Dracula Retold

A New Kind of Prince

It were the cannonballs that started the battle; that was how both armies were set. An alternating row of cannons, then the footsmen, and then the horsemen rounding them out. The footsmen made up the most, of course, as there were only so many cannons on either side, and the horsemen were just the elite and the royalty.

There were only two armies that day: the Draculs of Wallachia, and the Danesti from Moldova. Prince Aurel had sent two troops in his stead, his own absence quickly noted by the Danesti.

The Moldovans were lead by Prince Andrei, Prince Xandar at his side. Unknown to either was the fact that amongst their swordsmen, there was one who was different from the rest. All 99.99% of the army dressed identical, spoke similarly, behaved in unison; all except... her.

Her with her garments that hid her figure; her with the golden brooch on her arm that would help identify her should she... Her who was better than most, silent as a rabbit, and quick as one too.

The Wallachian army was still lead by Lupei, who was still the legal regent. Prince Vlad was at his side though, learning how the Draculs ran things in the modern age. When the cannons went off though, he jumped off his horse and fell in line with his swordsmen, something no prince had done before in a long while.

Before the charge was given, Lupei ordered Vlad to stay; princes didn't fight their own battles. The longest this prince waited was two hours before he ignored his orders and marched out, leaving Lupei to wish he would not return.

But loss could not be expected of a Dracul, Vlad the Impaler no less. The immortal prince suppressed his strength and fought alongside his men. He would slay any and all that would come in his way. But then he saw them.

Saw those two emerald eyes glimmering with excitement and adrenaline from between the wrap. A set of downturned eyes set below a pair of well groomed brows. No way they belonged to a man.

They didn't.

Vlad didn't even think of his setting as he made his way to her, thoughtlessly swinging his sword, though hitting the right mark nonetheless. He had almost encroached behind her before he changed his mind to not approach her. Instead, he set about keeping his own men away from her, not that she needed his protection.

She on the other hand didn't know his intention, only seeing the Dracul emblem on his armor and labeled him her enemy. His back was to her when she swung her sword at him, but he blocked her with his own sword hung down his back. The soldier pushed her sword away and turned to her, again blocking her attack.

"Terrible way to say thank you." He began as they exchanged attacks.

She replied with a raise of one perfect brow.

"To someone saving your life. Not that you need a savior. Is your prince aware of your participation in this battle?"

Their one sided conversation amused her as she listened quietly above the clang of her sword. Of course they weren't standing stock still in the middle of a battlefield. She hauled down his soldiers as he plowed through hers.

"The silent treatment, is it? Oh it's the worst punishment of all. Nice seeing you, then." He bid her adieu and left to fight somewhere else. Realizing his true potential, Vlad III returned alive to his base. It wasn't long after that the Dracul still won, and the Moldovan Prince was captured. Vlad looked around worried for the girl, but luckily found her escaping through the woods.

Meanwhile, her father was escorted to the Wallachian camp, awaiting punishment. Vlad, Lupei, and some other army men, including Niklaus, were standing outside the tent to receive the war prisoners.

"Oh great Prince of the Draculs, behead this insubordinate prisoner!" Lupei ordered his prince.

The old prince Andrei was pushed to his knees, but still he kept his head held high, impressing the "younger" ruler.

"No, Lupei. A prince in captivity is at our mercy. He should be forgiven, not murdered."

Behind him, his best friend smirked while in front of him his prisoner's eyes lit with hope.

"Forgive my impertinence, your highness, but as your loyal custodian and still the current regent, I will do only what I have to preserve the glory of the Draculs!" Lupei followed his bellow with a raise of his sword, fully intent to beheading the Moldovan prince.

"Enough, Lupei!" Vlad roared as he stopped Lupei with a firm hold on his arm. "No more. Not any more!"

"Vladimir! Do not forget you are the future of our empire! I have made you what you are! I have built this empire by brick and by blood, and you dare destroy it!" Lupei was heaving with anger.

In comparison, Vlad was rather calm and sober. "You're right. Loyalty can make a man impertinent. I have heard the stories of the terror of your reign, Lupei. But no more."

Klaus smiled at his best friend's heroics and clasped his hands behind his back as he stood erect, proud to call this man a brother.

"Yes, you protected me and had me tutored and trained at your expense, for that I thank you. But now I am back. I am of age, and I am enlightened and aware. From now on... I will make my own decisions."

Vlad left his group for a minute and walked closer to the battlefield.

"From now on, following any battle, prisoners of war will be shown mercy. I declare, that they will not be enslaved. It is unnecessary! Yes, I want to rule this land under my flag, but I will do so with humanity and passion. Terror and hatred never won any war. They create only more enemies and guilt." Vlad returned to the party and went to the old prince, lifting him up by his shoulders.

"You suffered humility in my land, at the hands of my men. Forgive me for their insolence, uncle." He addressed the other prince in respect to his old age.

Prince Andrei looked at Vlad with shock and awe. "If you are the future of of our great lands, then I would have no trouble ruling under your sovereignty."

The old prince took Vlad's hand in his and kissed it. The younger prince nodded in acknowledgment and turned to Klaus.

"Niklaus, I trust that you will see to it that His Grace is honorably returned to his home." 

Niklaus came forth and bowed to each prince, then guided the older one out.

Seeing them off, Vlad turned to Lupei as he climbed his own horse.

"Now if you would not mind, let's not delay my coronation any further."