The Rains began three days after he left Rest. The once a year down pours lasted for two weeks normally but with the earliness Matt was not sure this time.

The Rains had begun after the first siting of the Aqua demons and had not gone away since.  For fifty years the Rains marked the coming attacks of the hideous creatures known as the  aqua demons.

Matt wondered, as he always did, if the Rains where not somehow a way for the Aqua demons to get more puddles in the world and be able to attack more people.

It did seem as if the attacks had become more frequent since the Rains had come.   It was a belief shared by many but hardly said aloud.

Matt had gone to Sam's and even had fun. He did not mention his talk with Sally and when Hin brought it up he merely smiled and changed the subject.  Hin took the sad hint and left Matt alone.

Now he sat in front of the fire and craved a wooden statue. It was a hobby he had picked up from his grand sire who said that if your going to put wood in the fire anyway might as well whittle it first.

Granted, Matt had begun to carve things his grand sire could only dream about.  Things like animals he had seen in books in school, and people he had met in his life.

It was a privet hobby and no one knew about it.  Matt did plan on giving Sally one but that was done now. He was no longer going to pursue her he knew now.

Maybe he would travel to Highland city to find a wife. There were boards that displayed things like that there in Highland.

The small city of Highland had popped up in the years since the Rains. Created to force all standing water outside the city, the city was seen as a safe haven in a time when no one thought that they were safe.

Matt hated Highland.  The citizens acted as if anyone not living there was a ignorant fool that was asking to be taken by the puddle dwelling monsters.

The idea of wanting open space and air free of the stench of humanity was worth him avoiding standing water.
The other trade off was not being told how to live by the governor of Highland and its council. The council of Highland took it upon itself to enforce its beliefs and views onto any that it could.  Including any one entering to trade or for a visit.

The last time Matt had gone they tried to take his sword. The simple blade had been past down in his family since the time of the Plains Wars and Matt was not about to let it go.
He ended up paying a fine and the guard put a wrap on the hilt and sheath that would break if he tried to pull the blade out. 

Being one of the few in Rest that owned a sword Matt prided himself on knowing how to use it. This was another secret that he shared with few.  Sam knew, but had thought of it as part of their child dream to join the  group that hunted aqua demons.

Although, Matt had no one to test his skill on so he had no idea if he was truly good with a blade or not.

For now he kept himself busy craving small statues of animals and people. He would also go out into the rain and practice fighting with a wooden sword or a bow staff.  He believed that the next time that he was able he would kill a aqua demon.

The few times that he had stayed out too long he had never been bothered by the black and green skinned beasts. Matt thought that it may be because they knew he was not an easy target.

Really, he told himself that the Demons were too busy grabbing cattle and children to try and take him into the watery whatever it was that they went to when they disappear.

Later that night he awoke to a sound that vibrated his very soul. Going to the front door he took a look.  The Rains had abated and it was so foggy that even with the brightness of both moons Matt could not see far out onto the lawn.

Little Brother moon gave off its usual pinkish glow, while Big Sister was only half showing, so her light was not strong enough to dispel the fog.
Then in a swirl of wind the fog lifted from in front of his home and Matt was greeted by the sight of four Aqua demons jumping from a large puddle in the road onto the road itself.

The one in the lead wore a leather jerkin and cap. Matt had never heard of a demon wearing cloths, let alone armor of any kind.

The three with the armored one acted nervous and kept trying to go back into the water.  The leader raised its fist and shook it at them to drive them forward toward Matts home.

Cold anger filled Matt for some reason. Taking his sword and longest knife he went to the front door after getting quickly dressed.  Tonight he would stand his ground and protect what was his.

Once he had his boots laced he threw open the door and stepped out into the foggy night.

Before him was the four beasts. The leader hissed and came up short when the door came open but continued at the sight of Matt.

Not afraid of Matt's appearance it looked at the Aqua demon to its left and pointed at the young farmer letting out a guttural cry.

Matt stomped forward to meet the creature. Animalistic rage filled its face and it lunged for him. Calmly, Matt kept his blade down and to the side, with the single edge away from the advancing beast.

It's clawed hand came up to grab Matt by the throat. It was used to taking its victims by surprise. Waiting till it was nearly in grabbing distance Matt spun low bringing the sword up and thru the it's  middle.

Thick and hot the blood of the Aqua demon sprayed his cloths. The creature gave a howl and balled up on the ground trying to hold itself together.

Seeing the one fall the other two bellowed and ran at Matt. The leader went to stop them but gave up.

Standing and taking two steps forward Matt met the first to come at him.  It was a move he practiced often because he believed it was best to meet an enemy half way.

One swing and the head of the first was off and flying and continuing the motion Matt put the three foot long sword through the chest of the second creature. He hoped it was the heart.
To Matts surprise it looked at him with a hate he had never seen before.  On instinct Matt let go of the sword to duck the clawed hand coming for his throat.

Nearly forgetting that he had the long knife he jabbed the creature in its ugly fanged face.

The demon fell back taking Matt's blades with it.  Standing right behind the falling demon was the leader and it was faster than its fellows.

Matt leaned back slightly but it was not enough. Three claws opened his shirt and raked across his chest.  Not deeply but enough to burn and let him know that any closer and his chest would have been torn open.
Rolling away to give himself space the young farmer was still feeling anger but more at himself now. Losing both sword or knife was a deadly mistake.

Knowing it had the advantage now the leader held both arms out wide and began advancing on Matt.
The fog on the road swirled again and Matt witnessed as a shape solidified on the road, behind the armored creature.

It was then that Matt began to notice that he felt his bones begin to freeze up and his blood to boil.  The demons nails must have poison on them and Matt was going to die here, outside his family home.

As he began to pass out the shape behind the leader aqua demon snuck up and used Matt's sword to remove it's ugly head.