“Erasmus, I need to rest. This basket is hurting my arm,” said the forest gnome.
Revna placed the wicker basket on the bench, then sat beside it.
“Come, boy, and lie down beside me. The ground here is cool, and you can rest your paws a bit as I catch my breath,” remarked the woman.
Revna was 260 years old, and the walk to the market was always arduous.
“We’ll wait until the sun passes overhead, then we can walk the rest of the way home in the shade, said Revna.
Time passed as the two travelers waited. Without warning, the woman stood and declared, “Come, it’s time we finish our trek.”
Arriving back at her cottage, Revna placed the fruit in the root cellar and sat down next to the fire’s embers.
“Feeling thin, old friend. Won’t be long now until the dark one comes to guide me home,” said the woman.
Erasmus lay at her feet and listened as her breathing slowed and finally stopped.
With a howl, the dog marked its master’s passing. Erasmus lay next to a hollow husk as a guardian against the demons that would seize a human corpse.
The fire died away, and the dog remained vigilant. No demon would take this body today or any other day.
Someone would come and relieve the dog of its duty; until then, he sat and remembered the good times.
Folksburywoods 
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