"Nature's choices in inflicting suffering are not satisfactory to us. Nor are they understandable; unless innocence offends her..."
It would seem an unfortunate event, the arrival of the missive heralding an offer of trade and bargain betwixt a wealthy merchant and the Rhineheart family. A dark destiny, designed by black fates, or even more malevolent forces. With the hopes of perhaps attaining wealth enough to forfeit their scarce lifestyle, they began to make preparations for their leave. Jon brought with him his wheel, his wife her needle, and their son abandoned his crook.
It would not have been so long a journey, nor a lengthy voyage, stealing away but a day and its coming half ere they came before the opened gates of Bree-town. That vile cesspool, gorged on the weak and innocent, its corrupt police prowling about, their minds bent not to the law but to the thought of gold and silver presented before their greedy and lustful eyes. Yet, the rumours of the nature of this disgusting and perverse community would be just that - rumours.
Kind and gentle of heart, they would feel as if there were little to fear, though they would not have abandoned all caution, deeming it foolish throwing away the instincts of a father or a mother to the wind. However, for their failure to remain completely wary of all that transpired in that town, they would be named ignorant, and this would lead to their deaths. Jon was lamed, as his son was (though his own was far more grievous than the boy's), and his wife was with child. He sent forth young Thomas, bidding him to secure room and board for them.
Slowly, they would trod behind him, the space betwixt them growing ever larger, until they could no longer see him. As they followed the lad, they would be noticed by a woman, not wealthy though not born to poverty either, whom took pity on them, the impregnated woman and her crippled husband. She would invite them to her homestead, allowing them a small reprieve from their strenuous exercise. As they gossiped pleasantly, the couple thanking the generous woman, the door would swing open to reveal a darkly clad man, hooded and cloaked as night, an angel of death at their door.
In one hand, the stranger held a dagger, its silver blade gleaming wickedly for one moment, before turning all else to crimson. He was the Bree-Town Ripper, a figure of infamy and terrible notoriety, and he had come to practice once more his secret art. He cast forth the flesh from their bodies, revealing their intestines...and baring Mari Rhineheart's unborn infant...all the while speaking grim words, evil and full of malice.
Through its entirety, Thomas Rhineheart, the shepherd boy and woolspinner, remained at the local inn, awaiting his beloved parents...though they would never return to him again...
