“No problem,” security replied.
Drake’s head swiveled and craned as he marveled at the ship. He had seen videos of launches before, but seeing a space ship this close was even more impressive. An open doorway beckoned and they stepped into the space-craft. The first thing that caught Drake’s eye once inside the small passenger compartment was bowls of gem stones and gold coins.
Fleck walked over to a small closet door. “This is where you hide until after liftoff. This area has nothing to do with controlling the ship, so it’s unlikely anyone will even come in here except to double check that the food was brought on board. We had an instance when it was forgotten and all we got back from the planet was two corpses. What a waste of a trip. I’ve added a temporary lock on the inside, just in case.”
“So, the creatures from this planet just wander on board and then they’re trapped?”
Fleck smiled. “Like flies on a spider’s web. They just can’t resist the riches that tempt them from within.”
Removing a thick envelope that had been on his clipboard, Fleck passed it to Drake. “Here is a manual on these people and their language. There are many different languages on this planet and they are quite spread out. So if you decide or have the necessity to seek out a new food source, you will have to learn their language as well. Also included is a history of the people of the area, their society and political intrigue. I have put enough gold and gems in a satchel in the storage area to let you live comfortably for a century or so, but you will need to try build your money through commerce to ensure your financial status. These beings are class driven and prejudiced. Feeding from the lower classes should be fairly easy as long as you’re not caught, red fanged, you should be able to operate in a clandestine manner. They have no forensics so there is no way for them to tie you to any killings. And money will buy you out of a tight jam should you encounter it.”
“Wow, they sound very enlightened. I had no idea they were so civilized. Elsie didn’t offer me too much information on them.”
“Elsie doesn’t have too much interest in anything that doesn’t benefit her directly. Although, I guess this does, now.”
“Yeah, now she’ll be reading up on all the information available,” Drake chuckled.
“I doubt that,” Fleck said.
“Well, you’re on your own, Ulah. I wash my hands of the whole episode and deny any knowledge of Elsie’s schemes. I would shake your hand, but I don’t respect you enough for that. Good bye…I hope you rot in hell.”
“Where all nice little Vampires end up. All life ends, eventually. Remember that Fleck.”
***
Fleck walked back to his office and waited for Elsie to show up. He paced and nervously looked at his watch. “Damn you and your stubbornness,” Fleck swore under his breath. I’ll have to deal with you later, he thought, as he left his office. I have to get your precious cargo off the planet, safe, while the rest of the noble Vampire race face the threat of a revolution and death.
Fleck had never before felt nervous about a launch and he prayed it went off without any malfunctions. He breathed a sigh of relief when all had gone smoothly. He also worried about the dead body that would soon be discovered. Walking back to his office, Fleck shook his head at the selfishness of his daughter, and how he could have possibly gone along with her crazy scheme. Turning to walk into his office, Fleck stopped suddenly at the threshold.
“Detectives,” he said and proceeded to his desk. “I thought I told you to call me on the weekend for an appointment. I’m much too busy to see you now. Haven’t you heard? Today is launch day and I still have post launch work to do.”
Lang shifted in her chair. “Yes we know full well about the launch today, and we suspect there may be some unregistered cargo aboard. What do you think, Mr. Fleck?”
Fleck shifted nervously, and diverted his attention to some paperwork on his desk. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Please leave me to my work.”
“You know, your daughter tried to make me Ulah’s last meal before his long trip. And, if it wasn’t for my partner…I wouldn’t be here right now. Just where is the lovely lady who has singlehandedly destroyed our entire race. And who did she eventually sacrifice to that killer as his final victim?”
Fleck suddenly sat bolt upright. “Oh, shit!” He abruptly got up and ran to the door and down the hallway. Genn and Lang scrambled to their feet and sprinted to catch up.
“What’s going on?” Genn asked as they all ran to the stairway.
“I’m not sure, but I think Fleck is worried about Elsie.”
Genn thought for a moment. “Bloodless bones, could you imagine,” Genn managed to speak in between gasps for air as they all bounded down the stairs.
Fleck burst into a hallway, his breath deep and frenzied
He sprinted to the janitorial room and used his pass key to enter. While the detectives caught their breaths at the door, Fleck frantically searched the room. The detectives had just begun to move into the room when they heard an anguished father’s cry. Fleck dropped to the spot and felt for a pulse, but Elsie was cold and her body drained.
Chapter 22
The New World
Boring day after boring day passed and Drake could feel his hunger building. He used the drudgery of study to take his mind off of his hunger as the trip neared completion. He took great care in concentrating his studies on learning the language of the people and the history of the area. It was quite revealing and the people seemed very intelligent. He felt excited but nervous as the ship landed in a predetermined area. Stepping out of the vessel the world looked enormous, the grey sky was so vast. The natural light was foreign to Drake and he shielded his eyes. No one had thought to warn him of the pain he would experience during the daylight hours on this planet. The bag of gold and books felt lighter than he thought it would. Fleck had told him that this planet was smaller than their own, so the gravitational pull was not as strong. What a difference it made, Drake felt light and strong…and hungry. He would need to feed, soon. Walking across a meadow Drake heard excited voices.
“It’s over here, I tell you. I saw it come down,” a deep voice bellowed and Drake recognized the language immediately.
“Don’t get too close. It could be some sort of Ottoman trick,” another voice, sharper than the first cut through the cold misty air.
“Look, someone is moving. Halt! Who goes there!” the deep voice roared.
“Damn,” Drake muttered and he ran for the woods.
“Stop, you!”
Jingling chain mail and the dull clunk of weapons on armor slowed the guards but the commotion attracted two other pairs of roving guards and they surrounded Drake with weapons at the ready.
“Stand fast or as sure as Christ, I’ll impale you!”
The wooden spears they wielded were tipped with a long, slender, steel dagger for quick thrusting and retrieval from a foe’s body. Drake’s heart was racing. He decided to stand still.
“I have no weapons and I will do as you ask ,” Drake promised and the sentries relaxed slightly.
“You speak our language but, you are obviously a foreigner,” the soldier looked Drake up and down as he straightened his battle helmet. “You’re obviously a spy…but from where? That is the question.”
“What about the big thing that we saw come down back there. Is it a weapon?” a different guard spoke from behind Drake this time.
“I don’t know anything about it. I was passing by, just like you when it came down right in my path. So I swerved around it and started to run.”
“What’s in your tote?”
“Personal items. I’m a travelling Boyar from Moldavia, that’s why I speak Daco-Romanian with an accent. I just felt like getting away and travelling the earth. I ask of nothing and mean no harm. I just ask to be left alone to continue my travels.”
“Where’s your horse?”
“I travel on foot.”
“Now I know you’re lying. No Boyar I’ve ever known trav
els by foot.” He tossed his spear behind him. “Skewer him if he makes a move,” he said as he moved cautiously towards Drake. “Throw your pack on the ground.”
The contents of the large duffel bag thudded with a jingle when it hit the ground and every one’s eyes got bigger and focused on the sack.
The guard labored to lift it. He decided to leave it on the ground and kneeled to peek inside. His frustration at not being able to open it was apparent. “Open it!” he barked.
Drake unzipped it and the guard’s jaws dropped. Opening the bag revealed a small treasure. The multicolored gems peeked out from a bed of shining gold. Drake noticed the various astounded expressions.
“Well, you must be a Boyar to be travelling with so many riches. Do you not fear thieves as you travel?”
“I deal with situations as they arise,” Drake answered.
“But you carry no weapons…not even a dagger?”
“No. I am unarmed.”
“Hmm. The Prince will want to ask you some questions, but first we must investigate the floating device that coincidentally arrived the same time as you. Pick up your bag and come with us.”
The guard took note of how easily Drake hefted his bag of gold and jewels.
Drake was led by spear-tip to the landing site. The closer they got the slower the guards walked and the more wary they became. The door of the capsule was still open with a light shining from within.
“Watch him closely,” the superior of the group instructed as he inched closer to the door.
The gold and jewels caught his eye immediately.
“So, what do you make of that, Boyar? The gold and jewels in there bear a strong resemblance to the ones in your bag.”
The other guards craned their necks to get a look inside.
One of the sentries wheeled around. “We should compare the cut and stamp on the coins to see if they match the ones in his tote.”
“Good idea, Sigis-fetch one and one only. And also bring one clear stone to compare. The ones in the Boyar’s bag are unusually large.”
The soldiers had never seen such incredible riches before.
Turning and walking cautiously towards the capsule, the guard’s eyes shone with excitement. Drake knew that momentarily the man would be caught, and on his way to his eventual demise on a foreign planet. Damn, I wish I had gotten away in time, Drake thought to himself.
Entering the vessel with his eyes fixed entirely on the treasure, the sentry took but two steps inside and the door slid shut. The remaining guards rushed the vessel. They poked, pried and smashed at the door to no avail but gasped and backed away as the ship began to rise off the ground.
“It’s witchcraft!”
They watched as the ship slowly rose into the misty morning air and then disappear into the grey sky.
Drake’s heart was pounding fast.
“What in a whore’s-heart was that?” one of the guards said positioning his lance in a more defensive stature.
The other guards stepped back as well, confusion in their eyes.
The lead guard spun to face Drake. “I never did like Sigis anyway…he was a pain in the ass. But you, my dear Boyar, are very interesting and I know my master would be very interested to meet you.” He paused as he looked over to his shoulder at his men. “Just remember, we still have the upper hand.”
“Who is your master?”
“Vlad Dracula, the Prince of Walachia. Come.”
Drake fleetingly noticed the similarity between his own name and the Prince’s, but his bigger concern was-how was he going to get out of this one.
The armed guard led Drake towards the city of Targoviste. Every man in the group was nervous and scared.
“My master will be very interested to see you. Maybe you’ve heard of him?”
Drake had read about the history of the area. It was a rich, fertile piece of territory held now by Catholic interests, but the powerful Ottomans were always trying to take the area by force to expand their ever growing realm. The desire for wealth and status drove this race to constant violence.
“I believe you said his name was Dracula, also known as The Impaler Lord by his enemies. Yes I know of him.”
The guard smiled. “Then you know his reputation. What is your name, Boyar?”
Drake hesitated, “My name is very similar to that of your master, coincidentally. My given name is Drake, and my family name is Ulah.”
The guard put the 2 together. “You are not related in some way to the Dracula family?”
“Maybe in some very distant way,” Drake lied, hoping to gain some favor. “I do respect your master’s approach to his enemies and his demand for allegiance.”
“That’s a good start, Boyar. The Prince loves to be admired. Stick to it and it will serve you well. But that strange occurrence back there, and your presence will set off warning horns to the Prince, and he is very uneasy lately with so many wolves at his door. Witchcraft has not been a concern of his, until now. I don’t like your chances, Boyar.”
Drake swallowed and felt the pangs of hunger overshadow his fear.
Small houses showed up more frequently as they neared the city of Targoviste. The closer they got to the city, the more elaborate and large the houses became. Small mud shacks with thatched roofs made way for 2 and 3 story houses with flagstone walls at the bottom and making way for mud brick from eye level up topped with tile roofs. Curious people watched as the armed guard walked their strangely dressed prisoner towards the city center. The brightness of the clothing and the elaborate nature of the styles changed as well as the castle and city loomed in front of them. The women particularly caught Drake’s eye. They resembled humans back home and he was astounded with how beautiful some of them were, making him more aware of his growing hunger. Armed men roamed everywhere. Some on duty, some off, in various forms of armor. They swaggered around town with an air of superiority to them, and all but the best dressed people seemed to make way for them. The captain of Drake’s guard quickly passed them through all of the frequent check points, with the guards on duty suspiciously eyeing the captive Boyar. Long, confusing stone corridors guided the group to the main castle. Large stones set in mortar made up the walls of architecture that were primitive but sturdy. A wide moat was the last obstacle to the enemy but a welcoming drawbridge was down, allowing access to the inner courtyard. Soon they had gained access to the main hallway and messengers ran to bring news of the visitor to the master of the castle. As they waited, pretty young court girls came to gawk and giggle. Their dresses were long and colorful, of various fabric: some shiny, some glimmered with encrusted gems and some of plush comfort, but all very rich and elaborate. Many of the gowns, especially on the younger women, were low cut to the top of the cleavage much like the styles the Vampires favored. Drake’s fear for his own safety and his desire to feed were in conflict and it made for a very uncomfortable set of emotions for him. They didn’t have to wait long for the Prince of Walachia to arrive; obviously very curious to personally question his new guest. He arrived with the flourish of a ruler. Priests, an armed guard and many armed advisors accompanied him. The room filled with men and women at various stages of their lives. Drake had never seen so many old and weathered faces, but their eyes were bright and inquisitive even if their furrowed brow conveyed concern. The Prince stood looking down towards Drake. He was dressed in the richest of fabric accented with heavy gold buttons that glittered as he moved about the stage-a stage for him and him only. He was the supreme ruler of his kingdom and it was obvious that he relished his appointed position of power. His head-dress rose above his head with the feathers of a regal bird. A golden star centered with a huge ruby and surrounded by sparkling diamonds sat like an all seeing eye at the center of his forehead. Bright white pearls of various sizes also added another tier of richness to the prince’s favorite court hat.
The prince paced and turned his head to continue his stare with each change of direction. “Do know who I am?”
“Yo
u are the great warrior general and beloved defender of Walachia and Transylvania and I am honored to meet you Prince Dracula,” Drake said, and bowed.
The Prince continued to pace. His long freshly curled dark hair fell across his shoulders in ringlets. “Hmm. Do you know of my reputation?” he asked as he twisted his perfectly coiled moustache.
“Other than being beloved by your people?” Drake asked.
The Prince smirked. “Yes, other than that.”
“I just know that you do what you must in these volatile times to keep your people safe from the scourge of the Ottoman Empire.”
“My guards have told me that you are a travelling Boyar laden with riches, but something very strange and troubling happened at the same time that you were captured. Drop your bag,” the Prince demanded.
Drake held it out at arm’s length and dropped it on the tile floor. It landed with a thump and the unmistakable jingle of coinage.
“Bring it to me.”
One guard tried to do as his Prince had requested but found he needed to get help from another to carry it over.
“How is it the Boyar can lift his burden so easily and you two struggle to carry it?” the Prince said as he tested the bag’s weight. Looking at the guards, he raised his eyebrows at its heaviness and kneeled down to take a look inside. The coins rang out pleasantly as he ran his fingers through them and he pulled out a diamond the size of a plum.
“I have never seen such gems. Where did you get them from?”
“I am told they are from the deepest mines of far away Africa.” Drake struggled to recall all that he had memorized, in a situation that made concentration a difficult task.
“And what of my missing guard and the means by which he was conjured away?”
“I am as astounded as you by the strange occurrence, and assure you it is just a coincidence. I, and it, and your guards all passed by at the same time.”
“And my guards claim that we share the same name, how is it possible that I have never heard of you before? I know of all who have been honored and charged with the order of the Dragon to defend Christianity.”
“My name just resembles yours. I am but a humble businessman while you are a great ruler.”
“Hmm, you puzzle but interest me Boyar…if that’s what you are. I will discuss your fate with my advisors, but until that time, please accept the hospitality of my household while I detain you.”