The screams of the dead and the dying rise above the roar of the fires. Soldiers walk through the carnage being wrought on the small village. Swords, dripping blood, rise and fall, slaying all who still live. All save one. Two men half carry and half drag the slight form of a young woman, flinging her at the feet of their leader. He glowers down at her from the chair he sits on. He is a large man and his dark eyes reflect his anger at the one sprawled at his feet. He watches impassively as she slowly picks herself up. Boldly, she meets the gaze of her captor. “You will tell me what I desire to know, Amalie, or I will destroy you,” he growls. The woman called Amalie calmly faces him. “My brother, I will not do your will. You have betrayed all who trusted in you. You, Godwine, have turned from the True Path to follow the greatest Deceiver of all. I will not aid you.” “Then you and your family shall pay the price of your defiance! Bring her family before me!” Godwine roars. “They are beyond your rage, dear brother,” Amalie says. “Even now they are safe from all, including your master.” Godwine screams his anger as he orders troops to find Amalie's family and bring them to him. As soldiers run to carry out their master's orders, he turns once again to face his sister. Sitting back down, he eyes her carefully. A faint smile comes over his lips. Amalie takes no comfort in that smile for she could see the evil that lay behind it. She knows what is to come. “Since they are not here, perhaps I can find another way to persuade you, dear sister,” came his cold words. He beckons and once again her guards grab Amalie and drag her after her brother. It is not long before they arrive at their destination. Before them is a large stone block. Hanging above it is another slab of stone, supported only by thick ropes and stout poles. A pair of soldiers stand by a ratchet, ready to lower the slab. Seeing this great machine, Amalie knew her brother had planned her fate before he had ever asked his question. At his signal, Amalie is placed between the stones and tied down. The large slab is lowered until its great mass is just touching her heaving breasts. “One more time, my beloved sister, tell me what I want to know and I will let you and your family live. Deny me, and you will all die.” Godwine hisses. Amalie looks at her brother, “I will tell you only this, my poor, deluded brother.” She draws a breath as the stone presses on her body. Godwine leans close as she says in a clear voice, “Beware the bear who walks as a man.” Godwine watches his sister as the slab is lowered inch by agonizing inch. Her eyes lock on his, unwavering even as her death presses down. Barely able to draw a breath, she gasps, “I will be avenged by one greater than your master.”