CHAPTER 6 - THE NOMINATION

At the end of the thirteenth day of travel, the night was strangely pleasant for that time of the year. Thin clouds bordered the sky, and a beautiful full moon in the background reflected its glow on the waters of the Nogat. Zorn enjoyed the night leaning back against the railing of the bow, still trying to recover from the bad nights he had spent. The ship was detestable. As an economy class boat, it was used for all kinds of transportation. People, animals, and goods mingled in their holds and decks. Everywhere he went, everything smelled of sour wine, smoke, vomit, and animal feces, in an acrid and unpleasant mosaic of smells. He had received an exclusive cabin, next to the captain's. A privilege that turned into punishment. Every night he had to run on deck to relieve himself of constant seasickness. He was not born to sail, but only discovered this during the trip, since he had never stepped on a boat before. At that moment he felt a little better, he breathed the cold night air and contemplated the landscape, remembering the strange and not very enlightening conversation he had with Sheriff Svenborg. Ten murders had taken place so far, almost all following the same macabre characteristics of body tearing. Zorn was impressed by the number of deaths and asked for a detailed list with the names of the victims. He had not been answered. The Sheriff claimed to have nothing on hand. At first, he found the lack of information strange, but later he accepted it and attributed it to the poor organization of the people in charge and the distance Balga was from the capital. All he carried with him now was the letter with the stamp of the Teutonic Order signed by the Voivode. This would serve as a safe conduct for him to receive all the support and information when he got there. He was taken out of this whirlwind of thoughts by the ship's bell that rang the first bell, which was used as a sign of approaching destination.

At the second toll, the boat entered the Vistula Lagoon, and Zorn was amazed by the change in the landscape. The sometimes narrow and treacherous Nogat River gave way to a placid and immense lagoon where perhaps, in the light of day, a marvelous spectacle would unfold. Thanks to the moonlight, he could see that it was surrounded by high mountains, covered with dense forests, and stretching as far as the eye could see. In the distance, though faint, could be seen the lights of the port of Balga, and far above it the imposing castle of Honeda, the home of the Bishop and Voivode of the region, Alek Karvelis. Zorn was to report to him and the Sheriff, anything he discovered regarding the crimes. Taking advantage of the final time of the trip, he decided to retire to his cabin to try one last rest before arrival.

By the end of the fifth and final bell ringing, Zorn was on deck with his entire luggage. With the moon projecting the Castle's shadow over the harbor waters, he became aware of the imposing yet oppressive presence it imposed on the landscape. Only its silhouette was visible, but the impression it made on Zorn was not the most encouraging. Putting away any trace of gloomy thinking regarding whatever he was going to encounter from then on, he prepared for the landing. The Boat disregarded the large port of Balga and headed straight for a smaller port closer to the Castle. At that distance, he could clearly distinguish two alleys that went their separate ways. The first one, narrower and more directly connected to the landing pier, went in the direction of the Citadel. The second one a little wider and with some soldiers at its entrance, led to the Castle gates. He was received by the County Sheriff, Karl Andruliz, who was waiting for him with his squad of the Teutonic security force.

- Doctor Zorn I presume. He asked, reaching out his hand.

- Myself, your honor must be Sheriff Andruliz? Zorn answered.

- Yes, at your service, we were looking forward to your arrival. We have a lot of work ahead of us! The Sheriff added, imposing an urgent tone to his voice.

- You were to be received by His Eminence Bishop Karvelis, but due to the late hour, this was not possible. The bishop retires early for the morning services, both administrative and ecclesiastical of the Order! Andruliz clarified.

- I understand, I would be happy now, just to settle in and rest, I confess that the trip was not the most pleasant! Said Zorn, trying to sound friendly.

¾ Yes, please follow me, and I will be responsible for showing you to your accommodations in the southern part of Honeda, near the exit to the Citadel! The Sheriff answered solicitous.

Zorn couldn't tell if it was fatigue or the sequels of the trip, but the initial feeling of oppression that was captured in the glimpse of the castle only increased. All the way to his quarters, the castle was cold and claustrophobic like a suffocating maze. It was very different from the larger and brighter Malbork castle. The walls seemed to descend in a sharp curve toward the unfortunate visitor, like the black wings of an immense crow. The wind howled gloomily in the corridors, as some windows were not protected by stained glass windows. The lighting from the torches was insufficient, and several times, he thought he saw shadows following them, the impression only lessened when he reached his quarters.

The room was spacious and tastefully decorated, and clearly not concerned with expenses. Everything was state of the art at the time. Heavy velvet curtains, of an intense and brilliant moss-green color, had gold and silver brocades all over them. A huge bed in the center was topped by an impressive canopy, all carved with patterns he could not decipher. It had been arranged with impeccably stretched silk sheets. The same velvet of the curtains fell gracefully over the bed from above. In the background in a large fireplace framed by precisely carved floral patterns, a comforting fire crackled that efficiently warmed the entire room. In an additional room, a bathtub with hot water exuded a steam that was soothing to the eyes and spirit.

- These are your quarter's doctor, please make yourself at home!

- On the table beside the bed, the servants left a small dinner to restore their energy, and in the back, a hot bath was prepared! Andruliz spoke quickly and practically.

- Thank you Sheriff, the quarters are very good, I feel that I will be well rested in the morning! He said saying goodbye to the Sheriff with haste and kindness.

- Can I make a second appointment for us before the audience with the bishop? Asked Andruliz.

- Yes, yes, most certainly. Tomorrow in the first hours after breakfast, you can send someone to call me! Zorn returned.

- That's settled then, goodnight, Doctor!

- Oh yes, I will have a good night, without a doubt! He exclaimed as he closed the door and turned pleasantly toward the bathtub that awaited him.

Once again, against the approaching winter and the sign given by the wind in Malbork, the morning was pleasantly warm and bright. Zorn was standing by the main window of the room drinking an extremely strong and tasty tea. As an accompaniment, the morning's servants also left a typical bread of the region accompanied by a sheep's milk butter, which I had never tasted before. He was thankful that he had made it while he was still alive, it was very tasty. The road from Honeda to Balga was already in full swing. He watched enraptured, the people coming and going on foot or in their horses and carts, minding their own business. To the left a little farther away, the Vistula exhibited a deep indigo, mingled here and there by patches in shades of terracotta and gray. He didn't want to give it away, but slowly he was abandoning the prejudice he had built up with everything he had heard about the "gloomy bathhouse". Both the climate and the landscape would delight the soul of any mortal. I was still lost in these thoughts when there was a knock at the door.

- Doctor Zorn, good morning, Sheriff Andruliz is waiting for you in his office! Said the jack in an indifferent tone.

Walking again through the corridors of the castle, now in daylight, the oppression the place had exerted was slowly fading away.

"Really, under the mantle of the night, things get a little scarier and heavier!" He thought.

Zorn, for those who knew him, had a heart that was not very fond of exotic places, let alone outbursts of courage and bravery.

- Good morning dear doctor, I hope you had a restful sleep. Is everything satisfactory to you? Andruliz asked in a somewhat theatrical enthusiasm, Zorn thought.

- Yes, it really was a night of restful sleep, almost as if I were in my own house!

- Excellent! Said Andruliz as he amicably grabbed his forearm and led him to his desk.

- Bishop Karvelis apologizes a thousand times, but he will not be able to see you now in the morning, or rather he will not be able to see you today. He is tied up with other commitments and has asked me to bring him all the information we have so far about the situation.

- Tomorrow, he will receive us in court! Explained the Sheriff.

- Sure, right, the bishop must be an extremely busy man; can we start with the list of names of the people who were murdered? Asked Zorn.

- Certainly doctor, let me tell you that the list is still a bit incomplete as we have not been able to get everyone's name. I have only a few men available for the investigation itself, and they are not what you might call experts!

- Therefore, I have here an initial list of six names!

- Six names? However, as I understand it, there have been ten murders so far! Exclaimed the doctor.

- Twelve to be exact, two more bodies were admitted to the Balga hospital yesterday! Exclaimed the Sheriff, almost wheezing between his teeth.

- Twelve? But, how, you mean twelve bodies and not a single clue. Nothing? Zorn now spoke in a tone of voice that indelibly marked those who listened to him, and which was later found to be his characteristic. His voice began in a normal tone and became thinner as indignation, fear or impatience grew within him. As had happened in Malbork, this feature displeased the Sheriff to the same extent that it had displeased Guildrich and Svenborg.

- I ask you to calm down Doctor. As I told you, I have limited resources to dedicate to this investigation and since I have other matters to deal with...! The Sheriff was about to explain when he was interrupted.

- Limited staff? Limited resources? Other issues? I don't understand Sheriff, we are talking about lives! Zorn interrupted abruptly, intoning his choked baritone tone.

- I know, doctor! Please calm down, I know they are lives. But with apologies for the crudeness, they are lives that are gone. There is nothing more we can do and...!

- Yes, we can investigate, go deep, and gather every detail, every word in every statement. Analyze every trace collected at the crime scenes! Zorn replied.

- Good doctor, it seems we are finally getting along! Said Andruliz, mixing satisfaction with irony.

- H...how? Do we understand each other? I don't understand, I..... I! Choked Zorn as he tried to absorb the statement.

- That's what the Master Doctor was sent to Balga for, to take over the investigations, isn't it? Asked the Sheriff.

- Yes at first yes, but I can't act as a Sheriff, I don't even have a team and....! He didn't continue any further, because now it was the Sheriff who interrupted, and with a certain pleasure.

- Don't worry about it! Exclaimed Andruliz with satisfaction as he stood up and stuck something in the middle of the wide left lapel of Zorn's jacket, right over his heart.

Zorn bent his neck at an unlikely angle trying to ascertain what the object in question was, but he couldn't. He turned with a pale and confused expression to the Sheriff, who bluntly declared.

- Doctor Iordan Zorn, by the powers vested in me by Grand Master Heinrich von Plauen of the Order of the Teutonic Knights of St. Mary of Jerusalem. Represented here by His Eminence Bishop Karvelis, I have the honor to name you as the undersheriff of Balga County!

Unresponsive, Zorn could not close his mouth. He began to turn his head from side to side in denial as he stared in astonishment at the Sheriff. He sighed as he foresaw the winding road with no turning back that he would have to follow from that very moment. All the madness he had been trapped in was now official.