Page 20 of The Unseen
“Where is the Imperial Russian Army?” Elena screeched. “Where were they when the government buildings were seized and the Imperial Guard easily disarmed?”
“My darling, I know you’re frightened, but you are overreacting. Petrograd wasn’t prepared for an armed revolt, not with our troops fighting the Germans, but His Imperial Highness will not tolerate such a blatant attack on his monarchy. Troops will be diverted from the front, and this unfortunate episode will be erased from our nation’s history, washed away like a drop of blood from a pricked finger.”
Elena seemed momentarily mollified by her husband’s certainty. “I hope you’re right, Vanya,” she said petulantly. “I hope His Imperial Highness will not be lenient with these thugs. Hang them all, I say. There are plenty more where they came from.”
“I’m sure he will do whatever it takes to restore order. Our only responsibility during this time is to look to our safety and to the safety of those employed by us. Kindly inform the servants tomorrow that they are not to leave the house. We have enough provisions and firewood to last several weeks at the very least, so they need not go out.”
“But what of Valya’s birthday supper next Saturday?” Elena demanded, her mind already turning to more practical matters.
“The supper will go on as planned. We will not allow a bunch of filthy peasants to impact our daily life. Besides, Valentina’s birthday is ten days away. By that time, this will all be an unpleasant memory. Go to bed, girls,” Ivan said. “You are safein this house, and will remain so. Tomorrow, life will go on as before.”
“Yes, Papa.” Valya was only too happy to escape the gloomy atmosphere of the parlor. Her mother’s vapors was not what frightened her; it was her father’s uncharacteristic gruffness. Beneath the calm exterior, she could tell he was frightened.
“What will happen, Valya?” Tanya asked as they prepared for bed. “Do you think Papa is right and the rebellion will be put down quickly?”
“I expect so, but they might rise up again.”
“Why do you say that? Will they not be deterred if their leaders are captured and executed? I can’t imagine anything worse than death by hanging.” Tanya shuddered at the thought. “To suffocate slowly…”
“Perhaps they’ll lie low for a time, but they won’t stay quiet forever. Alexei said their grievances are legitimate.”
“Did he? But that kind of talk is treasonous. Does he support their cause?” Tanya sat down on the bed and stared at her sister, clearly shocked that Alexei might have sympathy for the people they’d been taught to think of as irrelevant. To imagine that they had just cause wasn’t something that ever entered anyone’s mind, least of all the narrow scope of a teenage girl’s understanding.
“He wasn’t advocating revolt, Tanya, he was only pointing out that life can be very difficult for the poor. They want to earn enough to feed their families and keep their sons from being conscripted into the army. Millions have been killed. They want an end to this war.”
“Conscripted?” Tanya asked, her mouth forming an “O” of surprise.
“Yes, of course. They don’t join voluntarily; that’s reserved for sons of the nobility, like Alexei. And highborn young men come in as officers, not foot soldiers.”
“I’m scared, Valya. Did you hear all the shouting in the street? It sounded like there were thousands of them, all intent on killing us in our beds.”
“They have no interest in us, Tanya. They are after the army and the government. They want reform.”
“I hope you’re right. May I sleep in your bed tonight?” Tanya asked, her voice small and frightened.
“Of course. But you’ll see, by this time next week, this will all be forgotten, like Papa said,” Valya announced with more confidence than she felt. She tried to be brave for Tanya, but she was scared, especially for Alexei. No one had mentioned that he was out there with his regiment, defending the city from the mob. Valentina cowered at the thought. Alexei was a cavalry officer, and they were armed with swords. What good were swords against guns? Alexei had joined the cavalry because he loved horses, but at this moment, a horse could be his undoing. Valentina’s vision blurred with unshed tears as she imagined an angry peasant stabbing a horse with a pitchfork or cutting it off at the legs with a scythe. The rider would be pulled down into the crowd, defenseless against a mob that was enraged enough to hack him to pieces.
“He’ll be all right, Valya,” Tanya said, accurately discerning her thoughts. “He’s strong and brave, but most of all, he’s smart. He’ll keep out of harm’s way.”
“Soldiers are not meant to stay out of harm’s way. He’ll do his duty, not slink away like a coward,” Valya snapped.
“I didn’t mean to imply that Alexei is a coward, Valya.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’m just frightened for him.”
“Thank God Kolya is not old enough to fight,” Tanya mused as she slipped on her nightdress. “You know how he can’twait to join the army when he comes of age. He hero-worships Alexei.”
“He’s seven,” Valentina replied. “It’s only natural he should look up to Alexei. Perhaps he’ll change his mind once he’s older. He can go to the university instead.”
“They don’t give out gorgeous uniforms at the university, nor do women swoon at the sight of students.”
Valya smiled. That was true. There was nothing like the sight of a cavalry regiment on parade, their backs erect, their sabers slapping at their thighs. Even the most unattractive young man looked heroic and handsome in his uniform, his boots gleaming and his cap set at a jaunty angle as he stole discreet peeks at the ladies, who weren’t shy in their admiration.
Tanya climbed into bed and snuggled next to her sister. “It will all be right. Won’t it, Valya?”
“Of course. Now go to sleep.”
ELEVEN
