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Chapter 9
The Day of the Wedding I:
“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charityâ€.
(1 Corinthian 13, 13)
Bernstein Manor Early Morning, around 0600 AM:
Gunnery Sergeant Thane Reynolds was an early Riser, a relic from his Time as a Marine. While Maureen still slept, he had gotten up, freshened up, and dressed. Before he left, he had kissed his soon-to-be Wife gently on her Forehead. She had looked so peaceful.
At times he still couldn´t believe his Luck that Fate had made them meet. Maureen was the best what had happened to him in his Life. In the vast Kitchen of Bernstein Manor, he had helped himself to a large steaming Pot of strong black Coffee. Another Habit from his Times as a Marine. First Order of the Day? A Pot of Black and Strong.
He took a sip and savoured the Taste. The Coffee was excellent.
The Dinner yesterday had been interesting. Since it was a black-tie event, the Ladies had dressed up to the Nines. A great variety of splendid evening gowns. A feast for the Eyes. One Lady though had stood out, one of the Brides, the auburn-haired Briton:
Kirsty Garrett had worn the full-dress Uniform as a Corporal of the Special Reconnaissance Regiment of HRM Armed Forces. As Thane learned later the late Queen had granted Garrett the Right to wear Uniform at Occasions like these.
He had been already curious to learn the Story behind the Victoria Cross. Later in the evening, sharing a Pint of local Indian Pale Ale they had swapped Stories and Thane had learned why and how Kirsty Garrett had been awarded the highest and most prestigious decoration of the British honours system.
The battle-hardened Gunnery Sergeant had been impressed – and that said something. He was a Marine after all:
“From the Halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land, and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marine.â€
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tTTL9OTmoQ
Thane stepped through the open Doors of the Dining Hall onto the Western Patio. Except for the sounds of the Sea, the eternal rolling of the Breakers, and the screeching of the Sea Gulls, there was no sound. The Day of the Wedding would be another beautiful day in late May, a light breeze from the Northwest filled the Air with its tangy Aroma.
He was greeted by a most peculiar sight. Facing the West, kneeling on a Tatami was a tall blonde Woman, her long shimmering blond Hair bound into a Ponytail. Her hands rested on her Thighs. She was barefoot and wore a white Hakama-Shita and a black Hakama – the traditional Clothing of a Samurai.
On her right the Gunny noticed two long rectangular boxes of lacquered wood. One deep black, one scarlet red. They glittered in the soft Morning Sun´s light. He could make out ornaments on them. Silver Swans, Cranes, and other birds. Flowers. On the Woman´s left, he spotted the traditional Utensils of a Japanese Scribe: The Four Treasures. His keen eyes noticed a Sheet of Xuan Paper – one of the finest Chinese Papers.
Thane could not read the black Kanji but could see they had been written with a clear elegant hand in fluent strokes. Obviously, the blonde had penned them down only Moments before he stepped on the Terrace. The black Ink had barely dried.
When he had been stationed in Japan, he had learned a lot about Japanese Culture – and learned to admire it. The blonde bowed till her forehead touched the Tatami and held the Pose. Then she sat upright again and spoke loud and clear in Japanese – like a Native Thane noticed. Somehow the Sound of the Japanese never had failed to touch him.
Fluently and elegantly the blonde rose to her feet. Folded her hands before her breast and bowed deeply to the West. She held the pose for a spell before she rose again. Thane watched as Chris stepped from the Tatami and began to execute Tai Chai. The Gunny had seen some really good Practitioners of this Discipline – but what he saw now? It was not just Tai Chi – it was an Art. Like dancing. Every single movement. Slow. Precise. Sensual even.
“This looks somehow like Katie dancing†a soft voice whispered in his left Ear. He had been so fascinated that he had not noticed Maureen´s soft footfalls on the thick Carpet “Yes my love†he whispered back without turning his head. He could simply not look away.
Enthralled Maureen and Thane followed Chris´ Movements. Finally – as if by Magic – the blonde stood on the Tatami again facing West. The Latina thought back: Maureen had had a conversation with the Pianist yesterday, as late in the Evening the blonde had stepped out onto the Patio with a Glass of Wine in her right hand. A fine Riesling from Germany as Maureen learned later.
The Pianist had worn her hair openly, it flowed like a cascade of shimmering gold above her bare tanned muscular Shoulders: She had worn a bright blue gown and Gianvito Rossi Platform Sandals. For a spell, Maureen had watched the tall Pianist as she looked into the Distance. And felt like a Voyeur.
“Why don´t you join me, Maureen?†the blonde said suddenly without turning her back. Maureen de Angelo was baffled, surprised “How do you know ….†Chris von der Marwitz chuckled “I hear many things, other People don´tâ€.
Maureen still surprised had closed the Distance till she stood on Chris´ left side “It is beautiful here†she smiled. Chris turned and smiled at her “Kirsty and Hayley told me you are the Founder and the Queen of the F.E.E.T Club. Tell me more about that!â€
Their Conversation had been interesting …
The Present:
Fascinated Thane and Maureen watched as Chris knelt down in a fleeting movement and opened first the black then the red lacquered box. Gently, very gently, she removed two long curved blades from them “These are Katana´s†Thane explained in a low voice “Look!†With a fluid motion, the Pianist pulled first one and then the second blade out of its Scabbard.
The soft morning Sun shimmered on the polished, gleaming steel. The Gunny noticed the Murasama-ba: A wave-shaped Hamon. The Hamon of Muramasa was categorized as gunome-midare, that is, it forms randomized wave-like shapes. In particular, Muramasa's gunome-midare had very long, shallow valleys between a cluster of gunome shapes.
“Maureen†Thane whispered “These blades are centuries old! Not many of those blades exist anymore.
Maureen gripped Thane´s left hand and squeezed it. The Gunny returned the Gesture as they watched:
The blonde Pianist rose fluently to her feet.
Chris gripped her Katanas firmly, crossed them before her breast, and bowed to the West. And executed a Series of Kata. Slowly at first, accelerated her Speed at a measured pace. It was a dance, a Sword Dance “Yes†Thane thought “This is like Katie dancing†– he knew that it took long practice to reach this level of perfection. A lifetime probably.
Thane had seen Katana Exercises in Japan – but this was way more “Amazing†he whispered as he watched “So she is good?†Maureen teased the Gunny in a low voice “Good does not cut it in the slightest my Love!â€
Thane grew serious “This is serious Kenjitsu on the highest Level!â€
He paused as they watched:
“You would never want to cross her when she wields these Blades in earnest!†Thane added. You would not want to cross the Woman!â€
“You admire her?†Maureen teased him. The hardened Marine smiled “I admire only one Woman Maureen de Angelo, you know that!â€
“But you are fascinated by her! Thane nodded “On a strictly professional level of Course – she radiates Power, a calm Power, she hides. But it is there. And I know a Warrior when I see one.â€
They watched as Chris executed a Combination so swiftly their Eyes had trouble following.
“What I admire†the former Gunnery Sergeant added “Is this level of perfection†He pointed at Chris “This is an Art!â€
“Besides of that?†Thane grinned “I admire only one Woman!†Maureen chuckled …
“Nice safe!†She smiled warmly and a tad mischievously “Say that again!â€
[
b]Hayley´s Suite around 1030 AM:[/b]
Hayley looked into the floor-length Mirror and eyed her Mirror Image critically. She had asked her Honour Guard who had assisted her with making her presentable for the Wedding Ceremony to leave her alone for a few minutes to compose herself.
In the Mirror she saw a tall curvy blonde. Her make-up was perfect. Her Wedding Dress was a refined recreation of the Wedding Dress, HRH the Princess of Wales had worn for her Wedding in 2011. Her Wedding with William Arthur Philipp Louis, the Prince of Wales.
Hayley always had loved this Dress. Its elegance, its simplicity. Back then she had sworn to herself, that she would wear such a Dress herself when she would wed the Individual, she loved.
And she had found Kirsty. Or more precisely: Kirsty had found her: She remembered her very first encounter with the Briton: Three, four years ago: It had been a typical “Hayley-King-Situationâ€: Kirsty and Christina – back then on the Dark Side of the force – had ambushed her, chloroformed her.
Her first Encounter with Elizabeth´s Crawford Restraining System ….
The first Edition ….
The next Time she had met Kirsty it had been when Crawford had her kidnapped again …. And after her escape a third time: Something had changed though over time. At some point, Kirsty had realized that what Crawford did to Hayley, keeping her on Mystery Island indefinitely had been wrong – and acted on her consciousness.
The Price she had to pay had been high – but something more, something good had grown out of it. And now, they were here, about to be married ….
A warm glow filled the blonde.
A soft knock at the Door interrupted her musing “Are you ready Hayley?†It was Kate “I am coming†Hayley smiled at her Mirror image “I am ready!†she told her Mirror Image and strode to the Door.
Kirsty´s Suite around the same time:
Another Suite, another Mirror, another Woman in a Wedding Dress watching at her Mirror Image. To be here. To be here at the Hamptons “It is a small Wonder†the Briton mused. The Kirsty who had fled her home in rural Norfolk, to escape her dysfunctional Family at Sixteen, would have never dreamt of such a Moment.
The sixteen-year-old Kirsty had been driven by only one desire: To get away from a frequently drunken and abusive father and a Mother who was unable to shield her Children from the Abuse. Kirsty remembered many Situations when her Mother had told her “He is no bad man, he will never do it again!â€
Jason Garrett had done it again. Again, again, and again. Brian had stood up to him and been beaten down. At first though, but that had changed. But after Kirsty had run away. Pamela had told her the Story.
The Road from rural Norfolk to the Hamptons had been a long one. The proverbial long and winding road.
The Beatles The Long And Winding Road (youtube.com)
A firm knock at the Door: “Ready Kirsty?†Gabriella asked gently, “I am,†Kirsty said firmly stood – and strode to the Door.
“I am ready!â€
The Chapel of the Holy Trinity, 1145 AM:
Chris looked around. The Neo-Gothic Chapel was packed with People already. The Wooden Vault was exquisite. In General, the Pianist was no Fan of Neo-Gothic, Neo-Romanic, and the like.
But this Chapel on the Bernstein Estate was an Exception to the Rule. Its Windows had been made by the famous Painter Marc Chagall, they reminded the Blonde of the Church of Saint Stephan in Mainz, the Capital of Rhineland-Palatinate, in Germany.
The Sun filtered through the blue Glass, filling the Chapel with a blue unearthly glow. This blue had a magic quality, difficult to describe with Words, as difficult as to describe Music with Words.
Chagall Fenster in St. Stephan, Mainz (youtube.com)
The Chapel buzzed like a hyperactive beehive. A very hyperactive beehive.
Next to Chris, on her left stood Anna, perfectly relaxed it seemed. Dressed in one of the asymmetrical concert gowns that were her trademark, leaving her left shoulder bare. A purple-red Gown. The Russian wore today the Cross of Romanov.
The large golden orthodox Cross, covered with Rubies, rested on her Sternum, between her full breasts. There was a story to that Cross. Chris knew how Anna had recovered that Heirloom of her House ….
She wore it only at special Occasions.
Anna Romanova and the Cross of Romanov: Chapter 1 by Imhotep-Ra on DeviantArt
Today was such an Occasion.
Merit had woven Anna´s long dark Tresses in an artful crown. A golden circlet, with a large ruby in its centre, covered her forehead. It matched the Cross in Style. As Anastasia, the Curator of the Romanov Foundation, had found out lately the Circlet and the Cross belonged together.
Anastasia had helped Anna to find the Treasure of Romanov and was appointed as Curator of the Treasure, which was on Display now in Geneva, much to the Chagrin of the current Russian “Tsar†– Chris had to smile: Vladimir Putin´s Role Model was probably more Josif Stalin than the Romanovs.
See for more about Anastasia Organossova here:
Anna Romanova and the Cross of Romanov: Chapter 2 by Imhotep-Ra on DeviantArt
The two friends exchanged a look, Anna smiled warmly at her best friend: She held her Stradivarius in her left and her bow in the right. Anna was glowing from the inside, Chris noticed.
She looked to the right:
Sophie wore a black shimmering gown, her long dark brown hair in an elegant bun. Her right hand rested on the Grand Piano. The Choir had also taken Position. Everything was ready. Chris smiled.
She had chosen a silver Dress for the Occasion. It hugged her athletic Figure nicely and left her tanned shoulders bare. The large emerald on a golden Chain between her breasts matched the colour of her Eyes perfectly.
Her long golden blonde hair fell down in waves down her back. Like a stream of molten Gold. The Sunlight filtering through the blue glass Windows painted blue reflexes on Chris´ Golden Mane.
Suddenly Anna blushed deeply, and a warm smile curled her lips as the Violinist watched at the Entrance. Chris followed her Gaze – and smiled too: A man in a perfectly tailored Tuxedo had entered the Chapel. Piercing blue eyes and short blonde hair “So James has made it†Chris chuckled “Just about time!†Anna huffed – though Chris knew her best friend was not really angry.
On the Contrary.
A few Minutes later:
Chris focused; Chris concentrated. In a few minutes, two to be exact, the first Act of the Wedding would commence: “Prelude, Fugue, and Fantasy about a theme of Richard Wagner†it read in the Order of Service. “Played and composed by Christine Auguste Victoria Wilhelmine von der Marwitzâ€.
When she had read the leaflet first, she was not sure if she should have been angry or not “I am pretty sure this was Anna´s doing†she mused. The Russian knew that Chris hated to be addressed by her full name – which only a few People knew about.
Till now.
On the other hand? The Wedding Guests would be surely impressed by it. Especially the Americans. It breathed the Charme of the Old World, so the Pianist had decided not to trash somebody´s delectable Ass to hell and back again “This was a wonderful Idea Anna!†She had smiled instead warmly.
To the Russian´s surprise.
And to Chris´ delight.
Chris looked up: Another Man entered the Chapel. With much amusement, Anna watched as Chris blushed deeply†“What is he doing here!†she hissed at Anna, her Eyes blazing. “Don´t get your Panties in a twist†the Russian smiled mischievously “If you are wearing any – I bet you don´t!†Chris's cheeks reddened even more “We†Anna smiled “As in Me, Kirsty, Hayley, and Kate noticed you had more than a fleeting interest in him back in Egypt – so we invited him overâ€.
“I will so kick your Ass!†the blonde muttered darkly. Her cheeks still flaming red “You do that!†Anna smiled “After the Wedding – if you still feel that way!â€
Chris shook her head. How could they? Had it been that obvious? Her interest in the Chieftain of the Medjai? Ardeth Bey III? The blonde could not deny it: The hardened desert Warrior cut quite the dashing figure in a Tuxedo. Their Eyes met. Her emerald green. His coal black. A small smile curled his lips in his tanned face, tanned by the hot Sun of the Desert. He bowed slightly.
A warm feeling filled Chris´ body.
From the Crown of her head to her hosed toes. If she was honest? Warmth did not cut it by far …
“Chris†Sophie whispered, “It is time!†And Chris was sure to detect the trace of a smile in the Lawyer´s Voice.
“You did know too!†The Pianist accused the Lawyer “I have no Idea what you are talking about†Sophie Reichenbach smiled sweetly.
“Lawyers!†Chris muttered.
Sophie´s dark Mezzo shimmered, and a warm smile curled her lips “Do not be rude Chris!â€
“Right,†the blonde muttered “Focus!†The Lawyer smiled. They exchanged a look. The blonde huffed “We will have Words later†She fixated on Anna “We have a Job to do.†She added calmly. Sophie smiled to herself. She knew Chris well enough by now. The Pianist was not really angry. She just had been caught by surprise. And Chris hated Surprises.
Sophie watched the blonde: The Lawyer felt what Chris was doing right now: There seemed nothing else to be: Just the Grand Piano and her.
The Pianist looked down at the Keyboard. Blended any other Sensation out. There was just the Keyboard: The white and black Keys. Chris knew that feeling. That suspense, the tingling in her fingertips. Before she hit the first Key. Nothing else mattered.
Chris concentrated. Chris focused. Her Hands hovered over the Steinway´s Keyboard. She closed her eyes for a spell as she always did before Playing. The Pianist breathed in deeply. In this Moment it was only the Piano and her.
Nothing else.
Anna watched as Chris was about to strike the first Keys. She knew her best Friend had spent a good deal of time to compose that Piece. The Violinist had never heard it before. Her best Friend had basically thrown her out of the Music Room at their Villa in Hamburg when she worked on it. Anna knew her best friend well enough that this was just Chris Way!
One thing was sure though: This would be a moment to remember!
Chris's fingers touched the Keyboard ……
The Pianist thundered a C-Major Chord with both hands on the keyboard. Once, twice – a third time. Her hands leaped to the deepest Bass notes and played a series of ascending scales up to the highest treble notes, then cascaded back – in full gallop. The tones and overtones produced by the magnificent Steinway filled the hall like Thunder.
Between the arpeggios and sweeping scales, she began introducing fragments of the main Subject. Never the complete subject. It appeared in many disguises – sometimes clear and almost recognizable, then in inverted form- at times in the Bass, at times in the Treble.
Each appearance of the main subject revealed a bit more. Anna recognized that Chris played a Prelude like Bach would have done it but with certain modern harmonic Elements. The trained Musician detected Resemblances with Busoni, with Reger – and Traces of harmonics Wagner used in “Tristan und Isolde,â€
Wagner - Tristan und Isolde - Thielemann - 1 - Vorspiel (youtube.com)
Finally, after another thundering Scale across the Keyboard – as if by Magic the Subject appeared fully:
„Treulich geführt ziehet dahin,
wo euch der Segen der Liebe bewahr’!
Siegreicher Mut, Minnegewinn
eint euch in Treue zum seligsten Paar.“
(30) Bridal Chorus (Piano Solo) by Richard Wagner - YouTube
Wagner - Bridal Chorus (piano) (youtube.com)
The following fugue was complex – and Bach would have been proud of it. Chris let off a firework of contrapunctual polyphonic Technique. Every tone was clearly articulated, one could hear every melodic line of the complex musical Texture. Transparency was key.
In the Audience, Kate listened with deep fascination. She did not notice that she gripped Castle´s right Hand tightly “Chris can really make a Piano sing!†The Detective sighed and watched and listened in awe. With ease, Chris's hands flew over the keyboard, the Pianist looked up for a second and their Eyes met. The blonde smiled.
Chris ended the Fugue with a full G-Major chord, and the final Part followed: The Fantasy. And it was a Fantasy in the Romantic Sense of the Word. A Dream put into Music. The Tones were the Brushes and Paints wielded by a Master Painter if Rembrandt had been a Pianist, not a Painter.
What the blonde Pianist did now was a full display of her impressive Technique. Between the Scales, the Arpeggios, the chromatic Octaves, and the Jumps one could recognize the Subject. The Detective sensed that none of this was by chance but precisely planned. Just shortly before 1200 a´ Clock, Chris ended the Fantasy with the opening bars of the Introduction to Wagner´s Wedding March.
There was a short Pause – and stunned Silence. Anna smiled “You pulled it off again Chris!†The Violinist smiled mischievously at her best Friend and Chris returned it “You are showing off!†it said.
One could have heard the proverbial Needle falling on the Stone Floor.
Chris looked down the Aisle:
The heavy wooden Doors of the Chapel swung wide open. The Light of the Midday Sun filled the Chapel.