Allheim: A Tale of Passion and Peril

The firelight danced across the meadow. Wind blew through the trees, stirring up dust and pollen and dust off of their dresses. The two lovers lay in each other's arms, facing the flames that licked at their feet.

"The fire reminds me of home." Gertrude said, "I haven't seen anything like it since I left."

"Well, our forests here are not nearly as old as yours back in your homeland. We have no stories, no legends to go along with them." Hauke replied, "Old man Humbelot might be able to tell you a story or two if you ask him nicely though."

Hauke got up to stoke the fire that had begun to die down. He picked up a branch and poked at it until there was a roar again. He lay back down beside his lover, who cuddled against him once more.

A few moments passed before he broke the silence again.

"What happened back there? I mean... how did we get here?"

Gertrude looked up into his eyes, "I do not really know myself. One moment I was walking through some woods when I heard your voice calling for help. I found you at the edge of a cliff in some ruins from another time I believe. You were injured so I brought you back to my camp where I am staying until my leg heals properly."

"So... you don't know how you got there either?" he asked her skeptically.

She shook her head slowly, "No... but I can only assume it was some sort of magic that brought me here."

Hauke pondered this quietly for a moment before responding by pulling her into an embrace again and kissing her on the forehead.

"Whatever it was," he said, "I am glad it did."

The pair settled in together and watched the flames dance in silence for a while longer before finally falling asleep together-- both knowing they would face an uncertain future tomorrow.