VIVIAN SEEKS A CURE

VIVIAN SEARCHES FOR A CURE AND HER PAST

Vivian had taken the assignment as a freelance travel journalist so she got the trip to her birthplace of Romania all expenses paid. It was so odd coming back here for she was born here. Then later her parents moved while she was still and infant to the state of Wisconsin in the US. Sadly when she was 6 yrs old a tragedy occurred and crazed hunters set the house on fire and shot and killed her mother, father and older brother as they came out of the house. She had been walking in the woods as she did at night sometimes in the moonlight. So she was found wandering in the forest and put into one foster care after another.

Having the urge to write she put herself through the University of Wisconsin and became a Freelance Journalist. She liked the freedom of roaming with it and at the age of 25 she had seen half the world already. But this time it was different, there was a different feel and she hoped to unearth some family roots here and see if she had any relatives left. So she embarked from the airplane with one suitcase, her camera bag and her laptop in hand. There she caught a cab and stepped in shutting the door. The cab driver sniffed the air then turned around with a broad smile on his face. Now she didn't think her perfume was that strong. No wait she hadn't put on any so what... wait had here deodorant broke after 10 hours of air flight in one crowded plane. It must have so she asked him "I would like a small Inn or Bed and Breakfast if you please? What do you recommend?" The driver smirked at her "Is only one place for you and that is Wolf's Head Tavern & Inn. In old town." he stated back.  She had spoken to him in fluent Romanian she had learned as a child and kept up her studies of her native tongue plus other languages. "Sounds lovely, let’s go"

The driver took her to a lovely white washed building with the outside frame of black wood cross timbers. There was indeed a pub restaurant on the ground floor as she went in. The building was small as was the pub but it was busy. She walked to the desk and the little old lady had a broad smile like the cab driver. Sure is a friendly place around here. "I would like a room, how much is it?" she asked the old woman. The old lady replied "It is $25 American dollar, but for you if you stay awhile it will be $15 per night. It very quiet room for seldom do peoples come to this part of the  'old town' anymore." Vivian was elated at that news and nodded signing the guest book, Vivian Zadinsky, then went up to her room with her bags in tow.

Once there she took a shower in the ensuite, there was a microwave and refrigerator, a small sofa, a large old four poster bed with elaborate hand carved head and footboards with wolves on them. Great she thought! I am plagued with dreams of me running or tuning into a wolf and now this bed. Oh well it will be a good sleep. She put on clean jeans and a white plain t-shirt and combed out her thick head of golden locks. Down the stairs she went to get a meal of fish and chips. Sitting there drinking a pint of lager she looked around at all the beautiful woodwork with the wolves carved on or into it. There were a few people mingled around and all lifted their heads from speaking in interest of the new comer. She sat in a corner and had her meal brought to her there where she sat and thought about this all being her home. Once maybe she would find some clues and roots and perhaps even family. She would start on that in the morning.

Vivian had done the best she could with little cooperation on the last of her sojourn of France.  The King had been gracious enough and she had not ever seen the Princess again but she managed to do a lovely travelogue of France for the magazine that sent her.  But still the pull to Romania was stronger than ever and her nightmares, which she had had no chance to speak to anyone in France about, kept growing stronger.

So when she left Paris with bags in hand she took a flight back to Romania.  Arriving back into the major airport in the mountain town of Brasov she once more hailed a cab.  How strange it was, almost déjà vu, as it was the same grinning male taxi driver.  "Well hello again" she said as he took her bags and put them in the trunk.  "I, of course, am looking for a good place to stay.  I don't guess you would have any suggestions." she laughed and shook her head. 

"Yes, Madam, the same place you have been taken too in the 'Old Districts' complete with its own tavern.  You shall like this and stay this time Madame." he laughed back with her then became silent and only watched her in his rear-view mirror.  He knew she was a disturbed person about something and he knew why for the master had sent him to fetch her again purposefully.  There were Loupe Garou that would not wish the match or this woman to survive the nights. 

He drove her through the busy hustle and bustle of the new town where business was booming and tourists were abounding as so many found Romania a different sort of place to come visit.  But to him and his kind it was home.  He soon started taking her down smaller, cobblestoned, streets and then pulled up outside of the Wolf's Den Tavern & Inn.  Getting out he opened her door for he treated her as if she were already his queen.  The Master would be proud to call this one his mate.  Smirking to himself he got her large suitcase and her duffle bag with her camera and equipment.  "We go in anD see Nasha now." he said as he led her into the front desk.  There he set her bags down and waited for the older woman to come sign this one in.  "She won’t be long"

Vivian stood and smiled gently to him then turned and looked in through the doorway to the tavern.  She took note there were a few couples in there having a meal and a few men standing and talking.  They had taken note of her arrival.  Over to one corner stood a very tall and handsome man leaning on the hearth mantel.  He was looking at her so intently it made her nervous.  Turning back to the counter she could almost feel his amber eyes burning into her back.

Just at that time Nasha came out "Back again, you have been missed, we are close lot here.  Sign the book and your room is still waiting for you.  Boris you be good and take the lady's things up to her room.  I fix you lunch Vivian, you look as you could use a good Romanian meal.  Not those fancy frog legs the French thrive on.  Good meat, vegetables for to settle your stomach.  Go, go on up to your room and when you come down your meal it will be in the tavern there waiting for you." she smiled a rather ragged broken teeth smile.  To some the old woman might even look scary but there was a charm to her that Vivian felt comfortable with. 

She went up to her room and thanked Boris for bringing her bags up to her room for her.  "Here is a little something extra for the effort Boris and I thank you.  I would like to book you for in the morning about 9.00 am to take me I guess that I don't know where to start.  I will go to the Court House first to search for my family records.  Have you heard of the name Zadinsky before?" she asked him unsure had she asked him before.

Boris stepped back, he knew the truth, and her name was not Zadinsky but Dubrinsky, of the royal family and should be the Queen of Romania but all in the Master's time. "No, but I will be here at 9.00 for you but as for the tip.  I cannot take more money from you than is the fare.  The Master would not like this." and he turned and hurried away.

The 'master' she thought.  What on earth was he or who was he speaking about?  Was there some sort of mafia or something?  Well she shrugged it off for she had much to learn from the natives of Romania.  She got her things in order in her room and hung up dresses and other things.  Then she went down to the tavern and no sooner than when she walked in there was Nasha with a plate full of roast lamb, roast potatoes and parsnips and a large glass of ale waiting for her. 

Sitting down to eat she felt the eyes of the other customers on her and especially the man at the hearth.  Yet he gave them a look and ... what... did he growl.  She shook her head to clear it.  Her dreams were creeping into her awakened state and now she saw the resemblance of wolves in human faces.  She really needed to find a doctor that understood her and put her on something to stop the nightmares.  So she shook off the strange feelings in the room and went on to eat her scrumptious meal.