The governor of Târgoviște summoned his Infantrymen early in the morning to inform them about their mission in finding the two missing men. The governor will send thirty infantrymen for the mission. He equipped them with weapons should a disaster arise. They are also supplied with food and a light source if they ever get lost in the forest.
The infantrymen were divided into three units consisting of ten men per unit. This will be done for a faster search and to ensure the safety of the two missing men. The governor, of course, wanted to assure everyone that Târgoviște is safe from any danger.
In Castle Noapte, Stefan was still weakened from the beating he received and he could not walk properly. Lucinda has been asleep since morning. Stefan was awake but still lied down and regained all of his strength.
He pondered about leaving due to him thinking he was being a burden to Lucinda. After all, he was just a mere peasant that Lucinda showed pity to. Stefan felt that he still needed more proof that he is Lucinda's dead husband who came back. But without that proof, he felt it was time to leave.
He decided that he would inform Lucinda of leaving once she woke up. It's gonna be hard to leave in the night since it will be dark but Stefan will just bring a lantern with him and some food on the way. He first searched the kitchen for something to eat since he has not taken his breakfast yet. He found some leftover pâine from last night and he decided to pair it with some cheese.
He consumed his breakfast along with some milk. After eating his breakfast, he decided to sleep again just to pass the time until Lucinda woke up. After a long time of waiting, it finally gets dark and Lucinda finally comes out of the room she slept in. Stefan prepared himself to tell Lucinda about him leaving. "Lucinda, I have something to say." Stefan said. "What is it?" Lucinda asked.
"I want to thank you for your kindness and how you helped me when I needed food and shelter. I also want to thank you for taking care of me when I got attacked. But I think it's time for me to leave. I've been a burden to you during my stay. And I still feel I need more proof that I am your reincarnated husband." Stefan says.
"Oh... Well, I can't stop you if that's what you want to do but please remember you're not a burden." Lucinda says. Lucinda obviously looks unhappy with what Stefan said. She had been alone for two hundred years, and now a boy who is identical to her dead husband while having the same name, suddenly showed up to her castle seeking shelter. Now this boy is about to leave, and she cannot do anything since she does not have control of what Stefan wants to do.
"If that's really what you want then I'll give you some food and a lantern on your way back." Lucinda said. Lucinda also gave Stefan a map leading back to Târgoviște. Stefan is now preparing to leave and Lucinda gave him the food and lantern. "Goodbye Lucinda. It was very nice meeting you and thank you so much for everything you've done for me." Stefan said. "You're very welcome. Have a safe journey." Lucinda replied.
Stefan left the castle and waved goodbye to Lucinda, and she waved goodbye back. Stefan is now on his way back to Târgoviște, but he still thought about how he can hide his identity, since he was caught stealing three days ago. He decided to just focus on his way back to avoid getting lost. He used the map to find which direction he needed to go.
The infantrymen searched for the two missing men inside the dark forest. They planned everything all morning; hence they started a bit late. They split into three units just like they planned so they can search faster. For what felt like forever, It already got really dark and they were losing hope in finding the missing men. Everything seemed hopeless for the footmen.
Unexpectedly, one of the infantrymen from another unit called for assistance in the distance. They headed to where the scream was heard, and they found the two lifeless and decapitated bodies of the missing men. They stare at the two lifeless bodies and they start to think, who or what could have done this to them.
In the distance, they saw a glowing and moving light. They followed the light, and once they were close enough, they saw a young man with a lantern and a map. They approach the young man to speak with him. "You! What are you doing here in the woods this late at night?" The infantryman said. Stefan was shocked that there were infantrymen surrounding him. "I got lost and I'm just trying to find my way back." Stefan said.
"I'm not sure about that boy. Just tell me the truth… wait...You're that boy who tried to steal from the marketplace a few days ago!" The other infantrymen readied their weapons when they heard what he said. In a heartbeat, Stefan ran back into the deep forest. The infantrymen chased after Stefan. Since they did not bring horses, their armor somehow weighed them down.
The other unit of infantrymen saw that the rest of the unit was chasing after Stefan so they chased after him too. Stefan is now being chased by thirty soldiers. He ran so fast and did not even dare to look back. After a long run, he suddenly tripped and then fell. The infantrymen caught up with him and one of them grabbed Stefan. They pinned him down and battered him. Stefan started to scream in pain. The infantrymen continued battering him.
"Don't ever try to run away from us you stupid fuck! You are one worthless piece of shit!" The infantryman said. Out of nowhere, a swarm of bats appeared and attacked an infantryman. They were taken by surprise and readied their weapons. The man who was attacked is now covered in blood and dead. A person was seen forming from the swarm of bats. It's Lucinda! She grabbed one of the men and ripped his throat off and drank the blood flowing out of his throat.
She then punched through the man's head leaving a huge hole. The infantrymen began to attack but suddenly, Lucinda killed most of the men so fast that the other men started running away. A massacre inside the forest happened tonight. Some infantrymen escaped but most were killed. Lucinda picked up Stefan and brought him back to the castle.
Lucinda carefully placed Stefan on the bed in the royal bedchamber. She left the room to prepare items that are needed to heal Stefan once again. As she gathered all of the needed items to heal Stefan, she started to ruminate if the men came back in larger numbers to find her. She worried her castle will be exposed, and she will be forced to flee. For now, she just needs to focus on gathering and preparing the items needed for healing.
After gathering all the items, she approached Stefan who was resting in the master bedroom. She soaked a towel in the bowl with cold water since she did not have time to warm up some water. She wiped Stefan's bruises gently with the towel. She can't help but feel grief-stricken for Stefan. He had been attacked and beaten to unconsciousness twice. She finished healing Stefan and for a while, she just pondered about what's going to happen next.
The next night in Târgoviște, the governor, was waiting for his men to return with the two missing men safe and unscathed. He wanted to assure the people that Târgoviște is a safe place for all. Rumors began spreading that the reason for the disappearance of the two men was because of a bloodthirsty and vicious being. But he believed these are just rumors and they may have been fabricated by people in order to scare children. The governor is a very religious man and he does not believe in such nonsense.
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These bloodsucking creatures, otherwise known as vampires are nothing but a myth to him. However, this created even more panic since rumors were also spreading from the House of Drăculești. After the assassination of Vlad II, it is most likely that his son, Vlad III also known as Vlad the Impaler will try to gain power over Wallachia. He had a brief reign in one thousand four hundred forty eight but for now, the ruler of Wallachia is Vladislav II.
The infamous impaler has been rumored to also be a vampire. Vlad III loves to impale his enemies on long wooden stakes and leave their corpses outside, and once the sun rises the vultures would feed on the dead and rotting bodies of his victims. His violent and bloodthirsty acts are what caused people to think that he is a vampire. Many also raised their suspicions due to him not appearing in daylight and he appears mostly in the night.
The governor did not want to make conclusions since he needed more evidence. For now, he tried to calm himself down from all these rumors and hectic work as a governor. He waited patiently while looking out from his window. He looked at everyone in this wonderful town. Everyone seemed very happy and joyous tonight.
Moments later, a man was seen coming out of the dark forest. He was wearing a broken chestplate and he's bruised badly and covered in blood. The other guards approached him and helped him. They saw who it was and they immediately knew that he was one of the infantrymen the governor sent to the forest.
They accommodated the man and brought him to the nearest infirmary. Two of the guards decided to head to the governor's house to inform him about what happened. The governor does not know about this since he lives in another area in Târgoviște.
The governor continued to stare at the city from his window. Suddenly, loud yelling can be heard outside of his house. He saw two guards trying to get his attention, and the look on both of their faces was worrisome. The governor rushed down the stairs to open the door. "What's wrong?" The governor asked. One of the guards said, "Governor! One of the infantrymen you sent came back from the dark forest! He is covered in blood and his chestplate is broken."
A look of shock appears on the governor's face. Is it true? He asked himself. Could it be that a vampire does exist in the dark forest? He gathered himself and decided to find out what caused this to happen. He wanted the two men to lead him to where the wounded infantryman was. The governor fetched his horse and the three of them proceeded to go to the infirmary.
Once the governor and the two guards arrived at the infirmary, they immediately rushed to where the bruised infantryman was. They looked everywhere for him and after a while, they found him covered in bandages. The infantryman's eyes said it all. He just stared at the ceiling with eyes wide open. "Hello there, I remember you.
You're one of the infantrymen I sent to the dark forest. Tell me everything that happened." The governor said. The infantryman spoke with a trembling voice, "We found the missing men. But, they were both dead when we found them. They were decapitated." The governor became worried since the two missing men were killed in the dark forest and he does not know the cause of their death.
"How about the other infantrymen? What happened to them? What happened to you too?" The governor asked. The infantryman's face was immediately filled with fear. The governor was also worried why the infantryman's face filled with fear after he asked what happened. The governor said, "It's okay, tell me what happened. I need answers."
He was eager to know what really happened in the dark forest. The infantryman said, "I know you will never believe me governor, but all thirty of us and me being the only one left were attacked by a bloodthirsty beast. She drank the blood of the fallen infantrymen. She showed no mercy and ripped them apart. Five of us escaped but sadly, the other four died from loss of blood. I'm the only one alive."
The governor was at a loss for words. The rumors spreading around Târgoviște turned out to be true. He was still in denial about this whole occurrence. He suddenly got furious and screamed at the infantryman. The governor says, "Tell me the fucking truth or I'll fucking kill you right now!" The governor pulled out his knife and the infirmarians immediately stopped him. The governor was told to leave the infirmary immediately. He informed the two guards that they must return to his palace once again.
But before they returned, he spotted a nearby church. He proceeded to go to the nearby church to pray. He entered the church and kneels in front of the cross. He started to do the sign of the cross and began his prayer. "Lord, forgive me for I have sinned. For I have almost killed which disobeys one of your commandments. I seek guidance for what I am about to face. If this beast inside the forest actually exists, please help me eradicate this spawn of Satan. May the holy spirit guide me. Amen." The governor finished his prayer and returned to his palace along with the two guards.
After a while, the governor was back in his palace. He must get enough sleep in order to create a plan about the vampire in the dark forest. Tomorrow he will summon the finest Boyar in Târgoviște. Boyar Dumitru would be the best choice. He is a strong commander and a follower of God.
The next day in Castle Noapte, Stefan woke up and felt awful. He's badly battered for the second time. It's currently morning and Lucinda is asleep. He feels somehow happy that he was back inside the castle. He actually feels much safer here. Since he still felt bad, he decided to rest himself for a bit to try and regain all his strength.
In Târgoviște, the governor woke up and got ready. He ate his breakfast and wore his clothes for today. He summoned Boyar Dumitru to help him handle this situation. The governor ordered one of his men to call upon the Boyar.
After a while, Boyar Dumitru arrived at the governor's palace. "Greetings governor." Boyar Dimitru said. "Greetings Boyar Dumitru." The governor said. Both of them sat and talked about what would happen. The governor explained that there is a problem in the dark forest.
The governor said, "One of my infantrymen came back here to Târgoviște. He came back with a broken chestplate, bleeding, and badly injured. He claimed that all twenty-nine out of the thirty infantrymen I sent all died and he's the only one alive. He says that they were attacked by a bloodthirsty beast and apparently this beast is a she, according to him. Can you help me with this situation Boyar Dumitru?"
Boyar Dumitru then said, "I see, though I have not seen nor do I believe that such creatures exist. I believe whatever work of Satan lies in that forest that caused the death of twenty-nine infantrymen, gives me this feeling I need to kill it whatever it is." Both of them agreed to extinguish this beast that lurks inside the forest. They began to plan when and how they would attack. The governor has offered the Boyar to lead one hundred twenty infantrymen in the dark forest. The Boyar accepted and suggested that they should attack at night so the people would already be asleep. The Boyar will also bring a crucifix to counter the vampire. The attack will happen tonight so they both get the infantrymen and themselves ready.
In Castle Noapte, Lucinda woke up since it was already night time. She talked to Stefan about what is going to happen. "Stefan, we're in danger." Lucinda said. "How are we in danger?" Stefan asked. Lucinda then said, "I just revealed my identity as a vampire to the infantrymen. Some of them escaped and most likely they have reported this and will plan an even bigger attack. We need to prepare to leave."
Stefan agreed, and both of them immediately began to prepare items and other basic needs. Lucinda decided that she would just hunt down animals for food, and Stefan packed some food and whatever he thought was important. Lucinda asked Stefan for help in hiding the paintings and the treasures. She cannot bear losing these since these are mostly her husband's paintings and the treasures are what she and her husband acquired over 200 years ago.
Suddenly, yelling from outside the castle can be heard. Stefan looked outside and saw a lot of infantrymen. One of the men yelled, "We know you're in there you bloodthirsty vampire! Step out and surrender yourself or we will have to breach your castle. You do not want to test me. I am Boyar Dumitru! I do not fear death, for I know my enemies will see it first!" Both Lucinda and Stefan are in a very bad situation and they start to think of another way to escape.