12. The Unnameable.

The deer seemed to be quite good at avoiding them. The Lord’s huntsmen were having a few problems tracking this one, and frustration was showing on the faces of some of them. They had spotted the deer a little while ago. They had all gotten into position as had been planned beforehand to herd it in a particular direction where they could trap it and do away with it cleanly. Unfortunately somewhere along the way, they lost sight of the animal and that was when the accusations started to fly. Paul was blaming Warren and Jenny was not helping by pointing out that it was Paul’s job to herd the animal and he should have been keeping his eye on it at all times and maybe he should not have had that last ale the night before...

It nearly turned into a brawl when Harold Treeborn finally steeped in.

"Stop it all of you. Something is not right here. We lost track of it too easily. I have a feeling there is something more going on here than a few to many ales last night."

Everyone went quiet. Jenny looked quizzicaly at her brother, but they could all see that she was also concerned. They all were as well. Harold had a innate ability to know when magical or supernatural forces were in play. He could not pinpoint anything, like tell you exactly who or what was causing the disturbance, he could just tell you there was something going on. So if he thought there was more to their problems than just befuddle senses, than maybe they had better watch their steps.

"What should we do then." asked Jenny. "We can’t just return empty handed and say that you got a hunch and we decided to leave. Unlike his Father, his Lordship is a little sceptical of your warnings."

"I know." he answered. "I suggest we continue and see if we can’t find something to bring back, but be extra careful. And no heroics. If you have to run, then run."

They all nodded their agreement, and separated to continue looking for prey. They did not get out of each other’s sight before It came upon them.

Maria felt It first, because she had felt it once before. But soon she could see that the others were aware of It as well. She could not see anything, but that was Its nature. It had no substance, it was just a presence that clawed at your soul and created insurmountable fear in even the bravest of men. Maria could hardly breath, and she could see that the others were in similar situations. Jenny was nearly shaking so hard she would fall over. Paul, who was the biggest and strongest of them all looked as if he wanted to crawl into a hole and hide. She could tell that all of them hated feeling that way but there was little they could do against It.

Maria felt Its presence coil around her. Carresing her body in a sick parody of a lover holding their true love. She shivered and sucked in her breath. It’s laughter echoed through her head as It seemed to place Itself near her right ear.

A raspy voice that sounded ill used spoke to her.

"Good day to you, Daughter of Death. I bring you this greeting late as I could not attend your homecoming the day She brought you to us."

"Thank you very much." answered Maria, but her voice broke while she spoke and this only brought out more laughter. "I shall let mother know that you have paid your respects. She will be pleased."

"Then you know who I am?’ It asked.

"Yes."

"Who am I?"

"Your are the Unnameable."

"That is not strictly true. Is it?’

"No."

"I have a name, don’t I?"

"Yes."

"Will you say my name?" the siruppy sweetness in the way It asked, made Maria want to vomit. It corrupted everything it touched and made even the most innocuous of things horrific and sordid.

"No." she answered.

"Why not?"

"Because to say your name out loud invites death."

"But I, like the others, have been forced to agree to not touch you directly. I could not kill you myself if I wanted to, so you are safe from that particular problem that comes from invoking my name. So you can say it."

It was true that the Gods had all agreed to not harm her directly, but the word here was directly. Both her mother and aunt had pointed this out to her early least she got too cocky.

"No, I still cannot." she replied. "You may not harm me directly but you would take it out on someone else as payment. That is how you work, isn’t it? Tricking people with your words?"

It laughed. "Well done, little girl." It said. "You are as smart as some say. I am glad I ran into you here. I think you may be able to help me with a problem."

"What problem?" she asked a little warily. She was not sure what was happening but she wanted to make sure she didn’t get herself or anyone else into a situation they could not get out of.

"I am looking for someone."

"Unless they are hiding from mother I am not interested."

"Oh, don’t be that way, little one." It said. Tendrils touched her cheek and slithered around, under her chin and up her left cheek. It wrapped Its presence even tighter around her body. "I am asking very politely."

"And I am politely refusing. I do have many responsibilities and so cannot just go off on a whim to look for someone who is lost. You will have to ask someone else, please."

The voice was now on her left, and there was anger in it this time. "I don’t want anyone else, I want you to do it. Don’t forget who is asking."

The others cried out. They fell to the forest floor, clutching their heads.

"Stop it, Please!" she cried.

The others relaxed but their breathing was still ragged and fast.

The syrupy smugness returned to Its voice.

"You see I did as you asked. I am sure that you can do the same courtesy for me? No? I can make you, but I would rather not. I am sure you would miss the companionship of your fellow huntsmen here, if something were to happen to any of them. And what of that little serving girl you are so found off. What is her name again? Oh, yes Annie I believe."

"You better not touch her or..."

"Or what? You’ll hurt me. I don’t think so, and your mother will have no recourse either if that is what you are thinking."

"Why do you do this?’ she asked.

"Because it is who I am." It said. "This world needs me for balance you understand. You know, black and white, Light and dark, good and...Me." If it had a face it would be smiling right now. "I only follow my nature."

Maria looked around at her companions. They were afraid, but she could see that they were willing to stand with her. But she was not willing to risk them or Annie or anyone else for that matter.

She let out a resigned sigh. "Who do you wish me to find?" she asked.

"Wonderful!" It cried. "I knew if you just thought about it, that doing me one tiny little favour would not be hard."

It’s presence backed away from her letting her breath properly. The others slowly stood up now that Its hold was relaxed. They came to stand near her.

"Such loyalty." It sneered. "It would bring tears to my eyes, if I had them."

"Who do you wish me to find?" she asked again.

"A young man named Robert Isling. He looks like this."

A face popped into her minds eye of a man who looked to be about 30 summers old. His hair was cut short like a soldiers and he had the square jaw and blue eyes and large nose of Paul’s norsmen.

"What did he do to you, for you to be hunting him like this?" she asked.

"Well, I believe that he has my sword."

"You have need of a sword?" she said surprised.

"Oh my, no." It laughed. "I just collect them. And this one is very special to me."

"And what makes it so special?"

"Well it was what I based your Dagger on when I made it for you for your Homecoming."