Dampyr Speciale #1 (2008) Pages 13-14: Dracula's master

The grave robbers thought they were facing Vlad 'Dracula' Tepes, but the truth behind that illusion is even worse:

“That's right, Mihail. The real Vlad Tepes is not here, either alive nor dead. His tomb in Snagov monastery is just a beautiful legend. His body is elsewhere, and I know where it is.”

“You know...? But who are you?”

“You were looking for Vlad Tepes, and you found his master, boy. Look at the fresco behind you. That is Vlad Dracul, voivode of Wallachia and father of Vlad Tepes, called Dracula. Behind him is a figure cloaked in black that hides his face... the true founder of the Order of the Dragon. It is I, Draka!”

“Noo! Help! Lemme out of here! Leave me! Go away!”

The Slavic term Voivode refers to a warlord or military governor. The Order of the Dragon was a chivalric society of Central Europe, dedicated to defense against Ottoman incursions at the tail end of the Middle Ages. (According to more than one story in this series, vampires were instrumental in that defense of Christendom, which seems ironic.) Modern Romania comprises several historic kingdoms including Wallachia, Moldavia, and Transylvania.

Draka was the rider on the horse back on the opening page. He's not exactly a good guy in this series but does live according to his own code of justice.