But the peace doesn't last long. A loud cry echoes from the far end of the village.
"Help! Someone help!"
A voice echoes through the air, everyone turns. The shout came from Rowan, a farmer who
lives near the edge of the village. He's running toward the village square, his hands on his
head, tears streaming down his cheeks.
"My cows… all three of them they're gone! My barn door was open this morning wide
open!"
Villagers gather around him. Saela, the herbalist, steps forward.
she gently asks him. "Are you sure they weren't let out accidentally?"
Rowan says, his voice shaking "I lock that door every night myself T There's no sign of
broken wood, no tracks… nothing. They're just gone."
Kael frowns. "Maybe they ran off into the woods? Animals do strange things when they're
spooked."
Darrek looks around. "We'll help you look. Maybe they wandered down the creek path."
But Rowan sinks to his knees, crying harder. "They were all I had… I raised them since they
were calves... What will I do now?" A heavy silence falls.
Brann, standing beside Aldric, walks forward slowly. He places a hand on Rowan's shoulder,
then looks back at his son.
Brann says. "Bring her out"
Aldric hesitates, but nods, and heads back toward their barn, moments later, he returns
leading a strong brown cow by a rope. Rowan looks up, with a confused faced.
Brann smiles kindly. "She's yours. Take her."
Rowan's eyes widen. "No... Brann, I can't "
Brann simply says "You need her more than we do, We'll manage. You won't go hungry
while we stand beside you."
Tears fill Rowan's eyes as he takes the rope. "Thank you…Brann. I won't forget this favour"
Around them, the villagers nod in agreement. A quiet respect lingers in the air. Though the
cows are gone and confusion stirs.