Ghost of Whisper Creek

Horeak Milner had spent little enough time in his birthplace. His family run the lumber mill on the Skagid River between Lakeburn and Visby. His growing up in the area certainly helped Krita however as everyone a day’s ride from Lakeburn knew of Zankin Northdrake, the last of the old tribe that inhabited the Northern Coast prior to the Arandil settling at North Port and Hubor displacing the natives at Visby. Horeak was surprised to hear that the old man lived, “Zankin seemed ancient when I left my home to serve Lord Mardil. That he can even talk is shocking to me. I’ll show you to his hovel. It’s not in town exactly, but close enough that everyone goes to hear his tales.”

Krita nodded, “Ever consider that they are more than tales? Sure there are some embellishments, but in all likelihood they are based on fact.” She gave the youngest of her lieutenants a smirk, “In five generations do you think people will really believe that the land turned against my people?”

Horeak gave a nod, “In five generations the story will say that your father had a clash with the spirit of the lands over some transgression that your family had perpetrated. Your father will have barely escaped with his life and decided to move on to better waters. And since Lord Arandil’s city was crushed in less than a day his family mostly destroyed, the story will tell of how Lord Ammon came and rescued the Northern Coast from the tyranny of it’s former controller.”

Krita laughed, “And how my brother and his little wife did the impossible bring the Coast together in harmony. I suppose some of what is told will depend on who the next Lord of Kronnborg is. Father won’t live forever, and all the work that Nils and Ri’ana are putting into Old North they aren’t moving back when he is gone.”

“Lord Ammon is still strong I don’t think his heir will be needed that soon,” Horeak answered with a grin. “Besides who says it can’t be a Lady that takes over?”

Krita gave a serious glare, “It will be a Lady who takes over, but do you really think that the King, Lord Hubor, Knight Lord Thorne and the others around here are going to follow me or my sister? Bad enough that we are Northerners, but women too. Know our Lord Husbands will appear to control the city.”

Horeak shrugged, “We follow you.”

Krita gave a snorting laugh, “Or you’d be dead. Death or follow the Northwoman, not a tough choice.”

“Not why we all follow you still you know?” Horeak said in complete sincerity. He then pulled the reins of his horse to the side and pointed down a very overgrown trail, “That way to Zankin, the men should probably keep going to town. Zankin loved to tell stories the last I visited him, but he didn’t love a crowd.”

Krita gave a nod, “You three are in charge,” she said pointing to Morn, Fruorin, and Walril. “I’m taking Megwan, Horeak and three others to see what the old man can tell us.”

Fruorin gave a shrug of his shoulder, “Too long stories about a time the god’s have forgotten is what you are going to get from Zankin. I’ll be happy to wait in the city, been a while since I had good trout.”

Krita gave a nod and a sigh, “Just don’t cause trouble. We’re on to Visby next if Horeak’s old friend doesn’t give us anything. From what my uncle says I might need your help to get anything out of locals there. House Hubor won’t be of any help.”

Fruorin gave his nodded and started forward along with Morn and Walril at the head of the soldiers. Three of the soldiers, the next three due to scout, moved away from the bulk of the group and followed Krita, Horeak and Megwan down the trail that led the way to their destination.

The journey from the main road to Zankin’s hut was uneventful. Horeak pulled his horse up to the entry dismounted and tied his horse to a nearby tree. Krita did the same and Horeak moved to take the reigns from Megwan, who was not very happy to comply. The young woman took advantage to leap off of her horse and move with Krita to the hide “door” of the hut.

“Hello?” Krita said as she moved the animal skin to the side, “We’re looking for Zankin.”

There was a groan from a bundle of animal furs and an old hand moved some away to reveal an equally old face, “Who is disturbing Zankin Northdrake?” the soft voice questioned in a tongue that only Krita of the three would understand.

Krita looked back to Horeak, “Has he always spoken in the Northern tongue?”

Horeak shrugged, “Always did the dialogue of his stories in a strange language no one knew. Then he’d translate with the narration. I guess Northern is as good a guess as any what he was speaking.”

Krita shook her head, “Not a guess.” She then turned back to the old man in the pile of blankets, “My name is Krita Rodsvard, these are my friends Horeak Milner and Megwan Chandler. Horeak says he knew you when he was much younger.”

The old man shook his head, “Don’t remember Horeak...family called Milner though. Had a boy, don’t remember his name. He came by. But you aren’t looking for Zankin for the young man you want to hear stories. I can’t remember them mostly. Especially not the ones in the new tongue, can’t remember how to talk it.”

Krita smiled and moved to kneel down beside him, “I don’t need anything in the new tongue. I need to know about ghosts...spirits in the woods. They have taken some of my people and I would like to figure out how to stop it from happening.”

“Ghosts?” Zankin questioned and then rubbed his dirty wrinkly hand against his gray bushy beard. “Many ghosts in the forest. None trouble the living except those near Whisper Creek. But those spirits were banished from this world long ago by Herman the Great.”

“Whisper Creek?” Krita asked, “What do you know of the place? No stories history.”

“Forgetting the ghosts, Whisper Creek is an area really not the creek itself, that is just a small bit of water running off of the North Lake into the forest,” Zankin responded. “There was a great battle there once. The Kings of old lost to the mountainmen. The dead supposed waited to be vindicated. Herman the Great led his armies from further North and laid waste to the mountainmen that remained in the forests. Soon after Herman moved his people on and founded Visby. This is long ago, nothing lives there now, but there are strongholds still, both Northern and mountainmen.”

Krita gave a quick nod, “Thank you Zankin. You have been most helpful. Is there anything that I can do for you?”

“Ghosts will come after you young one. You should head home, forget about ghosts and they forget about you.” Zankin said with a shake of his head. He then pulled the furs back over his head and basically disappeared.

Krita lead Megwan and Horeak from the hovel. As they collected their horses they heard a scream and panic from a horse in the distance. The quickly were in their saddles and rushing off towards the sounds. By the time they caught up to the sounds they found three dead comrades and three dead horses. Krita gave a guttural growl, “Horeak. You know where Whisper Creek is?”

The young lieutenant had obviously heard the tales. At the mention of the trickle of water and the land that surrounded it his face whitened. He gave a slow nod, “Zankin told you about Whisper Creek?”

Krita gave a laugh, “Said the ghosts were gone what are you worried about?”

“Aye m’Lady, the ghosts are gone. I’ve been there though, seen what was left behind. I’m afraid because,” his foot reached out and nudged the dead body in the grass. “Ghosts didn’t do this, and the battlements left at Whisper Creek will be able to hold back our men for a bit with a smart commander, and the commander is obviously smart.”

Krita growled again, “Then we don’t bring all of our men. We sneak in, the three of us. I’m tired of this going on. I’m going to take this ghost’s head.”

Horeak’s throat moved as he gulped in anxiety, “We can do that m’Lady, but you should also know that you can’t trust what you hear at Whisper Creek. The ghosts might be gone, but there voices remain. They snicker at those foolish enough to challenge the Creek. And whisper in your ear things you do not wish to hear.”

Krita shook her head, “It doesn’t matter I can’t go back home without taking care of this problem. I have finally been given a proper task. I will not fail at it.”

“Very well m’Lady follow me,” Horeak responded before returning to his horses saddle and leading Krita and Megwan further into the forest.