Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 51

 51.

 

“I am not to be imprisoned here.” Vlad Tepes looked at the so named guardian of his. “I am ……”

“A dead man if you are seen outside.” Chorbaji Tarmuk snapped out in anger. The argument took place in the library of the house that Vlad and his family took refuge. “You are kept here for a reason; that is to keep you alive. When the news of yours had dwindled or died down, we will find ways of relocating you to a place of obscurity from the identity of Vlad Tepes, the Impaler.”

“How long?” Vlad snarked. He took a drink of the dark red wine that he fancied. “I have been imprisoned by ……”

“What are you drinking?” Chorbaji asked.

“Sangiovese; red Italian wine grape variety that derives its name from the Latin Sanguis Jovis, "blood of Jupiter". Traditionally powerful and slow maturing red wines.”

“Your taste for …... wine …… is exquisite.” Chorbaji Tarmuk said. “I still prefer our Rize Tea, any day.”

“To one man, it is poison but the other, it’s a pleasure to drink.” Vlad Tepes said. “I wished I have the former so that I can end my life.”

“For your safety and your family, I will suggest you deny yourself that.” Chorbaji told him. “There is much that Vlad Tepes can look to in his later years; a family and ……… perhaps riches.”

“Chorbaji Tarmuk, I will presume you are without a family. Your ……”

“I am devoid of one. My lover died young with our child. Since then, I have not gotten myself another lover. My love is my command.” Chorbaji Tarmuk cut in. Seldom does he talk of his past to anyone.

“Chorbaji Tarmuk, you heard ……. Or knew of my atrocities of killing and the impalement of my enemies, had you …….”

“The acts of war held many ……. Events that others may see as gruesome but to those who were there, it was the needed act then to stop further events.” Chorbaji Tarmuk cut in. “We are soldiers and not sinners to ask for forgiveness.”

“Let me explain further. During my tenure with Radu; he was the learned one. He related to the exploits of the Mongol. Blood was a big deal in Mongolian history; blood has elicited terror throughout human existence. The same can surprisingly be for the Mongols. They believed the spilling of blood onto the ground when killing or being killed, the dead will not exist in their version of an afterlife. Its ancestry ended; in an essence become nothing. If royal blood was spilled, the belief was that it would precede terrible natural disasters.

“That was my fascination with it and the subsequent acts of mine was for it. I believed that the dead and whoever living fear me.” Vlad Tepes took a sip of the wine. The red wine left their stains at his lips; leaving the impression of blood there.

“We have information that your presence may be known. We may have to move you.” Chorbaji Tarmuk moved to change the subject.

“Any news on Lady Justina?” Vlad asked. It was then his other lover walked in.

“Nothing that I was told of.” Chorbaji held his words back when he saw the lady there.

“Vlad, you should send words to her. She may be …… glad that you are alive.” Katherina looked at Vlad. “You do not want her to wait like I did.”

“That is a separate matter here.” Vlad shrugged off the request. “I am here with my family…… my real family. The matter is closed.”

“Chorbaji, tell me of the others who may know of my presence here. I will not ……” Vlad Tepes looked at the Ottoman commander.

“Do nothing. Your safety is assured while we are protecting you. Do not act rashly.” Chorbaji Tarmuk excused himself and the lovers were left there.

“You could had sent words, Vlad.” Katherina pressed on.

“Lady Justina is a lady who knew of her lovers who served in the war. She will accept the sad news of my demise well.”

“But you are dead. She deserved to know.” Katherina looked at Vlad. “If I were her, I ………”

“I am dead to the Wallachians, the Hungarians, and who else out there?” Vlad defended his inaction. “Now I am just the descendant of Tepes and no more Voivode or the fearsome Impaler though I still hold the name Vlad.”

“You said it but you cannot disassociate from your past. Who are those who seeks your head?” Katharina asked. “On your previous misdeeds or …… the Empress Jewels? Give it to them and we can leave your past behind.”

“I am ……. What you mentioned will not resolve my past. I am now an ordinary person, and thanks to Chorbaji Tarmuk, he will protect me.” Vlad Tepes turned to look at his lover. A part of him wants to give up on the jewels; if it was still in his custodian, and another part of him was to challenge those who wants to kill him. He felt the urge in the second, the endless killings in most of his lifetime rallied in his mind, but he knew that his body was wrecked by age and the complacent living there.

“I hoped he does. I am to be with our children now. There I may find solace.” Katherina stepped away. Vlad looked at the wine in his glass.

“To death takes us on, we will then part.”

Solace was what Lord Dante Montague sought but he got disturbing news. He was seated in the library listening to the words of his informant.

“Prince Escalus is in Genoa and joined up with Count Paris,” Abram reported to the lord. “I was told that the Impaler is in Genoa.”

“Then Genoa will not be sheltered from the harsh winds of conflicts.” Lord Dante Montague sighed. He looked to the drawer where he had placed the case given to him by Vlad Tepes. Somehow, he felt that the case brought him calamities to his family. His family was in disarray soon after the ball that was staged for his daughter, they told her she was dressed in the vixen red dress and was courted by the devil, and from there, his friend, Mercutio, was killed, and the calling of by the other devil to meet him.

“I never knew him.” Lord Dante Montague muttered to himself.

“Pardon me, my lord.” Abram still standing there.

“No, I was talking to myself. Tell me more, Abram.”

“There is the other news of Romeo. He was seen but they lost his trail when trying to catch him. He seems to be helped by others in the city. A lady was seen with him but it was not Juliet. She was here. His father, Lord Gencio Capulet is also looking for him. And one other news; Benvolio Capulet is missing.”

“A mere coincidence here or related …… Benvolio is a good friend, despite him being a Capulet. He was with Tybalt and the others.” Lord Dante Montague looked at Abram. “Are we involved here?”

“Not that I know. He may be Capulet, but we hold no grudge with him.” Abram shook his head. “Maybe, some other enemies of him had a bite on him.”

“What’s of the one named Andre Bassanio Tito?” Lor Dante Montague asked.

“Nothing. We are not involved.” Abram looked at the lord. “Did I miss anything here? I am to see Shylock Judas on some matter soon and can ……...”

“No…… I was just asking.” Lord Dante Montague then dismissed the guard. He looked to the drawer and wondered if the content there will resolve the conflict with his daughter.

Confusion reigned later in the home of the Judas when Jessica confronted the parents of her love.

“I want to marry Lorenzo.” Jessica looked at her parent. “We shared our vow. "Harey at mekuddeshet li b'taba'at zo k'dat Moshe v'Israel." These words translate to "Behold, thou art consecrated unto me with this ring according to the law of Moses and of Israel."

“I deny you that,” Shylock said out loud. “I have enough troubles to contend with other than your silly notion of being wedded to the bastard son of Capulet.”

“I love him. And he towards me” Jessica snapped back. “Why can we not be wedded?”

“He is not of our faith.” Leah cut in. “You have to marry one of our own.”

“Lorenzo told me he is. His mother was Jew, and so was his father. He was given the name Karl Levi Tov but when his mother …… no, it was his relative who named him Lorenzo when she was with Lord Gencio Capulet.” Jessica said. “He is every much the man of our faith.”

“He …… Wait, did you say, a man of our faith?” Leah looked at Jessica. “How would …… Did you see? Oh, Yahweh, tell me I am wrong.”

“We took the vow of intimacy. I love him.” Jessica uttered it.

“Oh……” Leah looked at Shylock. “Did she …….”

“I do not care. I will have you wedded soon.” Shylock was upset. Jessica had betrayed their family values.

“Jessica, may I …….” It was Abram who appeared there. “I was outside and heard your conversation. I did not ……”

“Abram, will you ignore what was spoken? She was delirious then. I will have her …….  do the ‘ketubah’ with you.” Shylock looked to the man who was twice the age of Jessica.

“Abram, I am Lorenzo’s …. No, his name is Karl Levi Tov. I am his ‘isha’ now.” Jessica looked from Abram and then Shylock. “Stop me, and you can recite this; Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha'olam dayan ha'emet. (Translated: Blessed are You, Adonai Our God, Ruler of the Universe, the True Judge).

“You are mad, Jessica.” Shylock cried out. “I …….”

“Jessica, what was his name?” Abram asked.

“Karl Levi Tov. He was raised by his relative named …….”

“Wendy Mencies. Rachel Mencies is the sister.” Abram uttered the name. “She was my ‘isha’. He was …… Karl is my son.”

“Jessica Judas, you are to follow us to the Magistrate Court now.” An officer of the Magistrate Court arrived at the door. The officer was with three others in uniform.

“And to what was the reason?” Leah rushed forth to ask.

“The lady was reported to be seen with the felon Romeo Capulet. We need her to explain this at the Court.” The officer explained. He saw his entry was blocked by Abram.

“Sir, please refrain from obstructing us.” The officer looked at the man there. “We …….”

“Stand aside, Abram. I will go with them to the Court.” Jessica intervened on the stand-off.

 

Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 50

 

50.

 

The pain of one’s heart was best not be shown to others, but held in grief alone. Nerissa had missed Gratiano. Not that he was the ideal person to be wedded to, but he was a good man, well at the least he was seen as that. She knew little of him, except for his trades with the Belmont, and the man was every part the gentleman. Her mother used to say that a man is as good as his manners, that will account for his love to you. It is not the wealth or expanse of his body, but the care and love he cares for you.

Being the daughter of the baker, and having being their only surviving child; her two brothers did not survive the sickness that was inflicted on them. Nerissa helped in the bakery with her parents, and the little time she had was on the streets with her friends. She knew the hungry ones, and fed them the excess bread unsold from the bakery. They in turn give her the bits of their wares be it that she can put on their table.

“Nikolas Jean, years ago we met.” Nerissa smiled. She recalled then the fun they had on the streets. These children have only their dreams to live on. One was to be rich, and of course to be wedded to one.

“Nelly,” Nerissa was called then; plump child dressed in the handed down dress stood there and smiled.

“Will you marry me?” It was the scrawny boy that lived down by the street. He was dressed in his working overalls, and dirty tunic but his hand bears the bundle of flowers and stalks of farm growth vegetables. It was the usual fare of fun for the kids then in their early years.

“I do.” Nerissa replied.

“She said yes.” The boy shrieked out loud. The other kids there in the game, applauded the boy. A cart was brought to the boy and he offered the girl he was to wed a ride. It was a gleeful affair when the cart with the girl was wheeled around the market place.

It was then, but years later, Nerissa had grown and was sent to the Belmont home to assist there in the kitchen. Her skills as a baker were well received, and soon she was good friend of the lady in the house; Portia Belmont. One of the rules of the house was the ladies were interned there, and only allowed to go out with the accompaniment of the Belmont master. Naturally, their times were spent with each other, and soon Nerissa forgotten her past.

Till then.

“I, Nikolas Jean take thee for my …….” The boy stuttered in his words. He was unsure of the term to use.

“It is lover, you nitwit.” The boys cheered at him.

“No, it is your beloved wife.” The girls roared back. “We will be wedded before we are lovers.”

That was imprinted in the mind of Nerissa. Later she was to understand why the girls said that; many of them were without knowing their father. It was the life on the streets. She kept to that understanding and maintained her pristine virtue. Even Gratiano could not get her to change her mind. His death affected her heard, but she knew that nothing was forever. She had her moment of grief, but it was soon over. She has a life to live and will do so.

Till then. She found her true love but he does not know.

“We were children then.” Nerissa sighed. “He may be wedded with a roomful of kids.”

Not all love was from the yesteryears.

Rosaline Alger long despaired by the disappearance of Romeo and his unrequited love, spent her time alone at home, and was surprised that she has a guest to see her.

“My greetings, Lady Alger.” The well-dressed man bowed towards her when they met at the library. “I am Count Paris from Hungary.” 

“I am honour to meet you. Please be seated.” Rosaline indicated to the guest. “What if I were to ask, the occasion of the visit? I have not …….”

“We met at the ball held by the Montague sometime back. You wore a blue gown then.” Count Paris said. “Most elegant and suited for the evening.”

“Thank you.” Rosaline blushed. She was unsure anyone recall her that evening. All she recalled was that Juliet overshadowed her with beau……. No, it was chaperone that left her that evening …... Romeo Capulet.

“My full name is Count Leon de Paris of Lodrone. My family lived there for years. We are under the jurisdiction of Trento. It is a small county established by the Emperor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte.”

“I …. I am honoured.” Rosaline blushed. She was hardly met by royalty.

“Your family name is well established. The Alger are renowned merchants in Genoa. I do apologies for not making your acquaintance earlier at the ball. I had to leave rather early.” In fact, Count Paris left the ball when he saw Juliet was with the man in red. It was an insult to him then.

“We meet now.” Rosaline smiled.

“Yes, I was delayed by other matters and duly apologies for not calling on you much earlier.” Count Paris smiled. “As I am here now, I did meet your father on some mutual subjects, and took the opportunity to say hello to you.”

Rosaline blushed on being placed into the schedule.

“As I was saying, I saw you at the ball. Your chaperone, if I recalled was, he the red gentleman, and he …….”

“Romeo Capulet is a scoundrel.” Rosaline uttered out in anger. “I ……”

“Most unjustly. I have heard of Romeo ….... Was it Romeo Capulet? Was he not implicated in some killing?”

“I do not want to discuss that.” Rosaline said. “I have …….”

“Absolutely. I am here to say hello and may we do lunch some days?”

That concluded the casual meeting with Rosaline. Count Paris rode off in the carriage and was with Prince Escalus.

“Romeo is not with Rosaline as told to us. She was upset with him.” Count Paris reported to the prince.

“So be it. We can ignore her as a friend then.” Prince Escalus was careful to check all the acquittance of the Capulet. On the mind of Count Paris was the thought of the lady he just met. She was not what he had expected but he found himself affixed to her image.

“Next we will check on Andre Bassanio’s information.” Prince Escalus looked at the other. “We need the Bill of Ladings.”

“It is agreed for tonight. We will stage it like burglary.”

Jessica took the longer walk to her home. She was confused in her thoughts. One of it was her submission to the lusting thoughts then. She recalled the words stated in the Book; 1 Corinthians 6:18 - Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.

“Did I commit wrong? Jessica asked herself. She had taken herself off the bedding and avoided the stares of the man lying there. She dressed fast, and left the chamber, avoiding the stare of the man seated outside. Then on her walk back, she pondered on her sacrifice then. Funny, it was named a sacrifice then. She felt the action was not one, but a release of frustration between them. Unlike, Juliet, she had never condoned

St Paul once argued that God promotes love and that all marriages should be based on the comforts of compatibility, friendship, and shared experience. Her faith rejects it. To her faith, it must be built on deep desire and covetousness. It was argu3ed in the chambers of God, the holiest book of the Bible, Song of Solomon, is an erotic lust poem that describes the burning yearning between a man and a woman: “Your breasts are like two fawns, like twin fawns of a gazelle that browse among the lilies… Your stature is like that of the palm, and your breasts like clusters of fruit. I said, ‘I will climb the palm tree; I will take hold of its fruit’.”

“For me, lust is hot, sexy, and holy.” Friar Lawrence told her in discussion. “The tenth commandment is clear: “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife,” which means you ought to be coveting only your own. Most husbands who cheated also claimed to love their wives, but they could not avoid lust for another woman.”

“Why am I questioning this now?” Jessican struggled with her thoughts. “All I did was …… for love.”

“Was it wrong to feel frustration? Was it fair to deny the object of your longing.”

“Is love a mystery that lust will to inclusive to it? Why was lust enshrouded into the darkness or hidden in the shadows? Does one deny lust because it was sinful? Was denial sinful too? Does love make is more …… No, does being wedded makes it less of a sin?”

“Did I create a sin here?” Jessica uttered in her breath.

“If breathing was one, then we shall all die trying it.” Friar Lawrence stood before the lady. “Are you fine, Jessica? I saw you muttering in your walk. Can I guide you?”

“Friar, why do we love each other so much that we ……. May forego ourself?”

“Because it is love that overcome all. As we breathe in the air, we deny death, for love is the air.”

“Thank you, Friar. I will wed Lorenzo.” Jessica said. “He is my breathing air, and I am his reason to be alive.”

Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 49

 49.

 

Prince Escalus held his first meeting upon arrival at Genoa, with Count Paris at the home of Lord Schmidt Helmut, an old friend from the courts of Hungary. In the library was Vuk Branvonic, who arrived with the prince. And one other, Magistrate Javier, who once served with the prince.

The prince was given the privacy of the library to use.

“I am concerned about your progress, Count Paris.” The prince looked to his trusted aide. “You were sent to Genoa for the sole purpose of locating the jewels but to date, nothing had been found.”

“I admit the delays were there but we will soon find it. I have new information to it.” Count Paris reported.

“I have Andre Bassanio Tito in my custody, and he was said to had shipped the jewels to Genoa.” Magistrate Javier cut in. “I was ……”

“I had met the felon and knew of his shipment.” Count Paris in turn cut in. “he told me that he had entrusted the Bill of Lading to his fiancé, Portia.”

 “How was that possible? She claimed she had nothing of his.” Magistrate Javier looked at the other. “I had left ……”

“The officers of yours can be dealt with and the uniform of the Magistrate replicated with ease. Or borrowed.” Count Paris smiled. “Your denial of me to visit the felon made me take that action.”

“It was confirmed then. My officers told me a Magistrate visited the felon recently but left shortly before I arrive.”

“A fast show of the handling there, and I know of the Bill of Ladings.” Count Paris looked to the prince. “I was to act but the Magistrate had his men to protect the lady.”

“Yes, I assigned two of men to the house. If it is true, then I will proceed to house now.” Magistrate Javier turned to the prince. “May I be excused?”

“In due time, Javier.” Prince Escalus stopped the Magistrate. “Genoa has taken on some interesting crowd of late. Vuk here tells me that Vlad Tepes; claimed to be dead is very much alive in Genoa, but unknown to his hiding place. His death was fake created by the Ottoman’s commander on whose order I am not sure.”

“Vlad Tepes here in Genoa? Unlikely, this is his enemy’s lair.” Count Paris denied it.

“Where is safer than your enemy’s home where you may look to find.” Prince Escalus looked at the other. “As to his brother, Radu Tepes, I know for sure he had died.”

“I was also informed that Lord Gencio Capulet and Lord Dante Montague had met the Impaler but they will not disclose to me. It was timely…… not unfortunate that their children are involved in some murder charges.”

“Romeo Capulet is in hiding till now. His father …….” Magistrate Javier told the prince.

“Lord Gencio Capulet will not take my offer to relocate his son to Verona under my protection.” Prince Escalus looked at the Magistrate. “No one ignore my offer.”

“I will find Romeo.” Count Paris declared.

“Do so, Count Paris. The Capulet and Montague are getting arrogant in their influence. They may be invited to the Court of King Corvinus but they are unaware of the shift of power there.

“Hungary is not isolated or strong with other states around it. To the north lay the Kingdom of Poland and the Kingdom of Bohemia. To the west was the Archduchy of Austria, a part of the Holy Roman Empire. To the east, the Kingdom of Hungary bordered the Principality of Transylvania, which was under Hungarian rule. To the south, the region was contested between the Kingdom of Hungary, the Serbian Despotate, and the Ottoman Empire.; an unresolved conflict.”

“The King is influential but the tussle of power and throne prevails the existence of God. We lost the crusades in the 12the century, but as we speak, the crusade still runs in us. The new threats are the Moors, the Mamluks and the also the heretics.”

“Hussites…...” Magistrate Javier uttered. “I had my running of conflicts with them. They are an influence in Poland.”

“True, but the balance of power needs the weight of influences. The Empress Jewels may be that. If I hold that, the powerful will rally to my cause. And we shall defeat the Ottoman’s and Constantinople will ours once more.” Prince Escalus looked at the two gathered there. “Are you with me?”

“Yes, your highness.” Count Paris announced it. And it was followed by the Magistrate.

“Refresh my memory on the situation once more.” Prince Escalus looked at the duo.

“To date, Mercutio and Tybalt from the Romeo’s fiasco.” Magistrate Javier reported.

“Nothing on my side.”

“Get the Bill of Ladings now.” Prince Escalus gave the order.  “And find Romeo Capulet. Vuk Branvonic can assist. He brought with him his trusted guards. They are five of them staying at the tavern nearby.”

At the Belmont house, the mood was more homely if that can be stated.

There is a grief that cannot be spoken.
There's a pain goes on and on.
Empty chairs at empty tables
Now my friends are dead and gone.

(Empty chairs at empty tables / Les Misérables / Michael Ball ‧ 1985)

“Stop your humming there, Maurice.” Officer 24602 Nikolas Jean told the other. “I am trying to rest here.”

“Clamp it, Jean. You were not there in the war when we fought the English. My father was there with the Maiden of Orleans. My father returned soon after, a broken man but he was alive. He regretted being alive when all his friends died on the battlefield. He taught me that song.”

“I was not born then that war, but I knew the pain of losses.” Officer Nikolas Jean sighed. “I was with the others in the marketplace then in Paris, younger but food was to be earned from hard work. I did my share but there was so much I can feed then, that there were nights I went hungry.”

“Your parents?” Maurice asked. “From Paris?”

“I know not of them. I was raised by an old lady with a group of other kids. She took us to Genoa here. It was not an easy life, but we had a roof over our heads. And the occasional brazier to warm our souls in winter. It was one winter, when hunger pangs were too great, I took to the streets to look for food. I saw the church and I avoided it, but the priest who showed me the way. He went to look for bread to share for my brothers and sisters in the kitchen, but I took the liberty to grab some the silverwares….”

“Stole you meant.” Maurice corrected the other. “Stealing in the House of God? That is a sin.”

“It was not stolen ……. but borrowed. I would have it returned to the church later.”

“After you sold it? I do not think so.” Maurice shook his head.

“Anyway, the priest saw me doing it and I was afraid. He told me later I could have it. The gift if it would feed the hungry was best to use for it than to adorn my house. The priest said that. I took it and left. But the authorities the church saw me and found the silverware. I was to be hauled to the prison but the priest stopped them. I was told that the silverware given as a gift to me. It was the forgiving act that changed me. From that day, I was to serve the priest at the chapel. It was my turning point.”

“Jolly well, and you got fed daily too.” Maurice laughed.

“Yes, I was, but the extra bread and drinks, I had them given to my brothers and sisters. Later, I was to join the services of the Hungarian Army when there was a callup for volunteers.”

“Did you kill anyone?”

“I ……. I cannot recall. War was brutal, and we in it were more brutal in our act. Later upon discharge I was with the Magistrate guards.” Jean sighed. “I knew no other skills.”

“Yawn! What a tale. You could had told me a shorter version.” Maurice laughed. “For me, it was the singing troupe. I toured the states, but a fate of love caused me to join the guards. I was with a lady; Collete as her name. She left me for another named Enjolras. She said he was more powerful in character. I was heartbroken. In my disgust, I joined the guards, but I still sing.”

I smell women
Smell them in the air
Think I will drop my anchor
In that harbour over here

(Loverly ladies / Less Misérables / Song by Alain Boublil, Cameron Mackintosh, and Claude-Michel Schönberg ‧ 1988)

“You disgust me, Maurice. I would have expected more from you.” Jean remarked.

“Exactly what Cosette told; she was the later lady I met. But I am pass that lady. I have now my other lady; Epinine. She welcomed me with spread limbs and hefty bosom to rest my head.” Maurice laughed. “What do you have? For a handy wanker on your colder nights?”

“Do you have …….” Jean was to snap at the other but was interrupted.

“Good evening, Sir’s.” The voice was from the house, and it turned out to be Nerissa. She was carrying a tray of biscuits and drink for the two guards.

“Something to warm your body.” Nerissa smiled. The two guards gratefully accepted the offerings.

“I hope we did not offend you with our ramblings.” Jean smiled at her. “We are the …….”

“The kind gentlemen that a lady will need in her life. And no, I did not hear much of the ramblings as you state it was.” Nerissa turned towards Maurice. “You got a lovely voice.”

“Thank you, my lady.” Maurice took a bite of the biscuit. “Delicious these are.”

“I bake them here. I am a simple lady from a simple home, but my friendship with Ms. Belmont, gave many impressions of my role here but shed the nobility, I am just a simple lady.” Nerissa looked at Jean.

“I can attest to that. Shed the covers, and unveil the true self but cleft in your desire, they all sound alike.” Maurice lacked the finesse of a gentleman in his words.

“Pardon the insolent nature of my friend. He lacks the impropriety of a gentleman.” Jean did a bow towards the lady.

“I am used to those outbursts. It may rile another but having grown up in a bakery at the marketplace, one gets to be hard of hearing listening to them speak.” Nerissa smiled. “I must be getting back to my host. She is concerned on the fate of her ……. Friend.”

“And a good evening to you, my lady.” Jean bowed towards her once more. The lady left the two to their task.

“I say younger man. You are smitten by her.” Maurice smiled. “To that, I will say one day, you may just be ……”

Welcome, Monsieur, sit yourself down
And meet the best of ladies in town
As for the rest, all of them ……. Bitches (in a very low tone.):
Roosting their men, and cooking the belly
Seldom do you know
Honest men like you

That may not be yours
Who's content it was, God knows.”

(Adapted from Master of House / Less Misérables)

“Shut up, Maurice!” 

Error in posting end of Dec 2025

 Exhaustion made me commit an oversight on my postings for the tale. Its corrected now

Cheers

Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 48

 48.

 

Bassanio was left hanging by his wrists from the ceiling, his leg wound was bleeding but the jailer was unforgiving to his plight. He peeked out of his bloodied eyes, and saw the entry of the Magistrate.

“Andre Bassanio Tito, I am Magistrate Theodore. I am here to release you.” The officer stepped up to Bassanio. “We will cut you down, but before that is done, tell me of the shipment.”

Bassanio was weak from the beatings and nodded. He was tortured and his limbs broken. Enough was this pain, that he finally gave up. He felt his body lifted and the shackles removed. He was let down to the cot there and offered a drink of water.

“Where is it?” The Magistrate asked.

“The Demetus. It should be in by now.” Bassanio whispered out. “I have the …….”

“The Bill of Lading?” The Magistrate asked.

“Portia…… Portia Belmont.” Bassanio given up then.

“He said Portia Belmont.” The Magistrate spoke to the person outside the jail/ “He said ……”

“I heard.” The voice replied.

“Yes, my Lord.” The Magistrate nodded. “Kill him.”

“No. Let hm there. We need to move fast.” The voice called out. “Javier will be back.”

Bassanio was hung up again, and he muttered a weak protest. It was all over, when he felt the door to the jail closed once more. He had given up on his love; his body broken.

“Forgive me, Portia.”

The so named Magistrate mounted the carriage and the driver lashed the horse to move. The so named Magistrate looked at the other occupants in the carriage.

“Bassanio spoke of one named Portia Belmont. He has given up.” The man said.

“Good.” The other said. “Now, Gencio. We can get the shipment.”

“Do not be overjoyed, Antonio. We need to find the jewels first. Pay the man now.” Lord Gencio Capulet signalled the carriage to stop. The so named Magistrate dismounted. The carriage took off while the man turned to walk. He did not see the figure who stepped up to his rear, and stabbed him in the back. The assailant grabbed the bag of coins and left the dying man on the ground. Another carriage pulled up and the assailant mounted it.

Across the city, another Magistrate was meeting the home of the Belmont.

“I can assure you, Lady Belmont. We are treating Andre Bassanio Tito with care. He was tortured by his captors and for his safety will remain in our custody.” Magistrate Javier did not take the seat offered in the library of the Belmont home, but remained standing. He was met by the lady herself, and her friend, Nerissa. The magistrate came with two guards.

“We regret the death of Gratiano, whom I believed is the fiancé of Lady Nerissa.” Magistrate Javier placed on a straight face.

“There are threats to you and Ms. Nerissa. For this, I am placing in your home, two of my guards to ensure your safety.”

“We appreciate the concern but we have our own security here.” Portia said to the Magistrate. “When can I see Bassanio?”

“In due time. May I enquire Ms. Belmont, did Bassanio entrust any items of value or documents to you?” Magistrate Javier asked.

“Me? None that I can recalled. We are …… engaged but not wedded.” Portia looked at the magistrate. “Any particular item, may I ask?”

“No, nothing of particular in mention. Just asking.” Magistrate Javier smiled. “Anyway, Officer 24602 Nikolas Jean and Officer 23567 Maurice will be posted outside your house at nighttime.”

“24602, please be attentive.” Magistrate Javier spoke to his guard. “You are responsible for the Belmont safety. And 23567, vigilant to your duty now. No more slacking off to the music.”

“Yes, Magistrate.” Officer 24602 Nikolas Jean nodded to the task. He held a fine physique and was said to have immense strength unlike his co-officer; 23567 Maurice older by age, had on the smaller frame but was the witty one. Magistrate Javier took his leave then. They were armed with the baton for their safety. They were in the uniform and carried baton for their use.

“Officers, you may rest in the house. We hold extra chambers for guests.” Portia offered to the officers.

“It will not be appropriate, Madame. We are fine by ourselves outside.” Office Nikolas Jean declined the offer.

Jessica had then declined the offer by Romeo to stay with him longer at the cottage. They had sneaked back after meeting the friar.

“It was silly of me to think I can see Juliet. Myself remaining here, is ……. Frustrating at most.” Romeo sighed. “I am not used to be confined.”

“Well, get used to that. I am for my parents were fond of stopping me from leaving the house, but I am a rebel with many avenues of getting out.” Jessica sighed. “I wondered how long will our predicament last. Yours for your love towards Juliet, and mine towards Lorenzo.”

“Speak no more, my love. I am here.” Lorenzo appeared at the cottage door. “I just managed to evade my guardians to rush here.”

Jessica embraced her love and then land kisses onto the man.

“Get a personal chamber please. I am still here.” Romeo called out while turning his back towards them. “There is one there.”

It was the only other chamber in the cottage and was occupied by Romeo. The young couple proceeded to the chamber and with the door closed, proceeded with their caress and kisses. It was then Jessica saw the state of the chamber; the unkept bedding, the strewn clothing, and the discarded utensils.

“God, why can the men keep anything neat?” Jessica pulled away and proceeded to tidy up the place. Lorenzo stood there looking at the lady he loves doing what was the women’s tasks. He was delighted and then approached her once move holding her from the rear.

“Lorenzo, let me ……”

“Do you know there is a desirable ……. Impression when a lady cleans?” Lorenzo nuzzled his lips on the side of the lady’s neck. “It is …….”

“Dirty and above all, undesired now.” Jessica held up the discarded tunic of the occupant.

“It is not mine. You may have mine now.” Lorenzo stepped back and removed his tunic. He handed it over to the lady who had then turned to look. It was her first look at the man’s exposed chest; the very man she held and kissed many times; caressed in their hugs, but never had she seen him in his flesh.

“I could remove my tights too.” Lorenzo proceeded to pull his tights down but was stopped by Jessica. Her hands stopped him.

“I ……. I will do it.” Jessican assisted to pull the tights down. It was never the same when one was doing it to themselves, but at that moment, when she leaned down to pull it off, she shied away from looking at the protruding part of his. She found herself levelled towards it and then studied the part.

“It like you.” Lorenzo smiled and then he pulled the lady up. “I like you too.”

Lorenzo laid his lips on Jessica’s, and then his hands moved to caress her bosom. His fingers kneaded the soft flesh; she was not heavy on the top, and his hands fitted her.

“The strings are at the back.” Jessica whispered to him.

“Oh……” Lorenzo uttered. It was not that he did that before. He reached to the rear and found his fumbling was worse than his reply. She reached back and assisted him. Her top part of the gown fell from her shoulders, and exposed the first sight to him. He held the perky bosom and lowered his lips onto it. It was the same gesture a new born will do, and well, we all had good training then.

“Let me …… step back.” Jessica pulled away from the man. She then pulled her gown down to expose herself fully to him.

“You are ……. Beautiful.” Lorenzo uttered once more. He had not really seen a naked lady that close; he did once peek at the maid when she was bathing but that was different; she was an older lady with a litter of kids, and what hung there could slapped a man silly on the face.

“Shut up, Lorenzo.” Jessica pulled the man she loves towards her. “Do me for I am tired of waiting.”