I'm tired of bloodshed.
What do you wish of me, Father?
I'm tired of you, too.
It's not your fault.
It's the world that has made you so cruel.
I never kept it a secret, Ali was always my favorite.
He wasn't perfect, but I loved him.
And now he's dead.
Because you killed him.
How can you say that?
I didn't.
I loved Ali, too.
I know you.
You do?
Well?
Who am I?
The person I once was myself.
The person I've been trying to forget.
You don't need to ask for Mara's help.
I won't fight you.
You can have my throne.
I don't want your throne!
One word of praise would have meant more to me than the whole empire!
Mehmed,
I'm not going to lie.
I've been trying to forgive you.
I've been trying to like you.
But I can't.
I miss my son.
When the time comes, I want to be buried next to him.
As far away from you as possible.
Let's dispense with formalities.
The affairs of the empire must not wait.
Your father's abdication was a great surprise to us,
since he just won a great victory against the infidels.
Beg your pardon, but this makes your position uncertain.
Perhaps not everyone will approve if you take the throne.
"If" I take the throne?
What do you mean?
Can't you see I've taken it?
Are you suggesting that I can't trust my counselors?
We're the only ones you can trust, my young prince.
Good to know.
But...
you must not call me "prince".
I'm not the heir to the throne, Ibrahim,
I am your Sultan.
Your ruler.
And, if need be,
your judge and executioner.
I shall serve you faithfully,
just as I served your father, Glorious Sultan.
Excellent.
However...
it would be a shame to waste
your experience
here in Edirne.
"Here in Edirne"?
There is a run-down fortress by the coast,
manned by only two guards.
From now on,
you will be one of them.
Are you joking, Glorious Sultan?
I expect you know what happened after the Battle of Varna?
How many did we impale altogether, Vladut?
Two thousand men, bright-eyed Sultan.
Give or take.
A few more will make no difference.
Do you accept, wise Ibrahim?
With pleasure, Glorious Sultan.
Then get going.
I've never known why he wastes his time on those flowers.
They've always come before everything else.
Including his son.
We've lived our whole lives in his prison.
But now we can finally be free.
Both of us.
Your father wants to take me with him.
And?
Do you want to go?
He thinks he loves you
but a sultan can never love.
He can only pretend.
You're not going anywhere.
I want you here with me.
I raised you as my son.
But I'm not your mother.
Only your father's wife.
I belong to him.
Where Murad goes, I follow.
They're back! They're here!
They're home!
My lady...
My lady, a guest has arrived.
Were you expecting someone else?
What are you doing here again?
The news is that your husband, your kid,
and even that idiotic brother of yours
all survived the battle.
Yes...
Unfortunately, they tried to get home via Wallachia.
Stupid idea!
Vlad, a rather gruesome fellow, as you know, captured them.
How do you know?
Vlad is keeping your family prisoner in Tirgoviste,
until the Ottomans take them to the Sultan's executioner.
Then it's not too late.
We can save them.
What a marvelous plan.
Right.
Gather your soldiers and march on Wallachia!
Oh, but I forgot...
You have no soldiers.
I'd be happy to help, but sadly Vlad's land is over the border.
And even the King can't force us nobles to fight abroad.
Though as I hear, poor Vladislaus is still in Varna,
rotting in pieces.
You sound like Cillei.
You won't help me?
You won't help Janos and Lacko?
You have soldiers, please!
I'm begging you!
Well, that depends.
On what?
You can have my army.
You can chase Vlad to Edirne for all I care.
And in return?
Just one night.
Our wedding night, in fact.
The one that was my right...
You can have any woman you want!
That's right.
And I want you.
I'd rather sleep with a leper!
Well, if you ask nicely, they might send back your son's corpse...
Or whatever's left of it.
And when they do,
remember these words!
I will.
I'll be enjoying your castle's hospitality tonight.
Think it over...
We caught him by the river.
I know everything about your failed crusade, Janko.
This Cardinal Cesarini is a real chatterbox.
The less skin he has, the more he talks.
Surely you don't pity him?
He's getting what he deserves.
It's my gift to you and all decent Christians.
You're "The Defender of Christianity"?
You know, Janko, my old friend,
Wallachia is a small country.
On one side you Hungarians oppress us, on the other it's the Ottomans.
But there's one big difference between you:
The Ottomans don't want to convert us to their religion.
Unlike your inquisitors from Rome.
It's a miracle we're still here at all.
What about pride?
Why would a dead man need pride?
At least I was beaten on the battlefield.
You were defeated without so much as a fight.
Oh, you Hungarians will be just like us one day.
It's just a matter of time.
It wouldn't even cross your mind, right?
I don't know what to do, Margit.
You've no choice, Erzsebet.
Bring them home.
- But... - They're alive!
Don't you get it? You can still save them.
Your husband. Your son. My Miho.
And afterward?
How will I look Janko in the eye?
Who cares?
What does it matter?
I'd do it.
I'd crawl in the dirt, if I had to.
I'd do anything to see Miho again.
But why?
They'd only leave again.
They'll go off to die next summer, or the one after that!
One more summer is one more summer.
Glorious Sultan...
Don't be shy.
The entire harem is yours now.
What do you want from me?
This isn't about you.
Then who?
My father.
How hard your heart is beating.
Surely you're not afraid of me?
Why?
Should I be?
I raised you as my son.
But you're not my mother...
you said so yourself.
You're only the Sultan's concubine.
What are you going to do to me?
Me?
Nothing.
Mehmed!
What are you doing?
You must call him "Sultan".
I want my father to know all about this...
I want everyone to know.
Then we'll see how much he loves you.
Mehmed! Please!
No!
Mehmed!
Son...
I was never a good father to you.
It wasn't me who raised you.
You spent more time with Miho and Vitez than me.
Everything you know, you learned from them.
That's not true!
I'm afraid it is.
And now I can't make it up to you.
But there's one thing I can do.
You're going to get out of here.
You're going to live!
This is your decision.
Understand?
Do you ever wonder how things would have turned out if we'd married?
No.
Never.
What our wedding night would have been like?
I want it to be good for you, too.
It'll be good for me when
I get my family back.
Get undressed.
Don't!
I want to see you.
I want to savor every second.
Let's get it over with.
Look at me.
You're so beautiful.
EDIRNE THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE
Are we ready to go?
The very first time I saw you, I knew you were different.
Stronger.
Prouder.
Smarter.
By your side, I felt like a human being.
But after what has happened,
I can't take you with me.
I'm sorry.
To the gates! The Ottoman delegation's here.
Father,
take us to the prisoners.
What do you want?
To dine with you.
We can eat,
discuss the future,
listen to each other like friends.
Only if my men are fed, too.
Do the Ottomans treat you well?
They do.
I know you're angry with me, son.
I'm not angry with you.
I don't feel a single thing.
You're a worthy opponent.
Worthier than any man before you.
If by some miracle you could return home...
what would you do?
Build a new army.
I'm sure you'd win a few more battles against us.
Why shouldn't you? You're more than capable.
But what would you achieve back in your homeland?
All you'd get from the Hungarians would be scorn. Envy. Suspicion.
In the end, your throat would be cut by those you fought to protect.
Janos Hunyadi...
You can win battles against us.
But you will never win the war.
The Ottoman Empire represents a faith,
of invincible and ever-growing will.
You cannot stop us.
Then what should I do?
Fight.
But on the winning side.
On our side.
Hear me out.
We have no internal conflicts.
We have no religious wars.
We even tolerate Christians as long as they pay their taxes.
Who do you tolerate to live among you?
You even despise your own kind!
Why do you wage war against us?
To protect my country.
My people. My faith.
Your people?
But we're blood relatives!
Hungarians, Cumans, Ottomans...
We're all the sons of Attila.
Let's fight together again.
Let the world be ours, Janos Hunyadi!
You could lead the greatest army it has ever seen,
and your name would be praised for a thousand years.
Or would you rather stay here, rotting in Vlad's prison?
What you say is true.
I can't defeat your empire.
But I knew that when I rallied the troops at Varna.
I knew it as I was slaughtering your soldiers.
When I led my men in charge after charge.
I knew we'd lose.
Still...
I'd do the same thing again and again.
I'll raise a new army...
You'll never raise an army ever again, Janos Hunyadi.
Because you're going to die!
Not before you!
Impale him.
- Impale them all! - The Sultan wants him alive.
Go home. Say that he tried to escape.
But he didn't make it.
Kill me!
But let my men live. It's me you want!
Very well, Janko.
If you can bear the stake without screaming,
your men will be spared.
- Handcuff him! - Father! No!
Well, well... This is even better...
Don't you touch my son, Vlad!
Not touch him?
Why don't we start with him? While you watch.
I'll give you anything.
Anything!
Get here!
Be brave, son.
Is there anything you wish to say, before you can do nothing more than howl?
And you, Janos Hunyadi?
Don't you dare!
Even dead I will have my revenge on you.
Vlad...!
What do you say, son?
Do you pity Hunyadi's son?
Do what you want with him,
but his father belongs to Mehmed.
You see?
My son has no mercy.
He's become just like me.
Raise the alarm! We're under attack!
The gates!
Close the gates!
Everyone to the walls!
We're under attack!
Get out of my way!
Get out everybody!
I'm your father!
You taught me that everyone is expendable.
You were right.
I thought I'd never see this place again.
All I want is hot food.
And my own bed so I can sleep till summertime.
Since when does this child drink wine?
Since he learned to kill.
Janos!
Lacko!
Thank God!
Don't thank him too much.
The crusade failed. The King is dead.
And our new child king isn't fit to run the country.
The nobles are gathering at Rakosmezo. When can we leave?
Does Janos really have to go?
I should be there.
I'm Lord of Transylvania, Captain of Belgrade Castle.
We've got to go.
They're deciding who will govern Hungary until Ladilas V is an adult.
Then take the troops with you!
- Erzsebet... - They're plotting against you.
I can sense it.
I know they are!
Even your friends are your enemies.
Who are you talking about?
All my friends are here.
And Ujlaki's just saved my life. Our son's, too.
What's wrong?
Have you ever thought that...
maybe we're not right for each other?
When I saw you there...
saw you'd come for me...
come to rescue me...
I thought the exact opposite.
You're the only one in the world who can make me happy.
Happy?
You're wrong.
I'm not worthy of you.
I always thought it was the other way around.
What happened to you while I was away?
Nothing!
Erzsebet,
what must I do?
- How do I stop you from acting like this? - Like what?
Why should I fulfill your wish?
Aren't you even a little grateful?
Grateful?
You were the second son. Your elder brother should have killed you.
I could have let it happen...
but I protected you.
I don't need your protection!
I never did.
But I needed yours.
Aliya wanted to destroy me,
and you stopped her.
I thought Allah had chosen you for more than dying young.
I didn't want you to accept your fate.
I wanted you to fight.
I didn't want to see the darkness in your heart,
so I looked away and let you take the throne you wanted so much.
Now it's yours.
And you know the price you paid for it.
If you keep me here,
I'll be nothing but a mirror.
And all you will see in it
is the very worst of you.
BUDA CASTLE THE KINGDOM OF HUNGARY
And the nobles?
On your side.
So are the lesser nobles.
You and I are going to be very powerful men.
Don't let your joy go to your head.
I'm the largest landowner in Hungary.
And I will be that even if they don't vote for you.
I've already achieved everything I can.
So you have a lot of land.
You have a lot of money. But is it enough?
What is "a lot"? How much is "enough"?
There's got to be something more.
I have everything a man could desire.
And what wasn't already mine,
I took.
"Everything"?
How could you have everything?
All you do is dance to Hunyadi's tune.
I saved his life.
You should have just let him rot,
but when his wife whistled, you went running.
That's not true!
Your former fiancée,
is now popping out little heirs for Hunyadi.
Are you through?
Good.
Do you really think I'm that weak?
That I gave Erzsebet my army for free?
I told you:
I have everything.
And what I don't have...
I take.
THE GATHERING OF THE NOBLES AT RÁKOSMEZŐ, THE KINGDOM OF HUNGARY
If this many nobles came to Varna, we'd have won.
What happened to Erzsebet while I was away?
I've no idea.
We've known each other for years, but we've barely ever talked.
We had nothing to talk about.
I'm sure there are things we're both interested in.
You're going to be Governor. Everyone says so.
Someone needs to govern this country before it slips back into anarchy.
But what if they elect someone else?
Nothing would please me more.
But as far as I know, no one wants the post.
Unless you do.
- Me? - You!
It's not one of my ambitions. I don't know why you want it so badly.
It's the right thing to do.
Alright...
I want power.
I want a normal country where people pay their taxes.
Am I going to take a cut of those taxes? Of course.
But I won't be too greedy
and I won't let anyone else do it.
You could make money easier.
My family will remain in the royal bloodline.
My daughter Lisabeth will marry young Ladislas V.
And my grandson will be the King of Hungary.
But what kind of nation will be left for your grandson to rule
if it's occupied by the Ottomans?
Oh, "the Turks, the Turks"! Always "the Turks"!
That's all you ever think about.
You see this pig and the first thing you say is:
"What'll the Ottomans do to it?"
They don't eat pigs.
That's what I'm saying!
But it's just the attitude I need.
The Southern borderlands are vital territories.
It's our first line of defense.
And that's why I want you to think about the Ottomans day and night
and keep us all safe.
You'll get the same money and men as you do now,
maybe more, if necessary.
All you have to do is protect our borders.
Don't interfere in politics,
and don't trouble us with your problems.
That's my offer.
If you become Governor.
When I become Governor.
Isn't this what you expected?
Oh, you needn't worry...
I really am a monster.
But I'm not stupid.
Halt! You can't enter the camp!
My name is Mara Brankovic. I'm here to see Janos Hunyadi.
I've brought an important message.
If you like having a head on your neck,
let me pass.
Lord Denes wants soldiers,
but wouldn't sending them jeopardize our own defenses?
My lord! You have a visitor.
Mara Brankovic wishes to see you.
Show her in.
Mara?
- Maybe I should have written. - No.
How did you...?
I served my time.
Murad abdicated.
Mehmed let me go to my sister's.
It was Katalin who said I'd find you here.
You've caused the Sultan a lot of trouble.
I do my best.
That's why I'm here.
Katalin and I were writing the whole time.
But all her letters were really meant for the Sultan.
And the words were her husband's.
Ulrich Cillei...
The man you're about to elect as your governor
was plotting with the Ottomans all along.
And still is.
If he becomes Governor, he'll let them walk straight into Hungary.
The proof's right here.
He's a traitor!
We can't let him take any more power.
I have dozens of letters like this one.
Why now?
And why us?
You could have shown it to anyone.
No one other than him cares about this country.
And when I left
the last person I could trust was Janos.
Who else should I have turned to?
You'll never see me again, I promise.
Wait!
I know what you've been through.
How could you know that?
Ulrich!
Ulrich Cillei!
- Janos! - Get off me!
Janos!
Wait!
He's selling them Hungary under our noses! And I almost believed him...
But only almost, right?
We've got to act... The bastard's not our Governor yet!
I'll go and cut his head off. Problem solved.
That would be murder.
Even worse,
an assassination.
You'd be blamed and then lose your head, too!
You know what you must do, don't you?
What?
We announce that you're running for Governor, too.
Me?
Governor?
Hunyadi's also running for governor...
Have you heard? Cillei is a traitor.
Miklos!
Come in. What brings you here?
You want to be Governor, right? Vitez told me everything.
- No. But now I know about Cillei-- - I'll help you.
You can count on my support.
And on those of my vassals' too.
- I'll speak to everyone I can. - Why do you want to help?
Cillei's your best friend, and you won't get any more land from me.
Some things are more important than possessions.
My lord!
Hunyadi wants to be Governor after all.
We agreed!
You promised support. Now you're running against me!
I'd have given you all you wanted.
But now you're plotting against me!
You're a traitor.
I know about your alliance with the Sultan.
I ought to kill you here and now!
Oh, sure!
Kill the man who called this gathering just so you can get yourself elected.
Get the hell out of my tent!
Oh, one more thing...
Hasn't your wife been acting strange lately?
Rumor has it
that while you're off losing crusades,
her bed does not grow cold.
- Watch your mouth! - Janos!
Ulrich has a letter of safe conduct.
He's protected as much as anyone else here.
Don't blame the messenger!
You are a dead man.