21. New faces, old grudges

A weary Ravenna peered beyond the heavy wooden gates, hoping someone was yet awake on the other side. With great relief the young scholar thanked whoever ruled the world when she had seen the light of a faraway torch, burning in the yet darkened morning. She was about to knock again when a bell began its chiming chant, in reckoning of the first hour of the day. If nothing else this was proof she had indeed stumbled upon a settlement, but it was one Ravenna had not passed through on her way thither. After the bell died her slender knuckles struck the wooden gate anew.

"Alright, alright," a disgruntled elderly voice began from the other side. "Got a bad leg y'know," the voice went on, and the trap door opened level with the woman's face. Suspicious old eyes were boring into hers. "Your name and your business," the watchman demanded.

"I am called Ravenna," the woman tried her most steady voice, though it came harsh with disuse. "I am no more than a traveler, weary and in search of lodgings."

The distrustful air held, and the trap door was closed. A moment later the gate opened either way, as was the custom in some areas once daybreak hit.

"Traveling alone are ye?" the somewhat raggedy old man placed his hands on his hips, shamelessly eyeing her as Ravenna strode past him. "And a woman to boot ... I'd watch meself if I were you-" the watchman added, but the end of his sentence was lost on Ravenna, now too preoccupied with taking in the new view before her. It was a rather large settlement, not quite a town but far from being a hamlet. Wood and thicket houses lined the uncobbled streets, and tall wooden gates spread unevenly delimited different homesteads from one another. Ravenna noticed folk were already up and about, most garbed in similar thick linens and furs as was the local custom. There was a bustle of men and women of various ages heading into different directions to pursue the labors of the day.

"Pardon me," Ravenna swiftly asked one passing peasant woman. "What is this place called?"

"Why ye find yerself in Bran, youngling," the woman replied hastily, rushing off before Ravenna had a chance to ask whether she could expect to find lodging of any kind. Bran. She had no notion of this place. Sleeping under the naked sky was not something she shied away from, and Ravenna had little doubt she would resort to such again throughout her journey. But for now, well, now she needed a good long rest and a warm meal. And a batch of new memories, if possible.

Ravenna walked along the main street, her eyes searching for anything which may have constituted an inn. Mud and dirt clung to her boots and the hem of her cloak, gathered along the wet road drenched in nightly rains. Ravenna sighed, shouldering the satchel containing her belongings.

Morning, midday and afternoon passed with little commotion and no success in finding a place to stay. Ravenna felt all the more despondent, though the reason had little to do with her uncertain options for the night. She felt empty and a little lost, in more ways than one. Something was missing, and it was not unlike an invisible string puppeteering her thoughts; they ever returned to him. She wanted to forget, but no doubt that would take time. She wanted his callous words to stop striking dents into her mind. What was causing the most distress was the way his merciless distrust had slammed against her, and during moments Ravenna could not erase from her mind however much she tried.

She regarded the bleak day, strewn with impending grey clouds looming in the distance. Ravenna wondered whether he was well, whether he was at all regretful for how it all spiralled down between them. After all, he did have a human side, supposedly. Ravenna may have taken a wrong step herself, and as time wore on the stronger her conviction became. But her head had been full, of both wine and him and a ruthless desire she could not rein. No use regretting it now.

As Ravenna walked aimlessly with her head lowered, she failed to notice the hooded figure watching her from afar.

When she lifted her head the figure disappeared, but the commotion around her told the young woman she had reached the village marketplace. There were various merchants selling leathers, metalwork and wooden carvings among others and there was even a stand laden with smoked meats. There was plenty of mud here as well, giving the gathering a rather splattered appearance. Ravenna also saw chickens, goats and pigs put up for sale.

She waded through the crowd, considering spending of her coin on whatever nourishment she could find, when a wail was heard from without. The sounds were inhuman to the ears, closer to screeches than anything. She approached the curious crowd that had gathered, and craning her neck to see better Ravenna noticed a young girl fallen to the ground. Her body was contorting in strange positions. She looked to be in her early youth, and was a sorry state. Her eyes were rolled over so the bare whites were visible, and she was uttering sounds which would have caused a night creature to flee. An older woman was on her knees and attempting to keep her flailing arms at bay.

"Witchery..." Ravenna heard the word whispered by more than one worried face as the crowd gathered. "The devil has her, she is under its spell again," another was saying.

Ravenna sighed in annoyance, shouldering her way between them. That is no spell.

She had seen this before during her studies. It was a disease of the mind and body, leaving the one affected too weakened and unable work or live their life as one would. The older woman was desperately trying to quieten the girl, now foaming at the mouth, even as Ravenna came before them and lowered herself beside them. "Hold her jaw," she told the woman, who confusedly stared at the stranger. "I am a... healer," Ravenna offered by way of greeting, at which point the woman's eyes widened. She did as was asked.

"She must not bite her tongue," Ravenna said to the frantic woman, moving the girl on her side before pressing two fingers to a specific place along the side of her neck. The screams and struggling ceased, and her arms and legs became slack. Her eyes closed.

Relieved, Ravenna caught the gaze of the older woman.

"It usually takes me much longer to still her," the peasant woman spoke then, her eyes full of worry and a sliver of gratitude. "I have never seen anyone achieve what you have done," she spoke in awe.

Ravenna nodded, still appraising the girl. "It merely requires a few simple steps. Your child has an ailment she will bear all her life," Ravenna leaned in closer. "And it has nothing to do with God or the Devil," she whispered, looking to the somewhat wary crowd. People had begun to disperse and go about their business once the wailing ceased.

"Well, whatever it is, I am in your debt-"

"Ravenna is my name, and I come from Styria," she offered. "Let there be no debt, I do not do this for recompense," she added.

"Well, Ravenna of Styria. I am Rafilae, and this is my daughter, Maria," the woman looked to the girl now nestled in her arms. "I have a cottage at the other end of our village, and though we have no wealth to speak of, I would still wish to repay you, somehow. Come, I think we have enough food to share for tonight, and you look to be in need of rest yourself."

Ravenna could do little to deny that. She was tired, she was hungry. "If that would not be too much trouble..." she said with little conviction.

"Bah, no trouble at all. I'll explain it to my man. Now come," Rafilae urged, and having nothing else to do nor indeed anywhere to go, Ravenna followed.

The cloaked figure watched them depart but did not follow, instead fading amid the crowd of the bustling market.

When night fell it found Ravenna seated on the ground at a wooden table in a small thatched roof hut, a steaming dish of root vegetable broth set before her. She was joined by her new acquaintances and hosts, both of whom seemed wholesome, hardworking people. Rafilae's husband Rufus had been an amenable man, and all the happier when he heard of the aid Ravenna had provided. The girl Maria lay onto a bed of hay not too far away joined by her many brothers and sisters, having regained herself in the meantime.

Her hosts were asking the foreigner of Styria her homeland, of her purpose in Wallachia alone. They were curious people, but Ravenna was at a point where she craved and welcomed the openness of human contact. She kept most of her goal and her trials to herself, placing forward the idea that she was a traveling healer. She then instructed the couple on a few techniques to help their daughter and spoke of the illness she bore. These simple folk were looking rather incredulously at her, still somewhat unable to believe their child was not possessed by any forces of evil. It was during this conversation that a vicious knock sounded at the door of the hut.

"Rather late for visitors," Rufus said with narrowed eyes.

All conversation ceased, and the man rose, taking a heavy pitchfork in hand. Ravenna and the woman looked at each other before rising as well, and she peered outside to catch glimpse of the intruder. Her eyes widened at the sight.

Six figures, all armed and dressed in robes of black and gold were planted before the homestead.

One of them pointed a long dirty finger at the black-haired scholar. "That one."

A/N:

Oh no, not these guys again...

Still wondering where Zsuzsa is?

Maybe I should have given this OC some powers to defend herself, eh? But, part of the fun of this for me is seeing how the 'everyman' would fare in a world full of overpowered main characters and 'human magics' as Dracula would say.

Thank you for your reviews. You are truly amazing. They help, y'know? Lockdown restrictions have lessened here, but I think most still feel its alienating effects ( at least I do ).