Immediately the two felt the impact of the darkness and claustrophobia of the forest, with branches and leaves engulfing them on all sides. There was a cascade of chirping, strange mating cries and growls from every direction; It was a bewildering assault on the senses. The light of the moon was becoming shrouded and it became harder and harder to see as the duo trudged on.

Bart looked scared; he was sweating profusely, and his throat and mouth were dry, it looked that at any moment he would have a breakdown.

"Bart", broke in Topher gently "I know this is hard for you, knowing you're accustomed to cities and towns, but it gets better the longer we trudge along. There's a clearing with a stream ahead of us. Have faith, it'll be ok. Even if some animal decides to challenge us, the both of us can take it down easily."

Bart nodded meekly, and the two trudged along despite feeling like thousands of eyes were watching them.

...............................................................................................................

Eventually after much struggle our intrepid strugglers made it to a wide open grassy clearing which was a breath of fresh air after the claustrophobic stuffiness of the forest. The grass was long, verdant and fresh, seeming to playfully invite anyone to pass through it, so it could mischievously tickle them. There were flowers of many different hues and shades, as well as fireflies dancing in the air, imitating the dance of the stars, and seemed to bring light and hope to anyone who had struggled through the forest. There was a lazy stream, teeming with so many fish, that one could just catch some with one's bare hands. The place seemed like a nocturnal paradise under the moon.

"Ahhh, see Bart, we made it!" cried Topher with a sigh of refreshed relief. "Told you our trudging would pay off; now listen, you go collect some dry wood, and I'll go catch some of those fish, it should be easy".

" Yeah, while the fish are cooking I'm going in for a dip, the night's events have left me a sodding mess" grumbled an exhausted Bart.

"Smart thinking. We're heading into the swamp across the river in the morning, and we may not get a chance to clean ourselves. I'll bathe, while you're collecting firewood".

So the plan was hatched, and duties assigned. Our exhausted travellers set up camp and bathed. They cooked some delicious salmon, around a comfy fire; It was finally time to relax and unwind.

"Ahh, that sure was a close one!" cried Bart

"Indeed, Indeed, it was. Why don't you sing us a song to calm the nerves" replied Topher.

Bart strummed his lute and began singing:

"I just wanna make it rain

Wanna pipe everyday no delay

They say opposites attract

I say fuck that I just want to break that back

I ain't foolin, I aint laggin, i'm spittin fire like a motherfukin' dragon"

"Oh shit that was fire!" exclaimed Topher

"Hell Yeah!" replied Bart. "Why don't we get to know each other a bit better, how about you tell me from where you're from, and I'll do the same."

"Sounds fair, it's going to be a long night, and it's going to be a long journey onward, so here's my tale:"