The Black Book

Chapter 2

I did not quite know why I allowed myself to get involved in such a matter, out of attachment to my life? No, I have been losing that little by little with each passing day. Perhaps that curiosity and intrigue that is still in the very essence of my soul was gaining strength again, overcoming any survival instinct that lies dying in my being. I felt impelled by this mystery, and to know what was hidden under that peculiar event.

I started my march along the path that the lost army took, knowing that it was a road very little travelled, almost hidden by the forest, but it was a perfect one to mobilize a small military force discreetly, since the wet road full of mud raised little dust, and they would not see it coming in the distance. The mud would also muffle the sound of the hundreds of footsteps that would cross this path. In the dirt the passing of the army could still be discerned, which brought me a sense of relief because they had not been lost over time, and this would provide a much more accurate and rapid search. The mysterious innkeeper warned me that hidden villages could be found along these paths, almost isolated from the influence of the empire. He advised me to be prudent when dealing with the inhabitants of such sites, but he also understood the importance of the information they could share with me. It felt good to be able to disconnect from the situation I was living in the capital, to finally be able to breathe fresh air, although I felt something strange in the winds that day, perhaps what I noticed makes more sense after knowing what I know now.

I walked along the path until nightfall, with the intention of camping and spending the night, since it is inadvisable to wander around when the sun is dethroned and the moon resumes its reign in the firmament. Things, roam the woods, things that sometimes resemble a human, but cursed with features, less human... Before sunset and preparing my rest, I could see some weak columns of smoke that rose and dispersed in the clouds, I had found a village I thought. And indeed, it was one of the scattered towns that could be found along the hidden path to Brennenburg, which gave me some relief, as I could ask for their hospitality for the night, and valuable information, too.

It was a fairly large town despite being so isolated, about twenty houses I could identify, although there was only activity and lights in nine of them. Moving closer, I made my presence known so they would not be alerted to the arrival of a stranger, but there was no response. I soon noticed that there were people still outside, working, near a house that seemed to be the communal home. I was able to identify eight people, all men, working without looking up, and on the porch of the communal house, the ninth, an old man, who when I got closer, I could see that he suffered from blindness, because his eyes were pale and white as the moon. However, what caught my attention and fascinated me the most was the cane he used to walk, a completely jet black one, finished in what seemed to be a raven with outstretched wings, its eyes being two jewels, one purple and one blue.

- I can notice how your attention has diverted to my cane. I get it, it is not something you would expect to see in a village as humble as ours. – The old man commented.

- Where have you found it? – I asked fascinated.

- Ah, it is a family heirloom, one so old, that I could not tell its origin...

- It is a truly beautiful piece; I know of people who could pay...

- IT IS NOT FOR SALE – The old man shouted, causing me to startle. The other villagers stopped their work and looked at me suspiciously. Their faces were completely gaunt from the hard life of a peasant, but there was something in those eyes, something that hid more than just fatigue...

- I am sorry, I did not mean to offend you, I am not here to buy or sell anything.

- You will not find what you are looking for here, they continued their way without stopping, I think you can perfectly follow the trail of an army marching on mud, right? However, I invite you to stay in my home, the night is dangerous along this path, it is not convenient to camp at the mercy of the forest, especially one as old as this one... - During the entire speech the old man's face did not change nor did he seem to show any emotion, reminiscent of a guardian statue, but made of flesh and blood.