PaxBeard changes everything

"Will ... will it ever be the same?" the woman asked, her voice almost a whisper.

"Never," the man replied. "It will never be the same. All that once was is gone. And what will be ..." He stopped to collect himself. "What will be ... no man can say."

And with that they held each other tightly, the wind outside a howling portent, and waited for day again.