Radu led Angelina out of the tent and asked the Janissary where Ioana was being held. With this information, he and Angelina walked within the camp toward their destination. Both walked side-to-side, silently. "It's nice to finally meet you, Radu. I wish it were in better circumstances."

"Likewise. You made a huge risk coming here, but I am happy that you are here. We all suspected Alexandrei of something but you confirmed it. All we have to do is find proof to rid of him."Angelina nodded and looked at the young man; he looked like the younger version of Vlad. "What you said about my brother and what he went through. Is it true?"

Angelina stopped, and Radu followed suit. "You still don't believe me? Why would I lie? Why would Vlad lie to me? It was difficult for him to express his trauma. When a man went through sexual abuse, it is difficult for him to express such things; the fear of seen as weak is too strong."

It would have made sense for Radu to understand why his brother hated Mehmed and the Ottomans. There were times when Radu remembered how Vlad changed after certain days. Whenever Radu asked his brother what was wrong, Vlad would shut down or claim that everything was fine. The young man remembered waking up at night and hearing Vlad's muffled cries. Tears slowly formed in his eyes. "Was my brother trying to protect me? Was what Mehmed did to me in our youth right?"

"Radu?"

The young man regained his composure and cleared his throat. "Forgive me. Let us continue. I wish to meet Ioana before you two leave."

Angelina nodded, and they continued until they saw another smaller tent with two Janissaries keeping guard. "The Sultan sent me to speak with the woman." The guards merely nodded and let them enter the tent. Two fire torches were lit, and in the center was a long wooden pole; Ioana sat on the ground with her hands tied. 

"Ioana!"

The older woman looked up, her eyes widening with a mix of emotions. "Angelina, you are still alive!" Ioana then became angry. "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!? FOOLISH WOMAN! YOU LEFT-!"

 Angelina immediately covered Ioana's lips, shaking her head. She didn't want her to expose the truth about her son. "Ioana, Radu is here." She took her hands off Ioana's lips. The older woman looked at the young man who stood behind Angelina. Their eyes intertwined, and Ioana was aghast.

"R-Radu? Is-Is that you?" Ioana asked in a faint whisper. 

Radu felt his body warm as his emotions ran rampant within him. Memories swelled his mind from all the times Ioana read and sang to him, when she protected him, Vlad, and their mother from their father's abuse. "Ioana, it is I. Let me untie you from your bondage." He walked behind Ioana, got a small knife, and cut the ropes, freeing Ioana. Assisting her to stand, Ioana immediately hugged Radu, making his heart skip a few beats. He hadn't seen her in such a long time that he thought she would forget or hate him. "I thought you would forget me, Ioana," he said while returning the hug. 

They eventually withdrew from the hug. "Forget you? I may be old, but not senile. I would never forget you, my little Radu." Ioana then gently touched his face while looking at him. You look so much like your brother. He never stops speaking about you; he still loves you, Radu."

"As do I, Ioana. I took my brother's love and sacrifice for granted. It is too late to mend things."

"Oh child, it is never too late. I know your brother still has a place in his heart to forgive you."

Radu's eyes softened, but he then remembered the order he had been given: "Ioana, you and Angelina must leave. It is not safe for you two to be here. Alexandrei is among us, and we believe that he wanted all of this to happen."

The older woman looked confused, but Angelina put an arm around her. "We have to do what he says, Ioana. I will explain everything when I can."

Meanwhile, Sultan Mehmed II called for a couple of guards to accompany him to Alexandrei's tent, which he had guarded to prevent his escape. He was fuming. If a letter and money were sent to broker peace, and Alexandrei had something to do with it, he would order the immediate execution of Alexandrei. He never trusted Alexandrei, but since he was just, proof was needed to ensure the accusations. 

Before the guards could say anything, he and his guards arrived at Alexandrei's tent. Inside, Alexandrei was sitting on his cot, polishing his sword. Alexandrei flinched and was surprised by the Sultan's sudden appearance. He stood. "Sultan, what a-"

"Search everywhere. Make sure to bring me anything that seems suspicious." The Janissaries immediately started searching Alexandrei's tent.

Alexandrei was confused about the situation. "What is happening here!? What is the meaning of this, Sultan?"

"Get a hold of him." Two Janissary guards immediately got hold of him and forced him to the ground. "What is going on is that I heard some interesting developments regarding you."

"What nonsense is this? I-"

"Are you going to deny having an affair with Vlad's wife?"

The nobleman's eyes widened; the Sultan figured out the truth. "What lie is this!? I would never do such a thing!"

"Is it also true that you hid a letter and the money that Vlad sent to bring peace?"

"I do not know what you speak of! Whoever said these lies is trying to rid of me! I-"

"Sultan, we found something."

Three Janissary guards brought Alexandrei's chest, which contained his clothes. The chest was opened, and his clothes were thrown out. Beneath the clothes were heavy bags and a paper; Mehmed II noticed. "Open the bags; give me the letter." Six heavy bags were removed from the chest. The letter was handed to the Sultan, who opened it and read it.

Mehmed,

I understand that you and I have not seen eye-to-eye, but I decided to be the better person after reflecting on my actions and realizing that I have loved ones to protect. I have sent you the homage that I owe you. I know it is long overdue, but I pray you accept it so peace can finally be made between our lands. May this homage be proof that all I desire is peace.

                                Voivode Vlad Tepes Dracul II

Sultan Mehmed II's eyes widened as he read the letter; Angelina was telling the truth, Vand lad wanted peace. He then looked as one of the guards ripped open one of the bags, coins. It was the amount that Vlad owed him. His rage was getting the best of him. "You hid this from me. Vlad wanted peace, but you wanted to take the money for yourself."

Alexandrei was shocked by the bags of coins. "I-I know nothing of these coins! I swear it! Someone must have planted them!"

"You still lie after all the proof. That woman was right."

"Woman?" Realization hit, and Alexandrei remembered Angelina. "It was she!"

"I always knew that you shouldn't be trusted. You blundering infidel. You wished our deaths to control Wallachia. It all makes sense now." He took out his sword. "It is time that I pass the sentence."

As Mehmed II was about to raise his sword, he smelled smoke.

"IT'S AN ATTACK! ATTACK! THE WALLACHIANS ARE ATTACKING!"