The Ninth Reading - Shasti

The tome takes up immediately where it left off at the wedding, chaos around, many dead and a sense of disorientation. Strahd is climbing walls to get to soldiers shooting on the walls. Below, Father Andrall looks panicked but Rahadin is clearly thinking hard and calculating. Shasti asks him what we can do and Rahadin replies keep your head and we can rescue the situation. Rahadin tries to remind the prince who he is. Basically Shasti and Rahadin try to flatter Strahd, say how happy they are he has returned etc - this seems to work and he becomes a little more lucid? Rahadin says he will stand beside the prince and the people will be loyal and they are thankful he has returned.

Andril wants to attend Sergei and try to help him, but Strahd denies his help and states that he can make Sergei better “he will be as good as new, stronger, he will rule with me” and cuts his hand and gives him his own blood.

This does not work as expected. Segei’s body begins to glow, but he doesn’t move. Light begins to radiate upwards and Strahd throws himself on Sergie’s body - he doesn’t know what’s happening, why it isn’t working.

Rahadin tries to keep him grounded, says don't let this overwhelm you, we will find a way. Strahd is confused, this isn’t what was promised. Andril takes steps toward Sergei. Shasti tried to get involved but fails miserably and is thrown from the tome as Strahd attacks.