Epiloge

It was another perfect night. Stormy black clouds all but covered the sliver of a moon as they shone down into the clearing. The boy, Eros, walked towards where he canvas had been several nights before, his head hung slightly.

Another perfect picture. Another perfect moment.

Another perfect girl.

Upon entering the clearing, he was shocked to see the girl again. She was stretched out in the grasses her swords usually circled, each one of the deadly weapons placed on her in a different possition. He was horrified to notice the blood on the swords... but her voice calmed his nerves.

"This is a ritual, boy," she said mutely. "It is to cleanse my mind and soul of the distractions you have brought upon them... do what you want and leave, and stay quiet."

Eros watched her, entranced. Would he leave? He stepped closer... it became apparent that her skin was bare beneath the weapons, and blushing he stopped. He carefully eyed over her frame...

Her hair was let loose, flowing around her almost like a blanket, and her back was arched from the knives that wove behind her back and over both her arms. Her gentle breathing threatened several stilettos to fall, yet amasingly they stayed.

"Who's making you do this?" he asked.

"The Riders," was her answer. "Conquest, War, Famine, and Death. I come from the house of Famine, and no distractions shall ever keep me from my duty to the Faithe."

Eros eyed her skin again. It was almost sickly and pale, stretched translusent over her bones. Famine indeed.

"You don't eat much, do you?" he stated more then asked.

"The Riders' strength is channelled through me. I don't need to eat. Now be quiet... your interrupting the ritual."

Eros stayed silent. He leaned his back against a tree and watched her closed eyes for what seemed like hours... why had some 'Rider' forced her to do this? Why couldn't she be distracted? What was so important that she could not speak?

"Leave, child," her voice rang out suddenly, making him jump. His stare grew more intense. "Leave."

With a sigh he nodded, though she could not see, and left. He paused just outside the clearing, straining his ears. When he was sure he heard nothing, he continued to walk away.

Only once on his way home did he stop again; when he heard horse hooves in the distance.