After a restless dream-filled sleep, Parin awoke in her dark chamber in the inn with a fright. The wholesome slumber she had sought had eluded her, and she had been troubled in heart and mind by visions of darkness. Cold shadows where light did not dare tread cobwebbed her mind to the point of distraction and shudderings.
Well, i just need some water after all that coffee, that's all., she thought to herself; but the thought of the usually comforting ebony liquid only served to intensify her black thoughts.
Stumbling down to the tavern commons, she sought the kind innkeeper for a jar not of ale, but of clear, clean water to combat the ills that had awakened in her soul.
Mother always said water would cure what ails a body.... Perhaps Bethberry would be able to explain to her the disturbing images that had flitted through her making her heart flutter.
"Excuse me, ma'am" she stammered to the gently smiling innkeeper, "Would I be able to get a jar of water?"
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"What if you slept, and what if in your sleep you dreamed, and what if, in your dream, you went to paradise and there plucked a beautiful flower...and what if when you awoke, you held that flower in your hand? Ah, what then?"
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