“The trouble started about three months ago. When the overnight staff of the manor vanished. Local bravery went in but never returned. Ever since, anyone who’s gone into the manor overnight, vanishes.” The mayor’s assistant explained. Taking the paper with the next of kin written on it and neatening it out.

  “Any questions?” The assistant asked.

  “Who does the manor belong to?” Thunder asked.

  “The mayor. It has a caretaker that manages the staff and the interior and exterior of the manor.” The assistant said.

  “What do you expect from us?” Kilek asked, Jiit nodded.

  “Yes, what are the perimeters of this task?” Jiit asked.

  “At sundown you will be locked in the manor. You will be free to leave at any time. Just signal the caretaker and he’ll let you out.” The assistant said. He put the papers into a folder and then into a drawer in his desk. “If you are still there in the morning, you will get a reward of a hundred silver to split amongst yourselves. However, if you manage to solve the mystery. That reward is doubled.”

  “Doubled individually or collectively?” Thunder asked.

  “Collective.” The assistant said. “Though there will be room for negotiation depending on the mystery’s conclusion.”

  “Seems fair.” Kilek said. “Is the mayor around? May we speak to him on this matter?”

  “In his office,” The assistant pointed to a door. “Knock first.” The newly formed party walked past the desk and to a side door. Jiit was the first to the door and knocked.

  “Enter.”

  The party walked into the cramped office. The office had a desk and lots of shelving with books and folders. Papers were everywhere as were the effects of home. A cot with bed covers left in a heap. Clothes were also left in random places. Sitting at the desk was a tall broad shouldered man with thick facial hair and a long unkempt hair.

  “What can I do for you?” He asked, roughly.

  “We’re investigating the manor, we’d like to ask you some questions.” Jiit asked, pulling out a notebook and piece of charcoal.

  “Mm.” The mayor said with no real emotion. Returning to whatever work was on his desk.

  “Was anything odd happening before the haunting in question? A ritual? Weird symbols painted in strange places?” Jiit asked.

  “The haunting started a little after the famine.” The mayor said, still not looking up. “The famine started about two months ago.”

  “Did something strange happen before the famine?” Shaynen asked, Jiit turned to look at him oddly. Shaynen gave a sheepish half shrug. Smiling awkwardly.

  “There was something a little off.” The mayor said. Regaining the attention of the party. “Before the famine there was a strange group that came through. I’m fairly positive it was a cult. But they came through and began stirring up trouble so I drove them out. Then came the famine.”

  “A cult?” Jiit said with renewed interest. “Please, tell us more.”

  “They all wore these pendants with a deer’s skull on them.” The mayor said, readjusting on his chair to look into the distance as he recalled the details. “They had a leader, well dressed fella… Talked a lot about death and life in an uncomfortable way.”

  “Did the doctor do anything overly suspicious?” Shaynen asked. The party paused to look at him again. “What? It’s a good question?”

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “I never said he was a doctor.” The mayor said, narrowing his eyes. Shaynen thought back, realizing that he hadn’t mentioned that made him pause.

  “You didn’t.” Shaynen said, “that’s… huh. I don’t know why I assumed that.”

  “Anyway. What exactly happens in the night?” Thunder asked.

  “People go in and they disappear in the night. No sign of struggle, no prints.” The mayor said. “People disappear in the night. If they don’t, it’s because they break down the door and demand to be let out. Swearing up, down, left, right, that there’s ghosts and that’s what’s behind the disappearances. But the stories don’t line up.”

  “What stories?” Jiit asked. Scribbling every word into his notebook. “Please elaborate on a few of them.”

  “They say it’s a banshee crying in the halls and that’s what’s killing everyone. Others say it’s the ghosts of past adventurer’s who attack them in the night.” The mayor sighed. “Others still, say it’s demons.”

  “That is a very vast category. But perhaps they all have something in common.” Jiit said, looking over his notes. “Anything else? Even if you don’t think it’s important, it could be.”

  “I can’t think of anything. But the caretaker of the place might have something. He lives on the property.” The mayor said with a wave of his hand.

  “The caretaker lives on the property and isn’t affected by the haunting?” Jiit said, quickly jotting that down.

  “Seems so,” the mayor nodded. “I’ve known the man all our lives. Old buddies, we go way back.”

  “Right, right.” Kilek said, “And I assume you don’t have any problems in your relationship or anything. You two are thick as thieves?”

  “Of course.” The mayor said. “I trust the man with my life.”

  “Good,” Kilek nodded. “Well, we’ll go speak to him then.”

  “We’ll be back tomorrow,” Shaynen said, thoughtlessly as the party left the office.

  “You don’t really think before you speak, do you?” Mayhem asked. Shaynen glared at her.

  “We will be, won’t we?” He insisted. “Or are you already convinced you’re gonna die tonight?”

  “I’m not gonna die!” Mayhem snapped. She held up her fist and an aura of heat erupted from around her.

  “Well, neither am I!” Shaynen snapped back, less of anger and more from a strong competitive streak.

  “No one is going to die.” Thunder announced. Shooing the two of them toward the exit. “Let’s continue our investigation before night falls and we end up going in blind.” The party left the town hall and headed toward the manor. The manor was as plain as could be. Well kept, with a beautiful garden.

  “Doesn’t look all that haunted.” Mayhem said.

  “What do you think a haunted house looks like?” Jiit asked.

  “Y’know, with peeling paint. Dust, cobwebs.” Mayhem said.

  “Thunder and screams of fright?” Kilek laughed. Which prompted the rest of the party to laugh. They passed through the open gate and into the well kept cobblestone of the manor walk way. The house was locked tight with a clear lock on the outside of the door. Slightly off in the side yard at the edge of the yard was a little cottage, equally well kept.

  The party left the path to walk to the cottage, Jiit had his notebook out before he knocked on the door. An older man opened the door and looked at the party.

  “You’re here for the manor haunting,” He said. Looking them over. “Oh, this will be an easy payday. You guys won’t last the night. And I know you’ll be the first to tap out.” He said this looking directly at Shaynen. “Well come in, come in. We have much to talk about.” The caretaker swept the door open wide and let the party in. He brought the party to a sitting room. Mayhem and Shaynen sat on the couch. Jiit took up the whole loveseat. Kilek sat on the floor and Thunder chose to stand. The caretaker sat in the only armchair.

  “So, I suppose you have questions. Alboin was never great at explaining things.” He said. “Suppose you already spoke to him?”

  “If Alboin is the mayor, then yes.” Jiit said. “May I ask how long you’ve been the caretaker?”

  “Long as the manor stood. But nevermind that. You want to know about the haunting, and what’s causing it.” The caretaker said. “Now, it was about two months ago when the manor got haunted. Alboin was busy, the famine was just starting and he was busy trying to figure out how to keep everyone fed. His family were alone in the manor. They were the first to disappear.” Jiit stopped writing to look up.

  “He did not mention that.” Jiit said.

  “I didn’t think so, he’s still sore about it. Can’t blame him. They are the ones that haunt the house.” The caretaker said, sighing. “But there’s something else in the manor. Something dark, the whole town feels it. It’s got the place on edge. People been turning on one another, distrustful. Whatever is in that manor, it’s evil.”

  “I see.” Jiit said. He nodded in interest. “Any unusual magical coincidences around the time?”

  “Nah, a group of crazies came around but that’s it.” The caretaker sighed. “The sun’s going down, Anyone want to back out?” He stared at Shaynen hard. But no one said anything.

  “Well then, let’s get you settled for the night.” The caretaker said and led them out of the cottage.

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