Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 53

 53.

 

Lord Gencio Capulet was uneasy at the loss of update on the whereabouts of his son and the situation of Benvolio. He was later disturbed by the news that Jessica Judas was arrested on the suspicion of harbouring Romeo. He was in the library with Reynard.

“I do not have many I can trust in Genoa, except you now.” Lord Gencio Capulet looked to his guard. “How long have you served the family?”

“Long, my lord.” Reynard who was sidelined to be a mere guard for many years. “I have been more with young Romeo. I have failed the family.”

“Not so, Reynard. You tried your best, but Romeo is what he is; a brat and above all, a rebel.” Lord Gencio Capulet sighed. “I have …… one other son, Lorenzo who is more as a son to me than Romeo.”

“Romeo …… If I may, my lord. He looks to you for love, but you are always on travels. He has no one to relate to, but maybe us……. or Tybalt.” Reynard was to say. “Tybalt was a …….”

“A scoundrel at best. I know of his ways as much as I do with my trade. He protects young Romeo but he is not a food figure to follow.” Lord Gencio Capulet looked at the guard. “Benvolio, he is family but his dislike of the father made him an outcast, and he spends his time at war.”

“Speaking of Benvolio, there were rumours that he was killed by the Montague, but unfounded. His body was disposed of by the butchers who fed parts of him to the pigs.” Everyone knew the pigs will consume any flesh regardless and even bones were broken to be consumed. “His head was burned in the blacksmith.”

“How was it made …….” Lord Gencio Capulet was stunned.

“We are ……. Not indifferent to the acts, my lord.” Reynard confessed. “We …….”

“Do not say it. I will not hear of it.” Lord Gencio Capulet knew that in the line of business, there are occasions that killing was a needed task, and the guards was employed to ensure protection.

“These rumours were from my associates.” Reynard told the lord. “More to it, they disclosed that the murderer was ……. Unknown.”

“Earlier, you said it was the Montague?”

“I did and still believed it was by them, or through their influence. The city of late is visited by many strangers. There is the Count Paris who was the guest of Montague at the ball, the newly arrived Prince Escalus, and I heard of mercenaries with one other named Bran Branvonic, and our secret guest, the Impaler.”

“Yes, I am aware.” Lord Gencio Capulet looked away from his guard. “Vlad Tepes is my doing for the ………”

Lord Gencio Capulet did not mention the rumours of the jewels. He was sure that Reynard knew of it.

“Was the Impaler the reason they are all here?” Reynard asked. Lord Gencio Capulet did not reply but dismissed the guard. His other son, Lorenzo stepped in with the mother.

“Gencio, we need to talk.” Lady Sofia approached the man of the house. Lorenzo closed the door to the library.

“Gencio, Lorenzo wants to wed the Jewish lady named Jessica Judas.” The lady looked at her lover. “He had …… He is adamant on it.”

“Wedding? Lorenzo, you fool. How could you wed her? She is of a different faith.” Lord Gencio Capulet snapped in anger. “Even if I agreed, her parents will object.”

“I love her and told her of my real faith. I am of the Jewish origin. My is Karl Levi Tov, son of Abram Tov. My mother is Rachel Mencies. She ……. Died soon after my birth.” The younger man stepped up to the lord. “All I want now is the blessing……… No, it is not permission to you to leave the Capulet and lived outside of it.”

“Gencio, he is …….” Lady Sofia stepped towards the lord. “He …….”

“You are a Capulet, and will remain as that.” Gencio shouted. “Leave me now. I am to think out the issue with …… Romeo.”

“I will leave the house to wed my love, Jessica Judas.” Lorenzo, in turn, shouted back. “You cannot …….”

“Who? Jessica Judas? I was just told that she is in the Magistrate’s custody.’ Gencio looked from Lorenzo to Lady Sofia. “What has happened to us now? I got a missing son, and now ……. My other son is to leave and wed a Jewish.”

“I must go to Jessica. They only want to know on the whereabouts of Romeo.” Lorenzo stormed off from the library.

“Romeo? Does he know where our son is?” Lord Gencio Capulet looked to the departing figure. “Did he ……”

“I know nothing. It is the first time I hear of it.” Lady Sofia shook her head. “What am I to do now? I will have Rachel to blame me if anything happens to him.”

“Reynard! Reynard! Stop, Lorenzo.” Lord Gencio Capulet called out to the guard. Reynard was in the wing and rushed in.

“Stop, my son, Lorenzo. He knows of the whereabouts of Romeo.”

Reynard turned to leave the library.

In the library of the Montague, Lord Dante Montague opened the drawer and stared at the case there. He felt the urge to take it out but stopped there.

“Dante, do it please.” It was Angeline who stood there in the library door. “It may be the only item to save our daughter.”

“Do what, woman.” Lord Dante Montague slammed the drawer shut. “What is on your mind?”

“If the case contained the jewels wanted by Prince Escalus, use it to bargain for the freedom of Juliet. She does not deserve ……”

“Juliet? When has she become the issue here? She is not wanted by the authorities. It is the son of Gencio that is wanted.” Lord Dante Montague stared at her.

‘Your …… Our daughter is in love with the boy. She will be heartbroken if …….”

“With time and perhaps a trip to another place, or another better boy, she will be back with us.” Lord Dante Montague said. “I had …….”

“You were never over Juliette for a long time. You had our daughter named Juliet to remember her.” Angeline cut in. “You loved Juliette but she was …… beyond your reach. You duel over her love with Gencio, and both of you lost when she was sent to London. Gencio was heartbroken and joined the army. You were struck by grief and took to find the other which was me. I am not Juliette but a part of me was to you.”

“What madness prevails in you?” The man shouted at Angeline.

“Not as deep or hidden behind your mask of deceit.” Angeline snarled at the man. “I knew of the reports that you had requested of her when she was in London. You were courting me then to get know more of her. You loved her so much and upon her wedding that you stopped to think of her, but not for long. You were onto me, praising me and mother, while you leaned on the servants to know of Juliette. Was she happy? Was she returning?”

“Preposterous!” Lord Dante Montague snapped out.

“Preposterous was you. I had questioned my …… desire to be with you for over two seasons before we wed, courteous towards you I was, but it was mother who was impressed with your tenacious effort to get me. Or so it was seen then. Finally, you bought mother over, and with her ailing health, she found it fit to wed me off to you.”

“Angeline……” Lord Dante Montague was without words.

“Angeline I was, and daughter of the Dubier. Could I say no then? As could Juliet says no to you if you were to wed her too? To whom? Count Paris, he is rich, and above all, influential. Or even Prince Escalus, if he was to find another lover.” Angeline smirked at the man. “You will bargain with us like your wares in trade, but unlike the wares, we hold emotions. And we hid them most times……. Deep inside.”

“Dante Montague, how many days and nights were we together? Perhaps one week in a season, longer during winter, but when the mood calls for it, or you will be on the road. You claimed to love me, but does it come from your heart? Your whole heart? If it does, then why did the jewel you promised to my sister remain in your drawer? Mother declined you then, and even with our co-joining of the flesh, you will not let touch that case. Was it your last remembrance of Juliette?”

“I have given you many jewels.”

“But not the one that matters.” Angeline looked at the man. “Juliet’s arrival was the only jewel that held us together. We never held another besides her. It was not my desire to have any more with you. In my life, there is only Juliet.”

“Why do you torment me now?” Lord Dante Montague looked at the lady who was wedded to him. “I did love your sister but that was over soon after ours. I had kept the …….  Whatever of her, but it was not the reason which you mentioned. The jewel is gone. I had traded it a long time ago, but the case was kept. It was my ……. My body without the soul. It was to remind me of the lost love that was once there.”  

“I do love you, Angeline Dubier. It took me sometime to see you from Juliette but I do love you. And still do. Juliet was the name I wanted for it was the name of my daughter if I ever had one. It was my grandmother’s maiden name. She was a great lady and lovely grandmother. If it was a boy we have, then it was to be Andros but we did not have that child.” Lord Dante Montague sighed. “I never told you this before”

“It was coincidental that your sister was named Juliette.”

“It was not you that I did not desire any more children. It was just myself. I was not keen for the world around us was in turmoil with the wars. I was sad to meet the survivors on the roads, and listened to their woes. Was it fair to bring a child to this world to have them continue the hardship here?”

“I am sorry, Dante. I did ……” Angeline looked to her lover.

“You have every right to ask. I was away most times, and when I was with you, I hardly told you about myself.” Dante smiled. “We all lived in difficult times.”

A servant barged in.

“My lord, Lady Juliet left the house. She said she was to look for Romeo.”

 

Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 52

 

52.

 

Monsieur, this is a day
I can never forget
Is gratitude enough
For giving me Nerissa….

(performed by Michael Ball & Gary Morris)
(adapted from "Les Misérables: The Complete Symphonic Recording" soundtrack)

“Shut up, Maurice.” Officer 24602 Jean hissed out at Maurice who was doing his crooning at the gate. “She may hear us.”

“Why should I stop? I can see the gleam in your eyes from the moment she left us with her bakeries.” Maurice smiled. “Do you know the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach? And to a lady’s heart is to……”

“Oh, remain to yourself with your comments…...” Officer 24602 Jean then paused. “Did you hear the ……”

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

Adapted from "Do you hear the People Sing?"
(from "Les Misérables: The Complete Symphonic Recording" soundtrack)

“Drop it, Maurice. I will check the house area.” Jean picked up his baton. He walked along the wall surrounding the house. He would have missed it if he was not vigilant. The servant entrance to the kitchen was ajar, and he heard voices. He rushed to the entrance and looked in. He saw the three servants there pushed to the cellar where the foods and drinks were stored. There were two men armed with daggers there. They were dressed like any others.

Jean was tempted to call upon Maurice but took his own action. He went into the kitchen and approached the two men who was latching the door there. He took no chance and swung the baton on the first man he saw. The baton impacted on the back of the head, and the man staggered. He then swung the baton sideways to hit the second man in the side of the head.

Jean followed on with another knock on the first man with the baton on the back of the neck. It was a hard blow with his strength behind it, and the man fell to the flooring. He had his baton raised to deflect the second man’s dagger attack at him. The baton impacted on the blade, and caused the man to drop the dagger. Jean followed on with the fust at the man’s face. He felt the bridge of the nose broke under the blow. He heard the scream from the chambers above.

“Shut up, bitch!” The man who confronted Portia at the chamber. She was asleep and woke up when the door to her chamber was opened. She saw the silhouette of the unfamiliar figure and screamed.

“Shut up!” The man rushed towards the bedding, but Portia was ready for such intrusion. Her father taught her well. 

“I do not have a son, but you will be trained as one. You will be given the learning befitting of one.” Those were her father’s words, and was how she was given the needed training in the business including the contract laws, and along came the need to defend herself.

“This is a pugio, a Roman Legionary weapon. It will be more deadly than the needle pin of yours.” Lord Belmont told Portia. The pugio typically had a double-edged blade between 7 to 12 inches long, with a handle about 4 inches long.  “The way to use the dagger is to thrust it.”

Portia did her works on it, which the kitchen help was grateful to her for the slices but not up the arse; the chef needs it for his own, the servants roared then.

The pugio served its purpose; Portia stabbed the man in the left ribs. The man screamed and fell to the side, clutching the wound. Portia climbed out of the bed and stood there stunned. It was her first stab at a living creature. She heard then the scream from Nerissa’s chamber.

“Get off me!” Nerissa screamed out when the man jumped on her on the bed. She knew the vile of man when they get into the bedding of a lady. She kicked out with her legs and clawed her fingers on the man’s face.

“Hold the vixen!” The man grabbed Nerissa’s arms. Nerissa felt her lower limbs were restrained by the second man. She struggled against her restraints and spat at the man who was on top of her.

“She is a spiteful one.” The man roared out. “Save your spits when we spit roast you.”

“Aye, Jonas. Grab her legs.” The man sat on Nerissa’s chest while he tore at the lady’s nightdress. He was laughing at the helplessness of the lady. It was a simple task for five of them, paid in ducats, to get in there and secure the house. Then they were to find the document on the shipment. That was the instruction given by their hirer.

“I will, Samuel, the man seated on the lady had agreed to it, but he was also keen to see what else he could get from the house. They were told of the two ladies’ inhabitants with a servant.

It was an easy task, and they split into pairs.

“Help!” Nerissa screamed out.

“Holler out, wench! When I am done with ……” Jonas was gleefully holding the lady down when he felt himself lifted out from the rear. He was not a huge person, but held his weight as average. He felt himself lifted and tossed to the left. He landed on his head on the floor.

“Hold……” Samuel felt the lady was squirming beneath him, and then he felt the heavy blow on the back of his neck.  He felt his body pulled backwards, and the second blow was on his face. He was then tossed from the bedding to the flooring.

“Are you okay, my lady?” Jean avoided looking at Nerissa, who was holding the seams of her bodice to cover herself. He did not wait for the reply and rushed to the two stunned intruders. He rained blows on them and then grabbed the curtain drapes to bind them.

“Jean, I am here.” It was Maurice who rushed in. “I got two in the kitchen.”

“Maurice, tie them all up and then get the Magistrate,” Jean called out to Maurice. He then addressed the distressed lady, Nerissa.

“My lady, please get dressed.” It was Portia who rushed in when Maurice left the chamber.

“The other is dead. I killed him.” Portia cried out. It was different when she stabbed the carcass of the sow or the cow, but that was a living person. “It was …….”

“Who ……” Jean looked at the lady who had blood on her nightgown.

“Dead? Oh, my poor mother’s soul. It must have been Steward. He was looking for the documents.” Jonat called out while seated on the flooring/ “He was in the other chamber.”

Soon, the authorities arrived, and the house was secured. The Magistrate was called on for it was late at night. Portia and Nerissa had settled their nerves and were seated at the library. Jean met them there and told them of the works that was being done.

“You did not kill the intruder. He was wounded but will live. They are all brought down to the Magistrate’s office.” Jean reported to the ladies. “One of them mentioned of some documents they were to find. Some shipping documents.”

“I do not know of any. My father may have ……” Portia then recalled the documents handed to her by Bassanio. “I know now. There was a parcel that Bassanio left with me. It contained that Bill of Lading for his shipment It was given when he was last here.”

Count Paris called to the carriage driver to move on. He was waiting outside the house and saw the authorities arrived.

“Obviously, your men are untrusty to the task.” Count Paris looked to the other seated across him in the carriage.

“I have no excuses to give you.” Vuk Branvonic sighed. The five men was with him in the battles and fought with their lives for him. He had seen to their loyalty but they had failed.

“I trust they will not talk of your involvement.” Count Paris spoke. “Or of mine.”

“Their silence to our identities will be preserved.” Vuk Branvonic nodded. “They knew only of myself and not you nor the prince.”

“Then it is best that you take leave of Genoa. I can arrange …….”

“That is not required. I will ride out tonight. I will return to Hungary. The matter of Vlad Tepes will be reported to the King, and then I will be on my way to the borders. I hold no concern on what ……”

“You will not report to the King on the Jewels!’ Count Paris cut in. “The matter shall not be made known ……”

“The Jewels does not concern me. It is a fable and more to it, it is the desire of the prince to secure it. If the prince is successful in the matter, then he will be ……. King and I will be for me to serve him if he asked of me. If he does not, I will still serve my own people. I hold no loyalty more than my own people.” Vuk Branvonic nodded.

“Driver, let me off at the tavern.” Vuk Branvonic called to the driver. “I bid you farewell, Count Paris. My task is done here at Genoa. I found Vlad Tepes.”

 

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!”