Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 9

 

9. 

 

In 1448, Vlad Tepes was assisted in his invasion of Wallachia. He was at the head of the army consisting of the Janissaries and the others of the Ottoman Empire, the Sipahi, heavy cavalry, and tribal horsemen in the Ottoman army. The other was the Akinci, used as raiders on the frontiers of the Ottoman Empire, subsisting totally on plunder. His army was huge and managed to rout Vladislav from the seat of Voivode.

His victory was a military one, and not of the people. Vlad was not well received by the boyars, the feudal lords of Wallachia. The peasants viewed him as a conqueror rather than their hero.

“Voivode Vlad Tepes, the gates of the city remain open for you to come in.” The boyars lined up at the gate to welcome their prodigal son. Vlad rode in with the Janissaries, a force of over two thousand, while the Sipahi and Akinci had their plunder outside the city.

“I do not see some names here.” Vlad read the list of boyars present in the hall of the Voivode’s home. “I see …”

“Some of them had died, my Lord. Some have left for Hungary. Some have …” One of the boyars stood out to tell Vlad. He was seen by them as a young, arrogant bastard who was to topple the rightful Voivode. Vlad II may have been the previous Voivode, but he had ceded to the Ottoman Empire, a shame for the Wallachians’ name.

“I am here to reclaim my father’s land,” Vlad announced to the boyars there. “I …”

“And the land is now being plundered by your army, yours.” Another boyar found the courage to speak on the action of the conquering army. “Are we … Can you stop this?”

Vlad remained silent. He was inexperienced to reply then. He held the command of the army, but his real command was only the Janissaries. He held no direct command over the others.

“I will speak to the commanders.” Vlad struggled to reply.

“Are you to do so? Our families are living in fear. Our homes were invaded. Our wives and daughters were violated before our eyes.” Another boyar cried out. “Our men … Our boys are … impaled on stakes.”

“I …” Vlad struggled to reply.

“Yet you are here.” It was one of the commanders who spoke to the boyar. “You moved them here to avoid the slaughter.”

“Aye, I did.” The boyar looked at the commander. “I did it for my family. Would you not?”

“I will have your tongue for the pigs.” The commander drew his sword, but Vlad stopped him.

“Have the army move to the borders. There they will await my orders.” Vlad told the commanders. “Only the Janissaries will remain here.”

“Vlad ….” The commander protested. Vlad held up the scroll that proclaimed him as the Supreme Commander, signed by the Grand Vizier.

“Heed my orders, or answered the Grand Vizier.” That was the ultimate command given then.

The commanders bowed to Vlad and left the hall.

“Boyars, long have you survived on this land. I have returned, and to my dismay, the treasury is empty. I want your contribution to fill it once more. The wealth will be … distributed to the peasants.” Vlad saw the discontent among the boyars.

“The ones who had fled or died will have their lands forfeited to the Voivode.”

It was a partial victory to appease the peasants and for Vlad to pay the Janissaries. Vlad sent words to his brother, Radu.

“My brother. I am now Voivode of Wallachia. The bastard, Vladislav, is not here. He has fled to Hungary. Come home, brother.”

Across the land, the bastard named by Vladislav met with John Hunyadi at his home in Transylvania. They met at the library of the Lord. John Hunyadi, claiming noble blood, also claimed to be the son of a boyar from Wallachia with a daughter of a Hungarian noble family. Vojk, John's father, took the family name of Hunyadi when he received the estate around the Hunyad Castle from King Sigismund in 1409, ennobled as count of Hunyad.

Hunyadi's victories in 1441 and 1442 made him a prominent enemy of the Ottomans and renowned throughout Christendom. He established a vigorous offensive posture in his battles, which enabled him to counteract the numerical superiority of the Ottomans through decisive manoeuvre. He employed mercenaries from recently disbanded Czech Hussite troops, increasing the professionalism in his ranks and supplementing the numerous irregulars mustered from local peasantry, whom he had no reservations about employing in the field.

“My Lord.” Vladislav looked to the other. “I had to retreat here when the army of mine, eight thousand strong, fled the battlefield. It was not that we were weak, but they …”

“Lack the will to fight, or was it your leadership?” John asked the Voivode. “You were in the Balkans, fighting the Ottomans there.”

“Yes, I was. Under the banner of yours. Wallachia was undefended, and the pretender took the seat. I had taken my men back there. We were evenly matched, but the battle was to the Ottomans. The Wallachians; some turned sides and some joined the pretender, while others fled.”

“And you fled too?” John looked at Vladislav, who remained silent. “Tactical withdrawal, perhaps.”

“Yes, my Lord. Tactical withdrawal.” Vladislav looked to the other. “I did assist you in the Balkans…”

“I will need some time to consolidate my army. We will ride back to Wallachia and kick the pretender back to his Sultan. I will recruit my army from the best. Genoa’s hold good soldiers.” John eased the pain on Vladislav.

“I repay my debts, Vladislav.”

“I will do my part too.” Vladislav meekly replied. “I …”

“Do what you think you can.” John ignored the man. “I have letters to send and sponsors to meet. The war will not be free from them.”

“I can offer them land. The boyars who are dead or fled will have their lands forfeited.” John told the other without looking up from the desk filled with papers. “Now, please go. I need the space to work.”

Words of the impending war reached Genoa, and one of the keen persons was Lord Gencio Capulet. He got the news from the other traders, and there was trade to do. He could join and be a commander. The latter will give him the influence to direct trade to his friends and himself. He rushed to the recruitment centre when he met Dante.

“Surely, Lord Dante Montague will not compete with me to be commander?” Lord Gencio Capulet smirked at the other when they were at the square.

“Commander? Me? No, I am not a soldier. I am no fighter. I am a trader and a lover”. Dante Montague heard of the recruitment of mercenaries to fight under the Hungarians’ flag. “I have much to do. I am to wed Juliette by the end of autumn.”

“Hell will freeze over then, Gencio.” Lord Gencio Capulet mocked the other. “Are you sure? We are a blazing duo in the social circle, and with you wedded… I will be the devil there all alone, holding the flaming torch.”

“You can have Hell and Heaven, Lord Gencio Capulet. I am to wed my love.” Dante laughed. “Do me a favour. Die in the war, or do not come back at all. I hear Wallachia has a lot of ladies keen to have you as their lover.”

Lord Gencio Capulet was hurt that Juliette was to wed the rival of his. She had avoided him in those recent days and did not answer his letters.

“I will fight for John Hunyadi. I was told that he held large tracts of land to give as tributes. With that, I can cease to be a trader and manage my land. I can then... What is her name? The sister of Juliette? Was she not staying in Venice until recently?”

“Angeline. Yes, she is with her family here. She was staying in Venice with their aunt. She …” Lord Dante Montague was interrupted by Antonio Meli, who was between the two and looked at Dante.

“Tell me, Dante, were you at the recruitment centre?” Antonio was the usual brash idiot. “Are you mad, or was it love unrequited?”

“It was me who needed some new actions. Are you going too?” Lord Gencio Capulet asked. “We could ride together.”

“No, I am not. I must trade in my new wares from Spain. Once I sell that, I will return you the ducats I owe you.” Antonio looked then towards Gencio. Antonio’s promise was as good as his ships arriving on time. “Are you going too? Then God will be looking after me. I will have two fewer traders to compete with.”

“Assuming your wares arrive on time.” Lord Dante Montague was to strike at the trader. “I must be on my way.”

“What is his hurry?” Antonio asked.

“He wants to get wedded to Juliette.” Lord Gencio Capulet replied. “She had decided.”

“That vixen.” Antonio smiled. “If I were …”

“If you do, then Dante will have your head on the docks for all to see.” Lord Gencio Capulet looked at the other. “Do not look little on Lord Dante Montague. I had seen him fight on the trade routes. He is a good fighter, and Mercy does not write well with him when he defends his own wares.”

“I heard of Lord Dante Montague’s prowess in fighting. It was not his wares I was referring to, but the sister of Juliette, whom I had seen, is a beauty in herself. I am in line to fight for her.”

“Who is she?” Lord Gencio Capulet asked.

Angeline Dubier. She was brought up in Venice and recently returned to Genoa. She is …” Antonio smiled with his devious expression.

“Shut your bad thoughts, Antonio. You have enough coins to spend at the brothels. Do that before I do the works of Dante on you… for free.” Lord Gencio Capulet walked to the recruitment centre. He paused there, for his mind was on Angeline. He wondered what she looked like.   

“Next!” Lord Gencio Capulet heard the call.

 

Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 8

 

8. 

The Janissaries, when they were to ride to battle, had their code of dressing. Their headgear was the Uskuf cap, or better known as the bork, the white hat with the long tail at the rear. Their uniform was a brightly coloured long tunic, a wide cloth belt, and a cape for protection from the heat and cold. Each Janissary carries a musket, the ‘trench gun’ as named by many. The Turkish weapon, "7 to 9 palms long," was used with great accuracy by the Janissaries, in which their firing outclassed that of the defenders by a long way.

When the time for the charge came, the Janissary soldier would sling his musket across his back and use his sword or dagger. The swords carried by them may be several: the Kilij, Pala, and Yatagan. They were light and greatly admired for their ease of use in battle. They also hold the Jamila dagger, a reliable weapon for close combat. They were made of steel and approximately six inches long. The daggers often had gold or silver inlay inscriptions and floral motifs. The variety in weaponry can be attributed to the fact that the individual soldier had to provide his own, and equipment could well have varied greatly from man to man.

Vlad and Radu were given the standard attire and sword. They had no muskets because their training was not complete. However, they were assigned the lance to use. The column consisted of a hundred Janissaries, of which a third were "yeni-cheri."

It was a test of their ability to be a Janissary. All the "yeni-cheri" carried the lances. The Şehzade of the Sultan administered Konya; the formerly independent principality of Karaman was annexed by the Ottomans; Mehmed II appointed his son, Mustafa, as governor of the new eyalet, with his seat at Konya. The Sultan assigns the Janissaries there to train in real conflicts.

Odabaşı (Lieutenant) Yuseff, a senior in the ranks, rode at the helm of the column. He was a veteran of many battles and was to lead his third column to rout the bandits there. He knew that the real task was to train the young ones in battle. These are all young men of the multinational ties, and their real loyalties are unproven yet. The officer surveys the terrain ahead. He halted the column and studied the surroundings.

It was a narrow valley with hills on both sides. It would be an ideal location for an ambush. The janissaries do not fear an attack, but they want to be prepared for any. He calls for three of his veterans to ride ahead on the right hill.

“Ride there, and do the lookout. Signal with the musket if you see an ambush.”

The scouts rode ahead and hiked up the hill. They reached the top and then looked to the other hill for any signs of ambush. The bandits are not trained to fight like the janissaries, but they are familiar with the hit-and-run methods. The veteran saw the hidden bandits, numbered at fifty-odd figures, huddled behind the bushes there. He then looked to his side of the hill and saw the twenty who were armed with muskets. He left the other two behind to keep watch and reported to the Odabasi.

The bigger threat was the musket bandits; they could cause damage to the column numbers. The others were fair numbers to be slaughtered.

“Take a group of twenty veterans to the hilltop. Fire on the musket holders. I will lead the "yeni-cheri" on the left hill to attack the ones there.” The Odabasi gave the orders.

“The others will ride into the valley as if we are not expecting any trouble. Once the battle begins, they will form the flankers to shoot at the bandits from their position. We will form the claws of death for them.”

Vlad had lost his lance and pierced the bandit in the torso. He could not pull the lance out from his mounted position on the horse. He had ridden uphill, and it was difficult to hold the reins while plunging the lance. He released his grip and kicked at the horse to climb. He then drew out the kilij with his right hand, while his left hand held the reins. He saw the bandit with his back to him, fighting off another janissary. Vlad rode to the bandit and slashed from the right to the left of the nape. It was a killing move.

The kill was done, and he was onto the next bandit. The bandits were retreating then, for they were outnumbered, and worse, their ambush had failed. Vlad spurred his horse to pursue on for the kills. He was relentless in his slashing, and his anger vented at the bandits. It was built up from the years of being held as a hostage and dreading the moment when his life was forfeited by the Sultan. He had seen others dragged away in the night or even at training.

“Vlad!’ The call reached his ear. He turned to look and saw Radu had dismounted. The latter was tending to a wounded "yeni-cheri."

“Jacques is wounded,” Radu called out. “He needs medical attention.”

There were a few healers among the Janissaries in the column, but in the heat of the battle, they were fighting for their lives then. The wounded must wait.

“Mount your horse, "yeni-cher"i.” It was another veteran who stopped by Radu. “He will learn not to get careless in battle. Now mount up.”

Radu looked to the veteran and then approached his horse. Vlad had retrieved the horse and handed over the reins.

“Jacques……” Radu looked at his brother.

“He is dead.” Vlad tossed the reins over to his brother. The reins were covered with blood—not of Radu’s but of the bandits killed by Vlad. Radu turned to look and saw that Jacques was dead. He had succumbed to his wound. He looked to the other Janissaries, who were then pursuing the fleeing bandits. He looked to the other hill and saw a similar scene.

“Blood everywhere…” Radu sighed. It was what he told Aylin soon after they returned to the palace. “There were all killings. The enemies were surrendering, and yet we killed them. No mercy was given.”

“No mercy was allowed in battle.” Aylin had taken the seat across from the young man then. She cannot be seen in public near him. It was prohibited by their faith. She had taken the excuse to bring the ointments to the wounded and sneak off to meet Radu at the far corner.

“Why must we kill?” Radu had questioned the acts. “Are we not to be merciful?”

“Mercy is the death we can offer them. If they are captured, they could be subject to a more painful death.” Aylin looked at the man. She had known him for some years, from a gentle lad to a younger man.

“Aylin, why must we kill?” Radu asked once more.

“Kill or be killed. You learned that in your training. That is the way of life here. For you or me, we are to do what others may do upon us.” Aylin sighed. She was not of the palace, but she was of the Ottoman Empire. Her family was well-to-do, traders of the wares, till her father was imprisoned and said to be a traitor to the Empire. He was tortured by the guards and made to sign a confession that he told the enemies of the military whereabouts. No denial was acceptable, and death was the mercy given. His family and business were forfeited and banished to the borders. It was the Sultana who knew the family had intervened and was given the one choice: select one who would serve you. She did, and Aylin, the youngest, was safe, as was the mother’s plea to the Sultana. The fate of the others was never known.

Aylin was under the protection of the Sultana and given some freedom to move around. She met the Wallachian brothers several years later and had since then grown her affection for one.

“Radu, I heard news that the Sultan has gathered a force to battle one named Juhn Hunyadi. The Hungarians had launched a military campaign against the Ottomans in the autumn. One named Vladislav, a Wallachian, accompanied him.”

“Vladislav is a relative of mine. I do not know him. We never met.” Radu looked at Aylin. “Does this mean that Vlad and I are …?”

“To be executed? I am unsure. The action of your relative may not reflect on you.” Aylin had fear in her voice. “We will not know.”

“I could appeal to the Sultan,” Radu said.

Unknown to him, Vlad was summoned to see the Vizier.

“The Grand Vizier Çandarlı Halil Pasha was summoned to see the Sultan because of one named John Hunyadi.” The vizier there addressed the young Wallachian. The Vizier there reports to the Grand Vizier, and it was the line of command of the palace. Vlad Tepes, a hostage of the Empire, was not privileged to meet the Sultan or the Grand Vizier. However, he was granted an audience with the Vizier.

“The Empire will not tolerate the action of the Hungarians against its people.” The vizier looked at the man who was prostrated on the floor. The Vizier had summoned the hostage there in his main hall. It was a grand hall, designed with the drawn motifs of the achievement of the empire and annotated with religious verses that claim to link the empire and God.

“I …”

“Silence, slave.” The Vizier cut off Vlad’s words. “I am to speak, and you are to ……. I was saying that the Hungarians had invaded our land. He rides with one named ….”

“Vladislav……” Vlad uttered the name. “He …”

“Silence, slave.” The Vizier once more cut off Vlad’s words. “I am to speak, and you are to ……. Why do you interrupt my words, slave?”

“I am not a slave, your excellency. I am a hostage of the empire. My father is Vlad…”

“I know, Vlad Tepes. I knew of your father. I was there when he surrendered you and your brother as guests of the Empire.” The Vizier looked at Vlad. “Your life here depends on the mercy of the Sultan.”

“I …” Vlad was to speak once more.

“One more sound from you, Vlad Tepes, and it will be your head impaled on the stake.” The vizier cautioned the young man. “Today may be your best day. God had mercy on you and your brother. Both of you will leave for Wallachia with the column of Janissaries and battle the Hungarians. You will defeat the Hungarian, and... I am unsure. Return here or stay there; that is up to the outcome of the battle.”

It was an opportunity for Vlad, but Radu declined it.

“I am not going. You may ride without me.” Radu said. “I refuse to battle my own people.”    

Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 7

 7.

 

There was not much to be said of a young lady who had just passed puberty. If she were of a good social standing, the way forward for her would be the etiquette classes. There she will learn the finer arts of curtsy, the manner to talk, and the piano lessons to impress the invited. She may have been an outlandish girl who ran with the boys or wrestled them on the ground, but the past was to be laid to rest.

“Angeline Dubier, you must hold your chin up when you walk. Take dainty steps and do not swagger.” The young lady heard her instructress and took the posture. She had just begun on the training, as in the words of her mother, to be a lady. She looked from the corner of her eyes for her sister, Juliette, but that elderly sister was not to be seen. She looked to the tall window and saw the low afternoon sun. She knew where the sister was then.

“Yes…... Yes…… Do not stop.” Juliette was holding her arms above her head while her navel was attended to by the beau she loved. Her dress was hemmed to her waist level, and the bodice was unbuttoned. She had her legs spread to accommodate the man who was busy with his tongue. She heaved her body forward and felt the relief she was building up to.

“That was good,” Juliette said in delight. “Oh, Gencio. You hold a wicked tongue.”

“I held that, but my lower part remained as hard.” Gencio moved himself from her legs and lay down next to the lady. He had done his deed, as requested. He was to await his return of the deed. Juliette groaned when she sat up. She saw his pants were pulled down and leaned over. She took on the task of returning his favor, and he groaned with pleasure. It was soon over, and they lay there half-dressed.

“Gencio, when can we take the vows?” Juliette asked. “I am old enough to do it right.”

“I will… I will speak to Mother.” Lord Gencio Capulet said. He liked Juliette, but he was unsure of his vows. He was unsure of whom he would like. His mother had set the rules for him. His first wife was set by her. They married, and it lasted two years before she was called to return to God. He had then lived a life of freedom, but there was the nagging feeling inside him that he needed companionship.

“Oh, I am to go. Someone to see.” Juliette sat up and buttoned her bodice. Lord Gencio Capulet looked over towards her. He knew she was to see Dante. It was not like he objected to it, but to have Juliette for himself was a way for him to compete with the other man. They are friends, competitive friends, both in their personal and trade work. He knew Juliette was with Dante, and yet he tempted her. She was to fall for him, for she was frivolous in her choosing. He met Juliette through Dante and knew then he was to lure her to his lust. Objectively, he did, but he refused to take his way past the final consummation.

“Is he coming?” Lord Gencio Capulet asked.

“Yes, he was to pick me up at the dance hall.” Juliette nodded. “He is hardly late.”

Juliette took her leave, and Lord Gencio Capulet then took his time to get up. He stood by the window of the chamber adjacent to the dance hall. He saw Juliette approach the carriage and then hug Gencio. They both laughed, and then the younger sister, Angeline, joined them. The sister had grown since he last saw her, and he was wondering if she had a lover too. He saw them all mount the carriage, and it was off.

Lord Gencio Capulet took his time to get out and took the walk to the awaiting horse he had left at the tree by the fence. He mounted the horse and rode home.

“Juliette, you must tell Mother to change my instructress. She is mean.” Angeline spoke while looking out the window of the carriage. She was avoiding the smooching of the two seated across from her. “I cannot stand her telling me to do that and this.”

“Well, I will tell Mother that.” Juliette pulled away. She swatted Dante’s hand off her left thigh. “Gencio is here to join us for dinner.”

“Whatever, as long as you tell Mother of my instructress,” Angeline said. She saw the two boys in the field by the road. They were playing ball there. She was one like them before and enjoyed it. She likes to run in the field, and then came the day she had the bloodstains on her dress. It was then that her life changed. She was kept at home and sent for lessons. She was sad at the new routine, but Juliette, older than her by a few years, told her that it was needed for her to be a lady.

“I want to play in the fields with the boys. We can…….”

“Angeline, those days are over. You cannot be playing with them. They have also grown up and given new roles to be as …… man. You cannot be grabbing them by their shirts and pulling them down to the ground. There are new roles.”

“Why not?” Angeline had asked. “It was not that we were hurting each other.”

“Well, there are ……... many things that you need to learn. Like…….” Juliette tried to frame her thoughts. She recalled the days when she was told to behave. She did, but soon learned other things not taught to her.

“Do you remember how Daisy was when she ……” Juliette tried to lighten up the topic.

“You mean when Daisy gave birth, but the baby died?” Angeline looked at her sister. “Everyone said she was not ready.”

“Exactly. Daisy was not ready. She was too young to give birth, but things happened, and she did. She made a mistake and had a baby when she was not to have one, and when she did, she …….”

“Juliette, be brief. She was with somebody, and then the baby was there.” Angeline looked at her sister. “I knew that.”

“Oh, Dante. Be kind to help me here.” Juliette looked at the man who was twice her age and then looked out of the window on his side.

“I do not know Daisy,” Dante said. “I …….”

“Shut up, Dante. You are as dense as a mule.” Juliette sighed before she looked at Angeline. “We will speak more later. Not in front of this man.”

Dante looked at the other side and saw the horses there. There were three mares and one stud. They looked free and without rules like the ones the ladies lived by; it was a simple life of grazing, riding, and, of course, being mounted. He wondered why the ladies must bind themselves to rules. He then remembered Lord Gencio Capulet during the trade with the Sultan. He knew that Lord Gencio Capulet knew that he wanted the jewel stone, and that bastard stole it from him by bidding it with the trader. He knew not of that till recent. He had thought the trader was holding back for the next session, but convinced the trader that he might withdraw his offer then and sold it to Gencio.

“Gencio, I cannot trust you anymore,” Dante recalled telling Gencio.

“Dante, in trade, we are all fair. A price is agreed upon, and we trade.”

“I held a better price for the jewel,” Dante argued. “The trader was to wait for me.”

“But you were late. The deal was done, and I won.” Lord Gencio Capulet cheated and told the trader that Dante was not keen anymore. Or rather he forced it from the trader.

“I will buy from you at the new price.” Dante offered.

“And I am not selling. I am happy to keep the jewel for myself. I can present it to the …… No, I will give it to Juliette when she weds me.” Lord Gencio Capulet smiled. “A gift of parting of the pain for her from you, I guess.”

“Do not be a bastard here, Lord Gencio Capulet. Juliette will be my wife… one day. I just need to find the correct date and time to tell her.” Dante said. “You keep away from her.”

“Till she arrives at the altar, I am free.” Lord Gencio Capulet smiled. “Now, shall we get back to the Sultan? He awaits us there.”

Vlad Tepes was stunned by the news that he got then.

“Your brother, Mircea, and your father were murdered some weeks back.” The Janissary instructor told the young lad he was growing into a fine man. “They were killed by John Hunyadi. He who ……”

“The regent-governor of Hungary, I know.” Vlad nodded.

“He had invaded Wallachia. He had installed your second cousin, Vladislav II, as the new voivode.” Vlad heard the news. He knew that in the realm of royalty, leaders get changed or swapped after being toppled. He had not met his second cousin before; he followed his father to the Ottoman Empire and was not to return.

“I must return to Wallachia.” Vlad made the plea to the instructor.

“I cannot make the decision, young man.” The instructor was a tough trainer, but he held a place in his heart for the young recruits. “I only convey the message from the Sultan.”

“Radu, we must make a plea together. Wallachia awaits our return.” Vlad looked to his brother. Radu had been silenced on hearing the news. Unfelt by Vlad, Radu was not keen to return. He had found purpose in their stay there in the Ottoman Empire. He had learned new subject matters that he would not have learned with his father. Above all, he found solace in the comfort of a new religion. He was not to disclose it to Vlad, but it was known to Aylin.

“There is another matter. The Sultan wants you to join the column of Janissaries on a task. They are to hunt the bandits at the border to the east. You will ……. Your brother, too, will ride alongside them as "yeni-cheri" or "new troops." You will fight with them as I have taught you. If you do return victorious, then I will convey your message to the Sultan. If not, your body would have been fed to the vultures there.”

It was arranged then.

 

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Finally..... the P&P 3 done today

 April 17^th

I am at 52K words now, trying to tie up the endings (or was it ending), but it is a complex tale here, unlike doing the Frankenstein / Carmila tale, this one held three classics. Honestly, horror was not the genre, unlike the previous tale, but more of love and compassion with the knots of love and family obligations.

Dracula, with the reference to war, and killing via impalement was in the background, but I focus on the unexplored side of the brothers’ love and their obligations since young from hostage to Voivode. The love of Vlad Tepes for his land and people, his family, and that of Radu, his brother. It was more of their personal conflicts here.

This is not only a Dracula tale, for it also involved the traders, aka the merchants, and then the money lenders. The two intertwined in one huge write-up, and comes the love, the conflicting love of the two young persons. We have the major characters: the Capulets and the Montagues, and their children. Shylock and Portia, and Bassanio. Who was Shylock before he became the coin trader?

And the ‘where art thou, Romeo?’ needed to be told. The tale of the two main characters and the supporting ones.

As taken from the Macbeth play, we mashed them all up into one pot, and we have ……. Headache to write……

April 23th

There comes a time when a tale adapted must be made to be an original from the original. Here I am interfacing three classics and the outcome will be …… classic in my view.

Tally Ho…... I am now diving in.

August 1^st

After a hiatus of silent thoughts, I am back to write once more. Now at Chapter 50 on the tale, it will be ongoing. Combining/adapting three major tales is not an easy task with so many characters to interplay and then strike off in stages……. I would not know who stays or leaves till then. But the main topic of the tale is all about love; family love, lovers in a bind, and the love of greed.

And I hoped to keep to that.

From Romeo and Juliet, the two main protagonists, Jessica and Lorenzo, the family feud, the murder of Mercutio, and Tybalt. I explored the others like Benvolio, Friar Lawrence, and Reynard.

From the Merchant of Venice, Shylock and his wife, Lea, Portia, and her fiancée; Bassanio, and there is the pound of flesh. The others I wrote in were Nerissa, Portia’s friend, Gratiano, and of course, the newly added characters of Magistrate Javier and 24601……Les Misérables counts among my fav.

From Vlad Tepes, his exploits, with his love for his family, Radu and his family, and of course, the love between the brothers. I calculated to add in the Ottomans and the Hungarians from Count Paris to Prince Escalus.

Sept 2^nd

After some issues with my other lifestyle, I was to pen down some chapters and trying to conclude this tale before the mid of Sept. My title of the tale was LOVE BINDS; FAMILIES DESTROY. Perhaps it may be true at times, and with that will be my focus here. In my write, I made some changes which was …... well, to keep the cogs in the wheel rolling. Please accept my version here.

Sept 23^rd

I am at Chapter 70 (124K words) and trying close the tale but like the previous tale MODERN PROMETHEUS, it keeps on the pacing. There are so many characters here that needed to be told their tale.

The intriguing part that eludes my mind here is how to explore Count Paris to the tale. He is hidden behind this version, and I needed to showcase him. too.

Sept 26^th

I did it. Finally, I closed the final lines to the tale at 222 pages (132258 words). This is the first cut of the tale. There was so much to tell, but it had to end there.

I may edit the finale but for now, it's done. 

 

Cheers

Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 6

 

6.

 

The Casa di San Giorgio, founded in 1407, managed the debts of the Commune of Genoa and was composed of all the Genoese creditors of the Commune. Unlike other systems of debt utilized in republican cities with extensive territorial holdings (like Florence or Venice) or those of the European monarchies in the medieval and early modern eras, the Casa progressively acquired rights and powers that were originally the Commune’s prerogative. From 1408 to 1444 and from 1530 until 1805, the Casa di San Giorgio performed activities of a main central bank. Genoese bankers and citizens had accounts with the Casa di San Giorgio. The bank offered both deposit and credit operations. (https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/display/document/obo-9780195399301/obo-9780195399301-0489.xml)

The money lenders have no association with them, for one, they are considered insignificant to the trade. The money lenders, however, have their own association; unnamed but known among themselves, as the association of lenders, they call themselves. They congregate at the office of one named Jeremiah Tobin, next to the synagogue at the main square.

The members loosely called a meeting there to discuss their issues, like the defaulters, or haggle on the interests to be levied, or it could be who needed coins for their wares. The last pointer was discussed in selective groups or self-appointed members for fear of another group pillaging their possible clients. It was like the open sea piracy where bounties were to be taken; they held it close to their ‘chest’—a manner of speech.

“I am disgusted with the rich Lords. They …… We are to capitulate to their generosity to assist in the binds.” Matthew Judas, the father of the Shylock Judas, mumbled to his group of trade members. “Lord Capulet…….”

“That Lord Gencio Capulet? He is a thief. I was told that he stole the jewel from Lord Dante Montague, who offered him safe passage to the Ottoman Empire.” One of the members cut in. His claims were as good as the height of the mountain if it can grow by itself.

“Yes, I was told that he made a good deal with the jewel and was rewarded well. Bloody Turks do not know the price of wheat from the corn.” Another quipped in.

Wheat and corn, while both grains, differ significantly in their nutritional profiles, uses, and plant characteristics.  Wheat is a good source of protein and fibre, often used for bread and pasta, while corn is lower in protein and higher in carbohydrates, used for animal feed, sweeteners, and various processed foods. 

“One day, Lord Gencio Capulet will regret his generosity for the fellow merchants.” Matthew Judas said. “Just you wait, Fulgencio Caputo. One day, he will beg me not to take his pound of flesh.”

Lord Gencio Capulet was then with his Genoese banker, Abundus Juntus, having black tea at the banker’s office. He had just deposited the wealth from the Ottoman Empire. The banker had instructed the aide to issue the letter of credit in Caputo’s name.

“I heard that Lord Dante Montague was with a lighter amount, but still profitable.” The banker smiled. The words among the bankers flowed like the canals of Venice, with its many routes that branched off at every turn, so if Adam were to select the apple, he would have a tree load of it to select from.

“The appetite of the bankers holds a huge vault of news.” Lord Gencio Capulet smiled at the spread of news among the bankers.

“We only want the vault where it matters, Lord Gencio Capulet. There is a saying that says, One cannot be too careful, for carelessness needs to happen only once.” The banker held onto the motto of being extra careful. “Just as we are governed by the rules of banking.”

There was the first Venetian banking regulation, giving the Consuls of Merchants (Consoli de Mercanti) the exclusive authority to license bankers. The rules, since the 12th century, hold the bankers to certain practices like the checking of the scales for the money changers and the bankers to post bonds of surety and obtain licenses from the consuls to operate. Deposits were to be returned with coins within certain days, and a lending limit was set on the amount of wealth the bank held.

“Prudency is the motto of the bankers.” Lord Gencio Capulet smiled.

“Utmost practice there. We are unlike the money lenders who are barbaric in their negotiations and most uncivilized in their claims.” The banker smiled. “We have certain practices…….”

“Land or property confiscation. I am fully aware of them.” Lord Gencio Capulet smiled. He then stood up and bid goodbye.

“I loved to discuss with you the ethics of banking, but I hold an important meeting with some others on a more personal matter. Please excuse my short stay here. And do place my wealth in good hands.”

“We will, Lord Gencio Capulet. Please have a good day.” The banker, in turn, stood up and smiled at the Lord of Capulet. He watched the Lord take his leave and then told his aide to speak to the other banks.

“Loan the coins out. Tell them the usual rates apply. We must disburse the coins to create more.”

Lord Dante Montague had his meeting with the banker short, for he was in a hurry to see another person of interest across the city. He reached the house he was to be at not a moment too late. He stepped under the portico, a covered entrance to a building, usually a large and impressive building, that is supported by columns. He stood there to adjust his clothes to look smart. He spied the gardener peeking at him from the corner. The quoins there, well decorated, did not blend in the garden with the house. He had known the gardeners; their homes were called trulli, or one-dwelling cottages. In comparison to the one admitted for the Lord, it was minuscule in dimensions.

“Ah, the prodigal son has arrived.” Lord Dante Montague was met by two elderly ladies seated in the grand library there. He was escorted there by the manservant. The library was of the Italian design: luxurious textures, massive furniture, high-backed seats, and round adjoining tables covered with lace on the top. The fireplace looms prominently there, with an imposing portrait of the villa’s master, the man with the army uniform and sword at the waist belt, posturing with the stare that many servants will cringe to look at. The library was adorned with the high shelves of volumes, untouched but grand to be displayed there.  The design contradicted the concept of minimalism with an excessive display of wealth.  However, these characters are balanced by spatial orientation and ample natural light.

“Mother,” Lord Dante Montague laid his affectionate kiss on the elderly lady’s left cheek. And then he approached the dreaded relative of his, the pretentious Lady Tutti Servilla.

“And greetings to you, Lady Servilla.” Lord Dante Montague took his seat next to the tall window. He wanted the lady to be gazed on by sunlight. Maybe she will melt there, and he will be saved from another tedious afternoon. He was served black tea by the manservant, and the tirade began.

“Lord Gencio Capulet has been without a wife for far too long.” The mother of Lord Dante Montague looked at her son. “His last wife, God bless her soul. She died some years back. He needs a warm body in bed.”

“He may have.” Lady Servilla was the bitch in heat there. If she were not twice Lord Dante Montague’s age, she would have sacrificed herself to him.

“Come now, Tutti. This is my son we are talking about.” The mother of the child could sense the lust of the lady. “He needs a wife. It will have to be soon.”

“Of course, Mariana. I may know of the lady who could be his wife.” Lady Servilla smiled. “She is of the fine family and from Venice. Her father is a trader like Dante, and above all else, she is young. Very young, to be exact.”

“Meravigliosa!” The mother exclaimed in delight. She was Italian before she married the father of Lord Dante Montague. “Is she …...”

“Yes, she is. She just turned puberty some years back, but her family kept her close to them. She is …... vergine (virgin).”

“Perfectta!” The mother smiled. “I was then.”

“I was …….” Lady Servilla blushed. She remembered very well, once the walls of Jericho fell, she was a wandering soul soon after.

“Mother, may I be excused?” Dante Montague asked. “I …….”

“You will stay. We are talking of your future here.” The mother insisted then. Dante Montague sat there listening to the two ladies laying out the years ahead for him to come. He was a good son, but his mind was elsewhere. All his life, Dante Montague had his life regimented with planned events by allotted time and dates. He was to be late for his next event.

“Thank you, Lady Servilla. I will look forward to the next visit.” Dante Montague, reduced to the young son of the Montague, leaned to kiss the lady on the cheeks. She stood up and embraced him in her arms. She held him close and heaved her navel to his groin. He felt awkward and pulled away.

“To the next time.” Lady Servilla smiled. He holds a huge one that was in her thoughts. The man took his leave and dashed out. The carriage was there waiting, and he mounted it.

“Do hurry, Benito. She may not like me to be late.”

“Do not worry, Lord. I will get you there before the church bells ring.”

The church bells also rang for Lord Gencio Capulet while he watched his cousin, Lord Vito Capulet, sign off on the oath to be faithful to his beloved wife. He was smiling, for among the Capulets who were eligible to be married, he was the last one withholding.

Lord Gencio Capulet did not feel the pressure to marry at all. He was fine as the gentleman that he was, having his drinks with friends and jousting with them on the tall tales of being single.

“Gencio.” The Lord looked to the one who addressed him.

“Hello, Antonio. More of our friends are now enslaved to the woes of marriage.” Lord Gencio Capulet smiled. Their friend, Leonardi Mardi, having returned from this trade route to the Far East, had also taken the vows. He told Gencio that once he made it from the land of Cathay, he was to marry his lady. He kept the promise.

“Are you free to see Marie?” Gencio was asked. Antonio, himself, married, had never held himself to the vow of faithfulness, and still held his own liaison with other ladies on the boundary.

“I am not. I am to see Juliette Dubier in the city.” Gencio smiled. “I have a gift for her.”

 

Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 5

 

5.

 

Before 1100, Genoa emerged as an independent city-state, one of several Italian city-states established during this period. Nominally, the Holy Roman Emperor was sovereign, and the Bishop of Genoa was head of state; however, actual power was wielded by several consuls annually elected by popular assembly.

It was not Direct democracy or pure democracy is a form of democracy in which the electorate directly decides on policy initiatives, without elected representatives as proxies, as opposed to the representative democracy model, which occurs in many established democracies.

Genoa was to be known as a trade, shipbuilding, and banking state. It helped support one of the largest and most powerful navies in the Mediterranean. There is an old saying that says, Genuensis ergo mercator, or "A Genoese therefore a merchant," but the Genoese were skilled sailors and ferocious warriors in addition.

However, this period of prosperity did not last. The Black Death is said to have been imported into Europe in 1347 from the Genoese trading post at Caffa in Crimea on the Black Sea. Following the economic and population collapse that resulted, Genoa adopted the Venetian model of government and was presided over by the Doge of Genoa. The wars with Venice continued, and the War of Chioggia (1378–1381)—during which Genoa almost managed to decisively subdue Venice—ended with Venice's recovery of dominance in the Adriatic. In 1390, Genoa initiated the Barbary Crusade, with help from the French, and laid siege to Mahdia, the Fatimid capital of Ifriqiya.

In the 15th century, two of the earliest banks in the world were founded in Genoa: the Bank of Saint George, founded in 1407, which was the oldest chartered bank in the world at its closure in 1805, and the Banca Carige, founded in 1483 as a mount of piety, which still exists.

The history of banking began with the merchants of the world, who gave grain loans to farmers and traders who carried goods between cities. Over the years, lenders based in temples gave loans while accepting deposits and performing the exchange of money. The historical roots of the modern banking system trace back to medieval and Renaissance Italy, particularly the affluent cities of Florence and Venice. The loans are known to have been provided at some time at an annual interest of 12%. Banks sometimes made loans available confidentially, which means, they provided funds without being publicly and openly known to have done so. In addition, they kept depositors' names confidential as well. This intermediation , per se, was known as dia tes trapazēs, translated from Latin as "God will trap you."

“The sins of blasphemy equate to those who do not return the loans.” The moneylender looked to the trader who had defaulted on the repayment. They had met at the moneylender’s shop.

“Please, dear sir. Give me some days to find my wares. The storm delays the ship. I promised you that I would deliver my dues at double the interest of your entitlement. Have mercy on me. Christian mercy we shall all share.

“Christian mercy? If I am to shed a tear for every Christian who defaults in their payments, I could have flooded Genoa to be the next Venice.” The moneylender glared at the trader. “I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano; a stage where every man must play a part, and mine is a sad one.” (Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare).

“Christian charity, Sir.” The trader pleaded.

“I am a Jew: Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is?” (Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare).

“Perhaps I am not like any. I am or was your better friend previously.” The moneylender looked to the skies, as if Heaven would open its arms towards him. “I will hold onto your Christian charity then. Give me double my fees in a week, or I shall forfeit your wares.”

“Oh God!” The trader was at a loss for words. A hand was placed on his left shoulder.

“Stand, Antonio Meli. I, Lord Gencio Capulet, will loan you the ducats to pay this … fiendish lender.” The trader turned to look at the man who spoke. “Tell me of your loan.”

“I borrowed three hundred ducats, and with the interest at twelve …” The trader was cut off by the moneylender.

“Fifteen, for he had defaulted by …”

“Here, take the ducats. It will add to the amount, and with some extra for your blasphemy on our faith.” Lord Gencio Capulet tossed the bag of coins to the moneylender. He pulled the trader to his feet.

“The merchants helped each other; if not, we would fall into the pits of their Hell.” Lord Gencio Capulet looked at the lad standing by the moneylender.

“Your name, lad?” Lord Gencio Capulet asked.

“Shylock, Matthew Shylock Jud……”

“Are you any relation to him? His son by blood?” Lord Gencio Capulet asked.

“I am his ...son,” Shylock replied.

“Get a new trade. If you follow your father, then Hell will invite you in with glee.” Lord Gencio Capulet took to his way. Shylock was upset at the insult handed to his father.

“Ignore the man.” Shylock’s father got up from his seat. “We can shutter for the day. I had my repayment.”

“Father, the man insulted you. We must …” Shylock was brazened and rash with his emotions.

“Shylock, did you see the man’s guards? They could kill you or, worse, injure you for life. We are money lenders and not some gladiators of the past. Make haste, boy. I must secure the coins.”

“And your mother awaits us. If there was a reason for Hell, she must be the reason.” Shylock heard the father and grabbed the shutter planks to close the shop. He was done with the shudder, and yet he was still not settled with the man who insulted his father.

“Father, I will need to do something first.” Shylock took off before his father could stop him. He ran the streets of Genoa and out to the suburb. He was to hurry, for if he was late, the person he was to meet would be gone.

“Leah, thank the stars. You are still here.” Shylock met his friend at the arch of the bridge. They were hidden from the sights of others, for hardly anyone comes below the bridge. Not that early to dusk, but Shylock knew that Leah had to be home before dusk.

“You are late.” The lady turned her back to Shylock.

“I was … We have a trader who defaulted and …”

“You could have let your father hand it to him. After all, it was your father who loaned him the coins.” Leah was the daughter of another moneylender, but being a woman, she was not allowed to partake in the business. However, she knew her way in the business, maintaining the books for her widowed father and calculating the interest due.

“He … He was not good at it. He knows how to give and when it is to return; well, he lacked your skills.” Shylock praised the other. He was tempted to hold her in his arms, but the traditional Jewish approach to dating, particularly within Orthodox communities, emphasizes finding a compatible partner for marriage, often through a system of matchmaking ("shidduch"), focusing on character, values, and shared goals over superficial attraction, with modesty and avoiding physical intimacy before marriage as key principles. 

“I have a gift for you,” Shylock told the lady. She turned around, and he handed her the ducat he had taken from the shop. It was his love token to her, and allowed him to hand over the coin. His fingers touched her right-hand palm and strayed there. She did not pull her palm away but let his fingers caress her there.

“I have another gift for you.” Shylock leaned towards Leah and kissed her on the left cheek. It was a slight peck on the lips. She pushed him off, and he lost his balance. He fell into the stream, and she laughed. Leah then took off, leaving him seated, wet at the stream.

“Shylock, why are you all wet?” Shylock’s mother never missed a scene at home. “Was it the khal'bea (bitch) again?”

The Shylock family does not like Leah or her father. It was business rivalry that made them enemies. Shylock’s father accused the other of offering lower interest on the loans and took his clients. It became an embroiled exchange of words, and they never spoke again. Shylock, who had known Leah since she was young, found his solace with her.

“Take your dinner after you have had a bath to wash away the filth the Khal'bea had given to you.”

“Mother, we did nothing. I had tripped and fallen into the stream.” Shylock explained, partially true.

“I know my b’ni (son) better.” The mother shooed the son off to his bath. She sat down and looked at her husband. “If I had known better, we would have married him to the girl from Venice. She will be a good woman for him.”

Shylock’s father was more focused on the food on the table. His wife was a good cook, and the gefilte fish, chicken soup with matzo balls (also called Kneidlach), with the rye bread, was a treat that day. She knew that he was collecting his coins that day, and she lavished him with the better dishes. She will extract her share of the interest, while he is left with the smaller margin to grow on.

Leah was no different, as she kept her coins in the hidden wall, and it was piling. She wanted to save enough to get herself to convince her father that Shylock was a good man.

Across the city, Lord Gencio Capulet was to treat his friend, Antonio, to dinner. He had known Antonio for many years; he traded in the wares from Spain and Italy, delivered by the ships to the Genoa port. He was good at it and made his name there, but the occasional hitches to the ships will cause him issues.

“I have not heard words from the Demetus. She had sailed a week ago and had not arrived. For all I know, the devil may have taken her to the seabed.” Antonio was an older man who worked the docks and later as a trader. He had taken the Caputo’s wares to Italy.

“Well, I have. The ship arrives no later than three days from today. I had wanted to tell you, but the others told me you took a loan from a moneylender. I came to assist.” Lord Gencio Capulet, ever smiling. “We are merchants, and at some time, we just need to assist each other.”

“Gencio,” Antonio addressed the Lord by his Christian name. “I am ever thankful to you. This was not the first ….”

“Who is counting? I am not. Have some food, Antonio. I did well at the Ottoman Empire.” Lord Gencio Capulet smiled. “I outbid Lord Montague on the jewel stone. The Sultan is extremely pleased. He offered me free passage to the Empire for the next trip.”

“Was that why we are having a feast now?” Antonio laughed. The meals were of the stockfish alla Genovese, a one-pot stew with additional ingredients of olives, vegetables, pine nuts, and a tomato broth, the cima alla Genovese. Laborious process of filling a piece of veal meat (usually the belly) with various ingredients, which can include offal, giblets, and sweetbreads. Eggs, cheese, pine nuts, vegetables, and bread may also be added. It is flavored with spices and herbs, boiled, and served in thin slices, usually as an appetizer.

There was also the Tocco, a Genoa food constant, the region's version of a ragù, but dare not call it a Bolognese or ragù! To make the dish, a single cut of meat is slow-cooked for hours until it results in a rich, brothy sauce. The meat used to make the taco sauce is removed and used to make meatballs or added to other dishes. In addition to mushrooms, tomatoes, and herbs, the pasta is topped with a healthy sprinkle of grated Parmigiano cheese.

Pansotti is the Ligurian version of ravioli and another popular Genoa food to try. The pasta is traditionally filled with a mix of preboggion (fresh wild herbs) and prescinsêua (an acidic type of sheep or goat milk cheese) and served with a creamy walnut sauce or salsa di noci. Focaccia di Recco. Alongside was the Recco, its famous focaccia. The flatbread from Recco is made of two sheets of the thinnest dough and filled with a soft Alpine cheese called stracchino. 

“Gencio, can I count on you to assist me?” Antonio asked the other.

“Yes, you could.” It was Lord Gencio Caputo’s regret later in his life.