The Gate (1 of 1)

4.5k word count, set after Falnight

Fairlark hoped that she had dreamt the knock at her door. Nothing good had ever come of a unexpected midnight knock, nothing good that could not wait until dawn. It was too late and too cold for things to be well.

The second knock came. Louder, more urgent. Fairlark had to answer it now.

Reluctantly she left the warmth of her bed and her husband, wrapped her dressing gown around herself, and lit a candle with a gentle touch to its wick as she went to the door. There was a third knock before she reached it. Through the stained glass at the top, she saw Falnight, alone, without his furs or hood.

Fairlark opened the door and asked him, “What are you doing?”

“I did something wrong,” he said.

Now Fairlark truly wished she had dreamt the knocking.

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