Prologue

High above the snow-capped peaks hung a molten ball of gas that emitted rays of light and heat earthwards. Shafts of sunlight basked the Alps in gold, but its blistering heat was soon dispelled. The east wind blew with severe intensity, carrying the chill from the forbidding silvery mountain tops that swept down into the lush grounds of a sparsely unpopulated valley. It ruffled yellowing patches of grass that swayed helplessly in its passage, the many little heads of pale jonquils and narcissus that littered the ground bobbing furiously in return. Heedless of its power, the wind tore on past countless ribbons of clear streams that all headed in the same direction. Alongside them were wild shrubs of varying stunning shades and looming trees centuries old that had given shade to many a traveller, and still did. But despite their individual qualities they too served one purpose for the house that appeared carved out of nature.

In truth it was part of the surrounding mountains that dipped in and out of the valley and the creeping plants that grew aided much in concealing its presence. Made of stone tirelessly worn down by wind, a rough semblance of a house could be detected only by careful scrutiny, when one knew what one sought. The rivers gently curved in to join at a point just before flowing as one into the west side of the courtyard, thus establishing a dependable source of water for its few occupants. The house, as it was known, in all its unusual history had never experienced more than a handful of people within its compound at one time and even then, those folks were rarely seen. Occasionally they would stay for a whole season, but never more than that, and their visits were infrequent at best. Little surprise, the nearest pathway was miles away, the going increasingly treacherous until one reached the threshold of nature's unspoken paradise.

It was now that a lone traveller did attempt to bypass the barriers that blocked his path into the valley. He had enough self-preservation & experience to know that a strong sense of self-belief needed to be maintained to continue down the steep and mercilessly hard slopes, a single misstep threatening to prove fatal. His blue eyes, however, were locked steadily onto the large bluish-grey mere located so desperately close to him. Deep ragged breaths whistled through his flared nostrils and parched throat, the recollection of the taste of sweet fresh water startling clear in his mind. He was driven by an inner force that threw caution to the wind as he foolishly began to hasten his steps, ignoring portends of little clusters of pebbles clattering down the edge. The sky above began to darken to a velvet black but the desperate traveller ignored it, including his finely honed sense of knowing when being observed by many eyes & the fact that he was being controlled by a potentially dangerous primitive instinct. No, he could not care less at the moment in time - a truly regrettable move.

Feet planted firmly on the edge of the slope, another man clothed in drabs awaited in silence. His movements were economical & precise, his posture leaning on arrogance, confident of his knowledge regarding the terrain. He knew better than to be taken in by the valley's picturesque view, uncomfortably aware of traps that nature grew in abundance, like a sort of spreading, contaminable disease. Deceptively bright flowers that killed upon contact, sweet scents from budding plants that could knock any person out within minutes were but a small handful of worries that continually plagued his mind. It never did to underestimate nature. But that wasn't what had the hunter's deadly focus just then. No. He was meticulous in all aspects of his life & eliminated pitfalls as a career. He trained his eyes on the now scrambling figure not more than paces from his position with a thoughtful frown.

The hunter was feeling merciful himself. Calloused hands casually notching the arrow in place, he allowed a small smile of anticipation to creep onto his weathered features. The dying afternoon light reflected off the metal end of his arrow, lighting the hard planes of his face in an intimidating angle. His sharp eyes followed the frantic movements of the traveller all the while scouting the area for other trespassers, melting into the lengthening shadows that ruined the former impression of safety the valley had depicted. Before long, he knew the valley would be completely shrouded in darkness and silence, haunted only by the shrill calls of nightlife. He had to hurry.

Slipping closer to the prey, he further noted the worn clothing ill-suited to the valley, expensively cut and of the latest fashion. The hunter experienced only momentary regret for this needless slaughter, wondering all the while what his actions would set in motion. Abruptly, an eagle appeared in the sky, its broad wingspans bringing it closer down into the valley. These days much news had to be exchanged and thus its presence did not cause undue worry as before. In his mind he saw himself as the eagle in soaring flight, talons razor sharp and free. He tensed slightly in anticipation. And as the traveller straightened from his deep gulps of water to look around, it was then that Vernon Hanerston opened fire.

A shrill scream odd coming from such an aged fellow sent tiny shivers down his back. He called himself twenty kinds of names for having taken an involuntarily wary step back but nevertheless, small beads of sweat broke out across his back. It had gone neatly into the back of the head, and a still quavering arrow was firmly logged in the intestines. The traveller's death had been swift and clean, thankfully. He nodded his head in unspoken approval. Now came only the dirty task of dragging the corpse back and incinerating it. No doubt his accomplice would have much to say and it would not include practical hands-on matters.

He could not help stifle a sigh of boredom. Perfection was such a hard thing to claim.

Further off on the balcony of the house stood a figure silhouetted against the darkening surroundings who reached up with a hand swathed in thick leather for the eagle to land. Gently prying away the message with another pale smooth hand, the human gave the letter a quick scan before sending the eagle back on its way. The frown was invisible on the face that remained hidden behind a mask before the illicit missive was burned.

Destiny beckoned…