The Grinning Man

The Legend of the Grinning Man All along the King's Ride, a chilling legend has taken root over the centuries - the tale of the Grinning Man. This shadowy figure, whose origins remain shrouded in mystery, is said to wander the land by night, an eerie harbinger of doom.   Appearance and Elusiveness:   The Grinning Man is elusive, never lingering in one place for long. Those who claim to have glimpsed him describe a tall, pale figure with an unsettlingly wide, toothy grin that borders on a snarl. His brows are perpetually furrowed, giving him an aura of malevolence. However, his most unsettling trait is his ability to disappear when directly looked at, as if he melts into the shadows themselves.   Omen of Misfortune:   Whispers in taverns and around campfires speak of the Grinning Man as an omen of impending calamity. Local folklore tells that crossing paths with him is a dire sign, foretelling tragedy or misfortune about to befall the unfortunate witness. It is said that if you lock eyes with the Grinning Man, your fate is sealed, and your life will be cut short within a tenday.   The Beet Juice Ritual:   Yet, amid these ominous tales, a peculiar ritual has emerged to counteract the curse of the Grinning Man. According to the superstition, washing one's hair with beet juice for ten consecutive days after the encounter is the only way to ward off the impending doom. Accounts of those who faithfully perform the ritual tell of their survival, while those who dismiss it as mere superstition are said to vanish mysteriously.   "Get the Beet Juice Ready":   As stories of the Grinning Man and the beet juice ritual spread, it has become a common phrase among the locals: "Get the beet juice ready." It is uttered whenever someone shares a tale that stretches the boundaries of belief or truth, akin to saying, "You're weaving a tale as strange as the Grinning Man's legend."