======Reflections======

Aelindis curses under her breath. She *knows* to watch her step, especially in places like this. She’s becoming careless. She lifts her foot, winces as she pulls the piece of glass free. Wiping away the mud and blood, she snorts abruptly, letting a grin flicker across her face. “Joke’s on you, mirror. There’s no way I’ve got a whole seven years left.” 

She sits down on part of an old barrel, angling the glass in her hand. The face reflected back at her is… emaciated, streaked with grime, framed with unkempt hair. Dreadful. But still recognizable. “Evening,” she says, drily. “You must be the Erlking.” 

The apparition grimaces at her. 

“Oh, it’s all right,” she continues. “I’m just surprised is all. They told me you were beautiful, once. Still, I suppose that’s what a life of crime gets you. How many have you killed, now? And how’s that little domain of yours?” She pauses. “Very well, keep your secrets. Me? Oh, I’m fine just where I am.” She throws her arm out to indicate the rolling hills of refuse that surround her. “Isn’t it magnificent? A very special place, this – a forgotten realm of unwanted things!” 

The face in the mirror looks sceptical, so she changes it. In an instant, piercing eyes are staring at her from within a web of tattoos. “Agrona! Always a pleasure. Sorry I had to dash the last time we met – still, wasn’t that a night to remember? Oh, but I haven’t forgotten you. Look – I still have your Mark.” She holds her hand to the mirror, pressing her branded skin against the cool glass. 

“Course, I heard you were dead… but then, there was a lot of unsubstantiated rumours flying around back then. It’s good to see you again.” 

It’s odd. When she isn’t actively eating anyone, Agrona does have a certain something going for her. Perhaps it wouldn’t have been so bad, giving in to the Goddess. She grins – that would have seriously annoyed Dii Casses. Besides which, there’s nothing wrong with a good virgin sacrifice if everyone involved consents to it, right? In the end, it probably would have been less painful than the path she’s still following….

Aelindis shudders. She’s been alone for too long. The mirror tilts, catches the fading light, and now she’s looking at the battle-scarred face of Sir Gerard of York.

“My lord, I….” 

No. She can’t do this. She can’t face him. He wouldn’t understand, not after everything he’s heard about her, every little story she’s spread. It would upset him, put him in danger, more danger than he’s in already. She would never do that to him.

And, yes, she hurts too much. 

Gerard’s face blurs in her vision. She wipes the mirror, wipes her nose, meets the gaze of red-rimmed eyes. 

“You again. And may I say, you’re looking worse than ever. Still, don’t you worry – not long now till I destroy you.” 

She smiles. The mirror slips from her hands. 

Edgar descends to find her hugging her knees like a child. The raven flutters to her side, gives her a little nudge with his beak. She unfolds an arm and begins idly stroking his feathers. At her feet, streaked with mud and blood, the heavens turn.