From Death, A New Beginning

It was a sunny afternoon as they rode out of Svarostadt, leaving behind the crowded streets and making their way to the road north. The lands around Svarostadt with its bountiful fields of wheat and dotted with vineries.

“So, that’s who we are looking for? I know Doctor Vicky already. He comes to the university from time to time to teach animal science.” Chris said after hearing James’s explanation of why they were going to Misni.

“I thought he was a human doctor?” Alex asked riding besides Chris.

“I mean he is. I don’t know much about it but after leaving Svarostadt he takes care of animals. I only kind of know him as a couple of my friends attended his lectures.”

“Multidisciplinary individual? I suppose that’s a given as a member of the Order of the Goddess Herta.” Alex sighed, “maybe I should have joined the Hospitaller like you. Maybe just for that Meira girl. She was real cute. Hey, Chris. You know magic right?”

Yeah, I have some experience with magic what’s the question?”

“Well, I was wondering then can you make a love potion or cast some sort of love spell?”

“Uh no. That’s not really a thing. It would require an incredibly deep understanding of the mind and body that’s beyond our current knowledge of the world. I can make ointments for skin and hair care or like potions for mental and physical energy to make you more presentable. But maybe have you considered you know just talking to the woman you like?”

“You shut the fuck up.”

“What do you even mean!?” Chris asked in alarm.

“I don’t need to hear it from the guy who married his childhood sweetheart!”

“Look it’s ok Alex I was nervous talking to Claudia before. Once. When I was like thirteen.”

“Do you even hear the crap you say, Chris?”

“It’s not crap just speaking plain and simple truths. It’s not my fault you can’t get any ladies to stay.”

“Wow, ok. Hope you know how to use your healing magic on yourself pretty boy!”

“You would have to catch me first!” Chris spurred his horse forward laughing with Alex hot on his heels.

James just let them pass.

To be young again.

Soon there were on the outskirts of Misni. It was a quiet village with clusters of cattle and sheep grazing on the outskirts. The main road from Svarostadt continued through Misni. Misni was a simple village with a few houses and a small inn. James watched as some children playing in front of the inn.

James got into the center of the village to see Chris and Alex talking to an old woman.

Alex waved the old woman off and turned to James, “we found out where Viktor lives.”

“He lives on the western edge of town. He’ll take care of any sick farm animals in the village. Apparently, he keeps to himself and his assistant mostly.” Chris added.

“How you want to handle this? We bust down this doctor’s front door and arrest him on the spot for interrogation? Oi! What were you doing when the duke was murdered!” Alex asked as they rode over to the place given.

“Obviously not. Besides aren’t you the one who wanted us to be viewed more favorably?” James asked.

“Yeah, but a man can dream.”

James shook his head as he started moving towards the western part of town. It was like having his two kids around again. Nothing but trouble. Alex reminded him so much of Jaime.

They rode over to see a cottage with a tidy stone fence and a small garden. Outside was a man cutting firewood. There was a collection of birds around him of all different colors and sizes.

James rode up to the man with Chris and Alex flanking him on both sides.

He had a thick brown beard and was wearing simple clothing with a long orange cloak. The man barely even looked up at James, “the black eagle of the royal army, an ill omen as any.”

He split another piece of wood in one swift motion.

“Are you Doctor Viktor?” James asked

The man grunted and nodded in response. He split another piece of wood and stopped to face James. Viktor was taller and more muscular than James.

“I’m Commissioner James Mansfield. In the name of his majesty King Augustus and his excellency Lord Protector Manstein I have some questions for you.”

Viktor let go of his axe and looked at James with a steely gaze, “Do I even have a choice in the matter? What will happen if I refuse?”

“I ride you down and we have a less pleasant chat.” Alex answered back.

Viktor smirked, “I figured. I’ll comply. I’m getting too old for conflict. Chris, good to see you lad. You somehow got roped into this, huh?”

“Surprised you remember me, Doctor Vicky. I haven’t attended any of your lectures.”

Viktor chuckled lightly, “Ah but Master Adeline likes to talk about you. You made a favorable impression with her. Well, I still have things to do we can talk and walk. Come on back in the barn, we can get those horses stabled.”

He then started walking and James followed behind him.

There was a single-story stone barn behind the house.

“I was lucky the people of Misni are good neighbors. They helped me build this thing despite my shoddy handiwork.” Viktor said as he opened the door to the barn. The barn had a wooden floor and simple straw bales in the back. The stalls had cattle, sheep, and horses.

Viktor motioned for the three of them to step inside the barn.

Alex looked around the barn curiously and at the horses.

Viktor pointed to an empty stall, “just put the horses there.” He then started checking on the animals.

“This is a lot of animals.” Chris commented.

Viktor nodded without looking up his hand glowing faintly with magic as he was checking on a horse’s leg, “yes, sir. Whenever there is a sick or injured animal, they will send them my way.”

“A court doctor to tender of animals out in the countryside. What compelled to do that? Back in the County of Cashubia there would be a few healers competing to become my old man’s court doctor. I’m sure Duke Rudolf paid very well.” Alex commented as he stabled his horse.

Viktor paused from checking on a horse, the glowing from his hand dimmed. James watched Viktor as he looked over his shoulder at Alex and his eyes were filled with pain and bitterness.

“There is more to life than money and prestige. I like working with animals, they are so much simpler. People are complicated and they make the world more confusing and crueler. It’s peaceful working with the animals. They don’t complain, don’t fight, and always accept you for who you are.”

“Helping people is always good through. Making someone day better, is a reward in its own.” Chris said

“Ha! A response I would expect from a Hospitaller. Well, the rest of the animals should be fine for now. Let’s talk inside my house.”

James followed behind Viktor, he was just content that the doctor was cooperating and not running away.

James opened the back door for them and called out, “Cecilia! We have some guests. Could you get out those cookies Miss Dorothy left us earlier this week and some tea if you could.”

James got a good look inside Viktor’s house. It was clean and tidy with a fireplace at one side and a desk at the opposite wall. A bookshelf with some books, and a bunch of instruments and a chair next to the desk.

There were a few paintings on the wall and in the corner of the room was a black raven. The raven was looking over at the new guests with interest.

“A northern highland raven. Very intelligent, common around Zugspitze Mountains and actually closely related to funeral crows.” Viktor commented noticing what James was looking at.

A flighty and nervous teenage girl emerged out from the kitchen and nodded.

“My assistant, Cecilia. She lives in a house nearby and helps tend to the animals.” Viktor said as he led the three of them to sit at the table.

Viktor plopped down in his chair and then rummaged through his shoulder bag, pulling out a metal flask. He took a big swig and offered it to James.

James took one quick whiff and shook his head, “I don’t drink.”

Chris also shook his head and rubbed the back of his neck.

Alex put up his hand. Viktor handed over the flask to Alex.

He gave it a drink and almost immediately started coughing, “holy shit. By Hrafnagud that is strong whiskey.”

Viktor smirked as he took the flask back, “it will grow some chest hairs on you boy.”

Alex shook his head, “more like grow a crippling alcohol addiction. How much you must drink to not be fazed by that stuff?”

Viktor just chuckled as he took another drink, “I haven’t gone to Father Gideon for confession. So, the bottom of the bottle is a comfort for me instead.”

Cecilia came over with a pitcher of tea and a plate of cookies.

Chris and Alex started munching on cookies.

James laid out his notebook, “Shall we begin with the questioning?”

“Whenever you are ready.”

“How long were you court doctor for Duke Rudolf?”

“About eight years or so after I completed my studies at the university.”

“How was your tenure as court doctor?”

“Horrible. That idiot was going to eat and drink himself into an early grave. No matter how much I try to urge him, it would not get any better. I bet his fat ass is stuffing his face with ham as we speak.”

James was jotting down notes as Viktor spoke. He paused and looked up at Viktor, “the duke is dead. He was murdered.”

Viktor collapsed in his seat. He stared back at James in disbelief, “so it finally happened, huh? His sins finally caught up with him?” Viktor shook his head and took another swig of whiskey.

James could tell, you can’t fake that reaction. This was the first time Viktor was hearing about the duke’s death.

“His sins? Doctor Viktor, you must tell us what you mean by that. Is it related to why you retired as court doctor?”

Viktor sighed and closed his eyes, “…Rudolf was once a good man. He wanted to restore the honor of House Bevern and in the end, he was just as rotten as the rest.”

Viktor opened his eyes and looked over back in the kitchen.

Cecilia came over.

Viktor gently held Cecilia’s hand, “it ok if I talk about it?”

Cecilia shook her head and tightly squeezed Viktor’s hand, “…no. If I, may I want to explain. I want to speak about it with my own voice.”

Viktor nodded as Cecilia took a deep breath. She then spoke,

“…I was a maid at the castle. I was only working there for a few months when Rudolf… It started with small things at first. He would say and ask me to do things. And then...he said I could be a good girl…if I just took it like a good girl…”

Alex and Chris looked at each other.

James sighed, “how old were you?”

“I was fourteen.”

James looked back at Viktor who had a clenched fist on the table, “I learned about what happened as the court doctor. He was a disgusting excuse of a human being. with what he did...I was in a fury I wasn’t thinking straight. We fought like mad dogs that night Rudolf and me. Then I ran. I took Cecilia with me so she could have a new life and I never looked back. Rudolf never bothered me, perhaps it saved him the embarrassment who knows. People can inflict the horrific actions on others and still sleep soundly at night…that’s why I prefer animals.”

“So, what were you doing the night when the duke was murdered. Commander Edwin had informed me you at the castle that night. What possible reason would you have to come back?”

“To do what I should have done…I had it all planned out I knew how to escape out of the castle and slip past the guards. I knew that castle all my life, I knew exactly how to escape. I met with him, and we spoke but I…I couldn’t bring myself to kill him. I’m sorry this is more of a confession than anything else. I’m not your killer but…”

James sighed.

What a fucking twist.

He turned to give the girl a reassuring look, “thank you. I know that’s not easy to talk about this.”

“Wait! There is a reason I wanted to tell you this.” Cecilia replied

James looked confused as both Viktor and Cecilia were staring at him now.

“There is another girl…she also was used by the duke. Please, you must help her! Her name is Yolanda, she’s a maid at the castle.” Cecilia pressed.

“I have reasons to believe she might be in danger or at least there is something going on.” Viktor said while folding his arms.

“Go on.”

“There was a guard that night I didn’t recognize. I been at that castle for so many years. Edwin does not change out the guards that often, he has a loyal group. That night there was a new man I didn’t recognize on guard. When I left, he was talking to Yolanda with his partner dismissed. Something I didn’t think about at the time but now I’m speaking with you. It’s completely off. I know you don’t owe us anything, but I beg you to save the girl.”

James looked at them. He could tell they were being genuine. He also could see the look in their eyes, and they were pleading with him.

“Ok, I will help.”

Viktor let out a sigh of relief, “thank you.”

James looked back Alex and Chris, “I think it’s time for us to leave.”

Alex left first with a face full of fury. Chris following behind him with a troubled expression.

James watched as Cecilia left as well to the back door. Leaving James and Viktor, as the raven flew over to Viktor.

Viktor pet the raven as he spoke, ” You are a military commissioner, a seeker of the truth and arbiter of what’s right. Where did it all go wrong? When we were kids, Rudolf loved butterflies. He would chase them across the courtyard and the outskirts of towns. He had a binder of butterflies he collected. When we were young, we would catch frogs in the waterways of the castle…I always liked his smile. He loved telling some awful jokes, just so bad and goofy. When did he turned into a monster? What signs did I miss? Was there anything I could have done?”

The raven nuzzled against Viktor, who sighed and let the bird fly off.

James thought for a moment before he replied, “it’s not your fault. You are not responsible for what others do. You are right, people are complex and confusing. No one can understand each other absolutely perfectly. It’s the height of folly to believe that you can. Rudolf has made his choices and you have made yours. I’m not sure how much it will matter to you, but I cannot bring myself to condemn what you have done.”

Viktor looked at James, “…perhaps you are right.” Viktor then stood up and offered James his hand, “until we meet again, commissioner Mansfield. May our next meeting be a happier one.”

“Likewise.” James said as he shook Viktor’s hand. He then tilted his head, “I didn’t get your last name yet. Chris had been calling you Doctor Vicky.”

Viktor paused before he spoke, “My name is Viktor Bevern second son of Duke Fredrick and younger brother to Duke Rudolf.”