"Moonbeard, you must not talk to the child!" scolded the gnome elder, her pointed cap twitching in exasperation. "The forest spirits are not to be trifled with, nor are their secrets to be shared with mortals."

The little gnome boy, Moonbeard, pouted. "But Elder Brambleberry, the spirits spoke to me first! They showed me the path to the Glowing Grotto."

"Hush, now," said a soft voice from the shadows. A tall, horned figure stepped into the lantern light, eyes glinting like opals. "Let the boy speak. I think he may hold the key to our troubles..."