The wind was stronger and colder than normal for that time of year. A sea wind was blowing from the North, bringing cold fronts to the Gulf of Vistula and entering the continent. Autumn was just beginning, but this was already a clear sign of the harsh winter that would fall upon the entire Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship region of West Prussia. Thinking about it, Doctor Iordan Zorn's already naturally depressed spirit got even worse, and consequently his critical and acidic humor was even worse.
"How to be happy with weather like this? Haven't seen blue skies since August. Since then, only variations from gray to black in this leaden sky!"
"What about that meeting? What damn time to schedule a meeting, first thing in the morning? It seems that the work in the central hospital has little importance. It can only be the stuff of vacant bureaucrats!" He thought.
Although young, around thirty, he looked older. His grouchy and methodical nature collaborated a lot with this. Looking good and with physical complexion, he was a bachelor, despite the battalion of married girls who fought over him at the city balls. He was now walking in a hurry toward the central administration headquarters of Voivodeship in the east wing of Malbork Castle. He had been called to an urgent meeting with the Voivode Guildrich and Sheriff Svenborg.
Malbork or Marienburg was the capital of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship. Since it was established around the great Malbork castle, it had inherited the same name. It was populous and crowded and was living its splendor at that time. The entire region, incidentally, enjoyed relative peace after the incorporation into the state of the Teutonic Order and the treaty of the First Peace of Torun. However, due to the Teutons' insatiable thirst for conquest, there were constant conflicts in Nadruvia and Skalvia territories of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and in Pomeralia and Cumerland on the Polish side. Despite this, few news of the battles reached the city. Zorn knew well that it was not in the Grand Master's interest for them to be publicized. There were also many rumors of a secret resistance movement to the Teutonic Empire, although there was no proof of its existence. For him, it mattered little who were the high leaders of the nation's destiny, his life was already stressful enough to worry about these "provincial details" as he liked to call them. Even though he was Prussian by birth, he had no nationalistic or revolutionary feelings. Amputations, tooth extractions, childbirth, sutures, and examinations of corpses already filled his day too much.
As he got closer to the castle, his bad mood gave place to admiration. The whole city was organized and well structured, but what really caught the eye was the castle, the ground zero. Its construction began in 1270, by order of Pope Honorius III, and was still under construction more than a century later. This was due to a series of adaptations that were necessary since it was originally a monastery. It became, as it were, a fortified castle because of its privileged position on the banks of the Nogat River. This, a natural strategic outlet to the Vistula Gulf, and from there to the Baltic Sea. According to history, in 1217 the Pope had decided to undertake a series of missions in order to bring Christianity to the pagan tribes of Prussia. To accomplish this task, he asked the Order of the Teutonic Knights of St. Mary of Jerusalem for help. In return, they were granted territories on which the Order could settle. Since the instabilities in Venice, and later in Transylvania, there were no longer the ideal conditions of infrastructure and security necessary for the Order's chief dignitary. The Grand Master Heinrich von Plauen. Prussia then proved to be the ideal place for a quick occupation, its people peaceful and much unprepared for war, offered little resistance. In these lands, the Teutons built numerous castles. Malbork or Marienburg as they called it, was the most unique. It was all made of clay bricks and not of stones as the others were usually built.
It was currently divided into three parts, Upper, Middle and Lower Castle. The Voivodeship administration was based in the Middle Castle where the meeting was to take place. To reach it, it was necessary to go around the so-called High Castle. With its bell tower, it was the highest part of the whole complex. After that, you would follow a street of rounded boulders that were taken from the Nogat at the beginning of construction. It would be an extremely pleasant walk if the reason that took you there was contemplation. At that point, people could enjoy the beauty of the gardens and the gentle breeze blowing off the river. Quite different from the ruthless icy wind of the rest of the city, which did not have the protection of the hill and the castle walls. However, since this was not the reason now, Zorn walked hurriedly, not giving much importance to the beauties of the place.
Reaching the entrance to the Middle, he passed through the central courtyard with the traditional covered well that served as the water supply for that part of the complex and quickly reached the dark corridors of the second floor. Coming up the stairs to the upper floor, the difference in brightness and architecture was striking. The entire upper corridor to the Voivode's room was well lighted and elevated. The ceiling must have been about three meters high, and the ceiling was of Gothic architecture that showed its monastic origin. Columns in the central part of the hall separated the ceiling into four-sided vaults with curved lines up to their junction. On the left side, along the corridor, elaborately framed windows with magnificent stained glass recounted passages from the Crusades. They also let the light in a perfect modulation. A magnificent hallway, as if it prepared the person for what was coming next, which might not be so magnificent. At the end of the hallway, Zorn slammed the heavy knocker on the door to Voivode's room. A hoarse, almost inaudible voice allowed him in.
Guildrich was sitting at his desk at the back of the room near the fireplace. Sheriff Svenborg was in front of him in one of the chairs. There was a second one reserved.
¾ Master Doctor, good morning and welcome! Said the Voivode getting up to greet him personally.
"Definitely not a good sign!" He thought.
The Sheriff, as usual, gave a distant nod. Zorn had a natural dislike for the Sheriff's person, and he felt it was reciprocated. Turning his attention to Guildrich, he analyzed his body language and the intentions implied in his treatment towards him. All this in his analysis, since he considered himself a profound connoisseur of human nature, indicated that the Voivode needed him badly. Svenborg, on the other hand, was there as a pure formality, or to serve as a witness.
- Sit down, sit down, please. Would you like some wine? This came directly...
- No thanks, I don't drink, and especially at this time of the morning, I totally advise against drinking alcohol. We could get right to the point! — Zorn cut off.
- Of course, of course, imagine my lack of sensitivity, you are a busy man; must have left many patients in the hospital!
- I won't take too much of your time. Please sit down and let's clarify what made me call you here!
Saying this, Guildrich moved gracefully to his desk. Zorn always wondered how a person who must have been at most six feet tall and weighed about one hundred and fifty pounds could be capable of such lightness and gracefulness of movement. All this body mass was still accompanied by the official garments, which the Voivode was forced to wear. What he could be thankful for was the fact that the temperatures in Malbork ranged from mild to freezing practically all year around.
"He'd be dead by now if this place was any warmer!" Thought the Doctor smiling inwardly.
Guildrich released his weight on the chair which, if not for the reinforced wood it was made of, would have some of its splinters wedged mercilessly into his buttocks when it was crushed by him.
- Being direct, do you know Balga?
- The Dark Bathhouse? — I have never been there, but I have heard about its fame. The region now has a humid climate at this time of year and most of the time suffers from cold and foggy weather. That is why it got its nickname. Besides, of course, being far away from the capital! — Replied with a slightly pedantic air.
- It is about two hundred kilometers to the north. By land, it is a long trip, but by boat, it can be done in less time! — Stated the Sheriff.
- Thank you for the information! — Zorn replied, with a touch of irony.
- A pity that you have formed such a negative concept of the city. We are sending you there. There is an important mission waiting for you. In addition, I believe Balga will be your home for a long time! — Guildrich said.
- A mission? Exclaimed Zorn.
"What mission could I have in a place as far away, dark and forgotten as Balga!" He thought.
- Yes, for some weeks now we have been receiving reports from local authorities about a series of deaths under very, shall we say strange circumstances! Explained Svenborg
- Strange? Strange how? What do you define as strange? — And after all what do I have to do with all this. I don't belong to the security forces, I'm not an investigator. Besides...! Zorn exasperated started what was to be a protest, but was interrupted.
- Calm down my dear Doctor, one thing at a time! Returned the Voivode.
- You will go there as the medical investigator and brilliant anatomist that you are. You will be the Grand Master's own representative, a highest honor. You will have total autonomy and freedom, plus a generous paycheck!
- You will help as an investigator; you will be the right-hand man of Sheriff Andruliz of Balga! Svenborg added.
Zorn couldn't believe what he was hearing. Such nonsense. He, a simple doctor, catapulted to undersheriff, investigator. From the medical corps to the security troops. It had to be a bad joke.
- I am extremely busy at the hospital; you have no idea how many appointments I have...! Zorn kept talking, but couldn't conclude any ideas.
¾ We are aware, Master Doctor, of all your duties, and how much your presence is needed here in Marienburg! It was Guildrich who abruptly interrupted the beginning of what, they knew, would be a long list of the Doctor's duties. Which everyone in town was used to hear, when they had to share a table with him.
- Exactly why we are already providing a replacement! The Voivode added.
- A substitute? Zorn replied, raising his voice.
Certainly, the Doctor's tone of voice, which was increasing with each new piece of news received, was not helping the meeting run smoothly. This could be seen in the expressions of Guildrich and the Sheriff, which were becoming more and more frown than was considered normal for them.
- What do you mean a substitute, how long do you think I will spend in that place? I have a life here! I cannot just drop everything and go off to who knows where!
- Balga! Svenborg replied with a half-smile.
- Thanks for reminding me! Zorn replied.
- Doctor, my dear Doctor, let's get all the points straight! The Voivode said.
- First, you are not being invited to Balga, you are being ordered!
- Ordered? What do you mean by ordered? — I have committed no crime, and I don't see why! — I am a free citizen and I have a life here in Malbork, I have obligations at the hospital I cannot...! Zorn was interrupted once again.
- Yes, ordered! Voivode shouted, pounding on the table.
- As a citizen of Marienburg and subordinate of the Government of Voivodeship, the Empire of the Order of the Teutonic Knights of St. Mary of Jerusalem governs it. Because you are a member of the Order and a servant of the Empire, you must submit! Reinforced the Sheriff.
"Member of the Order? Varmia as well as all of Prussia had been invaded! This murderous Order burned down cities, decimated populations that, before that, were peaceful and lived their lives without bothering anyone. They came from the Southwest with their armies and took everything, and in the name of what? God's! They waved the banners of the Church and declared themselves servants of the God! Which to them justified any act, no matter how savage. No one of the people of Prussia were members, we were hostages!" Zorn pondered quietly. He could feel the blood rising and flushing his cheeks.
- The second point is that if you refuse you will suffer the consequences! The Voivode said.
Zorn was silent, but mentally tracing a panorama of the whole situation that he had stubbornly ignored, but which was now knocking at his door.
"This Order as it called itself was basically composed of one of the bloodiest and most murderous armies that ever existed in human history. These same Teutonic Knights, together with the order of the Templar and the Hospitallers, formed what was then called the Crusaders. Zorn besides being an anatomist physicist, was a researcher, and read everything he could about the Crusader expeditions from the west to the eastern lands they called the Holy Land. He was mainly impressed by the bloody battles, which were fought with the Saracens in the region, for the possession of a so-called holy city called Jerusalem. When this was taken, the Crusaders were left without a purpose. The Catholic Church, one of the most powerful institutions of the time, if not the most powerful, found itself overnight with hundreds of thousands of men with an uncontrollable warlike nature camped in its backyard with nothing to do. There were numerous reports of troops from different ethnic groups and regions that, when put together, showed signs of intolerance toward each other. There was then a pressing need to put these forces into action, and Prussia with its tribes, which the church described as pagan were the next perfect victim!" His brain was burning, while his shut mouth was souring. Zorn knew well what he was dealing with; he could not in good conscience, go against the interests of the powerful people of Malbork. He had witnessed it before, and it never ended well for the weaker side. Thinking this way, he regained his best posture and calmly declared.
- Well, gentlemen, if it is for the good of the Order I accept the mission willingly. I just want to know more details before I leave! He said, in the calmest tone of voice he could manage.
- Of course, Doctor, you are leaving for Balga tomorrow. We will give you the rest of the day to prepare for your departure! Exclaimed the Voivode with enthusiasm as he stood up and walked to the door.
- It will follow the route of the Nogat River to the Vistula Gulf. The Sheriff will accompany you back to the hospital and give you all the necessary information! With these words, he opened the door for both of them to leave.
Zorn arrived home and went straight to his room; he would have to return to the hospital but had been dismissed from his duties to prepare for the trip. He threw himself on the bed and started thinking about how quickly life could change. One moment, the daily, well-defined routine of working in the hospital, the next, a crazy trip based on absurd reasons. How difficult it was to be always at the mercy of someone else's will. He was a mere puppet in an insidious little theater of the powerful people. He got up unwillingly and started packing. He was going to leave everything behind. The small, cozy house he had gotten near the hospital had everything he needed, a nice fireplace, comfortable bed, and most of all, his beloved library. He lovingly looked through the spines of the hard-earned books. Some came from the East, gifts from his friend Saracen, whom he had met on one of his study trips to Padua and Bologna. From Hippocrates to Galen, from Mondino to Versalius everything was there. He decided to take some with him, and to do some research in the Malbork library before he left. Books, for him, were most of the time, the best company.