EXTRACT FOR
Sabine
(Kelly Addams)

It was a time of superstition, without enlightenment or science and the land lay under an invisible shadow, the summer sun may have been shining but the people felt only gloom in their hearts. Spring had passed, and it had been mild and kind, yet still the gloom hovered. 

Omens!

Portent!

Warnings!

Things unnatural were afoot, beasts of the underworld were reported, just the briefest glimpses spied deep in the woods, and closer to home the newborn lambs in the meadows had been slaughtered their blood staining the vales.

"We have been forsaken!" Orrack the druid had wailed, "We have displeased the gods!"

It was entirely possible, the Christian God was gradually defeating the old gods of stream and wood and sky. 

The One God was replacing the many, ancient beliefs and rites were being abandoned and forgotten. But not in Orrack's district, his grip was still strong, he had the personality and charisma to bolster flagging faith, his will was like iron. His resolve; unshakable.

"I warned you." he bellowed from within a protective ring of standing stones on the edge of the village.

"The evil approaches, even as I speak. The gods must be appeased, the spirits of birch and elm and oak must be placated, the spirits of earth and water... but most importantly, we must heed the demands of the spirits of the underworld. We must make a sacrifice, only then will the portals to below be closed, only then will we rid ourselves of the shadow, and the ravening beasts being sent forth to punish us."

"A sacrifice." he repeated, his voice lowering. He had their attention now, the people of the village, and he knew that his word would spread from mouth to mouth throughout the local area until every living soul agreed with his demand.

"A beautiful, and willing young maiden, to be offered in homage."

"A virgin?" one pretty young woman asked maybe a little too hopefully, her own status as a hussy precluding her from the honour.

Orrack chuckled softly and shook his head. "The spirits of evil care little if the gift has been unwrapped or nay. They demand only great beauty, and a heartfelt willingness to submit to their fate."

A murmur rippled through the gathered villagers, the general consensus that they were quite probably doomed... because who on earth would volunteer to submit willingly to the darkness below?

"We must find this girl," Orrack whispered, "Or our punishment will be severe."