Warhorse

3

Luna woke with a jolt, she didn't really want to relive her fight against the monster, but when she awoke she saw Clarice walking into the room.

"Hey Luna, how are we holding up?" Clarice asked joyfully.

"B-Better..." Luna was finding it easier to talk, but it still wasn't easier.

"You're sounding better. Here, I had a friend whip something up to help with that sore throat of yours." Clarice hands Luna a small cup of brown-colored liquid.

"W-What... Is... Th-This...?" Luna asked, taking the cup.

"It's a remedy for sore throats, my friend Arden owns an incredible garden, he studies plants and has an amazing understanding of plants and knows how to turn them into medicine. I also have some painkillers here for you, courtesy of Arden." Clarice sits another cup down on the nightstand.

"Th-Thanks..." Clarice drinks from the first cup, her throat beginning to feel better almost instantly.

"How do you feel?" Clarice asked.

"Much better, this is some strong stuff. Thank you" Luna was finally able to make full sentences.

"Of course! It's no issue at all." Clarice takes the first cup and hands Luna the second.

This remedy wasn't as immediate, her pain dulled yes, but it was still very noticeable.

"Thank you, I don't know how I could ever repay you." Luna felt bad for taking advantage of the kind doctor.

"It's no problem at all! I don't expect things in return anyway. I just want to help you and make sure you will be okay. Now, I'll bet you have questions." Clarice crossed her legs and set her hands in her lap.

Luna was beyond grateful for Clarice's kindness, and yes, she did have questions.

"Yes, so first, who saved me?" Luna wanted to know who her mysterious savior was.

"Ah, that would be Hemlock. He's a hermit that lives on the edge of the village, if you look out the window here you can see his hut." Clarice points out the window to the lone house on the hill.

"How did he find me?" Luna asked.

"Not sure, he just said he was out in the woods looking for some plants for Arden and stumbled upon your body. He thought you were dead but still brought you to me, I suppose he thought if there was any chance you could survive he would take it." Clarice explained.

"What was the thing that attacked me?" Luna asked, curious about the thing that almost killed her.

"That's what I wanted to ask you, I have no idea what could make those wounds. What did you see out there?" Clarice asked.

"I don't even know myself, I thought it was a little girl... But it sure as hell wasn't. I don't know what the hell that thing was, but I never want to go back into those woods." Luna shivered at the memory of the monster that almost killed her.

"Sounds like a demon. What kind I can't tell, that's Hemlock's specialty. You could ask him when you see him." Clarice said.

"A demon? Demons can do that? I thought that demons were just the little red-skinned creatures that scurried around and stabbed you with pitchforks?" Luna asked.

"That would be a devil. A type of demon, they're more of an annoyance than a threat. Real demons are beyond terrifying, most people who see them lose their minds." Clarice sort of laughed at Luna's description of a demon.

So that's why Hound changed when he came back from the vampire's castle. If he had to fight anything like that demon in the woods, it probably messed him up a lot.

"Why don't they come into the town?" Luna asked, concerned that the demon would seek her out.

"Hemlock keeps them at bay. When the demons see his lantern, they stay away. It's like a scarecrow, but the rest of us help too. You see the lanterns hanging out all the windows? They are actually incense burners, the demons hate the smell and stay away." Clarice explained.

"What happens if they did come into town?" Luna wasn't convinced that a scarecrow and incense could keep demons away.

"That's the thing, they never do. And on the rare occasion, one does, it's never around long. Nobody knows what happens to it but if anyone sees one walking around it's gone by the next morning." Clarice explains.

Luna was intrigued, the people of this town didn't seem to have any cares in the world, it was almost too good to be true.

"What if someone goes into the woods?" Luna asked.

"As long as you stay on the path the demons won't touch you. The roads are laced with salt, it burns the demons who touch it. If you want to be certain, sunlight also hurts them. So travel during the day, and they will leave you alone." Clarice explained.

"There was my mistake, I was traveling in the middle of the night and was lured off the path by the sound of a girl crying in the woods," Luna explained.

"Yeah, kids aren't allowed out after dark. Demons prefer younger souls to eat so we keep the kids inside after the sun goes down. If you hear anyone or anything in the woods, ignore it. No matter what." Clarice had a very serious tone as she spoke.

"Kids don't always listen do they?" Luna had a point, kids tended to try and rebel by breaking rules they thought were dumb.

"Hemlock watches the edge of the woods, and he is good at keeping kids away from the woods. Not a single one has ever gotten past him." Clarice had a tone of pride in their village guard.

"So you put all of your lives and the lives of your children in the hands of one man? You people are either really dumb or this guy is the real deal." Luna said, slightly mocking.

"I know it sounds crazy, but when you can move again you need to meet Hemlock. He is the real deal I promise." Clarice didn't seem to take any offense at Luna's off-handed comment.

Luna just had to meet this guy now, he sounded like he was a real legend. He sounded like her brothers, and she was keen to make his acquaintance.