Blood Moon

Chapter 02:

Chapter 02:

Thaddeus wanted to curse the events that led to their capture, but his dour mood helped him hold his tongue. After they were bound up, Flavio kept his word and did not slit their throats. The pair were lifted onto their horses with hands bound behind their backs, in a most undignified manner, but alive.

Since the events of Udine, Thad had a sense the two men had something greater in store. The pair had not been thrust together and sent to the slaughter. No matter how little he believed in fate, or an almighty power watching over them, he felt safe. Gorizia would not be the end of them, merely a midpoint on the journey to some unforeseen destination. Some greater unseen calling.

A vague memory of Dani standing over him in full angelic glory haunted him.

In his few dreams, he remembered Vadoma claiming she cursed the pair… fed them a drink that would give them magical powers in combat but at a heavy cost. His quick loss to the two guards proved that portion of the dream’s claim false. No matter how he blamed his defeat on the lack of sleep, there was no supernatural aid when it came to his fighting skills. If anything, they were lessened. The old, well-rested Thaddeus should have beaten the pair with ease.

Maybe he wasn’t meant to win that fight. Some unseen hand directed the events to unfold as they had. That thought didn’t sit well with the inquisitor. The notion of fate went against his understanding of free will and the important role it played in being the flawed humans God intended humanity to be.

Thad’s beliefs were torn. Normally he didn’t believe any of that superstition bull. Some unseen God or forces didn’t direct his decisions. His fate was directed by a man, and that man was the Doge of Venice. If not for his ruler’s order, the inquisitor would have never left the city he loved. Now he only wanted to root out this evil so he could return. Despite Geo’s religious ravings, he was fairly certain the scribe felt the same way.

A howl pierced the night.

Geo murmured, “Werewolves…”

Thad shook his head in disbelief. How can an educated person hold such nonsensical views of the world he lives in?

The men who rode with the pair quickened the pace. Something had them spooked. Thad was in no position to question their knowledge of the forest. If there was something that frightened this company of armed men, Thad would not be the one to argue with their superstitions, even if he might mock Geo for holding the same beliefs. This was the time and place to be circumspect. To follow another’s lead until such time as the path became clear.

The first howl was answered by another, this one closer and off the opposite side of the route they traveled.

Flavio hissed, “Hellhounds…”

From the sound of it, Thad assumed the captain of the guard as simpleminded as Geo, but something was in the forest. By the sounds the creatures made, they were hounds or wolves, and the beasts hunted… them. There was no evidence the creatures came from hell, more likely a local kennel kept by a human not the Devil.

Flavio spurred the horses to a trot. With hands tied, Thaddeus needed to focus to not fall off the back. The hoofs on packed earth made it difficult to hear the forest sounds, but from what the inquisitor could tell, they had all but disappeared. Only the howls and bays of the creatures that tracked them sounded over the clatter of hoofs.

Something was out in the dark forest stalking the column. Thaddeus was confident the torchlight would keep any normal animals at bay.

The scream of a horse assured him these were not normal animals. They were bold enough to attack trained, armed men on horseback. Thaddeus caught a glimpse of the impossible, glowing red eyes watching the column of men pass, just off the road. Strangely, he caught a whiff of brimstone lingering on the air. The happenings grew more bizarre by the moment. No matter the circumstantial evidence, he was not moved to hysteria like the others. Logic would solve this puzzle not fear of the unknown.

His mount bolted with newfound energy. Something spooked the horse along with the men. The overhead clouds made the forest unnaturally dark, the near-full moon hidden from view.

If alone, Thad would have ventured into the woods to investigate, but his curiosity was cut short by the bindings and fleeing mount.

Flavio urged the lead horse into a full gallop, shouting, “To the keep!” The fear in his command rang in Thad’s ears. It seemed sanity had taken leave from the man who took him and the scribe down.

With no control of his mount, Thaddeus needed to focus solely on staying upright on a damned horse that seemed intent on throwing his load. There was no reasonable way Thad wanted to find himself alone in these woods facing a trained pack of war dogs… He was certain these were no wolves. Certainly, no animals sent from the gates of hell to torment the living.

Rounding a bend in the path, the tall trees parted to reveal a clearing, and built into the side of a mountain’s cliff face, was a stone stronghold. Not an overly impressive fortress but the walls should prove sufficient to keep a pack of hounds out.

The packed-earth trail turned into a flagstone road. The hoofs of the galloping horses sparked in flight. The gates had been opened. Perhaps the guard had heard the howls and the fleeing of the horses. Arrows whizzed past the men as they passed under the walls. With no seen targets, and clinging to the saddle, it was impossible for Thaddeus to know what the archers fired at.

Inside the gate, the portcullis dropped behind them, sealing them inside the small courtyard. Most of the men drew in short breaths from fear. Thad fought to keep his breathing measured. He saw no need for fright now. They were safe inside the walls of the keep. He needed a calm mind to deal with whoever was in charge. Their lives and freedom depended on calm reasoning.

Geo said, “I demand to see the lord of this house.”

Flavio ignored the request. “How many lost?” he said, directing the question to one of his soldiers.

An unnamed face in the shadows answered, “Two, sir.”

How could dogs take out two armed men, riding in column, without the others hearing? Something other than the supernatural is at play here. Thaddeus watched as the others worked desperately to calm themselves. He held his tongue until cooler heads might prevail.

“I said, I demand to speak with the lord of this house!” Geo shouted. The veins in his neck stood out under the torchlight.

Thaddeus held his comments, the scribe looked comical. If he’d been older, the shadows would have turned his strained face into a perfect representation of Pantalone, all bluster with little substance. God, he missed the stages of Venice and the relief the plays brought from everyday life.

“It is late. One would assume the master of the house would be asleep, don’t you think?” a voice called from the dark ramparts over their heads.

“I doubt any leader worth a s**t would be asleep when monsters from hell threaten his home.” Geo spat the words as much as spoke them. In a small way, the scribe impressed Thad. His vigor coming into his own. The inquisitor wasn’t sure his approach was the best. Now was not the time for bluster.

It was time for Thad to intervene and save his friend. “Geo… time to calm down.” Thad spoke with an even tone. He saw no need to upset their captors more than need be.

“I will not calm down. We are rousted from our slumber by this boor of a man, forced against our will to come here. The least the man of the house could do is show his doughy pockmarked face to us once we arrive.” Geo was on a roll.

Thad was afraid he couldn’t stop the man now, but he tried once more. “Geo… please, that is enough. Time to let our emotions take a breather, don’t you think?”

Geo turned his ire to Thad. “I do not think… Why did you not draw your weapons and kill these interlopers? They stopped us for no reason other than to flex their collective manhoods. I have dealt with plenty of bullies in my life, and I grow tired of them.”

Geo’s rant was cut off by the slow clap as a man with a metal breastplate stepped down the stone steps from the battlements. “Spoken as a true officer of the court would… When in doubt, threaten those they cannot hurt. I must say, you both play the part of magistrates well.” The man spoke with a strange accent. He was not from Venice, or a native of any city on the peninsula or surrounding areas, that was for sure.

Sitting as straight as possible, Thaddeus spoke. “I am an inquisitor, and this man is my scribe. We hail from Venice and are acting on orders from the Doge,” Thaddeus corrected the armored man. “Who do we have the privilege of speaking to? I would offer to shake the lord’s hand, but…” He held up his bound wrists to prove his point.

The blond man was a giant, and his laughter boomed against the stone walls. “I am Count Wolfgang von Bern, the doughy pockmarked lord of this keep.”

“You’re Austrian?” Geo’s voice raised an octave at the question.

That explained the strange accent.

Thaddeus examined their host as he stepped down the stairs. His armor, short-cropped blond hair, and eyepatch convinced the inquisitor they spoke with a fighting man. This person was more used to warfare than ruling a land. His hard-soled boots didn’t make a sound on the stone steps. This man was accustomed to moving silently when needed.

Wolfgang continued speaking. “You passed into the lands controlled by the free city of Trieste long ago. So, yes, I represent the Hapsburg interests in this section of the coast.”

“Yet, the men who serve you are locals…” Thaddeus asked.

“You should be one to judge? Venice is known for filling the field with mercenaries from around the world… yet you question me hiring local talent to fill my ranks.” The count stopped a few steps from the bottom of the stairs, allowing his height to tower over the captives. “Tell me what two men from Venice are doing in my land and convince me why I shouldn’t have them thrown off the battlements and into the jaws of the beasts waiting below.”

Thankfully, Geo kept his mouth shut.

Thaddeus spoke with his measured voice. “Like I said, and told your men… before they attacked us. I am the inquisitor Thaddeus from Venice. This is the scribe Geovanni from Padua. We are in the service of the Doge, investigating strange happenings and a suspected witchcraft plague in the area of Udine. Our investigations led us to Trieste…”

“My lord… this man never told me all this. He only gave me his name,” Flavio interjected while crossing himself several times.

Thaddeus spit the words, “That’s because you were rude and didn’t ask nicely. You would be well to remember your manners when questioning strangers who were minding their own business.” He turned his attention to the mountain of a man standing on the steps. “I officially ask permission to cross into your territory to root out the practitioners of witchcraft we seek.”

Wolfgang clapped once more. “Well said, it seems we might have common goals after all… Free them and see them taken to rooms for the remainder of the night. You are the last patrol. The beasts will leave the area with the coming dawn. Maybe these two men can help us quash this problem before it spreads to nearby areas. The locals already question our control of this area.”

“I am sure I speak for the inquisitor when I say we are in no mood to help you,” Geo said.

Thad rubbed his wrists once they were freed. “I must agree with my friend. I see no reason to help your lordship.”

“On the contrary, I can think of several reasons why you should help. I offer a choice: help me, and I will grant a patent for chasing witches in the confines of the realms controlled by the Hapsburgs.” The man never moved from his step. Thaddeus found his choice of position curious. Like he spoke from an altar or platform.

Geo asked, “You can do that?”

The count laughed, “Probably not, but once I sign it with my name and title, the only person brave enough to question it would be a member of the royal family.”

“You hold that much power?” Thad questioned the royal, watching for telltale signs of falsehoods. He’d yet to spot any.

“I might have done a few favors for the royal family over the years…” Wolfgang placed his right finger to the side of his nose. “Besides, I know where several bodies have been disposed of. I am in favor with the family. They need my services.”

Thad believed the count was joking, but there was something about his manner of speech that made the inquisitor question the joke and half-truth.

“What if we refuse?” Geo asked.

“Then you will wait in a cell while we search out the authenticity of your rank and status to investigate in the city of Trieste… It might take several weeks, possibly months. You of all people should know how slowly the wheels of any bureaucracy can grind when not properly lubricated with money or threats.” Wolfgang flashed a smile, showing two front teeth replaced by gold crowns.

Thaddeus lowered himself from the saddle. “It seems we have little choice.”

“The task will be simple. Help me find the source of these damned hounds that haunt the countryside every night, and you will be free to run around the free city of Trieste searching out all the witches you like. You can even burn a few if you wish. I doubt even the bishop or cardinal would question your authority once I have provided you with the proper papers.”

“I’d rather not spend time in a cell…” Geo grumbled, following Thad’s lead.

“Excellent… see these men to some quarters so they can get cleaned up and rest before breakfast.” Wolfgang marched toward the tower, leading the way. Thaddeus and Geovanni had little choice. They fell in behind.

The inquisitor didn’t remember the last night he slept. He was certain the lack of sleep had affected his judgment. Many times, he’d seen what the lack of rest could do to a body. The thought of food turned his stomach sour. Too much time on the road was bad for his digestion.

Sleep was a useful tool to cloud the thinking of an individual. In the course of questioning suspects, he’d kept captives awake for days while in the middle of an interrogation. Now he suffered the same effects.

That was why he’d allowed himself to be captured. It was a bad decision brought on by lack of sleep. There was nothing supernatural about his predicament that logic couldn’t account for. Only his stupidity and bad luck were to blame.