As consciousness seeped back into Eve's awareness, she found herself engulfed in the sterile ambiance of a hospital room, her memory shrouded in a thick fog of uncertainty. The scratches and scabs that adorned her arms whispered tales of a forgotten ordeal, leaving her grappling with questions that lingered like specters in the recesses of her mind.

Deputy Jung's warm greeting pierced through the haze, his kind demeanor offering a lifeline amidst the confusion that enveloped her. With gentle reassurance, he navigated the delicate dance of introductions, his presence a beacon of solace in the midst of her uncertainty.

Eve's parched throat pleaded for respite, and Jung's swift response echoed with a kindness that resonated deeply within her. As she savored the cool embrace of water, fragments of her fractured memory teased at the edges of her consciousness, hinting at truths yet to be unveiled.

Anxious anticipation radiated from Jung as he awaited her revelation, his earnest desire to unravel the mystery a testament to his steadfast dedication. Yet, for Eve, the answers remained elusive, veiled behind the shadows of forgotten recollections.

In the quiet solitude of the hospital room, Eve's gaze wandered, seeking solace amidst the sterile confines that held her captive. Her yearning for clarity echoed in the silent expanse, a silent plea for understanding in the face of uncertainty.

Jung's fidgety demeanor betrayed a nervous energy that danced beneath the surface, his eagerness to assist palpable in every gesture. As he hastened to fulfill her needs, his unwavering support offered a semblance of comfort amidst the turmoil that threatened to engulf her.

The arrival of a tall figure heralded a new chapter in Eve's journey, his presence a beacon of authority amidst the sea of uncertainty. With measured words and a soothing demeanor, he extended a comforting hand, guiding her through the labyrinth of her fragmented memories.

As Eve grappled with the fragments of her fractured recollections, a verse whispered through the corridors of her mind, its haunting cadence a harbinger of truths yet to be unveiled. In the depths of Ravenwood, amidst the shadows that danced beneath the moonlit canopy, the price of protection was steeped in sacrifice, its toll exacted in ways both seen and unseen.

The Teind-Payer, a tribute to the malevolent forces that lurked in the shadows, demanded a price that transcended mere mortal understanding. For Eve, the cost was far greater than she could have imagined, her sacrifice etched into the annals of history as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

In the wake of her ordeal, Eve found solace in the unwavering presence of Winter, his steadfast companionship a beacon of hope amidst the darkness that threatened to consume her. Together, they navigated the treacherous depths of the underground caves, their bond forged in the crucible of adversity.

As she grappled with the weight of her sacrifice, Eve found solace in the knowledge that she was not alone, her spirit buoyed by the unwavering support of those who stood by her side. In the face of unimaginable darkness, she emerged stronger, her resolve unbroken in the face of insurmountable odds.

In the heart of Ravenwood, amidst the whispers of ancient magic and the echoes of forgotten legends, Eve's journey had only just begun. With courage as her compass and determination as her guide, she embarked on a quest for redemption, her spirit undaunted by the trials that lay ahead.

And so, as the echoes of the Teind-Payer faded into the ether, Eve embraced the unknown with unwavering resolve, her spirit alight with the promise of a new beginning. In the crucible of darkness, she found the strength to rise, her journey a testament to the indomitable power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

✧༺♥༻✧

To Ravenwood, I came one day

Drawn to Winter I lost my way

A face too sweet to look away

We came upon a passageway

To another world they say

Take a drink and you shall be

The fairest maiden we dance for thee

A teind-payer you have become

Now go back whence you've come

✧༺♥༻✧

Leave the bairn for us to play

Leave the bairn to us today

For in our world it shall now stay

The Teind is paid in different ways. Eve had given her life force. Her ability to have a child. A child she would never see again or raise as her own. Others paid with their lives to grant the town another year of protection from the malevolent force. The price she paid was worse.

Her time in the underground caves had almost taken her mind. If it were not for Winter that stayed with her in the darkness, she would not have survived with a sound mind.

*** Teind or tithe is an old lowland/Scot and Northern English term for a tribute due to be paid by the fairies to the devil every seven years.

(Edited 1/28/24)