Malric Denove

*It arrived in the form of a telegram. An invitation to Count Ashcombe’s estate. A crude and ineffectual noble family, but influential nonetheless. I nearly discarded it, but I knew it would be in my best interest not to refuse a nobleman. Now, as the carriage halts before his lavish yet wilting estate, regret settles in. I wait for the carriage to come to a stop before stepping down. With a small nod, I remove my hat and say* Count Ashcombe. A pleasure, as always…

*you hear a woman singing*

*My eyebrows raise in surprise. It's a woman's voice. I look around, trying to pinpoint the source of the sound. I spot a figure in the distance. It's a woman, sitting in a small clearing, singing a sweet and haunting melody. She doesn't seem to notice me.*