The Evil

Before one enters the marshes, one would pass by a tavern built at the very edge of the only known entrance. Entering the tavern, the man was greeted by the warm fire from the braziers and rowdy groups of revelers. He was garbed in a worn brown coat that fell below his knees and a wide brimmed hat that kept his face in shadows. Eyeing an empty table in the corner of the tavern, he pushed his way past a drunk and settled himself in the seat. Laying his makeshift rifle on the table, he tipped the brim of his hat down covering his eyes and waited. It wasn't long before he sensed a presence slipping quietly into the chair beside his. "Speak.", the man intoned. At that, the new presence whispered, "She is here...I saw her just 3 days earlier...somewhere in the Death Marshes...". The man mulled over the words for a moment and then tossed a bag that clinked as it fell onto the table. "That's 10 gold coins.", the man continued in his flat, expressionless voice, "when I find her, you'll get the rest." The presence snaked a bony hand from under his cloak and the bag disappeared quickly. "I'll give you a warning, Witch Hunter", the presence whispered, "enter the marsh, and it will be your grave.". The Witch Hunter remained at the table long after the cloaked presence left, seemingly deep in thought. "My grave...", he breathed, "I could wish for nothing more...". The man stood, clasped his rifle, and left the tavern, heading straight into the Marsh. He was never seen again. In the depths of the marshes, a shadow of a witch could be seen, riding her broom, flitting in and out of view within the fog, her cackles raising the hairs of those who heard... ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Hello I hope you like the story. I'm going to do a Witch Hunter design next! And I'll reveal the story of the man you have read about above in the next design =)