Chapter I The man in the cloak

It was a windy, misty night. The deep shadows of the dark had covered the village, sinking it in; only a few

drops of restlessness were feltthe trees were whispering

The darkness had taken over with the last lights on the streets being turned off. The woodlands near the village

were different, grotesque like. There was something about it giving you shivers, you could almost feel an icy,

deathly cold breath from the trees trying to overpower, beat you. Deep within the forest silence fell upon its

inhabitants, scaring away any living creature that had failed to return home. There was no movement, not a single

noise could be heard. It felt as if a musical ritual of some sort had been triggered but the notes, keys, sounds had

vanished without trace.

The houses within had long ago fell asleep into a lethargic dream. Not a single ray of light glistened.

Suddenly, the road came to life and a cloaked figure emerged. It was barely visible, just a hint of movement could

be felt, almost airy like. The blackness of the night was fighting to confine the new intruder, crash him, eat him

up. But the figure didnt stop, it seemed unaware of the surroundings, an inner force driving it through the sizeable

nightmare it had sunken in. As the sounds of its approach got closer to the entrance into the village, the figure

became more or less humane.

From the looks of it, it had to be an old man, he was walking slowly, carrying the weight of the years with him.

His body was wasted by life; a high crooked back was arching from beneath that cloak. His feet were bare and

bleeding, probably from the long journeys their master had undertaken in the upper lands. Deep, greedy breaths

of air were scarring his lungs, betraying his old age and the long time hed been on the road.

There was something strikingly magical about him, almost wizardly like, those type of fearless captures only the

ones of Merlin had. But no, he was no wizard of the kind; a simple man drained off functions and emotions, he

was seeking bed and food for the night.

The destiny had driven him into these distant lands for a reason and he had to fulfill it but first he needed to regain

his powers

Very soon he had reached the gate to the old villages entrance and stopped to look around. His eyes were

wondering prudently in the dimness of the night, searching for any sign that could betray life. But he was out of

luck. Nothing had changed from the moment he made his appearance on the old farmers roadthe same heavy
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silence, the same odd stillness. It was almost as if all humans had disappeared, abandoning their houses to dwell

on in this mystery land, misleading wanderers like him.

For the first time this evening the man realized this village was no ordinary one, nothing about it resembled what

he had seen before. It could have been the one people were forging legends about and if that was the case, he

needed to find shelter immediately if he was to continue on his mission. He couldnt risk itnot now when he

was so close

Without putting any thought into it, he reached out for the gate and knocked.

An instant terrifying echo was released in the air of the night. It had disturbed the silence so brutally that the whole

sapling shivered. Pleads of cries were gathered from the trees, whilst the wind was fighting ferociously to

overpower the intruding sound that had dared disturb the peace.

For an instant the fear of nobody answering to his plead of help made the man doubt his own decision to seek bed

in these places. Suddenly, a heavy sound of a metal crook crashed into his ears. Slowly, very slowly, the binnacle

on the gate opened. Two bright, almost glass-like eyes had emerged from behind the gate looking right at this

sudden visitor.

Who are you? What do you want at this late hour? asked a rugged, raspy voice, obviously not happy of

this daring attempt to disturb his peace.

Good evening to you, sir! My name is Silgrieve. I come from the upper lands looking for some rest and

food. Ive been wondering these roads for weeks now, trying to find a human settlement and this village is the

only one I stumbled upon. I just need some rest and Ill be out of here first thing in the morning before anyone is

even awake.

A moment of silence followed. The gatekeeper was probably unsure if to let this stranger in or send him away.

Finally, a slow, harsh sound from the gate being unlocked had released the tension. The doors slid wide open and

the old man blew out a sigh of relief.

Good, he thought to himself. I should be safe in here for the night.

The village itself was just as any other typical rural community one can imagine. Houses on both sides of the main

road, surrounded by high, thick forests. It was clear enough they were as old as the ages. Poverty had left its mark

on everything the eye could grasp. Small village homes, wrecked by storms and mold hadnt been rebuilt in years

and the roofs were on the bridge of collapsing. Here and there small torches were scattered recklessly, obviously
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a remainder from the ages of glory, when light used to burst proudly out of the thin crystal glass. Far in the distance

there was a road sign, bent by the wind no doubt. It carried the name of this God-forgotten place: Lochdeer.

To be continued