Prologue: The Children's Journey

Woody is going into the woods to practice with his bow. He's sorted out that everyone but him will have at least a shield and a spear for next time they go down and hands them out appropriately.

Flora thanks him and takes the Shield and spear Before joining them into the woods. "Thanks Woody. I know a little magic too but will need practice and Grandmother Sophie's help to be able to train and help me hone my skills. "

"I'll come help you guys practice. I'll practice using this flame wristband too!"

"Are you coming to practice with us too Ollie?" Flora asks over to Ollie a moment later.

"Grandma, Im not feeling well…My brain is okay though. I think I'm just going to stay in here for a while. Do you have any books or something?" Ollie asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ollie's life is a constant struggle with painful memories. His perfect memory, while considered a blessing by some, is actually a curse that torments him every day. Losing his parents in a fire was just the beginning of the tragedy that befell him. Seeing his brother nearly die today was yet another devastating blow that left him reeling. Ollie's mind is like a prison, where every trauma and pain is locked away but never forgotten.

For Ollie, there is no escape from the past. Every detail, every moment, every emotion is etched into his mind with painful clarity. It's like he's stuck in a nightmare that he can never wake up from. He can't even find solace in the present, because the past is always with him, haunting him.

The only way Ollie can cope is by keeping his mind occupied, constantly busy with something, anything, to distract him from his pain. But even that is just a temporary respite. He knows that the memories will come flooding back eventually, and he'll be left to suffer all over again.

Ollie's plea to his grandmother for books is a desperate cry for help. He just needs something, anything, to take his mind off the endless cycle of pain and trauma. It's heartbreaking to see someone so young and full of potential trapped in a prison of their own memories. Ollie's life is a tragic reminder that sometimes, the things we think are blessings can turn out to be curses in disguise.

Think senses the sadness in his friend. He’s seen darkness come over him like this him before.

"You sure Ollie? There’s a lot more from that fire magic book you could tell me about. I can stay here with you instead if you want. You can help me some more."

"Ill be fine I just need minute" says Ollie, flashing a fake smile "No really, go have some fun, Ill be out later" Lies…

Flora looks at the others and asks Tink and Woody as they practice their fighting moves " So what's been going on in the city lately? I haven't been there since I left the orphanage so I have been out of the loop."

She throws her spear to a tree branch which hits an apple knocking it off the tree to the ground. Seeing the apple Flora begins to get scared as it reminds her of what happened when Baba Yaga tried to eat her and she backs away from the apple tree.

Just as a narrow firebolt from his wristband hits a stump, Tink is about to respond to Flora and tell her about the new things he has seen in the marketplace, but then he lowers his arm and his expression goes dark as he remembers the only reason he ever went into the city was to get things for Calvin.

The excitement of target practicing and hanging with Flora and Woody suddenly is replaced by sadness.

"That witch of a baroness killed Mr. Dimble," Tink somberly says, "just because he figured out that she is selling kids to a goblin king. That cat helps her. Calvin found out and helped me escape. I..I..saw her kill him..."

Tears begin to form.

Woody turns his back on Tink, going outside.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Tink. He must have meant a lot to you, Mr. Calvin, I mean. Don't worry. We'll train hard enough to take revenge on that witch, I promise. "Flora replied a moment later before embracing him into a warm hug.

Tink takes reassurance from Flora’s words and her hug. He pulls back his tears as his sadness morphs into anger and determination. When Floral steps away from the hug, he fires another blast and actually hits the Apple on top of the stump this time.

"You’re right Flora. We will."

"That was awesome, Tink! Great job." Flora tells Tink.

"I hope Ollie will be okay too."

"Grandma Sophie, can you help us all? I want to get really good at fighting and putting magic in things. I got to get really good, because we got to stop that baroness. She's gonna just keep giving kids to the goblin king."

Woody doesn't bother going to the bedroom, he just stays in the living area meditating, so he doesn't accidentally wake anyone up when he is done. Then he does the prep work for breakfast, gathering eggs from the chickens and milk from the goat.

Tink tries to catch up with Ollie to make sure he’s alright, when he does he asks, "Hey Ollie, Grandma Sophie got any good books? I bet you read them all already."