The woman got out of bed and quickly slipped her robe over her head, the coolness of the air in the bedchamber indicating that morning had not yet broken. Moving in the dark to the door, she opened it and slipped out into the corridor. Down the corridor she went, her passage barely disturbing the few torches that barely illuminated the corridor, swiftly passing a number of doors until she reached a particular one, no different from the rest. Raising her hand, she knocked on the door, the sound echoing down the empty corridor she had travelled.

A minute passed, and the sounds of someone fumbling in the dark could be heard, muffled by the door in front of her. The door opened and the dim light revealed an old man, clutching a robe about his thin shoulders.

"Ahh, Tsuko. I should have known it was you. Out of all my other novices, only you would disturb my sleep so late in the night." The old man smiled gently and gestured to her. "Well, whatever it is, it must be important. Come in"

Isawa Tsuko's cheeks briefly turned pink. She followed him into a room a bit larger than her own. the only difference in furniture was a small desk and chair in one corner. The old man waved his hand in the direction of the chair. "Sit", and he himself sat on the recently occupied bed.

Tsuko sat on the chair. "Master Taki," she said. "I had another dream." "Tsuko, Tsuko," Taki slowly shook his head. "At your age you should be having more pleasant dreams. Dreams about that young fiance of yours, the guard. What was his name again?"

"Kenku." Tsuko replied.

"Kenku, yes, that was it. Ahh, to be young again." Taki sighed. "Well, what was this dream about?"

"I cannot remember, but I'm sure its important." Tsuko exclaimed, frustration showing clearly on her face.

Taki sighed and shook his head again. "Maybe you have the gift which will one day blossom and you will be a true seer like young Norikazu. But until then, I am an old man and need my rest. Return to me tomorrow morning and if your dream is clearer then, we can inform the Council if it is important."

Tsuko stood, disappointment clearly showing on her face. "Yes Master Taki" she whispered.

She left her Master's room quietly and closed the door behind her, and slowly walked back to her room. On her way, she stopped at one of the few windows cut into the side of Kyuden Isawa. Looking out into the night over the lands of the Phoenix Clan, she murmured "I know it is important. And it has something to do with you, Kenku my love. If only I could truly see."

As she stood at the window, clouds covered the face of Lord Moon, throwing darkness across the land. A coldness pierced her soul. Something was coming, and it was nearly here.