Something Was in the Well

The small village of Gloombrooke was like many others that dotted the landscape of Odrya. It was a small outpost, a collection of no more than twenty simple houses, built decades ago by wanderers of the King’s Highway who decided to settle down in one place.

In the heart of the village, there sat a well. It served the village’s basic needs for most of the year, except in the Summer when it often went dry. Then, the villagers would need to make the long walk down to the valley, where a small river ran.

But this Autumn, the well was full, and young Rendil walked over to the well carrying three wooden pails. It was morning and time for chores. As Rendil approached, he heard a strange sound coming from deep within the well.

He stood on the edge, looking down at the water.

There were shadows beneath, but they were not moving.

He leaned over the well, trying to see what was down there.

“It’s only water,” Rendil said. “Nothing to be scared of.” He reached into his pocket for his handkerchief and tied it around the pail.

The shadows didn’t move. They just waited down in the deep dark well, as if they were waiting for something.

Rendil took out his bucket and placed it on top of his brother’s.

“I’m going down to fetch some water,” he said. “You should get started on the chores, too.”

He jumped down into the well, careful to keep his feet together so he wouldn’t slip.

He stood next to the bucket, trying to decide whether or not he should drop the rope over the side. After considering it for a moment, he decided now was not the time. There were chores to do and the mystery of the well could wait. But it was curious, and his imagination of what he would find in the well intrigued him.

Returning home, Rendil began to perform his chores for the morning. His mother had sent him to pick some apples from the trees that grew outside their home and then she wanted him to take them to the tavern to be cooked into pies.

The apples were ripe and plentiful that year, and Rendil’s hands were full with four large pails filled to the brim with fruit. He set them down outside his home and turned to go inside to get another. As he did, he heard the sound of someone screaming.

It was Marrauth.

Rendil rushed into his home and found Marrauth on the ground outside their door. He had been knocked unconscious by an invisible force and was sprawled across the floor of the house.

“Help me,” Marrauth called weakly. “Someone help me.”

Rendil rushed over to his brother and helped him to his feet. His face was pale and he looked terrified.

“What happened?” asked Rendil. “What did it do to you?”

“I don’t know,” said Marrauth. “It was a horrible thing, I couldn’t fight it.”

“Let’s go,” said Rendil. He took his brother’s hand and led him into their home. The small family room was littered with broken dishes and smashed furniture. Their mother was sitting on the floor, her face in her hands, crying.

“What happened?” she cried as Rendil came in. “Where’s Marrauth?”

“We were going to the tavern to get him some breakfast and when we came back he was lying here.”

Rendil helped his mother to her feet. “Let’s get you up to your bed,” he said, pulling her up by her arm.

“My head…” she said. “I can feel it.”

Rendil helped her walk up the stairs. When they reached her room, he pulled her inside and laid her gently on the bed. Then he rushed back downstairs to get Marrauth.

He found him standing in the kitchen, his face still pale.

“You shouldn’t be out of bed,” said Rendil. “You might have a concussion.”

Marrauth shook his head and stepped into his brother’s arms.

“It touched me,” Marrauth said. “I can still feel its touch.”

“I don’t understand,” said Rendil. “What could have touched you? There’s nothing here but us.”

Rendil led his brother into the bedroom and sat him down on his bed.

“I’m going to take you to see the village healer,” said Rendil. “Maybe she can help you.”

Rendil carried his brother into town, but when he arrived at the healer’s house he discovered that she had gone into the fields for the day. The boy hurried back into town to fetch her, but he knew she would be gone for hours, and so he took Marrauth back home with him.

They settled back into their routine, working through the morning and making dinner. The two brothers worked together in the kitchen, helping their mother prepare the evening meal for their family.

Rendil was glad that Marrauth had returned home safely and he made a point of thanking him for his courage. “I’ve never seen anyone as brave as you,” Rendil told him. “I would have run away, but you didn’t.”

Later that afternoon, the family gathered around the hearth as Rendil read them a story from one of his favorite books: The Legend of the Dark Lord.

…to be continued.