Authors Note: This chapter is dedicated to my beloved dog Jack who died of cancer two days ago.
Heart Torn Asunder Chapter 2
The night passed and with it came Easter the long awaited and desired celebration the people had been yearning for. The weather presented to the kingdom on this day was peaceful and serene a great omen for the future of Transylvania. Nothing could be better.
Inside the palace the guests had already arrived for this grand occasion. All that was missing was the Prince and Princess at the feast.
On a signal the servants opened the doors. Vlad and Dinah held the others hand clasped in their own as they walked into the bustling crowded hall. Huge tables had been arranged in the throne room to be able to accommodate everyone there. Immediately people greeting the pair joyously surrounded them.
Ingeras was already mingling with his friends among the children of the court.
After a sufficient length of time following their arrival the sound of a fork clinking against glass caught the attention of all.
"My fellow Transylvanians an Easter toast," said Dumitru, raising his goblet. "10 years of peace and prosperity ever since our prince came back to us. My old friend, here's to 20 more."
"To 20 more," shouted a man in the crowd.
This lead to the cheering of everyone in the throne room.
"And to our fair princess," continued Dumitru, gesturing to Dinah, "for without her marriage to our prince the peace between Transylvania and Persia wouldn't possibly had lasted nearly so long. Hail to the Princess Dinah!"
"Hail," chorused the guests.
Upon finishing the toast all drank their beverages leaving Dinah somewhat honored, but embarrassed at all the attention. This happened a lot whenever people naturally came to the conclusion she was the source of their peaceful salvation. In truth it partially was, but in reality it originated from a combined effort constantly from her and Vlad.
Sensing her discomfort Vlad took Dinah's hand placing a gentle loving kiss on the knuckles. Staring at her in adoration, softly, he said "Wouldn't have gotten far without her."
Clearly he agreed with the perspective of his people.
Mortified, ducking her head slightly blushing, Dinah said "Vlad."
Laughing in great amusement at her blush Vlad escorted Dinah to their places on the dais supporting their thrones. Vlad's advisor Cazen and Dinah's handmaiden taking seats positioned beside each of them.
The Easter feast was blossoming into the best holiday they'd had so far this year. All were eating and drinking with merriment that was only heightened by the entertainment by the music of the minstrels. Upon the dais Vlad and Dinah were enjoying themselves immensely. How could Vlad not be enjoying himself? His wife was feeding him sliced morsels of meat and fruit from her fingertips giggling each time he playfully nipped at them.
All was well…but the tranquility was not to last about to be annihilated destroyed as it was thrown into chaos.
Suddenly a loud boom echoed in the hall as the double doors were thrown inward. In their wake marched in an Ottoman contingent causing everyone to go silent even the minstrels. Judging the design of the armor worn on these unannounced visitors the deceased Turks had been part of this squadron. The emissary was easily recognized for they'd had passed dealings with him before.
Rising, courteous, Vlad said "Hamza Bey. Welcome. We were not expecting you so soon."
Ignoring Vlad completely, Hamza Bey said "Sultan Mehmed 2nd offers his salutations to you, your husband, and son, Princess Dinah," said Hamza Bey. The insult layered behind it wasn't lost on anyone with its lack of common respect in etiquette.
Hoping to ease some of the growing tension, Dinah smiled, saying "Thank him. We have his tribute ready."
Sitting Vlad signaled to two soldiers who brought a chest full of Transylvanian silver with Vlad's face imprinted on them forth.
"Hmm…I'm afraid there's something more than a tribute to discuss," said Hamza Bey, approaching the head table. His statement left a heavy trail of nervous apprehension in the air.
"The Turks have no enemies here," assured Vlad.
"Did you think we wouldn't notice a battalion of our scouts missing," demanded Hamza Bey, sharply.
"I did not kill them," said Vlad, emotionless, calm, giving nothing away.
For a few seconds a deadly silence was all that passed between them until Hamza Bey spoke in the Turkish tongue and what he said certainly revealed he wasn't convinced.
"It still lives inside you, Lord Impaler. Locked in a dark cage hidden away. But you and I…we both know its there," said Hamza Bey, smirking at how uncomfortable it made Vlad.
Angered, speaking in Turkish herself, Dinah warned "Watch your tongue, Hamza Bey, remember your place!"
Despite Dinah's warning he didn't look remorseful. In face it only incited Hamza Bey to bait them more.
Nodding in the direction of the chest filled with pure silver, Vlad commanded "The sultan's tribute. Take it and leave."
Seeing he and his men had overstayed their welcome Hamza Bey nodded in farewell smiling. He moved to join the soldiers that traveled with him as he did so the Transylvanians began to breath a bit easier thinking it was all over. Before Hamza Bey got halfway he dashed those hopes.
"Ah," said Hamza Bey, stopping. "There is one last thing." He then turned to face the royal couple once again. By the expression on his face it was clear he hadn't forgotten this detail he'd been waiting for the right moment to reveal it. Knowing it would cause undeniable grief. "The sultan requires 1000 boys to join his Janissary Corps."
The news had the effect the Turks expected.
Instantly the crowd reacted clamoring as mixed cries of outrage from the men and devastation from the women arose. Vlad leaned forward in shock at the declaration while Dinah gasped looking at him in horror.
"No!"
"Never!"
"Janissaries," breathed, stunned.
"Impossible," exclaimed Dinah, cold. "He ended that practice years ago. Upon my marriage it was agreed in the treaty signed by both kingdoms the Janissary Corps would be disbanded."
Shrugging, Hamza Bey said "The sultan is the most powerful man on this earth. He an do whatever he wishes even change his mind."
Dinah clenched her fists fuming on the inside. For her own brother to break not only his word, but, also, treaties of peace out of nowhere like this it was infuriatingly unthinkable. She wasn't alone Vlad was on his feet again.
"When a soldier is plucked as a child and raised to know no other life they will kill without question and die without complaint," sneered Hamza Be, addressing the entire assembly. "Any who are 15 years of age or older will fight in Hungary. Those 10 to 14 will be made ready for the siege of Vienna."
Increased outcry's were released at this knowledge of the age groups the children to be taken would be made it worst the fear almost unbearable.
"The sultan expects your obedience," reminded Hamza Bey, showing disobedience in the slightest wouldn't be tolerated. The next thing he mentioned was to mock Vlad adding insult to injury. "After all did not your own father give you up without a fight?"
That was the final straw for Vlad. A fierce protectiveness overcame him as he rounded the head table to confront the Turk's throwing caution in the wind.
"The assassin Bright Eyes grabbed the face of a young boy he'd been looking at examining him the kid whimpering in fright.
"Soft, but they'd do," purred Bright Eyes, sneering.
The boy's father came to his defense unable to stand it anymore. "Don't. Please," he begged, clasping Bright Eye's arm dislodging the assassins grip from his child. "He's my only son."
In response Bright Eyes locked the man's hand against the table disgusted this Transylvanian filth would even dare to touch him. He started to unsheathe his sword to slice off the hand used as punishment, but before he was able to finish the action someone else intervened.
Vlad stopped Bright Eyes before he could follow through throwing the guy against a column restraining him by the collar. All waited watching on anxious to see what the outcome would be.
"Do you know who I am," growled Vlad, getting right in his face hoping to intimidate him into submission by adding a reminder of what he was capable of.
"You mean who you were," scoffed Bright Eyes, showing no sign of being afraid of what he thought to be a soldier past him time.
Angered by the insinuation Vlad released the Turk allowing him to move off.
"You have no army and no choice, Prince. Follow our command or suffer the consequences," said Hamza Bey, snapping his fingers as he gestured to his men it was time to leave. The stand off some of the Turk's seemed to be having with a few of the Transylvanians ended as they left taking the tribute of silver with them.
The very second all of the Turk's exited murmurs broke out among the guests holding onto each other in desperation. Especially with the mothers and their young sons.
Cazan went to Vlad's side know he was stuck uncertain being pulled in all kinds of conflicting directions. "It must be done," whispered Cazan, somber, not liking this either, but reminding the prince of his duty no matter how painful it was. "Courage, anger, even love. None of these can matter to a prince. All that matters is his duty to his people."
Vlad looked at Cazan torn hating to admit he was correct and then to his family. While he'd been occupied Ingeras had gotten up from his seat at on of the lower tables running to his mother who'd risen from her thrown arms outstretched to meet him. Taking the boy into her arms she clutched him close to her heart to ease his fears.
This Easter celebration was supposed to be the most memorable filled with happiness, laughter, and joy for the future. Instead the Turk's barged in destroying every ounce of it all in one go.
What a festive feast indeed.
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