The Harvestman of Thistledown Moor

FOR THE PAST HUNDRED YEARS, IT HAS STALKED THE TWILIGHT MOOR It towers 20 feet high, with a pole-thin body and long, spidery limbs. Its fingers are like the tines of a fork. Its eyes burn blue in the dusk.

Am Fear Buain, they call it. The Harvestman. Because it resembles that kind of spider. But what it truly is, none know for sure. Some believe it is an ancient Pictish deity because on the 18th century Scottish moor where it lingers, are dozens of stone monoliths reared by that forgotten race.

Dozens have been run to earth and killed by it, dozens more survived to describe it. One who has vowed to slay it is Alec Dunsmuir, a newly minted physician who has returned to his native village of Cluaran that adjoins the moor. When he was a child, his mother was believed to have been killed by it.

He is not certain he has the knowledge to defeat it. But he is expecting someone who might - his old comrade from a trip to Germany, SACHA ATHENOIS* (as related in Haunters of the Black Forest). Sacha has agreed to come - if for no other reason than to try to dissuade Alec from what seems a dangerous vendetta.

But Sacha has troubles of his own. In London, he crossed paths with a murderous gang that delights in mutilation and murder. And now, they seek to do the same to him. As he travels by coach to Scotland up the Great North Road, they relentlessly dog his tracks.

It is only a matter of time before they catch up with him.

And only a question if they or the ancient and enigmatic monster will kill him first.

• (later to rename himself SETH ATHENOR)