Snow Crest, Alistar and Flora's Cottage.
The night was completely still over Snow Crest.
The sky above the little cottage was clear and dark, scattered with stars and illuminated by a crescent moon.
Flora had fallen asleep easily that evening, the deep sleep of an old woman who had spent the day on her feet, and she had expected to stay that way until morning.
Until she heard a sound.
She stirred in her bed, eyelids fluttering open at the sound of soft, broken sobbing coming from down the hall.
She lay still for a moment, heart already tightening, then pushed the covers aside and slipped her feet into her worn slippers.
The crying grew louder as she walked slowly toward Maya's room.
When she reached the doorway, she pushed it open and saw her granddaughter, Maya, huddled in the centre of her bed.
The young girl's small shoulders were shaking as she stared out the window.
Flora's chest ached at the sight.
