Folk Tales and Fables

Chapter 2 Beware of that which lives in the Mist

Owen was a farmer and a decent hunter when it came down to it. He like his father and his grandfather where men of the land. They tilled the earth and brought from the dark soil the fruits of their labor. Which provided for not only their family but for others. It had been that way as far back as he or his grandfather could remember. Though their had been a time or two when soldiers came round looking to press young men and lads into service. Those days where hard as that meant long hunting trips into the old forest. A place no sane man would go on the best of days. But he figured that it was better to try his luck in the woods than against Saxon blades. At least here he had a chance and it had proven true as he and his eldest sons watched from a tall tree as the soldiers left their farmstead. Some taking livestock or bags of grain with them as they loaded their carts and left.

The sight made him grimace as his sons muttered in anger beneath him. It would make the coming winter hard but it would have been harder without them. He knew that he was in no way shape or form a soldier. Sure he had his time as bar brawler in his youth. A small scrap here or their with the lads but who didn't at that age? He had dragged his three lads out of more than one as well. But a couple fights did not mean he was willing to go to war. Let alone allow his sons to be taken especially this close to winter. Just to die in a ditch over some lord-lings squabbles with the Northmen and leave his family to starve! No best he and his boys linger in the woods for a few days before returning home. Perhaps taking this time to do some hunting and foraging so that they could start replacing the lost game. Sure it wasn't legal but who was going to tell the difference between a stag and a goat?

~oo0oo~

The last few days of hunting had been good for them. The first day they had managed to catch plenty of rabbits and water fowl that they had smoked to preserved for the next few days. The furs cleaned and strung to dry over the next few days. The second had brought them a doe, A good hearty prize that they enjoyed that night. The organs being fried in fat as his sons processed it down and strung up the hide for tanning. The third fourth and fifth day where spent gathering herbs and various wild plants which they dried for later use. Then on the sixth and final day they had managed to catch a stag and another doe. It was this that finally convinced him it was time to return. With this they would have replaced a good portion of what was no doubt taken from the farm.

It made him proud that his sons had all done so well for themselves on this hunt. It gave him hope that when it was time for them to set off on their own to start their own families. But this last day had been... different. The forest had gone quite, the birds and insects which normally made up the natural ebb and flow of the forest where noticeable absent. The only sound was the rustling of the wind and the crunch of grass beneath their feet as they silently made their way back down the trails. Behind him he could hear his sons, the normally loud youths where silent. Their boastful taunts absent as they kept a firm grasp on their bows or ax. He himself had his hand firmly clamped down on his own as the torch in his other crackled. Casting light into the quickly darkening woods.

It wasn't natural, this quite made his heart quicken as sweat gathered upon his skin. Making him feel colder than he should as the voice in the back of his mind screamed at him to drop their baggage take his sons and run. Run back to the safety of his house as fast as his legs could carry him.

But he knew it wouldn't matter. He remembered his father telling him once as a child about something like this happening once. It was in his grandfathers time long before he had been born. He had told him that a group of hunters had gone out into the forest just as summer gave way to fall. As they always did right before winter to fill their stores and gather furs, bones, Antlers, fangs and claws for trade. But that year had been different, the cold had set in quicker and when it came time for the hunters to return. Only one of the ten that had gone came back. Bloodied and half mad from what he had seen. They didn't get much out of him but they where able to piece some of his mad ramblings together before he passed from his wounds.

The story went that the men went hunting deep in the forest. They had set up as usual and had begun to lay their trap-lines when three days in the forest went deathly quite. At first they where unnerved but they where a group of grown hardy men armed and more than capable of handling anything they came across. So rationalizing that perhaps what had caused the silence was a predator being about. They gathered their weapons and went hunting for it. Then as the day wore on they found no traces of it and to their ever growing unease. Not a single sing of life other than the trees and brush. Unnerved the group decided to move camp the next morning when the sun began to crest the mountains.

The next portion of the story was a bit shaky as the survivor began to mutter about demons and monsters. But from what his grandfather had said something had come for him and the hunters that night. Hiding in the darkness before dragging them off one by one. The poor sod that escaped probably made it out while the others where being torn to pieces. Something which was confirmed days later when the camp sight was found in ruins. Bloody tents and broken tools scattered about. The trackers where unable to find any trace of the missing and the dogs they brought refused to go anywhere near the camp. After that people tended to avoid the area thinking that something dark had laid claim to it.

But one part of the story always stuck out to him growing up. It was the description of one of the things the hunter had seen that night in the light of his dying torch as he ran. A creature standing impossibly tall with a crown of jagged and twisted horns atop its head like a demonic crown. Its dark sickly yellow eyes watching as he fled into the night. Its rasping breath following him as he fled like a sheep from a hungry wolf.

It was these thoughts that plagued him as he ushered his sons to move faster. His mind desperately praying that it was just paranoia as he added more tree sap to his torch. All the while praying that what ever was causing this unnatural silence did not follow him back home.

~oo0oo~

It took a month to gather everything needed such as horses guards and supplies. Then they had to make arrangements for their lands such as Regent's and proxy's to rule in their steed while they where away. Leaving behind strict instructions on how to care for their lands and what to do encase of emergency's. They also had to appoint Heirs encase something where to happen to them. For her case it was her Youngest Daughter Little Alisa Hood who she left in the care of Wales. For York she bequeathed her holdings to her sister Howe encase something was to happen. All these arrangements took time and by the end of the month Hood while sad to say farewell to her daughter was eager to get everything sorted.

Which was why she arrived at The Duke's Estate three days early. The woman as always welcomed her warmly into her home a modest hold fast which was the remnants of a Roman Villa that had been repurposed after they left the Isles.

"Its good to see you my friend. Tell me how are my sisters doing? Keeping out of trouble I hope." York asked with a smile as she brought the younger woman into a hug.

"If you mean they have yet to be assassinated by a number of Nobles do to their atrocious flirting than yes they are doing well. Though George is in rather steep trouble with Illustrious at the moment do to a slight scandal she caused not to long ago." Hood replied smiling as she returned the hug.

"Ah the stunt with Lady Nelson yes?" she said with a large grin as she released the blond noble and motioned her inside.

The weather while warm had turned sharply over the last hour. Dark clouds gathered in the distance threatening to drown everyone under its anger as thunder rumbled in the distance.

"Quite. Also the Queen sends her regards and has ordered Sir Rodney and Sir Vanguard as escorts along with five Knights bellow them." she informed looking over her shoulder to see the ones in question tending to the horses and cargo in the courtyard among a flurry of servants. "Belfast will also be joining us once she has completed some tasks given by the queen."

York whistled "Sending the best huh? Belfast will be a joy to have along with us. Pity Warspit isn't here though. That vengeful little midget is always good to have in your corner when things go south." she said fondly with no small amount of amusement.

"You just want a rematch do to your last being interrupted by the Queen before you could tear the dining hall to pieces." Hood chided causing the woman to laugh.

"True enough! Stings my pride something fierce that we couldn't settle our score. Still theirs always next time. Now what all have you brought with you? I know your aware that North of Hadrian's wall is rather cold come fall so I do hope you are prepared for the cold." she commented as they settled into the drawing room as servants placed an area of food and drinks before them.

Cheeses meats and bread lined the trays with crackers stacked high upon a tray. Next to it was a pot of freshly brewed tea with two freshly pored cups placed before them after the servants tested them for poison.

One never could be to careful these days.

"Furs cloaks and thick wool clothing along with various food stuffs and gifts for the meeting." she informed as she took a sip of the warm drink "Mostly jewelry and a few casks of wine and spices along with some various oils that where ordered by the queen."

"My that is a rather hansom and expensive gift." York commented sipping her own drink "I take it that she wishes this meeting to go well."

"Don't we all?" Asked Hood a tired frown on her face "I am growing sick of this needless violence. We have more important things to worry about than killing each other over who rules what."

"Your talking about the Southern Invasion of Wessex?"

Hood nodded "The Saxons from the mainland are trying to gain a foothold once more. Though Wessex and her Brother the Current King of Wessex is repelling them rather handedly. But our shores and those of Northumbria are still rather vulnerable. As the latest upheaval in the north has proven."

York nodded in agreement "And that's without getting into the odd rumors of things appearing from the old forests." she said grimly fingers tapping a sharp staccato as she spoke "Their are whispers of entire farmsteads disappearing in the night. Some show sings of struggle but others its like the inhabitants just up and walked into the woods and never returned."

"So its true then." Hood whispered looking slightly ill.

York nodded "A farming settlement went quite this past fortnight. I sent the guards to investigate as they where scheduled to bring in their taxes before I left for our trip. All they found was an empty farm with not a soul animal or human anywhere on the property. Though their where sings of a struggle and the barn from what I am told was not more than a slaughterhouse with the amount of blood found within." she took another sip of her drink looking at it distastefully as if she wished for something stronger.

Hood didn't blame her. She was contemplating asking for something stronger herself as the pink haired woman continued.

"No traces of what could have caused their disappearance was found. Then we found two more farms on either side of my lands had also vanished. They also showed no sings of anything. No prints other than what one would normally find but no sings of struggle. As if everyone just decided to leave and not come back."

"This... is troubling."

"That's putting it mildly. Their are whispers that the Northmen are responsible. But none have come past the boarder and there are rumors that some of their own have gone missing as well. Which is worrying in of itself. Everyone who has ever dealt with them knows that every man woman and child is trained to fight and that they live in large groups like we do. Usually a man his wife possibly a set of parents in a nearby house and plenty of children ranging from their teens to little ones. To find no trace of a struggle let alone a corps? It is beyond worrying."

"What do you think?" asked Hood curiously.

York inhaled deeply and let out an explosive sigh "What I think? I think that what ever is causing this is going to get a rusty sword shoved up its backside before I turn it into a chard corps. No one harms my people and gets away with it. No one and that's if the Northmen don't get a hold of them first."

~oo0oo~

North of Hadrian's wall

Yorktown looked at the remnants of the farmstead and frowned. Beside her Enterprise scowled looking intently at the ground for tracks.

"Their was a struggle." Her sister murmured pointing towards a partial imprint of a boot "here he was facing towards the west along with three others. Towards the forest." she said pointing towards the forest.

Yorktown nodded in agreement "I concur. Its faint almost washed away by the rain but the animals fled in the opposite direction. What ever came for them came for that direction." she agreed looking down "Two fled back towards the house. The youngest by the size of the foot prints." she stood up looking around to examine more of the area.

All around them their warriors examined the farmstead. It belonged to one of the few English family's that had somehow survived the previous Earls rein. Yorktown had been more than happy to let them stay in return for showing them what food stuffs could be grown in this new land and had arranged for them to come to her new home. Only to not show up on the appointed day. When they did not show up the next a messenger was sent with two warriors. They came back with news that the family a group of seven and all of their livestock was gone. The only traces was left was a demolished house drenched in what they where sure was human blood.

Needless to say this alarmed many and a band was sent out to investigate. Yorktown and Enterprise leading them while Hornet remained behind to watch over their hold. Now that they where here the two could easily agree that their was something to be alarmed about.

Moving towards the home she peered at the door taking note of the five long claw marks that marked the wooden door. Opening it she found blood everywhere the sent of rot having set in already from the blood that lingered. In the noon sun's light poring in from the open windows. She could make out the upturned furniture rather easily along with the familiar color of what was no doubt blood covering the floor and walls. Though the liquid was alarmingly absent.

The two entered cautiously body's tense as the cold prickling of unease filled them. Once inside they used torches handed to them by the men to get a better look at the interior. It was here that they could make out more signs of struggle. Furs, lining, and various odds and ends where scattered about. Furniture spattered with blood lay damaged or even shattered around the walls. Where they had been used to barricade the windows and doorways. The large shelf which had rested by the front door in particular was a sight. Broken clay jars that had once been filled with various herbs and grains lay shattered across the floor and showed that the shelf had once barricaded the door had been tossed aside before something had been dragged through the door.

Yorktown knelt beside the shelf touch flickering as it and the suns light illuminated five long jagged lines in the woods surface. The marks where a finger widths long and one knuckle deep. To wide and deep for even a bear to have made. Behind her her sister paced torch high above her as she examined the blood spatter upon the floor boards.

"No human could have done this." Muttered Yorktown looking from the shelf to the matching set of claw marks on the door.

Enterprise grunted in agreement looking to the burnt and spoiled remains of food on the floor where the table had once rested "It had to have been early morning or late evening when they where attacked." She commented looking around "They where preparing for their meals when it happened. Perhaps they heard the sound of their livestock in distress and the men went to investigate. No doubt they panicked when the screaming started and tried to barricade the door and windows." she commented before looking at the massive hole in the roof "But whatever had done this was smart enough to go through the roof if the massive hole above us is to go by. Once inside." she didn't need to explain further.

It was clear that once it was inside it had turned into a slaughter. With no where to go and no way to flee they had been butchered to the last.

Enterprise hummed in thought looking at the marks critically with a deep frown "IF I did not know any better. I would say the nameless ones had come." she muttered looking at the damage "But even in the tales they did not leave marks such as these. They also left behind some remains. Yet it is as if even the blood has been licked from the floor." she murmured before turning away "If you permit it. I can take a few of our warriors and check on the other farmsteads. I can also ask around about the creatures spirits and demons that call this land home."

Yorktown's contemplated this request before shaking her head. "No. The Delegation should be arriving any day now and it is our task to great them before sending them to Bismarck. No we will wait for now but send out patrols and inform the farmsteads to be alert. You can have them ask the people as they do so." she said standing up from her crouched position by the door to turn to her.

Her sister grunted in agreement clearly not liking her orders but otherwise nodded in acceptance. "I suppose we could ask them if they have had such difficulty's." Enterprise grunted before looking towards her "You should know... some of the men and women are saying that it is their fault. Some sort of curse or other."

"And what do you think?" asked Yorktown with a raised brow.

"I Think." Enterprise said slowly looking around at the remains of the home "That not even they would resort to this level of witchcraft. Not when they are so fond of their 'Examples'." she said spitting the word out like poison.

Yorktown nodded grimly remembering the tales of Ragnar and of other lands that the English had occupied in the past. "Agreed. Which is why I need you to keep them under control. No need to start a war just yet when we have other things to worry about."

Enterprise nodded in agreement and left to round up everyone and get ready to move out. Leaving her sister behind to cast one last look at the farmstead with sorrow filled eyes. Before closing them and bowing her head.

"May you find peace in the halls of your god Englishmen and may they have mercy on us. For I fear what ever has come for you... will soon be coming for us."

End chapter