Death Comes on Swift Wings

[Pandora!]

Legends have been passed down in hushed whispers swapped between village inhabitants. Every year a mighty beast with fiery wings that block the bright rays of moonlight appears in the nearby woods, hunting for its next victim. Some years its quiet, and villagers leave offerings at the forest's edge to appease the beast. Other years when crops wither or cattle pass away suddenly and offerings are scarce, the beast comes to collect its dues...