A thief in the night [CirindeFae x Giantmutantcrab]

[Giantmutantcrab]

The lush, colorful greens of the woods wilst sunlit had turned to shades of dark blue, deep brown, and black.  The woodlands covering the northern grounds of the Belmont estate were mostly composed of pines and spruces, with the occasional maple tree patch.  Though fall was not far off now, summer still lingered in the air.  Heat and humidity would make for difficult labor, but thanks to the crisp sea breeze blowing in from the east and over the rolling hillside with its crops and pastures, the days were good, with warm summer nights.

The nameless village nearby marked the beginning of Lord Belmont's territory.  Its tavern, the Golden Griffon, offered drinks and warmth to the hundred or so souls that called this place home.  Rumors were picked up, information gathered, with good beds and strong drinks at fair prices.  Once a month, an official from Knight-King Randall would appear, accompanied by a dozen knights in heavy, shiny armor.  The barkeep, a barrel-chested woman named Mathilda, would give them the tax money, and they would be off.  They did not go up the slithering trail to Belmont Castle.  The reason was simple; Lord Belmont did not receive any guests.  This village, and the small burgs to the south received ample money to provide for all its inhabitants, and for the upkeep of roads and bridges.  In return, they left Lord Belmont in peace, and he left them alone.  They were almost independent villages, but did not think of themselves that way.  They still swore alliegance to the kindgom and its Knight-King, but were financially independant and thus had enough spare time to actually have fun.  There were bards and musicians in the fields, which helped to lighten the day's toll of working the land and caring for cattle.

The woodlands to the north of the Belmont lands were actually the southern point of the Great Woods, home of the woodland Elves.  The Elves sometimes traveled down to human settlements for trade, but mostly kept to themselves.  The proximity of the woods to Belmont castle only helped to fuel the now-common rumors; something was strange with the Belmonts.  Some accused them of conniving treachery with Elves.  Others, witchcraft.  Some whispered of demon-worship, and kidnapping fair maidens for carnal purposes.  But, one need only visit the village and burgs nearby to notice a good supply of healthy, lovely young lasses to break those rumors to pieces.  But something was indeed strange with Lord Belmont.  No one had seen a Belmont for decades; they knew someone was up there in the castle; they just didn't know who.  But as long as one claiming to the Belmont name continued with the flow of money, no one really cared.  It was simpler that way.

From the woods, one could see the north castle wall.  It was a simple stone castle, but expertly built.  The deep, water-filled moat was a hundred feet wide, and its parapet-covered walls were a hundred feet high.  The four guard towers (one at each corner of the square outer castle) gave a bird's eye view of the immediate area, However, someone wishing to enter the Belmont castle might be better off simply walking through the front door.  The only time the drawbridge closed was in the case of war, and that hadn't happened in nearly a century.  The castle gate remained open day and night for people to find refuge or to visit the castle, but the center fortress was forbidden.  This was the only rule of the Lord.  There were guardsmen walking the trails and roads at night.  Two pairs, carrying spears, swords and torches.  They wore chain mail with steel helmets, and wore a teal surcoat with a golden griffon stitched on the back, the emblem of the Belmonts.

Keeping watch at the castle gate were two guards, more heavily armored.  Plate-and-chain mail covered their bodies, while sturdy shields and longswords resting on the wall besides them assured tranquility.  They were resting on wooden stools, their backs to the massive grey wall.  Lanterns were at their feet, lighting the drawbridge and its wide dirt road.  On the walls, a few archers were quietly walking along, looking out into the darkness of the night.  All of the guards wore the teal surcoat with the golden griffon emblem.  All was quiet this night...  At least, for the moment.