This tale is a standalone offering part of “Ash and Thorn”, a serialized web novel.

For the best reading experience, read this story on ravensweald.art, home of sepulchral-gothic western serial, Vengeance, My Heart.

Tales From the Fell Wynd #1

The Rookery occupied the upper floor of what had been a tannery before the smell drove the trade elsewhere and the Dusk drove the owner after it. The vats were gone but the smell remained — something low and animal in the boards, the kind of thing you stopped noticing after a week while never fully forgetting.

What it had going for it was that it was dry and safer than sleeping on the streets. Once you ignored the bill of ejectment posted far enough within the entryway to protect it from the elements, the place seemed cozy enough.

Be it known to all persons that the premises of Fell and Hide are the lawful property of Aldric Fell, and that any person or persons found to be occupying, squatting upon, or otherwise making unlawful use of said premises without the express written consent of the aforementioned owner shall be subject to immediate and forcible removal therefrom, by whatever means are deemed necessary and proper, without recourse or remedy at law.

All trespassers are hereby warned.

The rest of the bill — signature of the authority, date and seal — had met with some misadventure along the years. Whoever it belonged to seemed unhurried about enforcing the decree.