[Mirothea]

She hadn't heard every word, hiding in her bedroom as Father had bid her, but she'd heard enough. Memories of the nightmare she'd suffered weeks ago were vivid, sights of horror she'd never dreamed before. Her parents had insisted it was nothing, just her restless imagination at work again, but the sense of haunting had remained with her, and now this...

Mira followed as close behind the stranger as she could without alerting him. He didn't seem to be paying much attention to his surroundings, leading his horse by the bit, a defeated slump to his shoulders. She didn't know who he was, but she was certain he was connected to the visions. The things he had said to Father, about the end of the world and war and darkness, had felt so familiar. She had to know what he meant.

She thought again of the stars winking out, the hideous laughter echoing through the heavens, the rotting flowers on the moon, and then she was falling, ankle twisting over a jutting root. She moaned as the breath was driven from her, and then winced as she saw the man stop.

Great, now I'm in trouble...