Legacy of Evil: Beneath the Trees

"Ain't that a name and a half! So, Mr. Riddle! What kinda research you doing?" He seemed incredibly jovial and most odd of all, bore what looked like a revolver on his hip rather than a wand. To my confusion, he only grinned as if he knew something I didn't as he chuckled and waved a hand.

"Seems mighty strange, don't it? I'm a squib. But that don't stop me none! 'Course, most of us out here are wizards but me and my kin, we don't take shit from anyone! Turns out, most disagreements tend to up and vanish when you got a dragon looking at ye." The sound of bone cracking in the background punctuated his last words, and I couldn't help my astonishment as he just laughed again, content to wait for my answer as I finally found my manners.

"Ah, my apologies. I'm researching lycanthropy actually. There's a caravan I travel with, that I've been learning from you see and I do hope it won't be a problem." Better to head it off if I could I figured, instead of it blowing up in all our faces. Amos seemed a bit surprised now, and he gave a low whistle.

"You got some balls, Mr. Riddle! Ain't never heard of a brainiac that'd hop into the wolf den and slather themselves with BBQ sauce to boot! Bitten yet? No? Well, even more impressive! Er-best not spread that around though." He spat to the side, looking at me as he added.

"Town's not exactly welcome towards werewolves as a whole. Hell, me and mine are on their naughty list as well and if it weren't for old Betty here, they might do something worse! Might be best if you and your lot just skipped out and avoid the whole mess."

"I understand. We'll manage somehow." I reply, inclining my head as I add. "Thank you for the warning and the help, such as it were." I turned to leave and I almost ran right into the peruvian vipertooth.

Let me tell you, looking down the muzzle of a dragon is both an awakening experience as well as a moment of awe. It was a gorgeous specimen, obviously used to the saddle and the reins. Its eyes blinked, reptilian like with the eyelids coming sideways and I held still, letting it sniff me as Amos chuckled.

"You don't spook easy, do you Mr. Riddle?"

"Not really, no." I admit as I add. "I was mostly admiring the teeth."

The dragon leaned in, and I prepared myself for just about anything and was utterly surprised at the lick across my face. Dragon slobber and a tongue that felt rough, knocking over my hat as Amos began to laugh.

"Betty likes you! Well, that's a good enough judge as any for me! Mr. Riddle!" I looked at him and he beamed.

"Might I invite you and your group to my home? You might not be able to get to town, but hell. If you got galleons and goods, I'm always willing to trade!"

I was touched by the offer and nodded, before smiling as I tried to clean my face as best as I could. "Well Mr. Slade, I'd be happy to take you up on that offer. What's a good time to visit, so as not to cause too much of a ruckus?" He looked briefly taken off guard before laughing, so uproariously that I couldn't help but smile as he spoke.

"Well lands sake, I done forgot to think about that! The missus would tan my hide, if I didn't plan ahead!" The cowboys who had ridden up as backup rolled their eyes, or smiled alternatively and now that I had a better look at them, I was laying down odds of them being sons or nephews as Amos spoke. "Let's say, tomorrow! Come around during lunch, we'll feed you lot like kings and trade like proper neighbors!"

"Mr. Slade, you got yourself a deal." Another handshake, I waited for them to leave and as I saw Betty and Slade fly off the direction I was told to go tomorrow, I picked up my hat and under the guise of it, took the bow as well.

An apparition by the outskirts of the Greyback caravan later, and I was all but swarmed by the pups who started trying to ask questions rapidly, only for Rose and Grandmother Zev to shoo them away.

"Ah, Tom! Is everything alright?" Conan moved up and Grandmother Zev paused to hear my reply as I nodded. "Yes, just about I suppose. Also, we got an offer to trade and a warning that town won't be welcoming for us." Conan scowled, his silver hand flexing briefly as he spoke in a resigned tone.

"Of course not. Still!" He brightened up and clapped my shoulder. "You did very good, for a man who just jumps into a stampede! Did you save whoever it was?" Suddenly reminded, I turned my attention to the bow as I spoke. "No, actually they were gone by the time I got there. Vanished into thin air."

Conan hummed thoughtfully, looking at the bow as he grinned. "Maybe it was magic?" And laughing like it was the funniest thing to ever grace the earth, he sidled off to make preparations.

Paying the joke as much attention as it deserved, I was more concerned with the bow in question as I scrutinized it with an eye for magic. It was just a bow however, as far as I could tell. No magical energy humming at my fingertips, nor any signs etched upon it. I could had likely bought a replica at a tourist station back in my old life and aside from the fact it was well used, there was nothing magical whatsoever about it.

Deciding it could wait, I opted to store it in my travel chest for now. If the person wanted it back, they'd know where to find me and putting it away, I spent the rest of my time sketching the landscape. Finding peace in a particularly beautiful specimen of barn owl in particular perched nearby, I finished my studies and put the odd encounter out of my mind.

=====

The Slade Ranch was massive, and the first signs we had of the place were markers, spelled to warn off wizards and witches concerning the wandering dragon. Apparently, Amos like to let Betty roam free in the mornings before she'd make her way back to the main house. Signs of buffalo, cattle and even a few magical beasts intrigued me and soon enough, we saw the ranch house itself looming in the distance.

It was a huge structure, with great doors you'd see meant for barns with scorch marks that was presumably for Betty. On the side was a sturdy porch and a buffet table, laden with food fit to choke a dragon with crisp bacon rashers, potatoes, a mountain of eggs and ham and pancakes. Steaming biscuits wafted and the scent blew towards the caravan, the children perking up as a cowhand waved and hollered towards the main house. A bell rang and the door swung open, Amos waving back and looking incredibly happy that we took him up on his invitation, as a dark skinned woman hugged his side and seemed deeply satisfied to see our collective reaction.

Zev stepped forward to thank him with Conan and what was meant to be formal, became anything but as Amos hugged her like he was her son, kissing her cheek as all formality vanished.

And both sides began to eat and chat, Amos letting out a roar of greeting as if we had been long lost friends, rather than people who had met yesterday as he clapped my shoulder.

"Tom! Glad you all could make it! Was telling the missus all about you and your little stunt! Say, Glad? Told you I wasn't making it up! This here's the egghead who jumped into a stampede and travels with werewolves!"

'Glad' Slade seemed fondly exasperated, looking at her husband with a smile that reached her eyes. Up close, she was a sharp contrast to her husband, looking like a pioneer princess, her hair tied up in a crown braid with flowers inlaid in contrast to her husband, as ruddy and as much of a woodsman as they come. With a softer tone, she inclined her head to me and smiled.

"It was quite an adventure for him. Us too, knowing you were all a-coming. Wasn't sure how much you were, so we decided to just cook as much as possible." I swiftly bowed my head as I spoke humbly.

"Ah, forgive us. We didn't mean to put you all through any trouble."

Amos snorted, his arm moving to hug his wife closer. "Hogwash, Tom! It's our Christian duty to be good hosts, and some of these kids look like they hadn't seen a breakfast table before!" In agreement, Glad nodded and glanced over at the children, led by Fenrir as they piled on meat on their plates as her gaze softened and she spoke.

"What you are, don't matter none here on our land. And that's the gospel truth. Be welcome."

We felt welcome and soon, the atmosphere became more than merry. From my position, it looked more like a family reunion than a meeting for trade, as children from the ranch in the mysterious way of children everywhere, began to play with the caravan kids as toy brooms were brought out and an impromptu kid-friendly game of quidditch began. I was assaulted by various names and faces in turn, and only my aspects of Riddle and his memory retention allowed me to remember them as each one greeted me in turn.

There were the two elder sons from yesterday and their families, as well as one more and all from Amos first marriage. Then there was a daughter named Marian and a son, currently late and both of them fraternal twins apparently. There were also some hired hands who had been with Amos for years and their families, and finally two-house elves named Steph and Sech, who worked rapidly and happily in unison together at what was one of the largest parties they had the pleasure to do so.

Around near the tail end of breakfast, a rider came into the ranch and Amos let out a laugh, as he grinned. "Tom, meet my youngest boy, Marian's brother! This here's Clint! Clint, say hi to our guest!" Looking up from my plate, I blinked at the sight of Clint Slade before me. He was a wizard, I could tell that much from the wand on his hip holster for easy drawing. Like his family, he was dressed mundane style, in cowboy clothes and like his sister, was creole and gentle of feature. Very polite as well, his hand holding his hat and as he played with it, I caught a glimpse of an odd-looking bone charm, hidden by his sleeve as he spoke.

"Hello sir. Sorry pa, I was just watching over the herds when I forgot we were having guests for breakfast."

"Well, don't next time! I know you like to work, but hell boy! Take time to smell the flowers and enjoy nature, alright?"

"I'll do my best Pa." He said earnestly as he turned his attention to me. "Nice t'meet you too, Mr.... Tom was it?"

"Tom Riddle." I said with a smile, putting my plate down as I extended my hand. As he shook it back, he spoke aloud. "What were you doing in the herd the other day, Mr. Riddle?"

"Like I told your father, I was just watching the herd. I'm something of a researcher you see." He brightened at that, suddenly seeming to get it. "Ah, so you're like Mr. Audubon then?" I was surprised that he even knew the name and I nodded, smiling a bit more.

"I suppose you could say that."

"I knew they'd get along, didn't I Glad? Birds of a feather!" Amos said cheerfully as he spoke with pride. "Clint here has always been the family scholar! He's the first in the family to attend Ilvermorny and we couldn't be prouder!" Clint ducked his head, blushing and Glad and I chuckled at the sight. Clint immediately suddenly looked troubled, his smile vanishing as he spoke.

"Ah hell, Pa! I almost forgot, Sheriff Jeff is coming. I saw him riding back from our fence and he'll be here soon."

Amos smile vanished like an ice cube in the Sahara, scowling as Glad touched his arm. Seeming to come back from his mood, he held her hand and squeezed before speaking. "Son, you did good. You let our guests know they got nothing to worry about for me, will you?"

"Yes pa." He rushed off and curious, I spoke. "Who is this Jeff?"

Amos spat to the side, and looked sheepish at the look from his wife from the act before he spoke.

"MACUSA appointed sheriff for the town of Blackwater. And with a rod the size of a redwood, right up his-"

"-Amos Slade!" Snapped his wife and Amos cried out. "Dammit Glad, you know I'm right! Tom!" He turned to me and scowled. "He's a petty bastard, with a silver star and he'll want your people gone. Well, its MY land and y'all are MY guests and if he has a problem, he can talk to Betty! We'll run him off, don't you worry."

"He's here." Glad said ominously, squeezing her husband's hand. I turned to look and sure enough, there was a rider on a thestral accompanied by several others.

He was an old wizard, clad in black and with the badge gleaming under his coat, half hidden to prevent being an easy target. Lines in his face seemed carved, giving him a grim, weathered air and his eyes were like chips of ice. His wand handle, such as it was looked worn and well-used, the man an obvious veteran. Fenrir nearly lost control near him with the broom and in a blink, the sheriff had frozen him in place with a wordless spell and set him gently down.

It was the most impressive bit of wand-work I'd ever seen thus far, for the speed alone and the peripheral awareness of it all. More so, when his full attention seemed fixed on Amos and Glad, the faint sneer at the corner of his mouth growing. More so when Amos moved to set himself between them as he called out.

"Jeff! Been an age! Ya never call or write anymore!"

"Hard to find the wish to do so." Said Jeff quietly, his voice a harsh, quiet thing as he added. "Especially with the man who hops in the bed of another woman, barely before the first one's in the ground." Amos turned red, scowling and stopped as Glad touched his shoulder before she called out.

"Sheriff, what can we do for you?"

"Heard there were werewolves in the area." He said simply before adding. "I know you like to hide up here, from honest folk. But folks are worried and when news came of your... Guests, I figured I'd see for myself if you really were that crazy."

I spoke up at this point, scowling as I called out. "We're not looking for trouble. Come the end of our meeting here, we're heading out. There's no fight to be had here." He turned his attention to me and it felt like getting flayed by a blizzard.

I stared at him in turn and for a moment, I felt my blood rush and the familiar anger rise. How dare he? How dare he?! And then suddenly, I felt someone touch my shoulder and I gave a start, noting out of the corner of my eye Jeff do the same. Our hands had been going to our wands and realizing it, I cleared my throat and deescalated first.

"We're not looking for trouble, sir. None of us are. We just wish to trade and we'll be on our way."

Sheriff Jeff nodded, once and pulled the reigns of his thestral, turning to leave. "You do that, stranger. None of your kind are welcome here." I didn't bother to correct him, as they flew off and then glanced behind at the person who touched my shoulder.

It was Conan and he didn't look happy, Amos sharing much the same expression before Conan sighed and spoke to Amos. "Your hospitality is appreciated. But I think it is best we leave as soon as we can." Amos growled, looking unhappy as he spoke.

"Yeah... But I don't have to like it."

We traded, exchanged coins and took leftovers with us. I think the pups were happiest with that, though my own thoughts would be deeply concerned with what we left behind. There was obviously a story there from what I could glean, but it really wasn't any of my beeswax. That and we were leaving soon enough anyway and the thought would be academic at best, insofar as I was concerned.

I still didn't like it and quietly, I sat in my place and flicked through my sketches, most charcoal pieces and rough at first for me to do. But time and Riddle's own innate, stubbornness and perhaps some pride from myself rendered it into something better. At the least, no one could ever mistake my artwork for stick figures like my last life and I smiled briefly at the thought.

Darkness came swift to the Montana wilderness and as always, the elders checked the heavens and recorded meticulously the next full moon. No one wanted to be caught by surprise, even if it was a week away. A light supper was had, a watch was initiated and the caravan went to sleep.

In the middle of the night, during my watch I think I fell asleep. I was dreaming, a lucid dream as I sat by the dying fire. The stars were dying, one after the other and I recall blinking oddly, wondering why before I saw the shadow behind it.

With red eyes and a jaw like a wolf, it swallowed the light and laughed at the evil it wrought and out of the darkness, coming into my firelight was a beautiful woman. With the features of the Native American and eyes frightened and wide, she stared at me and I thought to myself that it had been a while since I had a dream like this.

She grabbed my biceps, which felt intensely painful and as I glanced down, I realized her fingers were talons and then she whispered in my ear.

"Save us."

I woke up to the sound of sobbing. Across from me, Conan had his rifle cradled in his arms, his expression somber as in the wagons, came the sounds of fear, the pups were awake and terrified, and I blinked. I felt cold, I felt fear, as primal an emotion as could be, and Conan spoke grimly.

"There's something out there."

I stared out beyond, peering into the darkness. I couldn't pierce the shadow, but as I looked at my arm sleeves, I realized I was bleeding.

I put more fuel on the fire and didn't sleep a wink that night.

=====

The light of day was stark and bright and brought no comfort for any of us. A quick breakfast was all we had time for, and then we were off with the exception of myself. I thought about the dream, what I had seen and the bloodstains on my sleeves were an indication enough that it was more than a dream.

The wizarding world regarding dreams and the interpretation thereof was a frustrating affair and people had gone mad, trying to prevent or decipher them. Even Seers were frustrated in their purposes, though you really couldn't get any clearer than 'save us' and so distracted was I, that I missed the riders that swooped down around us.

There was a posse of riders, led by Sheriff Jeff and to my surprise, Amos alongside him. Amos looked grim, none of the friendliness of yesterday present as he pointed a rifle in our direction and as I raised my hands, I called out.

"What's this about?"

"My son is dead!" Amos cried out, furious as he snarled and glared at us before adding.

"We found his arm this morning, blood everywhere and the rest of him missing. Now either you wolves give him up now?" He pulled the safety back, the sound ominous in the silence as he growled.

"Or we'll be having ourselves a lynching, right here and now."