A/N: Heeeeez ya sec'nd chapter update! The breaking scenes are meant to spice it up a bit.
Disclaimer: I do NOT, in any way, own Hellsing or the characters in it. It is owned by Kohta Hirano, Dark Horse Manga, and any other business or people who assisted in creating these fascinating characters!
.•*´¨`*•.
Increasing Ire
The regent slouched in his seat in the main dining hall as he heard his royal advisor rant on and on. The days seemed to grow longer than normal, as if God himself was slowly trying to suck the life out of him. His eyes glazed over as he expertly tuned Anderson out; that man had a way of talking a royal's ear off in ten minutes, to the point where the regent would rather strip down to his undergarments, wear the belt of his sheathed sword around his head, wear his socks for gauntlets, douse the throne room in oil, and threaten to set it all aflame as he danced around like a mad man. The idea was certainly more entertaining that sitting in a chair, albeit lovely decorated and cushioned with soft padding, and hearing an advisor drone on and on.
"Alexander, when are you going to get to your point? I have other meetings to attend to about the war on the frontier," the regent groaned as he attempted to sit back up.
Anderson turned around from pacing to the other side of the room, suddenly snapping out of his perfect and ideal world to reality and realized how foolish he must have looked, "I apologize, my Lord. Of course. It seems as though our soldiers along the border are keeping the Ottomans out. Wallachia is holding as well, though how long that will last…Lord Vladislav II states that he needs more soldiers placed in Wallachia if they are to survive…"
The regent's frown deepened as his hand reflexively tightened on his armrest, "I sense you are trying to slow-walk me to an important realization. Care to jump to it?"
Anderson cleared his throat softly and smiled awkwardly, "Highness…would you consider perhaps another alternative, since we do not have many reinforcements?"
"Such as?" the regent tipped his head forward and opened the palm of his hand, awaiting an example that would fit in his grasp.
"For example…perhaps a…hired…army…?" Anderson dragged.
"You mean mercenaries?" the regent felt himself rise from his seat, "Hired hands to execute and destroy?"
"I–"
"Soulless men with eyes only for heavy amounts of coin, whose lifestyles are ones of burning and pillaging and no atonement at the end of their long journey, festering with duplicity that it reeks of evil, malice, and wrong-doing?"
Anderson visibly swallowed and nervously tugged at the sleeves of his clothing, "Whether or not you believe it, see it, or consent to its existence, my Lord, we do not have enough able bodies. The Ottomans are too strong. If we cannot find a way to defend our country, then we must start pulling civilians into our army."
The regent chuckled this time, "Fear not, my advisor. You look so nervous, as if you will soon stare Death in the face."
Anderson nervously answered with a chuckle, "Well, when your looking into the face of thousands of Ottomans, one can only wonder if that be his death."
"I have proven my military competence. Do you not remember Semendria, or Iron Gates? As a boy, do you not remember hearing of the undaunted Johan Huniad, fearless leader of Hungary? Called forth to be Regent-governor after the untimely death of Władysław III of Varna? King of Hungary?" the regent's eyes sparkled proudly at the memories that now flooded back into his mind.
"Yes, my Lord, how could I forget?" Anderson said with great lackluster as he absent-mindedly shuffled to the nearest seat in the room, preparing for a full-blown fairy tale story of his superior racing circles around baffled pashas and marching home victoriously against incredible odds.
"Oh, would you indulge an old man?" the regent instantly felt his advisor's somber aura.
"My Lord, it isn't that I don't partake in feeling joy every time I hear the tales of you. I only feel concern because it is the very battle of Varna that you nearly did not escape, from which you then became our ruler. Very luckily, I might add," Anderson rubbed his temples in a circular motion to ease his growing headache.
"Varna was years ago, Alexander. Need I remind you that we could have won –should have won– had the king more sense than a dead pigeon," the regent's voice sharpened, "No one was to attack the Janissaries until I gave the order."
Anderson felt himself raise both of his hands, exposing he had no weapons against the man in front of him, "My Lord, I completely agree. It is because of certain…commands in the past that we suffer now. Our…choices…will reflect back on us when the consequences of them unearth."
"Indeed, which is why we must be all the more careful than to blithely discuss the accommodations of a mercenary army," the regent shook his head disapprovingly, "I fear no one, not even Bogdan would help us now."
"Yes, I heard as well. Moldavia is in civil war," Anderson stated mournfully, Not that they would help us anyway, after we heard of their secret dealings with the Ottomans. Is there any country that can resist ruling under the support of the Ottomans? "We truly are alone in this fight…"
"Not quite. We have Bogdan's nephew to thank for our good fortune," the regent grinned as he stood up from his seat.
Anderson felt his teeth grind against his jaw, "That…boy…ensures nothing, my Lord, if not insinuating trouble."
The regent laughed, "Come now, you don't mean to say that Vlad has some sort of quarrel against Hungary? All we did was assist in killing his father and in allowing him to be dragged to Edirne for years of imprisonment."
The Royal Vizier's frown deepened, "Do I hear guilt in your voice, Sir?"
He straightened his royal garments, "Not. At. All. What you see here is an eager man who will take whatever and whoever he can if it might help fight the war against Islam. My friend, did you not just make my case after spewing all of those fancy words of there being no army left to fight?"
"I didn't mean to resort to allowing Ottomans into the ranks, my Lord," Anderson stood up as well and walked to the edge of the steps.
"We must and shall accept him. He is our eyes and ears out on the battlefield. Not only does he speak Turkish fluently, he knows their techniques, their battle strategies, and their weaknesses. Someone with that kind of knowledge cannot be turned away," the regent walked down to the edge of the steps and stared back at his advisor, a hand resting on the stubble of his chin.
Anderson stewed in his mind for a moment, considering stating something further. Just when he was about to speak his mind, both men turned to the window and listened quietly.
"…Did you hear that?" the advisor asked dubiously.
"It…it sounded like…cheering…" the regent stated in disbelief, as if he heard instead a whistle in the wind.
But suddenly fanfare played loudly on trumpets, welcoming home soldiers. The loud public display of the short announcing tune caused the regent to fly to the window and cast his gaze downward to the bridge. A grin split his lips as he watched his men make passage across and into the citadel safely. A peaceful quiet consumed his body as he recognized his son leading the army on top of his horse, bloodied and beaten, but not broken. Pride wracked his body as he gripped the side stone wall and turned back around slowly.
"They have returned!" Anderson stated with shocked doubt.
"Then I shall prepare for the debriefing. Ladislaus has much to report to me," the regent masked his joy expertly, swished his cape up, and began to march back to his room.
Anderson smiled, knowing he was secretly happy at the arrival of his son. The advisor smiled as he sighed and exited the room to leave his ruler alone in his preparations. Closing the massive double doors, he nodded to both guards on either side and shrugged his cloak back on. A loud noise caught his attention as shouts from down the hall seemed to emanate from the walls. Curious, both Anderson and the guards looked at each other and began to make their way across.
Fists punching one another followed as more and more men shouted until the clack and clank of armor hitting ground rang through Anderson's ears. His heart began to beat at an alarming rate as he soon considered the idea of an assassin breaking into the castle. Reaching for his knife, he motioned for the guards to remain behind him. Pushing off with his left foot, he whirled around the corner and straight into the breastplate of a soldier. Anderson felt his head crack forward against the metal as he then reeled back in pain. Rubbing his forehead, his eyes slowly came into focus as he narrowed them at the man.
"You," Anderson stated accusingly, "You weren't supposed to return."
Vlad smiled politely, slightly bowing as a mocking gesture, "And, as you will come to know me, I defy all odds."
The advisor straightened his posture to match Vlad's and glanced around the intruder. A row of incapacitated guards lay on the ground, twisted and mangled-looking with broken bones and toppled over on one another mixed with broken glass, windows, crates, and armor. Sighing and shaking his head in slight sorrow and disappointment, Anderson felt his armed hand twitch.
"My, you caused quite a scene there," the advisor stated with weight, noticing that the soldier was unarmed, "Punishment is in order."
"I could tell you that they tried to strike me first, but you would not believe me," Vlad squared his shoulders, refusing to back away, "I only seek an audience with the Regent. I have a right to hear him answer for what he's done."
Anderson exploded into fits of laughter, clutching his side for support, "The Regent answers to no one. He has received the Divine Right from the previous ruler. His powers come from God himself. You are merely a pawn."
"Pawns, if placed properly, can defeat even kings," Vlad inched closer, daring the first strike out of Anderson.
"If you wish to get to my king, pawn, then you shall have to get through me first," The advisor said with deadly finality as he blocked the hallway and motioned for the guards to place themselves on either side of him.
Rolling his eyes disrespectfully, Vlad scoffed, "Alright then. Hardly a fair fight."
"HEATHEN!" Anderson shouted as he stepped forward and jabbed his knife into the closest kink in Vlad's armor.
"This won't be necessary," a loud voice echoed from around the corner. The regent stepped from the shadows and into the hallway, his lavishly decorated cape dragging gracefully behind him.
Both guards instantly stood aside to let the man through. He walked slowly, methodically, as he approached the two fighting men who were now frozen in mid-act at his demand. As the old man stopped right in front of them, Anderson retracted his knife and Vlad released his hand from Anderson's cloak. The ruler's face seemed wistful, teeming with wisdom and knowledge beyond anyone's comprehension. In one look, both saw the stupidity and juvenile way they had acted. The advisor stepped to the side with his dignity slightly exposed and wounded.
"Alexander, you know better than to lower yourself to violence," the regent softly chided; he then turned to the battered Wallachian, "And Sir Vlad, I thought your silver tongue could talk its way out of this unnecessary fight."
Vlad folded his arms across his chest indignantly, "Discourse is appropriate until the point civility gives way to insults, and then a ready fist must serve as a gentleman's closing statement." *
The regent grinned at that comment, "Indeed, you're quite correct."
"Then curse me for guarding our one ruler," Anderson stated harshly as he fit his knife in his belt, "I thought my Lord would be pleased that I did not simply allow this cretin to pass uninspected. Peruse the hallway, Sir, and you shall see the carnage he created on the way here."
"I have seen enough to know that this man deserves some answers. After all, there is a certain give-and-take dance with your ally in which you must partake to keep everything balanced," the regent softly countered and motioned for Vlad to follow him.
Anderson began to trail behind when his ruler stopped him abruptly, "Alexander, since you are so eager to protect your ruler, might I suggest reporting to Pip to see if there are any troubles within the castle?"
The advisor's eyes widened in shock, but he bit down a salty insult that was ready at his lips, "If it pleases, right away, my Lord." With a bitterly strained bow, he turned on his heels vengefully and left the hallway.
.•*´¨`*•.
"Ladislaus!" Seras screamed as she stood up from the castle bench and made a mad dash for him.
"Whoa, Seras! Don't tackle m–"
She threw herself onto him at full speed, almost knocking him over as his towering body swayed, desperately trying to regain balance. Tears were in her eyes as she lifted her head up and let out a choked laugh.
"Sorry. We're both so happy you came back! We prayed and prayed for your safety! It paid off!" She shouted in glee and turned to face her advancing older sister.
Integra smiled, slowly preserving the pause and storing it into her memory forever, "Seras was worried most of all."
Ladislaus bowed his head, "You're a lovely image to contrast all of this fighting and death around us. You both look well…I…I missed you too."
"We were so worried that you would get injured, especially since father sent that Wallachian to fight with you," Seras blurted out, though regretting the moment she said it.
The air seemed to cool ten degrees at the mention of that man, and Ladislaus's body instantly went rigid. Integra could sense his angst and sensitivity to the topic, but what surprised her to every extent was when his glare intensified as it locked with her eyes. He let go of Seras and walked his way over to Integra, his dominating body language screaming pent up anger to her. She instinctively tried to look disarming, but he already had reached for her arm.
"Integra," Ladislaus's voice sounded like a fork scratching along a metal plate, "Come with me; I have much to discuss with you and your apparent befriending choices."
She stood, torn between ripping her arm out of his grasp and shouting at him there. But she reasoned that a more private setting would benefit her cause. There, she could convince him quietly, in private, rather than making a scene in public. Politely, she nodded and followed his lead into the nearest room, but not without sending her younger sister a menacing scowl.
Hastily opening the large wooden door, it grinded against its hinges in protest. Both entered and Ladislaus reluctantly released her arm. Integra instantly walked away from him and further into the long room. It took her a moment to realize that they were in the larder. Spices, salt, sweets, and meat were stored in neat packs folded tightly and stacked along in shelves across the large room. The stench was a little more than Integra had hoped for, but she brushed off her disgust as easily as shrugging a shoulder.
Ladislaus peeked outside the door once more and then shut it just as quickly. He paused with his back turned to her, took in a deep breath, and prayed that he would not lose his temper for what he was about to discuss with her. But no matter his feelings on the situation, it had to be addressed. He turned around, trying to conceal his bubbling rage inside and took a step forward to her.
.•*´¨`*•.
The regent entered back into his private room. Vlad, following silently, noticed the massive table in the middle with scrolls of paper overlapping one another; no doubt battle plans amended this way and that; tailored to the continuously incoming messages. The regent grunted as he pushed them aside, placing both hands tiredly on the table and allowing his shoulders to droop as they were only supported by locked arms. Vlad sensed the seasoned warriors weariness and decided to try and seem as pleasant as possible. One quick remark and he could be sent back to the dungeons solely based on the man's temper at that moment. Vlad strayed behind the Regent out of politeness, only seeing his backside, and noting the lack of swelling character and boastful confidence the regent had once carried with him. Concern coated The Wallachian's face for a brief moment, but the expression melted away just as quickly as the regent turned around to face him.
"You come into my castle with one thing on your mind: answers," the regent stated softly, to Vlad's amazement.
"You're…you're not even slightly angered…" Vlad felt his face frown as he shifted to rest on one foot.
The regent inhaled deeply, "In my line of work, one cannot present anger as a means of communication to an already angered person. It would not alleviate, but rather exacerbate the tension, nor would it solve any of the problems that needed to be fixed. You must reason with the person, you must compromise, and you must learn the motions of giving and taking as I said earlier."
Vlad felt his anger towards the man all but diminish, "I…I am surprised you…rule that way…not many people I have met would compare in the slightest to how you reason, my Lord."
"It's refreshing, isn't it?" the regent grinned smugly, "Perhaps it is because I was first and foremost a commanding general to our army, and then a 'royal leader' figure, if you will."
Vlad now couldn't suppress a smile from escaping, "Indeed…"
His superior cleared his throat and tugged at the long cape that adorned his back as it flowingly splayed outward to the ground, "But you have come to discuss business, not to indulge in stroking a man's pride. Come, tell me what happened; I have yet to see Ladislaus report to me."
"In all honesty, Sir, I would much prefer it if you heard it from his lips," Vlad averted his eyes under the man's calculating expression, "I have come to discuss the officer who commanded the Ottoman army."
"Ah," the regent nodded, "You seem to forget that you are simply a captain in my ranks, due to nothing but my support."
"Of course, but I must ask why you had not informed me of the fact that my brother was their leader," Vlad locked his gaze back on the man.
A pause too great filled the room, one that made the younger ever angrier once more.
"He is clearly not just another Ottoman to you, then," the regent folded his arms across his broad chest.
"Decidedly not," Vlad shook his head vehemently, "He is far worse in my eyes. He not only turned his back on my family, Christianity, and his homeland, but also turned against the Order of the Dragon –my sole purpose for being."
.•*´¨`*•.
"Ladislaus–"
"Don't," the noble closed his eyes, shut tight.
Integra sat there, deprived of her right to speak and too scared to defend her cause. The thought of him striking her frightened her, but seeing him as rigid as un-carved stone made that thought come alive. Instead, she braced herself against the shelves of food and watched.
"You…you have been seeing a certain member who shouldn't even belong to our army," Ladislaus controlled his voice with a vice grip, though it wavered.
"It–"
"I said be silent," Ladislaus warned as his blue eyes grew darker.
Integra fell silent once more.
"Now, news of your 'exchanges' has reached my ears, and I will tell you this: I will not allow you to share pleasantries with this man nor anything else. It was difficult enough to stay silent as you defended his cause for living and not being executed, but now you speak with him? Alone, no less?" Ladislaus leaned on one of the shelves as well and placed his arm to rest atop one of the rows of salt.
Integra paused, until she realized through a gesture on his part that she was allowed to speak.
"Then your informers are selling you fallacious rumors," Integra raised her chin, "I have only run into him in passing down at the stables in the courtyard once. I have shared nothing with him and we were certainly not alone."
"Then you were in the consent of someone else then? Perhaps Walter?" Ladislaus's expression lighted into premature relief.
Integra panicked. Mentally, she paused before she could blurt anything out. If she said no, telling the truth, it would get her into a whirlwind of more trouble than she was already knee-deep in; but if she lied, then she knew Ladislaus would, sooner or later, and hopefully later, ask Walter what she and Vlad had talked about. Walter disliked Vlad, yes, but knowing that her dignity was on the line, he would stick his neck out for her. She was certain of this.
A little too certain.
"Yes, Ladislaus, Walter was with me," Integra stated with reassurance, "He was helping me tend to Hadúr's wounds."
.•*´¨`*•.
"'Far worse in my eyes'…I'm curious, did you see him on the battlefield?" the regent questioned.
"I did."
"So you killed him then."
Vlad averted his eyes once more, "I was about to when the Ottoman's foot artillery arrived to save them from their own judgment."
The regent's eyes narrowed suspiciously, "How convenient."
In response, Vlad narrowed his eyes, "I assure you, my Lord, had I known that Radu was leader of the army, I would have been able to tell you how armed and dangerous they were. However, my leader saw fit in omitting that little fact at the briefing before Ladislaus and I left."
"With sound reason," the regent added with an edge to his voice, "No matter your motives now in supporting this country, Radu is first and foremost you blood. You cannot run away from that. What you can do is eliminate it. I gave you a chance at proving yourself worthy to fight amongst our ranks as a soldier of Christendom. Nothing could draw the line of trust any better than to kill your own brother for The Order. If I had warned you, I know you would have privately objected, and do not tell me otherwise."
Vlad bared his teeth angrily, "I would have, but that does not mean I would have countermanded that order, that I would have not done it. I would still have executed your order in killing him."
"I could not risk that chance. The army was headed our way, and I needed to figure out if you meant your word," the regent stated with finality.
"I am not a person of idle promises, my Lord. I stick to my word," Vlad clenched his fists and began to breathe heavily in anger.
The regent looked at him passively, noting the change in posture and his threatening and exposed glare. The young man had so much anger in him, he didn't even know what to do with it. Perhaps, the regent thought, perhaps he should stay within the castle walls where he could keep an eye on him. He was more useful in the castle as it was, what with informing him of tactics and strategies of what the Ottomans did. After such a negative response received, the regent suddenly wondered if he should not tempt Vlad by forever surrounding him with Ottomans.
"However, you would be much more useful to me alive than dead…" the regent then thought aloud, confusing Vlad.
.•*´¨`*•.
"Very well," Ladislaus answered, only half-believing her story, "Then I shall make a proposal to you: stay away from him, and I'll let this little mishap go unnoticed by our father. But, if I hear that you have been sneaking around to speak with him, which, I honestly would not put past you, then the first person I shall inform will be father."
"I have nothing to hide," Integra bluffed, "He is one soldier in a sea of many more to me. Nothing more."
The noble scoffed at her surefootedness, "It couldn't be that difficult as it is because he will most likely be forever away at war with me against the Ottomans. A fool and a disgrace to our family would only be able to keep bumping into him, understand?"
"Completely," Integra nodded, however begrudgingly. Nevertheless, she presented a happy and cheerful face.
.•*´¨`*•.
"What are you proposing?" Vlad pressed with a stern gaze, his mind coming up with wild and radical ideas as to where his superior was leading him.
The regent slowly moved around the large table in a rhythmic pacing motion, "I shall make a proposal to you: stay in the castle and give your orders here. You would be of much more value to me alive here, where it is safe, than out there against the Ottomans. We need your military expertise and first-hand knowledge here, where I can see you."
Vlad blinked a couple times and pressed his index fingers to his ears, "Forgive me, I think I did not hear you correctly. Did you say you wish for me to stay?"
The regent continued circling his table of scrolled maps, "You heard me correctly."
"Here?" Vlad tilted his head in confusion, "Here. Here?"
His leader laughed as he paused to look at the soldier, "Is it so hard to believe that I want you where I can use you best?"
"Here? In the castle? Where I am idle? Not out with the men fighting?" Vlad continued in shock.
"As my advisor, Sir Vladislaus," the regent slowly walked over to the young man and placed a large and calloused hand on his shoulder, "You will be treated and cared for here. In return, you are allowed separate quarters, private, only for you, and you will report to me daily to discuss strategies in thwarting the Ottomans."
Vlad glanced at the intrusive but slightly paternal gesture and smiled, "My Lord, my math might be off, but the last time I checked, I met your advisor moments before outside in the hallway."
The regent lightly squeezed Vlad's shoulder, "You did, but he is neither soldier nor initiate to the Order. You shall be my second advisor."
"So let it be," Vlad agreed with a handshake, "May I choose a room for my own liking?" He asked curiously, a sudden excitement crowding his senses.
The regent opened his arm to the door, "Certainly. You may decide which room is to your liking. I will have a guard escort you to the different rooms. Guard!"
.•*´¨`*•.
"Perfect," Ladislaus cracked his neck and straightened his stature, "Then I shall go and attend to my father's business. He will want my full report of the battles. I should head out before he conjures up an insane plan that only he sees will work."
Integra bowed her head reflexively and watched him easily open the latch to the door. Before she could say anything further, he was out of the room and heading up the nearest set of stairs to the upper levels. Shaking her head, she sighed and closed the door.
"What an idiot," she whispered, "I am no fool. Sir Vlad initiated the conversation; I did not seek him out, nor would I ever," Integra stated a little too proudly.
Snorting indignantly, she quietly walked back to her room. She passed the myriad number of windows along the way with beautiful glass and window-seats where one could sit and enjoy the pouring rays of sunshine throughout the day. Most of them on the lower levels amounted to nothing more than a recess that was cut into the thickness of the wall where, behind, an arrow loop was a vertical wedge-shaped space designed to give an archer more flexibility in aiming his bow. But the ones near the top were wide and protected by an iron grille. They could even be closed off by wooden shutters.
She paused by one and gazed out at the horizon of hills that surrounded her home. Inhaling deeply, she closed her eyes and simply concentrated on the soft heat she felt given to her from the sun. The sensation was comforting as she felt its warmth seep past her dress until she could even feel it on her stomach and legs. Her breathing slowed to nothing as she wished to do nothing but open the window and fly out, out into the sky and far away. She imagined being a bird, cage-less, wild, free, and soaring across the rolling hills.
Integra smiled and opened her eyes. Slightly crestfallen as she remembered the bars on the windows and the glass that prevented her from freedom, she sighed, disappointed, and turned around to head further into the castle. And electric shock bolted through her body and veins as she saw Vlad standing there, watching her.
"My Lord!" She exclaimed and instantly controlled her breathing, "What possessed you into thinking it was appropriate to watch me like a deranged person?"
Taken aback at her sudden hostility, Vlad was slightly shocked that, moments before, she looked akin to an angel, "My apologies, my Lady. I meant to inform you of my presence, but you looked so…"
"So what?" Integra's glare cut into him.
Vlad smiled wistfully, "You looked like you had found freedom in that moment, and I would be the last person to deprive you of it."
Integra felt herself involuntarily smile at that comment. The comfort that adorned his face was crushingly attractive. Her muscles began to relax and her heart rate returned to a steady pace, though still elevated. How could he know that? How could he read her so well? Was she that obvious, or was he once in her same position? She shook all of her thoughts and decided to ignore them, adopting a different idea altogether. Following her instincts. And once she realized that she had accepted this, Integra sensed an exhilarating feeling rise within her, one that she wished not to curb.
The young Lady lifted her arm to him, and he reflexively reached for it, bringing her hand to his lips, and kissing the top of her hand. This time, she let him keep the moment longer before she retracted her arm.
.•*´¨`*•.
*that was from a comment-response that Duane said on Formspring from Unsounded.
Hehehe Yes. Yes. Yes. More AxI.
Updated two chapters! This author would LOVE to hear some comments from her reviewers! *hint*
