Free Memoirs of an Immortal Life by Candace L Bowser

women were chaste until marriage. No man or woman coveted what his neighbor owned or possessed. Rape was not tolerated and hunger was eradicated. Thievery did not exist, and any noble or King could leave his gold in any street without worry or troubles. Perhaps, it can be said those methods were harsh. Perhaps, it can be said I agree, to a point, but what transpired, it happened before God and was done as a Servant of God to protect his Kingdom of Heaven and Earth and yet for this I was forsaken.

 
    Chapter Twelve
     
    Vlad Dracul’s Journal
    9 June 1467
    Corvinus Castle
     
    I sat long this day, staring at the wall of my prison cell wondering how long this internment will last, if in the actions I have chosen, I have signed my own death warrant. The last six years are but a blur to me. My memories are filled with death and the blood of those who took her from me. Not a single day would I call back to me, nor is there regret or sorrow for the actions taken. My sons have survived and I am assured Iiona will be cared for after my death. Ahbrim’s presence only aggravates the irritation growing within me.
    “How long your intention, Matthias Corvinus, of keeping me imprisoned? Have I not served your will as well as mine?” I asked.
    “A formality in disguise to serve the will of others, cousin, as you know just as well as I the politics of war and kingship; a period of confinement to soothe the savage beast, a false execution, and you shall slip away into the darkness. Have I not provided all that is comfortable for your stay, including your bride and your sons?” Matthias replied.
    “Have I not endured enough, Matthias? My own brother turned against his family, murdered his own father, showed no mercy in the execution of Mircea, and sides with those incestuous dogs. He murdered my wife. Did I not return the way of God to the region and instill his will upon the people? Was I not his soldier until even he turned against me? Now even you stand against me, you who were my staunchest loyalist,” I said in disgust.
    “Is it not I who aids you now in your escape and hides you from the religious zealots of Ahbrim? Is it not I who will conceal that it is another whose headless body will lie in the grave and not yours? Do not forget in your anger who your true ally is, Vladimir.”
    In my disgust, I threw the table across the room, smashing it into pieces. Matthias laughed at me and said, “Rash until the end.”
    My anger lies not with Matthias, but with the foolish charade I am forced to embrace to soothe Radu and my betrayers. Matthias’ faithfulness and loyalty to the Order of the Dracul has not waivered, not once. He too, after all, is a Baserab.
    My thoughts drift in my confinement toward Ahbrim, whether or not he has found solace in the arms of his faith, a faith I once embraced and can no longer turn toward. My grief is still too great and my being too filled with anger to consider absolution. I live without a wife and my son, Mihnea Rau knew not his mother.
    I allow Matthias his belief he holds me captive. It is, of course, a lie I perpetuate. He knows just as well as I that if I wished to leave I would do so. It is for the best this way, the faking of my own death. For the vengeance I seek will taste so much sweeter, as will his blood upon my lips, when Radu sees his death in his own brother’s eyes as I look down upon him; a brother he believes to be dead.
    There is sureness in knowing that Matthias will grant Ahbrim one last meeting. He must make his peace with God. Certainty will elude him if he cannot make one final attempt to save my soul, were it there for saving. No life beats within this body, a curse I willingly brought. Yet I have no remorse in what I have done. For was I not a Soldier of God? Did I not become the favored son of the Vatican leading the Crusade for Pope Pios? What was my reward? A penance that my Elisabeta should spend an eternity in Purgatory and damnation, that God would punish my