The trials of Milfer Loodens: Journey to Nolybab Wen -REPRINT-

a large log in a small forest lived a Lunker. Not a dirty log, with worms and maggots crawling inside and the smell of rotted wet wood; nor a dry log with decaying wood and ants and spiders living among it.

This log was the perfect size and temperature for a Lunker to live. It had a small circular door attached at the end that was painted orange with a brass knob in the center. If one walked inside, one would see a long hall-type area with wooden floors, yellow walls, and a lot of paintings; many - of which - matched up to one another. On either side of the hall there laid four doors. Each door contained a small label in the center that declared its purpose. As you walk down, the first door to the left -which was purple - read 'Tonlar'; and to the right- which was green - read "Selitneg." The second door to the left - which was orange - read ˜Lunker"; and to the right - which was blue - read "Menkar."

The Lunkers were the least respected of the four. They were known to be rude, cruel creatures that loved to play tricks on people. But anyone who gets to know a Lunker knows that is not quite the case.

Take Cawfie Loodens - for example - who gets along with all the Selitneg's and Tonlars and Menkars. He loves to play dirty tricks, like planting explosive dirt in the Menkars beds - the Menkars are obsessive compulsive about cleaning, so when the dirt bomb explodes in their bed they nearly go mad -but it's obvious to them that he only means for good fun.

But I am not here to talk about the quarrels and friendships between the Lunkers and the Menkars or the Tonlars and the Selitneg's. Oh no, I am here to tell you the courageous tale of Milfer Loodens. Milfer Loodens was the nephew to Cawfie and has lived with him since before he can remember. Milfer has asked Cawfie where his real parents are and how they ended up in Noitalever Logs - the log they live in - but Cawfie always finds a way to deflect the questions and tells stories of his childhood.

All of Milfer's friends told him he belonged in Nolybab Wen, where his parents originated. They said he was a bad kid because of the jokes his uncle played on their parents but that they would accept him anyway because they pitied him. He accepted whatever gratitude they gave him but did not want to settle for just the way it is anymore.

Here is where the story starts. Milfer Loodens, nephew of Cawfie and townsman of Noitalever Logs at age 78 -which is equivalent to 15 in human years - began his journey to Nolybab Wen where he expected to find some answers.

He packed an orange bandanna full of clothes and food and a bit of money to get him along the way. Though he did not know where it was, or how to get there, he was determined to get there no matter what circumstances did present. He had never left Noitalever Logs before but the concept did not scare him but it excited him. He would be the first Lunker to leave.

On his way out, his three best friends, Leikeze, Arze, and Wehttam decided they couldn't bear to watch him make a fool of himself alone and insisted they join him; though Milfer knew they really just wanted to get in on the adventure of their lifetimes. Leikeze packed his red bandanna chock full of food and drinks. Arze packed his green bandanna to the brim with weaponry and money. Wehttam did not take his blue bandanna though; he merely took a book with him.

The four friends stopped at the large orange door to Noitalever Logs and, without saying a word, said more than they'd ever spoken to one another before.

The journey began. They had to go through Natas falls, travel around Mount Nomed, go under Lufnis Forest and journey through Nevaeh Valley before arriving at Nolybab Wen. They had no idea what sort of dangers, trials, and tribulations lay ahead. They did not know what sort of wars and battles may be waging on in those places. They did know which way to go. All they knew was they were in this together, completely oblivious to the world around them, and they had one thing on their side that not many people would have. Yaweh.