The Girl in Green

I was made aware of the mysterious ‘Girl in Green’ on my last trip into town. Local menace all things considered. The only things more outlandish then the notes she left were the theories surrounding her. If only I knew just where she was going to be appearing next. As is said: truth can be much stranger than fiction.

— Count Haristul

Count Kuldra Haristul was annoyed with how many pieces of evidence were pointing to his darling little sister. At least she hasn’t done anything self incriminating yet, thought going over the reports of the description of the hooligan. It fit too well: height, build, even the spells were similar to Linminli. The only issue with that theory is that Linminli has supposedly been accounted for every time this girl in green appears. I suspect someone is lying.

“Sir we are arriving back at the manor” Sirdivlik said as the carriage arrived at the front of the house. The old weathered coachman didn’t look back, simply tilted his head towards the manor. “Do you really believe Linminli had anything to do with these rather troublesome events?”

“That I will find out after questioning my dearest sister. Now if she gives me a good answer or not will need to be determined. I suspect she knows much more than she is willing to admit, at least at first.” Count Haristul said, putting the reports back in their envelop. “Regardless I hope we can get this situation put to rest most expediently.”

“Of course sir. Should I send for the young lady?” Sirdivlik

“No I’ll find her, she’s probably sitting in the garden.” Count Haristul said leaving for the garden, The easiest explanation of this girl in green would be childish pranks, although there’s just enough of a pattern to imply one person. He rubbed his brow in utter confusion.

“Something wrong Master Kuldra?” Flumtha asked as Count Haristul entered the back garden. Flumtha was one of the newer maids, Count Haristul had yet to get accustomed to having a davbavust on staff. As her feline features would suggest she was far quieter than the average maid.

Shooting her a weary look, “I suspect you heard my conversation with the variable Sirdivlik, and have pieced together a solution already.” Count Haristul attempted to put the right annoyance into his voice, Flumtha didn’t deserve what should be reserved for Linminli. “I presume you hear a lot with all four of your ears.” He didn’t stop to converse with her.

“I don’t need one set to figure out that she’s probably the one causing trouble. I was hoping to catch her as someone has been sneaking around at night, unfortunately neither myself or the guards could find them. However I did catch the absence of the fair lady Linminli.” Flumtha was clearly off to Count Haristul’s right.

This annoyed him slightly, following slightly behind and to the right was for wives, or betrothed. Servants were to be on the left. He pondered if he should reprimand her, on one hand, she was new the first davabalit on staff, and actually useful. Unlike the other maids who were generally his mother’s women, Flumtha was his maid, not his only maid, as Rayafil, and Stilnug, were under him although they were house maids, not personal maids such as Flumtha. It’s not like Mother isn’t trying to marry me off. Feline features aside, Flumtha would be quite the catch. Count Haristul thought trying to settle the matter once and for all, he knew it wasn’t settled. “I assume my dear sneak thief is out by the fountain?”

“That is where she said she was going,” Flumtha said. “However she has been favoring the gazebo as of late.” The two made their way down the gravel path towards the fountain and the gazebo Linminli was sitting there. Linminli glanced at Kuldra before turning back to the lake, pretending that she hadn’t seen him coming.

“Sister, I wonder if you know anything about this mysterious girl in green?” Kuldra sat down next to Linminli. Kuldra knew it wasn’t lost on Linminli that she was wearing green, and that she fit the description of the mysterious trouble maker. “I know it’s getting close to dinner, and I wouldn’t want to ruin it with talk of such a bother.” Linminli shuffled nervously. “Now I wouldn’t want you to get mixed up with anything problematic.”

“You know Kuldra. Just because I have green eyes, lovely brown hair and an inconvenient choice of color today. Doesn’t mean I’m the mysterious girl in green.” Kuldra could hear the lies in Linminli’s voice. “Now I do think there is something we should be worried about, and I may have been looking into it.”

“Well sister there is a lot of talk. I would rather you not do anything too dangerous as you are my dearest sister.” Kuldra all but pleaded with Linminli, seemingly to no effect.

“Lady and Master Haristul, dinner will be ready shortly.” Rayafil said, ending the conversation between the siblings.

Dinner was largely an uneventful affair, with both siblings dodging their Mother’s inquiries into potential spouses. Kuldra could see that Linminli was planning something, he had seen that face before far too many times. He couldn’t bring himself to say anything on the topic. Between the borderline scandalous comments coming from his Mother about the maids, and no real evidence that Linminli was planning on doing anything. Kuldra decided to wait and see what happened later that night, before pressing the issue any harder with is sister. Yet the mystery of the girl in green still lingered in his mind.

Kuldra was waiting in the kitchen, as it was optimally placed to make excuses and intercept Linminli if she went out any of the reasonable routes. Not that Linminli is known to be completely reasonable. Kuldra took another sip of his tea. I really hope she’s not the girl in green, even if everyone thinks its her. The soft squeak of the door opening focused his attention.

Flumtha entered, it was the first time Kuldra had seen her out of the maid uniform. Flumtha’s choice of outfit consisted of a fairly closely fitting short sleeve shirt, with a knee length skirt covering closer fitting pants. The entire outfit was in that shade where Kuldra couldn’t decide if they were dark blue or dark gray, none of the three pieces matched. Flumtha turned around after attempting to close the door as quietly as possible her yellow eyes fell on Kuldra. “Tea?” Kuldra asked, smiling to himself as shock overtook her face. “Don’t worry I suspect we are doing the same thing, for the same reasons.”

Flumtha stammered in seeming agreement before taking a seat opposite Kuldra. “I’d like to…” she paused her thought, taking a cup. The moonlight revealed subtle ringed spots on her arms that were usually hidden, and highlighted the white on the tips of her dark gray tail and feline ears. “About what the Lady Haristul was saying at dinner. I”

“Think nothing of it. My mother often says things like that. Since father died she’s been worried about not seeing grand children. While I understand it she shouldn’t make presumptions like that.” Kuldra interjected. “I hope you can accept my apologies on her behalf.”

“She was correct, at least in my case.” Flumtha’s usually unflappable stature shattering, “I know it is improper if you wish for me to leave I will without protest I don’t want to put you in a position as master of this house or as the count that would be un”

Kuldra silenced her with a raised hand. “Lets go back to the top. Of the half dozen, frankly scandalous, things my mother said at dinner what should we address.”

“I would like to be your betrothed.” Flumtha said, her shaking tea cup betraying her confidence.

Kuldra took a moment, “I was under the impression that you only humored her insistence as it came with the job.”

Flumtha shook her head some of her hair working itself loose from it’s restraint. Kuldra was surprised at how long it was. She tucked the rebellious lock behind her human ear, “Her insistence comes from deducing my feelings towards you. I did confirm it when she confronted me a few months back.”

The timeline of events finally came together for Kuldra. That would explain why mother insisted she be my date for the whole new year’s festival, the planting ball and hired her as a personal maid. I should

A thump jostled Kuldra out of his thoughts, he and Flumtha looked over to the window and caught a person dashing into the darkness. Hastily setting down their tea both took off, “I think she’s headed for the south gate.” Kuldra said as they started the pursuit.

“We can take the servant’s stable entrance it should cut her off if she’s headed that way.” Flumtha said taking the lead and guiding Kuldra though the servants’ passageways. The burst out into the stables to see a darkly dressed woman running down the path towards the southern gate to the estate. They continued their pursuit. It wasn’t lost on Kuldra that the person they were chasing had a build not dissimilar to his sister.

The chase lead them off the estate and towards town. “She’s off the path and into the woods.” Flumtha said before heading into the tree line. With the clouds rolling in and smothering the moonlight; Kuldra could barley make out Linminli. He focused on Flumtha as she lead him into the dark of the forest. Then she stopped. “I’ve lost her.”

Kuldra took a moment to gain his bearing. He saw Linminli peering around a tree, her green eyes giving her away. “I see her. Sister, is there a reason we are running into the forest at night?” Kuldra said approaching Linminli. “If you wanted to go out you could have just said something.”

A visibly embarrassed Linminli crept out from behind the tree. “You won’t believe me. Even if I told you.”

“Well it’s a long story.” Linminli sat down at the base of the tree. “I am not the mystery girl in green.” She returned Kuldra’s dirty look, “Don’t give me that I know you didn’t believe in the rumors, sure there was some circumstantial evidence at best. It wasn’t me. There’s a, well she used to be and now she’s.” Linminli stopped clearly trying to untangle her thoughts. “Regardless our girl in green is now gone. Mostly.”

Kuldra started to work his way though what his sister had just said. “What do you mean by gone?” Flumtha said preempting Kuldra’s thoughts.

“Well she’s…” Linminli once again stuck in a tangle of thoughts.

“Your unnamed friend has been hollowed.” Kuldra said. Liniminli nodded. “Flumtha, go back to the estate. Tell everyone, I need to alert town. And take this miscreant with you. I’m going to see if we can find this soulless creature.”

“She was.” Linminli was silenced by Kuldra’s glare.

“We will talk in the morning. Provided I survive this.” Kuldra didn’t bother hiding his frustration. “And Flumtha we also have things to discuss. Much more pleasant things.” Linminli’s desire to protest was clear even in the shadows of the dark forest; she didn’t choosing to leave in silence.

“Stay safe Count Haristul,” Flumtha said with a bow before heading out after Linminli.

Kuldra turned and took the road into town. One thought kept running though his mind, How did Linminli get mixed up with this? Kuldra kept pushing it away, I can’t afford distractions. The town was a beacon of light in the dark. It was comforting with the recent news.

As Kuldra approached the wall a guardsman called out, “Who goes there!”

“Count Haristul, Who is in charge tonight there is much urgency tonight.” Kuldra struggling to regain his composure. “Also ready the reserves. We are going to have to go hunting tonight.” It wasn’t long before Count Haristul found himself in front of the Guard Captain. Both men were reviewing the evidence with the added context of Linminli’s confession, and soon the Knights, paladins, and clergy arrived as well. Count Haristul was unaware that they were also looking into these events.

“We only have one course of action. We have to go hunting.” Count Haristul said ending the debate before it began. “I will lead the hunt. It is my land. I would appreciate the Knight’s assistance I can only assume you all are better equipped to deal with a soulless one than myself.”

“I can’t say I blame you Kuldra,” one of the younger Knights said. Kuldra did like him, he was a good kid. Even if he wasn’t much younger than Kuldra himself.

“Now is not a time for names.” The Knight Captain said. “Take it from your Captain that now is a time for titles.” The younger knight looked like he wanted to protest but didn’t. “I think it should be myself, the Lieutenant, two guardsman and the good Count here. I think we will be able to find the creature and from there we will have enough to work with. A second group centered on the Guard Captain, should also go out I do not want to cause concerns bout the town’s safety.”

“Offense here may be the better plan. If we can find it and kill it before the night is over then it’s settled.” A Guard Sargent said, “Frankly dealing with this abomination sooner rather than later would put myself and my wife at ease. She’s been claiming there’s a monster out in the woods for a few days now. With the antics of the rebellious Haristul, she’s been in quite a state.”

The more we send out the better the odds. Yet Hallows want easy targets, which we would be leaving behind. “How many knights do you have?” Count Haristul said turning to the Knight Captain.

“A dozen, do you have need of them?”

“I’m thinking if we put a third group together. It would need to be almost entirely Knights. They would stay here and if either group finds the target, they are reinforcing element.” Count Haristul turned to the Guard Captain, “No offense meant, I would rather your men largely stay in town as our defenders. They know the terrain and the people know them.” Both commanders pondered for a moment before agreeing. “Then it is settled. Gather what gear we need and we will head out.”

“What if they can be saved?” A Priestess asked, holding everyone at the table. “If they can be saved then we must make an attempt.”

“If they are not too far gone then that is a agreeable. You, of any of us here, should know the dangers of trying to reach beyond that line.” The Knight Commander said.

“I have seen enough young Flisavust get executed by the overly eager and overly zealous. I refuse to be party to the murder of a young woman because we didn’t take the time to try.” The Priestess turned to the High Priestess sitting at the table. “Ma’am we have to try.”

“I do not disagree that it is likely this Filisavust is just a lost girl. Unless your education was truly failing you,”

“I do know, I have seen friends be hallowed out. I have seen others get taken without being hallowed simply suffering from a combination casting sickness.” The younger Priestess said looking over the table.

“Join my group.” Count Haristul addressed the concerned Priestess directly, “Now expect to engage when we get into a fight. I assume you are at least partly trained in how to do that?”

“I am. Thank you Count Haristul.” The Priestess said with a bow.

“With that it is time we started this hunt.” Count Haristul dismissed everyone.

It wasn’t too long until everyone was assembling outside of the north gates. “Remember it is more important that you come home alive rather than we defeat this monster tonight.” Count Haristul announced, “Leaders remember that is the priority.” Nods and murmurs of agreement responded. “Good now start the hunt.” Count Haristul returned to his group who were headed north east back towards the estate. I pray we don’t run into any of the family guards out this far. Linminli has probably patrolling. The woods were less foreboding when traveling in armored force. Yet the darkness was more oppressive.

“We are around where I found Linminli claiming that her friend was missing.” Count Haristul said as they entered the clearing he had been just a few hours before. “In theory there should be a trail from here.” The Priestess started a spell, with a wave of power a trail of light started to dance though the trees.

“This will lead us to the woman.” The Priestess said, “We will figure out if she’s a monster when we get there.” The Priestess then took the lead following her spell into the forest. With the glow from the spell the darkness had been intensified. Meaning the shadows stopped whispering that they held threats, and started shouting it. Yet the young Priestess was focused on her mission and refused to slow down.

They entered a reasonably sized clearing with a small spring pool, a crudely constructed shelter was set up on the side of the water. “Hello?” A woman’s voice but weak and uneasy. “Who is it?”

“I am here to help, I bought some friends.” The Priestess said as she approached the shelter. “Are you injured? Do you need anything. You don’t have to live out here.”

A young Flisavust emerged from the shelter. She was in a dirty, well worn green dress Yet she wasn’t too unkept, “I’d like to go home.” As tired and lonely her voice sounded something about it put Count Haristul on edge. Yet the Priestess kept approaching. Count Haristul wanted to say something, he could see the other men did too. Yet they had told the Priestess she would get to confirm before they went to slay the monster; it didn’t stop them from being on edge with each step she took.

“We can bring you home. There are reports of a monster out in these woods, and we can look after you while you recover. Don’t worry” The Priestess didn’t get to continue her thought as a clawed hand crushed her throat.

“Silly girl,” the hallow said, “You should know better.” Count Haristul wasn’t the first to draw the Knight captain did firing two shots from his pistol. Both missed the creature as it dipped into the forest. Leaving the Priestess a broken pile. Yet her spell was still present, the trace of light revealed that she was still alive. The two guards ran to her, attempting to save her life.

“We will cover you.” Count Haristul said taking up a defensive position the two Knights joining him, “Signal the reserves. We will probably need them.”

“We need to get her out of here.” The older guardsman said, “She can make it.” The Knight commander responded by launching the signal flare skyward. Count Haristul noticed it was modified, hoping that meant to bring medical assistance. “We will need time to stabilize her before we can move her.” All three defenders acknowledged and didn’t move.

I pray we all get out of here in one piece. This night has been hard enough. More light will help. Count Haristul focused and pulled on his magic reciting the incantations. A dozen orbs of light shot from him ringing the clearing just past the trees. “Smart move.” The Knight Commander said, releasing his own around the guards working on the Priestess.

There was a good amount of movement beyond the lights. “It’s using it’s own magic,” the Knight Lieutenant, “although it appears to be weak.”

“I thought they couldn’t speak.” The younger of the two Guards said, “They weren’t completely mindless but.”

“She may not be fully hallowed yet. We may not be able to save her body but we might her soul.” The Knight commander said, “Regardless we all need to survive this.”

“We are working on her. We should be able to move her in a bit.” The older Guard said.

The hallow burst out from behind the shelter Count Haristul pulled the Knight Lieutenant out of the way throwing him to the ground bringing up his own sword aiming to impale the monster. It rolled claws clattering off of his breastplate but triggering a spell that threw him into the shelter, crushing the shelter. Dazed Count Haristul got to his feet seeing the monster trading blows with the Knight Commander, wards on his armor helping to soften the creature’s powerful blows. In an impressive display of co-ordination the Knight Lieutenant swapped with is commander. Who dragged Count Haristul to his feet. “Take your men, take the Priestess and get out of here. We can hold it.”

“Guards can she be moved?” Count Haristul barked interposing himself between the combatants and the wounded.

“Not yet. Should we go when she can be?” The older Guard not slowing down his triage.

“Say something first. Expect a fighting retreat.” Count Haristul said, moving to maintain his potion. With both Knights attacking the hallow was on the back foot but not loosing. Magic would work, if I can get close enough, pity I didn’t bring a hand crossbow. “They need help. Watch yourselves.” He said as the Knight Lieutenant got thrown from the melee.

The Knight Commander saw him go to replace the stunned and confused Lieutenant, and attempted to open the hallow up for Count Haristul’s attack. Count Haristul’s sword landed in the back of the hallow. He focused a simple stunning spell though his blade. It let out a horrific screech, while trying to overcome his magic. Then the Knight Commanded decapitated the hallow, putting an end to the noise and it’s resistance.

In the wake of the screech there was sound of people running. Count Haristul pulled his blade from the corpse looking at the remains she at one point had been rather beautiful. It is a shame that one can become so ugly so fast. Such is the nature of the Hallowing. Cleaning his blade he walked back to the wounded Priestess, “Will she make it?”

“She wants to. That counts for more than you’d expect.” the older Guard said finishing up a round of magic. “As much as I can do here. Although she should rest a bit before we move her if the monster is dealt with.”

“No. No. No!” Kuldra turned towards his sister’s voice to find Linminli on her knees crying into her hands. Two of the estate’s guards and Flumtha were in tow. The guards snapped to attention and Kuldra waved them off.

“Thank you for following her. I doubt you could have kept her inside.” Kuldra ended their excuses with that pardon. “If either of you are healers we have wounded.” He than took a seat near his sister, and looked up at Flumtha, “You should be in bed.”

“You too, although you need to be tended to.” Flumtha said starting to mend the wounds that were starting to hurt.

“Was she really gone?” Linminli said turning to Kuldra eyes red with tears.

“She almost killed the Priestess over there. Plus how many Flisavust can scratch up steel like this?” Kuldra gestured to his damaged breastplate. Linminli went back to crying. A Davlmigba landed on the body, and cawed. All eyes turned to the bird as a faint shimmer went though the body. Then the bird flew off to the north leaving a faint trail of snowflakes in it’s wake.