//Based on Historical Events//
''1415 - The Land of Bohemia''
At the turn of the century, King Sigismund of the Holy Roman Empire applied pressure on all of Bohemia and the surrounding provinces. This tension would last well into the century, though for now it seems all is quiet.
The once King of Bohemia Wenceslaus IV, after having relieved the crown, was able to keep Bohemia under his reign; although, with this decision the Holy Roman Empire ascends to another state of dominance.
Besides the onset of war on the horizon, the Catholic Church had been questioned numerously by Church reformers - those who opposed the teachings - and this alone has caused upheaval between religion and politics.
Life in the 15th century is not for the faint at heart, and everyone was labeled under the [[Three Estates of Man]]
Societies had a social hierarchy system that placed every person in a different class. This was common in countries that practiced Christianity, and it was a staple in one's life as it caused some to have fewer opportunities than others.
These Estates are as followed, and these are your Three Life Paths:
''The First Estate is'': [[Nobility]]
''The Second Estate is'': [[Clergy]]
''The Third Estate is'': [[Commoner]]You are a ''Noble of the Sword''.
Having grown up under a noble household, you have only known the troubles of splinters from sword practice and burnt bread. At the age of 14, you were sent to a military camp to train by the sword, and for years you've both failed and succeeded in those tribulations.
"Are you ready, Sebastain?" Pa asks you, handing you the scabbard for your silver sword. "You can't forget this."
You smile at your Pa. //Hopefully we will see each other again soon.//
"Feeling nervous, son?"
"No." You reply, sharply. "Maybe."
"It's okay to feel those nerves tugging at you. Remember, think of it as training, for now."
He pats your right shoulder with his might, breaking your stance for a moment.
"I will, sir. I promise, I won't let you down."
Your Pa looks you in your eyes, and shakes your hand firmly. "That's what I like to hear."
Before the days end, you make sure to tidy up all your belongings, placing them in the fair end of the attic. Your room is a blank canvas, almost as if you were never here to begin with.
You make way for the kitchen where your Pa is cooking dinner. //Smells like roasted mutton//. As you enter, you [[Take a Seat at the Table]]. As an aspiring parish priest, you come from the village of Troskowitz, near the glorious Trosky Castle that overlooks most of the region. Though the village doesn't have its own church, you are determined to be accepted into the chapel inside Trosky - which is only open to nobility.
"Vladislav, get your mind out of your arse!"
You snap out of your daydream, and your good friend Oldrich is in your company. He notices that you've been staring at the castle for far too long.
"I see you haven't forgot about those piglings," Oldrich says. "Do us both a favor - sit on this side of the table."
"You joke too much, Oldrich." You reply. "But it's safe to say, they have forgotten about us."
"Ah, horseshit they have! I've a'ready paid the church enough as it is, and they have the right to ask for more?" Oldrich slams the palm of his hand against the table, alarming the tavern's owner.
"Hey, keep it down or we'll throw your arses out!" the owner proclaims before walking back inside.
What Oldrich said isn't anything new to you. In fact, you fully support his views towards the church - all thanks to the words of Jan Hus.
Would you prefer to learn more about ''[[Jan Hus]]'' or read the ''[[Summary]]'' of who he is?As a commoner, you were born in the small village town of Ledetchko. You work as a farmer, the only profession you seem to be fond of, and this has been your day-to-day since childhood.
Determined to save up your Groschen (coins), you finally save up enough to purchase a ragged horse from Heinrich, the local horse groomer who you've grown up with.
Getting closer to the stable, you notice a wandering traveler approaching the village from the south. You stand by the edge of the town, waiting. As the stranger gets closer, the sun reflects off his armor and into your eye.
Squinting, you rub your eyes and scoff. You can see the boastfulness in his stride, and before you can speak, he unsheathes his sword!
Should you [[Buy the Horse]] or [[Approach the Man]]? You ignore the man who most likely would have sliced you into two pieces. He tries to get your attention, but you quickly scutter toward the stable.
Once there, you wave for Heinrich, who has been waiting for you since the break of dawn.
"Christ be with you, Heinrich." You greet.
"And with you, Janek. Are you finally going to buy old Violet today?"
"Aye, you bet I am. How much Groshcen are we talking?"
Heinrich mumbles to himself. "Let's see - 65."
You take a deep breath. "Fine, here take it."
Heinrich's eye light up. "She's all yours. Go ahead and take her."
"Wait, are you not going to saddle her up for me?" You ask.
"Ha, good one! If you wanted a saddle, you should have asked. That will be 50 Groschen."
"WHAT? Are you swindling me. Heinrich? You better not. We have known each other since we we're lads."
"I am not! Don't you go accusing me of such. Go on, you have your horse, get!"
Instead of arguing with him, you leave. At the end of the day, the horse has no purpose for you with a saddle. Even if it had one, where would you go? You are but a peasant.
''THE END''
Go back to the [[Three Estates of Man]] The man walks closer to you. He flicks his blade in the air, then holds it steadily in front of him with both hands. You notice its been through some wear and there's some dry blood at the tip.
"God grant you good health." The man announces. "Can you lead me in the direction of your swordsmith? As you can see, my blade is in need of a touching."
You stare in awe, unable to speak. The crest on his cuirass is unfamiliar to you.
"Will you take me to someone who understands what I am saying?"
You snap out of train of thought. "Excuse me, sir Knight, but w-we don't have a blacksmith in town. We do have a tailor, and the King's hunstman might be willing to fork over a sharpening stone."
"Shite! That's not what I need."
Should you [[Question Him]] or [[Leave it Be]]?Jan Hus (born in the 1370s) came from the village of Husinec, and he was born into a life of peasantry. Much of his early life is unknown, but at the age of ten he was sent to a monastery, where he would devote his time to God. Later in life, he would move to Prague on his own, though his teachers supported him during those endeavors.
Once in Prague, and after settling down, he would get admitted into the University of Prague - which just so happened to be //the// university of all of Bohemia. After earning his Bachelor of Arts and Master degree, he taught at the univesity for two years before being ordained into priesthood around ''1400''.
It only took him a year to gain the notoriety of rector due to the reputation he had amongst his students and peers. He would only become more prominent as his word would spread across the realm.
Jan Hus was fond of the writings of John Wycliffe, and along with the views of his educators towards certain Christian ideals, his own interpretations on the Church would slowly develop over time. Around 1412, Hus spoke out publicly against indulgences - which was a way to pay for one's sins - and this was taken from his and Wycliffe's book, //De ecclesia//.
A few days after this incident happened, a few men were tried and beheaded for speaking in a similarly manner. This schism between the Catholic Church and the Bohemians would only cause more disrupt across the land.
Around 1412-13, Jan Hus was excommunicated from the University for his //heresy//, causing him to leave the city altogether. One day during late spring, you encountered a traveler from the East who said Hus was exiled, too. Since then, that drunkard's words have stuck with you.
The only way you can know for sure is to take a trip to[[Prague]]. You find yourself thinking about making a trip to Prague yourself.
"You are really not coming with me?" You ask Oldrich.
He doesn't say anything, at first. "Aye, you think I can leave the boy with his Ma alone? They'll bicker, the lot. Then it's going to be a whole mess by the time we get back, I promise you."
"Don't worry, I understand. Wouldn't want to leave either if I was in your position."
"Then stay, Vlad. You have told me all about this ''Hus'' guy, but have you heard his sermons with your own two ears?"
You hestiate.
"Exactly. Prague is at least a few days away by horse, what makes you think you will make it there on your feet?" Oldrich stands up, signaling to the tavern maid. He digs through his front pouch and takes out three Groschen (coin).
Should you [[Stay in Troskowitz]] or [[Leave for Prague]]?You think about what Oldrich had to say. After taking another gulp of your wine, you tap your mug against the table.
"Aye, you are right, my friend. As much as I want to take the trip to Prague to make sure Jan Hus was really exiled, it might be the death of me considering it's not a day away." You say with a heavy throat. "But since you convinced me to stay, you also have to pay for my half of the meal."
"Ha-ha, you are a very persuasive man, Vladislav. Let's drink to you!"
You join Oldrich in the celebration, and by the evening the two of you [[Split Ways]]. You reach into your front pouch and pull out three awfully bright coins, stacking them on top on each other. Oldrich notices, and he places his share next to the pile.
"I //am// quite sure. Don't doubt me, my friend." You say, tipping both coin towers. Oldrich sucks on his teeth in dismay. "Oh, come now. If I get caught up in some business, surely a letter will help with your worries."
Oldrich snaps his head toward you, angrily. "Stopping pulling my chain. Y-You know my eyes have troubles seeing. With how small you write, it would take ages for me to understand."
The both of you look at one another, and laughter ensures.
"Aye, that could be it. Or is it only troubling since you can't read?" You joke, prepping your bowls and mugs for the maid.
"Ah, who has time for all that. Are you going to find a banquet between those pages? Come back to me when it can, so my coin can go to something else."
''The conversation continues well into mid-day, and Oldrich bids his best wishes before you depart.''
//[[30-Minutes Later]]//
"I put all my belongings away." You announce. Silence follows.
"Good on you, lad. I'm making you both dinner and lunch for the road, don't be a loon and eat all your food at once." Pa says as he places pieces of mutton on a wooden plate. "Here, cut it up, will ya?"
"Course." You stand up and reach for the plate and knife. As you start cutting, you say: "Will you be okay, all by yourself out here? We are not exactly in the comforts of Prague or Trosky."
"Nonsense! You live too luxuriously, son. You know, we weren't always blessed with what we both have today. When your Ma was still alive - Jesus Christ bless her soul - we had to cobble shoes! It was honest living, but shit living at that, ha-ha!"
You scoff and laugh. "I should put my knapsack on Freda."
You take your sack of clothes, cheese, wine, bandages, and Groshen (coin) outside. Your horse Freda is already sattled and awaiting your departure. After securing the sack properly, you walk back inside, where you see your Pa praying in a quiet tone.
"Attendite ne justitiam vestram faciatis coram hominibus, ut videamini ab eis..."
"Pa, what are you saying?" He doesn't stop.
"...alioquin mercedem non habebitis apud Patrem vestrum qui in cælis est..."
You decide to [[Wait Outside]]. A couple of minutes pass by. The front door cracks up slightly. "Come on in, son. I need to speak with you before you go."
You step back inside. On the table you see your food, now neatly wrapped with a few apples keeping it enclosed.
"Sebastain, my son, you have a full life ahead of you. This trip to Kuttenburg will be a journey, but once you get to Uzhitz, there will be a few more excited troopers joining you."
"Aye, sir." [[Mention the Strange Language]]
You see tears in your Pa's eyes, but before you can mention it, he turns his back away from you. "Remember your Ma is always looking over you. That's helped me get through these last years, that's for sure. Now you better set off before the sun sets, I wouldn't want you traveling through these woods in the dead of night."
"Don't worry, I can handle some bandits."
"I know you can, but war time and suspicion can be a killer."
You nod in agreement. "Bye, father. Expect me back."
He doesn't smile at you this time. "I will, son. Now go and make me proud."
You venture off into the woods, and about two hours into your trip you decide to take camp for the night. You find a spot that has already been camped at before, and so setting up isn't as laboring.
[[The Next Day]]"Pa, what were you speaking about earlier when I walked in? I know you heard me, it's just the two of us here."
He shakes his head. "Don't mind that, son. It was only a prayer."
"But what were you speaking? I couldn't understand a thing you said."
"It was Latin, my boy - God's language. All the priest practice it, you should too when you get the time."
You smile, thinking about all that you don't know about your father. "Certainly."
"Now son, when you are out on the road, don't forget about me or your Ma."
"I won't, father..."
Once you leave for Uzhitz, you take your time following the main roads instead of the short-cuts. By the time the sun has fully set and the moon has risen, you find yourself struggling to see ten feet in front of you.
After a while, though, you finally see a warm orange glow in the distance.
Should you [[Approach the Light]] or [[Continue On]]?Once the sun hits the horizon, you take down your tent and pack it away.
For breakfast, you have two slices of bacon with some bread - //enough to get to Uzhitz//.
You give your horse a carrot, for good measures, and once you're saddled you bolt off into the King's forest. The land here belongs to the King and to him only. Any hunting is considered poaching, and it's punishable by death.
You trek along a worn path, and it eventually leds you to a fork in the road. If memory serves you right, you're still heading in the direction of Uzhitz, so for all you know both paths could lead to the same place.
Which path will you take: [[The Left Path]] or [[The Right Path]]?Deciding it would be best, you gallop your horse toward the direction of the light, kicking your spurs in a rhythm.
As you get closer, you notice that there are three small buildings that surround the large fire. //That's a good sign, at least.// Finally approaching, you see a sign next to the road that reads: ''Inn By The Glade''.
You slowly trot your horse to a stop next to a trough. You knock on the inn's door, and a dog emerges from the shadows, growling and eager to bark.
"Easy there-"
//Creak!//
"What do ye want? Well, speak up." A lady peeks her head out the door, holding in one hand a lantern and rubbing her eyes with the other.
"Pardon me, but do you have any beds available for tonight? I'm passing-"
"Yeah, yeah, we do," she interrupts. "but it will cost ya a pretty coin for waking me."
"Of course, will this do?"
Hand her [[5 Groschen]] or [[10 Groschen]]?You continue on - besides it's hard to trust anyone these days. For all you know, you could've been killed for trying to be friendly.
As you ride through the night, still blind, you reach an open clearing near a stream. //This should be a good spot to settle down.// You tie your horse to a small tree, begin on a fire, and place your bedding down under a branchy tree. Once the fire sparks, you dig for a piece of mutton and attach it to the end of your knife, heating it over the blaze.
The soothing noise of the forest calms you, but only for a moment. The loud cries of distant wolves sends shivers down your spine, and so you finish your dinner before the scent can linger. You consume a few gulps of wine and drift off to a deep sleep.
//Snap!//
The sound of a branch breaking wakes you. The fire's embers are still glowing, though only softly. Your eyes adjust to the darkness, and you briefly catch a glimpse of a silhouette in the woods before it disappears. You try to remember where you kept your sword, but then you realize you tucked it away on your trusty steed.
Before long, you hear the sound of a blade being unsheathe.
You silently whipser to yourself a family prayer.
''THE END''
Return to [[Three Estates of Man]] You hand her 5 Groschen.
The look on the lady's face turns sharp. Her eyes narrow, staring through your soul.
"Arsehole!" She slams the door shut, and you can hear a collective groan coming from the rooms upstair.
You decide to leave back on the road again.
[[Continue On]] You hand the lady 10 Groschen.
She smiles and opens the door for you. "This will do, aye. Your room is to the right, up the ladder. Food will be provided in the morning, but after that we expect you to take your leave."
"Much appreciated. You won't hear a peep out of me."
You both leave for your rooms.
Once inside, you prepare for bed, then you're sound asleep.
[[The Next Morning]]Something inside you wants to know the truth, but you know your life is something that shouldn't be toyed with. And so, you spend the rest of your days in the quaint village of Troskowitz, mending to the farms and helping the tavern's owner with side jobs. Unfortunately, your desire to be a parish priest was short-lived due to the village not having a need for one.
A few years pass by. As you wake from an awful hangover in the stables of the tavern, a group of armed men rush into town, led by a ferocious leader. These men were draped with gambesons, padded leggings, kettled helmet, and the bore a shield with an unfamilar crest.
"Make way, make way! The Hussites are passing through! We need not a place to stay but food and alcohol!"
The men all break out in a cheerful laugh.
"Of course, good knights! Please, make yourse'ves comfortable." The tavern owner snaps at her workers, and they immediately start serving the soldiers on their horses.
Before you can snap out of your hangover, the soldiers are already on their way. To you, they meant nothing...but something about their name stood out to you. What was it, though?
''THE END''
Return to [[Three Estates of Man]] You wake up to the sound of roosters crowing loudly. You can already hear people awake and eating their morning breakfast. Putting on your shoes and prepping for your departure, you make your way to the kitchen area.
There are two tables and one of them is full. The other has two people sitting side-by-side, talking among themselves. //Hopefully they are friendly to me.//
"Good morning, sirs, do you mind if I take a seat here?"
The pair give each other a look. "Yeah we mind - we would mind if you didn't sit with us. Come take a seat, we don't bite."
You sit down, and not a moment later a bowl of stew is placed in front of you. "Dig in. Remember you have to be out of here once you finish that meal."
"I know." You pluck at the strange grub that is mostly fat. //Good enough, I suppose//.
"Don't mind Bianca, she's only doing this since you are new. Thomas here had the same issue."
Thomas, the man on the left, chuckles. "Yeah, took me a good while before she even looked at me. So you got yourse'f a headstart."
"Sure. I won't be long, so don't worry about me."
The two turn their backs and speak quietly. "Say, what's your name?"
[[Answer Them]] or [[Stay Quiet]]?You keep your mouth shut, only opening it to eat.
"Fair enough, no worries. If you want some advice, stick to the main roads if you can. Trouble can lurk in the woods, too." The man on the right says, tipping a swish of his mead onto the floor. "That's to our friend Katz."
"Here!" The other man cheers his mead in the same manner.
"To Katz" You say with an imaginary mug in your hand. //No mead for me this morning, I need to be aware of everything happening. //
The two men drink up in celebration, and you chow down on the last bits of your meal.
You make sure to tip Bianca for the hospitality, and you set off once again [[To Uzhitz]] ."My name's Sebastian of Leipa."
"A noble, are ya?" Thomas asks.
"Yes, I am, if you couldn't tell from my cloth." You reply.
"Nice to meet you Sebastian, the name's Otto but you can call me Ot, and he's Thomas."
Otto and Thomas tilt their head in your direction.
"We both come from Neuhof, and Rattay has been a great place for us to sell our wares." Otto says.
"Oh I am sure, we are very proud of our market."
"If you don't mind us asking, where are you off to, my Lordship?"
You take a second to reply. "Kuttenburg. That's all you need to know."
"Wow. May Jesus Christ be in your favor." Thomas says.
After you finish your meal, you leave a small tip for Bianca, then you set off once again [[To Uzhitz]]. ''3 Hours Later''
[[Meet Martin]].You muster up the courage to speak. "Excuse me, nobleman, what are you seeking if I mind ask?"
The man pats his sword in his hands, blade sticking upright. "Good question...what might your name be?"
You speak over yourself before composing your words. "The name's Janek, sir."
"Ha-ha, it's a pleasure, Janek. The name's Peter, but you can call me The Yielding Fellow."
"The Yielding Fellow? Where did you get that name?"
Peter looks out toward the village on the hill. "Don't let that mind you. Only those of the sword should be concern by my presence." He lifts his blade with one hand and points at a chipped part.
"You see, I want to sell this sword to a swordsmith who can do it wonders. This sabre has been with me since I left Trosky, and I have no need for it since I have this old mace attach to my waist. And trust me, on my walks across this beautiful land, I have found it easier to fight with something other than a sword."
You think for a second. "Why don't I buy that blade from you?"
Peter breaks out into a laughing fit. "You, are you serious? Sakra, I have really stooped this low. Okay, fine, 100 Groschen."
You dig through your small coin pouch, and you dig...
"What is it?" Peter asks.
"I don't have 100 Groschen, sir. I have only got 83 coin on my person." You say with defeat.
"Ah that's close enough. Why don't we do ourselves a trade?"
You nod in agreement. Peter places the blade back into its sheathe, and places one end on your right hand. He extends his open hand, and you place all your coin in his palm. You both let go off your items in unison.
"That's reasonable, wouldn't you say?" Peter asks as he immediately begins counting his newly aquired wealth.
"Aye, sir." Your eyes gleam with excitement, and that thought is flushed by the temptation of glory. //A legacy, I could [[Leave Behind]].//
Again you keep to yourself. //Nothing bad will happen if I stay quiet.//
"Just my luck. Aye, don't let me keep you." The man sheathes his blade, tossing it to the ground with in anger. "Sakra!"
The man attempts to bend over to pick up the sword, but stumbles back and forth in all his armor. He tries to take a knee, but his metal-plated leggings lock in place, keeping him in a lunge position.
"Ahh! Fucking fuck! Hey, don't just gawk at me! Get me up for Christ's sake!" The man shouts in your direction. Before you can say a word, you hear the creak of his armor settling.
//Creak!//
Heinrich comes running out from the stable with a horse's brush in one hand. He chucks it at the man, laughing with a hearty cheer. "Look out, timber!"
The brush bounces off the man's helmet and it didn't no harm, but it was just enough to tip the man on his side. //Plump//. A cloud of dust puffs up, in the shape of the man.
You crack a smile, but wipe it off before anyone can notice.
"Did ya see that, Janek? He went toppling just like old Abhram's cattle, ha-ha-ha!"
"Quiet, Heinrich! Why did you do that?" You sneer him down. "Can't you see he has-"
A loud piercing whistle blares from behind you. Turning around, you see the catchpole running toward your direction, lagging behind is one of the village's farmers. //Et tu, Farmer?//
The catchpole doesn't let you speak a word. Before you can plead your case, you are hit in the head with a wooden polearm, dazing you into unconsciousness. Before you can fade into a slumber, you see Heinrich try to combat his way out of captivity but with little luck. He takes a hit in the gut, then one across the face. His blood spills from an open cut on his lips.
"Heinrich, you piece of shite, stop!" You shout before its [[Lights Out]].
//Splash!//
You are awaken by a cold bucket of water - or at least that's what you hope it is.
"Ah, where am I?" You ramble around in the dark room, but your hands are bound to a chain. "I swear I was not a part of what Heinrich did!"
"Shut it, filth." A raspy voice comments. "Your arse is a bore."
You tremble in terror. You try to make out everything in the room, and that's when you notice something is missing.
"W-Where's Heinrich?" You ask with a quiver.
"That friend of yours tried to kill me with that soldiers blade. It's a miracle he could even hold that longsword. I have to admit, he got in a good hit or two, but all I need was ''one''!"
The guard emerges from the shadows, gripping Heinrich's horse brush.
"You can probably guess what happened after that." The guard tosses the brush in his hand, as if he were about to pitch the thing. "I don't know what's worse-"
He turns around and walks to a torch on the wall, lighting it with the candle resting in the far end of the room. Now you can see your surroundings, but you would rather not. The walls are lined with cobblestone, water droplets drip from the ceiling, and the bed you woke up on is nothing more than dried straw.
//Smack!//
The brush grazes your hair and hits the wall behind you. The sound echoes throughout the room for a second.
"-dying by the blade...or by the noose! Ha-ha-ha!" He walks to you, shaking his head with pity. "Oh well, what more can be done?"
"Wait! I had nothing to do with-"
//Smack!//
The back of his metal gauntlet comes in full contact with your cheek. You heard a loud crack come from your jaw.
"Quiet and make your peace."
The guard walks out of the room, slamming the door shut behind him.
[[Two Days Later]]The two of you part ways, and Heinrich tries to get your attention for the horse but you brush him off. You have a new goal set in mind, and you don't take lightly on your passions.
That same evening, you set up straw dummies in field behind your house. You make sure to hide it among the crops the best you can, and if you were questioned you could say they were made to keep prey away.
The blade in your hands in a lot heavier than you imagined. You struggle to lift it three feet off the ground, but with enough practice that shouldn't be the case. You start by swinging at the dummy with all your strength.
As you practice posing guard defences, you take it upon yourself to strike at the dummy with the sword placed above your head. You strike down in a fast motion, and the blade gets caught in your hair, cutting a good chuck clear off.
This doesn't stop you, though. At least the blade made contact and pierced the dummy. As you tug the blade free, you pull the handle of the a little too hard. You lose your grip of the sword and it becomes free. Reckless, you try to catch the blade with both hands, thinking that the dirt will cause harm to the blade.
But instead, it caused harm to you. With both hands stuck on both edges of the blade, you cry out for help. //Why did I think that was okay?!//
After about five-minutes of exhausting all your options, you yank your hands free of the blade, causing it to plummet straight into your left foot.
"FUCK!" You scream at the top of your lungs. The blood from the wound in your hands starts pouring out at an alarming rate.
Before long, you start to feel cold...
//''''Thud!''''//
''THE END''
//^^Life as a commoner does not always mean adventure, fame, or fortune. It is filled with hardships, and often times peasants never saw the luxuries that the other classes had on a daily basis. ^^//
[[Investigate the Noise]] or [[Move Forward]]?
[[Fight Back]] or [[Flee]]?
''THE END''
[[Hide Out]]
You bleed out.
''THE END''You listen to your gut, and you tug the reigns to the left.
Your horse, skittish, neighs in protest.
"Come on, let's get going." You command, kicking your spurs twice.
The horse obeys.
As you push along, the path fades into patchy grass and it's gone. //Where did the road go?//
That's when you smell something...with rich flavor. You let your senses lead you to the source of the smell, leaving behind your horse. As the scent gets stronger, you hear voices - //must be at least four. //
Should you [[Push On]] or [[Find Your Way Back]]?Your horse tugs his head to the right, and you listen without any hesitation.
As you keep continuing, you reach a large hill that takes a toll on your horse. You must've been riding for the past four hours, non-stop. Hopping off your horse, you take the reigns and take the lead, walking at a brisk pace.
The hill takes a toll on you, too.
Out of breath, you finally reach the top, and that's when you see in the a few village houses. //Finally, Uzhitz here I come.//
You hop back on your horse and bolt for [[Uzhitz]].//Maybe they're friendly. // You stop creeping around decide to approach what seems to be a camp.
You push through some bushes and tree branches, and that's when you see white tents and banners placed around the camp's enclosement. You recognize who these people are...
And you're outnumbered one-to-twelve. //Could it be Bandits or Poachers?//
You can hardly hear a word their speaking, and you hear their dogs barking frantically at you. Their growls grow louder.
You reach for your blade, unaware that you left it back at your horse. //How stupid of me!// Instead you go for the dagger in your shoe -
//Whoosh.//
An arrow flies by and strikes the ground close to you. You look up at where the arrow came from and...
//Splat!//
You can't see out your right eye, and when you touch it you can feel a broken piece of wood protruding out.
"Ugh! FUCK!"
The sound of footsteps surround you.
"N-No, wait-"
The last thing you feel is the cold steel at your throat...then nothing.
''THE END''
You eventually wound up in [[Uzhitz]], unscathed but with fear looming in the back of your mind. Starved, you resort to eating your bed, but even that's not enough.
As the days go by, you pray for salvation and plead constantly for your innocence. ''No one hears a single word you've spoken since you arrived. ''
One the fourth day of your sentence, you awake to the creak of your cell door. The smile on your face, though genuine, falls straight to a frown as two guards walk in with steel chains.
You don't fight them.
Once your out of the jailhouse and into the village square, you hear the sound of overlapping conversations and horses naying. You close your eyes as you're carried to your destiny.
The sound of boots clapping against wood makes you open your eyes, and for a moment you see the glow of the early sun. Comfort fills your soul, but it's only a fleeting emotion.
The rope is tied and secured around your neck. You look to your right - //there's another guy here with me.//
A prayer is said, but it seems to be more directed to the people watching. //How sickening.//
Then there's silence...and stillness...until...
//Snap!//
Your body is not buried, and your soul has been condemned to eternal damnation. Instead, your corpse is tosses on an open flame...And your ashes become one with the wind.
''THE END''Jan Hus was one of the first church reformers who spoke against the Pope and the Holy Roman Empire in effect. He preached the words of God during most of his life, having spent a majority of his time in Prague. He taught at the University of Prague, where he became devoted to the words of John Wycliffe and those alike.
His sermons provoked the Catholic Church since they often argued that they were stealing money from the vulnerable, and that the practice of indulgences went against the ideals of religion itself.
In 1412, he was excommunicated from his position at the University, and this is what you've heard from gossip at the tavern.
Sure, the person you heard this from was drunk and he kept repeating himself, but it sounds like something that could happen...
You can't really tell unless you make a trip to [[Prague]] yourself.As you trudge down the main road, you come upon a fork in the road - but you can see clearly that taking the left path will make your demise quicker. It's a strange feeling. One might call it a //divine intervention//.
You gesture the sign of the cross, and begin a short prayer: "Our Father, Lord in Heaven..."
After pushing forward, you come along a line of trees that keep swaying without a breeze. You keep on the same road oddly, and to your surprises there's a man with dirty noble clothing stretching against a tree.
Talk to [[The Stranger]] or find [[Another Way]] through?"God be praised!" You shout from a safe distance. "What are you doing over there?"
The stranger gasps in fright. "Oh, Heavens! Please, you can have everything, just spare my life. Death is far too much!"
"Aye, Good man, I have not a single bone of mischief in me, for I plan on becoming one who preaches the Lord's word." You smile at him to reassure your intentions, inching slowly to him.
"H-Hey, stay where you are. If you truly are a man of the Church, answer me this-" The man dusts some leaves off his shoulder and hat, revealing what seems to be a bad ink job on his neck. Before you can get a glimpse at the ink, he puts his hat back on, securing it tightly with a wool strap. "-why is that when I drink the Blood of Christ, I feel nothing but worry and troubles. But when my pal Hal drinks the ale he feels proud?"
"Pardon?"
The stranger takes a step forward. "You heard me. Why does Christ's Blood make me down, but not to Hal?"
''//How do you want to reply?//''
[["Who's Hal?]]
[["It's alcohol."]]
[["My dearest friend, you mustn't see; the Blood of Christ is a representation of Jesus's sacrifice and for forgiveness of the sins we partake. You see..."]]
[["Let me explain the purpose."]]
You don't feel anything wrong, but sometimes it's okay to left well enough alone. "Who's Hal?" You ask without any hestiation.
The man squints his eyes, as if to get a better look at you. "What's it to you?"
"Oh, I was only curious. Don't worry." You say, cautiously. You can see you've tugged at some strings, though you're not sure what kind. "I should be on my way. God be with you."
You turn away and walk off, but you can feel the man's eyes on your back. The feeling doesn't leave you, not until you clear his line of sight. But even then, you have //the// feeling.
As the road becomes more of a chore, you decide to hunker down beneath a small grove or orchids. Your eyes drift, and you fall into a deep slumber.
//In what you think is a dream,, you hear something calling to you. //
"Wake up...please..." a faint voice calls out.
You open your eyes, and everything's a blur...
There's a throbbing sense of pain on the top of your head...
//How'd that happen? Where am I?//
"Aye, he's waking up, Jan." A deep voice announces. "He's the one asking about Hal."
You try to [[Speak Up]]."It's alcohol.""My dearest friend, you mustn't see.."
"What's all this? Who do you think you are speaking to?" The stranger interrupts, and that's when you notice he's almost standing directly in front of you. You take a short step back.
You open your mouth to speak, but you're shushed aggressively. "Shhh! Keep that gapping hole shut, you arse. Who do you serve?"
"I serve the man above." You reply, sliding your feet backward.
The man chuckles for a brief moment. "You mean the Chamberlain, ha-ha-ha! I know whom you speak of - tell me, why are you out yander when there is not a chapel in sight? Are you going to preach to the people of the forest?"
You feel some offense in his approach, but you let on. "No, I plan for a voyage to the great city of Prague - a trip I have fantasized longingly with much thought."
The man relieves some of his worry but letting out a heavy sigh. "Prague, huh? Why would you want to be in such a shite hole, you know cities spawn nothing but sin?" He spits at the ground between you. "It's partly as to why I decided to leave my town."
//There's nothing to worry about here.// "Pardon, but what do you mean by that?"
''The man begins to explain the situation in Brandenberg, and that's when you both share a heartfelt moment - which only progessively drags on until [[the night consumes you]].''
The sounds of the forest send a chill down your spine, but the nobleman reassures you. You both stare gazingly into the night, and the man places his arm around you.
"Come now, the forest is no place for you at the dead of night. My camp is not far, my friends Fiala and Hal must be worried themselves."
You stop, and the man's arm drags over your head. He turns around with a look of confusion. "You know, we never quite gave each other our names."
The man stares into your eyes, smiling with what could only be delight. "Father, let's talk over a small feast. We have much to discuss, I am sure."
''You don't question him, and on the walk back you share the words of Jan Hus as if you memorized the verbatim.''
The small encampment wasn't exactly what you envisioned. Four large tents were pitched across a wide open field, with seven smaller tents filling out the rim. Four fires burned bright, and the scent of roast makes your stomach growl.
The nobleman introduces you to the band of renegades, and they take you in with open arms. They too don't question your intentions, and you quickly become an equal. Months pass by, and your trip to Prague has become nothing but sand in the wind. You ride through the country, preaching Hus's sermon after news of his death spreads.
//In the coming years, this band you are apart of will become allies of the Hussites.//
''THE END''"Let me explain the purpose of the Blood of Christ, first of all, then we can see to your, um, problem."
''An hour passes, very //very// slowly. ''
The man nods his head in agreement. "Okay, I hope I understand this time. But that does not explain-"
You snap. "Shut it. I have said far too much, and I have no other interpretations you could possibly understand! Now, let me be, I've wasted too much time dawdling about. May Jesus Christ be with you." You try to leave, but as you're walking away you hear an ear-splitting whistle.
"You can't speak to like that! Come back here, and face me like a man. Or are you too much of a chicken's shite that you have to use the Man's name in vein? You're no man of the Lord, in fact you are not a man at all!
As a devout Christian, you [[Ignore]] the man.//I don't have time for this.// You don't say a word, not even a sound leaves your mouth.
The man, fuming, rushes at you from the back. As he's about to stab the back of your neck, a small, well-placed pebble causes him to roll his ankle. His dagger pushes pass your right ear, and he plummets into you, dragging you both to the hard ground.
//Omph!//
You jolt back on your feet, but it's not enough to evade the maniac. Though he's on the ground, you saw the angst in his eyes. Besides, he said eariler he wasn't alone. There could be more of them around the way.
//How am I going to defend myself? I don't have a weapon...//
The man stumbles to his knees, struggling to stand on his sprained ankle. He cries soft tears and curses with damnation. "Sakra!"
In your plight, you get on your knees and begin a prayer.
On his feet, the man towers over you, and as he prepares to strike you down he listens:
"I indeed Baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall ''baptize you'' with the Holy Ghost, and ''with fire''."
The warmth of his dagger is the last thing you feel before the pain rises, and rises...
Until it's gone.
''THE END''"H-Hey..." You barely manage to let out a word.
A torch is lit, and now you can see two strange men - one from eariler.
Your hands are tied to a wooden block protruding from the cobblestone wall.
The shackles around the wrist and ankles feels cold to the touch.
One of the men approach, slapping you with the back side of his hand.
//Smack!// The sound echoes, and those echoes do just as such.
"Quiet. You'll have plenty of time to talk when you're begging to be put down."
''Minutes become hours; days then turn to weeks. Or so it seems. ''
You die in captivity, for questioning a strange man in the dead of night.
Those men, however, were evading Sigismund and his allies due to their support for Wenceslaus IV - and unknowningly for Jan Hus, as well.
''THE END''