Legends of the West

By X. F. Moix

Mountain range of the Pyrenees, Iberian peninsula.
A peasant dies under strange circumstances. Suspecting supernatural and evil nature of the event, father Isidro is sent to investigate the incident.
But there are more ancient and dangerous secrets hidden in the heart of these cursed mountains, remembered by the last survivors of a time in which the fog was able to cover too discouraging truths... Now that veil has been torn and the threat is released. If no one would restrain it, the chaos will explode.

The night is coming when the stories that fueled imagination of the little ones will turn into reality to frighten even the most skeptical men... Who will be able to maintain sanity when collapse the firm pillars that sustain the reality? Magic, witchcraft and ancestral secrets will shake the orthodoxy of Christianity.

An adventure that will take us back to the depths of the Pyrenees, in a borderland, where the impossible seems more real than it's desired by the common sense of the majority. Would you be the one to challenge it, to pursue the most uncomfortable and archaic mysteries?

Every tree, hill, lake, and cave belongs to two worlds; one of them we ignore. Its outlawed inhabitants have fueled the fantasies of popular folklore... until now.
In front, the old paths that lead us towards them are outlined and are waiting for us. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: BadPress
• Release date: Oct 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9781547574360

Book preview

FRENZY

DISAPPOINTMENTS

POTIONS

SEALED ACCESS

SEVEN HERBS

WHEN DARKNESS FALLS

UNDER SHADOW OF THE MENHIR

FOLLOWING THE TRAIL

THE SEVENTH

THE COOPER

CHALLENGES

SMOKE AND WATER

A SNACK

SUBMERGED KINGDOMS

MONTSEGUR

BROKEN BONES

THE LOST GLORY

WITHOUT OPTIONS

HOLLOW OF THE MOURNERS

THE LADIES OF WATER

SONG OF THE SIBYL

REFLECTIONS IN STEEL

NIGHT OF THE JANUS

THE ENCHANTED

KERRESETCAPS

THE CURSED MOUNTAINS

SHEET OF TEMPTATION

A FERN IN DARKNESS

BIRTH OF A GODDESS

THE MORNING STAR

THE LADY OF CANIGÓ

ETERNAL PATHS

JUMP INTO THE SEA

THE IMPERSONATE

FLYING HIGHER

ISIL

LEGENDS OF THE WEST

FRENZY

Out of the bushes, poked the antlers of a chamois that quickly fled from there after hearing a distant sound, coming closer. The group of men was riding swiftly. Salvador Roca raised his arm, indicating to his companions to stop the horses.

─What's going on?- asked Abderrabán, looking around.

─We will camp here until nightfall. -ordered the miner.

─Why? –responded The Howler. ─I don't think it's very sensible to spend the night at the base of a hill, where we are exposed to any attack.

─We won't, if that's what you are worried about. We will just wait...

─Wait for what? –said Isidro

─For the appropriate moment to continue our journey, without taking unnecessary risks.

The group encamped, without fully understanding Salvador's intention. The robber and Manuel decided to inspect the surroundings. Nearby, they found a small pond with crystal clear water.

─It might not have been such a bad decision, come up here. I'm going to freshen up myself! Are you in for it? ─said Manuel, undressing himself.

─I wouldn't like to be swimming when I fall into an ambush. Any cunning robber would notice the danger in doing such a stupidity!

The one-eyed man ignored his reasoning and dived. After several minutes of cooling off, he decided to get out. But his companion was no longer there.

─I knew I couldn't trust him! He takes any chance to disappear. – he growled.

His horse, which grazed nearby, became alarmed. When he approached it, he discovered a robe that doesn't belong to him laying on the grass. The animal neighed again. Then he saw a girl emerging from the undergrowth. She smiled at him. And he surrendered to the charm of her beauty. He remained paralyzed, while carefully observing her approaching. With each step she took, more details of her naked anatomy were visible. She stopped just a few inches away. Her long curled hair was falling over her elegant shoulders and voluptuous breasts. Without exchanging any words, she embraced him. Manuel didn't notice what was happening. He kissed her, while their bodies interlaced to be surrendered to the lust. After a passionate frenzy, Manuel handed over the clothes to the girl; but she smiled and refused it. She stood up and ran towards the horse. With an agile jump, she managed to mount it. She controlled the reins very skillfully. She rode towards him, while her chest and belly were caressed by the swaying mane of the animal. The one-eyed man managed to stop her, and blushing, covered her with cloths. The girl shivered, as if a sudden chill had gripped her boisterous body. Manuel wasn't surprised by it, since the night had begun to fall. They decided to return to the camp.

DISAPPOINTMENTS

Salvador suddenly coughed. The attacks were increasing in frequency. The efforts to conceal the severity of his condition were not convincing.

─Old man, will you be able to continue guiding us throughout the whole journey? ─wondered the robber scathingly ─It wasn't a good idea that you accompany us. I think that you will be more of a burden, than a help.

─Shut up, you villain! Someone is coming!- warned Abderrabán, putting himself on guard.

─It must be that fool, who in the end has decided to return! –he noted 

Actually, Manuel was coming back from the pond. But he wasn't alone.

─Stay calm! This is the most beautiful young woman I've ever met! - he said

They could not see her face, because she was hiding it shyly under her dress.

─Don't be afraid and show yourself, girl. - invited The Howler, holding his weapon discretely.

Manuel got off and helped her to get down. When he removed her hood, they saw the face of an old woman vilely laughing at them.

─Oh, no! A witch! It's a witch! -Manuel shrieked horrified, moving backwards until landing face down on the ground.

─You again! -the robber recognized her face ─You are the old lady that we met on a path, when we traveled together with the reapers!

─Wow...wow...such a good memory you have! -she replied.

─Oh, leave your weapons!-ordered Salvador. ─This woman, she is the one we were waiting for.

─Damn!–unhinged Manuel kept on repeating. –Damn harpy, she has deceived me with her spell! -he said while writhing, scratching his body as if he suffered unbearable itching.

─What's going on?!- asked Isidro

─This witch has tricked me! She has bewitched my mind and I have been... I have been violated! -he said with tears in his eyes.

─Don't blame your idiotic impulses!─said The Howler, not being able to sustain the laughter.

─Don't try to justify yourself! You offered yourself to me, willingly! Now don't feel sorry for that!  What could I have done, so fragile and helpless, before the ardor of a passionate man?!

─You lie, witch! You altered my vision to make me believe that you were a beautiful young woman! You used me! I'm going to kill you!- drawing his knife.

─Go back!-intervened Abderrabán, holding firmly the hand of the enraged. ─You will issue the bill later! Don't let our long wait be in vain!

─This woman has knowledge that will be useful to us. -said the Salvador, while the coughing possessed him again.─Forget about your nonsenses and release her!

After obeying him, they saw how he suffered another attack. The old man was suffocating. And none of them could have helped him.

POTIONS

The smoke was flooding the interior of the barrack. Through that dense atmosphere, one could glimpse great variety of substances stored in containers. From the ceiling hung bunches of herbs. On the tables, there were small mortars made of mud, in which one could crush the ingredients, to create mixtures for magic and healing.

The old woman stirred the contents of her kettle, where