Tales of the Room by Luke and Zach. (comprehension books txt) 📕

In the depths of the Dark forest there is a village. A village that many will never see in their many years in the room. The Dark forest village has a path that runs all the way through the forest and onto the plains at the foot of the black wood. The dark trees let no light enter, except a certain moonlight that no person yet understands where it comes from. Many say it is derived from the Black wizard, the leader of the wizard council, but none are certain. One path, one way, one entry that is guided into the forest. Many daren’t cross the roots that slip out of the thicket and hush the confidence inside at toy, for even the bravest fear the roar of the forest. Dark and dangerous, the voice of the forest does not come from any Playmobil wizard, but from the forest itself.


“Uuooouuuuououououououou” was the sound of the wind blowing from within the deep canvas of leaves. These ancient trees dark and harsh swayed and leaned in the breeze. Their unusual black leaves created shadows along the lonely path. The Dark forest is a place full of wonder and terror. Surprisingly, many toys have made their home in the woods specifically for the excitement. For others it is a matter of privacy. The deep forest offers isolation away from the rest of the room. Many animals reside there along with a great number of other various creatures. Many claim to have seen wandering wild toys traveling under the protection of the black wood. Strange cries and howls are often heard from within and few dare to venture in to determine the source of the unusual noises. The dark forest holds many secrets that will never be fully discovered.

On this particular evening, the forest was quiet and gloomy. Talrock the green goblin had noticed the still and emotional state of the forest and quickly made his way from his lair to speak with one of his dearest friends on the matter. Worried, he tightened the strap of his large ax fastened to the back of his bear skin cloak and began to run. He passed many hidden homes with concerned toys secretly watching from concealed windows as the powerful creature ran onward through the mysterious forest. At last he came to a particularly dark tree. It was beautiful and striking in stature; a breathtaking landmark in this part of the woodland. Breathing hard from his hurried journey, he slowly placed a rough green hand on the trunk of the tree. The great tree shuddered and the top seemed to slightly lean down toward him suddenly. Talrock closed his eyes and smiled warmly.

“Hello old friend. It has been too long. I apologize, but it has been hard to find the time to visit you this season.” The goblin paused and nodded his head in agreement as if the tree had responded.

“I’m glad to see you are still in good health. I’m concerned though. The forest seems troubled. I can feel it in the way the earth feels beneath my feet and the night breeze bites at my flesh. Tell me what is happening.” He patted the tree lovingly and paused once again.

Talrock the green goblin had lived in the Dark forest ever since he arrived in the room. He had become at one with the mystifying region that he is one of the few toys that can speak to the trees. It is a rare art that is learned from a life spent in solitude in the forest. Talrock is a protector of the black wood, his home.

“I understand. I’ll try my best to find the source of this problem. Rest now great one. Conserve your energy and strength.” The goblin removed his hand from the bark and the giant tree shuddered once again and remained still.

“Contaminated water? Hmmm. No wonder the plants and vegetation seem to be growing weak. But where is this coming from?” the goblin pondered these questions aloud as he looked around for the next path he was to take.
Great and terrible was he, bearing his ax in his right hand as his grotesque body lightly glided on the dark floor. To any toy he was known as a horrible frightening beast. This was true when he presented himself to other toys, but in solitude with the trees and stones, he was kind. He sniffed light sniffs which gave him enough to scent something fifty yards away. Talrock climbed a tree using his thick claws. The goblin advanced slowly onto a giant branch that overhung the river. His wolf-fur coat draped down with the leaves. The river was silent, mimicking the rest of the forest. He sniffed a few times and something disturbing entered his flat nose. He shook his head with contempt and looked down the river towards the edge of the forest. In the pale blue light the river glowed, and advancing up the river was a boat. On the boat were three Lego sailors and a Lego wizard accompanied by two ninjas and a Samurai. Also there was a cart and an unsteady horse standing on the boat. The Lego perching off of the front bow was Captain Lenhart with his two pirates along with him. They were smugglers, but they also gave the wizard rides for a fair amount. Often the wizard journeyed into the Dark forest and always decided the river was the safest passage. His business was not for them to know, but they assumed that he was only there for attending wizard councils, for all suspect him to take part in it. And he has never denied their presumption, but had never agreed either. The goblin was one with the branch when they passed underneath. The horse’s movements made them carefully inspect the bank. The wizard seemed calm and only took a deep breath under his tall blue hat.

Captain Lenhart inspected the tree line suspiciously before turning back to the wizard.

“The forest has been awfully quiet this month. What do you know of this Senthara?” asked the pirate captain looking over at the odd little wizard who was whispering something to the horse.

“I know just as much as you dear Lenhart. Just as much as you. . .” he answered hastily returning to the beautiful animal.
Lenhart rolled his eyes and tightened his grip on the helm. He was used to the ways of this mysterious sorcerer. They had known each other for many years. He always paid in gold and that’s all the pirate cared about.

“Starboard bow!” yelled one of the men looking toward the shore. A group of rabbits were scurrying rapidly along the water’s edge.

“Hullo there! Could we get safe passage to the other side?” yelled their leader, a peculiar rabbit with no left ear, but plenty of battle scars. Lenhart studied the group of rabbits noticing that a few were quite large and muscular. These creatures were not to be toyed with. They are small in size but could do quite some damage to a Lego.

“We are on special business. Sorry rabbits. Maybe next time.” shouted Lenhart shaking his hands back and forth emphasizing his message.

“Perhaps I could be of some assistance.” interrupted the wizard rolling up his sleeves. He mumbled a few choice words, waved his wand a couple of times and screams erupted from the shore. All of the rabbits had risen into the air and appeared to be flying across the river. Terrified, they were set down on the other side unharmed, but clearly alarmed. Before they had time to release their anger on the Legos, the river had picked up its pace and pushed the Lego vessel onward out of hearing range of the traveling rabbits.

Amused, Talrock nimbly climbed down from his perch and made up his mind to follow the wizard in order to find out what could be done to help the forest. The sailing company drifted deeper, and deeper into the Dark forest. All of the Legos watched the bank, as if searching for something.
“Here we are,” Lenhart said gently. “They should meet us here, lower anchor. There’s no wind in these parts so we might as well roll up the sails.”
They sat in their boat waiting. The horse, much steadier after the whispered words from the wizard, was lying down. Lenhart lay against the mast with his hat tilted down sleeping. One was in the crow’s nest and the other was cooking under deck. The wizard sat against the horse as he played a soft melody out of his flute. He watched the eastern bank closely from under his thick brows. Some plants in the forest began to rustle, and out from under them came two red Lego knights, Sully the monster (off of monster’s inc), and riding on a horse, General Edmund. The General descended his horse and without a word threw a rope over to the boat and Lenhart, now awake, grabbed on. Lenhart grabbed on and after the anchor was weighed and they were pulled ashore. Lenhart jumped off with another pirate and tied their ship up to a tree. When Lenhart touched the tree a giant bit of black bark fell off. He looked around and in the blue light could see black bark rotting on the trees. He looked over to Senthara and noticed he was also taking a long pause at the situation. “Welcome Senthara the Blue,” said Edmund.
“Thank you General,” replied the wizard coming to his senses, now softly smiling. The wizard bent down and picked up the dirt and put it in a jar. They were not alone, for Talrock was watching from the water.

They continued on leaving Lenhart’s “crew” to guard the vessel. They had plenty of provisions inside the boat to survive on till their captain returned. Lenhart ordered them to lower anchor and stay in the middle of the river. It was far safer for them to remain in the water than to be vulnerable on shore.
Disappearing into the enchanted underbrush of the black woods, Senthara closed his eyes, smiling to himself. He loved the smell of the beautiful cedar, the tall pine and the powerful oak trees. He had spent his youth in these woods, long before his castle dwelling years. He counted himself as luck y to have been raised by the forest away from the busyness and selfish world outside the confines of the trees. The ninjas seemed quite uncomfortable, but the samurai appeared alert. Lenhart was at ease. He walked calmly along, showing respect to the forest world around him. He had obviously had his share of dealings within the forest. General Edmund and his patrol marched in front of the procession leading the way through the mysterious land. Creatures calling out and sounds of scurrying animals were often heard along the way. At one point, a group of horsemen cut across their path; Beautiful wooden chess knights towering over the small toys. They saluted courteously and continued onward, deeper into the forest.

“The Chess kingdoms are at war with King Gold of the playmobil realm. We are unsure of the cause, but we suspect a disregard of personal territory has a lot to do with it.” explained the general slowing down to speak with his guests.

After a few hours of travel, they came to an open glen surrounded by hundreds more of the black trees. Lenhart,