In Neralia, a dreamlike city built on water, people walked on stilts. The houses were supported by stilts and the streets were rivers... Leopold had the tallest stilts, made of red poplar wood. He walked near the roofs, lost in his thoughts, reaching the clouds and occasionally talking to the magpie. Only when he felt alone did he lower his head and look at the city at his feet. People needed his help for the Great Winter Festival...