Perspiration glistened on Pew’s brow as he tilled the rich loam of his farm. Squinting through the sweat he could just make out his son standing with his hoe on the far side of the field. Anabasis stood tall leaning on his rake clearly a smile draped his face. Pew smiled back, he knew what the excitement was about, Ana would pass 20 Morningthaws this night. A long time in one’s life, he thought to himself. They had done enough for one day, let the boy enjoy some of the daylight that was left. Anabasis must have known what his father was thinking, or perhaps Pew’s intent was clear on his face. "Thank you Da!" Anabasis said as he gathered the tools and ran towards the house. Pew lingered a while longer, reflecting on the past 20 years, as the sun began it’s decline across the sky. Things were good he decided. He still had a strong back and his family was in good health and with the success of his farm he would be able to send Anabasis on to more schooling.

"Diomedes Pewarden!" shouted a voice across the darkening stable as Pew returned the farm implements to their rightful places. "Have you forgotten your son’s naming day?"

"Of course not my love, I will hasten there now, just allow me to wipe the dust from my brow."

"Well be quick about it, Anabasis is anxious and your dawdling does him no good, besides that the girls and I are famished as well."

"Coming, coming!" Pew grunted out as he hurled bales into the loft.

Pew made his way to the house pausing only to pour libations at the threshold. Flames licked new wood in the fireplace as Pew stepped into the glowing light of the common room. The table was set and a steaming stoup of meat graced the table. Hannah and the girls were still hurrying to make everything just right.

"Hullo good wif Pewarden, might I get a kiss for my troubles?" Pew sang as he grabbed Hannah as she tried to move past.

"You will be kissing your trouble, if you do not allow me to finish!" Hannah laughed as spurn from his grasp.

"Where have you hidden my pipe this evening?"

"You know that is an affection I feel has no warrant"

"Very well then, for you, on this night I will indulge you."

Pew rarely smoked his pipe although it was often found between his teeth. The pipe had belonged to his father and his Father's Father before that. Pew had only possessed it for less than a season. Regret passed briefly across his eyes but was vanquished instantly as he saw his son stride down the stairs. Dressed in his best doublet and trousers Anabasis sat down stiffly at the table.

"Hullo Father." Anabasis said quite gravely.

"Greetings, my son." Pew answered in kind.

Pew grinned behind his eyes at Anabasis, so severe so stiff, he thought. Pew understood the gravity of the situation. He probably felt the same way when he reached his 20^th naming day. It was no simple thing to ask for a Word-Bond of a parent even as close as they were. It was exciting too for it meant Anabasis would be considered a man to society and Pew would be proud as his son took his place among the other men.

"Hannah, is the food yet prepared? Your son and I have been working hard all day while you lounge around the house." " Pew said with a wink towards Anabasis, who had trouble stifling a smile.

Pew was answered as Hannah and the girls strode out and presented the repast before the men at the table.

"For you milord." Hannah spoke sarcastically.

"Very well then Milady please have a seat so we might enjoy the results of your labor."

The meal was excellent, the conversation light and cheerful. As the meal drew to a close and Pew’s daughters cleared away the dishes. Pew stood slowly and addressed his family as the girls quickly jumped back into their seats.

"Tonight is a special night, Anabasis has reached his 20^th naming day and has asked me for his Word-Bond."

"I take this as no light burden. Hannah and I have both discussed this for the last season. To give my Word-Bond, and tell the world my son is to be considered a man in our society is a serious decision…" Pew let the words die into the sounds of the crackling fire.

"Anabasis Pewarden, please stand."

Anabasis stood up quickly, but his face did not betray the emotions he had to be feeling.

"Anabasis Pewarden it is my decision that I Diomedes Pewarden give you my Word-Bond." Pew said quite solemnly.

"Diomedes Pewarden, I accept your Word-Bond as my own and will uphold it," Anabasis said completing the ritual dialogue.

"Fortune’s Way to you my son."

"Fortune’s Way to you father."

Pew extended his arm and Anabasis reached out with his own grasping it at the crux of the elbow in a formal greeting of men. Pew interrupted the greeting by grabbing his son in a great bear hug.

"Welcome to the world Anabasis!" Pew told his son as he grabbed the young man and tousled his hair.

Later, Pew and Hannah sat quietly listening to the sounds of their children sleep.

"We have passed another milestone have we not my husband?"

"Indeed we have, I expect to not have many more significant things to effect me, I believe I am actually looking forward to it"

"You have changed my love, surely when we met you would have scoffed at that notion."

"Maybe just a bit my dear, and perhaps now you would indulge me my pipe."

"Very well then let me retrieve it from the kitchen." Hannah said, as she got up and moved to the kitchen .

As Pew waited for his pipe, the animals outside began to make quite a commotion, just as he realized their noise was escalating he heard Hannah say "Pew you need to come see something." Pew jumped up and ran to the kitchen to find Hannah staring intently into the courtyard. Pink light bathed her face. Pew moved to the front door and opened it slowly. Peering outside he saw a shimmery swirling circle of pink-hued light. Pew continued to move closer circling this "thing." It did not move but he did feel his hair on his arms begin to stand up against his skin. Cautiously he extended his hand to towards it. "Pew, please come back inside…" was the last thing he heard as his hand brushed the edge of the pink light and he began tumbling through a grey swirling tunnel.

As soon as it had happened it was over. He was standing in a frigid plain surrounded by mountains. As he swiveled around trying to orient himself by the night sky he heard the twittering of birds. "How odd," Pew thought to himself, "what kind of bird would be out at night in this cold valley." The sounds got closer and as Pew turned once again he met the eyes of a creature from childhood stories a monster of mythic proportions. Pew stood there as the creature raised it’s glistening claws and plunged them into his chest…