Lieve was once again visiting Haldrid. They were talking plans for the wedding when there was a knock on the door. Lieve looked at Haldrid, who stood up to open the door. Standing in the doorway was a girl, a little younger than Lieve, rather thin and gawky-looking. Haldrid smiled a greeting, motioning her to come inside. She smiled back, nodding and taking off her cloak.

I awoke beneath a bush, the leaf-filtered sunlight teasing my eyes into wakefulness. I must suppose that I chose such a shelter yestereve, but I do not recall doing so. So much of these past months is hazy to me now, like a dream from which I have shortly emerged.

See we now the end in all things. See we now the shade of changes swiftly creeping. Look we then to the past and the dream of what was, only to have it shatter before our eyes. Comforting illusions give way to harsh reality, the truth of which does blind and burn, rending flesh from bone and bone from marrow until all that was is no more.

They mourn and I mourn with them.