The governor and the boyar argue with each other on how many men should only be sent, and that sending 1000 men is outrageous. This went on for a long time, and eventually, the governor got tired of arguing. He finally agrees with the boyar to send one thousand men in the deep forest. It may seem like a lot, but they will look so few once they go deeper in the woods. The boyar can no longer wait to do this mission.
The governor will have one thousand men ready in two days. Târgoviște only has three thousand men, and if they remove a number that large, then the mission must go as planned. If it does not, the removal of a large force will affect the defense capabilities of Târgoviște.
Back in Valentin's home, Stefan wanders until how long are they all safe in this house? How long will it take before the infantrymen eventually arrive here? What will they do by then? He thinks it's a good idea to tell Lucinda, Valentin, and Margaux about what they can do to repel the infantrymen. He just decides to bring up this matter after eating breakfast.
After breakfast, Stefan immediately speaks with Valentin. "Valentin, may I speak with you? Just the two of us." Valentin finds this odd since why would Stefan want to talk only with him and not with Margaux also? Valentin just responds, "Sure, what do you want to talk about?" Stefan discusses how the four of them should prepare in case the infantrymen find out where they are hiding. Valentin just chuckles and calms Stefan down and tells him not to worry. Valentin says, "Look kid, me and Margaux have been living here for 4 years. We've been living from fresh animals that we butcher, fresh vegetables we plant and harvest, and we live with no taxes."
Stefan is now confused, he asks, "What does that have to do with anything I'm saying?" Valentin responds, "I'm just saying that for the past 4 years, we have been able to grow our own crops and have a small farm without the infantrymen's forces reaching us here in the deep parts of the forest. What are the chances they can reach us now?" Even with Valentin’s reassurance, Stefan still forces him to at least be prepared for anything that might happen. Valentin just tells Stefan to not worry and assures him that they are safe and hidden.
Once again, it begins to get dark. Lucinda eventually wakes up and leaves the room. She looks for the others but to her surprise, she's alone. She decides to wander the house and just wait for the three of them to come back. While she walks around the house, she hears a strange noise coming from one of the rooms. This is another vacant room. This is not the room of Valentin and Margaux. And no, this is not the sound of two people having sex.
She quietly approaches the room and slightly opens the door. To her surprise, she sees Margaux practicing magic. "What is this sorcery?" She says to herself. Lucinda soon realizes Margaux is a sorceress. It did not take long for Margaux to realize she was being watched. She calls on Lucinda to come inside the room. Lucinda hesitates but enters anyway. Margaux reveals that she practices sorcery and other types of magic.
She demonstrates different types of magic to Lucinda. Margaux also tells the story about how she is actually the reason why Valentin is a werewolf. She explains that the two of them met in Paris. Valentin was sick and dying and Margaux told him that she could save his life. However, to heal him will cost his humanity. Valentin does not care since he still wants to live a long and prosperous life.
Margaux heals Valentin but in the process, he turns hairy, the shape of his face changes, and he now howls. After the treatment, Valentin turns into a wolf. In order for him to keep returning to being human, he must fight the animalistic urge to kill and hunt. Lucinda is dumbfounded by what Margaux said. She can imagine what Valentin may become if his animalistic side fully takes over him.
After a little while, Stefan and Valentin arrive home. Lucinda asks where they have been and Valentin says, "I just taught Stefan how to use a sword. Before I turned into a werewolf, I was actually a knight in France, and I just wanted to teach him a few things." Stefan then adds, "It was a really fun experience! I actually used a real sword!"
Lucinda does not mind about how they spend their time together. "That's good for you." Lucinda says to Stefan. Margaux comes out of the room where she was practicing sorcery. She explains to Valentin that she already revealed to Lucinda that she is a sorceress and thinks it's also time to reveal to Stefan about her true self.
Margaux approaches Stefan and explains that she is indeed a sorceress, and she practices different types of magic. Margaux repeats the story of how she and Valentin met. Stefan now realizes why Valentin is actually a werewolf. He is surprised too about Margaux being a sorceress. Stefan has the same expression Lucinda had earlier. After this revelation, the four of them just act like nothing happened. They all bond and start to feel closer with each other. They all feel like they can become good friends, even if they just met last night.
They all have a wonderful time talking with each other. Though Lucinda still does not show much emotion, she still discusses different topics to keep the conversation alive. Soon, everyone begins to feel sleepy except for Lucinda. Stefan, Valentin and Margaux head to their rooms to rest. Stefan then says, "Try to be quiet tonight please." Both Valentin and Margaux laugh at what he says and they all enter their rooms. Yet again, Lucinda is all alone for tonight.
In Târgoviște, the governor stays up late because he must gather one thousand men in two days. He rethinks that maybe just five hundred men will be enough for this mission. The governor made a bad decision by agreeing too early with the boyar. He realizes that it is already too late. He will have to summon one thousand infantrymen as soon as possible. He just prays that the large force of men will triumph.
The next day, the governor summons one thousand of the finest warriors in Târgoviște. He cannot seek help from other lands within Wallachia like București or Brăila. Each of these lands have their own concerns when it comes to their defenses. He explains what will happen and tells them to prepare for tomorrow's mission. The governor also explains that they will follow Boyar Dimitru's lead.
The next day, Boyar Dimitru wakes up earlier than anyone. The infantrymen are even surprised to see him so early. Boyar Dimitru speaks, "Everyone! I hope you all know why we need such a large force to enter the forest. With this amount of men, I believe we can slay the demon that roams in our world!" All of the men yelled with such enthusiasm and gave applause to the boyar. Many start to yell different words,"Kill that devil!", "Slay that foul beast!" The boyar smiles, now that the infantrymen have the motivation to kill Lucinda.
Boyar Dimitru explains that they must first capture Lucinda and bring her to Târgoviște for questioning and execution. After the explanation, every infantryman marches into the deep woods. The people are confused why a large number of men are entering the forest.
In Valentin's home, he is once again teaching Stefan how to use a sword. Lucinda is now asleep, and Margaux is working on her magic in the sorcery room. Each of them is occupied with different activities. Valentin notices how Stefan quickly learns new techniques that he teaches him. "You learn fast don't you?" Valentin says. Stefan responds, "Really? Thank you. I'm really enjoying this, so maybe that's why."
Both of them train very hard while Margaux is learning new types of magic, spells, and how to properly cast them. After a long day, each of them finishes with their activities. Stefan got better in sword fighting, and Margaux learned new spells. Lucinda soon wakes up from her sleep, and Valentin turns into a wolf to roam the forest. Lucinda approaches Stefan and asks, "How was your sword practice today?" Stefan smiles and says, "It was really great! I got to learn new techniques, and Valentin said I was a quick learner." Lucinda responds, "That's good, you'll learn how to defend yourself now." Stefan nodded and was still smiling because he really enjoyed every moment today.
Lucinda can't help but remember the familiar smile of her late husband from Stefan. Lucinda tries her best to hide her reaction. They continue to talk and have a wonderful conversation. Moments later, someone knocks loudly at the door. Margaux rushes to open the door and sees Valentin with a terrified expression on his face.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Margaux asks, "What's wrong? Are you okay?" Valentin responds, "Where are Lucinda and Stefan?" Margaux explains that they are talking with each other. Valentin immediately rushes to the both of them, still with a terrified face. Lucinda and Stefan see how scared Valentin looks. Stefan asks, "What happened?" Valentin replies, "Infantrymen. Hundreds of them. Maybe even a thousand. They're scattered around the deep forest. They split up into different groups."
Margaux, Lucinda, and Stefan all look at each other. They are in a very bad situation. Valentin says, "They're still pretty far from us. We have time to prepare." All of them begin to plan on what to do when the infantrymen arrive. Stefan says, "Wait! What about me? I can't fight that many! I'm still learning how to use a sword!" Valentin and Margaux look at each other. They know Stefan will be in more danger than the rest of them. Margaux tells Stefan and the others to enter the sorcery room.
Margaux says, "I can provide you a weapon Stefan, but I am unsure of what kind of power this weapon holds." Stefan is visibly confused. "What is she talking about?" He asks himself. Margaux grabs a sword. "A sword? I just told her I'm still learning how to fight with one." He asks himself again. She then unsheathes the sword. Immediately it did not look like an ordinary sword. It glows and has symbols engraved on its blade. "Let me tell you all a brief story about this sword." Margaux says.
"The sword of the Viking blacksmith, Leif Olafsen. The forger of the sharpest blades for the Vikings. In the year 1020, Leif Olafsen lived in a Christian town in Scandinavia. The town was recently introduced to Christianity and the people immediately adapted it as their new religion. However, Leif did not like this new god and their new practices. He is faithful to the Æsir and will see them as the only true gods. Leif wanted to completely remove Christianity out of Scandinavia, and revert the people back to the old ways. He crafted this sword with such passion, and engraved runes on its blade. The runes inscribed on this sword are ᚢ ᛉ ᛇ ᛏ.
ᚢ- Uruz, the rune of strength.
ᛉ- Algiz, the rune of protection.
ᛇ- Eihwaz, the rune of defense.
ᛏ- Teiwaz , the rune of the warrior.
The wielder of this sword will be marked with these runes on the forearm, and will immediately possess each of the qualities of these runes. Gaining strength, protection, defensiveness, and will be a righteous warrior. However, many found out about what Leif Olafsen was smithing. He was soon arrested and executed.
Many loved Leif, as he was the blacksmith of the strongest Vikings that sailed to England and France. Soon, the people started to rebel from their earl. They began to massacre and kill each other. Since then, this sword was left in a ruined town. I traveled far to see if this sword actually existed, and it does exist. Now, I shall give this sword to you. It was not an easy task to find this sword, so I want you to take good care of it. I do not want all of my efforts to go to waste."
Stefan holds the sword and observes it. He is truly fascinated by how much time and effort it took to craft a powerful and magical sword like this. Margaux speaks once again, "To make you the official wielder of this sword, a chant must be done while you hold it. Many people know this chant since they all want to be the sword's wielder one day, but they all failed to find the sword. The only reason I found it was because I can see through magical barriers. I already expected the great Leif Olafsen to cast a barrier on such a powerful weapon."
Margaux gets ready while Stefan holds the sword. She starts to chant in a different language that Stefan and the others cannot understand. Soon, he felt everything in the process of making him the wielder. The runes start to mark on his forearm. He feels every power the blade is giving to him. He yells in pain as it is becoming too much. After this painful process, Stefan's mind goes blank. He does not feel anything different about him.
Even Lucinda, Valentin, and Margaux don't see any difference. Margaux says, "I don't understand, did something go wrong?" Suddenly, Valentin hears footsteps from afar. Lucinda also hears the footsteps that are rapidly approaching. Valentin looks at Lucinda and asks, "You heard that too didn't you?" Lucinda nods and agrees. Margaux and Stefan are confused.
Stefan asks, "Heard what?" Lucinda responds, "Footsteps are rapidly approaching towards our direction." Everyone prepares for what is about to happen next. Lucinda talks to Stefan, "Only the three of us will go. You're staying here." Stefan is shocked and says, "What?! Why? I'm already a wielder!" Lucinda responds, "We're not sure! You don't look any different! Just stay here and don't leave the house!" Stefan is clearly mad but knows he can't do anything.
Lucinda, Margaux, and Valentin leave the house to face the infantrymen. Valentin turns into a wolf and howls loudly. Soon, other large wolves started to appear to act as reinforcement. Thirty wolves came to assist them in this battle. Margaux casts a spell to make the house invisible to keep it safe and hidden. Moments later, one hundred infantrymen appear out of the trees. One of the infantrymen immediately sees the three of them along with large wolves. They immediately charge to kill them.
In an instant, a bloody battle happens and the infantrymen are fighting ferociously to capture Lucinda. But Lucinda is killing everything she sees. Stefan just looks at the commotion outside and wishes he could help. From the trees, more infantrymen show up to aid the other men. Now, Lucinda and the others are overwhelmed. Margaux sets a dozen men on fire and Valentin kills every infantryman brutally with his sharp teeth and claws. Soon, the enemy forces started to grow and some of the allied wolves died and the others started to retreat. The three of them are now in a terrible situation and do not know what to do.
Stefan watches as Lucinda, Margaux, and Valentin are being surrounded. He soon gathers all of his courage and steps out of the house. He charges at the enemies like there's no tomorrow, thinking he can kill them all. To his surprise, he got stabbed multiple times and ten other infantrymen started to kill him.
Lucinda and the others just watched as this happened. Being distracted, the infantrymen capture Lucinda. They tie her up in chains blessed with holy water. It weakens her and even burns a bit of her skin. Margaux and Valentin were also captured and put in chains. Soon, Boyar arrives on the scene with a smile on his face.
Boyar Dimitru slowly approached Lucinda and his smile grew even wider. He then speaks, "You weren't expecting an army this large were you? I can also see you found some friends too. Though there's one casualty among them." Lucinda can't help but scream in anger at the Boyar. She can no longer do anything as she is bound by chains that are blessed.
The Boyar laughs and says, "I just love that you're the one feeling all that anger! That rage inside you! You see, that's what I also felt when you escaped me and made me look like a fool. I felt like I failed myself that night. I felt like I did not deserve the title as boyar. But now, I see I've proven myself worthy again." Valentin then yells, "You don't deserve that title you asshole! You needed this many men to capture one person? It seems that you just lack the brains to be a smart tactician."
Boyar Dimitru slowly approaches Valentin. "The one who dares speak to me, is the one who turns into a savage dog? You're worth nothing. You are an animal!" The boyar punches Valentin's face many times. Valentin cannot heal as fast as before due to the boyar's gauntlets being made out of silver. Margaux cannot stand seeing her husband in pain. She screams at the boyar and spits on his face. The boyar stops his punches and approaches Margaux. He says, "Ah, a sorcerer. Are you proud of being a blasphemous woman? You will go to hell and burn for eternity!"
The boyar punches Margaux several times and Valentin screams with such anger as he cannot do anything. After giving Margaux a beating, the boyar then approaches Stefan's lifeless body. He speaks, "Alas, this pathetic filth who has proven nothing tonight. My men told me he ran like a madman swinging his sword, thinking he would kill everyone!" The boyar laughs loudly, mocking Stefan.
He looks again at Stefan's dead body then suddenly, Stefan opens his eyes. This shocks the boyar and says, "How the fuck is he alive?!" He asks his men how Stefan is alive even after all the stab wounds. Stefan slowly gets up and glows a blue aura. His wounds start to heal, his eyes glow, and they show pure anger. The infantrymen attempt to kill him again, but to their surprise, Stefan does not react to the cuts and his wounds heal rapidly.
Now, it's Stefan's turn to attack. He spins and swings his sword in one swift motion. Unexpectedly, all of the men surrounding him die from decapitation. The boyar is surprised and even a little scared of what he did. He orders all of the men to attack Stefan, but they are no match. Boyar Dimitru orders most of the infantrymen to retreat and to bring Lucinda with them.
The remaining men are ordered to kill Stefan and to buy time for the escape. Stefan let out all of his rage, and all of his enemies were struck with lightning. He kills the remaining infantrymen and sets Valentin and Margaux free. Both of them were speechless after witnessing what Stefan did. Stefan breaks the silence by saying, "They got away with Lucinda. We need to act fast now!" Both Valentin and Margaux look at each other, unsure of what to do next. They now need to rescue Lucinda from the hands of the Boyar.