kings die, realms fall, magic endures

“It's always sat there empty, this hut. That is, till the night afore the battle. A man arrived, walked right in like twere his own. Was standin' at me window, peerin' at the goin's-on... He must've eyed me, 'cause next I knew, there he was, comin' my way! So, I grabbed me pan - for protection, see. But he just asks all polite, 'Gran, got any birch bark, by chance? Lilac berries, or even a few coals?' Nay, says I! And you must be right daft to pester folk at night with such foolery! But I sees he ain't listenin'. Just starin' at me pan, like a magpie at a copper! 'Lend it to me, gran, I'll give it back come morn'. Was right baffled, for what's he doin' fryin' in the dark? But I've got a soft 'eart, so I gave it to 'im.”