‘Looking like rain again,’ 

Innkeeper Tobias was attempting to break the monotonous silence. His bar was usually busier than this on market day.  Many folk from the neighbouring settlements scattered around this part of the Far North would normally be jostling noisily for a place at the bar. Market day was special for all the family but not today. There was an uneasiness in the air, many were staying local and those who did come to Market made their way back home as soon as their business was done. Business was so poor that Tobias even considered closing early but, that would go against the grain, his philosophy was simple, stay open as long as someone wanted to buy a drink but today, he was thinking the unthinkable. Old Josh, a regular of long standing, which means it took a lot to floor him, came shuffling up to the bar and looking around turned to his host. 

‘Where issh everybody?’ 

‘Aah, you tell me, Josh. Not normal is this, something’s afoot if’n yuh asked me, mark my words. Same again Josh?’

‘Go on then, twissht me arm.’

‘Don’t need much twisshting, eh!’

Outside the sky was a murky grey. Clouds were gathering in the distance, nature was about to make a major statement and it looked like it was going to be a rip-roaring wet one. Although the Inn was practically deserted, by comparison, the streets of the settlement were bustling with the ones who had ventured out and not returned home but were now in a hurry to do so. This was the worst Market Day in Windy Ho, for some time, there was plenty of movement but in the wrong way, going out, not coming in and It was a distracted, nervous movement? 

The storm broke around mid afternoon, the rain so heavy it was difficult seeing through it, forming an almost impenetrable curtain of water. The wind was on the rise too, building up to gale force strong enough to knock the sturdiest off their feet. A day that had started out full of promise, family fun, laughter along with some good hearted but hard bargaining from the Market Stall holders was now being washed away by hard driving rain, a howling wind and drenched spirits. Homes were soon shuttered and secured in preparation for a weather battering. 

 Warden Max was busy sorting out some paperwork when the door of his Station flew wide open, blown almost off its hinges, the force of the wind taking the handle clean out of Madam Gwen’s hand making her virtually fall into the room. 

‘Gwen, steady there, are you okay?’ Said Max, as he helped steady his vititor’s balance before leading her to a chair. ‘What on earth brings you out here in this weather?’ At that moment lightning flashed outside and, as if the gods of nature were playing skittles with boulders, there was a tremendous roll of thunder, shaking the very ground one stood upon. ‘My, my, he said, securing the door shut, going to be a big one I think.’

‘And it’s going to get worse, I fear.’ Were Gwen’s first words as she sat down. ‘We need to talk, Max.’

‘I'm all ears, Gwen. I’ll just put the kettle on.’

After making a hot drink and stoking the fire he sat down and asked, ‘Now then, what’s the matter, you said it’s going to get worse, what is?’

‘Oh Max, I fear we’re going to hear from malevolent forces and soon. A dark time is approaching. There will be great disruption and even destruction.’

‘These forces, what do you mean, what forces?’

‘Otherworldly forces, Max and I’m going to have my hands more than full trying to protect the Settlement with my limited skills. We’re going to need help.’

‘You can certainly count on me and my lads, you know that.’

‘It’s just a feeling,’ she began and he knew when she said this it was more, her feelings were something to be reckoned with and they usually turned out right. ‘I have a feeling that we ought to talk to our friends the three Sneep lads, Jay, Galen and Merv, isn’t it?’

‘That’s right but they returned to their old homes to try and rebuild, following the tragic incident when they lost their people in strange circumstances. (See The Tale  of Windy Ho)  I haven’t spoken with them for a while.’

‘Go see them, Max, bring them here, they have a vested interest in what we face because they are closer to the problem than perhaps even they are aware of.’ 

‘Mystery, Gwen?’

‘Natural connections. I may be wrong of course but...’

‘How do you suggest I handle this with regards to the Sneep boys?’

‘Oh you’ll find a way, besides, I don’t think it’ll be too much of a surprise to them. Another thing, make it sooner rather than later.’

‘That desperate?’

‘That desperate. I have to have time to prepare them.’

‘Excuse me? Prepare them. How and for what?’

‘M-a-x-?’

‘Okay, consider it done, I’ll set off when this storm dies down, or is this storm part of it?’

‘To some degree, Max, I’m sorry to put you through this but who else can I turn to?’

‘I’m yuh man. Gwen, yuh know that. I’ll make ready straight away.’

‘Bless you Max and here, I want you to take this.’ She placed a small satin smooth curved object in his hand, closing his fingers tightly round it. ‘Keep this on you at all times, never be separated from it until you’re back. Trust me, Max, your life may depend on it.’

‘Thank you, Gwen, now I’m really scared.’ 

‘I don’t wish to frighten you unnecessarily but only a fool would be without fear right now. But, this will give you the edge.’ The lightning flashed, the thunder rolled as if to emphasise the point. 

Max left instructions for his new trainee Wardens, Matt and Marc, then set out for the river where he would cross into what was the Sneeps’ quarter, before the Time of the strange circumstances. He was looking for signs of redevelopment the three Sneep said they were going to start on; however, he saw no evidence of any restoration work being done. Everything was just as it was the last time he saw it, a place of desolation. He moved through detritus strewn streets, looking for signs of life in any of the abodes but found none. He probed deeper into the heart of the Quarter. 

‘Max, what brings you here, especially in such foul weather?’ Jay had appeared from nowhere, or so it seemed.

‘Jay! Good to see you, how’re yuh doing?’ He said, not wanting to give the impression of being startled, which of course he was. 

‘You’ve already seen for yourself.’

 ‘What’s happened, no development?’

‘Why do you want to know?’

‘Well one, because I am interested, as I still look upon you as my friend and two, because I have a message from the Lady.’

Jay’s expression visibly lightened up at the mention of the Lady. His manner also changed. 

‘I’m sorry, Max, you must think me very rude and ungrateful. Follow me, I’ll take you to our living quarters where we can get out of this damn rain.’ He led Max back through the heart of the settlement to the outskirts, retracing his steps, to a house not far from the river.

‘You must have followed me all the way?’

‘For your protection, Max, for your protection. I’ll tell you more once we’re inside and dry. Quickly, this way.’ 

Once inside Max was greeted by Galen and Merv and a roaring fire, he had a head full of questions but he didn’t want to rush them but, there was an urgency to his visit and the sooner he could share this the better. For now, patience, by far the hardest thing he had to exercise. As it was, it didn't take long before they started to open up, telling him what happened once they returned here, how everything they tried to do was thwarted by mishaps. They’d erect something then the next day it was obvious it had been deliberately destroyed. It didn’t take long for them to conclude that they were being played with and the pranks played on them were becoming more dangerous. So, they stopped all work and put their minds to trying to come up with a solution, maybe even give up.

Max listened intently, taking in all that was being said and a picture began to form in his head, as if he was becoming privy to special knowledge. At first this bothered him but he managed to shrug off this feeling and concentrate upon what the three were sharing. When they finished Merv went off to make a drink for them all, this gave time for Max to gather his thoughts and form a response. He couldn’t explain it but he had a feeling he had a good idea of what was going on? He didn’t know why but he was sure there was a link between the three Sneep and the malevolent forces, not as allies but as enemies. Nevertheless he was just as sure that link was an intimate one. It was as if they were one and the same but in different forms. 

He was equally sure that he had to get them safely back to Madam Gwen and this was gaining urgency by the minute. Furthermore, he was equally sure that this realisation, this revelation wasn’t all his own thinking? If this was the case it wasn’t time to question any of it but to respond to it and move!

Max explained that it was essential they be on their way as soon as possible. He thought it better to let Gwen explain the details. 

‘I’ll get the gear.’ said Merv. 

As soon as they could they were off back out into the driving rain, across the river to the Peeps’ side of the settlement and relative safety. Twice they were slowed down by obstructions that weren’t there before but despite these setbacks they made it and made straight for Madam Gwen’s where they were welcomed with hot drinks and a chance to change into dry clothes for the rain had not ceased all the time Max had been away. To say they looked like drowned rats would be to compliment them. 

Once dry and warm, helped by some broth and tea, it was decided they’d stay at Gwen’s for the night and then in the morning they would assess the situation. Everyone was far too exhausted to discuss anything before then. After the three lads retired for the night, Max managed to explain to Gwen about not telling them of his revelations, leaving it to her to tell them in the morning, after all, they were her revelations.

Birdsong heralded a bright new morning, fresh after the rain and Max was up and about helping Gwen prepare breakfast for the boys, a habit he’d grown up with having lived alone all his adult life. This was his simple philosophy regarding the early morning ritual that readied him for the day ahead. The aroma of the food being prepared soon had its effect on the three Sneep boys. Drawing them to the table. 

Jay, Galen and Merv, Max and Gwen were soon sitting around a huge table sharing the first meal of the day together, the atmosphere easy and  convivial, like they were old friends. Once the meal was over and all the breakfast things had been cleared away Gwen thanked them all for coming and then began to tell them of the vision she’d had of troubled times ahead and how it was connected to what had happened to the Sneep Quarter and their people in the not too distant past. It was the three Sneep friends’ turn to listen intently as Gwen went on to tell them how most of the Sneep had been transformed, consumed by their greed, envy and bitterness, that had built up over the years, into the PUKA, servants of the Dark Nature that now threatened everyone. There was sadness on their faces as they listened and at various stages of the narrative, nodded their heads in acknowledgement.

‘And you, my young friends,’ She said, ' are unique for you three didn’t bow to the Dark Nature but resisted.’ 

‘But why us, we weren’t the only ones, many of us resisted the council?’

‘Yes, you are right Galen but I’m sorry to say that the others who resisted didn’t make it before they were cut down in what can only be called a cruel cull. You three were fortunate to escape when you did by volunteering to testify, that took you away from immediate danger.’

For the next few minutes the room was awash with mixed emotions of sadness, anger, despair then oddly enough relief. They now had answers to many questions that had been going through their heads for some time and for once things looked clearer, apart from a little dark cloud that hovered over their lives and the Settlement. Max decided, as a special emergency measure, to sign up the three Sneep as Honorary Wardens, to which they agreed. 

‘If the Council wants to make an issue of it they can have my resignation.’ Said Max, who was in no mood for fuzzy minded politicians and their red tape nonsense.