ArchemirEstharai

The stranger passed his horse’s reins to the stable boy, who accepted the steed with tired indifference; the boy had been roused from his sleep upon the stranger’s unexpected arrival and was none too happy about it.  The horse snorted wearily as he led it into a cramped, hay-filled stall. Outside, the winter wind howled, pelting the stout brick walls of the inn with snow and sleet.  The tall pine trees of the forest swayed and groaned in the unrelenting onslaught of the storm. The stranger adjusted his broad-rimmed hat, brushing away the almost comical quantity of snow that had accumulated on it during his long ride.  His obsidi