"That is strange — very strange indeed," said Christian. He sat by her pillow and took her slowly in his arms until he held her. "But we shan't let it bother us now," he whispered.
Then he related swiftly the events with which he had been connected, concluding; "But Dr. Planquette knows more than Ik has told us." He made her promise
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not to go out of the house again at least until he returned, and with fina' assurances he left.
T THE cathedral Dr. Planquette ■^ and Hynek were waiting. An ugly bruise disfigured Hynek's jaw.
"Our comrade became entangled wiih the dancers," said Dr. Planquette. "But be seems lo be all right. I found him unconscious on the street."
"I am sure the mania was not affecting me," said Hynek, "But one of them must have struck me a solid blow."
Sensing that Hynek had not recognized Ins assailant, Christian affected surprise.
"We must waste no time," said Dr. Planquette, after inquiring of Christian's relatives, "Dresden is a long way."
"But first," said Christian, "let me tell you about the strange figure I saw shortly after we became separated," and he described the black-faced horseman. "He was surely a demon—and I would judge one that has something to do with the plague."
Dr. Planquette was excited. "You have seen Zcerneboh. 1 " he exclaimed. "Yes, Christian—I saw him too- A frightening creature, is he not ? A demon indeed! More than that." The old doctor stroked his coarsely matted beard as if contemplating a decision. "Yes, I think I should tell you now of what I saw near Dresden last winter.
"On the wild banks of the Elbe north of the city," he began, "is an ancient groLto. As you know, this city is of Slavic origin. Now there was a tribe ot the Wends called the Obotritians, and they, like the rest of the Wends were in constant battle with the Teutons. These early Wends had a religion of their own, and they worshipped gods that only they
knew. One of the Obotrittan gods was invested with great evil power. It might be supposed that the gods died with the Obotritians when they were beaten and killed in a great battle with Albert the Bear. But I am not sure. Unknowingly I happened to be near this grotto in my search for certain rare insects valuable to medicine, and which I had learned were to be found in this vicinity.
"Several thick bushes separated me from the unexpected voices that startled me. Peering through the leaves I saw three men emerge from a foliage-hidden gap among the caves. Two of them were ordinary men, so far as I could see, but the third was covered from head to feet in black garments. They addressed this character as Zcerneboh, but the sounds he made in reply were unintelligible to me, at least.
"One of the men said: 'Zcerneboh, O mighy and ancient one, god and friend of our tribes of old and we their survivors, to you we turn now for revenge against these Teutons who have tried so mercilessly to destroy us. The gods of our brother tribes have failed. But you, Zcerneboh, with your potent evil will curse the Teutons with a plague from which they shall never recover. Go forth again, commit more as you have done, and as before we shall await your return and reward you.'
"Zcerneboh uttered queer sounds in reply, and turned. Then I saw that horrible face which Christian has just described. I went to several of the priests in Dresden, but they were inclined to take little stock of what I told them. They knew vaguely of the grotto, and said they might send someone to investigate, but 1 doubted that they would.
"So it is that grotto outside of Dresden that we must seek to await the return
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67
of Zcerneboh, and then, if wc can, find some means to destroy him. Now, Hy-nek, you seemed to have known something about Zcerneboh, too. It is your turn to talk."
"AH I can say," said Hynek, "is that some of the young people with whom I used to consort in Dresden have referred at times to Zcerneboh. They had some vague idea of a strange deformed hermit of magical power who lived in a cave somewhere along the wilJ banks of the Elbe. However, I attached little significance to the story until you mentioned the name at the University."
"Then," said Christian, "let us hurry to this place with all the speed our steeds can spare. And during our rests at night we can discuss means to destroy this Zcerneboh."
THHROUGH the plague-ridden country they rode. It was a five-day journey. Some of the communities they passed through seemed to have escaped the mania entirely. Others had been, or still were, in sieges as terrible as at Aix-la-Chapelle. The dancers, losing all control of their movements, continued whirling in wild delirium until they fell in extreme exhaustion, and groaned as in the agonies of death; some dashed out their brains against the walls. While dancing, they were insensible to external impressions, but were haunted by visions, such as being immersed in a sea of blood or of seeing the heavens open up and the Saviour enthroned with the Virgin Mary. Troops of dancers, inflamed by intoxicating music and followed by crowds who caught the mental infection, went from place to place, taking possession of religious houses and pouring imprecations against the priests. When they came
close under windows householders would throw pails of cold water on them.
It was September 3, 1374, when the trio from Paris reached Dresden, home of the margraves of Meissen. They found it a quaint and lovable city, devoid of the mania (hardly the center it was destined to become in another pair of centuries). After arming themselves with swords they crossed the Augustus Bridge to the northeast side of the Elbe and traveled several miles down the bank until they came to the area Planquette had described.
It was a long search through an extensive thicket before they came upon a trail. They followed it until it descended to the shore of the Elbe. Cleverly concealed among the reeds and watergrowth was a tiny harbor where a group of light skiffs was tied to willows.
"We are on the trail," said Dr. Planquette. "This must be their point of access to the ancient grotto."
"Then," suggested Christian, "we'll retrace our steps and follow the path to its other end."
Soon after passing the point where they had found the trail its course became winding and rugged. It led them between boulders, through dense gullies for several thousand feet.
At last they came to a division and chose the branch to the right. This made a series of left turns and finally completed a loop, returning them to the division.
"I think I understand," said Dr. Planquette, "let us follow this loop around once more." After several paces he stopped. "This spot looks familiar," he said, parting the bushes on the left side—revealing a yawning split in the rocks.
"The grotto!" exclaimed Dr. Plan-
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quette, and the three peered eagerly through the parted foliage.
"Here," said the Doctor, "is the sacred rendezvous of the Wends. Here, I think, we shall find the source of their evil. We must be on our keenest guard. They —not we—must be the surprised ones." He reached into a pouch which he carried under his cloak. Handing Christian and Hynek each a small object, he said: "Fasitn this silver cross about your neck. It may serve as a protection."
Christian took his, but Hynek, withdrawing, said, "I am not superstitious, Doctor. I should rather trust my sword, if you don't mind," and he declined the amulet.
"Wiser to trust in both," admonished the leader. "This is no time to show your stubbornness, Hynek, but I will not argue with you. Come! We enter!"
Into the cave they went. The Doctor would have gone first, but Christian seized precedence. The floor dropped away so fast that they were forced to wait until their eyes grew accustomed to the darkness. Then they discerned a passage curving downward. The floor was sandy. As they progressed the sides closed completely above them until it became a veritable tunnel. As such it continued for three hundred feet, widening suddenly into a chamber of uncertain dimensions.
"The terminus," said Dr. Planquette.
"But it is light in here," puzzled Hynek.
'' Thei e are crevices in the ceiling," said the Doctor. "The light mus
t penetrate indirectly."
They continued their inspection in silence, but at last the Doctor shrugged and said they may as well go back.
"But no," declared Christian. "I huve made a discovery 1"
TTE WAS pointing toward the ceiling. ■*- The others looked closely and saw a small irregular opening ten feet from the floor. With the aid of ledges and projections that seemed to be just in the right places, Christian climbed to it— and through it In a moment his face reappeared beckoning for them to follow-and in another moment the three were reunited in an inner chamber where a small lamp burned in a corner.
"At last!" whispered Planqueue. "But no Wends are here, which is probably lucky for us. It's unfortunate we lost so many of our number. We will go back outdoors to hide in the thicket and await their return. Already I have devised a plan. The first chamber, you noted, had crevices in the ceiling whereby light seeped in. We will seek the outlet on one of those crevices from above, then await the Wends' return. I will obtain some potent liquid from an alchemist in Dresden. When they are in the chamber we'll pour the chemical through the crevice. It will create immediately a venomous gas which will destroy their, at once."
Christian and Hynek commended the plan. They climbed back into the first chamber and started up the passage. But as they neared the entrance they heard the sound of men approaching.
"Quick!" said Planquette. "If found here we are lost. Let us dash out and into the hushes before they round the curve and see us."
Action followed. Action in the nick of time, for they had barely gotten out of sight when a party of men rounded the curve. In the lead was the horrible figure called Zcerneboh, followed in single file by seven or eight men. The last one was taller and heavier than the others. Over his shoulder lie bore a fig-
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69
urc, soon seen to be that of a young woman.
TVTOW came the unexpected, the treach-■*■ erous bolt that left Planquelte and Christian abashed and defeated before their plans were started. For Hynek suddenly left their sides and strode out to face tiie Wends. With sheer amazement they heard Hynek cry out in a loud voice:
"Zcerneboh! Lonctt huh - nesccnl Zcerneboh/ seyb'n vend'dahnzi!"
Holding forth an iron swastika which lie had torn out from his undergarments, Hynek dropped to his knees as if in obeisance.
Planqun'tie clutched his nephew's arm. "Hynek is a Wend! We has betrayed US I" he exclaimed with a hushed voice. "Come Christian—into the bushes— escape!"
The Wends, all but Zcerneboh, had stopped on beholding Hynek, though they registered no alarm. The monster Zcerneboh had continued alone into the grotto. But at this instant Hynek had risen and was pointing to his erstwhile confederates in the bushes. Now was Planquerte's plotting of a moment before, in fact the whole venture, ruined. This was not Christian's concern, however; he had no desire to escapes—for he saw that the female captive was the girl he loved.
"Mina!" he cried, dashing impulsively toward the small but stocky man who bore her, and drawing his sword.
Mina's answer was a semi-smile of hopelessness.
These Wends seemed to respect Hynek. They spoke little themselves, but were quick to respond to his words. Christian and Flanquette were overpowered easily.
When their hands were bound Hynek faced them:
"Yes, my colleagues—my fools! I am a Wend and a proud one. Too proud to have relished such dirt as pretended colleagues ! The Wends yet will destroy the Teutons and avenge the atrocities of the past. Charlemagne vainly tried to subdue us, Henry I exacted tribute from us, Otto I divided our country, and Albert the Bear drove, subjugated, and humiliated us.
"But now, uiy dear old tutor," he continued sarcastically, "perhaps it is well that I joined your class in Paris. Strange that I should have met up with you—you who probably are the only person in all Europe who knows too much about the Wends—and Zcerneboh. Strange fate!"
The anaemic, scowling Hynek now turned to his fellow Wends: "This is the Planquette I warned you of. I trust you received my messages. This fellow and his nephew played into my hands easily after I saw that they meant business. Both will serve as sacrifices. Ah, and my good Enoch—I see that you obtained the comely wench as requested. Zcerneboh will be pleased with her. He likes always the delicate blonde—and so do I! As she was betrothed to this Christian Nohl, who struck me down when I tried to seize her at Aix-Ia-Chapelle, I shall feel that my score is even with him. Now! how goes the work?"
It was Enoch who replied. He had set Mina on her feet. "It goes well," he said. "But Zcerneboh must not relinquish even slightly. His power has not yet reached the full extent that it must to annihilate the Teutons. We have, however, the complete support and obedience of the Wends throughout the land, wherever they are; and they pray to Zcerneboh faithfully and provide the sacrifices."
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"Good," answered Hynek. "Come now, all. We must to Zcerneboh. It is time for the rites."
Down into the grotto they filed, the three captives cautiously guarded. Through to the second chamber they climbed where the lamp burned and swastikas adorned the walls. Zcerneboh was not in sight.
Speaking always in Wendish they squatted along the sides of the chamber, forcing the captives to stand in the middle. Finally Hynek revealed the topic of their talk:
"Dr. Planquette," he said, "you are not one of the hated Teutons. Therefore you will not be satisfactory to Zcerneboh as a sacrifice. Nevertheless, we cannot, with your knowledge of us, permit you to live. I am reluctant of this, for as a scholar you are to be admired. However, Nohl and the wench will give themselves to Zcerneboh."
Hynek now gestured to his stocky, squared-jawed lieutenant: "Enoch, take Planquette, and take my sword. Blood such as this must not be spilled in this sacred place. Destroy Planquette outside the grotto, destroy him in the name of Mighty Zcerneboh and his crusade of madness against the Teutons; and return here for the rites. And take care, for though Planquette is an old man, he is strong. We shall prepare for the rites."
Christian and Mina pleaded to the Wends for mercy in behalf of old Planquette, for which they were struck across the mouth and ordered silent. Enoch shoved Planquette brutally through the difficult entrance and clambered after him with zest to fulfil Hynek's order.
rpwo men lifted a slab from the floor -*■ —secret entrance to the ritual cham-
Christian held Mina in his arms. "Do not fear," he whispered. "If we must die we will do it together. But there is still a ray of hope. Surely the God of the Christians is stronger than this god of evil."
"I am praying, Christian," she answered. "And that I shall keep on doing until the end."
All the remaining Wends except Hynek had descended steps beneath the slab.
Now, Hynek, a sickening leer on his pallid face, approached Christian and Mina—tore them apart—seized Mina in his arms.
"A pretty snatch of a damsel, Teuton wench that you are!" he said thickly, and digging his finger into her arms he demanded : "A kiss for me!—before you go to Zcerneboh!" But craftily watching Christian from the corners of his eyes, he saw the lover bracing for attack.
With subtle swiftness Hynek lashed out his arm, throwing Christian off balance.
"You did it once before, you filthy Teuton!" rasped Hynek, "but not again!"
Scratching and twisting, Mina released herself.
The Wend, panting and nervous with rage, cackled: "Down to Zcerneboh—both of you/* and maniacally he pushed them with his feet into the opening where the slab had been. Down the cold hard steps they rolled, Mina first
Though bruised badly, Christian got to his feet quickly. Looking for Mina, he saw her yellow tresses in a corner near the foot of the rock-hewn steps—and dimly he saw the outline of her body, her garments torn, her limbs bleeding.
With a madness that made his head whirl he shouted an oath that struck back from the rock walls to split his own ears. He dropped to her side.
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/> 71
The Wends, who were going about lighting their lamps, stopped momentarily at his outburst, then went on, unmoved, with their preparations.
Christian sat against the wall after lifting the girl gently to his side. Though overwhelmed with hopelessness, he looked about at the ceremony chamber and began to take in details. It was by far the largest room of the series—fully fifty feet square. The walls were decorated crudely though symbolically, the swastika again in predominance, Mina had opened her eyes and was taking things in with him.
Now the room was brighter. Simultaneously they looked to the far side. There was the god Zcerneboh. He stood close against the wall upon a stone dais. Christian, however, was puzzled. This was a small god, only four-and-a-half feet high, and as motionless as stone. But the same repugnant countenance— utterly black—red eyes—small round mouth—and skull-like nostrils. In his hands he held a brass receptacle which a Wend was touching with fire. Incense.
Wends were busy lighting lamps and incense burners and the chamber was growing brilliant. All were chanting in a low monotonous unison: "Lon buh-nesccn — Zcerneboh — Zcyb'n vendi-lahnzi. Lon bu-nescen — Zcerneboh — zcyb'n vendi-lahnsi."
For a few moments Christian and Mina were unmolested, for the Wends were very busy. Enoch returned, wiped his bloody sword, and joined the others.
SUDDENLY Hynelc m and another *^ seized Mina. A second pair seized Christian. Both were bound with long strips of tape from feet to neck, then, amid sudden crescendo in the chanting,
were picked up and laid on the dais at the feet of Zcerneboh.
Currents of air coming from somewhere kept the lamps flickering. This caused shadows to dance about Zcerneboh and the illusion of distorted movements in his body until he seemed weirdly to be dancing. And, the crimson of Zcerneboh's eyes became aglow. But Christian, lying at the hlack god's feet, saw plainly that he was not moving; that he was a very material god carved out of black marMV. He too saw a dark vapor issuing from his disgusting mouth.
Dispersed about, the Wends now were swaying rhythmically on their knees. Their chant continued, growing in volume and pitch. One by one they arose and joined the rhythm of contortions. Now their chant was shrill and noisy intensified by the close rock walls. Through their sinister designs and evil worship they were the manikins of dark and primitive powers.
Weird Tales volume 38 number 03 Canadian Page 10
