La maschera del demonio Page #2

Why don't you get some sleep, Father?

Your eyes are tired.

My eyes aren't tired...

my spirit is.

Go, go... I want to be alone now.

Good night.

Good night, my Lord.

No, wait...

How many years have you

been serving in this house?

I was born here, my Lord.

Today is the feast of Saint George.

Do you know the legend of the

curse that was placed on this castle?

Two centuries ago today, two people

were executed for practicing witchcraft.

Princess Asa and her lover and accomplice,

Prince Javutich. The mask of Satan

was nailed forever to their faces.

One century later, an earthquake

destroyed only the ancient chapel

and the witch's sarcophagus was found split open,

as if Asa was trying to break

out and accomplish her revenge.

In fact, on that night,

Princess Macha

died mysteriously.

Beautiful Macha... the very image of the witch.

She was just twenty-one that day...

Like Katia.

And Katia is her living image.

As if the witch chooses her victims and torments

them with her own beauty before killing them.

It is this resemblance, this echoing

vengeance of Asa that terrifies me.

I am afraid, Ivan.

You musn't be afraid, my Lord.

The cross will protect you.

Even if what you say is true, these

creatures are terrified by the symbol of Christ.

Always keep it near you

and you will be safe.

Yes. You are right, Ivan.

It is the atmosphere surrounding

this cursed day that has upset me so.

Drink this, my Lord, before it gets cold.

It's Death!

I have just seen Death!

It's a warning.

I will defend myself!

They won't win!

They won't win against the symbol of Christ!

-Everything alright, sir?

-Yes, thank you.

You were right, Professor,

this vodka is superb.

Right now I feel as if I could conquer the world.

Start with the castle. If I am not mistaken,

someone made quite an impression on you.

An excellent idea!

Another glass or two...

...and that's exactly where I'll go.

You'd be wiser to go to sleep.

Mysterious princesses are easier to conquer in dreams.

Besides, we must be up early tomorrow.

You're right.

I'll tell them to wake us at five.

No, I'll do it. I will take a little

walk and inform our hostess.

Alright, good night.

And watch out for bats!

Watch out for your head!

-Why is it always the same story with you?

-I don't want to go there.

And who do you think should go?

Me, with all the things I have to do?

Excuse me, sir, isn't it

shameful that a girl of her age

is afraid to go by herself

to milk the cow in the barn?

Your mother is right.

Yes, but the barn is right

beside the old cemetery.

Don't be afraid of the dead.

They hurt nobody.

Did you hear what the gentleman said?

I'm coming!

Now hurry, I'm busy.

I've been waiting for half an hour.

I'll go tonight, but tomorrow I won't.

Hello, Irina.

Katia.

My daughter... You seem restless, bitter...

...sad. As if you feared something.

It's nothing. The arrival of

Autumn always makes me feel sad.

And your smile has vanished.

Do you want to leave the castle?

Do these old walls

seem too sad to you?

No, I want to stay here.

The melancholy of this house helps me.

For centuries it has been our

home, why change it now?

Here lies the past,

and all the memories of

those who preceded us.

I should have taken you away when

you were born, you and Constantin.

Taken you far away, protected you from

the sadness of too many memories and regrets.

Maybe I would have been unhappy.

But not so lonely.

Can't I convince you?

You might convince me with a smile.

I...

You see?

-You are trembling as if a dark

menace hung heavily over you.

-Don't talk to me like that.

I am sorry, Father...

Tonight I will play for you as before.

Javutich!

Javutich, rise!

It's OK, Irina, be still...

are you frightened too?

What a storm!

Papa, what is happening?

It's me, Katia.

We must find a doctor, but where?

At the inn.

I met two doctors in front of the chapel today,

they said they were staying at Mirgorod.

Hurry, Ivan! Go down and wake up the groom!

I'm here, master! What is happening?

Go to the inn and get one of the

doctors who is staying there.

Doctor Kruvajan!

Princess Vaida sent me. She

begs you to come to the castle.

I'll come, but first I'll have to notify the innkeepers.

You won't need to.

I have already done so.

They told me

where to find you.

In that case...

Kruvajan!

I have been waiting for you.

I need you again.

Look into my eyes.

Look into my eyes!

Come closer.

Just a few drops of your blood

brought me to life again.

All of your blood will give me the

strength to accomplish my vengeance.

Come... embrace me.

My lips will transform you.

You will be dead to men,

but you'll be alive in death.

What's keeping Boris so long?

He will come.

Have courage, Katia.

The griffon...

The man in the painting...

-What's he saying?

-He's delirious.

Only the crucifix can save us.

In this day of... damnation.

Did you send for me?

Thank you very much for coming,

Doctor. He looks really bad.

We will see.

You may go now.

What's wrong with him, Doctor?

Nothing serious.

He has just been very emotional.

We were asleep when all of

a sudden we heard him scream.

He was trembling, lying here with his arm

outstretched, holding this cross...

...holding this cross as if trying to

drive back some horrible apparition.

Don't show it.

If he sees it again, it might

provoke another attack.

Eternity has been broken.

You were able to do it!

You tore me out of the

earth, heavy as lead.

You won't be alone anymore.

I will bring you her body,

she will be your prey.

She was born for this fate.

She is your living image.

Destiny has its way, Asa.

In her you will live again,

speak again,

and smile as she does.

We will live once more, as we used to.

Go have some rest, Constantin.

Father is quiet now.

No, I'm not tired.

Go, both of you.

I will stay here.

Oh dear, the tormented barking of those dogs...

-Ivan, try to quiet them.

-Yes, my Lady.

Go, Constantin.

I'll sit up with him.

-I'll call you if necessary.

-As you wish.

What's the matter?

Quiet now!

What is it?

I thought you were sleeping.

Why don't you go to bed now?

I'll stay here and watch over your father.

But aren't you leaving tomorrow at dawn?

Don't worry, I'll stay with him all night long.

He is much calmer now, isn't he?

Yes, he will be sleeping quietly the

rest of the night. You needn't worry.

Go and have some rest

yourself now, you'll need it.

Doctor, I don't know how to thank you.

Call me if you need anything.

I'm sure it won't be necessary.

Your room is across the corridor here.

Goodnight, and thank you again.

Goodnight.

END OF PART ONE:

PART TWO:

Poor Father!

Doctor Kruvajan!

Katia wait!

Don't go in there!

Don't look!

Professor Kruvajan?

It's me, Andre.

Your friend has already left.

Left?

Last night he was called to the castle. It seems

that Prince Vaida was suddenly taken very ill.

He hasn't come back.

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