January 17th 1830
-Frozen wilderness, United States of America, Border of Canada.
Personal Journal of Leon Wagner.
Fifth Entry.
I must say, today I awoke to quite a surprise.
I found my horse returned to me tied by the branch of a tree as well as two strange men sitting beside who had been patient as to not wake me the entire morning. I looked toward the younger of the two enraged, for I immediately recognize him as the one who had stolen my horse from the previous day. I had never planned to kill a person on my travels, but for this one I would have gladly make an exception.
As I began to raise my pistol for the thief's head he did the same with his bow as an instinctive reaction. Before either of us could fire, the older of the two asked for us both to calmly lay down our arms in a temporary peace so he could explain. Telling me that he was deeply sorry for his young son stealing my horse and leaving me stranded in the cold.
I could tell the son however was not sorry for his actions and had been forced to come along against his will as evident by his constant scowling toward me. But the father seemed sincere enough and we both reluctantly laid down our weapons before sitting around my smoldering fire pit which had started to die. As I reached for more firewood it was instead rekindled kindly by the old man.
The older of the two then introduced himself as Gliding Hawk, a local hunter like myself who had lived here for many decades. He had grey hair and wrinkled skin as well as a large scar across his cheek which I assume to likely have been from a soldier's bayonet. Through his weary eyes I could tell he had seen much war and hardship throughout his life like myself, perhaps even more so. But unlike me he had also obtained a wisdom only possible from the many years he had endured.
His son reluctantly informed me of his name as well, although only at the behest of his father. A much more intimidating title of Mountain Wolf. A young man with pitch black hair and a stern serious look across his face that felt like an icicle pressed against my eyes every time he looked at me. Both were clad in thick furs to better protect them from the cold and underneath had dark reddish skin with feathers atop their braided hair. It was then that I knew who I was speaking to.
Gliding Hawk told me that he and his son were of an Iroquois tribe located not too far from the valley and that his young son had taken my horse mistakenly, thinking I had been killed like the other settlers who had gone missing in the region.
I asked curiously if they were the cause for the settlers disappearance. Mountain Wolf immediately took offense to my statement saying they were responsible for no such thing. Claiming it was the settlers who had brought this terror upon themselves not his people.
I quickly apologized as best I could. Trying not to escalate the situation further as I had moments before. Gliding Hawk set both our anxious minds at ease with some food he had brought along his journey in a satchel. With are tempers now cooled and our bellies filled, we continued talking more calmly. I was still somewhat impatient at having to spend so much time with them instead of hunting while their was still sunlight left. But I was also quite curious about who they were and how they were involved. I stayed where I was. Taking in every detail they spoke and hopeful it would help in leading me to my quarry or better informing me of the harsh terrain. Gliding Hawk asked if I was here to harm his people. I told them I was to do nothing of the sort and that I was only here to kill a beast which had been plaguing these lands for many months.
The two immediately looked upon one another surprised in a look of utter bewilderment by my statement. I was instantly intrigued. They knew something I didn't. At last my first lead.
"You speak the truth?" Gliding Hawk asked me hopefully. "We have been lied to many times before and you must give me your word you will not harm any of my people."
I assured him that I was only here to kill monsters not humans. Mountain wolf was skeptical but kept his mouth shut as he looked up and down my armor. Clearly still not convinced of my truth as evident by his fierce eyes narrowing as he observed my many weapons and equipment.
"Who do you fight for? he asked me angrily. "Come to kill us?"
I replied truthfully and calmly that I only hunted monsters who wished to harm innocent people. He rubbed his chin and sat back down still on heavy guard. Looking me over as if I were a rabid animal.
I decided to ask them if they knew of what was causing these disappearances. As Gliding Hawk started to open his mouth Mountain wolf interrupted.
No! Do not say father! They deserve what they have brought upon themselves!
Gliding Hawk then sternly told his son to be silent with a power unlike any word he had spoken before. I was surprised that his intimidating, full grown son immediately sat back down in compliance. I as well kept silent out of fear and respect for the show of sudden strength from the aging warrior.
Gliding Hawk sighed heavily before speaking to his son in a sad voice that felt full of regret.
"Son. We must bring this nightmare to an end."
He finally turned to face me and began his tale of what terror had plagued these lands over the past few months..