WARNING
Violence
Blood
Animal cruelty ( kind of ? I mean is it cruelty if the animal picks a fight with you ? )
Inaccurate Herbal Medicine (I cannot stress this enough do NOT use any of the cures any of the characters make or use unless its alcohol because i am making so much of it blind that it wouldn't be surprised if i invent a new type of poison)
Homophobia
Internalized Homophobia
Implication of an animal eating humans
Minor swearing
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Downpour after downpour , the rain had been pouring for two days already with no stop in sight . And with having such a "diverse" group in one place , it was a pure miracle from the Gods no additional corpses were made . Maybe it was the forest and the danger it poses , maybe the threat of the old karzelek was what kept them in line or maybe … they were genuinely not discriminating each other ? Yeah , like that's even possible .
You would think having to live with the samodvas and vulkglavs as neighbors for centuries those under Mokosh's flag would know not to pick a fight every chance they get , but apparently not . Well , at least he keeps things entertaining . As long as Marya doesn't get her hands on a sword , then it becomes scary .
Grur , grur . grur , grur …
The quiet and steady sound of those charcoal dark hands carefully crushing different herbs for exactly the medicine they needed wasn't one she knew for long , yet it started to offer its own comfort . Like the soft murmurs of the zagovoras he whispers gently under his breath . The same zagovors he had started to teach her in his weird way of replying .
The soft creaking of wood under foot was heard and judging by the quietness and rhythm , its Draga . Was she checking the rain ? It doesn't seem like it would stop , but then again Vasilisa isn't a proper Knower so what does she know truly ? Weather for sure isn't it .
Letting her gaze wander it was again caught by the problem that has been to their neck for some time now . The dwindling firewood next to the stove she had chopped the first day spelled trouble if not solved quickly . If they don't , well their host has been feeling quite hungry lately …
- The rain is going to become a drizzle in one to two fingers time , after that we would have about one or two hands time for gathering . - Blago is right , she really has the habit of saying things with no warning whatsoever . It really should come to be expected from her friend . Quiet , brutal and honest , that's Draga for you . - Let's decide who would be doing what . i would be going on a hunt for example , we cannot solely rely on the jerky .I will look after Iva then , with how weak my body is only problems will come from me going outside with rain . - The quick and unwavering answer came from Blago like she had come to expect after the "cracked" stone incident . Then again if children are involved it's like a downpour after a drought on a watermill , and with it washing any hesitation he had .
- You and Vasilisa should be able to get the herbs I need on your own . - Huh ? Did he just ? Oh , he did ! The small self-satisfied smile was the same one gave them when he spoke about mushrooms . The little chort ! Well , at least he is looking after Iva if nothing else .We also need to let Sirene , Maslo and Kashkaval graze . - Spoke Marya , why she and Borris chose to name the mules after food , milk products more specifically was a question on itself . However Vasya had enough sense not to anger the shepard .Sure , does anyone else have important things to do ? - The deafening silence was an answer enough . - Then let's start the preparation .
Having made their mind , everyone other than poor Iva who is still bedridden started to move like excited kids at a festival . Or with other words unorganized and getting in each other's way . Despite this Vasya made her way to Blago to ask the important question .
- What herbs do you need ? - She knew enough about what grows here thanks to him to at least not accidentally poison someone , so he better have taught her what he needs .Nothing too fancy truly . Some snow silk , at least two plants . And may's bell , about as much as you can get me . Of course we also need river fingers . Oh , also garlick were running low with how good your cooking is and Iva being sick , so get as much as you can . - What do they need river fingers for ? They aren't used for medicine , if anything it might make things worse . They are more useful in protective … Oh , smart . Yeah she would make sure to grab a lot .And for mushrooms ? - Came the for a surprise perfectly timed question from the resident hunter . Red caps ! - She would feel bad for their host , if not for the fact they all have already heard them sharpening claws from above the stove . Whatever manners they had were out the window to soak in water by the rain after their host made the clear intention to eat or at least murder them . And as they say "tooth for tooth" !Would make sure to grab them . - The smile he flashed was the most chorts-like she had seen him as of yet , even when sleep deprived he isn't this … vengeful ? In either case someone is definitely getting poisoned like rat in a cellar .
In no time with having given them instructions to leave the roots when harvesting , handing them bags fit for foraging of this sort and giving a quick offering to the leshy the rain largely stopped . So they went outside , even giving him a quick reminder to keep the fire and light going of course . She and Draga took to deep into the forest while the rest stood closer to the house to gather wood and graze . Her and Draga walked and walked until having found an old crossroad decided on being away enough to finally split , she to the left and Draga to the right .
The forest was quiet and beautiful , just like a picture book . The feeling of solitude a welcome one after being cooped up in one house with so many people for so long . So she took to enjoying the quiet moment as much as she could , even with the slightly irritating water constantly falling . At least it's not raining , if it was a headache was sure to happen .
Luckily only slight irritation was made , and was easily solved by staring at those beautiful deep dark green pine trees . She always felt better after seeing them , and now she loves them even more than before .
As she walks her legs take her to a rather young and tall oak tree . And as if hugging in it's nest were a whole village of different herbs . In the corner of her eye she caught white . A white not so dissimilar from the one she was searching for , so she crouched down for both a better look . And would you look at it , white silk . Excellent quality at that . She took out the knife from the foraging bag and gently but firmly grabbed the plant . Making sure to leave the roots alone she lets the knife cut . Then her eyes caught a break herb and another and another . The small treasure filled pot of herbs just kept on giving more and more herbs she even found a few red caps , it was sure to be useful .
Her knees hurt a little and her apron was covered in mud from crouching , but the satisfaction of finding what she needed was also undeniably . Still here might be more of them around so she stood up . The old wood stub at the corner of her eye caught her attention , not because of any herbs . She had been curious to try that for a while , giving her surrounding a quick check . Vasya extended her left hand , readiet her fingers for snapping , took a deep breath and finally spoke that sacred word .
Ogun !
Yet despite speaking them not even a spark was created , maybe it was because of the rain . Maybe it was because she inexperienced or it was a harder zagovor than she thought . But the voice deep in her spoke in that cold and deep voice she so hated and feared .
You're truly a disappointment like no other . So useless even other dhampires refused to take you . So useless for all that strength wasted you still couldn't save them , save her .
No , she did everything she could . She did everything she could …
See , useless . So useless even a simple zagovor went unanswered . Truly a shame so much blood and time was wasted on you . A dhampir unable to do anything she is supposed to do and be . Truly useless .
No ! Shut up ! Ogun ! Ogun ! Ogun ! - Again and again she tried to do the zagovor , yet they all met her with failure . Just like the first one , just as useless .
Hehe ! Maybe it was a blessing he didn't take you . With how incompetent you are many would have died in your place . Still , maybe if he had taken you she would still be alive .
She wanted to deny it but deep inside Vasilisa knew it was the truth that voice was speaking .
Look at you ! A disgrace ! The very reason they all died . Disgusting !
She felt eyes closing involuntarily and that shortness of breath , the inability to breath properly no matter how deep she tried to breath . Ah , she was crying .
Ohh , what are you going to do now ? Call Mama or maybe your new friends … or maybe the innocent girl you want to dirty with your disgusting desire .
She wanted to refute those words , yet she couldn't . She hasn't heard of a girl loving another girl in this way , so it must be another thing in her that was always broken .
Yes no woman should want a woman this way . And truly , a marriage ? As if there is anyone stupid enough to marry someone as unclean as you and your-
Crack !!!!
Hot searing pain shot through Vasilisa's right hand like a hammer on a clay pot . A small try to move it made the bone known , definitely broken . It would heal in a hand or two but first , she held her eye up to see what had attacked . And should she even be surprised a wild boar was looking at her , with exactly those same eyes she knows oh so well . The eyes of a pig who had tasted meat ! So it wants a dhampir snack eh ? It would need to work a little more for it then .
It suddenly rushed . She dogged as fast as she could , while giving great importance to stay on her feet . They both knew if she goes down she is as good as dead .
Another dash and she could only curse her luck . To meet exactly the one thing as strong and fast as herself while alone . And it wants to kill her .
Yet another try on her life dogged and she finally got to the tree from before , climbing up as fast as she could , her leg slipped . Luckily her left hand was strong enough not to betray her yet . So she continued climbing . The woods shaking was felt by her whole body as if a cruel god had grabbed her as a doll , despite this she persaviet .
Having eventually caught to the top she finally looked down to the swine ramming insect in the wood . The coloring and weight was normal for a wild boar , what caught her attention however were the noches . The notches on both ears . And even more terrifyingly how fresh those notches were , so fresh in fact the blood was still on them . And yet no other blood on it .
That's when the cold realization hit her . Someone was breeding those boars . They were breeding them and taught them to attack mortals .
Thud !!!
The Gods forsaken swine must have smelled her fear . Because this blow ? This one made the tree fall . And it was falling with her on it !
Ok stay calm , stay calm . She is not calm . Fuck ! The earth was getting closer and closer , so in a split moment of either pure genius or pure stupidity she jumped .
Thud !!!
Having jumped too the tree had trapped her under its mass . Its branches unwilling to let her go as if hands dragging her back into its maw despite all her effort . The familiar taste of red iron telling her a story of her own doom if she doesn't think fast . She tried to stand up ala her right leg gave out .
Grrrrrrrrrr !!!
This cursed pig ! The inferno like hate in her heart moved like molten metal , sluggish yet deadly . Those features no question coming forth . The claws and teeth might have helped if she knew how to use them , alas she doesn't . Yet . it … faltered ? It even looked scared before her . What could it be to scare i-
Animals fear fire ! Her fiery red gaze must have scared it !
She needs fire !
Fire like … that zagovor !
She needs to be quick , if not whatever advantage she had would be null .
She moved her good hand in preparation of snapping and uttered the words .
Ogun !
Nothing happened yet again . And the pig saw it too .
Ogun ! Ogun ! Ogun ! Ogun ! Ogun !
Again and again and again she said the world and snapped her fingers yet nothing happened . And the cursed pig was only getting closer and closer at a faster and faster speed .
Only one try left …
She rediet the left hand and took as deep a breath as possible .
You must be truly a fool . Why fight Nemiza ? It's futile .
Shut up !
Oh the small brat thinks of herself as above her betters , hum ?
Shut up ! It's getting closer and closer !
No ! I would continue to talk to you in this life and the next life , someone needs to tell you just how useless y-
Ogun !
Those words vibrated in her bones and by them her whole body . The blood in her mouth took a new sweeter taste with this before her . The smell of burned fur and even meat would have made her gag and yet its scent along with that of the wet grass and rain created a melody for her nose . And the whimper , oh the wimpers of the already scattering away boar were music like never before heard to her ears .
With it finally out of sight she let out the air she was holding in quick and uneven breaths like she had played a horo . A smile placing itself on her face at the total silence of her success .
She had done it ! She not only survived , but also did the zagovar !
Heheheheheh ! - The smell of cooked meat was sweet for the first time in what felt like forever , so she will cherish it all she can .