Vir returned once more with Tolan's star charts, then grumbled and slunk off to bed, kicking snow at the animals on the way, causing a stir amidst the goats. Tolan watched him leave and then directed his attention to his new student.

She gave him a quizzical look as he opened the charts and examined them. He searched through them until he found one he felt would be appropriate for his purposes.

"Okay Lady, Stars." He pointed.

She hadn't caught his meaning and eagerly repeated the word for One. Tolan shook his head

"No, Look Up, The Stars." He pointed again, she squinted and looked at his finger, following its direction. He thrust his finger upwards, indicating she should look beyond it. Her eyes moved from him to the tip of his extended finger, Then echoed

"Wai?"

He shook his head, this wasn't working, he tilted his head back and looked to the sky, watching to see if she would mimic his actions. She did, slowly. When he was sure she was looking up, he spoke.

"Stars."

Her head moved to look at him, then back to the sky, then she slowly looked towards him and said a word. "Ulmire " she spoke.

He noted it for later. "Ulmire" He repeated while pointing up. She nodded slowly.

He brought out his star charts and showed them to her. "Ulmire, Stars," he said. tapping the parchment and then pointing towards the sky. "Ulmire, Stars." He repeated

"Stahrs, Ulmire." She said slowly. He stood, walking around the fire to seat himself next to her. She shuffled over to try and avoid him sitting down. when he was seated, he thrust the star map into her lap.

"Okay lady, come see the Stars," he said, as he began to point and ask her the names of the Heavenly Paths, eagerly awaiting the response.

He started with the Red Autumn Star, Soon to mark the New Year cycle, and The Traveller. The gaunt figure on the simple page of a star map could be seen mirrored in the Heavens as the humble and meager beginning of a greater Journey.

Fleeing the withered lands of his home and braving the merciless expanse of Winter. Its constellation bears the image of a man, leaning on his staff for support, burdened by life's troubles and beset by many dangers along his treacherous path.

It is here he meets The Owl, the Bird of Wisdom. Guiding him to the South, onto the Proper path, and towards the First Heavenly Gate. But he must first face great trials, The Wolf and the Snowy Leopard block his path, he must struggle to surpass them.

Tolan traced these familiar legends and creatures, impressing the importance of each name onto the Lady, and waiting for her returning words before moving deeper into the celestial arrangement.

Having overcome Winter's hosts, The Wandered passes through the First Gate of Heaven, And the Owl Reveals himself as The Scholar, and grants him the name Pilgrim, welcoming him into the Spring.

The Pilgrim Journeys into Spring and meets the Sparrows, the Four Southernmost configurations in the sky and the source of all authority under Heaven, though not visible at this time in the year.

Here the Pilgrim learns of the Path of Heaven and the proper order of things and receives the Divine Tools of Plough, Spade, Hammer, the Pen and Scroll, and the Arrow or Spear. With these, he will determine his lot and uphold the order of the World. An agent of Heaven's Will, exercising Authority as the Stars and Birds decree.

He sets forth into the Summer, Plowing the Feilds, hueing the Stone, and Recording the Laws to lead others. But, during the plenty of Summer, he is beset by The Follies. The Sins of Neglect and vile disobedience towards the Heavenly Order.

Greed, taking the form of the Rat, appears to tempt him. But is turned under by the Plough of Labors.

The Serpent of Envy tries to Bite him. But the Arrow of the Soldier puts him down for good.

The Lecherous Woman attempts to woo the Pilgrim with her strange charms and guile, she has crossed many lands and is hated for her traded passions, her tainted beauty turning men to weakness and decadence in her arms.

But she is thwarted by the Steadfast and Tireless Spade. Saving the Pilgrim from decay and becoming the Virtuous Wife, sharing in the joy of a noble life, and rejecting frivolous impulses.

The Hammer Finds an enemy in the Prideful Dog, His arrogance and Wanderlust seeking to draw the man into betraying himself for fleeting glory and unnecessary warring For a Dog never knows when it's full, even at the cost of the land. Beating back the Dogs, he affirms the shape of his purpose.

But now, blocking his path. Is the Fish and the River. The Fish Refuses to let the Pilgrim cross, stirring up a wild current within the River, trying to drown him with tragedies and woe. Every time he gets close to the edge of the water, the Fish tries to bite him and carry him into the Water's deep currents. Where he will become its meal.

The River traps him with the other Folies, giving them a chance to try again at destroying the Pilgrim. Thus, he calls upon the Records made. The Scroll reflects his journey this far and the wisdom of his journey so far. Using the Law, he summons the Allies of the Birds. The Bull and Eagle.

The Plough and the Bull part the waters, but the River crashes back into place before the Pilgrim can cross. Turning to the Eagle, he commands him under the Law to carry him across the River.

Landing on the other shore, he is greeted by the Royal Spirit, The Dove. Bowing to the Birds will a final time, he is given a Robe made from the Feathers of all other Birds and is granted the Sign of the Harvest, the Great Bushel, or The Tree of Plenty, the Star of Good Fortune.

With these in hand. The Pilgrim is crowned the Blessed and fit to rule all other Men as is his station.

But, the Folies and Beasts of the land rebel against the Decree of Heaven, and even some of Man's Kin turn against the Blessed. And it is in this, as the darkness grows, that the true enemy reveals himself. The Dark Bird of Evil, the Symbol of Corruption, the Carrion Eater, The Vulture.

Once a noble Bird himself, his crimes saw him banished from Heaven's graces and Cursed to never eat the things of life, forcing him to dine on corpses and rot. Now filled with a putrid power, he seeks to steal the Harvest from the Blessed, and raise his wings to block the Sun, denying Both Man and Nature its abundant warmth and quickening power. So that all may Starve and grow cold, and Die to feed him.

The Blessed Swore to fight him, restore the Proper Path of Heaven and redeem his fellow man from the wicked ways they had fallen into. The Battle would be Fought all of Autumn, Giving way to Winter, the Height of the Raptors' Power, But the Blessed Persisted. And by the Deepest Night of Winter, The Raptor would be his closest to winning.

The Blessed called the Birds, but only the Owl could breach the Winters grip. And as it began it would thus end. Here the constellations overlap, The Blessed appearing above his former self, Battling both The Folies Revenge and the Raptor.

The Rat, turned away by the Plow and Ox, now sows Thistles and Weeds in Man's field, The Serpent becomes a Dragon to destroy kingdoms and set Armies against each other. The Temptress attacks the Good Wife, trying to break the Noble Spade. And the Dog dance with rolling eyes, reveling in the battle as a drunkard to wine, casting aside law and covenant for their pleasure and swollen bellies.

However, The Blessed is stronger than these. And put each one down in its place. Eventually, breaking the wings of the Raptor, but not destroying him, for the creature limps away and melts with the Rising of the Springtime Dawn. His Stars, fade from mortal view as the foul creature mends his wounds with the other Folies, Plotting their revenge for next Winter.

And thus the Blessed returns To Spring, enjoys his kingdom and awaits Autumn to mark the Harvest and the next year, The Next Battle with the Raptor and his minions.

Tolan felt something pressing on his side, looking over his shoulder was the Lady, fast asleep. Her eyes were closed and still as she sat there, poised like a statue and full of peace. He wasn't sure when she had nodded off, but he took his cue and rolled up his charts. He would have to carry her to the shelter.

They could always try the stars again tomorrow night, And maybe this time, they'll learn something.