Fire Horse (Metzengerstein)

A baby is born in 1666, the year of "Fire Horse" according to Japanese tradition, at the House of Metzengerstein in an area between Royal Hungary and the territory inhabited by Transylvanian Saxons. Frederick von Metzengerstein is nurtured by his dependable servant Bela after the Baroness passes away shortly after giving birth to him. The youngster lives a pleasant life for many years until his ailing father Baron Gotfrid is forced to negotiate the future of the region with his mortal rival Baron Willhelm von Berlifitzing. Frederick experiences a nightmare inside that castle, which haunts him for years until his father's passing, at which point the young master assumes ultimate power at the age of 17. During the celebratory ceremonies for the transition of power, Baron Berlifizing dies as a result of a fire that started in the House of Berlifitzing at their stables. By some strange coincidence, that same night, a black stallion, a proper wild beast, is captured by the guards close to the Metzengerstein property. The boy falls in love with the gorgeous animal at first sight, which alteres his fate and mental state. The secret that was eating him alive since he was an infant needs to be revealed sooner than later... The new version of this Edgar Allan Poe tale follows closely the events in the original, with countless added historic elements and details, not mentioned by Poe, but still in his spirit. It can speak to the modern reader or draw in new audience to the works of the great author and poet, since it is now "dirtier", sadder, more dramatic, and feels extremely realistic. The bonus features in this book are directly tied to the narrative, and the graphics will provide a glimpse into the worlds that the stories describe.