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Speaker 1: Hello, friends, and welcome to sleep Tight Stories. Every week

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Speaker 1: we celebrate our supporters through shout outs and personal birthday messages.

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Speaker 1: We think this is also a fun way for us

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Speaker 1: to hear about all the amazing places that you our

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Speaker 1: listeners come from. Happy belated birthday to Miles B. Of Healdsburg, California,

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Speaker 1: who turned seven on March thirteenth. Love your mom, dad,

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Speaker 1: and Geo. Happy belated birthday to Thomas in Richmond, who

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Speaker 1: turned four on March twentieth. Mama, Dadda, Henry and Mars

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Speaker 1: love you very much. Happy belated birthday to Jackson, who

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Speaker 1: turned eleven on March twenty second. Your daddy and sister

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Speaker 1: Lulu love you and celebrate you on your birthday. Happy

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Speaker 1: belated birthday to Juliet from Niles, Michigan, who turned five

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Speaker 1: on March twenty third. Love, Mom, dad and Matthias. Happy

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Speaker 1: eighth birthday to Evy on March twenty fourth. Mommy, Daddy,

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Speaker 1: THEO and your whole family love you so much. Happy

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Speaker 1: birthday to Eva Luna, who is turning eight on March

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Speaker 1: twenty fifth. Mom, dad and your sister Elena would like

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Speaker 1: to give you butterfly kisses and the best birthday wishes.

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Speaker 1: Happy birthday to Simon, who is turning five on March

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Speaker 1: twenty fifth, from Mom, dad and Ira. Happy birthday to

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Speaker 1: Charlotte from Los Angeles, California, who was turning ten on

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Speaker 1: March twenty sixth. Mommy loves you so much. Happy birthday

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Speaker 1: to Noah who is turning nine on March twenty seventh.

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Speaker 1: You are our awesome artist and Mommy, Daddy and Chee

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Speaker 1: Chee love you. Happy birthday to Sarah Fowler in Newfoundland

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Speaker 1: who is turning nine on March twenty seventh, from mom,

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Speaker 1: dad and sister Audrey, who love you very much. Happy

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Speaker 1: birthday to Rin Mihan in Sasulito, California, who is turning

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Speaker 1: seven on March twenty seventh. Happy fifth birthday to Theo

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Speaker 1: in Guelph, Ontario who has a birthday on March twenty seventh. Mommy, Daddy, Isabella,

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Speaker 1: Oma and Morphar love you infinity plus infinity. And Happy

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Speaker 1: birthday to Lily Brownbill from Durban, South Africa who is

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Speaker 1: turning eight years old on March thirtieth. Mama, Mima and

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Speaker 1: Papa love you very much. Happy birthday to you all.

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Speaker 1: Now on to our story. This is the final chapter

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Speaker 1: of the Magical Book of Dreams. A new adventure featuring

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Speaker 1: Esther and Riah will come later in the year. Esther

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Speaker 1: cannot believe it. She has finally made it to her father.

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Speaker 1: After all this time, she is really here. Esther opens

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Speaker 1: the door, and after they hug, they get ready to

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Speaker 1: leave the castle. They head back out the way they

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Speaker 1: came in. But there are so many of them now,

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Speaker 1: and they are moving slowly. Next thing they know, they

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Speaker 1: can hear something moving near them. The Magical Book of Dreams,

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Speaker 1: Part thirty one. Esther stood still, unable to move. There

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Speaker 1: he was, After all these years, she had finally found him.

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Speaker 1: The man who had told her stories, whose pictures she

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Speaker 1: would look at every time she went to wash, was

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Speaker 1: right in front of her. It seemed like a dream,

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Speaker 1: worn by years of hardship and full with an unkept beard.

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Speaker 1: His face sparkled with the familiar warmth in his eyes. Esther,

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Speaker 1: he breathed out, his voice, dry, is it you, princess?

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Speaker 1: Has my little star come to light up the darkness?

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Speaker 1: Their eyes locked, emotions swirling between them, acknowledging years of

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Speaker 1: separation with a glance, tears started to flow. They reached

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Speaker 1: out hands touching cold metal. The bars of his cell

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Speaker 1: stood firmly between them. Esther quickly wiped the tears from

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Speaker 1: her eyes as good magic began to rise within her,

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Speaker 1: Sensing the need for its help, strong emotions seemed to

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Speaker 1: be the trigger. Esther focused on the lock that kept

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Speaker 1: her father imprisoned, extending her hand toward it. She whispered softly, please, please,

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Speaker 1: let this be the key to her amazement. The lock

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Speaker 1: clicked open, as if recognizing her command. The good magic

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Speaker 1: didn't stop there. It flowed from her like a gentle wave,

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Speaker 1: reaching out to unlock the other cells, freeing the prisoners,

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Speaker 1: who watched in disbelief. As the cell door swung open,

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Speaker 1: Esther stepped forward, father, she said nervously. Her father looked

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Speaker 1: at her, with tears still in his eyes. Esther, my princess,

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Speaker 1: he replied, his dry voice thick with emotion. They hugged,

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Speaker 1: trying to make up for years of being apart. Esther

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Speaker 1: was overwhelmed. I've found him after all this time, We're

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Speaker 1: together again, she thought. Now we can go home, But

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Speaker 1: how do we escape? How do we bring everyone to safety?

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Speaker 1: Her good magic had unlocked the doors, yet the path

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Speaker 1: to freedom was not guaranteed. Meanwhile, Ariah was assessing the situation,

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Speaker 1: her mind racing through their options for escape. She checked

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Speaker 1: the hallway for guards. There were none, but it was

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Speaker 1: an unknown route and there would surely be opposition. We

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Speaker 1: still have the advantage of surprise, she thought, but we

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Speaker 1: must move quickly and quietly. She turned to Esther and

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Speaker 1: her father, saying, we haven't caught the attention of any guards,

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Speaker 1: but we need to leave now. I suggest we leave

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Speaker 1: the way we came, but we must be swift and silent.

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Speaker 1: The passageway is narrow.

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Speaker 2: So it won't be easy.

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Speaker 1: Turning to her father, Esther said, we'll get you and

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Speaker 1: everyone else out of here. Her father, strength returning to

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Speaker 1: his voice, replied, lead the way, my brave princess. I

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Speaker 1: never lost faith in you. I knew you would come.

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Speaker 2: Together. They led the newly freed.

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Speaker 1: Prisoners through the open area to the narrow passageway. Esther's father,

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Speaker 1: despite being frail himself, helped others who were too weak

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Speaker 1: to move on their own. Esther stayed close to him,

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Speaker 1: her good magic casting a light.

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Speaker 2: Through the darkness.

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Speaker 1: She knew they still had a way to go, but

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Speaker 1: she had hope. With her father by her side, and

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Speaker 1: Oriah leading the way. They moved as quickly as they

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Speaker 1: could through the narrow, dark passage that had brought them

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Speaker 1: into the castle. The sound of their own labored breathing loud.

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Speaker 2: In their ears.

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Speaker 1: Some coughed or stumbled, which ryafeard might announce their presence

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Speaker 1: if anyone was listening. The warm light from Esther's magic

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Speaker 1: cast long shadows on the walls, making the cramped space

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Speaker 1: feel even more confined. The air was thick with the

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Speaker 1: musty odor of damp stone and the faint, lingering scent

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Speaker 1: of mold. The farther they went, the more they could

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Speaker 1: hear the distant sound of water hinting at an underground river.

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Speaker 1: Half way down the passageway, a sudden clatter echoed through

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Speaker 1: the darkness, the unmistakable sound of guards wearing armor climbing

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Speaker 1: the stairs toward them. You could hear their voices. They

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Speaker 1: were looking for something. Everyone heard them, and some started

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Speaker 1: to panic. We can and continue downward. Esther quickly whispered

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Speaker 1: to Ariah, who was just ahead. There is a door

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Speaker 1: just below. If I can open it, we should all

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Speaker 1: be able to slip through. We might have luck on

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Speaker 1: our side. If what approaches us knew we were here,

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Speaker 1: they would be moving with much more haste, Ariah said,

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Speaker 1: as she rushed to the old wooden door. After Ariah

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Speaker 1: opened the door with an unfortunate loud, creaking sound, Esther

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Speaker 1: led the group through her hands, growing brighter to reveal

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Speaker 1: a rough passageway much wider than the one they had

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Speaker 1: entered from. In the distance, she could see what looked

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Speaker 1: like an underground river with its waters flowing downward. Hurry,

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Speaker 1: Ariah whispered, ushering all the prisoners into the new passageway

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Speaker 1: and closing the door. She stood there pushing on it, waiting,

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Speaker 1: hoping that they hadn't been discovered. Esther's father whispered to

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Speaker 1: everyone to be quiet as they waited for the guards

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Speaker 1: to walk by the sound of the water was loud,

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Speaker 1: perhaps loud enough to drown out the noise of their movement.

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Speaker 1: Ariah put her ear to the door, listening as the

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Speaker 1: guards clanging sounds and grumbles and growls passed by. They

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Speaker 1: had not been heard. We won't have long before they

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Speaker 1: notice we have all escaped. If they sound the alarm,

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Speaker 1: it will be incredibly difficult to avoid. The guards scaleks

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Speaker 1: and Chickalore's Esther's father said, we can't go down the passageway.

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Speaker 2: There might be more guards coming up, or worse.

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Speaker 1: Ariah replied, then we have no other choice. Esther's father said,

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Speaker 1: this water must be used to flush out waste in

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Speaker 1: the castle, likely empties into a small lagoon below.

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Speaker 2: Esther agreed.

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Speaker 1: They carefully climbed into the cold flowing water, letting the

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Speaker 1: current carry them away from their prison. The river moved quickly,

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Speaker 1: and soon they were whisked through tunnels beneath the castle walls.

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Speaker 1: As they rowed the river's currents, they tried to keep

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Speaker 1: their heads above the water, gasping for air whenever they could.

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Speaker 1: It was a wild, bumpy ride. It wasn't designed for comfort. Finally,

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Speaker 1: the river spat them out through an opening at the

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Speaker 1: base of the castle walls into the open air. They

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Speaker 1: landed with a splash, and the shallow lagoon surrounded by

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Speaker 1: the foul smells of the castle's waste. The stench was overwhelming,

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Speaker 1: but there was no time to dwell on it. They

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Speaker 1: scrambled out of the water, helping each other to stand

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Speaker 1: and brush off the worst of the muck. With no

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Speaker 1: time to lose, Esther led the way toward the dry

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Speaker 1: river bed, she and Ariyah had used before, moving away

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Speaker 1: from the castle as fast as they could. They were soaked,

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Speaker 1: cold and tired, but the fear of being caught pushed

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Speaker 1: them forward. Then suddenly an alarm bell rang out from the.

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Speaker 2: Castle, loud and clear.

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Speaker 1: In the quiet of the night, Scaliks, chickalores, and other

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Speaker 1: unknown creatures could be heard howling in the distance. Their

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Speaker 1: escape was not going to go unchallenged. The group quickened

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Speaker 1: their pace, hearts pounding with the fear of being caught.

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Speaker 1: Their feet pounded against the ground, but the going was

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Speaker 1: too so low. No longer worried about stealth, Esther continued

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Speaker 1: to light the way, making the path ahead less of

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Speaker 1: a shadowy challenge. Then the unmistakable sounds of the scalex

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Speaker 1: growling and the chicaloors yipping filled the air, signaling that

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Speaker 1: the creatures had picked up their scent and were in pursuit.

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Speaker 1: We have to move faster, Ariah called out over her shoulder.

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Speaker 1: I know, I know, Keep everyone together.

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Speaker 2: Esther replied.

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Speaker 1: The path was treacherous, lined with loose stones that threatened

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Speaker 1: to trip them up, and the same thick, thorny underbrush

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Speaker 1: that they had struggled with before. Clawed at their clothes.

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Speaker 1: Despite the obstacles, they pushed forward. The sounds of the

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Speaker 1: Chicalores and scalis grew ominously closer, the growls and snaps

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Speaker 1: scenting shivers down their spines. As they approached the hidden

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Speaker 1: entrance to the cave, ester glanced back to see the

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Speaker 1: dark shapes of the creatures emerging from the shadows. She

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Speaker 1: could smell their foul stench. They're right behind us, she shouted,

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Speaker 1: just a little further into the cave. Riah responded, trying

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Speaker 1: to keep the panic at bay. She knew the cave

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Speaker 1: was their only chance. With the entrance in sight, they

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Speaker 1: mustered every ounce of energy left in them. Surging forward,

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Speaker 1: they dove into the cave's mouth, almost.

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Speaker 2: Falling over each other.

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Speaker 1: The sounds of the Scalix and Chickalore ceased abruptly as

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Speaker 1: they crossed the threshold, the creatures unwilling or unable to

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Speaker 1: follow them into the depths inside. Esther and Ariah didn't pause.

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Speaker 1: Esther's magic lit their way. They moved deeper until the

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Speaker 1: familiar glow of the luminae appeared, surrounding them with a

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Speaker 1: gentle light and a sense of safety. We made it,

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Speaker 1: Esther gasped, her relief palpable as she leaned against the

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Speaker 1: cool cave wall. Ariah, ever vigilant, scanned the group, counting heads.

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Speaker 1: Everyone's here. We're safe, thanks to you and your magic. Esther,

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Speaker 1: her father, still catching his breath, looked at Esther, My daughter,

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Speaker 1: the princess, he murmured, his voice filled with pride. The

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Speaker 1: luminae glowed around them, their light soothing the ragged edges

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Speaker 1: of their fear. For a moment, the cave was a haven,

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Speaker 1: a respite from the dangers they had faced. But outside,

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Speaker 1: the night remained filled with threats. We can't stay long.

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Speaker 1: Whatever kept them from following us may not keep them

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Speaker 1: for long, Ariah said, after a moment, her mind already

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Speaker 1: on their next move. Having caught her breath, Esther turned

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Speaker 1: to her father with a spark of hope in her eyes.

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Speaker 1: Now we can start the journey home, father, she said,

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Speaker 1: thinking of finally reuniting her family. Her father shook his

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Speaker 1: head gently, Esther, my brave daughter, I can't go home,

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Speaker 1: not yet, he said, his voice heavy with a burden.

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Speaker 1: She didn't fully understand. The people need me here, and

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Speaker 1: they need you. Esther's smile faded. What do you mean

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Speaker 1: I thought we could leave this darkness behind once we

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Speaker 1: were reunited. Her father reached out, taking her hand in his.

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Speaker 1: The fight to bring light to the gray is just beginning.

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Speaker 1: You've shown incredible strength and courage, Esther. The people of

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Speaker 1: this realm need a leader to guide them out of

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Speaker 1: the darkness. They need you to lead them. Esther stood

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Speaker 1: in stunned silence, her father's words repeating in her mind.

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Speaker 1: She had longed for this reunion, imagining it as the

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Speaker 1: end of her journey, but now faced with the reality

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Speaker 1: of her father's words, she realized the journey was far

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Speaker 1: from over. It was evolving into something much bigger than herself.

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Speaker 1: All the messages and guidance received had led to this point.

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Speaker 1: I lead them, whispered, the weight of the responsibility settling

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Speaker 1: on her shoulders. But how I only wanted to find

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Speaker 1: you to bring us back together. Her father squeezed her hand.

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Speaker 1: You have good magic, Esther, a rare gift. You've already

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Speaker 1: begun to change the realm. The people have seen your power,

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Speaker 1: and in you they see hope. As Esther stood in

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Speaker 1: the cave, surrounded by the freed prisoners and the soft

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Speaker 1: light of the luminae. The reunion with her father, instead

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Speaker 1: of marking an end, signaled the beginning of a greater challenge.

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Speaker 1: Her heart was heavy with the responsibility. Her father described,

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Speaker 1: is this my destiny? Can I be the leader they need?

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Speaker 1: She thought, the enormity of leading a realm out of

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Speaker 1: darkness dawning on her esther knew her choice was very important,

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Speaker 1: not just for her, but for everyone living in the shadows,

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Speaker 1: hoping for a brighter day. Everyone in the cave looked

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Speaker 1: at her quietly, waiting. They believed she could be their hero.

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Speaker 1: Now she was trying to believe it too.

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Speaker 2: And that is the end of our story. Good Night,

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Speaker 2: sleep tight.