Arthur left the next morning, following the path. Every creak alarmed him, but a disturbing noise made him shudder: it was certainly the cry of a beast, but it sounded more like wheezing than a roar.
At the foot of a towering larch tree, he saw an orange fox trying to free her paw from a large trap. Arthur immediately felt sorry for the fox and quickly set about releasing it, forgetting all his fear. Once free, the fox escaped into the woods. How disappointing... Arthur hoped for a little gratitude, but after a while he saw
the fox come back, dragging something in her mouth, which she placed at his feet. It was a kind of hat made of leaves with two branches that sprouted like horns. And it fit Arthur‘s head perfectly. „Don‘t be afraid,“ said a voice. The fox was talking! „But...how...?“ stuttered the boy, in disbelief. „It‘s the hat I gave you.
It translates our language into yours. It‘s ancient forest magic. You saved me, little
man. How can I repay you?“ „I... I‘m looking for the forest demon... He stole something that I care a lot about.
Can you tell me where I can find him?“ „The forest demon? I‘ve heard of him, but I don‘t know where he‘s hiding. There‘s only one creature who knows his whereabouts, the oldest and most dangerous animal in the
forest: the viper. I‘ll take you to her, but you have to be careful, she will use every trick in order to bite you.“
„All right, take me to this viper.“