Wednesday, October 21, 2020

"The Little People"

 by Robert E. Howard

originally published Coven 13, January 1970

Our Narrator is on a tour of Europe with his sister, Joan, who's 17 and full of herself - when we first meet her she's tossing a volume of Arthur Machen across the room cuz it's stupid.  She doesn't believe that the aboriginal "little people" still haunt ancient Britain - not even the megaliths in sight from the hotel they're staying at.

O.N. wakes from a nightmare involving the vision of a robed figure, goes to check on Joan and finds she went for a late-night stroll among the fens.  Going out looking for her, he finds her - just in time for a bunch of "the little people" to go after her, chasing her as she runs towards the megaliths.

Just as the little `uns are about to have their way with her, the spirit of a druid - the same robed figure that appeared in O.N.'s dream, appears and drives the little horrors off.

This is seriously slight, even silly, little trifle.  The only plus being Joan who's actually a lively character, and sketched quickly and effectively.




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