Nogal

Nogal’s feet hung off the ground as he reached into a barrel. His fingertips scraped against the sharp nails that lay at the bottom. Sucking in his breath, he leaned in further, grabbing a handful of nails as the barrel toppled over. As he went down, Nogal’s foot hooked a rake and sent it clattering to the ground as nails spilled around him.

“Who goes there?” a man said as heavy footfalls headed towards the shed in which Nogal lay.

Nogal shoved fistfuls of nails into his pockets before he scooted outside and out of sight. He then retrieved a pile of papers resting upon a tree stump and weighted down with a hammer. He grinned. The time was upon him.

Walking to the center of the small village, Nogal took one of the papers and, with a nail from his pocket and the hammer in is hand, posted it on a wooden beam. He stood back and admired the haphazard writing of his own hand:

FACT: Dragons are tough and gristly creatures–not fit for consumption unless in a stew.

“What have you got there?” a woman said as she passed by.

Nogal started and his mouth hung open. Then, before she could say another word, he darted away and out of sight.

He stopped to lean against the wall of a house as he waited and listened. Assured that no one was coming, he then nailed another paper to the wall behind him.

FACT: Unicorns are insufferably fatty, and should only be prepared in a slow braise.

He then tested a window and, seeing it was unlocked, lifted it and snuck inside. Looking around the snug room, he then nailed another leaf over a baby’s crib.

FACT: Hippogriffs are awfully arrogant, but can often be made palatable with a stout honey glaze.

A woman walked through the door and screamed when she saw Nogal. She grabbed a broom and swiped it at him.

Nogal dodged the attack, darting around the woman and ran outside. He hustled to the other end of the village and hid behind a tree. He grabbed another nail from his pocket, but realized he had left his hammer behind. So he took a paper and stuck it onto a branch instead.

FACT: Minotaur is the finest of all meats, and should be enjoyed slowly roasted and basted in wine.

He straightened and smiled as he viewed his last contribution. Then, towards the town he shouted, “You’re welcome!”

Villagers gathered and pointed to where he stood. Some clutched axes and knives, and all wore displeased frowns. When they started towards him, Nogal clutched the rest of his papers and darted into the woods and out of sight.