Daughter of the Raven

by Cherime MacFarlane

  Losif assured Anya, on the following day they would likely reach the top of the range of mountains. They would start down the trail to Okhotsk next.

  "How many days to Okhotsk" Anya asked as she spread out the bearskin. She and Petyr used it as a ground cover for their wolf skin sleeping sacks.

  "So. We have travelled ten days in." Moving his head from side to side several times, the herder finally replied. "Perhaps eight more days if there is no trouble."

  "It has been a quiet trip. The reindeer seem to handle the snow much better than horses would." Anya observed. She spread her sleeping sack out then turned to sit cross legged on it.

  Losif squatted on the edge of the bearskin and toyed with a stick. "They have wider hooves and with the split." He splayed out his fingers. "The hooves spread out so they may walk over the snow instead of falling in as a horse does."

  "Do you think we will have any problems going down into Okhotsk?" Anya asked.

  The old man smiled. "That is up to God. We will all pray the bears are still sleeping, eh?"

  "When are you to meet the man who is to pick up the herd?" She leaned back on her arms.

  "Much depends on the ice going out on the sea of Okhotsk. That, neither of us has control over. Hopefully, the ice will be gone. It matters not. We will wait if we must and he will, if he must. All waits on God in this land."

  She saw Petyr coming into the camp with Stesha. They had fed the animals. Now, it was time for them to bed down.

  "Good night Losif."

  "And to you as well, Anya."

  As the herd wound its way down the mountains, ever closer to the coast, the snow began to disappear. The mud made the trail even more dangerous. The old herder 1counseled them to let the animals pick their way down the slippery slopes.

  When crossing streams, Losif looked closely at the water, which was beginning to rise in reaction to the flow of melted snow. He made each herder cross separately. Only a few of the animals were allowed to cross at a time. The streams were becoming deeper at each ford.

  At last the final river, the Okhotsk remained. Losif grinned broadly as they followed the river down to the plain of the Okhotsk. The herd had been moved safely. All that remained was to get them on board the boat, if it were in the harbor.

  The town was mired in the mud and melt water of breakup. At no point was there any place mud free. There was a government maintained post house. The small group of travelers made arrangements to stay there, as the vessel had not yet been able to reach the wharf. Losif and Stesha would take turns seeing to the herd with the help of Anya and Petyr.

  On the third day after their arrival, a stiff breeze drove the ice from the harbor. It did not take long for the ship, which had been waiting outside of the point of land sheltering Okhotsk, to steam into port. Losif jogged down to the ship with Anya and Petyr in tow.

  "Well Captain." He shook the man's hand. "We are here, you are here. The herd is ready. I also have two herders to travel with the reindeer."

  Raising an eyebrow the Captain glanced at Anya and Petyr. "That is not necessary."

  Anya stepped forward. "Please, Captain. I am an American and I wish to go home. Please let us accompany you. We know this herd. We can help you to get them to their destination. After that, as close as we can get to Sitka, would be wonderful."

  The man looked first at Losif and back at Anya again. The captain noted the leather dress she wore, the boots and the pack she carried on her back.

  "Young woman, how on earth did you get here?"

  "It is a very long story, Sir." She smiled at him hoping he would take them on board.

  "Captain Healy, of the Revenue Cutter Bear, Miss. I am very eager to hear your story. I will, of course, take you with us. The herd is to be delivered to Teller. Afterward, I think we shall be able to help you to reach your home. What is your name?"

  "Thank you so much Captain Healy! I am Anya Bressoff of Bressoff Island. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

  Anya wiped away the tears, which had begun to cloud her vision.

  "Come, we have a herd to get on board." Losif took her arm. "Let us get this done so you may be on your way. The ice could come back in at any time."

  The captain looked down at the water surrounding his vessel. "Yes, please. Let us get this done so we can be out of here."

  The herd was rounded up. Although nervous about boarding, the animals did so without incident. The remaining fodder was also put on board. When they were all safely corralled near the stern of the Bear, it was time for Losif and Stesha to leave. Hopefully, to retrace their route safely home.

  "Thank you Losif!" Anya reached up to kiss the weathered cheek of the old man.

  She shook Stesha's hand. Smiling at them both, she took off a small pouch of worn cloth hung on a string and placed it in Losif's hand.

  "Kiss Bell, Lana and Lonna for me. Tell Kole I thank him for all his kindness. This is for you all."

  Losif tossed the little bag gently in his hand. "We did not care for you and Petyr for a reward girl."

  "It is not a reward, it is a gift. Invite Vasilly and his family over. Have a wonderful party. Tell Vasilly how much I appreciated being able to play his violin. God bless you, Losif, for caring for two needy travelers."

  Anya gave the old herder a quick hug before she and Petyr boarded the Bear. The cutter put out to sea as soon as the two passengers were on board. The wind could blow the ice back into the harbor as quickly as it had blown out.

  Anya and Petyr stayed close to the little herd of reindeer. They sung to them as they gave each animal a very small bit of hay to reassure them. Once the ship was out to sea, the captain sent one of the sailors to bring Anya into the wheelhouse. Petyr was left to watch the animals.

  "Anya Bressoff. That would make you the daughter of Dmitri Bressoff?" The captain lounged against the chair he usually sat in.

  "Yes, Sir. I am his daughter." She acknowledged.

  "Most of the crew is here. So, tell us how the daughter of Dmitri Bressoff came to be in Okhotsk."

  "Well sir, it all started in St. Petersburg." Anya began her story.

  The crew of the Bear listened. The sailor who was charged with steering the vessel was the only one not watching as she spoke. However, he was listening intently. When she was finished, the captain stood and took her hand.

  "My goodness! So I take it your family does not know what happened to you?"

  "They do not. I am sure they may even think the worst." Anya was fighting back tears.

  One refused to stop and rolled down her cheek. Anya used her free hand to brush the tear away. "Sorry Captain. I am usually not this weepy."

  "Miss Bressoff, you have every right to be weepy. Once the animals have been delivered to Teller, the Bear is bound to Sitka. We have a bit of business there. I think we will be able to make a slight detour to Bressoff Island."

  He smiled at her and Anya felt almost faint with relief. Home, finally she was going home.

  Dmitri was splitting wood for the cook stove. It was a job he enjoyed and was good at. Looking at a log, then determining where it would split easiest was a skill he had honed over the years. It would have been quite easy for him to get one of the older boys in the fur hunter's village to come split the wood.

  No. He shook his head as he selected another log. One stroke, it split in two. A second stroke had the log in thirds. Another and the log was quartered. He pushed the firewood out of the way with one booted foot. Dmitri put another log on the block.

  It had not been a difficult winter. More rain than snow fell. Camille and the children happily spent Christmas at home. The renovations Dmitri had made to the house while they were in San Francisco, did indeed surprise Camille.

  They now had a modern bathroom, which had been added onto the house. The spring behind the house fed the tank placed on the second floor of the new bathroom. He was able, with the help of a couple of valves, to direct water from the spring to the large tank inside. Gravity caused the water to
flow into the tub and toilet. There was a secondary system, which drained off wastewater as well.

  He was not quite able to supply the house with a gas cook stove just yet. But as there was plenty of wood, it was not a great problem. Dmitri was happy to use his muscles in a constructive manner.

  Hearing the chug of a big steam ship enter the harbor, Dmitri sank the axe into the chopping block, turned and dusted off his hands. In his head, Bressoff reviewed the shipping dates. We are not expecting any shipments. He concluded.

  When he saw the ship, the Count knew it did not carry cargo. The U.S. Revenue Cutter Bear was now tied up to his wharf.

  "Odd." Dmitri muttered as he strode down toward the dock. A gangplank was lowered, but before it settled on the wharf, a slight figure jumped to the dock and raced toward him.

  "Poppa! Poppa!"

  Anya, it was Anya! Dmitri's heart jumped as he recognized his child.

  "Camille!" Dmitri roared as he ran down the slight hill toward his daughter.

  As the young man left the gangplank carrying two small bundles, the sailors on the Bear raised it. The ship did not cast off immediately. The Bear stayed just long enough for the captain and crew to watch, as the young woman launched herself at the father who caught her and hugged her tightly. The Bear turned in the harbor to make its way back into the Inside Passage.

  Camille, her skirts lifted, dashed down the hill. Barely stopping she slammed into the two people embracing.

  "Anya! Anya, love! Cher." Camille's fingers were touching her all over her face, her hair and her arms. Camille kissed her cheek. Then she looked down on the wharf where Petyr stood. Having dropped the packs, head down, the young man slowly began to walk toward them.

  "Anya, who is this?" Camille asked as she gestured toward Petyr.

  "Petyr come and meet my family." Anya called out to him in Russian.

  Hands in his pockets, Petyr walked forward. Camille reached out toward him. Anya took her hand instead.

  "He is a Jew, Camille. They are not to touch or be touched by women not in their family." Anya smiled at him. She told him in Russian what had been said.

  "Petyr is like another brother to me. Please welcome him." She smiled at her father and stepmother as tears ran down her cheeks. Dmitri held out his hand while keeping one arm around Anya.

  "Petyr, I am happy to meet you. Forgive us for being tardy in welcoming you." Dmitri spoke to the boy in Russian.

  Petyr took Dmitri's hand. "I understand sir. I know the circumstances regarding our journey."

  "Well, that is more than I know at present. It is a matter which shall be rectified shortly. Are you hungry Petyr? Is there anything we may get you?"

  With an arm around Anya, his other arm on Petyr's shoulder, Dmitri directed them toward the house.

  In the doorway of the house, Ilyia and Lillette waited for Anya. Ilyia, with a handkerchief to her face, hugged Anya. Lillette, in the middle of dinner preparations, had removed her apron, which dangled from her hand as she cried while hugging everyone. Ivar, the young stable hand, had come in the back door. He was standing in the doorway between the kitchen and the hall.

  Afraid to track mud any further into the house, he called his greetings from the door. "Miss Anya! Praise God, you are back!"

  Dmitri moved slightly in front of Petyr, making himself a shield for him. The women of the house were alternately crying out their happiness at seeing Anya and hugging anyone they could reach. An excited mix of Russian and English filled the house.

  "Ivar!" Dmitri called out to the grinning boy. "Go to the mill and let Alexis know our girl is home! Have someone go to Gregor in the native village. Bring him here as well. Have them take a horse for him. He is too old to walk that far. Tomorrow, we shall have a feast. All are invited."

  The noise and commotion was almost deafening. Dmitri stood in the middle of it all and closed his good eye. He felt his heart might jump out of his chest. Dmitri was so full of joy and thankfulness, he was almost lightheaded.

  He thought of Stanislaus and a grin lifted the corners of his mouth. It was providential that Stanislaus was escorting Samuel and his family to Sitka, where both families would be spending the summer. Stanislaus was to come to the island after seeing Leontine, Samuel and Jean settled. His manager would be on the island in a short time. There was no way to reach him to tell him his love was here, waiting.

  There was another flurry of activity as the two youngest Bressoffs tore down the steps from their bedrooms where they had been playing. Dmi threw himself at Anya and nearly knocked her over. Lexie was not far behind, the little girl lifted her arms to her sister, begging to be picked up for a kiss and hug.

  "Dmi! You have grown so!" Anya hugged him with one arm. Then, scooping Lexie into an embrace, she kissed and hugged the little girl.

  There was a slight scraping sound behind Dmitri. Ah, yes. The boy. He realized how intimidating the clamor of his joyful household must be to the young man.

  Pushing forward slightly, he reached the study door. Dmitri opened it and turned to look at the youngster. "Go in and rest. This will die down shortly."

  "Thank you sir." Petyr slipped in to the study, pushing the door shut behind him.

  Anya noticed her father directing Petyr into the study and mouthed her thanks. It had not occurred to her that her homecoming would be so tumultuous. It warmed her heart and joy flooded her.

  Unheeded, the tears flowed down her face. Anya made no move to wipe them away. The noise and uproar fed her spirit. All these people she had known and loved as a child. Their response to having her back was unbearably sweet. But ...

  Anya turned her head to whisper in her father's ear. "Stanislaus?"

  Turning toward his daughter, Dmitri looked down into her upturned face. Finally! Her father's smile was knowing. Anya blushed a bit, but did not lower her eyes.

  "On a ship. He is taking Leontine, Samuel and their daughter, Jean, to Sitka. We are all to spend the summer there. He will stop here, however. You will see him shortly."

  "Leontine's baby was a girl. I wondered." Anya's mind darted to Leontine and Samuel. A baby girl! She was glad to learn all was well with them.

  Stanislaus will be here shortly! Her heart lifted to another level, but suddenly she was afraid. Had he waited? Anya knew she could not ask that question of her father. Camille perhaps, but not her father.

  The commotion died a bit. The ladies began to dry their eyes. Dmitri felt as if his face would split from the width of the smile he wore. As they wound down, he looked at Camille. She was smiling and crying at the same time.

  Dmitri began to laugh. The sound rumbled through the house. He reached out and again took Anya in his arms. The joy he felt spread through the old log home. Everyone joined in.

  "Lillette, I am afraid I have made a very big commitment here. When Ivar returns have him set up the spit outside. The moose haunch, the one hanging in the cache, have him get it down. I think we should start it tonight. There will be an army to feed tomorrow."

  Dmitri began to issue orders. A feast was to be prepared. He wished he had a fatted calf to kill. No matter, the moose would do.

  "Ilyia, I know we do not have enough plates. Let Ivar know we will supply the food and everyone else is to supply eating utensils. There is a case of vodka in storage, bring that out as well. We have somewhere near fifty pounds of potatoes, is that correct Camille?"

  "Close to it." She replied. It was good to see the enthusiasm oozing from Dmitri again.

  "Good. Lillette get out the biggest pots. If you need any help carrying anything heavy, call me. We shall boil the potatoes and as much cabbage as we have left. I want everyone to have enough to eat. For now, I will send Anya's young friend to you to be fed. Ladies, be careful to honor him. No hugs, or touching, please."

  Lillette had already turned on her heel. She was headed in the direction of the kitchen and the pantry. Ilyia was listening carefully to the orders she was being given.

  "Ilyia, show Petyr to the guest ro
om. When he has eaten, Dmi will be our host. We will all be in the study as there is a great deal to discuss. If you would bring us some meat, bread and cheese, that should do for now."

  Camille smiled. Count Bressoff was again in control. The worry and grief had flown, her husband stood tall and happy. Camille felt tears again welling up in her eyes. How she loved to see him shine as he did now. Dmitri was completely alive again. The dead had all come to life. All was right with their world.

  "Dmi." Dmitri called his son to him. "I am going to ask you to take care of Petyr for us. Petyr is a friend of Anya's. He needs a young man to show him the workings of the bathroom. I would like it very much if you would show him around for me. I will introduce you in a moment. He does not speak English, so you will have a chance to practice your Russian.

  Dmitri squatted down and drew Lexie into his arms. "Little one. There will be a great deal going on in and around the house for the rest of the day and tomorrow. I need you to be very good. Do not cause Ilyia or your mother any trouble. Remember, we will be going to Sitka soon so you will be able to see Jean. Keep that in mind, milaya. Once Dmi has taken Petyr around the house, you can help Dmi show Petyr around the grounds. We are agreed?"

  "Yes Poppa. Can I meet Petyr now?" She asked.

  Dmitri took Lexie by the hand as he reached for the doorknob to open the study. "Come Dmitri, let us go tend to our guest.

  Only Camille and Anya still stood in the hall. Camille reached for Anya. "Cher, you are so skinny!"

  Anya, nearly as tall as Dmitri, pulled her stepmother into her arms. "I am fine dear. I missed you and needed to talk with you. There were so many things I need to talk with you about. I cannot ever go back to Charles!"

  Camille moved back a little to look at her stepdaughter. Then she took Anya's face in her hands. "We will have time to talk, love. Let you father get Petyr settled, then we will get comfortable in the study."