Darthrauka's Harvest

The village used to carve Sinister Squash to frighten away whatever walked the fields after dusk. One autumn, the lanterns began turning toward the houses.

By midnight, Hollowheads were marching through the furrows, their spears keeping time with the tolling bell. Darthrauka followed beneath the darkened moon, his scythe untouched by wheat.

The painter watched from a shuttered window and worked until sunrise. Every house in the finished canvas had a light burning inside.

In the village, every window was dark.