The son of the devil

Talking in the night

When Vlad entered the large room, there was a lot of noise. Everyone was speaking, whispering, coughing and the noise merged into a whole. As he slowly walked towards the steps leading to the heavy mahogany chair at the top, the noise started to wind down, until only whispers remained. He didn’t look anywhere else but straight in front of him.

When he reached the chair, he sat and for the first time looked around. He saw the great boyars of the Divan sitting in their places, while their supporters stood behind them. There were twenty chairs, ten on each side.

First on his right was Albu, the Great Logofat. Next to him was a short man with shifty eyes. He looked nervous, while his eyes kept turning towards Albu, who was calmly looking up at him. Next was a tall, wiry man that seemed to lack any piece of meat on his bones. He was only looking in front of him, as if everything else that was happening around didn’t have any effect on him.

This was as far as he went with his exploration, when Albu stood and drew his attention back to him. Vlad watched him carefully as Albu was lifting his palms up, requesting silence, and then turning to face him.

“Your highness, we were summoned here so late and without any prior preparation. May we know for what purpose?”

Vlad looked at him then looked around the room. When his eyes met Great Ban Craiovescu’s blue eyes, who was sitting in the second chair on the left, he felt a bit better, even if he still felt his stomach was tied into a knot. At least one of them was on his side.

Then, he turned his attention back to Albu, who was waiting for his reply.

“There are several things I would like to tell you tonight. I know some of you have heard about Vladislav making his bid for the throne. He has help, both from within and outside the country. Last estimates suggests he has more than fifteen thousand troops marching this very moment to the capital. They should arrive in two to three days.”

He paused and closed his eyes, while his frown deepened. When he opened his eyes, he fixed Albu with his stare and his lips twisted in disgust.

“I know what some of you might think. That I’m too weak to face him. True, as some of you tried repeatedly to scatter my army and today you finally succeeded in your ploy. I also know some of you, if not al, will side with him once I’m out of the picture. As I found out recently, some of you even sent troops to support my adversary.”

His laughter sounded around the suddenly quiet room. The boyars started to look around, squirming in place. Some of them started wiping the sweat from their faces.

“It is true, my great boyars. You really outsmarted me this time. I’d like to ask you a question before I continue moving on. Tell me, how many princes have you witnessed sitting in this chair in your time as a Divan boyar?”

The boyars looked at each other in shock. What does the question have to do with him being unable to face Vladislav’s army? Answers started arriving slowly as they were throwing numbers at him. Some saw three, some five, someone at the back shouted he saw ten. Vlad smiled wolfishly at the man who shouted the largest number.

“Exactly. There were many. Not even you don’t remember them all. Some of them ruled for years, some for months. What everyone of them had in common?”

After the silence, he continued.

“I’ll tell you what they had in common. You! You are the true cause for the many princes. When you got displeased by a prince, you switched sides, supporting another and plunging the country into further chaos. But there are a couple of things you forgot in your plans regarding my life. I’m young and I’m stubborn. Being young, time is on my side. I can afford spending my time waiting until the right time, I’ll return. Being stubborn, I’ll never give up this goal of mine. But, for now, your plans are safe. But keep in mind what I’m about to say. Some may forget, but not me. I will step down from the throne now. But when I’m back, some things will change. And before I leave, I announce the fact that starting from today, Great Ban Craiovescu will be my father-in-law. With that being said, I renounce the throne until I return. You are dismissed!”

Then Vlad stood and started walking down the stairs. When he reached the place where his future father-in-law stood, he stopped. The grin on the boyar’s face lifted his morale. For a moment he felt himself free. Until he realized he’ll marry someone he never met. He nodded to the big man, who in the meantime stood and, waving his hand, summoned his son at his side.

When the youngster appeared beside him, he was grinning, even though his face was beet red. It appeared the meeting went at least as good as he expected. Vlad was a bit envious for his lack of worries. They started walking to the door, followed by Tanase and the other four men. Once outside, the boyar stopped.

“Your highness, now that it’s over, I’ll leave him with you. As for your marriage to my daughter, let’s talk about it next time we meet. You’ll always be a welcomed guest in our house. Try and come to us as soon as possible, because I don’t know for how long I can hold back my daughter. She learned from her brother here a lot about you and took a fancy on you.”

With a final bow, the boyar left, followed by three of the four men. The last one stood behind Dan, the same way Vlad was sure Tanase stood behind him. He was a bit relieved that the youngster wouldn’t be entirely alone away from all he knew before. Waving his hand, he started walking back to his room, followed by the other three.

Once there, he waved everyone in. He then walked to his chair, where he let himself fall with a sigh. Looking at the men in front of him, he stood straighter.

“So, what do you think I should do now that my rule is over? Where should I go from now on? Where could be safe for me in the future?”

Tanase was looking at him in silence. He was pondering over that same thing himself. Dan and his companion were staring at the carpet in silence. Dan’s earlier flamboyant behavior and decisiveness were gone, replaced with a worried expression. Perhaps he was realizing for the first time what he was getting himself into.

“Didan, any suggestions?”

That seemed to awaken his fiery temper once again.

“Why do you call me that? My name’s Dan!”

His companion guffawed and hid his smile by covering his mouth under his young master’s glowering eyes.

“That’s what you said first time when I asked what your name was.”

“I was flustered. Not like you never flustered before. Remember how you fumbled when that bastard impaled you? Good thing you woke up from your dream world otherwise we wouldn’t have this conversation.”

Vlad looked at him with surprise. So he wasn’t just a pompous youngster? Was he there during the fighting?

“So, were you there during the fight? How did your father allow you to go? After all, you’re his male heir.”

Dan’s companion snorted once again, becoming the target of his anger. A couple of slaps at the back of his head later, Dan’s anger dissipated enough to respond, while his companion muttered to himself, loud enough to be heard by Vlad though.

“How can your slaps be so strong? I was only having some innocent fun. One day your temper will get you in trouble.”

Vlad smiled seeing Dan’s face turn purple while his hands started to tremble. Trying to calm down the spirits that were close to boiling, he tried to say a joke.

“Well, now. His temper is like that because he’s young. When he’ll get close to a girl, I’ll guarantee he’s going to calm down. Nothing calms a man better than a beautiful woman.”

Silence followed his attempt at a lighthearted banter. He looked at every one of them trying to find out if he said something wrong. Tanase was looking at him, then quickly averted his eyes looking at his feet. Dan’s face kept changing colors from purple to white and back again while his nostrils flared inhaling and exhaling with noise. His fists were closed so tight, his knuckles became white due to pressure. Vlad thought at the moment that if he said a single more word, he’ll be the next target of his slaps. Turning his eyes to Dan’s companion, he saw his eyes were bulging, his face red while his shoulders were convulsing. Finally, unable to stop himself, he dropped on the ground in fetus position letting out the roars of laughter he couldn’t suppress anymore. Vlad looked at him surprised by the unexpected reaction. He didn’t think what he said was that funny. Dan gritted his teeth and, lifting his right foot, kicked him in the ass making him yelp. He stood up from the ground while wiping away the tears in his eyes.

“Ouch! I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help myself. Imagine you with a girl, for that I’m willing to pay a lot.”

Dan threw daggers from his eyes at the poor man.

“Go on, keep laughing. You know full well I’ll be the one laughing in the end. We’ll continue the fun once we’re out of here. Until then, shut it!”

Then, turning back to Vlad, he stared at him for a couple of moments, trying to see if he was having fun at his expense. Finally, relaxing for a bit at his lack of response, he returned to the previous topic of discussion.

“Indeed I was there. Father sent us to help you with five hundred of our men.”

“Who is that “us”?”

“Me and my sister. That’s when she started to like you. When she saw you leading each company, showing them where to strike, then coming back to lead another and then another, she almost lost control and wanted to charge. I barely could stop her. Then at last you took control of our troops and charged together with us. We were about ten meters behind when you got impaled in the lance. I don’t know what you were thinking, but for a short time you looked lost and we couldn’t help you as we were already fighting for our lives. Then you broke the lance and made him topple down under his own horse with a blow to the horse’s head. After that me, my sister and this old scar over here helped you down the horse.”

Vlad watched the youngster in front of him. Then he stepped forward and embraced him, slapping him on the back and heard the air rushing out from his lungs with a whoosh. Then when he hold him at arms length with his hands on his shoulders, he saw him blushing. He smiled seeing him flustered once again.

“Thank you and your sister! Thank you for being there for me when it mattered. Where is she now?”

“She’s… she went back home after the battle.”

Vlad nodded. Then turning his head to Tanase, he added.

“How about this? Tomorrow morning we’ll leave and head west over the Olt. Let’s see how my fiancée and savior looks like. If she’s at least half as fun as Dan here, I’ll be a happy man when I’ll marry her.”

Everyone nodded and after another few minutes of small talk, everyone left to prepare for the road the next day.

Vlad remained there, looking at the door, with the feeling that something was amiss.

***

Once out the room and out of any stranger’s earshot, Dan stopped walking and turning to his companion, kicked him in the shin, making him yelp and hop in place.

“What was that all about earlier? You almost blew my cover. You know, you’re such a pain sometimes. How do you think father would react if I told him about your little act?”

“Now, now. Stop right there. I wasn’t in the know that you’ll use my own name to introduce yourself to him. You’re lucky I love you too much to keep being angry at you. As about father, he’ll be just fine. Even if you changed some details, the truth still was told. Still, sis, I don’t know what you see in him that’s worth all this mess you dragged me into.”

“Remember, you’re always free to leave. I won’t mind.”

“Maybe you won’t. But father would skin me alive if I left you alone.”