Enter the Dead

The icy wind blew in unexpectedly cold for mid autumn as a melodic howl whispered to the wind, sewing its voice through the current of night. Struggling to keep warm against the gust, soldiers lay huddled together, as the strong wind gathered strength from the ethereal plain, trying to divorce its ordered path.1

Over, across the paths of moonlight, spread upon the glassy hills of earth a bushel behind the camp began to shake with excitement, crouching low it sung the songs of sorrow, hate, and of a life filled with a blood-lust that came from the soul and could only be satisfied by the most abominable villainy known to the valley of Stan'na Tepoli. Slowly it make its way up hill, it had found its prey.2

In a high tent on the top of a hill over looking his camp, Rafon shivered, not even the luxury of his tent could keep out the winds and his night visions that robbed him of his slumber. Getting up from his desk Rafon ran his thinned hands through his hair. He glanced up at his map once more, "One more day Donovan, that's all I and my men can afford to wait." 3

Replacing his quill and ink, he moved to his coach and almost instantly was asleep. Soon after Darkness crept into the tent, coming under the edges, through the small slits, riding on the backs of small creatures, it gathered its members. It moved quicker than any blade and darker than night itself, gouging the last remaining source of light, the Darkness found Rafon. 4

Though he slumbered his mind was still very much awake and if he had been able to move his lips he would have screamed. 5

~6

All around him the sounds of his camp coming to life rung in his ears, Donovan groaned and rolled over, "Enid?" Opening his eyes he found her place next to him empty. Slowly he moved to a basin and washed his face. He had barely begun to disrobe himself when a soldier ran into his tent.7

"Captain!" 8

Donovan turned around scowling, "What man? Is it not a decent hour of the-"9

"It's your nephew captain... he's dead." The soldier gripped his leather cap tightly. Donovan refused to move. No. He had gone through to much planning for this to keep happening to him, the death of his nephew now made six. Six of his men killed in the night right under their watch. No. This could not all go to waste, 'I need this campaign.'10

Suddenly the captain's mind lurched into action. "Send someone to find Enid and take me to my nephew's body." Grabbing his boots he walked out of the tent behind the trembling soldier Donovan passed groups of soldiers who stood blankly by horses, and tents, everyone in the camp had stopped their packing when they heard of the young mans’ death, they would wait for his direction on what to do next. They all depended on him to survive. Walking to his nephew’s tent, Donovan saw that they had removed none of his belongings; standing next to the tent a young soldier whispering his condolences. 11

"Was it you that found him?" Donovan peeked inside the tent.12

"Ye- Yes sir."13

The soldier who led Donovan there spoke then for the boy.14

"His name is Titus, captain."15

Donovan nodded.16

Inside the tent the air was a blackish blue around his nephews head. Grabbing up his shirt and holding it to his mouth Donovan stepped closer and removed the blanket. Just then the boys head rolled away from his body - Donovan gasped. He quickly scanned the rest of his nephews body and noticed his hands were picked clean and like his neck, the boys hands had no remaining flesh on it. "Oh, Eric. I'm so sorry." He whispered as he turned and went back out of the tent. Out in the fresh air Donovan tried to swallow the tears that welled up around his eyes.17

Enid stood in a field faced the Head River, her long reddish-brown hair streamed down her back as her gypsy like gown moved in ripples around her by unseen wind. She stood in a circle of small black stones, her hands extend while she silently tore at the sky. 18

Slowly the man called Mikhail moved to her right side, like most men her beauty enthralled him but unlike most men he did not fear her. Only he and Donovan understood her strange doings but only Mikhail had the privilege of spying for her. 19

“Yes Mikhail?” Her voice echoed as she spoke.20

“Enid it’s time to move. Donovan has just found his nephew’s body-“21

Before Mikhail could finish Enid spun around and bird like claws gripped his throat.22

“I told you not to touch the boy!”23

“I- I didn’t my lady. I s-swear i-it.” 24

Enid’s eyes glowed white as she lifted the poor excuse of a man before her off the ground.25

“I swear my lady, I did not touch your love’s nephew! I swear it!”26

A ways of from them a soldier ran to Enid’s cove. Enid dropped Mikhail and bent down to gather her stones and the wind around her ceased.27

“My lady…” The soldier panted. 28

“I know, Mikhail has told me.” 29

Enid stood up and followed the soldier with Mikhail a pace behind.30