When Ivan returns to the clinic, the waiting room is full and Bloodletter Gavin and his nurse are up, ready to see patients. Ivan enters the examination room and stands face to face with Bloodletter Gavin for the first time. “Good morn, Bloodletter,” Ivan says and waits for Gavin to respond. “How may I be…
Moments later, Ivan enters the forest to hunt food for himself and the castle. Ivan emerges a few hours later with a few slices of meat from a wild boar and an injury to his side from being mauled by a second boar. Ivan’s injury is not very bad, so he delivers the meat to…
For the first time, things were calm in Archolia. There were no revolts and no wide spread illnesses. Faith was strong and there were no witches or evil doers. Queen Chalyela had a market built next to the tavern so those who lived outside the village could purchase goods without the long trek to town….
Chalyela decides to continue with her promises to Sister Ermine. She visits the village searching for only the finest fabrics. Meanwhile, Ermine finishes up her daily duties. She sits at her desk and scribes a few inspired verses. Chalyela returns from the village with the finest silk available, made from the Mulberry Silkworm. She enters…
Before anyone even has a chance to wonder if the show is over, a cackle fills the air, barely heard over the rumbling roar of the beast. The witch flies out of the pit and holds on to the edge of the plank. The crowd exclaims and draws back in fear as the beast rises…
Sir Ivan does not hesitate in setting out for the town square. He finally has a solution for his witch problem. “You cannot do this!” The witch yells when Ivan announces her execution to all in town square. “It is done. The constable is on his way,” Ivan responds. “On this day in front of…
Sir Ivan finds the queen standing next to her tactical map. Rather than move right into mentioning the witch, he decides to butter her up a bit first. “It seems that you are ready for a war strategy rematch,” Ivan says. Queen Chalyela agrees to a game. “Can you live through being humiliated yet again?”…
Feeling very discouraged after his loss to swordswoman Olga, Ivan seeks prayer from Sister Ermine. Sister Ermine greets him, “I witnessed your duel. Are you feeling well?” “I assure you, your Grace, that it was not as bad as it appeared. I seek you because I have a difficult challenge that I am facing. I…
Ivan waits in the forest for what feels like ages; relieved to be alive. He peeks around a tree, making sure that he does not see any signs of the witch. Only after he is absolutely sure that she’s gone, does he leave the safety of the trees. He holds his stomach, doubled over in…
Now that Ivan has had the opportunity to actually see Bloodletter Gavin, he is optimistic about his chances of wooing the queen. After all, he has youth, good looks and brute strength on his side. He does not allow his mind to dwell on that for long. If he hopes to have any chance with…
