II. Shadows Without Light

The town was aware of the threat that lie outside its walls. It was supposedly being kept in the highest confidence, but the lands' citizens were wise, and could decipher the clues.

For instance, they knew that there was a dark secret within the town, kept in cellars locked and untrodden by humans. What lie within these dark places, though, was unknown. Not a soul said a word the night that doors swung open and things were led out of the city in rows. They all knew what was happening, but kept silent. The night passed by without a shred of difference.

We, the walkers of the shadows and foundation of the cobbled streets, did feel concern. As the rest of the citizens curled and dreamt in their cozy beds, we lay on what we could find for comfort and listened. Under the eternal darkness of the night, dozens of foreign huffs and inhuman footsteps riddled the streets. The air felt heavy with malaise, and we felt each other stir through the vibrations of the streets. We began to feel our way toward the center of the town; a safety in numbers, so-to-speak. Voices of generals we all were familiar with or who had voices distinct of their ranking were heard. Street rats who didn't know one another clutched hands and arms in fear. A young child stifled a cry; she had felt the touch of one of the foreign things.

Closer and closer we came to one another, though the threat had long passed and may have left the city. Mumbles of vicious beasts with fangs and claws began to circulate. Some questioned the sanity of their leaders; others wondered if Gilneas was to fall. It remained as such into the early hours of the morn, when the twilight led us to dissipate to our home streets.

Our eyes struggled to make out dusty footprints on the ground as we returned. I made out only one distinct print: that of a wolf that took steps like a human, no jumbled double-prints from four paws touching down. Simply a clear print from a single step. A large one. A heavy one.

I wrapped my shawl around my shoulders, tattered and holed but still comforting like a mother. My dagger lay sheathed at my side. The sun had begun to rise upon the one peaceful town of Gilneas. I no longer trusted that this town would remain neutral. Something beyond us had stepped here. It would not be long before they returned.

The forests screamed.