Zaltna, or Zaltan |
. |
|
 Keeper Note: The module flips back and forth between calling the place Zaltan and Zaltna. In the end I have settled on Zaltna... |
As they droove Georgi became increasingly agitated, swearing under his breath about the Romanian leadership allowing “thugs and vandals” into his homeland. He began to push the lorry harder and faster even as the road became rougher, making the ride uncomfortable and jarring. After several hours, and no sign of pursuit, the road climbed steeply upwards and the team got a clear glimpse of the mountains rising in the distance, their tops shrouded by dark clouds.
Georgi was explaining that Deva was another thirty miles away when there was a loud crack from under the passenger side of the lorry and it skidded, with the rear end sliding around and threatening to tip over. Fighting the wheel, Georgi managed to bring the truck under control to the accompaniment of considerable Punjabi swearing from Birapeer in the back.
The front axle had sheared, but fortunately Georgi's cover as a scraptrader meant that there was a good selection of parts in the back. With the aid of the three agents, he managed to get the vehicle repaired and, a few hours later, they were able to press on.
Shortly after five the lorry rolled into the small, picturesque town of Deva, just as the sun was beginning to set. Georgi said he would park the lorry up for the night just outside of town on the other side. In the morning the team can begin their hike to Zaltna but he would keep a watch for them tonight, just in case. Georgi was to remain in Deva whilst the team carried out their mission, but he would come to this spot every morning at 6:00 am and wait until sunrise (7:30 am). He would do the same every evening from dusk, 5:30 pm, and remaining for an hour. Between this he'd wander around trading scrap and oddments to keep his cover in place.
Dawn broke crisp and bright the next morning. The team, having slept fitfully, prepared themselves for a hike up a mountain trail to the old mining village of Zaltna. Georgi had little advice to offer but wished the team the best of luck for their mission and promised to see them soon.
 |
The path wound higher and higher into the mountains in curves and spirals to match the terrain. The ground was cold, hard, and unyielding. The team saw the occasional goat grazing on near-vertical scrubland and birds circled overhead making mournful crowing noises.
After five or six hours the team spotted a small stone cottage in the distance. As they rounded a corner a small village huddled behind a peak like a clump of mushrooms at the base of a tree came into view. Each of the ten or so small cottages had a vegetable garden at the back and chickens and goats could be seen dotted about. No human beings were visible, and the initial impression was of a deser
These agents had been through a lot together, and their instincts for the suspicious were honed to a sharp point. Settling down where they could see the village unobserved, they studied it for some time.
Eventually, an old man emerged from a shed behind a cottage, and later one or two elderly ladies appeared to collect firewood from stacks beside the cottage or to fetch water from a pump at the centre of the village. No-one younger could be seen, but there was no sign of a German presence. Eventually, they settled on the plan for Francoise to enter the village alone while Anné watched from their vantage point and Birapeer from the far side of the village.
As Francoise entered the village she could sense that she was being watched. Eventually, a grizzled, grey-haired, bear of a man stepped out of a cottage door and approached the newcomers. Obviously a powerful man in his younger days, he carried himself with confidence, despite being at least seventy. He introduced himself in Romanian, but switched to German as it became apparent that Francoise didn't completely understand.
She was very cautious about revealing why the team was here,
He will introduce himself in Romanian but will switch to German if the newcomers do not seem to understand him. The man’s name is Darius. He will initially be suspicious and assume that they are connected to the Germans who visited, but a Persuasion will convince him of the team’s good intentions. Darius will invite the team into his home to warm up and talk. He will also call at another cottage to collect his friend Ihrin, a tiny, birdlike lady in her early seventies, as she speaks passable English. Darius will make a hot drink before settling down in his chair in front of a large fireplace to talk. Talking with Darius and Ihrin will reveal the following information. Pictures
If the team ask questions about the history of the castle Darius will suggest that they could talk with Mother Miroiu, the oldest woman in the village and a collector of stories. Darius will lead the team to another cottage where they will be introduced to a very elderly, frail woman, bundled under a thick layer of blankets. She is almost blind, but when Darius explains that he has brought some visitors who wish to hear her stories her wrinkled face becomes animated, and she begins to talk in rapid Romanian. Darius or Ihrin will translate the story for the team. handout
Her story told, Mother Miroui will become tired and ask them to leave her. Darius will invite the group to stay in the home of his son for the night if they wish. His son, Codrin, and wife, Helena, both joined the working party, and their house is currently empty.
 |
Session Date: xxth -month- 2020 - in CyberSpace! |
 |