particular morning was not a bright sunny day like the one before it. Clouds covered the sky, and more snow was on the way, she could tell by simply sniffing the air. It might very well be a treacherous trip back to her father’s farm; but she’d have to chance it once again.
True, she was happy and fulfilled. Nothing like accomplishing something one has set out to achieve; and she most certainly had! Ludmilla had come to Belgorod with one purpose in mind and that was to find Tatyana. She’d done that. She’d endeavored to win the girl over, and she’d accomplished that, too. That gave her confidence in herself. It felt so right, believing in her heart she’d found a partner and companion to accompany her through life.
But first there was work to do, having to go fetch the old workhorse from the livery stable and hook the sled to it. Then she’d have to pack up and hit the road. It might be a tearful parting with her true love Tatyana that morning, yet the journey following would give her more time to think—because there was something quite important about her relationship with Tatyana that was eventually going to reveal itself one day soon.
Yes, Ludmilla was going to have to come clean about her identity as a woman, and she knew it. This bothered her greatly. Sure, she’d return in the spring after planting season, and in the meantime she could spend even more hours thinking about it during the coming months—think about how to explain herself. It would be difficult, and it would have to be dealt with, yes. But not just yet. Before dealing with that, she’d have to return to father’s farm before he noticed her gone and started to worry about her.
Father could not be left alone. That was a fact. Come spring he’d need help with the farm. And even in the winter, there were tasks to complete when weather permitted. There were things to repair, meals to prepare, and weather-worn farm equipment to fix before it was time to plow and till the soil for planting. So much to do. And so much time to pass by alone each night—with father sitting silent in his chair staring out the window while Ludmilla cleaned the kitchen. She could look forward to many more lonely nights ahead, joining her father by the fire when her chores were done, all the while thinking about lovely Tatyana, and dreaming about their life together.
Thus, it was almost in a daze that she finally met up with Bogdan and Tatyana to bid them goodbye until April. Such love and affection poured from the pretty young brunette. She was excited, enthusiastic, and beautifully radiant even in the overcast gray morning. Tatyana practically leaped into Ludmilla’s arms for one more farewell kiss as Ludmilla turned to tell everyone she was ready to depart. Ludmilla even noticed Tatyana’s eyes tearing up a bit, and kissed her forehead one last time while Tatyana burrowed into her chest, shivering in the early morning cold. Bogdan was there as well, and proudly smiled with a mirthful chuckle at seeing the two in such a tender moment. Her father clearly approved! That was a good thing, and Ludmilla picked up on it quickly. Winning him over had been easy, and Ludmilla was extremely pleased with herself for accomplishing this important task. Had she not done so—if Tatyana’s father had disliked her in any way—Ludmilla could have failed.
Yet Ludmilla picked up on something else, too. An odd look shown on Tatyana’s face as she pulled away to let Ludmilla load up on her sleigh. It was only for a moment, but Ludmilla noticed it; and though it was only a slight sea-change in her lover’s eyes; something clearly concerned Tatyana. Ludmilla could see her thinking deeply. What’s more, Tatyana was glancing back and forth between Ludmilla’s eyes and her chest!
Oh, no! thought Ludmilla, my breasts! She noticed them, didn’t she? God I hope not—not yet! That might change things if she did; and Ludmilla was certainly not ready to explain such an important detail! However, not wanting to tip her hand further, Ludmilla remained calm and bid farewell with a wave and a joyful “Dasvidania!” Tatyana's joyful smile returned, and the tense moment seemed to have abated. Ludmilla tried not to worry about it for the time being. It was time to go.
And with that, Ludmilla was off. With a crack of the reigns, the sled lurched forward from the icy grip of the snow below her. Bogdan and Tatyana waved and called after her wishing her well on her journey as Ludmilla struggled to get moving. The sled was heavy, loaded down with a sack of flour and some yeast for baking bread when she got home (something to tide her over ’til she returned, Bogdan had said). It was well-received; and it was something she could tell father about when she got home that evening (if he wasn’t already passed out in his chair that is). The small keg of ale she'd brought, however—she wisely left behind.
Ludmilla travelled briskly through the town and out the city gate, hitting the main road leading toward her farm. Guards at the gate recognized her and bid her a hearty goodbye with encouragements to keep warm and return soon. “Proshchal’nyy privet!” they yelled down to her from the gatehouse. “Come back soon, Lyev!” A sentry who was manning the entryway smiled and waved to her, bidding her safe journey home. “Idi s Bogom, moy drug!” he said as she passed, and Ludmilla grinned happily.
This made her feel wonderful. Living as a man, she’d seemingly convinced half the town she was an acceptable prospect for their beloved Tatyana; and someday perhaps, when Ludmilla’s father passed on, maybe she’d come back to live with Tatyana there in Belgorod forever. God willing, anyway.
It was certainly safer than living in the countryside come summertime—that was for sure! Much safer, it might have been said, for there were preparations going on far to the south, way down in the Wild Fields of the Crimea, that would alter the course of Russian history. Yes, very bad things were about to happen as the Tatar raiding season was rapidly approaching.
Months from now perhaps, but soon enough it would come. After the snows melted. After the rains came. After the fields were planted, and the ground was dry enough for cavalry to move swiftly. That's when they'd come. It wouldn’t have crossed Ludmilla’s mind that day but nevertheless those dangerous months were fast approaching, when villages and towns might come under attack from those wild devils of the southern steppe. In fact, mobilization had been going on for some time down in the Crimea, as the leader of the Crimean Khanate, Devlet Giray, was right at this very moment making plans for a massive attack on The Tsardom of Russia.
* * * *
Thwarted and rebuffed repeatedly in the past, Devlet Giray had never tempered his ambitions for the Nogai Yortu to maintain its autonomy and expand its influence. Born in 1512, he was known by those close to him as a skillful politician. Always taking full advantage of opportunities for expansion and conquest, he’d played his cards right to gradually become the greatest and most successful of the Tatar khans, challenging Turkish domination over the region and stifling attempts for Russian expansion.
This time however, he planned to amass an army of many thousands of ferocious warriors to accomplish his objectives; and he wasn’t going to be satisfied with a mere few thousand slaves. Oh, no, this time Devlet wanted much, much more. This time he wanted Moscow itself—wanted to see it razed and plundered—and he was determined to rampage all the way across Russia in the process. Russia would feel his wrath, Devlet was sure of it. And he believed nothing could stop him, either from God’s design or the constructs of man. As Russians were solidifying their hold on the southern border of their territory, Devlet Giray, Khan of the Nogai Horde, began assembling an army of nearly 100,000 savage horsemen for one of the greatest invasions of all time.
* * * *
Unfortunately none of this was known to poor Ludmilla and her weathered old father as they settled into their little farmhouse for a long winter’s night following her return. They slept peacefully in their beds that night, secure in their belief that the Zasechnaya Cherta, and the tsar’s line of forts to the south of them secured their safety. For all they knew, maybe the Tatars wouldn’t campaign in Russia this year at all! Yet they could never have imagined the extreme danger they were about to face.
And perhaps it was better that they didn’t know…for events were unfolding to the south of Father’s farm, which would later turn Ludmilla’s, Tatyana’s, and the lives of nearly 170,000 other fellow Russians upside down. Death and destruction would soon be rushing forward in waves of senseless brutality and bloody carnage that would shock the entire known world.