Morning emerged in the manor house.
A tranquil return: tracing the woodlands, 
Rabbits roamed the rowans and oaks, 
Swallows swept across sweetbriars and clover
In a courtyard covered in coiled wisps
Of fairy-frost. At the front of the manor,
Light crept across columns and thresholds.
The shadows shed three shapes by the window:
Stiff as stumps, staring lifeless,
Faces fixed in final moments. 
The father was first to find their traces. 
Dread then drew him down the hall:
Beyond it, his young and yawning daughter
Waved by her window and welcomed him in.
“I slept so soundly,” she said as he entered. 
“When did you wake? What have you heard,
Last night to now? I need every word!” 
She laughed and lifted the locks from her face. 
“So quick with questions! To quell your worry,
I heard neither howl nor hushed murmur.
I drowned in dreams that drew all attention—
Some tide between. A tender voice
The breeze had brought to brighten me.
And fancy of fancies, I found this wrapped
In my hand when I heard—
                                                 “Hold that for now. 
Some brigands broke in. Be brave, my light, 
No harm shall have you. By holy grace, 
The stalkers were stopped when they stole inside. 
I’ve got to get to my guards for now.
“I’ll listen later. 
                              “Don’t leave!” she pressed,
But her father flew to fetch his watchmen. 
She hurried behind and held the arrow. 
“Come here!
It’s part of an exchange!
My charm has disappeared!
It’s what the winds arranged—
They whispered in my ear!”