Vistina, Dark Age Rus

[Faolan Doyle]

Gossip keeps flying...


The gypsies have finally buggered off, then, most of 'em; late leaving this year, warn't they? Mind, I heard as they ain't gone the ways they usually goes. All gone south or west, nary a one toward Staraya. Maybe that lad warn't lying about the monsters, eh?

I heard that that pretty piece Rez ain't really gone at all; Gorbat the woodcutter reckoned as he saw her caravan on the edge of the woods off the Novgorod road, maybe five miles out of town.

The Swedes aren't half going at them pagan Livonians, eh? Had another couple of shiploads of refugees last night, reckon they're going down to the ferry and across to the wild lands east. Coming to something when folks are safer among the Huns than among Christian folk.

Talking of Huns, I seen that slimy trader old Weasel was so fond of yesternoon. His ship come in, but he ain't come ashore yet. Wonder what that slit-eyed ferret wants?

[Faolan Doyle]

(Overheard conversation between the guards on the watch tower at the southern gate)

What's going on at Weasel's house? First there's all that shouting, then servants go running off to the ghetto, then there's Jews going in...

They say the Weasel's been took ill. That priest he's so took with come a-visiting, then Pasha was struck sick. They sent for a doctor.

Oh. Well, the Jews are the best at that, they say. Think he might die, then?

Dunno. There's a runner gone for Prince Kyrill, though, so it must be pretty serious.

Ah? Well if I was Kyrill, I'd bring a few guards along just in case it's a trick.

Ah, maybe you're right. But they say there was a terrible ruckus in the woods last night; kicking up a rare fuss, the Summer People was. Always know when one of their own is in mortal danger. And you know what they say about their mother...

SHHH!

[Faolan Doyle]

In the name of his Highness Kyrill Denisovich, Prince of Vistina and Lord of Novgorod: the priest Batya Pyotr, formerly of the Varvara Beryozka, is declared outlaw and traitor by virtue of his attempt upon the life of the beloved brother of the Prince, his Highness Pavel Denisovich. Furthermore he is charged with foul and unnatural acts of witchcraft, wherefore he is declared excommunicate by the authority of Tikhon, Patriarch and Metropolitan of Vistina. Any who offer comfort, succour, shelter or sustenance to the said Pyotr, shall face death for consorting with traitors. Any who give information as to the whereabouts of said Pyotr, shall be given in reward five silver grivnas; any who bring said Pyotr to justice, alive or dead, shall receive reward of five gold poods.

In appearance the said Pyotr is a man if middle years, above the average in stature and girth. His hair is black and thick, and he goes bearded. He may be known by a scar upon his breast like to the True Cross in shape.