Xavier had almost certainly expected to see that the vultures had been feeding on a wolf kill, some wild game that had met an unfortunate yet wholly natural demise.  As he began to see what an effort it was to reach the spot he had second thoughts, especially as it was taking him out of immediate reach of Esperanza.  Still it would be helpful to know how recently the wolves had fed to have an idea of how hungry they might be this night.  He once again had to resort to hacking away at underbrush and actually smelled his destination before laying eyes on it.  That in itself seemed odd, a wolf pack leaving enough behind for the vultures that it could rot to the point of such smell.  But he had already broken through the worst of the underbrush so he might as well satisfy his curiosity.<br/><br/>When he first realized it was a man he looked back to Esperanza out of reflex and was troubled to see just how difficult it was to make out her form even though he hadn't felt he had moved that far away.  He fought back his disgust and anxiety however, this man had been long dead so it was unlikely the killer or killers was still close by.  This was no wolf kill, despite the age of the corpse his cause of death was clearly unnatural, a clean slice across his throat.  The fine clothes only added to the puzzle, such a man of wealth should have been missed by now, surely someone would search for him wouldn't they?  Bracing himself, and taking a deep breath of the cleanest air he could find he held his breath and searched his jacket and clothes.  Seeing the cut coin purse he thought perhaps a simple robbery, foolish man should have just given up his gold and kept his life.<br/><br/>Continuing his search he found the tube and shortly thereafter the parchment.  Seeing nothing else of use or value he picked up the parchment but didn't read it right away.  He despaired for any kind of tool to give the man a proper burial.  Looking at the waiting vultures, knowing they would continue their feast as soon as he left.  There was nothing to be done for it though, it was too damp to build a pyre and he had no tools to dig.  He made a silent prayer, crossing himself before heading back towards the others, beginning to read as he walked.  He stopped in his tracks as he read the word "vampyre" again looking towards his young charge to ensure she was still where he left her. Struggling between his desire to keep reading and getting back to Experanza he tried to do both, stumbling several times but catching himself with the spear which he used as a staff.<br/><br/>"It is...was...a man.  He was murdered, some days ago by the looks of him."  He thrust the parchment into Esperanza's hands and physically grabbed her elbow to drag her towards Katya.   This was rather unlike him, only once before had he physically forced her in such a way, when one of her lovers had been attacked in a tavern and she had been too close for his comfort. "Read it aloud."  He said when he got close enough to the Katya.  "We need to find shelter before nightfall."  He told them, ignoring the rain and the cold for the moment and no longer content to follow at their pace.  He would prefer to turn back, to abandon this foolish quest, but that wasn't an option.  He didn't believe the words about the fog being a poison, nor did he believe in vampyres, but it would be dangerous to travel the woods at night and in this storm.  There was evil about and though he did not yet know its true form, he would be on his guard and would be sure to place himself between it and the beautiful young daughter of the Sergovia family.