Dem walked beside Egfor, feeling the worry through their rings. Did Egfor lie, and he could die tonight? Dem mentally shook his head. No, if he had to bet it was because he was going to face his greatest fears. No one liked to meet those. He said he would die and be reborn, but it was not actual death.

We're come to the hottest days of the year now. I don't hide from them! I love every season that comes to Bree. They each make a body feel that it's alive. And I want to feel alive, every second of my life! Whether it's the cold biting at my cheeks in winter, or the sun piling down on the top of my head, making me feel heavy and tired in the middle of August. And then autumn will come in a hurry after. That always puzzles me. Why does the summer get hottest just before it goes away? Is it trying to hold on? Being stubborn about giving its place up for autumn?

Her sleep was restless that night, under the red full moon above the Moors. A dark dream born out of deep fears or a rare glimpse of foresight, like only once before?

The day had seemed like any other that had passed over the last few weeks.

Egfor hiked through the dark, quiet woods, Dem at his side, for once. He peers up through the trees, murmuring, “New moon, how fitting.” He chuckles softly at the look he gets from Dem, “Rebirth of the moon, start of the new cycle.” He nods firmly, then stops at the edge of a clearing, “Here we are.” He turns to kiss Dem lovingly, lifting a hand to touch his cheek, murmuring, “Just… wait here.

Egfor strode through a forest, it was pitch black and no moon or stars lit his path. He could not even see his hand in front of his face, yet he did not trip or run into things. He stepped true and knew where he was going. He heard a deep, thrumming drum beat that pulsed with his heartbeat and the earth below his feet.