A/N: Greetings, readers, and welcome to the first chapter of Hood. Well, this is definitely much more of a prologue, and the actual chapters will be much longer, though I may not start posting for another month or so. Consider this a trailer or a teaser or something like that, except it's only kind of related to the rest of the story… eh, I'm sure you'll get it if I just let you read.
Nothing you recognize is mine. The Night Watchman is taken most directly from the BBC's version of Robin Hood, though I've done some considerable alteration.
Prologue: Two Legends of Nottinghamshire
In all our kingdom, there is no place with quite the same veil of mystery as the quiet town of Nottinghamshire. The name itself is old, from before our forefathers settled in Meiji. Whatever tongue was spoken by those long-dead peoples who first inhabited the area named the forest next to the village as well, but this name is lost to us. Now, it is called Aokigahara by those who live in proximity to it, and the Forest of Death by those who fear its shadowy depths. These people are not always distinct from each other; indeed, it is a very rare resident of Nottingham who will walk the edges of the Forest of Death, for it is they who know best its dangers.
It is also they who know best its lore. Many tales of spirits and demons populate the region, largely meant to scare children into their beds at night, but there exist also stories of another nature. They say that in every legend there is a grain of truth to be found, if one only knows where to look. I will tell you now two tales of Aokigahara, and leave it to you to discover if there is any veracity in them.
The first tale is of a man, an ageless man, who wanders the forest eternally. They say that he is a repentant sinner, punished by his own voluntary exile into the inhospitable wilds. Though he comes face-to-face with many a beast and spirit, he is never harmed by them. How could this be, do you think? Many have speculated that the man himself is a demon, who treads paths away from humans to avoid the desire to harm them that comes of his own vile nature. Others say that he is simply too strong to be killed by such creatures as he may encounter.
Whatever the case may be, the immortal journeys always within the confines of his self-imposed cage, and is only rarely seen by those brave or foolhardy enough to wander far enough into the forest. It is said that he sometimes guides the lost back from whence they came, should they be possessed of a pure and virtuous soul. If not, he leaves them to wander, much as he does, until they have repented for their evil natures or deeds.
The second tale is not of a man, but a spirit. Called the Night Watchman by the people of Nottingham, the spirit's true name is unknown, said to be decipherable only by those who know a magic long dead in our world. What the people do remember is that this spirit is ever their vigilant guardian, and that, beginning at sunset and ending with the first traces of dawn every morning, they are safe from not only whatever might emerge from the cursed forest, but also from the dangers posed by their fellow men. Those whose doorframes are pierced with the black arrow of the Night Watchman are shunned by all others, for this is how he marks them as would-be thieves or attempted murderers, so that they might face not his judgment, but that of their fellow men. The figure of the Watchman, clothed and hooded all in black, atop a steed the color of midnight, is one feared by criminal and beast alike.
The people praise the Night Watchman because despite the fact that no other town has ever managed to survive so near to the Forest of Death, Nottinghamshire still stands. It has not always been easy for this town, but surely, there is something to be said for the fact that it remains intact even now. Perhaps the Watchman really does guard us all.
You say that this is not good enough? You suspect me of knowing more than I tell you? Well, perhaps this is true. You wish to know the "real story" do you? You should know that all stories are twisted in the telling, but… perhaps I will. I shall tell you a tale truer than any fact, more reliable than anything your eyes might see. And when I am through, mayhap you will have even learned something…
So, that was it. I hope you don't feel short-changed by this, but I wanted to put up something to show you that this story is actually happening, for all those who knew about my promises to this effect. Was it at all interesting, or do you want me to just take it down and post up the actual story independently? If you feel I should not write the actual story at all, I will respect this, but I can't guarantee I won't write it anyway... My first real chapter will be up no later than August 10, so keep that in mind if you are so inclined.
~Kiku~