44
Fly Away into the Stars
God, have mercy, Christ, have mercy.
As Matthew slipped through the shadows of the buildings scattered around Oswy’s hall, the prayer ran through his mind, counterpoint to his steps. A dog barked as he passed, and he paused, looking at it for a moment where it stood perched on a porch under the dwelling’s overhanging eve. It gave a quick wag of its tail and sank down in silence.
A sudden wind slapped against his face as he stepped out from between the buildings and angled towards the hall. It was cold, with the feel of a storm coming in the air. The warmth of spring’s embrace had fled, leaving behind the cold hands of winter. Small kisses of snowflakes touched his cheeks as he faced into the wind, looking around cautiously. All was dark, and quiet. He quickl
