Meanwhile on the southern fringes of the village another nightly routine was just starting to unfold at the Burgomaster's isolated estate.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center"><script class="js-extraPhrases" type="application/json">
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<br/>​</div>He could hear the pattering of rain upon the rooftop starting to lessen in severity.  But as that drumming began to recede new sounds were there to fill up the void their parting left.  To Elrick Vahnderi, the sounds closing in around the old stone manor were as plentiful, voracious, and unholy as any other night in the stoic senior guards recent memory.  Evil had seemed to sense their vulnerability not long after Ismark had taken the sacred relic that had kept them safe for so long.   It had always been at Ireena's side, but shortly after his father had left on his quest Ismark demanded that his father would need it more.  As a servant of the manor Elrick couldn't quite argue with Ismark's logic at that moment even if he wanted to.  His voice carried no weight in such matters.  But now, nearly a month later he often wondered if their dooms had been sealed by the son of the Burgomaster when he left with the Sun Symbol.  He wouldn't, couldn't let his mind linger on those sobering thoughts, not if he was to survive the night.   For as long as he lived and breathed he would honor the Burgomaster's wishes and keep the lady Ireena safe from the devil that had hunted her for so long.<br/><br/>Elrick stood before the closed balcony doors with his ear turned towards the narrow gap between them as if listening for something hidden within the pack of howling wolves just outside. They were stalking, circling the manor and steadily closing in.  Even if he dared look out their approach was masked by the heavy fog that clung to Barovia like a thirsty babe to its mothers breast.  The crunch and shifting of grasses and weeds and the subtle snort of their breaths were the best method to track just how close they were drawing to the manors walls and boarded up windows.  His dusky brown eyes swept about the room, examining the shuttered windows and the strands of garlic that hung from every entry way into the regal gloom of this second story bedroom. As satisfied with the wards as he could manage to be he glanced upon the captivating blonde woman situated nearby in her candle lit bed chamber. Ireena Kolyana was her name, the adopted daughter of the Burgomaster and she was the prey of something most foul.<br/><br/>Despite their similarity in age, Ireena still looked vibrant and youthful as the years had been graceful to her, unlike Elrick. Grey streaked the guards short crop of dulled brown hair and the worn and weathered look to his face spoke volumes about how the passing years had sapped the virility from his form. He wore a ragged dark blue cloth vest that covered a well kept shirt of chainmail that draped over the tops of his thighs. Dulled black leather leggings worked downward from there and met with his calf high heavy brown leather boots. In his nicked up hand rested an ornate ivory handle and guard that led to a brilliant piece of silver coated metal in the shape of a rapier. It was a weapon that Elrick had trained with for countless years, and he was quite proficient with it, much to his sparring partners dismay.<br/><br/>The random surges in the strength of the sieges upon the house of the Burgomaster had taken their toll. Over the nightmare that was nearly a month old several of the manors guards had fallen in the line of duty. Now there was but one sparring partner left to keep Elrick sharp and at the ready. Andrei Constantin had certainly proven to be worthy of the value that Koylan had seen in the young lad when he first had arrived at the manors door that fateful night so many years ago. Elrick had come to be most impressed not only with the towering tall man Andrei had become but the manner with which he carried himself. The noble knight that had come to Barovia so many years ago, when Elrick's hair was longer and his face far more youthful, had left an impression upon the maturing youth that was Andrei. In fact Sir Leo deGrey had left an impression on everyone in the manor. Most notably the young lady Ireena whose beauty had enthralled the noble warrior.<br/><br/>It was as if the clouds had dared to part and let the sun shine into Barovia back then. The silver weapons he had left with them, the symbol of the sun god, and the long blade that seemed to blaze with the light of the sun itself infected all with a sense of hope. A hope that the centuries and centuries of horror and oppression might finally come to an end. How terrible it was to have that hope dashed to shreds when Sir Leo deGrey left for Castle Ravenloft only to never be seen again.<br/><br/>Once more Elrick silently chastised himself for letting those thoughts wander through the depths of his thoughts as he paced about the room.  But memories of sorrow and woe were all to abundant in the realm of Barovia and such moments of melancholy were neigh impossible to avoid.  Finally he turned towards his compatriot and looked up towards the lofty eyes of Andrei.  "The night is upon us Andrei."  The words started with a sigh but finished with boldness and determination as Elrick extended his arm and grasped the other guards forearm.  "Lathanders light be at your side."  His duty bound eyes locked with Andrei's.  "Keep the barricades downstairs secure, remember use the spears through the gaps to keep them back."  He let his hand slip away from the brotherly embrace.  "Use the oil sparingly, we're running low, who knows when the gypsies might bring more into town."  His eyes moved from Andrei's and over to where the Lady Ireena was.  "If they break in, draw back to the room, we'll hold here.  I pray I see your smiling face in the morning Andrei."  Elrick dipped his head towards his brother in arms before shifting his stance towards Ireena.  "M'lady we are at your service as always."