1 00:00:01,068 --> 00:00:05,105 Eastern Europe is a wild and dramatic place, 2 00:00:05,105 --> 00:00:09,476 a territory of craggy mountains and harsh terrain. 3 00:00:09,476 --> 00:00:11,612 Deep in its remote heart 4 00:00:11,612 --> 00:00:14,815 lies a forbidding and impregnable structure, 5 00:00:14,815 --> 00:00:18,685 the largest cave castle in the world. 6 00:00:18,685 --> 00:00:20,654 It's called Predjama, 7 00:00:20,654 --> 00:00:23,657 and its intimidating walls and stunning backdrop 8 00:00:23,657 --> 00:00:28,562 hide life-and-death stories of struggle and survival. 9 00:00:30,264 --> 00:00:32,099 Here, in the Middle Ages, 10 00:00:32,099 --> 00:00:35,302 a renegade knight -caught between empires- 11 00:00:35,302 --> 00:00:37,804 sought safety behind its walls. 12 00:00:39,439 --> 00:00:43,543 Animals, too, vie for protection in its shadow. 13 00:00:43,543 --> 00:00:46,280 But this place is not for the weak. 14 00:00:46,280 --> 00:00:50,417 These mountains are filled with danger and deception... 15 00:00:50,417 --> 00:00:55,756 Porous rocks spew raging torrents... 16 00:00:55,756 --> 00:00:59,493 Lakes come and go like ghostly apparitions... 17 00:01:01,094 --> 00:01:04,698 And bizarre creatures lurk in the shadows. 18 00:01:06,166 --> 00:01:09,403 This is the story of Predjama. 19 00:01:21,448 --> 00:01:26,186 The Predjama cave castle lies in what is today Slovenia, 20 00:01:26,186 --> 00:01:30,757 south of the Austrian Alps and east of Northern Italy. 21 00:01:30,757 --> 00:01:33,860 The landscape is epic and powerful. 22 00:01:33,860 --> 00:01:37,130 It's known as the Karst -limestone mountains 23 00:01:37,130 --> 00:01:41,234 with steep, water-carved canyons riddled with caves. 24 00:01:41,234 --> 00:01:44,271 It's also filled with life. 25 00:01:44,271 --> 00:01:48,542 All manner of wild beasts roam these forests. 26 00:01:50,310 --> 00:01:53,613 Historically, the 267-square mile 27 00:01:53,613 --> 00:01:55,782 Karst region was known mostly 28 00:01:55,782 --> 00:01:58,618 for the port of Trieste on the Adriatic Sea, 29 00:01:58,618 --> 00:02:00,120 where salt from the region 30 00:02:00,120 --> 00:02:03,256 was shipped across the Mediterranean. 31 00:02:03,256 --> 00:02:06,793 In the late 15th century, two superpowers, 32 00:02:06,793 --> 00:02:10,330 the Austrian Habsburgs and the Kingdom of Hungary, 33 00:02:10,330 --> 00:02:12,566 were vying for control of the port 34 00:02:12,566 --> 00:02:15,202 and the surrounding plateau. 35 00:02:15,202 --> 00:02:19,072 But it was a single individual -a notorious knight- 36 00:02:19,072 --> 00:02:23,377 who gave rise to the legend that has come to define the Karst. 37 00:02:27,781 --> 00:02:30,617 His name was Erasmus Leuger, 38 00:02:30,617 --> 00:02:32,252 a Habsburg nobleman 39 00:02:32,252 --> 00:02:35,355 living in the great Habsburg city of Vienna. 40 00:02:35,355 --> 00:02:37,791 In the fall of 1483, 41 00:02:37,791 --> 00:02:42,129 Erasmus killed another nobleman to defend a friend's honor, 42 00:02:42,129 --> 00:02:47,100 then fled into the Karst to avoid death himself. 43 00:02:50,237 --> 00:02:53,206 He had a particular hideaway in mind. 44 00:02:53,206 --> 00:02:57,611 His family owned the remote mountain fortress of Predjama. 45 00:03:02,115 --> 00:03:03,717 Built in the 12th century, 46 00:03:03,717 --> 00:03:06,586 the castle sat in the mouth of a mountain cave, 47 00:03:06,586 --> 00:03:10,290 and had been owned by other noblemen before Erasmus. 48 00:03:10,290 --> 00:03:13,126 But the cave's history of human occupation 49 00:03:13,126 --> 00:03:15,562 starts eons before that. 50 00:03:15,562 --> 00:03:17,564 As long ago as the Stone Age, 51 00:03:17,564 --> 00:03:21,034 its caverns had offered people protection. 52 00:03:22,602 --> 00:03:25,105 It seemed like a perfect hideaway 53 00:03:25,105 --> 00:03:27,140 for an outlaw like Erasmus, 54 00:03:27,140 --> 00:03:29,810 though others might have been fearful 55 00:03:29,810 --> 00:03:33,246 of evil omens in the air. 56 00:03:33,246 --> 00:03:37,684 Ravens, thought of in medieval times as heralds of doom, 57 00:03:37,684 --> 00:03:40,187 also call the castle home. 58 00:03:40,187 --> 00:03:43,356 Despite their shady reputation as scavengers, 59 00:03:43,356 --> 00:03:46,226 these birds are actually excellent providers, 60 00:03:46,226 --> 00:03:50,197 using cleverness and cunning to raise their young. 61 00:03:54,701 --> 00:03:59,139 Like Erasmus, the ravens use the steep cliff walls 62 00:03:59,139 --> 00:04:01,441 of the Karst for protection. 63 00:04:09,216 --> 00:04:14,087 The precarious perch keeps the chicks safe as the adults hunt. 64 00:04:15,222 --> 00:04:19,459 (Chicks chirp) 65 00:04:19,459 --> 00:04:23,430 NARRATOR: Both parents care for the three-week-old chicks. 66 00:04:23,430 --> 00:04:26,199 In order to fill five hungry stomachs, 67 00:04:26,199 --> 00:04:28,635 they have to fly several miles a day 68 00:04:28,635 --> 00:04:32,239 in search of carrion, insects and bird eggs. 69 00:04:34,141 --> 00:04:36,443 Common ravens have excellent eyesight, 70 00:04:36,443 --> 00:04:41,114 helpful for spotting prey or carcasses from the air. 71 00:04:41,114 --> 00:04:43,250 They both hunt and scavenge, 72 00:04:43,250 --> 00:04:45,785 anything to keep the young chicks fed. 73 00:04:50,190 --> 00:04:53,593 The ravens aren't the only ones looking for a meal. 74 00:04:55,162 --> 00:04:57,230 Wild boars roam these woods, 75 00:04:57,230 --> 00:05:00,734 and were no doubt hunted by Erasmus in his day. 76 00:05:00,734 --> 00:05:03,803 They're omnivores, and use their snouts 77 00:05:03,803 --> 00:05:06,239 to dig up tasty grubs. 78 00:05:06,239 --> 00:05:09,509 A clever bird takes notice. 79 00:05:09,509 --> 00:05:12,512 His loud caws alert his pals. 80 00:05:12,512 --> 00:05:15,182 They gather for the feast. 81 00:05:24,457 --> 00:05:27,027 (Boar grunts) 82 00:05:29,829 --> 00:05:35,168 (Boars grunt) 83 00:05:35,168 --> 00:05:37,470 NARRATOR: The boars can be intimidating, 84 00:05:37,470 --> 00:05:40,674 but these insects are too nutritious to pass up 85 00:05:40,674 --> 00:05:43,276 on account of aggressive swine. 86 00:05:43,276 --> 00:05:46,446 The ravens work together to keep them at bay. 87 00:05:46,446 --> 00:05:51,384 They're careful, but refuse to be chased off. 88 00:05:52,519 --> 00:05:55,288 (Ravens squawk) 89 00:06:01,695 --> 00:06:03,530 NARRATOR: Left alone in the nest, 90 00:06:03,530 --> 00:06:07,033 the raven chicks are getting ready to fledge. 91 00:06:07,033 --> 00:06:10,670 Without parental supervision, they're taking dangerous risks 92 00:06:10,670 --> 00:06:13,106 as they stretch their wings. 93 00:06:18,745 --> 00:06:23,516 On these high cliffs, one wrong move could be fatal. 94 00:06:33,059 --> 00:06:38,632 (Ravens caw) 95 00:06:40,233 --> 00:06:42,068 NARRATOR: The first to take flight 96 00:06:42,068 --> 00:06:44,771 is rewarded with a snack from her returning dad. 97 00:06:48,341 --> 00:06:51,745 (Ravens caw) 98 00:06:54,781 --> 00:06:59,786 (Chicks chirp) 99 00:06:59,786 --> 00:07:02,255 NARRATOR: Perhaps spurred on by their sister, 100 00:07:02,255 --> 00:07:04,524 the other siblings gingerly emerge, 101 00:07:04,524 --> 00:07:07,494 eager for freedom and ready to soar. 102 00:07:07,494 --> 00:07:10,664 (Ravens caw) 103 00:07:12,232 --> 00:07:17,270 (♪♪♪) 104 00:07:17,270 --> 00:07:19,639 NARRATOR: As the young ravens take flight, 105 00:07:19,639 --> 00:07:21,708 they get their first aerial view 106 00:07:21,708 --> 00:07:25,178 of the rugged mountains they'll call home. 107 00:07:25,178 --> 00:07:28,548 It won't take them long to master their domain. 108 00:07:28,548 --> 00:07:30,083 Ravens are considered 109 00:07:30,083 --> 00:07:32,819 one of the most intelligent species of bird. 110 00:07:32,819 --> 00:07:35,522 Their wisdom and wings will serve them well 111 00:07:35,522 --> 00:07:39,492 as they navigate the sheer outcrops and jagged rocks. 112 00:07:42,095 --> 00:07:44,531 For the earthbound inhabitants of the Karst, 113 00:07:44,531 --> 00:07:48,268 getting around is a more challenging endeavor. 114 00:07:48,268 --> 00:07:51,771 Specialized climbing gear is often a requirement. 115 00:07:53,773 --> 00:07:57,344 The chamois, a relative of goats and sheep, 116 00:07:57,344 --> 00:07:59,412 has just the hardware. 117 00:08:01,514 --> 00:08:04,317 Its pliable but sharp-edged hooves 118 00:08:04,317 --> 00:08:08,521 allow it to find purchase on seemingly impossible terrain. 119 00:08:08,521 --> 00:08:12,592 It navigates the rocky outcrops with balance and agility 120 00:08:12,592 --> 00:08:17,097 and can leap 6 feet straight up in a single bound. 121 00:08:21,735 --> 00:08:23,470 In medieval times, 122 00:08:23,470 --> 00:08:25,805 the chamois was hunted for its meat, 123 00:08:25,805 --> 00:08:27,574 and its horns were used to make 124 00:08:27,574 --> 00:08:30,410 a musical instrument called a gemshorn. 125 00:08:30,410 --> 00:08:32,679 Hunters would stalk it from above, 126 00:08:32,679 --> 00:08:37,217 because it habitually looked downhill for danger. 127 00:08:40,053 --> 00:08:42,389 The chamois spend months at a time 128 00:08:42,389 --> 00:08:44,657 foraging in these mountains. 129 00:08:50,163 --> 00:08:53,700 Only when the weather gets cold and the food becomes scarce 130 00:08:53,700 --> 00:08:57,137 will they leave for the more protected valleys below. 131 00:08:58,505 --> 00:09:05,578 (♪♪♪) 132 00:09:05,578 --> 00:09:09,115 NARRATOR: In 1483, just as the chamois would have been 133 00:09:09,115 --> 00:09:11,684 heading down the mountain for the winter, 134 00:09:11,684 --> 00:09:14,454 Erasmus Leuger was heading up. 135 00:09:14,454 --> 00:09:17,690 An outlaw after killing a fellow nobleman in Vienna, 136 00:09:17,690 --> 00:09:21,428 he was fleeing to the safety of Predjama castle. 137 00:09:27,500 --> 00:09:29,736 He wasn't a moment too soon. 138 00:09:29,736 --> 00:09:31,805 Winter was settling in, 139 00:09:31,805 --> 00:09:35,742 and travel in these parts can be deadly in the cold. 140 00:09:35,742 --> 00:09:39,446 Temperatures drop to -30° Fahrenheit 141 00:09:39,446 --> 00:09:43,516 and deep snow makes the terrain all but impassable. 142 00:09:49,322 --> 00:09:52,192 When Erasmus looked up at the imposing ramparts 143 00:09:52,192 --> 00:09:55,762 of his family's castle, he knew he'd be safe. 144 00:09:57,130 --> 00:10:04,237 (♪♪♪) 145 00:10:07,841 --> 00:10:10,810 NARRATOR: Unlike many other European castles, 146 00:10:10,810 --> 00:10:14,347 Predjama has never been luxurious. 147 00:10:14,347 --> 00:10:17,717 Its Spartan walls have been built up over the centuries, 148 00:10:17,717 --> 00:10:21,321 but it was always more of a fortress than a palace. 149 00:10:23,122 --> 00:10:26,593 One of its few indulgences was a private outhouse 150 00:10:26,593 --> 00:10:30,196 with a spectacular view of the valley below. 151 00:10:30,196 --> 00:10:32,432 But the castle's most impressive feature 152 00:10:32,432 --> 00:10:35,702 was its seamless connection with the hidden caves behind it, 153 00:10:35,702 --> 00:10:39,072 which extend deep into the mountains. 154 00:10:41,207 --> 00:10:42,609 Predjama would have looked 155 00:10:42,609 --> 00:10:45,512 like little more than a dungeon to Erasmus. 156 00:10:45,512 --> 00:10:49,215 An uncomfortable hiding place for a Habsburg aristocrat 157 00:10:49,215 --> 00:10:52,752 used to the extravagances of cosmopolitan Vienna. 158 00:10:54,287 --> 00:10:56,322 But faced with the death penalty, 159 00:10:56,322 --> 00:10:59,759 Erasmus was in no position to complain. 160 00:10:59,759 --> 00:11:02,061 Winter was closing in. 161 00:11:03,730 --> 00:11:06,666 With only his faith and a few servants 162 00:11:06,666 --> 00:11:08,501 for support and companionship, 163 00:11:08,501 --> 00:11:12,438 he holed up behind the castle walls like a rodent. 164 00:11:14,641 --> 00:11:18,711 Erasmus wasn't the only one seeking shelter here... 165 00:11:21,180 --> 00:11:24,450 The dormouse also spends winters in the castle, 166 00:11:24,450 --> 00:11:27,086 though it's a quiet housemate. 167 00:11:28,721 --> 00:11:31,424 It hibernates through the coldest months, 168 00:11:31,424 --> 00:11:33,293 slowing its metabolic rate 169 00:11:33,293 --> 00:11:36,329 and lowering its body temperature dramatically. 170 00:11:43,269 --> 00:11:47,340 All in an effort to use as little energy as possible. 171 00:11:47,340 --> 00:11:49,342 Fat supplies from the previous summer 172 00:11:49,342 --> 00:11:52,712 can sustain it for up to six months or more. 173 00:11:58,651 --> 00:12:00,320 Behind the castle, 174 00:12:00,320 --> 00:12:02,488 5 miles of twisting tunnels 175 00:12:02,488 --> 00:12:05,091 and hidden chambers provide sanctuary 176 00:12:05,091 --> 00:12:06,559 for more bizarre creatures, 177 00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:09,729 which thrive in the moist interior. 178 00:12:18,705 --> 00:12:23,376 The cave cricket is happiest in absolute darkness. 179 00:12:23,376 --> 00:12:26,646 Although it has big eyes, they've been rendered useless 180 00:12:26,646 --> 00:12:29,549 by generations of living in the dark. 181 00:12:29,549 --> 00:12:32,518 The cricket is completely blind. 182 00:12:32,518 --> 00:12:35,388 It relies on its long sensitive antennae 183 00:12:35,388 --> 00:12:37,724 and sense of touch to get around, 184 00:12:37,724 --> 00:12:42,161 seeking out fungi and other organic debris for food. 185 00:12:44,130 --> 00:12:47,266 The crickets scurry about on the rocks, 186 00:12:47,266 --> 00:12:50,670 but many of the cave's other occupants are aquatic, 187 00:12:50,670 --> 00:12:53,139 lurking in the pools and waterways 188 00:12:53,139 --> 00:12:55,541 that meander through the tunnels. 189 00:13:00,113 --> 00:13:02,548 One strange beast that haunts these waters 190 00:13:02,548 --> 00:13:04,617 is the mythical olm, 191 00:13:04,617 --> 00:13:08,488 a seldom-seen, entirely aquatic salamander. 192 00:13:11,190 --> 00:13:14,827 Nicknamed "the human fish" because of its pale skin, 193 00:13:14,827 --> 00:13:18,698 it has both gills and functioning lungs, 194 00:13:18,698 --> 00:13:22,068 can grow to almost 1.5 feet long, 195 00:13:22,068 --> 00:13:25,171 and can live up to 100 years. 196 00:13:29,142 --> 00:13:32,679 Olms feed on shrimp and other tiny aquatic animals, 197 00:13:32,679 --> 00:13:35,815 which they find using a sensitive lining in their ears 198 00:13:35,815 --> 00:13:41,020 that detect even the smallest vibrations in the water. 199 00:13:44,157 --> 00:13:46,559 Their keen sense of smell and taste 200 00:13:46,559 --> 00:13:49,128 also help them navigate in the dark. 201 00:13:53,099 --> 00:13:55,535 But olms don't need to eat often. 202 00:13:55,535 --> 00:13:58,871 When food is scarce, they slow their metabolism, 203 00:13:58,871 --> 00:14:03,276 and have been known to survive up to 10 years on a single meal. 204 00:14:07,580 --> 00:14:10,316 As the largest creature in these caves, 205 00:14:10,316 --> 00:14:13,553 the olm has only one natural enemy... 206 00:14:15,254 --> 00:14:17,290 ...daylight. 207 00:14:17,290 --> 00:14:19,759 Leaving the cave would literally burn 208 00:14:19,759 --> 00:14:22,095 its photosensitive skin. 209 00:14:25,098 --> 00:14:28,367 Erasmus could at least see sunlight, 210 00:14:28,367 --> 00:14:32,371 but he too was confined to the caves and the castle. 211 00:14:32,371 --> 00:14:34,340 Fearing discovery, 212 00:14:34,340 --> 00:14:37,844 he was forced to rely on his servants for supplies. 213 00:14:37,844 --> 00:14:40,446 Out here in the winter wilderness, 214 00:14:40,446 --> 00:14:43,149 there was plenty of game for hunting. 215 00:14:43,149 --> 00:14:46,652 But the servants weren't the only ones looking for meat. 216 00:14:48,087 --> 00:14:51,357 The lynx is the largest cat in Europe, 217 00:14:51,357 --> 00:14:53,760 and a versatile predator. 218 00:14:53,760 --> 00:14:58,231 The alpine hair is one of its favorite meals. 219 00:15:00,299 --> 00:15:06,672 (♪♪♪) 220 00:15:10,042 --> 00:15:13,646 NARRATOR: The lynx can accelerate to over 40 miles per hour 221 00:15:13,646 --> 00:15:18,351 for short bursts, but today he's out-maneuvered, 222 00:15:18,351 --> 00:15:22,388 perhaps distracted from the bunny by meatier prey. 223 00:15:34,133 --> 00:15:37,236 He could feed on this doe for several days. 224 00:15:37,236 --> 00:15:39,172 But she's not alone, 225 00:15:39,172 --> 00:15:43,075 and he'd have a hard time separating her from the herd. 226 00:15:58,291 --> 00:15:59,859 Before he has time to reassess, 227 00:15:59,859 --> 00:16:02,562 the lynx is distracted once again 228 00:16:02,562 --> 00:16:06,365 by something even more attractive than food, 229 00:16:06,365 --> 00:16:09,468 the scent of a female in heat. 230 00:16:13,806 --> 00:16:16,475 Late winter is mating season for the lynx. 231 00:16:16,475 --> 00:16:20,479 They're normally loners, but at this time of year, 232 00:16:20,479 --> 00:16:24,283 males and females seek each other out before the thaw. 233 00:16:34,727 --> 00:16:38,631 The female will only mate with a single male per season, 234 00:16:38,631 --> 00:16:42,168 so he must convince her he's worthy. 235 00:16:48,841 --> 00:16:51,611 (Female lynx snarls) 236 00:16:56,749 --> 00:16:59,719 NARRATOR: Eventually, she deems him adequate, 237 00:16:59,719 --> 00:17:03,356 and he quickly moves in before she changes her mind. 238 00:17:08,394 --> 00:17:11,497 The kittens will be born in about ten weeks, 239 00:17:11,497 --> 00:17:15,368 but by then, their father will be long gone. 240 00:17:21,173 --> 00:17:23,209 The snow will be too, 241 00:17:23,209 --> 00:17:26,746 giving way to the flowers and flourish of spring. 242 00:17:29,615 --> 00:17:32,551 Here in the Karst, spring also unleashes 243 00:17:32,551 --> 00:17:36,155 powerful forces that liquefy the landscape. 244 00:17:40,526 --> 00:17:44,363 Mysterious upwellings appear out of nowhere. 245 00:17:44,363 --> 00:17:49,201 Water gushes where previously there was none. 246 00:17:49,201 --> 00:17:53,539 Dry walls of rock suddenly bleed waterfalls, 247 00:17:53,539 --> 00:17:56,709 and raging rivers emerge from dry earth. 248 00:17:56,709 --> 00:18:00,179 (Birds sing) 249 00:18:03,549 --> 00:18:08,454 NARRATOR: Within days, the floods create a completely new habitat. 250 00:18:10,022 --> 00:18:14,293 (Bird sings) 251 00:18:14,293 --> 00:18:18,798 NARRATOR: Not far behind come the creatures who exploit it. 252 00:18:18,798 --> 00:18:22,535 One of the first arrivals is the white-throated dipper, 253 00:18:22,535 --> 00:18:25,504 an energetic bird that is more at home in the water 254 00:18:25,504 --> 00:18:26,772 than in the air. 255 00:18:26,772 --> 00:18:29,275 Undeterred by the strong currents, 256 00:18:29,275 --> 00:18:33,079 he wades into the river in search of caddisfly larvae. 257 00:18:33,079 --> 00:18:35,281 (Bird sings) 258 00:18:35,281 --> 00:18:39,352 NARRATOR: At this time of year, the larvae aren't for him. 259 00:18:39,352 --> 00:18:41,520 He's bringing them back to his chicks, 260 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:45,725 tucked safely away inside a nest in the rocks. 261 00:18:47,093 --> 00:18:53,466 (♪♪♪) 262 00:18:59,071 --> 00:19:01,474 NARRATOR: Both parents help feed the young, 263 00:19:01,474 --> 00:19:04,643 fattening them up as quickly as possible. 264 00:19:04,643 --> 00:19:08,047 It won't be long before they'll have to leave the nest, 265 00:19:08,047 --> 00:19:12,184 and face the unbridled force of the river by themselves. 266 00:19:13,452 --> 00:19:20,026 (♪♪♪) 267 00:19:25,798 --> 00:19:29,568 NARRATOR: Meanwhile, the water levels continue to rise, 268 00:19:29,568 --> 00:19:33,139 filling the ravines and saturating the land. 269 00:19:33,139 --> 00:19:36,442 The rivers follow courses carved into the limestone 270 00:19:36,442 --> 00:19:38,444 over millions of years. 271 00:19:38,444 --> 00:19:42,281 Naturally acidic rainwater dissolves the porous rock, 272 00:19:42,281 --> 00:19:45,284 leaving the Karst riddled with caves and tunnels 273 00:19:45,284 --> 00:19:47,987 that channel the runoff downhill. 274 00:19:50,389 --> 00:19:53,659 In spring when the snow melts, the added volume 275 00:19:53,659 --> 00:19:57,263 flushes the labyrinths and floods the landscape. 276 00:19:59,498 --> 00:20:03,536 Sometimes it carries with it the denizens of the dark. 277 00:20:03,536 --> 00:20:07,173 For centuries, most people only saw olms 278 00:20:07,173 --> 00:20:09,742 when they were washed from the caves. 279 00:20:09,742 --> 00:20:11,777 They thought the bizarre salamanders 280 00:20:11,777 --> 00:20:13,779 were actually baby dragons, 281 00:20:13,779 --> 00:20:17,149 torn from their mothers by the raging water. 282 00:20:17,149 --> 00:20:19,452 And that the angry dragons inside 283 00:20:19,452 --> 00:20:22,021 were the ones causing the floods. 284 00:20:29,328 --> 00:20:34,567 (♪♪♪) 285 00:20:39,138 --> 00:20:40,372 (Birds chirp) 286 00:20:40,372 --> 00:20:42,108 NARRATOR: Back on higher ground, 287 00:20:42,108 --> 00:20:44,810 the dipper chicks have left the nest. 288 00:20:50,483 --> 00:20:53,119 The five youngsters have set out to explore, 289 00:20:53,119 --> 00:20:56,589 braving the rushing water in search of a meal. 290 00:20:56,589 --> 00:20:58,424 They bob as they move, 291 00:20:58,424 --> 00:21:00,593 either as a means of communication 292 00:21:00,593 --> 00:21:03,729 or to throw off predators eyeing them from above. 293 00:21:09,368 --> 00:21:12,805 They're immediately comfortable on the slippery rocks, 294 00:21:12,805 --> 00:21:15,741 but still tentative about going for a dip. 295 00:21:19,311 --> 00:21:21,280 They spend the first couple of days 296 00:21:21,280 --> 00:21:24,683 figuring out what's edible and what's not. 297 00:21:30,523 --> 00:21:32,691 And they're not above calling for help 298 00:21:32,691 --> 00:21:35,161 when they get into trouble. 299 00:21:35,161 --> 00:21:39,331 Fortunately, they're not yet entirely unattended. 300 00:21:39,331 --> 00:21:43,736 A few loud alarm calls and help arrives. 301 00:21:45,771 --> 00:21:51,210 (Birds chirp) 302 00:21:58,751 --> 00:22:01,687 NARRATOR: For the next few weeks, their parents will continue 303 00:22:01,687 --> 00:22:03,455 to watch over them. 304 00:22:03,455 --> 00:22:06,458 After that, they'll be on their own, 305 00:22:06,458 --> 00:22:10,196 and they'll need to be completely at ease in the water. 306 00:22:16,368 --> 00:22:21,173 Dippers wade into the current, picking insects off the rocks. 307 00:22:21,173 --> 00:22:25,477 But they also fully submerge in search of shrimp and small fish, 308 00:22:25,477 --> 00:22:27,846 using their wings to swim. 309 00:22:27,846 --> 00:22:31,183 They're perfectly equipped for the spring runoff 310 00:22:31,183 --> 00:22:33,652 that washes through the Karst. 311 00:22:35,187 --> 00:22:37,356 As spring unfurled around him, 312 00:22:37,356 --> 00:22:39,458 Erasmus, the outlaw knight, 313 00:22:39,458 --> 00:22:43,362 remained cooped up in his cliff-side fortress. 314 00:22:43,362 --> 00:22:45,798 But his food stockpiles were running low, 315 00:22:45,798 --> 00:22:49,268 partially eaten by some unwelcome houseguests 316 00:22:49,268 --> 00:22:52,738 who were stirring after months of deep slumber. 317 00:23:00,145 --> 00:23:02,448 The dormice were famished, 318 00:23:02,448 --> 00:23:06,552 and the knight's food was a perfect amuse-bouche. 319 00:23:08,087 --> 00:23:09,555 Fortunately for Erasmus, 320 00:23:09,555 --> 00:23:12,558 the mice are inclined to eat and run. 321 00:23:12,558 --> 00:23:15,594 There are fresher offerings outside. 322 00:23:17,396 --> 00:23:23,335 (♪♪♪) 323 00:23:26,372 --> 00:23:30,542 (Bird sings) 324 00:23:34,079 --> 00:23:35,648 NARRATOR: With their bushy tails, 325 00:23:35,648 --> 00:23:38,350 dormice resemble small squirrels, 326 00:23:38,350 --> 00:23:42,454 and similarly head to the forest in search of nuts. 327 00:23:44,657 --> 00:23:48,193 Beech nuts, hazelnuts, acorns... 328 00:23:48,193 --> 00:23:51,397 they'll gorge on everything they can find. 329 00:23:55,701 --> 00:23:57,636 After a winter of hibernation, 330 00:23:57,636 --> 00:23:59,805 they need to replenish their fat stores, 331 00:23:59,805 --> 00:24:04,410 and these oily fruits are just what they crave. 332 00:24:04,410 --> 00:24:06,645 First, they'll regain their strength, 333 00:24:06,645 --> 00:24:09,114 then they'll reproduce. 334 00:24:13,218 --> 00:24:16,221 Out of money and unable to pay his servants 335 00:24:16,221 --> 00:24:18,624 to keep him fed and safe any longer, 336 00:24:18,624 --> 00:24:23,395 Erasmus was forced to leave the castle as well. 337 00:24:23,395 --> 00:24:25,798 Still wanted by the Habsburg court, 338 00:24:25,798 --> 00:24:28,267 he decided to turn against them. 339 00:24:28,267 --> 00:24:30,703 He offered himself up as a mercenary 340 00:24:30,703 --> 00:24:33,539 to the enemy Hungarians. 341 00:24:35,641 --> 00:24:40,279 He was adding treason to murder, but he had little choice. 342 00:24:42,348 --> 00:24:45,384 The main battles between the Habsburgs and the Hungarians 343 00:24:45,384 --> 00:24:48,520 were for control of the Mediterranean port of Trieste. 344 00:24:48,520 --> 00:24:51,724 But Erasmus was given a different objective. 345 00:24:51,724 --> 00:24:53,392 The Hungarians tasked him 346 00:24:53,392 --> 00:24:55,761 with wreaking havoc in the countryside, 347 00:24:55,761 --> 00:24:59,865 working alone to attack wealthy Habsburg estates and villages. 348 00:24:59,865 --> 00:25:02,501 To some he was a Robin Hood figure, 349 00:25:02,501 --> 00:25:05,204 provoking and stealing from the rich. 350 00:25:13,345 --> 00:25:18,751 (Bear growls) 351 00:25:21,487 --> 00:25:24,723 NARRATOR: But to others, he was no more honorable 352 00:25:24,723 --> 00:25:28,660 than the marauding brown bears that occupy the Karst. 353 00:25:30,295 --> 00:25:32,664 The bears are dangerous opportunists, 354 00:25:32,664 --> 00:25:36,668 they'll hunt, scavenge and forage to survive. 355 00:25:36,668 --> 00:25:39,371 And like Erasmus and the Habsburgs, 356 00:25:39,371 --> 00:25:42,207 they'll also attack their own kind. 357 00:25:42,207 --> 00:25:45,611 In spring, female bears roam the Karst 358 00:25:45,611 --> 00:25:48,180 accompanied by young cubs. 359 00:25:48,180 --> 00:25:50,382 They're fiercely protective, 360 00:25:50,382 --> 00:25:52,418 especially when faced with a male 361 00:25:52,418 --> 00:25:54,219 that would readily kill the cubs 362 00:25:54,219 --> 00:25:57,156 to bring the female back into estrus. 363 00:25:59,191 --> 00:26:02,194 The male weighs his odds. 364 00:26:04,530 --> 00:26:07,399 The young cubs are oblivious to the danger, 365 00:26:07,399 --> 00:26:09,401 but their mother goes on the offensive, 366 00:26:09,401 --> 00:26:11,737 instead of waiting for an attack. 367 00:26:11,737 --> 00:26:13,705 (Bear roars) 368 00:26:13,705 --> 00:26:16,508 NARRATOR: The male is not up for the fight. 369 00:26:19,311 --> 00:26:22,648 With the threat gone, the young bears devote themselves 370 00:26:22,648 --> 00:26:25,250 completely to play. 371 00:26:27,119 --> 00:26:31,256 (♪♪♪) 372 00:26:31,256 --> 00:26:34,793 (Bear growls) 373 00:26:34,793 --> 00:26:37,329 NARRATOR: They're learning how to get around in the Karst, 374 00:26:37,329 --> 00:26:40,599 growing stronger and more confident as they explore. 375 00:26:48,640 --> 00:26:50,809 Their mother stays close, 376 00:26:50,809 --> 00:26:54,146 teaching them what being a bear is all about. 377 00:26:56,381 --> 00:27:03,522 (♪♪♪) 378 00:27:05,290 --> 00:27:08,527 NARRATOR: By the time they're two, they'll be on their own. 379 00:27:08,527 --> 00:27:12,698 But for now, they're safe under their mother's watchful eye. 380 00:27:17,569 --> 00:27:20,305 Below the mountains at the edge of the forest, 381 00:27:20,305 --> 00:27:23,742 a stunning transformation is taking place. 382 00:27:23,742 --> 00:27:25,744 The grassy valley is turning 383 00:27:25,744 --> 00:27:29,414 into a massive but temporary seasonal lake. 384 00:27:31,383 --> 00:27:33,385 Where there was once dry earth, 385 00:27:33,385 --> 00:27:36,722 there is now water and fish. 386 00:27:42,528 --> 00:27:44,329 In Erasmus's time, 387 00:27:44,329 --> 00:27:46,465 some credited witches and sprites 388 00:27:46,465 --> 00:27:49,234 for making them magically appear. 389 00:27:49,234 --> 00:27:51,270 Today we know better. 390 00:27:51,270 --> 00:27:53,572 The fish arrive through underground channels 391 00:27:53,572 --> 00:27:55,507 in the porous Karst. 392 00:27:58,644 --> 00:28:00,646 The lake, called Cerknica, 393 00:28:00,646 --> 00:28:03,582 also attracts all manner of birds. 394 00:28:03,582 --> 00:28:06,718 Resident species, like the grey heron, 395 00:28:06,718 --> 00:28:10,055 touch down as soon as it fills. 396 00:28:10,055 --> 00:28:12,291 Migrants come too. 397 00:28:12,291 --> 00:28:15,661 Redshanks... 398 00:28:15,661 --> 00:28:18,196 Wild ducks... 399 00:28:20,465 --> 00:28:22,734 Lapwings... 400 00:28:24,202 --> 00:28:25,737 ...and wild geese 401 00:28:25,737 --> 00:28:29,274 all use the lake as a convenient rest stop. 402 00:28:33,211 --> 00:28:35,347 And just like at Predjama, 403 00:28:35,347 --> 00:28:39,451 animals find shelter in its secret retreats. 404 00:28:43,055 --> 00:28:45,357 Hidden in one of the lakeshore caves, 405 00:28:45,357 --> 00:28:47,225 several thousand grass frogs 406 00:28:47,225 --> 00:28:49,461 have been waiting out the winter. 407 00:28:49,461 --> 00:28:53,332 They can't reproduce until the water arrives. 408 00:28:58,804 --> 00:29:02,741 To mate, the male climbs onto the female's back 409 00:29:02,741 --> 00:29:06,645 and hangs on for the journey to the lake. 410 00:29:12,517 --> 00:29:17,389 (Insects chirp) 411 00:29:17,389 --> 00:29:21,393 NARRATOR: Here, they spawn a new generation. 412 00:29:23,495 --> 00:29:27,165 In two weeks, the fertilized eggs hatch 413 00:29:27,165 --> 00:29:29,234 into vigorous tadpoles. 414 00:29:45,217 --> 00:29:49,788 The lake provides sustenance, but has its threats as well. 415 00:29:49,788 --> 00:29:54,359 The larva of the great diving beetle seems innocuous... 416 00:29:57,062 --> 00:30:00,766 ...but its lethality should not be underestimated. 417 00:30:00,766 --> 00:30:06,505 It's equipped with powerful jaws for gripping much larger prey. 418 00:30:20,085 --> 00:30:22,254 The beetle follows its initial assault 419 00:30:22,254 --> 00:30:25,590 with the injection of corrosive digestive juices 420 00:30:25,590 --> 00:30:28,627 into the still-struggling victim. 421 00:30:29,828 --> 00:30:32,597 The poison paralyzes the tadpole 422 00:30:32,597 --> 00:30:34,733 and dissolves it from within. 423 00:30:42,741 --> 00:30:46,378 Then, the larva sucks out the predigested mash 424 00:30:46,378 --> 00:30:49,347 through a canal in its jaws. 425 00:30:54,319 --> 00:30:59,224 Such gruesome death is a way of life in the Karst. 426 00:30:59,224 --> 00:31:03,095 A powerful reminder of the high stakes of survival. 427 00:31:08,066 --> 00:31:10,569 As Erasmus continued his plunder, 428 00:31:10,569 --> 00:31:14,106 he believed he was one of the hunters. 429 00:31:14,106 --> 00:31:15,640 But on one of his raids, 430 00:31:15,640 --> 00:31:18,677 he was spotted by Habsburg soldiers. 431 00:31:23,081 --> 00:31:24,449 When he tried to escape, 432 00:31:24,449 --> 00:31:28,720 they followed him back to Predjama. 433 00:31:28,720 --> 00:31:31,823 He barely made it to the safety of the castle, 434 00:31:31,823 --> 00:31:34,192 where his pursuers were helpless 435 00:31:34,192 --> 00:31:37,763 against the vertical rock and overhanging ramparts. 436 00:31:39,364 --> 00:31:42,634 All they could do was stare up into the heights, 437 00:31:42,634 --> 00:31:46,605 longing for the talents of the acrobatic wall creeper. 438 00:31:46,605 --> 00:31:52,210 (Bird calls) 439 00:31:52,210 --> 00:31:55,547 NARRATOR: This flashy bird is not much of a flyer, 440 00:31:55,547 --> 00:31:58,717 but it uses its stubby wings and sharp claws 441 00:31:58,717 --> 00:32:03,321 to bounce and climb on the smooth rock walls. 442 00:32:09,828 --> 00:32:12,397 (Birds chirp) 443 00:32:12,397 --> 00:32:15,433 NARRATOR: Lacking the wall creeper's athleticism, 444 00:32:15,433 --> 00:32:19,538 the Habsburg soldiers opted for a more sedentary approach. 445 00:32:26,244 --> 00:32:28,480 They laid siege to the castle, 446 00:32:28,480 --> 00:32:32,617 determined to outlast the outlaw and bring him to justice. 447 00:32:36,087 --> 00:32:40,592 Trapped, Erasmus withdrew into the castle once again, 448 00:32:40,592 --> 00:32:43,795 alongside its more permanent residents. 449 00:32:43,795 --> 00:32:45,697 In his medieval world, 450 00:32:45,697 --> 00:32:48,200 he would have recognized these castle-mates 451 00:32:48,200 --> 00:32:50,368 as harbingers of doom. 452 00:32:54,439 --> 00:32:58,210 A colony of bats hibernates quietly in the caves 453 00:32:58,210 --> 00:33:00,512 during the cold Karst winter. 454 00:33:03,582 --> 00:33:08,587 But in late spring they're awake and hungry. 455 00:33:10,222 --> 00:33:12,324 These are common bent-wing bats, 456 00:33:12,324 --> 00:33:16,728 which thrive on moths and flies that they capture on the wing. 457 00:33:16,728 --> 00:33:18,263 But in the Middle Ages, 458 00:33:18,263 --> 00:33:21,466 people here believed bats pursued human prey, 459 00:33:21,466 --> 00:33:24,669 turning them into the infamous undead. 460 00:33:24,669 --> 00:33:26,137 This region is where 461 00:33:26,137 --> 00:33:29,107 the original vampire myths come from. 462 00:33:33,612 --> 00:33:36,248 The first reports of such horrors 463 00:33:36,248 --> 00:33:37,816 came from the town of Kringa, 464 00:33:37,816 --> 00:33:41,586 only about 60 miles to the south. 465 00:33:41,586 --> 00:33:45,457 According to legend, a dead farmer in this cemetery 466 00:33:45,457 --> 00:33:49,661 left his grave each night to terrorize the town. 467 00:33:51,696 --> 00:33:55,166 The priest and villagers tried to kill the vampire 468 00:33:55,166 --> 00:33:56,701 with crosses and stakes. 469 00:33:56,701 --> 00:33:59,838 But it wasn't until they cut off the corpse's head 470 00:33:59,838 --> 00:34:02,374 that the nightmare finally came to an end. 471 00:34:02,374 --> 00:34:06,411 (Owl hoots) 472 00:34:06,411 --> 00:34:08,513 NARRATOR: Erasmus was no vampire, 473 00:34:08,513 --> 00:34:10,682 but he was still trapped in the castle 474 00:34:10,682 --> 00:34:13,551 by the posse of Habsburgs. 475 00:34:15,620 --> 00:34:19,257 While he was holed up, other residents of the Karst 476 00:34:19,257 --> 00:34:22,193 were enjoying the bounty of summer. 477 00:34:26,231 --> 00:34:29,634 The lake below the castle is a favorite breeding ground 478 00:34:29,634 --> 00:34:33,038 for the magnificent great crested grebe. 479 00:34:34,773 --> 00:34:40,679 These water birds have legs placed far back on their bodies. 480 00:34:42,681 --> 00:34:45,617 This makes them excellent swimmers, 481 00:34:45,617 --> 00:34:48,853 but rather unstable on land. 482 00:34:48,853 --> 00:34:50,488 During mating season, 483 00:34:50,488 --> 00:34:53,792 the birds engage in an elaborate courtship. 484 00:34:56,528 --> 00:34:58,363 The male poses, 485 00:34:58,363 --> 00:35:01,499 and proudly shows off his prowess as a diver. 486 00:35:18,450 --> 00:35:21,453 The two synchronize movements... 487 00:35:23,655 --> 00:35:26,725 ...then, finally, elevate together 488 00:35:26,725 --> 00:35:30,495 into the triumphant "penguin display" ballet. 489 00:35:37,135 --> 00:35:38,670 On the shores of the lake, 490 00:35:38,670 --> 00:35:41,740 a more sinister seduction takes place. 491 00:35:44,075 --> 00:35:46,845 Drosera, commonly known as sundew plants, 492 00:35:46,845 --> 00:35:51,216 are carnivorous, the tentacles on their leaves 493 00:35:51,216 --> 00:35:53,518 are covered with sweet, sticky droplets 494 00:35:53,518 --> 00:35:57,288 that are irresistible to insects. 495 00:35:57,288 --> 00:35:58,857 But when the insects alight, 496 00:35:58,857 --> 00:36:01,526 they find themselves caught in a trap. 497 00:36:01,526 --> 00:36:06,297 Just like Erasmus, trapped in his castle. 498 00:36:06,297 --> 00:36:08,233 But unlike the insects, 499 00:36:08,233 --> 00:36:11,703 Erasmus's fate wasn't yet sealed. 500 00:36:11,703 --> 00:36:14,739 He still had a trick up his sleeve. 501 00:36:14,739 --> 00:36:16,574 Sneaking through a secret tunnel 502 00:36:16,574 --> 00:36:19,411 that snaked from the castle through the cave system, 503 00:36:19,411 --> 00:36:21,613 he headed off to an unwatched valley 504 00:36:21,613 --> 00:36:24,315 on the other side of the mountain. 505 00:36:25,517 --> 00:36:27,652 (Dripping water) 506 00:36:27,652 --> 00:36:30,221 NARRATOR: He could have escaped completely this way, 507 00:36:30,221 --> 00:36:33,525 but was confident he could outlast the soldiers, 508 00:36:33,525 --> 00:36:37,128 and chose to stay in his family castle. 509 00:36:38,096 --> 00:36:43,168 (♪♪♪) 510 00:36:43,168 --> 00:36:47,539 NARRATOR: Here in the valley, he could roam free... 511 00:36:47,539 --> 00:36:51,476 ...and pick fresh fruit from the ripening trees. 512 00:36:55,747 --> 00:36:58,383 Like Erasmus emerging from his cave 513 00:36:58,383 --> 00:37:00,385 to taste the sweet nectar of freedom, 514 00:37:00,385 --> 00:37:04,522 mayflies burst from the lake every summer. 515 00:37:06,257 --> 00:37:09,661 They spend most of their lives as nymphs in the water, 516 00:37:09,661 --> 00:37:12,630 but their final molt gives them wings. 517 00:37:17,602 --> 00:37:20,605 The adults rise up into the sky en masse... 518 00:37:20,605 --> 00:37:25,743 ...with only one goal, to reproduce. 519 00:37:27,545 --> 00:37:31,983 In massive throngs, the males fly across the lake. 520 00:37:35,353 --> 00:37:38,623 Females join the so-called wedding swarms, 521 00:37:38,623 --> 00:37:40,758 and they mate in flight. 522 00:37:41,693 --> 00:37:49,167 (♪♪♪) 523 00:37:49,167 --> 00:37:52,537 NARRATOR: But their airborne freedom is short lived. 524 00:37:56,274 --> 00:37:58,176 Exhausted from the effort, 525 00:37:58,176 --> 00:38:01,479 they fall back into the water from whence they came. 526 00:38:06,317 --> 00:38:08,086 With their dying breaths, 527 00:38:08,086 --> 00:38:10,622 the females lay their fertilized eggs 528 00:38:10,622 --> 00:38:13,191 into the clear, still water. 529 00:38:16,694 --> 00:38:18,429 Erasmus didn't know it, 530 00:38:18,429 --> 00:38:23,635 but his last breath was fast approaching as well. 531 00:38:23,635 --> 00:38:25,670 He was still enjoying his freedom, 532 00:38:25,670 --> 00:38:28,640 out in the fruitful Vipava valley. 533 00:38:32,043 --> 00:38:34,479 Here in the sun, just a few miles 534 00:38:34,479 --> 00:38:38,650 from the castle, grapes and cherries ripen weeks earlier 535 00:38:38,650 --> 00:38:41,052 than in the shadow of Predjama. 536 00:38:44,556 --> 00:38:48,726 Others descend on the valley for the seasonal bounty as well. 537 00:38:57,235 --> 00:38:59,671 Finished with his early season nuts, 538 00:38:59,671 --> 00:39:03,441 the dormouse is filling up on sugar-rich fruit. 539 00:39:05,076 --> 00:39:11,449 (♪♪♪) 540 00:39:15,186 --> 00:39:17,388 NARRATOR: He's so focused on his meal, 541 00:39:17,388 --> 00:39:21,726 he's oblivious to a dangerous predator lurking nearby. 542 00:39:23,194 --> 00:39:25,330 Finally satisfied, 543 00:39:25,330 --> 00:39:29,100 the dormouse heads back towards the safety of his burrow. 544 00:39:31,135 --> 00:39:33,037 But the Ural owl, 545 00:39:33,037 --> 00:39:36,040 one of the largest in Europe with a wingspan of up to 546 00:39:36,040 --> 00:39:41,045 4 and a half feet, has him in her sites. 547 00:39:48,286 --> 00:39:51,723 She swoops in on silent wings. 548 00:40:06,804 --> 00:40:08,573 Up in the trees, 549 00:40:08,573 --> 00:40:12,143 her owlet waits impatiently for a meal. 550 00:40:12,143 --> 00:40:15,580 It's survival of the fittest out here in the Karst. 551 00:40:15,580 --> 00:40:20,652 Death for the dormouse means life for the owl's hungry chick. 552 00:40:20,652 --> 00:40:22,654 He's only recently left the nest, 553 00:40:22,654 --> 00:40:26,691 still strengthening his wings before taking to the air. 554 00:40:28,326 --> 00:40:31,396 His mother offers him the entire dormouse, 555 00:40:31,396 --> 00:40:34,299 wanting him to get used to eating whole prey. 556 00:40:34,299 --> 00:40:38,403 He's not quite sold on all the fur and bones. 557 00:40:49,314 --> 00:40:51,215 Eventually he nibbles, 558 00:40:51,215 --> 00:40:55,219 but mom will end up eating most of this meal. 559 00:41:08,266 --> 00:41:09,667 Over the next few days, 560 00:41:09,667 --> 00:41:12,370 the owlet practices his flapping. 561 00:41:17,809 --> 00:41:19,410 He's building up 562 00:41:19,410 --> 00:41:22,513 to the takeoff and the freedom of flight. 563 00:41:27,118 --> 00:41:29,187 Fresh fruit in hand, 564 00:41:29,187 --> 00:41:30,722 Erasmus returned to the castle 565 00:41:30,722 --> 00:41:34,292 through the secret tunnel underneath. 566 00:41:36,527 --> 00:41:39,330 He even brought cherries for the soldiers, 567 00:41:39,330 --> 00:41:42,200 to show them their siege was a farce. 568 00:41:44,135 --> 00:41:47,672 But the soldiers were ready for his games. 569 00:41:50,341 --> 00:41:52,877 When one of his servants brought them the cherries, 570 00:41:52,877 --> 00:41:55,813 they convinced him to turn on his master. 571 00:41:55,813 --> 00:42:00,451 It probably took little more than some money changing hands. 572 00:42:00,451 --> 00:42:02,587 The servant would send a signal 573 00:42:02,587 --> 00:42:04,722 when Erasmus was on the toilet, 574 00:42:04,722 --> 00:42:09,761 the only spot in the castle that was vulnerable from below. 575 00:42:11,462 --> 00:42:13,498 The soldiers had brought along a catapult 576 00:42:13,498 --> 00:42:15,833 for just such a mission. 577 00:42:15,833 --> 00:42:17,602 They prepped for the attack, 578 00:42:17,602 --> 00:42:20,605 then settled in to wait for their cue. 579 00:42:29,080 --> 00:42:31,482 They weren't the only ones in the Karst 580 00:42:31,482 --> 00:42:33,718 who favor an ambush. 581 00:42:35,286 --> 00:42:37,255 Among the rocks and crevices, 582 00:42:37,255 --> 00:42:40,224 a horned viper sets its own trap, 583 00:42:40,224 --> 00:42:41,726 flashing its red tail 584 00:42:41,726 --> 00:42:45,463 to attract the attention of an unsuspecting mouse. 585 00:43:03,080 --> 00:43:07,685 But just in time, the mouse smells a rat. 586 00:43:14,792 --> 00:43:18,563 The viper changes tactics and gives chase. 587 00:43:23,434 --> 00:43:27,338 The mouse tries to hide in the rocks. 588 00:43:32,577 --> 00:43:35,446 But the snake patiently follows. 589 00:44:02,206 --> 00:44:04,675 Timing is everything. 590 00:44:25,763 --> 00:44:28,633 The snake has a well-earned meal. 591 00:44:28,633 --> 00:44:32,270 The calories will keep him full for weeks. 592 00:44:47,318 --> 00:44:51,455 For months, Lake Cerknica has been a rich oasis 593 00:44:51,455 --> 00:44:54,058 for all kinds of fish and fowl. 594 00:44:56,694 --> 00:44:58,262 But in late summer, 595 00:44:58,262 --> 00:45:01,032 when the meltwater from above finally wanes, 596 00:45:01,032 --> 00:45:03,601 the lake dries up and disappears 597 00:45:03,601 --> 00:45:07,004 almost as fast as it grew in the spring. 598 00:45:13,511 --> 00:45:17,515 Some water evaporates into the dry mountain air. 599 00:45:17,515 --> 00:45:21,519 The rest seeps back into the invisible warren of channels 600 00:45:21,519 --> 00:45:23,688 that riddle the Karst. 601 00:45:31,128 --> 00:45:35,132 Once again, the change offers opportunity for some 602 00:45:35,132 --> 00:45:37,468 and danger for others. 603 00:45:39,303 --> 00:45:43,107 Some fish become trapped by the receding waters, 604 00:45:43,107 --> 00:45:46,344 easy pickings for resourceful hunters. 605 00:45:47,144 --> 00:45:49,413 (Raven caws) 606 00:45:49,413 --> 00:45:51,182 NARRATOR: Back at the castle, 607 00:45:51,182 --> 00:45:54,819 the pursuers were circling Erasmus as well. 608 00:45:54,819 --> 00:45:58,155 The Habsburg soldiers, eager to end the siege 609 00:45:58,155 --> 00:46:00,524 before the onset of another harsh winter, 610 00:46:00,524 --> 00:46:02,093 finally got the signal 611 00:46:02,093 --> 00:46:05,496 from the traitorous servant behind the walls. 612 00:46:11,736 --> 00:46:14,772 Knowing they'd only have one shot, 613 00:46:14,772 --> 00:46:17,308 the soldiers took careful aim... 614 00:46:20,411 --> 00:46:22,680 ...and released the projectile. 615 00:46:29,487 --> 00:46:32,356 (Rock booms) 616 00:46:32,356 --> 00:46:34,692 NARRATOR: It was a perfect strike. 617 00:46:34,692 --> 00:46:36,460 Seated in the outhouse, 618 00:46:36,460 --> 00:46:39,497 Erasmus met his end astride a throne 619 00:46:39,497 --> 00:46:42,299 that was anything but royal. 620 00:46:44,735 --> 00:46:46,504 Centuries later, 621 00:46:46,504 --> 00:46:50,608 the story of the outlaw knight has faded into local lore. 622 00:46:50,608 --> 00:46:53,844 Some still revere him for his loyalty to his friend 623 00:46:53,844 --> 00:46:55,613 and his Robin Hood-like stand 624 00:46:55,613 --> 00:46:58,182 against the evil Habsburg Empire. 625 00:46:58,182 --> 00:47:01,285 Others revile him as a coldblooded killer 626 00:47:01,285 --> 00:47:03,487 and a traitor to boot. 627 00:47:07,224 --> 00:47:11,262 The details of Erasmus's exploits have blurred with time, 628 00:47:11,262 --> 00:47:13,364 but his spectacular castle 629 00:47:13,364 --> 00:47:17,768 still casts a long and powerful shadow. 630 00:47:17,768 --> 00:47:20,638 Out here on the edge of nowhere, 631 00:47:20,638 --> 00:47:24,141 where hollow mountains hide mysterious beasts, 632 00:47:24,141 --> 00:47:27,144 where water bleeds from porous earth... 633 00:47:28,646 --> 00:47:33,050 ...and where powerful forces spur legends and myths... 634 00:47:35,086 --> 00:47:36,554 ...the life-and-death struggles 635 00:47:36,554 --> 00:47:41,125 of hunter and hunted continue eternally... 636 00:47:43,761 --> 00:47:47,631 ...as the cave castle stands watch. 637 00:47:48,165 --> 00:47:52,169 (♪♪♪)