“No, I beg you… please, anywhere but there… Noo!!...” The villagers turned their heads away in pity and disgust as the henchmen of the Baroness dragged one of the villagers away. “Mummy, why are they taking that man away?” asked a little girl as she tugged the sleeve of her mother. The mother pulled her aside and whispered “Hush now my dear… that man did bad things, so they are bringing him to a terrible place to be punished.”
‘A terrible place’ would be an understatement for the destination that awaits him.
In the eastern regions of the province of Cann, lies a mansion, home to a Baroness which owned and controlled that region. Her territory spanned from the mountain ranges of the east, up till the river several miles away to the west, which includes the village, and several acres of woods surrounding it. Her Ladyship has gained feudal control over this land for but only a few years, but her reputation was already feared by many.
Her Ladyship punishes all who defies her; those who disobey her, those who break her laws, those who are not able to pay taxes, those who hunt in restricted areas and many other offences no matter how severe it is. Ruling with an iron fist, she placed many of her loyal henchmen all over the region to maintain, enforce and carry out her will. Those who are unfortunate enough to be brought into her mansion were never seen again.
Her mansion is a huge structure, hidden away in the woods at the foothills of the eastern ridges. Passing the dark towering gates were vast untamed gardens with weeds abundant, chocking life out of what used to be blossoming flower patches. Through the gardens was a straight path lined with dried hollow leafless trees leading all the way to the faded peeling maple doors. Vines of creeper plants scaled the walls of the mansion, concealing the finely carved stones which would have been the pride of the finest carvers in the province. The roof shingles which shelter the mansion from rain and shine were dark and laden with moss. The windows were shut tight, with thick curtains drawn closed behind it, not giving away even the slightest peek into the building.
Apart from Her Ladyship’s henchmen who enter and exits ever so often, and the mysterious carriage which comes by every few weeks, not a single soul can be seen around the mansion. Neither maids, nor servants were ever seen by anyone from the village.
It is said that sometimes, eerie melodies could be heard echoing through the thick walls of the mansion, resonating deep into the woods around it. Some say that it is the Baroness herself playing on her great pipe organ. But it all remains a mystery, as to who she is, her origin, her purpose of being there, no one knows. Not even her loyal henchmen.
For all they know, is a name, a name that strikes fear among the villagers. She is the Baroness Yi Wei.
By the Wandering Minstrel,
Rong Tau
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