The Stricken Twins: A Dark Tale from the Stricken Forest

The creatures moved quietly in the night, bending low and using all four limbs to crawl. They hid in the undergrowth, always keeping to the smaller forest trails, waiting and searching for someone to come along. Should a traveller come across them, the person would have been paralysed with fear, such was the hideous nature of the creatures naked form.

From the ranks a creature bolder than the others took charge. He kidnapped a witch and threatened to kill her unless she taught them what she knew. How certain herbs when mixed together and dried would cause sleep. How to forecast and see what was happening using flames of a fire. But most importantly, how to disguise themselves into another form by using charms.

Over the years the people of the villages relaxed. The creatures were no longer around, they had seemingly disappeared. Once again people returned to the forest, to live and work. But living amongst them mingled the creatures, still hideous, ugly and hungry, but now in disguise. The beautiful woman walking down the street, the handsome man, the farm labour or the kitchen maid. Perhaps the woodcutter or the butcher. Any of them now could be one of the creatures. Hidden in plain sight the creatures flourished...

Rhys and Gruffudd lived in the castle on the hill, the twin sons of the local master. The master had become ill and now the sons were in full charge. They wasted no time using their power and influence on the local people and their first task was to arrange the annual summer feast. They had in mind a very special dish, but soon events would soon take an unexpected turn for them and their guests...