Chapter Twenty-one (1) Warning: Sexual Content

Snow fell like soft rain on a large complex courtyard. Every hour, one could see servants rush into the snow and shovel it away from the tone paved ground. The stoned path and stone house were kept snow free by an army of servants all through the white cold. The white cold had arrived early for Other-side and would go on long after the bloom arrives for This-side.

Yelling could suddenly be heard tearing through the windy night, making the servants pause. They were sure it was not the master, even though it was common to hear him at this time, yell the mistresses name in the heat of passion. What could a woman possibly do to a man to make him scream without pride? Was it not the job of the man to conquer the woman in bed, letting her scream in testimony of his prowess? Why was the role reversed here? The servants would always sigh, not knowing where to hide their faces in shame. Their great master screamed like a woman in bed; his scary person forgotten.