Holiday In Malancrav: A Wolfric Vampire Novel (The Wolfric Vampire Series Book 1) by Merz Jon F

Author:Merz, Jon F. [Merz, Jon F.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2017-01-08T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

Father Mirescu smiled, but Wolfric thought he could see sadness within it. “Bless you, my sons for taking an interest in our affairs. I’m sure your desire to help will be appreciated, but I can’t speak for the majority of the townspeople. Indeed, some of them might well view your offer with a mixture of suspicion and outright animosity.”

“Why would they do that?” asked Wolfric.

“Pride,” said the priest. “This is our home and we like to think that we can take care of ourselves. We’ve weathered an awful lot over the years. Harsh winters, summer droughts, warfare, civil unrest, and through it all, we’ve always stuck together to bring about a better resolution for the town. I don’t see this as being very different.”

Felix held up his hand. “You apparently have a creature that prowls through the night preying on the innocent by drinking their blood. This situation might well be different from anything you’ve dealt with before. Turning away help might not be wise.”

“As I said, the townspeople will have to make the decision. It is not for me to say.”

“This…strigoi…can it be killed?” Felix folded his arms. “Do guns or blades slay it?”

“Who can say?” Father Mirescu sighed. “The old legends speak of the strigoi as being susceptible to wood. That they may be killed by staking them through the heart and cutting off their heads. Burning their bodies also is said to work. Garlic repulses them. Holy water and a crucifix may provide some protection. But these are only what I’ve heard since the time I was younger. I’ve never dealt with something like this before. Perhaps they are invulnerable. I do not know.”

“No creature is invulnerable,” said Felix. “And even the things of nightmares may be felled by those with faith and a stout heart. Provided their cause is just, the good lord will aid his servants in their fight with the darkness.”

Father Mirescu made the sign of the cross again and Felix did the same. “Tell me, who owns the manor house around the way? Do they wield a lot of power in the town?”

“The Apafi family used to own much of the land around the town and the manor house was also theirs. They were granted the land back in 1340 but it is now owned by Hungarian royalty. To tell the truth, we don’t see much of anyone using it these days. Occasionally, we’ll see someone ride into town and go to the manor house, but I think that is just to make sure there are no problems. Last summer, a retinue of royals showed up for about a week before departing again. They didn’t even interact with us. Perhaps it is simply one of many such residences they own. The wealthy do not often care about where they go, so long as they have some place to go.”

“Indeed,” said Felix. “And the Apafi family? Were they good to the town?”

“Very decent people,” said Father Mirescu. “It was with their help that the orchards sprang up and provided the town with a wealth of great harvests and products to sell.

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