Sultan Mehmed II and his men were going forward toward Targoviste, and they had to cross much of Vlad's territory. What was strange was that many towns and villages were empty. The Sultan suspected that Vlad had spies everywhere and informed him about his arrival. Still, he had to give it to his former childhood friend. Vlad had some humanity in evacuating his people. 

Whenever making stops to rest, the Sultan ordered that as many supplies as needed be taken to help his men regain their strength. The trip to Braila was long, and he had many men who needed to be fed and clothed. The weather in Wallachia wasn't too kind, as it was cold; Radu warned him that there was a possibility of snow. Since he and his men were in Vlad's territory, Mehmed II couldn't afford to underestimate Vlad. It was difficult not to do so since he had many men in his army. From what information he could gather, Vlad had under thirty thousand men in his stead.

It was going to be an easy battle to win. 

Radu was riding by his side, and upon their arrival, his lover became distant and quiet. The Sultan believed that his lover was going through many emotions and thoughts of returning to his homeland. Also, Radu would have to face his brother in combat. Mehmed II promised himself that when the time arrived, he would fight and kill Vlad, not Radu. He rode closer to his lover. "Radu, you have been silent ever since we arrived. Doubtful?" The young man didn't respond. His eyes were forward and expressionless. Upon closer examination, Mehmed II realized that something was amiss. "Radu, please speak to me. I cannot stand being ignored." Radu motioned his horse to stop and avoid the large army, surprising him and some of his commanders.

Behind the Sultan were his generals and other commanders; Alexandrei was part of the army, with no social standing, which upset the former noble. Like the others, he saw Radu starting away, making Alexandrei mentally smirk. "It seems what I told him made him think."

"Continue forward, I need to speak with Radu alone." His commanders nodded and led the men forward, while the Sultan went toward Radu, who dismounted from his horse and walked past some trees; the Sultan did the same. The men ensured space away from each other for more privacy. Radu had his back faced away from Mehmed. "What ails you, my love?" Radu remained silent, and Mehmed II was slowly growing impatient. "Radu, I do not wish to play childish games. We will soon go into battle, and I do not remember us quarreling on our last days."

Radu was momentarily silent until he spoke, "Everything is becoming too much. I have returned to my homeland where I am expected to have my brother killed and I am to become Voivode."

"Your emotions are warranted, my love. I cannot fathom the thought of-"

"You speak as if you could understand my pain; you had no trouble of ridding your brothers to get the throne."

Mehmed II was stunned by Radu's tone; he had never spoken to him in such a manner, especially regarding his brothers. "Radu, I had no other choice but to rid of potential threats to the throne; the laws dictate that if my brothers took the throne, they would have a right to kill the others. Do you believe I wanted to do what I did? Do you think I haven't been affected causing the deaths of my brothers that I loved since I was a child? I still have nightmares."

Radu bit his lower lip as he wrapped his arms around himself. "You speak as you hold pain but you have done nothing to change the laws of your forefather to stop the tradition. Would you fathom the thought of your sons killing each other for the throne?"

"Radu, why would you ask me such things? Though I am Sultan, I am not above the law. I cannot just change the laws of my forefathers." Mehmed II was upset that his lover would ask him such questions; trying to become Sultan was a matter of life or death. Additionally, envy and a lust for power can corrupt any person in a position to obtain it. 

"Mehmed II, I know I agreed to become Voivode once my brother is overthrown. However, I am not so sure anymore."

"What are you speaking of? You changed your mind now that we are here in Wallachia? This is not like you. You are stronger than this."

The young man turned and looked at the Sultan. "Is that how you see me, strong? Or do you see me as someone easy to control?"

"Wh-What? Radu-"

"Do not lie to me, Sultan! I may be Vlad's brother but I do not have the experience as he does. If truly cared, why would you want to have someone inexperienced on the throne?"

Mehmed was slowly losing his cool. "I have told you that you will be guided and have my protection. You-"

Radu eyed Mehmed II. "You wish me to be on the throne because I am easier to control. We have been lovers for so long that you have made me dependent on you. Meaning that I am easy to manipulate. Having someone loyal to you means it is simpler to control, right?"

The Sultan clenched his fists, trying to soothe his anger. However, parts of what Radu said were genuine, but since Radu figured it out, it would be challenging to convince the opposite. He hypothesized that Alexandrei may have something to do with it. "Radu, you-"

"HALT!"

Both men heard the command from afar, causing the army to slow and come to a standstill. Mehmed II looked at Radu. "We will speak of this later." He continued, while Radu stayed behind, contemplating whether or not what he had said was right.

The Sultan got on his horse and rode toward the front of his army. The closer he got, the more he noticed his men's reactions. Many of the Janissaries looked shocked. When looking ahead, some specks were noticeable; they looked like spikes.

Arriving at the front, Mehmed's horse stilled and neighed loudly, having the urge to run away, but the Sultan commanded it to stand still. His eyes and lips widened at the sight before him. There were pools of blood drenched on the earth, wooden spikes with the bodies of Mehmed's Janissaries that guarded many of his territories. There were also civilians, men and women.

They were impaled.

Some were dead, while some twitched as their lives were draining away. Looking forward, there was an endless path of impaled bodies. 

"Allah, the devil does exist."