Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 47

 

47. 

 

“Count Paris, I got your invite, but I reckon there is not much we can work on.” Lord Gencio Capulet looked at the man seated across the table. They met at the tavern cleared of other patrons, paid for by the count for the needed privacy.

“I came to discuss a few matters. One is the matter of one named Juliet Montague. I had come to Genoa to woo her hand, but there are rumours that she is with the fugitive Romeo Capulet.” Count Paris did not mince his words. “I felt that……”

“Mutually, I hold nothing of the lady. She can make up her mind on whoever she wants to befriend.” Lord Gencio Capulet looked at the man seated there.

“Lord Gencio Capulet, I was hoping we could discuss mutual advantage here. It is your son I am to refer. Prince Escalus offered your son refuge in Verona…….”

“Prince Escalus, for I was told the court of Hungary is too far to influence what is in Genoa.” Lord Gencio Capulet recalled his last meeting. “I am close to King Corvinus, and he cannot help me even if I asked. More to it, we do not press each other for favours.”

“Lord Gencio Capulet, I find your replies most challenging. Your son is a fugitive now. The whole of Genoa is looking for him. Help me, and I will ensure he gets out of Genoa safely.”

“Thank you for the offer, but this is a Capulet matter.” Lord Gencio Capulet moved to get up, but the Count stopped him.

“Second, I think you are aware of the Empress Jewels.”

“I think the matter to discuss is over.” Lord Gencio Capulet stood up from his seat.

“I will be direct. I am here to retrieve it. I was told that you once traded it to the Ottoman Sultan. And Andre Bassanio Tito was said to be holding the shipment with it to Genoa.”

“I know not the one named Bassanio, but if you do find him, ask him about the jewels.”

“Yet, you inquired on him at the magistrate.” Count Paris looked at the other. “Most surprisingly.”

“I came there at the request of another, Antonio Meli. He was in a bind, for he acted as surety for Bassanio’s loan, and I was to dissolve the agreement. We never met, and you turned up.”

“So, you are not aware of the jewels held by Bassanio? I duly apologize. I was mistaken.” Count Paris smiled. “You may leave now.”

“Count Paris, this is Genoa. Here, you hold no influence as you had in Hungary. Here, there are other persons who command it here.” It was a subtle threat towards the Count by the Lord. “I will leave now.”

Lord Gencio Capulet left the tavern and was accompanied by his guards, Reynard. He asked to meet Antonio

“He is in hiding, Lord Gencio Capulet. The money lender Shylock Judas is looking for him too.” Reynard told his employer. He then saw the approach of the moneylender.

“Lord Gencio Capulet, I am to look for your friend, Antonio Meli. He defaulted in his surety for one name, Antonio.” Shylock did not hesitate to state his claim.

“Antonio Meli is not my care. However, his debts will be paid by me. Name your price.” Lord Gencio Capulet looked at the moneylender.

“I am afraid the matter is out of hand now. I had raised the matter with the authorities. Bassanio will be taken to the magistrate for judgment.” Judas Shylock looked at the lord. “As for Antonio, he too will be judged, and my price is the pound of flesh.”

“Are you going to gloat at me for this, Shylock?” Lord Gencio Capulet was upset.

“No, I am here on another matter. Tell your bastard, Lorenzo, to stay away from my daughter. Jessica will be wedded soon. It has been arranged.” Shylock looked at the other.

“The affair of Lorenzo … remains his own.” Lord Gencio Capulet walked away. He was upset that no one told him of the affair. That was a bad start to his day, but it did not end there.

“Lord Gencio Capulet, I am glad to meet you again.” It was Magistrate Javier. He was dressed in his usual uniform and had the baton instead of his sword on his waist belt. “We met last in a rather awkward manner before.”

“Magistrate Javier, how may I aid you?” Lord Gencio Capulet wanted to move on, but the other was in his way. “I am here to see you on the demise of your guards, Gregory and Sampson. The case remained unresolved till today.” Magistrate Javier looked at the lord. “And there was the case of your son, Romeo? Do you have any knowledge on his whereabouts?”

“I do not know. You must ask him.” Lord Gencio Capulet shrugged the query off. “I must be going to my next meeting.”

“I shall not hold you back. Oh, Andre Bassanio. Tito is recovering and will be talking soon. Do you know why he was attacked?” It was a direct question aimed at the lord.

“I would not know. I was there, for it involved my associate, Antonio Meli. It was to do with the loan to Shylock Judas, as I was told.”

“Yes, Shylock Judas. I heard of it. It will seem that several others are keen on the welfare of Andre Antonio Tito. I have not heard from his fiancé, Portia Belmont. I wondered why.”

“I would not know. I hardly … I was going to say I do not know the man or the lady mentioned. Let me be on my way, please, Magistrate. I am already late.” Lord Gencio Capulet pushed his way past the magistrate. The latter looked to the lord, walked past, and saw the guard following behind. Magistrate Javier then proceeded to his next destination.

Across the city, Benvolio entered his chamber at the tavern. He may be of the Capulet clan, but he preferred his own independence from them. He refused to stay at the Capulet home. Though he disliked the lord, he held an affection for the young son. He was wandering the city looking for Romeo and found no clue. He closed the door and saw his unexpected guest there.

“Friar Lawrence, I presume you have a reason to meet me.” The guest was seated there by the window. “Perhaps you have a confession for me.”

“I do not confess, Benvolio.” The friar dressed in his usual frock smiled. “I get to listen to others.”

“How many years have you been here in Genoa?” Benvolio walked to the table there and took a drink from the set goblet. “You were in the earlier battles at Wallachia.”

“I was assigned here.” Friar Lawrence said. “I was disillusioned with the war. I came over and assumed a ……”

“A beautiful life, but your past could not hide from me.” Benvolio knew who the real man who called himself the friar was then. “Lamin Tarik was your name and will remain.”

“You knew, but never once did you betray my identity to the others.” Friar Lawrence smiled.

“You are… a good ally to have. You are friendly to all. What is your reason to see me?” Benvolio looked at the friar.

“Vlad Tepes. You know he is here.” Friar Lawrence mentioned the name. “I have my means to know. You were outside the Capulet’s home—one of theirs. I did not know, but the presence of the Turks in the city intrigued me. I had followed some and saw they were watching the house. I met one of them, and the name was slipped to me.”

“And what has that to do with me?” Benvolio quizzed the other.

“You were watching the house. Reynard and yourself; and I asked myself, why? Then it occurred to me you think Vlad Tepes was with the Empress Jewels. You are fixated on it, as was Count Paris, and I heard Prince Escalus is also on route to Genoa. The magistrate is holding one named Bassanio for the same reason. Lord Gencio Capulet and Dante Montague are back here for the same pursuit.”

“Why are you telling me all this, Lamin?” Benvolio asked. “Are you keen on the jewels too?”

“No, I am not. I, however, am still a loyal Janissary. I am asked to kill you.” Friar Lawrence said. “You found out the whereabouts of Vlad Tepes, and the order was to eliminate you. The order was from the Janissary commander who protects Vlad Tepes.”

“You alone? I doubt so. The years of being a man of faith may have deluded your mind that you could still strike me.” Benvolio laughed. “I am ……”

Benvolio felt the tightening of his muscles and then fell to his knees. He looked at the water he drank from the goblet.

“You poisoned me.” Benvolio looked at the friar.

“I confessed to that. I am an assassin trained by the Janissary, and those skills remained in me.” The friar stood up. “I had the water prepared for you. You will die soon. But before that, let me tell you, I have Romeo hidden. I will not act without order.”

“Javier will find you.” Benvolio clutched his throat.

“He may, but for now, he does not suspect me yet.” The friar smiled. “Magistrate Javier is too fixated on other matters. And for me to make your killing look more complete, I will slit your throat now.”