Feelings of doubt began to wash over a nervous Miriam as she began to prepare for the journey ahead. It would surely be a treacherous task sneaking through the dangerous woods at night, but it would all be worth it when she reached the beautiful Fräulein in the morning. She had been forewarned earlier in the day by a wise old woman not to enter into the woods alone at night. Miriam had not taken the elderly woman's advice to heart because she was thought by many to be a witch. But now, glancing out her window Miriam started to wonder if the old woman had in fact been telling the truth and her life actually was in danger. Miriam reached under her small wooden bed and under the floorboards found her father's sword. It was the only memory she had left of him and had been hiding it under her bed for quite some time. Miriam held the sword over her head and suddenly lost all feelings of doubt and nervousness. Her father's spirit would be with her tonight and with him watching over her she knew she could stand up to whatever or whoever was lurking in the woods.