The Sword of Dacia
The Wine
Chapter III
Moldovan Kagor
The two sat. Between them were a table, a map, some cups, a bottle of wine and a bible. Octavian let Serban speak first, as that seemed like the polite thing to do.
“We have a situation on our hands Octavian, over here, we have Dalmatia, which until recently been Ungarian, now the Veneţi had captured a few months ago but had lost it, now it’s Magyar again but not for long. Veneţia has sent an army of mercenaries to recapture it. An army three times the size of anything the Magyar can throw at them!” Serban took a swig of wine and continued,
“But as you see here the Hussites have broken through Moravia and have spilled into Carpaţi (Carpathia) and are undertaking a siege there in the mountains. The Austrians though had become involved against Tyrol and the Ungarians refused to honour their alliance with Austria. Now what do you think the last thing King Zsigmond would expect now?”
“A umm… attack from the rear?” replied Octavian. Serban smiled at what he said.
“You know what Octavian?”
“What is it?”
“You’ve spent far too long abroad.” Octavian was taken aback by this comment. Serban continued to speak,
"You even speak differently then the rest of us!” snidely remarked Serban as he sipped more wine. Octavian was slightly bewildered.
“Err… how so”
“The word you are looking for is
asalta…”
“Yes and...”
“And you said
adsulto”
“Oh… umm… my apologise Logofat, it’s just that it has been a while since I’ve spoken Rumâni with anybody. When I can’t remember the words I us-"
“Latin?”
“Err… yes, Latin. The two languages are very similar, it’s becua-“
“Save the history lesson Octavian. The last thing we can do is waste time right now”. By now Octavian was getting a bit nervous. He dreaded if for some reason Serban would open the bible and ask him to read something from it. His Church Slavonic was weak, he didn’t remember any of, he had been in Italia for so long and ever since he had gotten back he was often absent from Church because of his business dealings (he to, was like his cousin, a horse trader) he travelled excessively and often missed church services so he would read his own, Latin bible to Voica who agreed, was much easier to understand then Slavonic.
“Err… right. So wait a minute, are you proposing we attack Ungaria?!”
“It’s just a suggestion Octavian, calm down, But indeed Ungaria seems to be a besieged from all sides except from our own. With their forces tied down elsewhere this would be an ideal time to revive our claims on them. If we quickly take Banat and Transilvania (Transylvania) we would deal a blow that the Ungarians could never recover from!”
“But what of the Turk?”
“The Turk? They’re tied down to the east, fighting other Turks. The longer, the better I say. They’re far too busy to worry about us”
“I see, does Mihail know about this plan of yours?”
“Mihail? He knows there is an opportunity, but what he really needs is for YOU to convince him to do so. You are after all the most well educated man in the
Ţara Românească, by God! The most learned man this side of the Adriatică (Adriatic). I am certain with you clout we could get him to agree!”
“Me?”
“Yes you! It’s not like there is anybody else in the room! Just look at you! You wear
ochelari (glasses which where invented in Italy in the late 13th century), you speak with Latin words! You own many books and manuscripts! How exactly did you amass so many if you do not mind me asking?”
“Uh? Well… I do not really own most of these books, I am merely borrowing some of them… from a friend, back in Florenţa…”
“Either your friend has great trust in you or he is a fool to let so many expensive books out of possession!” chortled a jovial looking Serban (and he increasingly became more jovial as he drank)
“Well you see… he died right before I left.” Serban mood changed from joy to a look of solemn contemplation.
“I see” he said.
“I was borrowing the books from a teacher back in Florenţa but he died and left me with all these books. He had no family so I though, that maybe nobody would notice them missing…”
“Ah well, life goes on young Octavian, I remember when I was your age and wasn’t even halfway as far as you are in life then you are now! But look at you, a young and educated boier. Hmm… that reminds me… you are not married?”
“No sir. Not yet”
“How would you like to meet my daughter Octavian? Her name is Cristina! I assure you that she is beautiful and would produce many heirs for you. I assure you that she would be perfect for you!”
“I… I’m not really looking for a wife right now”
“And why not? Is she not good enough for you? Is it because she may have Gypsy blood? Eh? Or what else is it? You think you’re too good for my family because you are a boier?” yelled Serban who had a combination of disappointment and vengeful anger on his face. These sudden changes in mood made an already nervous Octavian even more jumpy. Now Serban seemed close to choking Octavian to death.
“Um… no! No! It’s just that…. Umm…, if what you say is correct then we will have war on our hands! I have to prepare for battle! I will tell the Prince right away about your brilliant plans Serban. Banat and Ungro-Vlahia will be in Rumâni hands once again!” yelped Octavian.
“Ah, so now you think it’s a good idea”, winked Serban.
“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t magnificent sir! Worthy of Caesar himself! Umm... look at the time Logofat! I should be on my way right now!”
Octavian scrambled out of the room as fast as his legs could take him as he left Logofat Serban smiling over his map with both arms crossed and staring at the ceiling in victory.
“What a
prost” Serban said to nobody in particular.
“I don’t even have a daughter!” laughed the wiley Logofat as he gleefully took another sip of fine red Moldovan Kogar.