The Morning of the 3rd - Stonesday - The Moor

''The fog's thick today. Thicker, perhaps, than it was yesterday.''

Benji cracked his knuckles and blew into his cupped hands.

Colder too.

He trudged through the fog, turning from time to time to see if the fence was still visible. He reached the northwest corner of the fence, and turned to follow it south.

So far, no breach or break.

Two cows had gone missing the day before. When some farmhand suggested that the cows might have gotten through a breach in the fence, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Not because anyone really thought that had happened. But because the suggestion saved them from uttering what they all thought aloud.

Benji had been cheered by the words, until Vellin had turned to him with that look in his eyes. Farmer Vellin was not one to repeat his commands, nor one to ask permission to send his farm hands to do their job, but Benji could have sworn that there was a look of regret in Vellin's eyes when he had told him to check the western fence-line.

'' 'Course, he has the right. But I just wish't he hadn't of asked today. Couldn't he have waited for a brighter, warmer day? Or maybe if I had said what everyone was thinking, maybe he would have sent for those folks who passed through here last week, those new Pathfinders or whatever they are.''

Benji didn't have time for any more thoughts. All at once a shape loomed out of the fog at him - a black horrible shape, with a gleaming white face and a horrid misshapen grin. It was upon him, and all was swallowed up by the darkness.

--

"Is Benji back yet?"

"No sir."

"Send out a group. Find him."

"If he's out there...we'll find him, sir."

--

As darkness fell on Alistair's Stand, the fog from the moor seemed to roll closer to the city. Not content to crawl about the heather and ground-moss, it writhed and coiled toward the walls, like a ghostly cat, creeping up on an unwary mouse. By the time the nine-o'clock bells were struck, the streets were hushed by the thick veil. The mist licked hungrily at windows and doors, seeking a way into the hearths and homes of the people of Alistair's Stand.