I am Alberich of Habsburg, son of Archduke Ernest the Iron. The year is 1457, and my brother Frederick has for five years been Holy Roman Emperor. While he has been a very public figure, I have not.

Born and raised in secrecy, I was trained by the Reisläufer (Swiss mercenaries), honed to be my family's most ruthless weapon. I have come into the service of Ambrus, Kiraly of Hungary, as a Schwyz warlord, proving my loyalty by organising his Hussars into a formidable cadre of warriors and leading them to victory against the Ottoman Turks. I have made this alliance at the request of my brother, the Emperor, but I will use my relationship with Hungary for my own purposes.

None at the court of Ambrus and Izabella know that I am a Habsburg...save one...another ruthless knight. Like me, he was also trained by the Schwyz, though he is Prince of Wallachia: Vlad III Dracula.