Sharon slept in Aunt Kathy's old upstairs bedroom that night. On Kathy's instruction, she took the flute with her. The night air was chill, but she sat in the rocker by the open window, and played the flute as best she could for a few minutes before she went to bed.

In the middle of the night, she startled awake. Mjolnir had jumped up onto the bed, pushed his face down close to her own, and commenced to purr as loudly as he could. She shoved him away and sat up, worried. Mjolnir always slept with Aunt Kathy when he deigned to stay inside at night.

She heard a low chuckle and looked toward the sound. Moonbeams shone through the opened window, illuminating Cassie where she sat in the rocker. Mjolnir, so rudely ejected from the bed, crossed the floor and jumped up in Cassie's lap.

"Hey old man," crooned Cassie as she stroked along his back. "I know you are getting tired, but I need you here just a wee bit longer." Then she turned her attention to the young woman leaning up against the pillows on the bed, the old quilt pulled up against her chin against the chill of the night.

"Don't rush yourself, Dear," said Cassie kindly. "Your path may take you many places over the years. Kathy sometimes forgets how important the journey is, all unto itself. Now lay down and go on back to sleep."

Surprisingly, Sharon did just that.