Movement part-3

Hadrian Rivers pulled his cloak hood up to keep the rain out of his face and soaking his long black hair further, the young man wishing he had cut it if he knew he'd be travelling in such a downpour. The cloth and leather clothes at least kept him warm, even though the layered material was becoming more soaked over his lanky form.

Lord Tytos Blackwood, Hadrian's father and ruler of Raventree Hall, had organized the group after reports came in of abandoned villages being discovered. Most were small and quite isolated, nothing too out of place considering how vast the Riverlands were. At first it seemed just a community or two had simply left, yet soon half a dozen was discovered recently. Tytos had advised his son's group to check High Heart because of the strange sightings on that hill and being the centre of all the abandoned villages.

He'd shrug his bow back onto his shoulder and shaking his back to empty the water collecting into the quiver on his back, though he doubted his arrows fly straight in such severe weather. Everyone struggled to keep their lanterns dried, not wanting to stumble in the woods and mud in complete darkness. He'd glance at his other companions, hardy men from Raventree Hall who had volunteered for this mission with Ser Cordin at the lead. He was one of Tytro's best knights and was a dutiful teacher to the young Hadrian.

Hadrian quickening his pace to catch up, he'd speak up to Cordin. "We need to stop! Its already dark and this rain isn't dying down any time soon!"

The knight glanced over at the young man, giving a small frown. "We're near to the hill though! If there is trouble lurking about, I'd rather not wait for the morning for it to slip away or surprise us."

The young man grumbled, biting back words of argument for now. It was risky to travel in these conditions, considering the men could easily get sick from the rain and chilly air. After a moment he kept the urge to speak up again, yet stopped when he heard something odd in the air. "Everyone stop!"

The sudden order made the other men come to a halt, though Cordin gave an odd look towards him. "What's the matter?"

"Don't you hear that?"

Everyone was silent, trying to listen through the pattering rainfall.

"If you mean the rain…yes I hear plenty of that."

"No, it was a voice giggling out! Like a woman's yet…wrong."

"Just hearing things lad." Yet as soon as the knight said that, there was sudden laughter about them, an eerily sound. Cordin tensed, one hand going for his long sword while the other men gripped their weapons nervously. "Then again…maybe not."

"Oh? Is the knight scared of little us?" One warped womanly voice chuckled out, echoing among the trees.

"The storm has them quaking in fear already, considering how they shake in their boots." Another voice cackled.

"Mhh…the young one though. So good and innocent. I'd make him quite the man yes…" Another slyly laughed.

Cordin was on guard, glancing at his men who were glancing about nervously with their weapons out. Hadrian fumbled with his bow, unnerved by the unseen voice speaking about him. "Form up! Get into a defensive circle!" Everyone obeyed the knight's command, trusting his skill and leadership. Hadrian was beside Cordin as the knight raised his sword and shield, sharp eyes glancing about.

"What in the Hells is going on…" The young man muttered.

"I don't know…and that is what worries me," Cordin whispered back.

"You should be worried."

Suddenly the men behind them screamed out in terror. "Gods the ground! Its moves!" Roots and rotting plant life ripped up from the earth, grasping out at their legs and coiling upward. Those who didn't struggle free quickly gave pained cries as the tendrils coiled up their legs than around their chests and necks before being snapped by twigs.

Before anyone could react, there was a sudden shadowy figure that lunged out from the woods. The darkness made it hard for Hadrian to see, yet at a glance, it seemed like an old woman though mutilated and sickly in appearance. The man closest to her yelled out in shock before her hand shoved right into his stomach, followed the slick sound of his guts being ripped out of him.

"Kill it! Kill it!"

The men scrambled to attack the crone who laughed out, blades and clubs swinging out at her. Despite her hunched stance, she moved inhumanly fast to avoid any blow, though let a sword strike at her only for it to snap like it was a twig.

"So rude to strike a woman!" The creature jested before she disappeared in a raging flock of blackbirds, the swarm passing through three men who howled as their faces were pecked and clawed at viciously.

Hadrian stood there in pure shock, trembling as he watched the bloody carnage before him. He had seen his share of violence and injuries, yet this was unlike anything he had seen. Suddenly there was a heavy stomp from the woods, making him turn about and draw his bow to fire blindly into the dense trees. However, the stomping continues as a large grotesque form came into view. It looked like a woman, yet fat and warty with a sagging heavy bust that it's simple clothes barely covered. Just the sight of it made the young man gag as he nearly puked at the grotesque sight. His arrow stuck out at its face, having pierced the wicker basket the creature wore as a mask.

"That was rude of you my dear." The creature murmured, the same one that had slyly spoke of him moments ago. She'd grasp the arrow and pull it out before tossing it aside. "Yet I'm a forgiving woman. Come half-lord…let me embrace you!"

The creature moved closer, large meaty arms wide to grab at the petrified Hadrian who tried to back away. "Oh, gods please no!"

"Back you monster!" Despite the creature's foul appearance and the chaos around him, Cordin remained steadfast as he'd bash his shield at the creature. While she seemed surprised at the attack, her fatty form absorbed the blow and all it did was stall her for a moment. "You'll have to kill me before you lay a foul finger on him!"

"So noble of you! If you wish my love first…then I'll gladly give it to you!" The crone giggled as she'd swing a club like a hand at the knight. Even with his strong stance, the man was forced back as his shield was crushed in one blow. Despite the creature's fleshy look, it's skin was like a stone as the man stared at the warped metal.

"RUN HADRIAN! GET BACK TO THE HALL! WARN THEM!" He'd lash his sword at the giant of a woman, yet she'd casually catch his blade with one hand before yanking it away with ease. Even unarmed Cordin fought, an armoured fist punching out at the creature's flabby stomach, yet he'd cry out as he broke his hand against the monster. "RUN!" He yelled out through the pain.

The young man backed away more, stammering to find words as the knight was grabbed by the creature who giggled out in glee. He'd watch Cordin struggle and curse, trying to pry free before getting smothered by disgusting flesh. The creature didn't stop as her arms began to tighten around him, metal plate buckling under her inhuman strength, drawing horrid cries as the knight's spine was being crushed.

At that point Hadrian ran, dropping his bow and rushing out into the dark woods as quickly as his feet would allow him. The horrible sounds of the slaughter faded behind him, yet the Crones laughter followed. His hands pressed at his ears to try and shut them out, trying to focus on escaping from them. He'd just kept running even as his lungs heaved for air and legs stumbled across the muddy ground, yet he pressed on despite the gawking exhaustion. He lost all sense of direction, going only on the base instinct of survival and Cordin's last desperate words.

…

"Should we chase the boy?" Weavess muttered as the group glanced out into the woods, the ground littered with the slain men…or what bits remained.

"Just one boy. You think anyone will believe him about what he saw?" Brewess answered back casually, heavy arms still cradling the crushed knight as if he was a toy. "Besides it is a waste to kill such a fine lad so early in youth!"

"Bah! Has your desire made you soft for the human?" Weavess argued.

Whispess hissed out to interrupt their bickering. "Enough! The boy isn't worth chasing. Let the woods claim him in his panic. For now, we have flesh and blood to work with." She'd lip up a dead man's arm, lifting his limp body from the ground. "We have much work ahead of us sisters. From now on we take the title as the Oracles of High Heart. The foolish humans will beg for our wisdom and power…long before realizing their folly!"

The trio laughed and cackled into the night, their inhuman voices echoing far and wide. To many their voices would blend into the storm overhead, yet all who heard it would feel terrible dread creep through them.