Gold Dust Woman

         Long ago, life was not easy for many. Toil and sweat was a part of everyone's lives (even those who were more 'noble' and above the labor of the land). How these people survived in their world none of us know, because our own existence and survival, like theirs, hinges on the balance between luck, faith and salvation. Although our lives are no longer so simple and determined by rustic surroundings, we too, at any moment, can become no more than a whisper in oblivion. Therefore our luck, faith and salvation (which have seemed to become almost forgotten in the arrogance of our technology and modernisms) still have relevance. At all moments in our past, present and future it could have and might end in death and destruction.
         Sometimes this death and destruction is not a mere force of nature but a force of the evil that one man would force upon his brother. Since the very beginning of our existence this sort of hate, whether caused by jealousy or just lack of understanding, has plagued humankind. On the rare occasion, there is a person who surpasses in hate and evil than all others. This person is neither jealous nor consumed by the normal hate of the mediocre man; they seek only power and death.
         There are some men who are cowards and will bend over to please such tyrants, others are willing to join forces with the oppressor for a gain of their own power. Some fall against this evil, only to rise in Glory of the Lord; while the few do not fail. They rise against the demon whose only wish is to harm mankind.
         Such a tale is this: Of good and evil, of those who see in Black and White and Those who live in Color. While some things are never simple, others really aren't that complex.

The story of the Gold Dust Woman....

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Rock on ancient queen, follow those who pale in your shadow.......
Rulers make bad lovers, you better put your kingdom up for sale....
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Chapter 1
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         There was once a King who had a small kingdom of no consequence. He and his family and the generations before him were of a noble sort and had earned the respect of many Kings throughout the land. They owed their patronage to another near by kingdom of which they had a long acquaintance with. Being protected by their neighbors one would think that they had no need for an army or a navy, but as a matter of dignity one was needed. Whenever anything was needed (every couple generations) usually a small group of soldiers were sent over.
         Although to the west, south and east they were entirely protected, to the north there was a wilderness of such wildness that none passed through. To be honest, in the center of the woods was the King's hunting lodge in which he entertained guests. He didn't want the peasants and servants traveling there and disrupting the game, so they just told everybody that it was scary and gypsies and thieves lived there. No one dared enter.
         Even though the hunting lodge now existed for pleasure, long ago it was a look out point for the Kings long ago. In the center of the forest there was a hill and a lookout tower that if one went up, one could see for miles and miles. In previous times the northerners were not so civilized and friendly. Old ghost stories circled about women and children who disappeared, men who were killed, and the occasional princess who was stolen in those woods.
         Anyways, back the King. The king was a good man, but was disappointed in his luck. His family was entirely made up of women. His wife, who could no longer have children, had bore him three daughters. Although he loved his children and wife, he was always in the want of a son. To the dismay of all of his advisors (who's only thoughts were that of an heir) he never took another woman but instead settled for a dog in the place of a boy. On the other end of his bad luck was that the Royal treasury was not so large as it had once been. Unfortunately he had a grandfather who could not control his spending. This grandfather wanted to impress the neighboring kings (and his own ego) by building a forest lodge half the size of the castle and sending many young men on travels to far of places. The small country that had little money anyways was almost broke.
         Much of the country worked the same as they had for generations, it was the just the royalty that suffered. No far of expensive trips for the wife and kids; average painters were brought in instead of the worlds finest. Fortunately the only ones who knew that the treasury was very very very very small were the King and Queen and only the closest of the advisors and royal court. The three princesses had no idea.
         As it is typical in any royal family the youngest princess was the sweetest and most beautiful of the three. As a babe her cheeks were the rosiest hue, her eyes were as blue as the sky and her curly locks were the color of sunshine. Before she was born her mother wished for a daughter of the fairest hair and thus named the babe Gwendolyn. The other two, well the next one who was commendable was the eldest. She was also very pretty with silky auburn hair and a smile that would make the heavens shine. The second child was as ordinary and mediocre as any servant's babe and not much thought was given to her. In typical middle-child fashion she was slightly ignored and in her loneliness and bitterness her anger towards her family grew.
         And this is where are story begins: King and Queen, three princesses, a dog and a Kingdom.

Chapter 2
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         Lessons were typically easy for the alpha and the omega. The tutors had no problem with them. With ease they learned the subjects and were compliant when asked to do the work. The red haired child took well to numbers, and little miss sunshine (as her father called her) found writing her favorite. As for the second, she was too wild to be tamed. While her sisters were kind a sweet, even over things that they did not like, her temper would flare and it would almost seem as if sparks of fire flew from her hair. "I want to go play" she would often say or "This is boring, why can't we go chase fairies!". "Silly girl," the instructors would reply, "there are no such things as fairies" or "Foolishness is your way Princess". Uncontrolable and willful as she was, her tutors mocked her and instead of calling her Lilianna they branded her Lilith hoping to make her see the error in her ways. Unfortunately Lilianna hated Lilianna and took instantly to Lilith and demanded with her temper that everyone call her by her new name.
         Years would go by in this fashion. Lilith would spend hours in idleness. Sometimes she would disappear for hours. She would eventually return (much later than was fit for a princess) without any explanation as to where she went. Unhappiness plagued the child and to fill the void she tormented her sisters. Pulling hair and bulling wasn't always her way, but if something happen or said that she didn't like, she found it easily enough to hurt them.
         Whatever love there had been between the King and Queen and their middle child had dissolved. Both people, although were kind, were also shallow. They cared more for appearance, and since their other children's demeanor reflected their looks, they knew that the same must be true for the other. In sooth, there was much actually in what they thought. As much has everyone tried to set aside her looks, Lilith was horrible; horrible in face, horrible in character.
         Time passed and the world turned. Everyone grew older and eventually the sixteenth birthday of the Princess Julia was upon the family and an announcement was made that she was old enough to be courted. Princes and Dukes, Barons and noblemen came from far and wide to see the fair maiden; some were handsome and fair, others rich and scabby.
         While Gwendolyn found happiness for her sister with the ever-increasing amount of gentlemen who arrived at the castle, for Lilith it meant mischief. Being only 9, it was hard for her to behave, especially when there was so much fun to have. Some of the Gentlemen were kind, while others were truly terrible. Anything to do them damage was enjoyment for her.
         After dressing, eating a small breakfast and being as difficult as it was possible for a young maiden, Lilith went to the royal court yard to see what sort of trouble she could start there. Many young men were there sitting with Julia. Some were feigning their love for poetry while others were telling of their battles whether in war or with some supernatural being.
         "If love be lofty,
         then love will be untrue
         because love that is lofty
         will make lovers blue..." started one noble who bowed deeply and then tripped at the end of the poem.
         "And then I slayed the dragon. I cut him from navel to neck..." finished another who imitated his fight.
         "What a bunch of idiots..." Lilith said to her self, as she hid under the great stone arches that lead to the courtyard.
         "All too true." said a voice.
         "Who are you?" She replied and turned around to see who it was. Standing before her was a boy of 16 or 17, who although was older, did not look much older than Lilith herself. His face was half hidden in the darkness as if he were afraid to reveal his form.
         "I am the Prince Elroy! Who did you think I am you knave? Why are you laughing? My father is the King of Fincarn. Why are you still laughing? We are your neighbors....." he stopped speaking because he couldn't take it anymore. Lilith was laughing so hard that it was starting to draw attention.
         "Your name is Elroy? Who would ever be named Elroy?." Lilith continued to laugh for quite some time. When she finished he asked her a question but his tone wasn't so friendly: "Well then, whom are you miss high and mighty? I might add, that although my name is not so grand, as least my face isn't so plain and coarse."
         "I am the Princess Lilith, sister of the Princess Julia. This is my father's kingdom." she said in a hurt and sober voice. The boy seemed to know the best location for insults.
         "I thought your name was Lilianna?" he asked drawing himself out of the darkness.
         "It is. But I don't like it so they call me Lilith." She studied him deeply. He seemed to be thinking on something. Then suddenly he replied: "Why would you want to be called that? It means witch. It's a cursed name. You would only call someone that if you really hated them." and then he started to laugh, but it wasn't as hard. Actually, it was really snobby and fake.
         "Ha ha ha," she replied mocking his laugh. "SO what are you doing here, you are obviously too young to court my sister."
         "I am here with my cousin. My mother and father thought it would be good if I got out of Fincarn and saw part of the world. Of course, this isn't what I would consider part of the world I would want to see." He waved his arm and gave a look of deep dissatisfaction.
         "Thanks. Which one is your cousin?"
         "He is the one over by the tree."
         "You mean the one who has been standing there for over an hour and hasn't said anything?"
         "That’s the one. He's shy. I don't even know why we came. Its not like he is even going to talk to anyone."
         "Well, with this bunch of idiots, its probably better to keep your mouth shut. Silence is golden."
         "All too true. Now why don't you go play with your dolls somewhere and leave me alone.."
         "I don't play with dolls. If you must know I spend my summer afternoons making flower dresses for the fairies."
         "Oh really," started the Prince. He wasn't going to say any more insults, he promised himself, but this was too much to resist. "And the fairies, how can they, the most beautiful of all beings dote upon you when your own kind is scared to look upon you?"
         Lilith turned and walked away. She knew the boy was watching her, but she didn't want him to know. There was a dark side that always awoke in her whenever she thought about how she looked or who she was....Only a tear escaped her eye.
         Days went by with no evale. Julia neither picked herself a husband nor did Lilith behave any better. Hours were spent in mischief.
         On one particular night during the early autumn, when the nights were becoming chilly and the leaves were beginning to turn, Lilith had wandered outdoors into the fields and woods. Upon going to bed, she had seen a funny light from her room. It had intrigued her. It shined from the forest and her curiosity got the better of her. She managed to sneak out. Hours went by and after finally reaching the woods, it was entirely dark. She walked deeper into the woods. She kept looking for the odd light, golden with a hint of white.
         After a while of looking, she finally realized she must have been crazy, even for herself. Wandering in the woods, late at night without an escort, and without a clue where she was. She had finally realized how stupid she had been. She had not only realized she was lost, but also that it was too dark to see.
         She tried to find her way back, only to discover she was getting deeper into the woods. Lilith decided to turn around. Out of nowhere a glimmer caught her eye. Once again, her curiosity ran away with her. She decided to follow. The faster she walked, the faster the glimmer moved. She could barely keep up with it, until she had lost it.
         For once the child had become truly scared. She had no idea where she was at, and she was more lost than she had ever been. Tears started to flow down her face as she became truly aware of how lost she was.
         "Child don't cry".
         The most warm and soothing thing had come over Lilith. It was as if the warmest and most soothing breeze had come over her and taken everything terrible in her life away from her.
         "Child don't cry".
         At this point she looked up, only to discover that the most beautiful woman was standing tall before her. A light seemed to radiate from her. Gold and silver hues surrounded the woman, but amazingly enough, none of that light reflected on anything surrounding her.
         "Child don't cry. You have a hard road before you. Change is in the air."
         And at that the woman disappeared. Lilith could not believe the vision before her. Not only had the most beautiful creature in the world stood before her, but she also led her to the opening of the woods, from whence she could faintly see the castle. Swearing she had seen a fairy, she sprinted back with her proof to inform her father.
         She ran and ran until her chubby legs could no longer carry her. She managed to sneak into the gates, and from that point into the castle. Finally she reached the throne room where she knew her father would be.
         "Father Father Father".
         "...that should settle the payment and do i sign here?"
         "Father" she said.
         "Not now". The King returned to his writing. Seeing her father's lack of attention, Lilith turned to go. "Lilith, its best that you stay, i have something to tell you. Sit in the chair by the hearth."
         "Lilianna," he said has he walked over and sat in the chair opposite of her, "of late, your behavoir has been getting out of hand. Running away tonight, causing problems with Julia's suitors and other things that are beyond resonable for a child and a girl. We can not control you. And I am sorry to say, to try and control you is beyond my and your mother's patience. We've decided to send you away".
         Lilith's demenor had changed from the moment her father told her to sit down. She had known something was up, her father rarely spoke to her about anything, so whatever it was, it was important. The moment he informed her that they were sending her off, her heart skipped a beat.
         "You are being sent tommorrow to the convent in Lancalire.."
         "But thats over 300 miles away..."
         "YOU will close your mouth and listen. You are leaving tommorrow with Monsieur de Pompalay. He is the correspondant for the nunnery. You will leave here in the morning. You will take only 2 dresses and a nightgown, 1 pair of shoes and anything else that will able to be carried in your small bag. You will leave tommorrow without a scene and without any problems, understood?"
         "Yes father. But why all of this, what have a done?"
         Angerily the King stood up and walked over to his desk. "If you must know, I recieved a letter today from a Prince informing me of his reasons for not choosing your sister. The main one being you. Upon seeing your antics and wildness he assumed that your sisters must be the same. I am thankful for this letter. I will no longer allow you to ruin things for this family....Just leave and get to your chambers".
         The night passed by quietly for Lilith. Her young mind and heart did not absolutely understand what had passed. In her own heart, all she knew was that she was being thrown out, and quiet possibly, never to return. She tried to rest. She laid on her bed, but she couldn't sleep. Within a matter of moments, the most amazing and worst thing had happened to her. Happiness and depression were side by side in her heart. But all she really felt was despair.
         The night passed with fitful sleep for Lilith. She woke before the sun and packed her things. Typically she would have had a servant do it, but she had no desire to be with anyone. She was entirely consumed with loneliness.
         She packed only what her father told her, no more no less. She took to toys, no books or nothing special. Lilith ate no breakfast, and upon finally being ready, she parted her room for what would seem forever to her new life. She entered the carriage; none of her family had come to wish her farewell, and she saw no one the morning before she left. She quietly left and never looked back to the life she left behind.
         Years would pass before she would ever return to her home. The child who left would be replaced by a woman when she returned.


Chapter 3

         The convent was no happy place, but neither was it terrible. It sat high in the mountains away from the rest of the universe. It allowed the people of that place to think and ponder on the world. Here, an idenity meant nothing. A peasant was an equal to a princess. Everyone's past lives were nothing.
         Lilith grew quiet and still during this time. She rarely spoke and mainly focused on her studies. She neither played with the other children nor did anything for amusement. She had been entirely changed by her father's confession.
         She first wondered when she would be brought home, but year after year she still remained. Other children left, people came and went and yet she remained. She sometimes worked on embroidery or read books, other times she helped the nuns in the garden. She learned much and spoke little. The thing she liked to do most was to heard the sheep. Amazingly enough, she found the walls of the convent confining and sometimes noisy. She preferred to be out in the valley tending to the flocks, watching them graze on the emerald grasses.
         Hours became days, days became weeks, weeks became months and eventually the months became years in those green valleys. The girl named Lilith became the woman named Lilianna. No letters came and neither did any news. Letters upon letters were sent out, but none were answered. Eventually she gave up her letters. Coldness surrounded her empty heart like the cold winter night's wind across the mountain tops. Her silences worried the nuns, of whom cared more for her than that of her family. They who knew the greatest depts of heavenly love, easily saw the barren and superficial relationships of royal families. They understood her quietness completely and eventually left it alone.
         Four years after she had given up hope of contact and nine years total in isolation, she finally heard contact from the outside world. It was unexpected by all, but the surpise of guest was enjoyment for many of the children and a few of the nuns.
         Lilianna had spent much of the morning and afternoon tending the flocks, skipping stones at a lake and singing to herself. Upon seeing the blazing sunset she called the dogs and brought the animals in. After closing the barn she walked into the dining hall to a suprise. What was typically full of old nuns and children was in place filled with men.
         Her eyes wide, she searched for someone that she new: a sister or another child; none were there. A matter of seconds passed until she realized that she wasn't the only one stairing. All of the men had stopped eating and were piercing her with their gaze. All the men were scruffy with beards and tangled dirty long hair. Their eyes appeared to be those which had never seen a woman, which searched her form for anything that appeared feminine.
         Upon seeing their eyes, she turned away out of fear and akwardness. Lilianna, although not a fabulous beauty, had lost most of her childhood looks. Her life at the santuary, although simple, had done more for her than a life at court would have. The gardening, cleaning and herding gave her exercise which diminshed her plumpness. The time spent in the sun evened her skin. Her total time there made her appear entirely exotic and different from most women. More than anything, it was the solitude that entirely changed her face. To be exact, it was her eyes, which seemed almost wild because of the lack of human contact. They gave a sense of her distance and mistrust of others. More than anything they told of her searching of love in any form and also her fear of that love.
         Altogether, she was a vision for any man who had been long out of the company of women. She was not expected to be there: who thought a girl like her would be in a place like this? Lilianna was so much different than the women of the court. She was free of the porcelin skin, which was desired to be the palest cream and soft as the day of birth. Her hair was long and tangled, neither kept up and hidden from the eyes of all. Her form, although was far from perfect, reflected a woman who ate from the richest food in its orginal form and worked hard during the day enough to reap its benefits without feeling its burdens.
         This miraculous change of form was nothing easy and was not overnight. Either way, in that oasis, Lilianna was nothing compared to the women of court. She was pretty but not refined; she did not reflect culture or any form of life that they knew. Pretty though she was in this habitat, she would be diminshed in the world they knew by fine women with talents and knowledge to which they would have the entire advantage.
         As she huried down the hall to the kitchens, she realized that the halls were filled with men. Their heads turned as she passed, but she paid them no heed. She was nervous and shy and wasn't use to the attention. The place stank of the dirty putredness of men who needed to bathe. It was obvious that these men had been out long on some journey and in dire need of some form of civilization.
         She entered the kitchens. There were nuns of all ranks. Some cooking and some cleaning. Others were helping to prepare food for the meal. Some were arranging the food on plates. All were working quietly and acting as if nothing were out of order and that the dozens of men did not exist and were not their fowling the halls with their stinch.
         "Ah, Lil, finally you are here. We have been searching for you. Here, take these," said a sister as she place some dishes in the girl's hands, "he requested someone with a nice face. You'll have to do. There is not a youth among us here except for you. Serve him his food in all politeness. Smile and back away and return here."
         "What is going on here?" she asked.
         "My child, there is no time for questions right now. Oh goodness, have you no shoes about you? And your feet are filthy. Well, you'll have to do. Now dear, take these down to the library, that is were the men are at. Sister Ann will help you carry the dishes and Margaret will hold the wine. You will do the serving."
         Confusion surronded the youth who was curious beyond all about the current state of affairs. But being a good child, she listened to what she was told and obyed the mother. She thought along the way: the whole situation was very surreal. How odd was it that there were men at a nunnery?

Chapter 4

         The dark corridor flooded with light when the door to the library had been opened. Lilianna and the other two women entered the room. If the rest of the building had been filled with men, this one was the opposite. Only eight men were in the room, two of which were guards. The other 6 were all sitting around a table in the center of the room and seemed to be discussing important matters. All of them were notably gentlemen. Some had finer arrays of clothing than others and all were of different ages. The shepardess found the oldest looking and most dignified man of the group and placed the plate first and served him first. Instantly she knew her mistake. All eyes were upon her in shock. She obviously had chosen the wrong man; it was also easy to see from her mistake that not all of these men were equal.
         Although she had been long out of the ways of court life, she knew enough that she had committed a major error that was a grave insult. The angriest looking of the men was the youngest. He was in his mid-twenties with a fair face. Although he was good looking with excellent clothing and the fineness of everything, it was his eyes that told who he really was. Gazing at the man, she knew her fault and felt her shame. She realize he was a prince and she had insulted him gravely. Looking into his eyes, she expected him to overly angry (and rightfully so), but instead, there was just mere annoyance. To her this represented something good, because in her youth she remembered times of servants being beaten for the slightest of insults that could have been made, without the insulter even having a clue what they were doing.
         "I am sorry sire, excuse me I am incompetent" she said quietly and hoping to avoid as much punishment as possible.
         "Well," the Prince replied while pointing to his plate, in an annoyed tone.
         The whole evening continued. Lilianna was the servant for the six men. She catered to their every dining need, but unfortunately she was not exactly finding the job of servant very easy. She had broken dishes and spilled wine. The Prince's handsomeness had startled her. What startled her more was his lack of attention to her. He wanted someone pretty to serve his food, did that mean someone like her? Why wouldn't he look at her? The other men had. They had noticed her, but he payed her no mind. Was she then unpleasing? Was she as she was in her childhood? Those thoughts, which never entered her mind before that point, had suddenly appeared. She went to bed that night with every one of those thoughts running threw her head. In the morning she woke to find that the men had left and the life in the mountains returned to normal.
         A month later, the Princess recieved a summon to return home.

Chapter 5

         A mist had formed over the tops of the mountains. Morning had risen without the sun, but a dull grey-white hue that set a mystic mood for all in the convent. Lilianna had been up earlier than all this. She had fed the animals and tended to the garden. She had seen the world earlier that day than many; it told her that change was coming. She knew that it would be her last day in those valleys. She knew it would be goodbye to her simple life that she had come to love, away from civilization, away from everything.
         The mass bells rang clear thoughout the peaks, calling all far and near to gather. Lilianna too, although not religous, was called to the sanctuary for prayer. For many, years of religion in such a remote location either founded or destroyed one's beliefs. Lilianna was neither. She found God out on the hills, in the water and in the breezes. But on that day, she felt it necessary to go to church, simply because it would be her last one there.
         The dictation was long, lasting over an hour. Of the latin, the only that she understood was the AMEN. She rose, like all, and kneeled like all. When she went to take her communion, she kneeled and kept her face down. When the priest gave her the waifer she said her words and rose. When her eyes glanced up, she noticed that the eyes of the statue of the virgin were opened and stairing at her. When she looked back at them a second time, they had returned to their original form.
         After the service, she fled the confinds of the facility for her work as a shepardess. She did not know how long it would be till she left, and she wanted to spend her remaining time with her beloved sheep.


{indent]Thor's day had been the one chosen for her departure. The previous afternoon upon returning from her shepherding in the mountains she had been informed by the sisters that a man had come to take her home. In truth it was her brother-in-law and he had been waiting nearly 2 days for her return. They had rang the bell and set others out after her, but she was naught to be found. For three days she was at a secluded spot through a pass she had discovered years ago that not many had known of. She often went there seeking peace and solitude. Because it was there she was, she had no knowledge of her guest.
If she had known someone had come, she might have hid herself longer.
         "Child, he waits for you in the library. We suspected you might come back sometime today. We told him so. He waited very patiently saying that this is typical fashion for you to be nowhere to be found."
         "I will go to him." replied Lilianna.
         "Lil do you not think it would be better if you fixed yourself. A Prince is before you, impressions might need to be made?" the nun questioned.
         "If he is expecting tardiness and insolence of me, do you think a little bit of dirt will make all the difference in his opionion?"
         "You are wise and as clever as ever my child. Do you wish me to have some food brought in for you to sup on?"
{indent]"No, I am not hungry. I feasted on some root before I returned."
         "You and your tree food...Now get to him, and keep him waiting no longer."
         Lilianna walked down the convent corridor towards the library curious as to what manner of man she was to encounter and whose husband exactly it was.


Chapter 6

         "Who are you?" she asked to the room. Although she could not yet see him, she could smell him. He was sitting in one of the chairs facing the giant fire place. Upon hearing her voice he niether moved nor spoke and she began to wonder if her senses were right and if he was in the room. After a moment passed, she saw a hand move and heard a book close. Then the man rose, set the book down and turned to look at her.
         "I am your sister's husband."
         "Which sister."
         "Julia."
         "And why is it that you are here? Is the rest of my family too frightened to see me? Are they still afriad of the beast that they sent away so long ago?"
         "The rest of your family is dead or dying. Your breed is fading and that is why I am here. I am sorry to be so brasg, but I will assume now that perhaps this news means nothing to you. Long absences do not always allow old hates to die."
         "So, am I a Queen then. A shepherdhess become royal. What a quiant fairy tale," she said quickly changing the subject.
         "I understand your coldness. But perhaps some wine would warm your heart and wet your appetite for a story. A long tale and journey is before you, and I will tell you the first while we are making the latter."
         "What makes you think that I would leave my mountain home?"
         "Once a princess always a princess. I am sure that as much as you love to sleep amongst the stars and breath the cold mountain air, that you miss a tiny bit of civilization. Even your beloved sheep cannot give you that. Furthermore, had I been dealing with the rest of your family, I would have supposed you to be subject to the same selfishness I witnessed from your kin. But I know you to be otherwise from stories. I know you will not stay here. Especially when my story is complete. After speaking with the nuns, I have learned you are a good girl and do what is asked of you."
         "When do we part?" she asked.
         "We will leave as soon as you are ready. I hope that will be soon. Unlike you, I am not use to the society of nuns. Their silences and staring eyes are almost unbareable at times."
         She turned too leave but upon opening the door she turned to him and said "The bodies of the sinful always feel intruded by the eyes of those who are pure". Upon exiting the door she answered back through the door, "I will be ready momentarily brother. I suggest you ready the carriage or the horses, whatever it may be."
         Chapter 7
         The day was not well chosen for travel. It had been rainy for the early part of the day and then a wind picked up bringing chill. Late summer was soon becoming fall. All was still green but change was in the air; death was on its way.