<table class="bbc_table"><tbody><tr><td>(http://www.dfwd20.com/photopost/data/522/medium/Human_Fighter1.jpg)</td><td><strong><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: edwardian;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 2.65em;">Alfreic Slate, Soldier</span></span><br/><em>To Windower:  accompanying hunters M. Dupont, R. Dupont, F. Martin, K. de Brest, I. Motague, Sylria, A. Browley, I. Campbell, L. Montague, Bella</em><br/></strong><hr/><br/>What troubled, startled mind could decipher the wails of that sour and forbidden temptress?  Just as Alfreic was coming for a gasp of air by watching Ashley, he was immersed in the unmerciful lamentations of his lady love.  But she did not exist, he said to himself.  Surely, she was an apparition, sent to haunt him.  Surely, she was guilt manifest.  Surely, she was a whisper from beyond the grave to bring him message of a lost memory.  She could have been a thousand things, but the one thing she was not was real.  And to wit, this was why Alfreic hated her.<br/><br/>For Miss Colleen Windower was stunningly beautiful.  She was sage beyond the kin of man.  But herein, within the bowl of spirits, she remained to haunt a man that had no association to her save that he loved her with his whole heart.<br/><br/>Somberly, Mr. Slate, though he was truly a Major in Her Majesty's Army, let there be no mistake, followed the train of hunters through the countryside aboard his fearsome steed, all the while ruminating on his quarrel with the woman beside and not beside him.  Surely, there can be no better position in an argument.  He was, and she wasn't, and that was why he should not love her.  And her, that vile creature, who loved him merely because he was and she wasn't!  For what manner of business has a woman of this breed have with a man of Alfreic's manner and demeanor?  None whatsoever.  Oh how cruelly the truth cut Alfreic.  How desperately did he want to love her!  How he longed to have no knowledge of his foolishness.  How he longed to return to that moment on the hill when he made love to that queen, that goddess, that being that cannot be defined by words alone!  But he knew that he could not...  not now, not after what had happened.<br/><br/> "Witch," Alfreic muttered sadly.<br/><br/></td></tr></tbody></table>