A light rain descended from the heavens, chilling the small band of men sleeping on the damp earth.  Light sounds could occasionally be heard from the bridled horses some yards distant.

One solitary figure kept watch, covered in a cloak and sitting perfectly still on a fallen log.  He turned his head slightly as one of the men rose, wrapped himself in a blanket, and settled down beside him.

“I apologize for the accommodations, my prince.”

Vlad’s eyes drank  in the drank in the scant light provided by the moon and stars overhead.  He breathed deeply, then clasped Dryll’s shoulder.

“Do you smell the freshness in the air?  All around us, the rain renews the land…and my weary spirit as well.”

“Aye.  We will be renewed as...

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