Every year around this time, the villagers have an elaborate ceremony to appease the fearsome creature in the forest. Centuries ago, a pact was struck with the hairy beast to keep its hunger at bay... a hunger for boy flesh.
So it goes that a black velvet satchel is filled with slips of torn paper, upon which the names of all the strapping young men of age are written. He who is chosen is celebrated as a royalty for 3 days with a county wide festival. It is a great honor to be selected as "the protector". Once chosen, he is treated to music, drinking, dancing and feasting, until the day of the full moon.
At dawn, the protector is then escorted to the edge of the forest where he sheds his clothing and the village elders cast spells of strength, stamina, and lust over him as he enters the dense wood.
He disappears from view, and all is silent as they wait. Then a sudden sound of a distant, ferocious howling, rustling leaves, snapping twigs. Then hours of lustful moaning, another deep, guttural growl, and nothing as the protector is carried off, never to be seen again.
The sacrifice has been accepted, and we are safe for another year.
Michael Broderick
2025-03-02 00:37:00 +0000 UTCMichael Broderick
2025-03-02 00:08:13 +0000 UTCTheecchineko
2025-03-01 22:28:47 +0000 UTC