The Promise Therein

Dracula's Account

I came across the driver first, lying face downward in the snow. The awkward angle of his neck verified how he had met his end, similar to the unnatural position of the horses. Snow had already begun to accumulate on the lifeless forms; in the distance, wolves circled patiently. Their yellow eyes gazed out between the trees, their eagerness checked by restraint, but I would not prevent their repast. The luggage I had come to collect lay untouched by the forest�s edge, and near it was a shape that called my greater interest.

Doubly frozen with the chill of death and wintry climate, the strangers shape lay in a huddled mass, like a frightened child in repose. A peculiar curiosity took hold of me again as I bent over his form�who was he? Had I been right in terming him a stranger? Surely no stranger would have business in these parts, yet it was unlike the natives to pry. Upon first glance his face was unfamiliar to me. I pushed back the heavy folds of the thick coat for closer inspection, but the brazen crucifix clasped between the icy hands revealed more than the contorted features could. The Romanesque design hinted of Castillan origins. It was all I could conclude without touching it, and I did not see any particular reason for doing so. The lights flickering in the castle windows reminded me of my intent. To tarry any longer would arouse suspicion, so I gathered up the bags nearby and returned. 

Kelantha Cabrera was avidly inspecting some of the documents I had purposefully left in her room. Setting the luggage down, I approached the table where she stood, the flames of firelight flickering across her features in shadowy repetition.

�Bequests are curious things, are they not? Some men will die and leave little more than visions and dreams in their wake. But there are others,� I picked up one sheet, allowing light to spill over the paper golden with age, �whose fine minds are invariably reduced to the poor eulogy of a page.�

�Are you familiar with Flamel�s work?� she asked, her eyes attentively searching mine as if the answer lay therein.

�I have several of his documents which will, I think, provide you with fascinating study.�

She glanced over each page briefly, rapt by the scores of information each contained. If she still refused to forgive me for the error of underestimating her, I could see her interest was highly engaged regardless. I recalled her letter in that moment, the most forceful and persuasive request I had the pleasure of receiving. Yet there was a delicacy in its persuasion, as if she knew her limitations and charmingly chose to waltz around them. The decision to oblige such spirited determination provided ample study not only for my guest, but also for the inner recesses where I conducted my solitary analyses.

�The evening is too far advanced to dine,� I began, unwillingly breaking the silence, �but if you care to refresh yourself, tea is waiting in the next room.�

Excusing myself, I entered the adjoining drawing room and arranged the tray for one setting. Not long in her delay, Kelantha cast one elongated glance about the room before taking her seat. "I was unaware you had such wondrous documents in your keeping,� she said, her eyes bright with animation. �It seems shameful that alchemy holds such promise, but there is none to fulfill it.�

I measured each word with precision as I poured the tea. �Promise exists only if there are those who recognize it. Too quickly is a man�s life lost and the promise dies with him. And yet it can be preserved, as so many who have come before us sought to explain,� I gestured toward the shelves of books that lined the walls, �That is what we seek do to through science, is it not? And is it not what can be, and shall be, accomplished?�

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