The Howl Of Winterveil

rf against the biting wind that clawed at her cheeks. The platform at Winterveil station was empty except for a single lamp, flickering agains

uld carry-a few medical texts, her tools, and a weathered journal. She stepped off the train, her boots cru

ss?" he called, his voic

visible in the frosty a

ce for outsiders, especially not this time of

mile. "I'm here to help

m glow of the train. Moments later, the engine roared to life, and the t

wisted through the dense pines. Winterveil's only inn was supposed to be just beyo

arried a sound that made her stop-

e trees, but they offered no answers, only the oppressive weight of silence re

-

y snow. A dim light flickered in the window, promising warmth. Maren pushed th

his face deeply lined. He looked up from wiping a mug a

tor," he said, his voice

e snow from her coat. "M

run the inn. Thought you'

ined, setting her satchel on the counte

here since... well." He trailed off, his expression darkening. "Be

ank you," Maren said, her st

en behind her. A gust of cold air swept through the

rs of use. His boots left heavy prints on the floor as he approached the counter. He g

asked, his voice

"No sign of it tonigh

ifting back to Maren. "You'

stare despite the unease it s

," he said simp

said it that felt weighted, as if t

," he added, his ton

my job," Maren r

ng further. Instead, he turned to Arthur and spoke in a quieter tone. Maren

nodded, his knuckles white aga

-

or her. The stew had warmed her, but sleep was elusive. The whispers of Kie

was supposed to be a quiet mountain town in need of a doctor,

he stillness-a distant scr

She rushed to the window, peering into the

couldn't shake the feeling that it had

-

ding on the edge of town. The air was bitterly cold, the streets quiet

t organizing supplies, trying to focus on the task at hand r

after midday-a middle-aged man

aid gruffly, though his eyes da

und, noting the way his hands tre

he said gently. "Is e

"You should leave," he said in a lo

ated, trying to keep

h howls in the night. Then the killings. The b

he pulled his arm away and left, m

ldn't ignore the whispers anymore. Something was happening i

ng feeling she was