Now and then I wonder where the faces from my childhood have gone.
Like father, like son, in your bones it lives on glowing shadows—
"Back From the Edge"—Bruce Dickinson
Seuche in Deutschland
Chapter XI
On the fourth of January, Lysander and Alcander's letters reached their parents, uncle, aunt, and cousins. In addition to those letters, Lysander penned a letter to Dana; and Alcander penned a letter to Jessica.
When Adrian and Maria finished their letter from the boys, Sophia—whom they were babysitting—demanded to sit on her grandfather's lap.
"Cander wrote that letter," Adrian said, while he bounced Sophia.
"Obviously! Considering how Sander's always mentioned in third person…Still, this letter troubles me."
"It troubles me too…"
"Twobel?" Sophia interjected, with a look of worry.
Adrian smiled. Sophia could always make him smile. "Yes, baby girl, trouble."
"Me?"
Adrian continued to smile, and kissed Sophia. "No, not you, princess…Sophia?"
"Yes?"
"Would you like to ride on your daddy and uncle's old rocking horse? I'll push you, but I need a few minutes to talk with Grandma."
Sophia gave a whoop of delight, while she removed herself from her grandfather's lap and toddled into another room where Adrian and Maria kept some of their sons' old toys.
Adrian turned to Maria, "As I was saying before, this letter troubles me. The fact that whoever these vampires are, they know our sons' names and nationality."
"And then there's this 'legion' to worry about."
"That doesn't bother me as much."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't know how serious to take it. For all I know that vampire could've said that simply to scare Cander. People who study the dark arts sometimes like to incorporate something evil. The number six hundred sixty-six, references to Judas' thirty pieces of silver, and references to Babylon're three perfect examples. So for that matter's references to 'legion.'"
"But from what I can tell, the boys're certainly worried. They wished you were with them."
"I know…Lysander and Alcander were able to defeat my father without my help…And we both know how powerful he was."
Maria presented Adrian with a look. "You don't need to remind me."
Adrian smiled. "I'm certain that whoever this vampire is, that's leading all the others in Berlin, he or she's no match for my father…But what worries Sander and Cander's the number of vampires that may be plaguing the city…I'm thinking about going."
"Huh?"
"To Prussia…I haven't aged as much as Richter, who I'm certain would go if he was able to. Even with Christian's help, I'm certain the boys could use an extra member to their party. I'm going to visit the Belmonts within another hour or so—after I finish playing with Sophia—and discuss Sander and Cander's letter.
Two hours later, Adrian arrived at the Belmont residence. And the first Belmont he saw was his niece, Sidra.
"Hello, Sidra."
"Uncle Adrian! We received a letter today from Sander and Cander!"
"…Really?"
"Yes, they're apparently in need of aid in Prussia."
"Then their letter isn't much different from the letter me and your aunt received today."
"…I'm sure that Christian'll be going to Berlin soon."
"That's good, but he may not be going alone."
"Huh?"
"Where's your father, Sidra?"
"He's in the chapel with my brother."
"…Thank you."
When Adrian entered the Belmont chapel he genuflected before the Eucharist in the tabernacle.
Richter and Christian gasped. They did not expect to see Adrian at this particular moment.
"Good afternoon, gentlemen."
"Adrian!" exclaimed Richter.
"Uncle Adrian!" added Christian, at nearly the same time as his father.
Adrian smiled, and showed the letter from his sons. "Sidra told me about the letter that you received from Sander and Cander. It's probably very similar to this letter that I received from them…Shall we discuss the letters?"
Richter nodded. "Yes, but let's go someplace different."
"Where do you request then?"
"The master room."
In the Belmont master room Richter, Christian, and Adrian sat in a circle, drank tea, and discussed the context of the two letters.
"So what do you think?" asked Adrian.
"…I think my cousins're having some problems. But I'm wondering what does this 'legion' thing really mean?"
"Probably many vampires," replied Richter.
"That's one possibility," added Adrian. "But I'm still wondering if it wasn't some scare tactic given to Cander."
"That's possible as well," responded Richter, before he turned to his son. "You're going to leave for Berlin soon, right?"
"…Yes…I'll leave tomorrow morning for Prussia."
"You won't be going alone," replied Adrian. "I'm going to accompany you."
"You are?" gasped Richter and Christian.
"Yes…I think you boys could use another member to your party. I know that Sander and Cander want to be home by Christmas—and I'm sure you do as well—and I believe an extra person'll ensure that."