Of Princes and Dragons: Book 2 (Lords and Commoners)

by Lynne Hill-Clark

  As the evening grew late, Vlad had heard more than enough of their side conversations. This group of men and their families were treacherous. They would sell Vlad out as soon as they saw fit — as soon as they were offered the right price. This would most likely come from Sultan Mehmed, in order to ensure they appoint someone loyal to the sultan. It could also come from the wealthy merchants of Transylvania who did not fancy paying taxes to Wallachia.

  Vlad gave Sergiu a knowing nod.

  Sergiu graciously excused himself as he went to inform the Janissaries that it was time to feed.

  Vlad moved to the side of a beautiful young woman — one of the boyar’s daughters. He took the girl’s hand and gently raised her from her chair. Her cheeks turned red and she smiled shyly. He led her to the elevated floor at the far end of the Great Hall, which held Vlad’s skillfully-carved wooden throne with its own private roof. The room had fallen silent at his strange behavior. Perhaps they expected a marriage proposal — some covert plan to win the boyars over, by marrying one of their beloved daughters.

  Vlad took a moment to survey the room and enjoy the complete attention that he had been given. They waited patiently to see what he would do. Grabbing the young girl by the waist he pulled her close and lowered his head to the nape of her neck. He took a deep breath. The sweet smell of young blood flowing just beneath the soft skin made his fangs grow. He had not fed in well over a month and he instantly lost control.

  The girl tried to push Vlad away in an attempt to save her modesty. A terrible scream came from her as he bit deep into her neck. Blood streamed from the wound, turning her cleavage crimson. Vlad could hear the crowd as they panicked but there was no stopping him and no escape. They were surrounded by hungry vampires. When the girl’s body went limp in his arm he let her fall to the ground. Raising both arms upward, he gave his men the signal to feast. The screams rang in his ears long after every human in the room was dead and his men’s lust for blood was satisfied.

  “Not entirely discreet, My Lord,” Abdullah observed.

  “No need for that when there are no survivors.” Then to his men Vlad commanded, “Impale the men’s bodies. Put them on display in the front courtyard. Everyone must see what the penalty for treason is under my rein.”

  This the men did without question. As the bodies were dragged from the room Vlad noticed that Sergiu was nowhere in sight. This was not his scene. He knew it was a smart political move, yet his heart was not in it. That was what Vlad admired most about Sergiu — he was practical, smart and yet still caring, even as a vampire.

  Chapter 46 Wallachia 1456 A.D

  The next order of business was the Germanic Saxons. A letter was sent to the leaders in Sibiu informing them of the tax that must be paid for the goods they sold on Vlad’s land. They were invited to his compound in Targoviste in order to discuss this issue. Surely the news of the boyars’ ill fate had reached them and they wisely declined the offer to attend a feast in Vlad’s Great Hall. Their refusal was also an unofficial rejection of his proposed sales tax.

  “I will not be defied and made a fool of by these Saxons. They grow fat off of my people and then refuse to pay even a nominal tax,” Vlad said.

  “Not to mention they are most likely plotting to replace you with a leader who will be sympathetic to their business needs. They have a reputation for such treachery in the past,” Sergiu added.

  “We will pay them an unexpected visit.” Vlad issued a devious smile.

  About one month after the slaughter of the boyar class Vlad and his entourage headed to Sibiu. Sibiu was a strategic place for the Saxon merchants. They could control the trade routes to surrounding areas from there. It was, for all intents and purposes, their headquarters.

  In order to keep up their human pretenses Sergiu, Cosmin and Costel rode with Vlad to Sibiu. They pushed the horses hard as they made their way through the Carpathian Alps. Vlad’s Janissaries were to meet them there in case negotiations failed. Feeding his hungry men was a constant worry. If he could use their need to feed to take care of his enemies then this was a suitable solution to both problems.

  As they rode toward Sibiu it dawned on Vlad that this was as close to Ludus as he had been since the dreadful day Vallachia turned him. Riding a horse was slow and incredibly boring. He tried to focus on the task at hand but his mind would wander home, time and time again. He thought of his family ... but mostly he thought of Vallachia. Soon he would be able to win her back. The thought of her by his side as his wife drove him forward.

  The four travelers received a warm welcome. They were seated with the leader at a table of honor in the Great Hall and food and drink were brought in. The wine tasted odd so Vlad did not drink much. The Saxon leader kept encouraging them to drink more.

  “Offer us some decent-tasting wine — then perhaps we would drink,” Vlad replied.

  The man issued a twisted smile. “That is because I have poisoned your goblets with a highly potent mixture. You will all be dead within the hour.”

  That must have been a cue, for a man entered the room. The man moved to stand by the Saxon leader. The leader continued, “You remember Dan of the Danesti family?”

  Vlad’s poised smile never left his face. “Aye, I have heard of you.”

  “Of course you have,” Dan replied. “Because, unlike you, I was born of royal blood and that makes me the rightful ruler of Wallachia. You see, after you are dead, my comrades here will declare me as the ruler of Wallachia. Then we will end this nasty squabbling over taxes, as I understand that my dear Saxon friends cannot afford to pay taxes to both Wallachia and Hungary.” Dan was clearly pleased with himself.

  Vlad nodded to Sergiu, who knew that it was time for their men to lay waste to this modest castle. Sergiu stood to leave.

  “And where do you think you are going?” Dan said, as two guards moved toward Sergiu.

  “I have drunk too much wine — poisoned wine at that. I must relieve myself. Unless you would rather I do it here.” Sergiu gestured to the floor in front of him.

  With a wave of Dan’s hand Sergiu was escorted out by the guards.

  Vlad stood from the long table and moved slowly toward Dan and the Saxon leader. “What you two traitors fail to understand is that we are immune to your pathetic poisons.” Vlad forced his fangs to grow. He wanted to see the fear in their eyes when they realized that there was a monster amongst them. He wanted to watch their reaction as they realized that it would be their last moments — not his.

  In a flash, he sank his teeth into the neck of the Saxon. When his body became unseeing and unmoving he turned to where Dan had been — but he was gone. Vlad spun around to Cosmin and Costel. “Where did he go?”

  “He ran off that way, Master.”

  “Well, don’t just sit there! After him!”

  The twins disappeared. Vlad’s Janissaries filed into the Great Hall led by Abdullah and Sergiu.

  “You have my permission to ransack this town,” Vlad announced. “Start with the people in this castle. After you have had your fill impale the bodies outside the front gates. You may take whatever spoils you find as a reward. Do not leave anyone alive who has seen what you truly are.”

  Vlad’s hungry men moved out at once and the screaming began.

  “Dan’s plan was rather clever. It may have worked had we been human,” Sergiu observed.

  “Aye and Cosmin and Costel may be too obedient. They must be told what to do at every turn; otherwise they do nothing. They cannot think for themselves.”

  “I do not doubt this but why bring it up now?”

  “They let Dan get away.”

  “Oh no,” Sergiu breathed.

  “I sent them after Dan. He will not get far.”

  When the twins returned their heads hung low. “We lost his scent, My Lord.”

  Vlad issued a frustrated yell. “He is a mere human, you imbeciles! He could not simply disappear into thin air.” Vlad sped out of the door from which Dan had left. He followed his scent, w
ith Sergiu, Cosmin and Costel at his heels. The twins were right. Dan’s scent faded away in the middle of the hallway not far from the Great Hall. Vlad looked up and then studied the walls. “There must be a secret passage around here somewhere.” Vlad pointed to the wall. “Look here; the mortar between these stones is missing.”

  “There must be a way to open it.” Sergiu began pressing on nearby stones.

  Vlad worked his fingers into the gap between the stones. He pulled with all his might but the secret door barely moved. “Help me, you fools,” he said over his shoulder to the twins. With their help the door moved more but it was still hung up on something — its hinges, no doubt.

  A small stone easily slid into the wall when Sergiu pressed it and the door opened the rest of the way on its own. Dan’s scent was stronger in the secret passageway.

  “Now follow him.” Vlad pointed into the dark musty opening behind the door. “This is your chance to fix your mistake. I want Dan’s head on a silver platter. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Master.”

  “Of course, Master.”

  The two brothers disappeared into the dark opening. Vlad’s breathing was heavy. The anger overwhelmed him. Dan and the Saxons trying to overthrow him — Cosmin and Costel’s incompetence — it was almost too much for Vlad.

  Sergiu placed a firm hand on Vlad’s shoulder. “Everything will be fine. The boys will not let you down again.”

  Vlad’s tense shoulders slowly relaxed under Sergiu reassuring touch and he was able to take a deep cleansing breath and think again. “I plan to take control of Sibiu. Send for my chamberlain in Targoviste. He will be stationed here with twenty, no, better make it thirty human guards to patrol the city. Give him two Janissaries as well, to make sure he stays safe. From here he can better control the trade routes and the taxes. As long as we pay taxes to Hungary for goods sold on their land then they should not worry themselves too much with what we do here. Now we will be able to collect taxes for goods sold in Wallachia.”

  Sergiu looked impressed. “That is an excellent idea. As long as we are fair with the taxes and King Mathias of Hungary still gets his sums of money from the Saxons he should not blink an eye. He has larger problems that demand his attention. What of the pillaging of Sibiu?”

  “My men deserve it. I will allow them the traditional three days of pillage,” Vlad said.

  Sergiu frowned.

  Chapter 47 Sibiu 1456 A.D

  “Where are Cosmin and Costel?” Vlad paced in the Great Hall of the Saxons’ small castle. The brothers had been gone for the better part of an entire day. “I should have gone with them. Surely Dan would not be able to harm them.” Vlad felt sick at the thought that something terrible might have happened to them. “I should not have been so hard on them.”

  Vlad looked to Sergiu for reassurance but Sergiu looked worried and simply shrugged. Vlad continued to pace. It seemed like ages passed before the tall doors to the Great Hall flew open and in marched the twins.

  “Oh, thank God,” Vlad mumbled under his breath.

  Cosmin knelt down on one knee and from behind his back he presented a bloody head on a silver platter.

  “My dear boys, you succeeded! I never should have doubted you.” Vlad laughed and the brothers smiled proudly. “I did not literally mean ‘on a silver platter.’ It is a figure of speech — but I appreciate the gesture. What took you so long to track down a human?”

  “Dan had made his way to Timpa Hill. We slowly followed his scent. It was fortunate that we let him reach his destination because he led us to his family and a number of his followers. We killed every last one of them and burned his fortress. Of course, the bodies are impaled in the courtyard.”

  “My boys, you did well. Tonight we celebrate!” He turned to Abdullah and handed him the silver platter with its gory contents. “Skewer Dan’s head on a spear outside the front gates.”

  The following day Abdullah came to Vlad and announced that some of the men had found gifts in the city that they wished to bestow upon their master. Two Janissaries entered with a group of terrified women. Their hands were bound in front of them and the ropes went around each of their waists tying the women together. They were shuffled into the Great Hall in single file. Otherwise they looked unharmed.

  One of the soldiers bowed to Vlad and announced, “Master, these are some of the best women in Sibiu. We would like you to have them as a gift. The start of your harem, if you so desire.”

  Vlad forced a smile. His Janissary meant well. “Thank you for the gesture.” Vlad sat down hard on Dan’s throne and rubbed his face with both hands.

  All rulers in the region had the right to have concubines. Sultans were rumored to maintain hundreds of women in their harems. Vlad chuckled. How do they find the time? I have been completely consumed since I became the Prince of Wallachia. I have not had a second to think about women, save Vallachia. Let alone be with one. Concubines are a large expense — one I do not need. They required at least one servant each to tend to their every need. This would mean a lot of extra food, drink, extravagant clothes, not to mention eunuchs to guard them day and night. Where would I find eunuchs?

  Vlad sighed. The idea of maintaining concubines was overwhelming. They would be an added worry and quite costly, neither of which he needed at this time. His Janissary looked concerned that Vlad did not like his offering.

  Vlad managed to smile. “Again, thank you for the generous offer. You could very well have kept such beauties for yourself.” Vlad stood began to untie the women. “This is no way to treat ladies of the court. They are royalty now.”

  One of the women actually smiled at Vlad with gratitude when he freed her hands. She was quite tall with long flaxen hair. Her bright blue eyes held his for a moment. Perhaps having concubines would not be so bad after all. “You are safe,” he whispered to the blonde. Then more loudly he added, “All of you are safe.”

  Vlad turned to his Janissary. “See to it that they make it to Targoviste. Keep them safe and comfortable at all times. Their every need should be met. It is your duty to make sure these women find their way to my compound. They are not to be harmed in any way.”

  “Of course, Master.” He appeared relieved that Vlad had accepted his princely gifts.

  Once the women had filed out of the Great Hall, Vlad let out another sigh. Sitting back on the throne he placed his face in his hands. He could feel Sergiu’s stare. Without looking up he said, “What?”

  “I’m afraid the pressures of ruling are getting to you, Master.”

  “No, not you, Serg. You do not call me that. There are seemingly endless political issues to deal with and now this unnecessary distraction. Providing for numerous women is not an appealing thought.”

  “You are new to this. You will get used to the burdens of being in command. You also may become accustomed to having many women at your disposal. They may be a pleasant and much-needed distraction from all the politics. At least this way you will have women of your own and you can leave other men’s wives alone. Not to mention, you do not have to marry any of them. It is rumored that Mehmed has close to six hundred women in his harem.”

  “Six hundred! How can anyone afford six hundred women? That sounds like a nightmare.”

  Sergiu laughed. “I’m afraid I have to agree with you, my friend. Having hundreds of mysterious creatures to care for and tend to is not something I would want to try.”

  “One of them was still a child, not a woman.”

  “She will grow.”

  Vlad frowned. “And in the meantime, what does one do with her?”

  “Nothing. You will do nothing but wait for her to develop into womanhood.”

  Vlad nodded. That poor child should not be a concubine. She should be running free with her friends, climbing trees — falling out of them. This stream of thought reminded him of the time Vallachia fell and broke her arm as a child. A smile crossed Vlad’s face — of course when it happened, he had been panicked but now it was a fond memor
y. He had struggled to carry her all the way to town. He took her straight to Sofia, who fixed her up in no time. Vallachia had had a wonderfully normal childhood. He felt a twinge of sadness. Not all girls have it so easy. He was thinking about his new young concubine.

  “If Mehmed, as a mere human, can manage the world’s most powerful armies, the largest harem to ever exist, not to mention his unorthodox fancy for young boys, surely you can manage a handful of concubines,” Sergiu declared.

  “Little boys?” Vlad gave a shiver at the thought, which caused Sergiu to laugh. Vlad was already sick at the thought of little girls, now little boys! “If Mehmed can manage all that then I will succeed.”

  “That is the spirit, my friend!” Sergiu said.

  Vlad stood and paced — it helped him focus. “We have dealt with the traitors at home. Now that these threats in the north have been subdued, we will turn our attention to the threats in the south.”

  Sergiu’s eyes widened and his smile faded. “You are certain about this — you will take on the Ottoman Empire?”

  “No. I will take on that simple perverted human of a sultan ... Mehmed. This will require more planning and preparation. We will have to be smart.” Vlad’s mind raced with thoughts of all the work to be done. Walls needed to be rebuilt to withstand the Ottomans’ superior cannon fire. In fact, Mehmed had the world’s best artillery. His cannons could fire one hundred pounds of steel over one mile. That was how he had managed to conquer Constantinople. Vlad would need to build both of his armies, vampire and human.

  That was when it dawned on Vlad. “I will retake Constantinople,” he whispered.

  Sergiu’s eyes grew wider and his frown deepened further.

  “I refuse to be another vassal for Mehmed. I will not be a weak ruler like Prince Dracul. He wasted his time trying to pacify both Hungary and the Ottomans. Not only is this an impossible task, it is the sign of a ruler who will not stand up to his enemies. I will not make the same mistake.”