The Hunt Begins

The sun was beginning to set when Konrad, Rayk and Sophia walked their mounts down the dirt path that lead to the second farmstead beyond the town. Sure enough, just as the watchman had indicated, there was a house with a circular window.

“That’s it,” Konrad said, pointing. “That’s the one.”

The path went right up to the house’s steps, which were made of stone as was the rest of the structure apart from the roof: thatched and wood framed, and the front door: also made of wood, and timber framed. The circular window, shuttered, was located to the right of the front door and looked almost like a gun port. The house itself was quite large, and it appeared it was extended piece by piece over the years as indicated by parts of the home looking visibly older than the rest.

The trio approached the house, knocked on the door, introduced themselves, explained their purpose and within a few short moments were invited inside. Petyr, a farmer aged two-and-forty, had short chestnut brown hair and brown eyes. His wife, Marjana, had hair black as velvet and eyes of hazel. They bid Konrad, Rayk and Sophia to sit as their other children, four sons and two daughters, were shooed away elsewhere within the house.

“I reckoned no one would come,” Petyr lamented. “Was about to just go an’ search meeself.”

“You should stay here,” Sophia advised. “We will look for your daughter and we will find her.”

“Thank you,” Marjana said tearfully.

“Can you tell me about your daughter?” Konrad asked.

“Her name’s Anika,” Petyr answered. “She turned nineteen this past month. She gots my hair and her mother’s eyes.”

“When, and how, was she taken?” Konrad needled further.

Petyr explained, “In the dead of night. Didn’t know a thing was wrong until I heard the scream and-“

Marjana, overcome with emotion began to cry. Petyr continued, somberly.

“…and by the time I gots to Anika’s room, she was gone. Smashed right through the window, so they did, and carried her off. Me sons and I made a sally to chase after but they moved fast and before long we couldn’t hear her screams no more.”

“And the ones who carried her off were wolf men?” Konrad moved to confirm.

“Aye,” Petyr nodded, rubbing a comforting hand on his wife’s back. “Me sons and I saw it plain. A gaggle o’ them beasts wearing clothes of folk. But the one carrying Anika was a big bastard and looked more wolf-like, ya follow?”

Sophia saw Konrad’s eyes widen ever so sightly.

“Which way did they go?”

“Nor-nor-west of here by my reckon,” Petyr replied.

Konrad stood up, his movement followed by the others.

“Thank you,” he said. “We’ll begin the search right away.”

“Monad bless you,” Marjana sobbed.

“Bring her back,” Petyr choked, holding back tears. “One way or another, please.”

Konrad nodded his head and left the house, Sophia and Rayk close behind.

***

Count Alarik was sitting in the morning room with his brother, Baron Harlec. They were chatting idly over coffee and rolls when suddenly a figure burst through the door.

“Father! Dear uncle!”

Both men were startled, nearly spilling their beverages. Standing there was none other than Harlec’s son, Ervin. A fair-haired young man of sapphire eye and a confidence inflated with more swagger than sense.

“Ervin,” Harlec spoke, his voice tense as his own azure gaze burned into his son. “You arrive unannounced.”

“More than that,” Alarik barked, setting down his cup. “Uninvited. What in the Hades are you doing here?”

“Uncle I am wounded,” Ervin purred. “Surely your own nephew does not require such ceremony.”

Alarik, appearing ready to thrash Ervin within an inch of his life, was stopped by his brother’s gentle hand.

“I will deal with him brother,” Harlec whispered to Alarik. “I deeply apologize for his insolence.”

Alarik breathed heavily, like a bull deciding whether to charge, but eventually relented and nodded slightly to Harlec, returning to his seat and coffee.

Harlec then advanced towards his son steadily, turned him round and held him firmly by the arm until they were outside the morning room.

“What do you think you’re doing here?” Harlec hissed beneath his teeth, nearly shoving Ervin against the wall of the corridor.

“I figured my presence was needed here…” Ervin’s eyes, however, were not on his father. Instead, they were looking out the window at Isolde, who was walking among the garden. Harlec followed his gaze then turned back as he gripped Ervin’s arm so hard he winced.

“You figured wrong,” Harlec growled. “I had things in hand here, you were supposed to remain in our estate in Erdstahl until this situation concluded. Not to come here hoping to chase your cousin’s skirt.”

“I’m sorry father,” Ervin whined.

Harlec let go, “Not sorry enough, but seeing as you are here you might as well make yourself useful. I want you to go to the town of Steinovice north of here.”

“Ho-“

Before Ervin could fully ask whatever he intended to ask, Harlec slapped him hard across the cheek.

“Don’t you dare question me,” Harlec snarled, pointing his index finger in Ervin’s face, forcing his son to lean away. “You will go there, now and report back to me on the progress of a certain Konrad Mydlar and his friends. I need to know how they are fairing in their little expedition. Don’t come back until you have either discovered they succeeded or failed. My brother will need to know, and I have contingencies to plan. Is that understood?”

Ervin nodded his head yes.

“Now go.”

***

Konrad knelt down, his hand touching the indentation in the ground. Tracing the large shape with his fingers. They were just before a large forest, traveling in the direction indicated by Petyr.

“This confirms it,” he stated aloud. “There was a proper werewolf among the bzou.”

“Do you think it was the Alpha?” Sophia asked.

Konrad shook his head, “No, but if we can catch this one we’ll be one step closer to it.”

“Pardon me master for crying doom, but that black-bent fuc…”

Rayk, remembering Sophia’s presence, censored himself at the last minute.

“…fu-ellow has a day’s head start on us. And those werewolves can run for days.”

“Then we need to get moving now,” Sophia spurred. “We have no time to lose.”

Konrad leapt back onto his horse, “Let’s go. HIYAH!”

They charged into the forest, following the tracks, praying and hoping they’d find them and that the unfortunate girl would still be breathing…