Some of this might even be easily covered in your opening scene with the images.

Yes, that's what I was thinking. I have Janos doing a funeral service, and it's okay but it's sort of non-specific. I think I might have him giving a sermon in the little village church - which is unseen here, and I think I'd like the contrast between that and the castle chapel - and cover a lot of the stuff with Briccius and being martyred and the blood, etc.

Yeah, Janos is the mentor. I've already decided to go back and get rid of Karoly, who was like Bathory's assistant or something - he disappeared like immediately; you probably don't even remember him. I want Janos to have a more active role bringing Mira to the castle - HE picks her out. That way, there's a greater sense of betrayal at this point in the story.