As sixteen year old Iago, leaning on his crutches, strolled towards the room he called his in the house of his deceased mentor his mind wandered to the events of earlier that morning.
"The wench thought if she just kills her daughter she can start anew as if she was never married!"
"She sent poor Lenny after her father sent her to the woods!"
"Whatever will we do now she's killed the last Oakman?!"
Middle-aged widow Mary Oakman was up on the stage that generations before creatures of other realms were given horrible executions, she sat in a wooden chair with her hands tied behind her. Mrs.Oakman was being charged with murder, her daughter had vanished and the only trace of where she went was actually a note pinned to the town gate. The note which had Mrs.Oakman tied to that chair expecting to join her husband who had died five years prior.
Mother, do not panic. I have gone to do what my father failed to do. I will rid Crosswoods of the spirit that has haunted us for so long, and the one who took father. I probably won't see you again but hopefully, the spirit also won't see the town again. Thank you for telling me really how my father died.
-Lenny
This single note, this singular note made them think Mrs.Oakman had sent her daughter out to the woods. The woods where a spirit who wailed, howled, cried and killed lived for centuries.
The woods where a spirit who wailed, howled, cried and killed lived for centuries
"Mary Oakman for if you shall follow your child out that gate or remain here. "Where the blooms glow, the spirit tracks, yet many a body can be found by his tomb but not a bloom near his tomb. Why?"
Mary Oakman froze, if she could solve the riddle none could solve, she lived, if she could not, She would follow her husband and daughter's fate.
"His tomb was left bare as the trees of his forest, completely."
The townspeople debated with each other discussing Mary's calmly stated response. They counted votes quietly in a circle, the priest stated her fate and untied her.
"Sadly it seems our founders page with the answer was eaten by rats, nobody has sent anybody out like that since the founder died. We will have to use the normal trial method. I have two keys, one in each hand. The one to your house and the one to the town gate.
Pick a hand, Mary. For we know not why the blooms are how they are."
Mrs.Oakman shakily chose a hand...
If she chose her house key, she would never know if it was the spirit who took her family, or even if they are alive in the woods just unable to get back in. But she would live.
If she chose the gate key, she would most likely be killed by the spirit or the elements, but she could know if her family still remains.
Where the blooms glow, the spirit tracks, yet many a body can be found by his tomb but not a bloom near his tomb. Everyone has their own answer on why, but even the books tell how not even his lover left a gift at his funeral. One cant help but wonder was the spirit really the cruel one? Is the spirit of a creature from another realm or the town who killed him the one who should have the protection of the walls? Is Lenny's fate to die for going outside?
Would Mrs.Oakman know the answers to these questions always just out of reach?
Later That Evening
Kneeling by a pipe in the bedroom wall which he hid behind a tapestry, Iago spoke hoping the spirit of the house could hear. ¨You wouldn't believe what happened today spirit...but I can't let Lenny get herself hurt, plus the town needs her to lead them like he did. Plus I can't lose anyone else, she and her mother and you who I swear I've heard but you could completely be in my head are all Ive got now."