The stone block castle was impressive, but it probably was more of an eyesore amongst the more modest homes of its neighbors. Andrew scouted the fence line which was constructed of stone and electric wire. It said to intruders very loud and clear to ‘stay out’ or else. Andrew turned his attention to the front gate and the guard house. He saw two security personnel that carried side arms. The gate itself was a very impressive creation of an iron frame and bars. As Andrew continued to watch, a linen company delivery truck stopped at the gate. As one of the guards remained inside in the guard house, his partner approached the truck. He spoke to the driver and checked his clipboard. When he was satisfied, he waved to his partner to open the gate. Once the gate was open, the truck continued on its way.
Andrew settled down in the snow and continued his surveillance. About a half an hour later, another truck arrived. This one was from Nancy’s Catering. Well, Andrew thought, Kara must be having a party. The guards followed the same procedures as earlier. There was no way he could enter the property during the daylight with such tight security. The only way was under the cover of darkness. Andrew estimated it took about five minutes for the guards to check in a vehicle and open the gate. This included the time it took to exit the guard house, walk to the vehicle, check the clipboard and open the gate. Andrew had to find a place to hide close by, and that meant he had to do that during the daylight. Once there, he could remain undetected until the time of the party. Andrew searched the area close to the gate. It was there that he found a large pine tree with its lower branches touching the snow. Andrew was willing to bet that the area beneath the branches and snow was a place to hide in. To do so, was a risk, but one he had to take. He could use the surrounding woods for cover, but the last few yards were in the open.
Andrew stood up and returned to his tent. He crawled inside and retrieved a rather large and long pack of white camouflage that matched his winter clothing. Andrew departed from his ‘igloo’ and started his trek towards the pine tree.
It had not been an easy hike through the knee-deep snow. Andrew was about halfway and decided to rest. He took off the pack and plopped it and himself down in the snow. Andrew opened one of the side pockets and pulled out a couple of energy bars. Andrew tore open the first one and quickly downed it in a couple of bites. With the next one, he opened it and spent a little more time to eat it. As he sat there, Andrew looked around and still could not believe how much it snowed last night. Andrew stood up and slung his pack over his shoulders. He continued on his way.
Andrew had finally reached the edge of the trees. He knelt down and took out his binoculars. He focused on the guard house. The two guards had their backs to him and were in the midst of a conversation. It was now or never. Andrew put away his binoculars and dropped down on his belly. He started his approach to the pine tree. Andrew crawled along slowly and would pause from time to time to blend in with the snow and barren ground cover. By now Andrew could see the guard house and security without his binoculars. This was the critical part in his plan. This was the part where it could all go bad and he would be discovered. Andrew had to slowly inch his way towards the pine tree. What should have normally only taken a few minutes, it had taken Andrew much longer. He was never so glad when the aroma of pine filled his nostrils.
Andrew moved to the opposite side of the tree, away from the guard’s view. Andrew quickly dug through the snow and as he suspected there was a ‘cave’ beneath the tree. Andrew took off his pack and lowered it into his ‘home’ and crawled in after it. He fixed the snow to make it look like it was before. Andrew left his pack and crawled on his hands and knees to the side of the tree that faced the gate. Andrew dug out a hole just big enough for him to look through and provide some necessary light. He could clearly see the security guards and the front gate. Andrew was about to go back for his pack, when a black Mercedes with heavily tinted windows, pulled up to the gate. You could not see the occupants at all. Just like before, the guard exited the guardhouse and approached the vehicle. But this time was different. As the driver lowered the window, the security guard never bothered to check his clipboard and immediately motioned for his partner to open the gate. Whoever it was, they were important. Once the gate was open, the car sped through and up its way towards the castle. Andrew went back for his pack and brought it with him to his spy window. He set the alarm on his watch and laid his head down on the pack for a pillow. Andrew was worn out and needed to rest. His eyes were suddenly very heavy and soon Andrew was snoring away.
Andrew woke in a panic. The sunlight was gone. His watch alarm did not go off! Andrew scrambled in the dark and crawled quickly to his spy hole. It was night and there were already a line of vehicles at the front gate. Andrew crawled back to his pack and grabbed it. He returned to his spy hole and shoveled the snow away like a madman. Soon the hole was big enough and Andrew climbed out. He ducked and sort of did a run crawl along the line of cars. So far he went undetected. Pretty soon Andrew was along side a black hummer. Andrew sat down for a few seconds to catch his breath, but it did not last long. The gates started to open and the hummer started to move! Andrew scrambled as fast as he could as the hummer picked up speed. If he did not move quicker, the guards would discover him. Andrew stumbled and fell as the hummer pulled away. He turned and looked. He was inside! The gate closed and with it, concealed his presence.
Not far from the gate was the groundskeeper building. Andrew scrambled to his feet and ran over to it. Andrew took out his lock pick set and bent down to examine the lock. He selected the right tools. Andrew had the lock picked and the door opened within minutes. He put the tool back in the case and back in his pocket. Andrew went inside and closed the door. Andrew removed his pack and set in on the floor. He removed his winter clothing to reveal a Knight’s of VanHelsing outfit underneath. He unzipped the pack next and took the scabbards with swords along with a long leather black coat. Andrew first put on the coat and then slipped on the scabbards. He reached inside the pack for one other thing. Andrew slipped on the hood and now he was complete. Andrew hid his winter clothing and the pack beneath some lawn product bags. Andrew left the groundskeeper’s building and headed for the main house.
Andrew used the landscaping for cover as he went directly to the rear of the castle where the deliver vehicles were parked. Andrew ducked into the bushes nearby and watched. He saw a pretty steady flow of catering staff that moved from the truck to the entrance.
He at first thought it would be too risky to try and sneak in between the catering workers. The windows were out as an entry point because they probably had some type of alarm. Andrew was stumped for the moment, but then opportunity knocked; there was a break in the line of catering staff.
Andrew bolted from the bushes and in through the open doorway. He was in the hallway which led directly to the kitchen. Now what Andrew thought? There was no place to go. Great, Andrew said to himself, he would surely be discovered. Andrew leaned against the wall, and before he could react the wall seemed to swallow him up! Andrew stumbled backwards and landed on his butt. The secret panel closed and a light immediately illuminated the area he was now in. It was a narrow passageway.
Andrew stood and walked to the end, since he had no other choice. It was there that he saw a set of stone step that spiraled upwards. Andrew ascended the stairs and finally came to another wall. He felt around for the trigger device. Just as his right hand hit a raised section of the wall it opened. Andrew was on the second floor of the castle. The area was familiar to him. He had been here the last time he was at Kara’s. Her bedroom chamber was just a short walk down the hallway. Andrew strode at a quickened pace and was soon at the door of Kara’s room. He listened first and upon not hearing a sound, opened the door. Andrew immediately stepped inside and shut the door again. Andrew stood there and surveyed the room. Now where would Kara have hidden the book? It was probably in a safe. But where would the safe be?
The main hall was brimming with Kara’s invited guests. They were all there to celebrate a victory; a victory against their age old enemy.
The room-length table was adorned in deep red linen with gold accents. Crystal fountains cascaded with tuica, a plum brandy usually enjoyed before a meal along with some appetizers. It varies in strength, dryness and smell according to the region. But if you attempt this drink, beware it does have a kick to it! The table was also filled with Romanian national dishes not to be missed, such as Coirba, a sour soup made from fermented bran, bacon, potatoes and beef or chicken. Then there were also Mititei, minced meat rolls with aromatic herbs, along with Tochitura, a hearty meat stew seasoned with onions and/or spices. Also served was muschi poiana, which consisted of mushroom- and bacon-stuffed beef in a puree of vegetables and tomato sauce. Guests could also sample the traditional Romanian fish dish of grilled carp called saramura. And Kara did not forget the dessert lovers. There were plenty of apricot ice cream, merengue layered cake, cherry compote turkish baklava and apple strudel.
Kara wore a red velvet flowing gown accented with a gold lace bodice and diamonds. Her hair was swept up
