My inner sense of time informed me that the dawn was hardly more than an hour away. If I hurried, I could beat through the sky with the west wind adding to my speed and make Vallaki in time to reach my traveling box.
Oh, but it was hardly worth the effort. Tomorrow night would do just as well. Then would I return and take possession of my horses and coach and perhaps see how the girl was being treated. Then would I climb the devil's pass, as the Svalich Road is called on this side of Mount Ghakis, cross through the ancient Gates of Barovia, and finally wend my way to the peace and sanctuary of Castle Ravenloft.
As I grew calmer with these soothing plans, I noticed the thick stench of burned meat and fat oozing in on the disturbed air of the cavern. The bandits were all dead, of that I was sure. . if not by the fire, then by the wolves.
My work was finished. But at what price to me? I might have killed myself with this prank.
Careless, Strahd, careless. I thought, with dour chagrin. It's not the done thing to exterminate yourself along with the vermin, you know.
But they, at least, would trouble the land and people no more.
After all, Strahd von Zarovich looks after his own.
