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Half an hour later she stood behind Marishka. When Ivan’s turn to say I do, came he glanced at Elena for a moment. In his mind he clearly heard her voice.
“You must say I do. We will be together when the time is right, when I need you until then you will devote yourself to Marishka.”
“I do!” He said loudly and proudly.
Elena smiled secretly. He was under her power as long as he believed she cared for him.
Chapter twelve
Gabriel paced up and down. He was waiting for Vladislaus. It was time they talked. It was six weeks since he had sent the letter to Elena telling her what Vladislaus was like and begging her to break her engagement.
She had not replied, so he had decided to talk to Vladislaus and make him break off the engagement.
Vladislaus finally entered the tent.
“Mikael I think we will go into the village tonight. I am always thirsty and horny before a battle and tomorrow will be of the biggest battles we have fought. I need wine and women aplenty.” he shouted happily.
“Mikael is not here.” said a voice behind him.
Vladislaus jumped.
“Gabriel my friend I thought you had deserted me and I am sure you meant to say Mikael is not here. Sir!”
Gabriel stepped forward.
“I am not your friend, I have deserted you and I will not call you sir!”
Vladislaus glared at him.
“What in the name of Hell do you want then?” he snarled.
“Hell is where you belong!” Gabriel snapped back.
“My dear Gabriel have you come here just to compliment me or do you have an ulterior motive?”
“I have come to tell you to stay the hell away from my sister. I do not like the person you have become. You used to be a good a person and a loyal friend. You have become a bloodthirsty monster. All you seem to care about is killing, torturing and whoring. My sister deserves better than that!”
Vladislaus laughed again the sound sent a shiver down Gabriel’s spine.
“Your sister loves me and I love her, whether you believe it or not, our marriage is between Elena, your father and I it has nothing to do with you. As for the killing and torturing the bloody Turks deserve it. I am your superior officer and you will do as I tell you! Now go and make sure you are ready for battle tomorrow morning we attack at dawn. Oh and send Mikael in I need him.” Vladislaus growled.
.Gabriel snarled.
“If I have to tell my father I will. He has a right to know what his daughter is marrying.”
He walked to the door and turned.
“Oh and by the way the next time we meet one on one, one of us will die. SIR!” and with that he stormed out of the tent.
“Not me!” Vladislaus shouted. “I am invincible!”
Mikael entered the tent.
“You wanted me sir?”
“Yes first of all. I want General Van Helsing taken care of, he is a traitor. Do it tomorrow, make sure it looks like it was done by a Turk. Secondly let’s go into the village and enjoy a little Turkish hospitality.”
“Yes sir.” Mikael replied he had no reason to question his commanding officer. General Van Helsing was a traitor he must be taken care of.
Vladislaus smiled to himself.
Nothing was going to stop him from marrying Elena not even Gabriel. He loved her so much it hurt. He would die for her, Hell he would even kill for her The Turks were trying to take over their beautiful homeland so what if he was a little bloodthirsty. What was war without a little blood and fun? The Turks had butchered many of his men including his own father. Who would know the difference if Gabriel was among those men.
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Gabriel was confused. Vladislaus had been his friend as long as he could remember. They had grown up together and shared everything, their dreams of joining the army like their fathers, their first woman, their first fight, they joined the army together. They had fought side by side for the last fourteen years. Vladislaus had changed when he came back after his serious injury two years ago and when he came back from his father’s funeral his bloodthirsty nature really showed itself. A thought crossed his mind, each time Vladislaus went home he spent most of his time with Elena. Gabriel pushed the thought from his mind; his sister could not be responsible for what Vladislaus was doing. She was a sweet innocent little girl, his little princess. She did not have a bad bone in her body.
He lay down on his bunk and tried to sleep.
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The following morning at sunrise Commander in Chief Vladislaus Dracula led his troops into battle.
The battle raged for hours. Mikael kept close to Gabriel and eventually the moment presented itself. He and Gabriel were surrounded by Turks. Gabriel did not know which direction the sword came form but he felt it straight through his chest, a mortal wound, he knew he was going to die. He charged forward his pain fuelling his hatred of the Turks, if he was going to die then he was going to take some Turks with him.
Not long after Commander in Chief Vladislaus Dracula surveyed the battle field many of his men were dead but he had more men alive than the Turkish leader who was riding towards him waving a white flag. He noticed Gabriel lying on the ground, As the Turkish leader approached him he put his hand on his sword and turned away from the sight of Gabriel lying on the floor in a pool of blood. His gaze settled on the Turk who spoke in broken Romanian.
“Give me men. I give up.”
His hand gripped his sword tightly as Vladislaus watched he edged it slowly out of its sheath.
“You want your men. They are all dead.” Vladislaus laughed.
“My men dead?” The Turkish leader shouted as he pulled out his sword.
“All dead!” Vladislaus drew his own sword.
“I cannot give your men to you but I can give you to your men.” He snarled as he swung his sword at the Turkish leader’s neck. Blood splattered all over his arm as the Turks head fell to the ground.
Vladislaus jumped down and picked up the head by its hair, he climbed back onto his horse and held the head up above his own, blood dripped onto his forehead and rolled down his face, he licked at it.
“Gentlemen!” he shouted. “The war is over!” he pointed his sword towards the remaining Turks. “Kill them all!”
He rode over to Gabriel, who lay dying, and looked down at him.
“So sorry my Friend, my brother but men die in wars, you are just another casualty. Do not worry I will tell your family you died valiantly.
Gabriel looked up at him.
“Help me Vlad.” He whispered. He could feel the coldness of death spreading through his veins.
Vladislaus turned away and rode back to camp. Gabriel had been his friend for as long as he could remember but things change, they say all is fair in love and war. Now Gabriel was gone he was free to marry Elena, there was nothing standing in their way. His love for Elena was a deep, powerful all-consuming love that he had never felt for anyone or anything.
He was invincible thanks to her magic and with her by his side nothing could stop him from getting what he wanted.
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Gabriel held his chest, as the last remnants of his life’s blood drained form his body his thoughts were of his little sister. He saw her sweet, innocent face so clear in his mind. He reached out to touch her then his hand fell to his side and the sun set on his lifeless body.
Chapter thirteen
The next morning Mikael entered his commander’s tent. Vladislaus was still asleep, a woman he had picked up the night before lay naked beside him.
“Sir.” Mikael said quietly.
Vladislaus opened his eyes and lifted his head then wished he hadn’t he had celebrated his army’s win a little too much he had no idea who the woman by his side was. He pushed her off the bed and she woke up with a scowl.
“Oi do you mind.” she grumbled
.
Vladislaus waved a hand at her.
“Get dressed and get out!” he said without even looking at her.
He started to get dressed himself.
The girl opened her mouth to say something. Mikael put a finger to her lips and started to usher her out, she was still trying to dress herself, but her attempts were in vain as Mikael wrestled her out of the tent.
When he re-entered, having had the woman escorted out of the camp, Vladislaus was dressed and looking slightly more human.
“The men are asking when we are going home Sir?” Mikael said hoping his commander had recovered enough not to snap at him.
“Send a messenger to my Fiancé with this letter.”
Vladislaus produced a letter, he had written it the night before. It was informing Elena of his return so she could start planning their wedding. “And then go and collect the bodies from the battlefield. All our dead we will take home for burial, any Turk bodies throw in the pit we will fill it in when we leave. Bring General Van Helsing’s body to me.” his voice held a sinister note which sent a shiver down Mikael’s spine.
“Yes Sir” he muttered and hurried out carrying the letter.
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Later that night Vladislaus paced up and down. He could not understand it. Mikael had just been in to tell him that Gabriel’s body could not be found.
It was so strange. He was mortally wounded and dying when Vladislaus left him. He could not have got up and walked away.
“Where the Hell is your body Gabriel? Who took it and why?” he shouted at the empty tent.
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Calandria asleep in her bed saw her son die. She screamed and awoke to find a lark beside her bed.
“Merlin.” she whispered, he was the only one who knew her name meant Lark in Spanish.
The Lark had a piece of parchment attached to its leg. She pulled it off, conjured up a light and began to read.
My dear little lark,
I have seen the same visions as you. I am on my way as you read this to investigate the source of the visions. Do not despair my dear they may not be as we fear. Do not worry I will contact you again when I know more.
Gabriel’s welfare is just as important to me as is to you, you know that my little Lark.
Love as always
Merlin.
Elena heard her mother’s scream by the time she got to her mother’s room, her mother was sat up in bed with her conjured light floating above her.
“Mother are you alright I heard you scream.” Elena asked as she rushed into the room.
Calandria hurriedly pushed the letter under her pillow and glanced to the side of her bed. Elena rushing in must have scared the Lark away.
“I am fine darling. It was just a bad dream. I have them sometimes when your father is away. I worry about him you see.”
Elena sat down on her mother’s bed and took her hand.
“I understand Mama. I miss Vlad terribly but Papa has only gone to Galati on business. Vlad is fighting Turks. You know Papa will come home. I have no idea when or if Vlad will come home.”
Calandria put her arms around her Daughter.
“I am sure Vlad will return triumphant. Do not worry about me my darling, I worry about you all. I am just being silly. Go back to bed.”
Elena kissed her mother’s cheek.
“Would you like me to stay just in case the dreams come back?” she asked hoping the answer was no she wanted to get back to her room to consult her runes on Vladislaus’ whereabouts. It was better at night she could draw on darker powers, tap into the evil of the night.
“No darling, I will be fine. Now go back to bed.”
Elena nodded and walked to the door. A rat scurried past her.
“Damn rats!” she growled. She held out her hand and closed her eyes. Within seconds a ball of energy grew in her hand and she threw it at the rat, the rat glowed for a second and then disappeared leaving nothing but a tiny pile of ash.
“Elena!” Calandria snapped. “Kindly do not swear and do not let your father see you using magic, especially for trivial things like that.”
“Yes Mother.” Elena said gruffly as she left the room.
Calandria lay back on her bed. Despite Merlin’s reassurances she could not help but worry about her son.
Chapter fourteen
“Mikael do not just stand there. I have enough to do today without you lurking in corners.”
Mikael shuffled forwards uncomfortably.
“It is the usual question Sir. The men have wives and girlfriends they want to get back to.”
“Tell them to start packing we leave tonight.”
Mikael bowed
“Oh and Sir There is a gypsy outside. He says he has something for you.”
Vladislaus waved his hand.
Yes send him in Mikael and then you may leave to start packing yourself. When you have finished your own and made sure the men are ready you can come back to do mine.”
Mikael bowed and left the tent.
Vladislaus sat down on his bed as the gypsy entered.
“My lord!” he said and bowed so low his black curly head almost touched the floor.
Vladislaus glared at him totally uninterested.
“Do you have it?”
The gypsy bowed again.
“It is here my lord, just as you asked. Hand painted with gold filigree, beautiful if I do say so myself.”
“It had better be the price I am paying.” Vladislaus snarled.
The gypsy just stood there.
“Well come on show it to me!” Vladislaus demanded.
The gypsy handed him a jewel encrusted locket. Vladislaus opened it, inside were two hand painted miniatures, one of Elena and one of himself.
“It is beautiful, my fiancé will love it.” He said and handed the gypsy a bag of gold.
The gypsy bowed again and left.
Vladislaus turned the locket over in his hands it was wedding present for Elena. He had been a little worried the wedding would not take place but with Gabriel out of the way there was nothing to stop it.
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Later that night Vladislaus was preparing to go into the village for one last night of debauchery before going home to Elena. He heard someone enter the tent.
“Mikael is that you?” he asked tuning around.
He stepped back in shock.
Gabriel stood in the doorway as large as life.
Vladislaus closed his eyes. Gabriel was dying when he left him, short of a miracle nothing could have saved him.
He opened his eyes again hoping to see no one.
Gabriel was still there.
Vladislaus stepped backwards again.
“Gabriel you are dead.” He gasped
“No very much alive.” Gabriel replied.
“How? I saw you, you were mortally wounded. I made sure you were dying before I left. I knew I should have killed.”
Gabriel did not know what to say he still did not understand it himself.
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When he opened his eyes he expected to be in heaven.
An old man with a white beard and long white hair stood over him. The old man’s hands hovered over Gabriel’s body.
Gabriel looked around him; he was still lying on the battlefield. He looked up at the old man.
“Are you God?” he asked.
The old man laughed.
No, you are not dead. I have healed your wounds you had just a spark of life left in you.
If you wish to know why I have done this, I suggest you talk to your mother. Now go do what you must, avenge your death if you must. I will see you again when you have spoken to your mother.
With that he disappeared.
“So that was a necromancer.” Gabriel thought as he carefully got to his feet. “I died I know I did.”
The old man had left him a horse. He pulled himself up on to
the horse and rode towards camp. Hoping he was not too late. He must stop Vlad from marrying his sister. If Elena married Vlad there was a good chance the Raminaskov prophecy could come true. Vlad’s evil ways would infect Elena. If he could just stop the marriage Elena would be safe.
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Gabriel shook his head and brought himself back to the present. Vladislaus was staring at him in disbelief.
“I do not understand either, I was convinced I was dead but as you can see Sir, rumours of my death were greatly exaggerated.”
Vladislaus shook himself.
“So to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?”
Gabriel laughed.
“You know very well why I am here Vlad. I am here to persuade you by any mean’s necessary to stay away from my sister.”
It was Vladislaus’ turn to laugh.
“Over my dead body.”
“That can be arranged!” Gabriel growled drawing his sword.
Vladislaus drew his sword too.
“You cannot kill me Gabriel. I am invincible. If one of us must die it will most definitely be you and this time I will stand over your body and watch you die. I will marry Elena. A Letter is on its way as we speak telling her to plan the wedding. Let’s get this over with.” He held his sword out.
Gabriel raised his sword.
“I do not want to kill you Vlad but I will if I have to.”
Vladislaus said nothing.
The two men began to fight, they thrust backwards and forwards for quite a while until Vladislaus fell backwards over his trunk, Mikael had left it by the bed ready to pack.
Vladislaus fell against the bed and banged his head on the bed’s leg. He shuddered and lay still.
Gabriel walked over to him. There was blood pouring from a wound in his head.
Gabriel knelt and stroked his friends face.
Love, Blood & Brimstone Magic Awakening Page 5
