Ashera of the Kingswood

A book of Kingdoms and castles, elves, a sorceress, forgotten gods and forbidden love ... What could go wrong? Everything!Nearby, a bird's caw shrieked into the air. A fluttering of wings sent the snow falling from the window ledge. Two enormous yellow eyes peered through the glass and its claws scraped against the glass, repeatedly. Erma sprung from her bed to shoo the bird away, but as she neared the window a woman stood there in a hooded cloak. Fear momentarily clutched at her heart, but she opened the window to see what she wanted. In a flash, the woman materialized in the small alcove. "Who are you? What do you want?" Erma asked, plastering herself against the cold stone wall."Want? I want the same as you do, Erma. I want this winter world to end."She crossed her chest, her back sliding down the wall as she crumpled to the ground. "Why do they ask for help and faint upon finding it? I am Ashera of the Kingswood, raised in the Kingswood that stands no more. Where the foxes have fled, where the woods have been slayed, and the honor of my father and mother have been forgotten."