The raven had been watching the frantic early morning activity below with little interest… men yelling, women screaming, children crying, livestock running… his eyes were fixed on a figure at the centre of this chaos. A woman standing tall… taller than most men in this tiny village…her ice blue eyes scanning the activity around her with some impatience. Her stance was radiating energy and power. Her look, chiseled features, and drilling stare evoked respect and – to some degree – fear.

She slowly turned her gaze upwards...