“I heed that you’re travelling,” said the woman, indicating with her eyes Nimue’s bundle and stick. “I’m driving to Dorian. I’ll take you if you wish. If you’re going that way.”

“Thanks,” said Nimue, clambering up onto the box. “Thanks a hundredfold.”

“That’s the way!” The woman cracked the reins. “Then we’ll go! It’s more comfortable to ride than hoof it, isn’t? Oh, you must have been fair beat to doze off and lay down right beside the road. You were sleeping, I tell you—”

“—like a log,” Nimue sighed. “I know. I was weary and fell asleep. And what’s more, I had—”

“Yes? What did you have?”

She looked back. Behind her was the black forest. Before her was the road, running between an avenue of willows. A road towards destiny.

The story goes on, she thought. The story never ends.

“—a very strange dream.”