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The sparks and brands of the fire startled me to full alert, jumping to my feet, sword in hand.... I scanned the camp, at first all seemed well.... Slowly I could just make out the fires reflection in a pair of eyes from deep in the woods from across the glowing flames. How long was I dozing off? Just staring? And how long were the eyes in the dark staring at me? No sounds except the crackle of heat in the wood; the air was still with no wind or strange scent. The horses were calm and did not feel the robed figure that was walking toward me. “How fare you stranger?” I called out to the form, without fear or hesitation a hail shot back; “In good spirits but with no time for small talk of weather or fishing spots!!!” I don’t know what startled me the most; the clarity of voice or the dawning awareness that it was a woman who responded with such calm boldness! Was she alone? Just now the horses scuffed and neighed, jumped around as if woken from a sleep just as I was from my own thoughts. She moved swiftly and with confidence, toward me and around the fire ...