Part One: The Finding; Midwinter Day Summary

Will wakes from a dream-like state that he does not believe is a dream. He gets dressed and looks outside. He sees snow everywhere and hears the faint music he has heard before. The landscape looks different. There are no longer any buildings. Amazed, Will clutches the iron circle on his belt, which is now warm. Everyone in the house sleeps so soundly that Will cannot wake them. Will goes out on an unknown quest, feeling alone, but somehow understanding the importance of what he is doing. He walks down a changed Huntercombe Lane and hears the music again.

The village from Will's time is gone. He stops at a blacksmith, his senses energized. He recognizes the blacksmith as Old George's son John. John is shoeing a completely black horse for a strange...