My Dearest Cousin, I write to you now in great fear. Things that haunt my everywaking moment, and fill every unconscienceness with trepidation. Such coil thathath wrapped around every man, woman, and child at King Hrothgars court,utter horror. It was only two nights ago that my comrades and I were having afabulous feast in the Hart. The great Mead Hall of the ring-giver, King Hrothgar.
Men stumbled about like mules, reeking of sweet mead. Having returned from abattle we filled our bellies with good food, and our hearts with the stories ofthe scop. The harp singing along with his praise. It had been a successfulbattle, so we were high in spirits. As the hours drew unholy, we began toprepare ourselves for slumber. Every man full and content, found places to calltheir own. Little corners belonging to big men. We curled into our small dens,with our minds wandering. I found myself stumbling a bit trying, as I had alittle to drink that night. I chose a place under one of the wooden benches inthe corner, wrapping my blanket around me, I then lay my heavy head to thewooden floor. Men all around me settled into their dreams, yet I had anuneasiness in my stomach. Something unholy filled the air with its wretchedscent. Yet at the time, I believed it only to be the mead, settling down in mybelly. I began to think of our victory, and the glory we had won for our greatKing. The treasures and glory surrounding our king and court would be foreverinfinite, so long as we warriors proved brave, and loyal. In these thoughts Ifound myself growing weary. And soon I fell into slumber, unaware of the horrorsthat would come. I opened my eyes slowly, my vision blurred, and I rubbed themfiercely. Looking around the dark hall, I heard a small scratching. I began tolook around at the other men, all sleeping, unaware of the sound. I raised myhead to see what creature made such a scuff. I looked through the shadows, tospy a dark, large creature raising its head to the sky. Within itsclutches it held one of our own men! The man grappled against the demon, only tohave his throat pierced, blood spewing down to the floor. I gazed in horror uponthe bloody site. I moved my body not, as such a motion may have caught themonsters attention. The demon ripped men away from their beds, tearing theirthroats one by one. The floor was soaked in warriors blood, I held my stomachas the rankness filled my lungs. The monster moved in and out of the Hart,dragging mens corpses with him. And even sometimes, those still alive writhedin pain as the creature clutched onto their skin, piercing it with its bloodyclaws. My heart beat at a fierce rate, praying to God that I wouldnt be nextto feel that strike of claws in my side. I closed my eyes tightly, remainingsilent, waiting for death. Soon, the creature took up one last man into hisclutches, dashing out of the hall, creeping into the night once again. Theworld-candle lit up the sky, and the light of the sun beamed into the hall. Theother men awoke, three others knowing of the attack. The remainder of us, gapedat the sight of blood and gore before us. The looks upon these grown mensfaces, would have twisted the very mountains! To be unaware of a demon creepingabout around their warm, blood filled bodies, and to not have been taken? Theother three spectators and myself shared our visions of horror. We concludedthat thirty of King Hrothgars men had been slain! We met with the King todiscuss what measures would be taken to rid our land of this beast. Now, we canonly hope that this will be possible, and that this creature, this evil demoncraving mens blood, shall be destroyed. My cousin, pray for us, we are all inGods hands now.
English Essays
