The smell of toasting bread and warming beans joined the sizzling sound and aroma of bacon. Amelia was with Tyni by the fire cooking, while Briar helped Tuuka fill (or refill) everyone's mugs from a small keg. Reginald and Domas (the boar and the wolf) had wide bowls instead of mugs and had to lap at their ale instead of quaffing like the dwarves.

Amelia sipped at her mug as she stirred the beans. It was bitter and strong, but very good--creamy and nutty.

Tyni peered at the reddish sauce the beans were in. "What is that, lass?"

"Beans! Beans on toast is my favorite, and I don't really have much else to share."

With her nodded permission, he dipped a spoon in and took a taste.

"Oooh! Tomato sauce? Very nice! We only ever get sweet barbecue sauce. Tasty!" the dwarf smacked his lips. "That'll go nicely with the bacon!" he enthused.

Once the cooking was done, they dished out the meal. There weren't enough plates to go around, but they made do by sharing. Reginald and Domas emptied one of their bowls of ale into the other (it was already mostly gone, anyways), then filled it with the beans, bacon, and toast.

The only ones that didn't join in the late-night feast were Fern and Whisper, still snoozing off their food coma in Amelia's kangaroo pocket. She had to be careful not to squish them as she settled down with her own food.

As they ate, Amelia realized she recognized the group -- at least, she recognized Reginald, although she hadn't learned his name.

"Reginald, didn't we dance last night at the Starlight Dance?"

The boar squinted at her, then scratched under his flat cap with a trotter, almost dislodging it. He peered at her again once his hat was back in place.

"Why yes, miss! I believe we did! I recognize those shoes--don't see those every day."

Amelia glanced at her trainers. She didn't think they were anywhere as memorable as a boar in a flat cap.

"Were you all there? I don't remember the rest of you guys."

"We were! It was a rollicking party, wasn't it? I think Domas and Picker are still feeling the effects!" Tyni nudged the wolf, who wuffed and snapped playfully at him. It looked haggard.

The goblin waved from where he lay, having heard his name. He had downed his ale and food quickly, then laid back down near the fire, looking just as done in as Domas.

"So you guys on your way home, then?"

"Actually, we're looking for work and thought we'd see if anyone needed help at the Night Market. No luck so far. We'll give it another day or so, then move on."

"What kind of work do you do, if you do not mind answering." asked Lark.

"Not at all! Tuuka, Picker, and I are miners by trade, but we do whatever brings in money."

"I'm a trader and peddler. That's my wagon back there." Reginald said, waving vaguely towards the wagon.

Amelia could just make out the silhouette of a small wagon, more of a wheelbarrow really. It had traces and a yoke on it sized for the boar to pull it.

"And Domas is his hired muscle, for those that don't want to pay." added Tyni.

"Bodyguard, not muscle. Ditch digger." growled the wolf. He glared at the dwarf, but it was obvious they were just needling each other.

"Bodyguard, huh? Is it dangerous around here? I had a ... well, I was worried we might need to fight, and I don't know how." Amelia admitted, looking a little embarrassed.

"Safe if you're careful. Always dangerous for the unwary." the wolf replied, his voice much more pleasant than the rumbled growl he'd used with the dwarf.

"And where are you lot headed?" Tuuka asked, looking from Amelia to Lark and Briar.

"We're on a quest! To save our friend!" announced Amelia happily.

Briar and Lark exchanged glances. The idea of discretion was a foreign concept to the caretaker.

"Quest? Intriguing? What are you questing for?" asked Reginald. The boar had a pleasant baritone voice, deeper than the wolf. He had a slight squeal when he said the word quest, which Amelia found endearing.

"Our friend Alder--he's an oak tree, by the way--was attacked by shadows! They've trapped him, and we're going to free him!"

"Oh my! Shadows? How strange!"

Lark cleared her throat to get the companies' attention.

"We found a book that illustrates the situation. Although it does not say how to resolve it. Thank you, Briar! Yes, this plate here." She pointed with her beak at the illustration. Briar had brought the book out into the firelight so everyone could see.

The hand-drawn illustration showed a lone tower, made of stone, wreathed in shadows exactly like the ones that enveloped Alder. The caption read 'The wrath of a Realm'.

They crowded around to get a good look.

Amelia stared at the image, the first time she'd seen it. It was disturbing, not least because she vividly remembered the chill and fear she'd felt when she approached the tendrils around Alder.

"The story that goes with that picture is long, but the relevant part was that a Realm Seed was hidden in the base of that tower to keep the Seed safe. It awakened, and its tendrils demolished the tower and razed the land around it. I will not go into further detail. It is not a pleasant story."

"Does it say the name of the realm?" asked Picker quietly. He had propped himself up on his elbow to see the image.

"It was called Dunnwald, or the place of Dark Power. One I have never heard of, personally, but I am not well-informed on these things." replied Lark.

"Dunnwald? I remember a story about that one, from when I was a sproutling. Horrible place. Dark Lord, bloodthirsty minions, abominations, the usual. They raided into every realm they could access. Nasty pieces of work. Then some group of adventurers knocked off the ruler and stole the seed. Probably just a story, but the crossing points to it closed years ago, and there haven't been any raids since. The elders claim it's been more peaceful the last few generations, but it was always better in the old days, according to them." the goblin shrugged.

Briar nodded. "The elders of my clan say the same. 'Kids these days! No hardship! Never had to fight off the bandits! Never had to walk uphill both ways to get to the mines!'". She used a crotchety-sounding voice, mimicking the older goblins she knew. Picker chortled along with her.

"Yes, Amelia?" asked Lark when she saw Amelia shyly raising her hand.

"What's a realm seed? Is it going to kill Alder like it broke that tower? And how high will it lift the hollow?"

"'Raze' means to destroy, not lift, in this situation. If something is not done, yes, it will likely kill Alder." she said sadly.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

"As for Realm Seeds, they are sometimes also called Hearts, or Eggs, or Cores. They are the nexus of power of a Realm. This is one of those subjects that is very complex, and difficult to describe in useful terms. I only know a few stories and what I read from this book, so again I must emphasize I am no expert on the matter."

"Aye, not many know much about them. Most of us just accept that realms exist, and get on with life." added Tyni.

"We know that Realm Seeds are controlled by someone they bond with. When that person dies, control passes to an heir. If the heir is not able to bond with the Seed, it will go dormant, and the realm collapses and becomes sealed off. How an heir is chosen, or how one bonds with a Seed is the subject of tales, but I suspect very few know for sure."

"So if the realm collapses, what happens to everybody in it?" asked Amelia.

"I do not know that, either. Perhaps some escape before the full collapse. Perhaps they are imprisoned, or perish." answered the bird.

"So a world is about to pop open under my friend, and it might be filled with hungry monsters that have been locked up for a long time. Is that about right?"

"I am afraid that is a reasonable summary of the situation, Caretaker. It does indeed look bleak."

"What are we doing about it? Do we find some heroes and send them in to bump off the ruler and seal it back up again?"

"A reasonable approach, except that the Realm has not yet formed. From the book, this type of Realm aggressively defends itself if it is awakened and senses danger. But it has not yet expanded from its Seed form. If we could get past its defenses and could find it, we could move it somewhere else. That would save Alder, but would not stop the Realm from opening, should it form a suitable bond."

"Why would it feel threatened? I've never seen anything dangerous in the hollow."

"You have many questions I cannot answer, Caretaker. I am an old bird and have long sung for the wood, but I no sage. I am sorry."

"Don't be! I didn't mean to make you feel bad! I just hoped somebody knew something!"

"Excuse me, but I might know someone who would." stated Reginald quietly.

"You do! Who? Where are they? Let's go talk to them!" Amelia leapt up.

"Patience, caretaker! Let the boar speak, then we will decide what to do. This problem will not be solved by rash behaviour, or rushing off and getting lost." Lark said reproachfully.

Amelia settled back down, blushing furiously.

"One of my regulars is a teacher not too far from here. They might know something, or somebody who might. If you'd like, I can introduce you after I pick up my goods tomorrow."

"Really! You would do that? Thank you!" Amelia threw her arms around the boar's thick neck, pushing her face into his bristly fur.

"Of course! The least I could do for a former dance partner." he huffed in embarrassment.

"The fact that the news of a realm seed will sell quite well doesn't hurt, either, does it, lard boy?" Domas added slyly.

"Harrumph! But since I don't know where these fine folks are from, I can't sell too much information." the boar responded defensively.

"We're from ... actually, how do we describe where we're from? Hearth Haven Hollow? Earth?"

Briar buried her face in her hands at Amelia's cluelessness.

"No no, I'm sure I've never heard of those places, and could never sell that information." the boar responded.

"Under the circumstances, Caretaker, you do not need to know. One of us can get you home, so do not worry."

"Oh, right. Okay."

"Sorry to break up the party, but I'm trying to sleep over here. Could we maybe call it a night?" grumped Domas. Picker grunted in agreement.

"Right, right. Thanks for the beans and toast, it was good! Come back in the morning, and I'll make coffee and boil up some oats if you want." said Tyni, rising to stoke the fire.

"Sure! We'll be here!" Amelia responded as she, Briar, and Lark headed back to their own encampment, toting their mugs and plates.

----------------------------------------

After breakfast the next day, they said their goodbyes to the dwarves and goblin.

"We'll be hanging around here for a few more days, checking for work in the market. At least until we run out of ale or bacon. Then we'll be off. Maybe check one of the farms around here, hope they need some labor." explained Tyni.

"If you come back this way, feel free to drop by! We'd love to hear what you find out! Good luck!" said Tuuka.

Picker just waved, disinterested.

"Good luck finding work! Hopefully, we'll see you on our way back, or some other time!" waved Amelia as they headed off.

Reginald had hitched himself into his cart, and they trundled back along the road towards the market. Domas walked off to the side, the better to keep an eye out both ahead and behind.

"I've got a load of tools and various trade items to pick up, then we can be off. Do any of you have stops to make?" asked the boar.

Amelia glanced at Lark and Briar, who both shook their heads no.

"Nope! We're good! I did some shopping yesterday. But I'll let you know if anything catches my eye and I need to stop."

"Indeed you will, Caretaker. You will let us all know you are stopping, will you not?" Lark teased mildly.

"I will, I will!"

----------------------------------------

It was midmorning before they were out on the road heading away from the market. It had been just as crowded and frenetic as the day before, but Reginald knew right where he was going, and the crowd quickly made way for the wolf who moved in front of them. It didn't take very long to pick up his wares, then they headed back the way they came.

They walked for some distance along the road, the wheels of Reginald's wagon squeaking loudly. He didn't seem to mind the noise or the weight of the load he was pulling. He walked just as fast as he had when the wagon was empty earlier.

The road passed through forest mostly, although a river and a valley as they went. There were several lanes that branched off, and at the third one, they turned left. The woods opened up into rolling fields, and they could see a handful of houses clustered together. There were people out farming, and as they approached, dogs barked. The farmers waved, recognizing Reginald and Domas.

The school was on the far side of the village. As they passed through, the inhabitants variously ignored them or waved, but most seemed friendly. Several dogs came to sniff Domas warily, but he didn't seem to mind, and soon a small pack followed after him. A few of the village children followed the procession as well, determined to see if anything fun was going on.

The school turned out to be a large brick building, two-storied, with a veranda surrounding it. The doors and windows were open to the breeze since it was a sunny day.

Reginald stopped outside the front door and dropped the wagon traces.

"I'll go speak to the clerk about the delivery, then I'll go find my friend and introduce you. Domas, keep an eye on things -- don't want any of these piglets helping themselves!" he winked as Domas play snapped at a young boy who had strayed close to the wagon.

"I know my business. Do yours." responded the wolf, who settled down on his haunches near the rear of the wagon.

Reginald returned shortly, a faun in robes following him. The faun had a piece of chalk tucked behind one of his pointy ears, and his robes were coated with chalk dust where he had been wiping his hands.

"Lark, Briar, Amelia, this is Pola. Pola, my friends have a problem, and were hoping you could help."

The faun bowed gracefully. "At your service! I'm between lessons right now, I have some time to talk. Depending on what you want to know, I might need to check my references, but let's chat out here in the sun while we can." He sat down on a bench on the veranda and indicated they should join him.

Amelia started to say something, but Briar trod on her foot quickly, and tilted her head toward Lark.

"Oh, sorry, yeah, Lark, why don't you ask?" she said. Briar rolled her eyes.

"Thank you, Caretaker. Scholar Pola, thank you for your time. We believe a Realm Seed is awakening in our home. Our friend is trapped in its defenses, and we fear what will happen to him, and to us all should it bond and open. Do you know of such things?"

"Oh my! A realm seed? Fascinating! I studied them as a hobby years ago, never expected to actually use the knowledge. What makes you think that's what's happening?"

Briar dragged out the book, and Lark relayed the story, much as she had the previous evening.

Pola looked at the picture and listened carefully as the bird spoke.

"Yes, I think you're right. I've seen other depictions of realm seeds defending themselves. Quite spectacular. Your friend--Alder, did you say?"

"Yes. He is an oak tree, Guardian of the Wood. He has protected and guided us since before my forebears were hatched."

"I see. I wonder, could he have been placed to contain the seed? I can't believe a single oak, no matter how formidable, could achieve such a task."

"He had many kindred, once. There was a glade ringed by his family, but he is the last left, now."

"That explains things. I'll bet you'll find the seed right in the middle of that glade. Somebody probably buried it there, thinking it would be safe. Or just punting the problem off to a later generation. No offense meant."

"None taken, Scholar."

"Any idea what might have triggered it? It sounds like this thing has been dormant for a very long time if it was long enough for an oak to grow old guarding it. It would probably be some change to the environment, something new, or perhaps magic strange to the area. Or somebody digging in the glade?"

Amelia raised her hand. Briar shook her head at that.

"It happened a few weeks after I arrived in the hollow. My first or second day I did some digging in the glade to help clear it out. And the attack happened right after I made that potion by accident. The one that made me so tired from the magic. Remember, Lark?"

"How could I possibly forget, Caretaker? We feared for your life after that stunt."

"A new person, working magic? That could do it. Any chance you have some connection with the seed, Amelia?" asked the faun, who scooted to the edge of his seat, barely concealing his excitement. His right leg was jiggling with fidgety energy.

"No, not really. Like I told Lark, I'm not even really related to Gran, she just was always a good family friend for as long as I can remember."

"I disagree with your assessment, Amelia. I think you might indeed have more connection with the hollow than you believe. Whisper, the cottage, even the fact that you created such a powerful spell by accident. I cannot believe this is coincidence."

A bell rang from the building behind them.

"Oh no, I have to go give a lecture! Please hang around. I'll check some of my references after class, and we can talk then."

Pola quickly got up and bowed, backing into the building.

"Please don't leave! This is fascinating!" he called over his shoulder as he turned and ran towards his classroom.