The Hapsburg Empire, 1799

Long ago the sun had set over the mountains, and in the dark distance the insurmountable peaks and valleys were quiet. Villages slept in peace in private worlds, each protected by nature’s walls. Only relatively protected, however.

One of the shallow valleys held the small farm of Frau Sabine Moser, which also drifted into the dark stasis of night; even the little candle she always set by the window to show the way home for her wandering little ones had blown out. Ever forgetful, she always left unlocked the door to her barn, a sturdy old house filled with sleepy brown cows and their newborn calves. In her all-encompassing backyard, a weed was bending back the grass. Unbeknownst to her in that peaceful scene, two more creatures of the night were prowling around the br...

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