Timed

She was knee deep in the snow and her path was lit only by the moon. Her tears felt frozen as the chilling winds gushed in no concern for her. And as breathed heavily, the warmth of her breath made little fogs in front of her face. "They should know..." she kept repeating until her eyes landed on tiny lights from a village not too far away. "They should know." Her shaking voice made her words disappear whilst the winds kept blowing. Catching her breath, she raised her head to see the majesty of the moon, she removed a hand that pressed strongly on her right side and held it against the sky. The smell of iron filled the air. Gritting her teeth from the pain, she held her breath and walked the distance, one small dragging step at a time. "Mistress! Mistress!" The villagers" voices echoed and her wavering heart had some strength to fight some more. The sight of the entrance grew clearer, and though her voice was weak and shaking, she called them out, hoping they"d turn their heads to her. As she approached the gates, her knees gave up and she dropped into the snow, her strength leaving her by the moment. "There she is." Then all men and women of the village she turned away from, fled to her side to try and save her life. A monk from the shrine, rested her head in one of his arms and shook her to consciousness. "Mistress! What happened to you?" "My, my, if it isn"t my friend? Dearest Cho, remember this night that a traitor returned to her village to die." Tears from his eyes drew rivers on his cheeks, "Please don"t speak such sad words, mistress. Your heart was only confused. It was blinded, but it was pure." "You truly are a kind person. Take this, take this please and send it to the one who should have received it. And..." a sharp pain halted her words from being spoken. She felt a cold stream cross her cheek, and the moon that shone brightly was fading from her sight. Then all was dark.