* * *
Cornel’s blacksmith shop was nothing more than four walls and a roof, with a great furnace at one end and a large door at the front to open it for customers. Tools and metal implements hung everywhere, and the floor was the bare earth beneath cleared of all grass or plants.
As Vasile entered into the hot room, he saw Cornel pounding away at a wedge of metal that was to make the head of a shovel. Cornel raised his head when he saw Vasile entering and said to him, “Welcome.”
Vasile greeted him and said, “I’ve come to ask you a favor. We’re going to be attacking the vampire’s coven. As you may have heard, we think they have hundreds of humans being held captive. We have some troops from Terem joining us, but we would appreciate your help in this battle. Any strong hand that can wield a weapon is of value, even if you have no combat experience.”
Cornel didn’t say a word but simply set down his work and walked over to a wall, where some tools were hanging. He selected what looked to him like a suitably large double-bitted axe and held it in his arms, feeling the weight and swinging it to see how it felt. He walked over to Vasile and said, “I’m ready. Lead the way.”
Vasile smiled and said, “I appreciate your enthusiasm, but not right now. In a few days we hope. I’ll be sure and tell you.”
“Just tell me when, and I’ll be ready,” Cornel said, setting down the axe and returning to his work.
In a bush behind the shop Eta hid while this short transaction was taking place. She watched as Vasile left the shop and walked down the village’s main street. He passed the church and walked the road towards Josif’s farm. She didn’t think she could follow him directly without being seen, since this would require her to walk directly through the center of town. She decided to take a long, circuitous route, and meet him at Josif’s, his most likely destination. For this purpose, she darted through the woods towards the edge of the city, zipping through forests and fields, hiding behind shrubbery and trees.
She arrived just in time to anticipate Vasile’s arrival, lying flat in an irrigation ditch within hearing distance. In the early hours of evening, with the sun low, Josif was heading indoors when Vasile and Josif intersected each other in front of the house. After a quick greeting, Vasile explained to Josif the same thing he’d explained to Cornel about their attack on the coven.
Josif looked out across his fields thoughtfully and asked Vasile, “Will I die?”
Vasile admitted, “I can’t guarantee you’ll survive. But we shall do what we can to preserve you.”
“I have a lot of people that depend on me: my wife, my son, my landlord. But there’s also my daughter. She depends on me too. You think she’s alive down there?”
“Lina thinks it’s unlikely she’s been killed. If she’s alive we shall save her, with or without your help.”
“Is my son going?” Josif asked.
“He has assured me that he will be joining us.”
“You’ll take care of my wife and daughter, should both my son and I die,” Josif asked, and Vasile nodded. “Then do you have need of an arquebusier?” Josif asked, “I’m experienced and have a steady aim.”
Vasile replied with a smile, “Yes we do.”
Elixir of Flesh Page 56