This book is a haunting exploration of the often-tortured paths of individual lives and struggles, told through a series of interconnected stories. The title story is a surreal fairy tale set in medieval England that tells of a young man who dreams of a beautiful woman calling him to her side, and of the consequences that follow when he awakens. Through its haunting imagery and richly drawn characters, the book takes readers on a journey through the shadows of the human psyche, exploring the mysteries of fate, free will, and the nature of reality. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.