Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter

It must be terribly sinful.

What?

Well, vanity is a sin, isn't it, Ann?

Well, if that's the only one, you'll do.

There.

Where are you going now?

I'm going to get some flowers to braid in your hair.

That was quick, Ann.

Did you fi...?

Ann?

Ann!

Ann?

And what crime have you committed?

I danced on a Sunday.

Aah!

We're heading east.

That'll do.

Get on the wagon.

- Happy birthday. - God bless you, my child.

And this to make it a happier birthday.

It belonged to your dear mother. It was her last wish that you should have it.

Happy birthday, dearest sister.

It's wonderful...

but I daren't wear it.

What if I were to lose it?

No fear of that.

That lock's as tight and cunning as a money lender.

May I go and show it to Petra?

May I, Papa?

Of course.

She'll be so envious.

Mind you, get back before dark, now.

What's your name, girl?

Carla.

I'm Grost...

Professor Hieronymos Grost.

Professor?

I profess to be.

What about him?

What's the "K" stand for? Is he a king or something?

A king?

Yes, in a way, I suppose he is.

But the "K" stands for Kronos...

Captain Kronos, late of the Imperial Guard.

Well, if he's not a king, why does he leave us to do all the work?

He has to conserve his strength.

We've ridden far, and tomorrow we will be...

where we must be.

And that's when his work will begin again.

Work? What-what work?

I'm turning in, Grost.

Where do I sleep?

We've only blankets enough for two.

Suit yourself.

Good night.

Isabella?

Isabella?

Isabella?

Isabella?!

Marcus?

Aye.

Dr. Marcus lives here.

Who wants him?

Marcus!

Kronos.

Marcus.

You ol' leech lover.

Who is he?

Him in there?

Your master.

His name's Kronos.

Captain Kronos.

And he's not my master.

I'm merely an old army friend passing through.

As you wish.

Your letter urged us to make all speed,

but gave no reason.

Young girls suddenly become greatly aged.

Is that sufficient reason?

And these girls, they died with blood upon their lips?

Yes. Why?

Vampires.

What?

No, it can't be.

What he doesn't know about vampirism

wouldn't fill a flea's codpiece.

Vampires.

Dr. Marcus, it is commonly supposed that a vampire attacks

in only one way... by biting the neck

and draining the victim of blood.

But that's true.

The girls you spoke of,

they were not drained of blood but of youth.

Of life itself.

You see, Doctor, there are as many species of vampire

as there are beasts of prey.

Their methods and their motive for attack can vary in a hundred different ways.

And the means of their destruction.

Aye, traditional stake through the heart does not always hold good, you know.

Some can only be destroyed by hanging or decapitation.

Or fire or water.

Or by other means.

But these girls were invulnerable.

Each one wore a crucifix.

The cross can only protect those who firmly believe.

But these were good girls from God-fearing families.

Perhaps their minds were not their own at the moment of attack.

I suspect mesmerism in this.

Mesmerism?

Hypnotism.

The subjugation of the mind.

Oh, you don't believe in that nonsense, hmm?

Well, it is highly improbable.

What could be more improbable than God?

But I believe in Him.

And I, too, but...

Thank you.

Vampires?

Oh, come now, Doctor.

You had already reached the same conclusion.

Or why else send for us?

Vampires...

here in Durward.

I suppose you'll be moving on now?

No, I'm staying.

If you'll have me.

Oh...

I'll have you.

- What is it? What's happening? - Time for us to start work.

- You want to come along? - What work?

Oh, didn't I mention it?

We're vampire hunters. Professional vampire hunters.

Paul?

Dr. Marcus.

To my shame, I'd completely forgotten.

Seven years. Is it so long?

To the day.

Days and years flit by like a whisper,

taking its toll of all of us.

- And healing old wounds. - For some, but not all.

Your mother still bears a grudge?

My father died in your hands, remember?

Yes, but of a plague, a virulence. There was nothing I could do.

There was no hope.

I understand that, my dear, Marcus, but my mother...

She's there?

You must allow me.

My Lady Durward.

She will not acknowledge you, Doctor.

Paul...

Her face.

She's become so aged.

Your mother's sick. She's ill.

With grief.

If only she would let me examine her.

She will see no one.

- Least of all you, Dr. Marcus. - Paul...

Good day, Doctor.

Paul?

Toad in the hole.

Not many more to do.

Mark the spot.

It's an old Chinese herb.

Herb?

I ought to be out scouring the countryside,

chasing after phantoms.

Isn't that what you're thinking?

Never rush into a battle unprepared.

Remember, the war taught us that, if nothing else.

There's a time to think, a time to plan and a time to act,

and that time will come soon enough, don't worry.

I see my needlework has held good.

Mm-mmm.

I know you've got guts, Kronos.

I've seen them.

Evening.

I play chess.

And I have a bottle of very good wine

tucked away for a rainy day.

It's pouring.

Queen to king, and mate in one.

There was blood on the mouth.

In the church.

Blood on the mouth.

Just the mouth.

Why?

That's how he attacks them.

Through the kiss.

Oh...! Ooh...

Oh...

What's wrong?

I thought I saw someone over there.

Ah, you're imagining things.

No, there was someone.

Probably a forester.

No, it was someone old.

Someone very old.

I think it was a man...

Oh, really, I ought to be going now.

I'll take you home.