Embrace of the Lycan - Chapter 3

Chapter 3
As promised the following day Sabas returned to the Inn with János, and the two of them repaired the roof as best as they could. The two of them seemed in good spirits, and flirted outrageously with Krisztina. Meanwhile, Lucian paid a visit to Old György. The man that answered the door was grey haired and weathered. Inside his home there was very little furniture. There was a small bed in the corner, and a chair near the fire that had a moth eaten cushion on it. There was a wall hanging that pictured some forgotten great dead, and looked like it had been of the finest quality once upon a time. Now, it was sun bleached and frayed. Lucian politely introduced himself and explained that he had recently found himself a free man, along with his men. He wished to settle here in Hidas. ‘How would that go with the local Duke?’

György looked at the serious younger man that stood before him. ‘I think it would go just fine if you paid him some taxes,’ the old man chuckled. ‘This village is needin’ some young men around the place. Hasn’t been anyone to work the fields or offer trade for a few years now. All able bodies were taken by that bastard Viktor and his Death Dealers….’

Lucian’s eyes flashed in anger at the mention of Viktor, and could not help the slight lip curl of disdain.

‘… but you would probably know all about that wouldn’t you?’ The old man nodded to himself at Lucian’s reaction. Lucian thought that there was no point in trying to lie to this shrewd old timer.

‘We mean no harm to anyone here,’ he said calmly. ‘We are just looking for somewhere to settle down, and to try and reclaim some kind of life,’ he finished earnestly.

‘That’s fine son, I believe you. It don’t make no difference to me what you get up to on a full moon.’ He had a little chuckle to himself. ‘But between you and me, I would keep the nature of your heritage a secret. There’s few here with any love for Viktor, but they know what happens to those he takes. He changes them. People will always be afraid of what they don’t understand.’

Lucian clasped the old man’s hand, and thanked him sincerely. ‘May I ask, would you be able to recommend me to the Duke as a possible tenant of the Smithy?’

The old man looked pleased, ‘Of course son, I would gladly. We have need of a good smith in the place for sometime now. I am sure your services would be welcomed in this village, and the next.’

‘Is there anything I can do for you in return? I can offer nothing but two strong hands at the moment.’

György smiled, ‘No need son. Krisztina looks after me she does.’

Lucian frowned, not recognising the name. ‘She run’s the Inn over yonder,’ he explained. ‘Inn… bah… more like a charity. She takes care of us old ones, making sure that we don’t go hungry. I wonder how much longer she can keep it up though,’ he shook his head. ‘Her money will be all but gone now I expect.’

‘Ah yes,’ Lucian realised who he was talking about. ‘We had the pleasure of Kristina’s hospitality yesterday. Does she come from money then?’ Lucian enquired.

‘Her mother did. Her mother, Erzsébet, was a beautiful noblewoman, who fell in love with László, a peasant. A handsome peasant he may have been, but still a peasant. He was born and bred in this village, where as Erzsébet’s family owned land over in the east. She brought little of her fortune with her to the marriage as she was disowned by her father, but the two of them were in love, so it didn’t matter.’

He paused for a second while he tried to pour himself a drink of water from a jug, but it was quite full and his hand shook as her lifted it. Lucian swooped in and offered assistance, and nodded to György to continue.

‘Krisztina’s mother died giving birth to her, and her father never forgave her for it. He packed her away to live with her grandmother, who gave her a life of some privilege, but never showed any affection.’ The old man shook his head in dismay.

György continued, ‘She was 16 when the old lady died, so Krisztina returned here, only to be treated like a slave. Her father died a few moons ago with nothing to leave the girl but the inn, and its leaky roof. He had drank away any profits the place managed to make. She sold all her grand dresses and possessions, and has been practically feeding the village on it ever since.’

‘She has shown us great kindness already. I will endeavour to repay her,’ Lucian swore.

‘Just mind you do, just mind you do.’