In the darkness, she will find you. You can choose not to believe what I'm
telling you, but it is so. Don't stray far from your tent at night. Put
your fires out when the sun goes down. Always sleep with your bow next to
you, my ducklings. Keep yourselves safe, especially in the forest.
Especially in this forest.
Lady Night will find you. She rides on a mare of flames, a small and nimble horse. Her hair is made of the same flames that light her horse. Her gray sword will flash and kill you if she so pleases.
She pleases very often; for Lady Night has a temper, one of the most ferocious in all of Tortall, save mine, my ducklings. Should she appear to you, be kind, very, very kind. You don't want her to make an example of you.
Her eyes twinkle with the light of stars and ancient Goddesses, light purple, like the reflection of a new moon on a starry lake. Those eyes enchant you, bewitch you, turn you in for treason, and never let you go. Believe me, ducklings, never look at Lady Night's eyes. You will never return.
People say that a few centuries ago, Lady Night appeared on Earth. She spelled the Good King Jonathan, and he was never the same. But he lived, and why is this? Yes, ducklings, because he had the strength. You all are but children, and could not stand her forces. It is, however, said that Lady Night favors children, and will not kill them right away. If you see her hesitate to go after you, take her before she takes you.
My ducklings, I tell you this tale to protect you, to keep you out of harm's way. Heed my warning to you all. Don't be frightened to go to sleep, whatever you do. Sleep soundly, my ducklings, this night may be your last. Now scat!
~:~
The old man waited for the children to leave, then looked at the new moon and cackled.
"It gets them every time."
Lady Night will find you. She rides on a mare of flames, a small and nimble horse. Her hair is made of the same flames that light her horse. Her gray sword will flash and kill you if she so pleases.
She pleases very often; for Lady Night has a temper, one of the most ferocious in all of Tortall, save mine, my ducklings. Should she appear to you, be kind, very, very kind. You don't want her to make an example of you.
Her eyes twinkle with the light of stars and ancient Goddesses, light purple, like the reflection of a new moon on a starry lake. Those eyes enchant you, bewitch you, turn you in for treason, and never let you go. Believe me, ducklings, never look at Lady Night's eyes. You will never return.
People say that a few centuries ago, Lady Night appeared on Earth. She spelled the Good King Jonathan, and he was never the same. But he lived, and why is this? Yes, ducklings, because he had the strength. You all are but children, and could not stand her forces. It is, however, said that Lady Night favors children, and will not kill them right away. If you see her hesitate to go after you, take her before she takes you.
My ducklings, I tell you this tale to protect you, to keep you out of harm's way. Heed my warning to you all. Don't be frightened to go to sleep, whatever you do. Sleep soundly, my ducklings, this night may be your last. Now scat!
~:~
The old man waited for the children to leave, then looked at the new moon and cackled.
"It gets them every time."