PROLOGUE
You are not dead...you are floating away...alongside the river bank...the water...it is so cold...your arm...the shield is atop it...
You look to your left...it is a vision of goodness, of relief...an unicorn drinks from the water...It prances away...
Flowing...floating alongside the river...for an eternity you float away half dead...you let yourself float...
You drift away...you are in the realm of dreams? Above you is a glass ceiling, of multicolored dances...You try to reach out but you cannot move...the reeds bow down to kiss you but you can't kiss back...this shield...
You wake from the water...you are in a bed...somewhere. The white sheets are thrown aside...a hearthy fire bellows in front of you...