Buttons

when the fae ruling class was violently overthrown, the rebel leader Odysseus ordered the three immediate heirs to the throne to be killed, both to make an example of the previous monarchy and secure his claim to power. at the time, barely more than hatchlings, the three sisters were largely looked after and kept entertained by a dim but loyal fool called buttons.

when the three sisters were drowned in the sacred ichor pool lying beneath their family's home, it is said that buttons was forced to watch, only just restrained by three guards as he fought to save them. after it was certain that the three heiresses were dead, Odysseus ordered that Buttons be released, whereupon he flung himself into the ichor after his three charges, clawing his way deep into the pitch-black depths and disappearing, presumably drowning when the weight of the ichor dragged him down.

years later and the pool lies deserted, no longer used as a sacred ground to the shadowbinder and instead viewed as cursed by the locals. no-one is sure when the first sighting of buttons occurred, but many a terrified traveller has recounted a brightly-dressed tundra shambling towards them, eyes and mouth black as pits and oozing inky tears.


by quittingtime

scatter journey - here