Roland had gone into the woods. He'd been curious about why those who lived here spoke of it in hushed voices. Something was out there. A force. A presence. He hardly could believe something would be there and not come for them eventually.

He'd walked most of the morning, finding nothing. He'd gotten lost when the canopy thickened, tall firs climbing high. He expected to eventually find a demon. Instead, he saw sunlight and walked out onto the shore not far from where he'd entered. Odd, and he was certain he'd not gone in a circle.

He saw the woman in the sand above the waterline where the sand and round rocks had gentle water lapping up the shore. She appeared to be shaking, and she was no one he'd seen. He went to investigate.

"Past high noon, sai," he said. "I greet you with the warmth of the sun."

That was, he thought, an appropriate greeting, even though it was barely above freezing.