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"Yes," Marty nodded, the big grin returning to his face, "Matthew is trapped in a room in the castle. I've been told to tell you something." "What?" Billy frowned. "Marzurka said to tell you, "We have seven brothers in our family. We have travelled from far and wide but we always come back to the forest where we were born. Our parents are all very proud of where we have roamed. Especially my brother, Chris. He went on to own a large Christmas Tree factory. Perhaps not so much for our brother Carl, he's a tax collector. As the years went by, every brother was granted a sister. How many children are there in the family?" "What does that mean?" said Billy. "I don't know," Marty shrugged, "But he said you will need the answer when you get to the castle." "Oh," Billy nodded slowly, lowering his head. "Look kid," Marty said, "I gotta get goin'. I got tourists and children to terrorise." "Ok. How do I get to the castle?" "Just go straight on through the clearing," His cheery voice melted to one of sorrow, "Keep yer head up, Billy," He said, "Trust those around you and you'll succeed." "Thank you, Marty." Billy reached down to shake his hand again. Marty grabbed it and pulled Billy close to him, "You'll do well, kid, " He said. Billy could barely breathe. He was being held so tightly. As quickly as the creature had bounded up to him, he had gone.
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