In the depth of the vast countryside of the British Isles, tucked against the mountains and valleys. The modern world thinks every inch of their country is known. How could someone miss an almost six hundred and seventy year old village? The stories about villages disappearing during the Black Death of the Middle Ages is massive. Many villages were ever made up of communities of less than fifty people. Thus when the plague arrived on the British shores, many of these tiny outlets disappeared with the winds of death.
One myth persisted that the little village of Alsthorpe, near Alstoe ,disappeared overnight. Variations of the myth exist, all believing that the village called upon a demon that haunts the edges,warding venturing too close. Some versions go to far as to say that the demon simply killed the entire village. No one could prove it or find it. Some myths claimed that every ten years the village would be spotted in a different place across the country. No one could disprove another story against another. The realities were only known to the villages of Alsthorpe.
In the hundreds of years, the people there, were happy. The deal with their demon was simple and no one could argue for better crops,lifespans and simple livelihoods. Many were farmers and craftsman, their wool made their clothes, living without any changes and everyone knowing everyone. The demon was their official rule maker, but, most affairs were handled by jury. Keeping themselves as far from the demon as possible. The old Baron House was half a mile from the edge of the village was his home, the people left him alone,leaving only one person dealt with the demon: The handmaiden.
The village was indeed afraid of their demon/guardian, most were unwilling to be in the same room without trembling. The demon wanted some company and since no one wanting him in town. A compromise was made. It was decided that one girl would be randomly selected from a list of girls over eighteen and unmarried to become the handmaiden.
The handmaiden was a life term employment,she would never have lovers or become a mother,her duties were to serve and care for the demon until her death. Living with him in his home, cooking his meals,cleaning his house,delivering messages when needed. She was a servant. No one dared ask for anymore details,nor could she tell anyone about his house or what went on. Should she dare even mention, the woman was certain to die and another girl be selected.
Everyone pitied the girl selected for the role. Every woman hoped they or their daughters or sisters or cousins be left out of the list. Pushing their daughters to be married as soon as possible when the last maiden died, no one knew who would be picked and there was no choice or objection. This was part of their lives and if they were to be safe, the followed the demons rule.
Chise, the adopted daughter of Angelica Barley, a weaver. Hoped like many other girls her age, to be left alone from the list. She was indeed nineteen,but, the current maiden was nearly sixty, an unusual age for a woman in the village. However, death was eminent. Any moment,as soon as the current maiden drew her last breath, a girl would receive the black died maidens basket the following morning. This was a sign: The most eligible girl of the household was selected.
Chise met with the current maiden, Mistress Edna, who visited her step mother for yarn to knit. Chise admired the woman in a way. Always smiling, despite her dark clothes, her face would always be full of life. Once she asked what the demon was like, often her replies were “amiable”. Chise once found a small paper with some words written about the demon and that the magic in the house was nothing anyone could describe to be true. One thing the note did mention was a clock that sang. This made Chise remember as a youngster there was a bird above them that left a white trail. Strange sounds echoing from nearby, strange smells in the wind. Chise wished the Maiden could tell her more. Alas, it was too late,the following morning, Chise woke discovering that a black basket was left at the door. Her step mothers door. Panicking, she hid the basket. Going about the day as normal.
