Prologue
Hogswatcheve
It was the night before Hogswatch and all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even a...
"Are you sure we should be doing this?"
The boy talking gazed up at the shadowy figure of his older sister and gulped. Even through the feeble flicker of the candle flame he could see her glare...or if he couldn't see it, he could definitely feel it. Sighing he continued down the dark stairs trying his hardest not to tread on the stray creaky step while his sister lit the way ahead.
After a few moments of silence he felt he should explain himself more clearly, perhaps she had misunderstood his intentions...afterall for a five year old he was quite smart. He could read the time on the big clock in his bedroom and he knew it said One O'clock but he had the feeling he'd somehow upset his sister.
"It's just...mum said..."
The girl whirled around and scowled.
"Mum is in bed and so long as you shut up she'll not know any difference!" She snapped turning back around and then considering herself she offered a more detailed explanation.
"Anyway I've done this since I was smaller than you and she's never noticed so there! And besides if your too Chicken go back to the boogieman under your bed!" Said the girl smirking in triumph as her little brother promptly shook his head and frowned back at his sister.
"I'm not a chicken! And I'm not afraid!" He protested vailantly but his efforts were wasted as his sister shook her head and continued down the stairs. William glared at the back of her head and stuck out his tongue at her before following. He looked up at the walls...they always seemed so friendly in daylight but now they reminded him of dark dungeon walls like he'd seen in his colouring-in book...at this thought he decided it would be safer for him to be nearer his sister.
After a few more flights of stairs the duo reached the hallway and crept quietly past the Cooks Domain until they reached the correct door. A feeling of anticipation filled the air as William went silently through the wall after his sister and found himself in the darkness of the Room.
"Lillith! I can't see a thing..." Whined William.
He could hear a muffled sighing noise and then suddenly the room was ablaze with light. The oil lamps were lit and the dim embers in the fireplace had leaped into life but William's eyes were fixed squarely on the prize - The Hogswatch tree.
They'd spent a while decorating it the previous week. It was a six foot tree that was malting slightly but on the leaves were candles and sparkly decorations. He recognised a few paper stars they'd made and on the top was an Angel. The whole effect was magical and it definitely stirred an emotion of awe in the little boys heart as he gazed at it's full effect but then his eyes fixed themselves on the pile of presents under it and he forgot all about the tree.
Lillith crossed her arms and smiled before going on her knees and picking up a stray pink wrapped parcel, as common for all nine year old children she didn't pay attention to the label that read: From Millicent but proceeded to unwrap the item and her eyes lit up - a selection box of chocolates.
"Remember Will, not too many or they'll notice...just one or two of the good looking ones," Advised Lillith serenely as she tore open another black wrapper parcel. William nodded. Lillith had explained that two years ago she'd unwrapped the lot and then found that come morning she knew what she was getting and to top it all their parents found out.
"I've got another one of them itchy jumper thingys from Mrs Underhill," Complained William holding up a canary shaped jumper that would do nicely as a disorientated dress if it were not for the fact that William was a boy and that the colour clashed horribly with his red hair.
"She always gives out jumpers to you. I always get scarfs" Stated Lillith clipping on a silver necklace, "And anyway make sure you wrap it up again or it'll be obvious."
After a good hour or so of examining their new toys William had to shake Lillith awake which wasn't pleasent as his sister wasn't at her best half asleep. Groaning she'd waved her arm lazily and at once the light seized to enter the room. She then dragged her brother up the stairs ignoring the family cat until they were both in their beds. Lillith fell asleep straight away but William gazed at the clock for a moment in puzzlement.
How come it still read One O'clock?
SQUEAK.
I KNOW, Said a voice that sounded like funeral bells, THEY ALWAYS LEAVE THE PAPER. STILL HE SEEMED TO LIKE THE COLOURING BOOK LAST YEAR AND SHE LIKED THE NECKLACE.
Death stepped forward from the shadows and loomed over the Hogswatch tree. The Blue of sparks hidden in his eye-sockets flared for a moment as he took in the collection of multicoloured paper spread along the floor. Of course He had a busy schedule but he could always time out to watch the little scene every year. He liked it.
The Grim Reaper sighed (or at least it sounded like a sigh but ofcourse he had no vocal cords) and his companion the Death of Rats made his thoughts known.
SQUEAK.
Death stared at the wrapping paper again.
YES. IT SEEMS I'LL HAVE TO CLEAR UP AGAIN OR SUSAN WILL FIND OUT AND IT MIGHT LOWER THE HOGSWATCH SPIRIT AS IT WERE.
SQUEAK, agreed the Grim Squeaker staring at the empty box of chocolates disappointedly wondering why there wasn't at least one left. Death on the other hand was already shoving the paper into a small pile.
STILL I THINK NEXT YEAR I'LL GIVE THEM A WASTE-PAPER BASKET AND IT MIGHT SAVE ME THE JOB, Added Death thoughtfully.
For those who haven't figured it out William and Lillith are Susans and Lobsangs children. Why William? Well in the Reaper Man Death was called Bill and Bill is short for William so I sort of got it from there. As for Lillith I just like the name. This is my first Discworld fic so be nice and I hope you review please! xxx