My Dearest Abigail,

It is with deepest regret and utmost sorrow that I write this letter. Your fiance, Lord Elborne Lionsmane of Theris, has died. I pray you forgive my bluntness in this report and I know how deeply upsetting this news must come to you. While I would much prefer to tell you all this in person, I feel that I must give you a full report of the whole grisly affair while the details are still fresh in my mind.

I will start at the beginning. As you are aware, Lord Elborne invited me to his summer estate in Theris for a hunting holiday. I am not much of a hunter but for you my dear sister I wished only to take in the merit of the man who had won your heart so I took advantage of his invitation. I arrived two days ago by carriage out of Knightdale. Has it really been only two days? I feel as if a week has passed since I entered those large golden gates that lead up to the Lionsmane Manor.

As per the name, two majestic marble lions greeted me upon my entrance. The carriage then turned up the drive towards the main house. I admit that was in awe of the well-tended grounds, the lush gardens, the crystal green lake, and the large forested landscape that I passed but such wonders paled in comparison to the house itself. The estate is composed of three large building connected by a bridged walkway. There are multiple balconies from which one could look out upon the beautiful hills of Theris. There emerged in me a pang of jealousy that you would soon be mistress of this palace but it was quickly replaced with a well of joy for your good fortune. Alas, it will never come to pass. I had intended this letter to include a full description of the grounds and rooms filled with ample praise towards its design and care but that is a fruitless exercise now.

I was greeted at the door by a Mr. George, a well-groomed dwarf with dark, black hair who serves as the Chief of Staff at Lionsmane Estate. He addressed me cordially and showed me to a sitting room that further displayed the wealth of Mr. Lionsmane. I had barely time for a cup of tea and a biscuit before Elborne strode into the room. He was, as you described him, a dashing man with an enormous smile and strong presence.

“Welcome my dear brother,” said Elborne and he embraced me in a bear’s hug. “I trust that your journey was pleasant.”

“Indeed it was,” I rejoined. “Fair skies and smooth roads. I must thank you again for your hospitality.”

“You’ve come at a good time. I’m told that a herd of elk have been spotted along the forest to the north. We should have an excellent hunting,” said Elborne. We spent the next hour exchanging pleasantries and discussing the merits of different styles of crossbow. I won’t bore you with the details but I can tell you that I was even more impressed with the intellect, humor, and manner of Elborne. Apart from his prestigious wealth and political standing, Elborne struck me as a handsome man with a strong frame and striking blue eyes. I can well understand why you accepted his marriage proposal.

The rest of the day passed in pleasant diversion. Elborne entertained me with his musical skills on the pianoforte and I, in turn, amused him greatly with my lack of skill at cards. We enjoyed a delicious dinner of roast pheasant and various soups and then I retired early to a spacious room that he provided for me. I had enjoyed many a bottle of fine wine that evening and my spirit was in good humor. I was fully prepared that very night to give my blessing to your union with my entire heart and soul. Little did I suspect the horrors that the following day would bring.

It began, ominously enough, with a troubling incident. I awoke to a beautiful sun-filled morning and took my time preparing for the day. My head throbbed a little from the prior evening’s revelry and by the time I was fully dressed, I was feeling hungry. I set out to find the kitchens. Perhaps it was providence or maybe ill chance but as I walked past a window I overheard a heated exchange. Peering out of the window, I saw Elborne talking to a young and very pregnant commoner. I was too far to hear what they were talking about but her face was red and his was contorted in disgust. She said something and I heard Elborne shout, “How dare you!” He then slapped the woman across the face.

I was very much shocked. No man should strike a woman even she be a commoner. I called out, alerting them to my presence. I could not believe I had witnessed such a display. I found a nearby door and strode purposefully towards the pair. The woman had not left. She was lying on the ground clutching her cheek. I could already see a purple welt forming on her comely young face. Elborne looked furious.

“What is the meaning of this?,” I demanded looking from Elborne to the woman. Neither spoke for several moments.

“Ask him,” muttered the girl.

Elborne took a deep breath and then forced a smile. “It is nothing to be concerned about,” he said.

“Nothing,” said the woman and she looked like she would say more but Elborne raised a fist and interrupted her.

“You will not speak again. Your services here are no longer needed. Gather your things and leave,” he shouted at her.

The woman carefully began to stand. I attempted to help her but she slapped my hand away. She rose on her own, glared at Elborne, and strode away in silence. I expecting him to explain the situation at once but he only sighed and walked back towards the manor with me.

“I’m sorry you had to see that. The young lady works, well used to work for me. She’s not married but she got pregnant not too long ago. When I learned of her indiscretion I confronted her. She gave me a sob story and I pitied her. I was willing to keep her on. However, my charity was not enough for her. She wanted compensation and was making an audacious accusation that Mr. George had fathered her child. I regret that I lost my temper and struck her. That was wrong and you were right to call me out on it,” said Elborne.

It struck me as odd that Elborne would become so defensive of his Chief of Staff considering how little I had seen the two of them interact. I think Elborne observed my skeptical look because he immediately became legitimately remorseful and apologetic. He begged that I not report the incident to you my dear sister as he was afraid you would think him an ogre for one moment of poor judgment. So pitiful was his pleading and so sincere were his words that I promised to forget the incident entirely. I am not one to go back on my word but I feel it necessary that I break my promise. I believe this exchange has a bearing on the events that followed and may shed some light on the mysterious tragedy to come.

The morning brought a chill easterly wind and with it, a blanket of dark clouds. By lunchtime, the sun was completely shrouded and the land was bathed in a dim light. The rest of the hunting party arrived. It was myself, Elborne, Mr. Palmer who serves as priest in the local village, Lord Tyrell a nearby nobleman, and the huntsmaster Mr. Krill.

We climbed onto our horses and headed out into the forest. Luck was not with us as we saw neither deer nor hare. The hours crept by and the cloud cover thickened. Under the dark forest leaves, it almost felt as if it were night. A fog began to settle in around us shrouding the land in flickering shadows. It seemed as if the animals had all fled this part of the forest for soon we did not even hear the birds in the canopy above us. I suggested we head back but Elborne refused. He would not leave the hunt empty-handed.

Hours passed without a word or whisper and the darkness deepened. The sun set and we were forced to light our lanterns. It was at this point that Elborne conceded defeat and we began to head back to the manor. It was not long after midnight when we first heard it. A cracking sound like a large branch being broken. It was the first sound we’d heard apart from ourselves in hours. The horses pulled fitfully in our arms and Mr. Krills dogs began to whimper and hunker down.

“What was that?” asked Mr. Palmer but none of us could give him answer. The silence stretched forth and we soon coaxed the horses into moving again.

My heart thumped loudly in my chest. I will confess to you dear sister, I’ve never felt fear like that before. Not even when I fell into that ravine when we were children and I was trapped there until you got help. I don’t think I was the only one. All jovial conversation faltered and we walked in quiet contemplation.

Then we heard the cracking sound again. It was soon followed by a whistle. I cannot place the tune but it felt old and familiar. It seemed to come from everywhere around us.

“Hold!” shouted Elborne. “Who goes there?”

The whistling stopped. Elborne drew his blade and called out again. “I say! Whoever you are. I am Elborne of Theris, the ruler of this land. I demand that you show yourself at once.”

Staring into the fog and darkness we saw nothing but the shadows of our imaginations. The dogs began to bark and strain at Mr. Krill’s leashes. He shouted and beat at them but they were twisting and biting at one another as if mad. Eventually they tore free of Krills grip and they fled into the darkness. Mr. Krill said some uncouth words and Mr. Palmer rebuked him. He apologized but I could see that his hands were bleeding were the dog’s leashes had torn into his skin. We decided not to follow the dogs. They would find their way home. We traveled on.

At one point, Elborne halted. He looked at the path dubiously. “Hold,” he said. “I think we may have taken a wrong turn. I don’t recognize this path. Let me see.”

He handed Krill his horse’s reins and stepped lightly onto the ground. He began to inspect the area. Shortly, he leaned back and grinned. “Ahh. I know where we are. We only just have to go in that direction.”

He pointed away towards us and froze. Our gaze followed his and we saw a figure standing in the road behind us. A tall man-sized shape emerged from fog. The horses shrieked and they bolted pulling all of us with them. I remember looking back and seeing Elborne draw his blade for a split second before before the forest swallowed him up from my view. I barreled through brush and thicket as my horse charged forth. It took almost a minute to rein it in and several more to calm the animal enough that I could direct it back.

I was alone. Suddenly, a scream rent the night in two. I headed in the direction I thought it came from and soon met with Mr. Palmer. He too had heard the scream. We backtracked and came into a clearing. There was the tall man crouching over something on the ground. He was wearing a dirty coat and a broad-brimmed straw hat that completely obscured his face. His back was to us and we could not see what he was doing.

I jumped down from my horse and cried out, “Hold! Who are you and what are you doing?”

The man did not turn towards me but I heard his voice loud and clear. “I be Jack Bones,” he chuckled. “And I be workin.” His words sent a chill through my bones. It’s hard to describe. He had a strange accent and his voice was deep and gravelly.

I moved towards him and noticed that he was leaning over a person who lay limply on the ground. The stranger blocked my view. But I recognized the boots.

“Is that Lord Elborne?” I asked.

“It was,” said the tall man. “He be dead now. I like the eyes. Care to try?”

He extended a gloved hand towards me and I saw an eyeball in his fingers. I recognized the blue-grey eye of my host. I recoiled in horror and did not respond. Mr. Palmer was frozen beside me as we both stared in disgust.

“Suit yerselves,” said the man and his hand retreated to the shadows beneath his hat. I heard a revolting crunching sound and then the man, or creature, as I now suspected, spoke again. “Tastes like large house, green fields, pretty girls. Delicious.”

It began to stand up and I could not believe the creature’s height. I was certain then that this thing was not a man. It was skeletally thin and rigid. It turned to face us. My hands tremble at the memory. I am not sure what exactly happened next. Mr. Palmer gasped. The creature was pale as a winter mooon with two glowing red eyes and a toothy grin that extended unnaturally from cheek to cheek. It tilted it’s head and we heard that terrifying cracking sound from before. Looking down, I saw the body of Lord Elborne. I’m afraid that I cannot in good conscience describe it for you my dear sister as it still gives my nightmares.

I’m not sure how but I found my voice. “You killed him,” I stammered. “Why?”

The creature continued to grin at us. “A young lady asked me to do it. Seems he wronged her and she asked old Jack Bones to deal with him. She paid me real good too.”

Mr. Palmer shocked me next. It seemed he found his voice and some measure of courage. “You sir,” said Mr. Palmer. “Are under arrest for murder. You’ve as good as confessed and we caught you in the act. You’ll need to wait here for us to get the constables.”

Ignoring Mr. Palmer entirely, the creature spoke again. “Jack Bones work be done. I be goin now. You gents have a good night,” he said and then it tipped its his hat to us turned and began to walk away. As he did, he began to whistle. It the same tune from earlier. He vanished into the fog. Mr. Krill arrived not long after and together we carried what remained of Lord Elborne back to Mr. Palmer’s church. The constable arrived and interviewed us all. The healer examined Lord Elborne and determined that he had died from a snapped neck but a wild beast had ravaged him. The constable took our testimony but declared that we had been drinking (which we had) and that Lord Elborne had merely died from falling off his horse but I know what I saw.

When we left the church, a crowd of the villagers had formed. I recognized the young lady from earlier watching from the side. I also noticed that she was no longer pregnant. I called out to her but she ran. I’m afraid I do not even know her name. The creature mentioned a young lady paid him and I think there might be a connection but I cannot say. I plan to come to you swiftly and offer what comforts I can. Until we meet again.

Your Faithful Brother,

Edgar van Brighten