"Listen," he said. "Listen to me now."

They listened. They always had.

"Each of you must take a tree into your home. The little ones with lights. Ward off the cold and the dark. The Light will keep you safe. The cold brings the coughing sickness and you must be protected. Protect your families. Do this now."

They did. Soon, the forest was filled with the shucka shuck of saws cutting trees.

Kelty smiled.

"I'm going to put my boots on," she said.

Nico released her and nodded.

"We'll need two trees," she said.

"Two?"

"Yes. Two."