190 Hunting
"I know what your teachers and governess say, but they are wrong... I see no reason why women should not be able to hunt." (MC)
Me and Katarzyna had been riding a horse for several hours towards the border with Moldova.
"... we'll stop here and set up camp for one night, and tomorrow we will return to Jazłowiec." (MC)
"And what now, father?" (Katarzyna)
It was the first such trip in Katarzyna's life and she did not know what to do or how to behave in the wild. So I had to do everything myself.
"Now I will set up our tent and prepare a fire, and then we will go hunting, according to the information there should be bears and wolves in the area." (MC)
"Why are you taking me hunting so suddenly, you've never done this before?" (Katarzyna)
The relationship between us was average, there was no hostility between us, but trust was also limited... it was much easier when she was younger, now that she was almost grown up. I am not able to make up for the lost time or to fix what I failed. I wasn't even sure if I wanted it.
"I have my reasons for this, we will hunt something, prepare food together and talk like a father and a daughter... you are 15 years old and I would like to talk to you about your future." (MC)
It did not take long to set up the camp and light the fire, then Katarzyna and I went hunting the game... I was the one who hunted, and she made more noise and fuss than the "refugees" on the Polish Belarusian border... two or three kilometers from our camp, we saw traces of game on the ground and broken branches... although they were not the traces of the bear I expected to meet in these forests, but of a deer. It took us about 30 minutes to track him down, the rest happened very quickly. I threw a spear at him, but unfortunately he moved and I only hit him in the right back leg... then scared and panicked tried to run away, but he had no chance, I shot him with a pistol. Then we returned to our camp, I cut up the deer pieces and threw a few pieces onto the grate.
"Well done or bloody?" (MC)
"Well done, I never understood why you like raw meat so much... this dish... tartare." (Katarzyna)
Yes, one of my favorite foods. Minced beef, oil, salt, pepper, onion, and egg yolk, and all raw... Unique flavor.
"You're young and you don't know what's good, but maybe you'll learn in the future." (MC)
The evening was approaching and the temperatures were still low, but the fire helped us defend ourselves against it. When the meat was ready, I put it on tin bowls, cut a piece of black bread for us and poured wine.
"What you wanted to talk about and why right here, we couldn't talk in the castle?" (Katarzyna)
"Maybe you will understand, maybe not, but in the castle I am Hetman, Prince and Politician... here I am only a father and not the best one. Although maybe I am the same as my father was... but it does not matter, my mistakes are my mistakes and I made them." (MC)
"Your father was just like you?" (Katarzyna)
I wasn't sure how to answer, my real father, from my first life, was a good man, but at one point he lost himself in alcohol... and eventually lost. Hieronin Jazłowiecki, my father from that life, was a typical soldier who planned his son's future, and after the death of his wife, he ceased to be interested in me... and I was raised by Dydynski, Kowalski and some teachers and servants.
""It was a long time ago and it really doesn't matter now. Especially since my situation was different, I could have tried harder but I didn't... You are now almost grown up and the age to get married. I promised your mother that I would do what I could so that you and Piotr would have a good life. You are a princess, you are well educated, and I can provide you with a dowry. Finding a husband will not be difficult." (MC)
"I know, but what do you expect from me? It's not like I can decide for myself." (Katarzyna)
That was also true, as a young woman in the 17th century, her will did not matter.
"Therefore, listen to me to the end, I found a suitable candidate for a husband... if you trust me, I promise that in a few years you will decide for yourself and no one will forbid you. It also means that I will have to officially adopt you, and you will have to take my name, but if you don't want to, I won't force you." (MC)
"And what will Elisabeth say, that I will bear your surname?" (Katarzyna)
"You don't have to worry about that, Elisabeth will do what I want. Anyway, she's pregnant now... maybe you'll have a new brother or sister." (MC)
"So if I agree to what you propose, who will I be in a few years?" (Katarzyna)
"Widow" (MC)
In mid-June, hired Tatars arrived in Podolia and set off for Moldavia on the same day, I did not want this group of savages to stay on my land longer than they had to. On the same day, Ivan and Ilya set out east to enslave the families of these Tatars and destroy their settlement.
The letters that I received about every two weeks showed that Elisabeth's pregnancy was proceeding smoothly, she ate a lot and as healthy as the conditions and possibilities allowed. My wife also used every free moment to visit the theater, write letters and articles, and watch the stars... she was happy.