Something Else Entirely

The Arrival

"Perhaps we should take a break?"

"No. If we keep going, we shall reach the Kingdom by dawn."

The sun had just packed its bags and left, leaving behind darkness that suffocated all light from Earth. Crickets argued with one another. Two shadows travelled against foreign land by horseback, stopping only to eat and drink.

"I hope it's worthwhile..." the younger of the two muttered under his breath.

A Frenchman noble who served in the army, John-Baptiste was adorned by the finest fabrics and silks and his clean shaven face made him appear far younger than his years. His muddy brown eyes bore a rather sardonic glare into anyone who dare mutter an unpleasant syllable in his presence. His sword never left his buckle. No man would be naïve enough to disrespect or challenge him and thus he lived a comfortable life of wealth and dignity.

The older of the two said nothing. An ambassador to the great Sun King (Louis XIV), the man travelled to many lands to speak to many people. The clothes he wore were less extravagant than those of his counterpart yet created of fine material – an obviously wealthy man who cared none for showing off.

After travelling for a night that dragged on for seemingly centuries, the sight of civilization peaked into view and the sun rose from its vacation. The melodic song of birds replaced the mocking chirps of crickets. From the distance, bells rung, as if celebrating the arrival of the foreigners. A gentle snow pranced through the air before meeting the ground; fresh white powder coated the earth like a soft cotton sweater, declaring the onset of the cold seasons.

Peasants and serfs chattered amongst themselves, shivering from their lack of warm clothes. Some passed the men on their way to the market, some worked on plowing the fresh snow, and some tended to the cold animals on farms. They regarded the wealthy travelers with the same icy coldness that made them huddle for warmth.

"Do you notice how these dogs regard us?!" John-Baptiste burst out to the ambassador, his eyes refusing to leave the shivering poor masses who had the sense to remove their attention off the wealthy men and back to their daily business. The young man's brows arched and his lips contorted downwards to an embittered scowl. "I will show them how to respect-"

"Leave it be," the ambassador interjected, remaining stoic and firm. "Life punishes them enough as is."

John-Baptiste muttered something to his horse, continuing to heat the peasants up with his withering glare.

The Palace of Peter the Great was grand; dirty peasants were swapped for women in beautiful long dresses and intricate hair braids and men with enough sense to carry a sword. Nothing compares to Versailles, John-Baptiste thought, though still impressed by the surroundings. Nothing. The two men stood before the King in his throne room, awaiting for him to speak.

"Здравствуйте друзья!" Tsar Peter greeted them in Russian, grinning wildly, a mischievous twinkle in his eye that never quite left. A feared and well-liked man, Peter towered at six feet and constantly pulled pranks on guests.

The ambassador and the Tsar exchanged their greetings in the Russian language while John-Baptiste stood to the side, scowling at the long-winding room and tall walls that loomed above them. After a brief conversation, Peter the Great set off to a meeting with his advisers about acquiring a warm water port and set the two men free to get situated in their respective guest sleep chambers.

"The Tsar invites us to dinner," the ambassador informed while strolling through the Palace with John-Baptiste.

"Oh? And who else shall be present?"

"Several good men and women, he says. They're rich and come from good families. One of his Jesters will be present too."

"Wonderful." John-Baptiste attempted to hide the sarcasm boiling in his tongue but failed. He considered himself above others – what others found humorous, therefor, was meant for idle brains unlike his.

"You will like him," the ambassador assured.

The two men parted ways into their respective rooms to change for the evening and rest after their long travel.