A fantasy tale with divergent characters as protagonists who need to confront the power of angry mobs stirred on my malevolent forces in a world where magic and magical beings come to life.
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One evening, Eldon, with his keen analytical mind couldn't help but notice the absence of the usual sounds of nature. The birds were silent and even the insects were still.
"Something's not right," Eldon muttered to himself, furrowing his brow. He decided to seek out Isolde, whose intuitive senses often picked up on things which others often missed. He found her near the edge of the forest, where she was gathering herbs.
"Isolde," Eldon called out as he approached her. "Have you noticed how quiet it's become? The forest seems and even the town seem different somehow."
Isolde looked up upon hearing his voice. "I have, Eldon. There's a darkness in the air. It's been here for a while, but it is getting to appear to be stronger. It has to be something unnatural. I can feel it in my bones."
They walked back to the village, discussing their observations. As they approached the village square, they saw Gareth talking with Balthazar and Leonara. Isolde smiled despite the ominous signs of danger. Seeing the three together somehow seemed almost prophetic.
Gareth noticed their worried expressions and called them over. "Eldon, Isolde, what's going on? You both look worried."
"There's something wrong with the forest, Gareth. It's as if the very air is thick with malice," Isolde stated.
Balthazar, nodded gravely and added, "I've sensed it too. There's a threat that is greater than a simple group of bandits lurking waiting to attack a sleeping village."
Leonara added. "I think we need to tell Thomas, Eldric, and the other council members about this. I will offer my help where it is needed."
~
The council gathered late in the afternoon with a number of concerned villagers present to find out what was going on. Many of them had also felt the change and the silence of the forest,
"This isn't something within our experience," Eldric stated when pressed for what could be done. "We don't know if it is directed at our village or if it is a problem other villages along the river are noticing as well. We need to find out more."
"I agree," Thomas added. "We could send a messenger to Longuet, Fontaine, and Etoile, as soon as possible to gather information, as well as to report back any changes that are unnatural along the trail."
Gareth and two other young men from the village were sent off to gather the needed information, while the villagers continued to ask questions which could have no answers. When the questions began to be repeated, Eldric called the meeting to an end.
"We'll meet again this evening after the boys return," Eldric said. "We can't decide upon anything without more information."
Balthazar and Leonara took up positions around the perimeter of the village waiting for Gareth to return. They weren't alone as Thomas had conscripted other young men and women to stand guard with them.
Gareth and the two other young men returned shortly before sunset and went to the inn where t Eldric and Thomas were waiting. Gareth had ridden the furthest and had been the last to arrive.
The first two to arrive reported on what they learned from each village. Their messages were the same. Every village had nothing to report other than vague feelings.
"Tell us what you saw on your ride to and from the village," he asked.
Gareth was the only one to have anything to add. "I was on the trail through the forest to the east when I heard strange noises—growling and snarling noises. Then I saw them, creatures with glowing eyes and sharp teeth. They were headed this way!"
Balthazar, and Leonara, having returned from their lookout positions to hear the reports, exchanged grim looks. "We need to prepare to defend the village from these monsters," Balthazar firmly stated.
Thomas echoed Balthazar's words as he took charge of the situation.
"Everyone who is fit to defend the village, gather your weapons and go to the forge as soon as possible. Everyone else is to take shelter here in the inn. We'll defend the village."
As the villagers hurried to secure their homes and gather either at the forge or at the inn, Gareth and Balthazar gathered a number of pikes and spears to use for those who might need them, while they donned leather protection. Leonara had her bow and arrows at the ready. Because she had begun training others in the art of archery, there were a goodly number of arrows on hand. Isolde and Eldon prepared to provide support, Isolde with her healing abilities and Eldon with his willingness to do what he could to protect Isolde while she cared for any who became injured, completed the team effort.
With the five now gathered together, with the other villagers who were to defend the village, a surge of energy blossomed. The villagers could almost see the aura that enveloped the five of them. Sensing the change, the mood changed. There was hope and even confidence.
The tension was palpable as they waited, the minutes stretching into an agonizing eternity. The night was unnaturally quiet, the usual sounds of the forest replaced by an oppressive silence.
Then, just as the moon reached its zenith, they heard it—a low, guttural growl that sent shivers down their spines. Dark shapes began to slowly emerge from the forest, their eyes glowing with malevolence. These were no ordinary wild animals on the hunt. They were twisted and corrupted creatures.
The first wave of creatures charged forward, their growls and snarls filling the night air. Gareth and Balthazar met them head-on as they stood in front of the other defenders, their swords flashing in the moonlight. Leonara's arrows flew with deadly precision, striking down many of the creatures before they could reach the defenders.
"Hold the line!" Gareth shouted, his voice steady despite the chaos as the first of the creatures managed to get through the hail of arrows while evading Balthazar and Gareth's swords. "We must protect the village!"
Isolde moved among the defenders having Eldon help her move those who had been injured to a position behind the defensive line of villagers. Her healing touch was now magically mending wounds and restoring strength, something that had never happened before.
As the battle raged on, the remaining villagers waited at the inn, their hearts filled with fear and hope.
