Ch 4 – The church again?

"Father..."

"You can call me daddy."

"... Dad."

"Aw... Didn't get there..."

The two walked down the large hallway from her room down to the dining room. Seven rooms where equally spaced along the right wall of corridor, making the walk quite long.

"... How did the negotiations turn with the Sultanate?"

"Oh... My girl's interested in politics now? Good to see someone taking their father's interests..." Despite the gleeful words, Vlad had a sour smile.

"They broke down... Something caused the Sultan's envoy to backpedal hard when we were about to sign the agreement..."

"That's... Bad... Have you prepared for some kind of retaliation?"

"Hah? What's a girl your age talking about? There's no way they'd raise their swords against us when we have full support from Ungri and Lengyelor."

'I hope you are right, Father...'

Even without her answer, Vlad realized she thought otherwise...

They reached the dining room in silence. Each taking their seat. The table was already fully populated... That is, with the exception of her older brother Mihnea, who was still studying in Ungri.

"Good morning night bats."

'Never heard that one before... Wasn't it supposed to be night owls?"

"Morning, Mom."

Necro took her seat at the table.

"Morning, love."

Her father, on the other hand, took his sweet time kissing his wife before sitting down.

"Ew."

"You really need to grow up, Drac. It's already time you get yourself a fiancée."

"Cut it sis! This stuff is disgusting."

"You are too old to behave like a child!" Necro's eyes rolled as she spoke to her brother.

"Kids... Don't argue at the table."

""Sorry mom...""

They started peacefully eating the meal, until loud footsteps called the family's attention:

"Hah, Hah, Hah, My lord!"

"What is it! Couldn't you wait after I take a meal with my family?"

"Sorry my lord... It is..."

The soldier looked obviously nervous and tired; He must've run a long way. Her gut feeling told made Necro already anticipate the fully armored soldier's words.

"There's an army marching this way."

"WHAT!?"

Her father stood up in a jump, almost toppling his cup of wine over.

"They are over 50 thousand, they just crossed the border from the Sultanate."

"God damn it!" Vlad dropped his fist onto the table, scaring Drag. "What the fuck are these bastards thinking! That fucking Sultan!"

"My Lord... They are not bearing the Sultan's Colors..."

"Who is it then..."

Necro's heart started beating hard on her ears... This tension was something she'd already experienced in her past life... She didn't want to believe it. She refused to believe this was happening again. Not this time. Not now.

"Their Halberds and Battle Flags bear the colors of the Royal Church, My Lord."

"WHAT!" Necro raised to her feet, shouting.

While Vlad fell back onto his seat, dejected.

Despite her incredulity, Necro could realize the exchange of stares between her parents...

For some unexplainable reason, they already expected it.

Necro felt completely betrayed by their reaction. Why would the church be coming after them?

What the hell was happening?

A turmoil formed in her head. She only managed to usher a single sentence.

"We can still call out allies help right, Father?"

"I already told you to call me Daddy..." A wry smile appeared on his face, he looked down instead of towards her like he used to. "And no... We can't... They would never make a move against the Church."

"But..."

"We have no time for talking... If this message arrived here, their first messenger will reach in just a couple hours... Glenda!?"

"Yes, my Lord?" The head maid appeared to have materialized from a shadow in the corner of the dining room, making the soldier gulp.

"Gather our belongings, we are leaving to the Cetadea Poenari at noon. Send messenger to our troops saying the time has come."

"Yes, Master." Her facial expression changed completely, turning dark. Necro had never seen anything but a smile on her face. This sudden change amused her as the Maid left the room, heading towards the main corridor.

nervousness

"We thank you for your service and offer you our hospitality until our departure." Her mother said to the soldier.

"That won't be necessary, My Lady. My family is from the Town downhill. I'll just go meet them."

"Then take this as a token of our appreciation." She said as she tossed him a silver coin.

This may not sound like much, but it was almost a year's worth of his salary as an unranked soldier.

"I-I deeply appreciate your kindness!" He said, bowing deeply. Before turning and leaving after he examined the coin with glistening eyes.

Immediately after his departure, a trumpet announced a foreign visitor, prompting the whole family to leave the room and go meet him in the mansion's front entryway, outside.

As they passed through the main door, a single man stood in the middle of the path outside. A dozen soldiers from Wallachia's army escorted him from both sides. The messenger looked to be a young knight. His brand new, polished, armor shone under the sunlight, white enamel decorating his chest and shoulders.

He knelt for a second, before standing proudfully, opening a parchment.

"I-IN THE NAME OF THE HOLY ROYAL CHURCH. WE, THE MEN OF GOD AND BEARER OF HIS WILL, DEMAND THE UNCONTIDIONAL SURRENDER OF THE SINNER VLADMIR DRAKULEA TEPES"

His nervousness was clear in his voice. After opening the sealed parchment, as he read the words inside it, his fate became clearer by the word.

"THE HOLY CHURCH DEMANDS YOU ATONE FOR YOUR SINS AGAINST GOD AND MANKIND, YOUR SENTENCE IS DEATH, FOR YOU AND ALL YOUR KIN, FOR THE CRIMES OF BLASPHEMY, VAMPIRISM, PROFANITY AND USE OF FORBIDDEN MAGIC."

Necro was frozen in place, this was the same that happened to her as Soleir... Her family, however, had long died when it happened... Despite her calm facade, she was despairing inside.

As the messenger shakingly lowered the parchment, he watched in anguish, waiting for Vlad's reaction.

An expression of pure relief could be seen as Vlad turned around, heading back inside, almost as if ignoring his words.

Before turning into despair after hearing the words that followed.

"Impale him alive, a mile before the town."

"Let the church understand who they are messing with."

His despair was palpable as two of the soldiers restrained him and dragged him.

The man pleaded for mercy as he was dragged out of the front yard.

Vlad, Necro and the rest headed back to the dining room to finish their meal.

The room was immersed in silence for a couple minutes. As they ate, one could hear a pin drop.