“I will not be denied, stranger,” she hissed venomously. The White Stag did not react. “I may not be able to come to him, but one day he will come to me, and no protection of yours will forestall my power!” She turned and trod off, relief flooding over her as the presence of the thing did not pursue her. She grimaced, her young face now no longer aged but resplendent in stolen beauty. She cast her shawl over her beak to keep out the bite of the cold.