DEADLY LEGACY
Prologue
The wind struck hard against his face, its jagged caress tore at his flesh. The rain had begun its rapid descent, its trail toward the forest surface, interrupted only by its protective canopy. Prophetic ashen clouds hung motionless, the sky had melded into a dark dome, stretching its dominance over the countryside.
Soil soon turned to wretched mud, exposing its evil twin. His feet feel into its murky clutches. Pulling it free with his brute strength. He hugged his cloak against his chest, unable to stop the sheer cold he felt. Out here this weather was abundant and wholly unwelcome.
The town was nearby, its candle lit windows a beacon in the dark. Its warmth would soon engulf his worn body. The small town lay nestled in the valley, its mountainous walls defended it from every enemy, aside from itself.
The rain was harder now, furious in its assault. His eyes began to sting and his ears felt frozen. He muttered to himself, enraged at his foolishness. He had travelled here in defiance of his parents wishes. Out here he had the solitude to pursue his real love, poetry. His father and brother both worked as woodcutters, expectant he would follow. He had no love for their trade, he was more interested in his art.
Out in the forest, inspiration was found in abundance. The forest provided a gateway to the inner workings of his mind. His parents frowned at his chosen profession. An argument preceded his flight her, one that he deemed unnecessary. He was effectively returning home with his pride swallowed. Those thoughts were not at the fore front of his mind, the harsh environment warranted that.
The wind and rain were quickly becoming intolerable. His battered spirit felt it could journey no further, still he struggled onwards. The town was only 15 minutes walk further, yet he was already tiring. He began to doubt he could make it. Instead he decided to find shelter in the nearby cave. It was not really a cave, more a tunnel, as it had been crafted by men. It was carved deep into the mountain side and travelled far into its depths. Its dark interiors manufactured by the townspeople many centuries ago. It had long been lost as to why, theories were mixed and varied. He cared little for them.
Inside he was glad for its shelter and somewhere dry to sit. He still clutched his leather pouch, its contents texts of his poems. He checked it thoroughly, assuring himself that they were safe. Inside the pouch he removed some candles, worn from use. He had often spent long nights in the forest, when the weather allowed him. Lighting one, he moved deeper into the cave. It was slightly warmer here, so he chose to remain here.
He was stuck in this dark foreboding place for the night, which suited him fine. This incident would provide fuel for his writing. He took some ink, a quill and paper from his pouch. He started to write about his parents, as he did his anger rose, and that was when he felt it calling to him. He was overcome by it. Something was calling him from beneath the soil.
Frantically he began to dig, his nails scratching at the ground. After a while he felt his fingers touch the solidness of wood. Wiping the surface, it revealed a box with intricate carvings covering it. It was hard wood, oak most likely. He pulled it free from its earthly grave.
Lifting its simple unlocked latch, it cradled in it a flute. It was a beautiful instrument that inspired him with awe. It was long and had similar carved designs dotted along its frame. He removed it from its ancient casing and held it. He felt its heaviness and ran his fingers along its body. Applying the instrument to his mouth, he started to play. He had no musical ability, yet was capable of employing this instrument. The music echoed through the cave, amplifying it beyond into the forest.
The flute held control over him. He felt intoxicated by playing it.
"Fredrick," he muttered to himself, "What have you done."
Down in the town no one heard the deadly music. Unaware that its past was about to return. The townspeople had forgotten the pain of the past. It had become complacent and unwary. Soon it would face an ancient adversary that they were not prepared to fight. All was not lost, as destiny was about to help them in a mysterious way.
Chapter 2
The screeching sound of a heavy load being dragged screamed across the countryside. Deep in to the valley it went, stirring animals from their tranquil lives. Along a dirt worn path deep tracks where dug hard into the soil. Trails from a wagon with an unbearable load and a broken wheel. To its side was a large scruffy man, pressing his weight against the struggling wheel. Up front a young, beautiful woman led two tired horses.
They had travelled here by accident. Their wheel cracked on the jagged rocks in the nearby troll kingdom. As they went on the crack worsened until the wheel itself snapped. They were travelling towards a small town in an effort to find someone to fix it. Its position on their map was somewhat in doubt. It showed what appeared to be a town but had no attached name. They went anyway as it was the closest town for many miles.
Virginia was holding the horses reigns and felt them straining with their difficult load. She had not fully adapted to life within the Nine Kingdoms but had at least managed to learn to ride. The luxuries of her world had parted to become inconveniences. To Virginia the simpler life required a large amount of hard work. Work she was finding easier due to the efforts of one man, her lover, Wolf.
Wolf was not enjoying this trip across the kingdoms and had only gone because Virginia did not want her father to be alone. He did not regret his decision, but did find himself wishing he was back home. Wolf had become relegated to Tony's reluctant assistant. He performed most of the hard, laborious work that Tony shied away from. Wolf may have been a strong man but even he had his limits, and Tony was testing them. Wolf spent much of his time loading and unloading the silly contraptions Tony was trying to flog to the other kingdoms. The lazy bugger had even gone ahead to find some help. This search was most likely being conducted in a local pub with lots of food.
"This is not working!" Virginia shouted back to Wolf. She was correct as their meagre efforts were futile. She stopped the wagon, giving Wolf no warning. As such he pushed against the wagon without the horses support and nearly dislocated his shoulder. Virginia hoped off her seat and moved back to him. He smiled at her as he nursed his aching shoulder.
"Dad should have returned by now," She said looking along the road into the distance. "I'm worried about him."
"Don't be," Wolf reassured her. "He's probably trying to sell them something rather than asking for help."
"That would be like him." She returned, "Lets just take the horses and follow him!" Wolf nodded in agreement and helped her to remove the horses from the wagon.
They dragged the broken wagon to the side of the path. There was nothing in it that was of much value, so they left it unprotected. Mounting the two horses they trotted of along the path, deeper into the valley. As they did the rain that had soaked them the previous night returned. As it did they speed their horses along the paths hoping to find shelter in the town. The town was some way off yet and they would be thoroughly soaked before arrival.
It was an hour before they got their first glimpse of the town. It was larger than either of them had expected it to be. It was made up of a collection of large two storey red brick houses that sprawled across the landscape. Each one only had minor architectural differences but the town looked rather impressive against the backdrop of the green mountains. The main building that stood out was the tallest Virginia had seen in any town. It was a large cathedral sized structure with a tower perched on it. It was a bell tower that stood dominating the town. The building was located on the edge of the spacious market square.
The square was a large clearing in the centre of the town. It had four cobbled roads leading into a large water fountain in the middle. The roads went in a cross formation and where evenly spaced from each other. This precise formation gave the town a more structured appearance to it as the town itself resembled a large square with networks of cobbled pathways crossing it.
In the centre was a dazzling stone fountain spraying water into the air. It was circular and had amble room to sit on. Around the square were wooden stalls which had been deserted in the rain. Virginia was comforted by the movement of people around the square. Up until now the town showed all the activity of a graveyard. They ran quickly in the rain as they hurried from one building to another.
A steep incline descended into the town and was dangerously slippery. They slowed their horses and guided them down. The town enveloped them as they reached the bottom. A large stone archway stood at the entrance of the town. It was the only structure left of what may have once been a wall. Wolf could se the rock foundations protruding out of the ground in two lines attached to the archway. From the archway began a cobbled path which led into the heart of the town. This was one of many pathways which connected the entire town together.
As the rode down the cobbled path Virginia noticed how tall and compacted the houses were. The street they were on seemed to hold mostly shops and businesses. Wolf spotted an inn which had a large wooden sign with a large picture of a big bearded man. He looked gruesome and uninviting. It was hardy the image Virginia had anted to see right now. The inn was situated on the edge of the square facing a large building with a bell tower. Virginia and Wolf dismounted and tied their horses to a beam outside. They entered anyway with fatigue driving them on wards and the hope of a warm bed.
The inn was surprisingly large and spacious from its initial cramped exterior face. To the left of them was a circular table with four small chairs huddled around it. A stairway led up to the next level of the inn behind the table. To their right was a reception desk which had a dark wooden frame. Behind it was a large rack with various keys hanging on it. There was no one at the desk so Wolf rang the service bell.
A minute later a small grey haired man came out from a room behind the desk. He was skinny and wore a round pair of glasses on the tip of his nose. He seemed surprised by their arrival.
"Hello, can I help you?." He asked.
"Yes," Wolf responded, "We require a room."
"Ah," He said. "Hmmm, how long will you be staying?" Wolf looked at Virginia and shrugged his shoulders and she furrowed her eyebrows. Wolf turned back around to the confused man.
"We don't know!" Wolf said honestly.
"Very well then," The clerk said writing down in a large leather bound book.
"And what is the nature of your visit?" The clerk asked.
"Business I guess." Wolf answered. It was plausible and knowing Tony would soon become the nature of their visit.
"We have a room available for two. Is that suitable?" The clerk asked.
"Perfect!" Virginia jumped in startling both the clerk and Wolf.
"Then I'll need your signature here." He said pointing to the book. Wolf wrote his name down forgetting to give an alias.
"Okay then Mr……..Wolf is it!" The clerk read without a hint of surprise or interest. The man closed the book then removed a key from the rack behind him. He ushered them upstairs and showed them to their room.
The room was nice and cosy, bigger than expected and warm. Virginia felt the heat wrap itself around her frozen body. The room had varnished wooden flooring with a large rug under the twin bed. It had a small bathroom en suite with an attractive bath tub. A fire burned in the wall opposite their bed and lit up the room. Candles provided the rest of the light. The clerk handed Wolf their key then left. Wolf watched the man leave then closed the door. Virginia took of her rucksack and flung it on the floor before she flopped onto the comfy bed.
"We should go look for my father now, before I fall asleep." Virginia yawned.
"No chance." Wolf said, "The town is beginning to get foggy. I can barely see the street." Wolf pulled back from the window and pulled over the curtains. He moved over to the fire and threw a piece of wood on it.
"Then what can we do?" Virginia exclaimed. Wolf dropped onto the bed beside her.
"Rest." He answered. "It has been a long journey here."
"But what about my father?" Virginia said.
"He will be fine until the morning. He is a very resourceful man." Wolf said belaying her fears. She snuggled up to him and placed her weary head on his chest.
It was here that they both feel asleep from the exhaustion they felt. They slept the sleep of the innocent unknowing of the terrible events that were about to occur. Outside the fog settled on the town like a cloudy veil. The fire burned itself out protecting the two lovers from the discriminating cold. The candles slowed died too in the face of the cocks crow. The sun came up over the horizon of the mountains and drove away the fog.
Meanwhile in an inn not too far away Anthony Lewis was having a great time. He had arrived here to find help but instead had been enticed to join the helpers for a meal and some drink. That meal had been a feast and their drinks had yet to empty. Around him the murky inn was full of life. Men and women danced to the joyous music of a man and his fiddle. Tony had already experienced the energetic movements of the dance and was supposedly regaining his breath.
It had taken him a while to find the town as he had no map and instead followed a nice man who was going in the same direction. They had talked a little and the man seemed interested in here about Tony's amazing inventions. The man was kind enough to bring him to the local smith who had immense experience in wagons. The smith was very glad to offer help and said he would travel out to their wagon and see what he could do. With that the man who had first brought him here offered him the drink and the meal. Tony saw no harm in it as Virginia and Wolf were having help sent to them and he had nothing to worry about.
The bell for last calls went ringing across the bar and into Tony's ears. His drunken state made it sound as if the ringing was coming from inside his head, which it might have been. It was then that Tony decided to call it a night. Getting up of his stool he tried to make his excuses and leave. The locals heard none of it and ordered another round of beer. Tony was not the kind of man who turned down an offer of beer, reluctantly he sat down again and began his who know what number pint.
It was foggy out and Tony was surprised that it was dark. He was wedged in between to men who where acting as his supports as his legs appeared to be out of order. The men walked him through the streets and out in to the forest area. Tony saw lights in the distance.
"Where are we going?" Tony slurred.
"We're going to my farm. It's on the outskirts of the town." The man on his left answered.
"Why am I going there?" Tony sang.
"Because you my friend are drunk and have nowhere else to go." The man responded.
"Ahhhh, good." Tony said on the very of falling asleep. The two men carried Tony into the barn and plopped him on a stack of hay.
"You can sleep here." The man said laughing. Then he and his friend wandered out into the darkness closing the doors behind them. Tony was to asleep to notice the stagnant smell of manure that was imbedded in the barn. Instead Tony slept until morning when the consequences of his night would be paid in full.
In the forest only a few hundred metres from where Tony was sleeping an age old adversary was reawakening from a long slumber. This evil was already claiming its first victim in the innocent and angry Fredrick. He stood in the cave for the second night drawn by the malicious influence the instrument was exerting on him. He held the instrument as if it were a sword. This was however, a far more deadlier weapon than a simple sword. This instrument was crafted of age old magic that has entrapped many other young men like Fredrick. Holding the instrument in his hand he was overcome by the sense of power and control it gave him. The instrument called to him through the darkness telling him that his time was coming. Soon those who stood against him would see vengeance returned on them.
Prologue
The wind struck hard against his face, its jagged caress tore at his flesh. The rain had begun its rapid descent, its trail toward the forest surface, interrupted only by its protective canopy. Prophetic ashen clouds hung motionless, the sky had melded into a dark dome, stretching its dominance over the countryside.
Soil soon turned to wretched mud, exposing its evil twin. His feet feel into its murky clutches. Pulling it free with his brute strength. He hugged his cloak against his chest, unable to stop the sheer cold he felt. Out here this weather was abundant and wholly unwelcome.
The town was nearby, its candle lit windows a beacon in the dark. Its warmth would soon engulf his worn body. The small town lay nestled in the valley, its mountainous walls defended it from every enemy, aside from itself.
The rain was harder now, furious in its assault. His eyes began to sting and his ears felt frozen. He muttered to himself, enraged at his foolishness. He had travelled here in defiance of his parents wishes. Out here he had the solitude to pursue his real love, poetry. His father and brother both worked as woodcutters, expectant he would follow. He had no love for their trade, he was more interested in his art.
Out in the forest, inspiration was found in abundance. The forest provided a gateway to the inner workings of his mind. His parents frowned at his chosen profession. An argument preceded his flight her, one that he deemed unnecessary. He was effectively returning home with his pride swallowed. Those thoughts were not at the fore front of his mind, the harsh environment warranted that.
The wind and rain were quickly becoming intolerable. His battered spirit felt it could journey no further, still he struggled onwards. The town was only 15 minutes walk further, yet he was already tiring. He began to doubt he could make it. Instead he decided to find shelter in the nearby cave. It was not really a cave, more a tunnel, as it had been crafted by men. It was carved deep into the mountain side and travelled far into its depths. Its dark interiors manufactured by the townspeople many centuries ago. It had long been lost as to why, theories were mixed and varied. He cared little for them.
Inside he was glad for its shelter and somewhere dry to sit. He still clutched his leather pouch, its contents texts of his poems. He checked it thoroughly, assuring himself that they were safe. Inside the pouch he removed some candles, worn from use. He had often spent long nights in the forest, when the weather allowed him. Lighting one, he moved deeper into the cave. It was slightly warmer here, so he chose to remain here.
He was stuck in this dark foreboding place for the night, which suited him fine. This incident would provide fuel for his writing. He took some ink, a quill and paper from his pouch. He started to write about his parents, as he did his anger rose, and that was when he felt it calling to him. He was overcome by it. Something was calling him from beneath the soil.
Frantically he began to dig, his nails scratching at the ground. After a while he felt his fingers touch the solidness of wood. Wiping the surface, it revealed a box with intricate carvings covering it. It was hard wood, oak most likely. He pulled it free from its earthly grave.
Lifting its simple unlocked latch, it cradled in it a flute. It was a beautiful instrument that inspired him with awe. It was long and had similar carved designs dotted along its frame. He removed it from its ancient casing and held it. He felt its heaviness and ran his fingers along its body. Applying the instrument to his mouth, he started to play. He had no musical ability, yet was capable of employing this instrument. The music echoed through the cave, amplifying it beyond into the forest.
The flute held control over him. He felt intoxicated by playing it.
"Fredrick," he muttered to himself, "What have you done."
Down in the town no one heard the deadly music. Unaware that its past was about to return. The townspeople had forgotten the pain of the past. It had become complacent and unwary. Soon it would face an ancient adversary that they were not prepared to fight. All was not lost, as destiny was about to help them in a mysterious way.
Chapter 2
The screeching sound of a heavy load being dragged screamed across the countryside. Deep in to the valley it went, stirring animals from their tranquil lives. Along a dirt worn path deep tracks where dug hard into the soil. Trails from a wagon with an unbearable load and a broken wheel. To its side was a large scruffy man, pressing his weight against the struggling wheel. Up front a young, beautiful woman led two tired horses.
They had travelled here by accident. Their wheel cracked on the jagged rocks in the nearby troll kingdom. As they went on the crack worsened until the wheel itself snapped. They were travelling towards a small town in an effort to find someone to fix it. Its position on their map was somewhat in doubt. It showed what appeared to be a town but had no attached name. They went anyway as it was the closest town for many miles.
Virginia was holding the horses reigns and felt them straining with their difficult load. She had not fully adapted to life within the Nine Kingdoms but had at least managed to learn to ride. The luxuries of her world had parted to become inconveniences. To Virginia the simpler life required a large amount of hard work. Work she was finding easier due to the efforts of one man, her lover, Wolf.
Wolf was not enjoying this trip across the kingdoms and had only gone because Virginia did not want her father to be alone. He did not regret his decision, but did find himself wishing he was back home. Wolf had become relegated to Tony's reluctant assistant. He performed most of the hard, laborious work that Tony shied away from. Wolf may have been a strong man but even he had his limits, and Tony was testing them. Wolf spent much of his time loading and unloading the silly contraptions Tony was trying to flog to the other kingdoms. The lazy bugger had even gone ahead to find some help. This search was most likely being conducted in a local pub with lots of food.
"This is not working!" Virginia shouted back to Wolf. She was correct as their meagre efforts were futile. She stopped the wagon, giving Wolf no warning. As such he pushed against the wagon without the horses support and nearly dislocated his shoulder. Virginia hoped off her seat and moved back to him. He smiled at her as he nursed his aching shoulder.
"Dad should have returned by now," She said looking along the road into the distance. "I'm worried about him."
"Don't be," Wolf reassured her. "He's probably trying to sell them something rather than asking for help."
"That would be like him." She returned, "Lets just take the horses and follow him!" Wolf nodded in agreement and helped her to remove the horses from the wagon.
They dragged the broken wagon to the side of the path. There was nothing in it that was of much value, so they left it unprotected. Mounting the two horses they trotted of along the path, deeper into the valley. As they did the rain that had soaked them the previous night returned. As it did they speed their horses along the paths hoping to find shelter in the town. The town was some way off yet and they would be thoroughly soaked before arrival.
It was an hour before they got their first glimpse of the town. It was larger than either of them had expected it to be. It was made up of a collection of large two storey red brick houses that sprawled across the landscape. Each one only had minor architectural differences but the town looked rather impressive against the backdrop of the green mountains. The main building that stood out was the tallest Virginia had seen in any town. It was a large cathedral sized structure with a tower perched on it. It was a bell tower that stood dominating the town. The building was located on the edge of the spacious market square.
The square was a large clearing in the centre of the town. It had four cobbled roads leading into a large water fountain in the middle. The roads went in a cross formation and where evenly spaced from each other. This precise formation gave the town a more structured appearance to it as the town itself resembled a large square with networks of cobbled pathways crossing it.
In the centre was a dazzling stone fountain spraying water into the air. It was circular and had amble room to sit on. Around the square were wooden stalls which had been deserted in the rain. Virginia was comforted by the movement of people around the square. Up until now the town showed all the activity of a graveyard. They ran quickly in the rain as they hurried from one building to another.
A steep incline descended into the town and was dangerously slippery. They slowed their horses and guided them down. The town enveloped them as they reached the bottom. A large stone archway stood at the entrance of the town. It was the only structure left of what may have once been a wall. Wolf could se the rock foundations protruding out of the ground in two lines attached to the archway. From the archway began a cobbled path which led into the heart of the town. This was one of many pathways which connected the entire town together.
As the rode down the cobbled path Virginia noticed how tall and compacted the houses were. The street they were on seemed to hold mostly shops and businesses. Wolf spotted an inn which had a large wooden sign with a large picture of a big bearded man. He looked gruesome and uninviting. It was hardy the image Virginia had anted to see right now. The inn was situated on the edge of the square facing a large building with a bell tower. Virginia and Wolf dismounted and tied their horses to a beam outside. They entered anyway with fatigue driving them on wards and the hope of a warm bed.
The inn was surprisingly large and spacious from its initial cramped exterior face. To the left of them was a circular table with four small chairs huddled around it. A stairway led up to the next level of the inn behind the table. To their right was a reception desk which had a dark wooden frame. Behind it was a large rack with various keys hanging on it. There was no one at the desk so Wolf rang the service bell.
A minute later a small grey haired man came out from a room behind the desk. He was skinny and wore a round pair of glasses on the tip of his nose. He seemed surprised by their arrival.
"Hello, can I help you?." He asked.
"Yes," Wolf responded, "We require a room."
"Ah," He said. "Hmmm, how long will you be staying?" Wolf looked at Virginia and shrugged his shoulders and she furrowed her eyebrows. Wolf turned back around to the confused man.
"We don't know!" Wolf said honestly.
"Very well then," The clerk said writing down in a large leather bound book.
"And what is the nature of your visit?" The clerk asked.
"Business I guess." Wolf answered. It was plausible and knowing Tony would soon become the nature of their visit.
"We have a room available for two. Is that suitable?" The clerk asked.
"Perfect!" Virginia jumped in startling both the clerk and Wolf.
"Then I'll need your signature here." He said pointing to the book. Wolf wrote his name down forgetting to give an alias.
"Okay then Mr……..Wolf is it!" The clerk read without a hint of surprise or interest. The man closed the book then removed a key from the rack behind him. He ushered them upstairs and showed them to their room.
The room was nice and cosy, bigger than expected and warm. Virginia felt the heat wrap itself around her frozen body. The room had varnished wooden flooring with a large rug under the twin bed. It had a small bathroom en suite with an attractive bath tub. A fire burned in the wall opposite their bed and lit up the room. Candles provided the rest of the light. The clerk handed Wolf their key then left. Wolf watched the man leave then closed the door. Virginia took of her rucksack and flung it on the floor before she flopped onto the comfy bed.
"We should go look for my father now, before I fall asleep." Virginia yawned.
"No chance." Wolf said, "The town is beginning to get foggy. I can barely see the street." Wolf pulled back from the window and pulled over the curtains. He moved over to the fire and threw a piece of wood on it.
"Then what can we do?" Virginia exclaimed. Wolf dropped onto the bed beside her.
"Rest." He answered. "It has been a long journey here."
"But what about my father?" Virginia said.
"He will be fine until the morning. He is a very resourceful man." Wolf said belaying her fears. She snuggled up to him and placed her weary head on his chest.
It was here that they both feel asleep from the exhaustion they felt. They slept the sleep of the innocent unknowing of the terrible events that were about to occur. Outside the fog settled on the town like a cloudy veil. The fire burned itself out protecting the two lovers from the discriminating cold. The candles slowed died too in the face of the cocks crow. The sun came up over the horizon of the mountains and drove away the fog.
Meanwhile in an inn not too far away Anthony Lewis was having a great time. He had arrived here to find help but instead had been enticed to join the helpers for a meal and some drink. That meal had been a feast and their drinks had yet to empty. Around him the murky inn was full of life. Men and women danced to the joyous music of a man and his fiddle. Tony had already experienced the energetic movements of the dance and was supposedly regaining his breath.
It had taken him a while to find the town as he had no map and instead followed a nice man who was going in the same direction. They had talked a little and the man seemed interested in here about Tony's amazing inventions. The man was kind enough to bring him to the local smith who had immense experience in wagons. The smith was very glad to offer help and said he would travel out to their wagon and see what he could do. With that the man who had first brought him here offered him the drink and the meal. Tony saw no harm in it as Virginia and Wolf were having help sent to them and he had nothing to worry about.
The bell for last calls went ringing across the bar and into Tony's ears. His drunken state made it sound as if the ringing was coming from inside his head, which it might have been. It was then that Tony decided to call it a night. Getting up of his stool he tried to make his excuses and leave. The locals heard none of it and ordered another round of beer. Tony was not the kind of man who turned down an offer of beer, reluctantly he sat down again and began his who know what number pint.
It was foggy out and Tony was surprised that it was dark. He was wedged in between to men who where acting as his supports as his legs appeared to be out of order. The men walked him through the streets and out in to the forest area. Tony saw lights in the distance.
"Where are we going?" Tony slurred.
"We're going to my farm. It's on the outskirts of the town." The man on his left answered.
"Why am I going there?" Tony sang.
"Because you my friend are drunk and have nowhere else to go." The man responded.
"Ahhhh, good." Tony said on the very of falling asleep. The two men carried Tony into the barn and plopped him on a stack of hay.
"You can sleep here." The man said laughing. Then he and his friend wandered out into the darkness closing the doors behind them. Tony was to asleep to notice the stagnant smell of manure that was imbedded in the barn. Instead Tony slept until morning when the consequences of his night would be paid in full.
In the forest only a few hundred metres from where Tony was sleeping an age old adversary was reawakening from a long slumber. This evil was already claiming its first victim in the innocent and angry Fredrick. He stood in the cave for the second night drawn by the malicious influence the instrument was exerting on him. He held the instrument as if it were a sword. This was however, a far more deadlier weapon than a simple sword. This instrument was crafted of age old magic that has entrapped many other young men like Fredrick. Holding the instrument in his hand he was overcome by the sense of power and control it gave him. The instrument called to him through the darkness telling him that his time was coming. Soon those who stood against him would see vengeance returned on them.
