Chapter 1: On the Trail We Blaze!

Oliver tosses the the last torch onto the pyre, "I love you. You helped make all of us who we are today. We will Never forget..."

Flora quickly embraces Oliver into a hug and allows him to cry on her shoulders with Todd rubbing up against her too.

"Its ok to cry. Let it all out." She tells him.

"Better head inside, looks like a storm is coming."
Woody has no idea about the weather at this moment, he's just making an excuse to bug out. He heads back to the cabin and prepares his gear for adventure.

"Well, my friends... It is a sad day for sure but I am sure of one thing. When I first came here, I had a job to do. Tonight, I'm going to rest. Tomorrow, I'm going to finish that job. Or maybe I should say, start it."

Woody stands looking at the crew, waiting to see if they will join or if he'll be going into the dark alone. That cauldron is getting smashed....

Flora goes to the bookshelf and pulls out three brown bags and hands it to Woody, Oliver, and Atrius.

"Here's the money Grandmother Sophie owes all of you. She told me to give it to you if she was unable to. I know you guys want to try the basement again, but what if we fail again? We almost died the last few times we went down there. Plus I feel something bad is coming with this current Storm and we need our entire strength in order to be able to face whatever it is. Beware the Watchers in the dark that rides the storms and chills the heart . " Flora says a moment later when her eyes go into the back of her head after she said that last scary part.

Todd shivers at that and relaxes after Floras eyes go back to normal. "Glad you are okay, Flora. That was scary. "

"What was THAT?"

"What do you mean?" Flora asked curiously.

"You just went all crazy eyed and said, 'Beware the Watchers in the dark that ride the storms and chill the heart ,' then like nothing you go back to normal all happy go lucky."

"I did? I can't remember. I know I was talking to everyone then I must've blacked out. I really said that? Wowsers. Sorry if I scared everyone. " Flora said a moment later before sitting down to rest.

"I don't know what that actually means though. Grandmother Sophie told me that too but I didn't know if they are real or not. They must be if she always told us never to be out after dark when we were kids."

Trying not to let the mood get even darker after just laying Grandma Sophie to rest, Atrius attempts to make light of Floras foreboding possession.

"Well then, after that I say, regardless what we do, let’s bring lots of light with us."

Flora nods. "I think there are lanterns in her study we can use and candles."

Todd looks at Flora with concern. "Are we really going out after dark? What if we get hurt?"

Flora smiles at Todd. "I'm not going to let anything hurt any of us. I promise. "

Todd nods with a relieved smile.

"This is my familiar Todd the fox. He can talk and understand us. Todd these are my friends Tink, Woody and Oliver. " Flora says a moment later introducing Todd to the others.

"Its nice to meet Floras childhood friends. You all are basically like a family to her." Todd yips.

"As you all know, we elves don't sleep. I'm good to head out now into any adventure but it really might be best to get a good night's sleep then start our adventure at first light."

Flora nods. "Grandmother Sophie made our beds bigger in our room for when you all returned here. I'm happy to rest here and start fresh in the morning too."

As far as sleeping habits go, Oliver hasn't changed. He takes the opportunity to lose himself in the library and stays up way too late.

Flora relays the note to the others and asks "Should we go help? I'm up for it if y'all are. "

"Only if Captain Kidd comes next. He's responsible for grandmothers death"