Aes stared into the darkness of the night. A tight grip on her rosaries. her face seemed pale, with dark circles around her tired eyes. Something on the pathway caused the wagon to jump. Aes shifted to catch herself, a jolt of pain from her shoulder snapped her out of the trace. A whiff of odor assaulted her nostrils, it was her this time, or rather her damp clothes. Aes began to peel them off.

"Saved up for months, now they are ruined!" She grumbled. Unbuckling the fair pair of leather shoes. Though the air was frigid, it was a welcome for her skin to breathe. Pulling off her leather jacket, she paused for a moment, looking over at the lantern.

"Gloam?" She whispered, hoping for no response. She had no desire to expose herself to a spirit or whatever he was. Gloam gave no response, his light was a soft purple. She whispered to him once more, there was no response. She removed her jacket, a yellow shirt underneath, continuing with her jeans and other garments. Draping them over the back of the wagon to hopefully, dry.

Aes adjusted herself cautiously, trying to examine her shoulder. It pulsed with a burning sting, merely tightening her grip sent a shock up her arm. She ran her fingers close to it with gentle ease. She couldn't see it well enough, maybe with her tactile sense could help. It was painful to the touch, the thorn had broken off deep within her shoulder. nearly even with her skin. It would be difficult to remove without a tool.

A strange sound echoed from the woods, Aes turned to look. It wasn't like anything else, it sounded like a mimic of her own voice, crying out in pain. She waited to hear it a second time, but there was nothing. She yawned, rubbing her tired eyes. Maybe it was just fatigue. She bundled herself up within a linen cloth the goblins had taken. It wasn't much, but enough to keep her covered. Laying against the woven sacks, she closed her eyes. Rosary held tight in her palms.

A heavy dark fog seeped through the brush and foliage. Moving with a motivated purpose. Trailing behind the wagon, it reached up in the form of a hand. Tearing the leather jacket down from the wagon. It ripped and clawed at the garment. Focusing heavily on the left shoulder, where Aes had been injured.

It continued stalking the wagon, taking her yellow blood stained shirt next. Caressing and squeezing the bloody sleeve. The fog became thicker, blacker, and more solid. It oozed over the cloth until the shirt had been wiped clean from the red stains.

One by one, everything she wore had been seized. Every cut, scratch and wound, soiled her clothes with her own blood. Now there was only one thing left. A single, pulp source that called out to this thing.

Aes looked up. Hovering mere yards away, A black shadow trailed after the cart. It's feature is indiscernible and vaguely humanoid. Aes had become as pale as a ghost, stricken with fear as the black form grew in length. Its presumed head dove straight down upon her wounded shoulder, with A stabbing pain so bitter, deathly cold. It froze her from within.

There was a bitter chill. The soft bristling of the trees blowing in the wind. The old carriage being pulled by the goblins, bare feet pushed against moss, muck, rock and leaves. A distant flickering light from touches pushed away the cold. A wooden gate built from logs that protruded sharped points out at an angle. Threatening anyone brave enough to charge over.

The goblins charged down the path at ungodly speed. Up, around, and the rolling hills. They yipped and shouted as they ran. Sounds of panic and fear.

“Aes, awaken!” Gloam whispered urgently. In a panicked gasp, Aes awoke. Fighting fiercely against the air. Linen cloth fell from her body. The sacks around her were being tossed back and forth.

“Hold on de’ah. We’re bein’ chased!” Gloam commanded

“By what?!” She shouted back.

“THAT!” He responded. A black form blocked out any degree of moon light. A screaming echo filled the sky. Forceful thunderous winds slammed down upon the pathway, knocking the wagon off balance. The goblins struggled to keep control of the wagon.

“Hold on! we just need to get ov’ah the bridge!” Gloam said. Aes watched as the thing flew through the forest. Its faint outline soared along the branches, severing limbs with sheer force. It arced high into the air, swerving around to make another pass.

Aes watched as the giant thing dive bombed towards them. The bridge was mere minutes away. She could see the outline of the stones reflecting the fire light. The goblins had landed a single foot upon the waved stone road just as the thing zoomed directly overhead. Aes rushed to the opposite side to see the thing. Moonlight reflected off its feathers, some kind of colossal bird.

She didn’t even have time to speak. The aftershock erupted under the wagon, shoving it upon a single wheel. Aes pushed herself against the base of the wagon. Staring down into the abyss with wide eyes. Woven baskets, cloth sacks and wooden barrels all began to tumble and fall out. A bright glow from Gloam’s lantern flew into the air. Aes watched as her companion fell into the darkness and with a final slam, she joined him.

Her screams reverberated in the night. Arms flailing as she flipped though in the air. Images of the bridge’s shrinking light faded as she fell into the darkness. A heaviness slammed against her legs, all light and sound became muffled. Her body was enveloped in a feeling of bitter cold, as she landed in the rushing water below.

===

Along the worn path. Between the deep ruts left by the wagon. A torn pair of jeans, Aes’s jeans, rested in front of a tall cloaked figure. Carelessly, this person walked over the trail of scattered clothing. A slight limp with every other step, it held its balance with a sanded stick, decorated with dark feathers and small bones.

Its Skeletal bare feet left no prints as it moved towards a small, hook shaped object that rested in the ground. Two pricks of green light shined from sunken eye sockets, fixated on what it had found. A bloody briar thorn that had been ripped from Aes’s shoulder. Its emaciated arm reached for the thorn. Studying it curiously.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

=====

Aes broke through the surface, coughing and spitting up water from her lungs. Dark hair masking her face and vision. White light reflected from the water’s surface from the scarce beams from the moon. Broken by the ripples and splashes she was making. The water was forceful but not rapid. A constant push, that didn’t shove her under.

“Gloam?” She called out. Wiping the hair from her face, she searched for the glow from the lantern, but he was nowhere to be found. A burst of wind struck down over the water as the black form of the giant bird flew over head. Aes slipped lower into the water, watching the creature soar by, kicking her legs, to keep her near the surface.

“Gloam?” She called out again. The flow of the water gradually died down. Aes felt soil under her feet, enough to move towards an exit. Though the flowing water was warmer than the air. She swam towards the possible edge. A spark of joy came across her face, she noticed the familiar glow, and voice, of Gloam.

“Ov’ah he’ah my de’ah” He responded. The lantern rested on a low point in the water. Its glow refracted like several small gems under the water. She quickly swam over to him, her feet still hitting the ground as she pushed forward, she lifted the lantern up out of the water.

“I can’t believe we survived that! How is this place so dangerous?” She asked, kneeling down in the water, as she spoke to Gloam

“This ain’t nothin’ Childe. Of course, it will be much more dangerous if we don’t find a road again soon. It is unfortunate, we were so close to that bridge.”

“Why is the Bridge so important?”

“Beyond that is one of the hollows."

"Okay?"

"The goblins travel through the hedge, to trade with the denizens of the hollows." He replied with exasperation ”In any case, several of the goblin’s spoils ended up he’ah. I suggest you find somethin’ to make yourself presentable.”

“Good idea! uh…don’t look, okay?”

“Of course not…” He sighed

Lifting the light, Aes pulled the sacks and barrels from the water. Searching the contents for something to wear, hopefully ones that were not soaked. She fished through several sacks, spotting several things she could possibly wear. Most were towels, napkins, or visibly too large. There were all sorts of odds and ends. Clothes, trinkets, random useless things.

“Why is it always so dark here?” She asked, as she searched. Her eyes lit up as she spotted the rim of a collar. A shirt maybe? It didn’t matter, it was something! Immediately pulling it from the sack.

“Dark?” He asked

“Yeah, like it’s been night time more than day time. I think it has been like, two hours a day and the rest has just been dark.” Setting the lantern down to dress.

“You have been resting quite a bit.”

“Yeah, I guess that makes sense…” She replied, tugging the new clothes down. The tunic she wore came down as far as the sleeves, which draped past her hands. A bit big, it could have been worn by someone taller and more broad shouldered, but it did the trick. The bottom helm had a slight tear on the left. Slightly darkened from the dirt. Its collar had a string that could tighten or loosen to the middle of the chest.

“I guess this works, wonder what else they took.” She continued to dig through the cargo.

=====

Through the giant trees, beyond the dense fog and warped vines. A two-story lodge rested quietly into the shadows of the hedge. It was illuminated with deep red lights that swung inside multiple lanterns. Warm glowing from within, swirls of smoke bellows from a robust stone chimney. Well trimmed evergreens, cypress and hollies, grew within gardens outside. A wooden sign rocked in the blowing winds. A worn medieval design of a horned and hoofed man, pouring a drink into his mouth while holding another in his off-hand. The words 'Tipsy Incubus Pup' etched into the plaque.

The Goblins powered their way, full speed, within the picketed gate. The large door opened, a tall, rabbit like-creature and colorful, bubbly eyed gnome stepped outside to greet them. The goblins unloaded their wares without instruction and brought them inside. Setting up simple displays for those inside.

Within the lodge. A rather obese female sat lethargy on a well crafted wooden chair, staring idlily at a personal fireplace. A slow drag of her pipe. A tall yellow braided bun rested slightly off center upon her head. Radiant golden eyes, a ball shaped nose and large red lips on a plushy face decorated with heavy makeup. Her skin was like bleached ash. A thick white pelt covered her large body. Pulling a pin from a metal brooch, she pricked her thumb and pressed the bleeding digit on a rust colored wooden statuette of a female figure.

A soft knock at the door of her private quarters She gave a verbal cue to enter. A second female, similar but more stout and dwarf like in her physique, entered.

"Forgive me intrusion, Head Mistress. The goblins are here...." She began

"Indeed Darling. I'm quite certain the Black-Hearts will be soon as well." She interrupted

"Aye, Byrne be asking for a shave this time.

"Offer them the usual, see if you can slip in a bit more. You know how those fools expect a discount on top of their 'protection taxes'." She waved her hand taking another long drag of her pipe.

"I be thinkin' we may be in good fortune this tyme." The dwarfish woman said. Closing the door and moving closer "Goblins be gettin' a bit tipsy. Talkin' 'bout hearing voices. One of 'em, called 'em self 'Gloam'." She whispered with a grin.

The Head Mistress stared at the dwarf with wide eyes. Giving a big smile before taking the rusty statuette into her chubby hand. Giving it a large kiss.

"Praise you Mara! I never lost faith." She turned back to the dwarf "Darling, make sure our 'good friends' are well fed and have plenty to drink. I will have to join them in due time." The dwarfish woman bowed, a large grin on her face as she left the room.

"...Called himself 'Gloam'." She mumbled, taking another long drag.