[ WP ] That 's Scary !

`` It is dark things that live in the deepest forests.'' 
 
 `` Faraway from here, there are massive forests that grow. Woods so large that that they stretch for thousands of miles. Within these titanic stands, lie entire kingdoms. Carved out of the forests, those who live there fight a never ending battle against the growth. For gods and demons inhabit the forest and they do not brook humans trespassing upon their sacred homes. Those who earn the wrath of the gods seldom survive long.'' 
 
 `` During the day, the people tend their cleared fields and hunt in the sparser forest growth. While the sun is up, wagons trundle along the lanes that are constantly being threatened by the rampant growth. But come evening, the horns begin to blow. They signal for the peasants to hurrying to the shelter of their lord's castles and for the hunters to return with their catch. Merchants rush to the fortified taverns that are the only refuge against the dangers of the night. Torches and braziers are lit and doors and windows locked, for none dare leave anything to chance.'' 
 
 `` Come sundown, everyone is in their homes, families clustered together in terror. Guards patrol the castle walls, staring into the inky darkness of the night. Few who find themselves outside the safety of fortifications ever make it through the night. If you were a guard on the night's sentinel, you would here things, dreadful things. First would be the drums. *Dum dum dumdumdum DUM! DUM DUM dumdum dum dum. * Maddening irregular they are. Word has it that the drums are skinned with the hides of those poor souls who do not survive the night. I am liable to believe them.'' 
 
 `` Then comes the voices. First simple greetings. Then questions and accusations follow. More terrifying is that fact that the voices somehow know you. They call out your name.'Where are you Johan?' or'Please Emma, come here. I need you.' Those poor fools who run into the forest's edge after those false voices pay for their lapse of judgment. As soon as they disappear into the shadows, screams start up, theirs. Then the sound of feeding begins, slobbering and ripping as they tear the victim apart. Come daybreak, the only things left are the entrails hanging from the branches and the eyes.'' 
 
 `` Sometime late in the night, the danse macabre starts up deep in the forest. The sound of dancing and song filter through the trees. The faint light of bonfires can be seen far off in the distance as the spirits and demons walk through the woods, leading a ghastly parade of monsters and beasts. All the marches of fearsome and horrifying creatures have a single destination in mind, the impossible to find castle of the Fairy Queen. This witch is the true ruler of the forest. If she so chose, all the castles within her domain could fall in a single night. But she does not.'' 
 
 `` She instead extracts tribute from those who dwell in her woods. Every new year she appears before a castle demanding all unmarried youths to be brought forth to her. From amongst their number she selects a consort for the year. Taking the doomed young man into the saddle of her pitch black mount, she rides off, and the lad is never seen again. No one knows of their fate, but many believe the Fairy Queen feasts upon them at the end of their chosen year, or else sacrifices them upon her dark altars of death. I am inclined to agree with them. So it is that the Queen of Fey rules her domain, terror and death ever present. Growing up, my most recurring nightmare was me running through the night, being chased by her hellhounds. Their baying foretelling my doom. My greatest fear was to find myself captured and taken before her sinister and lustful gaze. And then I found myself here. Life is not without its sense of humor it seems...'' 
 
 Queen Malvina flicks a roasted chestnut at his chest. `` Liar, you're referring to me.'' Dieter Hagedorn merely grins as he crunches on the treat. `` No, it's all true your majesty. Every single word.'' He tries to keep a straight face, but fails miserably. She giggles, her face flush with alcohol. `` And what of I? Am I a monster like her?'' Dieter smiles as he finishes off the bottle of wine. `` Oh no your majesty. She was an evil witch, you are a good witch. You're much nicer than her. You're a much better captor than she could ever be.'' Downing his glass in one swallow, he reaches and pecks the Queen on the cheek. Still smiling drunkenly, he rises. `` Good night Malvina, sleep well.'' With that, he stumbles off, leaning against the wall in support as he makes his way to his room. Sitting in the solar, Queen Malvina rubs her cheek. Slowly, a smile spreads across her face.
