St. Cyril and Methodius School for boys, Bucharest, the Year of Our Lord 1520.
Rosario was afraid. he had come to St. Cyril’s very much against his wishes…he was a quiet, homeloving boy, and would have preferred to go to the local school in Bukovina rather than board here. His father, don Anselmo, thought very differently. The move to Bucharest would give young Rosario the push he needed to go out into the world and learn to live , learn to cope alone, which, if he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps, he would have to do. The life of a priest in Transylvania was not an easy one, but Rosario had decided- that was what he wanted to do.
So, with a sigh, he picked up his small suitcase from the luggage rack of the train and made his way to the waiting coach with the school name on it. he was travelling alonbe, as Don Anselmo could not leave his parish, and his mother, Sylvia, was poorly… Rosario felt lonely. He had never been alone before, never had to fight or scrabble for anything, but now, a new period of hid life began…he was 14, and he had to face the world.
The journey to the school took him through the city. he had never been to Bucharest before, Bukovina was a quiet provincial town, whereas Bucharest was loud and busy… So many people going and coming, shops, parks, so much to see and learn, and probably to do as well, assuming they were allowed out of school.
The coach turned through a huge iron gate and clattered into the school courtyard. Rosario looked around him at the carriages of the other boys that were arriving. Most of them had crests of the hig families painted on their doors. Most of the boys were sons of nobility, and Rosario felt way out of place already… As he got down from the carriage, ne notuced a tall, dark haired boy alighting from a very opulkent coach…he could not help but think that he had seen him in Bukovina. Then he saw the crest…he recognised it as the family crest of Count Vladimir Di Dracula, whose castle dominated the landscape above Bukovina. Then the tall lad must be his son. Rosario sighed. he would never talk to me, he thought to himself.
Sighing, he picked up his bag. As he made his way to the entrance , a group of the better off boys decided to take issue with his clothes and began to ridicule him.
“Oh, he he is…the charity boy…definiely not one of us.” jibed the first one.
“No, indeed” replied the second ” How much did your father steal to send you here, priest- boy?”
Rosario recognised Zoltan Rakovsky, the sone of a minor baron of the area.
Rosario did not answer, but Zoltan and his friends persisted. Zoltan pushed Rosario and his friend took his case and began to run. In the scrimmage, the case opened and Rosario’s few clothes fell scattered to the ground. Zoltan pushed Rosario so hard that he went flying into the pile of clothes, skinning his hands and knees. He lay there quite still for a few minutes, then slowly got to his feet and began to gather his belongings.
By that time, quite a crowd had assembled around the boys. Rosario feltr ashamed and out of place…he was painfully aware that everyone was watching him. Just as he was about to try to walk away, he saw the tall lad coming towards the assembled group. As he approached, the boys began, one by one to melt away, leaving only Zoltan and his two friends standing there with Rosario.
” Cousin.”
The tall boy spoke, looking at Zoltan with a withering look. “Pick on someone who can defend themselves. leave the innocent alone.”
“Cousin Vladimir…perhaps you should keep yourself in your business, and leave us in ours.”
” Really? then perhaps you should remember that striking those less fortunate than yourself is a sin against humanity?”
“Now here this! Vladimir di Dracula, the champion of the hapless! ” Zoltan sneered.
Things happened so fast that Rosario’s head spun.
Zoltan went to throw a punch, but the boy called Vladimir was too quick for him. He grabbed his arm and quite callously sent him flying to the floor, clutching his head.
Without a word, vladimir went over to Rosario and started picking up the scattered clothes. Rosario could do nothing but watch. When all was picked up, Vladimir handed the case to Rosario. Zoltan had long since ran for it…Rosario smiled weakly.
“Thank you, my lord…” he stammered
“My father always taught me to protect the weaker ones…” he extended his hand. “I am Count Vladimir Di Dracula II, son of Count Vladimir of Bukovina “.
” Rosario Almeida Di Cappodochia, son of Don Anselmo.”
Rosario shook his hand.
“I swear I have seen you before, Rosario Almeida.”
” Maybe you khave, my lord…I am the son of Don Anselmo Almeida Di cappodochia…he is the parsih priest in Bukovina, St Michael’s church.”
“Ah…Don Anselmo…he is a long -time and very special friend of my father’s… It is an honor to meet his son.”
“Thank nyou, my lord…and thank you for helping me.”
“I am not your lord…only Jesus is that, Rosario…I am Vladimir…if you need me, just call me…I will be here. I owe it tp your father to protect his son. You coming?”
With that, Vladimir turned, waved, and walked to the entrance. Rosario stood for a minute , then picked up his case and followed Vladimir to the school.