Castlevania Tale The Tragic Epic of Mathias Cronquist

Chapter One

The Epic Begins

June 1092

Transylvania

Mathias Cronquist looked out at the darkened water; the only light that illuminated the sky was the large full moon above. He looked at the moonlight reflecting off the murky water and thought only of seeing his love again.

"Elisabetha." He whispered against the wind.

"Pining for your lady?" A familiar voice said walking up next to him.

"Yes Leon." Mathias responded. "I fear you have caught me in the middle of a dream."

"According to the captain we shall arrive on land by the light of dawn." Leon Belmont said. "Then you will be able to see Elisabetha again."

"How I miss her." Mathias said longingly. "When do you expect us to be dispatched again my friend."

"I have not heard anything as of yet Mathias." Leon replied. "Why do you ask?"

"When I return," He said with a bright smile on his lips. "I intend to ask Elisabetha's father for her hand."

"My friend." Leon said cheerfully. "That is splendid news."

"I can only pray that he will make no objection."

"Even if he does, we will have to persuade him to do otherwise."

"I thank you for your constant support friend." Mathias whispered. "I would like you to stand at my side when I wed Elisabetha."

"Of course Mathias." He replied.

Suddenly a bell sounded the hour, it was midnight.

"It is late Mathias." Leon said. "We must rest."

"I suppose you are right Leon."

"Come." Leon said with a smile. "I'll escort you to your chambers."

The morning sun shown brightly in the sky as the ship pulled into the harbor. As the ship landed, the entire regiment was greeted by the city, some were waiving banners and all were cheering for the invincible Belmont regiment. Several of the married soldiers ran to the waiting arms of their wives and children, the other soldiers ran to various family members, while Leon and Mathias were the last to depart the ship.

Both Leon and Mathias were greeted by Leon's mother Mary, who hugged both of them tightly. Mathias's parents had died when Mathias was still a child, so Mary had decided to care for her son's friend as if he were her own flesh and blood.

"How are you fairing my two young lads?" Mary asked amongst the chaos of the moment.

"Very well Lady Belmont." Mathias replied.

"Mother." Leon said joyously. "How are you?"

"Very well my son." She said gently stroking his beautiful blonde hair away from his eyes. "I am very proud of you both. Come, you both must regale us with tales of your adventures."

"I apologize for my abrupt departure Lady Belmont." Mathias said urgently. "But I have other business to attend to at present."

"You must dine with us this night." Mary said. "There shall be a great feast in honor of the regiment at sunset."

"Yes my Lady." He said breaking away. "I shall be in attendance."

Mathias broke away from the crowed and went running down the busy streets. Everywhere people were celebrating the victorious campaign in the east. It filled his heart to see that he and Leon's efforts were not in vain, but he desperately wanted to reach his beloved. After running for what seemed like an eternity, Mathias had finally reached the Marton manor. His heart began to swell at the thought of seeing Elisabetha again. He ran inside the gates, through the main hall and to the garden, where she sat on a stone bench looking into the fountain.

"Elisabetha?" He questioned as if she was an illusion.

Elisabetha turned from the fountain and smiled brightly, "Mathias!"

He hesitated no longer and ran into her arms.

"How I've missed you my sweet Elisabetha." He said looking into her sparkling blue eyes.

"And I you my darling." She said breathlessly.

"I came to see you as soon as we landed."

"My Lord you must be exhausted?" She said leading him to the stone bench. "I pray thee my Lord, please rest."

Mathias sat down next to Elisabetha and looked at her for a moment. She was the picture of perfection. Her long blonde hair looked like strands of spun gold in the warmth of the summer sun. Her eyes were the most enchanting color blue he'd ever seen, the very thought of waking up every morning and staring into them sent pleasant shivers down his spine.

"Why are you staring at me my Lord?" She said blushing.

"My darling Elisabetha." He stuttered. "When I was away all I could think about was coming back to you. Every time I had a spare moment, I would write to you."

Mathias reached into his small satchel and pulled out over a dozen letters and gave them to her.

"Heavens." She replied sounding astonished.

"When you are alone, please read them."

"Yes my Lord."

"Elisabetha." He said rising. "There's so much I want to tell you, share with you. I love you with every fiber of my being."

"And I you my Lord."

"Elisabetha, I wish to have you hand in marriage." He blurted out. "I cannot live without you; I would do anything, go anywhere for you."

Elisabetha smiled.

"I can only pray that your father will grant me your hand." He said in earnest. "And even if he does not, I will steel you away from him; this is how desperately in love with you I am."

"Lord Mathias." She said standing up. "I will have you hand. I will follow you to the ends of the world if my father does not permit our union."

"Oh Elisabetha." He said hugging her tightly. "It fills my heart with joy to hear you speak such words. Tell me, where is your father?"

"He should be in the small cathedral."

"Please wait here my love." He said. "I shall ask him."

Mathias took off running for the small cathedral to find Kenneth Marton. He looked in every room and asked several servants before he actually found Kenneth beginning to leave the chapel.

"Good morrow to you Sir Cronquist."

"Good morrow to you Sir Marton." Mathias said panting wildly.

"Is there something the matter?" Kenneth asked.

"Sir," He said still panting. "I have something important to ask you."

"Well speak young man." He said beginning to walk down the halls.

"It is about Elisabetha Sir."

"Ah yes." He said smiling. "She is enchanting."

"Yes Sir." Mathias said blushing. "I wish to ask you; may I please have her hand in matrimony?"

Kenneth smiled brightly.

"I love her more then anyone on earth." Mathias pleaded. "I will make her an honorable woman and I will honor her above all others."

"I see." Kenneth said. "Well. You have more then proven yourself to be of honorable nature; I have heard of your victorious battles in the east; congratulations."

"Thank you Sir."

Kenneth took a deep breath in and sighed, "I love my daughter dearly, and she is the bright spot in this dreary manor."

Mathias began to draw a sullen look on his face.

"However, it is time for her to brighten another man's life." Kenneth said gently. "Mathias, you have my blessing."

"Thank you Sir." Mathias said hugging Kenneth tightly. "Thank you!"

"Please go to my Elisabetha." He said with his face turning bright crimson. "You must tell her the joyous news."

Mathias ran all the way back to the garden and there Elisabetha standing there, he ran up into her arms and kissed her for the first time, instantly she knew his news was good.

"You shall be my wife." He whispered as he released his kiss.

Awhile later, Mathias had returned to his family home. He was greeted by his uncle Roderick. When Mathias was seven years old his mother died in child-labor, and when he was eleven his father died in battle, so the only one left to care for Mathias was his uncle Roderick and his wife Ann-Marie. Both were kindly souls who cared for Mathias as if he was their own child. They raised him, gave him a proper education, and provided all the tender love and affection that a parent could give to a child.

"I am glad you have returned safely." Roderick said hugging Mathias tightly. "I have much to tell you."

"And I you." Mathias said happily.

"Let me begin first son." Roderick said. "Alas your poor grandmother has perished."

"No." Mathias said in disbelief.

"I'm afraid it's true." Roderick said sternly. "It happened about a fortnight ago, but she went peacefully. Her chamber maid went to rouse her in the early morning hours; she then realized she would never again awake."

"How terrible." Mathias said.

"But she thought only of you and your exploits until she died." Roderick said compassionately. "She was so very proud of you and spoke of you often."

"May God rest her soul."

"Indeed." Roderick agreed. "Also, you will be pleased to know, while you were parted from us, our family has increased two fold."

"Don't tell me your wife has delivered." Mathias said happily.

"Yes." Roderick said blushing with pride. "Twins, a boy and a girl, Joseph and Isadora."

"Uncle." Mathias said happily. "That is splendid news. Is your wife well?"

"Yes, and both babes are strong and healthy." He replied. "As are David, Mathew, Timothy, Mark, and Cecilia."

"I too have good news." Mathias said. "I shall be wedded soon."

"Son!" Roderick said sounding surprised. "This is wonderful news; when shall the event take place?"

"I wish to wed before the end of the month."

"That is very sudden my lad." Roderick said. "Why so hurried?"

"Because I want to wed Elisabetha before I have to depart again."

"I understand." Roderick said. "Well, you have my blessings and if you need any my help with the preparations for the grand event, don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you uncle."

"Now if you will excuse me." Roderick said preparing to depart. "I have some personal business I must attend to. Why don't you go and visit your aunt and two newest cousins."

"Yes."

Mathias walked up the stairs and down the hall to where Ann-Marie's bedchamber was, he knocked sternly on the door and was led into the anti- chamber of the room by one of the nurse maids.

"Auntie?" He questioned.

Ann-Marie smiled brightly as she saw Mathias standing there looking so stern and regal in his military uniform.

"Welcome home Mathias." She said softly. "Please come closer so I may see you."

Mathias walked closer to his aunt's bed.

"Oh just look at you." She said with her voice filling with pride. "I remember when I first came here, you we so cute and innocent, just a mere boy. Now look at you, a full grown man, leader of an invincible army. You're parents would be so proud of you."

Mathias smiled at his aunt but said nothing.

"Have you been back long?" She questioned

"No." He responded. "Not very long."

"Have you seen the children yet?" She asked. "They have missed you terribly. They prayed every night for your safety and victory."

"No I haven't seen the children yet." He said softly. "I was hoping to see the newest additions to the Cronquist family."

"Oh most certainly." She said. "They are over there in the cradle."

Mathias walked over to the two small cradles and looked down on the two wide eyed children. As soon as they saw Mathias they began to smile, which in turn caused him to smile back. They were both beautiful and had the signature features of the Cronquist family. Dark eyes, strong, proud chins, and petit noses.

"They are beautiful children Auntie." He said. "I only hope Elisabetha and I can have such beautiful children some day."

"You're getting married?" She asked happily.

"Yes Auntie."

"That is wonderful." She said cheerfully. "You will have the most divine children."

"Do you think so auntie?" He questioned walking back over to her.

"Oh, I know it to be true." She said gently. "When will the happy event take place?"

"Soon." He said anxiously. "I would like to wed before the regiment is to depart again."

"The life of a soldier." She said. "Ever vigilant."

Just then the anti-chamber door opened and in came the children, who had not realized that their cousin Mathias had returned home from battle.

"Cousin Mathias!" All the boys said piling onto him.

"Yes boys," He said tussling with them. "Your cousin has retuned."

"Hurrah for Cousin Mathias." Said Cecilia running as fast has her tiny legs could carry her.

"Yes." He said picking up the small girl and spinning her around. "Thank you for that warm welcome."

"Children." Ann-Marie said. "What are you doing in here?"

"We wanted to see how you were fairing Ma-ma." David, who was the oldest of the children said.

"I wanted to see my sister." Cecilia said softly as she nuzzled her head into Mathias's broad shoulders.

"And what about your brother?" Mathias asked. "Do you not wish to see him as well?"

"I see my brother's all the time." She responded quickly.

"But what about your new brother?" Ann-Marie asked.

Cecilia said nothing, she just looked over at the cradles with her big hazel eyes and then whispered something in Mathias's ear, which made him chuckle aloud.

"What are you saying Cecilia?" Her mother questioned suspiciously.

"Nothing Mother." She said innocently.

"What did she say Mathias."

"A knight never reveals a secret." He replied sternly. "Especially when it is a lady's secret."

Mathias's winked at the little girl and set her down. As soon as she was on the floor, she ran over to the cradle and looked at her sister. Meanwhile, Mathias sat down in a chair that was next to Ann-Marie's bed, while the boys sat down on the floor next to him.

"Tell us of your adventures?" Mathew asked urgently.

"Yes." The other boys chimed in.

"Yes, tell us how you battled the heathens in the east." David said eagerly.

"Okay, but only if you promise to be good for the rest of the day." Mathias replied.

"Aww." They all whined in unison. "Please Cousin Mathias."

"You must promise me."

The four boys all looked at each other and nodded their heads in a silent agreement, then David spoke up and said, "Yes cousin, we promise."

"Very well." Mathias said with a smile. "Then I will tell you the story of the great battle that raged in a far off desert."

The boys all sat up rigid as a twig as Mathias began his story.

"Our regiment were all standing on this large sandy ridge." He began. "The hot winds were blowing, the sun beat down on us as if a deterrent to our cause, but Leon and I stood firm. The heathens were in front of us, waiting, all with murderous glints in their eyes."

"Oh no." Little Cecilia said running over to Mathias and climbing in his lap. "What did you do?"

"Well Cecilia." He said wrapping his arms around her tiny body. "Leon raised his mighty sword and gave the battle cry and we both charged down that sandy ridge with swords gleaming in the sun."

"Oh."

"So finally we were all face to face with the heathens."

"Oh my!" Ann-Marie said becoming in enthralled with the story. "What did they look like."

"They're skin was so brown." Mathias answered. "With hair black and midnight, their eyes were like fire, as if they were determined to protect the land which they stole."

"That sounds so scary Cousin." Cecilia said nuzzling her face into Mathias's chest.

"Oh indeed it was Cecilia." He said. "But with my sword, I took out the first dozen of them, and they all fell dead. Then Leon, by my side took out a dozen more. Then one tried to decapitate me with his sickle of death, but he was no match for my sword. As he raised up his sickle, I took my sword to his stomach and ran him though."

"Oh my." Ann-Marie said sounding horrified.

"Wow." The boys all said completely mesmerized by Mathias's story.

"But now my sword was stuck inside the hapless heathen, but even worse was there was another heathen advancing toward me."

"What happened Cousin Mathias?" Mark asked.

"Well once the heathen was near me, I took my fists and pounded his face, he recoiled back, which gave me time to retrieve my sword and with that he met his end. After what seemed like hours of fighting, the heathens retreated in fear; they attacked us with over one hundred men, and when they retreated there were maybe twenty left."

"Wow." Everyone said sounding astonished.

"And no one was hurt or killed on our side?" Ann-Marie questioned.

"Minor cuts and bruises, but nothing life threatening." Mathias said proudly.

"Gods be praised." She said. "Mathias, you are an excellent tactician."

"When I grow up I want to be just like you Cousin Mathias." David said proudly.

"And you shall be."

Suddenly the twins began to cry and the nurse maids ran over to them and picked each child up. Ann-Marie got up and went to attend to her children, but neither stopped crying. After about five minuets of the twins crying, Mathias stood up and walked over to them.

"Perhaps I may be able to help you."

The women looked at Mathias strangely and continued to coddle the shirking babies.

"If he is willing to try then you must let him." Ann-Marie said.

The nurse maids stopped rocking the babies and just held them still waiting for him to do something.

"I apologize ladies." He said. "But I'll need you to leave the room for this."

"Off you go." Ann-Marie said to the astonished nursemaids.

Both the young women put the still crying babies back into the cradles and quickly left the room. Mathias, meanwhile walked over the cradles and looked down upon the screaming children and smiled. Mathias closed his eyes, clasped his hands together and a tiny ray of light began to appear from his hands. As soon as the babies saw the warm light, they instantly quieted.

Mathias continued and the tiny light began to grow larger and larger until it was the size of his hands. Then he let go of the light and it began to spin around and dance. Everyone in the room sat quietly as the ball of light then split into two rays of light and began to do a mystical dance around the room. Once again the babies were smiling and soon they fell quietly asleep. The other children watched happily as the two rays continued to spin around the room. Finally the dance was coming to an end. The brightness of their lights began to fade away slowly and then all together it stopped.

"Wow." David whispered softly. "Was that alchemy?"

"Yes." Mathias replied. "That was alchemy, but you must never tell anyone you saw it."

"We will never tell anyone." David spoke up for all the children.

"Good." Ann-Marie said to her little ones. "This is a secret only our family must know about, so you must promise."

"I promise Mother." David said first.

"We promise too." Both Mathew and Timothy said together.

"I promise Ma-ma and Cousin Mathias." Mark said softly.

"I promise too." Cecilia said kindly. "And so do Isadora and Joseph."

"I'm glad I can trust all of you with this secret." Mathias said. "If you will excuse me auntie and children, I am in need of rest in my own bed."