Citadels of Fire

  ***

  The army assembled, formed into columns, and began its march with all the activity, noise, and detail that accompany such things. By mid-morning, they were half way to the walls of Kazan.

  The column halted, and Ivan rode out beside it. He sat astride a black warhorse covered in the same gilded armor Ivan wore. A golden kaftan covered the tsar from shoulder to knee, though Taras doubted it was armored. The tsar’s helmet was made of gold as well, and the cross at the tip glinted in the sunlight. Ivan had let his beard grow in, as most men did when winter loomed. Because of his young age, it remained wispy at best.

  “My people,” Ivan called out, “I am ready to give my life for the triumph of Christianity. Strive together to suffer for piety, for the holy churches, for the Orthodox Christian faith, summoning God’s merciful aid with the purest trust in Him. Strive on behalf of our brothers, those Orthodox Christians who have been made captive for many years without reason, and who have suffered terribly at the hands of the infidels of Kazan. Let us remember the words of Christ, ‘Greater love hath no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ Therefore, let us pray to Him with a full heart for the deliverance of the poor Christians, and may He protect us from falling into the hands of our enemies, who would rejoice over our destruction.

  “We bid you serve us as well as God will help you. Do not spare yourselves for the truth. If we die, it is not death, but life! If we do not make the attempt now, what may we expect from the infidels in the future? I have marched with you for this purpose. Better I die here than live to see Christ blasphemed, and the Christians, entrusted to me by God, suffer at the hands of the heathen Tatars of Kazan. No one can doubt God will hear your continuous prayers and grant us His aid. I shall bestow great rewards on you. I shall favor you with my love, and provide you with everything you need, and reward you in every way possible, to the extent that God in His mercy offers His aid. And I shall take care of the wives and children of those of you who die.”

  The tsar leapt from his horse and fell to his knees. The army followed him.

  Taras marveled at the sway Ivan had over his people. They shouted with praise when he spoke of defeating the infidels, and wept near the end of the speech. Taras believed Ivan to be sincere in his show of emotion, but that made it all the more extraordinary. He’d heard tales of Ivan’s ruthlessness, but seen little of it firsthand. Today, in this moment, Ivan was a good man, and an even better ruler. He truly wept for the safety of his people and petitioned God for His aid.

  As one, the Russian army crossed themselves. Taras made sure to do it correctly. In England, with his mother, he'd been a Catholic, which meant he crossed himself from left to right. Now, in a land of Orthodoxy, he had to cross from right to left, or else be called a blasphemer.

  After several minutes of prayer, Ivan stood. The army waited until he motioned them to rise to their feet. “Lord,” Ivan cried out, looking skyward, “in Thy name, we march.”