They were told to leave the land alone, but children never listen.

They touted their banners, blared their horns, and stamped their horses hooves until they wearied.

When the earth groaned and spewed her dark humors, they took but a single heartbeat to declare it a blessing and consign her to sacrilege for the cost of a pretty penny.

Now hungry hands reach at broken bones and fly-struck flesh with nothing left to comfort.

Now the midnight moon creeps closer, a doppleganger painted upon waves hiding a ledger centuries old. The shore glitters with her sharp silver kisses.

They were told to leave the land alone, but children never listen.

(Hour 11)