TADRE

??? POV... present

We're all bent over the book, laughing and joking. I see my friends all laughing, a welcome sight after what we just finished dealing with.

Max jokes to Shiner, and they break into a friendly wrestling match.

I stare at them, a smile splitting my face.

I look at the rest of my friends.

They're laughing, sipping cocoa, and laughing at thier own blunders.

We laugh for hours, in the warm candle light in the library.

Soon, everyone begins to fall asleep.

The two wrestling boys fall asleep on the floor, one on either side of the room.

My other friends all hobble off to bed.

They call, "Night, DR!"

I call back, "Night guys!

I grab my key and lock the cover of the book.

I put a library stamp on the leather spine, and walk to the shelf to put it away.

A young girl walks in, and I smile.

She asks, "What book yah reading?"

I stop, and bring the book back the table.

I unlock it, and ask, "Wanna hear a story, Lilly?"

She nods, and asks, "What's it about?"

I smile, and whisper, "Brave riders, sword fights, adventure, strange lands, evil villians, good friends, mysteries, treachery, and alliances, and that's only the first part!"

She asks, all excited, "How many parts are dere?"

I smile, and reply, "Four. Being a fast reader, we can finish it tonight."

She smiles, and climbs onto the chair.

She asks, "Are there pictures?"

I nod, and begin the story......