Cursebreakers

##Cursebreakers <br> --- <br> From the travel journals of Roderick, crown prince of Carentas, known as the Cursebreaker and his companion the Wizard Leric Loss. **[[Our story begins on the Ninth of March ->Ninth of March]]**

**The Ninth of March in the year 1817** We arrived yesterday in the cursed village, the Lost Village, or as Thomas the blind tailor calls it, the Village of Last Hope. It was hidden cleverly from the main flow of the Trade River by an embankment of tangled forest and thorn bushes. We followed a small stagnant stream inward, pushing aside the overhanging branches with poles. The boat sank heavy in water thick with mud and dead leaves, so dirty that Leric wouldn't touch it. We kept on until we came to a long dock built on stilts, a good three feet above the water. The wood had mostly rotted, with holes and broken boards everywhere. We tested the dock's stability before reaching the riverbank. A single fishing shack stood on shore with a door locked by a heavy bolt and chain. Nearbe was an old tree stump, a fishing pole, and a bucket that swarmed with fresh worms. [[Did we interrupt someone? ->Village Proper]]

From the dock a dirt road led into the village proper. I call it that, however there was hardly any village there. Only a single street and half a dozen or so buildings clustered around a small well. There was no hanging signs or posts for horses. No sign of a merchant shop or workshops for crafters. The forest pushed at the edges, looming on all sides as effective as any city walls. One building appeared to have a tree growing inside it. The branches grew through a hole in the roof. No one came out to greet us. I felt uneasy. The quiet was unnerving, broken by a crackling sound that came from the forest, a dog barking, and the creak of window shutters. A large dog, almost wolf-like, stared at us from a doorway. We saw a woman briefly. She abandoned her bucket at the well, and hurried away. She didn't have hands. Then we saw a man sitting underneath a lean-to. He looked blind and wore patched clothes. [[Annouce your profession clearly. ->Unwelcome]] [[Hide your identity: "We are visitors."->Visitors]]

I told the man we were travelers. "We've were separated from our riverboat, good sir, and end up floating here." We didn't want to cause trouble by announcing our profession. “Goodday. I'm Blind Thomas. The village never really gets visitors,” Blind Thomas said. “Most come through the forest.” They came through the cursed forest? I couldn't imagine actually traversing the Firelands Forest for any reason. [[Inquire about an inn. ->No inn]] [[Ask Blind Thomas how he got to the village. ->Thomas circumstances]]

"Hello, good sir. We are unwelcomecursebreakers! Come to rid your village of any pesky curses." "Good day, I am known as Blind Thomas." He nodded, but when I offered him my services he politely declined.. “Oh, you don't need to trouble yourself,” Blind Thomas said. “I couldn't possibly pay you. Besides, I doubt you can, after all these years. I'd rather you left it alone. I'm not so bad off. I've gotten used to it. I'm sure they are others who would rather have your help, you could ask around the village tomorrow.” We excused ourselves and returned to our boat on the river. We didn't want to trespass among these people and alarm them further. After all that's why I came. I was a cursebreaker. At the dock I noticed the fishing pole and bucket was gone. Tinned food again tonight. Tomorrow we would explore the village and its inhabitants. [[The Next Day->Tenth of March]]

We asked Blind Thomas about an inn in the village where we might rest. There was no inn. Instead, Blind Thomas invited us to [[stay with him. ->Thomas circumstances]]

Blind Thomas told us his circumstances. For many years he worked as a tailor, until a curse struck him blind. Unable to see his work he ended up here in the Village of Last Hope. He asked about our travels, how much of the world had we seen? “Not very much,” I admitted. "We traveled north as far as the Circle Kingdom, and along the river, east of the Firelands." Then I confessed. "I do more than just travel, I am a cursebreaker." [[Offer your services to him. ->Don't trouble yourself]] [[Tell him more about your travels. ->Leric's story]]

I offered my services to him. That's why I'd come to this village after all. I was a cursebreaker. “Oh, you don't need to trouble yourself,” Blind Thomas politely declined. “I couldn't possibly pay you.” I pointed out that he could trade us for a bed and hot meal. After so many weeks of fish and tin food, I'd give anything for hot stew. “My cooking isn't that good. Besides, I doubt you can, after all these years. I'd rather you left it alone. I'm not so bad off. I've gotten used to it. I'm sure they are others who would rather have your help, you could ask around the village tomorrow.” I decided not to press the subject. We excused ourselves and returned to our boat on the river. We didn't want to trespass among these people and alarm them further. At the dock I noticed the fishing pole and bucket was gone. Tinned food again tonight. [[Tomorrow we would explore the village and its inhabitants ->Tenth of March]]

Inspired by my reluctance, Leric began to tell his story. He described what had happened to his family years ago, and that he was searching for them to help them break their curse. We heard about this village where people with curses gathered. This is no doubt the village we wanted. [[Ask Thomas about the Loss family. ->Loss family]]

Thomas shook his head, explaining the name wasn't familiar. Leric's family was not here. Leric took the news much better than I expected. Of course, he soon reached for his lute. He unwrapped it from the oil cloth, but after examining it apologized. It had been out in the elements for too long and he didn't dare play it. The strings would certainly break. “May I try tuning it?” Blind Thomas asked. "I've always had a way with strings and thread.” [[Leric offered him the precious lute. ->Lute Tuning]] [[Leric wrapped the lute tightly. ->Hide the Lute]]

Leric offered him the lute. "Ah, what a marvelous instrument,” Blind Thomas exclaimed, running his hands over the wood. “My eyes may not see, but there is nothing wrong with my ears. Once I'm done, it will sing as pretty as a nightingale.” He cradled it and began to twist knobs and ply the strings like a master craftsman. “Here you are, try it now." Leric tested it, and murmured over the fine tuning, how the strings had recovered almost completely. He played the Lady's Lament. The sound I heard was so sorrowful and eerie, as if the Lady herself had come to haunt us and steal our souls to hell. Next, he did a playful dance, and finished with another solemn tune. The songs sounded like a farewell. [[Afterward, Leric presented the lute to Blind Thomas. ->Lute as gift]]

Leric held out the lute. "Here. I think you should have it. A gift for our host. I'm certain you will take good care of her." "But I can't play!" Blind Thomas protested. "Nonsense,” Leric said with a smile. “All you need is a gentle touch, which you have, and your fingers are not weak. You already know how to tune her better than I ever could. I'll show you some chords and simple songs. The rest will be up to you. Unless you have something else to occupy your time?" "Well no I --" Blind Thomas looked embarrassed, but finally accepted Leric's gift. (set: $gaveAwayLute to true) [[The Next Day. ->Tenth of March]]

**10th of March in the year 1817** Morning Blind Thomas suggested we speak to the village matriarch. He offered to take us there later this morning. Everyone in the village must surely know about us. (If: $gaveAwayLute is true)[Everyone in the village must surely know about us, especially after the lute playing last night. This morning Leric gave Blind Thomas another music lesson. Even if the man has a gentle touch, he does not quite have a musical one yet. Give it time, Leric says. If only my ears would stop ringing.] We'll leave shortly. [[Hopefully, we'll find out more about Leric's family today. ->Incident]]

Leric shook his head and once again wrapped the lute in his oil. [[Once more I offered my services to Blind Thomas. ->Don't trouble yourself]]

There has been an incident. We might be stuck here longer than we thought. I do not quite know when it happened. It occurred sometime after our visit to the village matriarch. [[Visiting the Village Matriarch did not go as planned.]]

"Grandmother is resting. You'll have to wait Strangers." The matriarch's granddaughter said, but allowed us to come in. she kept her face turned and wore a simple veil over her head, so we only saw her left side in profile. I could see strange shadows on the right half. She led us to chairs by the hearth and fetched mugs of something warm and strangely spicy. (If: $gaveAwayLute is true)[ She said Blind Thomas was allowed to stay only if he didn't play with his lute. Blind Thomas excused himself, clutching the lute under his arm, saying he'd be at his usual spot by the well, if we needed anything.] The home of the matriarch was the largest I'd seen in the village of Lost Hope. A covered porch, while inside the main room was a kitchen with a large stone hearth. In a separate room the matriarch slept, but there was also a bed in the main room, occupied by a girl who appeared soundly asleep. We kept our voices low, to not disturb her, until the granddaughter told us, "Don't mind her. She can't hear us, or even if she does she won't wake up. She has to sleep during the day and is awake only at night." "A curse?" The granddaughter snorted. "You think she likes it that way? Of course, it's a curse. In this village we all have our reasons to be here. Not because we want to. Most of us don't have anywhere else to go." "Even you?" I asked. [[Leric gave me a warning look. ->granddaughter reveals horn]] [[I cleared my throat, "Pardon me, I didn't mean to pry." ->granddaughter annoyed]]

The granddaughter pulled off her veil. "My name is Olena. Take a good look, strangers." On her forehead was a large protruding bump, almost like a stubby horn. It stretched her reddish skin, making her right eye bulbous and her ear like a small bumpy turnip. The rest of her face was half-way lovely. "I was born this way, if there was a curse it came from my parents. They abandoned me in the forest. Yes, within the Firelands. If Grandmother hadn't found me when she did…" the girl shuddered. “My brother was not so lucky…” (set: $grandaughterRevealsHorn to true) Before Olena could continue there was a knock from the other room and she left us. She fetched water and a small tray of food. She didn't put her veil back on. [[We could wait for her to finish eating. ->Return to the Matriarch's house]] Or, explore the village. [[ Check on Blind Thomas. ->Mushrooms]] [[ Knock on random houses. ->Knock Randomly]] [[ Search the village with purpose. ->Leric's family]]

There was a knock from the other room and she left us. She took water and a small tray of food. When she finally came back she told us the matriarch wasn't feeling well today and we'd have to come back later. We decided to explore the village. [[ First, check on Blind Thomas. ->Mushrooms]] [[ Knock on random houses. ->Knock Randomly]] [[ Search the village with purpose. ->Leric's family]]

"Why should I tell you anything?" "Isn't she cursed too? Isn't everyone in this village?" (if: $grandaughterRevealsHorn is true)[I was shocked by what Olena told us. "No. Grandmother isn't cursed. She was a cursemaker, a witch you might say. She can't do magicking anymore. No one in the village touches it." Olena spat. “We don't tolerate that here."] "You should mind your own business. You'd best take care of yourselves. Even that boat of yours.” Afterward, Leric told me, "I suspected something about the old woman. She's harmless. However, her granddaughter lied to us. Someone here uses magic. There are wards around the village to keep the forest at bay. Otherwise no one would be safe here." [[We felt uneasy by the Granddaughter's words and hurried to check our boat. ->the boat is missing]]

Blind Thomas shared a simple lunch with us, mushroom soup and fish. Then Leric and I walked from house to house trying to speak to the villagers. Many houses were abandoned. We found one house overrun with mushrooms. We learned later the man who'd lived there had a curse that caused mushrooms to grow on anything he touched, even himself. (set: $visitedMushroomHouse to true) [[ Continue to explore, knocking on random houses. ->Knock Randomly]] [[ Search the village with purpose.->Leric's family]]

Few others spoke to us at all. One man peered out his door, refusing to open it more than a thin crack. He grunted in response to Leric's questions. I saw a glimpse of his prickly face. Blind Thomas said the man was born as a hedgehog. A kindly woman invited us in for tea and shortbread that was actually edible. She was a cook once at a large manor, then she introduced her husband. He was the large mulberry tree whose branches we'd seen poking from the roof. The politest tree I've ever met! He spoke very little. [[ Search the village with purpose. ->Leric's family]]

No one knew anything about Leric's family, or had heard of anyone like them. They wanted nothing to do with me. When they learned I was a cursebreaker they would either stop speaking, or ask us to leave. “We don't need your pity!” One woman slammed the door on us. We saw the woman without hands again. She told us her father had chopped them off. “You'll get no money from me,” she said. “You should leave now.” [[Return to the Matriarch's house]]

Finally, we spoke to the matriarch. She was unable to leave her bed, and looked at least a hundred years old. Her skin was like onion paper, and her hands trembled. "What happened to your family? Well, speak up. I'm only deaf in one ear." Leric explained once again, keeping his story as short as possible. "Turned into swans eh? It can happen. Not one of mine. Sorry. I don't know anything about them. There are a lot of curses floating around out there, can't catch them as easily as I used to. Some are easier to break than others. You'll have to keep looking elsewhere. I'm sorry." I wasn't too surprise, but I felt bad for Leric. [[Ask the granddaughter about her grandmother.->About her grandmother]] [[Inquire about dinner.]]

She explained the villagers all had to fend for themselves. "You must too. Especially that boat of yours.” [[We excused ourselves and hurried through the village. ->the boat is missing]]

We discovered our boat was missing. Either the rope torn, or slipped loose, perhaps gnawed at. The boat itself did not just drift off. We searched along the tributary with difficulty. The forest grew into a snarling thicket that made skirting the bank almost impossible. Both Leric and I found it hard to believe that it could have floated all the way back to the Trade River without getting stuck along the roots and dense riverbank. We poked around in the mud without finding anything, so it didn't sink either. Has someone trapped us here, even though, clearly, we are not wanted? [[We headed back to Blind Thomas' house. ->Dinner]]

I hesitated too long. They surrounded me. The only safe choice I had left was returning to the village. I reached for a weapon, grabbing a soggy splinter of mud-covered wood. It creaked as I pulled it off. "Stay back," I shouted, warning them with a swipe of my stick. They started closing in. Someone growled. One of the younger wolves lunged and I managed to hit him. "Leave off, I'm warning you!" Another wolf jumped at me, snapping my stick into pieces. [[Keep running?->keep running]] [[Find a better stick?->fight wolves]]

I felt queasy and tired. Another hard night on straw and pebbles, and breakfast of greasy mushroom porridge. How I wished for some coffee. I would have gulped down a strong bitter cup. Leric was gone this morning. Blind Thomas says he didn't see him leave, his little joke, but he heard Leric go out early. I didn't hear him, even though I slept poorly. Straw makes such an unbearable bed, but complaining would be rude to Blind Thomas. He doesn't know I was born a Prince. He whistles cheerfully as he cleans up from breakfast. (if: $visitedMushroomHouse is true)[My appetite has gone south since I learned where the mushrooms came from.] (else: )[My appetite has gone south since yesterday. Too many strange mushrooms.] [[I will wait for Leric a little longer. We can stay a few days in this village. ->wait]] [[We could build a raft, or else brave the Firelands. ->leave]]

Running from the wolves was perhaps not the smartest thing to do, but nor was standing there, fighting the pack on my own. These were not wild animals. These wolves were humans themselves. Cursed ones. I call it running, but there was no escaping them. They were right at my heels. Snapping at my feet. I felt their teeth nip at my skin. My clothes couldn't protect me. [[My only chance was to flee into the forest.-> escape]] [[I had to fight them!->fight wolves]]

I fought back as I could, swinging at them, aiming for their faces and eyes. One would leap away, while another rushed forward and tore my pants. I kicked at him, landing a hit and knocked him sideways, but there were too many. A darker wolf jumped and shredded the sleeve of my shirt. His teeth ripped through my right arm, tearing the muscle. The bite deep enough to expose the bone. Clutching my arm, I stumbled away. [[I knew not right from left. Which way should I go? Back to Blind Thomas? ->blind thomas house]]? If I could reached one of the huts and barricaded myself. The fact I'd managed to get this far was shocking. If I could kick at the door, as long as I didn't have to pull on it, then I would at least be inside. If that would even help me. [[I made my last attempt, struggling to kick the wolves away from me. ->reach building]]

From the doorway appeared a large man in scarecrow clothing and bare feet. He bared his teeth, a thick club rested on his shoulder. Not all of the pack was in wolf form. More men appeared from the side. They rushed at me. Each carried a club, or long blunted stick. I was lucky they weren't real swords or knives, or I would have been killed. A man hit me over the head, another pounded my stomach. I was on my knees in seconds. They closed in, beating me to the ground like a sack of meat, and kicking at me until I fell unconscious. [[If only I'd waited for Leric to return. ->awake in cellar]]

I heard howling as they came for me. The forest was no safe haven either. I doubled around, skirting the edge of the village, ducking under thorn bushes, my arm clutched to my side. I stumbled back to Blind Thomas' house — stupid, I know — but I thought I might find Leric there. I wasn't thinking clearly. Inside the hut was a letter. (set: $foundLericLetter to true) (link-reveal: "Dare I wait to read it?")[ I dared, even as I heard the howling. (b4r:"solid")+(b4r-colour:white)+(corner-radius:12)[Roderick, I hope you are still alive, as I am, for now. If you find this... [[Then you must speak to the Matriarch before it is too late!->matriarch house]] Leric ]] No, I had to hurry. [[I rushed to the door ->reach building]]

(enchant:?passage,(b4r:"solid")+(b4r-colour:white)+(corner-radius:12)) Leric, They sent the wolves upon us. Blind Thomas he was... I can't bear to think about it. Leric where are you? It was Olena, the granddaughter and the sleeper who awoke at night... she was ... Dammit. No time. We never should have come to this village. R

Hannah, the woman without hands was waiting for me. "Come with me." She began walking away. "I'll wait for yeh here, and for Leric." Blind Thomas said anxiously. He stayed at his hearth. Though I doubt he'd slow me down, if he accompanied me. Hannah didn't wait. I hurried to follow her down the road, past the empty house of mushrooms, and down the quiet turn of the road to the Matriarch's house. [[As I was coming in the door, I stumbled. No, I someone pushed me! And hit my head on the way down ->awake in cellar]]

I made it back to Blind Thomas's. It felt so empty without him. I heard the wolves outside the door. They began scratching the wood. (if $foundLericLetter is true)[ [[There was time to write one final letter. ->final letter]] ] I left through a back window. I took nothing. I had only the clothes on my back as I escaped. This time I was not coming back.

At the top of the cellar was a wooden door. It was locked, and barely moved as I thumped against it. Having climbed that far I wasn't about to go back down. I sat on a step and continued banging my fist on it. Breathed. Clenched my teeth and knocked again. The bleeding was getting worse. Someone answered. "Hello?" a muffled voice said. "Is someone down there!" "Yes!" I shouted back. There was a scraping, and the latch door unbolted. It creaked as it pulled open. "What are you doing below ground? Are you dwarfs or goblins, please?" Lantern light blinded me. The voice sounded pleasant and amused, on the edge of laughter. I didn't recognize it, and I thought I'd met everyone in the village. Well, except the wolves. She didn't sound like a wolf. She sounded like a child. She had long unbound hair, a warm copper-red color, and wore a simple white gown, ruffled on the bottom. "Neither dwarf or goblin." I croaked, slumping forward, gathering the strength to crawl out. I reached out a hand. "Be careful," she warned me. "Don't you dare get blood on my dress!" The girl scampered back. "Know your place." Her pleasant voice turned cold and she reached a long white arm. She pushed. Before I could get my balance I was falling. My arms spread out. My body hit the wall and then rolled down the stairs. There was a loud thud as I reached the bottom. Silence. [[I should have waited for Leric ->Eleventh of March]]

It was now or never. I couldn't hesitate. I couldn't think about it. I had to go now. I stumbled to my feet. (if: $gaveAwayLute is true)["Go ahead," Blind Thomas urged me.] (if: $grandaughterRevealsHorn is true)[ Olena was at the stove. She whirled around. "Stop!" I struggled as a bolt of pain nearly made me pass out.] I ran through the matriarch's kitchen into the bedroom. The old woman lay on the bed, the quilts tucked around her, and her hair spread like a fan on the pillow. Her wrinkled face was still and calm. To the side of her bed was a window with dark curtains. I ran to it, snapping open the wooden shutters. I had to step on the bed to push myself up. My arm screamed as I managed to crash through, landing awkwardly on the porch. Gasping for breath, I lay there, stunned. There was shrieking from inside. Shouting "Get the wolves!" [[The only place I could escape to was the forest. ->ending]]

We told Blind Thomas about our misfortune and he generously said we could stay with him as long as we needed. There was plenty of mushroom soup for all of us. Then he asked if we had any luck speaking to the villagers. We told him who we spoke to and who we couldn't find. We learned the family who lives next door to Blind Thomas don't just keep a pack of dogs, they actually turn into wolves! It really seems like everyone in the village is cursed somehow, except for me and Leric. I am still uneasy. [[Next day ->Eleventh of March]]

Thick, murky water rose over my head. I sank into a soup of weeds. Not the soup. The slimy weeds choked me. My feet tangled and I kicked my feet to no avail. [[Please let this only be a bad dream. Brought on by a bad case of mushrooms.->Eleventh of March]]

I woke up with my head aching. Blood crusted my face. My body felt covered in lead, as if I wore heavy armor. My feet were stone cold. The pain was unspeakable. I thought I might pass out. “Where am I?” (if: $gaveAwayLute is true)[ “We're in a dirt cellar,” someone said. “Thomas?” “Aye.” Blind Thomas had heard the wolves. When he came out to learn what was happening, they'd taken him. We were trapped below the matriarch's house. They'd tied us with rope, but Blind Thomas had unraveled them to free us. My right arm was bound up in thick bandages and yet I was in so much pain I nearly passed out again. I couldn't move my fingers. Blind Thomas still had a way with threads. He sewed me up, thank God, and so my arm still remains today. Otherwise, I would be known as Rodrick the the handless Prince. He had his lute with him too. [[We should try to escape together.->time to escape]]] ] How could this happen. I was lured from the safety of Blind Thomas' house so easily. If only I'd waited for Leric. The darkness swallowed me and I cannot say how long I was down there. [[I had to move. ->time to escape]] [[But I would have liked to lie on the dirt and never move again. I hurt terribly. Blood soaked my shirt. What was the point? ->no escape]]

My legs sagged beneath me. The stone steps. Too many steps I felt the wall on the side. My fingers scraped at the surface as I clawed my way up each step. I felt weaker than ever. What was above us? The matriarch’s kitchen? (if: $gaveAwayLute is true)[It took an agonizingly long time to climb. Blind Thomas came behind me to make sure I wouldn't fall backward or fall off the steps. I managed somehow, by clutching the wall. Until we bumped our heads at the top. [[With Thomas I could push the door open.->break free]] ] [[Or was it better to call out for help?->calling for help]]

(If: $gaveAwayLute is true)[I spent the morning watching Blind Thomas twiddled with his lute.] "Where could he have gone?" I asked for perhaps the hundredth time. The village was small and surrounded on all sides by the Forest. That dreadful Forest, the Firelands with the ever looming trees, the spidery thorn bushes, the poisonous plants creeping along the ground and the whispering voices, heard but never seen. "He'll be back before too long," Blind Thomas reassured me. "He'd better be," I growled, not voicing my fears. That the forest might have swallowed him, or the wolves next door might have gotten hungry. Of course, what truly bothered me, the question I hadn't asked aloud was why didn't Leric tell me where he was going? Or even more importantly, why didn't he take me with him? I am usually content to wait for someone, but today impatience nearly drove me outside to shout for Leric in the street. The quiet of the village had grown somehow quieter. There was not even noise from the family of wolves. (If: $gaveAwayLute is true)[ I could only hear my impatient tapping and the tiny pings from Blind Thomas' lute.] [[That made the knock at the door sound even louder.->loud knock]]

The boat, what remained of it, lay on the dirt outside the old fishing hut. It was pieces of a boat covered in mud, and sticky with orange river-moss, like something dragged up from the bottom of the river. Something weeks or months sunk underwater. Who did this? With his magic touch, Leric might have been able to sense something. Damn him. Where was he? When I turned there was a wolf. I hadn't noticed him before. He practically blended into the thorn covered bushes. He was a scrawny sort, his gray coat uneven. Sitting with his leg tucked, and head slightly down, he kept staring at me with his human eyes. A bright blue color, calm and focused, never blinking. He was ready to move at any second. I heard more of them. Their claws scratched at the dirt. One of them whined and I felt whispers at my neck. I had no idea how many wolves there were in the family. More of their pack emerged from the forest behind the fishing shack. Larger ones, older, with white grizzled faces. The river was only two steps behind me and I considered jumping. Should I try to swim for it. [[Even though I might drown in the mud and weeds? ->might drown]] [[Or stay my ground? ->stay your ground]]

I heard the howling. They sounded like they were right behind me. [[If only I'd started the day out right, I might not have faced such madness. ->Eleventh of March]]

At the top of the cellar was a locked wooden door. I called out and knocked loudly. "Hello?" a muffled voice said. "Is someone down there!" "Yes!" I shouted back. There was a scraping, and the latch door unbolted. It creaked open. "What are you doing below ground? Are you dwarfs or goblins, please?" Lantern light blinded me. The voice sounded pleasant and amused, on the edge of laughter. I didn't recognize it, and I thought I'd met everyone in the village. Well, except the wolves. She didn't sound like a wolf. She sounded like a child. She had long unbound hair, a warm copper-red color, and wore a simple white gown, ruffled on the bottom "Neither dwarf or goblin." I croaked, slumping forward, gathering the strength to crawl out. I reached out a hand. She blinked at me. "Oh my, I guess Olena was right. Even covered in dirt you are a handsome man. Imagine then when you are cleaned. [[Oh, but you're terribly injured. I will fetch the Tailor for you. He can stitch that right up!" ->fetch tailor]]

Even now, I think back and wonder if I'd acted differently, if I'd stood my ground and tried to fight, would I be dead? Or, if Leric and I were reunited, then we could have fought them off, managed to escape. Could we have fled the village together with Blind Thomas. Instead, I have to live with what happened. We cannot change the past. (if $foundLericLetter is true)[ [[And I will never know if Leric found my letter. ->final letter]] ]

The pain was unspeakable, but Blind Thomas sewed me up, thank God. Otherwise, I would not be writing this. "How did this happen? It's not right to treat visitors like this. Someone must speak to the Matriarch at once. Where is she?" "That's none of your business. Know your place, Tailor." Her pleasant voice turned cold. She pushed him toward the cellar. (if: $gaveAwayLute is true)[Blind Thomas flayed his arms. He began to tip backwards. He wore the lute on his back and the long neck caught on the doorframe. There was a snapping twang as strings broke, but he didn't fall. "Go on. Get back down there before I throw you down." The child-like woman said, fangs glimming from her mouth. With a terrified look on his face, Blind Thomas hurried down the steps.] (else: )[ Before I could reach back Blind Thomas was falling. His arms spread out. Panic on his face, even in his eyes. His body hit the wall and then rolled down the stairs. "No!" I shouted, still struggling to reach for him. I was too slow. There was a loud thud as his body reached the bottom. Silence.] "How could you!" I said. "Don't make such a fuss," the girl said, wrinkling her nose. She grabbed me and effortlessly pulled me out and dropped me on the floor. Then she shoved the cellar door and it closed shut with a loud bang. "He's only a tailor." Anger surged in me. My pain momentarily forgotten. [[ I turned, only to see a large frying pan before it smashed into my head. ->tied up]]

"Did you have to do that to the Tailor? Did you have to take it that far?" The granddaughter asked. "He was only a tailor." "But good for some things, you know. Even useful, when we needed him. Now what are we supposed to do now? Hmm?" "Give him to the wolves." (if: $grandaughterRevealsHorn is true)[A red-faced Olena, the matriarch's granddaughter, stood near the kitchen hearth. She kept the ugly, right side of her face turned as she spoke, though her horn was visible on her forehead. The argument between the girls continued. [[I kept drifting in and out of consciousness, and trying desperately to stay awake. -> falls asleep]] ] I had a large bump on my head from where the frying pan. The child-like woman sat in the chair right next to me, at the large kitchen table opposite the hearth. She appeared quite relaxed. Occasionally she would twirl her red hair. She pulled her legs up underneath her nightgown, then dropped them down and would swing them underneath the seat. She was the one who was cursed to sleep during the day, only able to move at night. When she smiled I saw her vampire fangs. No wonder she was sensitive to blood. I was tied to my chair. The ropes burned around my chest and arms. They'd gagged me. If only I could free myself. I'd tried relaxing, hoping the ropes might slip. Twistingsent pain through my arms.[[ I felt the ropes give. ->break ropes]]

My boots had been taken, but they'd cleaned my face, washed the blood off, even rebandaged my injuries and given me a clean shirt. The child-like woman kept reaching over to touch my shoulder, or pat my cheek when I fell asleep. "If Gran'mother were here, what do you think she'd say?" Olena snapped. "She's not here, not anymore. There's no reason for us to be here either." Olena turned away. I could see her hands trembling. "We can't abandon the village." "Yes we can. Time to go Olena-dear. What are you afraid of? The forest?" the woman giggled. The matriarch of the village, the old witch woman, had she died? Olena sniffed. "You're just impatient. You just want to go tonight before the dawn." "Of course. I'm such a terrible sleepwalker." "But I have no intention of leaving, not without giving Gran'mother a proper burial." The girl groaned in disgust. "So sentimental." So the matriarch was gone. I heard knocking from the main room. Olena went to answer the door. "You haven't found him?" Olena asked. I wasn't able to hear their answer, but Olena shouted back at them. "Then keep looking for him, you stupid dog and don't bother us until you do!" Leric. They were still looking for Leric. Then he'd escaped? I breathed a sigh of relief. They kept me hostage that night. The nocturnal people in the village came and went, paying their respects. The man who was a hedgehog shuffled through the room. The vampire woman kept an eye on me. By morning they cut the ropes on my chair and told me to get out. The vampire waved and yawned. [[I stumbled out into the morning sun. ->ending]]

It was now or never. I couldn't hesitate. I couldn't think about it. I had to go now. I stumbled to my feet. The grandaughter stood near the stove. She whirled around. "Stop!" I struggled as a bolt of pain nearly made me pass out. I ran through the matriarch's kitchen into the bedroom. The old woman lay on the bed, the quilts tucked around her, and her hair spread like a fan on the pillow. Her wrinkled face was still and calm. To the side of her bed was a window with dark curtains. I ran to it, snapping open the wooden shutters. I had to step on the bed to push myself up. My arm screamed as I managed to crash through, landing awkwardly on the porch. Gasping for breath, I lay there, stunned. There was shrieking from inside, someone shouted "Get the wolves!" [[The only place I could escape to was the forest. ->last message]]

The matriarch's house was in the back of the village, at the end of the lane. I approached from the side creeping along as close to the forest as I dared. A porch wrapped around most of the house. All the windows had curtains covering them, but I remembered the matriarch's bedroom was near the back. Was Leric waiting here? Where was he? What did his letter mean? I wasn't even sure what to ask the matriarch, but her window was unlocked. I pushed the curtains aside as I came in. It was quiet. The elderly woman appeared to be sleeping, but it still surprised me that she didn't stir at all. From behind me was a shriek. [[ I turned, only to see a large frying pan before it smashed into my head. ->tied up]]