an evil has come among us
shouted an old woman
it must be driven out
I saw his eye
and I was frightened
cried another

so the men
gathered their sickles
sharpened their daggers
looked into each other's eyes

and they marched in single file
towards the bright light
burning in
one eye's shack

they approached silently
thinking about the deed
and the blood to be spilled

the brave one
kicked open the door
and gave a shout

nothing

a warm fire crackled in the hearth
on the table
plates were set out
the smell of rabbit stew wafted from the stove
a flagon of sweet mead
the handle turned towards them
beckoned them in

they looked at each other

the brave one nodded
they had not eaten
he broke the warm bread
and poured the mead into the waiting tumblers

climbing a hill one eye
heard the laugher and merriment
and smiled before
he turned towards the darkness.