Epilogue
It has been a year since our meeting in London, and looking
back, we've achieved so much more than I could have hoped for in such a short
time. The big news is that today is the day. The day that Dracul takes its
place on the world stage. The day that The United Nations publicly recognizes
us as a Nation. George is officially our Minister of Foreign Affairs. Our dukes
will serve as ambassadors to whichever nation they live in, and George has
appointed ambassadors to another 113 nations.
The barons of the world had quickly decided that an
absolute monarch would rule Dracul. I could declare laws as I saw fit, and no
one could question my decisions. Of course, that wasn't in my nature. Many of
the Alphas, er, Barons, had been elected to higher positions, and several of
the packs that needed a Baron asked if they could elect their next leader.
After discussing it with the dukes and duchess, we first decided to try it with
two packs. Our primary concern was that an elected baron wouldn't phase physically,
and we wondered if a non-phased baron could lead. Our fears turned out to be
moot, for as soon as the first pack had their election, the baron went through
the change into an Alpha. Once the second one did the same, we allowed the
other packs to have their elections. All elected barons/baronesses went through
the phase, and all the viscounts, counts, marquesses, and dukes developed
physical attributes appropriate to their rank.
Mike suggested that we use the concept of `patents of
nobility' like European monarchies had for centuries, so I spent several days
signing documents with flowery language. We decided to hold similar meetings
every 100 years, and if everyone was happy with their leaders, I would renew
their titles for another century.
Mike has spent this past year, with input from the dukes
and marquesses, creating a constitution and set of laws to govern our Nation. We
have a small book with few laws; foremost among them are laws addressing the
killing of vampires or humans. We negotiated with the world's nations that
changing a human into a vampire was not to be considered murder, but the human
had to be of age (16) and have given informed consent. We also addressed things
relating to interactions between packs, er, baronies; created schedules of
taxes; made regulations for immigration to Dracul; and regulations concerning
how dual citizenship affected vampires.
As he promised during our visit to Windsor, Vlad first
introduced me to Peter the Great and Nicholas III. He and I then met with
Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and Camille Vidart to discuss their
views on world peace. I spent several hours with a few past Presidents of the
United States who shall remain nameless. I spend an entire day meeting with
Kings of places that were long ago absorbed into larger countries. More
importantly, I've met with the current leaders of 42 nations from around the
world. Prime Ministers, Presidents, Sultans, Kings, and Queens. Most were
short, informal chats, but four stand out in my memory.
The first of these was shortly after our meeting. Cousin
Liz called and said she would pass the crown to Charles in the next week, so Scott,
Billy, and I traveled to Balmoral. We were there when Charles officially became
King. He and I discussed the future of the relationship between our two
nations, and he surprised me by saying that he had no intention of being
changed. I almost asked him why not, but realizing that this was a personal
issue, I decided against it. When Elizabeth's casket left Balmoral, Liz, Phillip,
Scott, Billy, and I were smuggled out. Two days later, she did her renewal:
they've been our guests ever since.
The second notable meeting was in December. I don't
remember who got the bright idea that I should visit Moscow in December, but I
wasn't happy about it. The Russian President was much more polite as Billy,
Josh, and I were announced and led into his office. After fifteen minutes of small
talk, he started mentioning all the advantages of being a close ally of Russia.
We listened to him ramble on for over half an hour, and then he came to his point.
He hinted that there could be a financial gain for us personally if we could
arrange for him to be changed. I made no promises but didn't immediately deny
his request. Of course, there was no way I would ever allow this megalomaniac
to become immortal.
The third meeting that sticks out in my mind was the day
that Josh and I decided to visit The White House unannounced. First, I need to
explain the rings that Hiroki made for us. The stones on mine are enchanted
with five different spells, er powers, er, I don't know, enchantments? Anyway,
the Alexandrite has a disguising spell built into it so the wearer can assume
the appearance of whomever they like. The four diamonds are enchanted to
provide us with invisibility, a personal shield from physical attacks, the
ability to perceive deception and compel honesty, and the fourth I use to raise
and lower disguising spells I cast on things I want to conceal, such as the
vaults at home. Joshua's differs only in that his fourth stone has yet to
receive its enchantment as we haven't decided what to put on it.
Anyway, back to The White House. We were in Pittsburgh
visiting Derek and his family when Billy suggested we visit Washington DC and
take the pups to the Smithsonian, The Capitol, and The White House. We decided
to start the day with a 9 am tour of The White House and were blending in with
the humans when Josh sent me a nano-text suggesting we drop in on the
President. I thought he was insane until Billy started giggling and nodding his
head. It seems Josh had included Billy in the text. The next thing I know, Josh
has gone invisible and sent me a message that if I don't join him, he'll be
alone in the Oval Office. I look around, go invisible, and follow Josh through
the hallways to the West Wing.
Five minutes later, we're looking over the shoulder of the
President's secretary, looking for an opportunity. It quickly presented itself as
the Attorney General came from a door to our left. Before he closed the door,
we snuck in around him and were now standing in the Oval Office, alone with the
President. I thought for a moment, then cleared my throat.
When he looked up, I quietly said, "Good morning, Mr.
President."
He jumped slightly, looking around for the source of the
voice, then asked, "Who are you?"
We both dropped the invisibility, and I said, "I apologize
for the intrusion, Mr. President. I am King Gregory of Dracul. We spoke on the
phone shortly after my home was destroyed." I turned to Josh and added, "This
is Prince Joshua, my son and heir."
He grinned and nodded, saying, "The Russian President told
me a story. I thought he had been hitting the vodka, but it seems he was sober.
What can I do for you, Your Majesty? Your Highness?"
"Honestly? Nothing, sir. While I'm still unknown, we
brought the family to see the sights of DC. After my coronation, I don't think
I'll be able to join the public tours." I replied with a smirk.
The President nodded as he said, "If you stick to the plan George
laid out for me, no, you won't be able to go anywhere in public for many years.
Are you sure that's what you want to do?"
I smiled and said, "I've talked with my ministers, the
dukes, and the duchess, and they all agree. The coronation will go as planned.
You will be there, I assume?"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world." He replied.
We were interrupted when four men came bursting through the
door with guns drawn. All were aimed at Josh and me as they put themselves
between us and the President. With our shields in place, the guns were no
threat to us, but there was the potential for someone to be hurt, so we slowly
raised our hands as the agent in charge of the detail spoke with the President.
Once they had talked, the agent ordered his men to stand down, then offered us
an apology.
"No, we should be apologizing to you, agent. You and your
men were doing their jobs." I said, offering him my hand.
"Thank you for understanding, Your Majesty." He said as he
shook it. He paused, then asked, "If I may ask, how did you get in here past
the staff and my agents?"
When I glanced at the President, he understood and said,
"Agent, in order for him to answer your question, I
must insist that you all be sworn to secrecy. Not one word, no locker-room
gossip, no telling your spouses or partners, nothing. Am I understood?"
When they had all agreed, Joshua took the shape of the
President while I simply vanished. When I re-appeared, I also looked like the
President, so Joshua took the shape of the Vice-President. After changing into
a few other people and going invisible several times, the agent in charge
looked at the President, confused. In answer, the President nodded in my
direction.
"The King and I have some, um, rather special abilities
that would take far too long to explain. Suffice it to say that we are not a
threat to your President." Joshua explained.
I gave the President a pointed look and added, "As long as
your President is not a threat to me or my subjects, that is. I look forward to
many centuries of peace and friendship between our Nations, Mr. President, but
as your friend in Moscow found out, I will protect my people."
The President stood, walked around his desk, and shook my
hand as he said, "As I understand it, I was the first of several calls you got
on that day last year. That means the United States was the first to offer
friendship to the Nation of Dracul. I hope that the United States will still be
your friend, even if all other nations turn against you."
I nodded, then turned to the Secret Service Agent in charge
and asked, "Would you like to escort us back to our tour? Or should we just quietly
rejoin our party in the same way we left it?"
He smiled as we went invisible and retraced our path to
rejoin our family. When we related our adventures, Niko complained that he
didn't get to meet the President, while Chipper complained that he didn't get
to have any of the fun.
The fourth meeting, which I doubt I'll forget if I live
another thousand years, shouldn't have shocked me as much as it did. I was
sitting at my desk signing some of the hundreds of letters of patent for the
counts when Andrew sent me a nano-text asking if I was prepared to receive a
King. When I asked which King, he said it was complicated and would allow the
visitor to explain. I shrugged and told him to escort the man in as I put on my
jacket and walked around to the front of the desk to greet this unexpected
guest.
Andrew knocked two minutes later, then came in and said,
"Your Majesty, may I present His Majesty, King Set Anubis, representing the
World Council of Shifters. King Anubis, His Majesty, King Gregory of Dracul."
"Your Majesty, such a pleasant surprise. I hope you will
forgive me, but I have not heard of the World Council of Shifters. Would you
enlighten me?" I said as I offered my hand.
He shook it as he said, "It is I who must ask for
forgiveness, Your Majesty. If you will indulge me, might we sit, and I will
explain?"
I waved a hand towards the sofa as I asked, "Would you like
something to drink? Please, call me Greg, and if you can spare the time, I must
insist you join my family and me for dinner."
King Anubis nodded, smiled, and, after Andrew had brought
us drinks, he explained, "I don't know if your advisors have told you, Greg,
but vampires are not the only supernaturals in the world."
He went on to tell me about shifters, witches, and many
other things I had assumed were myths. Ironically, even after being changed
into a vampire, I hadn't given much thought to the possibility of other myths
being real. I won't go into any more detail, as those are stories for others to
tell, but his visit opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities.
Before he left, he and I made several agreements that would benefit our
citizens. I also had his support for my coronation plans.
Back to today. Everyone agreed when the dukes suggested
that the former Council of Nine select one member who would be the one to actually coronate me and bestow upon me the title of King of
Dracul. I was shocked when they chose Vlad. Once they explained their
reasoning, I tended to agree with them. As the oldest living member of the Drăculeşti,
he was actually the best choice. I laughed as I
thought about the reactions when the humans found out he was the real Vlad the
Impaler.
The world had watched as The United Kingdom crowned King
Charles III, and we wanted a much more subdued event. We failed miserably. The
eyes of the entire world were on us. We would be hosting sixteen Kings and
their Queen Consorts, one Queen and her King, three Prince Regents, a Grand
Duke, two Emirs, two Sultans, an Emperor, sixty-five Presidents, forty-nine
Prime Ministers, and a Pope. That does not include the dozens of princes and
princesses who are not the leaders of their various countries. Most of these
world leaders would attend the ceremony and the reception planned for this
evening and be back in their home countries before midnight. The new Prince of
Wales and his Princess and their children would be our guests for a few days,
as would King Alexander and Queen Maxima and theirs.
George has been at the airport since dawn to greet our
visitors as they arrived and direct them to the aircraft that would bring them
to the castle. On landing at the castle, Billy and Niko escorted them to one of
the smaller ballrooms, where refreshments were set up for those who arrived
early. As our visitors were gathering and socializing, Scott and Tyler were
helping me dress.
I wanted to simply wear my tuxedo with the Drăculeşti
crest, but Josh and Billy insisted that I have something more `royal'. They had
Tyler design a floor-length robe made of black cashmere, lined with red silk,
and trimmed in white fox fur. Tyler, or one of her minions, had embroidered a
large dragon in red thread and mounted diamonds as eyes.
Hiroki had done an incredible job creating the Imperial
Crown of Dracul, which the Duke of Dhaka dubbed the Crown of Gregory the
Unifier because I was unifying the vampires of the world. A golden crown with
eight dragon heads rising from the crown ring, four of which were joined at the
top and holding a large, asscher cut alexandrite. The
crown was ringed with eight rubies and eight black pearls and had a cap of red
velvet inside. There was a jeweled sword they had dubbed Apărător
(Protector) to represent my role as defender of the realm, a golden staff that was
named Echitate (Justice), representing my responsibility
to rule fairly, and an extremely heavy orb named Compasiune
(Compassion), to remind me to balance justice with mercy. When I asked Hiroki
how far over budget he had gone, Joshua told me to shut up and accept that the Crown
Jewels of Dracul would become as famous and important as those of The United
Kingdom. Hiroki later told me that if we included the throne crafted with
walnut, ruthenium, leather, and red cashmere, he would value everything between
$800M and $1.3B.
At 11:30 Central European Time, the Dukes and the Duchess
were led to their seats in the throne room. There were seats reserved for the
ministers and my family. Other than that, we let the leaders of the world
simply fill in the available seating rather than offend someone with the
location we chose for them. The media was restricted to three television cameras
operated by Dracul staff and the two official photographers. Everyone was
seated when, at 11:55, Scott, Billy, and Bea led most of our pups to the reserved
seats.
At the stroke of noon, Andrew stepped into the room and struck
the floor with his staff three times. With the room silent, he clearly stated, "Hear
ye, hear ye, all present be silent and bear witness to
these sacred proceedings."
At this point, Josh quickly strode to the front of the room
and bowed to the Throne. He then stepped to the side, turned to face the
assembly, and said, "The Throne of Dracul commands Igor
Danila Markov to appear before it."
Immediately, Andrew announced Igor, who walked to the throne, bowed
to it, then stepped to the side and bowed to Josh as he asked, "You summoned
me, Your Highness?"
"Are you Igor Danila Markov, former Prince of the Council of Nine?"
"I am, Your Highness."
"And you are here representing said Council?"
"I am, Your Highness."
Joshua turned to the assembled dukes and duchess and asked, "This
man stands before the Throne, claiming to represent the previous government of
Dracul. Do you agree that he and he alone has that
right?"
Derek stood, bowed, and replied, "We do, Your Highness."
"So say you all?" Joshua asked.
They all stood, bowed, and replied in unison, "So say we all."
Joshua turned back to Igor and said, "Make your statements, but
make them true, on pain of death."
Igor replied, "On pain of death, I will speak nothing but the
truth, Your Highness. The Council of Nine is no more. I have been designated to
announce to the world that the Nation of Dracul hereby cedes complete and total
authority, from this day to the end of days, to the chosen heir of the House of
Drăculeşti, of the
House of Basarab, historical and foretold, rightful rulers of our people.
Furthermore, as the oldest living member of the House of Drăculeşti, of the
House of Basarab, I demand that Gregory Fowler Warnick appear immediately
before the Throne of Dracul to be invested with the full power and authority of
said Throne."
Andrew announced, "The Throne of Dracul commands Charles Gregory
Fowler Warnick to appear before it."
As I entered the room, everyone silently rose. Everyone that wasn't
a head of state bowed in my direction as I strode to face the throne. I bowed
to it, as it represented those I serve, then I turned and asked, "Who summons
me to the Throne?"
Igor bowed again, then said, "I am Igor Danila Markov, oldest
living member of the House of Drăculeşti, and as such, I affirm
your right to sit upon the Throne of Dracul."
As Igor said this, Joshua stepped forward and knelt. As he
did so, Andrew handed my robe to Igor, who draped it over my shoulders. Once it
was secure, I turned and sat on the Throne for the first time. Of course, we
had rehearsed things, but I refused to use the actual Throne, Crown, or any of the
other regalia until today.
Once I was seated, Andrew announced, "The Throne of Dracul presents
His Royal Highness Prince Brandon, bearing the Crown of Gregory the Unifier." At
this point, Brandon entered carrying a red velvet pillow with the Imperial
Crown.
When Brandon knelt in front of me, Igor lifted the Crown
off the pillow, turned to the room, and said, "I am Igor Danila Markov. In my
long life, I have been known as Vlad Tepes, also called Vlad Dracul or Vlad the
Dragon. I have also been known as Vlad Dracula or Vlad the Impaler. Without challenge,
I claim that I am the oldest surviving member of the House of
Drăculeşti, of the
House of Basarab, and as such, I claim my right to select and crown the first
King of Dracul."
Derek stood and looked around the room as he asked, "Is there
anyone to challenge his claim?" After a few moments of silence, Derek looked at
Vlad and said, "Under the laws of the old Council and the laws of the Nation of
Dracul, your claims stand. Vlad Dracul, name your heir, and crown him."
As Vlad was turning back to face me, I could see the desire on his
face as his eyes roamed over the crown. There, in his hands, was the thing he
had been chasing for centuries. He could simply slip it on his own head and
declare himself King, and because of the theatric show
we had just put on for the world stage, none of us could oppose him. I saw it
when the thought crossed his mind. I saw the slight upturn of the corners of
his mouth as his fingers caressed the crown. When his eyes finally met mine, I
knew what he had decided, and I was horrified.
All the work, all our preparations, hadn't prepared me for the
reality of the moment as Vlad raised his hands over his head and placed the
crown on my head. Up to this point, I could refuse. I could have walked away at
any point and someone would step up. Joshua could do
the job. Derek could do the job. Even George or Reinhardt or Hiroki could step
up and do the job. Now, as the crown settled onto my head, as Vlad adjusted it so it remained snug, there was no turning back, and I was
suddenly overwhelmed with the inconceivable responsibility that was now on my
shoulders.
As this hit me, I heard Vlad saying, "With the authority of the Houses
of Drăculeşti
and Dăneşti, both proud branches of the House
of Basarab, I name Charles Gregory Fowler Warnick as the rightful Heir of Basarab,
the rightful Heir of Drăculeşti, and the rightful heir of Dăneşti. As such, you are the rightful heir to the
Crown of Dracul. With guidance from the gods, with the advice of faithful
counselors, with the love of a grateful people, and with these honored guests
as witnesses, arise and declare the name you shall rule under, Sire."
I stood and looked around the room with a new appreciation for the leaders
I had met over the last year. I looked at King Charles and I could see how he
had aged in the few short months he had carried the crown. I looked at the President
of the United States and saw what decades of public service had done to a once
spry man. I looked in the back corner and saw a young
Liz and Phillip, smiling at me as they nodded their encouragement.
I took a deep breath and declared, "I am King Gregory the First.
First King of Dracul."
As one, those assembled said, "Long live
the King. Long live the King. Long live the King."
As the last sounds echoed through the room, Vlad motioned for the
next step.
Andrew banged his staff and said, "Your Majesty, may I present Their
Royal Highnesses, Prince Chipper carrying Apărător,
Prince Charles carrying Echitate, and David carrying Compasiune."
As the boys reached us, Vlad first picked up Apărător and watched as Joshua buckled a swordbelt and scabbard around my waist. Handing me the
sword, he said, "Your Majesty, this is the Royal Sword Apărător.
Long may it serve you as you defend your realm."
He then handed me Echaitate and
said, "This is Echaitate, the Royal Staff of Dracul. May
its perfect balance always guide you as you rule in a just manner." He then
handed me Compasiune and said, "And finally, this is Compasiune, the Royal Orb of Kasos. May its mass and shape
keep you ever mindful to temper justice with mercy and compassion."
When he finished speaking, Vlad went off script by
kneeling, bowing his head, and saying, "I hereby swear on my honor that I will,
from this day forward, be faithful to the King of Dracul. I will pay homage to
him and protect him, in person and in spirit, against all enemies. I freely swear
this oath in good faith."
I was about to reply when Josh dropped to his knee, bowed
his head, and said, "I hereby swear on my honor that I will, from this day
forward, be faithful to the King of Dracul. I will pay homage to him and
protect him, in person and in spirit, against all enemies. I freely swear this
oath in good faith."
Soon, every vampire in the room was kneeling and repeating
this oath of fealty. It was word for word what Phillip had said when we visited
Windsor. I guess that Vlad had decided that this wording was to become a Dracul
tradition. Once these oaths were sworn and accepted, I pulled Apărător from his scabbard; not sure when I
decided my sword was male, but he is.
I held him high above my head and commanded Joshua to kneel
before me. As I lightly touched Apărător to
his shoulders, I said, "For service to the Crown prior to our ascension, we
name thee a Knight of the Most Ancient and Honorable Order of the Dragon. Furthermore,
Sir Joshua Dracul, I publicly name you Crown Prince of Dracul and heir to our Throne."
When Joshua stood, I called for Morgan to kneel before me.
I had to use careful wordplay as I told the tale of a young boy who saved the
life of his, at the time, foster father. How he bravely risked his own life to keep
me alive until help could arrive. I then touched Apărător
to his shoulders and said, "For service to the Crown, we name thee a Knight of
the Most Ancient and Honorable Order of the Dragon. For service to the Crown
that goes beyond that which we would ever require of a subject, we create and award
thee with the Cross of Vlad. Now and forever, the highest commendation the
Crown of Dracul may bestow. All in our service, save the Royal House, shall
defer to those thus honored."
There were other honors I needed to bestow, but most of the
honorees were historical figures that I didn't want in the public eye for
several more decades, so once I finished with Morgan and he had joined his
siblings, I faced our guests, and those watching via television around the
world.
I cleared my throat and said, "I am King Gregory of Dracul,
and like most of my subjects, I am a vampire."