The flames leapt to life. As each torch lowered to the straw covered roofs, another home erupted in fire, quickly eating away at the dry fuels. The sound of people screaming could be heard over the crackling of burning wood and the clattering of iron-shod hooves on the cobbled streets. As people ran, trying to escape the deadly flames, they were cut off by the black-clad warriors astride steeds of midnight. The people were quickly herded into small groups guarded by a few warriors, where they huddled together, fearful eyes reflecting the orange tongues of fire that slowly devoured their only home.
A young woman paused on the hill above the village to look back once, then turned away and resumed her panicked flight. Her dark brown hair, normally tied neatly back in an efficient bun was dragging itself loose, and fell in straggles around her face. Her eyes were filled with terror as she crested the hill, clutching her bundle to her breast.
To the edge of the forest she ran, her skirts clinging to her legs and threatening to trip her up. Silently, she swore that if she lived through this, never again would she wear a skirt, no matter what the other woman whispered. She reached the sanctuary of the trees and knelt slowly. Carefully, she laid the bundle down at the foot of a tree. She rose to her feet, casting a last glance down at the tangle of blankets, she turned and fled. As she again reached the top of the hill, she heard the muted thudding of hooves on grass, then the guttural shout as one of the figures spotted her. She turned, fear in her eyes to see him racing after her, froth flying from the mouth of his horse. Quickly, she spun around in the opposite direction from the woods and took off, running as fast as her legs could carry her. But the warrior quickly caught up with her, and with one strong arm, grabbed her roughly up and carried her across his horse’s withers back to the village. She chanced one look back behind her at the receding forest as she was carried back and a tear slid down her cheek as her sensitive ears picked up the faint sound of an infant’s cry.