Story Write Compilations Volume 2 Story 40

 Time Traveler saves the Day or Why Peter Pan fight with Captain Hook.

 

Authors Note: This is a shorter tale on the title above .

 

Contests rules: Use 6 or more of this prompt in the story.

 

1: An undercover pirate
2: a mysterious note
3: a long lost daughter
4: a poisonous snake
5: flight(a person that can fly)
6: A pair of broken spectacles
7: an evil plan
8: Time traveler's daughter
9: a runaway kid
10: a yellow change purse
11: a blindfold
12: a broken raft
13: a tug-o war
14: a big secret
16: a cloaked figure
17: A bow and arrows
18: a broken wrist-watch
19: A character from a dream
20: an 13 year old college student

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This is crazy, as I was walking from college although I am just 13 years of age, I could ride a bike or get a lift, but I still prefer to walk. Okay, I cannot afford a bus ticket. Anyway for College, it does pay to be smart, and sometimes with some crazy abilities, I won't disclose for now.

 

That is what put me in College at age 13.

 

I was bumped into by a kid on rollerblades and chewing gums. He passed me a yellow change purse and told me 'some old hag asked me to give you this. I darned as the only old hag I know is the one at my house now cleaning my leftovers and picking up my discarded clothes. Who has time for such chores when I am a bright kid going to college? The only other setbacks I have are no one wants to date with me ( whoever thinks I am qualified to be a date but must be wearing thick-rimmed glasses ) and I can't drive ( though I do well at the arcade. ).

 

I opened the purse and I was cheered up by its contents. It contains a mysterious note and I know who sent it. I read the words on it and I was taken away in a mist of dense fog into a world unknown to many mortals. I am in a fantasy land now and I am going to have fun soon. I find myself on the deck of a ship; not any ship but an old galleon like what you may see on Treasure Island or Captain Cook.

 

"Dad, there you are. Why are you dressed like a pirate?" My Dad is a cool guy; he is a Time Traveler. It's his job to move between time and dimensions to solve riddles and problems.

 

"Hush, Mary of my Daughter. I am on an undercover task here on Captain Hook's ship." Now, my Dad does look like a cool pirate; striped shirt and pantaloons for pants, and a nasty-looking swashbuckler on his waist. He even had on an eye patch over his left eye and stubble for his chin.

 

"Why bring me here? I am supposed to studying for my exams." I protested but I quit when I noticed I am dressed like a pirate mate too; striped blouse and pants with matching boots. The only thing missing is a parrot and red bandanna for my hair.

 

"Oui, who does Batman calls when he needs help? 911 or Robin Line? Of course, I need your help. But I think I may have to take your measurement again as you are fitting into the clothes a bit too taddy tight." I think I know what he meant.

 

The last time we met on an adventure was two years ago and I was still a tinny weeny girl then. But now I am growing to be a lady. "Well, we just have to improvise. Take this bandanna and make a scarf then." He produced a bandanna from his pocket. I did as he said, and he said he needed me to go to the island. I looked over the side and see the place; it's like an island on a fairy tale book; a small one in the middle of a large ocean and holds a high hill or in some cases a volcano.

 

"That's Peter Pan's island. The problem here is that Captain Hook does not want to invade Peter Pan and vice versa,...."

 

"So you want me to start a war? Okay, will do." I jumped off the ship and flew there. Yes, I can fly in here as most of the characters do in these tales. Do you think only guys who wear their undies outside of their pants can fly?

 

Well, I landed on the island and I searched for Peter Pan while hatching up an evil plan. It's not easy as he is a nice guy, and is he handsome. The latter was because I happened to stumbled on him taking his bath at the waterfall. Sorry, readers, we would take a break here.

 

Now, where was I?

 

Oh, yeah; I am to create a war. But I could think of nothing to make Peter upset to kill the evil Captain. Then I thought

of it, and I came out running to the waterfall.

 

"Oh, help me....please." I feigned unconsciousness as I stepped to the poolside. The surprised Peter Pan dunked himself into the deep end of the water on seeing me interrupt his bath. I laid there on my side; naturally with a view of him so I know what to do next.

 

"Help me....the evil Captain..he..." I moaned out in low murmurs and the ever-charming hero of the fairy tales jumped out of the pool and flew up to the poolside. He retrieved his clothes and dressed up before attending to me.

 

"Are you okay, pirate?" Who would have if she had seen what I just saw? East your heart out, Tom Cruise. I am going for Peter.

 

"I think so... Please help me. Evil Captain Hook...he hurt me bad. He had a poisonous snake which bit me, but I managed to extract out the poison but the wound still hurts." I pulled up my blouse to showed him my belly button.

 

"But there are no bite wounds there." Peter protested.

 

"It was a magic snake. It does not leave any bite marks, but I extract out the poison at where it has bitten me." I point to my belly button. "Please help me remove the last of the poison."

 

He did and I tell you this; ever get your belly button suckled, don't try when the walls are too thin.

 

"It must have hurt. You were screaming." He had to ask and I nodded. Peter carried me in his arms to his nest; I mean his treehouse. He laid me on the bedding and reached for his sword swinging at the wall. "I shall defend your honor even though you are a pirate. Captain Hook shall pay for his heinous action."

 

I would tell you that when Peter stretched himself on raising his sword, I swore if I had dropped my gaze any lower, I would gladly take his sword thrust into me.

 

"But before I go on my war, I must bid my quests goodbye. Please do come in my good friends." Peter placed his sword back into the scabbard and turned to face the doorway...

 

I saw a cloaked man coming in and followed by a more elderly version of Peter; all dressed in green. The man in green also carries a bow and some arrows on him.

 

"Obi-Wan, I am so sorry that you have to leave early but your mission calls for your early departure." Peter hugged the cloaked man and then he produced the broken spectacles from the table. "I shall have this repaired when I see the Glass Man."

 

"Thank you, Peter. May the Force be with you. Just as you have the Captain, I have the Vader to handle personally. Please do fix my glasses so I would not be picking the wrong apprentice again." The cloaked man made his way out of the treehouse.

 

"Peter, my son. I have to go too. The forest of Sherwood needs me. And I can see you are needed without me coming in unannounced." The older man in a green suit winked at me. Gee, he does look like Clark Gable. I am beginning to love this task. The older man also took his leave but he stopped at the door.

 

"My Gautier watch....get it done, please. I don't want to be late for your mum's dinner again." Peter nodded to his father's request.

 

"Gautier?" I had to ask. All I could afford was a Swatch.

 

"Yup, the Croc took it along with the Alarm Clock. Now that they are gone, I would do my battle for your honor." My hero flew off leaving me heaving in huff and puffs of a missed afternoon session of "hey, what do you have here?".

 

I followed suit and watched from the deck with my dad as the two battle it out. I tell you something nice, they both have nice butts.

 

"Okay, girl. Time for us to go now." My father packed up his sundeck chair and then looked at me. "Hey, we got another task to complete before you can go back for supper. Heidi has gone off with Tom Sawyer as a runaway girl. I got to get her back. I shared with you a big secret. Heidi is one of my long-lost daughters with another lady. Your mum does not know." He whispered into my ears.

 

"Father, how could you do this to Mother?" I asked of him.

 

"Well, we were alone on a raft and I was blindfolded as my eyes hurt then... And you know being drifting for days and nights..." He tried to explain but I told him to sock it. I had enough of adventure for today. I bid him 'adios' and left for my world as the bright 13-year-old girl trying to survive in college. Its not tug o-war on my obligations as the Time Traveler's daughter and my studies, as I enjoyed both.

 

To many of you, I am envied like a character from a dream. But dream on as mine is the real thing.

 

 

 

 

Dante Book III Canto XXV111 Scene I

 Canto XXVIII

The Eighth Circle: Fraud

Bolgia 9: Sowers of Discord

Scene I

 

Dante and Virgil left the fields and came to a valley where he saw rows of caves seen from there.

“Please let me rest, Virgil. The last bolgia was brutal to my thoughts. The Count was ---” Dante was cut off by the other.

“I will call him a beast in his works and beliefs that he purported to hold. He is the worst from the ones we met. They had sins but no sins will greater than the purveyor of mass destruction not by his own hands but advocated by his means.” Virgil sighed. “We are not judged. It’s here that they are revealed their sins.”

“Virgil, tell me if anyone of while living held no sins? If no, we were allowed to repent but why when I had said, the shackles of sins may not be totally unlocked for some.”

“It may not be for Man was with a mind that may turned to the situation then, and its reaction unforeseen.” Virgil said. “Just when someone takes another’s life by anger, it may be argued that it was unforeseen but some acts of anger are foretold when the emotion dictate that act.”

“In the courts of Man, its was named as manslaughter.” Dante argued.

“If a man killed because he was angry but his anger was to take that life, would that be premediated?” Virgil asked.

“I wouldn’t know. I am not a barrister at law. I am a theology student but I will attempt an answer. That will be a murder but it’s up to the laws of Man to decide. The accused however upon death, the soul will be judged here.” Dante replied. “I can see your logic query, but in the living realm, we are judging each other as equal in breath and blood but here in Hell, or even to Heaven, we are judged by God. And God will be fair to all.”

“Or we are doomed to go through Hell. What a whack job that will be?” Virgil shifted to his sarcastic mood. He saw the frown on Dante’s expression and apologized.

“I meant no harm but will be apologetic if I did. After all, I am or rather was a living soul. We make mistakes.”

“Not all mistakes are forgiven that easily.” Dante then turned to the caves seen by him. “What dwells there?”

They approached the caves. Another dark shade cherub sat there on the boulder was seen and then greeted the duo.

“Are you the two souls that traversed Hell?” The cherub spoke.

“Yes, we are. I am Dante and he is Virgil.” Dante replied.

“Do you ever argue on your journey here? There must be things that both of you may agree and some which you may not.” The cherub asked.

“There were at times, I felt like hammering his head in but I can’t. I am a soul here without a tangible form.” Virgil rushed to the answer.

“Why do you ask, cherub?” Dante looked at the dark shade cherub. It was normally he was the one who questioned there in Hell.

“I asked for where you are to step into is the pits of Discord. Its where the sinners who committed discord in the living realm are punished. That includes schism. You know what schism is?”

“The Great Schism came about due to a complex mix of religious disagreements and political conflicts.
That was how Dante perceived the meaning. “These religious disagreements were made worse by a variety of political conflicts.” (https://www.nationalgeographic.org/thisday/jul16/great-schism/#:~:text=The%20Great%20Schism%20came%20about,for%20the%20sacrament%20of%20communion.).

“For myself, the philosophical approach of it was at the intersection of logic and ontology.” Virgil interjected in. He saw the frown on Dante’s expression. “However, I will not interject on the matter for now.” (https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/logic-ontology/#DifConOnt).

“Or I may be excommunicated by my companion.” Virgil muttered before he turned away.

“Yes, schism can also occur anywhere be it religion or politics, or when rival, hate-filled political parties are formed, or within families, as when a son and a father hate each other.” The dark shade cherub spoke. “And discord appear. With it, breakdown in relationship and the concept of co-existence. You would had seen it first hand, Dante in the war.”

Dante recalled the many moments discord had occurred in the war, when friends fought over many issues like the loss of their other friends, the urge to kill because the other was their enemy yet having not seen to hurt them but the insignia of the uniform was the bearer of hate. He had seen the “great spoils of golden rings” in the bloody battles as if they were reliving the ancient Punic War when Roman soldiers were killed, and Carthaginian soldiers gathered three bushels of gold rings from the fingers of the dead Roman soldiers.

“What is done then was a sin and it will punish here?” Virgil asked out.

“To those whom are judged to cause divisions, whether within religions or within politics or within families. They are punished by being slit by a devil with a sword.” The cherub replied. “Step into the bolgia and viewed for yourself. Judge me not for I am just the ---.”

“Executioner, we met.” Virgil cut in. The walk into the valley and they saw the bloody punishment taken on those with that sin.

“That is Curio, who advised Julius Caesar to cross the Rubicon River into Italy, although the Roman Senate had forbade him to do that.” Dante saw Curio had his tongue removed and then sent off.

“He will return soon when his tongue had grown back and there it will be removed. Such is the punishment of the one who spoke in treason.” The cherub continued on. “There is someone close to your home. Mosca dei Lamberti, who contributed to the development of the Guelf and the Ghibelline factions in Florence.”

“And there walk the one named Bertran de Born caused a son to rebel against his father; therefore, his punishment is to have his head chopped off.”

“A just punishment.” Dante said then. “The perfect contrapasso”.

The contrapasso derived from the Latin words contra and patior, which mean "suffer the opposite." Contrapasso refers to the punishment of souls by a process is either resembling or contrasting with the sin itself." It was a harsh term used by Dante there. (Extracted from https://www.missskirtich.com/uploads/2/3/3/7/23374820/inferno_discussion_guide.pdf. Pg 157)

“Stay your emotions, poet.” Virgil reminded Dante.

“I am fine. As said by one author of many generations ago, “If the soul is left in darkness sins will be committed. The guilty one is not he who commits the sin, but he who causes the darkness. Victor Hugo in Les Miserables. That is their real sin.”

“I had enough. I want to leave.” Dante called out then.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dante Book III Canto XXV11 Scene I

 Canto XXVII

The Eighth Circle: Fraud

Bolgia 8: Counsellors of Fraud II

Scene I

 

“Virgil, do hold up. I have a cramp in my left leg.” Dante called out to the companion of his. Both had taken not a far a walk past the field of flames, and Dante being of flesh and soul needed the respite.

Or so he claimed.

Virgil remained standing and looking away to the path ahead. Dante knew his companion was still upset with the discussion he had with Ulysses. Dante then took to tell a short tale while he rubbed his left leg.

“Virgil, are you still thinking of Ulysses? Let me relate to you a tale I once heard.” Dante began his tale. “There were two monks on their way back to the monastery. One was an elder and the other a novice. They came upon a lady who was in distress by the roadside. She told them that she sprained her ankle and needed to be carried.”

“Now the monks had a sworn oath not to touch any who are not of their gender but the elder monk offered to carry the lady on his back. He did so and carried the lady to her home which was nearby. He then returned to re-join his other brother in faith to resume their journey.”

“I can’t walk with you for you have sinned.” The other monk said to the one who carried the lady to her home. “We have a sworn oath not to hold or touch another gender. More to it, you carried her on your back.”

“Did I? I had forgotten all about it. I recalled was I did a good deed for another living soul. If I am judged to break my vow, then I will gladly fully receive the punishment but why do you think of it otherwise? You may have sinned for you have thoughts of the lady and her proximity with me, giving you the sights that I did not hold.”

“I ---"

“Young one, your mind corroded my efforts. I was sincere with my assistance but you were having evil thoughts of it. When a wife invites her husband back home. She offered him the love that was to be shared as one. Unlike a lover who may invite another to her bed, she held other thoughts in her intention.”

“That concludes my tale. What we think of will be our thoughts when we are judged. Ulysses had his abilities which were why he was recruited by Agamemnon to battle in the war. He called on Achilles who he had the vision of leading the army there. He had to use his abilities to deceive Achilles to reveal himself when the other was impersonating a lady. He had no thoughts that the war was to take so long which he owed Achilles’ lover the apology. He deceived the Trojan with the Horse, and yes, he took away their totem of courage, the Palladium. He did all that with his abilities. For that, he was judged here. It may sinful to misuse your abilities.”

“Are the ones who misused their abilities here?” Virgil asked.

“I believed so, but their sins may be numerous and at different levels, they are kept here in Hell. You saw for yourself the punishment of each level. As I had once the admiration of the ex-General that we spoke of earlier. He was once my hero than for he was Guelph but he used his abilities to war not on the other enemy at the borders, but of his hatred for Ghibelline. Their squabbles caused us to retreat in shame at the defeats. He was executed by his men and the front lines remained intact but we lost many then. The General held great abilities but he was selfish in the act.” Dante said.

“Ulysses was never a hero to me. He was the cause of my own to quarrel with the others considered as Romans for generations. We are now into the twenty-third century, and how many have we battle and fought in anger because of our ancestors.” Virgil looked at Dante. “I was saddened for an event like the Trojan War and many others split the nation when it came to their legacies. Just as we battle now when we are all of one creation.”

“Perhaps that was why there are sins to be committed and the place to repent is here in Hell. Even for the one worship as heroes.” Dante sighed.

“Who goes there? I heard the voices of heroes.” A voice called out from the field and a flame flickered higher, to reveal a soul that was unlike that of Ulysses but more towards the form of nobility.

How do you describe a person of nobility? Nobility is a social class normally ranked immediately below royalty and found in some societies that have a formal aristocracy. Nobility has often been an estate of the realm that possessed more acknowledged privilege and higher social status than most other classes in society. The privileges associated with nobility may constitute substantial advantages over or relative to non-nobles or may be largely honorary (e.g., precedence), and vary by country and era. Membership in the nobility, including rights and responsibilities, is typically hereditary. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobility).

It was seen in their frame which stood out on over-confidence or in some lewd terms, arrogance.

“I am Guido da Montefeltro VII. The Count is my stately title” The soul bray out. Even in the ages of the twenty-third century, such a category still exists although many ranked with the commoners in privileges.

“He farts more.” Another voice in the field called out. “Evict him for he fouls our space.”

“Donatello, I will have you banished.” The courtly soul snapped at the other. “As I was saying, I am Count Guido and I heard you mentioned heroes. Is there any you mentioned that I may have known? I had counseled many in the Courts and failed them I did not.”

“Oh, the fart here is stinky.” The same voice roared out and a series of laughter was followed.

“Pray do tell me, passer-by of the souls. Are you from the City of Romagna? I require its news.” The Count asked.

“We are not of there, but Romagna as I was to know was not involved in the war. They declared themselves neutral in the conflict and was spared of the destruction.” Dante replied. He had not been to Romagna but the Royals there declared them ‘non involvere’. The warring parties had used them as healing states for the wounded or to partake in clandestine activities although it was not sanctioned there.

“Bless thee, my ancestors. I have emerged from thy shadows to rank with you in the art of survivor.” The Count raised his hands to his heart. “I do declare…”

“Hold your noses. The fart is to come.” The others in the fields roared.

“I was to say,” The Count frowned on the reception he was given. “I was saying his Grace had sought me out to advise on the Art of War. I am an avid learner of it from Hannibal, to Alexander the Great and even the infamous Caesar. I even studied from Akbar; I doubt any of you knew him. He was from the east…”

“我在孫子學的” (Translated from Traditional Chinese I studied under Sun Tzu) Another voice called out.

“織田信長と戦った。私はここに所属していません.” (Translated from Japanese I fought with Oda Nobunaga. I don't belong here.).

“Hey, this is my Hell. Go back to yours, warriors, or please allow me to speak. I am addressing one of my own. Vicini ficcanaso. (In English Nosy neighbors).” The Count muttered those last words and then looked at Dante. 

“I was famed to be even consulted by the then Pope Boniface to provide him guide on warring. I told him I am Man of peace. I joined the “Rights to Live” movement. We protest many wars but the will of the other was too strong. I told I had repented from the warring nature hut I had to cave into his demands and forced by him to give counsels.”

“What did he ask of you?” Virgil cut in.

“He made me sell --- to get more arms for him. He paid me handsomely though. I was offered repentance if I agreed. And I agreed and was to be saved by the saints but ---” The Count saw the dark shade cherub appeared.

“We intervened. He may have repented in the eyes of God, but he did give bad advice hence we took him in here to Hell. Repentance with a few words which may be hollowed in the act is also considered as a sin. We banished him here.”

“I was misjudged.” The Count called out. “Hear me out pleas here. Bring me Boniface VIII. He will attest for my repentance.”

“He is on the other side of Hell with his punishment, Count. What I disliked of you was that you think by changing the cloak, you will be released from your punishment. Let me tell you this, Count. Even if you are wearing the Emperor’s new clothes, your penance will await you.” Dante was annoyed. “Arms dealers kill regardless even though the trigger was not pulled by them.”

“A sinner was allowed to repent before death?” The Count pleaded. “Why not me?”

“We cast aside our evil habits; we became humble, tolerant, we helped others, and we became able to give things up and expend ourselves. There were indeed some changes in our behavior, yet it is undeniable that we have not rid ourselves of the shackles of sin, and still often live amid sin, unable to escape. Sometimes, we may be capable of forbearance and self-control for a time, but the moment it becomes too much for us, we are still liable to commit evil. When such things are exposed and manifested in us, and we have yet to escape the shackles of sin, can it be said that we have truly repented?” Dante quoted excerpts of the Book. (https://www.holyspiritspeaks.org/testimonies/how-to-repent-to-God/?gclid=CjwKCAjwv_iEBhASEiwARoemvHPB-5crQfCkmO6sV7fMZiejMYTcLec8Fg2L44au-jvCPOh-E9MZ9RoCcXgQAvD_BwE)

Dante walked on ignoring the call of the Count. Virgil caught up and asked of Dante.

“Emperor’s new clothes? Seriously.”

“The Count is wearing that now and his sins are seen. Its ---" Dante held back his words then. “Digusting.”

 

 

 

 

Dante Book III Canto XXV1 Scene II

 Scene II

 

“Let no soul escaped judgment when they passed here. The final redemption for their sins hidden or suppressed during living will be exposed when they step here.” The dark shade cherub spoke plainly. “I am not the Judge but its Executioner.”

“I knew of this from the other ‘bolgia’ but avail me please, tell me of the flames seen by me, who may I know that may lie here,” Dante asked.

“There are many, and the names are too many to be recalled but feast your sight on that two horns of flames.” The dark shade cherub indicated for Dante to the flame burning brighter than the others.

“There is Odyssey and Diomedes from the ancient Trojan War era. They reside still here. Heroes of the war for they were the victors, but the judgment on them was a fraud on other merits which override their deeds.” The dark shade cherub explained. “Merits are the good deeds of Man, given the mind to think and perform for the benefit of all but what they did was had corrupted it. We can say that they misused their intellect. They wanted to do everything, but in the works, they did some evil things that they should not do. Perhaps that is the sin here: having great intellect but misusing it for evil.”

“You are no different from the written history of the victors where the cause was twisted to suit their victory.” Virgil had cut in with anger. “I have done many deeds but at times, it was used for other purposes. Does that make me a sinner here?”

“Stay your emotions.” Dante used the words spoken by Virgil before. “The dark shade cherub is only the Executioner here. It’s not the one who judged.”

“You may be right. I won’t make the right from the wrong here.” The dark shade cherub explained.

“Can I speak to them, please? It will give me clarity to my journey.” Dante asked. The permission was given but Virgil cut in to speak instead.

“Let me talk. I am ---I may be with them in the acts of it.” Virgil asked. “And more to it, you are the descendant of theirs. Your forefathers won the war then, and then founded Rome which today is the Empire we served once.”

Dante nodded to Virgil and the latter looked to the two horns of flame.

“I am Aeneas, of Florence but my forefathers were not of there but with Troy. I seek your counsel to the sins of yours.” Virgil used his name to address the flames.

“Why should we address the descendants of Troy when we were your foe? It was a war fought ---” The voice replied from beneath the flames.

“A war fought over a lady that had given her heart to Troy, and yet you held onto the war for over a decade with thousands of lives lost. How many mothers and wives with their children shed their grief on the loss of their love?” Virgil cut in. “I am not here to bring back the pains of theirs but I seek clarity to mine.”

“And what is yours to ask, Trojan?” The voice called out. “The war had ended and we lay here for eternity.”

“I asked not of the war but the sins that you were judged on,” Virgil spoke back. “I asked whom were heroes can be sinful in their way?”

“I am Ulysses, also known as Odyssey. My tales were spoken by one named Homer, in the annals leading to the Trojan War.” From the flames, a soul appeared. If there were words to describe Ulysses, it was the grand entry of the hero who rose from the flame, unsigned by it and gallantly portrayed in the state that befits the image of a hero.

“I am Aeneas, of Florence.” Virgil said once more. “I am not your enemy anymore neither do I worship you as a hero. I stand by my ancestors that they did no wrong but your kind had used deceit to breach their stronghold.”

“You spoke of the Trojan Horse. I heed your words, but be reminded that the Horse did what we and the siding Gods then could not do; end the war. I had used my intellect with others here to devise the Horse and we won. I had saved many lives soon after.”

“And what of the plunder thereafter? The wealth and fragility of the ladies whom you victory had denied them of their innocence.” Virgil hit back.

“To the victors, the spoils of it. I hold no qualms on it for it was the way then.” Ulysses argued back. “We fought a long war and ---”

“The right to take what was not yours, as you had cause grieve to Deidamia? You took her lover who had avoided you by posing as a lady. Achilles had no passion for the war but you turned him. When he died, you took his son, Neoptolemus to fight the same war.”

“I did not take Neoptolemus. He joined in willingly---”

“To prove himself in a war as what his father was before him.” Virgil cut in. “You caused many griefs to others.”

“What villainy will you have me accused of? Do you know I paid for my sins when I had to take a voyage that captures double the same line of the Trojan War? This epic of the voyage lasted for 10 years, as Ulysses tried to return home after the Trojan War and reassert his place as the rightful king of Ithaca.”

“Yes, it was written that in your words; "Life piled on life / Were all too little, and of one to me / Little remains". You turned to fellow mariners and calls on them to join you on another quest, making no guarantees as to their fate but attempting to conjure their heroic past. You deceive them for it was your selfish needs that yearn for it.”

“I did no guarantee on their fate as I told them. We faced many perilous trails and even travel to the Underworld at one stage, fought Cyclops and rescued my crew ----” The voice defended the works. “Men then were courageous.”

“Courageous they were but to be lured to their death for they were sacrificed when they angered Zeus for the cattle they stole from Helios.” Virgil cut in. “You survived on your own because one saved you to be her lover for many years. Did you weep for your dead companions? Or had any care for the lover in your household, held off suitors for the time you were away before and then again you leave her there.”

“I did but how was I return when I am burdened by the tasks inflicted upon me. Why do you surface my woes to be heard by others?” Ulysses cried out. “I had killed them all the unworthy suitors and made my peace with their families. You can seek Athena for she was the mediator to my anger.”

“Virgil, do let him go? Ulysses did what was needed then? He had to win a war and the means to it if need to be by deceit or slaughter, Ulysses did what he could.” Dante held out his right hand to Virgil. “Let bygones be bygones.”

“Deceit and slaughter he did for not only was the Horse his invention, but he also stole the Palladium from Troy. The Palladium was the symbol of strength to the Trojans. When it was stolen, the morale of Troy fell, and subsequently, they were defeated.”

“Again, I implore you to bygones be bygones, Virgil. We cannot turn the tide of time.”

“No, we can’t but the truth needed to be made known. Some Trojans lay beneath the flames. They deserved to know.” Virgil looked to the flames there. Some had flickered and shot into bigger flames. “They are here too not because of ---”

“They all tried to win their conflicts, and if they had to do it with their best of abilities, and that may include of counsel that may be judged as evil. We can’t change that but the time here, they will pay for their sins. Not all sins are avoidable. We can only seek repentance when our soul reached here. And not all repentance is absolute. We still have to pay for our penance whether here or back then they still breathe in the air I do.”

“You call it a misjudge of abilities by them and they are given the dues of it here.” Dante looked at Virgil. “As you have said, you may have sinned like them, but your repentance was done then and you do not have to undergo here.”( https://www.missskirtich.com/uploads/2/3/3/7/23374820/inferno_discussion_guide.pdf. Page 143)

“Or my repentance was to guide you for my committed sins.” Virgil turned away and took his walk ahead. “Let us be done here and leave Hell.”

As Dante was to walk, the dark shade cherub spoke to Dante.

“We don’t select Hell but Hell did it on us.”

 

Vlad the Impaller Chapter 8

 Growing Pains of the princes and the Lord

8.

Janissaries began as elite corps made up through the devşirme system of child slavery, by which the other nations were all taken, enslaved, circumcised and converted to Islam, and incorporated into the Ottoman army. They became famed for internal cohesion cemented by strict discipline and order. (Extracted from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janissary )

When a non-Muslim boy was recruited under the devşirme system, he would first be sent to selected Turkish families in the provinces to learn Turkish, the rules of Islam (i.e. to be converted to Islam), and the customs and cultures of Ottoman society. After completing this period, ‘acemi’ or recruit were gathered for training at the Enderun "acemi oğlan" school in the capital city. There, young cadets would be selected for their talents in different areas to train as engineers, artisans, riflemen, clerics, archers, artillery, and so forth.

Janissaries trained under strict discipline with hard labor and in practically monastic conditions in acemi oğlan ("rookie" or "cadet") schools, where they were expected to remain celibate. Unlike other Muslims, they were expressly forbidden to wear beards, only a mustache.

For all practical purposes, Janissaries belonged to the Sultan and they were regarded as the protectors of the throne and the Sultan. Janissaries were taught to consider the corps their home and family, and the Sultan as their father. Only those who proved strong enough earned the rank of true Janissary at the age of twenty-four or twenty-five. During the initial period of formation, Janissaries were expert archers, but they began adopting firearms as soon as such became available then.

“How dare you bring the Ottoman’s army to our land?” Basarab II confronted Lord Vlad when he arrived at his home.

“Where is my family? My love and my other son, Mircea.” Lord Vlad approached the figure seated there on the high seat that was once his. Basarab II had removed the long table and substituted it with a round table that held thirteen seats. He had offered twelve noblemen the seats there and he sat at the last one.

“I will not speak to you, Basarab. I demand to see my family now.” Lord Vlad looked at the pretender. He was to strike the other when his love arrived.

“We are safe, Vlad. Your son is here too.” Lord Vlad turned to receive his family.

“Where are the other boys? Vlad and Radu.”

 “They remained at --- the court of the Sultan. I came back alone to reclaim my rank.” Lord Vlad then turned to Basarab. “Flee now while I hold mercy in my heart.”

“Why must I? You rode into this land with the Ottoman’s army.” Basarab II accused the Lord. “Bring forth the guards. Arrest this ---man.”

None of the guards or even the ones outside stepped towards Lord Vlad. Even the nobleman who once sat with Basarab took to leave the Hall.

“Basarab, you are alone. None will defend you.” Lord Vlad looked at the pretender. “Submit or have my sword pierced your heart.”

“Where is John Hunyadi? Once he learned of your betrayal, he will march to his very Hall and kill you.” Basarab thought that if he raised the name, Lord Vlad will hold some mercy for him.

“I met John with the King. The new King. The King told me to return here. John was also told not to intervene.” Lord Vlad smiled. “He is – powerless to assist you.”

“How can he sanction you when you arrived with the Ottoman’s army?” Basarab looked to the others there. “He is a traitor to the nation. The Ottomans are our enemy.”

“The Ottoman’s army did not ride into our land with me. They were told by me to stay at the border. I rode in alone and during my ride, I have many devoted followers to ride with me to here. They knew who is the real Volvode, and ---- requested that I reclaimed my rank.”

“Get up and stay away, Basarab or it will be you next if the Sultan’s desire a hostage.” Lord Vlad approached the seat that was his. Basarab had vacated it for the Lord. He was taken under escort to the previous home of Lord Vlad’s family.

“My Lord, my other two sons?” The mother of the children cried out.

“They are still with the Sultan. I cannot bring them back without his permission.” Lord Vlad replied to his lover. He was given a slap on his face by her.

“What Father who will leave their children with the barbarians?” Vlad face was stung harder by the words of his lover than the physical pain.

“I have no choice. He held the lives of both mine and my children. I could ---”

“And you left them there. You are a monster like them.” The mother of the children stormed off in anger. Lord Vlad looked to his other son standing there. Mircea was silent but his expression was pained.

“Mircea, I did what I could. I did---”

“Yes, Father. I know you did. Mother will ----get over it soon. Welcome back, Father.” Mircea then stepped away. He then turned to the older man who was his adviser.

“Have I done wrong, old friend?”

“No, my Lord. You done well. You --- have returned.”

If only return was that simple for the two boys in the care of the Sultan. Radu was sent to be Mehmed II’s companion. Vlad was however sent to the barracks of the Janissaries.

“Warriors, we have with us a warrior.” Vlad was introduced to the ones where he was to share the place with. He was brough there by the leader of the house there. His name was Wahidi. “His name is --- What is your name, boy?”

“I am named Vlad of Wallachia---”

“Yes, a whelp which our Sultan had gracefully taken into his care.” That line brought on laughter from the others. “He will join us as a recruit. He will train, eat with us and clean our shoes.”

Wahidi turned to look at Vlad.

“With us are many nationalities’ Serbian, Saxons and even Hungarians. Or rather we used to be of that nation but not anymore. We now train to serve the Sultan. We all have new names. Mine was Helmut Dieter but now I am Wahidi the Cunning.”

“Learn with us and you will be fine. Do not speak of your name. Others detest the Wallachians.” Wahidi cautioned him. “How should we name you?”

“Call me---" Vlad bit his words. “Call me Dracula.”

“Dracula? What kind of name is that?”

“It means the son of Drac,” Vlad explained. “It sounds different.”

“Very well, Dracula. You may train with us.” That was Vlad’s situation in the barracks but he learned hard and well.

There was one other boy that was to be mentioned

Janus had joined the Hungarian army. He was young and inexperienced in the life of a soldier but he learned hard and fast too.

“So, young one. Show me your skills.” Janus stood there with his legs firmly planted on the ground looking across to his opponent in the ring. The call was to hold a physical fight with each other, but scrawny Janus was pitted against the other who was twice his physical and held a reputation as a brawler.

“Come on, Pietro. The boy won’t come to you but you can go to him.” Pietro heard the call of his friends and rushed towards Janus. The younger lad stepped aside and then rolled to safety avoiding the charging Pietro.

“You run well, lad. Let us see who you fare with fists.” Pietro swung the right fist at Janus who evaded it with a side step and swung out his right fist into the other’s waist. Janus felt as if he had struck his fist into a hard surface. He drew back but could not avoid the returning swing of Pietro. He was punched and went slipping back into the rear. He fell on his haunches with a dazed expression. He saw Pietro rushing towards him, and rolled to the left. He was caught by Pietro’s right foot at the spine when he rolled. He cried out in pain but kept on rolling.

“Roll on, lad. You cannot escape me.” Pietro roared out.

Janus stopped and crouched on his knees. He was hurt at the spine but was determined to fight on. He stood up and faced the other.

“You stand, lad. That’s good. I don’t want to say I hit you on the ground.” Pietro laughed. It was then Janus charged into the other with the body slam. He got in hard and threw Pietro onto the ground. Janus’s fists rained down on the other’s face with repeated punches until Pietro was screaming for mercy. Janus was lifted by the others and pulled to the side.

Pietro was on the ground with his face bloodied.

“I will ---” Pietro was cut off in his words.

“You had your fun now scram off.” It was the veteran of the Black Army who dispersed the gathering. He approached Janus.

“You are brave, young lad but reckless. Why did you pick a fight with Pietro? He is a ---brawler.”

“I had to learn and the better way was to get into it.” Janus rubbed his spine and then looked at the veteran. His name was Jan Capet, of the King Sigismund army who fought the uprising by the Hussites who was deemed to oppose the Catholic Church then.

Jan was formerly from the German Alpines and rode with the Royalist crusaders. He was in the last battle of Deutschbrod where the army was defeated by the Hussites. It was a humiliating defeat for the Crusaders, and Jan; one of the survivors left to join the Black Army. It was then comprised of mercenaries paid by the King.

“A fool rushed into battle. If you are to stay alive, pick your fight, and above all, when you strike, strike them that they will fear you.” Jan told Janus. “You do have the strike and now Pietro will fear you.”

“Why then stopped me?”

“If I don’t, you will be dead. Pietro may fear you and so are his friends. Therefore, they will not strike you alone but together and you will die. That’s why I have to stop the fight. I saved your life.”

“Then teach me, Jan. I will learn.” Janus was to take on a mentor then.

 

 

Vlad the Impaller Chapter 7

 The Hostages

7.

“There is nothing to a man unless he is a learned person. There are no other learnings than that of the books written by the masters with their wisdom and observations.” The two young princes were told when they joined the Mirliva Sajak in his tent at the camp. The rank of Mirliva was the equivalent of the Major General. He commanded three ‘tumen’ with each a column of ten thousand soldiers.

“A man worthy of his learnings is a true man. He stands above the others; the peasants and the traders, and rank with the royal members.” Mirliva Sajak looked at the two boys. “I am who I am today was not for my bravery but readings. I read science, philosophy, and the arts. And politics. You will do too.”

Mirliva Sajak motioned to the huge chests at the side of the tent.

“I traveled with them and for my free time, I will read them. As I had done, you will do so. When you are done, more chests will be brought to you.”

“I don’t want to read them. I am a warrior.” Vlad was resisting the challenge.

“I will read.” Radu offered his chance to do it. “I like to read.”

“Young ones, you will both read and learn.” Mirliva Sajak looked at Vlad. “For every lesson you take, I will add in the lessons of skills with the weapons, and the strategies of warfare. You will learn to ride the horse like a true horseman.”

It was what Vlad wanted to hear. He needed those lessons to know your foe, you need to be your foe. He nodded to the Mirliva then.

It was the beginning of his new life.

They were treated reasonably well by the current standards of the time but not for Vlad. He took his lessons with his mind but the hatred was in his heart. His horseriding lessons were to begin at the stable.

“The stable boy is here.” Vlad heard the calls by the other warriors handling their horses.

“I am not a stable boy. I am a ----” Vlad was to receive a punch in the face by the other boy that was there.

“We are all stable boys here until you learned to ride like them.” The boy motioned to Vlad to look outside the stable. He saw the riders there seated upright on the saddles and with the pressure of their knees and feet, the mount responded to the commands.

“It takes time to teach a horse but before that, you need to serve the horse.” Vlad was told. One of the tasks of the horsemen was to tend their mounts.

“There are no friends in the battle but yourself and your weapon with your mount to ride on.” Vlad was taught. “Care and love will make your bond with your mount and when you ride to battle, the horse will be your friend.”

Vlad then tended to his mount before and after the rides. Vlad was given a pony to ride and from there he learned the basics of riding. He was to ride in the yard and then to the open fields. He rode hard; to be ride with the leather saddle for hours and how to move around it while riding without being unsaddled. He learned how to lean back and shoot the arrow with accuracy in the ride. His later mount was a black; huge then but it was his friend during the rides. He bathed and rubbed the manes of the mount and soon after he feeds the hays and fruits to the mare.

Every night, Vlad will relate to Radu of his training. Radu does learn with Vlad, but his real interest was more towards the other side. He learned to appreciate astronomy and the war records. He saw his brother was not like him. He knew Vlad held hatred in the heart.

“Vlad, why do you resent the Mirliva?”

“I am not a Turk. I am a Wallachian. I won’t learn the Turks' lessons.” Vlad had chosen to read the Greeks and the Romans. He found valuable lessons from the early Romans.

“The Romans did well then. They conquered most of the continent.” Vlad told Radu during one of their conversations. Radu nodded and added his comments.  

“We can learn from the Turks too. Their achievements in art, science, and medicine were lauded by many. They build many structures of beauty which some are considered artistic hubs, especially during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. It included calligraphy, painting, poetry, textiles and carpet weaving, ceramics and music.” Radu smiled. His admiration was for the new tutors. “Ottoman architecture also helped define the culture of the time. Elaborate mosques and public buildings were constructed during this period. And so was science which was an important field of study. The Ottomans learned and practiced advanced mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, physics, geography, and chemistry. Additionally, some of the greatest advances in medicine were made by the Ottomans. They invented several surgical instruments that are still used today, such as forceps, catheters, scalpels, pincers, and lancets.”

“For the long-term, it's a game-changer because it will open up the entire country. The wiser words of Osman the Sultan.” Radu displayed his maturity in understanding the issues. “We stand to learn and then from learning ---"

“Blah--- blah. I don’t care. I just want to kill them.” Vlad resented the smile on Radu.

“Those who weren’t of their faith were categorized by the millet system, a community structure that gave minority groups a limited amount of power to control their affairs while still under Ottoman rule. Some millets paid taxes, while others were exempt. We were ---”

“Paying tributes.” Vlad reminded his brother. “We are the ---- millets., Radu. You have changed, my little brother. You are more of a Turk now.”

“I am ----evolving, Vlad. I am growing. I believed physical conflict does not determine the winner. Only the sound mind and knowledge will one day rule the world.”

“Bah! I am going to sleep.” Vlad was able to argue with the other brother. That was how most nights ended for the two brothers. The camp the boys were in moved a lot. The Mirliva and the tumen under him had to move on the command of the Sultan. The tumen had no complaints and so were the boys.

It was soon to change then.

“The whelps of the Wallachian Lord.” Sultan Murad II looked to the boys standing next to the Mirliva when he visited the Sultan. “How long were you with them?”

“Close to the next turn of the fourth season.” Mirliva Sajak told the Sultan. He was not nervous but felt uneasy with the huge hall of the Sultan’s castle. He was not a court’s person like the statesman who deals with the daily politicking and bargaining. He was a dedicated soldier with his tumen trained to be on his command.

“Mirliva Sajak, you are --- commendable to have the whelps as your care.” That statement was an insult to the Mirliva Sajak that he was demoted to be a caretaker instead of guarding the borders.

“I do as commanded, my Sultan.” Mirliva Sajak stood his ground. He did hear the mutterings at the back of him among the nobles.  He had found the boys to his liking for they have behaved well especially Radu. Vlad was a handful but he was favored by the Mirliva for his skills.

“What is your name?” The voice came from the side of the Sultan. It was the young Prince, Mehmed II who was to be the successor when his father stepped down. Mehmed II was older than Radu by a year.

“I am Radu of Wallachia.” Radu introduced himself. He bowed to the young prince.

“I heard that you liked science and astronomy.” Mehmed looked at the young peer of his age.

“I do. I read the works of Plato, and ---” Radu tried to explain his interest.

“Father, can I have him to be with me? My study mates are dull, and I needed a more fresh view of the subjects.” Mehmed did not hesitate to ask the Sultan.

“He is Wallachian and may not be as ---cultured like you.” The Sultan looked to his son.

“He is learned and I will like to know more of Wallachia. He can be my ---- servant.” Mehmed made his case towards the father. “He can sleep in my chamber by the doorway, and serve me when I am awake.”

“My brother is no slave. We are Wallachian.” Vlad cut in. “How dare ---”

Vlad was pulled back by the Mirliva Sajak to the side.

“I apologies for his rudeness.” Mirliva Sajak looked to the Sultan. “He will be dealt with by myself.”

“Don’t be harsh, Mirliva Sajak. I have seen his kind. They are ---arrogant but brave. I expect no less from their whelps. Spare him for now.” The Sultan looked at the Mirliva. He then turned to his son. “Mehmed, the boy may not be ---”

“Pardon me, Father. I think he will be just fine. You told me to judge others for I will need to do so when I am Sultan. I am doing this now, and if I failed, then you may still tell me now than later.” Mehmed looked to his father. The Sultan did stress that their son of his was to learn young so when he becomes Sultan, he will rule better.

“It’s agreed then, my son. The --- boy will be for you but not his brother.” The Sultan looked to Mirliva Sajak. “You will ride to the borders and charge of the new Janissaries' tumen there. They are newly recruited and need your guidance. Leave the whelp with me. I have others to train him along as you would of your Janissary.”

Vlad was to train to be a Janissary then.