*As you hurry inside, out of the rain, you find yourself in a vast entrance hall lit by candlelight.
Great rafters and beams hold up a roof which is lost, high above, in shadow and a wide marble staircase leads to elsewhere in the huge house.
As you take this all in, four squirrels, with coronets on their heads, make their serene way down the steps towards you.*
Welcome to the House of Noonvale, *The tallest of the four, a dark-furred squirrel, calls to you.*
My apologies, I was here to shelter from the storm; I didn't realise anybeast lived here. *You reply quickly, and turn to go.*
No, you're welcome here, *Another of the squirrels - much smaller than the first - laughs.* To stay the night, or as long as you wish. It's not only the four of us - we're just Guardians of the house and look after it - many other creatures live in and around the house, you know.
If you do decide to stay here - *A third, red-furred, Guardian tells you.*
And we hope you will, *The fourth chimes in.*
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