A supernatural tale of Tepat
https://www.deviantart.com/conciliarityoftepat/art/Yom-and-the-Demon-896300585
https://www.deviantart.com/conciliarityoftepat/art/Yom-and-the-Demon-896433260
Governor Yom had already taken many days to travel from the capital to his post in a rural district of the eastern Ninil region, and the trip had been too eventful for him. On the second day, a freak snow waylaid them; since then, part of his commission papers had been forgotten at a prior inn; his Clerk had been pickpocketed; and a horse had bolted off, taking their lunch. Although it was not storming now, the weather had been looking less and less friendly the closer they came. Now his approach was happily drawing to an end.
But just after they tied up their packs and left, they were stopped again. Eager to move on, the first rider, coming over a blind hill toward a crossroad, had ridden directly into another horse, nearly causing an accident. A funeral procession was crossing their path. The encounter delayed them somewhat, but they were determined to press on. One member of the funeral party volunteered to run back to the town whence he came, to inform them of the Governor’s arrival.
It was nearly dark when they party arrived. Only a few dull-looking villagers sat idly against the walls of buildings surrounding the town square. They claimed not to know of anything that was happening, and seemed unaware that they were speaking to the new Governor. They were evidently preoccupied by other matters, and the Governor’s party became depressed in sympathy with them. The Governor’s Bailiff, however, grew more irritable and began berating one of the villagers for failing to welcome the new Governor.
“Bailiff. Bailiff!” the Governor interceded.
“I wish only to ensure respect for you, sir. If the villagers greet the Governor with indifference in the beginning, how can good relations be built upon that?”
“Indeed, but also if the Governor also greets the village with anger, how can good relations be obtained that way?”
At that moment, a man came running wildly into the square, and stopping before them, looked around. Recognizing the Governor, he dropped to his knees, and begged pardon. It was the man from the funeral procession.
Having apologized on behalf of the whole town, he reported that the procession they saw earlier was the funeral of a man from this town. He had died unexpectedly two days before. Many of the villagers had left to attend his rites. Another man had been arranged to ride out and greet the Governor here, but this morning he had climbed on his roof to patch it, but slipped and broke both his legs. Hence, the current messenger had been sent back in his stead. There had been a plan to meet the town elders, but given the circumstances it was considered inauspicious, and they requested it be postponed to the next day. The messenger would lead them to their quarters.
The Governor and his party followed him. With no more business, they retired early.
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