Post by Pyotr Alekseevich on Feb 2, 2015 13:30:46 GMT
Pyotr hugged his older brother “Ivan, I am so happy that you came out to Preobrazhenskoye to see us. I wish to show you my army and some of the things I have been working on. My tutors have helped me to build a ship, all by myself.”
“Well brother that is impressive, a ship you say? Let us see!” Ivan thought that the younger boy must have built some sort of model.
“It is out in the lake brother.” Pyotr pointed to their left. Sure enough, out across the water sat a masted ship with five men aboard. Ivans mouth was agape.
“You built that by yourself?”
“Yes brother, I have learned so much about ship building these last few months. But I have also perfected my army!” Pyotr mounted his horse next to Ivans open carriage.
“When you say army dear brother, I assume you mean that little group of friends you play soldiers with?” Ivan was beginning to feel a bit concerned.
“Oh that was so long ago! Now they are real soldiers, the epitome of order and courage. General Gordon has been most helpful in instructing us.”
Pyotr led the carriage away and around the lake, as they went along Pyotr told Ivan how he had spent years as a line infantryman in his toy army. Learning what it was like to drill, march, maintain weapons and fire in formation. He had recently promoted himself to Captain.
Soon the carriage rounded the lake and ahead of them stood a thousand soldiers in pristine ranks. Their uniforms were a dark green and the plumes of their shakos were blowing gently in the wind. As the carriage pulled to a stop Ivan was almost deafened by the sound of a thousand feet stomping as the regiment stood to attention.
“May I proudly present all ten companies of the 1st Regiment of the Preobrazhenskoye Lifeguards. The finest troops in all of Russia.” Said Pyotr grinning.
“Good lord brother. Sophia will not allow this! This is a thousand men? You could hold a throne with this force.”
“I will brother. You never wanted to be Tsar, Sophia manipulated you, betrayed father and murdered my kinsmen. She cannot be allowed to rule. Now is the time for Russia to step bravely into the future. We cannot do that with her at the helm.”
“What are you suggesting brother?” Ivan was quite taken aback.
“Sophia will surrender all power to me and spend the rest of her life in a nunnery. You my dear brother will be free to pursue your studies, God and your wife.” Pyotr was surprisingly matter of fact.
“Well, the burdens of leadership were never to my desires. I feel myt health ebbing away day after day...”
“Then it is settled. But for now we must draw the bear from its cave. We are leaving for the monastery at Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra this afternoon. You will love the view.”
“Well brother that is impressive, a ship you say? Let us see!” Ivan thought that the younger boy must have built some sort of model.
“It is out in the lake brother.” Pyotr pointed to their left. Sure enough, out across the water sat a masted ship with five men aboard. Ivans mouth was agape.
“You built that by yourself?”
“Yes brother, I have learned so much about ship building these last few months. But I have also perfected my army!” Pyotr mounted his horse next to Ivans open carriage.
“When you say army dear brother, I assume you mean that little group of friends you play soldiers with?” Ivan was beginning to feel a bit concerned.
“Oh that was so long ago! Now they are real soldiers, the epitome of order and courage. General Gordon has been most helpful in instructing us.”
Pyotr led the carriage away and around the lake, as they went along Pyotr told Ivan how he had spent years as a line infantryman in his toy army. Learning what it was like to drill, march, maintain weapons and fire in formation. He had recently promoted himself to Captain.
Soon the carriage rounded the lake and ahead of them stood a thousand soldiers in pristine ranks. Their uniforms were a dark green and the plumes of their shakos were blowing gently in the wind. As the carriage pulled to a stop Ivan was almost deafened by the sound of a thousand feet stomping as the regiment stood to attention.
“May I proudly present all ten companies of the 1st Regiment of the Preobrazhenskoye Lifeguards. The finest troops in all of Russia.” Said Pyotr grinning.
“Good lord brother. Sophia will not allow this! This is a thousand men? You could hold a throne with this force.”
“I will brother. You never wanted to be Tsar, Sophia manipulated you, betrayed father and murdered my kinsmen. She cannot be allowed to rule. Now is the time for Russia to step bravely into the future. We cannot do that with her at the helm.”
“What are you suggesting brother?” Ivan was quite taken aback.
“Sophia will surrender all power to me and spend the rest of her life in a nunnery. You my dear brother will be free to pursue your studies, God and your wife.” Pyotr was surprisingly matter of fact.
“Well, the burdens of leadership were never to my desires. I feel myt health ebbing away day after day...”
“Then it is settled. But for now we must draw the bear from its cave. We are leaving for the monastery at Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra this afternoon. You will love the view.”