Untitled story (As he approached the two, he swept off his feathered hat . . .)

Introduction

The unfinished and untitled story, starting with “As He Approached the Two”, by Robert E. Howard is a captivating fragment showcasing his signature style of dark fantasy and medieval themes. Written in the early 20th century, this story reflects Howard’s talent for blending elements of horror, adventure, and rich character development within a historical setting. The narrative follows a mysterious minstrel’s encounter with two villagers and his subsequent journey to an enigmatic and ominous castle. 

This story fragment (900 words), rich in atmosphere and character dynamics, leaves readers intrigued about the fate of the minstrel and the secrets of the lord of Grimmau’s castle.

Summary

The story begins with a minstrel, distinguished by his feathered cap and courtly manners, approaching a young couple in a dense and seemingly endless forest. The couple, a timid youth and a girl, return his greeting with respectful courtesy, recognizing him as a worldly traveler. The minstrel laments the lack of entertainment in the barren forest and expresses surprise at the desolation of the region.

The youth explains that travelers are scarce in their land, which the minstrel finds unsurprising given the absence of inns and taverns. He sarcastically remarks on the solitary, abandoned castle on a nearby hill. The girl, startled, informs him that the castle is inhabited by the lord of Grimmau, though the lord lives alone. The minstrel mocks the lord’s solitary existence, questioning the absence of knights, serfs, and ladies.

The youth cautiously reveals that the lord is very old, hinting that the minstrel is indeed a stranger to their region. The minstrel introduces himself as a poor troubadour who delights in making people merry with his songs, regardless of the audience’s status. He comments on the villagers’ apparent fear and the ominous shadow over the village, which the girl begins to attribute to a fiend before being silenced by the youth.

Invited to spend the night with the couple, the minstrel instead decides to visit the lord of Grimmau, seeking to entertain him. He teases the girl, lifting her chin, and strides confidently toward the castle, leaving the couple uneasy. The youth, jealous and bewildered, notices the girl’s fear and pallor, which deepen as dusk falls.

The minstrel ascends the dilapidated path to the castle, crosses a precarious bridge, and knocks on the barbican door. The couple, gripped by sudden panic, flee down the darkening path. The minstrel, curious about the knocker on the door, enhances the noise with his fists and kicks. As night descends, something resembling a giant bat flies from a tower and lands on an ancient gibbet, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

Undeterred, the minstrel begins to play his lyre and sings a strange, haunting refrain. The song’s verses describe a bloody and long trail, a strong stake, and midnight crossroads, hinting at grim and foreboding events. A baron, unseen, grumbles about the minstrel’s foul song. The minstrel, unfazed, starts another song, narrating a tale of a shadowy fiend who roamed the night, preying on humans until confronted by a fearless priest.

The song continues to describe the priest’s triumph over the fiend through divine strength and his efforts to transform the creature into something good. The minstrel’s tale parallels the underlying theme of redemption and transformation, suggesting that even the darkest beings might change under the right influence.

Characters

  • Minstrel (Unnamed): The central character, a wandering troubadour who seeks to entertain and explore. His bold and carefree demeanor hides a deeper curiosity and perhaps a hidden agenda.
  • Youth (Unnamed): A timid young man from the village, protective of the girl and wary of strangers. He displays jealousy and concern when the minstrel interacts with the girl.
  • Girl (Unnamed): A village girl with a lovely appearance, dark eyes, and hidden fears. She reacts with unease to the minstrel and expresses fear about the castle and its lord.
  • Lord of Grimmau: The reclusive and ancient lord who inhabits the seemingly deserted castle. His solitary existence and the castle’s eerie atmosphere contribute to the story’s ominous tone.
  • Baron (Unnamed): An unseen character who responds to the minstrel’s songs, representing a darker, possibly supernatural presence within the castle.

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