Shadows of the Hollow: A Tale Reimgine

Van Tassel

It was after these events that led me to the enchanted land in the southeastern part of New York. During those dark days I never thought of settling down. Dodging both colonial and British forces was taxing. The British would kill me and the colonals would force me to join their fight for independence. I had no desire to return to the old world. I left those bad memories behind for a reason. Hundreds of years of trouble, pain, and loneliness to drive anyone into a frenzy. No, returning would only bring me strife and misery. However I found peace all those years ago when I stumbled into a dreamy little town deep in the Hudson River Valley. A quiet town with a small population, many of the families were farmers. I had not intended to stay long. A few nights at the local inn or a home should someone be kind enough to house me.

The first night I arrived in the town a massive thunderstorm had made the roads near undrivable. The whole world seemed unnaturally dark, as if it had been drained of all light before the storm broke. The air grows heavy with anticipation, thick with humidity that clings to the skin. Suddenly, a deep rumble echoes through the sky, a warning of the tempest to come. Lightning flashes, illuminating the landscape in brief, blinding stabs of brilliance, revealing the trees swaying violently in the wind. The first heavy drops of rain plummet to the ground, splattering against the earth with a sharp hiss, quickly escalating into a torrential downpour. The once peaceful sounds of nature are drowned out by the relentless drumming of rain and the booming claps of thunder that shake the very ground. The storm rages on, a powerful display of nature's fury and majesty, reminding all who witness it of the raw, untamed beauty of the world.

Riding on I figured the town wasn't much further. The mature stub I had purchased has proven his worth. He is unafraid of the thunder or the storm. The muscular animal contiues to walk along the path calming following my led. When I crossed over the old bridge I found a carriage stuck deep in the mud. The horses, despite their efforts, could not move the wagon. The man was soaked to the bone. His ample belly hints at a life well-lived, while his thinking white hair flows like silken strands of moonlight, evidence of his age. Glimmering glassy blue eyes, reminiscent of tranquil lakes reflecting the sky, look upon me triely. A lean nose, sharp yet refined, complements his facial hair, which frames his face.

"Do you need a hand?" I ask, riding up beside him.

"The storm is frightening the horses. They won't budge." he said over the wind.

A loud thunder shattered over the rain. My horse jolted but remained steady underfoot. The storm seems to be growing worse. One that neither man nor beast should be out in.

"Give me the reins. Climb onto the carriage."

The man did as I said. Once he was on, I loop the reins onto my saddle. With an encouraging kick to my own horse the stub led the onward. A few hard pulls later the horses manage to break loose of the mud. The carriage rolled sluggishly through the thick mud. The air shook as the loud, booming wind hammered at the trees, and thunder crashed and roared overhead. The misty haze like a veil drifting across the sky brought with it a feeling of dread and menace.

Once the road became passable I paused my horse to return the reins. The man was grateful and shook my hand in an icy grip. As an offering of gratitude he had offered me shelter for the evening along with a hot meal and a bed. Seeing that the storm was still brewing darkly in the sky I accepted his offer. I soon learned that his name was Baltus van Tassel, a wealthy farmer in the land. As it turns out he lives just at the edge of Sleepy Hollow and offered to take me to the local lodge in the morning. Purely the gods are giving me favor. Baltus glanced back into the carriage and said to someone inside that everything was alright.

It was then that I noticed he had a girl with him. She looks close to my physical age. Young and very pretty. Golden hair damp from the rain is tucked behind her delicate shoulders in a simple braid. Her facial features are soft, still maturing into the beautiful woman she will become one day. Cerulean eyes stared at me. Behind her full lips, her teeth chattered. Seeing that she was shivering I shrugged off my coat and placed it around her. The magic sigil sewn inside will help her stay warm.

"How far is your home sir? The young lady shouldnt be out during this weather." I inquired.

"Not far, it's just down the road." he said, flicking the reins.

The horses started forward and I rode along beside them. By the time we arrived at the farmstead the storm had turned into a raging nightmare of raina and wind. He pulled the carriage into the barn and told me to put my horse in the last stall. After unsaddling the wet animal I dried him off as best as possible before I helped Baltus unhitch the horses. With the horse tucked away for the evening I helped the young lady down from the couch. She had stopped shivering and some color had returned to her cheeks. The child is a striking beauty. Yes, when she goes into a young woman, she will have men of all ages after her hand.

As promised, the man led me to his house where a hot meal was prepared for me. When asked what my name was I chose the common Christian name Abrham to avoid suspicion. The Van Brunt I chose mainly because it was uncommon and sounded well. At the table Baltus told me of his work, he is a young farmer growing oats and wheat. His wife died some years before leaving him to raise his daughter, who the beautiful young woman introduced herself as Katrina. After my meal, Batlus led me to the guest room. Happy for a bed I fell asleep seconds later my head hit the pillow.