After packing her few things, Alice sat on the edge of the fountain that decorated the center of the main courtyard. With a sigh, she looked at the looming ivy covered walls of the school.

” Alice,” the soft voice of the school’s secretary said warmly ” this just arrived for you. The messenger said it was urgent.”

“Thank you Mrs. Carmichael,” Alice said taking the envelope.

Turning it over, she was surprised to see the seal bore the crest of Tristan’s father. Uneasily, she opened it and began to read the message inside.

DEAREST ALICE,

FORGIVE ME FOR NOT USING PROPER PROTOCOL IN PENNING THIS TO YOU. HOWEVER, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. A MATTER HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASED TURMOIL WITHIN BOTH MY HOUSE AND THAT OF YOUR FATHER’S.

A WEEK AGO, DRACO ARRIVED EARLY FOR THE HOLIDAYS. JUST LAST NIGHT HE CAME TO ME AND ASKED THAT I SPEAK TO YOUR FATHER ON HIS BEHALF. AT THE CHRISTMAS EVE GATHERING, DRACO WANTS TO ANNOUNCE THAT HE HAS BEEN COURTING YOU AND HAS YOUR FATHER’S BLESSING TO TAKE YOUR HAND IN MARRIAGE THREE NIGHTS AFTER YOU FINISH SCHOOL NEXT YEAR.

MY DEAREST ALICE, I KNOW YOUR HEART IS WITH TRISTAN AS HIS IS WITH YOU. THE DAY OF YOUR ARRIVAL I SHALL BE AT THE HOME OF YOUR FATHER AS WILL DRACO. YOU MUST CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS TO IF YOU ARE PREPARED TO ACCEPT DRACO AS YOUR FUTURE HUSBAND OR WILL DENY HIM FOR TRISTAN.

AWAITING YOUR RESPONSE,
COUNT FELIX VAN BREUHER

Bowing her head, tears began to flow from her eyes.

“Hey,” Tristan said jokingly “don’t tell me you miss this place already.”

“Here,” she said handing the letter to him.

Before he could respond to the letter, the coach arrived to take them and four others to the train station.

“Awww…” a snooty boy commented “did you two get into a lover’s tiff?”

“Actually, we just got some bad news from home,” Alice said regaining her composure.

“Please pardon my brother Alice,” a meek girl said nervously. “We are sorry for your bad news and do pray it resolves itself quickly.”

“Thank you Gretchen,” Alice said smiling lightly. “I’m sure things will work out.”

Once on the train, Tristan led Alice to a private car. After placing Alice’s bag in the luggage bins, Tristan sat down across from her and took her hands into his own.

“So,” he said seriously “what are you going to do love? Are you going to become his bride to avoid problems or tell him no?”

“I don’t know,” she said feeling her heart ache. “My mind is telling me to accept Draco to avoid problems. Yet, my heart is screaming at me to tell him to leave me alone. I’m so torn right now that I have no idea of what to do.”

“Well,” he said nervously “maybe I can help you make a decision.”

“Tristan,” she said numbly “I know you would tell me to deny him to spite Draco. Only that doesn’t help.”

“Alice,” he said seriously “when I had my talk with your father during our Easter break it wasn’t regarding our discussions about history. We spoke at length about you. We are both going to graduate this coming year and I’ll be entering training to attend to my father’s business during the hours he is unavailable. Also, you will be offered numerous requests by adoring suitors. I have loved you since we were kids. So I took the liberty of asking your father if I might court you and if it was your wish, to have your hand in marriage. He told me that if you agreed we’d have his full blessing. I know it might seem an awkward time for this, but will you marry me Alice?”

Placing her hand over her mouth, Alice closed her eyes. So many emotions flooded her at once. This was the day she prayed would come, yet she feared Draco and what he might do. Yet, she knew their fathers wouldn’t tolerate his interference any longer.

“Oh Tristan,” she said gazing at the ring his father gave him from his mother’s collection “it would be my honor. I love you so very much.”

Placing the ring on her finger, Tristan kissed her tenderly.

“Before leaving, I got my friend in the head master’s office to seal two letters from me to your father. One tells him you accepted my proposal and the other says you didn’t. When we arrive in the first town I will ask for the message to be sent quickly.”

“Just don’t mess up and send the wrong one,” she said looking at the envelopes.

“You see how this one is lightly imprinted,” he said showing it to her. “Well that one says you denied me. The deeper seal says you accepted. That is how your father will know your answer. If Draco sees it, it will be a reminder of extra books and materials that will need purchased for your advanced lessons after resume our classes after the holidays.”

“Leave it to my father and you to be so clever,” Alice said sighing. “Only I fear what Draco will do.”

“As do I,” Tristan said getting a wry grin on his face. “However, if I were Draco I’d think twice about causing problems. Especially considering how our fathers are when somebody makes them really mad.”

Shuddering at the thought, Alice laughed and began to relax.

“Tristan,” she said at last “let’s go to the dining car. I’m humgry.”

“That’s a great idea,” he laughed. “Besides, I could go for some tea.”

Stretching as her alarm began to ring, Alice made her way to the bath chamber to get cleaned up and dressed before heading to the great hall of the boarding school. St. Bartholemew’s School was the most prestigious halls of learning for foreign students as well as their English counterparts yet lacked the snooty high brow atmosphere associated with other finishing schools. Here, brilliant savantish students could excel beyond imagining on their way to collegiate greatness while those that struggled academically were encouraged and could advance at their own speed without the pressures that high brow schools placed upon their wards. Today, after breakfast, the students were to gather in the grand auditorium where they would be addressed by the headmaster Winchester Abercrombie Sinclare IV.

Heading into the dining hall, she saw the familiar face of her beloved cousin Tristan. The second son of her Uncle Felix Van Breuher and twin to his brother Draco, Tristan was highly intelligent but had a playful and loving disposition that often led him to appear as being a clumsy dolt. Whereas his brother has straight hair that he kept trimmed and often slicked back, Tristan’s hair was a wild mesh of curls that often appeared unkept even though he was always impeccably groomed.

“Good morning sleepyhead,” he said keeping his eyes focused on the morning paper as Alice took her seat and began to lightly butter a piece of whole-grain toast. “Sleep well last night?”

“About the same as usual,” she shrugged. “Though I do have some good news for you.”

“My beloved brother has either eloped and is moving so far away we will never see or hear from him again or by some mercy…was killed and his body rendered to ash and scattered tot he wind,” Tristan asked wryly as the thought of his brother brought a sour taste to his mouth.

“Alas,” Alice said cringing at his expression of brotherly love “that is not the case. However, I sent a letter to my father two weeks ago asking if he would object to your spending the holidays with us as to avoid any unpleasantness with your brother. I received a reply yesterday after classes and he has discussed the invitation with your father and both are in agreement that if it is your wish, you may spend the holidays with us.”

“Although it does not remove my dear brother from the equation, that is splendid news indeed dear cousin,” he said smiling broadly. “Besides, it will be a pleasure to see your father again. Our conversations and chess games are always rather stimulating from a certain cerebral point of view.”

“Oh knock it off you pompous little snit,” Alice declared with an amused look on her face. “The only reason you want to be with us is that you won’t have to worry about that arrogant brother of yours getting your backside tanned for his misdeeds and the fact you love the pies and cakes Master Clove and Mistress Abigail make this time of year.”

“Alright dear one,” Tristan laughed “I am guilty as charged but in my defense, I also enjoy hearing about the past from your father and playing chess with him. Even if he does beat me every single time.”

As the clock struck the eighth hour of the morning, the students all stood and headed to the great auditorium and took their places according to the classes. Once everyone was seated,. the headmaster stepped forward and addressed the staff and students.

“Good morning staff and students,” he said stuffily. “As you are all aware of, tomorrow the school will be closed until the second day of the new year. Although this is the season of merriment and we forget our decorum and best behavior in our frivolity I do wish to emphasize that although not upon school grounds or in uniform you still are representatives of this fine establishment. With this in mind I ask each of you to behave accordingly and avoid at all costs bringing any shame upon our great school. If any word reaches us of anyone currently enrolled here being engaged in any form conduct unbecoming of the standards held by St. Bartholemew’s School, those found guilty of such will be punished to the fullest extent and held for a disciplinary hearing to determine if expulsion from this institution is required. Now, if you will all please report back to your dormitories to gather your personal belongings to begin your journeys home I will bid you all a wonderful holiday with the hope of seeing you all back in good health to resume your studies in January.”

As the students filed silently out of the auditorium, Alice waited in the hallway for Tristan’s class to exit.

“Is it just me or did it appear as if his britches were a bit tighter than usual in certain uncomfortable spots,” Tristan whispered in Alice’s ear.

“To be honest,” Alice whispered back “it is my humble opinion that he either gets paid extra to be so stuffy or is in serious need of the proper type of companionship that would alleviate such awful personal tension.”

“That is why I love you so much Alice,” Tristan laughs as he claps his hands together. “You have such a classy way of verbalizing that which would otherwise seem so….how should I say…socially awkward.”

“And you my dear cousin have such a verbally annoying way of producing as much manure as a heard of cattle in the attempt to intellectually expand our otherwise meager understanding of the obvious,” she said looking at him pompously with her arms folded.

“Ha,” he laughed placing his hand over his heart as if mortally wounded; “Are you trying to tell me that you think I am full of it?”

“In the words of Master Klove when he hears you rambling on…Indeed,” she said fighting the urge to laugh as he doubled over in laughter. “Come, let’s shut up and get our stuff so we can get out of here.”

“Yes,” Alice agreed. “Meet me in the courtyard when you are done packing. A carriage will take us to the train station in half an hour.”

Parting company, the two went about gathering the few things they would be taking with them along with their school books to enable them to complete their assignments and prepare for their new lessons that would begin after the holidays.

St. Cyril and Methodius School for boys, Bucharest, December 15th, the Year of Our Lord 1520.

Rosario had settled well in at school…under Vladimir’s wing, he found that he was left more or less alone by Zoltan and his friends…and he was very glad he had met his friend. Vladimir was a strange boy…he emanated power, and was very like his father, the Count Vladimir di Dracula I . Nothing got past him, and Rosario was aware that some part of him was beside him even when they were not together. They laughed, cried, played, but, deep down, Rosario knew that Vladimir was fighting with a dark secret…He resolved to talk to him about it that very night.

He found Vladimir sitting on the bench by the small lake in the school grounds, looking u at the darkening sky, as if he was searching for something, waiting for something to appear. The look in his eyes betrayed his feelings, and Rosario knew that there was something that was eating away at his friend…

“It’s going to rain…”
Rosario, who was behind him at this stage, goggled. How did Vladimir know he was there? He hadn’t made his his presence known yet. And Yet…
“Rosario…it is going to rain…it will rain so hard and the storm will be epic…Look- the sky is darkening so…”
“Yes… when it starts, we had better be inside…The rain is very unforgiving..”

Wordlessly, Vladimir got up, turned around, and started walking back towards the school. Rosario followed…As they entered the school hall, Vladimir saw Zoltan and his cronies, looking at them with the classical sneer that was his normal face.

“The Vampire and the Priest-boy!” jibed Zoltan. Vladimir ignored him. “What strange bedfellows! Their friendship will not last after the Christmas season…”

Vladimir turned to answer, but Rosario pulled him away.
“Leave them…They have nothing of value to say or offer…”
“You are probvably right, Rosario…but I can’t help feeling…”

The rain had started…and soon after, the first rumble of thunder. Vladmir winced. Something inside him began to ache…fear, pain? He knew not what. By the time the boys had reached their room, the storm was in full swing, raging to all four points of the compass…Standing by the window, They could see the courtyard below. They saw Father Gerontius fighting with the wind to cross the moat and reach the safety of his herbarium…Then the cry went up:
“Help me!!!!” The voice of Father Gerontius rag across the courtyard, cutting through the noise of the storm. Vladimir turned to see the old man being swept off the narrow bridge and into the moat. Without thinking, he opened the winow and jumed the shor distance to the ground. Rosario followed., but he could not keep up with his friend. It was as if Vladimir had acquired a turn of speed so great that he was almost flying. He reached the moat just as the unfortunate monk was swept off the parapet and into the water. Vladimir jumed after him, ansd reached him just as he was about to sink into the muddy waters. He struck out for the bridge, where Rosario and the Abbott and his servants were waiting to pull them out.
“Well done, young Dracula…” The abbott was suitably appraising…” You saved his life. You did a wonderful thing today.”
“You taught us to respect life, Father Abbott-with God’s Will and hgelp, I managed to preserve the life of Father Gerontius..Praise be to God .”
Vladimir crossed himself.
“Go and get changed my son…you will catch a chill in this storm. ” The Abbott smiled. Father Gerontius took Vladimir’s hand.
“I thank you for my life, my young lord…I hope in the future that I may be able to do as much for you when the time comes…” Vladimir thought he saw a look of sadness in the old man’s eyes.
“Goid bless you, my son.”
Father Gerontius looked away as they carried him to the sick room. Vladimir suddenly felt a cold sweat take over him, but he said nothing to Rosario.

Back in their room, he opened the subject.
” Rosario…I am worried…what di Father Gerntius mean when he said ‘when the time comes?’ What is going to happen to me?”
” Rosario looked up at his friend.
“I wouldn’t worry…nothing is going to happen. We are going home for Christmas, You will be crowned and I will be ordained…full stop.”
” No, there is some thing going on here…When I jumnped out of the window earlier on, I was two floors up, yet I didn’t get hurt…”
“Neither did I…God was watching over us.”
“Yes…but I reached the moat before Father gerontius was beyond help…How could I run that fast?”
“You were always a good athlete, Vladimir…”
“Yes…but this felt different..I felt a power within me that should not have been there. It was almost…dark.”
“Rubbish! You saved the poor man’s life…what is so dark about that?”

Vladimir stood up and turned to face Rosario.
“Rosario- the visions are getting worse…very vivid…I am cold…I am asleep…I awaken and the world is dark…Rosario, what is happening to me?” In my dreams my father is burying me…I am wearing my robes of state…and they are sealing the tomb…sealing it agaist what? I am dead in my dream, yet when they are gone, I awaken…”

Rosario had heard of the curse placed upon the Dracula family…but it was only gypsy magic…nothing to be taken seriously…or was it? If it was real, his friend’s soul was in mortal danger…If Vladimir became a vampire, his only hope of redemption would be if a woman was found that loved him enough to strike the fatal blow…if he were to be killed with hate in the heart of the striker, he would be cursed forever in Hell…

” Vampires do not exist, Vladimir…it is all a legend…Do not fear these people…they cannot hurt you.”
But even as he said it, Rosario was beginning to have grave doubts…The superfast speed, the slightly red eyes…

Back at Castle Dracula, preparations had begun for the Christmas festivities…and Vladimir’s coming of age and coronation…

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…

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.

Vladimir had grave misgivings about that Christmas Eve. he knew his duties as heir to the title, and was very ready to ride out to escort the old Baron and his wife to the castle. They had been very staunch supporters of his father and were always on hand to help out whenever needed, especially when they were very young… Baroness Matilda was always on hand to help their mother, and a strong bond had grown between them, almost as if the old baron and his wife were family. The baron’s house was at least a day’s ride away though, and leaving the castle with their damn relatives alone did not sit well with him.

They descended the stairway and found their father sitting by the fire reading a book.
“Father? You wanted us.” Vladimir spoke softly .
“Yes… As you know, Baron Zeleky is poorly and he and his wife need an escort to bring them to the castle for your cornation… i would like you to go with jacob to bring them back safley to us. ”

“And Maria?”
“Her duty is here with our guests.”
” With all due respect, father, I would be much happier if she came with me.”
“Oh? Any particular reason why you should expose your sister to a long ride in the freezing weather?”

“Father, it was my idea to go with my brother. He will need someone to keep him out of trouble!”
Vladimir scowled.
“Please, father?” Maria asked, plaintively.

Count Dracula looked at his children with a certain knowing gleam in his eye.

“All right… but there is more to this than meets the eye, and I will, in due course, find out what it is. ”

Vladimir and Maria looked at each other . How on earth did their father guess…

“There is no time now to ponder why… I will instruct Jacob to make ready for you both to go, Be ready for the early morning- you ride at 6 am tomorrow.”
“Yes, father.”
Vladimir and his sister bowed briefly to their gather and took their leave. As they walked back to the library, they noticed, Zoltan following them. Clearly, he did not know that trhey had seen him. When they reached the library, Vladimir asked maria to find the map that showed the quickest route through the old forest…Baron Zeleky’s castle was the other side of a dense pine forest with a very dubious reputation. He took his leave of Maria, saying that he would be back in an hour as he had to talk to Jacob about supplies for the journey. Maria smiled and went about her search.

A few minutes after Vladimir left, Maria heard the library door open. She turned and saw Zolan standing just inside the doorway, a nasty smirk on his face.

” So, you are alone, cousin. Just as well, as I have something to tell you.”
Maria stropped in her tracks and looked at Zoltan.

” What is it that you wish to tell me?”
” Just something that will happen very soon, whether you wish it or not.”
“Oh?”
” Let’s put it this way. You are coming of an age now where you will be required to choose a husband. Only- you will not choose, as one has been chosen for you.”
” Really? and who might that be? I have not given my consent to any betrothal, nor was I asked.”
“My dear cousin, I don’t think you understand.”
“Perhaps I don’t. Enlighten me.”
Zoltan took one step forward. maria stepped back and went to the other side of the table so it was between her and Zoltan.
” The one chosen for you is me. With the marriage between the two of us our families will be joined together and my parents will finally get what is owed to them by your father… Long has my mother suffred becaus eshe is not of noble birth. My marriage will bring glory to her, glory that she is due. But why wait? Let me see what you are made of right now, so I know I am not being cheated.”
He lunged for Maria, who screamed for help and made for the door- just as the door opened and Vladimir returned.
“What is happening here?” Vladimir demanded.
Before Maria could speak, Zoltan addressed his cousin.
” well, she is to be my wife- but is she worthy of that honor? I will have to find out.”
“You attacked my sister!”
“Just claiming what is mine, cousin. In a few days we will be married, and then we shall see.”
“Over my dead body!”
Zoltan threw a punch at Vladimir, who deftly dodgrd it, and tried not to react against the bully.
” Does my father know of this?”
” Yes, and he has agreed… because if he doesn’t…”
” Yes?”
” When the young gypsy was killed last year, his parents had my mother curse you… your father and yourself… Your father knows this and he also knows that my mother can lift the curse…but only on her terms. If I get to marry your sister, I will intercede.. or else..”
“Or else what?”
” Putting it simply, you will die… on your coming of age and coronation…but death willo be denied you… you will suffer for all eternity… and will plead for death in the end…”
” Gypsy rubbish.” Count Vladimir stood in the doorway of the library. ” I will have no talk of gypsy curses on this Holy night…Come, let us go downstairs and meet our other friends- Vladimir, Don Rosario is here and is very anxious to see you.”
” Yes, father. That makes me very happy.”
” Then let us forget petty quarrels and let us welcome our friends.”
” Yes father.” Vladimir hung his head and followed his father. Zoltan looked relieved… he imagined that he had gotten away with what he did. maria nudged Vladimir and whispered to him that she would reveal to him all that had happened between her and Zoltan… then they would talk to their father…

Outside, the snow began to softly fall…by morning the earth would be covered with snow… and Vladimir and Maria would set out on their journey…

The Season of Goodwill
Castle Dracula, Transylvania, December 22th, the year of our Lord 1534.

It was finally Christmas Eve…Vladimir loved the days immediately before Christmas….so many wonderful things went on in Castle Dracula. His father was known far and wide for his magnanimity and many poor and destitute would come to get their share of the huge Christmas Bounty that was the gift of Count Vladimir Dracula I to his people. Vladimir cast a thought to his own future…it would be his coming of age tomorow…and his coronation as co-regent to his father…the traditions would be his to keep now, and he hoped he would have the same will as his father to carry on where his father would leave off.

Christmas Eve was also the ordination of Don Rosario. Vladimir was looking forward to Christmas Mass, because his dear friend would be celebrating along with Don Anselmo. And, of course, Valdimir would see Lucy…and announce his intentions of making her his Countess.

Yet, with all this good to look forward to, Vladimir had an aching feeling that something was not going to be as it should…Amira’s words kept popping into his head, and the threat of the curse made him feel uneasy. Perhaps it was just an empty threat…Vladimir was not suerstitious…but he couldn’t help feeling that something irrevocably bad was about to happen.

“Penny for them?” He looked up to see his sister standing before him.
“Maria. I didn’t see you…thoughts elsewhere. ”
“Father is weaiting for us…there are a last few small arrangements to be made- Uncle Felix is coming today too- I am so glad. He has not been the same since Aunt Mara died…”
“Yes…poor Mara…so young…Damned consumption!”
“I am glad he will be here…He will be able to counter Uncle Igor and his dreadful wife….”
“And Zoltan,I hope…nothing good ever happens when cousin Zoltan is involved. Speaking of which, where is he?”
“Making a fool of himself with father. Father needs someone to ride out to Baron Zeleky to escort him and his wfie and children to the Castle. The Baron is poorly but insists on coming for your Coronation.”
“Yes.. he is a wonderful old man… he is much older than his wife, but they are both very dear to me. I assume..”
“Yes. Zoltan wants to be the escort, but father says we should go.”
“Hmmm..ok. I don’t like going and leaving the castle with the Rakovsky’s on the loose…Barn Zeleky’s castle is a day’s ride in either direction, and that is as the crow flies, for as far as it can.”
“We have no choice. father thinks that it is your duty to go, and I will go with you. ”
“I would welcome your company on this cold winter’s day…but you are a lady…”
“I am also the daughter of Count Vladimir Dracula I…That makes me a warrior too…”
Vlad smiled. His sister was never one to shirk danger…or indeed, anything else.
“OK, Here goes…I guess we had better go see father…” Vladimir reluctantly dragged himself out of his chair and took his sister’s hand. Together they descended the long ,sweeping stairway down to the main hall where their father was waiting.

Castle Dracula, Transylvania, December 20th, the year of our Lord 1534. – Eventide.

Vladimir and Maria were silent on the ride back home, each lost in their own thoughts. Maria loved don Rosario’s adopted brother, Antonio, who was Count Felix’s librarian…she had no time for Zoltan and his brash, boorish behavior…she also knew that her father considered her too young for marriage, so she mentioned nothing of her feelings for either man. Vladimir, for his part, was very deeply in love with Don Rosario’s sister, Lucy, and had the intention of asking Don Anselmo for her hand on the day of his coming of age… he pictured her face and smiled.

They reached the castle, handed over the Mace to Abigail, who gave them each a fresh cinnamon bun for their trouble, and went upstairs toi the huge hallway. They espied their parents in the process of welcoming their fguests, and tried to about turn and go back downstairs.
“Ah! There you both are!” Count Vladimir had seen them and wasn’t about to let them slip away. ” I was looking for you.”

” We went into town, mFather…we wanted to see Don Anselmo and confirm Christmas Day,” Maria said, not entirely truthfully. Her father smiled. he knew what was going on before anyone told him.

“Come and welcome your uncle and his family. They have come a long way to see us for Christmas.”

Knowing there was no way to squirm out of it, Vladimir and Maria stepped dutifully forward.

Vladimir stepped forward first, bowing and extending his hand.

“Welcome, Uncle Igor, Aunt Amira, to our home” He was always polite, even when he had to bite his tongue rather severely to be so.

” Ah, young Vladimir…the next Count Dracula… you have certainly grown since we last met. And Maria, you are a very beautiful young lady ” Maria blushed.

Standing just behind his parents, Zoltan rakovsky eyed Maria with a greedy look that neither Vladimir nor Maria cared for. Despite his dark gypsy good looks, he had the manners of a country bumpkin and was as much a snob as his status granted him. Vladimir went to welcome him also. Zoltan refused his hand and looked at him with a dark look.

“Cat got his tongue?” Vladimir whispered to Maria, whose response was to give him a huge kick on the shins that took his breath away.
“Shush. we don’t want father angry with us.”

” I don’t like the way he was looking at you. You can’t blame me.”
“Nevertheless…” she stopped when she saw their father looking at them. They both knew that look only too well.
Shrugging his shoulders, Vladimir walked over to Zoltan and extended his hand.
Zoltan ignored his hand a second time.

“Welcome, cousin to our home>”
“well, cousin. I see that you haven’t changed much since we last met.”
“Neither have you.” Vladimir stepped a step closer to Zoltan and whispered in his ear:
If you give me any cause to get angry with you, rest assured that I will, but seeing as this is the season of Goodwill…” he never got to finishing that statement, as his father noticed and gave him the look that simply said that enough had been said. Vladimir stepped back to join his sister. Zoltan stood glowering at them.

“Vladimir, show your cousin to his rooms- he must be tired after the long journey.”
” Yes, indeed, Uncle Vladimir…It was a long and tiring journey, and I need my rest. I will feel a lot more like socializing later after sleep.” The way Zoltan spoke always put Vladimir’s back up…lisping and lickspittle…Vladimir hated that.

” Yes, father…” Vladimir sighed. “Zoltan, come along with us. We will show you to your room.”
They took Zoltan to the sleeping quarters of the castle, and to a big, warm room near their own bedrooms. Vladimir opened the door and motioned him in.
” We will call you in plenty of time for supper. Rest well, cousin .”

“I will await your call…rest assured. Maria, I would like to speak with you after supper-alone.”
Maria did not answer. She just looked at the floor, very uneasily.

“We shall see if father allows that.” was all she said.

“Until later then.” Zoltan bowed mockingly and retreated back into the room, closing the door behind him.

When they turned the corner away from Zoltan’s room and out of his hearing, maria accosted Vladimir.

“I am afraid…” She whispered, still not sure if anyone was listening.
” I am not too happy either. I can only hope that father will not agree to the ‘secret’ meeting.”
“I get a very bad feeling that this will not end well…”
“me too…I can’t help but wonder what will happen this Christmas.”

They had reached the hallway by then, so no more was said, but Vladimir had the uneasy feeling that something was about to happen that would change the lives of all at Castle Dracula, and not for the better, either…..

Castle Dracula, Transylvania, December 20th, the year of our Lord 1534. – Eventide.

Vladimir and Maria – Elina sped down to the kitchen where Abigail was getting ready the ingredients for the traditional cake. There were always lovely smells coming from her kitchen, and she ruled it with an iron hand that would not allow even the children to take liberties. As they entered the kitchen, they could hear her shouting.

“Oh, and now you tell me we have no mace? How am I going to mull the wine for the cake when I only have an hour to finish? ”
Maria jumped into the kitchen from outside and grinned.
“Abigail! Dear Abigail! Is there anything we can do?”
“Ah! Lady maria! It is good to see you! Yes, as a matter of fact, there is…could you please go into town and get me some mace for the cake? You know what your father is like…if the cake isn’t perfect..”
“..Then heads will roll!” Vladimir jumped in from behind Maria.
“That is not funny, Lord Vladimir when you consider that it is my head on the block!” retorted Abigail.
“we will go. We want a ride as it is before stuffy Uncle Igor and his rotten family arrive.”
“They are coming today? I thought it was tomorrow.”
“Today, tomorrow…anytime would be too soon…” Vladimir grimaced.
“Yes…” mused Abigail. “the last time they were here, that gypsy of his demanded special food…not going to happen this time.”
“I would hope not…”
Vladimir wanted to be a lot more pointed about it, but a swift kick on the shins from Maria silenced him in no short order.

Five minutes later, the two were riding through the forest towards the town to get Marga’s mace. The forest was strangely quiet for a Saturday afternoon…that in itself was odd…too quiet, Vladimir mused, as they rode through the snow-covered woods…Suddenly, there was a loud rattle of carriage wheels, and an ostentatious coach and four swept around the corner, making straight for them. The two wheeled their horses to the side of the road to avoid the speeding carriage.
“It’s Uncle Igor and family.” mouthed Maria.
Vladimir looked horrified.
“Oh no…father will be furious…We are supposed to be there to meet them.”
“never mind…we won’t be long. I am sure that father won’t even realise we are gone.”

They resumed their journey, reaching Bukovina town without further incident. They found the spice shop, bought the mace and started to head back. The snow was starting to fall, and soon the road through the forest would become harder to see. As they were going towards their horses, they heard a familiar and much-loved voice calling them. They turned to se Don Anselmo Almeida Di Cappodochia, their local and much-loved priest, walking towards them.

“Children! It is good to see you again. Soon we will be celebrating Christmas at the castle chapel as always. Count Vladimir is always most generous, with inviting the flock to his castle and sharing gifts and food.”

” Yes, we always look forward to that, father,” answered Vladimir.
The castle chapel was very big, and it was a gesture from count Vladimir to his people to have them celebrate Christmas with him and his family.

“I see your visitors have arrived. They passed from here not long ago.”
“We saw them. Their coach nearly ran us down in the forest…I can’t say that I am happy about their arrival.”

Don Anselmo smiled.
“Come now, Vladimir…This is after all, the season of love, goodwill and forgiveness. Wjere is that Dracula hospitality that your family is so famous for?”

“It sort of got up and went away, father…I cannot readily forgive their son’s attitude towards my sister. It is a nightmare for her whenever they are at our house.”

“God will find a way, my son. He knows what must and will happen. he will not forsake maria in her time of need. By the way, Rosario will be home for Christmas, and Antonio.The bishop will come and ordain Rosario Christmas Eve and we will celebrate mass together Christmas day.”

Vladimir’s spirits rose. He smiled bradly at the old Priest. Rosario was two years his junior, and had been his best friend at school. He was a quiet boy, frequently the victim of school bullies, most of whom wound up with a concussion after connecting with Vladimir’s fists….they only tried bullying Rosario once, the pain for doing so was much more than they could handle. After five long years study at the Monastery of St. Stephen’s, he accomplished his dream of following in his father’s footsteps….Don Rosario Almeida Di Cappodochia….Vladimir would be very happy to see him again.

” I will send word when he arrives. He will be very happy to see you.”
“Thank you, Don Anselmo. I will be waiting.” Vladimir smiled, mounted his horse and turned to follow Maria home, waving goodbye to Don Anselmo as he left. Ever since his wife died, Don Anselmo was a regular visitor to the castle…He and Count Vladimir had a lot of history between them. Don Rosario had not found a suitable wife yet, and Vladimir did not think that he would ever get married….He was too committed to God, and would probably take vows of Chastity and stay a monk…he was a good soul…and Vladimir had many occasions that he was thankful for having Don Rosario by his side.

Transylvania,May 24th, the Year of Our Lord 1538….
The years have flown by…The time is fast appraching of my Coming of Age….and with it, a fearful curse will be upon me…there is no escape…no place to run…The inevitable will happen…my father’s curse will become my own…on the stroke of midnight tonight, I will die…but will I die, or will I slip into the terrible nightmare world foretold for me by Andrushka, my father’s gypsy servant, who laid the curse on me ?Time will tell…I am alone, I am afraid….I cannot hide… wherever I go, the curse will follow me… I cannot escape…I can only hope that the kind soul who finds and destroys my mortal shell will strike with love and prayer in his heart…only then will my soul be truly free of this evil…
Should you be the one to find this letter, please pray for me, and seek the knowledge that will enable you to free my soul…if not, I will be condemned to live forever in darkness, and I shall not know the God that made me….a vile creature of the night for all eternity….
Writing this in hope of redemption,
Count Vladimir Dracula II.

The Past- Chapter One.

Castle Dracula, Transylvania, December 20th, the year of our Lord 1534.

It was a day like any other…it was midwinter, and the mountains around the castle were covered with a white, snowy blanket, like a fairytale scene from the children’s books that he had been given as a child.
it was one week to Christmas, always a favorite time of year…The castle would be filled with guests as it was always on Christmas Day.
Vladmir sighed….there was much to do, even for him, the Count Vladimir di Dracula’s only son…the castle was buzzing even though it was still very early in the morning, and soon the huge gong would sound for breakfast and morning prayer…Vladimir pulled a face and proceeded to get dressed…He slipped out of his room and walked slowly down to the main hall…everything was as it should be…he saw his sister, Maria-Elina, two years his junior…she ran to greet him, with a worried look on her face…Vladimir knew that look only too well…something wasn’t quite as it should be…

“What’s the matter, dear sister?” he asked, concerned.
“We are having visitors to stay for Christmas…”
“Don’t we always?”
“Yes, but these are unwelcome visitors…”
“Oh?”
“You remember father’s second cousin, the Baron Igor Rachovsky?”
“The one who disgraced the bloodline by marrying a common Gypsy?”
“The same…He is coming with the ‘Baroness” Amira, her mother and their dreadful son, Zoltan…”
“That is a fight waiting to happen…I hate that little fool…he will never amount to anything.”
Zoltan was always considered a lightweight in the family…no-one really liked him, but he was tolerated for the family name…in fact, his mother had never been truly accepted…she was, after all, not of Royal blood…she was not accepted so much not as a matter of snobbery, but because she was, at the best of times, a rather nasty piece of work, a common manipulator, who could twist that idiot Igor around her little finger…

“And as if that is not enough, she married Uncle Igor on a false premise…”
Maria looked up from the book she was leafing.
“oh?”
“Yes… she tricked him into believing she was pregnant…when he married her, she finally told him the truth, but the damage was already done…”
“Who told you?”
“I heard father talking about it long ago…He knows I know, but made me swear to secrecy for the sake of the bloodline…but if Zoltan causes a fuss, I don’t know how long I will be able to remain quiet…”
“Vladimir…a promise is a promise…it IS only a few days, after all…and we will have sooo much to do anyway!”
“Huh! We’ll see!”
“Oh, stop it, silly! Let’s go to the kitchen. I am sure Marga will need something from the village! We can go for Aa ride and get that too! Come on, I’ll race you!”
Her laugh was like the tinkling of water over the pebbles in the moat- clean and fresh. Vladimir always loved that laugh…Maria-Elina was a wonderful girl…He knew that he would be lost if anything ever happened to her. He also knew that Zoltan had his greedy eyes on her…He would not allow that, not ever…He wanted his sister alive..
He sighed and set off after Maria.