Rosario sighed… things had not been going as well as he would have liked of late..Don Anselmo had been poorly, and that left the most of the parish work on Don Rosario… in fact, he had had very little time to do anything much else… he had not seen Vladimir ofr spoken to him in wseeks, but now it was hearing Christmas, and they would all be getting together for the traditional Christmas celebrations that Vladimir had held true from his father…He was looking forward to seeing his old friend again… thinhs had been relatively quiet since there was that frcas with Count Felix Karnstein’s son , Draco…The bot was nothing but trouble, and the disappearance of Rosario’s adopted brother Antonio didnt ring well either… there were rumors of another evil being in the woods again… Rosario was sure that the locals would try and blame Vladimir, but also knew that they needed him, so they dared not…Alice and Tristan would be arriving soon from school…Rosario liked the boy, and tried to get Vladimir to accept him, but Vladimir would not…clearly he had heard something, but would not tell… Rosario vowed to find time to go to the castle and talk with his friend…
A knock on the door took him out of his reverie…he opened the doot and was handed a letter in the hand which he recognised to be that of Alice…was there anything the matter? he thought to himself…Cautiously, he opened the letter:-
”
Dearest Don Rosario,
The past few months have been a living hell for both myself and Tristan thanks to Draco. Yet, he is the one everyone thinks is the ultimate choice as the next Count. Allow me to put down on parchment what we have experienced and allow you to be the judge.
It began when I arrived at the home of Count Felix. Draco, Tristan and I were escorted to the local village by the Countess’s handmaid Ms. Elizabeth and the Count’s man servant Mr. Charles. Before heading out we were all instructed to bring what money we wished to use to purchase the things we would need for school. These items mainly being ink, quills, blotters, parchment, candles and clothing if we chose and medicine or toiletries. As I was leaving my assigned room Tristan approached me and asked that I place a pouch of coins in my handbag and hold them for him until after Draco was out of sight. I agreed though I thought the request odd. It was then that I saw Tristan fill another pouch with copper coins and a small amount of silver ones. Barely enough to pass out after services for the poor. This pouch he attached to his belt in the normal fashion. Once we came to the carriage, Draco was already inside and when he saw Ms. Elizabeth and Mr. Charles he just about had a fit. He got a look in his eyes full of so much hate and venom that it was a most uncomfortable journey though short. Any attempt to make pleasant conversation was met with comments from him that are not befit for civilized conversation. So we remained silent until in the village.
Once in the village, Draco bragged about how he was given a bag of gold coins from Count Felix to buy himself the best of everything. He even opened it in front of us and poured the content into the palm of his hand. Sure enough there were at least twenty if not more gold coins. Yet, he grabbed hold of Tristan’s pouch and told him not to worry as he was sure I would take pity upon him and buy Tristan what he needed. As all he was good for was being the burden and lord of handouts. It was after this that he broke away from us and headed over to a building that was designated as a drinking hall. Shaking my head, I gave Tristan back his pouch he entrusted me with and we set about with Ms. Elizabeth and Mr. Charles to procure the items we needed.
Upon entering the main shop where we were to purchase the bulk of the items we needed, the shop keeper completely refused to sell Tristan anything until he paid the amount of five gold coins to him for the items that Draco helped himself to. When we asked why it was up to us to pay for him, the shop keeper informed us fearfully that when Draco came to him and took the items that, “if you try to force me to pay for these items I will tell my father the Count that you tried to cheat me and not give me what I had paid for and he will take you and torture you in his dungeons and sell your daughter as a common woman. I am quite sure he can get a good wage from her at least until she is used up. Then she will be thrown out to make a living by begging on the streets.” I knew Tristan did not have the amount to pay for Draco so I took it upon myself to do so.
When we got to the inn to have a bit to eat with Ms. Elizabeth and Mr. Charles, the innkeeper once again refused to serve Tristan as Draco had a thing called a tab of money owed for food and drink. It was equal to the amount of six gold coins. I paid that off so we could have something to eat and drink. Once we were given our meal the door opened and a very rotund man came in madder than father gets when somebody lies to him. He demanded to know where a young man named Tristian was. Tristan rose to his feet and told him he was the one he was looking for and inquired what he had done to incur such a wrath. A very young girl no more than maybe eleven years of age came from behind him with a torn dress and bruises upon her face. She told her father that Tristan was not the one that attacked her. Instead it was one like him with hair slicked back and smelling of ale. Apparently, Draco had tried to have his way with her in his drunken state and when she cried out for help, beat her and ran off. Mr. Charles assured the man that he would inform Count Felix of the events and the one responsible by the name of Draco would be dealt with.
Upon getting back to the home of the Count, things went from bad to worse. I was called into the sitting room to discuss with the Countess what had happened in the village. I told her everything that I have transcribed to you in this letter. Ms. Elizabeth also verified it as she was asked before I was as to the events as they happened. The Countess offered to give me back the gold that I had spent to cover the costs incurred by Draco but I respectfully declined as I would not feel right taking the coins from her as it was not her responsibility but Draco’s. She nodded and said that she would make sure he paid me back in full before we left for school from the allowance he was given by the Count. It was then that I was called before the count who informed me that I had no business paying for the debt as it was Tristan’s responsibility. I informed him that the pouch of coins that Tristan took to the village was promptly removed from his belt by Draco. So there was no way for Tristan to pay for his brother when he was no longer in possession of the money he took for his own items. The Count took both pouches off of Draco and found that the twenty gold coins were still in the pouch as well as the copper and silver coins that were in Tristan’s pouch. Apparently, the gold coins were to be divided between both sons equally. Taking the gold coins from the pouch belonging to Draco, the Count gave me back the full amount that I had spent to cover the debts. Afterwards, Mr. Charles spoke of Draco attacking the young girl and claiming he was Tristan.
Upon hearing this and about what Draco threatened the shop keeper with, he became so angered it seemed as if his eyes turned a hellish red. Considering we were in a room only lit by a fireplace and the way the fire reflects off the eyes, I chalked it up to my imagination. He turned to Tristan and grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall as he said things to him in a language I did not understand. Tristan turned pale and tried to tell his father that he never hurt the girl but from what I could understand of the conversation between them based on the answers that Tristan was giving his father, the Count believed that it was Tristan’s responsibility to take the blame for Draco. That he was to say he was Draco so that his “good” name would not be tarnished. He ordered Mr. Charles to remove Tristan to the dungeon and give him ten lashes for being such a fool.
I could not stand hearing that Tristan would be punished for something that Draco had done. I spoke up in a manner that was firm, but respectful and I did not say what I wanted. I asked how it was fair to punish somebody else for what Draco had done. He never did anything that was honorable in his life and yet because of his being born first of the twins he was deemed automatically to be the chosen one. That if the Count would take just a moment and really see what was going on, he would find that it was not Draco that deserved the benefits of his father’s house. The Count grabbed me and it felt as if his eyes were peering into the depths of my very soul. I could barely breath. When he let me go, he ordered me in a booming anger filled voice to my chamber and that I was not to be seen by him until we were ready to leave for school and until I was to formally apologize to Draco for speaking ill of him I was no longer welcome in his home. It was then I said something I know father will scold if not punish me for as I told him, “it would be a cold day in hades before I apologize for speaking the truth.”
The next morning when we entered the courtyard for the carriage ride to the train that would take us to school, we were informed that Draco would not be joining us as he had already taken a different carriage from the village. To Tristan and myself it was going to be a pleasant ride except for the fact that Mr. Charles would not allow us to speak to each other of anything. Ms. Elizabeth had me riding with her in the main part of the carriage while Mr. Charles had Tristan riding with him on the driver’s seat. I asked Ms. Elizabeth how long it would take for us to get to the train station and she said I need not worry about the train so much as should worry about confessing my sins to God and begging his forgiveness and wisdom to do what was the right thing.
When we boarded the train, we found Draco was already in the compartment and was sitting in the seat designated for Tristan. I sat across from both of them as we waited for the man to come to check our tickets. When he arrived, he informed me that I was no longer to be seated in the compartment, but was to sit with the other passengers unless I wish to purchase a ticket for only remaining compartment for single person use. I paid for the compartment and took my bag with me. Once inside I arranged for my meals to be brought to me least I run into Draco and be forced to interact with him.
After a few hours we came to a depot and other passengers were brought on and that is where everything started to go bad very quickly. Draco was in the dining car from what I gathered from the talk of the constable that questioned me about my affiliation with him. As the meal was being served a young man and his wife entered the dining car and they were shown to Draco’s table. Beings that the space was limited, they would place couples together so more could be served in a prompt manner. Draco noticed that the young bride was both very beautiful and endowed in certain ways. He began to make less than gentlemanly observations of her physical appearance and wanted to know how many gold coins it would take for the man to allow him to break his wife in. Not wishing to get into an altercation, the man and his wife got up and politely asked the attendant to bring their food to their compartment. However, Draco followed them. When they arrived at the compartment, Draco became physical with the man and beat him until he fell unconscious at his feet and when the wife called for help, he over powered her and had his way with her. As he left the compartment, he dropped a card with his father’s name on it and left behind a sum of five gold coins. When they woke, the couple informed the attendant of what happpened and ordered Draco off the train. It was then that the constable would send word to the Count as to what had happened. However, at the next depot we came to, both Tristan and I were ordered off the train as well as the young woman was given a warning that if she told any of what was done to her, Tristan and I would make her pay for opening her mouth. Neither of us ever saw or spoke to the couple which was verified by the husband and he informed the conductor that he had no idea who either of us was.
After waiting several hours for another train, Tristan and I were finally able to continue to school. Once at the site of Saint Bartholomew’s Boarding School, we were welcomed by the head master Mr. Anthony Sinclaire who informed both of us that both of our father’s had been made aware of the trouble we caused on the way to the school that got Draco kicked off the train and was given permission to incorporate physical punishments for any indiscretions we commit while at the school and full reports made and sent to both our fathers as well. I was also warned that if I committed any infractions I myself would be automatically expelled and sent home in disgrace. So instead of being put into normal rooms with other roommates, Tristan and I were put into solitary rooms that were constantly watched over by room wardens.
The first week of classes, we were given the strictest of teachers, but it did not bother either Tristan or myself. However, Draco could not stand the pressure of being taught by instructors that valued hard work and discipline. He would often do things to try and distract either myself or Tristan and when we would not give in to his games, the instructors would remove us from the classroom. Each day, we were taken before the head master and accused of distracting Draco. As a result we both were beaten repeatedly with a riding crop. It became so regular that both myself and Tristan needed to be taken to the infirmary to recover.
During the time we were there, Draco turned his attention to others and even paid students to do his work for him. When they discovered whom the culprit really was, they sent him away to the Bradbury School for Exceptional Young Men. Once Draco was gone, we were issued apologies by the head master and given normal rooms and returned to our classes. We were allowed to eat with the other students and even attend the special events including socials with other schools and sporting events as well as chess tournaments.
When the first chess tournament took place, Tristan was selected as one of our school’s best chess players. Our students were to compete against the students from Bradbury School, St. Ignatius, and Mary Mother of God School for Gifted Students. They broke the competition down the first day of being the students from St. Ignations against Bradbury in the morning and Mary Mother of God students against ours. I was most pleased to see Tristan make it to the second day. That is when everything started to turn dark again.
On the second day the morning and afternoon were set as elimination rounds with the final two competing in the evening for the school title. Tristan made it to the final match and that is when we learned he was going against Draco. For the most part, everything was done fairly with Tristan taking the title two games to one in a best of three match. Afterwards, there was a social that allowed all the competitors and spectators to mingle as a way of creating new friends and connections. During the event, there was one area designated for students and another for the adults. On the adult side, they served Brandy and other such drinks. Draco, snuck out from the student side and took from the other room a bootle of some sort and drank it until he was drunk. He came back to our side and tried to convince one of the chaperones that Tristan snuck it in and gave it to him, but Tristan was playing chess with the head master of St. Ignatius which was being watched by several of us. When Draco saw that his little scheme was not working, he approached the table where the game had just finished and pushed the table over saying that the only queens his brother ever truly like playing with were ones that had certain endowments.
Apologizing for the uncouth remarks being made by his impaired brother, Tristan took him into a private sitting room reserved for parents meeting with the head master. I immediately went to get him some hot tea. Upon my entering the room, I saw something that turned my blood cold. Draco had Tristan pinned to the wall and was trying to bite his neck. When I screamed, Draco let Tristan go and turned his attention to me. He placed his hand over my mouth and told me that he was not attending school but instead had the head master under his control. That while he was strolling about London looking for a good time, he met a gypsie named Antonio and another whose name he would not divulge. He spoke of the one knowing my father when he was younger and had gotten into a fight with him. That both the young man and my father fell off an icy bridge leading to our home and the one drown. It lead to both the young man and my father being cursed. Now that he was like my father and his, there would be no stopping his plans. He would tell both our fathers that he would have my hand in marriage when we graduated as nobody would believe that Tristan was not a worthless piece of muck and once we were wed, he would cross me over. Once I became like my father, he would do everything in his power with the help of his two new companions to see my father killed once and for all. Knowing that upon his death everything of my father’s would become mine. He would make it seem as if Tristan master minded everything in a last effort to gain the power he sought but could never acquire. Then once my father’s estate was settled, he would use me to his pleasure and once he was no longer entertained by me, he would have it where I too was killed and spread the rumors that I had so grieved by the loss of my father that I committed suicide to make sure that my soul like my father’s would be truly condemned. Then he would cause the death of Tristan so that his father and mother would be the only ones left. Having the power over the estate of my father, he would then drive his parents to poverty and make the villagers think it was his father attacking them during the night so that both his parents would be destroyed.
To seal the deal he tried to make me drink of his blood, but I refused and got away from him. I ran to the head master and begged him to come quickly as Draco had gone mad and tried to attack both myself and Tristan. Tristan did have a cut along his arm, but it was not deep enough to cause him to be mortally wounded. The head master called for the constable to place Draco into custody and send him to the psychological asylum for evaluation. Only, by the time they arrived Draco had already fled the school and was not to be found. Since then various letters have arrived at the school congradulating me on my upcoming marriage to Draco. I have never agreed to this and now my life is about to be condemned along with my soul because of him.
Don Rosario help us before it is too late.
Sincerely,
Alice ”
Don Rosario was speechless… what was happening? How could Draco have done all this? Suddenly, he was worried… he would go and see VCladimir that very evening.
Vladimir was in his study when Rosario arrived..there was much to do before Christmas, including his daughter’s arrival home… he missed her, and would be glad to have her back. Hye had been tied up with Felix and the problems with his sons, and , quite honestly, felt sad about what was happening…he and Felix had grown up together, but now, because of the boys, relationships were on a dodgy footing…and, to add the proverbial cherry, Doin Rosario’s half-brother had disappeared…no-ne knew what had become of him, and Vladimir was worried…
Don Rosario smiled at his friend, he was so happy to see him again, but Vladimir could detect an anxiousness in his friend’s voice as he spoke..
“My dear friend, it is so good to see you. How is your father?”
“He is better… but still not well enough to be left on his own with the parish… ”
“I see.. but you will be here for Christmas, yes?”
“Yes… I will officiate at the service..it will be just like old times.”
Vladimir smiled.
“That is good news, but I detect some small inkling of anxiety in your voice…”
“yes.. and it is more than anxiety. I got a letter from Alice this afternoon..”
“Alice?”
“Yes…and the contents trouble me greatly” Rosario handed Vladimir the letter. Vladimir read it, and his face grew grim.
“if what this says is true, she is in great danger.”
“I will meet her at the Church of St. Methodius as soon as she arrives. Until then, do nothing. Please for her sake and mine.”
“All right..ut let me know what happens…as soon as you know.”
Rosario gave his friend the promise that he would do what he could… After Don Rosario left, Vladimir tried to put out of his mind anything but countering the evil days that lay ahead….