Chapter 1 LovelyWoodland walks

“Lovely Woodland walks!”

The panicked cry came from the top of the lookout tower in the east corner of the Great City. Down below, the two city guards looked at each other.

“I wonder what that means,” said Pie.

“He’s probably talking about the many walks that can be enjoyed in our surrounding forest,” replied MacDuffy. “After all, it is called Lovely Woodland and it does have some charming walks. You do have to mind out for bandits, but the bluebells are stunning this time of year.”

“I don’t think he would have sounded quite so terrified if that’s what he meant.”

Pie propped his spear against the city wall and looked up at the tower. The lookout was waving frantically and screaming the words “Lovely Woodland walks!” over and over.

“You’ve only been doing this job for five minutes,” said MacDuffy. “I’ve been a guard since I was a boy.”