Chapter 1

 

Going back is not always a good thing or an easy thing to do, but it’s what I had to do.

 

20 odd years ago I left my beautiful country for better opportunity’s anywhere else, going through Europe, USA, Asia, and even Russia, trying to find where I belonged. Everyone knows that feeling, not fitting in anywhere, being different, being put into little boxes that only serve others better, everything I ran from when I was 18.

Did I make my fortune? Did I find that place I so desperately wanted to belong?

Nope

I always made enough to get by pay bills etc., To me I had a blessed life no real drama’s since I left home just flowing along with the river and where it lead me.

Then my grandfather got in touch with me, he was dying, and it was time to go home. I am the only living relative, so it fell to me to sort his affairs and bury him.

The flight home seemed so much longer then I remember, some lawyer was going to be meeting me at the airport but was at least another 6 hours away. I decided to have a sleep.

 

The driving rain was making driving near on impossible to see, suddenly there was a flash of lightning and my grandfather standing in the road. I swerved and crashed into a bank.

I got out of the car and headed toward the only light I could see, thinking what the fuck is this, my personal rocky horror. As I got closer to the light the rain eased, and before me was a magnificent castle, only reinforcing my idea this was the rocky horror picture show, only this castle was of the standard found all over Europe. I walked up the grand steps to the front door and knocked… so far no raging party, like the movie.  The door opened seemingly by itself, I cautiously walked in…

“Hello” I called out “HELLO” I tried a little louder

“Welcome home my dear” a female voice gave me a fright from behind and I jumped and turned to see my long dead grandmother standing there. “Don’t worry darling your safe here” 

Then she smiled and I saw the fangs…

 

Nothing worse than having a nightmare on a plane…I woke up and freaked out a little…not quite remembering where I was. I regained my composure to realize that the movie was one of the twilight movies. I laughed to myself, silly sub conscious putting vampires in my dream, which made me wonder, did my Nan sparkle…

I dozed on and off for the rest of the flight.

I got to Auckland airport and found a man with a sign bearing my name, he looked like a chauffeur. He took my bags and led me to a waiting limo; turns out he was a chauffeur.

He took me directly to my grandfather’s lawyer’s home.

It was a very grand old house, in Remuera; I wondered how much my granddad paid for this guy…

“Welcome Miss Alexandrov, we have been expecting you.” An old man said when he opened the door

“I trust you had a pleasant trip?” he asked

“It was fine” I replied

“Oh, forgive my manners,” he said leading me inside and to a lounge” I am Alexander Quinn, your grandfathers lawyer.” He pointed at a couch for me to sit down.” I will get right into the will because you have come a long way and will be leaving early, and you will need your rest.”

I was puzzled a little

“Ok, this is the last will and testament of Alfonso Alexandrov; I hereby leave everything I have, to my great, great, great granddaughter, Silver Alexandrov. On certain conditions as listed below.

“Hold on …he was my grandfather not my great times 3 grandfather? And he’s not dead yet…is he?” I interrupted.

“Don’t worry Miss Alexandrov it will all be explained later, if I may continue?”

I nodded for him to go on

“The 1st condition is she must come to the family home and be there before I pass on. There she will receive answers and keys.” He put down the piece of paper “That’s all I have been asked to tell you, you may stay here tonight I have arranged a car to pick you up at 5 am, it will take you straight to your grandfather’s estate.”

“Wait…is he alive or dead?”

“Oh, he is still alive but his time grows very short, it was a shame we did not find you a year ago, you could have had more time with him.”

“Oh …I was…in some forest…so you had been looking for me for a year?” I said dodging the fact I had been in prison for stealing a bit of food for a homeless man.

“Yes” he said “Now I will show you to the guest room and show you where the kitchen and everything is before I go to bed myself.”

“Oh yes sorry, it is very late here.”

I thanked him and went to bed…

 

The driving rain was making driving near on impossible to see, suddenly there was a flash of lightning and my grandfather standing in the road. I swerved and crashed into a bank.

I got out of the car and headed toward the only light I could see, thinking what the fuck is this, my personal rocky horror. As I got closer to the light the rain eased, and before me was a magnificent castle, only reinforcing my idea this was the rocky horror picture show, only this castle was of the standard found all over Europe. I walked up the grand steps to the front door and knocked… so far no raging party, like the movie.  The door opened seemingly by itself, I cautiously walked in…

“Hello” I called out “HELLO” I tried a little louder

“Welcome home my dear” a female voice gave me a fright from behind and I jumped and turned to see my long dead grandmother standing there.

 “Don’t worry darling your safe here” 

Then she smiled and I saw the fangs…

 

Dam it …that same dream… I went back to sleep and woke to the alarm on my clock. 4 am…time to get ready to leave.

I got up showered and got dressed. Mr and Mrs Quinn were waiting in the kitchen with fresh coffee.

“Did you sleep well?” Mrs Quinn asked

“Yes, thank you the bed is very comfortable”

“Miss Alexandrov, I hope you don’t mind” Mr Quinn began to ask “But I would like you to consider my services after your grandfather has passed on.”

“One day at a time please Mr Quinn, though I am sure if I need a lawyer the fact you already work for my grandfather means I will probably retain your services.” I replied

“That is fair enough” Mrs Quinn said

“Yes, it is dear.” Mr Quinn replied “My law firm has worked for your grandfather as long as I can remember. He really is more than just a client, it will be sad to see him gone”

“I barely remember him “I said feeling very sad “My family moved away when I was very young, all I remember is his comforting warm smiling face”

“It is sad your family moved away, but did they not spend holidays at the family estate?” Mrs Quinn asked

“No. After we left my parents never went back, they seemed to be afraid of him, looking back now. Is there something to fear from my grandfather...He’s not a paedophile, is he?” I asked

“No, no, no” Mr Quinn said

“From what I know they had some kind of argument, however I was never privy to the details. I do know that after your parents were killed he was very sad that he had not made up with them, He told me life is too short for some to dwell on things you or they did wrong.”

“Well that’s a relief” I said

There was a knock at the door

“That will be your car. I do hope we see you again soon Miss Alexandrov, though not too soon. I hope the old man can hold on long enough for you to get to know him.” Mr Quinn said

We said good bye and I got into the limo. It was a boring trip, nothing happened. I dozed in the limo dreamless this time.

We went deep into a forest, I think it was the Kaimanawa forest but I couldn’t be 100% it had been a very long time since I was in this country. We stopped in a small clearing just off the road, there was a helicopter waiting. The chauffeur got out opened my door and got my bags, and went to the helicopter, he jumped in, it would seem he was my pilot as well. I got in and sat down.

“It is only a short flight from here mam” He said.

We took off and flew a little south, then I saw it… below me was an amazing castle, off to one side was a small village, there were no roads here at all, but there was a small airstrip. My guess was when they needed supplies they would fly out to get them. As we got closer to the castle I could see people standing lined up out the front door. The chopper landed and the pilot turned off the engine.

“Welcome Home mam” he said as we disembarked

It turned out all these people were servants at the estate, all dressed in uniforms suited to their station. Everyone bowed to me, which made me feel uncomfortable. But in a strange way I felt like I was home.

A man stepped forward.

“I am James, I will show you to your rooms” this well-dressed butler looking person said. “If you require anything during your stay please tell me and I shall do my best to accommodate you”

“I would like to see my grandfather as soon as possible”

“He is sleeping at the present time, I suggest you settle in while you wait for him to awaken, I shall come and get you when he is ready.” James said

“Oh of course,” I exclaimed “How bad is he?”

“He is very old Miss, and with that amount of age health is fickle, but he is holding his own awaiting your return”

He lead me through the most amazing architecture, Stairways and décor I hadn’t seen since I toured Europe, everything here seemed like it was new but still it was all so very old, must be worth millions in furnishings alone. This was even better than all the castles I had visited in my travels.

“This will be your wing, for now” James said as he opened a door to a massive hallway with rooms on one side and windows and doors leading to a balcony on the other.” You may wonder around wherever you like except the lowest level of the dungeon”

“Oh, why what’s down there?”

“Just it is full of storage and junk, not really safe unless you know the path through it all, wouldn’t want you getting trapped under a pile of old statues and tables.” he said “I shall come and get you when your grandfather is awake” and he left.

I wondered around my “wing” as James had put it. There was a huge living area, thankfully with a TV. A smaller but cosy dining area, bathrooms that looked spotless and never used everything was very old.

There were a couple of small bedrooms with their own bathrooms, and my room, it was huge with a living area, bathrooms, walk in room or wardrobe. Aside from no kitchen or wash-house it was like a separate 3-bedroom house. I walked out on to the balcony and looked around.

5 floors each with a slightly smaller balcony than the one below, below was a massive pool and beautiful gardens, and an entertaining area. You could have an old-fashioned ball down there. I could see the doors from the ballroom to outside. This place would make an awesome private resort, or rich persons get away.

James came up behind me. “Sorry to disturbed you, mam, but lunch is being served in the main dinner hall, and your grandfather will be at lunch today.”

“Thank you, James.” I followed him through the maze or hallways and stairways to the main dining hall.

There sitting at the head of an enormous table was my grandfather, he seemed so much older than I remember him, but then it had been a long time.

“Granddad?” I asked tentatively looking at this frail old man

“Arh my darling granddaughter I am so pleased you could make it, my you have grown so much since I saw you last” he said

“It was a few decades ago though granddad”

“Yes, it was, I am so very sorry I did not get to apologise to your parents before they passed, it would have been nice if we could have spent just one day as a real family again.”

He seemed to wonder off in a haze of depression. He suddenly snapped back out of it.

“Anyway, regrets are in the past, we have much to talk of before I pass away, there are things you do not know, that you simply must learn and try to remember.” He paused “All this can be yours, I also have some small businesses around the world that will need to be taken care of, it will all be yours.”

“May I ask a question?” I asked

“Of course, Silver child speak”

“How did our family get such a huge and unknown castle?”

“My old employer was a very rich man, He had this place built for my family, for generations to come, but he did have one small condition.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, that he be allowed to come and stay every so often, He comes to visit about once a year, he is extremely generous to all that work here, and occasionally I do a bit of work for him, though these last few years I have not been much help, my capacity to do things has greatly diminished. You will be able to meet him soon, He is arriving tomorrow night, he also wishes to be at my side when I pass.”

“That is so nice of him. What sort of work did you do for him all these years?”

“I used to do a lot of research for him, we have a very vast library here full of very old books some not found anywhere else in the world, however now there is this internet thing, my assistance is no longer needed as much as in the past.” He wondered off again into his depression and snapped out of it again faster than last time. “I should like for you to continue my work here when I pass on.”

I looked at him he seemed so sad.

“If you decide to do so, your life will be extended as mine was, and you shall receive so many benefits, there will be no more struggling to make ends meet”

“Your life was extended?”

“Yes, Silver child, I am now over 200 years old, my employer has a very rare and special elixir that he used to keep me young, I stopped taking it a few years ago, but us humans still have a finite life and it catches up fast once you stop.”

My eyes nearly popped out of my head, and my crazy grandfather was going through my head

“So, you really are my great, great grandfather?” I said not wanting to let him know I thought he was crazy

“Yes, child I am, however my children and theirs seemed to have been cursed, and you are all that is left of our once great family.” Again, he drifted off into his depression.

“I think I shall go rest, Silver my dear, feel free to explore the grounds, talk to the locals, they are all good people working here.” He said as he carefully got up and leant over me and kissed me on the forehead” I am so pleased you came. I do hope you decide to stay. We shall talk more later perhaps at dinner” he smiled and another butler looking person came to assist him. “Thank you, Terry,” granddad said to him” I shall be pleased when I can finally rest”

I finished my lunch, thoughts reeling through my head, how can it be possible, how can any of this be possible, people must have seen this place, hunters in the forest…someone must have seen this place, and my grandfather is over 200-year-old, he must be delusional. I decided I would go for a walk outside and check out the little village.

 

In the little village everyone seemed really happy, and so very polite. There were gardens with vegetables and herbs, a small farm bit with a couple of cows and some sheep, chickens everything you would expect in a self-sufficient village, only more Victorian. They even had an apothecary, there was a large well in the middle of town and while I was looking at the well a young woman came over.

“That’s just in case we get no rain and the tanks run out” she said I looked up to see a beautiful woman with blazing red hair and deep green eyes and an awesome smile with pure white teeth.

“It’s a good idea” I replied

“I’m Angela” she offered

“I’m Silver” I replied

“Oh, you’re the master’s granddaughter we have heard a lot about you, he was hoping like crazy you would come.” She said

“Really I didn’t think he would know much about me”

“He has ways of keeping an eye on people when they are not here, but only for their own safety of course, he really is a wonderful person”

“I don’t really know him that well, though now I wish I had.”

“No time for regrets, I know he will be so happy you’re here, and with the Lord Master coming to visit, you’re in for one very exciting time.”

“Lord Master?”

“Yes, your grandfathers boss, he is also a good man, though we only see him at night, he will often come to our little village picnics to have some relaxed fun. Oh, we are having a dinner down here in a few nights time I’m sure the village would love for you to come. I know your grandfather would be there if he was not so ill and I’m sure the Lord Master will be there”

“It sounds nice, I will probably be here then” I said with a smile

I couldn’t work out why but everyone here seemed so content with their lives, though they had normal clothes for this era, everything they seemed to do was almost medieval with a modern twist, but only if it made life easier without relying on modern technology. Like the water tanks off each house, and solar power, there was even a water wheel and windmill.  If the world was cut off from all power tomorrow these people wouldn’t even notice, perfectly set up to be totally off the grid, except for the phone/internet line. Maybe a simple life is the best way to live.

Angela showed me all around the village and introduced me to some of the villagers, she explained some of them still worked in the nearby towns at ‘normal’ jobs and how they were flown into their jobs by my grandfather’s helicopters and a small plane.

She showed me the green houses where they grew everything that required a high temperature, like coffee beans and pineapples. Everything about this place was set up as if for the apocalypse.

She showed me how they had managed to keep out people who hunt in these woods, with a cleverly constructed wall of trees, even the gates to get out looked like they were just trees. She explained we had some hunters here who would go out to get deer and wild goat and boar or even to fish.

“What if someone here wanted to leave and go live in the outside world?” I asked

“Then they go, no one here is here against their own will, your grandfather would never allow that. He has even provided some with support to help them get on their feet out there, most come back eventually.”

“Is life really that good here?”

“Yes, it is, I went and lived out there for a while, but so many people out there are so greedy, selfish and very into making their lives a drama and the lives of anyone they know. I made a few good friends out there and I still visit them every now and then, they love the fact I send them normal letters and not emails” she laughed” some people really get caught up in the internet, don’t they?”

“Yes” I laughed “Some people would die without it they are so addicted”

“See here we have what we need and a lot of what we want, and if something we need isn’t here we work together to make it happen.”

“That’s amazing, people out there really could learn from this place, your right so many are greedy and selfish.”

“You are very much like your grandfather and you look a lot like your grandmother.”

It was starting to get dark

“Would you like me to walk you back to the castle?” she offered

“No thanks I’m sure you have things to do, I can find my way” I reassured her

“Ok then hopefully we will see down our way again soon.”

I went back to the castle, after lingering a while in the garden out the front. So many little solar powered lights made the garden look almost ethereal, and so very beautiful and captivating.

I found James waiting for me at the hallway door to my wing.

“Did you have a pleasant afternoon mam?” he asked

“Yes, the village is amazing, as are the gardens”

“Your grandfather sent word to tell you that he will not make dinner tonight”

“Do you think it would be ok for me to just go sit with him?”

“I think he would like that, but I shall ask his assistant for you, will you require dinner in your rooms or in the dining hall?”

“I think I’ll skip dinner tonight thanks James, I’m really not very hungry after that wonderful lunch”

“Very well mam, I shall go speak with Terry right away then mam”

“Thank you, James,”.

I went to my room and just wondering around looking at the artwork and tapestries when James returned.

“These are amazing works” I said

“Yes, they have been collected from all over the world, your grandfather likes to save old things, some are even made by him.”

“Amazing” I said feeling under talented and suddenly out of place everyone here seems to have a purpose except me.

“Your grandfather’s assistant seems to think you sitting with him would be a good idea and may bring some light to the dying man’s eyes.”

“Oh good” I replied” I feel so bad not having spent the time with I should of if only I had known when I was younger.”

“Do not regret the past my lady, it is what makes you the person you are today”

“Wise words James” I said laughing to myself…it sounds like a Facebook status…

He led the way to my grandfather’s rooms. We went past so much beautiful art and more tapestries and statues. If all this was up here I wondered what it was that they had in storage in the basement.

We got to my grandfather’s rooms and Terry was waiting for us. He put his finger to his lips to tell us to be quiet, and I followed him.

“He is sleeping restfully for once so please do not wake him” he whispered as he led me to grandfather’s bed. He had set a lazy-boy chair next to the bed and I sat down looking at my grandfather. I briefly saw the smile I remembered as a child. I sat there watching my grandfather most of the night till I fell asleep in the chair.

I woke the next morning around 11, still sitting next to my grandfather’s bed, only he was sitting up watching me.

“Silver my dear, why do you sleep in a chair next to old mans bed, are your rooms not satisfactory?”

“No granddad, not at all, my rooms are wonderful. I wanted to be near you, I felt all the time I had missed this was in small part a way for me to be here for you.”

“Oh child” he chuckled “Do not mourn me when I am still here, I have lived a wonderful full and long life, and you are here now that is all that matters.”

He seemed so much more coherent today than when I saw him at lunch.

“Now this evening my Lord Master will be here, I do so look forward to you meeting him, as I know he is very much looking forward to meeting you.”

“Why do you call him Lord Master?” I asked

“Well he has been around a long time, you see my employees are really more than employees and they call me master, I always called the Lord Master, my lord, so my employees started calling him Lord Master. So, it just went from there”

“I guess that makes sense.”

“We are from an older time. My-self, the lord Master and some of my employees when you held people above your station in high regard and showed them the respect of their title. Not like today where titles mean nothing and money is the controlling power. “

“Well I am just guessing, but I am sure the Lord Master has plenty of money”

“Yes, that he does, but money is not everything.”

“I know I have lived largely without money, I was happy mostly”

“And how are you feeling now that you have come home?”

“I’m home, you can’t get much happier than that. Though that happiness is steeped with sadness.”

“What do you mean?”

“After all these years trying to find somewhere I belong, then I find what is left of my family ready to pass away and I feel at home here.”

“My child, you are here now, you get to inherit all this and more you do not yet know of, you never know, you may even find love here.” He winked at me

I laughed

“So, tell me more of what I will be doing if I take over your home and job”

“It’s easy, every now and then the Lord Master or one of his childe will call or pop in and ask you to do some research on something, then you go to the library and look it up, and email them the relevant information, he owns the satellite we feed off for our wireless connection, we had to get very modern very fast, but he took care of it all.”

“How did you communicate before email and phones?”

“Pigeon’s, personal visits, snail mail as you, young people call it. Needless to say, it all took a rather long time before telephones and internet.”

“How is it this place has been here so long yet no one knows about it?”

“Well now days it is easy, those who fly over see a hologram we made, so all they see is trees, however there is certain clues as to where the small airfield is, I couldn’t very well have my pilot’s crashing into the castle because they couldn’t see where they were going” he laughed and I laughed with him “I am sorry my dear, I suddenly feel rather tired, I shall have to have a rest before he arrives. Please remember he is important and to dress up a bit.” He winked at me “Off you go and do the girly thing”

We laughed again and he snuggled into his bed as I walked out of his room and to my rooms.

James was waiting for me at the door to my wing.

“My lady” he said bowing his head “Is there anything you may be requiring of me today?”

“Not that I can think of.” I replied “Oh wait, what sort of ‘dressed up’ should I be for this evening?”

“Normally when the Lord Master visits everyone wears their very best, I can show you some clothes we have here, I’m sure you will find something suited to both you and the occasion.”

“You have clothes here?” I asked

“Yes, my lady, from every time period of the last 1000 years and even some older.”

“Ok then let’s go have a look” I was getting excited, I had always loved clothes, more so ones from older time periods that I could never afford to buy replicas of or a modern version, I hardly had any ‘good’ clothes.

He led me to the upper basement; the wine cellar was to the left and seemed quite extensive. We went to the right. We past more stairs going down further.

“How many floors are there below this one?” I asked

“Only 4” He replied “But the lowest level is out of bounds”

“Yes, I remember, lots of stuff stored there and a dangerous path” I laughed

“Here we are.” He exclaimed

Before me were many wardrobes all full of beautiful dresses and matching accessories.

“Wow” I exclaimed “that’s certainly a lot of clothes”

“Yes, my lady, many years of fashion, some worn by residents of this home, some collected for their exquisite design. The men’s section is over there” he waved to the left

“This may take me some time” I said still partly stunned

“I can help you my lady, if you tell me what sort of thing you are looking for.”

“I just need a nice suitable dress to meet the lord master in”

“Each wardrobe is full of a certain time period, or designer, maybe you would care to wear a Versace, Channel, or alexander. I believe we may even have some Mothers of London, however I do not feel the lord master would care for that style”

We searched through the wardrobes for a few hours till we found the perfect outfit. It was early 1800’s French and looked like something one would wear to a ball in Venice. We started making our way to my rooms with all the dress, and accessories.

“I shall send someone to help you with your hair and make-up if you wish my lady” James said as we laid the clothes out on my bed.

“I think that would be a good idea, well for the hair at least, I think I can do my own make-up though”

“Very well my lady” and with that he left

I showered and started to try the dress on, so many layers to a dress this old and the corset was proving an issue when there was a knock at the door.

“Come in” I yelled

“I’m here to help you get ready for this evening my lady” a young ladies voice said

“Oh goody, do u think you can help me with this dress first?” I asked

“Certainly, my lady” she replied

“Please call me Silver” I said

“As you wish my …Silver” she smiled “My name is Katherine”

“Awesome Katherine” She helped me get the dress on and done up, I don’t know how lady’s in the old days did this, every morning… It was driving me nuts doing it just this once. After we got the dress on I sat down in front of the elegant dressing table and did my make up while Katherine did my hair.

By 7pm I was finally ready.

“How do I look?” I asked Katherine “And please be honest”

“You look like you stepped out of an old storybook my lady” Katherine said

“Is that good?”

“Yes, my lady” she giggled

“I told you call me Silver”

“Very well Silver”

“Have you met the Lord Master guy before?” I asked her

“Why yes Silver, many times.”

“Do you think I am dressed well enough to meet him?”

“I think he will love it. You look like a goddess.”

“As long as he’s not the type to start hitting on me, It creeps me out when old men do that”

“Oh, he won’t he is the consummate gentleman”

“That’s good. To be honest I am a bit terrified of all this”

“All what m…Silver”

“The pomp and ceremony thing, meeting this Lord Master person, and of course my grandfather dying”

“He is happy now you are here Silver, it is the time he has chosen to pass on, he is lucky to be able to do that, many people can’t. As for the Lord Master, he is a lovely man. I’m sure you will not have a problem.”

“Is there a certain etiquette I need to know about?”

“No m…Silver, just be yourself” she winked at me

“I feel like a princess dressed as a turkey ready for the oven” We both laughed and there was a knock at the door.

It was James, His eyes popped out of his head when he saw me.

“Are you ready my lady? The lord master draws close”

“I think so James”

“I shall take you to down to the door so you can greet him with your grandfather.”

I followed him down to the front door entry way, my grandfather was sitting in a wheelchair waiting for me.

“Silver, my child.” He said looking at me like he was about to cry” You look extraordinary; you know that dress was one of your grandmother’s most favourite, I’m so glad you chose it.”

A Black Carriage pulled by 4 black horses pulled up to the door. It was exquisite; I noticed all the beautiful detail in the carriage and the harness.

The driver got down and opened the door.

A man in dark cape stepped out and moved slightly to the side, then a middle-aged man with thin long dark hair stepped out aided by the driver and the other man whose face I couldn’t see. They walked up the stairs greeted first by all the servants bowing before them, to us waiting just inside the door. I curtsied and my grandfather bowed his head.