The tale of Hammond Grey

Hammond was a logger in the southwestern edge of Branos. He lived a simple, yet prosperous life. Every day at the crack of dawn he would rise and disappear into the woods. Most days he would come back empty handed. Once every few weeks he would bring back a single tree trunk. The wood would have a perfect grain and woodworkers would pay much just for a chance to work with such a flawless piece of wood. For all intents and purpose he should have been happy, but he was not. His brother, a blacksmith in the local town, had the most enchanting wife. She was constantly on his mind, tormenting him with sleepless nights. Try as he might he could not distract himself from the thoughts of his brother’s wife. Then, one day while searching for the perfect tree, he found something strange. In the middle of the forest a circular stairwell lead into the canopy. Curiously Hammond inspected the stairs. They were a brilliant black, but he couldn’t discern what it was made out of. The stairs were slick, but as he ascended they seemed to pull at his feet, anchoring him as he rose above the canopy. As he emerged he found in the clouds. Above him the midnight sun shined upon him, lighting the clouds around him. In the clouds he could see a black form flow. Panic gripping him he tried to run back down the stairs, but a whistling voice called to him. It comforted him and, as he turned around, a black mist emerged from the clouds and began circling him. It spoke to him, already knowing his deep seated jealousy for his brother’s happiness. The mist promised him he would give him the one thing he was missing, the love of his brother’s wife. Hammond would not even need to do anything for him. If he ever wanted to renig on the deal all he would have to do was search for him, and the mist would take his gift back, but as recompense he will take Hammond’s soul. Of course the man could not imagine why he would ever do such a thing, and so he agreed. Hammond returned from the forest and went straight to his brother’s forge. To his horror he saw the forge burning before he even entered the town. He ran to the forge where he found the townsfolk already doing their best to put out the flames. He slammed through the door, only to see his brother lying under a beam. He didn’t even have time to process it as he saw his brother’s wife lying under another beam, but she was still breathing. Mustering all his strength he lifted the beam, barely dragging her out before the building collapsed. Together they mourned and, through their shared pain, they formed a new connection. Soon they confessed their love for each other, but every time he would look into her eyes he would see the love she still held for his brother. He would remember their childhood and the guilt began driving him mad. Finally he conceded, returning to the forest and, after searching for days, he found the stairwell again. Gleefully the devil in the mist agreed to Hammond’s final plea. Taking his soul he returned Hammond’s brother to his wife, both of them only remembering that Hammond was gone for good.

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