Vlad by C.C. Humphreys

Author:C.C. Humphreys [Humphreys, C.C.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Published: 2011-04-30T22:00:00+00:00

– TWENTY-NINE –

Farewells

After the boyars had been dispatched to rouse their followers and the Metropolitan to gather gold, Vlad and Ion sat on in the Great Hall but close to a hearth now blazing. They planned, studied maps and rosters. Messengers were summoned, dispatched. It was deep in the night before they could sit back and talk of other things.

Ion poured wine into both their goblets. “You never told me which illustrious representative Mehmet is sending for us to grovel before?”

Vlad had picked up his wine. Now he lowered it, unsipped. “Hamza pasha.”

Ion whistled. “Our old teacher? The falconer? And a pasha now? He has risen in the world.”

Vlad stared into the fire. “He was always much more than a falconer, though his skills were great. Mehmet made him High Admiral at Constantinople, during the siege. Since then he has undertaken a dozen embassies for the Sublime Porte. Become a pasha. It is rumored he’ll be Grand Vizier one day. Second only to the Sultan.”

“An eminent man. What an honor for little Wallachia!”

Vlad shook his head. “It is a move on the chessboard. Mehmet sends someone who I…will remember.”

Ion looked up, catching something in Vlad’s voice, not understanding it. But his prince and friend still stared into the flames. “Of course. You were more than just his pupil, weren’t you?”

Now the eyes came to him, flame in them still. “What do you mean?”

Ion flinched. “I…mean nothing. I just remember you talked with him in a way that no one else did. And…didn’t you make something for him?”

“A hawking glove.” Vlad’s gaze returned to fire.

“That was it. And didn’t he rescue you from Tokat?”

“No,” Vlad murmured, sipping at last. “He came to fetch me. It is different.”

There was something his friend was not saying, although that was not unusual. “Do you think Hamza comes with treachery in mind?”

“I do not know. It may be that Mehmet expects me to kiss his ambassador’s feet, to give over what is demanded. It is what most people in my position would do.”

“Yet he probably still has your jereed mark upon his back. I am sure he remembers your nature.”

“True. And even if he does not plan to kill me, why would he not do what his father did to mine at Gallipoli? Chain the Dragon to a cart wheel for a month. Take his sons as hostages.”

“You have no sons to take.”

“No. I do not.” Vlad stared for a moment then stood up swiftly. “Ilona,” he said. “I promised I’d visit her this night.”

“Prince,” said Ion, following him to the stairs, “you must rest a little, if we are to ride at sunrise.”

Vlad pushed open the door to his chamber. He looked back, the darkness gone from his face. “After all this time, you are still trying to keep us apart?”

Ion looked down, mumbled, “Of course not. I—”

“Thirteen years she has been my mistress. Yet you still love her?”

Ion looked up, spoke softly. “I would marry her tomorrow.”

“Ah.” Vlad reached for his riding cloak.

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