The whistling of the fresh wind made leaves and fur quiver, heralding chaos and disaster. It was obvious, even though the bright blue sky, as bright as Alan's eyes, was cloudless. They were all giving way to the bright afternoon sun, the sun reflecting a soft light in the blue of the white tiger's eyes.

Alan. It sounded like the name of a hero. Yet he was a normal farmer living in the plains of Gomans, fertile plains, ideal for harvesting. This was the most profitable economic activity in this village. The vegetables and fruits were larger than life and were desired by many. For a young villager like Alan, it was an honor to cultivate his fields to serve his Majesty from the city of Holocrix, whose inhabitants bought these resources in large quantities. At the same time, they were the best. Maybe not precisely the ones Alan was in charge of, but they all worked hard, almost as a team, the feline being the hardest worker of all.

Indeed, not only did he take care of the fields, but he also found other ways to help, whether it was to help build a shelter or to carry a cart that was too heavy for a aching back. That's why he was quitte known in the village. Everyone knew him because he had helped them in some way, at least once. This relationship with the others never changed his behavior. Alan is rather reserved when he has to talk about himself. He will never say that he needs help, because it is like exposing his weaknesses. After all, he is the only orphaned child living there. They built him a cabin at the edge of the forest in exchange for his valuable services, but other than that, he takes care of everything all the time. He learned by himself, like a big boy.

Every time he meets a newcomer or a child, they wonder where he came from and by what miracle he is able to do this all alone. Quite reserved, he only answers that he has been living like this since he was a child after his parents died of a deadly, highly contagious disease that he miraculously did not contract. No matter how much we pity him, he seems to have an armor against the misfortune around him. He is untouchable, unable to feel any sadness. Unless he hides it...

Placing a bucket of water filled at the well in the hills on the ground, the mobian took the time to stretch, his mottled white fur becoming lighter from the strong sunlight. He may have had that waterproof coat protecting him, but he was still dressed in a thin cloth suit, already tattered from his hard work the day before. He had repaired the wheel of a cart, but alas, he scratched himself a bit because of the rocks on which he had to lie to fix this same wooden wheel. At the same time, even his shoes weren't very sturdy, nor were they useful. He had to repair them with what he could to get them to last a few more days. With all these problems, all his responsibilities, he didn't flinch. He remained unmoved.

He poured some of the water into a pot, which he hung over a small fire with branches. He then went to look for fresh vegetables to add to the future mixture that would be this soup. It was nice to be of service, but with all this work, he had skipped the meal. He had forgotten about it!

After preparing the most important element, the broth, he added some vegetables and mixed it all together, letting the delicious mixture simmer quietly. Strangely enough, he had an incredible talent for cooking, even with the little access he had to certain foods. Sometimes he was lucky enough to get more common spices or pastries for his help. Analyzing the constitution and shape of the same pastry, he managed to make it himself, all by himself.

Once the little soup was ready, he poured some of it into a small bowl. He then went to sit down near the oak tree near his cabin, moving away with his free hand the branches and rocks around him. He then took the opportunity to admire the view he had of the small village.

In the distance, he could see the highest building, the bell tower. It didn't touch the sky like the castle of Holocrix, but for the tiger it was a very tall building. In fact, having never really traveled, he had never seen anything bigger than this one. It was a pity, yes, but on the other hand, in spite of his great curiosity, it was better to stay where you knew you were safe. And anyway, even if he had the taste of adventure in his mouth, he didn't have what he needed. Dreaming of this kind of adventure satisfied him fully, although he had already thought of sword fights, like the great knights of legend.

Indeed, he had heard a little about these famous warriors, who had succeeded in repelling the forces of evil all together. Alan too wanted to feel that thrill of excitement that one feels in the flesh when one is in danger of death. Alas, he didn't even know how to defend himself with a stick.

Yet, all this was going to change, yes, his life was finally going to become more interesting. Except that, to get there, it was quite a catastrophe that occurred.

After his quick meal under a beautiful horizon, he will clean his equipment and return to the village. He had remembered that his friend Frida had asked him to bring her flowers. Yes, white flowers, but he had no idea what kind, or why. It doesn't matter, to make services was his goal, and not to discover the utility of these splendid plants.

He then went to the market, wicker basket in hand. This one was small, but it was enough to put a bouquet of flowers in. Once in front of the small wooden stand, he went forward, slowly and with no hesitation holding out his basket to the merchant, a grumpy old porcupine whose face lit up when he saw the feline.

- Alan! What brings you here?

- I came to get some flowers for Miss Frida. I heard she needed them.

The rodent scratched his thorny back, squinting, his big hands avoiding despite slipping between the sharp prickles.

- Oh, the little Frida. It's true that you two get along well. So when are you going to marry her?

Without much reaction, Alan only watched the man laughing with his deep, hoarse voice. He had never felt the passionate love he was told about, he had no idea of the benefits of engagement and he had little interest in it. He will therefore declare rather harshly, but simply:

- You know well that I do not have the means for that. And then, maybe she already has her eye on someone, anyway.

- Don't lose hope, love is much stronger than these little conditions. You'll get over them in the end.

Despite the fact that he felt nothing towards the girl, he nodded, then watched the man put some flowers and a curious silver bracelet in his basket with incomprehension. This jewel was covered with real sapphires, as blue as the eyes of the tiger.

- What is this jewel?

- It is a gift that I gave to my wife at our wedding. Unfortunately, this one fell seriously ill and is no more...

- I am sorry to hear this sad news, sir.

His eyes showed empathy and a guilt that could not belong to him, although he would have liked to be able to save this lady.

- I offer you to give this bracelet to Frida, but don't say that it was me who gave it to you, okay?

- Okay, sir, and thank you for the flowers.

Alan put some coins on the table, then he turned around and went to the house of the charming lady. He waved to the people passing by, who returned his greeting kindly. When he arrived in front of the pretty house with the rounded roof, he quickly realized that the peaceful silence reigning in the surroundings meant that the young girl was in her yard, probably gardening as usual.

So he went there at a snail's pace, going around the building with discretion and slowness. When he stretched his neck a little so that his head was visible on the side of the wall, he saw the snail several meters away, crouching on the grass of his garden. Some might think that such a "slimy" aspect could be ugly, but in truth, it was a beautiful lady, her long hair masking her beauty as it hid her whole body with its incredible length. Her pretty emerald eyes shining in the sun with splendor, she was watering her plants with great delicacy while singing a sweet melody.

Alan then walked slowly forward, risking to address her in his usual tone.

- Greetings, Frida.

Seeing the tiger thanks to its blurred reflection in a puddle of water, she will turn around slowly, getting up at the same time removing the dirt from her big blue dress with her thin and frail hands.

- Oh well, hello Alan. Did you come for my flowers?

- That's right. There...

He's going to approach her slowly, passing her the basket with the bracelet inside. Seeing the jewel in the bottom of the basket, the girl started to laugh. This laughter was soft, reassuring like the rays of the sun in spring.

- What is it? A bracelet? For me?

- A bracelet? Yes.

Alan, not forgetting what he said to the gentleman, had to make up an excuse for this little gift.

- I thought that maybe you would like it.

Unaware that this was the plan of the cunning merchant with a good heart, he was quite surprised by Frida's reaction. This one is going to embrace him with her arms, she had to bend down a little considering her size, compared to the one of the perplexed feline. Being the oldest child of the village, some villagers came for a request, which was each time refused. Dear Frida did not want a serious relationship, although one day she would not have the choice. In fact, she thought that of others, but she secretly had her own hidden desires. Alas, this could not happen with the man she wanted. No one wanted a simple homeless man as a son-in-law, even if he had a heart of gold. Moreover, she was unaware of the sad truth, that is, of the boy's feelings towards her.

This last one, obviously always quite confused by the situation, is not going to move at all, even if it had been several minutes that they were like that. Frida will then withdraw him from near her, smiling to him with tenderness.

- Thank you very much, Alan. A thousand apologies for my overreaction.

- Don't worry, I don't mind at all.

She hoped for a few seconds after this sentence, but she soon realized that he was not at the same place as her for that.

Then, suddenly, the earth seemed to shake for several seconds. Frida almost lost her balance, but she held onto the sleeve of Alan's cloth to stay upright. A little embarrassed, she rubbed her head.

- Oops, sorry...

- What was that shaking?

Seeming to care in the least about this near fall, he looked around, a little worried by this curious phenomenon. There had never been such tremors here on the Gomans plains. Perhaps it was not natural.

In the distance he heard screams, cries of terror and pain. Without hesitation, he went towards the wailing, not turning around to look at the hand stretched out behind his back. Once he reached the center of the village, he froze in place, unable to speak, unable to move.

His village was under attack.