SIX MONTHS LATER
HUNYAD VILLAGE THE KINGDOM OF HUNGARY
Veronika!
Help! Help!
CELJE LOWER STYRIA
Hold on, darling.
EDIRNE THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name...
I know it's hard to let go of your own god,
but you've been with us long enough now.
It's time you let Allah enter your soul.
Why are you so kind to me?
Why shouldn't I be?
A new girl arrived from Hungary today. I’d like you to be the one to welcome her.
Thank you.
I'll do my best.
I am sure you will.
BUDA CASTLE THE KINGDOM OF HUNGARY
"Lo giorno se n'andava, e l'aere bruno...
toglieva li animai che sono in terra...
da le fatiche loro..."
At least some of you are trying.
"...e io sol uno m'apparecchiava a sostener la guerra..."
See... We don't need you anymore, mad monk.
Erzsebet's smart enough to teach us all.
For once, Your Highness may be mistaken...
Watch your words, Janos Vitez.
You are contradicting the daughter of the King.
Ladies...
You just concentrate on your text!
Sorry to interrupt your little reading circle.
If you do not leave immediately, I’ll report you, soldier.
Oh, Ilona, don't be so boring.
Go ahead.
But first, fetch us some food and drink, maid.
This is too much.
Come, ladies!
Your Highness.
Very clever.
Now you'll be lucky if they feed you pig slop here.
Erzsebet!
Welcome to Buda, Janos Hunyadi.
Vitez, wait. It's you I came to see.
I need to speak with the King.
Who do you think you are?
The man who saved his life.
And...
have you managed... to speak with the King...
about me becoming captain of the guards... my lady?
Concentrate on this!
Oh God... I think I'm going to...
You'll finish what you started!
Oh my God!
I'm sure the King will be delighted to learn he's finally going to have a son.
Cillei, what the hell...?
Though if the old goat knew that you are screwing his wife,
you'd pay with your manhood.
You...
I don't believe this.
Don't worry, Miklos. I'm your friend.
I'll protect you.
And I think I know how to keep the old man quit.
The man who had your father murdered.
My father was scheming against him.
That's a matter of opinion.
But if that's what you call it, we’re about to do the same.
I only want what's best for you.
Sorry...
Can I get out?
Are you happy now?
You’ve got what you wanted.
And you could even indulge your dirty desires.
I'm your queen!
I could have your head for that!
But you're also my aunt.
And if you don't give Sigismund a male heir before he croaks,
you'll disappoint our whole family.
That is, you'll disappoint me.
Oh, really?
So that's what this is all about...
You don't want me to end up like you.
Yes, I heard the tragic news.
Yet another dead child? I'm so very sorry for you,
my dear nephew.
Never forget: family comes first.
Without me, you're nothing.
It all depends on your decision, Your Majesty!
Please, consider it!
Join us, Ujlaki.
Sorry I'm late, Your Majesty.
Our friend Vlad was just telling us about the Sultan's mighty military power.
It's a fascinating story.
Help me take back my throne,
and my country will be a solid wall between you and the dirty pagans.
Yes, dear Vlad...
The throne of Wallachia...
We'll get to that as soon as we can.
But right now, we have bigger problems than the Ottomans.
There's another dozen outside.
And that's in just one day.
After that bloodbath at Galamboc, how can you ignore the Ottomans?
Who is this madman?
Where I come from, they're destroying whole villages.
They're at the gates of Hungary!
And when you find your heads on the end of their spears,
it will be too late.
Wake up!
- This is outrageous... - It's disrespect!
You must raise an army against Murad.
Get those out of here.
Now.
Simon.
Take the kid in hand.
He's a bit crude,
but the royal bodyguards will make a man of him.
- I'm Mara. What's your name? - Veronika.
- Where did they take you from? - Near Hunyad Castle.
Hunyad Castle?
And do you know Lord Hunyadi himself?
Every girl in the valley knows him...
Do you know him too, my lady?
Take off the robe.
Murad is a gentle lover
and a wise man.
Let me tell you the concubines' secret:
If you fight it...
...it will hurt.
But if you pretend to enjoy it...
...you'll be treated like royalty.
Thank you, Mara.
Welcome, Veronika.
- Don't be scared, I'll look after you. - You'll help me get back home?
You're the Sultan's concubine now.
Please don't let him touch me. Please!
Please!
Line up!
He's as hard as nails. But he's got a big heart.
Just do what he says and you'll be fine.
The King wants me to see what you're made of.
But only if you feel like it.
What? Not good enough to join us after all?
Brute strength is not enough.
Blind rage isn't always the answer.
This is all I know.
Blind rage.
Then that will be your downfall.
Oh, kid...
To get what you want, you've got to play by their rules.
Oh? And what is it that I want?
To fight the Turks.
To defeat them once and for all.
I ought to go back home then. At least I can fight them there.
Is that it?
The great Hunyadi running away already?
Are you stalking me?
Don't you think too highly of yourself?
If you leave Buda, you'll never get what you want.
If you go now, you'll be all alone.
That’s nothing new.
But alone, you'll never beat them.
Let's make a deal.
You stay here.
I’ll teach you the ways of the court, so you can get your army,
and in return...
you teach me to fight.
To fight?
With a sword.
It's a deal.
Deal.
You've changed a lot since you first came here.
Thank you.
I'm not sleeping with you today.
I want to meet the new girl from Hungary.
Who are you playing against?
I just set... puzzles for myself.
It keeps my brain sharp.
And helps in battles.
How did you learn to play chess?
I grew up with two brothers.
But when they realized they couldn't beat me, they gave up.
Are you playing white?
Forget that girl. She's only just arrived.
Let's play chess instead.
What are you up to?
Nothing.
You do know that you'll be in checkmate
in two or three moves?
I suppose everyone lets you win.
Send the Hungarian girl in.
She can't come today.
What are you talking about?
It's her time of the month.
Send her in anyway.
Do you understand me?
I can make you happy, too.
Then make me happy...
and do as I ask.
Look...
That's the King's only child,
Princess Elizabeth of Luxembourg.
And the one kissing her hand is Albert.
Albert Habsburg of Austria.
I know these things, too.
Their marriage will reinforce the power of both families.
And because I'm here gossiping with you,
I'll get soldiers to help me defend the homeland?
You're beginning to understand...
I find your youth and beauty spellbinding, Your Highness.
Likewise...
I think the same thing every time I look in the mirror.
I know the whole story.
My father said that if you marry me,
your uncle will support his campaign to become Emperor.
Did he say what I'd get in return?
A wise wife?
I haven't a clue.
But I'm here to find out.
I see your fiancée has found a new admirer.
Though you've been shaking your spear elsewhere, too.
What do you want from me, Cillei?
An ally I can count on.
Blackmail is not a great way to make allies.
When you know me better, you'll see
it's the only way I make friends.
Can't you make friends with someone else?
You're the richest man I know. And I like rich friends.
The Sultan wants to see you.
You can go.
I wish to speak to Mara alone.
You wanted to protect her from me.
- I... - Why?
I don't know what you mean, Glorious Sultan.
Not many of my concubines would dare do this.
To lie to my face.
Everyone lies to you constantly.
Get undressed.
Or...
...you prefer the whip?
Look at me.
Now, make me believe that you desire me.
Let me make you happy.
"Glorious Sultan".
Let me make you happy, Glorious Sultan.
You want to make me happy?
- Yes. - I don't believe you.
Yes...
Glorious Sultan!
Do you know why everyone lies to me constantly?
It's because their lives depend on it.
Each stone represents a company of knights.
They all have the same skills and the same weapons.
Which side will win the battle?
That's for God to decide,
but I hope I'm fighting with the blacks.
Can anyone show me how the white army could win?
They split into three groups.
One attacks head on, the other two go left and right,
then the black army will be surrounded.
Yes.
A surprise maneuver might work...
for about fifteen minutes.
But then the blacks' superior numbers would overwhelm the fragmented whites.
I'd just charge them.
All you need is a little wine to warm you up.
If those are hills...
then the whites withdraw to here.
Now their backs are protected by the rocks.
Yes...
And they expose themselves even more.
Exactly. They're the bait.
In the meantime...
the second unit
moves around this hill...
and the third...
comes pouring down this slope...
Where did you learn that?
Nowhere.
Split into three. That's what I said, too.
Attack me!
Not like a little girl...
Why not try fighting with your sword instead of words?
Hips!
Stance!
Keep your feet planted!
And always keep both eyes on your enemy.
And you would be the enemy?
Hey!
I thought you could teach me something.
So that's how it is?
You bet.
Shoulder down! Sword up!
It is just like dancing.
Don't...
I'm serious about you.
How many girls have you told that to?
A few hundred...
Erzsebet...
Janos...
The gift of true love is yours.
The Lord has led you to one another.
Justice has found goodness, strength has found gentleness.
Now you stand before me hand in hand,
and I bless this union in the eyes of God.
And what God has joined,
no one may separate.
Except for the King.
When I'm back from my travels with the King,
I want to find you waiting at my castle.
But it's a rat infested place.
From now on, that rat infested place will be your home.
And when will it be ours, together?
Sigismund says we'll only be gone for a month.
One month...
One month.
I'll discuss the details of our engagement with my uncle.
Come to Vienna in a few weeks' time, and I'll make you an offer.
An "offer"...
I can hardly wait.
How nice that we'll be free of the King and his ass-kissers for a while.
If you want a role in shaping this nation,
you're better off staying home and learning...
by my side.
It's yours, my love.
But why?
So you'll have a piece of me.
Hunyadi! The King wants to speak to you.
Come in.
You think I don't know what's important.
That I downplay the threat of Murad.
You see things...
from a broader perspective than me, Your Majesty.
We must indeed raise an army against Murad to protect ourselves.
We should attack.
I beg your pardon?
Enough of being on the defensive, Your Majesty.
We can only lose that way.
We should attack. Surprise him!
I like you!
Of course, it's as you say,
I see things from a broader perspective.
Because I think in the long term, my boy.
We will retake the Holy City.
Jerusalem?
Yes. But to do that, I must first become Holy Roman Emperor.
With the power of the imperial crown,
I can raise an army from all over Europe.
An army of crusaders.
They'll drive the Ottomans from our borders, from the Balkans,
and chase them all the way back to Asia.
How should I let him nearer when the time comes?
Let him take the lead.
And if he's clueless?
All the more reason to let him think he's in control.
But you light the fire...
With caresses...
Soft kisses...
And... And if he's still cold?
Then let your lips be like warm honey...
I'll teach you everything.
Ouch!
Did you just pinch me?
Sometimes a bit of pain helps to arouse desire.
HUNYAD CASTLE THE KINGDOM OF HUNGARY
Gyorgy Dengelegi Pongracz.
It's my job to keep you safe until Janos gets home.
Welcome to Hunyad Castle!
Nice...
Do you need something, my lady?
Did you eat something bad?
Then perhaps we're expecting a child.
Lord Hunyadi will be delighted!
VIENNA DUCHY OF AUSTRIA
Sigismund!
We were just discussing an old custom.
In some places, when a husband and wife argued,
they would settle it in hand-to-hand combat.
So... what?
Husband and wife beat each other?
They duel.
Of course, there are certain handicaps.
Often the man has to stand in a pit with his hands tied behind his back.
Can I count on your support or not?
You can. So that through my dear nephew here,
I can be related to the future Holy Roman Emperor.
Though I'm afraid that if you don't win over the Italians,
there's nothing we can do.
Albert!
Tomorrow you will marry our dear Sigismund's daughter.
And soon you too will be fighting in a pit.
with your hands tied behind your back.
Just like the rest of us.
All of us.
Isn't that right, Sigismund?
What's wrong?
I'm going to die!
Don't say that. This place isn't so bad.
It's not that...
But my mother died when she had me.
And my father blamed me for it.
He said if I'd grown the right way round, she'd still be alive today.
Try to calm down.
It's too late...
Quiet.
You should be sleeping.
That was fast.
I have a son, too.
He's the heir to the empire.
And where is he now?
He's not for the likes of us to raise.
That's enough.
Back to your beds!
Sleep.
Congratulations, Your Majesty. May the newlyweds be happy for all of their days.
I need your support in my campaign to become emperor.
But you've just married your daughter off to the Habsburgs.
Surely you're not short of gold now.
It's damned noisy in here.
I couldn't hear you clearly.
Did you say you'd prefer prison for your treason at Galamboc?
Is this how it'll always be?
You want to punish me for helping?
If you don't fancy prison, I could have your head instead.
It's a pleasure to serve you, Your Majesty.
A FEW WEEKS LATER
Listen, kid, I don't want to preach.
After all, who am I?
Just a common soldier who follows orders.
But then you'd say the same about yourself, right?
I've never wanted to be anything more than that.
But Erzsebet is waiting for me.
And here I am, wandering farther and farther from home.
Farther and farther from the Turks.
Sultan Murad, Allah's Earthly Regent,
King of Kings, Lord of Life and Death,
King of the Faithful and the Infidels,
Emperor of East and West,
the Refuge of all the Unfortunates of the World,
the Voice of the Almighty Silence that spreads over the Earth,
the Shadow of God.
Vlad Dracul, Overlord of Wallachia.
What brings you here?
Bright-eyed Sultan, I...
I have come to offer my help.
And what makes you think I need help from you?
Sorry if I offended you.
What I meant to say is,
I want to offer you my service.
So rather than slaughtering you and enslaving your people,
you have a better idea?
I will open the gates of Wallachia to you, and your invincible army.
They are already wide open to me.
They have always been.
Of course. But...
Now you can have my men, too.
They know the secret paths through the mountains.
The paths to Hungary?
Let my men lead your army against the Hungarians.
All those wealthy cities will be yours.
And what do you ask in return?
Only that you...
let me remain Overlord of Wallachia.
I thought you followed the orders of King Sigismund.
Times change, Bright-eyed Sultan.
If the Hungarians fail to see that no earthly power can stop you,
that's their problem.
But I know my place.
Is that all?
Well...
some noblemen in my country
still insist on turning to the Hungarians for protection.
Help me destroy them, Your Majesty.
I've heard how cruel you are.
To be honest...
I find you hateful.
But if you are a loyal servant,
you will no longer have to worry about your enemies.
You may go, Vlad...
MILAN LORDSHIP OF MILAN, ITALY
What kind of man is this Visconti?
Not coming out to greet the King.
A rich one, Janos.
A very rich one.
I don't have three thousand men in my whole escort!
Tell that miser I can give him five hundred at the most.
He only has five hundred men.
I always knew you were a spineless scrounger, Luxembourg.
What good are five hundred Hungarian dogs against ten thousand Venetian mercenaries?
Remember that you're talking to a king, Visconti.
You are speaking with a king, Signor Visconti.
A Hungarian king is all you'll ever be
if I don't support your coronation as emperor.
Stop that music!
This is rotten!
Even a pig would puke this up.
Soncino Fortress is surrounded by ten thousand Venetians.
And my daughter Paula is trapped inside.
She has no more than two hundred soldiers to defend her.
This is a personal matter for you, I know.
And personal matters tend to cost a lot.
It will be a little expensive...
Visconti!
You give my men rotten meat?
- Translate! - Johannes! Calm down.
What does this savage want?
Well... He has a tiny problem with the food...
I heard your sort will eat anything...
...you filthy barbarian.
He says he thought Hungarians will eat anything.
Say that again, and I'll feed you with your own cooking!
If my men don't get good meat and wine every day,
we'll take it from your fat-bellied citizens.
Tell him that, Vitez. Word for word.
I like you!
Too bad my leopards will eat your liver.
Or...
You can have Hunyadi!
He saved my life.
Look at these arms.
This body.
He doesn't even need armor.
You really do want that crown...
But five hundred soldiers are not three thousand.
Send him against ten thousand Venetians!
And if he dies?
Would you die for me?
Good!
Well, from now on, you'll die for him.
Alright then.
- Be strong! - I can't stand it...
Be strong. It'll soon be over.
Soon...
Calm down.
Be strong, Veronika.
I'm here with you.
Everything will be alright. Be strong!
Alright.
I can see his head.
What is it?
What's wrong with him?
I'm sorry...
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name...
That's blasphemy!
Allah!
He's your child.
If you are all powerful, save his life!
Allahu akbar...
There is no god but Allah,
and Muhammad is Allah’s messenger.
How dare you?
Mehmed...
Our name for the prophet: let him be called Mehmed.
Only the Sultan may name the Prince.
You're a born fighter...
Mehmed.