Silnimarë had been taking quite a long journey, crossing over many lands. He saw a small village on the edge of the horizon, and he began to make his way toward it. The crimson sun began to slowly set, casting its last rays over the earth. He always enjoyed sunset before, but it didn’t seem to hold the same charm for him it once did. It reminded him to much of things he had lost.

After a short trip he had reached the village. He recognized it as the village of Estolad, which he had visited on occasion. He turned and looked behind him, and already the sun was beyond view. Now the darkness comes, lest the eternal cycle be broken. It’s strange how routines are often disdained after a while, yet there are routine things all around us. I suppose it’s a balance between routine and variety that keeps us going.

Silnimarë walked over to one of the houses, after using his power to sense if there was any evil in it, and knocked on the door. An elderly woman, probably about eighty or so it seemed, opened the door and smiled. She said softly, “What can I do for you, my dear?”

“If you would be so kind, I would like some shelter for the night. I will pay you gold for the trouble.” Silnimarë replied gently. “Oh, it’s no trouble, come in child, come in.” the elderly woman replied.

Silnimarë walked in, and the old woman showed him a place where he could stay. Silnimarë looked at her curiously, and then said, “You’re blind, aren’t you?” She smiled and said, “I have been since I was a little girl. But I get along just fine. Why do you ask?”

Silnimarë replied, “Well, it’s just I noticed that you seemed to feel your way around, rather than moving by sight.” The old woman replied, “Yes, that’s true. But there are still other ways of ‘seeing.’ The heart is the strongest and surest guide there is, even when you cannot trust your eyes. Now, go to bed, child… and no need to leave any payment, I get along just fine without accepting money from strangers.” Silnimarë lay on the bed, and he thought about all that the woman had said.

Silnimarë woke up early the next morning, and was tempted to leave her money anyways, but he figured it might offend her, and so he decided against it. He left her a note thanking her, and offering any help he could should they ever meet again. He walked out of the house, and looked at the horizon. The sun was rising. He set out again, heading for his next destination.