I met Uncle Aldo in the center of the square as agreed. He was anxiously waiting for news.
- So how was the delivery, kid?
- All right uncle, here is the money! I answered, handing it all over to him.
- Excellent, all done practically before lunchtime. We can stay and have lunch here and still make it home in daylight, what do you think? Aldo turned with an unusual gleam in his eye.
- Can we afford so much, Uncle?
- Now nephew, after today, and by the forecast for the next few weeks, we are guaranteed several lunches here in Balga. You must know a very special place for me!
We followed the square to an adjacent street and down it to a nice looking establishment. On a sign above the entrance door, you could see the name of the place, The One-Eyed BOAR. Just below, the carved wooden drawing of a BOAR with an eye patch.
- Interesting, I hope the food is as good as the name! I exclaimed.
- Son, in addition to a good wine, we will eat the best boar leg with potatoes of the region. On the other hand, if you prefer, a lamb chop swimming in onions, with beans and more potatoes! Answered the uncle with a trickle of drool running down the corner of his mouth.
The place was ample, clean and cozy. At a large counter at the end of the hall was the owner who took the orders, took the payments, and yelled at the kitchen. When he saw us, he said something to a boy next to him and left the counter walking towards us.
- But with all the demons, what are the sentinels at the Balga gate for? They are letting anyone pass! Exclaimed the man in a tone between amused and indignant.
- You naughty boy! Where is the red carpet I was promised? Master Aldo replied.
The two embraced in what looked more like a bear fight. With slaps on the back that raised clouds of dust from the clothes.
- So Aldo who is the brat? Some bastard you decided to take over? The guy said to me with a frown and in a tone of extreme arrogance. I confess that the blood rushed to my cheeks. I can't remember if out of shame, or anger at the gratuitous disrespect.
Tynus Kulim was a six-foot tall, strongly built Varmian. A little overweight, his face was swollen and reddened by years of drinking. I, a little taller, slightly lighter and less full-bodied, didn't know how to react. The man continued to stare at me and out of the corner of his eyes; I could see that my uncle was holding his breath in the tension of the moment. Suddenly, he took a step toward me, still staring at me, and began to shout.
- Aren't you going to say anything, boy?
I tried to pull back; I really didn't expect that situation. I didn't want any kind of conflict, not at that time, not at any time. However, the man kept moving forward. Without me expecting it, he wrapped me in a hug so tight that I almost suffocated, and lifting me up, he shouted.
- Welcome nephew of the Garzuliz, welcome to the One-Eyed Boar and to our home! Speaking this, he let go of me heavily. I quickly looked at my uncle who was now smiling satisfied. It had all been a big joke and I had fallen like a duck.
- Let's eat, kid, it's all on me, the best table with the best view, we have a lot to talk about! Tynus added, winking at Aldo.
- So Rayd Garzuliz, did you not mistrust your old uncle at any time? He made sure to set it up together with me; we wanted to whet your appetite! Said the man, smiling.
- It's Kovach, Rayd Kovach; I inherited the family name from my mother since my father abandoned us when I was still a baby. As for the plan, I think it worked the other way around, as I almost lost my appetite. If the food here wasn't so good, I confess I would leave it all on my plate! I said sincerely.
Tynus, laughed once again, and giving the table a thump, declared.
- Aldo, this boy will bring you a lot of luck, he has something special I tell you, something special. Kovach, Kovach is that name not common here?
- No, he is from Kulmerland, more precisely from Thorn! Explained Aldo.
- Kumerland! However, how did you come from so far away? It's a weeks' journey, you must really want to come here, young man? Asked Tynus.
- This is a long story friend, I needed help in the blacksmith shop, the boy had no work there, and the mother had many mouths to feed and all that. Pour me some more of that wine! Cut off Uncle Aldo.
At a certain point, after the introductions and pleasantries and even though I was hesitant about the subject that seemed to be extremely delicate, I didn't restrain myself from asking.
- Master Tynus, I have been making deliveries to the hospital in Balga and the tension there is big. A nurse told me about the murders that are happening in the County area, but she didn't want to go into details. Could you please tell us what is going on?
The heavy silence that was made, gave me a small sense of the mood in the Citadel. Something was happening in Balga and it was serious, very serious. Sensing the heavy atmosphere Uncle Aldo took the stand.
- Look kid, you have just arrived, I think it would be better not to worry about that now!
- What's more, the Balga Sheriff is already taking care of everything; it seems they have even brought in a specialist from the capitol! Tynus adds.
- Uncle with all due respect, I am a man, not a boy. In addition, as a man I intend to take Balga as my home, and even more, if possible start a family here. If I don't deserve to be part of your lives, perhaps I should return to Thorn! I replied to the uncle with perhaps unwarranted indignation, but it was already done.
- What a boy, eh Aldo? Blew Tynus away with another good hit on the table.
- Now that is attitude!
- Boy your scare me. If you worked for me the way your uncle said you do and threatened to leave like that, I would fall at your feet begging you to stay! Well, let's go then? What do you want to know?
- Whose bodies were found?
- Whelau Bogdan the chief lumberjack and Pietr Haskel one of the most envied boys in town! Replied Tynus.
- One of the most envied in town, for what reason? I asked curiously.
- Because he was engaged to Marielle Bazynski! Explained Tynus.
- Nurse Marielle? I questioned in disbelief.
- Ah, I see you have already met one of the most beautiful girls in Balga, perhaps the most desirable. Tynus replied.
- Stop it Tynus, the boy was doing his job, it was one of the deliveries! Aldo shouted.
- Well, kid, the population is in a panic because of the way the bodies were found, horribly torn apart, eviscerated and practically unrecognizable. Even the poor girl had to recognize her fiancé's body. An indescribable pain that no one should ever have to go through! Tynus concluded.
I, speechless, was trying to reflect on the situation, and I completely understood the coldness and pragmatism of the young woman at the time of our meeting.
- And does anyone have any clue as to who might be committing these murders in such a brutal way? I questioned.
- Clueless. Everyone, or almost everyone, with the help of Bishop Karvelis of course, is attributing it to the supernatural. To the Devil or some kind of divine punishment! Declared Tynus.
- What do you mean? Uncle Aldo put me on hold, surprised at the statement.
- Let me explain! In almost every sermon, and especially in the Sunday ones that are always packed, he explains disappearances and murders as forms of divine punishment. Dead people were not converted, so they were easy prey for the Devil. According to him, the whole County is cursed, as it is one of the last regions of Prussia that still holds rebels. Rebels fighting against the God of the Teutons and his holy church! Tynus sighed, took a big sip, and continued.
- You don't know the Bishop's reputation, but he is a very convincing preacher. People come out of the church services attributing everything to our local urban legends. Volkodlaks, Berzekers, Astaroths, and anything else that can attack in the dark of night!
- And do you believe in that, Master Tynus? I asked.
- Look, my boy, between you and me, any lunatic with one of those Teuton guards' ripper spears would do the job. However, to believe in wolf-men, bear-warriors, and demon-killers summoned from hell, that's a bit much, don't you think?
From the beginning of lunch, I had considered telling them my story with the creature the night I awoke in the forest, but after everything I heard, I kept it to myself. I was a living witness to the attacks, but I couldn't share with anyone. Not now. It would have to be at the right time and to the right people.