Chapter Ten
Watching them closely was Vladislaus's good friend, Gabriel. He wore a look of disgust. How could he turn his back to the Order. Vladislaus knows the laws, and they must be obeyed, Gabriel thought to himself. But he couldn't find the strength to tell his friend that he could not love her.
That night Gabriel spent most of it ridding back to Rome, even through the harsh weathers. He arrived not too long after midnight. He went and found the Elder Valerious. He fell to his knee in front of him. "My Lord Valerious." Gabriel spoke. Valerious looked at Gabriel but before he had a chance to say a word Gabriel spoke again. "I come to report some bad news. It has to deal with Vladislaus."
Valerious looked a little worried. "Please tell me my son is alive." He had Gabriel stand to his feet and sit down with him at a long table.
"Yes my lord he is alive." Gabriel assured him.
"Thank God." Was the only thing he had to say.
"But that is not what I have came here to say." Gabriel looked a little frustrated.
"Then tell me what you came to say." Valerious sat back in his chair, getting relaxed.
"My friend, Vladislaus, He has found love." Gabriel quickly spat out.
Valerious clucked his fist and slammed it down on the table. "That can not be! He knows the laws! It is forbidden!"
Quickly Gabriel spoke. "Yes my lord I reminded him of them. But there must be a different way. Please."
Valerious thought for a moment. And spoke to one of the monks. "Send for the counsel. We will have them disgust this matter." The monk quickly scurried out of the chamber.
Gabriel tipped his head. "Thank you my lord." He started to leave the room.
"Gabriel," Valerious yelled. "I want you to stay and hear what they have to say." Valerious sat looking at the cracks in the table.
Gabriel went and sat back down. "Yes my lord."
Both waited for the counsel to arrive. Slowly one by one, each of the seven men arrived. As soon as the last did, Valerious stood up. He looked terribly disappointed. "My lords, tonight one of my champions returned to me with news of the other. My own son, Vladislaus had broken our one simple law. Lord Gabriel Van Helsing had told me that he is in love with a woman, but he asked me if there was another alternative to our laws. So I ask of you what we are to do of Vladislaus. His fate is in your hands." Valerious sat back down in his seat.
Another man stood up. This one was a fairly old man but was well built. "Dracula has disgraced us! There is no other way!"
The men argued for a while till all came to this last decision. "Then it is to be so. May God have mercy on her soul." Valerious said.
