Moonlight shines in to the eerie dark bluish green forest where black horse of mysterious rider gallop fast pace towards, whom The horrified hunters are trying to avoid.

Hunters run from it, they are absolutely unaware of the mysterious rider's plans who drapes something in his arms with his black velvet cloak.

The edge of the forest looms before the hunters and they quicken their pace, hoping that the Rider would leave them alone when they had left his territory.

But hope slumped as the Rider's horse jumped over the heads of the Hunters, preventing them from exiting the forest.

They waited for their deaths or agony, but neither came.

Instead they got the shock of the lifetime.

Mysterious Rider talked to them; for the first time.

HUNTER

I braced myself for painful and agonizing death. But it never came. I was confused when it didn't happen what I was thinking. And by judging others, they were thinking the same.

I winced when I heard black rider dismount from his steed. I raised my head and my eyes widened for the surprise. I have never seen rider or even bother to confront him or it for of my fear of what he can do; kill, torture, I don't know what I waited for, if I would encounter The Rider. But my mind told that it wouldn't be any good if I confront Him.

But that wasn't the thing that surprised me, it was the way how Rider was dressed; I haven't never seen anything like it.

Rider was dressed in black velvet cloak which shimmers in dark blue and dark emerald green color complexions when light hits it. He has also scale designed black dark emerald green color tone going armor and blackish brown boots that stops a bit over mid-calves.

The only thing that covers Riders face is his cloak hood, covering half of his fair skin. The thing that caught my eye is his eyes that nothing less, glows in emerald green color under his hood which make him look even scarier and unnatural than he already is.

He opened his mouth to speak, but his voice was not what I expected. I don't really know what I expected; maybe vacuous polyphonic voice which is rasp. (cliché)

"Your better be staying still where you are, I am not really in playful mood right now."

My mouth fell wide open. Man's voice, really, most scared person in whole world, was anything else than scary and horror bringing. Instead his voice was gentle, soft, tender, mellow and calm.

Then I notice something strange. 'have he hurt his arm or something, it looks like… it looks like he's carrying something!?'

Rider notice that I look in his arms and starts laughing, laughing. Incredible.

"I notice that you have already realized the reason why I came after you."

All of us are right now confused, 'what he is carrying if it's the reason why he came after us'

Then he started to approach towards me. I am freezed in my spot. Even if I have heard his voice and maybe little bit mock at it (metaphorically), still, this guy for sure didn't get his reputation for nothing!

He stopped only foot far from me, and then started smiling. 'Okayy… this is starting to be getting more and more weirder. Then he started to lower with his other hand his cloak down from the thing what is in his arms. Only for it to reveal to be a young little girl with fiery red hair which is putted in ponytail and to be dressed in dark blue dress.

That we were shocked; is understatement! Little girl however merely stayed calm when she sleeps peacefully in rider's arms.

"Your better promise that you take care of her and make sure she does not get hurt. Or else! Is it clear!

I look at girl my eyes wide when he said beginning in gentle and soft voice. Then when I looked his face it started to change from gentle and kind to angry in next sentence. His voice downright oozed rage and right then I knew that if that girl would happen anything, I would pay for it dearly and he would make sure of it when he stretches out the little girl towards in my arms.

I open my mouth only to shut it again. I stretch out my hands to take the girl in my arms all the while nodding my head, to make known that I have fully understood his words. And I would try to keep the promise that I would give when I take child in my arms.

SIX YEARS LATER

I look out of the window and I see nine-year-old girl laughing with her friends on the grass. Girl has fiery red wavy hair that she usually keeps on high ponytail with dark blue pompom. Smile win its way in my old face when I watch girl enjoying of her life; and unaware of her real lineage.

I watch sleeping little girl in my arms confused. So young girl that was short time ago in feared Riders gentle arms and embrace. I open my mouth ask for one thing, but Rider beat me before it, answering my question as if he had read my mind.

"Her name is Mira."

Rider's voice radiates and floods of love when he says girl's name. It got me thinking. 'Is he this girl's father?' Never in my knowing have been person who would talk with that kind of love something else than beloved's and his/her children's. I look at him only to be seeing him looking at girl with that loving gaze that can only be described the way only father's uses. (But little did I know. He was in other words something else than father for the girl.) Rider only nods his head in the end and came step closer to kiss the girl's forehead and then only to evaporate (literally) a puff of dark green smoke into the air. Sad smile never leaving of his face.

I start to concentrate again to watch for Mira, watching her playing on the grass with her friends. Her past is interesting and confusing, but I think that Rider probably wants to see his little girl again.

And Mira has to some point confront her shadows of the past, sorrows and demons. But… is it in near future or later? It can never know.

Rider watch's the hunters go out of the forest with Mira with them, and they look very confused. But the Rider starts nonetheless to smile.

"Have a safe journey, little one."

Then he turns and disappears in the shadows only his cloak fluttering behind him. Promising himself that he would never show up but still be feeding the village without their knowing together with blessing for village good prosperity.