The Great Festival of Sleepinwood

Pally and Merwinn now found themselves in a warm room of the orphanage, sitting in a great wooden tub filled with lukewarm water. Steam rose gently, weaving an atmosphere both soothing and comforting. Titis, the kind old grandmother of the orphanage, scrubbed Pally's back vigorously with a wooden brush, while Merwinn, his hair full of fragrant soap, amused himself by blowing bubbles in the water.

The two boys, despite the grumbles and grimaces caused by Titis's energetic scrubbing, were all smiles, eager to recount their exploits.

"And then, you see," began Pally, his face lit up with excitement, "we arrived in front of this cave, and there was this giant spider! Really enormous, I swear, Titis. Its eyes were glowing, its fangs were huge, like this!"

Pally mimicked the spider's fangs with his hands, opening his mouth wide and pulling a ferocious face.

"And it had legs like swords!" He slapped his hands on the water several times to imitate the spider trying to stab them with its legs.

"You should've seen its face when Pally showed it his bum to save my life! It was mad with rage!" added Merwinn, cackling, his hair still covered in foam, while leaning forward to dodge a splash from Pally.

"You showed your bum, Pally!?" Titis exclaimed, giving him a gentle rap on the head, as if to scold him for his mischief, though she couldn't hold back a smile.

"Ow!" said Pally, clapping both hands to his head. "But Titis, it was the only way to bait the spider! And she really thought my bum was chicken, given how badly she wanted to gobble me up right after."

Pally and Merwinn burst out laughing together, but Titis was troubled by their tale, hoping that their overflowing imaginations were the cause of these misadventures.

"Alright, that's enough nonsense, come here, I'll rinse you off," said Titis.

She took a wooden bucket and began gently pouring warm water over the boys to rinse them. Every gesture of Titis's was steeped in care and love. She made sure the water was neither too hot nor too cold, and she used her hands, wrinkled by time, to check the temperature before pouring. She softly rubbed their hair, removing every trace of soap with care, and made certain their faces were clean by delicately passing a damp cloth over them. She finished their wash with a great kiss on each of their cheeks, rosy from the warmth and excitement.

Once thoroughly clean, they stepped out of the tub. Titis wrapped them in large linen sheets, rubbing them briskly to dry them.

"There you go, good as new!" she said with a smile. "Now, go get dressed. I've laid out some nice clean clothes for you. Tonight, you're going to shine like true heroes."

Pally and Merwinn, still brimming with excitement, dressed quickly. Pally slipped on an off-white linen tunic with brown embroidery and matching cloth trousers, perfect for the festivities. He finished his outfit with a brown leather belt. Merwinn, for his part, opted for a tunic black on the outside and pale violet within, adorned with little gilded brass buttons. He completed his look with black cloth trousers embroidered with two violet threads that ran the length of them. The clothes, though simple, were comfortable and clean, and the boys felt ready to face the festival in splendor.

Pally added his own personal touch: a bandage around his head that he had decided to keep after an injury he had suffered somehow before coming to the orphanage. Titis had replaced that bandage when he first arrived at the orphanage and, ever since, he had always kept it on. Seeing it, Titis asked him with a smile:

"Pally, why do you still wear that bandage?"

Pally answered with a laugh: "It's my trademark now, Titis! And besides, it reminds me to stay alert outside the village. And it makes me think of how you always take such good care of me."

Titis, moved, exclaimed, "Oh my dear, come here in my arms," and wrapped him in a great hug. She finally told them, "Off you go, or you'll be late for the festival!"

After that, ready and looking sharp, Pally and Merwinn stepped out of the room and came face to face with Ellendia, the eldest among the orphans of Sleepinwood, often regarded by the village as the big sister of the orphanage.

"Oh, you're all dressed up!" said Ellendia, looking at them admiringly. "Ooooh, I really like your little gilded buttons, Merwinn."

Merwinn turned bright red and shy, lowering his eyes and nervously fiddling with the hem of his tunic. His heart was pounding. Ever since he had first seen Ellendia, he had nursed for her a secret love, dreamy and deep. The slightest bit of attention from her left him both overjoyed and dreadfully nervous.

"Oh, t-thank you, Ellendia, you are very… bea… too…" stammered Merwinn, blushing even more.

While he spoke, his eyes began to take in Ellendia from head to toe. She wore a lovely flowered dress, in bright and harmonious colors, which suited her perfectly. Atop her head, a splendid orange bandana added a touch of cheer to her ensemble, framing her face, which radiated a wonderful energy. Her hair, deep black, was captivating, shot through with dark green reflections that seemed to catch and play with the light, lending a mysterious and bewitching dimension to her natural beauty. Merwinn was utterly enchanted.

Pally, noticing his state, asked with concern: "Are you okay, Merwinn? Why aren't you talking anymore? Have you got a stomachache?"

Merwinn answered by waving his arms, trying to show that all was well, but unable to speak under the pressure.

Suddenly, they heard bursts of laughter and music coming from outside, the sound of a festival, as though many people were enjoying themselves. The lights of the celebration sparkled through the windows, and the air was filled with a joyful, festive atmosphere.

Ellendia could wait no longer:
"Come on, boys, let's not linger, the great festival of Sleepinwood awaits us."

She slipped each of her arms beneath those of Pally and Merwinn and, arm in arm, eagerly pulled them toward the orphanage door, sweeping them with energetic momentum out into the night.

"Aaah, gently, Ellendia, gently!" exclaimed Pally, feeling the ache of all the wounds from his many adventures, while Merwinn, utterly enchanted and unable to say a word, let himself be carried along by Ellendia's energy. She giggled as she kept towing them toward the festival.

Stepping outside, Pally, Merwinn and Ellendia discovered an enchanting sight. The great festival of Sleepinwood was in full swing. Glowing garlands and colorful lanterns lit up the village square, conjuring a fairy-tale atmosphere.

Stalls of every kind lined the pathways. There were shooting stalls where villagers tried to hit targets with darts, duck-fishing stalls for the little ones, and even a tin-can toss with brightly colored stacks to knock down. The rump-steak stall of Benz's Delight drew a hungry crowd, while the grape-juice stall near the tavern saw Durrin drinking cup after cup with Baloo, his bear, sitting calmly at his side.

At the heart of all these stalls, a great wooden structure, like a raised dance floor, welcomed couples and groups of dancers, their laughter and footsteps ringing through the night. The village musicians played lively tunes, and the mood was all festival and joy.

Hand in hand, the three friends took in the festival with wonder.

"Look at all this!" Pally didn't know where to rest his eyes. "I want to try everything!"

Merwinn nodded with a dreamy smile, his gaze fixed on the glittering carousel. "But where do we start?"

Ellendia, smiling, guided their eyes toward the great wooden structure. "Let's start there, boys. The big wooden structure. That's where everyone dances. You'll see, it's magical!"

Pally pulled a face. "Dance? Oh no, I'd rather do the shooting stalls!"

But Ellendia gave him no choice. She seized them firmly and dragged them along. "Come on, Pally, you'll see, it's fun!" she said, laughing.

Merwinn, unable to resist Ellendia's enthusiasm, let himself be pulled along with pleasure, while Pally grumbled a little but allowed himself to be led all the same toward the great wooden structure.

Once they had climbed onto the platform, Ellendia began to dance with ease and showed them how. Pally, however, refused and looked around, wondering why people enjoyed dancing. He thought it corny and embarrassing. But suddenly he began to feel his feet heating up. "That's strange, it's winter though," he said to himself. "Ah, ah, ah!" His feet burned hotter and hotter, forcing him to shift his weight from one to the other.

Ellendia called out to him, laughing: "Ah, there you go, when you really want to!"

Pally, baffled, asked: "But why are my feet burning like this?", still hopping from one foot to the other.

Ellendia answered with a mischievous smile: "That's the whole trick of this structure. A fire is lit underneath so the platform gets hot and forces people to dance by shifting from one foot to the other. It's a way of getting little spoilsports like you moving!"

Pally retorted: "But that's devious!" and turned to Merwinn in search of a conspiratorial glance.

But Merwinn had stayed motionless, hypnotized by Ellendia's dance, his feet surely burning too though he didn't notice, too bewitched by her beauty.

"Hey Merwinn, move, move!" cried Pally, taking Merwinn by the hands to force him to move. Which made it look as if the two of them were dancing together.

Ellendia, seeing them, burst out laughing: "Look at you, you're dancing beautifully!"

The spirited music rang out around them, and the wooden structure seemed to vibrate beneath their feet, amplifying each of their steps. The garlands of lights bathed the scene in a soft golden glow, adding a magical touch to the atmosphere. Around the platform, the villagers laughed and clapped, some joining the dance, others content to watch and clap their hands to the rhythm of the music.

Pally and Merwinn, though clumsy at first, gradually caught the rhythm of the dance. Merwinn, still blushing, followed Pally's movements, their feet moving in sync on the heated platform.

Ellendia joined them, her fluid and graceful movements wrapping them in a contagious energy. "Come on, let the music carry you!" she cried joyfully. The three friends laughed together, lost in the moment, forgetting their troubles and savoring the magic of the festival.

After that, the trio moved on to the other stalls. They stopped first at the shooting stall where Pally tried to hit the targets with darts. Despite his efforts, he only hit a few. Merwinn, spurred on by Ellendia's watchful gaze, focused intensely. With surprising precision, he managed to hit almost every target, winning the grand prize: a little cloth doll. Proud of his feat, he offered the doll to Ellendia, who was delighted and thanked him with a big smile.

Next, they headed to the duck-fishing stall. Pally and Merwinn laughed as they tried to catch the little wooden ducks drifting on the water, while Ellendia teased them gently about their lack of precision.

The tin-can toss also caught their eye.

They noticed that William, another orphan of Sleepinwood, was already there, hurling balls with striking intensity.

The moment Pally arrived, the tension rose at once. Pally and William couldn't stand each other, and their rivalry was well known.

The two boys quickly found themselves in a fierce competition. Pally, relying on brute strength, hurled the balls with all his might, while William, more strategic, studied the angles before throwing. The tin cans flew in every direction under their relentless blows.

At one point, in the heat of the game, Pally threw a ball that veered off course and struck William. The tension climbed a notch, the two boys facing off, ready to come to blows.

Sizing up the situation, Ellendia and Merwinn rushed in to intervene. They each grabbed Pally by an arm and, in a surge of solidarity, swiftly whisked him away from the stall.

"Come on, let's go to Benz's stall!" declared Ellendia, trying to ease the mood.

The trio continued on their way, stopping at the rump-steak stall of Benz's Delight✨ where they savored delicious slices of meat grilled with honey that Pally and Merwinn had freshly harvested. Benz looked delighted by the success of those rump steaks.

Next, they passed by the grape-juice stall, near the tavern, where they spotted Durrin and Baloo. The dwarf, jovial and animated, greeted them with enthusiasm.

"Aaaaah, my little adventurers!" Durrin exclaimed, raising a tankard of grape juice in their direction. "How's it goin', lads? Still chasin' after trouble, eh?"

Pally smiled, happy to see Durrin. "Hello, Durrin! Yes, we're enjoying the festival. How are things with Baloo?"

The dwarf burst out laughing. "Ah, Baloo, the old rascal, he's always well. Ain't ya, big fella?" He patted the bear affectionately on the flank, and Baloo growled softly in reply.

Meanwhile, Ellendia, who had hung back a little, watched the scene with interest. She didn't know Durrin well, but the enormous bear Baloo held all her attention.

She approached Baloo timidly, and he looked at her with his great gentle eyes. Durrin, noticing her interest, turned to her: "Nothin' to fear, m'young miss. Baloo's gentler than a lamb when he wants to be. Go on, come closer, he'll take a shine to ya."

Ellendia, reassured, held out a hesitant hand toward Baloo, who sniffed gently before licking her hand, drawing a smile of wonder to the young girl's face.

"You're right," she said, laughing, "he really is adorable!"

Merwinn, a little intimidated but curious, asked: "And you, Durrin, are you having fun?"

Durrin nodded energetically. "Oh, aye! Between the stalls and this fine grape juice, I'm havin' the time of m'life! You ought to try some, lads, it's delicious." He took a long swig then added: "Besides, I'm told we owe this cargo to you two!"

Pally smiled and replied: "Bringing that cargo back was a long story."

Durrin drew closer to them discreetly, and in a manner that wasn't like him, began to speak softly. "Aye, speakin' of that story, Marcel told me what happened in the cavern."

Pally and Merwinn grew very attentive, never having seen Durrin speak so seriously and calmly. Ellendia listened with a discreet ear.

"Giant spiders, I have 'em for breakfast," said Durrin, trying to lighten the mood a little. "But Marcel also told me about the noises you heard in that cave, noises that had nothin' to do with spiders."

Pally, brow furrowed, fixed his gaze on Durrin intently. Merwinn, for his part, swallowed nervously, his eyes wide.

Durrin looked at them for a moment before continuing, his voice grave and measured. "And I know a thing or two about that, seein' as I'm a ranger, I'm used to the road."

He took on an even more serious air.

"I reckon there's a creature hidin' in the woods."

Pally and Merwinn exchanged an uneasy look. Merwinn's eyes widened further, a flicker of fear visible in his gaze. Pally, though trying to remain stoic, couldn't suppress a small shiver running down his spine. Yet at the same time, a wave of excitement surged through him at the thought of defeating this mysterious creature. The prospect of a new adventure already had him spellbound.

Ellendia, listening discreetly a few steps away, felt her heart quicken. She didn't know Durrin well, but the gravity in his voice did not escape her. Her gaze fell instinctively upon Baloo, the bear, who sat quietly beside his master like a protective shadow. Ellendia wondered what kind of creature could possibly worry a ranger accompanied by a bear as massive as Durrin's.

Durrin, noticing their disquiet, added gently, "No need to panic, children. But you must stay vigilant. The forest sometimes hides things we don't understand right away."

As they were still digesting this unsettling news, a powerful voice rang out across the festival.

"Gather round the raised platform, everyone!" Pierrot, the village merchant, was calling the villagers to assemble around the great raised wooden structure for an imminent event.

The children exchanged one last look with Durrin before following the flow of villagers toward the structure. The mood of the festival had become both festive and tense, a palpable excitement mingled with new unease. But this unease soon gave way to Pierrot's announcement.

"An exhibition match will take place between our village chief, Braum, and our savior against the purple bandits, Cirilla!"

Pally and Merwinn echoed in unison, "Cirilla!!?" looking at each other, their eyes alight with excitement and surprise.

"I can't believe it! Cirilla is going to fight?!" whispered Merwinn, his cheeks flushed with admiration.

"This is going to be incredible," added Pally, a shiver of anticipation running down his back.

Ellendia, who had been listening discreetly, interrupted them with a mischievous smile. "Come on, boys, let's get a closer look at this duel. Who knows, maybe you'll pick up a few combat tricks!"

They made their way through the crowd, searching for the best vantage point to witness the duel. The excitement grew, and the whole village seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the exhibition to begin.

On one side of the raised structure, Braum stood ready, clad in his old soldier's armor. A sturdy helm on his head, an iron sword in one hand and a shield in the other, he was the very image of strength and discipline.

On the other side, Cirilla, calm, dressed more lightly, wore a white tunic, black trousers and brown ankle boots. Her outfit was strewn with brown belts, allowing her to strap on several knives and to fasten her sword to her back. Her ash-white hair was gathered in a bun, giving her an air at once elegant and formidable. She looked agile and ready to spring at any moment.

The villagers whispered among themselves, and the children, Pally, Merwinn, and Ellendia, waited impatiently, their eyes fixed on the two combatants.

A solemn melody resounded, played by the musicians on their drums, as if to herald that a great fight was drawing near. Tension rose in the air, each drumbeat heightening the anticipation of the coming clash.

Pierrot raised his arms to draw the crowd's attention, his voice carrying above the murmurs and the drumbeats. "Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you have all been waiting for is finally here! Prepare yourselves to witness an exhibition match between our valiant village chief, Braum, and the formidable Cirilla, our savior against the purple bandits!"

The crowd held its breath as Braum and Cirilla took their places on the great wooden structure. Silence settled in, broken only by the rhythmic beat of the drums. Pierrot lowered his hand in a dramatic gesture, signaling the start of the fight.

Braum, armored in his old soldier's gear, brandished his iron sword and his shield, advancing cautiously toward Cirilla. For her part, Cirilla, calm and focused, gave a slight nod, then drew her sword with fluid elegance.

The first exchanges were methodical and measured. Braum, using his shield to block Cirilla's attacks, showed impressive strength, but Cirilla was visibly holding back. She aimed her strikes so that Braum could parry them with ease, seeking not to wound him.

"Well played, Braum!" she called out with a smile as she dodged an attack and countered with a swift strike that Braum deflected with his shield.

The audience applauded every movement, fascinated by the skilled dance of the two combatants. Pally and Merwinn marveled at Cirilla's mastery and grace, while Ellendia watched every movement intently.

Braum attempted a powerful attack, but Cirilla anticipated it and moved with surprising agility, slipping easily around him. She feigned a quick strike, but stopped just before landing it, letting Braum adjust his guard.

Their swords rang together several more times, the metallic clash ringing through the air. Cirilla continued to temper her blows, using just enough force to put on a fine display without endangering Braum. The crowd was captivated, applauding and shouting encouragement at every exchange.

Cirilla suddenly shifted tactics, and in a spectacular move, slid across the wood of the structure, her sword skimming the ground before rising in a swift arc toward Braum. He managed to intercept the attack with his shield, but the force of Cirilla's momentum drove him back a few steps. The crowd gave an admiring "oh."

"Well defended!" she said to encourage him, before leaping back and resuming a defensive stance.

Braum, slightly winded but determined, smiled. "Thank you, Cirilla." He caught his breath. "As you can see, I'm not finished yet!"

The two combatants faced each other again, and Cirilla, sprinting toward Braum, used a feint, simulating a blow to the head before pivoting swiftly to strike at Braum's legs. He raised his foot to avoid the blow, and tried with his shield to throw Cirilla off balance. She pretended to absorb the impact with her shoulder only to immediately slip away from it with feline grace, which tipped Braum forward. She finished the movement by simply sweeping her leg as a bar, sending Braum to the ground, and pointed her sword at him, signaling her victory.

Braum lowered his sword slightly and raised his hand. "I think that's enough for today. Thank you, Cirilla, for this match."

Cirilla nodded, sheathing her sword and offering him a helping hand. "With pleasure, Braum. It was an honor."

The crowd erupted in applause and cheers, celebrating the end of the fight. Pally, Merwinn, and Ellendia joined in the cheering, their hearts pounding with excitement after witnessing such an impressive spectacle.

Pally, Merwinn, and Ellendia decided to go find Cirilla, but the dense crowd slowed them down. As they carved a path through it, they glimpsed Cirilla in the distance speaking to Braum. Her serious face stood in contrast with the relaxed assurance she had shown during the fight.

By the time they reached Braum, Cirilla had already left in haste for a reason they did not know.

"Braum, where is Cirilla?" asked Pally, visibly frustrated.

"She's gone," answered Braum, shaking his head.

"Why? What's happening?" Merwinn insisted.

"I don't know," admitted Braum. "She wouldn't say why, but it was clearly urgent. I respect her decision."

Pally clenched his fists, frustration plain on his face. "That's not fair…" he muttered, annoyed by the mystery surrounding Cirilla's hurried departure.

At that moment, someone called for Braum, forcing him to leave in turn. Leaving them there, Braum gave them a reassuring smile before turning away.

Pally stamped his foot on the ground in frustration, while Merwinn and Ellendia shared his disappointment, their sad faces reflecting the same sense of emptiness. The emotional rollercoaster had been hard on them, the surge of excitement followed by the sudden letdown leaving them disoriented and dejected.

A few minutes passed. Pally and Merwinn sat side by side, facing the great raised structure, in silence. Ellendia, unable to lift them out of their frustration, decided to leave with her new doll. She made her way to Titis, who wanted company at the duck stall.

Pally pulled himself together and said to Merwinn: "It doesn't matter, really. She'll be back soon. In the meantime, to shake off our frustration, we're going to get up to some mischief. You in?"

Merwinn, still a bit dejected, lifted his head and gave a faint smile: "Mischief? What have you got in mind?"

Pally began to think, a mischievous smile spreading across his face: "I've got an idea. We could sneak beneath the raised structure and crank up the heat. Imagine watching the dancers speed up their steps and dance like maniacs because of the platform's heat!"

Merwinn sat up straight, enthusiasm returning to his eyes: "Oh, that would be hilarious! Let's go before anyone catches us!"

The two boys slipped discreetly around to the back of the structure, checking repeatedly over their shoulders to make sure no one was watching. Their hearts were pounding, thrilled and nervous at the thought of putting their plan into action.

"There, it's here," whispered Pally, pointing to a small metal hatch.

"And how do we crank up the heat?" Merwinn asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Pally smiled and opened the hatch, revealing a system of levers and controls. "We're going to turn this lever to the right, like so," he explained, slowly turning it. The mechanism gave out a slight creak.

"Do you think it'll work?" Merwinn fretted.

"Of course it will," Pally replied confidently. "Now, come on, let's see what happens."

They hid behind a stack of crates, watching the scene from their hiding place. On the platform, the dancers continued to move to the rhythm of the music, but a few moments later, looks of surprise appeared on their faces.

"Hey, can you feel that?" cried one dancer, wiping the sweat from his brow. "It's getting awfully hot!"

"Come on, keep moving!" another yelled, picking up his pace, his movements growing more and more frenzied.

The two boys exchanged a conspiratorial look and smothered a laugh as they watched the dancers begin to hop and flail in exaggerated fashion.

"Look at that one, it's like he's doing a rain dance!" snickered Merwinn, pointing at a man who seemed to be performing disjointed leaps.

"And that one, she's spinning on the spot like a top!" added Pally, tears of laughter in his eyes.

The commotion on the platform grew more and more intense, the dancers moving quickly to escape the growing heat beneath their feet. The disorderly movements and startled exclamations made for a hilarious sight.

"I think we pulled it off," Pally murmured with satisfaction. "They're dancing like maniacs now."

Suddenly, a deep and commanding voice made them jump. "What are you two doing here?" It was Braum, who had just caught them in the act.

Pally and Merwinn spun around, caught red-handed, but unable to hold back their laughter at the commotion on the platform.

"We… uh… we just wanted to have a bit of fun," stammered Pally, his cheeks red with shame and laughter.

Braum, brow furrowed, shook his head sternly. "Fun, eh? Well, now you're going to learn to face the consequences of your actions. You're on dishwashing duty for the rest of the festival. Get yourselves to the south entrance of the village."

The two boys swallowed hard, realizing the gravity of their situation. Without another word, Braum escorted them to the appointed place, where a pile of dirty dishes was already waiting for them.

"And don't even think about slipping off. I want every plate to shine," Braum added before walking away.

Pally and Merwinn set to work, heads hanging low. Pally glanced at Merwinn and whispered: "It was funny, though…"

Merwinn nodded with a small smile. "Yes, but next time, maybe we should be a bit more careful."

The two friends began to laugh softly, sharing this moment despite the chore that lay ahead.

Thirty minutes went by and they were far from finished. The pile of dishes seemed endless. Pally, scrubbing a plate vigorously, sighed. "Ugh, we're going to be at this for a while…"

Merwinn, taking a break and wiping the sweat from his brow, glanced at Pally. "Pally, do you think Ellendia likes me?"

Pally looked up, surprised by the question. "Of course she likes you. Why do you ask?"

Merwinn, clearly embarrassed, fiddled with a sponge. "It's just that… she's so… amazing. And me, I'm just… me."

Pally raised his eyebrows, not really understanding where Merwinn was going with this. "Well yes, you're you, and where's the problem?"

Merwinn blushed slightly. "It's just that… I wish she'd like me a bit more."

Pally began to chuckle softly, starting to understand. "Ah, so that's it! Well, I'm sure she likes you. And besides, did you see the way she smiled at you when you gave her the doll? You've got every chance, mate." He gave him a thumbs-up as if to cheer him on.

Merwinn nodded, a shy smile appearing on his face. "You think so? She did seem pleased…" He nodded again, feeling a little more encouraged. "Thanks, Pally. You really are my best friend."

Pally picked up another plate and began to wash it. "Come on, let's get this done quickly. Maybe we can still enjoy a bit of the festival afte…"

Suddenly, a noise not far from the village entrance drew his attention. A cracking sound, followed by a rustling in the bushes. Pally froze, feeling his muscles tighten, every fiber of his being ready to react.

"Did you hear that?" he asked in a low voice, glancing at Merwinn.

Merwinn, lost in his thoughts, stopped scrubbing a plate and cocked his ear. The sweat beading on his brow was no longer due to effort alone.

"It was… maybe a bird," he said, but the uncertainty in his voice betrayed his unease.

The rustling came again, this time closer, more distinct. His heart pounded so hard that he forgot the cold of the water on his hands. There was no bird in the forest at this hour, and certainly none capable of making that kind of sound.

Durrin's words about a creature prowling in the woods came suddenly back to mind, and a shiver ran down their spines. Pally and Merwinn exchanged a look, the same thought crossing their minds. What if it was the creature? What if that mysterious beast, of which Durrin had spoken in such a grave tone, had ventured closer to the village?

The sounds of the festival now seemed to belong to another world, distant and out of reach. Here, near the village entrance, the darkness was denser, more threatening, as if it harbored a secret that only Pally and Merwinn could sense.

"Careful, Merwinn," he finally murmured, his eyes fixed on the shifting shadows. "We are not alone."