The Footprints in the Winter Woods

WHAT STALKS THE SNOWY FOREST? It is 1742 in French Canada and Ensign Sacha Athenois (one day to be known as Seth Athenor), a medical apothecary and French Colonial Marine, has been dispatched to the Spirit Mountains of New York Province. Ostensibly, he is merely returning to provide medical services to the exiled Abenaki village of Lawana and also to visit his Abenaki wife. But in reality, he has been assigned the grisly task of murdering an entire British garrison nearby. While he wrestles with his conscience, another task is underway, sponsored by the devious commander of that garrison - to find the secret of immortality rumored to lie deep within the mountains. There, it is said, are the enigmatic ruins of an ancient Mahican village and just over the next hill lies the ominous Red Cottage. But, legend also says, the secret is guarded by something unthinkably old and malevolent, said to tower above the tallest pine - a creature of living ice, who only waits to be awakened once again.