The son of the devil

A new retainer

Vlad was waiting for the time of the meeting. Sitting in the chair he used earlier, he was fidgeting on the edge, while playing with the sword. He was drawing it out of the scabbard for a bit, then pushing it back in. It helped him relax a bit. He was asking himself what he should do after tonight. He should be free, as long as Vladislav didn’t send men after his life. But, he didn’t doubt he would do just that. Who was dumb enough to let his enemy go unharmed when he was lying on the ground, ready to be finished off. Honestly, he wouldn’t make the mistake of forgiving an adversary, allowing him time to gather strength for another attack. He remembered Albu’s son escaping and him not pursuing him since he recovered. He smiled bitterly and made himself a promise to see this kind of thing never happen again.

The time was crawling as he was waiting. Tanase was waiting at his side, maybe for the first time without talking. He was only looking somewhere into space. Vlad thought about his unusual silence and reached the conclusion he was more affected of the current chain of events than he was.

“Hey, old man. Say something. I’m going insane without your talking. So get talking to take my mind from things.”

The scars trembled as he turned his face towards Vlad. His eyes were attracted by something new he didn’t see until now. One of his scars beautifying his face was flaring purple into the dim light. It was a large one that went from the corner of his left eye and was avoiding the nose and mouth, ending in a line across his throat. When he got it, it must have been fatal. But again, he was still standing, full of scars helping him remember what he went through.

“Master, I have nothing left to say, except that I failed you and your mother’s trust in me. You must be real disappointed as I see you keep playing with that sword. I guess I deserve it if you decide taking my head. After all, I wasn’t vigilant enough when you were injured during the fighting, nor was I vigilant enough to watch over the Divan’s schemes and allowed them to stab you in the back.”

Vlad listened with mouth hanging open. He didn’t know his bored playing with the sword was having this kind of effect over the old man. He shook his head and stood. He walked until he was in front of this weird, ugly, but exceptionally loyal man.

“Uncle Tanase. Listen to me, and listen well, because I don’t like repeating myself. If anyone is guilty about everything happening, that someone certainly isn’t you. You’re the most loyal person I know. When I was wounded, you were by my side all the time, taking care of me. You fed me when I was hungry and unable to even swallow my food let alone feed myself, gave me water while I was thirsty, rambled when the pain was too much for me making me forget about anything except your stories. When the fever took over, you didn’t sleep, keeping watch over me. And that is only a small part of what you did for me. So don’t say that you failed me or my mother. You’re the best man I ever knew and nothing can change my mind about that. If you worry about the world talking, tell anyone that contradicts what I just said to eat s**t. That should keep their mouths occupied with other things than gossip.”

A smile moved the scars around his mouth at his last words. Vlad felt the tension from his body drain away. It felt good to ease someone else’s worries. Now, if someone could do the same thing to his own. He sighed.

“So, master. Did you make a decision?”

Vlad looked up and saw the lights were back in the old man’s eyes.

“A decision? On what? All I can think of is how to get away with my life. At least with it I can still come back.”

Tanase nodded with gravitas and looked to the door when a knock was heard.

Vlad looked at him surprised as he shook his shoulder and walked to open the door. Before opening it, he mumbled something.

“I guess it’s too late now. The decision made you.”

With that, the door was opened wide and in came a few people. One of the men leading them was as large around as the other one was slim. The large man was wearing blue velvet clothes with a black fur around his neck. A large sword was resting at his left side of the hip, the tip tenting the cloak at the back. His bearded face barely let out the shimmer of his teeth when he opened his mouth to smile. When he was inside the room, he bowed, followed by the others.

“Your highness, I’m here to profess my undying loyalty to you. I won’t bow in front of that usurper. If you wish, feel free to visit us beyond the Olt. You’ll be safe there. Nobody would dare trespass and hurt a guest of mine.”

“Great Ban, I see you’ve already heard the news. Good to know you’re still loyal to my cause. What can I do for you at this late hour? Soon we’ll have the meeting during which I’ll renounce the throne. Not much influence for me, I’m afraid. Most of my army dispersed without me even knowing it. No use fighting against the odds stacked against me.”

“Not renouncing forever I dare hope. Just for a while, right?”

Vlad’s smile appeared on his face while he shook his head.

“It might take me some time, but I’ll definitely return. The throne was mine once, it will return in my hands, I have no doubt about it. And now, just say what you have to say. I’m growing tired of all this playing around with words.”

The great boyar smiled while nodding.

“That’s a fresh breeze of air what you just said, your highness. I’ll follow your advice and simply ask what I came here for. But first I would like to mention everything I am going to say will be binding on my part.”

Vlad nodded. He began to understand what was happening. Him dodging the answer regarding the marriage made the boyar lose his patience and grab the bull by the horns and came here to ask him himself.

He looked at everyone that came with the boyar, trying to figure out their standing in his household. The slim young man holding his rounded helmet under an arm, wearing a chainmail over a blue gambeson and a short sword with silver innings on the scabbard at the hip attracted his eyes immediately. The big blue eyes were shining from under his mane of long blond hair. His eyes were moving from the boyar to him and back again since they entered his room. He noticed he was starting to become impatient listening to their talking. He saw the muscles in his jaws starting to move as he was gritting his teeth. Vlad couldn’t stop smiling at the young man’s growing impatience. He seemed to be the same age as him, maybe a little younger, around seventeen or eighteen years old. The other four armed men looked to be under his command, as they were keeping their eyes on the slim young man with a mix of wonder and admiration. He must be a hell of a fighter, despite his lack in body mass.

Finally, the young man couldn’t take it anymore and interrupted the politeness.

“Father, just say it already. Stop dawdling. We have no time to lose.”

Vlad raised his eyebrow hearing his voice. It was still that of a child, squeaky and sharp to the ears. He tried to stop the smile that was starting to spread over his face. It seems the Great Ban had his hands full with this youth. Probably his first time leaving the safety of his own home.

The boyar shook his head while smiling in embarrassment.

“Your highness, please excuse my son’s lack of manners and experience. It’s his first time seeing how large the world really is. Him and his sister keep giving me trouble one after another. Your highness, I would appreciate if you’d accept him in your service to chip away at his rude behavior.”

“Oh, that’s kind of unexpected and a pretty dangerous position for him to be following me. As you know, I won’t be the ruler after tonight. Not that I was previously. You must understand that I am a threat to many. Are you sure you would like to risk his life?”

The boyar opened his mouth, but was beaten by his son, whose voice seemed to rise by another octave because of his impatience.

“That’s my decision to make. My father already agreed, so why not get it over with? I’ll follow you and that’s that!”

Vlad snorted hearing the stubborn words. He was starting to like his decisiveness.

“Alright, if that is what you really want. Can I know your name?”

“My name is Di… Dan. I’m Dan!”

Vlad couldn’t stop himself from grinning while he was rubbing in on his sudden embarrassment, seeing the young man’s cheeks starting to burn red. He heard the boyar snorting at his son’s faux-pas.

“Ok, Didan. Then you’ll have to follow my every command since this moment forward. You have to know I’m not a bad man if you do your duty, but I will not shy from dishing a deserved punishment. The single piece of advice I can give you now is for you to be diligent in my service.”

The young man looked from Vlad to his father and back again and with a grin that showed his pearly teeth nodded with enthusiasm.

“I’ll do everything in my power to follow your commands. About you marrying my sister, it can wait until later. If I’m impressed by you, my sister will be too. I’ll put a good word for you to her. You accepting me was a wise choice. You’ll see!”

Vlad was flabbergasted.

“When did I accept to marry your sister? I don’t remember saying something like that!”

“You don’t have to say it. You’re part of our family now! Now, can we go to that meeting and get it over with? I’m starting to get hungry!”

He was the first to leave the room. He was followed by the other four, then his father. Tanase was standing straight as a pole, trying to act as if he heard nothing of what was said inside the room just now, but Vlad saw his scars lifting in something resembling a grin. He felt his guts starting to sing as they were reminding him he didn’t eat in more than eight hours. Putting his hand over his stomach, he went out the door, followed by Tanase who locked the door behind them. He was mumbling to himself as he was walking towards the meeting.

“Damn it! I’m engaged, under pressure and hungry. Great way to finish this day!”