Wonderful, great description. So sad! *sniff sniff* Actually, I don’t think that the writing style is that different from your style now. Well, you are the same person, aren’t you?
One nitpicky thing (getting you back, hehe. Nah, actually, nitpicking is very helpful): You knock on a door, but you nock an arrow.
So, yay, good story! You should post mre old stories as new chapters and call it “Spooni’s childhood stories” or something. OK, maybe not. But it’s an idea!

You're right, the writing style is a bit different. I think your newer stuff is a bit better; you could probably make this better by going over it. I like it though. It's funny how you start and end with the same exact line.
And sorry for some confusion, but in The Crown Keeper, there's 3 girls and 1 boy (Jonu's the boy). I tried to give them each different characters, so different positions in the group (you'll better be able to see this once I get my 3rd chapter up - I have to type it. Grr...why can't I just scan it up or something?). Jonu and Dillany tease each other and argue a lot, and I've held a vague notion of putting them together some time. Probably not in this story, though, they're supposed to be around 12 or 13.

oh no not the soup bearer! *SOB*
that was *sniph* the saddest short story ever! good beginning-ending relation and sense of 'setting the scene'. sarge is gonna die, isn't he?
you're good with this kinda thing.
ja ne!
~pont