It is the eve of the party at the great hall. Lord Victor has gone in disguise to his ancestral home, and I can only hope that he does not do anything rash. As for myself, I have other matters to attend to. My partner was due to arrive at the station in the next village over today, but because of duties in the infirmary, I was not able to leave as early as I liked to meet him. The sun is now well on its way to snuggling into its bed behind the Cotswold Hills and it will soon be dark. I can only hope that my poor partner has the good sense to make port somewhere warm in the village and wait for me. The sooner I retrieve him the safer it will be…for the inhabitants of this area.

“Sister Magdalene, you cannot leave these walls after dark!” The hostler greeted me with eyes as wide offering plates when I presented myself at what passes for the sables at the Abbey. In reality, it is just a rickety barn holding a tired grey gelding.

“I’ll be fine,” I replied, pulling my cloak tighter around me to keep away the winter’s chill. The ostler didn’t know it, but I had several items under there that would insure I’d return hale and whole.

“You don’t understand, Sister! There are horrible things out there,” he frowned.

“I’m well aware of the reputation that this place has, but I’ll be fine. I’m a grown woman. I can take care of myself. Remember the words of the Psalm. ‘Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou are with me’” I put on my best convincing smile.

The ostler didn’t look convinced, so I had to follow it up with a, “ Now pluck up and get the dogcart ready for me, would you, good sir?”

“All right, Sister, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He shook his grizzled head and went to get everything ready. While I waited, I cast an eye towards the sky. The moon was a great pool of topaz, hanging low in the sky; like the fingers of naughty children, the clouds brushed over the surface of the moon, disrupting its symmetry and making it seem to ripple in the sky.

“Hunter’s Moon…”

I turned to see the old ostler’s gaze following mine up to the heavens. “Its light shines long into the night and it’s said it gives the hunter extra light to stalk his quarry by. Maybe its light will give you a safe journey, Sister.”

He held the reins of the dogcart while I scrambled up and seated myself. The grey gelding gave a snort and I don’t think he was happy about being called out at such a late hour. When I reached down he handed the reins to me.

“Old Thomas doesn’t go very fast anymore, but he’ll get you to the next village Sister. If you hurry, you’ll be more than halfway there before darkness falls. If you can afford it, stay in the Inn there and don’t try to return until morning. It is the safest way!”

His worried gaze followed me as I gave the reins a shake and Old Thomas grudgingly started moving forward.