flufdrax

A thin wailing, as if the desolate wind was attempting to sing, came out of the east, rising in a trilling crescendo before dropping abruptly back into inaudibility.  That was the sound the elder was waiting for. "It is time." She spoke softly, jarring the gathered figures into nervous motion.  One uncovered a clay pot, and stooping, coaxed the live coal within to light the prepared wood.  The flames spread quickly, racing through the tinder, sending tendrils to lick at the harder kimmel wood which made up the majority of the pile.  Shadowed figures were revealed, eight sitting girls in elaborately patterned gray wraps, blinking against the