All Hallows in Middleham - J P Reedman - Bog

All Hallows Eve comes to the town of Middleham in a swirl of autumnal leaves and bonfire smoke. Young Edward, the son of Duke Richard of Gloucester, wants to join in with the traditional festivities--the turnip lanterns, the Soul Caking, the storytelling in the churchyard. Richard agrees, despite the reluctance of his wife, Duchess Anne, and the frail little boy and his half-sister, Katherine, go to join the festivities. Old Gatty tells traditional, haunting tales of the Yorkshire dales--the man-eating Water Horse of the Ure, the witch of the hazelnut tree, the evil giant of Penhill with his spiked club.
A merry night is had by all, but after the fires go out, young Edward is still restless and slips away into the darkness. And what might a lone young lad meet upon the road? A SHORT STORY OF APPROXIMATELY 12000 WORDS