Chapter 65 Chapter 64

We find Stoichev sitting at a table in the library, with Ranov sitting opposite him. Stoichev looked up eagerly as we entered. "I think I figured it out," he whispered. Helen sat down beside him, and I leaned over the manuscript he was working on.I recognized that it was Slavic.Next to the stationery is our map. Stoichev looked around, glanced at Ranov, rubbed his wrinkled forehead, and said in a low voice: 'I believe the grave is not in Bulgaria. " I felt the blood in my head drained, "What?" "Sorry to disappoint you, my friends." I stared at him, speechless.I don't think we'll be able to get into Romania again after all we've been through.It's a miracle we've come this far.

"I suggest that you ask them to allow you to see some of the other monasteries, and the routes that pass them, especially the Bachkovo monastery. Also, there are kept some very precious manuscripts, which were gifts to the monastery by pilgrim monks .” To my surprise, Helen seemed to fully accept the plan, "Maybe Professor Stoichev is still willing to accompany us." "Oh, I'm afraid I have to go home," Stoichev said regretfully, "I have a lot of work to do. I would like to be of help to you in Bachkovo, but I can ask the monastery for you. Please write a letter of introduction. Mr. Ranov can be your interpreter."

"Very well," said Ranov, who seemed delighted to hear that Stoichev was leaving us. We have nothing to say in the face of this dire situation.Romania?The door to Rosie's office loomed in front of me again: it was closed, it was locked.Rossi could never open it again. Elena had apparently been at church the whole time.When we came out, she was walking slowly towards us across the hot courtyard.As soon as Ranov saw her, he turned and went into the hallway to smoke, then strolled towards the gate and out the door.I saw him quicken his pace as he reached the gate, maybe he needed to get away from us too.

Stoichev sat heavily on a wooden bench not far from the gate, with Elena's hands lovingly resting on his shoulders. "Listen," he said very calmly, smiling up at us as if we were chatting, "now our friends can't hear us, let's hurry up and talk. I didn't mean to scare you just now, there is actually no literature that mentions There are pilgrims returning to Wallachia with holy relics. Sorry, I lied just now. Wherever Sveti Georgi is, that must be where Vlad Dracula is buried. I found something very important. Stefan says in Chronicle that Sveti Georgi is not far from Bachkovo. I don't see any connection between Bachkovo area and your map, However, here is a letter from the Abbot of Bachkovo to the Abbot of Rila, dated to the early sixteenth century, which states that the Abbot of Bachkovo no longer needs the Abbot of Rila or Any other clergy come to help him suppress Sveti Georgi's heresy because that monastery has burned down and the monks have dispersed. He wants the abbot of Lila to be vigilant and keep a close watch on any monks coming from there Be on the lookout for monks spreading the word that the dragon killed Sveti Georgi—Saint George—for that is the mark of heresy."

"Dragon kills—wait a minute," I said. "You mean that one about devils and saints? Chiril says they're looking for a monastery whose hallmark is the balance between devils and saints." "St. George is one of the most important figures of our Bulgarian saints," said Stoichev calmly. "It is indeed a curious inversion that the dragon defeated St. George. But you remember, the Wallachians The abbey the monks were looking for already had this sign, as it would be the right place for the reunification of Dracula's body and head. I wonder if there is a greater heresy that we don't know about— Constantinople or Wallachia, or even Dracula himself may have known about this event. Does the Dragon's Order have its own spiritual beliefs other than the Church's orders? Is it possible for this belief to be established? A heresy? Before today, I never thought of that possibility." He shook his head. "You must go to Bakhkovo and ask the abbot there if he knows that the devil and the saint are equal or vice versa. Also, there is a monk there who used to be a scholar, famous for his research on the history of Sveti Georgi. He used to work with Atanas Angelov and was the second to see Sakya Leah Chronicle. Dean can help you find him. Also, I don't have a map of the area around Bachkovo, but I believe there is a long and winding valley to the northeast of the monastery. There used to be a river. Go through there. Could it be our dragon's tail? If so, where is the dragon's wing? Maybe those mountains? You must find it too."

I really want to kneel before Stoichev and kiss his feet, "But won't you come with us?" "I think, even if my niece won't let me go," he said, smiling up at her, "but I'm afraid it will only attract more suspicion—you have to take this." He put a small object into Helen's hand, she quickly closed her fingers, and before I could see what it was, she hid it. "Mr. Lanoff has been away for a long time, which is rare," she said softly. I immediately glanced at her, "You want me to go and see him?" Just outside the complex, I saw Ranov standing with a man next to a long blue car.The man was tall, dressed in summer clothes and a straw hat, and had an elegant demeanor.Something about him made me stop abruptly in the shadow of the gate.They were discussing something in secret, and suddenly stopped.The handsome guy patted Ranov on the back, turned around and sat in the car.

The friendly pat seemed to be on me, and I jerked—I knew the motion—and it landed on my shoulder once too.This man is Gezo Joseph.This may seem unbelievable, but it is absolutely true. "I think Joseph is here," I whispered urgently. "I didn't see his face, but someone who looks like him spoke to Ranov just now." "Damn it!" Helen said softly. I think it was the first and last time I heard her swearing.