Memoirs of an Immortal Life (6 page)

Chapter Six

Ahbrim Baserab’s Journal

Targoviste

24 March 1448

Vladimir’s spirits are high this day, as the jeweler has arrived from Belgrad. He had commissioned a piece be made for Elisabeta: a large silver and amethyst brooch to be given to her on their wedding night. Not even a day has passed since the Easter execution of the Boyars. It as though it has not even happened. His only mention was to send word to surviving members of their families they will be stripped of their titles and removed from their estates, but not of their wealth. He will allow them half of what they secured in their treasury, a generous act considering his feelings toward them.

30 March 1448

Elisabeta spends much time tutoring in preparation for the marriage. She has, in her entourage, four ladies in waiting on whom she keeps a watchful eye. She is nearly as stern as Vladimir in her expectation of purity.

Her education I find impeccable. Schooled in four languages, she is also skilled in mathematics, astronomy, and common arts. She is very articulate and demands no less than two hours of devotional studies from her attendants each day; yet I find she kind hearted and free spirited, as well. She takes long walks in the spring snows with Vladimir to discuss his day each evening. She will, no doubt, make a devoted and loving wife.

She will temper his ways with her loving nature. She is the balance Vladimir lacks, the kindness and tenderness he was not shown while he was kept as Royal prisoner. Such formative years he spent without the loving hand of his mother to guide him. I believe this darkened him. It is a barrier yet unbroken. A journal he kept in the last year of his imprisonment that I have not seen, but he has spoken of it. I have seen him put quill to paper many times in my presence. What he writes, I know not. If in it, he keeps what it is he plans for Wallachia, or if it merely be his daily thoughts, I am not privy. Perhaps it is how he clears his thoughts at the end of the day, how Vladimir makes his peace with God. I know only this - to his subjects he is devoted, to Elisabeta he is loving, and to God he is dutiful. A man cannot ask for much more.

Vladimir Dracul’s Journal

Enroute to Poenari Castle

26 March 1448

Today I travel to Poenari to witness the progress of the Castle. I have no doubt Nicolai and Velascon have made great strides.

Targoviste is much improved. Targsor makes ready to receive trade in one month’s time. This morn an emissary brought word from Matthias Corvinus and Hunyadi. They have agreed to a truce between the Houses. How blessed this day God has made. The good name of Baserab restored, as it should be. In one week’s time, Corvinus and Hunyadi will arrive. I have charged Elisabeta with the preparation of a great feast in their honor. There is no doubt she will serve my intentions faithfully and have Ahbrim assist her in the preparations. He has proved to be a dutiful aid to her.

I have considered at length, telling him what is known to be the truth in my heart. He has never questioned me about his name, that he bears the surname of the House of Baserab. It is curious that
such questions have never come between us in conversation. I, as a man, would want to know from whence I came, whom was my family. Surely, he must know that he is my brother. Only five members of the House of Baserab survived, my father, Mircea, Ahbrim, myself, and he whose name I will not mention as he is no longer considered to be a Baserab after what he has done. How can it be that Ahbrim does not question this, the name that he bears? Perhaps he questions it not, because I am no longer known as Baserab, but as Dracul since my induction into the Order, but I shall always be a Baserab. My father was the first Dracul, I, his son, am called Dracuala, or son of Dracul, by the Romanians who faithfully serve me. Perhaps it is in this that the confusion lies for Ahbrim. Yet, he is my brother, the only flesh and blood that can be acknowledged. I will have faith that God shall show me the path that must be taken for Ahbrim and when it is the truth should be revealed.

Chapter Seven

Vladimir Dracul’s Journal

Poenari Castle

17 April 1448

Matthias and Hunyadi arrived this day eager to discuss all that had happened during my father’s reign and to express their condolences at my loss.

“Mircea was a great man, a great ruler. I have no doubt you will equal him,” Hunyadi said.

“Your words are both kind and appreciated. I must offer my deepest regrets at the betrayal that occurred between our families. I assure you no such betrayal will occur, so long as I am Viovode.”

“Your loyalty to the Order has never been questioned, Vladimir. I understand your arrangement between the House of Bes and the
House of Baserab was well received. We have brought gifts as a token of our wishes for a fruitful marriage. You are pleased with her?” Matthias asked.

“She is a pious woman, whose company is delightful. I find her skilled in strategic planning as well. An unusual trait in a woman, I must admit.”

Matthias, Hunyadi, and I discussed our plans at length to push the Ottoman Horde away from the Hungarian border.  Many of the cities and villages would fall to the Turks without the aid of the Order. We discussed strategy until the early hours of the morning. Ahbrim, who I have present at every decision, was our scribe during our meeting. God willing, our campaign will be successful. I have requested Ahbrim to send word to Pope Pios with our intentions so that we may receive his blessing. Matthias and Hunyadi are more understanding of the order at Targoviste and that I would not be able to join them until the second of June. I shall leave two days following the wedding. I must speak with Elisabeta of our plans. I pray she will not be angered that I must wage war so soon following our marriage. The campaign could consume months of my time. I know not how quickly I shall return.

Hunyadi has agreed to bring his army from the north, Matthias, his army from the east, and I, my army from the south to force the Turks from Wallachia. Fortifications must remain outside Campulung in anticipation of their arrival. The river below will aid us greatly in their defeat. We shall force them into the Carpathians where Matthias shall have archers lying in wait. Once we have
devastated their ranks, it will be with greater ease to flank them with no means of escape. Hunyadi and Matthias return tomorrow to their provinces, and I will make ready all that needs done in Wallachia to grant our success.

31 May 1448

The castle is only
half-complete, but I do not wish for Elisabeta to remain at Targoviste any longer. Poenari is much more easily defended. The restoration may continue while she resides there in my absence. She travels ahead of me, and today, I meet her there; tonight we are married. I have charged my beloved with overseeing Nicolai and Velascon in the completion of the castle during my campaign. It will busy her thoughts, as she expressed great concern that I should be leaving her so soon after the marriage. Women do not understand the ways of war, but I find Elisabeta to be resourceful with such a large undertaking on my behalf. With the blessing of the Pope on our side, I have no doubt we will be victorious.

Ahbrim makes the final preparations in the cathedral
. How pleased he was upon seeing the cathedral. I bade Nicolai and Velascon to employ a man whom they were acquainted with to design the inner sanctum of the chapel. I wished for its design to be pleasing to him and all those who enter. It is a matter of great importance to me Ahbrim finds happiness here at Poenari.

The final preparations are in place for this evening
. My heart swells with joy. Never during my imprisonment did I dare dream of being released, or know the joy of loving her. Yet here, by the grace of God, I stand awaiting my beloved’s hand. Many years passed since remaining a captive, without the hope of release, yet here on this day I take Elisabeta to be my loving wife. The plan God has chosen for me is not one which I understand, but gratefulness is in my heart. For each moment with her given it seems like heaven on earth and she the angel who was sent to show me God’s grace. Of a love so granted, I am not worthy, yet in her eyes I am all she needs. What man, be he peasant or noble, could doubt the love of God when held in the eyes of the woman he loves?

2 June 1448

What beauty she held in my eyes our wedding night. Her skin like alabaster, her lips like
rubies, her eyes like sparkling honey, were I not so designed to have been Viovode, I would stay in her loving arms and never leave this place. What man could look upon her and not see that God works through her to inspire them to greatness?

This morning we leave to drive the Ottoman Horde from our lands. Soon those incestuous dogs shall know they bow to a false God, one who is not worthy, and one who shall never rule my beloved homeland. The sacrifice made by my fellow Wallachians has been great, yet they complain not. They willingly mine ore for the army’s weapons, toil in their free hours to aid our mission, and tend to their own lives as time permits. They find hope in their
Viovode, which has not been known since the time of Mircea.

There is no doubt Ahbrim will see to Elisabeta faithfully in my absence. Departing before my beloved awoke; I left upon her pillow the amethyst brooch
. I pray it pleases her. It pains me to leave her in his care, yet it is known within my heart no better man could serve her.

18 June 1448

We arrived, preceded by the Turks, to find the village ransacked, the men left behind all dead with the women and children missing. It is a commonality of their raids. The older are butchered and hung from the surrounding trees as a warning to those who would consider retaliation. Those strong enough to endure are forced into the ranks of their army, the women and children they use as slaves. What brutality my brother has chosen to embrace!

We pursue them to the Carpathian Pass where they shall meet their deaths
. I have considered at length how a message should be delivered to them. Reasoning is pointless, as they are not God-fearing men. Devastation, I have decided, is the message they will understand. And when we reach them, I shall ensure that message is delivered in a means they will have no difficulty comprehending.

24 June 1448

How glorious the message sent to Mehmed and his followers, for when he sends the army he keeps in reserve they will find 5000 of their men line the Carpathian passage- all of them impaled.

Matthias had no words when the command was given. Hunyadi questioned my methods and appeared appalled by my choice.

“What better a message to send to Mehmed and my treacherous brother, that I, Prince Vlad, shall tolerate no trespass against my land, my brethren, or my people? Imagine that terror in their hearts for even the most strong of conviction would cower and flee,” I said.

“But you do not kill them, you allow them to suffer
. Let mercy be shown,” Hunyadi replied.

“I ask you to consider a single question
. Do you, as a man of God, believe our women have been shown mercy at their hands? I tell you they have not.”

I left him to consider the question I had posed
. I walked among them listening to them plead for their deaths. No sound at that moment could have been more pleasing. The numbers of those escaping were few. I have no doubt they will carry word to their Sultan of what they witnessed. Our conquest will be short as they flee for the Black Sea with news of what befell them. A courier I have dispatched to my beloved, so that she may know I am unharmed and returning to her as soon as I am able.

Ahbrim’s Journal