27Prologue
The stars above a remote farm began to fade, and a hint of pink above the horizon progressed upwards. Crows occupied a small field, picking seeds out of the moist soil.
Hidden below a distant oak, a raven enjoyed a much more festive meal. A sharp beak tore flesh off the prey, which vaguely resembled the remains of a mouse.
When the raven finished, there was nothing left but a carcass, and the crows had moved to a different field. They ignored the scarecrow, clothed in a ragged jacket and thin pants while strays of hay served as hair. Pink and orange clouds decorated the sky that became more colourful with the second. After cleaning his wings, the black bird let himself be picked up by the wind and moved away from the farm and its unwelcome visitors.
Awaiting the raven's return, a trio stood by the fence of a piece of grassland. A young woman fed hay to a chestnut mare, alternatively stroking the nuzzle and neck. Next to this pair was a slightly younger man who leaned against the fence and ate an apple. He gazed at his surroundings, keeping a watchful eye on the distant farm and the sleeping dogs in front of the gate.
As soon as the raven reached the group, he settled on the youth's shoulder and bit in the rough skin.
Recognising the call for attention, the youth fed the last bit of the apple to the bird. The young woman smiled at her brother, and the sibling wondered what there was to smile about.
"We should go," he said, pushing himself from the fence and dusting off his leather tunic. The raven shrieked in agreement. When his sister failed to respond, the youth's frown deepened and he gave her an annoyed look.
"Thom, do we really have to?" the older sibling asked, giving her brother a shy look. She embraced the chestnut mare, as though the animal needed to be protected against an invisible danger lurking nearby.
Thom sighed and crossed his arms. "Look, we talked about this yesterday. You agreed. Now let's get out of here."
After making a vague gesture and heaving a sigh, the young woman submitted to her brother's will. She checked the mare's saddle before smoothly climbing on the animal's back. Slower and more careful, Thom followed and held onto his sister's shoulders for support.
Both a raven and the sun followed the siblings as they rode east, continuing their search.
I never got so close to finishing a story as this one. I'll be damned if I leave BoS to die, even if it takes me years to finish. Gah!