Famke: Journey of Revelation

By Mihaela Lela Tribuljak

The breeze streamed softly through the air again and that pleasant melody created by the leaves of the branches was here again.

I didn’t answer the voice because, after everything, I just wanted to enjoy that music in peace.

«Is there an end to this?», thought I, knowing I was at a different place now.

&

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Schmitt
• Release date: Oct 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9789535882633

Mihaela Lela Tribuljak

Mihaela Lela Tribuljak rođena je 28. travnja, 1980. godine u Našicama. Tijekom domovinskog rata protjerana je iz obiteljskog doma u Borovu Naselju, te sa svojom majkom i mlađom sestrom vraća se u rodni grad gdje završava srednju školu. Nakon završetka školovanja seli iz Našica u razne krajeve zemlje, a jedan period života provodi i u inozemstvu. Tijekom tih seoba upoznala je različite ljude i kulture, i osjetila odnose društva iz tih sredina. Oduvijek je njegovala ljubav prema prirodi i životinjama te svom okruženju. Od najranije mladosti u njoj su rasle kreativnost i mašta, koje ni do današnjeg dana nisu iščeznule. Naprotiv, ojačale su. Život u današnjem vremenu smatra teškim, i s tugom promatra međuljudske odnose kako u obiteljima tako i u društvu općenito, kao i odnos čovjeka prema prirodi, životinjama, samom sebi, a i resursima koje nam pruža planet. Gledajući djevojčicu s kojom je provodila vrijeme i njezin nevin pogled na život vratila se u rano djetinjstvo koje je obilježila trauma uzrokovana gubitkom oca. Snagom tih misli odlučila se posvetiti pisanju ove bajkovite priče u koju s velikom pažnjom pretače dječju bezbrižnost i zaigranost, zabrinutost i tugu odrasle osobe, ali i nadu u bolje sutra.

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Mihaela Lela Tribuljak

FAMKE

Impressum;

*Front cover*

Vilena Dubovaya, dubovaja.brannon.info

*Translation *

Nikola Matuš

[e-mail]

*Creating cover and graphical preparation*:

www.premierdesigns.de, and

Krešimir Ivanović,

[e-mail]

*Managing editor and support*

Michael Schmitt

www.designofmydream.com

*Publisher*:

Self-published by author

Mihaela Lela Tribuljak

WWW. Famke.org

[e-mail]

ISBN 978-953-58826-1-9

Copyright ©

The work is under publishing and authorship copyright and it remains completely under author's ownership.

Mihaela Lela Tribuljak

FAMKE

«JOURNEY OF REVELATION»

i. part

PURPOSE

In opatija, 2015.

CONTENT;

«JOURNEY OF REVELATION»

Nadja Thea Šegedin Schmitt, to you,

who inspired me with your playfulness and an innocent view of life to start writing this story…,

and to you,

Martina Grozić,

who motivated me to finish this story, watching you restlessly absorb the joy of life and warm up my insecure heart with it.

«Our little valley was overgrown by the Kimonical forest with its tall trees that touch the mountains and hide bloodthirsty beasts, which are lurking and don't sleep.

Come on, be brave and set foot in it now, because maybe you do come back if you escape them and don't become an unbearable smell of their breath...».

I.

NEBBAK

It was late autumn and the thin sunbeams could be seen now and then; less often through the heavy, gloomy clouds, which were lazily sliding through the tree crowns of the forest that seemed endless to the eye. It looked like they’re taking a nap on its visibly weakened yellow-red crowns and it was obvious that the arrival of Manta, mother of the fall, was getting closer. More and more, a forest of vertical slender branches was looming, revealing a view of its depth. Wherever one broken by the wind or the tired old trees that were searching support for themselves. Each noise, breakage or hit were the breath with which the forest cleared its throat in its Echo.

Subjacent, a thick fog was covering the trunks. It seemed like the trees were being swallowed, one by one, until they slowly disappeared in its belly.

Thus fusing with the clouds it left an emptiness behind which was, at the end, taken by the Darkness.

Just like what it announces. A season of monotony, whiteness and Darkness.

Even when there was sun, it lanced its beams through the clouds with all its power, like a father’s sword defending his only son. Even if their warmth touches and shines the remaining leaves on the branches, which were still forcefully fighting the wind and the rain. To escort them. Before they fly away in the height and into the oblivion land on the floor amongst their brothers.

All throughout the forest, everything was taking on a sad and an ugly look, becoming wet and a rotting smell was spreading.

The birds stopped their happy singing. You could only hear a quiet singing that was becoming more and more silent. Small forest animals stopped lisping through the leaves and jumping from branch to branch. There was no happy game, but the search for a lair and sleep.

Through the vastness of the forest, small villages were situated and in those villages, there was a great haste.

Women were conserving the final fruitage in the pantry, while there were a dull sound of hitting the trees and strong hits on the floor coming from a Kimonical forest, in order to prepare and bring the firewood.

Hay was laid on the barn floors, so that the cattle can sleep warm. Smoke clouds were rising above more and more homes.

The inhabitants were tired and dejected because the colorful flowers were gone, along with the small bugs and butterflies, beautiful smells and fresh air, and the grass wasn’t equally healthy and green, either. There was no more shouting of the kids gathered at the nearby creek, shouting that echoed throughout the vastness of the forest. The creek already removed its blue-green suit and dressed up in gray.

Everywhere, an unusual silence and peace were more and more prevailing. Through the valley and forest. Everyone were already well familiarized with that sight. It foretold the arrival of Imnnen. The mother of the winter.

After the passage of Manta, the population needed the same adjustment. Joy and the peace of mind seemed to be replaced by sadness and anxiety, because Imnnen leaves a trail during its cycle.

The cold and the whiteness disperse into each corner. Then, that often unbearable cold traps the living beings exactly where it catches them. Doesn’t matter if they were in their home or far from it.

There aren’t many ways, for the most, in which they could maybe fight it.

It shines with termination of life, feeding on warm breath, which makes it even bigger and stronger. It doesn’t suppress by anyone who’s not ready for her arrival.

Death is what comes with it, and it is also well known that she isn’t in a rush to leave and, although all the living beings kneel before it, she isn’t a favorite mother, but it arouses awe even greater than other mothers do. She’s the oldest amongst them. Nothing can slip past her experience and wisdom, and only the rare ones enjoy her sympathy.

She lingers on here, longer and longer. She stretches out with her cycles, like she’s searching or taking care of somebody, or maybe she simply cannot get enough of her reign, which she enjoys so much.

The elderly, when they speak about it, foresee that it will be so more often and they fear that they will not manage to create and prepare enough supplies to help everyone survive its stay. Besides, they fear the possible encounter with all of those beasts and wicked things that awake during its reign…

- Lelina, who are you talking to? – grandma’s voice drew me from my thoughts and stopped my almost hypnotizing look to the forest’s vastness.

- Grandma, don’t bother me now! I was just thinking, you know...out loud. – I’ve answered her hoping she’ll not make a lot of questions or demand that I join her and grandpa.

- Okay. Just make sure you don’t fall off that tree. Grandpa and I were watching you for a while and you’ve been squirming on that branch more and more. I came to warn you to be careful and to see if you’re good. – she leaned over and picked up the remaining fruits from the ground, and then placed them in her already overloaded apron.

«How can this little old lady walk with all that weight, without dropping it on the ground?», I thought.

She picked up a few more dry twigs and placed them on the fruits, too, and when she realized herself that there’s no more room in her apron, the last few twigs she didn’t leave, but she carried them in her old, strong hand.

With a firm step, she waddled towards grandpa who was waiting for her, ready to depart.

- We are leaving! Don’t linger on for too long. The Darkness comes faster than you think. – she said while walking, so I could hear her well enough before she’s too far.

Grandma had no habit of shouting or speaking loud. Especially when we were this close to the edge of the forest. I haven’t replied her. I just watched them while they moved away from me. While looking at my grandma from the tree, she seemed kind of funny. Small and round as she was, she was barely moving towards the village. Couple of times, she had to stop because of the weight she was carrying, to prevent the weight from turning her over and her apron from breaking.

The grandpa wasn’t able to take a part of the weight. His hands were full and his shoulders were loaded, too. Sometimes I wonder where do they get such strength and will for these things.

I looked beneath the tree and saw a bundle they left for me to take. From above, it seemed full and heavy, but there was only one way for me to find out how heavy will it be to carry home and that will be soon, after I get down from this tree.

I already see myself, loaded and bent, walking slowly and counting every step I take. Simply, I won’t stress myself now in advance.

- I will be careful, grandma, and soon I will join you- I replied, watching them as they walked away, so that I can be sure they’re far enough and I can continue my scary story for Veddarkness.

The scariest Darkness in all the cycles, if you could say it that way. Then the Darkness doesn’t fall completely, but neither is the Light complete.

Scary creatures come out of their layers then and devour everyone they get their hands on. Veddarkness is suitable for their hunt because, if the Darkness or Light are complete, they can’t see. For that reason they only hunt then and create full supplies that need to be sufficient until the next Veddarkness. They devour animals, us, our fruits. Literally everything. In this encounter that’s coming, I want to be the one that will tell you the scariest story ever told, and it’s my turn, too.

In the Veddarkness, that unique phenomenon during the winter, all the villages meet by the Philisa’s waterfalls.

- Why, if it’s so dangerous to go then? What’s the reason we expose ourselves? – I asked myself out loud.

Veddarkness is a turning point between Imnnen and Walka. The mother of spring. At that time, we go to the waterfalls and offer gifts for Philisa, so that she calls Walka to step through the soil as soon as possible and awakens the nature.

That’s the only way to see my friends who live outside our valley again, because the grownups are taking us with them only because they don’t like to leave us alone in our homes. Then, each time we are having fun telling our scary stories while we are waiting for the departure and farewell until the spring.

Sometimes, while we’re already returning to our homes, Philisa shows us benevolence and the last steps towards home, we take on the buds of restored nature.

That’s why we all work a lot more, so that we can collect as many fruits that she enjoys eating so much. My story, yes… It is, that I’m at the very beginning and that I’ve been thinking about the subject for a while. But now when I finally began, the words will come by themselves. It’s truly important for me to tell the best and most interesting story ever told.

I will tell it in front of all the villages from here until the border, that consists by the Elmayaq Lake, which brings a specific stage fright with it, too.

«I’ll be alright.», I thought, because I already started to feel the stage fright.

I looked towards the village. Grandma and grandpa passed more than half of the way. I decided to stay a little more and think in peace. « Where was I?», I couldn’t remember. «Eh, yes.».

Our valley is the only thing we see during that winter, because no one in their right mind walks through the Kimonical forest. Only a few villages remained after the last Imnnen. There were villages located on every water spring, and we truly have those in abundance.

With Imnnen’s arrival, Lomus starts his invasion, knowing that only then he will find all the inhabitants in their villages, captured by the winter, and that he will enslave them easily so he can strengthen his army for the new upcoming invasions.

His invasions are induced by a search for his lost brother and sister, and for Shiban, who is the only one that can help him in his search.

The kids were allegedly kidnapped from their home while they were little. The worst thing is that it happened for his fault and now he searches for the ones who had done it.

The whole kingdom of Daah and the Father have turned their backs at him until he finds the kids or avenges them. That’s what I’ve overheard hiding in the inn’s attic, while the Council had their gathering.

I believe it’s not easy to carry such a burden on one’s back. Although I shouldn’t have a drop of sympathy for him.

It’s not right to act that way. Spilling blood of the innocent Guards, the woe he leaves behind will not bring back what he’s seeking.

Maybe we could help him if he asked for help. This way, planting fear around himself, he’s got only enemies or subjects, hidden enemies.

But, the word is out that, at some point, the Darkness prevailed him and that he had lost his prudence. Nothing can stand in front of him to stop him in his path.

Let’s hope he finds what he’s looking for soon because, we’ve been restless with a wish to live more peacefully for too long.

Everyone’s already exhausted with the fights and efforts to fight off the breaching of his army to the villages, tired of counting the casualties that remain behind him.

Last time, the Imnnen was very hard. A lot of inhabitants had lost their lives, and even more of them serve Lomus now.

A handful of them, who managed to save themselves by a miracle, ran away far from the Arkmal, a forest where he resides.

In that winter, an unheard battle, in which I lost my parents, was fought. They were the Shiban Guards.

Although they have unfortunately died in that battle, fortunately, they’ve fulfilled their mission, so that for him, Shiban is still just a myth that wanders through our vastness, far from his reach and plans. She is the Keeper of life. She awakens a new life in one that’s already turned off and she’s extremely important for all of us.

She balances between the worlds and she’s the only one that can change the course of destiny, giving a mercy to the fate.

Saving the undefined from Daah, in which we live from the fate of Qverisk, in which the damnation, hate, despair and eternal Darkness live.

Daah and Qverisk are the representatives of the Light and Darkness which mustn’t be mixed with their opposite.

Those are the places we belong to by our genesis. «It sounds funny when I say it that way.»,

I thought, taking care of every detail of the story. How can a child just born make any decision? No way, of course. However, through our blood our nature flows, as well as our purpose at the very genesis. The balance between good and evil does not exist. You’re either one thing or the other.

Just a touch of one of them can change a nature, but then the being is obsessed with one of the choices, and the nature of that being doesn’t change afterwards.

Of course, no one would like to belong to Qverisk. The total opposite to this boon we enjoy living with here, even under the tyranny of Lomus, which will have to pass once anyway.

For a long time he didn’t attack us and I truly know only the peaceful period. But, we are always on the alert and under guards.

Our people are nomads and if we only anticipate we could be in danger, we shall leave this valley. A valley that gives us almost all that’s necessary.

- Lelina. – I’ve heard someone calling me from far away and I saw my grandpa waving to signal that I should get going, too.

It’s better if I go, so he doesn’t come back for me. I looked down and saw that the branch I’m sitting on was high up from the ground. I was surprised.

But, if I managed to climb up to the top, I believe I will manage to come down. For now, I don’t see anything that could make my way down the tree harder. Although, I have to admit that I’m not indifferent to being so high off the ground.

I’ve looked for a suitable lower branch on which I could lean my foot. Shifting balance to it, I realized that my descending won’t be that simple.

«How did I manage to climb this high?», I simply couldn’t explain myself.

I didn’t remember any branches I used to reach the top of the crown. I caught the nearest branch and pulled it towards me in order to see if it’s strong enough. It was. Now I have to reach the lower thick branch with my legs.

With my both arms, I caught it and shifted one leg first, and then, after I realized it will to stand my weight, I lowered my other leg, too.

The bark was damp and slippery on touch, and when I moved my face closer to the trunk, I felt a rotting smell, as well. The lower branch I was only able to touch with the tips of my fingers. I stepped on it clumsily and all of a sudden, I was hanging on to a branch, holding it with my both arms. I was lucky it didn’t break, but it had just bent enough so I was able to step on the next branch and shift my whole weight on it.

«It’s good. I’m progressing.», I thought to myself, as I released the branch I was holding above me. The branch under my feet flexed significantly under my weight. I wasn’t scared it’s going to break. The only thing I needed to be careful about is, not to slip on the damp bark. If I keep up like this, finding good branches and not touching any rotten ones, I will be on the ground soon.

Searching for a next branch, a noise coming from the forest drew my attention. I looked in that direction and I saw the impossible.

«I must be hallucinating!», I remained shocked with what I saw. My heart started beating frenzied in my chest.

The whole forest was moving unusually, like a turbulent wave of water.

- What is happening? - I spoke with fear.

I looked towards my family to see if they noticed what was going on and also, to warn them, but I haven’t seen anybody.

The motion of the forest and the terrible sound which followed it were getting closer and closer. It took over each tree on its way towards the tree I was on.

«I have to get down to the ground as soon as possible and run back to the village.», I concluded.

I searched for the nearest branch and grabbed it in panic. I was still too high to just jump from the tree.

There was no time for me to choose and think. I was grabbing everything that came to my hand.

Thick branches, thin branches, some were breaking, too. The fear made me not to choose, but just think how I’m getting closer and closer to the ground.

- Now, what the…?!! – I had no time to say it completely.

The only branch of salvation was very short and thin. I had no choice because the wave was getting closer and who knew what was causing it, so I grabbed the trunk with my both arms and descended on that, not so promising branch.

«What now?», my heart was still beating strong and fast. My chest were hurting me. Scared and stressed out, I began to despair because this descent was extremely difficult. My eyes got filled with drops that only made it worse. I wiped them off with my sleeve and caught the first branch I saw.

As I reached with the other hand to grab it, the wave caught my tree, as well. It began to sway strongly from the rush, and I felt like a fruit which someone wanted to shake off forcefully.

Immediately, I realized that «this» fruit will soon be on the ground.

From the force that was shaking the tree, I lost my balance and, panicked as I was, I managed to grab a small branch with my arm, putting all my hope that it will hold me. Unfortunately, it was too weak. At the sound of breaking, I tried to rapidly catch any branch, but it was like they were avoiding my hand.

«Just don’t let me fall. Just don’t let me fall..», it rang in my ears.

The tree was shaking, flexing in all directions. Uncontrolled, as if something was tickling it.

I couldn’t keep balance because it wasn’t enough just to embrace the trunk, and soon enough, I realized I was falling down through the crown.

I felt I’m falling rapidly and at the same time, taking punches in my whole body.

The crown was throwing me in all directions. Therefore, I wasn’t even falling from the tree in a normal way. From one branch to another, as if it was playing catch with me. I knew I will be beaten and cut all throughout my body.

I just wanted it all to finish fast and that the fall doesn’t last much longer. I felt a strong hit in my back which left me breathless.

- Ouch! – was the only thing I managed to utter before the ground beat all the air out of me.

«It’s over.», it passed through my mind after I hit the soil.

But, the worst had just begun. Fear. Scared, with my eyes wide open and breathless, I waited on the floor, completely paralyzed with fear that the thing which caused it would jump out from the high grass.

I still couldn’t hear anything around me, except for the murmuring in my ears. It seemed like there’s no one there or that someone is calmly waiting for my next move.

A piercing sound that followed the happening moved away from me. But I couldn’t see it, prone as I was, I wasn’t sure in which direction it’s moving. Towards the village or not.

A few moments already passed since I was lying on the ground, but I still felt no power I could use to make my body take some air.

I felt weaker and weaker. The only thing I saw were the blurry outlines of the tree from which I slipped and fell, and it was still swaying weakly.

I felt I will lose consciousness and besides, a strong pain permeated my body. I think I’ll never climb trees again and that it was very foolish of me.

«Who would expect something like that to happen.», I was comforting myself. This wasn’t even a northern wind blow, which we were used to.

I couldn’t even make a sound, but only to remain lying down motionless and await my destiny.

Lying so on the ground, holding a branch that broke and helped my fall become successful, I thought about my grandma.

Soon, I realized I could breathe again. The first breath was painful, like my front part of the body separated from my back. The sensation of breathing again made me literally swallow air. My vision was slowly sharpening and my hearing came back, too.

My heart was still beating strongly but this time, from extreme happiness.

«What did just happen?», was the first thing I thought after I came round.

Slowly, I got up and observed through the grass if there’s someone lurking, but I didn’t have enough power in my arms, so I fell down to the ground again.

«Who knows how grandma, grandpa and the rest are?», questions passed through my thoughts. Nothing like this ever happened to me before. I was so scared. I decided to stay lying down this way for a while. At least until the pain calms down, and the heart stops beating at my chest this hard. Now I was already able to breathe and see normally, but I needed rest.

A couple of times, the drop passed through my mind again. Over and over again.

I realized that I’m lying on a damp and cold ground, surrounded by half rotten tall grass and rotten leaves, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there were any rotten fruits underneath me.

It didn’t bother me at all. It even felt good. The pain was subsiding, but I knew it wasn’t going to stop.

Slowly I lifted myself to a sitting position and examined if I had any serious injuries. Luckily, there were none.

- Yikes, my grandma will fuss about this for a long time. Especially because she warned me not to climb, and to be careful, too. When she sees the torn clothes and this scratches on me, bruised head and back... It won’t be good. – I remembered what’s waiting for me when I meet her.

I tried to stand up, but a strong pain in my foot prevented me from succeeding at first.

I checked it, to make sure it wasn’t not broken. From what I saw, I think it just got beat up during the fall or it got stuck on a branch and got hurt that way.

I looked towards the tree I fell from and, determining the height I was at and fell from, I realized it all actually went pretty well.

I extended my leg and made circular motions with my foot couple of times. At first, it was hurting but, as I was stretching it more and more, it hurt less. Again, I tried to stand up and lean on that foot. This time, after a little exercise, I managed to straighten myself up. I was truly happy about it. I straightened myself up completely and stretched for a while, and then I slipped to the side a bit. I realized I would not be able to lean on my hurt foot completely.

I removed the dirt from my body and clothes and looked around if someone saw me. Carefully, I started stepping forward and checked around me now and then, to see if something was lurking. Luckily, nobody was there. I looked at my unpopular tree one more time and headed towards the village limping. From this glade, the village seemed so small, but beautiful, like a decoration of this valley.

- Fruits! – it crossed my mind.

I’ve completely forgotten about the bundle I was supposed to take with me.

- That too, above everything else. Lelina, it’s your own fault.. – I started grumbling at myself.

I was barely able to walk, and now I need to carry that bundle, as well. There’s no choice, if I don’t want my grandma to doubt my story about the origin of my injuries, I will have to bring it to the barn anyway I can.

I was lucky to have remembered about the bundle pretty soon, not after I passed a large part of the way. This leg was barely carrying me, but I will endure. I must.

Each next step on it created sweat on my face, body and asked from me to stop and rest now and then.

Again I approached the tree and saw the bundle, right next to the place where I fell. From the beating I got, my only wish was to come home and get into my bed.

I took it with my one arm, hoping it wasn’t very heavy. And it wasn’t. I opened it up and looked insight. It contained only a few fruits.

«Probably my grandma put in what she couldn’t fit in her apron.», I concluded. What a relief I felt, seeing the bundle half empty and the fruits in it. I was a bit hungry. I took one fruit out and put it in my pocket to eat it along the way. I bent down and threw the bundle over my shoulder, leaning on the trunk and standing on my good leg. Only after I straightened up, I put the hurt leg down and the pain wasn’t that strong anymore.

I will have to haste towards the village because it will take me a while to get there in this condition.

The good thing was that, towards the village, there is a descent, so it will be easier to descend than if I had to climb uphill.

The closer I was to the village, the tree and what happened were fading away more.

I tried to put the load on my painful leg as easy and softly as I could, which caused an exhaustion of my body.

I decided to stop and rest, but not before I get to the hunter’s viewpoint. That’s where I will eat the fruit.

I had to motivate myself all the time, so I don’t give up on walking. The pain became unbearable again. I was thirsty, hungry and tired.

My body was exhausted, and I was nervous. Luckily, the Viewpoint was only few steps away.

As many times I decided in my head to sit and wait for grandpa and grandma realize I’m still gone, that many times I fought my own thoughts and made a new step. And that’s how I finally reached the viewpoint.

I threw the bundle off of me and anxiously sat down and extended my leg to rest.

I took a fruit. When I bit it, its juices sprayed my face and arms. I enjoyed each bite. I observed the viewpoint which was, I’d say, half way between the glade and the Fruityard.

The hunters have built it to observe the animals that were coming, and it also serves for hiding its guards, who watch over the edges of Kimonical forest during the time of Imnnen. There are few assigned throughout the whole valley. It is a high wooden dwelling with space for only two persons. With a small roof and open on all sides. Covered with planking in the pedestal to protect it from the wind and so that the hunters can hide, without animals noticing them and running away to the forest. It can only be reached by climbing up the tall ladder. Now I couldn’t climb up there. No way.

I’ve decided there was enough tension and adventure for now and that I will quench my thirst for adventures in this fruit.

I looked towards the village. It won’t take me long to get there. All throughout the sky, the Darkness was still not in sight, so I’ve decided to take a longer rest on this spot. The view of village from this place was great. I saw all the other villagers that were outside and I could see what they were doing and who they were talking to.

Some were in a rush, the others were standing and talking, and it was especially lively next to the inn. As always. It had to be, since it was our favorite place for games and gathering. There was always fresh food which the innkeeper shares proudly, especially with the youngest ones.

She’s got two sons and probably, because she has no female heir to who she could pass her knowledge on, she gladly invites me to do some chores for her.

There we don’t bother anyone in their work, and we always get to be the first to taste the treats and fresh sausages, and that’s why very often, we don’t want to eat in our homes.

While I observed them, a feeling of joy warmed me up. Everyone was in their business or game, rest. I couldn’t wish to live anywhere else but there.

Our village has only a hundred inhabitants and half as many homes. We call it Nebbak. According to our beliefs, Nebbak means a Haven of newborn souls.

«Really suitable.», I thought. Now, when I thought about it more deeply, in a way I was newly born, myself. I smiled on that thought.

This small village is situated in the valley surrounded by the Kimonical forest.

The thick and mystical forest, through which a small, clear creek ripples and which is a home for many forest inhabitants.

In its size, it hides small village and inhabitants from the beasts and wraiths that would want to hurt them or reign over their freedom.

Kimonical forest is our forest of joy and peace, and when the wind blows, sometimes it sounds as if it was laughing.

In the period of exchanging mothers, we are all a bit confused, although we are very organized people. Everyone in the village knows a craft or grows something and therefore, contributes to development of the others.

For me, the most beautiful place in the village where I love to go, is home of the Aunt Maurice, who goes to other villages to fulfil our needs from them, with thing that we cannot or don’t know how to produce ourselves.

Each time that she returns, she brings delicious colorful candies. Their smell would spread outside the home and lured us, the children, to lean our noses on her window.

When she gave us the candies, it was a tremendous joy and for then, our games would stop. Everyone enjoyed their candies, not caring about other things. Even now I am drooling, only thinking about them.

I’ve never tasted anything more delicious and I have to admit that I keep that fact very well from my grandma.

I’ve been saving up for a long time and now, in my pocket I’ve got two Ams, which I can replace for at least three candies.

I touched my pockets fast. «Here they are.», I sighed. Ams were in my pocket. I got scared that they might’ve gotten lost in the fall. It would be hard to find them in that tall grass, and it’s a sure thing I haven’t got the strength to return once again to the Fruityard to look for them. It would be such a shame to lose them. I earned them helping my neighbors carry the grass for the livestock. For the innkeeper, I deliver sweets and sausages throughout the village. I help my grandma in the garden and cooking, and my room is always clean, so everybody gives me couple of Ams gladly, because they know how much I like to go to Maurice for more candies.

Ams are given only to kids because, as my grandfather says, that’s how we learn by working and choose what we want to do later and contribute to the society that way.

«What would I like to do later in life? Hm.»,I thought about it. The only thing that came to my mind was that I want to see, learn, discover life outside this valley, explore.

I still wasn’t sure, but I was sure in one thing, that I want to enjoy the life ahead of me and do this kind of stunts as little as possible. Actually, I want to be very careful doing them. A smile came back to my face and I thought how clumsy I was trying to get off the tree and even clumsier when I fell to the ground. This time, looking on a bright side.

A whole series of unfortunate events were cheered by a comprehension that Ams are safe with me. The whole village respects Aunt Maurice. No matter that she’s old, she still leaves through the forest to provide Nebbak and nearby villages with necessary supplies.

It is rejoicing to know that someone thinks about our wellbeing. In her home, everything is always so neat, nicely arranged on the shelves. Each jar is in its place and everyone can find what they need there.

Each time I peeked into her home, if no one was there, Maurice would keep her little notebook and a cinder from the fireplace, which she would use to write the things that were gone and that needed to be procured in it. When I’d see that there were only one to two papers left in the notebook, I knew that she was getting ready to leave.

«I have to change from this position a bit. I’m completely numb.», a discomfort in my body interrupted my thoughts.

I didn’t feel my leg, as well as my bottom I was sitting on. Both grew numb from staying in a same position for too long.

I looked towards the sky and realized I should be going because I didn’t know how long it will take me to pass the remaining part of the road. I stood up and waited for the blood to pour into my numb parts of body again.

I heard shouting in the village and wished to meet my friends as soon as possible again, because it seemed like they were having a good time.

Mostly, in the village was really lively. We were all more or less together and we share our chores and help each other.

The life in Nebbak is based on dependence on each other. And how wouldn’t we, when we try to keep our valley a secret as much as we can.

Only the need separates us from the valley and sends us to set foot in the Kimonical forest and even outside of it. Next to the eastern edge of the forest, on the glade, there is a stone Tower. It was built long time before we settled in this valley. Behind it, there is our cemetery, where I don’t really like to go. There are only stones there, gravestones covered by the moss, and on them, a faded insignia. When I’m near, they bring discomfort in me.

They are so old that even our eldest can barely remember who they belong to. They’re just standing there. A bit crooked, fighting with their age.

What and who they represent and who lies underneath, it isn’t known. The insignia, which is carved in them, is a language of the old ancestors and only the philosophers from Daah know what do they say.

I would like to be privileged and learn the sign language, but I can only add that to my unfulfilled wishes box.

- Brrrr. – even now it gives me the creeps just to think about them and that place.

The Tower is covered in mist for the whole time of the autumn Manta and a big part of the spring Walka. Old Gonimal, who was our village teacher, lived in it. He taught us to read and write.

He was recently replaced by young Fe, and Gonimal left to another village.

When I asked my grandmother why he left, she just answered shortly and nervously that it was the way it goes. Of course, I had a well-known feeling that she doesn’t want to answer my questions about it and wants to change the subject. It’s the same every time.

Whatever I wanted to find out about the traditions and unusual events, she would take the same attitude. That frustrated me a lot with her because I always saw myself as a kid in her eyes.

I wished I had asked my grandfather first, he would have answered my every question with patience. His stories were very interesting and picturesque. He would empathize with them, as if he had lived in each one of them.

I love him very much for it and his devotion to me. He considers that I need to get a true answer and be informed about the happenings, not to hear the things after they were retold a hundred times by the villagers.

He also considers that it can hurt the one who’s the subject of the stories and that it’s not good to inflate a story that’s already expanded. I feel good with him because in his eyes, I can see he considers me to be more mature than my grandma does.

I wonder, would he feel the same after the event in the Fruityard? I cheered up again.

A bit more and I’ll be arriving at the barn. That’s where I’ll leave the fruits and try to sneak to my room unnoticeable, clean