Mahya Ardene had just finished her afternoon work. She had dyed a set of woolen blankets for her baby girl. Her young daughter slept most hours, but she had no blankets to rest upon. Mahya had spent months getting the wool and dyes for the blankets. Anything to do with warmth was a rarity because Lord Kadash used most of the wool and yarn on his lavish beds. Most people only lived to be about forty because they froze to death. Many mothers had died in childbirth without a blanket to keep them warm in the cool outdoor hospitals. But, the people were used to it. The purchases of the reigning Lord had gone on far longer than they, or their grandparents, had been alive.

After she swallowed her soup, she felt much better. Her fever broke, and her pulse slowed. Her skin returned to its normal color, and she slept quite fitfully. When she woke up, she saw a horrible sight. She saw a note written on a huge piece of tattered cloth. The cloth message was hung from her walls, and written on with a dark ink. The message read, "Dearest Mahya, it it your friend Lord Kadash. I noticed your infant lying on the floor. I took her. Did you know that I am looking for a wife? You happen to be my first choice. Don't forget, I have a baby to care for, and I would hate it if she went hungry." The grim message ended with a small dot and the initials LK.

Dearest Mahya, it it your friend Lord Kadash. I noticed your infant lying on the floor. I took her. Did you know that I am looking for a wife? You happen to be my first choice. Don't forget, I have a baby to care for, and I would hate it if she went hungry. * LK