The thunder screaming across the heavens was not helping Theodora fall asleep. She lie in the cot like bed, staring up at the ceiling. Shadows flickered and mocked her like a puppet show above her, on the stone ceiling. She cursed them, silently to herself, breaking from her mantra of prayer. She turned her face away, revealing her cheek to the demon dwelling ceiling. Her eyes faced the door. Rain was knocking against the door, demanding her open it. She refused. It appeared the whole night was out to toy with her in some stark, indecent manner.

She grabbed at her prayer rope, underneath the blanket, feeling her fingers over the soft, silk texture of the knots. Her fingers grooved over the beads, and the weave, gently, patiently.[I] Iesu, Christe, Fili Dei, Domine, miserere mei, peccatoris.[/i] The words whispered from her feminine lips as she strongly resisted the urge to play with with the shadows, and pick up the spirits with her fingers, as she did when she was a child. She knew it was wrong, a temptation, a sin. [i]Peccatoris.[/i] She repeated in her mind, harshly, knowing full well what she was and where she may go.

Beyond the stormy veil of clouds, the moon still bore her face, bravely, boldly, almost as of she was called to conduct the orchestra of events happening in Bavaria. Theodora could see the moon shining through the window. How could the moon be so silent while all this happened. Was this a sign from God? Theodora removed a hand from her prayer rope and wiped a tear from her face. It was not fair, and yet, all too well, Theodora knew it was indeed fair. God was punishing them all for plenty of reasons. Perhaps, the rain was to cease the fighting. A rainbow would shine forth after the rain ceased. She continued thinking these thoughts, as the scent of lavender melted her into a trance of a sleep.