'Sire, they are insisting on an audience with you'
'Show them in then'
At the other end of the hall the new Oak doors were opened by the guards. Four men; by their appearance Turks strode in. Three with their helmets on, and the fourth holding his helmet under his arm.
'We have come for our sultans nephew! Release him at once!'
The Prince leaned forward slowly. 'I will tell you what I told your messenger. I do not have your sultans nephew. In fact, I even showed him my dungeons at his insistence'
'I don't care for your dungeons. Just the return of your prisoner' replied the man indignantly.
Arthur scratched his chin. There was a sudden subtle tension in the air as a dozen bowstrings around a hidden gallery in the hall were tightened.
'What he means to say Sire, is that he..'
'I know what he is saying Andrani. What I am saying is that I do not have him. I did not take him, and that this little man is beginning to irritate me'
The man next to the messenger spoke up ' Forgive, my Prince, we are only concerned for our own Princes welfare. My master tends to overstate his intentions quite readily. An unfortunate feature, I fear, of our highest classes'
The other man began to protest, only to be cut off mid word by a warning look from the speaker. The man, clearly taking offence turned around and stomped out of the hall, followed by the other two guards.
'Obviously one who knows best Sire' remarked his council knowingly.
Arthur didn't reply. Instead he sat back in the throne. both arms on the armrests.
The tension in the air evaporated.
'I must apologise Prince Dracula. It is as I have said. My master can be a bit of a hothead and is currently taking it upon himself to cool down. I can represent our interests in this matter before you if it pleases.'
'What is the day of your birth?'
'Sorry..I..'
'I like to know something of a man before I enter into negotiations with him.'
'Well....It would be....The second week in....' The man's face tightened in concentration fore a moment, then relaxed into a smile ' Ah. I see. Very clever of you Prince Dracula. So I am indeed rumbled.
Dracula nodded at the man's honesty. He knew that only the Royal classes of Turkish nobility would have the education to give their day of birth in the Christian calendar. The fact that this man had realised this and given over so readily told him that he was not what he seemed and that they could talk earnestly.
'Just out of curiosity then.'
'October' replied the man
'And my name is Abdesh. Prince Abdesh'
'Come in. sit'
They had retired to a medium sized antechamber located through a door behind the throne. The Turk, despite the breach in protocol that he was used to, seemed to adapt quickly. Dracula offered the man a cup of wine, which he politely refused, stating that he didn't drink,wine. Dracula kept his opinion of this to himself, instead asking him why he came in search of his own son. The man replied that the reasons were few, but significant. Dracula sipped at the wine while listening, watching his guest for any involentary movements. And not being dissapointed.
'Well' he began when the other man had finished ' Generally people who go missing are found safe and well after a short search. Of course, there are exeptions. But we will certainly redirect some of our resources into finding him, if...
'If?' asked the Turk with a raised brow.
'..we can agree on one very, very important matter'
'I am listening'
TO BE CONTINUED.
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