Heart Torn Asunder Chapter 6
In truth this could only be described as every parents worst nightmare. Inside a carriage sat Ingeras and Dinah. Cazan was with them and Dimitru was outside with the driver. Both had volunteered to accompany the royal family to the exchange. The support they were lending was immensely appreciated. Vlad had ridden ahead hours before to the assigned meeting spot so he was there waiting.
Dinah was absolutely distraught with grief and despair extremely withdrawn, but her thoughts kept going back to a disturbing incident the previous night before.
She'd had the dream again.
Basically it was an exact replica of what occurred the last time except for a couple of alterations. The eyes belonging to whatever kind of beast this was glowed with such intensity it was like it was trying to lure her in. when it spoke its voice echoed all around her as if it was thunder. Before Dinah awoke an image of Broken Tooth Mountain formed.
Afterwards Dinah couldn't manage to dispel the nightmare from her mind. Now with Broken Tooth Mountain, its menacing presence looming over them in the distance that unnerving feeling increased in strength ten-fold.
Fars sooner than Dinah desired Vlad came into view. He was standing next to his horse underneath the single tree visible for miles. As the carriage approached Vlad came out to meet them.
Cazan exited first assisting Dinah and Ingeras down the steps.
Lowering the hood of her cloak Dinah paid little attention to her husband focusing on the riders cantering from behind. Their intimidating appearance was enough to nearly throw the princess into a panic. Dinah released erratic shuddering breaths as Hamza Bey signaled his riders to halt and dismount.
Rounding on Vlad, frantic, Dinah accused "You promised me this would never happen."
"Dinah, listen," whispered Vlad, calmly.
"The day you asked for my hand, do you remember what I said," demanded Dinah, persistent.
Attempting to use humor to lighten the mood, chuckling "You said no." needless to say the poor man failed utterly miserably.
Cazan had walked over at the beginning of the confrontation while Dimitru remained with Ingeras. Now seeing he was needed to make sure the Queen didn't cause an unnecessary scene he left the boy.
Dimitru left, saying "Stay, my young friend."
"I knew what happens to the sons of the queen. You said things would be different. You said if I loved you I should trust you. I love you," remembered Dinah, tearful, distraught.
Passionately, Vlad insisted "Then trust me."
"It's this or we start a war," warned Cazan.
"I won't let you do this," shouted Dinah. "He's my only son!"
The Turk's were definitely quite entertained by the spectacle.
"The Great Impaler can't please his woman," mocked Hamza Bey to his men.
Laughter broke out among them.
"Everything's fine, boys," interceded Dimitru, dragging Dinah away from Vlad. "They're just saying their goodbyes is all. Dinah."
"I won't let you," said Dinah, fighting with all her might. "You promised me my family!"
"Dinah, please," said Vlad.
"Stop it! Don't touch me," snarled Dinah, furiously, pushing Dimitru's off her. She then wrapped Ingeras in her arms clutching him tightly to her chest. "I won't! I won't let them do this! Vlad, don't! Don't to this! No! No!"
Vlad went to meet the Turk's in the middle as Cazan and Dimitru desperately attempted to reason with Dinah. When Hamza Bey signaled to him to drop his weapon doing so.
"No, I won't let you do this," screamed Dinah.
Suddenly, out of nowhere the decision as taken completely from either of their control as the unexpected happened.
"I'll go," declared Ingeras for all to hear, stunning everyone. Tearing himself from his mothers arms Ingeras ran to catch up with his father.
Dinah tried to follow, but her legs refused to obey sorrow overpowering.
Vlad waited patiently eyes narrowed when Ingeras reached his side.
Ingeras took his fathers hand in his own. Putting on a brave face, smiling, Ingeras said "I can do it. You're proud of me, aren't you?"
"Of course I am, "said Vlad.
Together father and son walked the rest of the way to where the Turk's stood.
Hamza Bey had been monitoring the whole exchange a smug expression on his face. Eh winked good naturedly at Ingeras.
"You have chosen wisely," said Hamza Bey to Vlad. "Yeah, I have to say, we ware a little disappointed. Frankly, I expected more…resistance from you."
Before this Vlad's mind seemed to be decided, but Hamza Bey's taunts altered his choice a spark flicking deep within. Slowly Vlad turned towards his wife. She was trembling each breath a struggle.
Bending low to his sons level taking Ingeras's face in both palms, Vlad whispered "Run to your mother."
Confused, Ingeras said "What?"
"Now," said Vlad, shoving him the way they came.
Ingeras ran as fast as his legs were capable of carrying him. Vlad pulled Hamza Bey's blade from its sheathe before the Turk had a chance to. He then sliced off the mans arms at the elbows a nice clean cut.
Halfway to his mother Ingeras slid to a stop at the sound of the pain filled yell elicited from Hamza Bey wailing pathetically. He would've observed further until Dinah hadn't interfered.
Rushing forward Dinah tugged Ingeras to her, saying "Come here!" Fortunately Dina seas able to properly shield his eyes in time before Vlad used the sword to cut Hamza Bey's face open killing him instantly. "Don't look!"
Curling herself around Ingeras all the two of them managed to hear was the sound of grunts, shouts, and steel clashing against steel a sure sign of Vlad disposing of the remaining Turks. The confrontation lasted merely a few seconds up to the point silence filling the air once more.
Soon enough the reality of what Vlad had done weighed heavily on his shoulders. Both the consequences to the actions he'd taken and the fact the last time he'd killed men in such a manner was years ago when the was the Impaler in the Turk army.
Stone-faced Vlad marched to his family. The love in Dinah's eyes destroyed any final trace of regret on his actions away from his heart.
Others weren't nearly so understanding.
"Mehmed will punish all of Transylvania for what you have done," disapproved Cazan, incredulous.
Vlad ignored the man. To Dinah he explained "It's not a child's place to save his country."
Sheathing his own sword, Dimitru said "What's to be done now?"
"When Hamza Bey and his men fail to return to their camp he will know what occurred here," said Cazan. "Mehmed will be sending others soon enough. War will come. You can't protect us. Their numbers are too great compared to ours."
"I'll find a way," said Vlad, stoic, determined. "Wars have been won with worst odds than ours."
Patience gone, Cazan retorted "And how many have actually survived in victory!"
Vlad had nothing to say in an argument against that.
Mounting his horse, Vlad ordered "Get my family to the castle."
"Vlad! Where are you going," demanded Cazan.
Vlad answered "I ride for the provinces. Many of them are unaware of the danger we now face. They must be notified and moved to safety. Those who are able to fight must be gathered immediately."
Breaking away from the others Dinah took the reins of his horse, asking "Vlad, what about Broken Tooth?"
"What about it," he responded, dismissively.
"You and I both are aware that whatever haunts Broken Tooth kills Turks. My Love, the enemy of our enemy is our friend. We can use its power to our advantage in the war to come."
Shaking his head empathetically, Vlad refused, saying "No."
"But, Vlad-," persisted Dinah.
Holding a placating hand, Vlad said, "The creature residing in Broken Tooth is the essence of pure evil, Dinah. Not even in our darkest hour would I risk summoning it to assist us. Now return home I will join you there soon." He then kicked his horse into a run expecting his instructions to be followed to the letter.
Dinah was prepared to defy his plans instead.
Cazan and Ingeras were already inside the carriage. Dimitru was keeping the open ajar waiting for her to join them.
"My Lady, we have to leave," called Dimitru.
Taking one of the horses ridden there by one of the Turks Dinah ran to them. She said "I'm not going with you."
"What," exclaimed Cazan, "the Prince commanded us all to return to the capital."
"There's a task I must do. My husband may be somewhat too proud to go to Broken Tooth, but I am not. We need more help than what we currently possess," said Dinah.
"Vlad isn't going to like this," said Dimitru.
Nodding, Dinah said "I know, Dimitru, but this can't be left alone."
"Mother," said Ingeras, leaning out the window.
Dinah gently kissed her sons forehead, promising "Don't fear, my son. You'll see me in a little while." She then looked to Dimitru. "Protect him."
Using the 'borrowed' horse Dinah rode away the cries of Ingeras pleading for her the one thing to reach her.
For days now she'd been plagued by non-stop terrifying dreams leading to Broken Tooth. The pull the creature had on her getting stronger more powerful with the grip indescribable. Dinah had so many questions. Now she was going to get the answers she sought.
Authors Note: OMG! We've finally reached the point of no return. Next chapter the transformation will take place. Ah!
Please Review.
