Bynner wrote:
> "I hope you two have something with more punch than coathangers in
> there," Rennyb said to the two in the coatroom with a grin. "I'm
off
> to rally the troops!" Then Rennyb vanished.
>
> Looking through the space he'd just vacated, Sebastian noted the
pool
> of ichor spreading from the mauled tapestry... and noticed
something
> else... something black and taloned was stepping through the rip...
> something snuffling and hungry... something foul with the stench of
> damned things, dragging implements of rusting iron in its grip...
> And there were others coming behind...


... as the ashen remains of the once-grand bar drifted down from the
rafters, a figure there shook itself, scattering the flakes from its
feathers ...

... a lone raven emerged from the swirling cloud, stepping along a
narrow beam ... it paused a moment to preen, stepped again, and
regarded the destruction ...

... it leaned and dropped, spreading its sable wings to glide, and
came to perch on the rail of the grand stair ... again, it looked on
the remnants of Winter's adopted domain with the detachment reserved
for birds ...

... then, the raven cocked its head towards the foyer from whence a
bestial growl came ... it flew to the door that was left standing
wide, and lighted on its top ... it saw something pulling itself
through the wounded fabric ... something clawed, dark and
ravenous ...

... the raven's eyes glowed with fire ...


Michael(DJ Poe)