The Woods

Much of the Empire is covered with Woods and Forest, wherin lie all manners of creatures. The armies of the Emperor, Karl Franz, try to keep these monsters at bay, but it is never safe to venture into the dark beneath the boughs.

While for the most part, farming was a back breaking business, there were times where the only thing to do was wait, for rain, for weeds, for harvest. It was those times that Mary enjoyed the most, dissapearing into the woods near the village to fish, or play out her fantasies, or as with today look for things to eat, berries, wild grain or root vegetables.

All her life people had told her that the woods were dangerous, but she had never seen any proof of that, but due to the popular belief they were quiet, away from prying eyes and the bustle of village life.

She was kneeling infront of a tree, using her trowel to try and extricate some of the roots to use in a stew when she heard a rustling behind her, freezing, not even daring to breathe she listened. Images of foul beings rushing through her mind, her imagination running wild until she could take it anymore and looked