Lady Fox

Lady Fox

Up in the mountains where the tall grass grows

There’s a little small hut protected by crows.

And up in the hut lives lady fox queen

You better watch out she’s really keen.

Down in the valley, she likes to stay there

You’ll see her in the morning, approach her if you dare.

Don’t say we didn’t warn you, my dear friend,

If you go towards her and it will be the end…

There was an old story, one that use to be past down from one generation to another. It was such a popular story that it slowly consumed the lives off all who heard it. There were many ‘what if?’ and ‘how?’ and even ‘why?’ questions, but no one knew the answer.

They just knew the story that had been shared and passed around.

It was just folklore.

It was a tall tale.

It was their lives.

It was… well…

“Daddy…” A girl no older than six whispered, her little hand gently entwining her fingers with her father’s rough and aged hand, “The people at the village said it was bad to travel this path at night. Can’t we wait?”

The man looked down at his daughter. His hard look softened and he stopped walking, crouching down so he was as close to eye level with the child as he could be. “It is okay sweetie. That’s just a story.” He reassured, leaning over and kissing her forehead gently. “I promise... everything will be okay.”

“Why can’t we just wait till sunrise like everyone else?” In all honesty, that story scared her. It may have been a myth, but it was one the whole village seemed to be so scared about. “Please daddy! I’m scared. I don’t want to meet Lady Fox Queen!”

The dad, however, would have none of this concern. Traveling during the day was much safer, yes, but his wife was back at their village. She was alone and sick. He wanted to be back by her side, and soon. So, the older man cooed soft, reassuring words into his daughter’s ear. He even lifted her in his arms to carry her and protect her.

Oh, the foolish man.

It was a few hours into his journey and he realized that the path was becoming much more narrow and dangerous. Jagged rocks protruded from the ground at all angles, some of the path was covered and disappeared because of the lack of light. Nothing seemed to be working in his favor, except… well; except for the fact his daughter lay peacefully in is arms.

At least she was asleep.

As he was making his way down the path, the sound of humming filled the night sky. It mingled and mixed with the sound of crickets, the sound of rushing water, just the sound of night in general. It was a peaceful melody, and despite himself, he stopped to listen for it. After a few minutes, he noted it came from behind him, and so he looked back. Sure enough, there was a light behind him.

Smart traveler, they took a lantern with them.

The humming grew louder, and as he listened more intently, he could tell a woman. A younger one at that, too.

As the stranger drew closer, the light illuminated their face. It most certainly was a woman, of that he was sure, so who was he to leave a woman to travel alone in the dark?