Curse of Black Bridge, The

Title Page

Pages 0-1

THE
CURSE
OF
BLACK BRIDGE

BY
REDFORD EWLING

FOREWORD

Pages 2-3

FOREWORD

The legend of Black Bridge is one that’s well-
known to the people of the Grand Realm, for
versions of this tale have been passed down from
generation to generation. With each new telling, the
story has changed, becoming over the years more
colorful, more verbose, and, as one might expect,
increasingly horrifying.

However, with so many renditions and unique
personal touches, the task of confining and binding
this tale to text seemed an ambitious and
impossible challenge. Over the course of my
research, I have heard dozens of variations of the

legend, and while the details would often
change, I was surprised how much of the
story’s heart remained the same.

Yet, the more I listened, the clearer it
became that there could never be a definitive
version of this tale capable of capturing all the
wonder and myth of Black Bridge. In the end,
I chose to write down what felt most
authentic: the story my grandmother told me,
as a boy, long ago.

PART ONE

Pages 4-5

PART ONE

THE BERRY PICKER FROM ORIS

Pages 6-7

Many years ago, before peace had become a
familiar word, there lived a group of rogues so
waywayrd that the locals deemed it appropriate to
call their number "The Unholy Hounds".

worst in a time when society was at its worst,
and for each crime that fearful travelers credited
to the group, a dozen more lay unclaimed, each
worse than the last. For the gentry, however,
who often value their coffers more than their
companions, no crime could measure more
wicked than the group's prmary enterprise:
highroad robbery.

rogues was a boy of thirteen years, Jesper, who
had not been lucky in life, having lost two
brothers to war and parents to famine.

Jesper lived in a gutter behind a churchyard,
relying on the nourishment of scurrying bugs
and weeds harvested from the cracks of the
alleyway to sustain his pitiful existence.

escape such hardships would take any easy
road out. An easy and well-traveled road,
pave with temptations, leading out of the
city and into the gentrylands where loos
purse strings entwine with the strands of
salvation and glisten equally with the hope of
opportunity. It was this road that eventually
led Jesper to the end of his youth, a hidden
cave at the bottom of Black Bridge Canyon.
It was here that he met his surrogate family
and saviours, that notorious gang of godless
outlaws known as "The Unholy Hounds".

Pages 8-9

had led him to this vocation of banditry,
Jesper was surprisingly tenderhearted and was
often teased by the group for being too kind
for such an ignoble life. For this reason,
Jesper was assigned the innocent role of berry
picker. It was not just innocence that set
berry picking apart from the gang's more
wicked undertakings, for it was the only duty
performed without the safety of night's
concealment.

protest that he alone worked while the other
slept soundly, tucked away in the cave at the
bottom of Black Bridge canyon.

an eartly start. He left the cave, berry basket
in hand, and set out into the woods before the
morning sun had even brushed against the
tallest treetops. It was colder in the mornings,
but the headway dawn afforded meant Jesper
could reach the furthermost berry patches
without worry of being chastised for tarrying
upon his return.

Pages 10-11

destination, and along the way, Jesper had passed
by many a familiar bush, all priorly pillaged and
so bereft of berries that one would have to
dedicate several moments in earnest examination
before finding a single one. Jesper was patient,
but even patience has its limits. He was confident
that even accounting for the time lost to this long
stretch of travel, his efforts would be well worth
the pains.

surprised even Jesper. The red dots suspended
among the leaves seemed as numerous as stars in
the skies. Upon seeing such a bounteous sight, he
clutched his berry basket tightly and nearly
toppled over out of joy. Once he had regained his
senses, Jesper quickly made a decision.

newfound treasure. Instead, he would earn the
respect of his confederates who, upon seeing his
yield, might attribute the success to hard work.
Smiling at this plan, Jesper set off to fill his
basket and was making steady strides in this
task when the sound of thundering hooves
interrupted him.

Pages 12-13

been so enchanted by his discovery that he had
neglected to observe his surroundings? How
could a roadway be so close? He ducked down
and crept toward the impending sound, hiding
behind one of the larger bushes nearby.

sound's source revealed itself. Within fifty
paces of where Jasper hid, an elegant carriage
with gold trim came soaring around a corner
of trees, led by two beautiful white horses
and conveyed by a stern-looking driver seated
atop the vehicle, flaunting the most
sophisticated regalia Jesper had ever seen. It
was not just any carriage; it was a royal
carriage. Even without ever having witnessed
such a sight before, Jesper was certain.

stood awestruck, unable to tear away as the
carriage approached. The little concealment
the bush provided was soon proven unequal to
the driver's lofty perch, and upon spotting the
boy, he pulled the reins with such effect that
the noble steeds slid to a sudden halt with
precise control.

Pages 14-15

he shouted with a rigidity that betrayed a
modest amount of fear. "Your startled me half to
death, coming 'round the bend of my own drive
and me seeing such an unfamiliar face in a
place where there ought not be any face."

man was much older, and his dress was
suitable for courtly behavior, not dashing
through the bramble and mud. "I... I was
picking berries." Jesper raised the half-filled
basket up to allow the driver to see the proof
of his words.

It was a change that Jesper was familiar with.
He had many times seen the same stern
expressions on the most fiendish
bandits melt away when presented with a berry
basket. Any suspicions that the driver might
have had instantly evaporated, for even the
nothion of a member of the Unholy Hounds
picking berries seemed farcical.

for a smile, "Berries, eh? Say, you couldn't have
picked a better spot for them, could you? I used
to pick berries here as a boy!"

from behind the bush, proudly brandishing his
basket, "I know, and what luck I found them! I
have only just begun picking, and look how
many I have! It would have taken me four-fold
the time back home to procure this number."

where is your home, boy? It must be quite far?"

Pages 16-17

little south of Tanner Fork, just past the burnt
woods."

come all that way only this morning!"

opposite direction that Jesper had traveled, and
while that response would seem perfectly
reasonable in a location closer to Black Bridge
Canyon, he could see why it might seem less
believable here.

less profit. I dare say there is no distance yet
made by men that would not be worth
undertaking for a prize such as these. Surely,
you have tasted them for yourself?" Jesper felt
happier with this response as it seemed to
amplify the man's smile.

for granted because I never had to travel very
far. And even then, my father would always
drive us here in our carriage, so I'm ashamed
I never had to walk such a stretch to earn an
equal reward."

efforts reward us both today!" He raised the
basket even higher, "A taste in memory of
your youth, sir."

Pages 18-19

bending over the seat to reach down to the basket.
And at the moment his fingers touched the first berry,
the dagger in turn met his throuat, cutting through a
superficial layer of skin and drawing blood. Jesper
caught the man's startled eyes, "And for that taste, I
will have your purse, sir, in memory of my youth."

trembling, more frightened than he had ever been
before. Whether unable or incapable of speaking, he
did not respond to the boy. Perhaps, he did not think
his jaw could afford to be engaged at this particular
time. Jesper let the basket drop, freeing his other hand
to probe the man's pockets.

give me no cause. Though I will admit, the thought of
taking your carriage and leaving you the indignity of
walk appeals to me."

pivoted to search the seat under him.

pointing toward the carriage door behind him.
Jesper loweered the knife's edge a small degree to
allow the man to speak, which he did in turn softly.

of sparing your life and binding your hands, a
concession I assure you of my tenderheart, for it
would be much easier to slit your throat."

himself from the driver's seat of the carriage. Once
down, Jesper guided him away from the carriage to
a nearby tree where he instructed him to get on his
knees and put his hands behind his back.

Pages 20-21

Pages 22-23

Pages 24-25

Pages 26-27

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PART TWO

Pages 30-31

Pages 32-33

Pages 34-35

Pages 36-37

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Pages 40-41

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