The magical journey of a countryside boy

​The journey back to Ashbrook feels like both a quick breeze and an unending storm to William. On one hand, he is a little happy to go back to the village; on the other, just the thought of talking to Auntie completely dampens his happiness.

They still manage to reach Ashbrook just as the sun is about to set. William quickly runs ahead toward the house. Approaching the front door, the muffled sound of heated, anxious voices reaches his ears—Uncle Rob and Auntie Gretchen are arguing inside. William pauses, opening the door just a crack to listen.

​“But what if it doesn’t work?” Gretchen whispers, fear bleeding into her tone.

​“It will. The relocation of so many villages around the Elderwood leaves a void,” Uncle Rob replies in a gentle, almost coaxing voice.

​“But still…” Gretchen whispers.

​“Nothing bad will happen,” Rob soothes her, his voice a warm blanket over her panic. “I believe we have used up all of our bad luck. Even if it does fail, we will still have enough money to settle down in a different village.”

​Feeling a sudden pang of guilt for acting like a creep, William cuts off his eavesdropping. He knocks loudly on the door and steps inside the house.

​“William! You come back early. I thought you were going to return tomorrow,” Gretchen says, a bright smile instantly replacing her fear. She rushes over to wrap him in a tight hug, acting as if her earlier worries were nothing but a lie.

​“John’s work at City Hall ends way before he expected,” William speaks up, desperately trying to mask his guilty expression.

​Gretchen pulls back, her sharp eyes scanning his face. “William... are you hiding something from me?” She stares at him with a piercing, questioning gaze.

​“Nothing! I am hiding nothing from you!” William blurts out, a cold sweat breaking out on his neck. ‘How does she know? Scary!’ “I am hungry, Very hungry. Can you cook something for me?”

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​Gretchen’s expression softens, and she lets out a small laugh, ruffling his hair. “Okay, okay. Go ahead and sit at the table, and let me get you some potato stew.” Her smile turns gentle, but her words carry weight. “We’ll talk in the morning, okay? Now, go to sleep right after eating.”

​William nods rapidly, turning to bolt for the table. ‘So scary!’

As William enters the bedroom after dinner and sees his cousins sleeping soundly, he finally relaxes. He lays down on his mattress, his eyes drifting shut. I hope everything goes well tomorrow. His chaotic thoughts are soon overthrown by his exhausted mind, and he drifts into a deep, sound sleep.

​The next morning, every single member of the family gathers in the hall for breakfast. Rob gestures to the table, calling for everyone to pay attention. “Kids, your mother and I reached a decision last night regarding our relocation.” Rob pauses, gauging the reactions of everyone around the table.

​Matt and Craig instantly sit up straight, giving him an attentive look. William looks completely lost in his own mind, while Emma just stares blankly down at her plate of potatoes and oats.

​“I met with my brother yesterday, who lives in a nearby village. They are also being forced to move. During our discussion, we find out that due to this massive relocation, the supply of grains, cotton, leather, and other produce to Arindale and the surrounding towns is completely fractured. So, we plan to start a merchant caravan together. We will distribute goods from the villages located west of Arindale, which means we will be moving to Riverstead—a town located right at the edge of the River Alde.”

​Rob finishes speaking and looks around the table, waiting for his children’s reactions. Meanwhile, Gretchen quietly eats her meal without even looking up, her stony silence proving she is still deeply unsure about the decision.

William becomes the first one to break the heavy silence. “Are you sure? I mean... what if it doesn’t work?”

​“I already thought about that. Even if it doesn’t work, we will still have enough money to settle down in Riverstead,” Rob replies in a confident, reassuring tone.

​’Maybe it is a good idea’, William thinks to himself. ‘They can’t just remove a whole town by a simple notice... or can they?’

​After that, Matt and Craig ask a few more questions, and Rob calmly explains every single detail to them. Meanwhile, Emma just looks on, completely unsure of what to ask.

​Eventually, the meal finishes, and Gretchen goes to pick up the empty earthen plates.

​William interrupts the scraping of dishes, his voice hesitating heavily. “I... I have something to say. I met someone in the city who offered me a job.” William immediately drops his chin, staring intently at his own feet. “And I am thinking about accepting it.”

​His voice is suddenly cut short by the harsh clatter of falling plates shattering against the floor, followed by a sharp, loud gasp.