The Farmer's Brigade

[Rattrap]

Joseph O'Cynen stood on the large stage, looking out over the masses. He was dressed in his usual: sandy colored animal hides, sown together to create a relatively pleasing attire - one that was quite durable, sturdy. Joseph could have easily lived off of a couple outfits from just the animal hides, and he generally did - but he did own other clothing. And he actually wore it from time to time.

But now was hardly the time to think about his outfit. Today he had asked for one of the larger gatherings of the farming community of Myrken Wood than ever before. It had been in the works since this Baie thing had sprung up, details and dates slowly finding themselves to a fine point. Joseph was quite happy with the turnout. Farmers and their wives, their children, even their friends, filling up the area. All wondering just what their representative had to say.

The Baie was coming, and O'Cynen wanted to make sure his fellows were ready for it.

"Good people of Myrken Wood! I'm glad you showed up. I realize these past days, past weeks even, have been trying ones. It's doubtless that the ones head will be as difficult, perhaps more. But I can take one worry from you, here, and now."

His voice boomed over the audience, needing no echo to reach those in the farther back areas.

"I'm sure most of you have heard about this Baie, coming up from the south. The rumors are frightening, I know; but what's more frightening still is the unknown. And that I can take from you, at least."

Of course, just the mention of the Baie had prompted a number of hushed conversations to sprung up and multiply, quickly turning into a muddled, senseless hum in the large crowd. One that faded fairly quickly as Joseph began to speak again; they were all interested in what he had to say.

"I know now what this Baie looks like. Perhaps you've heard the rumors that it is a man-beast, turning into either when it wills. This, from what we know, is true."

Gasps, cries, and a number of other worried expressions escaped various people in the crowd, and the hushed conversations returned once again, only to recede in the same fashion to the previous bunch.

"However! It is no normal looking human. Far too large, well above seven feet! If you see any abnormally large man, take all caution. It was also described as a 'big kitty' by an unfortunate victim - possibly the 'beast'. So arm yourselves, men and women of Myrken Wood. Take up whatever you have. Swords, daggers, pitchforks, even, torches - whatever you can find. Keep them around you at all times. If you hear strange noises outside, if you hear your livestock getting out of characteristically spooked, take all caution in investigating. Go out in numbers. Show this Baie that its welcome has already worn out in Myrken Wood, and that its terror will have no hold on us."

They were words the people wanted to hear. Most would take his advice; all took the information. Some took the hope away, the pessimistic did not. At least, in any case, they were safer with the knowledge. The Baie may not find his victims so easily dispatched of now. There was no doubt that every respective person would tell their friends, and then their friends, and so on and so forth.

Joseph O'Cynen didn't want to hear about any more victims.

[The Baie]

A few of the countrymen lingered after the gathering, talking to each other about the beast known as the Baie, the animal mutilations, and the murders. The stories seemed to grow every day, being exaggerated more and more on the tongues of each teller. It did not take away from the seriousness of the situation, however. It fueled it.

Most of the gathered farmers, lumbersmiths, plowmen, herdsmen, and the like were from the Myrkentown area, but a fair amount was not. It was surprising how far some of these men had traveled in order to hear what Councilor O’Cynen wished to say. But, then again, the information could be lifesaving.

At the end of the address, one of these unknown men, a young swineherd, by the look, moved away from the gathering, heading back toward the main road. He was slight of frame, just shy of the 6-foot mark. He was inconspicuous, average, like any of the other country men who wandered in. As he walked away from the gathering and disappeared into the forest, heading back toward wherever it was he had come, a single image sat in his mind...

The eyes of Joseph O’Cynen.

[Rattrap]

Hazel rings encompassing the black pupil, all set in a soft marble of veined white. Lids would pass breifly over them, blinding the farmer to the reflection of his own eyes on the axe blade. Joseph was taking his own advice. The weapon was raised carefully off the hooks that held the weapon above the largest window in his residence, overlooking nothing but acres of farmland.

It was a battle axe. Certainly not one that farmers characteristically used, and Joseph had only ever briefly set his hands on any in his past. It had been a gift from his sons when they finally moved out. It was a fine weapon, actually - it felt good in Joseph's hand. He gave it a few swings through the empty air to get a feel for it.

He wouldn't let the thing stop him from sleeping at night, but if it came knocking, he was going to make sure it would regret the choice of residence.

[Rattrap]

Muscles flexed and relaxed, sheathed in gleaming sweat. The block of wood was set onto the trunk, and the process repeated itself all over again - the axe was driven into the section of log, splitting it cleanly through the middle. This went on for hours - the farmer was preparing enough wood to smoke meat for the rest of the day along with several other individuals.

Joseph O'Cynen hadn't heard of any other victims since the Tolmers, and he was glad. Still weary, though - because he also hadn't heard of anyone talk about the Baie's demise. And something like that - much like the rumors of Lucian's own demise - would not stay quiet if they happened. So obviously, it had not. The Baie was still out there. And it was far too quiet lately.

Eerily quiet.

They worked out in an open field, sun shining merrily upon the men. Other came to collect the wood on a regular basis, taking them off to be set afire and serve a few purposes at once.

Perhaps it had heard his announcement and fled?

Far too much to ask for. No - it was just waiting for something. Joseph could feel it. He just couldn't feel what it was waiting for. Only time would tell, but there was an overhead sense of dread.

There was plenty of time later to worry about it. Now, there were five large men with axes in broad daylight. If this Baie was waiting for something, it surely wasn't to strike them now. If a time to strike was indeed what it was waiting for - they say the scariest things are the unknown, and perhaps it was true.

[The Baie]

In the distance...under the safe canopy of the forest, a lone stag stood tall. Few stags still had their antlers at this time of year. Most had already cast them away and started to grow them anew. However, this one wore an impressive rack on his head, like a crown of thorns.

His dark eyes watched the men chop wood. His jaw worked idly, chewing ruminantly. It blew out its nostrils roughly, snorting.

It then turned and quickly bound off into the undergrowth.