Chapter 3: Windy Tree In The Dark

"Oh yeah that's one creepy looking town." Clavidicus commented as Nadia and him stood at the top of the small hill overlooking the town of Windy Tree.

Nadia laughed at him. "It's not that bad, not yet at least. Darkness hasn't overtaken it yet, though soon."

The town of Windy Tree just a short walk from where they stood exuded a noticeable feeling of isolation. It was another days travel south back to Talisman and another days journey north to the next settlement. Coupled with the dense trees surrounding its walls, Windy Tree just looked lonely.

As the two began to walk the last remaining distance into the town, Nadia again spoke. "Do you know where the town gets its name from?"

"I had heard that the winds in this area make interesting sounds. Something about the trees and how they react to the wind, especially in the dark. I can see why the sounds might be unique in this area, these trees seem different from other trees I've seen."

Clavidicus walked up to one of the trees along the road to investigate it closely. The tree was covered in dark colored bark and seemed to warp as it had grew. It closely resembled a wicked claw growing from the ground. These dark wood grew all around the road and town, which contributed to his earlier comment on his first impressions of the town from the hill.
What little light remained as the sun was setting cast twisted shadows upon the road.

While he was investigating the tree, the wind started to pick up for the first time since they entered the surrounding dark wood. It was gradual at first but increasing steadily with each gust. Moments later, they both heard the screaming noises as the wind howled through the trees.

Clavidicus looked back at Nadia as the screaming sounds began. "Alright I can see how that would be unnerving, especially if you couldn't see too far into the woods in the dark. It really does sound like people screaming."

"I don't know, I find it almost ...soothing...like the woods have something important to say and the wind helps to communicate the message."

Clavidicus shook his head at her. "You're an odd one."

As the two walked, the stone wall along the south edge of Windy Tree came into view. By now, the sun was completely gone and darkness held dominion over them. As they entered the town limits, Clavidicus felt a chill go up hisspine and couldn't shake the feeling of unseen eyes watching from the darkness. He couldn't shake the idea that the town itself was weary of their approach. "This place is weird. You willingly wanted to visit here?"

Nadia nodded enthusiastically. "Isn't it neat."

"Neat is not the first word that comes to mind" he responded.

As they walked towards the dimly lit couple of buildings ahead, they passed by an old cemetery filled with gravestones at varying stages of decay. An old iron gate hanging almost completely off its hinges marked the entrance into the boundaries of the graveyard. A low hanging mist seemed to cover most of the ground within the cemetery making it hard to see how far the graves extended. The fog continuously rolled outward from further within its walls spilling over into the rest of the town making visibility harder.

Nadia stared at the graveyard as they passed. Noticing her obvious interest in it, Clavidicus said "Don't even think about it, we should procure some lodgings for the night before we get into any kind of trouble."

"Fine!" she said as she moved her gaze back towards the buildings they were quickly approaching.

The only things that stood out among the cluster of buildings was a single ramshackle inn and a general store. The store seemed to have its windows and door barred up for the evening and no sign of lights within. The inn on the other hand looked almost inviting with its subdued lighting. As they stopped in front of the establishment, they surveyed their surroundings. A sign hanging near the entrance informed the two that this place was called The Wailing.

"You have to hand it to them" Nadia said, "its named appropriately."

"Yeah, I don't think I could live here. I'm not sure I could get used to the wailing noises from the trees or whatever might actually be causing them." Clavidicus then noticed the faint outline of a human hand sticking out of a pile of debris down the alleyway between the inn and another building. Clavidicus pointed down the alleyway. "Would you like to investigate what that's all about?"

"We wouldn't want a dead body to go to waste" she responded.

"What? ... What do you mean by that, go to waste?"

Nadia said "What?, nothing, I didn't say that, I meant shouldn't we try to investigate the situation in the event we need to provide some sort of assistance." She picked up a piece of wood lying on the ground just inside the alleyway and cast a simple light spell upon it. Her spell lit up the narrow space between the buildings pretty well, casting shadows all around.

The two of them proceeded down the alleyway cautiously approaching the pile of debris with the hand sticking out of it. As they got closer, it was apparent that the hand was attached to a young woman that was unceremoniously deposited there. Clavidicus bent over the woman and checked to see if she was dead. "She's still alive" he said as he propped her upright in a sitting position against the building. He removed a small potion vial from a pouch on his belt and poured the contents down the woman's throat.

After a few moments, the woman slowly opened her eyes. She looked around confused at Nadia and Clavidicus who were standing over her. She then spoke. "What happened?"

Nadia said "That's what we were going to ask you. Are you alright dear?"

The woman rubbed her neck. "I think so. I feel weak and weary. Everything aches actually."

"Do you remember what happened earlier?" Clavidicus asked her.

"I had just arrived in town earlier today and was heading to the inn when a gentleman beckoned me down this alleyway. I was curious and he was cute. The last thing I remember was that I was enjoying the company of this gentleman if you catch my drift and then I woke up with the two of you over me."

Nadia and Clavidicus helped her to her feet. Nadia laughed before saying "Sounds like you had a good time, maybe too good a time if you ache all over and feel exhausted. Actually if you aren't hurting afterwards, you're not getting into it enough.

Clavidicus commented "Yeah you're looking a little pale despite the healing potion I gave you. Perhaps you should accompany us to the inn where we can get you some food, drink, or rest."

"That's a great idea, I'm starving! By the way my name is Allium Canadense."

Nadia smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you Allium, my name is Nadia and this is Clavidicus the Bold. Now lets go see about getting some food and drink."

The three left the alleyway and headed towards the entrance to The Wailing.