Tania told Theanore where the tunnels were. There were so many and leading to different locations. But it had been twenty years since the former dungeon core of the forest of fireflies had made them. They needed to be reinforced.

And so, Theanore had her builder ants reinforce the tunnels with wooden beams. She was very interested in the tunnel that led to No Man’s Land. She knew for a fact that there was no silk to be found there. Furthermore, she could trade it with the Ogres and the Giants.

Darion had told her that most of them were evil, but she hadn’t believed him. She should be evil too, but she was not. She refused to believe that someone was evil just because they were dark or different.

Meanwhile, grandpa Thinker had answered her letter, saying he will get her everything for a thousand gold coins. The mana was included in the price, and so Theanore found it fair.

Bunny day was just two days away, and so the next step of the ritual had to be completed. One had to go in a forest and say hello to a rabbit. Because of that, people as far as Mirstone were coming to her grotto.

Most of them said hello to her rabbits in the petting zoo and left. Technically, the zoo was in the forest and so the ritual was upheld. But some asked the children of the grotto where the rabbit burrows were in the forest.

For a couple of sweets, children became guides. Theanore said hello to her rabbits in the zoo. They had their paws shaken so much today that they hid in the corner of their pen.

“Hello, Bunnila and Bunnil.” Said Theanore to the rabbits. They scooted closer together out of stress.

“You don’t like being bothered so much, do you? You can’t run away like the rabbits of the forest. I know, I will bring you inside father’s house.” She said, and she went to the side door and entered the pen.

But she forgot to close the door, and the two rabbits bolted out and into the forest.

“Oh, no…” Said Theanore. The Tedsby looked at her and touched the door to his pen.

“You want out too? Are you all happy here?” Asked Theanore as the Tedsby whined.

“I guess not. I am your friend, and a friend always want their friends to be happy. I will let you all go!” Said Theanore, and she went and opened all the pens of the animals of the petting zoo.

Some, like the hamsters, ignored the open doors. Others, like the dogs, bolted towards the forest. The Tedsby got on all fours and exited the pen. Then, he slowly went in the directions of the houses. Theanore followed him.

“What of Teddy?” Asked Theanore Tod the Tedsby. Teddy the Tedsby had left for the forest, and so it was weird that Tod was going towards the houses. Tod snorted and kept going.

They neared a house and Tod stopped next to the door. Theanore opened it and they entered. Inside, the house smelled of illness. There was a coughing child on one of the beds, and incense was burning in the corner.

“Tod.” Said the child, happy to see his friend. Theanore ran to the boy and held his hand as Tod climbed on the bed.

“What are you sick of?” Asked Theanore. The boy let out another string of coughs before answering.

“I have chronic cough. I have always had it.” Said the boy, and he hugged the Tedsby. “I used to be able to go to the petting zoo every morning to say hello to Tod, but this morning I haven’t been feeling so well.”

“Tod can stay with you.” Said Theanore, and she petted the Tedsby. “And I can get Mari to come and try to cure you.”

“There is no cure for chronic cough.” Said the boy sadly. “And it never gets better, only worse. This incense calms my lungs some, but not enough for the cough to stop.”

No cure? So, there was nothing Theanore could do? She felt powerless and afraid for the boy. She was supposed to be the protector of this grotto. How could she let one of her people suffer?

“What is your name?” Asked Theanore, the boy.

“Harry Karheim.” Said Harry, and then he began to cough anew. Tod snuggled closer to him, and the Tedsby and Theanore waited until the coughing fit ended.

“Well, Harry. I will find you a cure. You deserve to be able to play with everyone and to be healthy. It is a promise!” Said Theanore, and she held out her pinky to the boy.

Harry was thirteen, and so he knew there was little hope for Theanore to fulfil her promise, and yet he extended his pinky too, and they did the pinky swear. That done, Theanore hopped off the bed and was out of the house, a mission on her mind.

There had to be a cure somewhere. She was sure that if grandpa Thinker didn’t have it, then he would know where to find it. She went back to her house and began writing a letter.

Dear grandpa Thinker,

I know I already asked something of you, but this is an emergency! There is a sick boy at the grotto who won’t stop coughing. His name is Harry Karheim. Do you know of a cure for chronic cough? He was wearing a life-extending ring, so it is serious.

Please answer as soon as you can,

Theanore the nymph.

Then she sends the letter, and she went to make some milk and honey for Harry. It always calmed her down when she had a coughing fit. With a cup of steamy milk in hand, she went back to Harry’s house.

He was asleep, and so she left the cup next to his bed. The Tedsby opened his eyes long enough to nod and yawn, and then closed them again. Tiptoeing out of the house, Theanore shut the door silently. Harry will have his cure, she had made a pinky swear for that!