Ticking Time - Andrei

Part 3 - Shadows

988 AD

I sit at a table laden with roasted meats and steamed vegetables with Rurik and his wife, Kali, and many other village folk. The rich scents fill the large dining hall, making my mouth water and want for the meal. It’s been a few weeks since arriving in Ilmen. The townsfolk had pushed back the attack of the Goutai and managed to repair some buildings before the first snowfall.

A warm fire burns in the stone hearth behind the village leader, Bogdan, who is giving a toast. It’s been about 20 minutes since he started and my nerves are wearing thin.

“And finally, I’d like to thank our travelling friend, Andrei. You are great help to our small village. We hope you enjoy your time living and encourage you to stay longer.” It’s funny how the translating gimmick works. It still sounds like they are missing words sometimes. Ah I guess it’s just characteristic of the language.

I hold up my stein mug to Bogdan and everyone follows suit. “Cheers!” I shout, as everyone says their own thing and proceed to chug our bitter wine. Ale is not a thing here, such a pity that, considering most of these folk are Viking descendants. They don’t know what they’re missing.

Finally we dig in. After the meal we talk excitedly about the upcoming winter and what village events they plan to host. The population has dwindled a bit since the Autumn attacks but the people still keep their spirits up. I must be moving though. I have an itching feeling I’ve lingered too long and haven’t found any clues of magic in this area or time.

The chatting slows to a low simmer in the hall as the lights are dimmed for evening. Suddenly a cold breeze rips across the room and we all turn to the door.

In the light of the moon, a lone hooded figure stands in the doorway. He wears a long sword at him hip and his face is shrouded in shadows. He steps into the hall and lets the door close behind him. Slowly he pulls off his hood.

Bogdan steps forward to address the intrusion of the stranger and pauses. Everyone gasps lightly. The man's face was pockmarked and had large protrusions, his hair was thin and stringy and his eyes, they’re beady and have a tint of red to them. Is this what I’m looking for?

He looks around the room nervously, clasping his hands to his chest, then he speaks in a gravelly voice. “I’m sorry to intrude on your feasting. I have travelled far and seek shelter from the blizzard outside. May I share your fire?” He asks.

The women cast worry filled glances at their husbands, the men all look to each other then to Bogdan for a reply. He frowns but nods and all the women visibly step a little further from the fire.

“Please come in stranger. Our warmth is yours. We bid you tell us of your travels. What brings you so far into the wilderness?” He says in a kindly manner, stepping forward and leading the stranger to the fire.

I watch intently as he moves, his cloak is a dark grey shade and bulges slightly at the back. Perhaps he wears his sack beneath his cloak. Although…

He takes a seat by the fire and some wary men approach, listening to the conversation Bogdan has started with him. Instead, I look to Kali for some information. The women appear really on edge, I think they will tell me why.

“Kali, is everything alright? I sense some unease with this man.” I ask sensitively.

“No, everything is not alright. This stranger is accursed. He has red eyes and is scared. He likely hides his tail beneath his cloak. He is a sorcerer.

I look at his clock and see the bulge. It does look oddly shaped for a sack. “Please, tell me more about these sorcerers. What are they like? What can they do?”

She looks at me like I’ve grown a third ear, then asks, “Do they not have sorcerers where you are from?” I shake my head. “They have dealt with the devil. They curse your family and your fields. They cause trouble wherever they go. But if you insult them they cause even more trouble for you and your village. It is best to welcome them and be cautious. Be careful Andrei. You do not have sorcerer’s where you are from. Do not get on their bad side.”

She turns to the other women and they begin to talk, I lean toward their voices catching whispers of family from other village tales of witches stealing children in the night. So Kiev Rus had magic so to speak. It wasn’t respected, in fact it was treated like a curse. Something the books did not mention. I needed to dig deeper to see the nature of this magic. Could they actually perform it or was it just as they said, causing trouble.

I eyed the cloak again before retiring from the hall for an early night.

#Fantasy #Magic