Author's Note: Greetings, everyone! Of all the chapters that I have written so far, I would say that this one has been the most difficult. I struggled, a lot, trying to make this chapter acceptable. I suppose that the reviews that I will, hopefully, receive, will point out how successful, or lack thereof, I was.

Fragments of Memories

Chapter XI

While Christian and Lysander played in the forest, and Annette and Maria were at the park with their younger children, Richter and Adrian stood near the altar of Our Lady on the Softening of Wicked Hearts, also known as the 'Belmont chapel.' Due to the gray sky, the chapel's interior was dark—with the exception of some 'flickering prayer candles.' Adrian recounted his events from the previous evening with Lyudmil to Richter.

"I see," Richter said, as he ran a finger over his medallion of Christ the Sufferer, once Adrian finished his story.

"I'm responsible for this," Adrian said, while he turned to an icon of the Madonna and Child. "And I have to end it." Adrian returned to Richter and added, "I have to end it, before Lyudmil hurts anyone else. I am certain that it was him, who killed the Marquis girl, and you saw what he tried to do to Lindsea."

Richter nodded. "And I will help you, Adrian. However…I'm not sure what to tell Annette."

"You never told her about any of the events that I described to you a few days ago in your study?"

Richter shook his head. "No. Annette is not one who likes to hear about the matters that we are, or were, discussing. It brings back too many bad memories for her."

Adrian nodded.

"What about you? Did you tell Maria?"

Again, Adrian nodded. "I did. For all we know, Maria might have told Annette."

Richter turned to the crucifix behind the altar. "Somehow, I highly doubt that—unless she feels as though she has to."

"Why is that?"

Richter returned to Adrian. "Because, Maria knows her 'big sister' too well. She knows how upset Annette becomes over hearing things like vampires. When Annette and I married, we were simply hoping to settle down and have a family, and that topics of vampires would simply become things of the past."

Once again, Adrian nodded.

"Maria, I think, is different from her sister in that respect. She might not like hearing topics about vampires, but she can deal with them better."

Adrian smiled.

"Besides, I'm sure that she probably wouldn't want to discuss such matters around Sidra and Cander…or around others at the park."

Adrian nodded.

Richter placed a hand on a bench that was used to help seat those who had trouble standing during mass. "In any case, we know who our target is, this 'Lyudmil' character. What we don't know is how are we going to find him? He obviously must have a hiding place."

Adrian turned to an icon of St. George the Dragon Slayer and replied, "My guess is the castle."

"What makes you think so?"

"Considering where the transformation took place, near the castle and all, I would think that is a good location." Adrian returned to Richter and added, "Besides, there is a crypt inside the castle."

Richter nodded. "Makes sense."

"You stated that you want to help me. Are you willing to go with me to the castle ruins?"

Again, Richter nodded. "I am."

"When should we leave?"

Richter turned to an icon of Christ before Pilate. "Sometime on Monday, the Sabbath begins this evening and continues all day tomorrow. I have to celebrate mass."

"We'll be in church tomorrow."

Richter, stunned by Adrian's words, turned to him. "Really? It's been a while, since you were last in church."

"You can thank my children for that. They don't function well on Sundays."

Richter chuckled. "Using your children as a 'means to an end,' eh, Tepes?"

Adrian grinned. "By the way, Belmont, when do you hear confessions?"

"Now this is quite odd. First, you talk to me about attending church, and now you talk to me about receiving penance. To the best of my knowledge, I don't believe that you have received the Sacrament of Penance, since you received baptism. Is this correct?"

Adrian nodded. "Yes."

"And why is that?"

"Because I haven't done anything wrong."

Richter laughed. "Ah, but you have a pulse. It is nearly impossible for a man not to sin. Of course, one only truly needs to receive penance, when he or she has done something serious to make the grace of God leave his or her soul. Somehow, I doubt that you have done anything like that, but I am always here. Out of curiosity, is your question about penance relating to an event that took place before your baptism?"

"…Yes."

"Well, then there is no reason to receive the sacrament. The Sacrament of Baptism cleanses those sins."

Light entered the chapel, when its doors opened. Adrian and Richter turned to see Brother Martin. Brother Martin bowed before the Eucharist in the tabernacle and made the Sign of the Cross. "Father Belmont," began Brother Martin, as he concluded his adoration, "I am glad to have found you here." And to Adrian, he added, "And Master Tepes, it is good to see you as well."

Adrian nodded with a smile.

"I hope that I am not disturbing you, but I have a couple of young men with me. They are outside the chapel."

"Well, it is chilly outside, so do bring them in," said Richter.

Brother Martin nodded. "I encountered them while I was on a retreat at St. Michael's Monastery outside the Village of Borgo. One of them told me about how he was doing research on vampires in the monastery's library. I suggested that he meet you, but it took a great deal of persuasion to get him to come with me. He's of the Marquis clan, you see."

Richter grinned, and turned to Adrian. "Why do I think that I know who we are going to encounter?"

Adrian returned the grin, and touched the sheath of his sword. "If it's the same man, he's lucky that we are in church."

Brother Martin opened the chapel doors. "Do come in, gentlemen."

Brother Martin stood near the holy water font, as two men entered the chapel. Indeed, the men were known to Richter and Adrian—Cyril and Alexis.

Richter smirked, as he turned to Cyril. "Brother Martin states that you were a bit reluctant to come and visit me."

Cyril returned the smirk. "Let me state, Father Belmont, that those of us in the Marquis family are not amateurs. We have a history of vampire hunting as well; we just may not be as famous as the Belmont family, but that does not take away our ability. But, yes, I did come along, but only through Brother Martin's insistence that I see you, Father Belmont."

Richter nodded.

Cyril turned briefly to his travel companion and added, "For some reason, Alexis here, had no problems wanting to come to the Belmont Estate."

Alexis smiled. "There is nothing wrong with accepting a little extra help on what could be a dangerous mission, Cyril. But let me introduce myself, I am Alexis Bozek. And while I know Brother Martin and Father Belmont, I do not know you, sir," he added with a gesture to Adrian.

"I am Adrian Tepes." Adrian showed his sword's sheath, and added with a gesture to Cyril, "I'm the man who nearly used this sword on your friend."

Brother Martin and Richter chuckled. Alexis, who tried not to laugh, covered his mouth.

"Yes, Cyril can be known for this temper," said Brother Martin. "But do understand, Master Tepes, he's not a bad person."

Cyril, however, merely grinned, as he approached Adrian. "Tepes, you say?"

"Yes."

"Father Belmont's brother-in-law?"

Adrian nodded. "Yes, that is correct."

"But that is not all you are, am I right?"

Adrian, confused by the question, replied, "Well, I am the father of two children."

"So Dracula has two grandchildren?"

Richter's, Brother Martin's, and Alexis's eyes grew wide at Cyril's statement. Adrian merely gave him a look. "Excuse me?"

"I may have told Brother Martin that I was researching vampires in St. Michael's library, but I never went into the specifics of what I discovered. While I was in the library, I found the Journal of Trevor Belmont, which was donated to the monastery by Christopher Belmont. In this journal, Trevor Belmont describes how a man named 'Alucard,' whose actual name was Adrian Fahrenheit Tepes, assisted him. This Adrian Tepes, or Alucard, claimed to be the son of Dracula, or Prince Vlad Tepes, and a woman named Lisa Romoff, who was supposedly burned at the stake for witchcraft. As odd as what I am going to say might sound, I believe that you, sir, are the Adrian Tepes that is mentioned in Trevor Belmont's journal."

"It's not odd, because it's the truth," thought Richter. "But I doubt that this Marquis boy could actually make other people aware of that truth, which is fortunate, from Adrian's perspective."

"Um, Cyril," began Alexis, "I am aware of some of the research that you did, but…"

"You are aware of 'some of it.' That is correct, Alexis. However, there is so much that I did not tell you."

"For the record," began Brother Martin, "I am aware that Master Tepes is a descendant of Vlad Tepes, but to claim that he is literally Vlad Tepes's biological son, and that his two children are literally Vlad Tepes's grandchildren, is, well…"

"Do let me continue." Cyril turned briefly to the icon of Our Lady on the Softening of Wicked Hearts, before he returned to those present. "When I read the information in the Belmont journal, I wanted to look at a biography of Vlad Tepes that was in the monastery. The biography of Vlad Tepes contained no information about him having a wife named Lisa. However, we are all aware that Vlad Tepes's personal history did not end with his biological death, so I investigated a little further. I investigated the years between Dracula's biological death, and Trevor Belmont's campaign against Dracula, and here is what I found.

"In the monastery, there was a book of ballads. One ballad described a story, which took place in the tiny Village of Poenari, which is near Borgo, and near Castle Dracula. This ballad contained a story about a family, whose surname was Romoff. In the ballad, a daughter to a man named John Romoff, returned to the village with her son. The son's name was Adrian. But the ballad adds that Master Romoff declared the child to be the 'demon offspring,' since his daughter had mated with the 'monster of the castle.'"

Adrian said nothing, but he knew the story. "I remember that event," thought Adrian. "Mother took me to see her parents; John and Anne were their names. When my maternal grandfather found out how I was produced, we were chased out of the house. I can remember being struck over the head with a large cross. I remember bleeding from that blow."

As the 'revelation' was taking place in the Belmont chapel, Maria and Annette were pushing a pair of perambulators from the park. The perambulators contained their sleeping children, and their destination was the Belmont Estate.

A gust of wind placed one of Maria's golden locks near her green eye, which she quickly brushed away. The cool wind, however, seemed to add to Maria's stern face.

"Maria?" asked Annette.

Maria turned. "Yes?"

"Who was that man? How does he know Adrian as 'Alucard'?"

"I'm glad that the children are sleeping…Not that they would understand, really."

"What is going on, Maria?"

"Ann, has Richter told you about a conversation that he had with Adrian a few days ago?"

"You mean in the study?"

Maria nodded.

"Yes, I remember that conversation."

"What did Richter say?"

"He told me that the two had a discussion about the attempted attack on Vasile's granddaughter from some journeyman, who claimed to be from Borgo."

"Did he go into the details about the attack?"

Annette shook her head. "No, not really."

Maria turned to the gray sky, before she returned to her sister. "In fairness, Richter might not have known this, but I am certain that he does now. Last night, Adrian told me about an encounter that he had with a man named Lyudmil. Lyudmil, however, is no longer a man, but a monster. The man, if he can be called that, that I spoke to today is named Magnus—an incubus, a night demon. The attack on Vasile's granddaughter was a vampire attack, and the vampire responsible was Lyudmil. The conversation that I had today confirms what Adrian told me. Although…"

"Yes?"

"There is still one thing that I do not know."

"What is that?"

"There is something that Magnus told me that I think that I have heard before. It's a story from my childhood that I remember Grandma telling."

"Which Grandma?"

"Grandma Balan. It's the reason why I want to visit Mom and Dad's this evening. I want to see, if Mom can remember the story."

"I can remember you telling me about the ballad from the Village of Poenari," Alexis said, under the shadow of the icon of the transfiguration. "I think that is why you said that you wanted to check the baptismal records of the village."

"Correct! I wanted to visit the village church to try and find the baptismal records. Unfortunately, the baptismal records from that time period have been lost. However, I did discover another piece of interesting information in St. Michael's Monastery.

"In the library, there is a record for a woman named Lisa, who was burned for witchcraft in the Village of Borgo. This 'Lisa' was also associated with Castle Dracula, and based on the ballad that I read, I would have to conclude that this Lisa was the daughter of John Romoff, who had a son named Adrian, who was also called Alucard, who was fathered by Dracula."

"This is all very interesting information," began Brother Martin. "But what makes you think that the Adrian Tepes, who stands before us, is the same man mentioned in Trevor Belmont's journal? Considering that Trevor Belmont's campaign against Dracula was in the early sixteenth century, what you are suggesting is biologically impossible."

"Let me continue on. When I was growing up in Jova, I heard about how a man named Alucard—the same Alucard, who assisted Trevor Belmont in the early sixteenth century—assisted Father Belmont in 1797 at Castle Dracula." Cyril paused to turn to Richter and asked, "Is that true, Father Belmont?"

Richter glanced at Adrian. He wanted to receive some kind of 'signal' from Adrian on how he should answer. Adrian, however, provided no signal with his body language. Therefore, Richter replied, "It's the truth. Alucard, the son of Dracula, saved me from the possession of Shaft—an apostate priest."

Cyril smiled and turned to Brother Martin. "You are correct that what I am suggesting would be biologically impossible. But, obviously, this 'Alucard' is not a normal man. And that brings us up to the present."

Cyril turned to Adrian. "This man marries Father Belmont's sister-in-law. His name is Adrian Tepes. In Trevor Belmont's journal, Adrian/Alucard Tepes is described as moderately tall with blonde hair and brown eyes, which fits the description of the man before us." Cyril looked intently at Adrian and added, "You are that man. You are Alucard, the son of Dracula."

Those present turned to Adrian. But Adrian responded by turning his back to Cyril, and placing his arms behind his back.

"I wonder what he's thinking?" thought Richter. "Adrian has always been concerned about his privacy, both for himself and his family. Yet, what Cyril stated is the truth."

With his back to Cyril, Adrian chuckled. "I will grant that you are a great historian. But," continued Adrian, while he turned to Cyril, "your entire conclusion is based on coincidences. My first name happens to be 'Adrian,' but aren't other people named 'Adrian'? My parents could be 'Vlad' and 'Lisa,' but 'Vlad' and 'Lisa' are common first names."

Cyril smiled. "Well, I do have one more piece of evidence."

Adrian tried to hide his emotions, but he was stunned. "Well, let's hear it?"

Before he answered Adrian's question, Cyril turned to Alexis. "This is something that I did not tell you."

Cyril returned to Adrian and added, "When the two of us were in Borgo, I decided to visit the ruins of the castle alone. It was dusk. I never actually entered the ruins, but I did overhear a conversation between two men. In the conversation, the two men identified themselves as Magnus and Lyudmil."

Adrian's emotions could no longer be hidden; his eyes grew wide. The names 'Magnus' and 'Lyudmil' had only been told to Richter and Maria, and Magnus had only been referenced in the past tense!

Yet, Cyril continued. "The two spoke of observing Alucard with his wife and two young children. But if more proof is needed, they also spoke about how Alucard lives in Warakyia, and the conversation was in the present tense! If what I have stated is not proof beyond a reasonable doubt, then I don't know what is."

Adrian took a deep breath, and patted Cyril on the shoulder. "No more proof is necessary. You are correct."

While the others gasped at the revelation, Cyril smiled. In his thoughts, Richter stated, "I hope that nothing bad will come from this revelation. I'm not worried about Alexis or Brother Martin. But I am worried about Cyril."

"However," Adrian began sternly, "the secret of who I am must stay within the walls of this sanctuary. There are those, who would possibly try to harm me or my family, if they knew the truth. And I have no problem killing someone, who will potentially place me and my family in danger."

"Well, hopefully, that will keep Cyril from doing something stupid," Richter added in his thoughts.

Those present nodded. However, Cyril asked, "Does anyone else know?"

"My brother-in-law and sister-in-law both know. So does my wife. If I have it my way, my children will never know. After those three, only you, Alexis, and Brother Martin know."

"Do you have the abilities that Trevor Belmont mentioned in his journal?"

"That depends, what did Trevor mention?"

"He stated that you can turn into a bat, to mist, to a wolf."

Adrian laughed. "I surrendered most of those abilities, when I accepted a Christian blessing to remove the traces of my vampiric blood."

"Most of those abilities?" Cyril added with an inquiring eye.

"There are, perhaps, a few abilities that I have left, but I don't need to discuss them. The fact that you know my greatest secret is enough for you."

"Are you immortal?"

Again, Adrian laughed. "For the love of my wife, I gave that up too." Adrian turned to one of the chapel benches and added, "Do have a seat, gentlemen. I have a story to tell. It is one that Father Belmont knows already, but I want those present to know it as well."

Adrian recounted his history with Lyudmil from the past and the present. He also gave a description of Magnus. With his stories concluded, Adrian added, "I told Richter that I suspected Lyudmil had made the castle ruins his hiding place, and based on what Cyril said I am certain of it. Richter and I intend to go to the castle ruins on Monday. Are you willing to come with us?"

"I am," responded Alexis.

"I am too old to accompany you," said Brother Martin. "But I will pray for your safety."

Adrian nodded. "What about you, Cyril?"

Cyril rapped his fingers on the bench. "Personally, speaking, I believe that Alexis and I can handle things on our own. But for the sake of my dear sister, I am willing to work with you."

"I will mention your sister's name in the liturgy of the prayers for the dead this evening," said Richter.

Cyril nodded. "Thank you, Father Belmont."

"The question now is where shall we meet on Monday and what time?"

"Why don't you meet at my cabin?" replied Brother Martin. "I can prepare a small breakfast for you."

Richter nodded. "That's sound fine, Brother Martin. Why don't we meet at your cabin around nine in the morning?"

An hour later, Cyril, Alexis, and Brother Martin had left the Belmont Estate, and Richter and Adrian stood in the parlor of the Belmont home. The two men discussed the events from earlier, as Christian and Lysander charged into the home.

"Dad?" said Lysander.

"Yes?"

"Mom and Aunt Annette are coming with Cander and Sidra. Mom said that we'll be leaving soon. She said that we're going to Grandma Dymphna and Grandpa Renard's this evening."

Adrian was stunned. "She did, huh?"

Lysander nodded.

"Mom said that we're going to Grandma Dymphna and Grandpa Renard's as well," added Christian.

"Really?" Richter said with a look. "That makes no sense, since I have to celebrate mass this evening."

"Well, that's what Mom said."

"Well, I think that your mother and I are going to have a brief conversation."

"Same with me and my wife," added Adrian.

Christian, however, could care less about the concern of the adults. He turned to his cousin and added, "Sander, I've got a game that we can play at Grandma and Grandpa's. Care to see it?"

"Yeah, sure."

The boys charged to Christian's bedroom, while Richter and Adrian remained in the parlor. The two were still confused.

"Why, all of a sudden, do we need to go to the Renards?" asked Richter.

"Considering that Sander said our wives will be arriving shortly, we can ask them."

Annette and Maria entered the Belmont home with their respected children in the period between 'wakefulness' and 'sleep.' The two discussed how they wanted to rinse the remaining grains of sand from each child's hair.

"Well," began Adrian, "my eldest informed me that we are going to the Renards this evening."

"My eldest informed me of the same thing as well," added Richter. "But unlike Adrian, I have to celebrate mass in a few hours."

"Yes, I am aware of that," answered Annette. "However, it's not impossible for you to celebrate mass, and then join us at our parents later in the evening."

Richter smirked. "Well, yes, that's true."

"I have to say that I had quite a revelation today."

"So did I," thought Adrian with a smirk.

"Maria told me about Magnus and Lyudmil."

Richter and Adrian gave each other a look, before Richter turned to his sister-in-law. "Maria, why did you tell her that?"

"Well, it's not often that one encounters an incubus in the afternoon. I had a little conversation in the park, which I had to tell Ann about, and give the back story."

Richter and Adrian looked at each other with concern, before they returned to their wives. "What happened?" asked Adrian

Maria discussed her conversation with Magnus. However, Maria did not mention the one point in the conversation that troubled her.

"I see," said Adrian.

Maria nodded.

"But what I don't know is, why is it so important that we visit your parents this evening?"

"There is something Magnus told me that relates to a story that I can remember my maternal grandmother telling me, when I was little. But I can't remember the story exactly, and I want to see, if Mom can tell me."

"What was the story about?"

"It had to do with one of our ancestors on the Balan side of the family, but I can't remember it exactly. Except that it involves the castle."

"The castle? You mean Castle Dracula?"

Maria nodded.

"How exactly?"

"I don't remember. That's why I want to ask Mom."

Richter turned to his wife. "Do you know the story, Annette?"

"Not exactly, Grandma used to tell us stories, when we were little. The best person to ask is, arguably, Mom."

Richter turned to the portrait of his family above the fireplace mantel. "Well, I guess that means that we are going to the Renards this evening."