The rap at the door drew Isolde's attention. Her knuckles whitened around the parchment with pronouncement of her fate. She rocked more in the chair and the knock came again, quiet but insistent. The cat stood, arching her back and yowled. With a sigh, Isolde set Shade on the floor and rose. The last thing she needed tonight was to be involved with more discord, but she was the healer and had an obligation to the people.<br/><br/>Taking a deep breath,Isolde found a candle, lighting it by the fire from the fireplace. Setting it on the reflective holder,she pressed against the door, listening for tell tale sounds. Only the wind and nothing more.Perhaps the person had left when she was reticence to respond. Slowly, so that the door creeeeaked, she opened the thick wooden barrier and stared into the white face of a beautiful woman with long, loose hair. Her eyes seemed to be long black tunnels and beckoned to set her free. Isolde blinked twice. She held the door open in invitation.<br/><br/>"Come in," she invited, "I am Isolde. How may I serve you tonight?"