The Great Forest

William Colton

The village of Dolorville was small. It held a population of 200, most being farmers and ranchers. They were not a poor town, but they weren't wealthy, either. They earned their money with the cattle business. Dolorville relied heavily on their cattle; the cattle provided everything from meat and milk to rubber and glue. Dolorville was the only town in the Mortemountain Valleys that produced substantial hide for rubber and glue, so they profited highly from this business. Needless to say, they loved their cows.

The Nova Vita Festival was nearing, and the towns people were alive with hope and excitement. This past winter had been grueling and brutal, and Dolorville was ready to feel Spring again. Even Lord Barnibus was cheerful, which was something as rare as rain without clouds. 

Perhaps the one who was most excited for the festival was young William Colton, the son of the town's butcher. William had been entranced by the beauty of nature since the day he first learned to walk. He would run away when his parents weren't looking and hide by the Forest's edge. The things he would see there would mystify and enthrall him until he was convinced he had found Eden. The rest of the townspeople were not so easily convinced. 

William had learned at an early age that there were things in the Forest that people were afraid of. Every time his mother would catch him playing by it's edge, she would run to him in a terrified frenzy, swoop him off his feet, and flee towards the refuge of home. He could never fully understand what in the Forest was so awful, but his mother made it clear that it was too dangerous for any soul to travel to alone, especially one as young as William. 

As the Nova Vita Festival drew near, William's mother made him promise not to venture near the Forest's edge anymore. "As the heir to our family business," she told him, "You need to pay more attention to the shop. Your father is growing old, and so am I. It's time you learned where your responsibilities lie." William solemnly nodded and exited the room. As his back was turned, his mother said under her breath, "To God's will I pray, keep my son away from that hell."