Chapter I ~ Episode 1 : a MISUNDERSTANDING in BORSKA

( from the journals of the wanderer, Ryld Hune... )

1.
A   M I S U N D E R S T A N D I N G   I N   B O R S K A

In which a horrible crime is discovered at a rural homestead, a child is orphaned, and three strangers are thrown together to help a village under threat (after some initial discord)...

 

It's been several months since I left home, if you can call it that. Their faces have faded from my memory in such a short time and I can't seem to recall their names. Have I been living a dream, or is it a nightmare?

On occasion it feels as if something in the night calls to me. I can sometimes hear whispers on the wind, haunting me, beckoning me towards some unknown destiny.

I am not quite sure what small village I am close to. They blur together and seem all the same to me. Anywhere I go, people seem kind to me, but hesitant at first. I survive mostly on the generosity of local people in the countryside. I help with their farm chores and they usually give me a meal to take back on the road.

What am I searching for? My past... or maybe my future? I feel a burning desire to know who my real parents were... or are, if they are still alive.

*  *  *

Marta and her husband keep the barn in this village, which they tell me is called Borska. She let me sleep there for the night, and offered me a nice wedge of cheese and fresh-baked bread. It's midday now, and I am resting after the morning chores they asked of me.

As I write this, there's a commotion outside, and lots of yelling. Oh, no... I hope it's not a bunch of idiots. What are they on about?

* * *

I learned that an idiot man-child posing as a Malacovian officer incited the villagers. Posing, I say, because no officer could be as dim-witted as this fellow. He claimed that I was a vampire! Yes, really. I know people find my appearance odd and sometimes frightening, but never a vampire! What a donkey!

Maybe I made things worse, but I distracted the crowd with my gift, and got the hell out of the barn. Outside, I caught sight of a female traveller with a child in tow. I tried to warn them of the mob on the other side of the barn, but it was too late.

Thinking back, I should have stood my ground and talked my way out of things. This finally happened when I was standing in broad daylight, and this retarded 'officer' realized I was not a vampire!

I soon learned why the village was upset. Something foul had been been transpiring in the area, and now I know why Marta tried to keep me away from the other townsfolk. Everyone has been on edge. Twice now in recent weeks, the bodies of villagers were found on the roads near the local bog - horribly swollen and drained of all blood through wounds on their necks and veins. So that's why they feared I was a vampire!

This outlander woman is a huntress named Iskra. She found a grisly scene at the farmstead near the crossroads; a family was horribly tortured and murdered. The small girl witnessed it all and survived by hiding. Fortunately, she knew the truth and told the villagers that none of it was my doing. Instead, she spoke of evil men dressed in soldiers' uniforms, one with sharp teeth like a beast.

How interesting! The false officer, who goes by the name of Mirko Jakov, protested this. Tensions are high, but Iskra suggested that we help these people. Some village men are going back to the farm to collect the bodies, and it would probably be a good opportunity to investigate.

For some reason, this Jakov insisted on coming along, probably to avoid the villagers. Damn, he just won't shut up. I could use my gift to command him to shut his trap, but it never lasts long. I need to work on that.

* * *

We arrived at the scene of the crime. These poor people died horribly, but I saw no evidence of supernatural forces here. Normally, I'm better at sensing such things, but I could find no clues. Something about all of it is really bugging me, but I just can't put my finger on it.

Mirko headed outside to scout around, likely trying to find a place to sleep. It gave me a chance to speak privately with Iskra, and we seem to agree that this man is not to be trusted. We were greatly surprised when one of the village men told us that Mirko found tracks in the field outside. Really? He probably tripped over a rock and fell face-first in horse shit.

The locals that came with us are going to return to the village with the bodies, so the girl's family can be buried according to their customs. Iskra and I decided that we should follow the tracks and investigate further, and perhaps find some justice for the dead.

We were both puzzled when Mirko Jakov agreed to accompany us. It seems clear to me that he cares nothing for these people. What is his true motive? This fool bears watching...