Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 20

 

20.

 

“King Corvinus, I stand with you in the battle against the Turks. We must hold our ground, for we are the last bastion against the Turks invading the main group of Europe.” Stephen III was in the court of Corvinus. “Once we were invaded by the barbarians in the cities of Poland. It was halted ……”

“And the Germans did that ……” King Corvinus cut in. “Was it the deposition of Romulus Augustulus in 476 CE by the Germanic leader Odoacer then? Yet, we have not fallen. We, the Hungarians, still stand today against the Turks. How many times have we battled them? They invaded, we repulsed, and then we invaded, and then we were…repulsed.”

“Stephen, I am tired.” King Corvinus sighed. “When will all this end? Can we expect the whole Christian nation to mount another crusade? The last …… Was it led by Edward, Duke of Gascony, later King Edward I of England?”

“It was the ……. Ninth Crusade or an extension of the Eighth Crusade? He withdrew due to concerns at home and the inability to resolve internal conflicts within the remaining Outremer territories. It also foreshadowed the imminent collapse of the last remaining Crusader strongholds along the Mediterranean coast. And Acre, the last major Crusader city, marked the last Crusader presence in the Holy Land.”

“I am aware of the ……” Stephen III spoke out when he was tired of listening to the failures of the wars.

“No, it was the crusade to aid Constantinople against the Ottoman Turks that was defeated; that was the last crusade.” Corvinus sighed. “Was it not the Ottoman campaign against you that ended in defeat at the Battle of Vaslui?”

“Yes. I am not defeated. I am here to release the… monster that will… Pardon me, be feared by the Turks.” Stephen III replied. “Vlad Tepes, or as he is better known, Dracula, or the Impaler.”

“Vlad Tepes? The one whom I imprisoned for years.” Corvinus looked at the other. “Is he still alive?”

“He lives. He can be the one to defeat the Turks and… Basarab the Elder and topple Radu for good.” Stephen III looked back at the Hungarian leader.

“Madness…… Truly madness. The…… monster; your word, Stephen III. Can he be trusted to battle them? He was once their pet. His brother, Radu, rode for the enemy and fought on our land. He is the Voivode there now.”

“He was family to Radu, but I was told they shared no love.” Stephen III looked at Corvinus. “Vlad harbours hatred for the Turks. They destroyed his family. He will battle them. He also relishes the rank of Voivode there.”

“With what? He holds no army.” Corvinus looked at Stephen III.

“He can build a new army. We can assist, and I have the others to assist. They will loan him the ducats to sign on more men. Genoa and Venice are filled with many veterans that need to find coins. We can assist there.” Stephen III told the court.

It was this that Lord Gencio Capulet was back in Genoa. He had spent the days there to meet the others to support the new campaign. He met them and told them of the riches of the campaign. He held talks with the traders at the guild and banks.

“Stephen III meets with Corvinus for the army to be formed. It will be led by one named Vlad Tepes.”

“Madness!” The trader he met cried out. “Do you know what the mad Voivode did to his enemies?”

“I do. He instills in them fear. The mention of his name made them cower in fear. Many others, including Basarab, and even Corvinus, had not done that. The Sultan, Mehmet II, feared that monster you called.”

“The blood drinker is imprisoned by the Hungarians. Why would he ride for them?” Another trader cut in. “Tell me, Lord Dante Montague. Do you agree?”

Lord Dante Montague was there but not to listen to Lord Gencio Capulet. He had sworn not to get involved with the latter for any ventures. He was content with his trade with England and Spain and with the patronage of Lady Angeline’s sister, Juliette, paving the way for him to make contacts.

“Huh? I do apologize, gentlemen. I am here to transact on my bill of lading.” Lord Dante Montague avoided the stare of Lord Gencio Capulet. “Please excuse me.”

“Lord Dante Montague, I ……” Another trader named Bassanio interjected. “I would like your counsel on another matter.”

“Yes, of course. Let me settle the bill of lading, and we can meet at the guild.” Lord Dante Montague smiled. “Good day, gentlemen.”

“Lord Dante Montague, may I know that you are holding a ball this weekend at your place?” One other trader asked. “I would like my son to be there to meet your daughter.”

“Absolutely. The ……. Invites are going out this week. And good day, gentlemen. I am to handle my own affairs.” Lord Dante Montague took his leave.

“What ball, Lord Ian Pearson?” Lord Gencio Capulet asked.

“Oh, Lord Dante Montague is to introduce his daughter, Juliet, to the society. It will be a privilege to be there.”

At the home of the Montagues, Lady Angeline was busy with the preparation for the ball. There was much to do; the guests from afar needed accommodations and servants to clean the rooms, and the kitchen needed to stock the supplies. She was shorthanded at the household.

“Who is preparing the Torta Pasqualina?” Angeline called out while she planned the meals at the library. It was the only sane place to be seated while the other chambers were cleaned. “My sister insists on that.”

The savoury pie that has been a part of Ligurian culinary tradition is made with layers of flaky pastry filled with a mixture of Swiss chard or spinach, ricotta, and eggs. The most authentic versions include prescinsêua, a slightly tangy, creamy cheese typical of the region.

“Who……”

“Hold your breath, Mother. It is only a ball.” Juliet arrived at the library. “I am to go out with Jessica.”

Juliet was out without the mother looking at her, who was busy with the next list of things to do. The young lady met her friend and then walked to the square.

“Are we meeting him?” Juliet asked.

“Yes, he told me he will be at the square.” Jessica was the one rushing. They reached the square and selected a table at the roadside café. They placed their orders for tea and watched the people moving there. Jessica then heard the voice.

“I am behind you. Were you here long?” Jessica was excited. She leaned back and replied.

“No, I ……. Yes, I had waited.” Jessica did not look back. “Why are you late?”

“There were the others here. I do not want to meet them.” The other replied. “How are you?”

“I am fine. Do …… Did you know of the ball this weekend? It is a masquerade ball. You can wear a mask.”

“I heard. I …… I volunteered there at the kitchen. You know I cannot be……”

“I am aware. This feud is stupid. I will meet you at the arch.” Jessica then got up. She looked towards Juliet. “You will wait here till I come back.”

“Of course. I am to meet Rosaline.” Juliet looked up from the volume she held in her hands. The title was the BIBLE. Her eyes were not on the pages but on the moving beau that passed her view. Jessica had taken the fast steps to the arch. She was told of the place by her mother, and she was there to meet her beau.

“Jessica, my love.” Her lips were kissed by the beau who met her there. She snaked her arms around the neck.

“You taste of tea.” Jessica pulled her face away. “I …”

“And you smell of lilac.” Her beau smiled. He was a young man who stood tall and handsome, with a side smile.

“Lorenzo Capulet, I love you.”

The same cannot be said of Romeo Capulet, who was housebound by the stubborn servant, Reynard. They were sparring with the wooden swords.

“Ouch!” Romeo cried out. The hilt of the sword held by Reynard had impacted on the nape of Romeo.

“Pay attention, Master Capulet.” Reynard told the young man. “You left your back open to attack.”

“I ……” Romeo backed off and glared at the instructor. “My father paid you to coach me, not harass me.”

“If you do not want me to coach you, do tell your father.” Reynard stepped backwards. “Now rest before we continue.”

Romeo took his rest by the tree stump and was met by Sampson.

“I heard there is a ball this weekend at the Montague house.” Sampson, who had stayed behind to help the household.

“Ball? I want to be there. Can…….”

“Young master Capulet. One, you are homebound; two, you are not to be near the Montague’s home.”

“Silence, Sampson. I will see Mother.” He saw then the arrival of Rosaline Alegar, a distant cousin of the Capulet. She was also the friend of the Montague, being the neutral link to both sides. She approached Romeo, whom she was infatuated with. She was pretty if you looked long enough, dressed simply, but it was her cheerfulness that eluded and gave her the aura.

“I have a surprise.” Rosaline was smiling. “I have the invite for the ball at the Montague’s.”

Romeo’s heart sank then. Rosaline was invited, and he was not. He tossed the wooden sword and walked back to the house. Rosaline was stunned and remained standing there. Reynard approached the young lady.

“Leave him be. He is upset at being homebound.” Reynard said. “I am happy that the Montague does not view you as an enemy.”

“Me? I am fine with Juliet. She met me and gave me the invite.”