The Winter kingdom

Version 2.0

As the group approached the heart of the village, they found a gathering of villagers huddled in worried clusters. The villagers, rugged individuals clad in heavy furs and woollens, exchanged concerned glances and hushed murmurs. A few children played nearby, uncaring of the boring adults.

"Lyanna, can we go find out what's going on?" Jocelyn asked, her breath forming tiny clouds in the chilly air.

Lyanna's eyes scanned the villagers huddled in discussion. "No, Jocelyn, we won't barge into other people's problems, especially when they don't concern us." Which earned an annoyed look from Jocelyn.

"Mmm, not quite so sure about that. We came to the north to investigate what is going on, and people disappearing into the night is odd, to say the least," Edric said, earning a beaming smile from Jocelyn.

"They were also kind enough to take us over the river, so we kind of owe them," Jon reasoned.

"It might have been less out of kindness and more out of nosiness," Brandon said with a sly grin. "But Edric makes a fair point. Come on, then. Let's ask."

They approached the group, which quickly gathered the attention of the villagers. "Apologies for interrupting, but I couldn't help but overhear talk of a couple going missing."

The group of villagers turned to them; their faces etched with confusion.

"Who are you?" one of them asked.

"We just crossed over the river. Some of the fishermen were kind enough to take us over. I am Brandon, and these are my friends. We came here to find out more about the oddness that is happening in these parts. We want to help," Brandon said.

The villagers gave the group a once-over, their eyes lingering on the weapons the group carried. After a silent consensus, the woman, who had shouted about the missing couple stepped forward, her dark hair flailing.

"It's, Sara and Ronnel. I can't find them anywhere I searched their house on the outskirts I asked my son's friends, I asked Sara's friends." She said in increasing speed before holding her face. "Oh, they were so beautiful on their wedding day, such a lovely couple," she spoke, her voice muffled in her hands and tears.

"Ronnel is one of the fishermen, and this morning when we saw that he was not out in his boat, we went to see if he was alright," one of the men in the group added. "We went over to their house to knock, asking if they were alright. When we bumped into Samatha." He said as he rubbed Samantha's back.

"We gathered some of the lads to have a look around the village. We went to Sara's parents' house, and some of their friends checked their usual spots, but couldn't find them." Another villager said.

"That was when I came to the centre here, saying they had gone missing. We planned to gather all the villagers and have a search party go out and see if we can find them," Samatha said as she wiped her tears away from her face.

"I assume then they are not the type to up and move," Brandon asks.

"And go where love? They have no other place to go that will give them a home and food on the table."

"Could you take us to their house? We might be able to find something from that," Brandon suggests.

"Right, follow me," she said.

The woman leads them to the outskirts of the village, where a quaint home stands, surrounded by the quietude of the winter morning. The cottage, adorned with simple charm feels out of place with no movements or life from the house, no smoke or noise came from it.

Upon entering, cold air rushes out of the house quickly escaping out of site. The furniture, though modest, exudes a homely atmosphere whilst the burned-out fireplace, and unfinished meal and chairs slightly out of place do not.

The woman gestures toward the living room. "This is where they spend most of their evenings. Please, just fine them."

The group separates, each member scrutinizing different corners of the house in search of clues. Jocelyn sticks close to Lyanna, the two carefully examining the living space for any sign of disturbance or irregularity.

"I got nothing," says Jon. "See anything, Brandon?"

"Nope, nothing. We've got a table with a half-finished meal, some chairs moved – most likely them getting up – but that's it. Nothing was stolen, nothing else moved. The beds are made, with light embers in the fireplace."

"I'll ask some more questions of the villagers then," Jon says.

Jon returns to the villagers, approaching the woman who showed them the house. "Sorry, I have some more questions to ask you if that's all right."

"If it helps, then of course," she says.

"Great. Did anyone see them at home or visit them at night?" he asks.

"Not that I know of. Once Ronnel is done with fishing, he goes with the other fishermen to either cast or help around the village. If I recall, they were helping Alys; she got some holes in her walls from some rotting wood. After helping out, I assume they either did some more work or chatted for a while before heading home. After that, he would have stayed at home – too dark to go out after that."

"Did anyone in the village have grievances with them, any rivalry or hate?"

"Nothing to warrant killing them or kidnapping them. There are rare arguments and squabble, but no real hate there. We are good people, and the village sticks together, especially in the weather and wilds being so crazy now."

"Anything else you can think of that might warrant something like this to happen to them? Them speaking of problems they have, disputes in the relationship?"

"Nothing of the sort. They were in their newly married phase, so the only sorts of things people would hear is when babies are made, if you catch my drift, love," she says with a sad smile. "Oh, I hope they are okay."

While she speaks, Edric comes up behind Jon. "Sorry, another question. Did they have any pets – dogs, cats, and such?" he asks.

"No, not that I know. A pet means they need extra food, and they are not hunters, so they have no reason for dogs."

"Interesting," Edric comments. "Jon, come with me."

They leave the lady and head back towards the house but stop at the door frame, lingering with anticipation.

"They have no pets, and yet, on their door frame, they have scratches," Edric points out, indicating the distinct markings along the top and side of the door frame, typically in pairs of two scratches close together.

"They are not man-made," Edric adds.

"I couldn't tell" Jon quips, which Edric rolls his eyes too. "I don't know of any animal that makes them either," he says, examining the scratches more closely.

While Jon investigates the door frame, Edric takes a step back and notices small scratches and scars along the top of the house. Though small, they are numerous.

"I don't know what caused them, but there are lots of them," Edric points out, capturing Jon's attention.

"Oh, great," Jon says.

"Hey, guys, come check this out," they hear from around the side of the house. Where they find Lyanna and Jocelyn crouched on the ground.

"I may not be the best hunter in the world, but even I can see that this assortment of footprints doesn't look right."

Looking into the snow leading away from the house, they observe many small, rapidly moving increments of small holes. Though most interestingly in the centre of the footprints, they notice small humanoid footprints that resemble children's footprints.