Elian’s father and mother walked ahead, a lantern in hand, lighting the way down the winding path.  It was after midnight on a moonless night with cloud cover.  The lantern created a small bubble of light in the darkness.  They could hear rapids in the river Nwyrain below as they walked from the city towards the boat loading docks, down a deeply rutted, muddy road; the air became colder and more damp as they descended further down to the river.  Elian’s older cousin, Adwyr, had promised them someone would be at the docks with answers to their questions.  Elian, followed by Adwyr, trailed behind his parents anxious to understand the origin of the mysterious box he had received just a few days before.  Elian carried the ornate box tightly under his arm.

“Adwyr, are you sure he’s coming?” asked Elian. “It doesn’t look like anyone is down there.”

“He’s coming.  Give him time!” replied Adwyr, annoyed as he usually was at his young cousin.

Moments later, they reached the river landing and stepped onto the first large wooden dock used to load cargo and travelers on river ships before the ships made their way down the swift Nwyrain.  There were no signs of any humans; all was dark and the only sound was the roar of rapids nearby.  They sat down on the hard, wooden planks and waited an hour in the cold as Adwyr continuously assured them his friend would arrive at any moment.  As time passed, Elian’s father grew more and more impatient. 

“Adwyr, where is this man you promised would come?  It’s well into the wee hours of the night……and cold!” exclaimed Elian’s father as he scooted closer to his wife and small son to help keep them warm.  “This better not be another one of your lies!”

“I didn’t lie, Uncle!  He will be here.  He told me so this afternoon,” replied Adwyr with his usual disrespect.  “We must be patient and wait here until he arrives!”

“He better arrive soon!  Otherwise, we will be leaving before we all get sick,” responded Elian’s mother.  “I knew this was a bad idea.  Why could your friend not meet with us during the day?”

“I told you before.  He says they must be kept secret.  They are quite valuable to certain individuals who would harm you to get them.”

“Who would steal them and what would they steal them for?  The Leaders would not allow that.  I have had quite enough of this foolishness.  I am tired and ready for my warm bed.  We are leaving,” stated Elian’s father sternly as he stood up to lead his family back home.  Elian’s father helped his wife and son stand.  He then took several steps on the wooden platform towards the riverbank before coming to a sudden stop. 

It was at that moment that something caught his attention in the faint light, cast by the small lantern on the slope above them.  Something was moving rapidly down the steep hill over the river landing.  As it drew closer, he realized it was not one but multiple large, black-robed figures moving effortlessly down the hill, swiftly but quietly toward them.

“That’s not what I expected….” mumbled Adwyr to himself in horror.

“What do you mean….’not what you expected’?  What’s happening, Adwyr?!  Who, or what, is that coming towards us?!” asked Elian’s father as he sensed great danger.  His heart pounded in his chest as his adrenaline spiked.  He held the lantern high trying to get a clearer look at what was coming.  The creatures descending the hill looked as if they were flying or gliding, not running, just over the ground. 

They all stood frozen in fear as the nightmare unfolded before their eyes.  Then, without warning, the lantern went out.  Adwyr screamed and ran across the dock, nearly falling in the river, before turning left and sprinting up the road as fast as his legs would carry him towards the city; the creatures did not follow.  Their attention was set on Elian, his parents, and the box he held in his arms.  Before they could run, the dark creatures blocked their exit from the dock.  Elian’s father moved his family back and stood in front to protect them.  Their only escape now would be to jump into the deep, cold river in which they would most likely drown.  Neither Elian nor his mother could swim.

“WHO ARE YOU?!  WHAT DO YOU WANT?!” shouted Elian’s father, who stepped further back and shielded his family with his body.

There was a moment of silence as the creatures stood watching the family at the foot of the dock.  Elian and his parents could make out their shapes for they were darker than the night; they could also feel their smothering presence.  To Elian, the creatures appeared to be giants shrouded in pitch-black cloaks.  Their faces were hidden underneath long hoods, but they seemed to be staring at the box Elian held tightly against his chest. 

Elian’s father now reached and pulled a short-bladed sword from under his cloak.  “Please don’t come any closer,” Elian’s father asked nervously as he tried to lower his voice and remain calm.  “Is it the box you want?” 

There was no response.  The creatures stood in silence for several long moments before the largest one in the front began gliding silently towards the family as he reached inside his own black cloak. 

“NO!  DO NOT come close to my son or my wife!” Elian’s father commanded through gritted teeth as he took another step towards the moving giant raising his small sword in a feeble attempt to threaten it. 

“YOU CAN’T……..,” he was shouting as the large war hammer slammed down on his skull causing him to collapse in a heap onto the dock, his sword and lightless lantern clanging on the wooden planks.

“PETRUS, NO!”Elian’s mother screamed as she wrapped her arms tightly around her son and tried to shield him with her body.But, it was useless.She and Elian were quickly swallowed up.In his last moments, Elian screamed for his mother as he and his box were ripped from her arms.Then, a hard blow struck him and his world went black.