Remember, Remember The Fifth Of November (Sleep Story)

This bedtime story follows Holly the Hare, Bramwell the Badger, Rowan the Raven, and Fern the Fox as they unite from different corners of the kingdom to bring down a tyrant king whose power is built on wealth and mercenaries. Guided by an enchanted feather and the wisdom of the Guardian Owl, they plot to destroy the king's gold vault beneath his castle on the night of the great bonfire celebration.

As the kingdom celebrates, the group sneaks through labyrinthine tunnels, facing danger, guards, and their fears, in a daring mission to end the king's rule, leading to a new era of democracy and hope for the kingdom, with the promise of a better future.

Transcript

So just take a moment to allow your eyes to close and allow yourself to begin to relax and as you comfortably drift asleep I don't know whether you'll drift asleep faster to the sound of my voice or whether it'll be to the spaces between my words and as you fall asleep I'm just gonna tell this bedtime story in the background in this bedtime story the air is cool settling the warmth of the day as twilight descends upon the kingdom the forest in the final breath of autumn is hushed but alive golden leaves carpet the ground soft under paw and hoof while others still cling to branches catching the last threads of light the evening breeze stirs them gently the sound like soft murmurs through the ancient trees overhead the sky deepens from amber into deep indigo as though the world is slipping ever so gently into a dream beneath the towering oak that stands as an ancient guardian in the center of the forest four figures gather each from a different corner of the kingdom Holly the Hare sits with quiet grace her long ears perked listening to the rustling leaves as though they might whisper secrets of long-forgotten times her fur pale as dawn's first light catches the last glow of the evening sky Bramwell the Badger solid and sturdy leans against the oak's rough trunk his thick paws digging gently into the earth as if drawing strength from the roots that stretch far below on a low hanging branch perches Rowan the Raven his dark feathers gleaming in the twilight his sharp eyes glinting with unspoken thoughts then there's Fern the Fox pacing lightly across the mossy ground a fiery coat a flicker of movement in the fading light her sharp nose twitching as she absorbs the scents of the forest they've come from different lands each bearing the weight of their own community's suffering the Evil King with his insatiable thirst for wealth has drained the towns and villages dry markets that once thrived now lie in ruin the streets echoing with the heavy footfalls of mercenaries rather than the cheerful chatter of traders laughter once a hallmark of village life has long since been replaced by the fearful clank of soldiers armor the kingdom is suffocating under the weight of tyranny and each of these animals has witnessed their homes full to ruin their neighbors struggling under the cruel hand of a king who values nothing but gold I've heard rumors Holly begins her voice soft but charged with quiet determination her bright eyes scan the faces of her companions they say beneath the king's castle lies a vault filled with gold the same gold he uses to pay the mercenaries the ones who enforce his rule the group listens in silence the weight of her words settling over them like a soft blanket there's a pause heavy with unspoken thoughts as they let the enormity of her plan sink in if we destroy the vault Holly continues her voice firmer now if we collapse his wealth his power will crumble the mercenaries will leave and he'll be left with nothing no gold no army Bramwell shifts his deep voice rumbling in the quiet it sounds like a dream Holly but dreams they're fragile things a dream can be fragile Holly agrees a gaze steady but it can also be powerful on bonfire night while the kingdom celebrates while the fires burn bright we can move unseen we can use the night to strike a blow that will shake the very ground he stands on Rowan tilts his head his beady eyes narrowing in thought it's risky he croaks his voice rasping like dry leaves caught in the wind but the king is most vulnerable when he believes himself untouchable he'll be too preoccupied with his own celebrations Fern who's been pacing with restless energy finally stops she looks at each of them in turn her sharp eyes glinting with a spark of something dangerous something hopeful if we're going to do this she says her tail swishing behind her we need to make sure it's done right we'll only get one chance Holly nods feeling the resolve within the group solidify we will we'll move carefully under the cover of the bonfires glow and when we strike it'll be the beginning of something new the ancient oak looms above them its branches creaking in the cooling air as if in agreement as though the forest itself understands the gravity of what's to come the last golden light of twilight fades into the deeper shades of night and with it a sense of purpose settles over the group the night is coming and with it the promise of change the village square is alive with the warm glow of bonfires their flames licking the sky like lazy flickering tongues the air is thick with the rich earthy smell of wood smoke and the sweet aroma of roasting chestnuts it feels like a festival of fire and warmth a night where the world slows sinking into the soft embrace of the evening voices rise and fall murmuring like a lullaby soothing in their familiarity wrapping the villagers in the comforting rhythm of community lanterns hang from the trees casting a soft golden glow that dances gently in the breeze they sway like tiny stars suspended in the branches the village feels dreamlike the kind of place where time seems to melt where reality blurs into something softer something more tender the crackle of the bonfires is steady a rhythmic background hum that seeps deeper into the cool air carrying with it the promise of warmth and safety Holly,

Bramwell,

Rowan and Fern move through the crowd with quiet purpose their eyes scan the scene noting the guards who seem to have let their vigilance slip under the warmth of the firelight Holly feels a flutter of nervous energy rise within her tonight's the night the night when everything changes Fern's eyes catch sight of the soldiers who've grown careless in their revelry they're distracted she murmurs to the group this is our chance Rowan nods the King's soldiers have become complacent they think that they're invincible Holly's heart beats steadily though tension hums beneath her calm exterior she can feel the energy of the night gathering around them as if the very air is thick with potential the bonfire's light flickers across their faces casting shifting shadows that move like dreams just out of reach the night hums with life the kingdom stands on the edge of something new the forest is bathed in the soft glow of the moon its light filtering through the trees casting dappled silver across the path the air is crisp and cold the first frost of winter dusting the ground like sugar each step is muffled by the frost covered leaves the earth firm beneath their paws and claws the trees arching overhead their bare branches weaving together as the companions move deeper and deeper into the woods above them the sky is a vast expanse of deep blue sprinkled with stars twinkling as if they know the events that are unfolding the companions walk in silence absorbed in their own thoughts their hopes and fears Holly leads the way there's a quiet determination in her step a steady belief that what they're about to do is not only necessary but right Bramwell walks beside her his broad paws crunching softly against the frost he knows the risks but he trusts Holly's vision Rowan flits from branch to branch firm moves gracefully behind them the sound of night can be heard with soft rustling wind through the trees the occasional distant hoot of an owl the gentle sound of the breeze eventually after some time walking they encounter the guardian owl her feathers dark as midnight with silver streaks that seem to gleam and glisten in the moonlight travelers you walk a dangerous path Holly steps forward we know but it's the path we must take the king's castle is treacherous says the owl beneath it lies a labyrinth of tunnels designed to ensnare anyone who enters the king is paranoid and has many defenses the owl pulls a single silver feather out from beneath her wing this feather is a gift it'll bring you clarity when you feel lost and courage when doubt creeps in but remember it's not the feather that holds the power it's your belief your dreams that will guide you through your darkest hour Holly takes the feather thanks the owl and they continue on their journey as they approach the edge of the forest so they can notice the meadow beyond and standing tall in the meadow off in the distance they can see the silhouette of the castle rising against the dark sky its spires seeming to almost pierce the heavens like jagged teeth the stone walls cold and gray looming ominously off in the distance behind them and glows from other villages are evidence of the bonfires burning flickering in the distance as they draw closer so the wind picks up not only carrying the scent of smoke from all the bonfires from surrounding towns and villages but a faint tinge of metallic scent like cold iron with this scent holly shivers Bramwell breaks the silence we're walking into the lion's den Holly glances at him keep calm we've come too far to turn back now we need to do this for the better of all these people of all these villages and towns they got closer and closer to the castle its towers looming larger and larger Rowan swoops down from above as they reach the outer wall he tells the others that the side gate is currently unguarded with Rowan leading the way they dash around to that side gate and slip through the gate their bodies pressed firmly against the cold stone as they move silently through the shadows the air inside the castle grounds is thick and heavy the silence almost suffocating the scent of damp stone and iron fills the air the group move quietly heading deeper and deeper into the heart of the king's fortress acting like mere shadows in the night slipping unnoticed through the darkened corridors heading closer and closer to the gold filled vault and deep beneath the castle the labyrinth of tunnels seems to stretch endlessly the walls here slick with moss and damp the stone gleaming faintly in the dim light of Holly's lantern their footsteps echoing softly through the passageways every noise every scrape every rustle feeling slightly magnified by the walls around them Fern scans the shadows as they move deeper and deeper her senses on high alert Bramwell brings up the rear they continue on through this labyrinth of tunnels and as they continue the air grows colder Holly holds the lantern tighter suddenly Fern halts her nose twitching she lifts her head they've arrived and the tunnel opens into a large chamber and before them at the center of this cavernous space is the king's horde piles of gold jewels and artifacts the vault is enormous the high stone ceiling arching above them like the rib cage of some ancient beast the gold glimmers softly in the dim light casting a warm glow that makes the space feel strangely alive Holly steps forward her heart pounding in her chest as she pulls a device from her satchel it's small delicate no larger than her paw its gears and cogs humming softly with power she kneels beside a pile of gold setting the device carefully on the shimmering coins Holly adjusts the tiny levers and dials with precise movements the device begins to hum louder vibrations from the device begin to sink into the room merging with the tension that's filling the air just as Holly is about to activate this device a metallic clang echoes down the tunnel followed by the unmistakable sound of footsteps the guards are coming Rowan's feathers bristle they're close Holly freezes for a moment the device is almost ready but they need to act quickly she glances at Fern Bramwell's jaw tightens we don't have much time Holly whispers she turns the final dial the device clicks softly the hum grows louder before settling into a steady rhythm it's ready the sound of the footsteps grows louder the metallic clang of armor rings through the tunnels we need to move now Holly says Fern is already ahead darting towards the side tunnel that branches off from the vault this way she calls the others follow quickly their steps light and silent as they disappear into the shadows leaving the vault behind as they slip deeper and deeper into the labyrinth the device hums quietly in the vault its presence barely noticeable among the piles of gold soon its power will be unleashed and the king's wealth will be no more the group races through the tunnels the sounds of the guards fading behind them the tunnels twist and turn in endless directions each step reverberates through the passageway the sharp clank of the guards boots occasionally echoing closer and then fading into the distance as they gain ground without thinking as the guards get closer Holly pulls the enchanted feather from her satchel the feather glows faintly in the dim light with a quick flick of her paw she waves it through the air the feather shimmers and a thick mist begins to rise from the ground curling around them like a protective veil the mist is soft and thick enveloping them in its cool embrace the shouts of the guards fades to the most distant muffled echoes seeming almost distorted as though the group had passed into another world a place where sound and time move more slowly keep moving holly urges the group slips through the mist their steps light and quiet their bodies hidden from sight the tunnels twist once more and then suddenly they burst out of the tunnels into the cool night air and then from deep within the earth a soft muted rumble a sound felt more than heard as the vault collapses and the king's horde is buried in the depths of the castle back in the village the bonfire blazes high its flames licking the sky the air is thick with warmth the fire's heat radiating outward wrapping the villagers in its comforting embrace sparks float up lazily carried by the soft breeze holly and her companions stand at the edge of the firelight watching as the villagers laugh and dance unaware of the events that have just transpired there's lightness in the air a sense of freedom that none of them quite understands yet the king's power has crumbled and with it the heavy weight that pressed down on the kingdom the warmth of the fire seeps gently into holly's bones so soft and so soothing her body feeling heavy with exhaustion but a good kind of tired a tiredness that comes from knowing they've done something important something that'll change the land Bramwell,

Fern and Rowan all enjoy the experience and feel a deep sense of peace and calm they don't need to say anything to each other the moment just speaks for itself they've done what they set out to do and now the kingdom will change the villagers will wake up to a new dawn one where the king has no power the next day the king's court is silent once the heart of power and wealth the grand hall now stands empty its stone floors cold and bare king sits slumped on the throne his form hunched and weary his richly embroidered robes hang heavily from his shoulders his crown sits lopsided on his head his mercenaries have deserted him their loyalty bought with riches that no longer exist the vault the heart of his empire is gone buried beneath the castle destroyed by the very animals who now stand in judgment before him Holly stands at the front of the crowd her heart light despite the gravity of this moment Bramwell watches quietly Rowan perching on a nearby railing Fern gazing at what's going on the animals of the kingdom unite and take action each community votes to send two representatives who form a new parliament they stand in a circle around the king's throne their voices low as they decide his fate the decision is made without any cruelty or malice that the king will be exiled with no power he'll be reduced to nothing more than a distant memory he can live out his days far from the kingdom the forest clearing is bathed in the soft light of a new dawn the first rays of sunlight filtering through the trees Holly Bramwell Rowan and Fern gather beneath the oak just as they did at the start of their journey the kingdom which was once oppressed is now united a new era has begun one built on cooperation compassion and hope and they stand there watching the morning sun feeling a deep peaceful pleasant feeling wash over them of deep relaxation and harmony and love for their land and curiosity about the future they expect the kingdom to thrive the people to prosper and the land to know peace the world around them now feels so light and bright and they head off in their own directions and Holly heads home to bed as the day draws to an end and feeling a sense of achievement and feeling like she's falling asleep to wake to a new day to a new world to a brighter future she sleeps better than she slept for many years as she drifts and floats so peacefully so relaxed asleep into slumberland