Chapter 1

A terrified scream came from the forest. Crows scatter from the trees. The full moon shined brightly illuminating the streets of Casterlin.

"seems another victim of the forest..." A man said.A cloaked woman approached the man who had spoken. He was twirling an empty bottle as he grumbled to himself.

"excuse me sir, what do you mean? Does this sort of thing happen often?" The lady removed her hood as she sat down, revealing long beautiful white hair.

The man perked up a little at the sight of such a beautiful lady, "aye, another sorry lad or lass who didn't make it home in time for supper..." The man was barely keeping his eyes open.

The white haired lady handed him a coin, "is there anything you know about why it is happening?" She hid her face from any on lookers.

The man admired the coin, "hmmm well it doesn't happen every night... I don't know too much, but I know old Bergy has seen the beast once... Even gave him a nasty scar right here." The man clawed at his face as if it was his own wound.

The white haired woman got directions from the man and headed towards the hunting cabin at the edge of town. The gates to the town were locked shut. The gate was tall and sturdy as if it was trying to keep something out. She soon arrived at the old decrepit shack. A bit of fresh blood made a trail from the gate to the doors of the hunting shack.

The white haired woman shuddered slightly then knocked on the door.

Clomp clomp clomp

There was some shuffling inside then the door swung open. A tall human-like creature stood In the doorway. The moonlight only made the figure seem more ominous. The body was that of a man's, but the head was adorned with two large antlers.

The lady stepped back in shock. The creature stepped forward then spoke, "what do you want?" It was the voice of a man. The white haired lady realized now that the light was playing tricks on her. The man was wearing a deer's head mantle, likely made from a real deer. His right eye was grey, accompanied with 4 large gashes down his cheek.

The white haired lady regained her composure. "I am saintess Pembrooke, you may call me Catherine. I was sent here by the order to investigate the disappearances going on in Casterlin."

The hunter groaned, "ugh not another one! You're just gonna get yourself killed I tell ya! Just like the other two!" The hunter was quite gruff but he seemed kind even though he was upset. "You are lucky you made it into town before the full moon" the hunter turned around and entered his cabin.

Catherine followed, "and why is that?" She made a mental note about two others before her, afterall she was told that she was the first to investigate this.

The hunter removed his deer skin mantle revealing brown matted hair. He had a small beard slightly stained by blood. He began to use a carving knife on a deer carcass. "Well... Some will say Casterlin is cursed. Every full moon another poor soul is hunted down by a ferocious beast..." He said it with a bit of sorrow. "Unfortunately what we are dealing with is no beast at all." The hunter stopped carving and turned his head towards Catherine.

"it is a man"