I waited that night, afraid to stay, afraid to leave. I did not approach any closer than my ruined camp, in fact, I gathered up what little was left and moved further back. Before darkness fell, I went back to the stream and found my hammer, and chisel, packed them along with my other stonecutting tools.

In all the years I had lived in the village, just down the path, all my life, She had never stirred in her slumber, except the slow rise and fall of her breasts as she breathed. This night, this slumber was different. She moved and turned several times, at times snoring, and at other times muttering in the language she had addressed me with upon waking.

By dawn, my nerves were frazzled, I was hungry and exhausted. Leander had not woken, and I half hoped that she would again slip into that steady repose. I decided I did not really want to stay and be confronted with her waking presence if she did awaken. I gathered up my bag, and walked the path back to my village.

I met a group of armed men on their way up. These were men I knew, They told me that my wife had implored them to begin a search for me just before nightfall. They had declined, however, she had convinced them that something was wrong, and they decided to start out looking for me at first light.

I told them what I have told you, she woke up. Of course they did not believe me, and they insisted that I accompany them back to her, so they could see for themselves. I went as far as the stream, and told them I would not go closer. Several of the men yelled at me, accusing me of being a liar. Angrily they and some few more headed up the shallow hill, to look upon her.

I can only assume that if those men had not approached her with weapons they would be alive. However it is possible she merely woke in a foul mood, and it would have made no difference. From where I stood I could see the men stop, some distance from her. Their demeanor changed from angry bullish, to frightened defensive. I saw several men raise weapons. Then I saw her weilding her spear. She used her sheild but once, and the victim was near sliced in half. The several men who had stayed near the stream with me stared at the violent carnage, then bolted back down the path.

I don't know why I stayed, the last screaming man she crushed with a brutal stomp, then it was quiet again. I could see her looking at me, then she was running at me, bloody rage.

I dropped my bag. She slowed, seemed to recognize me. She stopped at the other bank of the stream, panting and suspiciously angry. I trembled as she pointed her spear at me. Her gaze was fitful, looking back, up and downstream, and scanning the path behind me, all without actually losing sight of me.

I could see her calming, her breathing slowed and her gaze became more thoughtful. I conclude that she decided I had not been involved in the attack upon her as she did not cross the stream and kill me outright.

Her dress, made of my blankets was in disarray, bloody. She cast one more look in my direction, warning me to be still. Quickly she removed her dress, and tossed it to me. She motioned for me to wash it for her. As I began the task, she cleaned her spear, and her sheild. I finished washing out the blood as best I could. I tried wringing out as much water from her garment as I could.

As she bathed, she looked at me, and must have been amused at my clumsy attempt to wring out her dress. She chuckled. I must have appeared indignant, as she laughed outright. I noticed her bare skin where the day before had been cut and bruised by the stonefall, there was no longer any evidence of wound. No wound fresh or old. Unblemished skin.

I shivered as I decided that I was done being her dress maid, I did lay out her dress on some rocks in the morning sun, which also brought me close to my bundle of tools, and close to the path leading down the valley. As I gathered up my bag, I glanced back to see if she was inclined to attack me. She appeared oblivious to my actions. I started back down the path.