Ford Theatre, Washington, D.C.
April 14th, 1865
Ford’s Theatre was busy, very busy; all the guests were rushing to get to their seats, and everyone was in a great mood. Why shouldn't they be? Five days earlier, Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant. While there were some holdouts, this effectively ended the war that had torn apart the nation for four long years. The Union was preserved, and slavery was gone; everyone was happy, and none as happy as Colonel Thaddeus Cornwall, the tall pale man was veteran of the war, still in his dress blues as he took his fiancée by the arm. Maria Dracula was also pale and had very dark hair; her English was still not the best, but she was learning fast. Both of them took their seats on the balcony above the main stage area. Maria turned to Thad. “Dear, I think that is your friend Henry in the president's box.” Thad turned to see, indeed, his good friend Major Henry Rathbone and his own fiancée sitting next to the president and his wife. “Oh yes, so he is.” Maria smiled and leaned on his lover's shoulder. “You should have accepted those tickets; those are very good seats. "Thad smiled and kissed his love on the nose. “My dear, I would not want to impose.”
It was true that Thad was offered tickets to be in the presidential group but refused to receive them, a decision he would regret for the rest of his life. Later, after the intermission, everyone was in good spirits. Our American Cousin was a comedy after all. Thad and Maria laughed, especially at the actor Harry Hawk. At about 10:15 PM, “Hawk said, "Well, I guess I know enough to turn you inside out, old gal; you sockdologizing old man-trap!" Everyone gave a good laugh, and then soon after, there came a loud bang from the presidential box. Everyone was stunned at first, but Thad knew the sound of gunfire. He looked over to see Lincoln slumped down, and Mary Todd, his wife, screaming as Henry Rathbone tried to engage the combatant, but only got stabbed as a result. The assassin then jumped from the presidential box, snagging himself on the American flag and landing hard on the stage, and shouted “Sic semper tyrannis!” It was then that Thad knew who it was...but he couldn't believe it “Wilks?”
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Orlok Castle, Switzerland, 1895
Stephanie sipped her tea; she was sitting in one of the many living rooms of the castle, sitting next to her husband on a two-person couch. The living room was huge with high vaulted ceilings and many couches all organized in a square shape. Thad was in the middle of the square telling his tale of the death of Abraham Lincoln. Everyone from the family was there in their casual night clothes. Alexia was there with Mariko and Keiko on either side; Maria was on the couch next to Alucard and Stephanie. Eric was sitting at the front of the room with his good friend Adir, a mysterious Persian man in a fur cloak. Stephanie smiled at him, and he smiled back thinly. Stephanie was happy to see another brown person among all the paleness. Stephanie spoke up, “Is that true? Is that what really happened to the great emancipator?” Thad replied, “Sadly, yes , President Lincoln was killed by an assassin’s bullet. It was a great loss to our country and the world.” Stephanie sighed, “The world is still filled with evil; my own mother was a victim... a slave to my father, really.”
Alcuard replied, “The world is very cruel; humans are cruel creatures.” He turned to Stephanie “No offense, my dear.” He then kissed her hand. Stephanie “No offense taken.” Alexia asked, “I have heard there is a growing vampire presence in America. Is that true?” Thad nodded “Yes there is, the many numbers of immigrates from Europe means that many of them are fellow vampires, New York and San Fransisco already has large population of vampires” Alucard got out his pipe and lit it, then giving it a little puff “Yes ... that we are moving their as soon as possible, me and my wife” Stephanie was stunned “We are? We are moving to the United States?” Alucard sighed; he might as well tell the others what had happened. “I was summoned to a meeting with Orlok the other day,” Erik raised an eyebrow. “You actually saw him?” Alucard nodded. Alexia inquired, “No one has seen him in twenty years. How does he look?” Alucard replied, “He doesn't look good; it is plain to see that he is dying. He also expressed his plans for the future of our empire.” There was a hush over the others. Alexia replied, “And how will this affect our family?”
Alucard replied, “Not much, everything will remain the same as it usually is for most of you. Alexia will take over father’s old territory, and I will be moving to the United States with Stephanie in the coming century. I have been tasked with creating a new North American order.” He then turned to Thad. “I know you have contacts with the vampire communities in the United States.” Thad nodded. “Yeah, I know the communities.” Alucard nodded. Contact the local leaders by wire, let them know there will be a new boss in town soon.” Thad nodded, “I’ll get right on it”. It was then that Alucard realized there was one more thing they needed to tell them; it wasn’t something he believed in or wanted, but it was the will of Orlok. “However, before we do that, there is something that must be done before we proceed.” He sighed, “The humans that killed my father have organized a group against us, they are led by Aberham Van Helsing. It is the wish of lord Orlok that these humans pay for what they have done; he wants them to pay for killing one of our own... soon we are going to war.”
