5. Helpful strangers?

The carriage approached a debilitated wooden house. It looked shabby with many claw marks that caught Melvin’s attention. As everyone exited the vehicle and walked up the cranky stairs, Thogan took in the vast grassland around the comparably tiny house. It was a lot more secluded than he thought. A little to the side of it, he gazed upon the beauty of the sunset. As his eyes followed it downwards at the trees, that the sun moved behind, the wizard recognized the forest which his eyes were staring at. It was the notorious Forbidden Forest. The dark, tall spruce trees made it instantly recognizable. “Greetings, strangers!”, a beefy man in a wheelchair stood at the door. The mother instantly walked towards him for a hug: “Honey, I’m so glad to see you! These heroes saved us from another robbery. I invited them to dinner.” “These lands are becoming more and more dangerous by the minute, thank you for your bravery. My name is Samuel, this is my wife Olivia and my son Simon”, he told them. “Thank you for taking us in”, Thogan responded. “And your driver, she looks like she’ll reach the deathbed any second now. Does she need help?” Suddenly the horses in front of the carriage turned into smaller ponies. Melvin exclaimed: “Oh, she’s a little sensitive. Misses Tearbags is always depressed but once she gets really sad her horses turn more and more pathetic”, he turned to her, “You look almost alive today darling, you look great!” Samuel apologized: “I am deeply sorry. I’d love to have you join us at dinner, Misses Tearbags!” Thogan confidently took control of the situation: “She doesn’t really need to eat, and she can’t leave the carriage, it’s a part of her”, he now faced her, “I thank you for blessing our journey with your magical carriage.” The ponies turned into horses again. “I almost feel something”, she stoically said. “Now”, the wizard turned back to the family, “Please let us witness the magic that YOU can do with the veggies in that crate.” Olivia called: “Come on in boys!” They all entered through the entrance door. “I will stay in the darkness. As always”, Misses Tearbags said, as no one listened. Eventually everyone gathered around the dinner table and Olivia started to hand out fresh, hot porridge. “So I do know you wizard Thogan, right hand of king Alfred, but who are you?”, Samuel looked at Melvin. Before Melvin could answer, Thogan interrupted him: “He’s my sidekick, Neville. The king is looking for new knights, and we are on a search. Your son looks like he could make a great warrior.” “He did have to learn how to defend himself. The creatures from the forest, they are coming out more and more. Just a few weeks ago, they clawed at our house. A bunch of shadowy wolves. Thank god I used to be a hunter. My crossbow saved our life”, Samuel monologued. Melvin asked: “Is this the reason for the wheelchair?” “No”, Samuel negated, “That was one of those statues that the genius king built. I was in town and it fell. Crushed my legs. Tell me wizard”, the mood immediately tensed up, “What’s king Alfred’s intention? Is he just arrogant or do those monuments serve any purpose?” Thogan answered softly: “While I don’t personally believe all those statues are needed, I am sure a king of such a dynasty plans his actions thoughtfully.” “Did you ever try to stop him?”, Samuel provoked him. Both stared at each other while an awkward silence filled the room. The father then continued: “I am not angry at you Thogan, but whoever the architect is, he hurt a lot of people. I believe in justice.” They all quietly finished the food as day turned night, without any more cheerful talk.