(no subject)

"It's strange how folk look at a thing... Me, I'm a commoner born and bred, title or no. You know what I think of? Omens and portents -- like the red star that blazed over us when the Emperor Ozorne was crowned, seven years back."

- George Cooper in Wild Magic, by Tamora Pierce.

The January sun sets early at the end of the universe.

Not for the first time, Alanna wishes it didn't. The bed has been moved so she can see out the window and feel the wind when it gets too stuffy. There's a fire in the grate and as she watches the sun begin its descent, she amuses herself by making the flames dance. Books, papers and maps litter the nest of blankets surrounding her.

Deep in thought, she almost misses the knock on the door. It doesn't occur to her to ask for identification before she calls out, "Come in!"

Let it be someone hostile. It would almost be entertaining.