October 2019 – Cryptic Canticles

Episode Synopsis: Jonathan and Arthur continue upriver in their steamboat, but have yet to overtake any boat that looks to carry the Count. The wrap themselves in fur coats and huddle by the steam furnace against the increasingly cold weather. Van Helsing can only hypnotize Mina very briefly to learn that it is dark and quiet surrounding the Count. He purchases a carriage and plenty of provisions for their journey, and they depart on a seventy mile journey to the Count’s castle shortly after supper.

Episode Synopsis: When aboard the train to Galatz, Van Helsing finally succeeds in hypnotizing Mina with only a minute until dawn. She manages to tell them that the sounds of water are now level with the Count’s ears, and the sounds of livestock are nearby. She is unable to complete her thought before the sun breaks Van Helsing’s spell. Mina and Quincey go to the hotel while Arthur tried to contact the Consul and Jonathan and Van Helsing board the Czarina Catherine, which is currently in the harbor. The meet the captain, who tells them that the journey had been far faster than any made prior, and the speed of the wind in the sails made it difficult to hail the shore at times. He explained that the crew liked neither the box nor the man that brought it on board, and at one time, he had to fight off the crew who wanted to throw the box into the Danube. Once in Galatz, a man named Immanuel Hildesheim came on board to collect and sign for the box, taking it away. The team tracked down Hildesheim, who had been employed via telegram by a “Mr. de Ville” from London, to remove the box before sunrise so as to avoid customs, and deliver it to a man named Petrof Skinsky. Unfortunately, the team managed to learn that Mr. Skinsky had been killed two days prior, his throat having been torn out. The men agree that Mina must be taken into their confidence once more, as they are running out of options to catch the Count. Mina reviews all the papers and maps and deduces that the Count must be escaping via the Sereth River, which will take him as close as possible to his castle. Ultimately, it is decided that Arthur and Jonathan will follow the Count up the river in a steamboat, Quincey and Seward will scout the terrain on horseback, and Van Helsing and Mina will attempt to sanctify the Count’s castle before he arrives. Jonathan feebly objects to Mina being in such close proximity to evil, but ultimately concedes. Within four hours, all is prepared for their journey. Mina comments about the power of money to aid them in their purpose. Jonathan and Arthur start up the river, while Seward and Quincey purchase enough horses to provide for their whole party when they regroup. The divisions say farewell until they meet again.

Episode Synopsis: It is more difficult for Van Helsing to hypnotise Mina than it had been in the past. In Mina’s sunset hypnosis, she reports that she no longer hears the open sea, but the swirling of water and oars, along with the ambience of men’s voices and distant noises. Before boarding the train, and whilst waiting at a station, Van Helsing is able to hypnotize Mina twice more, but each time it gets harder and harder to make contact. She continues to report sounds of creaking wood, strange voices in foreign languages, the howling of wolves, and other noises that may help them pinpoint the Count’s location.

Episode Synopsis: Rufus Smith sends a telegram to Arthur that the Czarina Catherine has been reported entering Galatz. The group is not overly surprised to discover that the Count had changed course. Mina is surprisingly helpful and free to talk as she tells the group the best train to take them through Galatz. Arthur, Quincey, and Jonathan go to make preparations for their departure and reception in Galatz. Van Helsing and Seward surmise that the Count peered into Mina’s brain on the day that she was very lethargic, and discovered their plan. Mina concurs with them that she feels that the Count has distanced himself from her, having discovered the risk to himself by her knowledge of his movements. Van Helsing and Mina deduce from Jonathan’s journal that the Count will retreat to his own castle by the same route as he did in the battles of old, as by his character he has shown that he is a creature of habit. Seward, Mina, and Van Helsing prepare for their next journey with renewed vigor.

Episode Synopsis: The Czarina Catherine is now two days overdue, and Van Helsing is worried that the Count may have somehow managed to circumvent their efforts. Mina gives the same report, but says that the waves are fainter than before.