St. Cyril and Methodius School for boys, Bucharest, the Year of Our Lord 1520.
Vladimir had decided…boarding school was so boring… He was only 14, and wished he could be back home whiling away the hours doing what he liked best…not that he had much time to be ored…he had so many firnds that the school term flew by, but he was still bored..nothing exciting ever happened at the school.
He walked into the building together with a new boy, Rosario Almeida di Cappodochia, whom he had rescued from the hands of his horrid cousin Zoltan, and had discovered, much to his joy, that he was the son of his father’s dear friend, Don Anselmo.
Rosario had been the butt of Zoltan and his cronies because he wasn’t dressed in finery and they decided he was tareget for today. Vladimir took him under his wing, and promised to look after him…
The boys stood in the assembly hall, witing for the headmaster to arrive. Vladimir took rosario’s arm and proelled him to a chair in the front row where they sat and mused over ecent events. After a silence, Rosario spoke.
“Thank you for helping me…I don’t know what would have happened if you had not been there.”
“Zoltan is a bully. He has always been, ever since we were children…he’s my cousin.” Vladmir shrugged. “I never did like him. I wasn’t about to let him humiliate you in that fashion. Besides, every new boy needs a friend they can depend on.”
“What will happen now? ”
“The headmaster will come, drone on about the school, the year and such like, and then we will be assigned to our rooms, or the dormitory.”
“I am going in the dormitory.” Rosario said. ” My father could not afford to pay for a room.”
“Well, it just so happens that mine is a double room. I will ask that you be put with me.”
Rosario gaped. He couldn’t believe his luck. A new friend, and a proper room. He would not be alone after all.
” Thank you, Vladimir…I am still a little wary of Zoltan and his friends..”
“He won’t dare touch you as long as you are with me.” Vladimir gripped his friend’s arm and smiled. Don Anselmo had been good to his family…now he could repay his kindness by watching over Rosario.
The headmaster droned on for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, they were alotted their rooms and they took their bags and made their way there.
The room Vladimir shared with Rosario was one of the larger, plusher ones. Rosario sat on his bed and sunk into the mattress…he had nevr slept in such a bed before. Vladimir smiled to himself. It was good to see Rosario happy- Soon it would be lunchtime, and the boys would assemble in the refectory to eat. the food wasn’t bad considering it was school food. At least it was edible. After lunch they would be shown to their classes, and given their books. Lessons would start on the morrow. Too soon, thought Vladimir…the summer holidays seemed an age away already.
“This evening I will take you for a tour of the grounds…lots of wonderful places to hide away from the teachers! Lots of trees to climb too.”
“I take it we are banned from climbing trees…”
” you guess correctly, but boys will be boys…” Vladimir winked. “There is one huge, tall old pine tree which, if you climb to the very top, gives you a wonderful view of the city outside the school walls. ”
“Have you tried it?”
“Yes… many times.. when I want to be alone, when I want to hide… when I am sad…”
“Have you ever been caught?”
” Not yet.. but then I have never fallen out.!”
Rosario laughed.
“Then I guess someone else has…”
“Oh, yes…I had an argument with Zoltan last year- I shinned up the pine tree to try to get rid of him…he followed, but fell out, got caught and got three days’ detention! I laughed so hard I cried.”
” There is very little love lost between you and your cousin.”
” He is arrogant… His mother was not a good choice for his father…she tricked him into marrying her…she is a gypsy, and of a rank much below that of my uncle. She blackmailed him into marrying her…I have no idea what over… and really would not like to know…btu she acts like she was royalty…she hates me and my father, but seeks to trap my sister Maria into a loveless marriage with her son. My sister is two years my junior…she is but a child…I will not let this happen to her..” There was glint of red in Vladimir’s eyes…Rosario felt momentarily afraid. Vladimir noticed and smiled.
“There is no need to fear me, Rosario. Despite what Zoltan’s mother says about us being cursed, I am not a vampire! Look, no sharp teeth! ” Vladimir grinned. Rosario relaxed a little.
That night, as Rosario slept, Vladimir looked up at the stars through the window. Finally, he fell into an uneasy sleep…His dreams were strange…he was dead… or was he? He he could not feel, could not cry…he was drianed of all emotion…He awoke with a start, and knocked the glass of water off his bedside table. Rosario awoke with a start.
” Are you all right?” he asked, concerned.
“I had a nightmare, Rosario. Recently, I have had a particular dream, always the same, always dark…it is as if something is going to happen at some time…I am afraid…”
” It is but a dream, Vladimir…dreams are not prophetic…God will decide our future…not dreams. Come, let us pray for your comfort.”
Rosario knelt down by his bed and started reciting the Our Father. Vladimir did the same. When he went back to bed, he fell into a deep and dreamless sleep…If only he knew what the future would bring…..or the pain he would suffer…
The moonlight streamed in through the window, causing dancing shadows on the wall and floor…Rosario lay awake watching the shadows, then finally fell into a deep sleep hisweary eyes closing finally… He was worried about Vladimir…he had an uneasy feeling about something, but what, he could not say….Time alone would tell…