■ Scene One; A bad start for the morning
A river twisted through the countryside. Open fields, farms and houses can be seen on one side of the river, a forest sprawled down the hillsides to the water’s edge on the opposite side. One dwelling could be seen on the forest side; a small hut perched above a dock, anchoring one end of a towline that spanned the river at a narrow point.
The people among the farms and villages referred to the wooded side as “the land of dreams and spirit,” seldom venturing to that side. Indeed, it was nigh impossible to reach that side as the Ferryman only carried passengers from that side. No one was allowed to go back!
Our story begins in the fields behind one of the farms. A large form lay beneath a cloak
near a pile of barrels and a split-pole fence bordering a cornfield. The Twice-High Giant was asleep as the first light of dawn pushed rosy fingers into the eastern sky.
A smell was upon the air. Among the dark ground cover and tree limbs, the Giant stirred. Dry leaves rustled as a small bear explored several barrels stacked nearby. The empty barrels tumbled, sounding like drums. Dogs at the farmhouse started barking. A voice came across the dew-covered fields, “Who is out there? The dogs are coming!”
The Twice-high Giant grumbled as he struggled upright. He feared neither the dogs nor the small, dark bear, but the disruption meant that he would have to find a morning meal elsewhere, later.
The Ninth House 3 