A young girl and her cursed village are forced to endure attacks from a horde of nocturnal monsters.  Then one day a man appears offering freedom from the nightmare.  But what will the cost of this freedom be, and how will the stranger exact his payment?    
 

    The crowd gasped in amazement.  “What is it?” Mrs. Gethfrey asked.

    “This is Auradron,” Arthur said.  He opened the cage.  Auradron cooed as she fluttered into the air.  She gracefully draped herself across Arthur’s shoulders, then purred as she gently nudged his neck.

    “Fascinating,” Frederick said.  “But how is that small creature supposed to drive away the kynols?”

    Arthur stroked Auradron’s back.  “Mr. Mayor, she will not drive away the kynols.”

    “She won’t?  But you said she would get rid of them.”

    “That is correct.  She will slaughter them.”

    Frederick’s mouth dropped.  “But... but...”

    “In a span of one week, all of the kynols will be decimated.  You will never need to fear them again.”

    The townspeople were speechless.  Then Mrs. Gethfrey blurted, “That’s impossible!  How is that thing supposed to kill the kynols?”

    “Yeah!” Mr. Leltzin put in.  “That thing doesn’t look like it could kill a mouse!”

    “Do you think our situation is some sort of joke?!” another person cried.  “Did you think it would be funny to come here and waste our time like this?”

    “Well, now he’s stuck here with us,” someone replied.  “And if the kynols don’t kill him, I will!”                

    More and more villagers shouted threats toward our guest and his pet, but Arthur kept his composure.  “One week,” he repeated against the vocal barrage.  “She will start tonight.”  He whistled.  Auradron floated back into her cage.  Arthur shut it and replaced the green cloth.  Everyone glared at the man as he strolled out of the hall.