In the rich, deep hues of the crisp autumn afternoon, when the world sat on the edge of slumber and wakefulness, a story did unfold to mine eyes that I am here to recount to you now.                                   

As I rode through the forest trees, the nearly bare branches pulling and grabbing at my cloak, my horse's hooves crunching the brittle leaves that slept on the forest floor, I came upon a strange and haunting melody. The sun setting behind me cast everything in a golden glow as I spied upon the strangest sight I have yet seen.                         

In a meadow clearing, dancing about a large and roaring fire, maidens waved and bowed and twirled to ghostly music. The sounds seem to rise up from the misted earth as the ladies danced, bare and impassioned to the world.                                                                  

As I knelt behind the bush quietly observing, my eyes beheld the maidens twirling and spinning as if the air caught them and tossed them about on the wild wind. Their voices lifted and lilted, joining with the haunting melody that accompanied their feverish dancing.                         

Their twisting and writhing bodies seemed to catch aflame from touching the fire. Yet there were no screams. Only a crescendo of the sweet and despairing melody that lifted to the skies. One by one they became sprites of fire, celebrating the life of the dying autumn day. One by one, as they spun and sang, they diminished into nothing and lifted as a glowing ember to the sky, leaving none save one who slowed and softened and lay on the ground.                                                  

I waited from my place of hiding, my concern for the maiden grew but I dare not leave my spot else I frighten the ethereal creature. But, to my surprise, a man strode out into the meadow. He stopped, seeing the maiden fair laying afore him, soft and sweet. He knelt, his movements hesitant as he reached out to touch her. He touched her cheek and his   hand drew back sharply as if he hand been burnt.                        

She sat up straight, startled from her strange sleep and pierced his soul with her mossy green eyes. An inkling of fright passed over her otherwise placid and olive-skinned face. It was quickly replaced by a smile and she stood and faced him. Her body began to slowly move and sway, her voice softly rising to an aching and tender tune once more.   
Her eyes flashed and her lips never ceased as she added strange and incomprehensible words to her song. Her hands and arms weaved a spell round about the man that still kneeled before her.                      

Her hips undulated and her arms raised above her, wickedly moving in and out like the reeds in the wind. Her lithe and delicate form now seemed to dance up and down on the moonbeams, the man watching her every move with awestruck fascination. Her whispered chants were carried on her song's shoulders as she lifted it in and out of the trees and life around her.                                                             

Her eyes turned to the man and gazed at him fixedly as she advanced toward him, her dance slowing, her tune softening. Her full, soft lips, a deep red in the full moon, tenderly kissed the man. She embraced him to her, he not giving any fight or objections to her bold move. Her arms entwined about him, her hands behind his neck holding him in place. I watched in horror, scarcely able to hide my noises of disgust as the man began to struggle. His frail, muffled moans were stark against the otherwise silent and still night.                                       

She broke the kiss, his body fought less and less to the woman's deadly embrace. Finally limp in her arms, she smiled a smile, wickedly flashing in the moonlight as she dropped the now old and deceased man. Giving one final look to her recent prey, she began to dance merrily. Her quick feet matched with her racing song as she danced with glee so sweet, it was sickening. Catching ablaze suddenly, she spun, faster and faster, whirling and turning, until she too, died to an ember and floated away, her song fading quickly into the night.