For the next three days, they traveled. By boat and then by land. On the morning of the fourth day, they arrived on the borders of Trannslyvnia.
They where now ridding. Rachael's horse was a large black stallion with silver threads in his mane. Van Helsing's was black, with no other colors.
Rachael rubbed her horse's neck. "Be quiet, Duke," she whispered.
"Have you ever been here recently?" asked Van Helsing.
Rachael looked over at him, her eyes narrowed and began turning pink.
"Sorry," muttered Van Helsing. "Bad question."
"I never wanted to set foot in this country again," Rachael said. She studied the fog laden land for a moment. Then spurred her horse. "We must reach the town by nightfall."
Van Helsing followed.
They rode slowly through forest for about an hour. Suddenly Rachael stopped. Duke began stamping his great feet and trumpeting to the sky.
"We're being watched," Rachael said softly. Slowly her hand began moving for her gun.
"Do even think about it." The voice rang out through the trees.
Duke reared back on his high legs.
"Down Duke," whispered Rachael.
Van Helsing looked over at her. "Who is that?"
Rachael raised her chin. "Arve, you never fail to surprise me."
A figure dropped in front of them and flipped his thick black cloak back.
"Lady Rachael, you become more beautiful with each decade." He bowed elegantly.
"How would you know?" Rachael asked calmly. She shifted slightly in the saddle, dropping the reigns and crossing her arms. Her eyes where cool as she watched Arve.
Arve barred his teeth and Van Helsing saw his first vampire in four years.
"Oh we've kept a closer watch on you than you know."
"Hmm," Rachael said. "That's what you think. How's your wife?"
Arve started. "My wife?"
"Kamila. How is she?" The question was asked hard.
Arve's eyes narrowed. "How did you know I was married?"
"You'd be surprised at what I know." Rachael's hands wrapped around the two guns under her arms. Slowly she began to cock them.
"He wants to see you."
"Why?" asked Rachael.
"He wants to see how you've fared over the years."
"Well, he certainly didn't care when his sisters attacked me."
"You have no idea," said Arve. "He almost killed them because of what they did. But when they told him they had been sure to bit you nine times, he was appeased. Somewhat. They still suffered his anger for many years and still do occasionally." He studied Rachael closely. "So, why are you here?"
"I'm here for Vladimir's son."
Arve laughed. "He's already heard all about you."
"Good. He'll be expecting me."
"Certainly. In fact," Arve crouched, "I'll go home and tell him of you right now."
"You do that," Rachael said calmly. And whipped out the guns, cocking them at the same time. "But not yet."
Arve raised an eyebrow. Slowly he straightened up and sighed. "And knowing you, there's silver bullets in that thing. And I know for a fact, you won't miss, so what is it?"
"You don't miss a thing, just like me," said Rachael dryly. "Now here is what is going to happen. Arve, you know who I am. So I know without a shadow of a doubt, you will follow my instructions to the T. now, here is what will happen. You will go back to the Castle. And announce that I have come. I will be at that castle at noon tomorrow. Don't even try and have them kill me. I can't die."
"But you can."
"No, I can't," said Rachael. "It would take an extremely strong vampire to kill me. And I've seen who's up there at the castle. None up there can kill me." Rachael was silent for a moment, her eyes searching Arve's eyes. "And I can tell by the look in your eyes, you believe me. So." Rachael un-cocked the pistols and lowered them. "Get out of my sight."
Arve bowed once again and disappeared into the sky.
Van Helsing looked over at Rachael. "You want to tell me what that was about?"
"That's the part of the story John Paul didn't tell you," said Rachael. "I was once the Princess of the Vampires. When I was a human. All those years ago, I was found in the village by the vampires. A vampire by the name of Count Drake took me. He was the Ruler of the Silver Vampires then. Vladimir's son was still learning. Drake took a liking to me. And made me his daughter. But his wives didn't like me and for revenge, killed my parents and brother in front of me. In a rage, I killed one of his wives. He didn't care. But his other wives did and I was chased out of here. I made it to Rome. Barely. You know the rest. And from what I just learned, Drake is still upset about what happened to me. So I will use that to my advantage."
"And they're still loyal to you? The Silver?"
"Yes. They are not the vampires I fear. I fear Vladlen and his kind. His kind…they're different. The wife of Drake's I killed, came from Vladlen's line. They are a type of dark vampires. But as for Vladlen…He fears me as well. And respects me. He knows I can kill him. And will do everything in his power to keep me from becoming angry. When I do, I'll come after him. So when I see him, he will begin his usual fawning over me. And seeing o my every comfort. "
"Vladlen is Vladimir's son, right?" asked Van Helsing.
"Yes," said Rachael.
"So, what will you do?" asked Van Helsing.
"I will go into Trannsilynaia first. We can stay in my family's old estate."
"You used to live here?" asked Van Helsing with his mouth opened.
"Yes," said Rachael. "I did."
They where at the edge of town and people where coming out, staring at them.
"What will you do next?"
"Then I will go the Castle."
"Vladimir's old castle?"
"It used to be my family's," said Rachael. She smiled at the people lining the streets.
The people began waving and calling out to her.
"Lady Rachael!"
"You've come at last!"
"It's been forever!"
Van Helsing looked at Rachael. "They know you."
Rachael looked over at him. "They do."
"What will you do once you go to the castle?"
"I will wait."
"In the Castle?"
"Yes."