Vlad the Impaller Chapter 4

 The Princely hostages

4.

“I am here, your humble protectorate.” Lord Vlad II greeted the Grand Lord Vizier Candarli better known as the Younger. He was the highly influential official with the rank of Grand Vizier from Sultan Mehmed II to the current Sultan then, Sultan Murad II. His grandfather was in the same role; as the previous Sultan Mehmed II.

“My grandson, the role of the Grand Vizier comes with heavy responsibilities. The Grand Vizier is to advise the Sultan in all matters and at times, ruled on his behalf.” Candarli had listened to his grandfather then. “There are viziers answerable to me and only me. You will ride with me so that one day, you will take over this rank and serve the Sultan.”

“Grandfather, if you are so ----” Candarli was silenced by the elderly relation.

“The Candarli family does not usurp the Sultan. We are his shadow and servant. Do not ever think of yourself to be above the Sultan. We do not interfere in the Sultan’s matters. Not even in the one who will hold the rank. We served only the rank.”

That was the motto of the family. They have their home in a castle in the city of Manisa.

During these times of Murad II's retirement, Halil Pasha held effective control of the empire in the capital Edirne with Mehmed II, then still a child, as the nominal sultan. On both occasions, with the dangers presented by allied European armies attacking Ottoman territories, Çandarlı called back Murad II and deposed the teenaged Mehmed II to replace him with his more capable father. These two incidents led to lasting resentment by Mehmed II towards Çandarlı. 

“I was to meet the Sultan” Lord Vlad looked to the Grand Vizier who sat at the high-back seat in the Candarli castle at Edemi. They have arrived a few days ago but the Lord was made to wait at the guest house served by two servants with a household of guards. Vlad had complained then.

“I can’t go out. I am stopped at the gates. The guards told me to stay in. They said I will be hunted if I am outside.” Vlad had on the glum expression seated at the table with his father and Radu. He looked to the surrounding with the décor of the Ottoman’s and nothing of his own culture.

“I can’t stand it. What is this food? Where is the real meat?” Vlad was being his arrogant behavior. Ottoman cuisine represents the synthesis of these Central Asian, Iranian, Arab, and Anatolian.

“What did they call this? Sharbat? And this rice pudding?” Vlad was putting on then the pained expression.

“I liked the sweet delicacy.” Radu was more adaptable. “It’s nougat.”

“I know that but I need ---” Vlad was interrupted by the father.

“We are no more in Wallachia, sons. There is no polenta or ---- meat from the hunt. And our winery wine. Bear with it. We will be home soon.”

The home was too far to reach.

“Sultan Murad II is away on some other errands. I am to entertain you.” The Grand Vizier looked at Lord Vlad after listening to the grievances raised. “Would that be adequate to your rank? Or am I lowly?”

“I was told to meet the Sultan. It was the words of the ---” Lord Vlad felt himself demanding like his son.

“You will but that will take time. Meantime, you are my guest.” The Grand Vizier then called off the meeting and the Lord was sent back to the guest house. Lord Vlad knew the works there.

“Sons, we will be here maybe a season or more. You will ---you need not be idle. I will train you while I am with you.” Lord Vlad looked to his sons. “As I was when I was in the court of Sigmund. Are you keen, boys?”

Vlad was keen but Radu found another interest. He found a library of books and spend his time there. The books were ancient volumes from epic poetry to military strategies. He asked to be excused but his father insisted his sons learned together.

The day started with physical training and then the weapon skills. There was no shortage of weapons, and with the different types, the children trained. It was till lunch and then rest but the children had different ideas. Vlad was into the extra effort while Radu took to the readings.

It was a daily ritual.

And sometimes they mixed.

“Vlad, do you know that fear is a weapon?” Radu read from the book he was holding while Vlad was resting between the physical bouts of his imaginary foes. He was holding the sword of his that was from their father.

“The Spartans were so skilled at arms because the Helots — state-owned slaves who were the native inhabitants of much of Sparta’s territory — worked the land and did the other jobs necessary for society to function. The full Spartan citizens made use of the resultant free time by training constantly for battle, rendering the Spartan army by far the deadliest in Greece.” Radu looked to Vlad.

“Yet they feared them; the slaves of their own. Ironically, the subjugation of the Helots that allowed for such an effective war machine also made the Spartans deathly afraid of Helot revolts (which happened from time to time). Even though the Spartans could defeat any of their Greek rivals in battle, they very rarely left their home territory in the Peloponnese, a measure designed to keep the Helots in line. Thus, the Helots who made the Spartan army possible were also its prime target.”

“They should kill some of them and hang them on the walls. That will put the slaves to remain subservient.” Vlad looked to Radu. “I will do that. Kill them and hang them high. Let the vulture have their fill. Like what the Romans did to the slaves when they revolted.”

“You were referring to the Servile wars. There were three of it; the first by Eunus, who claimed to be a prophet, and the other Cleon from Cilicia. The second war was led by Athenion and Tryphon, and the last was the infamous Spartacus.”

“They all failed, Radu. Do you know why?” Vlad looked towards his brother. “The Romans were more vicious. Brawns and fighting skills were never enough. They should use ----fear as the Romans did.”

Vlad stood up.

“Kill them and hang them. Show them to the others and all will fear to attack.” Vlad roared out.

“You are ---” Radu looked at his brother in the eyes. “That is the way to get your enemy to fear you.”

Both of them laughed out loud before they continue on their ways.