The Plague - Prologue nº2 - Heinrich Van Bach
Flandres, Netherlands, 1347
I sighed as I took another swig from by bottle. My life had been like this since, my beloved's passing. I was, in another lifetime, a humble man, with a humble life. My wife, Lucy died giving birth to my son, who tragically died, just minutes later.
Ever since then, I've been wandering through the dark alleys, a drunkard, a brawler… Nothing… I have become nothing…
Flandres, Netherlands, September 1348
That day , started as usual… In the back alley of the local tavern, I sipped gloomily from my bottle, thinking about my past life, which seemed to slowly disappear into oblivion.
Suddenly, a figure, slowly hobbled towards me. As he neared closer, I took a good look at him. Pale skin, and sickly eyes, devoid of life. "Must be the drink…"
Heinrich: - standing up - Look, I don't know who you are, but I don't want any trouble, so bugger off!
He didn't seem to stop or even hear my voice, so I pushed on.
Heinrich: Just… hear me out… Leave, or… - cracks knuckles - I'll have to get serious…
Ghoul: - growls - Kill… Consume…
He lunged at me with incredible speed, and I narrowly sidestepped it.
Heinrich: What the hell are you?! - throws a punch -
It didn't listen, lunging without rest… It wanted my life… I tackled him, and jabbed his face, continuously, until I felt it stop squirming. I knew he wasn't dead… just knocked out. I heard, a gruff, yet wise voice coming from the main street.
Alexandre: Well done, young man… Are you even aware of what you just fought?
Heinrich: - turning, wobbling - What do you want, old man?! I'll take you on, just as I did with this schwein over here!
Alexandre: - to Pierre - Seems he's just too drunk to make any sense…
Pierre: We are wasting our time here, Father… He's just a bloody drunkard…
Alexandre: Hush, boy! He just single-handedly dealt with one of "them"… Let's take a break, we could use the rest, and I want to have a serious conversation with our friend here, when he sobers up.
I barely heard their voices, but I could tell they were no danger to me, as I blacked out.
The following morning…
I woke up, not on the stone cold pavement, but in a comfortable bed. I rose up, and noticed the clerk, sitting on a nearby chair.
Heinrich: Where am I?
Alexandre: Good morning, lad…
Heinrich: - covers eyes - My head… It feels like I've been run over by a horse…
Alexandre: A normal side-effect of the Devil's Beverage…
Heinrich: - chuckles - Typical… So where's the little one?
Pierre: - laughs, concealed in a dark, secluded corner - In here…
Heinrich: Sneaky little bugger, aren't you?
Pierre: Don't treat me like some bloody kid!
Alexandre: Enough! So, I suppose we should introduce ourselves… I am Father Alexandre, and this is… - motioning to Pierre -
Pierre: Pierre. Pierre DuNoir, that's the name…
Alexandre: We come from Paris, and we're heading to Prusse.
Pierre: And you are?
Heinrich: Heinrich Van Bach, pleased to meet you. Thank you for the lodge, by the way…
Alexandre: No problems, really! So… we've brought you here to have a talk about business…
Heinrich: Business?
Alexandre: Yes, you see… You seem to have a certain talent at fighting…
Heinrich: Just some brawls, here and there...
Alexandre: However, you managed to defeat, one of "them" with ease…
Heinrich: "Them"?
Alexandre, explained everything to me, I was shocked to say the least, since I wasn't the religious type…
Alexandre: What I ask you now is, would you like to, accompany us to Dresden, and join the Order?
Heinrich: I need time, to think…
Alexandre: Time is off the essence, and thought isn't required… You have what it takes, and once we're there, we can give some clothes, food, a roof…
Heinrich: - quiet, sighs - Very well… I shall.
Pierre: Don't you even think of drinking again… - grins - Since I won't let you…
Heinrich: - laughs - A small price to pay…
The following morning, the group left Flandres, on the road to Prusse.
A/N: And there you have it! Prologue is over! Onward to the real story! Until next time ^^