The Story of Ms. Renfield (On Hold)

Chapter One: The Handshake

In the Carpathian Mountains, November 6, 1899...

His death was all an illusion. Dracula looked longingly from the safety of the mountain side as Mina exited the ruins of his beloved home, fully free of the curse that still imprisoned him. She sobbed happily as she raced into her husband, Jonathan Harker's arms. The men who had traveled across the land to hunt him down praised their God for the good fortunate. That the wraith of the vampire, Dracula was no more.

"Sir." A strong but humble voice cut through the silence, coming from the companion that on the bay-colored horse next to his midnight black one. The immortal turned, his dark amber eyes now on the face of a younger, human man that was dressed for the cold of the mountains. "It is done. We should go." The young man, William Renfield voiced, pulling his thick, dark peacoat closer to his body as he fought to keep the warmth to his body. The young solicitor's brown stubble covered cheeks are red from the wind and snow. The fur hat saved his ears from the chill. The small glasses perched on his nose were fogging over from his hot breath as he spoke.

William Raeford Renfield, son of the late R.M. Renfield was an enterprising man who took the tragedy that befell his father, turning into an opportunity of a bloodline. Through the shorthand and cryptic journals that his father kept when he was in the wilds of the Carpathian Mountains, he learned the true nature of the man that was called Count Dracula.

Going as far as finding the Count in the newly inquired Carfax Abbey with crosses and garlic in hand. Not for the vampire's head, but to talk. Arranging a business deal to solidify a brighter future of the younger Renfield and his family was his goal. Since he was working at the same office that his father did before he mental break and Harker was at, he was able to learn a great many things about the happening during the daylight hours while Dracula was asleep.

A spy with his own fortitude instead of a puppet to be pulled and jerked about became a valuable asset to Dracula. William was able to move behind the scenes, gathering information about the dealings of Harker, Holmwood, and Van Helsing without raising suspicions. Knowing what they were planning to do allow Dracula to become two steps ahead; more so when he was reading Mina's mind.

Now, the scene that had unfolded below them was complete. The party was leaving with their dear friend, Quincey wrapped in a blanket, carting it away to attempt to take him from that cursed place. Van Helsing looked about, satisfied that the foe he had pursued all his life was now at peace in death. Not a one of them could see past the dark shadows that conceal Dracula and William on the mountainside.

"Yes." Dracula agreed, nudging his horse forward. "It is time to place all this in the past." The horses moved slowly and carefully the path, leading the opposite direction from the castle, far from the party.

"Very good, sir. Lodging has been acquired and the new boxes of earth have been delivered to the port. In two days' time, we shall be heading to the new world. The city of Seattle said to be still wild and unpolished, but soon to be tame. We make our stake now while it is young and reap the benefits to come." William commented as the two men made the way down. "It will be the perfect place for us to reinvent ourselves. Now, have you given in any thought about what I said? A name that will not stand out like Dracula does." William looked over to his client. With the wealth that Dracula was bringing with them to the new world, William would be able to build a solicitor business in the heart of the city. That had been R.M. Renfield's dream to own his own office. Now, with the creature that ultimately destroy his father's life, William was going to see it happen.

"I think you should adapt the American terminology for your profession. A lawyer is the word if I am corrected." Dracula jested a bit. "And I have thought about it. Drake. The meaning is still dragon.'

"The Drake Foundation. I like the sound of that." William nodded. He held out his hand to Dracula. "It will be an honor to be working with you, Mr. Vlad Drake."

"Likewise, Mr. Renfield." Dracula pushed aside his royal trapping, gripping the outreached hand to shake. A handshake was important in the new world.