P&P 3 ends....And Happy NEW LUNAR YEAR

 That's it......

I am off for a break. Need some time to resucitate my mind. 

Anyone wishes to contact me, email here; loongjimmy@gmail.com

Tally Ho.....

Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 73 (Finale)

 

73.

 

“Wake up, sleepyhead.” The lady snuggled up to the man in the bedding. “The sun rises above the ……”

“Risen, I am.” The man rolled over the lady and laid the kiss on her.

“Stop it, Maurice. We are to get up and get ready to leave for the wharf. The ship leaves at noon.” Nerissa pushed the man off her. “And get a bath. You cannot walk around with the flagpole. That will……”

“Attract the ladies to my cause.” Maurice roared out. He then sang the tune that was his favourite.

When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start.
When tomorrow comes!

(Taken from https://genius.com/Les-miserables-do-you-hear-the-people-sing-lyrics.)

“Oh, please. Hurry up … or down. Portia is in Spain waiting for us.” Nerissa left the chamber to check the baggage that she had packed. She had stayed back to clear the issue with the estate, and amid it, she met Maurice on the street, hurt and broken. 

“I was removed from the authorities.” Maurice told her. “The magistrate deemed me unfit to do my duties. So was he. I was told that he retired to France, where he has his home. I think we will not hear the last of the name Javier there.”

Nerissa had him taken to the house and nursed him back. Then it was to take him to the new life in Spain, then after clearing all that was needed there. She heard that Jean Valjean, as was his full name, had settled in Spain with his new business as a trader in partnership with Portia Belmont.

And Portia Belmont was getting engaged when Nerissa arrived.

“Nerissa, it will be a double wedding.” Portia wrote to Nerissa. “Yours and mine. What lucky men they all are. We met this young couple from Genoa. They are the Tov’s. We will introduce you to them when you arrive.”

“I heard Enrico Moet is engaged to a lady named Rosaline Alger. My regard to him for me. And thank him for managing the matters on the estate.”

Nerissa had smiled at that. It was love for them all. She called out to Maurice to hurry up. The man appeared at the doorway dressed and smiling.

“You told me not to be many times. You were not ready then.” Maurice replied. “Anyway, I came.”

The ride to the wharf was short, but the waiting there took some time. Nerissa looked outside and saw the porters there arguing with a couple over the fees for their baggage. She had seen them before; they were the Judas’s family and were then leaving on the same ship as Nerissa.

“Nerissa, I presume.” The voice was to the left of the lady. She turned around and smiled.

“Good day, my lady. I did not know you were travelling today.”

“I am from Spain a long time ago. I must meet my relative there.” Lady Sofia told her. The lady was dressed in the dark gown and held an umbrella in her right hand. Nerissa heard that the lady was still in mourning for the death of her son. “Are you on the same ship?”

“Yes, I am. How is Lord Gencio Capulet?” Nerissa asked.

“He is fine. He is……. Away. I was told to do trading somewhere east. He is always busy.” Lady Sofia smiled. “Thank you for asking.”

Then, at the deep valley inside Transylvania, far from the border of Hungary, Lord Dante Montague leaned back on the wall there. His hands were bound by the ropes, and he looked to the other, who was seated nearby. They are in some wooden hut, but he could not make out the exterior.

It was dark outside, and there were some commotions out there.

“Not exactly the vault where my daughter is kept, huh?” The lord laughed. “This is more spacious.”

“Are you talking to me, Dante? I thought I was to be silenced or unseen to you. However, I can agree to the space here; it is less cramped compared to the vault of yours. How many of the Montagues are there?”

“Last I checked, we still have vacant spaces.” Lord Dante Montague laughed. “Yours?”

“The Capulet hardly dies early nowadays.” Lord Gencio Capulet smiled. “We tend to live longer.”

It was then the door to the hut opened.

“They are here.” The newly arrived called out. The figure walked towards the lords, was clad in a cloak with the overhead cover over the head, and had his face covered with the cloth.

“Far from Genoa, my lords.”

“Who are you?” Lord Dante Montague asked. He was captured some days back on a trade call to the hills nearby. Soon Gencio joined him the next day.

“Not your everyday sight, my lords.” The covered figure removed the face cover.

“Vlad ….” Lord Gencio Capulet was stunned. “Is that you?”

“Vlad ‘Dracul’ Tepes. That is my new name, or to many others, Dracula. Now they accessed me of drinking blood. So, I am named Dracula.” The Wallachian proceeded to untie the lords. “Do tell me why both of you are here. I hope it was not about the rumours of some rare jewels.”

“I was ……” Lord Dante Montague brushed the dirt off his clothes. “I was here on… trade for the Caspian stones.”

“So, you were the other I was told to beware of.” Lord Gencio Capulet stared at the other. “Why must we compete with each other … every time?”

“Another time to argue, my lords. We must leave now. Chorbaji is a good warrior, but we try to keep fights brief.” Vlad motioned for them to leave. They met the other outside, and Lod Date Montague saw the carnage there.

There were the dead bandits, and it looked like a mauling by a beast there, with blood seen everywhere. He saw another familiar sight, who was slicing the throat of the bandit.

“Are you safe, Lord Dante Montague?” The voice belonged to the one named Chorbaji Tarmuk. He saw the stunned look on the lord. “This is our method to deter the bandits from the bordering lands. They crossed over to kill and pillaged but of late, they are hardly seen. We frightened them with the sight bloodless corpses. The sight of lack of blood will make them think twice before they come here.”

“As Vald did with the stakes.” Lord Gencio Capulet looked at dead bandit,

“We must ride now.” Vlad Tepes cut in. They took the ride to the castle of the Wallachian. They were treated to a feast there of meat and red wine.

“My lords, there are no Caspian stones. Be content to ride back to Genoa with that in your mind.” Chorbaji Tarmuk said during the feast. “Greed makes a man blind and foolish and makes him an easy prey for death. However, take with you the loot we recovered from the bandits. That will compensate you well.”

“You could say we suck the blood off them.” Vlad Tepes laughed. Chorbaji Tarmuk also laughed then. His mind went back to the last days when he was leaving Genoa with Vlad Tepes. The latter riding beside him asked then.

“Where did you hide the real case, Chorbaji?” Vlad asked.

“It lies in the dark deep-sea bed, far from the clutches of any man. I had sailed to the sea just before Radu’s death and tossed it off. I replaced the case with the fake one. It is time to end the curse.”

“I also lied about the Sultan having it.” Chorbaji Tarmuk replied. “Let no man find it anymore.”

It ended the saga of the Empress Jewels, but the endearing love of some lingered on.

“Romeo and Juliet, I cannot free you from the vaults of your family, but I could release your souls here.” Rosaline Alger stood there on the new bed of flowers commissioned by her for the dead lovers. “I have created a garden for the two of you. Beneath its surface, deep below, your lasting gift rests: the red dress and costume that both of you wore at the ball. It will be your new beginning from here.”

“My dear, it is time for you to rest.” Rosaline Alger heard the call. She turned to her lover and smiled.

“Yes, I do. Enrico, do assist me. I am getting tired.” Angeline Alger walked back to the carriage with her hands over her tummy. A child grows inside, and if it is a boy, he will be named Romeo, or if it is a girl, she will be named Juliet. She smiled.

 

 

Epilogue

“See what I found.” The diver in the sea handed over the item to the friend on the fishing boat. “It must have been there for ages.”

The diver climbed onto the boat and removed the diving gear. It was a lady dressed in the scuba suit, and she joined the crew member who was scraping off the hardened dirt from the item.

“It looked like a metal case. No, wait, it is encased there. The crew member smiled. “I think you recovered a treasure, Ms. Croft.”

“Well, we need to get going. A storm is at the horizon and it will reach us soon.” Ms. Croft smiled. “And I have a date with a beau named Romeo.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 72

 

72.

 

The burial vault of the Montague family was situated at the outskirts of the city, lined along with similar vaults that were the properties of the rich and noted families. Each vault was built to the design of a stone- or brick-lined underground tomb, or 'burial chamber,' for the interment of a single body or multiple bodies underground. The main difference between entombment in a subterranean vault and a traditional in-ground burial is that the coffin is not placed directly in the earth but is placed in a burial chamber specially built for this purpose named the mausoleum. They all shared the stone slab entrances.

The vault held the stillness of the night, yet its darkness was dimly brightened by the lighted lamps with the faint scent from the perfumed oils. The flames of the lamps flickered when the doorway was opened with the whiff of winds that swayed it. Romeo stepped into the vault and saw the lined coffins there; some were there for a long time, but there were the two latter ones. He proceeded to the one that had the name Juliet Montague embedded on it.

“Juliet, it is me. I am here.” Romeo stepped up to the coffin. He leaned down to move the cover off. It was pinned by the nails on the sides, and the young lad used his dagger to pry the nails. He got them off and then moved the cover. The whiff of the lilac smile permeated him.

“Juliet, my love.” Romeo looked at the lady lying there. She was dressed in white, and her hands were clasped over her bosom. “I have a letter for you. Let me read it to you.”

Romeo held the letter in his hands.

“Juliet. It is me, Romeo.

Once before, you were a Montague while I was a Capulet; family names, yet a feud denies our families to be together. It may be so to split us, but could love be denied for us? I only knew that true love sprung within us.

Should it be ……. Was it too early or seen unknown, and perhaps known too late, but love blossomed within us. Ironic we never felt that. When we were together, a huge bed of flowers blossomed there. Yes, we are surrounded by thorns and weeds that deny us space, but we thrive and birth it with love.

Prodigious birth? Was it possible then? The beast and the beauty differ in appearance but cannot deny the longing of their two hearts that rhythm in unison. The sun co-exists with the moon and complements it to make it day and night. I am a Capulet and shall loathe the Montague as an enemy, but could I not love my enemy then? I deny them all, for nothing shall stand in between our love. Shed away thyself, enemies of our love, for our bed of love strives only to grow here. Love cannot be denied when it is between two who valued each other in their lives. If it was jealousy to be there, it was to us, for our jealousy was the love we held only to ourselves.

I am here, Juliet Montague. I will always be here. Whisper no more of where I am, for I am always with you. I love you, my beautiful love.

Only me, Romeo.”

“She is a beautiful love.” Romeo heard the voice. He turned to look and saw the lady there, with the basket and a bouquet of flowers.

“I am Angelica, her nursemaid. I came to place flowers on the …… coffin.” Angelica then burst into tears. “Oh, God! Why must she die young?”

“I am……”

“I know who you are, young Romeo Capulet. You are the one who roosts beneath her window at night.” Angelica cut in while holding back her tears. “I wished you… the both of you had the opportunity to be together.”

“I do love her very much.” Romeo told the lady. “She was……”

“No, my son. She was …… She still is your love. The only difference is that she cannot be with you physically, but inside of your soul, she exists. As you are in hers. That is the essence of love.” Angelica approached the coffin.

“I will … join her soon.” Romeo said. “Or she will ask for me as she once did… where art thou, Romeo?”

“Oh, she said that many times. I heard it then from the chamber next door. As her nursemaid, I am always near her, but you… you are to lie beside her like now. She will long for you there.” Angelica smiled and then looked at the next coffin. “As he was to me, but we were to remain apart. The family denies us too.”

“Who?” Romeo asked. He then looked at the other coffin. “Mercutio?”

“Yes, He was my love then. We were young, and love was the only essence of our life. We were denied like you. I am from the kitchen, and he was the lord’s family. It caused a rift in the house. To save the family embarrassment, I was wedded on the order by the lord……. Mine, and given to another lord. Mercutio, my love, was denied his love and in despair left to join the army. He told me that if the war does not take his life, he will return to me.”

“The war did not, but his family did it again. We were to leave Genoa, but he died protecting the family name.” Angelica cried. “How mean was it to me that at that stage, I was still denied his love?”

“I did not…… kill him.” Romeo said to Angelice. “It was all a mistake then.”

“Does it matter now?” Angelica looked at the lad. “You are ……. Well, it was the family curse. We are its victim.”

“I am so …… sorry.” Romeo looked away. “I wished I could turn the events back, but… it was fate.”

“Can you do me a …… chore, young lad?” Angelica asked of Romeo. “Open the cover of my love too.”

“Why? I …….” Romeo then nodded. He used his dagger to pry the other coffin cover open. The whiff of decayed flesh reached him. “He is……”

“Dead. I know. He is dead alone, but not for long.” Angelica stepped up to the coffin. “I will lie inside with him. We will be together once more and forever.”

Angelica climbed inside the coffin and lay over the corpse. Romeo rushed to pull her out, but she pushed him away.

“I am dying. Let me die here.” Angelica said with her face paling. “I had taken the poison and will die soon. Please leave me here with my love. My only true love.”

“Hear me, Mercutio. My heart is getting dulled. It will dull soon when the poison overtakes it. Then I will be free to see you. Please… wait for me.” Angelica closed her eyes and passed out her last breath.

Romeo was stunned by the selfless act of love by the lady. He stood back and then moved to restore the coffin cover over the dead couple. He then stepped over towards Juliet’s coffin. He held up the dagger in his hand.

“I am here, Juliet.” The dagger thrust into the heart was to lead to an instant death, and it did.

 It was too late for the lords who rushed there and saw the death of the lad lying beside the coffin of the lady. Lord Gencio Capulet burst into tears on the death of his son. He looked at the other lord.’

“You did this.”

“No, Gencio. We did this.” Lord Dante Montague looked at the line of coffins there. “The pursuit of the Empress Jewels did it. It was our reckoning here. We were cursed. It was the curse upon us. The Empress Jewels took its vengeance upon us.”

“I will take my son to his…own home.” Gencio stood up. “He will not be here in yours. We will never share homes. The Capulet and Montague will never be one.”

 

 

 

Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 71

 

71.

 

“That which you see here is the fake case. It looked like it, but it is not. The real case is back with the Sultan. I swapped the case after Radu’s death. I gave the fake one to Vlad; he had not seen the real case. Lord Dante Montague had not seen it either, but Lord Gencio Capulet did. However, he had not seen what was held here now.”

“Give me the case now!” Prince Escalus handed out his right hand. “I can master it.”

“Do not be a fool, Prince Escalus. Let me relate to you the misery… or rather the curse of the case in the hands of its weak master.” Chorbaji Tarmuk. “We were there, my ancestors, but our fate was to protect it and not intervene in the outcome.”

“The case went missing for some years, exchanging hands between masters, and yet none held it long. How was that to happen to its last great master?”

“Tughluk Timur Khan, one of the last khans and a descendant of Genghis Khan in the early years of the century, was the Khan of Moghulistan..He was the one who invaded Transoxiana, once a part of Alexander the Great’s empire. The Khan then possessed the case from the last generals of the empire.”

“It was to bring calamity to the region with the start of the Great Famine and then the Black Death. It is also marked by an increase in warfare and conflict across the continent and revolts. Death prevails, and the population levels decreased.”

“The case was pillaged, and it exchanged hands till the news of it reached Lord Dante Montague. He thought it would be a great gift to the Sultan then, but fate was to deal him badly. The rest you knew.” Chorbaji Tarmuk sighed. “It is to be held by a great leader with a vast empire. And not for you, who held no power.”

“As its guardian, I had it returned to the Sultan. None of you may possess it.” Chorbaji Tarmuk looked at the gathered.

“You lie to us, Turk.” Prince Escalus was dissatisfied. “I will not leave.”

“Take the case then.” Chorbaji tossed the case to the prince. “It is of no value to us.”

Prince Escalus held the case in his right hand, undecided then.

“Now we are back to the fate of my guest. Do you want him… dead? Then it will be over my dead body.”

No one moved towards the Janissaries.

“I am leaving.” Magistrate Javier sheathed his sword. “This is not my fight.”

“We leave now, officers.” Magistrate Javier turned to leave.

“You coward!” Prince Escalus was to thrust the sword into the back of the magistrate, but it was blocked by the Chorbaji.

“No one deserves to stab another in the back, Prince Escalus.” Magistrate Javier turned back and stared at the prince. “I could arrest you here now. But I will not. I held my respect towards you for being my leader before. I will leave you here to decide your next action.” Javier turned to his officers.

“Let us continue our task on the felon Romeo.” Javier turned to his officers. Javier took his leave then.

“Stay your ground, Javier.” Prince Escalus shouted towards the departing magistrate.

“It is Magistrate  Javier … I am the Magistrate. I do not serve you anymore.” Magistrate Javier walked on out of the basilica.

“Cowards they all are. Where is Count Paris?” Prince Escalus looked to the path outside. “Did he come with all of you?”

None of the mercenaries replied.

“Now, Impaler. The battle is not over.” Prince Escalus looked at the Wallachian. “You killed many of my friends, but as you have said, it was war. We will battle you.”

“Not us, Prince Escalus.” The mercenaries lowered their swords. “We are leaving. It is over for us.”

“You are all paid.” Prince Escalus called out to the departing mercenaries, but they all ignored him. He turned back to look at the Wallachian.

“I……”

“Enough death today, Prince Escalus. I……. I will cease my fighting today. I am to see my family, Prince Escalus. They await me. I am going back now.”

“You cannot just walk away.” Prince Escalus rushed towards the Wallachian but held his steps when he saw the Chorbaji standing there before the Wallachian.

“The fight is over, Prince Escalus. We are leaving.” The Janissaries followed the Wallachian out, leaving the prince alone with the scattered bodies of the dead.

The event at the cottage had yet to end then. Rosaline Alger sat on her haunches cuddling Count Paris, who had given out his last breath. Romeo, who was on his knees beside the bedding with his head on it. He was unmoving then.

Both the lords arrived at the cottage.

“My child!” Lord Dante Montague rushed towards his daughter, while Lord Gencio went to his son.

“My God! She is dead.” Lord Dante Montague screamed out when he held the lady’s hands. “She is cold.”

Lord Dante Montague held up the body and hugged her.

“He is alive…” Lord Gencio Capulet felt the warmth on the body of his son. “He is alive! Fetch the healer now!” Lord Gencio Caulet called out. “He is still alive.”

“No wounds on him.” The father was elated to know his son was alive. “Wake up, Romeo. It is me, your father.”

“Rosaline, tell me what happened.” Lord Dante Montague then looked to the lady who was there still cuddling the dead man. “Is that Count Paris?”

“I do not know…… It all happened then.” Rosaline then fell to the flooring.

“God! Not you too.” Lord Dante Mintague called out. “Someone helps her.”

“Gencio, it is all your fault. If you had ……” Lord Dante Montague glared at the other. “If you had not let your son meet my daughter, none of this would have happened.”

“My fault? Your daughter held a ball and did not …….” Lord Gencio Capulet roared back. “Why was my son not stopped at the gate?”

“I do not know. If I were there, he would never get in.” Lord Dante Montague snapped back. “It is the thieving Capulet who sneaked in.”

“Please stop, my lords.” The friar approached the bedding. “She may not be dead. Let me check.”

“You will not touch her, Turk.” Lord Dante Montague stopped the friar. “You are the enemy.”

“To you, and to him… Yes, I am the Turk. But to them, I am the friar. Juliet may be sleeping. Let me check.” The friar pushed the man away. He leaned down and checked the lady’s pulse.

“Oh my God! She took the poison.” The friar looked for the potions. “She took the wrong potion.”

“What potion?” Lord Dante Montague asked. “What did you do?”

“I ……. Told her to take the potion. I gave her both.” Friar held up the untouched potion. “She must have missed it, or by mistake she took the other potion. She is truly dead.”

“Bastard!” Lord Dante Montague grabbed the dagger on his waist belt and stabbed the friar in the chest. “You killed my daughter.”

Lord Gencio Capulet in turn grabbed the other and pulled him away.

“Let go, Dante. He is dead.” Lord Gencio Capulet held his arms over the other. “It will not……”

“The healer arrives!” The guards called out.

It was two days later that the two lords met in the Magistrate Court gallery. They were there to meet the Chief Magistrate to hear the outcome of the fight at the basilica. Gathered there was also the magistrate, who sat at the side of the gallery.

“I will preside over the hearing here now.” The Chief Magistrate saw behind the desk of the court.

“At the event at the basilica, I hold the list of deaths there, and the ones involved were ……” The Chief Magistrate saw Magistrate Javier had stood up. “Yes, Magistrate?”

“I was there, Chief Magistrate. It was a fight between the mercenaries and the Turks. Neither of these parties was involved.” Magistrate Javier stated the matter. 

“Were you there too?” The chief magistrate looked at the other. “Among the dead was… I read no names?”

“They were unknown, but most identified as vagabonds or mercenaries for help. We held no record of their names. The Turks ……. We are unrecorded too. Genoa is a huge city, and we have….”

“Many visitors, I know.” The chief magistrate looked at the other. “A dozen dead, and you did not intervene. I wonder why, Magistrate?”

“It was my call not to intervene but to protect the others who are the citizens of Genoa.”

“There was one named …… Abram, as told to me by the ones who cleaned the basilica. He was the servant of the ……”

“Previous servant, Chief Magistrate. He left my house some weeks back. I have no knowledge why he was there.” Lord Montague addressed the Chief Magistrate.

“I … I will take that into the records.” The Chief Magistrate sighed. “You were there and then left….”

“I was to look for my daughter but was later told… I saw that she was not. Hence, I left.” Lord Dante Montague said. “I searched the basilica then.”

“Yes, I was coming to that. You found your daughter and then Lord Gencjio Capulet, his son. However, your daughter was dead. My condolences. Do you have any idea why?”

Lord Dante Montague looked at Lord Gencio Caupulet and then back to the Chief Magistrate.

“I have no idea.” Lord Dante Montague shook his head. “She is now dead and interned at the family vault reserved for the departed.”

My condolences, Lord Dante Montague.” The chief magistrate in turn looked at the other lord. “Your son’s condition?”

“He lives, Chief Magistrate. He was tired, but he is doing well now.” Lord Gencio Capulet replied. “He was afraid and had hidden himself at the cottage for days. He will attend the hearing on the death of Mercutio.”

“Well, that ends it there for now. However, the death of Count Paris had yet to be resolved.”

“My son will also appear for the hearing here, Chief Magistrate.” Lord Gencio Capulet said. He saw the arrival of a servant.

“My Lord. The young one is missing from the house.” The servant whispered to the lord.

 

 

 

 

 

72.

Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 70

 

70.

 

A melee it was then.

Confusion reigns then.

The Janissaries clashed with the prince and his mercenaries. Abram Tov was in the fight against Vlad Tepes. Lord Dante Montague held his guards back. So was the magistrate who held back his officers.

“We will not get involved.” Lord Dante Montague told them. “It’s not our fight.”

Lord Gencio Capulet was undecided, but he held back his own men. He was watching the fight and towards Lord Dante Montague.

“My lord, do we fight?” One of the guards of Lord Gencio Capulet asked. The lord did not reply.

“Stand back, friar.” Abram Tov cautioned the other when he stood next to the Wallachian. “He is a beast and does not need protection.”

“I am to do so, for I am still the Janissary.” Friar Lawrence said, holding the dagger in his right hand. He was adept at it and had his earlier kill on the mercenary hired by the prince. He avoided the sword swung at him and stabbed the dagger at the mercenary’s left ribs. It was a cold, calculated kill move of his from experience.

“Aye, then you will die with him.” Abram Tov lunged at the friar but was deflected by the Wallachian’s sword.

“Not today, Genoa warrior. The …… friar is my friend now.” Vlad Tepes pushed against the other’s sword and took out a swing at the left side of the warrior. Abram stepped back to avoid the swing.

“Let us pair up, friar.” Vlad Tepes said. “God may be on your side.”

“You are Godless, Wallachian.” The friar voiced out. “Neither am I today, for I wore the face of the Janissary. Your God may not look to me kindly.”

“Then let us be the sinners that God has forsaken.” Vlad laughed when he thrust his sword at Abram. The latter turned his body and took on the swing of his knot, not at the Wallachian but at the friar. The friar was distracted then by the fight next to him and was cut on the left arm by Abram.

“Arghh…” The friar reeled back in pain while holding his left arm. He had dropped his dagger and was unarmed.

“I will kill you.” Abram followed on with the charge at the friar. He was stopped by the Wallachian when the sword held by the other sliced Abram at the left shoulder. Abram staggered to the right and was then knocked into a mercenary fighting another Janissary.

“Watch it…” The mercenary shouted out, but it was too late for the mercenary who was slashed across the chest by the Janissary. Abram staggered on his feet and faced the attacking Janissary.

“I will…” Abram stopped short and stared at his chest. The dagger was embedded in his heart. He looked to the one who threw. It was the friar who retrieved the dagger after he fell and tossed it at Abram.

“I am sorry, Abram. I ……” The friar muttered. Abram fell on his knees without averting his stare at the friar.

“You are ……. No more my family.” Abram fell facedown.

“Retreat!” The call by the prince resonated in the basilica. The fighting sides are retreating to their own corners. The prince was down to himself and two mercenaries. The Janissaries stood with two also, and their leader made the fourth member. Ali was one of the two, wounded in the chest but standing. There were the Wallachian and the injured friar.

“Magistrate Javier, I am disappointed in you. Why do you not join the fight? You are a traitor to the King.” Prince Escalus cursed at the other.

“I am to uphold justice. I do not serve Hungary but Genoa.” Magistrate Javier. “I will choose my fight when I am… ready.”

“Your true character, Javier. Where it may serve you, then you will act. I had known that when you were with me. I am not seeking your help anymore.” Prince Escalus then looked at the other two lords. “Lord Gencio Capulet! Lord Dante Montague! Choose your side. Today we will end the conflict.”

Prince Escalus looked to the two groups facing each other across the battle area. “Today, I will win or die.”

“My lord, do we fight?” One of Lord Gencio Capulet's men looked to his lord. “I came to fight.”

“Silence! I will decide.” Lord Gencio Capulet replied. He then looked across at the other lord.

“Dante, we …… I do not see my son, nor your daughter.”

“Aye, they are not here.” Lor Dante Montague said. “I see before us a fight that does not concern us.”

“Lord Gencio Capulet, I thank you for providing me shelter and also for my family.” Vlad Tepes looked to his benefactor. “And to you, Lord Dante Montague. A friendship and guardian of my… care.”

“What is he talking about?” Prince Escalus called out. The prince was then joined by the group of four mercenaries sent by Count Paris.

“We got lost in the paths.” The leader of the newly arrived told the prince.

“Tell me, Lord Dante Montague. What did you guard for him? The jewels?”

“I……” Lord Dante Montague looked at the Wallachian.

“Dante, do you have it? The Empress Jewels? How was ……” Lord Gencio Capulet. “He gave it to you. Who was it? Radu or him?”

“Does it matter, Gencio?” Lord Dante Montague snapped out. “Does it matter anymore? The jewels had been our … … feeding our feud. From the day I lost it to you, then from there, my love for Juliette, and now my daughter.”

“You loved Juliette? I was … too. When she got wedded, I was distraught and …… wedded another in a rush, unknown to me to have a child that …….”

“Yes, you joined the army, and… Gencio, you never change in your ways. You cheated while in the army. You traded in low-value wares for the coins. You were no better than the Turks.”

“Enough of the history, Genoa. I want my Empress Jewels.” Prince Escalus cut in. “Give me the jewels.”

“Give it to him, Lord Dante Montague.” Vlad Tepes looked at the lord. “It does not matter to me anymore. Where is it?”

“I have it here.” Lord Dante Montague took the small case out from his tunic. It was the same case that was given to him.

“I came here with it to exchange it for my daughter.” Lord Dante Montague held out the case. “She is not here.”

“Lord Dante Montague, Juliet is at the cottage by the outskirts of the city. It belonged to Lorenzo.” The friar then looked at the other lord. “Romeo is there too.”

“Take it back, Vlad.” Lord Dante Montague tossed the case to the Wallachian. “I am to find my daughter.”

“I know of the cottage. I can find it.” Lord Gencio Capulet said. He was more concerned about his son. Vlad looked at the case held in his hands. He saw the departure of the Montague and was followed by the Capulet.

The friar followed on with his hands over his wound.

“The jewels, Prince Escalus.” Vlad looked at the prince. “You can have it now.”

Vlad Tepes opened the cover and upturned the case.

Nothing fell out.

Vlad dropped the case onto the ground.

“Where are the jewels?” Prince Escalus called out.

“It should be there. I have not seen it then.” Vlad Tepes then looked at the Chorbaji. “Tell me, Chorbaji. Was it inside?”

Chorbaji Tarmuk stepped forth and picked up the case.

“This is the Empress Jewels.” Chorbaji Tarmuk held the case in his hands. “All of you had not seen the Empress Jewels before. I did when I was with the Sultan. The two lords did and were not surprised that it was the case here. What did you expect then? A set of jewels in the case?”

“It was fabled that the so-named jewels were handed down by the generations. What was not told was that it was a case, but it held another name once before; it was given many names by others and designs to symbols. The ancient Greeks knew it as the Pandora Box, and yet it was depicted as an urn. If you knew the fables well, the so-named box had its content released, and evil persisted then on the lands.”

“Many versions of the tale could be found. The apple in Adam and Eve was one. The serpent was the custodian and, in anger or dissatisfaction, made Eve bite the apple. Like the Pandora Box, it unleashes the shame in creations.”

“The Empress Jewels was only one name that was whispered now.” Chorbaji Tarmuk looked from the prince to the Wallachian. “My family has been entrusted to watch over it. We were the first family entrusted to keep its secret. It is the symbol that it carried, metaphorically whispered by those who believe in it, for whatever good or evil it was unleashed.”

“Kings and emperors believed it would bring them power, and even to some, immortality, but we all die in this journey, and only the myth survived. My generation preserved the myth and served the kings and emperors. Every king or emperor during their reign held a queen or an empress, the prime one counts, and always held power over all the other ladies or concubines.

“The so-named jewels were to be kept by the throne holder’s companion, for the king or emperor was the symbol of greatness, and they wield power over evil. That symbol of evil was held enclosed by the one that the king or emperor holds command. As man still commands over women, and fathers over mothers.”

“It was claimed to be lost for some time, but it was hidden then. My family guarded over it, yet we are denied the possession of it. It was discovered by the trader, who then exchanged it for Lord Dante Montague, but swindled by the other, he lost it. The case finds its own mistress to hold. Both lords lacked the structure to hold it; they hold no queen to possess it.” 

“It reached the Ottoman’s throne, and the Sultan was to have it as a keepsake. In due time, he denies it in his understanding and has it then given away to his love.”

“Radu treasured it, but he was not to be influenced by it. Upon his death, he bestowed it to his brother, looking for the restoration of the name. Vlad Tepes was past his prime to be the conqueror then, and he handed it back to one person he trusted to hold it.”

“The Empress Jewels beckon for a mistress and a master to hold its influence. It drove others to seek it, believing it will bring them power.”

“It needed a king or emperor to quell its ambition.” Chorbaji Tarmuk looked at the gathered. “None of you are its master.”

 

 

Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 69

 

69.

 

Romeo ran the tunnel and emerged at the woods. He was confused then and found his path when he stumbled on the trail. He took it to the road and from there rushed to the cottage. He was careful in his approach and then emerged in the cottage. Juliet was lying there on the same bedding that he had lain on.

“Juliet!” Rome rushed forth to see her. She was lying there as if she were sleeping; her arms were at her sides.

“No, you …… You cannot die.” Romeo's tears rolled down his cheeks. “Juliet, please do not die. I love you. I cannot live without you.”

“Did you kill her, Romeo?” The voice was behind the lad. He turned to look and saw it was one he did not recognize.

“Who are you?” Romeo asked.

“I am Count Paris of Verona. I followed you here.” The man stood there at the doorway. He was with the group of four mercenaries to assist the prince, but he sent them on the way to the basilica while he followed Romeo.

“Did you kill her?”

“No, I did not. I am Romeo Capulet.” Romeo turned towards the man. Leave here. This is not any place for strangers.”

“I thought I recognized you from the street then. You were in a rush, and I followed you.” Count Paris said. “Is Juliet dead?”

“Leave,” I said. Romeo raised his voice. “She is mine. My love, and now leave us.”

“Oh my God! Is she dead?” Count Paris took to approaching the bedding. “I……”

“Take another step, and I will kill you.” Romeo drew out the dagger given to him by the friar. “Juliet is mine.”

“I will not draw a weapon unless I know how to use it.” Count Paris himself was armed with a sword, but he chose to keep it there on his waist belt. “I am here to ……… help you, Romeo Capulet.”

“The authorities are looking for you. You could surrender……"

“Leave now!” Romeo shouted out. “Are you here to arrest me? I will kill you.”

“No, I am not. I was on my way ……” Count Paris halted his voice. He was not to tell the lad that he was assisting Prince Escalus at the basilica. “I saw you at the ball at the Montague’s house. You were there dressed in red and were with Juliet.”

“Stay away! I am not here to talk to you.” Romeo shook his head. “Juliet is dead. My love, Juliet. She will be taken away from me. Do you know what it is like to have your love taken away?”

“I ……” Count Paris moved to the left side without losing sight of Romeo. “Maybe she is not dead. I could assist.”

“Do not come any closer! I am warning you. I killed Mercutio then. I know how to kill with the dagger.” Romeo rambles on. “I can kill again.”

“I do not care about that. I only care about Juliet.” Count Paris tried to look at the lady. “I……”

“Why are you here?” Romeo asked. “Who is Juliet to you?”

“I am Count Paris, and I came to Genoa to see… the city.” Count Paris lied in his reply. “I met Juliet at the ball where I was invited by the family. I spoke to her casually, but….”

“You do not speak of her name. She knows not you.” Romeo was upset. “Juliet is my love. She only loves me.”

“Romeo, I am not …… to attract Juliet. I just met her there.” Count Paris assessed his situation. He knew that Romeo was not his match in any fight, but he was concerned about Juliet.

“Shall we alert the authorities on her?”

“You will not. She ……. They will take her away. I will be taken away. We will be apart.” Romeo said. “We cannot be apart.”

“What did she die of?” Count Paris asked. “I see no wound on her.”

“She is dead. The friar told me she was dying. She... She could have killed herself.”Romeo turned to the bedding. He saw the potions there. One was drunk, but the other remained untouched. “It must be poison. She drank it all.”

“Why did she do that?” Count Paris asked. “Was she forced?”

“I do not know. I only know that we were to be together, but our families have a feud that separates us.” Romeo sighed. “Who cares about the feud that was not ours?”

“What feud?”

“The family one between the Capulet and Montague. Due to that, we are not allowed to be friends. Tybalt died because of that.” Romeo sighed. “I killed Mercutio then. It was an accident, but the kill was on me.”

“Why did you follow me?” Romeo looked at Count Paris.

“I ……. I wanted to see you… alone. I wanted to offer my help. I can help you. I know others who can help to clear your name.” Count Paris lied. He was unsure why he diverted off his task to follow Romeo. He looked at the lady and sighed. He knew then his reason; he was to see if Romeo would lead him to her. He had checked on her earlier and was told that she was missing.

“Why me? I do not know you.” Romeo asked. “Are you telling me lies?”

“Lies? I am not.” Count Paris defended his words. “I do want to help. I…….”

“He was asked by me.” Another voice was heard, and it was at the doorway. Count Paris turned to look and saw the person.

“Lady Angeline ……. apologies, its should be Rosaline Alger?” Count Paris was stunned at seeing the young lady. “I slipped up there.”

“I saw you earlier and wanted to talk with you, but you rushed off. I saw then that you were following Romeo, and I followed behind. I do not run as fast as you or… him.” Lady Rosaline Alger stepped in. “I heard part of the conversation when I arrived. Is that Juliet?”

“Oh my God! Is she dead?” Rosaline Alger rushed forth, but Romeo stopped her.

“Do not come any closer. She is dead. She poisoned herself.” Romeo told the lady. “Why …… Why do you have to follow here?”

“I came because I saw you. Romeo, I am concerned about you.” Rasaline Alger said. “Count …… Count Paris is a friend of mine, and he meant what he said. Let us help you.”

“It will be of no use. Juliet is dead. I am to die with her.” Romeo looked at the lady. “Do you know what love is?”

“I think I did, Romeo, but it was not… there. Our families thought so too, and so did I think of it for years, but it was a foolish dream after all. The families could plan, but the final call was on us. You told me so that day, “We cannot be lovers.” Rosaline sighed. “Thus, I moved on. Do you love her?”

“Yes, I do. I do love her very much.” Romeo declared. “She was different from you … or the others.”

“I am so sorry, Rosaline. I knew you were ……” Romeo sighed while looking at her. “We …… There was love, but not that one love between us. I found it in Juliet.”

“What was it then? You only met her at the ball. I was there too, and was for many years.” Rosaline burst out in tears.

“I already said it. She is… was always the one I love.” Romeo looked at Angeline. “I do of you but more of as ……… as my sister.”

“She is dead, Romeo. The Capulets and Montagues will not reconcile. These are the real facts here.” Rosaline looked at the one she once thought she could love. “Grow up, Romeo, and live for better things. There will be no love here.”

“Do not say that of Juliet. Live… your life without me. I am only for her.”

“I am doing it now, Romeo. But do not let the madness of this love destroy you.”

“Madness is not us. It is in all of you. You all stand between me and Juliet.” Romeo roared out. “In love and even in death.” 

Romeo grabbed the potion, and Count Paris rushed towards him.

“Do not do it!” Count Paris shouted. Romeo saw the other rushing towards him. His first reaction was defensive.

Not all defensive moves were the same.

It was to turn out to be offensive.

Count Paris stumbled on his rush and then dropped to his knees. The dagger held by Romeo was at his chest. Blood spurts out, and Count Paris was looking at the lad he was to save.

“I ……” Romeo stammers. “It was how……. Mercutio died.”

“Count Paris!” Rosaline rushed towards the other. She went down next to him, cuddling his body against hers.

“I will get help.” Rosaline said. She then looked at Romeo. “Help him…”

“I … I killed him.” Romeo was stunned. “I did not mean to.”

“Hold your mind together. He is not dead… yet. Get help!”

“I cannot go. I am needed here for Juliet.” Romeo looked at the lady on the bedding.

“Go for God’s sake. He is dying.” Rosaline pleaded. It was then Count Paris grabbed the arms of the lady.

“I …… I am dying. Let me die in your arms.” Count Paris struggled to put on a smile. “I always wanted to die in the arms of the lady.”

 

 

 

 

Happy Valentine 2026