Читать книгу In the Night Wood - Dale Bailey - Страница 23

When Laura told him of the little creatures in the trees with their daemonic physiognomies, the Helpful Badger said, “All manner of Folk live in the Wood. And they are all abroad under the Moon, for this night they must shrive.”

“They frighten me.”

“They are more often capricious than they are cruel,” the Badger said. He yawned and scratched a flea, adding, “There is only one whom you must fear. When you encounter Him, you must summon all your strength and courage and bring all your wit to bear.”

“Must I encounter Him?”

“The Story requires it of you,” the Badger said.

“But who is He?”

“I dare not say his name. But He long ago seduced the Wood Folk into betrayal and grievously wounded their rightful Lord, whom He banished into the Outer Dark. And now the Wood Folk must bow before him and shrive their sin in secret.”

“How will I know Him when He comes?”

“He wears a crown of horns.”

— CAEDMON HOLLOW, IN THE NIGHT WOOD