The story seemed almost unrecognizable after being adapted for local audiences, but its heart remained unchanged: optimism, perseverance, and a father's love.
Annan could not be sure the story would move everyone, but he was confident it would leave anyone starved of family affection sobbing.
For the orc father and son's scenes in "other cities," Annan chose a cluster of shacks on the Outskirts of Free City that had yet to be demolished, then supplemented it with Tina's illusions. After all, no ruler wanted their city used as an unfavorable comparison.
Annan would have liked to film in the Rikaner Kingdom... but they no longer even had a royal capital.
Chris and Christopher arrived on set. After spending several days together and taking part in Betty's acting, they had almost developed genuine feelings, especially Dag—he was close to treating Brook as his own father.
Inside the prepared shack, Annan held up the Magic Stone and began filming the first scene:
At dawn, Chris woke his sleeping child.
The first day's shoot was rough, nothing like the smooth production of "Annan Potter and the Magic Stone." Back then, the extras had all been proper students of Solz Magic Academy.
Their inexperience reminded Annan of some of the Shadow of the days when he filmed "The Mage Tower's Fall." Spectators wandered into shots, extras moved stiffly, and Brook and Dag forgot their lines.
But as filming continued, everyone grew more accustomed to it. At this pace, they should finish within two months.
The uproar over "Ratfolk spies" was growing across Middle Earth, yet Free City, at the center of the storm, was unusually peaceful. Evelyn even had time to drum up interest in Annan's fourth Magic Film.
Annan felt Old Ancestor deserved much of the credit. Her arrival had drawn the