The Dynasty of the Dracul, Volume One: Vlad Dracul, Voivode of Wallachia

By Faz215

A series of text hidden for hundreds of years found only by accident. A unknown author responsible
for a mysterious narrative that could be both fact and fiction. A story so fantastic it is almost
unbelievable.

Vlad Dracul, ruler of Wallachia returns from battle to find his beloved wife, Jusztina, has succumb to
an unknown illness. Her death has him distraught and in a moment of anger he summons a being
who offers to resurrect Jusztina and Vlad is quick to accept. To his delight Jusztina awakens, but the
ramifications of this ‘miracle’ are soon made apparent.

Vlad and Jusztina develop mysterious powers giving them abilities far beyond ordinary man. Jusztina
is initially unsettled by the powers but is soon corrupted by their limitless potential. Vlad, however,
is steadfast and refuses to allow the powers to taint his sense of morality. Their relationship, once
unbreakable, deteriorates when Jusztina becomes violent and begins to commit unspeakable acts
upon the innocent.

Jusztina calls upon her beloved sister Katrusha for companionship, but she falls victim to Jusztina’s
wickedness and is unknowingly bestowed the power that Vlad and Jusztina possess. Vlad, seeing
Jusztina has lost her way, is eager to rid her of her powers but soon realizes this is no easy task. He
enlists the help of his friend and trusted comrade General Uzun. Uzun is sent on a dangerous mission
that ends in disaster but Vlad is quick to come to his aid.

Vlad is King of a large empire and must continue to fulfil his duties. His kingdom is forever at risk of
enemy invasion, particularly by Matthias, King of Hungary and Croatia, who also happens to be
Jusztina and Katrusha’s cousin. Vlad has a deep loathing for Matthias that stretches decades, a fact
well known to Jusztina who looks to cement that hatred by interjecting herself into diplomatic
affairs. It comes to pass Matthias and Vlad meet peacefully, however, through devious means
Matthias leaves their meeting unaware he possesses the mysterious powers.

Vlad’s brother, Radu, is tasked with protecting Matthias to ensure his safe passage home to Pest, but
on their travels, they are confronted by a group of mercenaries who kidnap Matthias and send Radu
back to Vlad with a ransom demand. The altercation sees Radu is mortally wounded, but Vlad
refuses to let his brother die and seeks to make him live again.

Vlad meets the being who initially bestowed the power upon Jusztina and himself. The being reveals
its origins and how its fate became intertwined with Vlad’s. Truths are revealed and the two engage
in a dual for which there can be only one victor.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Faz215
• Release date: Oct 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215374764

Faz215

All things supernatural

Book preview

Foreword

Aliquamdiu susurrans aegritudines caesae Maiestas Jusztina, Princeps Consort of Wallachia… The opening line, written in its original Latin form, of a series of texts that has brought intrigue and mystery to the literary and scholarly community. For over five centuries the work, consisting of seven volumes, sat in seven wooden boxes that were found in a hidden cellar inside a long abandoned Transylvanian castle. Only by chance, when the discoverer fell onto a latch that opened a secret door was the hidden room revealed. The charitable finder suspected the documents were of historical significance and generously donated them local officials. Those entrusted with the text did not have the expertise to make a proper assessment of the work and sought help from field professionals. Transylvanian authorities selected a small cohort and allowed them access to test and examine the papers.

The process began with dating the literature. As no timeline or date could be found on the writing material or within the text, the documents were carbon dated. The results showed the work was completed in the Middle Ages between 1480 and 1500. The paper was surprisingly well preserved for having spent over five centuries in a damp, cold cellar. However, the years concealed and improperly stored led to a degree of deterioration. Sections of vallum had become brittle and fell apart when touched or moved. Some pages were wet and affected by mildew and some suffered insect devastation. Fading of the ink was also an issue, but tomography techniques allowed experts to recoup and decipher most of what had diminished. Specialists state a small portion of the original text is indecipherable, nonsensical, or missing due to material degradation but believe this does not detract from the overall context of the literature.

Dialect and linguistic experts were called upon as the text is written in antiquated Latin and has no discernible grammar, syntax, punctuation, or sentence structure. Once transcribed, it was discovered the document possessed a unique system whereby white space is utilised to separate sentence and dialogue. Experts reviewed the content and edited the text according to modern literary principles to discover what before them was an archaic version of prose writing. Historians were amazed at the authors effort and believe it to be one of the earliest examples of prose literature. A final revision of the text to correct grammar, syntax and punctuation was completed, and linguistic anomalies were amended to conform to contemporary dialect.

Aficionados reviewed the final edition and were intrigued by the text that was revealed to be a novella. They were conversely polarised by the narrative for its inclusion of accurate historical content, real contemporary figures, and ethereal themes. This led to much debate as to which category the text belonged. Some believe it to be purely fictional while others offered evidence to class it as non-fiction, with a further suggestion it is semi-biographical or semi-autobiographical. Ongoing discussions failed to allocate a genre for the work, but aficionados colloquially dubbed it a ‘Histovella’ from its historical content/novella amalgamation.

And so it is, after being hidden for over 500 years this mysterious histovella is available for public consumption. The contents have been modernised, but the archaic nuances remain true to the original text, to do otherwise would be a disservice to the author. The Dynasty of the Dracul, Volume 1 - Vlad Dracul, Voivode of Wallachia is a raw and authentic piece that brings to life an age where the only thing more powerful than the sword was love and honour.

What come next, be it fact or fiction? That is for you to decide…

Part One

For some time, there been whispers of illness that felled Her Majesty Jusztina, The Princess Consort of Wallachia. It taken her health and she lay mute and without response, all her faculties dormant, as if a curse taken her soul and she alive, yet dead. Her majesty was before this time a beauty beyond all else. Her skin a perfect light tan hue, thin enough to see blue of her veins, red blood coursing through. Her hair darker than darkest night but glisten when hit by light. Her eyes dark also, as if night was inside them. She was diminutive in stature, more akin to child then adult. Her face was that of an angel, perfection, and could have only been created by divine hands. Her subjects love and adore her, for her friendly demeanour and ever-present cheer bring them delight. She royalty but think not so highly of self and oft walk-through town to enjoy company of her people.

Jusztina lay still and silent upon bed in chambre, covered in blankets neck to toe. Her face glow from candles lit bed side. At foot of bed a figure cast great shadow over her, ‘twas her husband and one true love, His Majesty Vlad Dracul the Third, Voivode of Wallachia from House of Drăculești. An imposing figure, Vlad stand a head above most. His hair long and black, eyes dark like night sky, his face fresh like young boy. His shoulders broad as two men and arms thick and chest barrel from years welding a sword. Vlad dress in black attire that both regal and battle ready with flowing cloak to back. A long scabbard hang from belt, sheathed within heavy steel sword that his close companion always. Vlad rule his subjects fair and true but spare no quarter. His people love and fear him, and all flourish under his reign. As was his reputation for thieves, liars, and cheats that they be impaled on pike without remorse. He spend much time abroad and was battle hardened, many enemies felled by his blade.

Vlad and Jusztina’ love strong, far beyond most. For what hell he endure during battle, ‘twas heaven upon his return to see her face and all was forgotten of death and conquering. He feel for her a love that last for all ages, and she same for him. Fearless warrior in Vlad soon quell when Jusztina near, for he never raise even slightest voice in anger at her. Jusztina know Vlad weak for her and succumb to her whim always. He has killed a thousand enemies and would kill a thousand more to spend even a fleeting moment with her. This love now seem at an end. Vlad return from far off lands to see her gravely ill.

Vlad watch over Jusztina for many days since his return to Castle Dracul, seat of his empire. As was his devotion, he watch her bosom with intent to ensure her breath constant. Vlad know of death well from battlefield, he took many lives, but save many also. This condition of Jusztina’ not like he seen before, no wounds, nor marks, nor cuts, just stillness. Vlad send for finest physician, wise woman, apothecary, shaman, doctor, surgeon, holy men, and all others throughout far reaches to see to his Jusztina, but all fail to cure her. Vlad pray ‘til knees ache, but his prayers unanswered. All he could do is be by her side.

Vlad stand as if stone watching her close, she begin to breath heavy, as if coming to life. Her breath grow stronger, Vlad excited by improved state. Jusztina’ eyes open and she draw in deep breath, hold it for a moment, then release it, her eyes close slow. Vlad see this many time on battlefield, ‘twas known as warriors last breath, and ‘twas her soul leaving her body for afterlife. With that, he know his Jusztina taken by God. Vlad scream from sorrow and it echo through castle and beyond. He look up to heavens and yell with rage, Why hath you forsaken me so? I fight and kill and conquer in thine name and ask for not in return, part from love of Jusztina. Your commands I obey for all my days and I honour thee as is written. All I sacrifice for thee and I receive not reward but punishment of my beloved taken away. Take mine castle, mine servants, mine florins, take mine life, take all of it, but not what I truly care for and not live without.

Vlad weep ‘til tears run dry, then anger fill his heart and mind. He turn to large wooden cross that stand tall near window and stare as he would stare upon enemy. Wicked thoughts run through his head. Vlad unsheathe sword and raise it high, he step close to cross and strike it with blade and cleft it in twain. Lightning flood night sky and thunder explode from heavens as cross crash to ground. Vlad look to heavens again, I once your loyal servant but now I renounce thee, for all that I do in your name shall be done no more. He walk to Jusztina, stand close and take her hand, ‘twas cold, heavy, and lifeless. He lean close and whisper, God so punish you for mine sins by bringing you death, so it shall be I see same fate. He step back from Jusztina and raise sword to throat, a single tear roll down his cheek, For we love in this life, now and always, so it shall be in next. He take a deep breath for courage that swell his chest, his heart beat fast from fear. He press cold steel blade against throat, he go to draw blade upon self when he sense a presence from behind that make his body shiver. The warrior in Vlad wake quick, he swing sword around with such force his body follow hither. Point of blade and Vlad’ eye meet a vision not of this world. What before him not man, but shadow that exude a soft glow that light up darkness. It not man but in shape of one. It rise off ground and float like hummingbird. Vlad see through this Presence as if it glass. It with no eye but Vlad know it stare upon him. ‘Twas a terrifying sight he nary seen. His sword still high should the Presence strike, but he frozen from fear, not able to breath less swing blade. The two still and silent for what feel an age but was mere moments.

Her life can remain, if you so wish, the Presence said in voice eery and deep.

Vlad without reply for he shocked so.

Her life can remain, if you so wish, the Presence repeat.

Vlad compose his faculties and regain spirit, Be gone from this place, less my blade strike you down, he growl. The Presence remain steadfast. Vlad await response from the Presence but nothing. Patient no more, Vlad went to end encounter. He take a step forward and slash sword at the Presence but blade stop within a hair and would go no more, as if magic make Vlad a statue.

Her life can remain, if you so wish, said the Presence a third.

Vlad, still with sword stretched, could not retrieve it for all his strength, Why do you say such things? ask Vlad.

No questions Vlad Dracul, son of Vlad, Voivode of Wallachia, the Presence reply.

The Presence release Vlad from magic that make him still and he lower sword, he angry and fearful but also curious, What are you? Such thing is not of God, you surely the Devil born?

The Presence turn to cross on ground that was felled by Vlad’ anger, One of us made by the Devil, other now his companion.

My life for hers, that is all I ask, and if I must walk with the Devil so she can have life then so be it.

So It shall be Vlad Dracul, son of Vlad, Voivode of Wallachia.

Vlad begin to speak, Will she be–

The Presence hold out left and a burst of dull light come forth and enter Vlad and take his breath away. It swirl and spin through and around him over and over. Vlad not able to move or talk for light had him entranced. Light grow brighter and brighter than it rush from Vlad back to the Presence who raise right and absorb it. Vlad weak and dizzy fall to knees, his sword crashing loud on stone floor. He look up at the Presence who now possess eyes ever so slight that glow. Vlad try to speak, but words not pass his lips for he drained off all strength. The Presence step to Vlad and look down upon him, You are now giver of life Vlad Dracul, son of Vlad, Voivode of Wallachia. With this you stand equal with God. Use it wisely. Many have come before you with this power only to be destroyed by their own creation.

The Presence lower self to be eye to eye with Vlad and look upon him with intent, Life and alive not same, you ask and receive one, but ‘tis other you seek. The Presence pause for words to take meaning, then continue, Blood is life, and life is blood, and yours is to give once, and once only. Choose wisely those you make your ilk, for what is done cannot be undone. Those words you must remember well Vlad Dracul, son of Vlad, Voivode of Wallachia. The Presence rise, turn from Vlad, and vanish as if it never was.

Vlad weak, his breath heavy, eyes blur and thoughts dazed. He go to stand but fall forward, his head hit stone floor harsh and he black out.

Part Two

Vlad’ eyes flicker awake, he face down on chambre floor, blood run from forehead. He attempt to stand but his faculties askew and fall down immediate. He shake head vigorous to gather senses, take deep breath and throw arms out to brace self, he push up and move legs forward ‘til he was prone like dog. As he look upon ground before him, a bright light burn his eyes, ‘twas sun that hidden and now return and rid sky of cloud and rain. Its beam light every corner of room with a brightness Vlad not before seen. He turn to bed to see his beloved Jusztina laying still as before then turn to where the Presence was but it now gone. ’Twas not but a dream, he whisper to self. Vlad gather his strength and with one motion rise to feet. He look to ground shocked to see cross cleft in twain, If not a dream then surely a nightmare I fear.