Prologue
Goblets clinking in merry toasts, a great hall blazing in fiery warmth, every dish imaginable laid out upon a magnificent table, and at table's head, presiding over all, there sits a young prince whose demeanor couldn't match his surroundings less.
"Yo, Sojiro!" he shouts, "I can't stop thinking about that commoner who had the audacity to splash mud on my boots. I dare say breaking his nose wasn't enough."
A dark-haired man of noble birth pauses in the managing of his female companions, and replies "Oh let it go! The night is young, there is women and drink, why fret when all a man needs lies before you?"
"Hear hear!" enjoins a second companion. "When will you grow out of these tantrums?" he sighs as he tucks a lock of wavy hair behind one ear. He turns to the tall figure of a bard leaning sleepily against the fireplace, "Rui, quit nodding off and play a song to put our prince here in good humor!"
With cat-like grace, the once dozing bard stretches, produces his violin, and begins a mournful dirge.
"Don't test me, you bastards," the prince grinds through his teeth. "Maybe I'll send him one of my scarlet roses, and then we'll see how he likes a reign of terror." His empty eyes send a cold shiver down the spines of his companions.
Thus occupied, our prince fails to notice the ominous dancing of the shadows on the walls, the hollow tick tick ticking of the grandfather clock, and his ancient housekeeper approaching his side.
"Sire, there is an old woman at the kitchen door, demanding to see you."
"You're one to talk, you old hag. Why bring this to me?"
"She's very persistent, and she…," there is a pause as the housekeeper weighs her words, "She mentioned your mother."
At that the young prince leaps up, brows furrowed in anger. "I'll deal with her myself, Tama," he growls as he storms out of the hall and through his castle. Maids scatter like autumn leaves as he barrels through the kitchen and flings open the door to a gust of wind and snow.
There before him, in the frozen garden, is an ugly old woman in a coarse common cloak. A quick glance reveals a back bent over from years of hardship, warts and scars dotting her mottled face, and skeletal hands reaching out to him.
"Gah! Don't touch me, bitch!" he cries, smacking her arms away.
Still she implores, "Please, won't you help a poor soul on such a cold night?" She reaches into her cloak to pull out a single, red rose. "All I can offer is this flower, please take it and give me a little food and shelter."
"I have greenhouses full of finer flowers! What have I to do with a commoner like you?" he spits. "Get out of my sight!"
Straightening suddenly, the old woman flings her cloak off her back. The prince's eyes widen in disbelief as grey hair turns to a rich chestnut brown, wrinkled skin becomes glassy smooth, cold lips are reddened, and before him stands a beautiful and terrifying enchantress.
"Shizuka Todo!" exclaims the prince, dropping to a respectful knee, "I didn't recognize you. If I had known, there is no way I would dare cross such a one as you. Forgive me!"
"Vincit qui se vincit!"* she cries, raising her hand skyward through the swirling snow. "Oh, pitiful creature with no love in your heart! Since birth I have watched you grow violent and wild. Today be revealed and see yourself as you truly are."
Upraised arm then flying earthwards, conducting unseen magics in a series of intricate motions she proclaims:
"Beast within, now beast without.
Continue in this lonely drought,
'til common weed cracks heart of stone
and deigns to offer up its own.
And for three nights beloved behold,
Not with eye of flesh, but with eye of soul."
A crack of blinding light flashes across the sky, and all is plunged into darkness.
*He conquers who conquers himself.