Chapter 10
Of Tricksters and Trickery
Adam SLEPT that night upon the Lumberjack's bed. It smelled of dried berries and pine cones and the animal scent of the Lumberjack's leathers and furs. The Lumberjack dozed in a chair by the fire, his ax close to hand and his face cast in flickering shadows by the light of the dying flames.
It took Adam a long time to get to sleep, even though the Lumberjack assured him that the cottage was secure. The slits in the windows had been covered up, and there was even a metal plate, pierced with small holes, set halfway up the chimney to prevent the creatures of the forest from entering that way. The woods beyond were silent, but it was not the quiet of peace and rest. The Lumberjack had told Adam that the forest changed at night: half-formed creatures, b
