Deep within the winter woods my feet walked soft on fallen leaves. There I was shrouded in mist, the fog that clouded the dreaming eye, ready to crumble, to weary for tears, seeking out my way to die. On I traveled to a place one goes to seek out the truths only ancient gods know. I dreamt of peace, of lonely space which I only found in this cool, dreary place. The breath of morning was crisp to my lungs, and a tickle of wind waved my hair about in thin waves of a moonlit shadow. I shivered from the brush of cold, yet my footsteps never faltered. I continued onward. Towards emptiness perhaps, or to a truth long lost. I did not know where my scarred feet would take me, nor where my hands would guide me. I did not know what my cure was, or even if I’d find it on my lonesome way amid the ancient, barren trees. I wondered. Yes, I wondered much. I had many questions that needed answered. And who was to teach me these hidden things of our past? Who could shine a hopeful light on who we really were? I asked for where I had come from, and where it was I should go? I asked if my life will melt away like the last of winter’s snow? Again I marched, like a soldier in arms. Steadfast I walked, my head held with pride, waiting for Death to stand at my side. Will he come?

“Will you come?” I whispered

Young one, come… I turned my dark eyes to find the voice that broke my eerie calm. I spun about and searched with focused attention. The aura of misery about me faded as swiftly as the rising dawn and my wariness fanned out behind me as wings mounted on my back. Raven feathers pierced the dreary fog with their looming hue of midnight’s deepest hour. Feathers that were ruffled, mussed, tattered and torn formed a protective shield around me. Wings that were broken and gnarled beat in powerful defiance to show that behind my weary eyes I am a warrior of a goddess. Through the fog’s distorting wall I made out a figure between the trees. I could not see, but I could smell it on that being, that thing, that source of harrowing dreams. That stench of woman’s greatest threat: a man.

Lonely, fading little one. That strong voice whispered through the mist. His voice was warm yet it pawed my mind leaving me restless and fearful. Yes, quite fearful indeed. You’ll find me beneath a hallow tree. Release your load and sit with me.

“Tell me, stranger, and tell me true.” I demand, my wings fanned out high. “Friend or foe. Which are you?”

Young lady, I tell you, neither am I. The voice answered as I drew closer. I’m only a traveler of wisdom and years, here to escape from the world’s empty tears. I hastened to find the stranger within the cool haze. My heart beat faster in the dance of the hunt, my eyes grew sharp as tacks, and my wings were ready to soar as I passed into a shrouded clearing. Then time seemed to stop. My heart instantly stood silent, my eyes widened and warped with tears. My wings lay limp behind me. I was frozen there in the mist, petrified like an ancient tree in absolute terror.

My widened eyes stared on shedding tears of fear as a pair of wings rose high above my head. Higher and higher they fanned up into the skeleton fingers of sleeping trees to wrap me in a heavy shadow. Those wings I could see wrapped in thorns and barbed wire even in the dark shadow of the monster’s aura. From each of the feathers on those wings dripped tar of a tainted soul and deep garnet blood. They fell from each steadfast feather and stained the quiet earth the red of a fresh battlefield. The strains of time seemed to have taken its toll, but the stormy grey eyes of a young, restless soldier burned me through the dark shadow. I was almost unable to look. What creature could produce this much power? What demon of Hades could have such corruption to taint his hallow soul? All the blood that rained from those wings…Blood… was it his own, or did the blood of the innocent taint this one’s hands?

Do not fear the shadows in the deepest of night. The strangers voice said softly. They’re only faeries, angels and ghosts by the light.

“Perhaps its so, these words you say,” I said, playing my wits, “but what angel are you to hinder my way?” I watched a sort of candle light grow. Brighter and brighter the flame glowed, filling the wretched shadow with golden firelight. I could not understand what my eyes then beheld. One would never expect to see the face of a god bearing such sinful wings.

Not angel, dear one. Just spirit. He answered, with a secretive, gentle voice. Waiting for you, a secretive child, with a story to tell, but no one to hear it.

Resting beneath the barren tree, his weary silver eyes fixed on mine, the stranger smiled up at me. The dancing candlelight filling his dark cheeks with color and a hint of soft laughter. Though he bore the resemblance to my father, a face that I sought to escape in my lonely space, he was full of wisdom, a gentle kindness, and a tender sort of grace. What I thought was malice turned to sadness. What was hate in the shadows turned to tears falling among the dead pine needles and crumbling leaves like raindrops of guilt. His hair flowed like clouds from his head and billowed around his face like smoke. Bits of leaves and twigs were caught in the strands, like seaweed in a fisherman’s net. And on his burdened shoulders he donned a robe of muslin cloth to shield his naked body from the chill of an infinite emptiness. I continued forward though all the pleas in the world bade me cease, for in his eyes I found what I believed lost: my only breath of peace.

“Spirit, are you one to hear my song?” I asked in the timid tongue of a cautious child.

Here in my arms is where you belong. My stranger answered, his firelight flittering like the wings of a butterfly. We’ll find the girl who’s been here all along.

My own dark wings flared out behind me and I beat them in warning. I stood before him, a helpless babe that dared to think I could make myself appear a bear. There was no chance that such a monster would fall for my display, but I continued. My actions empowered me as I stood strong in defense and sent that stranger all my fear and distrust to him in molten waves of energy. I waited, poised, to guard my life, but the stranger only laughed. His wings folded down to rest on his broad, scarred shoulders, and he smiled at me as the candle light he held faded into the darkened morning. My mind stopped its reeling for a moment before starting back up again. What an odd gesture for a man to give… What a playful, loving smile…

Put down your weapons and will to fight. He said with a light chuckle. Come over here, little one. I will not bite. His tone was so gentle I could not refuse. And in spite of myself I uttered a shy giggle at his humor. Even a demon among men could make me laugh? I was flabbergasted and appalled at such a concept. Again the stranger beckoned me to come to him, only this time he used no words. Like a father calling his frightened child, he lifted his burly arms and held them out to me, wordlessly pleading for my company. With timid steps I cautiously approached for though his eyes, his body, his mind and smile were so alluring, every fiber of my being bade me to flee.