Can anyone spare a new blender here????

 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, but more of love and compassion with the knots of love, and family obligations. Dracula with the reference of war, and killing via the impalement was in the background, but I focus on the unexplored side of the brother’s love and their obligations since young from hostage to Voivode. It was more of their personal conflicts here. 

This is not a Dracula tale, for it also involved the traders aka the merchants, and then the money lenders. The two intertwined in one huge writeup, and comes the love; the conflicting love of the two young persons. 

We have then the major characters; the Capulet and the Montague, and their children. Shylock and Portia, and Bassanio. As taken from Macbeth play, we mashed them all up into one pot, and we have ……. 

Headache to write……

Preys and Predator Part II; the monster and witches' Chapter 15

 

15.

“It is awake.” Victor was told when he was to join for breakfast by Henry. He was stunned and then turned to his lab. He ignored the calls by Sven and walked on. He found the door unlocked and walked in. He approached the table and saw the figure there was intact, but the eyes were open.

“I came in when I saw the door unlocked. I walked in and saw it.” Henry said. “It was not moving but her ……...”

“Lock the door.” Victor was calm and yet excited. He pulled out the electrical nodes and saw the creation of his blink. It was alive.

“Bring me my coat.” Victor called out. Once he got it, he draped the coat over the body. He was feeling uneasy to stare at a naked body and more to it, one that resembled a lady. He checked for vitals, and there were none. Technically, it was dead, or not alive, but the eyes moved. He stood by the creation.

“Can you hear me?” Victor asked. The eyes moved to his voice.

“Can you see me?” The responses in the eyes showed some movements. Victor turned towards Henry.

“Leave me now. I need to do my work.” Victor shooed the other off. He was getting possessive over his creation. He looked around.

“What went right?” Victor pondered. He reached for the scalpel and did a small incision at the toes. There was no blood seen. He did another incision at the left ribs, and there was no reaction. He took out the microscope before he took samples of the skin. It was all dead cells. He flashed the light at the eyes, and the creature blinked.

“My God! It is alive.” Victor was elated, but the signals he got were vague. He checked the head from the ears to the scalp and found nothing to indicate anything was not right or wrong. He grabbed a seat and sat there. It was unbelievable, yet it was there before him.

He took out his writing pad and wrote his findings.

Not all findings matter, but to some they do.

“Justine Moritz, I am glad you have taken our invite.” Justine was surprised that she was called to meet her sponsor. It was three figures: one lady and two men. “We are members of the Theology Society. We represent a selected group of people who are keen to preserve the ways… or, rather, the right ways.”

Justine had accepted the grant to do the study of skin grafting; it was a huge grant and allowed her to have her own lab.

“Thank you for the grant, but how does theology come into the works of … God. He created life and death. He created us.”

“In theology, our coverage is wide, and where it involves the living flesh or the living humanity, we are there. We like your earlier findings and would like to see you do more.” The lady looked at Justine. “I am Doctor Judith Landis. I am a professor in the subject of living science. And it is not about pots and pans. He is…”

One of the men cut in.

“I am Doctor Edward Theodore III, with a doctorate in theology and medicine, but I am now an ……. An emissary of the House. I am assisted by …”

“Legal doctorate, Esquire Irwin Wallace. I am into the legal matters. Theology inclined. We are keen to meet you.”

“Thank you. My work does not need any concern of the church but may be of interest to medicine.” Justine smiled.

“Absolutely, Justine. Belgium you were from? I am from Scotland. My mother married a Scotsman, but I retained her family name upon their divorce. Scandalous, but the church's influences did not reach that far north.” Doctor Landis smiled. “And my mother did not remarry anyway.”

“We are keen to learn more from you on your earlier works as a prelude to the one you were to do.” Doctor Theodore cut in. “We knew of your involvement with Doctor Victor Frankenstein.”

“Pardon me. Doctor Victor and I are colleagues and friends, but we were not….” Justine felt singed then.

“No, do not get us wrong. We knew of your workings. We are focused on the works there.” The legal fraternity defended there. “We are… or rather, we want to know more about Doctor Frankenstein.”

“Well, he is an eccentric, but he loves his subject matter. He was into the study of the anatomy.” Justine smiled. “Mine was not included. I have nothing for him to study.”

Justine jutted out her bosom.

“I can assure you we all have our attributes.” Doctor Landis smiled; that was from a lady who had let gravity take its toll there. “But his works were extensive. I was told….”

“We have knowledge that he acquired body parts from the morgue…rather secretly.” The legal was at the helm.

“Oh, that. I heard of it, but I was not involved, nor am I inclined to confirm or deny any of that.” Justine leaned back. She guesses the panel was not keen on her works at all.

“We respect the oath of the doctors, but we thought you may….” Doctor Theodore was snapped at the words.

“Unfortunately, I have not peeked into his pants nor him under my shirt. We met, we drank, and we laughed, but we remained clothed. I do not know of his other works.”

“No reason to be …” The legal shield was up, but Doctor Landis cut in.

“That will be all, Doctor Justine. Your grant will continue, and God bless you in your research.” Doctor Landis then looked at Justine. “Do you know that Doctor Victor asked for an extension of leave from the uni for three weeks? He claimed that he was unwell.”

“I do not know. I moved out recently and… Was not in contact since.” Justine replied. She inside her knew something was up. It was unlike Victor to take leave unless he was to continue his creation… alone.

Continuance was the work of Doctor Mitchell with the guest. They decided to meet Mrs. Hudson and perhaps visit the guest. It was near dusk then.

“I am sure Ms. Katherine is in her room. She does not join me here much.” The duo was with Mrs. Hudson at the house. The guest did not respond to the knocks by Mrs. Hudson.

“That is peculiar. She should be on unless she went out earlier. I was in the garden then.” Mrs. Hudson smiled. “I do not hold my custody to her movement.”

“None whatsoever. I am just asking. I am a doctor and may have had her checked if she was ill.” Doctor Mitchell smiled. “We will leave now.”

Both the men left the house, and it was then Spielsdorf suggested that they walk to the creek.

“At this hour? Well, I am free for the day.” Doctor Mitchell agreed to the request. It was a walk that will take them an hour, and the doctor suggested a cut through the forests.

“It is a trail that the woodcutter took if they were to go there. I learned of it from Jason; he is the one who supplies me the logs for winter. It will be shorter but hidden from the road.” The two men took to the walk and soon found themselves covered by the leaves over their heads, and the foliage was partially covering the trail path.

“I have to say that the wood cutting is now done nearer to the road. They cleared the woods there, and poof, a house was built. We are having several of those houses built by the city dwellers and only come over in summer. The village had become a novelty to them during that season.” Doctor Mitchell sighed. “Once we had a community, but today half of them are dead or migrated to the city.”

Spielsdorf remained quiet and paced his walk. His military training taught him that the soldier who was rested was able to fight. The walk came to a clearing in the forest, and then the unexpected happened.

“There she is.” Spielsdorf looked at the figure standing by the clearing. It was to him then, Stephanie Karnstein.

“Who? Who is that lady?” Doctor Mitchell has never met the lady. “I wondered…”

“No, we wait here.” Spielsdorf held the doctor’s arm. “We need to see whom she was waiting for.”

The elderly lady was standing there and looking at the forest. She was to meet Carmilla for her feast, but the other was not forthcoming. She felt uneasy to wait, but her instructions were clear. She stood there and watched, but her instinct also told her that something was not right. She looked around her and saw nothing out of the ordinary. It was near dusk, and the birds were back at the nesting. And it was silent there, saved for the wind rustling the leaves on the branches.

‘You are watched. Leave now. See me tomorrow at the creek.’ It was a message to her mind. She knew the caution and returned to the trail she took towards the road. She walked briskly back to the house.

“She is leaving.” Spielsdorf whispered to the doctor. “We can wait here or follow.”

“I will suggest we follow. It will get dark soon. And I have no lamp with me.” Doctor Mitchell was not up for the sleuth task more when it involved vampires. The tale narrated by Spielsdorf was already scary. Both men then backtracked on the trail.

It happened so fast.

One moment Spielsdorf was behind the doctor, and the next he was unconscious. Something or someone hit him from the rear.

Spielsdorf woke up later at the mansion.

“Sir, are you okay?” Spielsdorf found himself looking at the constable.

“I think so. What happened?”

“We do not know. You were found unconscious by the road and brought here by Henry.” The constable looked hard at Spielsdorf’s face. “You had some bruises and …”

“Where is Doctor Mitchell?”

“Well, that is the part we want to know. He is dead, found next to you at the road. And he had bruises too. He lost a lot of blood.”

 

 

Preys and Predator Part II; the monster and witches' Chapter 14

 

14.

Nephilim, a group of mysterious beings or people of unusually large size and strength who lived once among us, the mankind here. The reference was translated as “giants” or “the fallen ones,” but it was never affirmed. They were said to be sons of God with the daughters of humans, who bore children to them. The “fallen mighty men” in Ezekiel 32:27 may be referenced to the giants. Since then, there have been several interpretations about the relationship between the “sons of God” and the Nephilim.

Some said the sons of God to be fallen angels, and the Nephilim are the offspring they produced with human women, as mentioned in the First Book of Enoch, calling them giants, or a huge person. The apparent gigantism of the Nephilim was linked to a supernatural origin.

A less supernatural view holds that the Nephilim may be men who fell away from righteousness or, in the book, descendants of Seth, the righteous son of Adam, and that the Nephilim were members of his bloodline who rejected God. This view, known as the Sethian view, was held by St. Augustine and other Church Fathers as well as by many Jewish theologians. The Sethian view is sometimes elaborated with the assertion that the “daughters of men” were the ungodly women of the bloodline of Cain, Adam’s murderous son. With the Nephilim as mere humans, their “great size” is variously taken literally or metaphorically, though they were undoubtedly considered great warriors.

“It was the view of many but unproven.” Doctor Mitchell placed in his biblical view while his knees were before the Lord, alongside the guest.

“Perhaps it was, but the disappearance of the girls was linked to it. They are the selected ones to birth a new line of Nephilim.” Spielsdorf spoke of his findings. “I have the records of twenty such girls.”

“If that is true, God forgive us here. We are to do God’s works.” Doctor Mitchell called out. “We must stop them. The world has seen so many calamities, and we do not need one more to happen.”

“Let me relate to you a tale, Doctor. We need to be up from our knees. I am sure the Lord will forgive us there. Mine does hurt.” Spielsdorf pushed himself up and sat on the bench. He was followed by the doctor.

“The body betrays us even before the Lord.” The doctor sighed.

“The body is a vessel for our soul.” Spielsdorf smiled. “What I am about to tell you happened a long time ago.”

“My regiment was sent to this village to check on some news of rebellion. I was a Major then, and my Общий ... pardon me, he was my General. He was leading the selected two hundred men. It was his last task before he retired. We rode for days past the desolate lands; the serfs there have moved on. The wars have ravaged their lives, and there were the rumors that vampires were there.”

“Vampires?”

“Yes, vampires. We have vampires there with the myth of Dracula. The spread of the tale reached out far and wide. Anyway, we were there to check the battlegrounds. Among us were the priests and some slayers. The latter was the product of the myth. Along the way, we heard of one named Countess Mircalla Karnstein. I was past listening to the myths and focused on the task. When we were approaching the area, the men grew restless, and the priests did their prayers around the camp. Even the slayers were nervous.”

“On our march, we were confronted with huge crosses that were lined along the road; there were traces of blood, but no bodies were seen. We saw the crows and, at night, the bats.”

“Some of the men deserted and were not seen. We relented and marched to what was to be a mansion. We camped outside the mansion, and with the General, I rode up to the mansion. We were greeted by a lovely lady who called herself the countess. She lived alone and had no fear of any travelers. She welcomes them.”

“We introduced ourselves and took her offer to camp outside the mansion, but no one except the general and myself. The mansion was lavishly furnished, and at the corners were the tall mirrors. At the dining hall, we were offered meals, a spread across the table, and to my query, she said she was a cook herself. We had our meals but were offered only red wine, dark burgundy. It was fine then. She offered me the rooms to stay there. The general wanted to decline, for his spine hurt from the rides, but he accepted it if I was to stay there.”

“We did, and often at breakfast, we were the only ones eating with the huge spread. The countess only joined us in the evening.”

“The men were sent out on patrols and yielded nothing. I was to tell the general that we need to leave. I went to his chamber and walked in. The door was unlocked.”

“I apologize, General.” The general had his shirt unbuttoned and was seated on the chair. The countess was leaning behind towards his left shoulder.

“It is okay, Major. The countess was massaging my spine. It feels good.” The countess excused herself and left the chamber.

“I am not a lewd person. I was just having a rub.”

“My apologies, General. I should have knocked.”

“If you do that every time, I may be dead, killed by an assassin before you arrive.” The general smiled. “Are we to move on?”

It was arranged, but two of the priests wanted to stay on. They claimed to have their work to be done there. It was agreed, and the march went on. The countess was unhappy, but she did not stop the priests, who were performing prayers to the dead. Two days later, the general decided to ride back. He said he left something behind. I offered to ride with him and three riders escort while the others marched on.”

“It was dusk when we arrived there and saw the ghastly scene. The priests are still there, covered in blood, and speaking in tongues. The general confronted them, and one of them, with some clarity, told him that the countess was the devil.

“She makes us her slaves. She took our blood.”

The general and I stormed into the mansion and saw the countess seated there at the table. The spread at the table was aplenty, but it was dead rodents and bats with some hares. All decayed, and the countess was smiling.

“You are early. I have not prepared the spread. Please be seated.” The countess indicated to the table. “I have another guest today.”

“Do join us, Count Dracula.” The countess called out. “The more, the merrier.”

Count Dracula was known in the myths, but he was never met by the two gentlemen.

“I have no such need.” The voice was from the dark corner of the hall. The figure was perched on the wall like the creature of the dark. It was a man dressed in dark shades, and to his side were two ladies dressed in satin red gowns.

“Please be seated there. It is without the menacing mirrors over it.” The countess smiled. “I knew of your vanity to see your reflection there.”

“I have not forgiven you for the death of my bride, Aleera.” Count Dracula dropped head down from the wall and landed on his feet. The two ladies shrieked out in fear.

“She would not hurt me, my dears.” Count Dracula looked at the two ladies perched there. “She is one of mine.”

“Do not be nice, Vlad. You had three brides, and now two are left. I am lonely, but I doubt I will be your new bride.” The countess laughed. “I am not their sister.”

Vlad ‘Dracula’ Tepes is the name claimed to be his. He has a brother named Radu.

“No, Master. She killed Aleera. Our sister.” The lady on the right screamed out. “We will have her blood for ourselves.”

“Behave, my dearies. If there is any blood to shed, it will be those two men.” Count Dracula looked to the two men. “They hold fresh blood.”

“Monster! Major. Ready your gun.” Spielsdorf was told.

“Not needed, Общий. We are not your threat. We are here for the countess.” Count Dracula sat by the middle section of the table. “The countess is a miscreant among my creations. She devoured my bats too. Lovely pets and guards my home.”

“Vlad, you were selfish to leave me out. It was never me but one of your ... brides. You brought the bats and vampires that devoured my land of its subject. They were my subjects, and I made my meals. You are left with no choice but to fight back. I killed Aleera because she was here, and more to it, she was a bitch.”

“Bitch!’ The other sisters cried out. “She was our youngest.”

“Incestuous exist in all of you.” The countess shouted. “All of you. Vlad, did you share them with Radu too?”

“Enough! I am here to avenge my bride. You will pay for her demise.” Count Dracula called out.

“I am the undead. What are you to do? Make me dead again, or alive perhaps.” The countess screeched. “I can be made alive? There will be reckoning.”

“I …” The count was at a loss for words.

“Vlad, you knew of me before I was your ……. Lover. I am a different being to them. I wield power, and I gave them up for you, but you are selfish. You wanted me and them too.”

“Blasphemy to yourself. You will die like Aleera.” Count Dracula hissed at the other. “I will have you roam the land like a mortal, yet undead. You will be for years till the day you will be restored. By then, I would be the king.”

“I dare you, Vlad.” The countess challenged the other. “If ever I am defeated today, I will return to do the same to you then. I shall not be dead forever.”

Count Dracula held out his right hand, and the fingers spread like the wings. He curled it towards him, and the countess was in pain.

“I am drawing on your blood towards me.” The sight of blood droplets was seen leaving the countess and heading towards the Count’s hand. “You will be drained of it and will desire to get blood till the day of your demise. You will be a vampire but of a different breed. One that is mortal and will be dead one day without blood.”

“No!” The countess screamed while the brides there screeched in merriment. The countess slumped to the table while her eyes glared at the Count.

“I will have my vengeance, Vlad.” The countess screamed and with her last will of strength, she called on the standing mirror towards her.

“No!” The Count called out, but the countess was gone. Her soul had escaped into the mirror and was away. The Count collapsed back on the seat while the droplets of blood flowed to the mirror. Vlad, with an effort, grabbed a droplet near him and held it hard. He gripped it till his hands became bloodied. He opened his palm, and a dark blood-red jewel rolled out.

“Общий Frankenstein, behold the piece of the essence to the countess. She may need that to resurrect once more. When she does, she will kill all of you and for myself, be damned to a pit of flame. I will not die but will burn there forever. Such is the fury of a woman scorned.” Count Dracula said.

“Let it be known that from now on, I will retire to rest till I am fully recovered. The countess had weakened me more than any other foe. She hurt me not only at my heart but also my soul.”

The other brides shrieked in pain.

“Silent, brides. The countess was mine, but we were never meant. With her now gone, I will leave. The blood now is yours to hold. When the time comes, you know what to do with it. I bid you farewell.” With that, Count Dracula soared and left by the window opening, followed by the brides.

Spielsdorf coughed out the contents of his stomach then, but the Общий was silent. He picked up the jewel and walked out.

 

 

Preys and Predator Part II; the monster and witches' Chapter 13

 13.

William could not shake off his image of Justine and Victor. He had known they were close friends, but the hugging was past the notion of being friends. He was somehow envious of them. He was with Elizabeth, and since she was away, his oath to remain faithful to her was tearing at his sanity. He had refrained from any others ever since, but his tryst with his own pleasure was also getting tiresome.

“Justine….” William had his dreams of her. It was sickening when the dreams showed him ravishing her. She was never into him, but there he was, doing her forcefully. To make it worse, he had Victor looking at them then.

“I am sick!” William reached for the bottle at the side of the bedding. He grabbed it and poured it over his mouth. He gagged and turned over to throw up. It was not the wine he grabbed but the ointment he used on his hand.

“Gawd!” William wiped his right hand over his mouth. It was then the chamber door opened. It was Elaine, the maid assigned to William. She was the young one, and not the brightest, but hardworking despite her chubby frame.

“Master …” Elaine looked away. “I am sorry. I will come back later.”

William was bare naked on the bedding then. He grabbed the bedding cover there.

“No, stay. I will get dressed.” Elaine averted her sight while the young master pulled on his breeches. She was to be true, amused, and excited. The master was her ideal version of a mate, but her social ranking did not give her that reaching point.

“Yes, Elaine. You may proceed. Is it that late in the morning?” William strolled to the window and pulled the drapes. The sunlight hurt his eyes.

“Yes, Master William. It's past the hour of breakfast, and … Victor did not turn up either.”

“Maybe he is asleep.” William defended for his brother.

“No, I was told by Maple he left early when called by Henry. He is at the lab.” Elaine forgot her rank and was sharing gossip while she picked up the clothes on the floor. She touched on the soiled covers and knew what it was. She has three elder brothers at her home sharing the same room.

“Whatever. I will not be having breakfast. I must go to the uni for the preparation for the new term.” William said and looked at his rather embarrassing front. He was still hard there. He stood there looking outside the window.

“Have you seen Carmilla, our guest?” William asked.

“Carmilla? No, Master William. She does not want to be disturbed in the morning. We only attend to her needs after lunch.” Elaine replied. Her eyes were on the half-dressed man standing by the window. He was handsome to her view. He was better looking than Brandon, and she had told him he could not touch her below the waist. Elaine then saw the welt on the left side of the Master’s back.

“Are you in pain, Master William?” Elaine approached the man and touched his back. William arched his back on the touch.

“I knock my back against the dresser. I will be …”

“Let me put some salve on it.” Elaine spat into her right hand. It was what she was told to soothe the pain on the flesh. She rubbed her hand over the wound. William felt the soothing touch of the maid over his back. He arched his back to the feeling. Elaine spats more onto her left hand and rubbed his other side of the back.

“Yes. It is nice.” William enjoyed the ministration of the hands. Elaine covered her massage and pulled at the waist of the breeches. She reached in to massage the area, without realizing her action. She touched the lower spine and moved her fingers down.

“Yes.” William was feeling nice. He had missed the female touch to his skin. Without a thought, he turned around and faced Elaine. She pulled her hands away and looked down to avoid his eyes.

“I am sorry.” Elaine said. “I did …”

Elaine saw the bulge there.

“Elaine, can I …?” William was cut off.

“Yes, anything. I will do it.” Elaine said.

The chamber door was soon locked, and the Master had laid back with the maid on him. She was bucking above his hips, her frock drawn to her waist, and the hem raised. It was her first, but she was past the initial feelings. She was happy to give it all to the master.

“Yes…” William had his hands held onto the giganteum hanging fruits; he missed it all then. “I am ……”

Elaine was past the need to listen or be concerned. She was into her pleasures, and when it arrived, she was still heaving away. Soon, she left fully dressed and carried the dirty clothes. She refused the coins and walked out with William puzzled.

“I guess we are good.” William looked at his hands. “May not need you anymore?”

At the church, Doctor Mitchell pushed himself off the bedding. His spine hurts, and he saw the medication on the bedside.

“I am not a doctor, but I knew laudanum was what the doctors prescribed for the pain.” The one who saved the Doctor was still there.

“Yes, the laudanum helps.” Doctor Mitchell smiled. “A bottle of whiskey too, but in the house of the Lord, we shall be more thankful in other ways.”

“Thank you, sir.” Doctor Mitchell looked to his savior.

“Spielsdorf, Rudolf Spielsdorf. I was to seek shelter here from my long journey.” The man seated near the bedside introduced himself once more. “I was waiting near the church and saw the fall. I rushed over and assisted you.”

Doctor Mitchell was helped to his feet slowly and brought into the church from the side entrance before he was laid on the bedding. He fell asleep immediately.

“I fell. Yes, I fell. It was my back.” Doctor Mitchell sighed. “Long ago injury and …”

“Rest easy, Doctor. I just need a place to rest and pray. The house of the Lord was the ideal place. I can pay for my boarding.”

“No need for that. The house of the Lord does not require coins but the faith in the Lord. Are you one of the frocks?”

“I am and one of its shepherds too. I was in the army, and one day, I heeded the call to lead the prayers.” Undisclosed to the doctor, Spielsdorf had learned that his salvation was God when he was Общий. The leading of the men to battle and, for some, their deaths, weighed on his conscience. He found his way to the chapel and then to the Lord. He needed God’s forgiveness. His lover’s death made him lean more on his faith to uncover the truth.

“A shepherd. I am blessed. The duties of mine have been heavy, and with the recent...” Doctor Mitchell sighed.

“I heard of it. I was in the country, and the locals told me of the happenings here. The traders carried the news, and the routes passed here were diverted.” The guest said to the doctor.

“Yes, we have our events, and word of it spreads fast.” Doctor Mitchell looked at the other. “It is new to us.

“New to you but not to my travels. I have been far and wide. The disappearance of the girls has happened in other villages.” Spielsdorf knew it and had traveled with his daughter to find the cause of it. He did not disclose it to anyone, and when Lauren was unwell, he stopped by the Frankenstein’s mansion.

“Please share with me.” Doctor Mitchell looked up. “We are in the house of the Lord here. We are …”

“Protected? I am unsure. Monsters are not demons or the devil, but an abomination of ours. They are the unforeseen link between us and Angels.” Spielsdorf uttered a prayer.

“Nephilim? Genesis 6:4: The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and when the sons of God went in to the daughters of humans, who bore children to them. These were the heroes that were of old, warriors of renown.".

It was in the past, and into the present, the monster was still said to be around.

 

The Huge Bang ..... at 47000 words

 The Huge Bang......sure sounds like an orgy. Well, it is more of lovers and families tussling with the combined adapted tales of Vlad the Impaler, Shylock of the Merchant of Venice, and 'Where art thou?" Romeo and Juliet.

I am at the juncture of Romeo meeting Juliet, Vlad soon to be dead, and Shylock offering the loan or a pound of flesh. The start of the tale explores the beginning of the three with several characters to support them. 

Vlad III; we all knew him as Dracula, blood drinker and bloody impaler, but there may be a human side to him. His love for his land and its people and the turmoil of conflicts there. His relationship with his brother, Radu III and his wives. 

Shylock; who was he before he became the money lender? Where was it ever mentioned his younger life? His daughter, Jessica? His wife, Leah (Betcha not many knew of his wife?)? Honestly, at this juncture, I have not figured out where to place in Portia? Will do soon. 

And the Capulets and Montague? Their rivalry begins from when? Was it ...... perhaps love? After all the tale here is about love. Wait...... its Romeo and Juliet here, but how does it link to Shylock and Vlad III? Bloody mess, and ...... add in the era.... coincidence, it was the mid 1400's....... 

And we have a tale. In the words of Mercutio from Romeo and Juliet; 

[MERCUTIO:] This is that very Mab
That plaits the manes of horses in the night
And bakes the elflocks in foul sluttish hairs,
Which once untangled, much misfortune bodes.
This is the hag, when maids lie on their backs,
That presses them and learns them first to bear,
Making them women of good carriage.
This is she—
ROMEO: Peace, peace, Mercutio, peace!
Thou talk’st of nothing.
MERCUTIO: True, I talk of dreams,
Which are the children of an idle brain,
Begot of nothing but vain fantasy,
Which is as thin of substance as the air[.] (1.4.89–100)

Queen Mab is her name; a fairy who makes people see dreams that suit their deepest desires, inducing love, lust, money, power, and violence. 

[Chorus]
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something

[Verse]
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused

Lyrics from Dreams Are Made of these by Eurythmics.

Hey, that is the beauty of a tale.

BANG! BANG!.

 

Another excerpt here...... No Sex included though....

 

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 change 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 is, 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 the ones 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 in 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’s time, 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 here. 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 will fall to 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.

An excerpt of the new tale I am penning......Caution adult themed here

 

Radu had stood aside to let the handmaiden do her ministration on the brother. He took to the end of the barracks and took glimpses of the lady. He felt envy that her hands were on the brother and not him. Aylin had been, or rather, assigned to them upon the consent of the Sultana. She was older than the two brothers, but her tiny frame disguised her age. She was dressed in a pinky chemise, or gömlek, with the dark shade short vest buttoned at the bodice, and white baggy trousers, or şalvar. She had on the dainty silken slippers as her standing of handmaiden to the Sultana.

Radu wore the 'mintan' (a vest or short jacket), 'şalvar' (trousers), with the sash at his waist, and 'sarık' on the head, complete with 'çarık' (boots), on the feet. It was his other dressing in the janissary uniform that he wore during training. He saw Vlad was shirtless as expected, and his ‘carik’ was by the bedding.

“Bastard!” Radu muttered to himself. He then took to studying the landscape of the yard; barren of flowers, but there were the well-trodden paths of the others, who had no regard for the growth there, and just stomped their boots on anything growing. He shook his head at their ignorance.

“He is asleep.” Aylin stood behind Radu. “His older scars are healing, but some have broken open. I had …”

“He will not die today.” Radu said. “I wished he would at times.”

“I have time.” Aylin stood behind the lad. She was older by many seasons, but she liked him. Radu nodded and walked to the small chamber at the barrack. She followed him, as was customary there; a lady was to walk behind the man.

“I missed you.” Radu embraced the handmaiden. Aylin held up her face and laid her lips on the other.

“Me too.” Aylin rubbed her body on Radu. As mentioned before, she was dainty in the shape, but to Radu, she was beautiful. His arms went around her lower back and then snaked in down the spine. His fingers parted the seams of the trousers and rested on her bare cheeks there. She felt him at her navel and smiled.

“I have some to apply on you.” Aylin tucked her right hand beneath the sash, but it was tight. “You have to help me there.”

Radu nodded and loosened the sash. She reached in and held him. Her ministrations were slow and soothing. His left hand moved to her bosom and fondled there. It was his youth or his lust; he was all done within the moment. Aylin held up her right hand and looked at the smudges there. She licked her right palm.

“One day, you will do it to me.” Aylin smiled. She knew that if he violated her, it would be death for them, impaled on the stakes.

Radu nodded and then tightened his sash. His relationship with Aylin was not in his mind before. He was to be alone, and upon his death, he will be alone. It was during one session of self-loathing then when he was left behind by his father. He was arguing with Vlad.

“Tata left us here. He will not return for us. Never again.” Radu had confronted his brother. “Why?”

“Tata had no choice. He was to serve the Sultan, and the condition set was for us to remain here as guests.” Vlad lowered his head. He was the elder one and needed to put on the brave front for his brother.

“Tata will be back.” Vlad looked at Radu.

“You lied, Vlad. Tata will not come back.” Radu burst out in tears. Vlad approached his brother, but Radu was inconsolable.

“Let me talk to him.” It was the handmaiden that Vlad saw at the palace. The young lady sat by Radu and held out her right hand onto his left shoulder.

“Leave me alone!” Radu had shouted. “I do not need any … love.”

“None will be given if you are not accepting it.” The handmaiden said. “I am Aylin. I am the handmaiden of the Sultana. I would like to sing to you.”

Drama köprüsü bre hasan dardır geçilmez

Soğuktur suları hasan bir tas içilmez.

Anadan geçilir, bre Hasan yardan geçilmez.

At martini de bre hasan dağlar inlesin

Drama mahpusunda bre hasan dostlar dinlesin

 

Translated into English

 

The drama bridge is narrow and can't be passed through, buddy Hasan.

Its water is cold; it can't be drunk, just a bowl. Hassan

You can give up mother but not wife, buddy Hasan.

Let mountains moan by shooting a martini gun, Hasan.

Let friends listen to this moaning in drama jail, buddy Hassan.

 

(https://lyricstranslate.com/en/drama-t%C3%BCrk%C3%BCs%C3%BC-drama-folk-song.html).

That was the first time since Radu arrived at the palace that he cried out his fear. When he was in fear, he looked for his mother, who would sing to him.

“I do not want to be here. I want to go back to my mama.” Radu burst out in tears. The handmaiden held the boy’s head to hers, and she let him sob. It was their first meet, and over the years, the handmaiden became a friend to the brothers. She told them her name, but she was never to tell them of her origin.

She was a sister to them, older by age, but soon she felt like the younger one, for they grew well and shadowed her in height. She found herself closer to Radu, who was more open to affection than Vlad.

It was affection, and soon to be more.

Preys and Predator Part II; the monster and witches' Chapter 12

 

12.

Doctor Mitchell stood at the corner at the alley, watching the house across the street. He was not a voyeur but waiting for someone. It was past dusk, and the cold air was getting at his bones, the ailment of the aged. He pulled the overcoat tighter and watched while grabbing the pencil from the pocket. He had the pencil in his right hand to write down his observation on all his patients. He pockets the diary while he twirls the pencil with his fingers. It was his idle habit then. He was keen to see if the occupant of the house would exit.

The person did.

It was a lady dressed in the dark dress and bonnet with the small bag. She walked the street in the opposite direction from the doctor. He watched her take the stroll, and then he crossed over. He approached the house and rang the doorknob.

“Doctor Mitchell, I am most surprised. I was planning to see you tomorrow.” Mrs. Hudson was the one who greeted him at the doorway. She was a pleasant lady in her sixties and needed some ointments for her heart.

“I was in the neighbourhood and brought you your medicine.” Doctor Mitchell smiled. “May I come in please? It is cold.”

“My apologies, Doctor. Please do come in.” Mrs. Hudson stepped aside for the doctor.

“You can join me for an early supper. I have some servings left from dinner. My guest did not eat any. My board covers meals, but I cannot tell them what they had missed then.”

“Most delightful, Mrs. Hudson.” Doctor Mitchell walked to the dining area. He handed over the medicine while supper was served. It included the glass of wine, welcomed by the doctor. He began the conversation enquiring on the health of the lady, and she was ever glad to be alive.

“I feel better. The fees from the board helped with my needs.” It was a surprise that Mrs, Hudson had taken in a guest, when she was living all alone for some years, since moving there from the city.

“How is your guest? What is her name, please? I am getting poor at remembering.”

“Katherine something. She is foreign.” Mrs. Hudson laughed. “Me too on my memory.”

“I can assure you that it’s a part of getting old.”

“Senile, you mean.” Mrs. Hudson laughed. “Frank used to tell me I was ever forgetful. He is my husband, Doctor Mitchell, if you have forgotten.”

“Yes, dearie, I remembered.” Once Mrs. Hudson told the doctor that she misses her husband; he is dead and rotted in his grave. She would not think of having any others with her ever since. The doctor had assured her that despite his single entity, he was past the need to have anyone in his life. That settled their needs for closer companionship, but they remained fine as doctor and patient.

“How is Stephanie?” Doctor Mitchell asked.

“You mean Katherine. That is her name.”

“Pardon me. My slip-up. Please do tell.”

“Doctor Mitchell, you are devious. You are looking to get her a patient. I know she is elderly, but she looks strong. And healthy, but on some occasions, she may be pale.”

“Pale?” Doctor Mitchell frowned, his expression like any concerned physician. “I must ...”

“Most times, after the evening stroll, she will come back pale-stricken, and I will offer her a wine, but she will decline. She will rest in her room till late morning.”

“I …... Perhaps you could bring her to church on Sunday. I could then approach her.” Doctor Mitchell was also the priest, among other things that he does there.

“I doubt she will go. She is … If I could say, orthodox in her beliefs. She shunned the book when I left it at the table after mass. She will not look at the cross I hung over the fireplace.”

“Most intriguing.” Doctor Mitchell smiled. “I must go. It is getting dark. And the …”

Yes, I heard. The missing girls. How many were there?”

“Three, as of two nights ago. The parents are told to keep their children home after dusk. It could be…”

“Witchcraft, I am telling you. I have heard of it before. They have their gatherings in the forest.”

“Please do not alarm yourself. It is not healthy for your heart.” Doctor Mitchell soothed her concerns.

“Yes, my heart.” Mrs. Hudson took the doctor’s right hand and placed it over her bosom. “It beats.”

“Yes, it does.” Doctor Mitchell stood up and laid a peck on the forehead of the lady. “I must go now. And thank you for the supper.”

“As you wished.” Mrs. Hudson smiled. ‘The Lord is with you.”

“Amen.” Doctor Mitchell made his way out. He walked back to the church, where he also operates the clinic. He met Constable Brown on patrol that day, pushing the bicycle. He had on his dark overcoat and the top hat with the emblem of the authority.

“Good evening, Doctor. Busy day?”

“Yes, Constable. I had to deliver some medicine. How is your day?”

“Quiet. if you ignore Dawson telling me to find Daisy. She was missing from the barn. As like before, I found her near the creek, with the bites on her.”

“Disturbing.” Daisy is the cow that Dawson milked from daily. For the last month, she was missing from the barn on some mornings.

“Disturbing is when you have Henry trying to get his satisfaction with the sheep.”

“Yes, that was some time back. I had him read the book for days, and I think he has repented.” Doctor Mitchell sighed. The village was leaning to the macabre of late.

“That boy is sick. I told Sven, but the old man was protective of the boy. He is not of his, but loved him well.” Constable Brown turned his bicycle around to follow the doctor. He reckoned the other end of the village would do fine without him that evening.

“I heard that you did some praying for the Masons. Their daughter was …”

“Disturbed, Brown. Disturbed.” Doctor Mitchell said. He was the one they called on for exorcism. And the villagers are rife with anything to spread the words on. “Actually, she was delusional due to her fever. I administered some medicine and got her well.”

“I was told that she will go into those conversations with the demons at times.”

“Convulsion was the effect of late treatment, but there may be a cure soon.” During that period, treatments for convulsions (epilepsy) were largely ineffective and often focused on managing symptoms with things like bloodletting, purging, and a strict diet, with some practitioners even resorting to spiritual or superstitious practices due to the lack of understanding about the condition; the most significant medical advancement during this time was the introduction of bromide salts as a potential anticonvulsant medication, although its use was still limited and not widely accepted. 

Doctor Mitchell gave her the ether to sedate her when she was into it. It was the best method he could think of.

“Marthe Mason is thinking of sending the girl to a convent for her healing. Do you know of any?”

“I have none. She could try the... I will talk to the family. God has his ways to cure the ailment.” Doctor Mitchell then nodded to the constable at the turning to his church. They parted there, and the doctor made his way along the track there, marked with the gravel trodden on every Sunday.

“Doctor Mitchell.” The doctor heard his name called, but he saw no one. It was a lady’s voice.

“Beware of what you want to do. Your mortality may be ending.”

Doctor Mitchell dropped his medical bag and reached for the cross on his vest. He could not find it. He remembered that it was in the bag. He leaned down to reach for it when he found him pushed from the rear. He fell onto his face and was pressed hard at the gravel pebbles.

“End it, or we will end it for you.” Doctor Michell felt the pain in his spine. “I am not telling you a second time.”

“Away, you demon!’ Doctor Mitchell heard the cry behind him. He could not move because his spine hurts. He felt a set of hands on his shoulder.

“No, do not move me. I am hurt at the spine.” Doctor Mitchell cried out. He feared if he was moved, he might hurt his spine and worse, be paralyzed.

“Are you fine, Doctor? I am Spielsdorf, Rudolf Spielsdorf. I did not meet you, but the Frankenstein told me of you.”