Outside of Belmaris, on a muddy dirt road, a tall young man named Evan was running as fast as he could. Well, at this point it would be more accurate to call it a mud road. Winter ended on the Belmar peninsula two months ago, which means in the last 60 days it was mostly raining. As a local, Evan could follow the course of the small road, but for the inadept eyes, it looked no different from running on the fields. Everything was covered with ankle-deep water, and only after some thorough examination could one spot the changing landscape on the horizon. The road was leading to the Bel-Yon lake, what the people just called the "Mother Lake" ever since they settled down here more than 100 years ago.

The lake covered 1/3 of the whole peninsula, making it the biggest landscape in the region. In fact, Belmar can be called a bleak and narrow ring of land around the lake, connected to the Shior mountains from the northwestern side. While the Belmarians used to hunt in the closer areas of the mountains and during to short summer period some grains and vegetables can be harvested as well, without the "Mother Lake" no life could remain in the region. Besides the huge and nourishing blackfish and the small and delicious plum mussels, the lake was rich in softcrabs. This little, yellow animal was capable to withstand the most freezing weather conditions for the Belmarians' great happiness. Every winter dozens of brave fishermen got together in the town and the farmsteads to crack the ice of the lake and hunt for softcrabs in the frosty water. One could understand how the lake fed the locals like a mother fed her baby.

While softcrab had a pretty good taste, after eating it for 5 months straight Evan didn't even want to think about them. He wanted blackfish. Huge, juicy slices of blackfish, with a lot of fat and meat. Being the middle of the spring season, the blackfish in the water have grown enough so people can catch them for a good fish feast. 'Damn, if I wouldn't have to guide that fat bastard all day along, I could already eat my delicious fish. I hope Jino and Yanek haven't eaten them all.' Thinking about his gluttonous friends Evan started to run even faster.

After some time he finally arrived at Uncle Timor's farmstead. Timor was one of the most experienced fishermen in Belmar, earning the respect of the people on the lake for 3 decades. His eldest son Jino was doing his best to follow his father's steps, not only taking over his skills but also his laud voice and warm personality. Evan, Jino, and the other friends of their group often gathered at Timor's house, when they wanted to swim in the lake in the summer, eat grilled fish, or just simply fool around the lake.

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Closing into the farmstead Evan could see the familiar fishing boats fixed next to a small pier and the wooden house build on stakes. Seeing the white smoke coming out on the top Evan smiled and gulped as if he could already feel the taste of the fish.

He quickly ran up to the door and shouted from the top of his lungs. 'All of you put down whatever you're eating. The Master is here and starving for dinner!'

Suddenly all noises halt down in the house. After a few seconds of silence, a deep voice could be heard. 'Did you guys hear anything from outside? I think it's just the rain and the wind. Let's just eat these delicious fish, while I tell you the story of when Evan fell into manure when we played with my dog.'

Hearing this Evan started to panic. 'Fogel, I dare you to tell that story. Who would believe you? Even your mother won't believe you if you tell her that you're her son. Let me in or I will beat you up! I'm not joking!'

Suddenly huge laughter broke out in the house, which made Evan curse. 'What a bunch of bastards.'

'So it was like this. Evan and I helped my father around the pigs at our farm. Little Bubu was only a puppy back then...'

'Fogel, if you don't stop and let me in, I will tell everyone the story about what happened 2 days after the manure incident!'

The house became silent again, then Evan heard a few quick running steps from the other side of the door. After some cracky noise from the lock, the door opened up wide, and a short, pale, blank-haired boy stepped out with a nervous smile on his face.

'I'm so glad to see you, my dear friend, please come in and dry your clothes at the fire. Hey everyone, Evan our precious friend is here, make some space for him!'

Evan smirked and stepped into the house. 'Typical Fogel...' he thought.