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3
Winter
The Annabels were honoured to house Excalibur. They pitched it standing on its tip staring out of one of the many small windows that stared at the mountains. After leaving the Annabels’, Alundi stared up at the highest mountain of the range to the east. With no light he could see nothing, not even the outline of the mountain. A longing feeling had penetrated Alundi. He knew not who or what it was but the danger was great. Pulling himself away he walked back to the Inn and straight into his room. Alone, more so than normal he slept well, ready for the busy day ahead. He woke just before dawn. Washing in his somewhat small washroom Alundi wetted and scrubbed some of his clothes clean and hung them in the same room. He garbed himself in a black tunic and covered it with his long grey cloak. Standing within the centre of his room Alundi ran his right hand down the centre of his face. Leaving his fingers on his chest he took three long breaths.
‘Assard where be you, my son?’
A few moments later Alundi opened his eyes sharply as a voice echoed.
‘I have passed into the Paladin Fields. I will enter the mountains in five days.’
Alundi smiled as he heard Assard's voice.
‘Forget trying to hide Assard. I fear we may not even have the winter. Make your best speed here. We have little time and it would be good to see you.’
‘It would be good to see you too, father. How shall I introduce myself?’
As the words echoed within his mind, a warm loving feeling entered Alundi.
‘I’m sure you can think of something. See you soon.’ Alundi said.
‘And you Father.’
Alundi pulled his hand away from his chest and ceased his contact with Assard. Food was all he could think of. Descending the stairs to the bar there was no one there except Meredith. He walked over to her.
‘At what time could I get a meal young Meredith?’
‘Now, would you like a brew with it?’ She was being much more polite than normal. Something was amiss. Alundi realised what it was.
‘By the way I have secured work so I will be staying for the winter. What will that cost me?’ Alundi said, reaching for his ever-full coin pouch. Meredith leaned under the bar and pulled out a small book. She found the correct page and left it open on the bar.
‘Thirty four coins.’
‘Is that with meals?’ Alundi asked whilst picking some coins from his pouch.
‘No, you have only ate breakfast here, that price does not include dinners.’ There was harshness in her voice. At first Alundi did not know why but then it clicked, young Annabel. Meredith was her cousin and she was either jealous or concerned. She leaned closer.
‘Is it your intention to court Annabel?’ The harshness had not left her now whispered voice. Meredith was an attractive woman. If it was jealousness then there was little Alundi could say that would please her. If he said “Yes” which was not his intention it would drive a wedge between her and Annabel. If he said “No” she may make her own advances, advances that Alundi would have to ignore for a number of reasons and would make his presence here more difficult. Or, she could simply be concerned for her cousin.
‘No, that is not my intention Meredith.’
‘Then why have you dined with her for the past two nights?’ Meredith was more than just concerned she was frightened.
‘It is best that you do not know.’
The anger exploded within her and she threw a glass to the floor.
‘Why’s that!’ Meredith shouted
‘Because you will die!’ Alundi shouted back at her whilst standing. Slowly her anger faded into fear. Alundi returned to his seat.
‘The less you know, the safer you will be. Talk to them. I’ll let them decide how much to tell you. But when we leave, and make no mistake Meredith, eventually we will have to leave, you cannot come with us. And if others come here for young Little Annabel they will want information. If they detect any hint from you, let us just say they have ways of getting information out of people, even people as strong as me.’
She was still frightened but she also seemed satisfied with Alundi’s answer and reasoning.
‘Twenty two coins with meals, and I need you to repair a number of things. The rest you can work off, agreed?’
Alundi wondered what that work would be but he had little choice.
‘Agreed, breakfast?’ Meredith for the first time this day grinned and then disappeared from the bar heading for the kitchen. Alundi ate quickly returning his plate and mug to the bar. Meredith took it, slightly embarrassed. He nodded and walked out of the Inn. The wind was up and the light was piercing through the mountains and lighting the sky. He wrapped himself in his cloak and started into the high wind heading for the mountains. The walk was long and difficult. As Alundi got closer to the mountains the wind strengthened. The climb was just as difficult as the walk. It did not take long to find a suitable grinding stone. But the size was a problem. The problem was not that Alundi could not carry it but it would raise suspicion if he carried it into the village. Summoning the magic Alundi sliced the stone in two. He wondered whether to shape it but decided not to. Hoisting it into his arms he started down the mountain hoping that Conner was at Knorrest's forge when he got there.
The doors of the forge were wide open and the warm air was pleasant to Alundi. As he entered Conner ran over and helped with the stone. One side of the stone was almost perfectly flat however Conner did not seem to notice or did not care.
‘I have cleared you a space next to my anvil. I assume you will need a hole for the tree.’
Alundi nodded.
‘Where do you want it?’
Alundi glanced around.
‘There, in front of you, if you don’t mind.’
‘Not at all, how deep do you need it?’
Alundi glanced at the tree that seemed to be slightly longer then he originally thought.
‘No deeper then two and a half feet.’
Conner nodded and started digging. Gathering another shovel Alundi helped. It took only an hour to get to the depth Alundi wanted. Conner had jumped down into the hole to round the edges. With the hole finished and the dirt behind their work Alundi and Conner rolled the tree into the forge. There they placed the base of the upended trunk next to the hole and pushed. The bottom dipped into the hole and Conner and Alundi both got under the other end and lifted. Alundi pushed with magic in his arms so he could take most of the weight. The tree slipped into the hole with relative ease. Alundi held it in place for Conner to start shovelling the dirt back in. Conner started stamping on the loose dirt when Alundi stopped him.
‘Please. I have a better way.’ Alundi said.
Using his magic he forced the dirt into the ground with such force that the tree was already solid and yet most of the excavated dirt they had still not replaced. They repeated the same act two more times until only a few loose shovels of dirt were left. Conner removed them and returned to find all four fires lit and burning well. Alundi had gathered his hammer he left the previous day.
‘I have never seen that style of hammer.’ Conner said as Alundi placed one of the curved swords into the nearest fire. Alundi was certain that Conner and perhaps even Knorrest had studied his hammer at length. The face was square and ever so slightly curved from the centre. It was also square behind the face. At the handle the hammer curved into the bulged end of a teardrop and a hand thick cross pane at the back.
‘It is of Elf design. It is made from the same falling stars as the legendary swords.’ He muttered not taking his eyes from the steel.
‘The same as Excalibur?’
Alundi looked up shocked for the briefest of moments but then he rested.
‘Yes. The Elf that forged my old sword, Nasel, gifted me this hammer as she knew I used to be a sword-smith’
‘Where is your sword now?’
‘In the hands of another, by my ch
oice.’ Alundi added as he saw the shocked expression on Conner’s face.
Conner said no more but continued with his daily tasks which included clearing the forge. Getting the shoeing area ready for the horses and preparing Knorrest's anvil with every tool he would need to forge.
Knorrest arrived just under an hour later. Alundi was explaining to Conner the heat treatment of the sword and what was the best way to go about it. Knorrest nodded at the both of them and instantly started to work. He fashioned two new shoes from one large Shire shoe and started on a larger set. Alundi started on one of the blades he had given to Knorrest. Conner was sent to fetch the first of the horses to shoe for the day. The heat felt fantastic to Alundi. Travelling for so long and his room not keeping much heat in, he enjoyed the fire. It took some time to get a consistent red heat throughout the blade whilst trying to keep the small wooden handle cool. Alundi left the sword covered by the coals next to his fire. Knorrest seemed to be checking but still carrying on with his work. Alundi walked outside and returned with his arms laden with the dirt he and Conner excavated. Alundi dropped it into one of the buckets of water that he had collected before Knorrest arrived. Knorrest seemed very confused but he did not say anything to Alundi. By the time Conner had returned the first blade had been annealed. He had led the horse to the back and was now watching.
Alundi drained the water out if the bucket he had previously dropped the dirt in. Alundi put his hand into the dirt which was now mud and grinned. Grabbing the sword from the coals he placed it back into the fire.
‘What is the mud for?’ Conner asked.
‘With the blade still hot I will cover the back edge thickly with the mud and quench the cutting edge. The back edge will be softer and will absorb most of any impact. Clay would be better but this will do. Clay in my opinion would be a waste. Not the way to harden if you carry a doubled edged blade but for this one it is the way to harden. Do you have a glove?’ Conner nodded and looked around. He found a pair next to Knorrest's anvil. Alundi pulled on the right hand one and waited. The heat had to be consistent once more. When it was he moved in a flurry of motion. With the blade resting on his wooden anvil Alundi emptied half of the mud in the bucket on to it. He turned it over quickly and emptied the rest of the mud. With his glove covered hand he wiped the mud from the cutting edge on both sides then dropped the entire blade into the long quench tank. He pulled it out and returned it to the water a number of times. Each time Alundi studied the hot uncovered cutting edge and when he was satisfied that the hardening was right he left the sword by the side of his fire.
‘We shall leave it until it is cool enough to touch. Then the sword will need polishing and cleaning then it will be ready.’
Conner nodded and picked up the sword. He studied the edge just as Alundi did. It was covered with a thick layer of scale but Alundi seemed happy with the result.
‘Do you have any family Alundi?’ Conner asked putting the sword down.
Alundi studied Conner for the briefest of moments.
‘My parents are long dead. I have a son. Like your relationship with Knorrest he is not of my blood but I raised him since he was three. A strong and very capable Man he is now though.’
Knorrest was listening but was covering it under the pretence of stoking the fire. Alundi grasped another sword. This one unlike all the others was straight and had two cutting edges. No longer than a foot and a half, tapered to a fine tip, which must have been driven recently into something very hard as it was blunted. There was a great deal of thickness in the middle of the blade. It gave the sword its strength but also made the sword shockingly heavy. It would hold its own in a sword battle but only the largest and strongest could or would carry it. Grinning, Alundi remembered it was the leader of the highwaymen who carried it.
‘How will you make this one better?’ Conner asked. Knorrest also seemed very curious.
‘I’m not. You are…’ Alundi said passing the sword to Conner.
‘…unless he has more pressing tasks?’ Alundi said looking at Knorrest.
‘Not today.’ Knorrest muttered.
Conner grinned.
‘What do I do first? He asked, the excitement within him was almost laughable but Alundi already knew Conner always wanted this work.
‘First, you will fetch yourself a hearty lunch and some high sugared drink. Knorrest how late can Conner stay to finish?’ He seemed to have realised that for Conner to work on this blade it would take a long time.
‘I will want him back for dinner. Five hours past sundown.’
Alundi bowed his head in acknowledgement.
Conner and Knorrest left together. Alundi started stoking the fire again and gathered the remains of the sword he destroyed the previous day. Barely two inches of the blade remained. It was enough however. Using a chisel cold he hammered the handle until the wooden grip was removed. It was now safe to place the handle without fear of burning the wood. Each time Alundi placed the small blade into the fire he stoked it so that the heat was the hottest it could be without burning. By the time Conner had returned Alundi had halved the size of the handle, lost most of the guard and extended the blade to the size of a large knife that any butcher would be proud of. All that needed to be done was to grind and file it and then the polishing, a task he was leaving for Conner.
‘Get an even red heat on the blade and allow it to cool slowly by the fire. I am going to get some lunch. I’ll be back soon.’ Alundi headed for the Inn and was not surprised to see it bursting with customers. Meredith noticed him enter and beckoned him to the bar. He sat. Ordering the lamb hotpot with a double order of vegetables and roast potatoes Alundi ate quickly. The food was exceptional. Now Alundi knew that Meredith and her cousin Annabel shared the same cooking gifts. Within half an hour his meal was all but consumed. Alundi left thanking Meredith and returned to the forge.
Conner had completed his task. Alundi arrived just as the blade became cool enough to touch.
‘How are we going to fix the sword?’
Alundi glanced at Conner.
‘This blade is really the only one out of the lot that could be an exceptional sword. What do you think? We need to soften the metal but not on either edge.’ Conner studied the blade for a few minutes.
‘The middle but how? With dirt?’
Alundi shook his head.
‘First we will split the blade down its length leaving the width of one hand near the guard. Two thumb widths from the tip we shall cut it to the cutting face, leaving the hard tip intact.’
They got to it. Alundi grabbed a small piece of iron and started hammering. He drew down the bar to the diameter of a small coin. Conner stood at Knorrest's anvil and Alundi worked on Conner’s. Conner started heating the sword to a bright yellow and using the chisel Alundi made, started splitting the sword perfectly down the middle. A mixture of joy and tiredness surrounded them both. Alundi swung his heavy long handled hammer, allowing the bounce back from the iron to do a good share of the work. His blows were constant and each fourth strike he hit the anvil to allow him to turn the iron before the next strike. It was almost like being back in his old forge striking another piece of steel. He started humming a battle marching tune he learned when he served as a knight and his hammer blows became the beat of the tune. Conner was doing well. The chisel Alundi had made was doing its job well too, though it had to be quenched regularly. The time seemed to shoot past as fast as a young stallion. As night finally took hold of Mountain Rise, Conner was ready to start the fire weld. Rain started pounding the roof of the forge and with the wind rushing down from the mountains the warmth of the forge was hard to leave, but Alundi suggested they called it a night. He and Conner dowsed the fires and had a quick tidy up before they left the forge, locking the large wooden doors behind them.
For the first time since Alundi first introduced himself he had no contact with Annabel or Little Annabel that night. It was for the best as for th
e duration of their future Quest they would be spending an insane amount of time together. Alundi returned to the Inn. Cottage pie with a mass of different vegetables was the evening’s dinner. Alundi ate two complete servings. He also ate himself a large portion of apple and beetroot pie. Knorrest arrived with Brisclim and Brigan. Brigan again thanked Alundi and slightly reluctantly joined them for a number of drinks. Many ales, and some hours later Alundi retired knowing that he would get to sleep quickly. As he pulled off his dirty, sweaty clothes Alundi felt the magic touch of another. Closing his eyes he shielded what he chose to and then opened his mind.
‘Father I have hit a stumbling block.’ Assard’s voice echoed.
‘Are you in danger?’ Alundi said aloud.
‘Nothing I cannot deal with but the passage south is now blocked. I will have to use the mountain pass after all.’ Alundi quickly made a few mental notes and calculations in his mind. He wanted to see Assard so much the urge to ride out to him was strong but he knew he could not do so.
‘Be safe and fast son.’
‘I shall old man.’ And with that their minds talk was broken or so Alundi thought. Another was present. He thought it was at first young Little Annabel but after a few moments he recognised who it was.
‘Excalibur did you speak to Nasel? Does Assard tell the truth or is his pride clouding his situation?’
‘He tells the truth. Do not worry Alundi, Assard and Nasel know what they are doing.’
‘I hope so, great sword.’
‘Maybe I won’t get to sleep as easy as I thought.’ Alundi said aloud and sat on the side of his bed, using magic he snuffed out his candle leaving him quite literally in the dark.
The next morning it was easy to see that Alundi had not slept well, or at all. He ate little and arrived at Knorrest's forge shortly after Knorrest himself. Knorrest told Alundi that he was given an order from Paulk, Brisclim, Garaff and Dalcun for eight or so blades each similar to the large knife he made from the remnants of the shattered sword. Alundi nodded and started fishing through the pile of steel and iron for suitable pieces. He found the best of the lot, but they were not fantastic. With Knorrest and Conner both working on the blades it would still take them at least a couple of days. When Knorrest started shoeing the first of many horses waiting, Alundi shaved the grinding stone to the shape and size he wanted using magic. Conner saw him do it and though he was amazed at the spectacle he did not dwell on what he saw.
Alundi started. This was the speed he forged at which was double that of Knorrest and Conner or many others. Each strike made its mark. Not every one was exactly what Alundi wanted but it did not matter. The joy of smithing was that every mistake could be corrected by the next hammer blow. By the time the first batch of horses were shod Alundi had finished the forging of four of the now, fifteen blades ordered. Knorrest left for lunch as did Conner, however Alundi kept working. A significant groove was being burnt into the tree trunk. Alundi moved from spot to spot giving the burnt areas a rest from the white hot steel he laid on it. When Conner returned he continued the forging on the last of the shoes. Knorrest also, however after all the horses were shod Knorrest went to check on a horse he had worked on a number of days before. Conner moved on and continued his work on the sword from yesterday. Alundi walked over occasionally to check and give advice but never did he take the sword or the hammer from Conner’s hand. By the evening, rain was again peppering the roof of the forge. Conner was so close to finishing his work on the sword that Alundi did nothing to stop him and continued his work also. Conner walked over to Alundi, the sword in his right hand.
‘What do you think?’
Alundi placed his red hot blade back into the fire and left his hammer on his trunk. He studied the blade closely. Looking down its edge Alundi was impressed.
‘It looks good. Yes, very good. Get the blade up to a dull red heat and quench the entire blade. The steam will form around the blade and it will protect it as it cools. Then we shall call it a night.’ Conner grinned and did as Alundi said. By the time he finished Alundi had finished forging the tenth blade he had to make. They dowsed the fires again and cleared the forge.
Alundi returned to the Inn to find Annabel waiting for him. Alundi grabbed a large dinner which consisted of a double serving of beef hotpot and a side of roast potatoes. He ate with Annabel who was telling him that Little Annabel was healing a great deal more people then normal even for winters. Alundi agreed to visit them tomorrow to discuss what he could do to help. Annabel left him with a good proportion of his food still on his plate. It was devoured quickly and sleep was found quickly and gratefully.
The following morning and afternoon mirrored the previous day. Alundi worked on the final blades and starting grinding, filing and polishing them. As he finished in the evening he left and headed straight for the Annabels’. He left Conner to tidy up as he did not have any time this day to work on the sword. Alundi found Little Annabel standing in the doorway before him.
‘It seems you always know when I am going to arrive. Have you been spying on me?’
Little Annabel grinned broadly but also blushed.
‘Maybe.’
Was all she said before turning, leaving the door wide open for Alundi to enter the house. He closed the door behind him and walked straight into the Annabels’ kitchen. As always the food smelled delicious. It seemed that Little Annabel had gone out the back to fetch another log for the fire. Annabel turned and smiled at him but continued to turn the small spit on which a joint of lamb was impaled. As always the dinner was exquisite. Alundi could have easily asked for and ate more but he did not. They moved to the sitting room and Alundi sank into the larger of the chairs.
‘Hard day?’ Annabel asked as she and Little Annabel took their seats opposite him.
‘There is most likely no other task as tiring as forging blades. Other than using them, mind.’
Little Annabel grinned, however Annabel recoiled slightly. Alundi noticed their reactions. He found Little Annabel’s reaction more disturbing. He knew who was to blame however.
‘You have been talking with Excalibur, haven’t you?’
She blushed.
‘Bloody sword.’ Alundi regretted what he said instantly as a sharp prang of magic struck his mind. Little Annabel giggled. Alundi looked at her sternly then smiled and pointed at her.
‘Excalibur’s life has been exciting. From the moment the spirit entered, the sword has been used for war. Violence sadly is inevitable. Where there is good, evil must be present to counter it. Without either, neither could survive. Excalibur has already told you this, yes?’ Little Annabel nodded.
‘I have been forging blades today and have forged blades before. But with Excalibur, I am forging history. The sword will always endure. A thousand years from now, after all of us are dead and buried Excalibur will still exist and I hope that it will be wielded by a good being.’
‘Excalibur will remember us. Remember being housed with us.’ Little Annabel muttered. Alundi simply smiled. They would all be part of history then.
‘You have been busy yourself I have heard.’ Alundi said to Little Annabel. She nodded and though she was putting a strong front up Alundi noticed her fatigue when he saw her standing at the door.
‘My advice is not to.’
Annabel seemed confused as did Little Annabel.
‘What have you been healing?’ Alundi asked.
‘Different kinds of flu, infections and some frostbite mainly.’
Alundi was nodding and understood what needed to be done.
‘There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of different kinds of flu. Did you heal people of flu last year?’ Little Annabel nodded.
‘There is the problem. Unless the person is old or already struggling with a disease or illness flu will not kill them. They will be in discomfort for sure and maybe bed-ridden for a few days but that is it. Do not heal anyone of flu unless they are in danger. Thei
r bodies will fight it off eventually. You can help them, mind.’ Alundi said to Annabel.
‘How?’ she asked astonished.
‘You have a large amount of willow leaves in the kitchen. Prepared correctly it would soothe even the roughest flu. You also have a Sampa bush in your garden. With some extra ingredients the berries of it can help the body fight off infections. Let me show you.’ Annabel almost leapt out of her seat. Little Annabel followed. Annabel fetched the willow leaves that were already dried out, Alundi suspected for him to smoke, but he studied them closely.
‘Are they OK?’ Annabel was slightly worried.
‘They’re fine. This grows on the banks of the Rubicon Falls of the River R’hop. Where did you get it?’ he asked bemused.
‘At the market in Four Points.’ Alundi wondered who would travel to the Falls just to gather some willow weeds unless they knew of their remedial properties. Alundi pulled over a tall bowl. He then asked for a sturdy wooden spoon. Placing the weed into the bowl Alundi started to crush and grind the leaves. He explained that the smell being produced was the effect of grinding. Slicing or burning destroys what is needed. After ten minutes or so of grinding the weed Alundi was happy with its consistency. The weed was ever so slightly moist, evidencing that the leaves were not yet perfectly dried.
‘I need some ginger and a small amount of mint.’ Alundi asked Annabel who fetched them both. Alundi placed two pinches of rosemary and one small slice of ginger in with the ground willow leaves. He continued grinding and a few minutes later he placed the bowl down.
‘It is finished. All you need to do is pour some boiling water into the bowl and drink the contents. It is not a terrible taste.’ Alundi warned with a smirk.
‘But it will soothe the walls of your throat, stop coughing and open the nose allowing air to flow easier.’
Annabel was stunned. Her face was comical but also hard to read. She was amazed and annoyed. Most likely down to the fact that all the items Alundi had just used she had herself but had never thought to use in that way.
‘Now let us go outside.’ Alundi walked out the back and was eventually followed by the two Annabels. Alundi was on his knees studying the lower parts of the bush. The clouds were kind and had parted to reveal a full bright moon that was castling a low blue light that aided Alundi in his search. Eventually Alundi spotted what he wanted. He grasped it together with something else next to it along with a small handful of dirt. Standing he returned to the kitchen with the Annabels a little bit flustered following after. Alundi allowed the dirt to fall through his hands. The Annabels moved closer. There was one small berry that was a bright yellowy green when all the others were black or brown.
‘The bright one is the one you want. That berry fell off most likely this morning and was sitting in the rays of the sun. The heat and light has started growth within the berry. Normally however, like the one with it, this growth dies with the night cold.’ Annabel picked it up and dropped it instantly.
‘It’s hot.’ She exclaimed.
‘Why do you think I hurried back into your kitchen?’
‘What do we do with it?’ Annabel asked looking back at Alundi.
‘Place it within a small bowl. Cover it with the small amount of dry dirt and the dried berries then fill it with water to the brim of the bowl.’
‘That is it?’ Annabel asked, irritated and disbelieving.
‘Yes. Two days and the water and dead berries will be consumed and the bowl will be filled with a lavender furry pulp. It is a type of mould that again, added to hot water and drank, though this is quite disgusting, will help the body fight off almost all infections. And each berry would give you ten servings.’ Annabel quickly did what Alundi said and left both bowls on the counter.
‘Any time after three days the pulp will not be effective, in fact it will make matters worse. You have to keep a strict eye on each bowl. That bowl will be ready this time the day after tomorrow for one day only.’
For the longest while Annabel just stared at the bowl. Suddenly realising what she was doing Annabel placed the bowl on the shelves with the rest of her medicines and sat opposite Alundi at the kitchen table with Little Annabel sitting between them.
‘How do you…’ Annabel could not finish her question as Alundi interrupted her.
‘Medicines are essential study for Knights, as important as tracking, cooking and even sword-play. I do believe I have nothing on you however Annabel. The foods you cook are fantastic.’ Annabel turned a shocking pink. Little Annabel started to giggle and Alundi found it hard not to join in. Annabel stood and faced away from Alundi hiding her blushes. He was not about to let her off so lightly however.
‘One compliment and you go as red as a deer’s nose in winter. I better make sure you’re alone when I say that you’re pretty.’ Annabel turned back to him sharply, a scowl on her face. Alundi and Little Annabel were close to crying out with laughter and soon enough as the moment went on both broke the chuckling silence, opening up into hysterical laughter. It went on for over a minute until finally Annabel’s scowl turned into a large smile. For what seemed like hours all the three of them did was continue laughing. Eventually the laughter died down and the eyes were wiped dry. After staying for a few nightcaps with Annabel, Little Annabel being sent to bed, though the chances she was asleep were remote, Alundi left. Glancing up at the Annabels’ house Alundi saw Little Annabel waving at him. She then looked up. The sky of the night was littered with stars. Thousands were visible. Alundi looked up and bowed his head to them. There were many beliefs of what the stars were. Ancient gods having long left the world to its own devices. Dead heroes and kings of old. Even Alundi could only guess. He would love to know where Little Annabel’s imagination took her when she looked at the stars.