ARTHUR RUFFE: Good. (to the villagers) God bless you, people! Where is the mamuna ravaging?

Arthur greeted the villagers that were passing by. A couple stood in front of the cottage, clearly waiting for the man.

AN OLD WOMAN FROM ZENDOVIA: Dear burgrave! God, thank you!

AN OLD MAN FROM ZENDOVIA: Welcome, sir. Mamuna is not ravaging anymore, as we caught her in the old barn by the forest. Follow me, gentlemen.

The farmer took off his hat and bowed deeply. Then, they moved on by a well-trodden path.

ARTHUR RUFFE: (impressed) How did you manage to catch mamuna?

AN OLD MAN FROM ZENDOVIA: Ah, we shed hog’s blood on the straw. The beast went in for it, and we closed it. And we plugged every crack, so the creature does not leave.

ARTHUR RUFFE: (full of worry) Blood?

AN OLD MAN FROM ZENDOVIA: Well, yeah. It killed two neighbour youngsters, so it could not be!

ARTHUR RUFFE: (seriously worried) Killed?! For God’s sake, a mamunacan steal the babies, but to kill it? What have you caught?!

They came to the old barn that the peasant pointed at. It was not in the worst condition,

though it stood slightly askew.

AN OLD MAN FROM ZENDOVIA: It’s there. See for yourself what’s inside.

A wrinkly, pale face looked out from behind the barn when Arthur was cleaning his swords before hiding them back into sheds.

AN OLD MAN FROM ZENDOVIA: Forgive me hiding, sir…

ARTHUR RUFFE: (not calm yet, but trying to sound friendly) Do not hide anymore, old man. It is over now.

AN OLD MAN FROM ZENDOVIA: (notably moved) Thank you, oh thank you, sir. If we could only give you something…

Arthur looked thoughtfully at the hunchbacked man. He was holding a woollen hat in his weary hands. His watery blue eyes expressed relief and infinite gratitude.

ARTHUR RUFFE: You gave me enough.