Hey!

First of, let me apologize that this such a short chapter. It was originally supposed to be longer, but I was not happy with the end and had to remake it about 24 times. If I'd have to even look at it anymore I'm sure I'd stop working with the whole fic. So to apologize such a short chapter, the next couple of ones (which will end Vlad's life as a human) will be longer then.

Everyone okay with this? Good.

Thanks to great reviewers: BigKwell, KumikoAnoriko, Tsuki Tamahoshi, Lord Makura, Fraulen, Irena, arkynox and Fleatcher.

BigKwell: thanks for the suggestion. I couldn't find any actual info that would say it ever happened but it sounded so cool so I added it anyway, as my own version. ;)

Disclaimers: see previous chapters.

CHAPTER 13: END OF DREAMS

Wallachia, 1462

Vlad Tepes Dracula, the Duke of Wallachia, celebrated.

For months now he had managed to face impossible odds and overcome them all. Sultan Mehmed II had gathered his army and planned a full blown attack in order to humiliate and defeat Vlad. The army of Wallachia would have been no match against the forces of the Ottoman Empire in a direct battle. But Vlad knew this also and avoided any straight contacts with Turkish troops. Instead, he organized and planned several small attacks and ambushes on the Turks, therefore sneakily decreasing the number of enemies. He also kept retreating and destroying everything from his way: he'd burn villages, take all the food and poison the wells.

By the time Mehmed's troops finally crossed Danube and entered Wallachia, they had become weak, starved and desperate. They were also afraid of Vlad; the man who they couldn't capture and who seemed to play with them. Amongst the Turkish troops Vlad had gained a new nickname for himself. He was called Kazikli Voyvoda; the Impaler Prince.

So, the Turks were quite beaten already, but when they finally did reach the borders of Wallachia and were greeted by the sight of 20 000 impaled corpses of their comrades, they finally lost their will to battle and turned back. It was the greatest victory for Vlad and a complete humiliation for Mehmed.

Vlad raised a goblet to his lips and drank the sweet wine. He savoured the taste as he watched with content the landscape before him. Vlad had decided to celebrate by having a dinner with his men on the scene of victory; surrounded by impaled bodies. His closest captains and generals had gathered to the table with him, though they seemed to have harder time eating than he had.

"Milord", one of the captains started, "as much as I hate to darken the mood during your great victory, I feel we all know that it is only temporary. The Turkish army will return with their full force and there is nothing we can do to defend Targoviste".

Vlad pondered these words for a moment. "I am aware of that. I have already made a plan. Each of us shall move with our men and families to one of the fortresses around the country. That way we know where the enemy will strike. It is important that we have a complete surveillance over Wallachia now. I have already sent a message to Hungary. Though Corvinus may not like me he can't ignore a plea of help from a kingdom he is friends with".

"We are with you till the end, milord" another captain said.

Vlad smiled a little. He then looked at everyone at the table.

"Boris, is something bothering you? You haven't eaten anything yet" Vlad then said, his eyes nailed to one of his captains.

The said captain looked extremely paled and unlike others who had at least tried to eat a little, he had left his food untouched.

"Forgive me, milord. I seem to have lost my appetite" he apologised.

Vlad was quiet for a moment and then suddenly stood up from his seat and walked to the man he had spoken to. He took a knife and sliced a bloody piece of meat. He then offered the meat to the man.

"Eat, Boris. I get worried if my captains go on with empty stomachs" Vlad said.

Boris looked wearily at the peace of meat offered to him. It was bloody. He could see red drops falling from it. Everywhere he turned he saw red drops falling. The impaled bodies had either been drained of blood or were still bleeding. The smell of blood was nauseating.

"Milord…I…" he weakly protested.

"Surely you are not declining a food your ruler offers?" Vlad asked with a very soft and low voice.

The atmosphere had suddenly become very tense. Boris accepted the offered meat and brought it to his lips. However, the moment his lips parted he threw the meat away, ran from the table to the nearest tree and threw up. Other captains looked at him with dread and worry. Vlad walked to the man.

"Boris", he spoke softly, "you disappoint me so".

Vlad pulled his sword and ran it through Boris. The tip of the sword connected to the tree. Vlad let go and left Boris standing there, with sword going through him. He gasped for breath, vomit and blood dripping from his mouth.

"Milord…" he pleaded.

Vlad ignored him and returned to his seat.

"Now, about those fortresses…" he started.

--

Poienari Castle in the south of Wallachia

Vlad stood over a bed, watching his three year old son Mihnea, who was sleeping peacefully. The child was still blissfully unaware of the cruelties of the world. Vlad envied his innocence but was glad Mihnea had it. Everyone looses their innocence, he knew that, but he would make sure Mihnea would keep it as long as possible. And would not loose it in the hands of the Turks. Vlad closed his eyes to block the painful memory.

He felt Isabel behind him, her arms circling around his torso. She had moved here with him for Targoviste was no longer safe. Neither was really any part of Wallachia, Vlad thought.

"I have made arrangements to travel you and Mihnea to Transylvania. I am sure your father will let you stay in Scholomance. The Turks will not come there" he said.

Isabel was quiet for a moment. "I'd feel better with you".

"I do not want this either. But I will feel better when I know you are safe" he said. "You… you and Mihnea are the only things in the world precious to me".

Isabel hugged her husband close to her.

"You will never loose us…" she said.

A sudden sound of someone blowing a horn was heard. It was followed by other horns. Without thinking Vlad ran from the room and to the roof.

"What is it? Why was the warning given?" Vlad demanded from a guard on post.

"Milord, the Turks are coming. They are passing the Arges River!"

Vlad looked over the edge. In the moonlight he could see an army crossing over a river that ran right pass the fortress.

"This… this is impossible. I should have been warned. There is no way Turks could have gotten past the borders without us knowing…" he muttered.

Then his eyes turned cold.

"Betrayed. I have been betrayed".

"Milord, what shall we do?"

"We need to leave now. We shall go through the secret tunnels. It will give us a lead start" Vlad said.

"Milord, look out!" guard shouted.

Vlad barely had time to react. A swarm of arrows flew through the night sky towards the fortress. He threw himself down, trying to shield himself. Arrows landed all around him. When he was sure it was safe to move, Vlad stood up, turned to the door… and stopped.

Isabel was standing there, obviously having followed him, with an arrow going through her chest. Her eyes were wide with shock and her lips moved but no words came out. She tried to walk but her balance was gone.

Vlad shouted her name, stretched his hand and ran towards her. He nearly caught her, nearly came close enough to touch her. Then she was gone. Vlad stood on the edge, watching but not believing as Isabel fell to the Arges River.

"Milord…?" the guard asked carefully, having witnessed what just happened.

"Go and tell the others to get ready to evacuate" Vlad said, his voice emotionless as he still stared down.

The guard hurried off.

To be continued…

Just two more chapters and Vlad's life will end…and a new one begins.

Reviews, please.