I followed the bridge that was engineered so perfectly that the mammoths of the Ironside Mountains could have crossed the bridges with their giants with ease. The citizens of this strange alley could definitely engineer things that put other hamlets to shame.
I crossed the bridge and went into the Forest of Fear. The Forest of Fear was a strange location as the inhabitants never left home, and the Forest had one merchant and one merchant only, and he was so fearful he stayed in the little hut would take orders only by written instructions then he would slip the goods through the window. No one in all of Nod even knew what the residents of the Forest of Fear looked like at all.
Father never saw them, and the whole forest was empty and there was a sadness that seemed to knife through one's soul. I really had no way of knowing where I was going or even how to get out.
I saw something rustle in the moss and a very tiny creature popped out. It had large kind eyes, was furry as can be, and had paws. I was not sure if this was a friend or foe, so I opened the satchel and they peered in and touched the scroll.
"I am Pladius. I am a Valin. Friend, I am lad. I serve the Author of Life as do you. I will guide you out of the forest. We have no inns for you to rest and the trees speak to keep out folks, and if you are not careful, the fear they bring can bring sudden death." He spoke and gave me a special hat that covered my ears so I could not hear the trees speak.
He scurried along my feet and I wondered about his journey and how the Author of Life came to him. "He came here physically, and touched me personally. He came to touch all of the Valins, but they were so afraid, they stayed in their houses. I was tired of hiding, tired of the annoying trees frightening others away. When He touched me I no longer felt fear, and I became deaf to the trees. I am the only Valin freed as it were." He explained gently.
There was a fog coming over the forest and Valin rushed into a cave. "Hurry save yourself, the fog brings the Beast himself, and he devours the Valin!" He yelled over the angry trees.
I made haste into the cave. The scroll hopped out of the satchel and covered the cave door. Reminding me of the words of old that says he shelters us from the one that seeks to devour. We sat there in total isolating silence for what seemed like seven lifetimes stacked.
I knew this little Valen creature must be quite hungry by now, I was not sure what this creature ate. "Your food is useless to me, we Valen can only eat Brightling Beetles and there are none in this cave. I tried mortal food once and it nearly took this Valin to the coffin. Don't fret, lad, Valin folk can go weeks without food, but eat, and enjoy please."
He said crawling up to see what I had in my snack.
I could hear the Beast walking. His steps were so heavy, the cave itself loosened some rocks above us, the scroll held firm against the door.
I shook with fear and wondered if he could smell my food, but I trusted in the scroll and continued eating, and drank deeply from my canteen, and then suddenly I began to sing songs of praises.
The Beast turned out of the forest. I then had an idea, it was not the will of the Author of Life for these Valen folk to live in such fear, and an idea struck me.
"Pladius, drink from my canteen, and you will begin to sing, the other Valen will become curious and we can give them liquid joy, then I can tell them things and they will no longer fear the outside world, and the Beast cannot feast one them because they will not be a feast for him." I said quickly.
Pladius wasted no time at all, drank the water, and started singing and all of the Valen came to inquire as to why one of their own was singing songs and much to my delight their curiosity overcame their fear. They came out of hiding. They stood so far back, as if my new companion held some plague of some kind but they started asking questions and he led them to me.
The young ones came first and drank joy, and just like that they were talking so much it was so hard for me to keep focused on their words. The last to come forward was the Valen merchant.
"My name is Soland, and can I please have a cup of your water?" He was so full of fear his words came out in stutterings. I nodded. His little paws shook with nerves and he drank the whole thing.
Suddenly with all of the joy exploding from their hearts the trees were silenced and the strangest thing happened, the leaves went from coal black to a beautiful hues of blues and purples and there was grass that suddenly sprang from nowhere and flowers bloomed in all the colours one soul could ever imagine.
Right there and then every single Valen gave their hearts to the Author of Life and suddenly two massive scrolls covered the entrance and exit of the village ensuring the Beast that lived on hearts of fear could never eat another Valen.
A massive celebration was declared and suddenly they knew their neighbours they had never even seen due to fear. I had never seen such a celebration among my own people and all I did was observe and take part in this incredible event.
I stayed there and gave them a map to my Father's house to be able to trade and get their hamlet on the map. It turns out Brightling Beetles also make silk and the thread was more beautiful than normal silk worms. I knew my father would give the Valen more Shields for their hard work and they would be able to help give to the mortal widow and widower's fund. Non mortal creatures used their Shields for this purpose if they wanted to support it. The Realm never forced anything on the citizens of Nod. Once I explained what the Shields would go to, they immediately wanted to be on the trade route.
I was thrilled as I was thinking of Widow Arlow and I was so happy the whole village now served the Author of Life. I sat in awe and then three days later I made my departure. I wish Father could see this hamlet and how it transformed but I knew that in a few weeks he would be meeting them face to face.