Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 56

 

56.

 

The friar, exhausted from his search for the elusive Capulet boy, trudged to his own home at the edge of the city. He took the offer of the cottage, an old man who died in his sleep from old age but left the home to the friar. It is a simple cottage on the small hill, with a smaller barn next to it. The barn held no animals but some chickens. Despite his faith, Friar Lawrence held his sermons in the village square or wherever anyone would lend their ears to his words.

On that day, he was in a rush with many things that he had to do. And then his physical self warranted immediate attention. The friar stepped into his cottage and was surprised to see an unknown figure there.

“I only wish anxiety did not dictate my personal needs, but it cannot be helped now.” Friar Lawrence rushed to the door, and then he asked.

“Who are you?”

“I am Vlad Tepes, or you may have known me as the Impaler.” The figure is seated, smiling, and holding the glass of red wine. “You have a good collection there. My apologies for intruding on you.”

“Well, excuse me. I must gather what I need for the thunderboxat the rear. I had soiled my pants.” The friar ran to the sleeping chamber of his. Vlad smiled at the departure. He had soiled his pants many times in battle with the more urgent need to stay alive then. He was surprised to see another figure step in.

“Who are you?” The new figure was Abram, who had followed the friar.

“Vlad Tepes.” The Impaler was now afraid to reveal his name. “I am a……. Guest here.”

“Vlad Tepes? Are you the one they named the Impaler?” Abram asked. It was then he stepped to the right to avoid the thrust of the sword. The attack came from the rear, held by a Janissary with a kilij. He chopped down with his left hand on the wrist of the Janissary. The Janissary sword fell to the flooring.

“Not the best way to greet another guest.” Abram had drawn the dagger at his waist belt and stabbed the Janissary in the left ribs. He then pulled the dagger out and thrust it once more into the left armpit.

“You have a reputation of killing without mercy, and I can see that now.” Abram stepped back from the dead Janissary. “A Turk here? Are you in alliance with them, or is he here to kill you too?”

“I ……” Vlad was to explain when another Janissary charged from the rear of Vlad. The attacker held the kilij over the head for the overhead swing, but Vlad intervened. He tossed the content of the wine at the Janissary and then lashed out with a hand blow at the face.

“Run, Genoa warrior. I will stop him.” Vlad called out. Abram turned and fled when he saw the third attacker was charging him from the rear. He grabbed the door and slammed it shut behind him.

“Stop!” Chorbaji Tarmuk called out. “Do not pursue.”

The two Janissaries obeyed their commander.

“Remove the dead warrior.” Chorbaji Tarmuk then stared at the Wallachian. “You caused me shame to my men.”

“Shame? It was not me who attacked the Genoa warrior. Your men sneaked in from the rear. As the other one did, too, and I... toppled my wine.” 

“You deliberately... Why am I arguing with you now?” Chorbaji Tarmuk sighed. “Yuseff is a good warrior and friend to me. As they all have been with me for so many years. His death will be remembered, and they will call for vengeance.”

“Why bring me here then? Who was that man?” Vlad asked.

“This is the home of one named Lamin Tarik, or in this area, he is known as the friar.” Chorbaji Tarmuk replied.

“An Ottoman spy, I presume.” Vlad said.

“No, not truly, but he had served his purpose. He chose to remain here, and we called on him only recently.” The Janissary Commander looked at the Wallachian. “The one that walked in was unknown to us. He may have followed Lamin here. But why, we are unsure.”

“So, I am exposed then.” Vlad smiled. “Shall we move on then from here?”

“I will ……” It was then the friar stepped back into the cottage and was escorted by one of the other Janissaries. Chorbaji stopped short and looked at the friar.

“You have enemies for a man of the faith.”

“My faith or loyalty carries its burden, Chorbaji.” Friar Lawrence smiled. “He who attacked your man was a brave warrior.”

“You knew him?”

“I saw him leaving when I was outside. His name is Abram Tov, and he worked for the Montague clan. Why is he here? I am unsure.”

“He was seen to be following you here.” Chorbaji Tarmuk said. “Are you saying he works for the Montague clan? Dante Montague.”

“Yes, he is one of the guards there.” The friar looked at the Wallachian. “Perhaps he was to follow me to check in on the whereabouts of their lady, Juliet Montague.”

“Or perhaps of this Wallachian.” Friar Lawrence looked back to the Chorbaji. “Whatever it may be, he is not safe here anymore.”

“Vlad Tepes is my concern. But what intrigued me was why Juliet Montague was involved with you.” Chorbaji Tarmuk stared at the friar.

“A long tale, but in brief, the young lady is looking for Romeo Capulet, and I was told of this.” Friar Lawrence said. “You may know……”

“Gencio Capulet offered my guest sanctuary here.” Chorbaji Tarmuk motioned to Vlad. “It is unlikely he will harm his own guest.”

“If he is truly Vlad Tepes, the Impaler, that will account for the large group of mercenaries brought by Prince Escalus and Count Paris. They sought the Empress Jewels, and he is the last possible benefactor.”

“You know quite a lot of the events here, Lamin.”

“I am a friar and held my sight for strangers and set my ears for any rumours. I hold no interest in the jewels, but the man responsible for many deaths... well, I considered him as a subject of interest.”

“Guard the trail here, Din. There may be others.” Chorbaji Tarmuk instructed the Janissary and then looked back at the friar. “Forget the Impaler, and tell me of this Abram of Montague.”

“Abram is a good man on the side of the Montague, but he is not of his name. His real name is Abram Tov, a warrior from Wallachia before he fled here. He has a son named Karl Tov…”

“Enough of the family ties. What is ……” Chorbaji Tarmuk snapped out.

“Karl Tov is the adopted son of Gencio Capulet; his other name is Lorenzo Capulet. He is the brother of Romeo Capulet, with the same mother. Or maybe not, but linked by blood.” The friar smiled. “He is now involved in the disappearance of Romeo Capulet.”

“Such intricacies in the family issue here.” Chorbaji Tarmuk sighed. “Right now, Abram saw the Impaler, and he may tell the others. We may need to find another safe house. And then report to Lord Gencio Capulet.”

“Who is my father to you?” The figure stepped into the cottage. “My name is …….”

“Romeo Capulet! What are you doing here?” Friar Lawrence stepped towards the lad. “They are all looking for you.”

“I am fine. Tell me, … Turk. Who are you to my father?” Romeo approached Chorbaji Tarmuk.

“When did you ……” Friar Lawrence was ignored by the lad.

“I am a friend of your father.” Chorbaji Tarmuk said to the lad. “He invited me here to Genoa with this gentleman.”

“Vlad Tepes, or the Impaler. I heard of his reputation.” Romeo stared at the Wallachian. “You lied to me. My father will not be ……”

“Romeo! Listen to him.” Friar Lawrence cut in. “He is your father’s friend. How did you get here without being noticed?’

“There is a side trail there. I used it to come in and saw the…others. I hid outside the window and heard the conversation. And saw Abram leave here.”

“Impudent fool!” Chorbaji Tarmuk looked at Romeo Capulet. “We ought to have you killed. Are you aware your presence here intrudes on our safety?”

“Do not be hasty, Chorbaji. I may have the solution for us.” Friar Lawrence cut in.

Abram had taken the trail back to the city. He was thinking of the Impaler, the man responsible for the death of many of his friends. He could not think why the friar was involved there. He was also concerned about Juliet Montague.

“Abram, halt there.” That voice belonged to Reynard of the Capulet. Abram looked at the other.

“When have I obeyed your orders, Capulet?” Abram saw Reynard had stepped into his path. “Step aside.”

“Abram, I am to find Romeo, and it led me to here. The friar is a friend of the lad. Did you see young Romeo there?”

“I am no guard of the Capulet. I care not for the lad.” Abram took one step forth and was stopped by Reynard.

“Do not battle with me, Abram. I have known you……”

“Know of me? We have never spoken before, Reynard. And neither have we ever held a drink together.”

“Abram, we have both served the clan for years. I am only to do my task to find my care.” Reynard did not move from his position. His right hand was on the dagger at his waist belt. “We do not have to battle. Please tell me if you have seen Romeo.”

“I have not. And if I did, why should I tell you? I could tell your lord and get rewarded.” Abram retorted back. “Or will I get stabbed in the back for not telling you?”

“Abram, please do not taunt me.” Reynard was getting impatient.

“Or what? You will kill me like Mercutio? And then say it was the work of another?”

“You are ……” Reynard pushed the other with his left hand. “I will not tolerate such accusations.”

Abram fell back several steps from the push and had his dagger out from his own waist belt. He leveled it at the Capulet’s guard.

“You are brash when you push there.” Abram confronted the other.

“I do not fear you, Abram.” Reynard in turn reached for his own dagger. “We have delayed our duel for far too long.”

“Then let us do it.” Abram called out to the other. “I do not fear you at all.”

It was then the duo was interrupted by the arrival of the Capulet’s servant.

“Master Reynard, Lorenzo was taken in by the magistrate just now. Lord Gencio Capulet is to get him back.” The servant reported to the Capulet’s guard. “You need to get back now. Lady Sofia needs to be protected.”

“Another day, Abram.” Reynard sheathed the dagger and rushed off. The servant looked at Abram. He recognized the other and reported on the fate of Lady Juliet.