das Dorf in den Bergen

Pfarrer Schweiger journeys on foot, both out of necessity and humility. So engaged with his thoughts and the scenery is he that he scarcely notices any impending danger.

Before leaving that morning, not wanting to make the same mistake again, the schoolmaster goes over to his office desk and unlocks the largest drawer. He takes out the items within, then fidgets with the bottom plank to reveal a small, narrow, secret chamber. From within he removes the sole item and places everything back.

Wrapped in soft, well oiled, lamb skin, he unravels the item almost reverently. A silver, long-bladed, rondel dagger. It had seen many hands, originating in the Polish-Tuetonic War with a Tuetonic Knight in Leopold's family line, then making its way to famed fencing master Hans Talhoffer, until somehow it ended up in Leopold's father's hands, who in turn bequeathed it to him upon his deathbed. It was said to have shed the blood of both men and myth.

He buckles the sheath on his belt and slips the dagger in smoothly, then meets up with his companions.

Leopold would've preferred a cart to ride in, to make things easier given his slowed gait, but ended up walking a few clips behind the Pfarrer, his thoughts lost in the weapon he carried.

Riding along beside the others, at a slow canter, Von Schwarzenwolff watches their surrounding. The ancient blade is sheathed at the hip, as a possible focus item for the lingering essence of the haunted Coachman.

Upon finding the most like spot where the battle with the undead coachman has taken place many years hence, Von Schwarzenwolff weighs their options and attempts to round up and persuade several able-bodied locals to assist in the upcoming confrontation, should it be necessary. The Master also enlists the aid of Frau Bauer.

The Pfarrer is standing at the water's edge, his hand on his crucifix. A vial of holy water is in his left hand.

Rondel dagger tightly held in hand, the schoolmaster anxiously waits at the water's edge, several paces away from the schoolmaster in case the stagecoach emerges closer in this direction.

Having secured steed to the bole of a tree away from the edge of the water, Von Schwarzenwoff awaits with grandfather's blade in hand and both musket and pistol loaded for easy access, should the phantom coach appear. I thought crosses mind that the banks of the lake could have swollen or receded in the many years since the initial encounter with the haunted coachman. Von Schwarzenwolff keeps watch not only at the waters of the lake, but also along the bank for signs of movement in the sod.

Cunimund raises his crucifix and presents it boldly, but he falters and drops the crucifix into the muddy bank!

Seeing the fell vampiric head rising from the depths of the lake, Von Schwerzenwollf exclaims, "Here rises the monster that plagues our village!" Quickly sheathing the blade, the Master un-shoulders the smoothbore musket, aims, and fires upon the abomination.

Cunimund shamefully picks up his crucifix and rinses it off in the water before placing it back around his neck. When he thinks that no one is looking, he takes a sip from his flask. "We will have to destroy the carriage," he says. "Perhaps we should go down and investigate?" He uses the royal "we", as swimming isn't his strong suit.

"Dredging it up may be better than trying to work in the dark, murky waters. I'm not entirely sure how much of a vampire's sanctuary needs to be destroyed for it to no longer function."

Leopold tries to remember it anything in his readings mentioned that specific instruction.