Cursed Soil
Enthralled by the chilling account, the gathered listeners lean inward without breath, eager for further details yet dreading the shape of coming revelations. The withered headman's eyes shine bright with sorrowful memory lancing fresh across the gulf of years dividing today from an epoch of gathering darkness. Shadows yet lurk, awaiting ignition to gain foothold anew. Vigilance must not sleep again.
With visible effort Rowan continues his ominous tale... "My heart pounded fear like hammer blows while our council sat mute before the prince's question. By strict custom all wayfarers merited hospitality, yet dire apprehension gripped my spine to think what granting entry might enable. Instinct recoiled from the hollowness pervading their forms little concealing ravenous appetite..."