Though the days were longer, the summer heat had yet to set in. The Freitag family found themselves going to sleep later and later with the reluctantly setting sun. Soon it would be midsummer, and the sun would not set until far into the evening, and they would be restless and sluggish from the long, muggy days.

But this early summer night, the river breeze almost felt chilly, and rain clouds perhaps drifted over the forest mountains. Fabiola attended her new houseguest, an eager young girl from the Northern Mountains - not too far from the River Valley, but not too close, either - to make sure she settled into the apartment adjoining the Herbalist’s and the Bakery. The night was cool enough and Fabiola felt strained from a truly horrible dinner (which, as she had predicted, ended with nearly everyone storming out of the room but herself) to prepare for this young visitor a warm, cozy treat.

Despite her brother, Fabiola hoped the girl would stay.