Hunter's Reckoning ~Short Works~ Part 1

335 II Age Day 1  of Contract: North Wockeal Woods

I have arrived at a small inn. After a few gold pieces and a friendly smile from the barmaid, I proceed upstairs and found the sleeping quarters quaint enough for a short stay. My contract states I must rid the area of what the haunting presence in the woods. I will attempt to learn more of this being. The barkeep came upstairs earlier offering me food and drink whenever I was ready. Perhaps I will accept her offer.

This place is dark. My candle lit on the nearby table offers a little warmth from the draft sweeping in from above through the rafters. It may snow soon. Enough of these matters, I think a good drink is a warming idea. I will attempt to gain more knowledge of my task.

~~~~~

Whispering cold within the night,
the howls of fate, lost to sight.
A solemn toast, unbeknownst,
for deeds done by curse not want.

I have further learned after a stout brew and morsels of bread and fruit, that the being of the woods appeared sometime after a traveler came into the inn. The odd accent and dress of this person was not at first strange to the inn keeper but it became obvious the person was different.

There were complaints from patrons of strange smells and sounds in the middle of the night and twice it was found that the woman traveler left the inn in a strange trance of sorts. It was soon after her third incident with dead animals being found near her room, she was asked to leave. It was then the haunting of the woods began.
 
A man there told me also that he believed her to be some kind of evil.

"Not worth the time to pursue unless you seek a quick death."  The man then left, throwing his brown cloak over his head and slamming the door.

Not quite something such a man should say to a stranger such as myself..

He was strange.

I will go out tonight and attempt to observe what I’ve been told of “chanting” as well as red and blue fires floating through the air. According to what I have learned the haunting being is only known to emerge from the woods on the darkest cycle of the moon. I've gotten contrary reports of some saying it is an entity, dark and gloomy. It presence cold and overwhelming. Others insist that it is small, the size of a child, with a grotesque face and disfigured body. I have two nights until then. For now I will see what I may learn.

~~~~~~

Nothing. I found nothing to hint of the haunting of this place. Every shadow that crept beneath the moon, every sound of chirping in the trees or rustling in the undergrowth could be explained. It seemed, at least tonight, all is well and in good order.... Except of course the buffoons of drunks that fell from the doorway of the inn as I made my way back. But, for a place of alcohol and stale bread, I would say this is normal. I will go tomorrow during the early light to see what else may be found.

---