Folksburywoods

“You’re insane. What you’re asking will kill her,” cried the Wolf.

“There is no choice in the matter. The ritual must be completed as the moon rises on Midsummer’s Eve,” replied the Badger.

Charlotte lived alone in her family’s den. Not wishing to bother outsiders about her troubled life.

“I will not be my mother. She was weak and begged for scraps even when we could fend for ourselves,” muttered the fox as she hunted that day.

The vixen was pleasant, but folk knew there was something about her behavior.

“You and the Otter prepare the fire, and I’ll fetch the vixen,” Badger said.

“I hate you. You’d sell your mother to a trapper,” grumbled the Wolf.

“If it saved the forest, I’d sell my soul,” replied the Badger.

“Morning, Charlotte,” said Badger.

“What is it you want? I’m not stupid like the rest of your council,” said the fox.

“Since sweet talk would be a waste, I’ll get straight to the point,” answered the Badger.

“That would be a first,” remarked the vixen.

“You must walk the fire tonight, or the forest will fall into chaos, and many will die,” said the creature.

“Is that all? I thought you were here to ask for my soul,” replied the fox with a wry smile.

The Badger explained the ritual and the consequences of failing to perform it.

“No choice?” said the fox.

“No choice,” answered the Badger.

After a moment’s silence, Charlotte looked straight into the Badger’s eye and spoke.

“You’re kind are scum. You think you are better than the rest of us, better because your father beat or killed anyone who stood in your way. I hate you. If I die, I will drive you mad by haunting your dreams,” Charlotte said.

Badger’s face went white, and his eyes stared not at the fox but straight at the ground.

“I would expect no less,” Badger said.

When the two reached the great oak, the fire was already burning high.

“Do your part, and after you’ll be a Saint,” Badger whispered to Fox.

“Go to Hell, you slime-ball,” snapped Charlotte.

The fox approached the burning pyre and waited for the moon to crest the forest tree line.

“I do this out of my free will and for the souls of those it will save,” the vixen said, then leapt into the fire.

The fox’s body floated above the burning wood as she performed an ancient dance.

“Fire to fox, and fox to wood. Bring the rain we desire. Light of fire and heat of flame clean the forest of evil and pain,” Charlotte said.

The flames turned brilliant blue, then orange as the vixen spun in tighter circles.

“Consume my soul to free them all, for life itself must not fall,” cried the vixen.

Then it was over. Charlotte tumbled out of the fire with minor bruises and burns.

“I saw your future, Badger. Hell has a special place for you,” said Charlotte as she picked herself up.

“I will pay what is due, now go and enjoy your fame,” muttered the Badger.

“Fame is for fools. I’ll settle for justice any day,” said the vixen, then headed back to her den.

The following morning, storm clouds appeared on the horizon. Over the next week, the forest was reborn into a lush green paradise.

Charlotte stayed in her den, not wanting to meet her adoring fans.

“The fools still don’t see that they are the puppets of the council. It is they who will pay for the dance of the firefox,”

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