The village knew the invaders were coming.
They dug pits big as coffins...

Beneath the pits, they dug deeper holes,
Into these holes, they poured their treasures.

This being a village of magicians, the treasures were all enchanted.
The very earth seethed with their power.

They covered these deeper holes.
Above them, they placed plain, empty, wood coffins.

They left.

Every one.

Not a dog, cat, cow, horse, goat, pig or bird was left.
Every single one — gone.

The invaders came.
Happy, at first, at the silence.

At first, but as they marched, someone noticed there were as many coffins as invaders.
Just as many.

Not one more.
Not one less.

_{by Edward Covannon, Creative Commons Attribution - ^z - 2023-12-15}