A Raven's Due

The morning mist off Lake Constance was beginning to scatter under the pale sun, so I retreated to the high stone terrace overlooking the water. Resting my open parasol over my shoulder to block the encroaching glare, I noticed a large black raven perched upon the edge of the stone gargoyle, watching me with piercing obsidian eyes. It did not flinch as I approached. Reaching into the small pouch at my hip, I produced the tarnished silver coin I salvaged from the stair fissure two nights ago. I slid it along the cold, moss-dusted coping of the balustrade. The bird tilted its head, stepped forward with a rasp of claws on granite, and snatched the coin cleanly into its beak before sweeping into the valley below. A silent pact concluded without a word. #Armorgirlproject #GoreMagala #Gothic #Gothicdoll #Raven