Night of Sorrow

"Come now, Granddad," the younger guardsman laughed nervously. "Beasts of that sort aint nuthin but an old wives tale. Father Rasmundgren told me so, he did. Said there aint been no con-conf-confirmeable reports of any such attacks fer hunnerds of years."

"Oi! Ye callin' me a liar then, boy?" the older glared. "I've seen me with me own eyes, I tells ya! Why, back in the days when the old Kings reigned, the werewolves damn near owned this town. I got cornered by one, I did. E' was a real mean, hulkin' old werewolf e' was. Stood up to his full twice my height, an' roared!! Ya could see the bloodlust in his eyes then, ten times fiercer and madder'n any yewman."

"So what did you do?"

"I ran, is what I did! Straight through some fences n' alleys and never looking back once. Call me a coward, but lest I wouldn't be tellin' ya this now. Watch out fer werewolves and their ilk, lad. Or ye'll be sorry!"

"Hah! Sorry Granddad, but I aint convinced. All we've gotta worry about is thieves n' drunkards or them White Hand goons at worst. And even if..."

He paused, for a shadowy figure stepped out in front of them to block the narrow street. The figure wore ragged black robes that stretched far back into the shadows.

"It is said the greatest of angels would die to redeem the sins of others," the figure said in a voice that sounded like that of a man. "While a fallen angel travels the earth, making others die for his sins."

"Who are you?!" the younger guardsman demanded, drawing his sword. "Are you an enemy of the King's peace? If so, I'll cut you down without mercy!"

The Stranger laughed - more a horrible, inhuman chittering than a laugh - and moved his arms slightly. His sleeves parted and a sword and axe clattered to the ground. Rusty, bloody chains attached by a hook to each weapon stretched back into the folds of the Stranger's robes.

"Are you trying to scare me?! Bastard!! I'll rip you to shreds!" the younger guardsman snarled.

"No lad, don't do it!" the older guardsman moaned, suddenly taking a step back. "It aint yewman! It aint yewman!!"

"Die!" the younger guardsman yelled and lunged forward, sword held high.

"Good night," the Stranger giggled. "Pleasant... screams! Ha ha ha ha ha!!"

The chains jerked back and suddenly the sword and axe whistled through the air, ripping through flesh and bone. Gasping, the younger guardsman fell to one knee, for it was the only limb left to him. His severed arm, hand and leg splattered onto the cobblestones.

"D-damn you..." he coughed, spitting up blood. "Goddamn... demon!"

"Pull yourself together man!" the Stranger smiled. "Now's not a good time to be losing... your head!"

The axe flashed through the air again - and the youth's head rolled away to bounce against the elder's feet. The old man stared soundlessly at the human remains and took another step back, then stumbled and fell. His lantern smashed, plunging the street into darkness.

"S-stay away from me! Redeemer protect me!" the old man stammered, trying to crawl back. Out of the darkness, two inhumanly strong hands seized his face.

"Carry this message to your King," the Stranger's voice hissed. "Out of the shadows of night, man's ultimate enemy and predator walks again. Let them tremble in fear - for in two nights the monkey shall burn astride the galloping dead horse holding a broken doll. Hahahahaha!!"

"No!!" the old man cried as he felt two thick nails driving into his eyesockets, bursting through his eyes and driving ever deeper...

"And thus, the blind shall lead the blind into a new era!" the Stranger exulted, tossing the crying old man aside. "Now, where shall I go next to satisfy the treasonous bile of my anger?"

1. the Inn.
2. the Church.
3. the Guardhouse.
4. the Brothel.
5. Smuggler's Lane.
6. Colm's Theatre.

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