1 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:21,680 Speaker 1: Hello, friends, and welcome to sleep Tight Stories. Esther and 2 00:00:21,840 --> 00:00:24,439 Speaker 1: Ariya have made it to the top of the bluff 3 00:00:24,840 --> 00:00:28,440 Speaker 1: and can see the settlement on the other side, but 4 00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:34,400 Speaker 1: there is a problem. There is someone standing in their way. 5 00:00:35,280 --> 00:00:39,000 Speaker 1: Ariyah tells Esther not to worry so much and starts 6 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:44,280 Speaker 1: down towards the figure. Once they have gotten past, they 7 00:00:44,320 --> 00:00:47,320 Speaker 1: meet Gimbal, and Esther is left to talk with him 8 00:00:47,880 --> 00:00:55,680 Speaker 1: while Aarya is needed elsewhere. The Magical Book of Dreams, 9 00:00:56,040 --> 00:01:03,080 Speaker 1: Part sixteen. Esther closed her eyes and took a deep breath, 10 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:07,520 Speaker 1: feeling the same mix of fear and excitement she felt 11 00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:12,080 Speaker 1: when she walked through the portal. Considering the terrain they 12 00:01:12,120 --> 00:01:15,880 Speaker 1: were walking on, closing her eyes wasn't the best idea, 13 00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:21,440 Speaker 1: but it was how she gathered enough courage to continue. 14 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:24,679 Speaker 1: There was a change in the air, a break in 15 00:01:24,720 --> 00:01:29,080 Speaker 1: the breeze, allowing Esther to smell the earthy aroma of 16 00:01:29,160 --> 00:01:33,640 Speaker 1: the ground mixed with the faint scent of old, musty 17 00:01:33,720 --> 00:01:39,960 Speaker 1: fabric from Ariah's cloak. Her mouth felt dry, and she 18 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:44,040 Speaker 1: had an almost irresistible urge to gulp down some water. 19 00:01:45,760 --> 00:01:49,240 Speaker 1: If only she hadn't packed her water deep inside her pack. 20 00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:57,240 Speaker 1: As they walked Esther did eventually open her eyes. She 21 00:01:57,440 --> 00:02:03,160 Speaker 1: wasn't sure which rhythmic sound she heard loudest, Ariah's confident 22 00:02:03,280 --> 00:02:08,600 Speaker 1: thumps on the ground or the frantic beating of her heart. 23 00:02:08,960 --> 00:02:12,440 Speaker 1: The figure in front of them looked so imposing and threatening. 24 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:16,959 Speaker 1: Ariah looked back at her with a smirk on her face. 25 00:02:17,919 --> 00:02:22,600 Speaker 1: You worry too much, little princess, she said, softly, recalling 26 00:02:22,639 --> 00:02:27,480 Speaker 1: her own experiences when she first started traversing the glade. 27 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:30,919 Speaker 1: She added, It's no big deal. It looks worse than 28 00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:35,760 Speaker 1: it is. Ariah was getting softer in her teenage years. 29 00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:44,000 Speaker 1: The dry, barren ground crunched beneath their feet, each step 30 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:49,800 Speaker 1: reverberating in the quiet, vastness. As they drew closer, the 31 00:02:49,840 --> 00:02:56,359 Speaker 1: cloaked figure became clearer, face still hidden. Raising her hand 32 00:02:56,440 --> 00:03:05,040 Speaker 1: and breaking the silence, Ariah yelled, friend, identify yourself, removing 33 00:03:05,080 --> 00:03:08,000 Speaker 1: his hood from the top of his head. A young 34 00:03:08,120 --> 00:03:13,679 Speaker 1: man's face appeared with a big, toothy smile. Ariyah, it's 35 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:18,640 Speaker 1: me Talan. I have a message for you from Eliza. 36 00:03:19,840 --> 00:03:24,200 Speaker 1: The tension was now gone, and Esther's legs started feeling 37 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:29,520 Speaker 1: wobbly again, reminding her yet again how unpracticed she was. 38 00:03:29,639 --> 00:03:34,920 Speaker 1: With all this hiking and adventure stuff. Looking at Talan, 39 00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:38,640 Speaker 1: Esther could see that he looked about her age with 40 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:43,840 Speaker 1: flaming red hair, which, considering the lack of color in 41 00:03:43,880 --> 00:03:47,760 Speaker 1: the surroundings, might have made him visible from far and 42 00:03:47,880 --> 00:03:52,960 Speaker 1: wide if he hadn't had his hood up. Apologies for 43 00:03:53,040 --> 00:03:56,640 Speaker 1: the unannounced visit, Ariyah, but Eliza had me run over 44 00:03:56,680 --> 00:03:59,800 Speaker 1: to the settlement to find you. I kind of figured 45 00:03:59,800 --> 00:04:02,560 Speaker 1: that Gimbal would lead them here, so I took a 46 00:04:02,600 --> 00:04:08,120 Speaker 1: different route and arrived before you. You ran all the 47 00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:13,280 Speaker 1: way here, Esther said, in surprise. Not everyone is as 48 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:18,160 Speaker 1: slow as you, Ariah said, with a laugh. Not to worry, Talan. 49 00:04:18,720 --> 00:04:21,400 Speaker 1: I could tell by your stance that you weren't a threat, 50 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:25,640 Speaker 1: but you can never be so sure here on the glade, 51 00:04:25,760 --> 00:04:28,440 Speaker 1: and with that hair of yours, you might want to 52 00:04:28,520 --> 00:04:32,360 Speaker 1: keep your hood up lest you attract every chickalore from 53 00:04:32,360 --> 00:04:37,960 Speaker 1: across the glade. Bringing his hood over his head, Talan continued, 54 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:42,839 Speaker 1: Eliza wants you back at the village. Something important has 55 00:04:42,880 --> 00:04:45,479 Speaker 1: come up, and she wants all the young knights in 56 00:04:45,520 --> 00:04:50,280 Speaker 1: the area to return for a conference. What could be 57 00:04:50,320 --> 00:04:54,919 Speaker 1: so important, Ariah asked that she didn't share with me. 58 00:04:55,760 --> 00:04:59,040 Speaker 1: She did ask me to apologize to you, Esther and 59 00:04:59,279 --> 00:05:04,840 Speaker 1: forgive my Talan said, as he bowed slightly. Bah enough 60 00:05:04,880 --> 00:05:09,200 Speaker 1: of the formalities. She's not a real princess yet, Ariah said, 61 00:05:09,560 --> 00:05:15,600 Speaker 1: with a stone etched smirk across her face. Esther was 62 00:05:15,720 --> 00:05:20,440 Speaker 1: thoroughly confused and hungry. She searched her pockets for more 63 00:05:20,440 --> 00:05:25,039 Speaker 1: of the melastic Riah shared with her, finding none, She 64 00:05:25,200 --> 00:05:30,719 Speaker 1: instead simply said, it's nice to meet you, Talan. When 65 00:05:30,760 --> 00:05:33,800 Speaker 1: am I supposed to be back at the village, Ariah asked, 66 00:05:34,279 --> 00:05:38,080 Speaker 1: host haste, Talan said, brushing his long red hair out 67 00:05:38,120 --> 00:05:41,600 Speaker 1: of his eyes, we could have a little race. Unless 68 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:46,240 Speaker 1: you have become too old and slow. You are leaving 69 00:05:46,279 --> 00:05:50,400 Speaker 1: me here all alone. Esther interrupted, how am I supposed 70 00:05:50,440 --> 00:05:54,359 Speaker 1: to find Gimble? Changing her mind about being able to 71 00:05:54,360 --> 00:05:57,599 Speaker 1: find him on her own? If she had this much 72 00:05:57,640 --> 00:06:01,680 Speaker 1: trouble just walking across this gray excitans, how did she 73 00:06:01,760 --> 00:06:05,599 Speaker 1: hope to find and rescue her father without the strength 74 00:06:05,640 --> 00:06:10,200 Speaker 1: of a riot to guide her. Don't worry, Esther, I 75 00:06:10,240 --> 00:06:13,520 Speaker 1: will first introduce you to Gimbal and then be off. 76 00:06:14,360 --> 00:06:16,240 Speaker 1: He will know what to do with you until I 77 00:06:16,279 --> 00:06:23,799 Speaker 1: can return. Esther didn't protest further. She was tired, hungry, 78 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:28,800 Speaker 1: and a bit overwhelmed. She needed time to absorb all 79 00:06:28,839 --> 00:06:32,039 Speaker 1: that had happened to her these past few days, and 80 00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:37,400 Speaker 1: a hot bath that would be nice. The three of 81 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:41,480 Speaker 1: them talking outside their encampment didn't go unnoticed as a 82 00:06:41,520 --> 00:06:46,520 Speaker 1: crowd of younger people, creatures, and animals started to gather 83 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:52,599 Speaker 1: just outside what served as its entrance. Let's introduce you 84 00:06:52,680 --> 00:06:54,800 Speaker 1: to Gimbal and make sure he has a place for 85 00:06:54,839 --> 00:06:57,960 Speaker 1: you to rest. I'm sure he is going to bore 86 00:06:58,040 --> 00:07:01,120 Speaker 1: you to death with stories, and you will be begging 87 00:07:01,160 --> 00:07:04,640 Speaker 1: for me to take you onward when I return, Ariah said, 88 00:07:05,160 --> 00:07:09,760 Speaker 1: with that same smirk on her face. Elders spend too 89 00:07:09,920 --> 00:07:16,000 Speaker 1: much time talking and not enough time doing. Don't let 90 00:07:16,040 --> 00:07:19,760 Speaker 1: Eliza hear you say that, Talan said, laughing. You will 91 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:24,160 Speaker 1: be sleeping outside with only the chickalores to keep you company. 92 00:07:25,040 --> 00:07:27,680 Speaker 1: They aren't so bad as long as they aren't hungry, 93 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:31,960 Speaker 1: Ariah said, as they walked towards the crowd, hands up 94 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:37,560 Speaker 1: and palms open a common greeting. Doing the same, Talan replied, 95 00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:42,840 Speaker 1: too bad, they are always hungry. You need to use 96 00:07:42,920 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 1: the same gesture as us, esther, it's a common greeting here. 97 00:07:47,440 --> 00:07:51,160 Speaker 1: Otherwise you might scare them. There aren't many people or 98 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:55,280 Speaker 1: creatures roaming the glade anymore, and what does Rome is 99 00:07:55,400 --> 00:08:03,280 Speaker 1: not always friendly. As Esther, Riah and Tallon walked closer, 100 00:08:03,880 --> 00:08:07,239 Speaker 1: Esther's hands high in the air, her eyes were drawn 101 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:11,440 Speaker 1: to the eclectic group that waited for them. The young 102 00:08:11,560 --> 00:08:16,640 Speaker 1: faces displayed a myriad of expressions, from hope to anxiety, 103 00:08:17,240 --> 00:08:22,960 Speaker 1: determination to fear. Among them, she noticed creatures she had 104 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:27,000 Speaker 1: only seen in her imagination or read about in fairy 105 00:08:27,040 --> 00:08:31,280 Speaker 1: tales that her father used to tell her. They like 106 00:08:31,440 --> 00:08:37,800 Speaker 1: beings with iridescent wings, animals with unusually intelligent eyes, and 107 00:08:37,920 --> 00:08:44,600 Speaker 1: beings she couldn't quite classify. Then, an older man began 108 00:08:44,679 --> 00:08:48,760 Speaker 1: to make his way through the crowd. Ester's heart raised 109 00:08:48,920 --> 00:08:54,199 Speaker 1: as she recognized him from the sketches in the book, Gimbal. 110 00:08:56,200 --> 00:09:01,000 Speaker 1: Gimbal had an ageless quality about him. His hair was 111 00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:05,840 Speaker 1: a cascade of silver waves that reached his shoulders, and 112 00:09:05,960 --> 00:09:10,680 Speaker 1: his beard, long and flowing, seemed to have stories woven 113 00:09:10,720 --> 00:09:16,520 Speaker 1: into every strand his eyes were the most striking feature, 114 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:24,199 Speaker 1: deep set, wise and kind, gleaming with knowledge. His somewhat 115 00:09:24,240 --> 00:09:29,280 Speaker 1: tattered clothes bore symbols and patterns. Estra vaguely recognized from 116 00:09:29,360 --> 00:09:34,560 Speaker 1: the book. The intricate silver pendant around his neck hulsed 117 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:38,439 Speaker 1: with a soft glow, like many objects in her kingdom 118 00:09:38,520 --> 00:09:44,680 Speaker 1: that were infused with good magic. Around Gimbal, the atmosphere 119 00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:50,480 Speaker 1: seemed to change, the very earth seemed to recognize his steps. 120 00:09:51,880 --> 00:09:54,520 Speaker 1: It was clear to Esther that this was a man 121 00:09:54,559 --> 00:10:00,240 Speaker 1: of knowledge and significance. She hadn't even spoken to him, 122 00:10:00,720 --> 00:10:03,960 Speaker 1: and the fear and doubt she felt about Ariah's imminent 123 00:10:04,040 --> 00:10:12,520 Speaker 1: departure was already replaced by hope. The crowd parted seamlessly 124 00:10:12,600 --> 00:10:17,319 Speaker 1: for Gimbal, their faces turning to Esther, Riah, and Talon 125 00:10:17,800 --> 00:10:22,960 Speaker 1: with a mix of curiosity and hope. The gentle murmurs, 126 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:27,280 Speaker 1: the fluttering of wings, and the distant sounds of creatures 127 00:10:27,520 --> 00:10:33,880 Speaker 1: Esther couldn't yet identify build the air. Gimbal walked forward 128 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:39,040 Speaker 1: and extended his hand in greeting, Hello, Esther, It's so 129 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:45,960 Speaker 1: lovely to finally meet you. I've been expecting you. Shaking 130 00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:50,240 Speaker 1: his hand, Esther was for a moment starstruck and at 131 00:10:50,280 --> 00:10:56,319 Speaker 1: a loss for words. It was his book, his experience 132 00:10:56,400 --> 00:11:00,960 Speaker 1: that led her to the unknown realm. Hopefully he would 133 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:03,240 Speaker 1: be able to help her find her father and take 134 00:11:03,320 --> 00:11:09,559 Speaker 1: him home. Looking on, Riah and Talon thought the handshake 135 00:11:09,679 --> 00:11:14,920 Speaker 1: particularly odd. The handshake was a common greeting for those 136 00:11:14,960 --> 00:11:19,600 Speaker 1: who lived near the mystical forest Shirewood dispensed with this 137 00:11:19,679 --> 00:11:26,440 Speaker 1: particular formality. Instead, simply nodding your head was often deemed enough. 138 00:11:27,720 --> 00:11:32,400 Speaker 1: Of course, other considerations changed how people greeted one another 139 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:37,760 Speaker 1: in the unknown realm. It is nice to see you again, 140 00:11:38,200 --> 00:11:41,800 Speaker 1: Gimbal said, you get stronger each time I see you. 141 00:11:43,960 --> 00:11:48,160 Speaker 1: Ariah's reply was a simple nod. Her serious, stone like 142 00:11:48,280 --> 00:11:52,240 Speaker 1: face had returned, and Talent, I have something for you 143 00:11:52,320 --> 00:11:55,719 Speaker 1: to take back to Eliza. Some dried flower roots you 144 00:11:55,800 --> 00:11:58,880 Speaker 1: might enjoy adding to her cooking. It adds a bit 145 00:11:58,920 --> 00:12:04,120 Speaker 1: of tingle to your legs apes. Thank you, Sir Talan replied, 146 00:12:04,679 --> 00:12:09,800 Speaker 1: placing the small package in his old weathered bag. Please 147 00:12:09,920 --> 00:12:12,840 Speaker 1: come with me Esther to my tent. I have hot 148 00:12:12,920 --> 00:12:16,040 Speaker 1: drink made from the tea that Esther gave me, and 149 00:12:16,120 --> 00:12:18,920 Speaker 1: I am sure I can have someone find you something 150 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:24,280 Speaker 1: to eat. We have so much to talk about. As 151 00:12:24,320 --> 00:12:28,240 Speaker 1: they started to walk together, surrounded by all the others 152 00:12:28,280 --> 00:12:31,800 Speaker 1: who had come to greet them, she noticed the absence 153 00:12:31,880 --> 00:12:35,920 Speaker 1: of Ariah, not by sight or sound, but by presence. 154 00:12:37,240 --> 00:12:42,720 Speaker 1: Looking around, Esther said to Ariyah, are you not coming? No, 155 00:12:43,400 --> 00:12:47,120 Speaker 1: I can see you are incapable hands. I'll return as 156 00:12:47,160 --> 00:12:52,040 Speaker 1: soon as I am able. And with those words, Ariyah 157 00:12:52,040 --> 00:12:56,560 Speaker 1: and Talon ran off to the approaching gray fog. The 158 00:12:56,720 --> 00:13:00,600 Speaker 1: night was coming. Would she ever see a ri again? 159 00:13:04,480 --> 00:13:08,000 Speaker 1: Come come, Gimbal said, returning her eyes to the front 160 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:11,040 Speaker 1: and the task of not tripping on the rough ground 161 00:13:11,480 --> 00:13:16,280 Speaker 1: with her wobbly chicalore legs. It's best to be inside, 162 00:13:16,320 --> 00:13:20,120 Speaker 1: where it's warm and bright as darkness approaches. The dark 163 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:25,480 Speaker 1: is not too kind to us here in the glade. 164 00:13:25,520 --> 00:13:30,800 Speaker 1: Gimbal's tent stood tall and proud, amidst the others, asserting 165 00:13:30,880 --> 00:13:36,360 Speaker 1: its presence like a wise old tree amidst saplings. It 166 00:13:36,559 --> 00:13:41,679 Speaker 1: was expansive, crafted from what was once a rich, deep 167 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:46,000 Speaker 1: blue fabric that bore an uncanny resemblance to the night 168 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:52,400 Speaker 1: sky in Shirewood. Every so often, the fabric shimmered and 169 00:13:52,520 --> 00:13:57,040 Speaker 1: tiny specks of light flickered like distant stars, casting a 170 00:13:57,080 --> 00:14:02,520 Speaker 1: soft glow around its periphery. There was still some good 171 00:14:02,640 --> 00:14:08,280 Speaker 1: magic here. The entrance to the tent was flanked by 172 00:14:08,360 --> 00:14:13,480 Speaker 1: two ornate poles carved intricately with symbols and ruins that 173 00:14:13,679 --> 00:14:18,400 Speaker 1: danced and moved ever so slightly, as if telling stories 174 00:14:18,440 --> 00:14:23,240 Speaker 1: of their own. It wasn't just a shelter. To Esther, 175 00:14:23,800 --> 00:14:27,400 Speaker 1: Gimbal's tent felt like a living testament to his journeys 176 00:14:27,400 --> 00:14:34,160 Speaker 1: and knowledge. As they approached, Esther noticed the tense, subtle movements, 177 00:14:34,800 --> 00:14:37,920 Speaker 1: almost as if it breathed in harmony with the world 178 00:14:37,960 --> 00:14:44,120 Speaker 1: around it. The entrance was parted slightly, allowing wafts of 179 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:51,119 Speaker 1: a soothing aroma to escape, hints of aged parchment, earthy herbs, 180 00:14:51,560 --> 00:14:56,280 Speaker 1: and a warm, comforting scent she couldn't quite identify, but 181 00:14:56,440 --> 00:15:02,400 Speaker 1: felt strangely familiar with. Have a seat, Esther, Gimbal said. 182 00:15:03,400 --> 00:15:06,000 Speaker 1: As he walked towards the area in the tent that 183 00:15:06,160 --> 00:15:09,760 Speaker 1: served as a cooking place. She noticed he walked with 184 00:15:09,840 --> 00:15:14,720 Speaker 1: a slight limp, an injury from a lifetime of travel, perhaps, 185 00:15:17,200 --> 00:15:19,840 Speaker 1: How did you know I would be coming, Esther asked, 186 00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:23,600 Speaker 1: I didn't even know I would be coming until Eliza 187 00:15:23,680 --> 00:15:28,960 Speaker 1: informed me early this morning. Let me first get you 188 00:15:29,040 --> 00:15:34,360 Speaker 1: something to drink. You look simply parched. I've always found 189 00:15:34,360 --> 00:15:39,720 Speaker 1: that the best conversation happens over tea and drink. Of course, 190 00:15:40,360 --> 00:15:44,600 Speaker 1: A generous helping of food doesn't hurt either, And we 191 00:15:44,880 --> 00:15:49,160 Speaker 1: have so much to talk about. It's been many years 192 00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:53,120 Speaker 1: since I've met someone from Shirewood. I have so many questions. 193 00:15:56,280 --> 00:15:59,080 Speaker 1: Gimbal set the food and drank down on a small 194 00:15:59,160 --> 00:16:03,200 Speaker 1: table in front of Esther. The smells rising like smoke 195 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:09,360 Speaker 1: from a candle. Her stomach started to talk to her uncontrollably. 196 00:16:10,520 --> 00:16:15,200 Speaker 1: She was hungry. I wish I had something more substantive 197 00:16:15,280 --> 00:16:19,240 Speaker 1: for a special guest such as you, but I'm afraid 198 00:16:19,320 --> 00:16:21,640 Speaker 1: food is not as easy to come by as it 199 00:16:21,760 --> 00:16:25,200 Speaker 1: was when I first arrived here so many years ago. 200 00:16:27,360 --> 00:16:31,600 Speaker 1: Thank you, Esther said, trying not to drink too fast 201 00:16:31,680 --> 00:16:36,160 Speaker 1: and swallow the food whole. She could almost hear her 202 00:16:36,200 --> 00:16:39,960 Speaker 1: mother telling her to chew her food and not simply 203 00:16:40,040 --> 00:16:47,240 Speaker 1: swallow big chunks. This is delicious, Esther said, breaking tradition 204 00:16:47,400 --> 00:16:51,080 Speaker 1: by talking with food in her mouth. Her ears would 205 00:16:51,120 --> 00:16:55,040 Speaker 1: be ringing if she had done this at home. You 206 00:16:55,160 --> 00:16:59,480 Speaker 1: are too kind. But to answer your question, I knew 207 00:16:59,520 --> 00:17:02,840 Speaker 1: you would be coming because your father told me, the 208 00:17:02,840 --> 00:17:05,120 Speaker 1: timing of which had a lot to do with magic, 209 00:17:05,720 --> 00:17:08,240 Speaker 1: Gimbal said, as he took a noisy sip of tea. 210 00:17:09,640 --> 00:17:14,320 Speaker 1: You knew my father, esther said, almost spitting out her tea. 211 00:17:15,560 --> 00:17:20,479 Speaker 1: Oh yes, oh yes, we met on many occasions. I'll 212 00:17:20,520 --> 00:17:28,720 Speaker 1: tell you all about it, and that is the end 213 00:17:28,760 --> 00:17:50,520 Speaker 1: of this part. Good Night, sleep tight.