Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 25

 25. 

 

The days to Christmas were met with anticipation, but not so for Vlad III. He had joined with Stefan Bathory in pursuit of the Ottomans, and this army then continued into Wallachia. Basarab the Elder flees as Târgoviște and Bucharest are conquered in November.

“Victory was not on my mind, but Radu, my brother. He is dead, as I was told.” Vlad III was addressing the gathering of the boyars at the home of the revived voivode.

“Radu III attempted to retake Wallachia a few times from Basarab III and later Stephen III. It was the final battle at Vaslui that Radu III also participated in. It is presumed that he was killed around this time.” One of the boyars told Vlad III.

“Presumed dead is not confirmation of his death.” Vlad III shook his head. “He is family, and I still love him. What of Katharina and my children?”

“We have no words from them, Voivode. We have sent words to Genoa and Venice, but no replies.” The boyar who managed that matter replied. “I have requested Lord Gencio Capulet to attend.”

“Yes.” Vlad III was torn between his two lovers; one held his children, and the other was at his side, but never was on his bed on the floor. It was his fault, for he could not find his own desire at all.

“Was it something I had done, my husband?” Lady Justina asked during one of their evenings. They were lying on the floor.

“No, my lover. I am just tired. I can ……” Vlad turned towards her, but she declined his advance.

“No, my husband. You may rest, and when done, we can ……” Lady Justina stood up. “I will take my rest on the bedding.”

“No…… I mean, okay. I will rest here.” Vlad lay back on the floor. His mind flitted towards Katharina and his children.

“Has your brother wedded?” Lady Justina asked about the bedding.

“Which one?” For a while, Vlad was unsure of which brother. “I have two brothers: Mircea II and Radu. The former died fighting with my father.”

“Radu was my asking.”

“Oh, you meant Radu. I heard he had married a Maria Despina, and they have a daughter.”

“Good for him. Did he return to the palace?” Lady Justina asked. “He is back with the Sultan?”

“That I am unsure. He was here, and upon defeat, he was at Moldavia or Targovishte. Or dead, as I was told, but none even saw his body.”

“What of you? Should you need to leave if defeated?” Vlad was stunned by the question from the lady.

“I do not know. Maybe back to King Corvinus.” Vlad replied. “I hold no place at the lands that Radu is with, or even at the palace. I am only at home here.”

“What about Genoa?”

“Genoa… is the home of my friend, Lord Gencio Capulet.” Vlad paused then. “Why do you ask?”

“I am unsure.” Lady Justina was then, if she meant anything to Vlad at all. She heard rumours of his other family residing there. She was unsure then.

Unsure was how Romeo was to disguise himself for the ball. He knew that it was a masquerade ball, and masks would be worn. He was undecided between the dark mask and the silvery one. He was also unsure of his dressing attire, switching between the dark blue and the green tunic.

“I am unsure, Gregory.” Romeo looked at the guard of his.

“Do not ask me, young master. I am... or, well, had never been to one before. The events I was to partake in were at the taverns or private homes, and ……. Dressing was simple, as it was discarded soon with the revelries of the night.”

“You are of no help at all, Gregory. I am in the lion’s lair, and yet you hold not a thought of …” Romeo sighed.

“Then do not go, young master. We could see ……”

“No, Gregory. I must go. How could the Montague host a ball with less grandeur than ours?” Romeo cried out.

“We have not had a ball since you turned puberty. And that was a children’s ball.” Gregory smiled. It was an afternoon of games and fun in the garden.

“Do not mock me, Gregory, or I will have you ……” Romeo was upset then.

“Fine. Go ahead, and Sampson and I will be just outside. If you are in any difficulty, we will rush in.”

“Yes, but keep your distance. I will be fine. Mercutio is there with his friend, Count Paris. I do have some others; I do know them.” Romeo looked out of the window. He saw then Rosaline was approaching the house. “I must hurry. Pick one costume for me.”

“I will pick the red.” Gregory smiled. “It looked devilish.”

Red was the choice of Juliet. She decided to be at the ball in the garish red gown, unheard of then. Lady Angeline was stunned by her choice, but she held back her comments. Juliet’s choice for the headdress was the escoffion, a piece of female medieval headwear that was popular. The headpiece was made from a thick, circular roll of material like wool, felt, or silk. The material was shaped, by sewing or starching, into a double-horned configuration, with each horn sometimes being up to a yard long.

“You could wear the hennin.” Lady Angeline suggested. The hennin was a headdress in the shape of a truncated cone worn by women of the nobility. “I am to wear one tonight.”

“No, Mother. I am fine with my hairdresser.” Juliet smiled. “I do not like the hennin. It looks more like a… phallic will be my best reply to that.”

“Juliet!” Lady Angeline reproves her daughter. “You may be grown up, but please behave like a lady.”

“Yes, Mother. I will.” Juliet smiled. She saw the arrival of Jessica, who was not dressed for the ball. They met in the garden.

“I could not make it. Mother had me stay at home for my insolence; her words towards Abram.” Jessica told her friend. “I do not want to miss it, but little choice do I have.”

“I am sorry. How can I help?”

“Nothing that you could do. I have told Lorenzo we can meet then, but it will be near my house.” Jessica smiled. “That will complete my evening.”

“I am so happy. Do as you think is needed.” Juliet smiled.

“Needed? You know what is needed, but could I? It will betray my faith and family.” Jessica laughed. “How I wish we lived in a different era.”

“Well, I was referring to a kiss, and not that, but there are options.” Juliet smiled. “I heard……”

Juliet whispered in the ears of Jessica, who, in turn, blushed.

“I cannot be… No! I am not to do so.” Jessica laughed. “It will be embarrassing.”

“I would have taught you, but I am a lady. However, I ……” Juliet continued her whispering. “That I could.”

“Juliet Montague, you are a……”

“Friend, indeed I am. Now wait here. I will get it for you.” Juliet ran back to the house.

Running was what could be termed an act of desperation. Shylock heard the running steps when he was on his way back to the house. He stopped and leaned on the wall there. He wanted to see who was to approach him.

“Shylock, I meet you…finally. I thought you were gone.” It was Antonio, the trader, who was the friend of Lord Gencio Capulet. Shylock was cautious of the needs of that trader.

“If it is ducats, I am short of supply, Antonio. See your friend, Lord Gencio Capulet.”

“It is ducats, but not for me. I am asking on behalf of one named Bassanio, Galuco Bassanio.” Antonio smiled. “He is new here and trades in the ……”

“Not keen. I only deal with those I know.” Shylock pushed the trader aside.

“You may not know him, but what of Portia of Belmont? He is Chester……”

“We all know of the Lord of Belmont. He had passed away this season, leaving his wealth to his only daughter. She cannot spend on his entrusted wealth until she marries.”

“Which she was to decide on the man of character from the selection of the boxes assigned by her father. Her other family members manage it.” Shylock smiled. “Were there three caskets? Gold, silver, and lead.”

“That tale was known in Genoa,” Antonio said. “She had the choice of the three eligible suitors. That was good, as the street would have been too crowded to be selected.”

“It was hasty of the father. Whom she decides will be the final choice.” Shylock sighed. He was thinking of his own, then when Leah chose him.

“Hear me out. The caskets were gold, silver, and lead. Three suitors were to choose then.”

“I know that too. Neapolitan prince, the Count Palatine, a French lord, Monsieur Le Bon, a young English baron, Falconbridge a Scottish lord, and a young German, the Duke of Saxony's nephew.” Shylock sighed. “All of them are lords and wealthy. But only three can cshoose."

“I will attest to that. If it were me, I would have made my selection of the gold.” Shylock laughed.

 

Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 24

 24. 

 

“Basarab III is in Wallachia. He will be met by our army under Stephen Vuk Bathory, an army of eight thousand infantry and thirteen thousand cavalries.” King Corvinus made the announcement. “He will be assisted by Vlad Tepes and Vuk Brankovic.”

“The Impaler and the Despot.” There were murmurs among the gathered when they heard the king’s arrangement. The exploits of Vlad Tepes were known, but of Vuk Brankovic, little was said. The descendant of the Branvonic family, he was a despot without a country, a hero with no vice or fear, and a hope without a successor. He was the magnificent and tragic last flash of the golden Serbian Middle Ages. He had no equal from the walls of Vienna all the way to Kruševac, from Timisoara to Sarajevo and Jajce.

Vuk Branković's legends and folk songs call him the Fiery Dragon Wolf; he held two images for the Serbian: he is a supernatural anthropomorphic creature, born with amazing marks.

“An amazing child: a wolf’s paw and an eagle’s wing and dragons under his armpit, a blue flame coming out of his mouth, he won’t let his mother nurse him.” When he was wounded in battles, “the snakes brought him herbs, and the fairies nursed his wounds, and the wolf licked his serious wounds.”

The other biography of the Serbian Despot: the warrior served in battles for over twenty years, waging wars with the Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus. The battles he won were mostly in Serbian lands conquered by the Turks. His heroism gave hope to the Serbian people in Turkish slavery that the Serbian country is not totally ruined and that the time will come when the Turks will be conquered and expelled.

“Vuk Branvonic served me well. He assisted me in freeing a Bosnian king whose name was also like mine.” King Corvinus praised the Serbian leader. “This new campaign would involve Hungarian, Moldavian, and Wallachian troops, with the assistance of a small Serbian contingent.”

The court applauded the king, and Vlad Tepes wrote to Stephen III of Moldavia.

“Stephen III, I am with an army of Hungarians and others, including Wallachians. We can merge later to be stronger. Vlad Tepes.”

Vlad's message to Stephen was delayed, and the latter fought at Valea Albă and had to withdraw in defeat. They merged later and were victorious at Brașov, and from there they attacked southern Transylvania with the combined army of over thirty thousand, whereas Stephen would aid them by attacking eastern Wallachia with his army.

“But we are strong, each in our purpose, and we are all stronger together.” (Bram Stoker, Dracula). Vlad saluted in the speech to the other leaders on their victory when Vlad captured the capital of Târgoviște, where he met with Stephen. The two swore eternal allegiance to one another, and when in the presence of Báthory, the two pledged as well to pursue a great crusade against the Turks.

Vuk Bathory reported then that most of Wallachia was in Vlad’s hands and added that "all the boyars, aside from two, are with us" and "even the latter will soon join us." The other two did soon, and Vlad Tepes was reestablished as Prince of Wallachia for his third time. Radu was overthrown, and he retreated. Vlad rushed to his home and found his family had left. He was given a note from Lord Gencio Caputo.

Dear Vlad. When you get this letter, Katharina and the children are on route and will be safe in Genoa. I have planned for them there. You can focus on your war there. And my regards to Lady Justina. Lord Gencio Capulet.”

At that moment, Vlad felt anxious, for he was reliving his childhood once more, a hostage of the realm, then not of Mehmet II, but of his family under Lord Gencio Capulet.

“You did ask him to take care of your children.” Lady Justina selected her words well, avoiding the mention of the mistress. “He was doing as requested by you.”

“I am unsure. He knew I was returning, and yet he took them away. Was he bargaining with their safety?” Vlad was upset. “Or mine?”

“Why yours, my husband?” Lady Justine had found the word to call Vlad that.

“My reputation as the Impaler may … affect their thoughts of me.” Vlad looked away. “I hold no regrets for my action. I am in a sea of wonders. I doubt; I fear; I think strange things, which I dare not confess to my own soul. I had to do what was needed to survive.”

“That shows you still hold humanity in you. You are the voivode of the land, yet the boyars swing on their loyalty. You must be braver.”

"Brave" is a word that Jessica holds close to her heart. She met Abram at the tavern.

“This is not a place for the young lady,” Abram told the lady when he was intruded upon there. He goes there when his call of duty is over and whiles away his idle hours with the drinks. He does not get overboard, but his goblet is hardly unfilled.

“I know you come here to drink. Father mentioned it to my mother, and I overheard.” Jessica took her seat opposite the man. She felt uncomfortable there, being looked at by the other patrons, and most of them did not look friendly.

“Can I help you then?” Abram asked, bringing the subject up.

“I want to talk to you about your proposal to my father and about me.”

“I …… I did. It was a discussion, but I have not made up my mind.” Abram looked at her. “I admit I should have talked with you beforehand.”

“Talk now, Abram. Talk to me now.” Jessica looked at the man.

“Well, I… I do see you at the synagogue, and now I work with your father, and… I am without an ‘ishema’…. For a long time…”

“You wanted one, and you had me numbered?” Jessica looked at the man.

“I am not keen to wed more than one. I know that the Shulchan Aruch, a major code of Jewish law, acknowledges the possibility of polygamy but also suggests a limit of four wives. I am not…….”

“Can I decide on my ‘beaal’ in my life? Or my family holds that …….”

“You can, Jessica. I am not a master of your love. You can …….” Abram was cut off.

“Love to me is mine, and my family is also mine. I want to have both but not be enslaved by any others.” Jessica stared at the man. “I think you are a good man, but what I need is a good ‘beaal’ of my own choosing. I may be wrong in my choice, but that is my own choice.”

Jessica then took her leave of the man who sought her marriage.

Independence of the decision was not the best choice.

“Mother, I made up my mind. I will be hosting the ball tomorrow, and then I will let the guests there see my selection of my lover.” Juliet made up her mind. She met her mother at the library. They were not alone, for Rosaline was there alongside Mercutio, a friend of the family and related to Count Paris.

“Mercutio, I am pleased and… honoured to meet you.” Juliet did a curtsy towards the man. She detested the man, for he was with Count Paris, and at that moment, any associate of the count was not favorable.

“Juliet Montague, I am ever honoured to see you.” Mercutio was generous with his words. “I came over to……. The truth, honestly indeed, is I heard of the ball from Rosaline, and God forbid, I want to come.”

“And I met Rosaline, and she told me she got an invite from you. I am hereby graciously asking you for one too.”

“Heaven forbids if I were to say no to you. Yes, please come.” Juliet sounded ‘mercurous’ then with a witty smile. “You could chaperone Rosaline if she were without one.”

Those last lines were directed to Rosaline for bringing the man there.

“I ……” Rosaline was lost for words.

“I will be coming alone. I am not in search of ladies who will accept my hands at the ball.” Mercutio smiled. “I am sure Rosaline has her own beau to bring.”

Rosaline then felt the swath of embarrassment to be in the conversation. It was Lady Angeline who saved her then.

“I am sure Rosaline has her own beau. Please do come, darling. As for you, Mercutio, you are invited too.”

“Queen Mab was precise in my dreams this morning. She does bring with her … my aspirations there.” Mercutio held an affinity to the realm of fantasy and Queen Mab, a tiny fairy, the "fairies' midwife," who delivers dreams to sleeping people based on their desires, whether noble or base. (Romeo and Juliet plays.)

“Oh, do not amuse us with your dreams, Mercutio.” Lady Angeline laughed. “I have heard more than my share of Queen Mab.”

“Who is Queen Man?” Juliet asked. She was curious and had not heard of the queen.

“Queen Mab, my dear.” Mercutio corrected her. “Queen Mab… If you do get a visit from her, she is a miniature creature, no bigger than an agate stone on an alderman's finger, riding in a chariot made of natural materials like spider webs and grasshopper wings. She is a mischievous figure; one must be forbearing of her; she is like Rumpelstiltskin.”

“Who is Rumpelstiltskin?” Juliet asked.

“Oh, Mercutio, do not taunt the lady. We are already at the mercy of your antics.” Lady Angeline cut in.

“Yes, my lady. Well, to Juliet. Queen Mab is capable of both granting dreams of love and inflicting nightmares or punishing people for their vices.” Mercutio smiled. “The romantic ideal of love and the harsh realities of the world are intertwined… sometimes.”

“Enough, Mercutio. Consider yourself invited, but no more dreams onwards. Rosaline, bring a handsome beau, be it Capulet or whoever, but please do have this man by your side.” Lady Leah dismissed the two guests.

Rosaline took her walk, leaving Mercutio to keep pace. He finally did and stopped her.

“I begged your forgiveness, my lady.” Mercutio smiled.

“You embarrassed me then. And…….”

“I brought you an open invite to bring in your... Romeo. That was your visit there. You wanted to bring Romeo by invitation. And I got it done.” Mercutio smiled. “I am ever your friend.”

“Friend or fiend, I am unsure.” Rosaline pushed the man off her path. “I hope Queen Mab looks favorably towards you.”

“If love is rough with you, be rough with love. Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down. Give me a case to put my visage in!” (Extracted from Romeo and Juliet). Mercutio said in a mock tone.

“Alas, speak not in riddles, Mercutio.” Rosaline sighed.

“I speak of the fantastical nature of dreams and how they reflect the desires and preoccupations of the dreamer, with lovers dreaming of love and lawyers dreaming of fees, one that Queen Mab, the fairy, may preside over.” Mercutio looked at Rosaline. “Let him loose among the sheep and see whom he bites.”

“Who are you talking about? Romeo?” Rosaline asked.

“Let your heart tell you. I must be going my own path. See you.” Mercutio took his path. Rosaline remained standing there and pondering on the words of Mercutio. She knew in her heart that she loved Romeo, but did he feel the same for her? He may be wild and young, but how does she tell the true feelings from her or from him? She was in mixed thoughts then. She saw Jessica approaching her.

“Jessica, how……”

“I cannot. I am upset. Why can they not understand whom we choose to love?” Jessica continued her walk. Rosaline stood there looking.

 

Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 23

 23. 

 

The wedding was in the works then.

“Vlad Tepes, do you take this lady to be your lawful wedded wife?” The Wallachian ex-voivode was asked. The same was asked of the lady. Lady Justina Szilágyi had little to say but agreed then. She was told of the wedding three days ago by the king.

“Are you referring to the Impaler?” Lady Justina Szilágyi turned her stare at the King. She was called to meet the king in the chamber where he was attended by the advisers of the state.

“Vlad Tepes’ reputation was overexaggerated. He is not a killer but a warrior who defies the Turks.” One of the attending advisers spoke out. “In war……”

“I am aware of the acts of war, Lord Gaudino.” The lady said. “My ex-husband was a soldier. He did not hold a ……”

“That will be enough, Justina. I am planning for your wedding to the new Voivode of Wallachia. He will ride with my army.”

“And if I disagreed?” Lady Justina was defiant.

“You are without any... assets. Your ……. Ladislaus Pongrác of Szentmiklós does not own any left.”

“Taken by you.” The lady burst out in anger.

“Watch your words, lady. I am still the king, and all the land here belongs to me.” King Corvinus looked at the lady. “However, as a token of my gratitude to your ex-husband, you may have the Transylvanian estates that were jointly owned by Pongrác and yourself.”

“Thereafter, with your wedding to Vlad Tepes, more estates will be made available.”

Lady Justina knew her position to dispute was over. She agreed, and the wedding took place. It was a small reception, and only the selected lords were there.

“Lord Dante Montague begs your forgiveness. He is at Genoa on urgent matters.” The staff of the Montague family bowed to the king. “He has the gifts for the newlywed.”

“Lord Gencio Capulet here. I had just arrived from Genoa. I had come bearing gifts to the new couple.”

Vlad was glad that Lord Gencio Capulet was there. He was not sure if his letter yesterday reached the Lord, but he will ask. The wedding was done casually, and the feast was modest at best. When the moment was right, Vlad approached the Lord of Capulet. They spoke at the corner, distanced from the guests.

“I got your letter. It was given to me here.” Lord Gencio Capulet patted his tunic. “I will arrange for Katharina and your family to go to Genoa today after the feast. It will be done. You do take care of yourself.”

“I have no intention of offending the King. I have another favor to ask of you. Please look out for Radu also. He may be in Moldavia or here.”

“I met with Radu at Wallachia. He is fine. However, his position is weak. He holds no army there. The Turks may support him, but they are few in Wallachia.” Lord Gencio Capulet looked at Vlad. “He was concerned about his family and had me send them to Genoa.”

“They will reside there. I had arranged it.” Lord Gencio Capulet spoke out in caution.

“My family?” Vlad asked.

“They are not aware of each other. I can place them at different corners.”

“Thank you.” Vlad sighed. “I …… I have only my thanks to you. Your works will be rewarded.”

“It will be done.” Lord Gencio Capulet smiled. “Your past deeds to me with the land and trade are already generous.”

“And it will be more when I am the Voivode again.” Vlad looked to his new wife. “For now, I need to put aside family and attend to my new lover.”

Lady Justina, soon after the feast, waited for her husband at his chamber there. She did have a look around and found the furnishing was bare. It was not as lavish as she was used to. She had changed into a flimsy gown and wore the dressing gown over it. It was her wedding night, though not her first.

“Hello, Lady Justina.” Vlad appeared there at the chamber. “I duly apologize for the lords being insistent on discussing the new arrangement of mine.”

“The arrangement of the state is important.” Lady Justina, who was seated on the chair, stood to approach the man. “Do you wish to be bathed before we sleep?”

“Oh, yes. I feel dirty.” Vlad stepped to the washbasin and pulled his tunic off. Lady Justina was shocked at the sight of the wounds on the man’s back. He was, however, sponging his chest then.

“Could you do my back, please?” Vlad asked. She took up the cloth available and sponged him there. She gently rubbed at the wounds, then dried them, and they remained as scars.

“It is okay for you to scrub me. I hold no pain there.” Vlad told her. “Those are old wounds and have healed.”

“Does it hurt then?” Lady Justina asked.

“It may have been, but in the wars, I have grown immune to the pain.” Vlad removed his pants with his back still to her. She sees the marks of more scars on the rear of the knees. She leaned over to bathe him, and then he turned towards her. She stepped back and averted her eyes. It was not that she had not seen a man before, but her only other lover was the ex-husband.

“Did I scare you?” Vlad looked at her. He looked at himself and smiled. He was without a lover for some years. It was not that the whores were allowed at the dungeon then.

“We will sleep now.” Vlad told her. She walked to the bedding and removed the dressing gown. She climbed onto the bedding and lay on her back with her eyes closed. She was nervous then. She waited, and her husband was not there. She looked and saw he was sleeping sideways on the flooring with a loose cover over him. She got up and approached him.

“Are you well, my sire?”

“I am. It is that I have become comfortable sleeping on the hard flooring over the years. You can sleep on the bedding without me.” Vlad replied to her without looking at her. She lay down next to him, and they slept that night.

Sleep was beyond the need of Juliet that night. She had her evening discussion with her parents, and the subject matter was intense.

“No, I do not want to wed what's-his-name.” Juliet was insistent. “I hardly know him, or should I say, need to know him.”

“Juliet, you must behave.” The mother looked at her daughter. “You must know that the arrangement of the wedding is the decision of the parents. You cannot deny or refuse any arrangement.”

“Mother, I am aware, but you do not just wed me to a man I hardly know. Who is she anyway?” Juliet asked.

“He is Count Paris Deville from Venice. You may have seen him before. He has of you.” Lord Dante Montague explained. “I met him……”

“You had met him, and he knows of you, but how did he know of me?” Juliet asked.

“I do ……” Lord Dante Montague was lost for words. He was not very good at dealing with his daughter, unlike his bargaining with the traders.

“Juliet Montague, please behave.” That was the stern voice of Lady Angeline. “We are to wed you immediately. We are just telling you that, Lord… No. Count Paris has indicated his intention to wed you. You should be honoured there.”

“I am? Why, that man may be looking for a virgin to tick on his …….” Juliet was cut off by the father.

“Juliet, I shall not have that tone spoken in the family.” Lord Dante Montague exploded.

“Fine then. You can wed him. You may have to be a virgin there.” Juliet stormed off before the father could say anything. Lord Dante Montague glared at the girl’s mother.

“I did not coach her. She may have learned it from the friends.” Lady Angeline laughed. “Are you a virgin there? I do recall you tried, but I know how to keep mine.”

“God, what is with you women? I am to the guild now.” Lord Dante Montague in turn walked away.

“Bloody excuse. At this hour, the guild is closed.” Lady Angeline looked to the departing man. “I am sure he will be at the tavern tonight, and it will be a cold bedding for me.”

It was another night for Leah, who had lost their second child. She went into early labour, but the child was delivered stillborn. The cord of the child had tangled on the neck. The child was to be a girl. She was told to rest and recuperate.

“Shylock, can we try again?” Leah leaned towards her husband on the bedding. “I think we……”

“Sleep, Leah. I need to work out some ……” Shylock was not keen. He had given up on having any more children.

“Shylock Judas, I want to.” Leah was upset. “I want to have another child.”

“Leah, it is too soon. You are not fully recovered.” Shylock turned towards his wife. “We will, but not now. Maybe next autumn.”

“I may be too old then.” Leah sighed. “And you are ……”

“I still hold my pound of flesh, Leah. But we must pay heed to your health.” Shylock held out his hands to her. “I……”

“Jessica is seeing the Lorenzo boy.” Leah dropped the tale to Shylock. “I heard from the……”

“Lorenzo Capulet, the bastard son of the Capulet.” Shylock was upset. “He is not of the Lord but a bastard adopted by the family. He is not …….”

“Jewish? I know. But she likes him. Jessica told me so.”

“That cannot be allowed. She must wed a Jew. What did she say of Abram?” Shylock asked.

“She will not accept that man. He is …….”

“He is of the same faith as us. He is a good man.” Shylock defended Abram as his choice. “He works for the Montague, but he can work for us when he is family.”

“Does it matter if he is of a different faith? If he loves her.” Leah looked at Shylock. “I love you despite our families’ differences.

“Families and love are different.” Shylock states his reasoning. “My …… mother did not reject you.”

“And why are you saying no to Lorenzo?” Leah asked.

“Let us sleep. I have a long day tomorrow.” 

Psst....I am still here and some lunacy at works

 Firstly, thanks for the recent reading score... and we cleared the 200K markers there... and a huge THANK YOU. 

I am feeling okay...

No, I am not dying, but rather my physical and mental strengths are waning; hence, I want to complete more tales before then. 

I started this way back in 2000; naïve and lacking depth in my telling of tales, many a time I say this is the final write, but it was not so, or maybe it will be one day. I started off then as to amuse my daughter, who was in HIGH SCHOOL and looked bored. She told me of the blog that she was doing, and I took on mine. 

I had done many tales, including bashing the Angels and Demons and predators like Dracula and Frankenstein... My faves are the CRUSADERS, MERLIN, and of course the ANGELS. 

Adware will not monetize my clicks, for reasons of the above, and my tales dabbled in sexual antics…. (Selective pun here; well, sex sells, but I think I am decent on the content... Okay, my big toes wriggled just now.) At my age, that's a renewed achievement. 

It's not like I am like any wooden toy with an elongated nose. (I am for the environment... no PLASTICS except the BANK CARD.) I AM EVER READY... JUST MAKE IT JUICY. and do not apply GLUE on me... I said SLICK, and not STICK.

Aha… great idea to rewrite PINOCHIO…. With the blend of GRIMMS…. And spice it up with some man’s world content… sure beats the bedtimes tale of climbing like JACK with his BEANSTALKS… or there goes CINDERELA, who will say, "let me scrub the sheets again…" Or SLEEPING BEAUTY saying, "Let me sleep…" or WHITE saying, "Chaps, we need to do a DNA TEST soon…" or RAPUNZEL: "I said lower your hair, not your laundry." or JACK went down the hill on JILL... Oops... that's boo-boo-derline... NO NO for any bedtime tales. 

I know, MORK, that will not be how we will tell the UNIVERSE about EARTHLINGS' ... Geez, I almost got lost for words there... It's a wide...wide...world here. You could look inside if you want to... I can imagine how DENTISTS feel when they aere drilling then... 

Or the NURSE telling the SURGEON during the procedure..."That is the ANUS there..." Darn it, they sure do not look like the view from the other side... 

How come we never get short of being told DEEP... DEEP... WILL YA? My mistress once called out ... "I would if you weren't CENTIMETERS deep..." Now I knew why we had to move from inches to centimeters...it's all in the extra 'zeroes' in the measurement there. GOD, let me be like PINOCHIO. I will tell that lie every time. 

Just an idea… Not much ielse is working nowadays. Pardon my lunacy here. Tally ho, and thank you.

Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 22

 

22. 

 

Vlad Tepes had his day of consolidation. The Hungarian king called for his audience after his recovery at the palace.

“You looked well, Vlad.” Corvinus looked to the Wallachian. The latter stood there before the king, dressed in the simple tunic and leggings but without the belt to hide any dagger. “How long was your stay there at the ……”

“Not long enough, King Corvinus.” Vlad looked at the king. “I had not constructed my castle yet.”

“Sarcasm will not end well for you, Vlad.” Corvinus stared at Vlad. “It was Stephen III who bargained for your release. He is away, as I was told, to campaign for coins on your new expedition against the Turks. And to retake Wallachia.”

“I have not really met Mehmet II.” Vlad smiled. “He … My brother was his…”

“Radu III, as I was told, is his favourite.” The king smiled. “We all have our favourites.”

“Aye, King. What do you expect of me?” Vlad hit the issue on the point.

“Your allegiance,” Corvinus replied. “I……”

“Not an alliance?” Vlad asked.

“Vlad Tepes, you hold nothing I can value as an alliance. I am convinced to offer you some men, and for that you owe me your allegiance. You will be the commander of a Hungarian column. Your first assignment is to land at the towns of Šabac and Srebrenica.”

“My …… Wallachian?” Vlad asked.

“Mehmet II leads an army against Moldavia. He holds the Wallachian support through Radu. Stephen III was defeated at the Battle of Valea Albă. He faltered there and began to withdraw.” King Corvinus looked to Vlad. “I cannot place my trust in the Wallachian.”

“And why me?”

“Vlad Tepes, you are an exceptional leader, and above all, the Turks hold fear for you. For you to win the trust of Wallachia, you need to march in victory once more. If you are successful at Šabac and Srebrenica, they may rally to your banner.”

“But for now, I am to find you a lover.” King Corvinus shifted the subject. “You cannot be a voivode without a wife.”

“I do have a wife in Wallachia. And two children.” Vlad said. “She……”

“She is not of noble blood. I am looking at getting you one of the nobles.” King Corvius looked at Vlad. “I have in my mind one of my relatives.”

The stare at Vlad made it known to him that he was not to deny the arrangement.

“Her name is Justina Szilagyi. She will be a fine lady to stand by your side.” King Corvinus told of the choice he had made. What he did not disclose was her status as the widow of Wenceslas Pongrac. The Lord was an ally of John Hunyadi and fought the Turks. He was the estate holder of several castles, but they were taken back, thus leaving him without any. He died soon after.

“You will wed her next … perhaps tomorrow, and then we will discuss the war with the Turks.”

Vlad Tepes, while waiting for the nuptial date, wrote a letter to Radu III.

“Dear brother, it has been years since we last met. I am at the court of King Corvinus now, out of the dungeons and in the courts of the king. He has released me, but I am bound by servitude to regain Wallachia and fight the Turks. I heard of your return. I will seek your word not to fight me. I will do what is needed for our brotherly love. When it is done, we can be a family once more. Vlad Tepes.”

Vlad also wrote another letter to his love at Wallachia.

“Katharina, I am freed from the dungeon and will return to Wallachia soon. I am ever thankful that you and the children are safe and well. I am here to serve the king in the war with the Turks. I will duly return to you once that is done. I will be safe, as I had been in all the wars before. All I want to know, and if God allows me this, is that you remain safe. I may suggest that you go to Genoa and see Lord Gencio Capulet. Show him this letter and allow him to house you there till I return. Your love.”

Vlad had one last letter to write.

“Lord Gencio Capulet, I am writing to you as a friend. I am with King Corvinus to battle the Turks. Of these, I am unafraid, but another matter of mine concerns me. I am to take on a new wife, attended to me by the king, a noble lady. I have no choice in the matter. My other love at Wallachia devotedly waits for me, but I fear that I may never see her. If I do return to Wallachia, she may not sit by my side. For me, Katharina is my lady and not a mistress, but diplomacy separates us. I do not want her hurt and would like your assistance to house her at Genoa, and all her expenses will be reimbursed to you soon. I hold no promises but the faith that I will return as Voivode of Wallachia. Do offer me your friendship and generosity. Ever the faithful friend.”

Affection was afloat with Romeo knowing that his only way to the Montague’s ball was with Rosaline. He took on the affectionate posture towards the young relative, and much time had he spent on the tickling hours of the weekend.

“I am sure, Romeo, that your time ……” Rosaline looked to the young Capulet who had accompanied her; the morning was depriving him of his freedom.

“I am for you, Rosaline. I had told Reynard that Mother told me to chaperone you on the walk today.” Romeo, ever the charmer, smiled. His smile was as enticing as his father's.

“Are we to walk to the square?” Romeo asked.

“Yes, we are.” Rosaline was delighted to go there. She knew her peers would be there, and they would be surprised to see Romeo at her side. At the square, she met Jessica, who was passing by, and they spoke.

“I am going to Juliet’s ball this weekend. There are only two more days left.” Jessica smiled at her friend. She knew Romeo by reputation and avoided looking at him. It was Romeo who was uncomfortable there and asked that they convene at the nearby café. Once seated, Romeo raised the matter at hand.

“Could I go with you to the ball?”

“I am supposed to. I mean, have you asked your father? The Montagues are not on good terms with the Capulets.”

“Yes, I am aware, but of what had split them, I do not know.” Romeo sighed. “The Alegar, despite the blood link to us, somehow escaped the feud.”

“Well, my father trades with Lord Dante Montague fairly.” Rosaline looked to the ones walking by.

“Fairly? Are you saying we did not?” Romeo was offended.

“I did not mean that. We, the Alegar, have no bad trades with the Montagues. Maybe ……” Rosaline corrected herself. “Have you asked your father?”

“No, he will not say. Mother was the same. So was Reynard, who knew Father long. No one is talking.” Romeo looked away. “All I know is when we saw the Montague, our desire to fight them was all we knew.”

“Does killing solve the issue?” Rosaline asked. “I am…. Could they not learn to love each other?”

“I doubt it. A love between the Montague and us is… an impossibility.” Romeo replied.

“Yet you want to visit the ball?” Rosaline asked.

“Yes … I guessed it was to spite the Montague.” Romeo said. “I am unsure at times.”

“And what are you… sure of?” Rosaline looked at the man. She had known Romeo since they were young; they were playmates and even visited each other’s homes, but that was the first time she was out with Romeo. She was delighted that they were seen together. Over the years, Rosaline felt herself drawn towards Romeo, but he was not responding. Last season, she was at their home for Christmas, and she had her first kiss with him under the mistletoe. They were pushed to do it by the friends and relatives, but Romeo did not follow up on that.

“Everyone was doing it.” Romeo told Rosaline then. “And we did.”

“Did you like it?” Rosaline looked adoringly at him.

“Well, it was fun.” Those were Romeo’s departing words before he joined the others in the merriment. Rosaline was hurt then. She was hoping for more from the Capulet heir."

Well, in that hit you miss, I'll not be hit with Cupid's arrow."(Act 1, Scene 1)—Adapted from Romeo and Juliet. With that thought, Rosaline had left the Christmas celebration that evening. She felt Romeo was cold towards her; she was his relative and shall remain so, but people grew in the years. She felt she was dejected about something. Was it her looks? She had looked at herself in the reflection. She was not plain, nor was she devoutly beautiful, and she did stand out in the crowd. She was not short of suitors, from lords and notable figures, but her true love was Romeo. Yet, she was denied.

Was it family or love? Rosaline asked.

“We must go back,” Rosaline told Romeo.

“Are we to go to the ball then?” Romeo was persistent in asking. Rosaline nodded and then excused herself to go to the powder room. Romeo had then put up the excuse that he was to leave first. There she cried her tears out.

“He is … vain.” Rosaline muttered out.

“Who is Rosaline?” It was Jessica.

“Men. They all want something, and once they get it, it will be over.” Rosaline said.

“I can share that. My mother wants me to wed a man twice… no, he may be thrice my age.” Jessica sighed. “A brute he is.”

“Oh, I would not have agreed to that.” Rosaline turned to her friend. “Who was it? Lord Gencio Capulet?”

“Heaven forbids… No, he is far too old.” Jessica replied. “Who were you saying was vain?”

“Some fool.” Rosaline sighed.

Fools are born every day.

“I am sure, Count Paris, your good intention is well received.” Lord Dante Montague looked towards the young, handsome man from the royal family. He had received the guest in his library alongside his wife, Lady Angeline.

“Juliet is …… A lady, but we have not decided on her future.” Lady Angeline assisted the lord. “Hence, the ball to be held this weekend was to introduce her to the society of Genoa.”

“I do apologize for my hasty forthcoming request. I have heard and seen Lady Juliet,” formal was the tone taken by the man to address the lady’s rank. “My schedule is ……”

“I can understand the responsibility of the Count is of utmost importance, but ……” Lord Dante Montague struggled for words.

“Count Paris Deville, I am honoured that you sought my daughter for… as a bride, but we do have to discuss the matter beforehand. Please accept our invitation for you to attend the ball this weekend, and we will introduce her to you.”

“It shall be said and done there.” Count Paris Deville, as identified, took his leave then.

“Good gracious, what has become of our daughter? Her ……” Lady Angeline then tried to find her own words.

“Juliet is of the age that ……” Lord Dante Montague stammered on his thoughts.

“She is our darling, and it is too soon. She needs to learn more about life before she is committed to a wedded life.”

“We shall discuss.” Lord Dante Montague stepped away.

“Men! Once they are done, they leave without asking.” Lady Angeline sighed.

 

 

Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 21

 

21.

 

Vlad Tepes was given the use of the chamber at the palace of Corvinus, where he was bathed and refreshed with the ointment and massage to his weary body. He was given new clothes, and when he looked at the mirror, he saw a different frame of himself.

Stephen III visited him there and explained the condition for his release.

“Vlad Tepes, I hope you understand the condition of our release. You will need to rest and rebuild your strength. Wealth will be given to you in name for the recruitment of men under the Wallachian army. You will reclaim Wallachia, and all that is there in the treasury will be delivered to the king as compensation for the war.”

Stephen III then took out the scrolls that named the lenders and their amounts, with the conditions of their loans to be paid in land and ducats.

“And any royal jewels are to be sent directly to the King.”

“There is a reason why all things are as they are.” (Bram Stoker, Dracula). Stephen looked at the released Voivode. “Their demands are reasonable.”

“Let me rest first.” Vlad Tepes took the scrolls and retreated to his private chamber. He tossed the scrolls to the corner and lay down on the bedding. His body was unused to the soft covers, and he got up. He walked to the opening in the wall to look outside. He breathed in the fresh air and then looked at the scene below. It was the townsfolk there moving about their daily work without much of the worries of tomorrow.

“How blessed are some people, whose lives have no fears, no dreads; to whom sleep is a blessing that comes nightly and brings nothing but sweet dreams.” (Bram Stoker, Dracula)

Vlad sighed. Ever since he became the hostage and then the voivode, his life has been fraught with fear, and sleep eludes him at nightfall. He was like his father, a man blessed with his own blood kin, and yet he was not there to see them grow. What he feared most were the tales that his children were to hear of him. He was not there to tell that, but maybe upon death, he will see them, and the truth will be known.

“For life is, after all, only a waiting for something else than what we are doing, and death is all that we can rightly depend on.” (Bram Stocker, Dracula.)

Stephen III wrote to the traders; his words were comforting, for he told them the voivode agreed to the terms. It was read by many, including Lord Gencio Capulet. He was conveying that message at the bank. Soon after Lord Gencio Capulet left, Lord Dante Montague took his leave. He was met by Bassanio on the street. He knew of Bassanio and his recent engagement to Portia. He was a fair trader but lacked the ability to negotiate good trades. Portia, when wedded to him, will be a good person to guide Bassanio.

“Is it true, Dante?” Bassanio was on a first-name basis when he met the other in private.

“I believed so. Stephen III has nothing to hide.” Lord Dante Montague nodded. “But I am surprised that Vlad will battle the Turks again. He had been betrayed by his boyars more than the Turks.”

“He may need to regain his seat with more solid backing. That means war with the Turks once more. His brother, Radu III, has been seen to be weak and was toppled thrice by Basarab III.” Bassanio said.

“I thought Radu had died. Yet, is he the current Voivode? It confused me more.” Lord Dante Montague shook his head. He then looked at Bassanio. “Are you short on coins? I thought you were well off with Portia on your side.”

“You read my mind, Lord Dante Montague. I will be well-off when I am wedded to Portia, but we are not yet. Her father had set the condition of marriage, and I am not in the listing.”

“I knew the father. He is a wise man to have his daughter marry a wealthy husband.” Lord Dante Montague smiled.

“I must build up my own wealth now if I am to stand next to her. Why is it everyone is leaning on me to be better off with her? I loved her, but I will not use her wealth. I am in negotiation for a shipment of weapons with the Greeks, who got it from the ……” Bassanio smiled.

“And what is your margin?” Lord Dante Montague asked. He knew Bassanio was a risky trader.

“Marginal, but where there is one, there will be two and three.” Bassanio smiled. “I trust Jon Archimedes well.”

“You are walking a thin line with Jon Archimedes, Bassanio.” Lord Dante Montague looked at the trader. “His wares have been turned over several hands; he buys and sells them several times, and your margin is low. If the wares are delayed, you will be penalized by the buyer.”

“Likewise, I can penalize the Greeks.” Bassanio smiled.

“I know Jon Archimedes well. I know you are buying from him, and he will renege on the deal if there is another buyer with a better price.” Lord Dante Montague cautioned his friend. “I will suggest you seek another source to sell from. Perhaps ……”

“Yourself? I know you hold a shipment of grain to sell to the Spaniards. Do me the round here.” Bassanio was well informed. “I can pay you……”

“No. I am not here to barter with you. I will do it myself, and I am concerned for you. But I am verifying the news of Vlad first. War at Wallachia is another disastrous outing for all of us.” Lord Dante Montague then excused himself to meet the others. Bassanio was left alone and had his mind on another to talk to Antonio.

“Antonio will get the backing of Lord Gencio Capulet. He always does.” Bassanio reassured himself.

Jessica was also troubled in her mind.

“Jessica, you must listen. I am your mother.” Leah looked at the daughter seated across the table. “You are of the faith that the Christians may not look too kindly at.”

“Mother, the man is twice… or more than my age. I am not keen to be a man’s slave.” Jessica was to discuss her future then. “Abram……”

“Abram is a good man. He is …….” Leah cut in.

“We hardly know him. We just met him like a week or less.” Jessica sighed.

“That may be true. But he has done more than any of the others did. He collected much of our debt back.”

“Is it the debts that matter here? What of my future?” Jessica snapped back. “I have……”

“The arrangement of marriage is by the parents. I am your mother.” Leah placed her command there.

“What if … I am to have another … person I may love?” Jessica looked to the mother. “Could……”

“You …… I need to remind you that if you are silly enough to sacrifice your virtue before you are….”

“Please, Mother. I am still pure. I will not do that. My faith still beholds inside me.” Jessica sighed. If only she could tell her mother of Lorenzo, but it would be suicidal, for Lorenzo was Christian. It was then Shylock called for Leah.

“I must go.” Leah stood up, with her pregnancy due anytime, but the wife was to be obedient to the husband. She made her way to the front section of the office, which also served as the discussion area.

“Leah, Antonio…. You do know of Antonio Silva?” Shylock was seated there with the ledgers on his lap.

“That rogue trader, Antonio. I heard of him. He sold bad grains to the Nubians, and they are looking to lynch him.” Leah had taken the seat next to her husband. She felt the kick on the belly and patted her tummy.

“Well, he was saved by… Lord Ian Pearson, who was asked by Lord Capulet to do so. Elohim yevarekh otkha (God bless you.)” Shylock said. “His ledger with us……”

“Antonio held bad records with everyone he dealt with.” Leah took the ledger from Shylock. “He took from us three times and delayed his repayments. He cannot be trusted.”

“I have Abram now. He will do ……” Shylock looked to Leah, but she was not keen.

“Although Abram is a Montague, he will not strike at a friend of Lord Genio Capulet either. He is a friend to both sides.”

“Then how should I tell him?” Shylock asked.

“We will not deal.” Leah replied. “Unless he has a backer for the loan. Or ……”

“A pound of his flesh?” Shylock smiled. “That will deter him. I shall do just that.”

“Do that. I have aruchat erev (evening meal) to prepare. But before that, I am to speak to Jessica. She needs a husband soon.” Leah stood up to leave the chamber.

“And do stop looking at me like that. I know you would like the third one, but let me settle this one first.”

Settling the details was the task of Lady Angeline, and she was frustrated by the preparations. She saw the return of her husband; seldom does she call him that, for he looked more like her father in age.

“Dante, I am tired. Do we serve fried baccalà (cod) or ravioli alla Genovese (meat-filled ravioli), along with the traditional Tocco (meat sauce)?”

“Not unless you have the butcher invited. He must taste the meat. They are worse than the bad grains I got from Spain.” Lord Dante Montague kissed his wife on the left cheek. “I cannot stay. The war at Wallachia is to start once more. They released Vlad the Impaler.”

“I am concerned.” Lady Angeline had heard of the rumours, but the role of the ladies was not in the warring states but in the pesky neighbours, who were also arranging their own ball that weekend. It was soon to be called tit for tat.

“Oh, I heard the Santinis down the street are having their own ball this weekend.” Lord Dante Montague smiled.

“Oh, did someone there die?” Lady Angeline looked surprised. “Are we to send the wreath?”

“Do not be nasty, my dear. I am sure they have their own guests and food. You could send them the meat from the butcher. Not a pound less of it, or we will be in court to argue the weight of the meat.”

Arguments are known among the young, and it was with Romeo and his mother.

“Rosaline was invited, and I am not.” Romeo, standing by the window, looked to the walls of the estate. “I am imprisoned here.”

“You know why you are not invited. The Montagues… Well, we are not exactly their friends. Business rivalry and…some family issues.” The mother sighs. She recalled herself being courted by the Lord then; a true gentleman he was. She was denying herself then for what she had seen with Juliette, but soon her denials became wanton, and when her mother told her to wed the Lord then, she delayed her reply.

“He brought gifts. More than he did for your sister.” Mother had told her, but she did not give her reply then. It was not a refusal but an enticement for the Lord to be persistent in his request.

Eventually, she agreed, and life has been wonderful since then. She has her nights of humping the bedding, but with Juliet soon after, she was content to stay by his side. There were their nights, but despite all their efforts, she was not to have another child. She wished she had a son.

Sons can be more than a handful at times.

“That was between Father and their Lord. I am not a party to that.” Romeo argued. “This feud is silly.”

“You are a Capulet, and that is the name that stops you.” Lady Angeline looked at her son. “You could, as I was told, attend the Santini’s ball down the street.”

“Oh, please, Mama. The Santinis are a bore there. Their guests, if any do attend, will be twice my age, and those ladies could not even hold their bosoms up without the aid of the metal cage there.”

“Romeo, please do not be rude.”

“Am I? The Santinis, the Montys, or… the Sagurios…. Oh, spare me, please. I was at Monty’s, and the hostess…. I was not intentional, but the call by my bowels due to the bad food made me look for a powder room. I stumbled on the hostess with the servant, but I was past the need to peek, for I settled for the available seat there with my eyes closed.”

“Romeo…”

“And she had the nerve to ask me if I wanted seconds? If I were armed then with a dagger, I would have obliged with a thrust into her.”

“Romeo!"