The next day . . .

I awoke to the chirping of birds and the sun's rays shining down through an uncovered window. It wasn't very warm, but it was a relief from the gloom and stormy weather. I rose from the four poster bed, quickly dressed, and managed to find my way to the dining room, where Marlus sat sharpening a dagger at the far head of the table, with his legs crossed on top of it.

"I trust you slept well, my lady?" he asked with a sideways glance.

"Yes, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, your highness."

I walked over, sat down, and helped myself to a loaf of bread.

"Nonsense; please, call me Marlus." He sat up straight, sheathed his dagger, and picked up an apple.

"And what are your plans for today, Lady Riana?" A bite crunched in his mouth.

"I hoped to search here for clues to Dracula's lair, with your permission of course."

"You are free to look through the towers and the library, but I do not think you will be able to find it, not without a miracle."

"Then I'll just have to pray for one," I smiled back.

A few hours later found me skimming through books and piles of scrolls scattered across a desk, along with pictures and other necessary searching tools. The entire story of Dracula's beginnings was already known to me, and repeated several times amongst the text and pictures around me, but I needed to find the location of the doorway between his world and mine.

Marlus stopped in front of the door and knocked softly on the side before entering. "How is your search coming along?" he asked as he walked in.

"It's been very difficult, and I haven't found anything useful yet," I responded nonchalantly while I looked over a scroll.

Marlus flipped through some papers without interest.

"A messenger arrived just a few moments ago," he announced.

"Is it urgent news?"

"No, no; on the contrary, it is an invitation to this years Midsummer's Ball at the palace in Budapest."

"Sounds very interesting," I replied as I continued reading.

"It is a wonderful masquerade party, and I would like to invite you as my guest if you are still here and have the desire to go."

I closed the book in front of me and looked up at him.

"Well then, I accept. Now I get to see what you people do for fun around here," I grinned.

It's settled. Two nights from now, we will travel, and have a grand time!"

He turned around and left as I opened up a new book to begin my search again.

Those two nights and a day passed in endless searching and exploring the village or nearby woods. Marlus and I went horseback riding, hunting, and enjoyed good ale from the local taverns. When the day came, we left in a carriage with a few servants, extra clothes, and the garments we would wear to the ball. I was warned it would be a long journey, but we passed the time by talking, and we were soon immersed in a busy yet interesting conversation. Then it happened.

I was staring out when I noticed a faint silhouette moving along the side of the road a few feet behind us. It looked like a man running for his life.

"Stop the carriage!" I yelled at the driver.

The man's features became clearer as the horses stopped. Marlus had a confused look on his face, but then I saw a large shadow that seemed in pursuit of the man.

"Get down!" I shouted at the stranger outside.

He dived to the ground and covered his head as I yanked out my pistol and quickly aimed at the thing behind him. It looked extremely large and dangerous, but the shadows and distance didn't offer me a clear view, so I shot at it and hoped for a good hit. Instead, the bullet whizzed right by the mysterious being, barely missing it, and it stopped its pursuit. Then it leaped into some nearby trees and disappeared.

I stuck my head out the window. "Hello there, sir! Are you alright?!"

The setting sun hid the stranger lying there, but my sharp eyes managed to see a well built figure in travel clothes as he got up and dusted himself off. Then I saw honey colored eyes covered by locks of golden hair approach as he came over to the carriage--he looked as young as I was.

"Who goes there?" the stranger called out to us with a slight English accent.

"Just an innocent pair of travelers who happened to see you being chased. Do you need a ride somewhere?"

"If you are going to Budapest, I would be extremely grateful if you could take me there."

I opened the carriage door. "Then come on in."

He entered with a small pack and sat opposite me as the horses started moving again. I noticed his worn and dirty appearance as he tried to catch his breath.

"Thank you; allow me to introduce myself--my name is Michael."

We all shook hands. "I'm Riana."

"It's nice to meet your acquaintance, my lady."

"I am King Marlus Attulkin."

"It's a great pleasure, your highness."

"Do you mind telling us what you were doing out there? It's awfully dangerous in those woods, you know." I told him.

"Well, you see, I was riding with an escort from a village south of here on my way to Budapest. We were both armed and supplied, but someone or something attacked us just a little while ago, and killed our mounts. I ran as fast as I could, but unfortunately my escort slipped and was killed as well. I managed to reach this road, and if you hadn't come along, I most likely would be dead by now."

"Do you know or did you see what pursued you? And may I ask why you are on your way to Budapest? It just seems like a coincidence to me, for that is our destination as well," Marlus asked.

"I am just looking for an . . . old friend of my great uncle's. There's rumor he was in that city."

I stared at Michael with a thoughtful look. I had a feeling he wasn't telling everything he knew.

"What is your last name, Michael?"

He seemed very surprised at my question, and hesitated a moment before answering.

"If I tell you, do you promise not to tell anyone? I need you to swear that everything said here will stay between the three of us."

My suspicions were confirmed. He beckoned us closer and began to whisper.

"My full name is Michael Van Helsing. I have followed in my great uncle's footsteps in the conquest of evil, ever since he found my mother and I in the outskirts of England, but I still need to develop a reputation as good as his, even though I'm safer not telling my last name, if you know what I mean."

"So what is your mission then?" asked Marlus.

"I've come to confirm the rumors about Dracula. The Knights of the Holy Order want to make sure there is a threat before they take any action."

"Smart move; but aren't you worried about spies and rats going around? Dracula could find you before you find him," I said.

"I'm not too worried. My eyes are always open, and I can take care of myself if the need arises," he replied with a pat on his pack.

"Just like your great uncle," I added.

He nodded his head in agreement, and the carriage became silent. Before long, we finally arrived in Budapest, and the horses' hooves clattered along the cobblestone street. We stopped in front of a hotel where Marlus and I would stay the night after the party. He invited Michael to join us, but the young man insisted he had to be elsewhere, and had other lodgings. So we parted ways in hopes of seeing each other again, and Marlus and I prepared for the ball.