Chapter 1: Interior
A man lay gasping for breath as he struggled up the mountain. His bow, steel edged arrows and knife were in their leather sheaths as he was not expecting trouble. The light powdering of snow was usual during the 13th moon of the Lioness. Everything was still and as silent as the brush of a hawks wings. A slight shifting in the snow, with the crackle of the powdered snow beneath feet made him sharply turn his head, whipping it around to face the noise. The frost coated pines swayed slightly from the movement of a passer-by. The man's breathing sped up and his heart pounded at a wild and mildly erratic pace. He reached back until his hand touched the cold wood of his bow. Bringing it round, he strung the sinew string and notched a arrow. His aim was slightly marred as his hand was quivering from fright.
"Come out or I will shoot!" he called in a nervous tone which told any one who was listening that he was completely incapable of shooting anyone. His voice trembled as he hoped no one called his bluff.
"I will give to the count of 10 to come out! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, ..8,….9,………t-t-e" the man stuttered before a beautiful golden fleeced ram stepped out of the tree. His fleece shimmered and wavered in the fading light and his countenance was nothing if not imposing.
As the man continued to stare he unknowingly relaxed his hold on the bow. The Ram charged and the man died slowly, painfully on the hill, staring with open eyes as the rain began to pour.
