Marinus and Cassius drew Meredith the goat as Theanore, Mary and Archibald drew Judith. Mary and Archibald’s drawings looked like connected circles with horns and sticks for legs.

Theanore’s resembled Judith to the tee and Marinus and Cassius looked somewhat like Meredith, if Meredith had a triangle for a head in Marinus’ case and a square, in Cassius.

But the four weren’t discouraged. It was the thought that counted. And to whom you gave the card. Theanore was making the brown patches in Judith’s hide when they heard the rushing of hooves, and they turned to look at what it was.

It was Meredith. She had a brush stuck in her hide and a crying child running after her.

“Oh, no…” Said Theanore as she watched the prancing goat. “He is going to have a rough time this year.”

“Maybe he had no bribe. His hands don’t look stung.” Said Cassius as he did his best to improve the horns. Alas, they still looked like two swirls.

“We have to help him. Come.” Said Marinus, and he took some grass from the ground and went to cut off Meredith’s escape route. The goat stopped before him and began to eat the grass. The child shuffled his feet towards them and reached out towards the brush.

“I don’t know what happened.” Said the boy tearfully. “One moment she was calm and the next she ran off.”

“What is your name?” Asked Theanore, as she held Meredith’s horns, so she could stay in place as the boy was taking out the brush.

“Nick Rezelkinz.” Said Nick. “I never have any luck. Yesterday, I couldn’t get to a carrot. When a friend gave me their bunny to pet, it bit me and then ran off. Abby hasn’t talked to me since.”

“Niki, don’t worry. I am certain that your luck will turn.” Said Theanore. She pulled out her mirror and pointed it at Nick. He was blue and red, not a golden fleck to be seen.

“You are a good boy, Niki. I am sure you will be lucky soon. Why don’t you start on your card?” Asked Theanore. Nick looked at the goat, who was glaring at him, and gave up on brushing it.

As soon as he put the brush out of sight, Meredith got out of Theanore’s hands and went back up the mountain, stepping on Nick’s foot in the process.

“Bad Meredith!” Yelled after her, Theanore. She placed a small hand on Nick’s shoulder and guided him to the arts and crafts area. “Everything you need is here. And…oh. We ran out of paper.”

Nick bowed his head and sighed. Of course, they had. When it came to him, he had always been unlucky. Arguably, the luckiest thing that had ever happened to him was when Mister Crassus had invited them all to the grotto.

Every so often, he felt like he was cursed. He was an elf, and yet he did not live in the forest of plenty. He was a boy, and yet he had soft features. People mistook him for a girl all the time, even though his hair was cut short.

And he had never celebrated anything properly. Not even Yule. This year he had not been on the bad list. He never had been. But grandpa Thinker had forgotten his present. He had given him a clock that had stopped working two hours after the spirit of Yule had given it to him.

Nick had sent it for repairs, and the shopkeeper at Mirstone had told him a month ago that it couldn’t be fixed. Now Nick had a broken clock to his name and one less friend. He already missed Abby. The girl had always played, pretended that they were a family. A husband and a wife. Now, even that was gone.

“Niki, I will give you half of my sheet of paper. I haven’t drawn anything on the second half of my paper.” Said Theanore, and she took a pair of scissors and cut the second half cleanly and handed it to Nick.

The boy teared up at being given a second chance to celebrate. He went to a free spot on the table and began to draw. One thing Abby really liked about him was his drawings.

They were realistic, she would tell him. He liked drawing her the most, as thereafter, she would peck him on the cheek. They were both eight, and he hoped they would marry one day. Now, most of all, he hoped she would accept his card.

Theanore congratulated herself on helping a child and went back to making her card. Now that the second half was cut, she had half the job to do. Only the message was left as her goat was drawn on a green meadow with trees behind her.

Theanore took a quill and flipped the paper and began to write.

Dear mommy Esmer,

I really wondered to whom I could give this card. It was a close tie between you and father. But since you came into my life you have loved me, clothed me, fed me and told me bedtime stories. All that unconditionally and because you are the best mother, there is.

On this Billy day, I ask you to share this love with the rest of the children of the grotto. They don’t have a mommy anymore. Well, apart from Mary. She has me.

Love and may the goat spare your shoes,

Theanore.

Theanore carried the card to Esmer, who was reading another one, and tugged at her tunic’s sleeve.

“Mommy, I have something for you.” Said Theanore and Esmer looked down. Her face lit up in a smile when she saw the card in her daughter’s hands.

“Why, thank you, dear. Here is my card for you.” Said Esmer, and she gave Theanore a card that was laying on the table. On it was Merrybell the goat. Theanore opened it with bated breath and read:

My heart, my soul, my lovely little nymph. One day, you will grow up, and you will no longer need me. But allow your silly mother to gush over you for a couple more years.

Don’t rush growing up. It is a serious business. Even though you already have a daughter and a fiancé, heck, even though you are a divorcee, you are not yet two years of age. You are my baby and I adore you to bits.

Love and may the goat spare your shoes,

Esmer.

Theanore hugged her mother and the two began to laugh. Around them, many such scenes were unfolding. No wonder, Billy day was one of the most celebrated days in the year.

End of book three.

Synopses of book four:

Many tiny threads make up a story. Some of those threads have big tasks ahead of them, like Theanore, who wishes to make trading agreements with the denizens of No Man’s Land. Others will have to be patient and stay put, like Elmar, who will have to help Garry with making the foundations of his dungeon economy.

Others just want their luck to turn, like Nick Rezelkinz, who will find the truth behind his bad luck in the months to come. Others are happy to be healthy and hale, Harry Karheim being chief among them.

But above all, happiness will reign in the apple grotto and its children will enjoy the spring that had fallen over the land with all their little hearts.