Vatican City
You left a witness? thundered Cardinal Jinette. What was I supposed to do? asked Van Helsing indignantly. Kill her too? Of course not! said Jinette. He looked insulted. You were supposed to take her to a madhouse and say she was a distant relative. Van Helsing sighed. At least I didn't break anything this time, eh? Jinette chuckled mirthlessly. Defacing Notre Dame is hard to top, my son. But you have a point; the Grange is one of the oldest and most valuable estates in Europe. We would have had quite a job covering up any damage to it. He pulled open the wall of the confessional. he said. It's time for your briefing. Van Helsing stepped through the opening. Almost immediately, Carl rushed up to him. There was a moderate growth of blonde stubble on the friar's chin, and dark circles under his eyes. He looked as though he had been up for several nights. He held up what looked like the crossbow Van Helsing had used on the mission before last, but somewhat more streamlined. Version 2, explained Carl, as though reading Van Helsing's thoughts. I equipped it with a scope and a mechanism that provides greater accuracy. Can't have you shooting up the entire village square like last time. Van Helsing opened his mouth to comment, but Carl had already moved on to the next weapon. It was a small black box with a cruciform design on the front. The friar flicked a small switch on the side. A huge cross was projected onto the wall. said Van Helsing. Carl next unveiled a huge, gleaming scimitar. A sword? asked Van Helsing, not understanding. Oh, just a sword', is it? said Carl haughtily. It just happens this sword' was blessed by our foremost monk, rabbi and imam simultaneously. It'll kill any dark creature you want it to, but it can only be used once. He dropped his offended air when he saw the impressed look on Van Helsing's face. And here's the usual holy water, stakes, garlic, et cetera, and these - he handed Van Helsing two silver pistols- are loaded with miniature stakes. Any questions? Just the usual two. said Van Helsing. Jinette flicked on the projector screen used for mission briefing. Against the stone wall was an image of the most horrible creature the monster hunter had ever seen. It appeared to be a horse and rider, only the rider had no legs; he was fused to the middle of the horse's back. The horse had a single bloodshot, burning eye. But the most horrible feature of all was that the creature was entirely skinless; yellow sinews were twisting and bending as it moved, and black blood was coursing through its veins. explained Jinette. Devil O'The Sea.' He's been causing blight and pestilence in Orkney for centuries. Two things you should know: one, his breath is highly toxic and can cause plants to wither and die. Two, he can't cross running water. Good to know. said Van Helsing, who didn't entirely understand how that was going to help him. Jinette slipped a worn, leather-bound volume into Van Helsing's hands. This contains information about everything you may encounter. He smiled grimly. Good luck. Try not to get killed.