《Mythril Mouse》 Prologue: Mythril Mouse The chilled air was quiet with just the low whistling of wind through the trees of the Everwhite Forest. Glistening white snow covered everything in a thick white blanket. Scratching. A tiny pink nose broke through the dirt and snow and stuck up out of the snow, sniffing the rolling winds to make sure that all is clear to return to the surface. The nose lifted further and behind it was a thin, white mouse. It wore a cloth cape and hood and also had a small pack strapped to its back. The mouse continued to dig itself out until it was completely free from the dirt and snow and then crawled out. It stood on its hind legs, twisting round to check the ground around it. There were large paw prints in the snow. Lots of paw prints that led along a trail guided by stone walls along the way to a frozen river. ¡°Are they gone now, mummy?¡± A high-pitched voice squeaked from the hole. A smaller mouse poked its head out. It too wore a cape and hood. ¡°Keep down, Mavis!¡± The mother mouse hissed, gesturing with one of her paws for the little mouse to get back down into the hole. ¡°Mythril! Would you just calm down for a minute!¡± An old female mouse said from deep in the hole. ¡°Being so jumpy won''t get us home!¡± ¡°Mother!¡± The scrawny white mouse helped the elderly mouse out of the hole. The elderly mouse was wrapped in thick sheets of wool clothes and she carried a small twig to support herself. Mavis climbed out after followed by one last mouse. This mouse was just as small as Mavis but has slightly ruffled, grey fur and a black cloak, Mackerel. ¡°Now let''s get home, Mythril, before I catch my death of cold!¡± The elderly mouse began shuffling through the snow. The children following close behind. Mythril rushed to take the lead again and they began walking towards the river. ¡°Should we be going to where the wolves went?¡± Mackerel asked. ¡°This is the way home. Now come along¡± Mythril said, keeping her head forward. As they drew closer to the river, they noticed a decrepit wooden bridge that spanned the river. From what they could tell, the bridge was made from two wooden planks that were black and rotten. Once they got to the bridge the others looked at Mythril with a concerned look on their faces. The children''s whiskers twitched in agitation. Mythril could feel that they were waiting on her to take the first steps on the bridge. Which now seemed much longer than it was before. But she was confident that it could hold them. They were small mice after all. Mythril stepped onto the bridge. Making it a few steps before turning to the others and gesturing for them to follow. They did. The old mouse walked towards Mythril, her twig cane tapping on the surface of the bridge planks with each other step. The children shuffled cautiously behind her. There was the crunching of snow as something big moved near, then there was growling. The mice stopped suddenly and stared at something at the other end of the bridge. Mythril looked through the corner of her eye to see what it was, but she dared not make a sudden move, or even turn around to face it. It was a large, grey wolf. Covered in fresh scars and bite marks along its body. ¡° ''ello there little mice.¡± It said with a raspy voice. The wolf crept closer, fixated on the mice, it hardly noticed that the wood began to bend slightly as it came to the centre of the bridge. ¡°The boys thought that I was no use. But bringing you all back will earn me a spot back with them.¡±If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Mythril slowly moved the others back to the start of the bridge. The wolf leaned back, getting ready to pounce upon them. Mythril took a deep breath before shouting ¡°Run!¡± Mavis and Mackerel didn''t hesitate to turn tail and dash to safe ground, but the old mouse couldn''t move as fast, even with Mythril pushing and pulling her. The wolf leapt up high to pounce on the mice and the bridge snapped in two as it kicked off. Mythril and her mother to thrown into the air. One of the broken planks smacked the wolf and sent it back down and through the frozen river. Shattering the thin ice. Mythril and her mother fell in after it. SPLASH! into the freezing cold waters. The old mouse could hardly move let alone swim. Her old joints wouldn''t get her up to the surface and so she began sinking. The wolf sank into the depths of the river, unconscious after being hit by the plank, it seemed unnaturally still as it laid on the river bed. Mythril grabbed her mother by her coat and with as much strength as she could muster brought her to the surface. The two made it back onto the river bank on the side where they came from, though Mythril had to drag the old mouse who was shivering in her soaked clothes. ¡°Mother!¡± Mythril called to the old mouse, holding her in her arms, lightly shaking her to keep her awake. Her mother suddenly stopped shivering. She pulled a cold, soaked paw to Mythril''s cheek. For a moment she was quiet, struggling to breathe in, finally she spoke. ¡°I remember when you were young. You were so carefree.¡± From a pocket in her clothes, she pulled out a small chain bracelet with a bright blue, glassy gem in it and placed it in one of Mythril''s hands. ¡°Please. Keep this safe.¡± ¡°Mum. Stop it. You''ll be all right.¡± Mythril choked. ¡°We''re almost at our new home.¡± Her mother''s arm went limp. Her entire body became heavy and she exhaled one last breath. ¡°Mum? Mother? Mum!¡± Mythril wept. She held her mother''s body close. Soon her children walked up to her. Unsure of what to do and still caught in the tension on the bridge. ¡°Mum?¡± Mavis said. ¡°I- I''ll be fine, Mavis. Just give me a moment.¡± Mythril replied. It was a short funeral. Mythril only covered her mother in the snow around the bank. Then the mice had to carry on in their short but quiet journey. arriving at an old village by evening time. The village once belonged to humans, the mice made use of it now. In one of the houses was an entrance. A hole in the front door which orange light peeked through. Past the entrance, was a town that housed the population of mice. A huge network of stacked boxes and tin cans that filled a single human sized cabin. There was also a tall tower that dwarfed surrounding buildings. It was well built with details that looked like it was constructed with utmost care. For security there was a giant plank that a rope team would lower onto two hooks behind the door to keep it sealed shut. There was also a stone that would be rolled in front of the mouse-hole. The population was bustling. The mice seemed content with their current life. They ran to and fro. Most of them looked like they were moving into their new homes. Two guards stood watch at the entrance of the mouse town. They had thimble helmets and leather tunics torn from old coats. They held spears made from pins attached to thin paint-brush handles. One of the mice had brown fur and the other had white fur. ¡°Good evening ma''am.¡± The mouse with brown fur said to Mythril. ¡°Hello.¡± She replied. ¡°Is Pyrite here?¡± ¡°You must be Mythril.¡± ¡°I am.¡± ¡°I''ll go find him. He has been waiting for a while now.¡± The brown mouse ran off to an old lockbox that had been converted into a barrack. Another white mouse in a black leather vest paced in front of the barrack. The brown mouse guard spoke briefly to him. The mouse in the vest turned to Mythril and ran to her, stopping when he had his arms around her in a tight hug. ¡°Sister! You''re finally here!¡± Pyrite said. Chapter 1: The Town of Mice In a small cabin in a village that was once meant for humans, a mass population of mice set up their new home. A small town that thrives by being hidden away in the remains of human settlements away from larger predators. The town of mice live in tranquillity, busily going about their lives. Most of the mice had recently moved into the town. Most of them were forced to leave after the wolves began destroying their old homes and taking the mice. Mavis and Mackerel held their mother closely and looked at Pyrite inquisitively. Pyrite noticed them hiding and he leaned closer to them. ¡°And who are you two?¡± ¡°Mavis and Mackerel, my little ones.¡± Mythril said. ¡°Ah. They have your ears.¡± Pyrite said as he stood up straight. He gave a cheeky smirk that he held for a moment but faded to a questioning look. ¡°Um... Where''s mother?¡± Mythril silently stared at her feet and took a deep breath. Pyrite put a paw on her shoulder. ¡°Mythril, I-.¡± ¡°No. It''s alright.¡± ¡°Why don''t we go to my place? You look like you need to rest.¡± *** Pyrite opened the poorly made door to his house, one of the many homes made from a large wooden box. Mythril, Mavis and Mackerel walked in and examined the layout of what only Pyrite could call home. He had a cloth mat that he slept. A single candle sat in the middle of the room under a metal pipe for warmth and light. There was a wide thimble that he used as a water basin and a crudely made wooden chest sat beside it. Parts of his walls were cut out as windows and they could see outside into the town. This also meant that the bustling and rowdy crowds could be heard clearly. ¡°It isn''t much, but it''s enough.¡± Pyrite said in an enthusiastic but very embarrassed tone as he scratched the back of his head. ¡°It will do.¡± Mythril said. ¡°Make yourselves at home. I''m sure I have some bread in the chest.¡± Mavis and Mackerel ran straight to the chest and munched down on the bread pieces ¡°Long journey?¡± Pyrite joked. He turned and looked at Mythril with an empathetic face. ¡°How are you holding up?¡± ¡°I am still shaking. That wolf-.¡± ¡°Hey. It''s all right now.¡± *** Back at the barracks, Captain Celle stood by wooden table meant for a doll house. Captain Celle, he was captain of the guard for most of his life. Earning his rank through the lost lives before him. He wore a short, frayed dark green cape and a pin that marked his rank.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. A small candle (that was still about as large as he was), lit up the room nicely. Two other guards also stood by. Celle was surveying a large map with an illustration of the country when a spear-mouse that was on patrol walked in. He clicked his heels together and saluted the captain, ¡°no enemies on the horizon, sir.¡± ¡°Excellent.¡± Captain Celle replied. ¡°Make sure the other guards return then send the order to shut the gate.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± The spear-mouse saluted again, turned on one heel and marched out. No wolf nor rat has found our refuge yet. But if they do, we''re severely underpowered. Celle thought to himself. At the entrance of the town, the last few guards walked inside and a plank was lowered onto two hooks on the door, sealing it in place. For the mouse-hole, a circular stone was pushed to cover it up. Outside of the cabin that keeps the town everything looked normal. It was as if everything was as it were many years ago. But for the mice the town was cut off from the world for the night. There was a training area at the barracks where guards or mice who could arm themselves practised their techniques on wooden poles and bags filled with grass. Here was where one mouse was swinging away at various training dummies with an improvised sword. It was made from a section of a saw stuck into a wolf tooth which was tied to part of a brush handle. This mouse had white fur with dark grey spots on its back and shoulders. Though plates of armour cover its fur. A female mouse who had a buff build, but didn''t appear as intimidating as a rat, even with a few scars and gnawed ear. She struck the dummies with ferocious blows, often cutting them cleanly in half. Soon all of them were razed to stumps and the mouse could catch her breath, lowering her sword and taking a few deep breaths. ¡°Ma''am?¡± A guard said, approaching from behind her. With blinding speed, the mouse raised her sword, twisted round and held it at the guard, who nearly fell backwards. ¡°Lieutenant! Same side!¡± The guard screamed. ¡°The town is sealed for the night. You should get some rest too.¡± ¡°Hmmph.¡± She lowered her sword once more. ¡°What''s your name?¡± ¡°Portland, ma''am.¡± ¡°Portland. Are you new to the ranks?¡± ¡°Yes, ma''am.¡± ¡°My name is Diana. I guess they haven''t told you much about me?¡± ¡°Only that you''re a bit jumpy.¡± Diana smiled, ¡°that''s one way of putting it.¡± She walked past the guard and stopped. ¡°Sorry for startling you. You''re lucky though, I''ve injured a few people before.¡± She continued on walking to her bunk. Portland stared at were with a worried look. *** It would be to no surprise that mice, as small as they are, would have many predators that would hunt and kill them. Wolves were the most common. They ran the Everwhite Kingdom with power and fear as their weapons. They lived up in the northern mountains, not far from the mouse town, where a castle remains. The castle still holds damage from the past war. West lived the rat colony. Scoundrels. Low-life thieves and murderers who would do anything for a price, especially to keep themselves safe from the wolves. East would see the only part of the land that wasn''t covered in snow: the Evergreen Kingdom. Not many mice have travelled there, neither have many of the other animals. But some believe it to have been the only place that still sheltered wild creatures. Ones who haven''t taken to the life of choice and civilisation. *** Mythril slept beside her children on a mat on the floor. The candle had burnt out and the room was dark. It was very quiet with only the faint sound of quiet breathing in the air. It was hard for her to get to sleep though. She was filled with grief and remorse. Even if her mother had made it to the town, would they all be comfortable? Pyrite did have to re-assure her that she couldn''t do anything more to help their mother. Maybe that was true. Maybe not. The children couldn''t get to sleep easily either. They were up late while Pyrite told them a story. One of great mouse warriors who would fight to save cities back in the human age. Chapter 2: Something Interesting Morning rises over the land. The morning fog begins to roll through from the mountain village. The guards of the town of mice rolled the stone out of the way of the entrance and a breeze of refreshing, chilled air rushed in. In the centre of the town: a mouse wearing a dark blue vest waved his bell and crowed morning calls to the town. ¡°Morning rises!¡± He bellowed, ¡°morning rises!¡± The town soon came to life and mice stumbled out of their homes to begin their daily chores. The peace was disturbed in Pyrite''s house. Mythril grudgingly woke up, lifting herself up until she was sitting upright. She rubbed her eyes and yawned. Pyrite was already awake and was warming the thimble filled with snow over the candle flame for his morning brew of tea. He noticed that Mythril was awake, though the children were still fast asleep. ¡°I hope you like tea in the morning, because I have a whole bunch of leaves from when I moved into this place.¡± He gave a wide smile that reached from ear to ear. ¡°Tea sounds lovely.¡± Mythril replied. Mythril looked at Mavis and Mackerel as they quietly slept. She kissed each of them softly on their foreheads. ¡°There is also breakfast being held by the Council today. Perhaps you''d like to go?¡± Pyrite said. He tossed a handful of tea leaves into the water and instantly the stench of dirt and old leaves was breathed into the room. Mythril pinched her nose with one hand and wafted the stench away with the other. ¡°I think I''ll go with the breakfast.¡± *** A shrivelled, lanky brown mouse dressed in robes and a hood with small jewels around his neck looked from a balcony on the side of the tower. He saw many mice begin to gather at the town centre, helping set up the big breakfast. He grinned and stroked the small patch of fur on his chin that has grown longer than the rest. He was one of the Mouse Council members. The Mouse Council was as it sounded. After the mice'' homes were destroyed by wolves, the Council was formed by the leaders of each major town and together they helped guide everyone to their new home that was the village on the mountain. One of the other members, a well-dressed grey mouse with a slim navy blue coat, golden epaulettes and well trimmed fur stood by him. ¡°Today we celebrate a full year of peace, Alistair.¡± She said in a hearty tone. She had her arms wrapped behind her back and her chest out in a dignified manner. ¡°Perhaps,¡± the hooded member said, ¡°however I have a feeling that soon something interesting may turn up.¡± The mouse in the coat deflated and leaned closer to Alistair. ¡°Something ''interesting''?¡± Alistair turned and began walking to the stairs, stopping just before he started descending and turned his head to her. ¡°I can only hope that whatever it is, it means well.¡± ¡°Is this something we should prepare for?¡± ¡°If that is what would make you feel better, Marion. I doubt it is the rats again though.¡± The hooded mouse walked down, leaving behind the grey mouse. She stared at the empty space above the staircase with concern for a moment before turning back to look at the town through the window. She could hardly focus on just one thing and she constantly turned her gaze to something else. From one home, then maybe to one of the townsfolk then to something else. Something ''interesting''? She thought and shook her head, clicked her heels together, turned and marched down the stairs after Alistair. *** Everyone was gathered in the town centre. Three other council members were standing by a podium, waiting for Alistair and Marion. The council member, a large white mouse and the chosen mayor of the town, stood proudly behind the podium, the other two, one was tall and thin and had a purple vest and glasses, the other was dressed in white and purple robes with golden insignias decorating two ribbons that rested over his shoulders. ¡°Thank you everyone for joining us today. But before we begin, I''d like to explain why we''re all here today.¡± There were various members of the audience who rolled their eyes and shook their heads. The mayor continued. ¡°Today marks the one year anniversary of the founding of this marvellous town. We have lived here in peace for a good long time and we celebrate today in hopes that we''ll live here for much longer!¡± The crowd cheered. Many of them raised their paws into the air. ¡°Now go enjoy yourselves!¡± The town''s population found seats at the tables spread out around the town centre and everyone ate. Everyone but Captain Celle who was still asleep in the barrack at the table where he studied the map of the land late into the night. Portland walked in, he was in uniform but looking for his helmet. He saw Celle still asleep. ¡°Sir?¡±Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. Celle snorted and suddenly shot straight up, stumbled to keep his footing and finally just leaned onto the table. ¡°Who-? Oh, cadet. My apologies. I must''ve been up late again.¡± ¡°I just came to get my helmet for morning patrol.¡± ¡°Morning? Don''t they have the breakfast this morning?¡± ¡°They just started.¡± ¡°How about you go enjoy yourself this morning, cadet? Eat something before your patrol.¡± ¡°Thank you captain. I''m sure the whole town is invited.¡± ¡°I''m sure I''ll be there soon.¡± Portland saluted and walked out. Captain Celle dropped back onto the table and fell into a deep sleep once more. *** Mythril, Mavis, Mackerel and Pyrite ate some warm bread amongst crowds of mice who were quite joyful. Alistair walked behind everyone, appearing to be checking to see if everyone was enjoying themselves, but with one scrawny hand he held a green talisman. ¡°How are we all doing this morning?¡± He''d say trying to sound as excited as they were. ¡°Enjoying ourselves?¡± He glanced at the talisman every now and then. Eventually he approached Mythril and Pyrite. ¡°Good morning to you all.¡± He said. ¡°Who are you?¡± Mavis asked. ¡°Well, little one, my name is Alistair. One of the council members. What''s your name?¡± ¡°She''s Mavis, my eldest and next to her is Mackerel.¡± Mythril answered for her. Alistair looked at Mythril, then at his talisman, which glowed dimly. ¡°Miss? What was your name?¡± ¡°Mythril.¡± She said in a concerned tone. ¡°Miss Mythril. I would appreciate if you would visit the central tower later on today.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Alistair leaned in close to her. ¡°Something interesting.¡± He stood up straight and walked away to the next few mice. ¡°Are we enjoying ourselves?¡± He said. Mythril watched him. Confused, she couldn''t eat for the rest of that morning and she just kept watch on Alistair. Portland joined two mice for breakfast. A large brown mouse named Mayweather and a skinny grey mouse named Sydni. ¡°Good morning lads!¡± Portland said to them. ¡°Mornin'' Portlan''!¡± Sydni said with a grin like the cheshire cat on his face. ¡°Guess what?¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Mayweather opened his wide mouth to speak but Sydni cut in almost too enthusiastically. ¡°Mayweather has children on the way!¡± ¡°Really!?¡± Portland slammed his paw onto the table in excitement, ¡°When?¡± ¡°We don''t know yet. But from the way that Carla is looking, we shan''t be waiting long.¡± Mayweather said. ¡°Of course ''is wife was already lookin'' quite pregnant if ya kno'' what I''m sayin''.¡± Syndi joked through the side of his mouth to Portland. ¡°Shut up! My wife is the most beautiful woman I''ve set my eyes on.¡± ¡°Congratulations anyway Mayweather.¡± Portland said. ¡°Right. ''ow about tonight we drink to celebrate?¡± Sydni gestured with a hand like he was holding a mug in the air. ¡°Don''t you already drink every night?¡± Mayweather asked. ¡°I only drink on occasion. And accordin'' to the mayor, every night is worth celebratin''! But tonight, we drink for your health and the future of your family!¡± ¡°How ironic.¡± Portland joked before biting into a piece of bread that sat in front of him. *** Early noon, the council members met in the top floor of the tower. The room was clean with a long table surrounded by chairs in the centre. Paintings of the members were placed on the walls. A potted flower occupied a corner of the room, directly exposed to the sun. Sunlight filled the room with a white glow and lit the faces of the council members. Everyone was calm and waited for Mythril to appear. When she did, everyone turned to face her. ¡°Welcome, miss Mythril.¡± Alistair said. ¡°Have a seat.¡± He pointed to one of the many empty chairs around the table. Mythril sat down. ¡°You invited me here. Why?¡± ¡°Straight to business? Quite unusual for someone who just moved here.¡± Alistair remarked. ¡°Perhaps you are feeling alienated?¡± ¡°Sir. I''m just really confused right now.¡± Alistair placed the talisman on the table. It had a bronze frame around a circular green gem in its core. The gem glowed with a pulsating light like a heartbeat. Mythril looked at it, then to Alistair, who grinned as he focussed on the talisman. ¡°This talisman had been used by many in past years. It is said to be able to show those who are able to manipulate magic.¡± ¡°Magic?¡± A greater look of confusion formed on Mythril''s face. ¡°A rare trait to have. Especially among us mice.¡± ¡°But how could that make any sort of sense? I''ve never done anything that seemed unnatural ¨C or according to you ¨C supernatural.¡± ¡°Perhaps. It does take years of training to learn how to manipulate nature to your will.¡± He held up a frail, thin paw towards the flower in the room. The leaves and head waved as if wind was rushing through the room. Then one-by-one the petals were plucked and thrown onto the floor around it as if someone was violently tearing away at it. Once he felt that the flower had had enough, he stopped and turned to Mythril to see her reaction. She had a look of astonished awe coupled with concern. ¡°I can do that!?¡± Chapter 3: First Blood Mythril sat in a room with the council members. Alistair, the hooded mage, had just shown the power that supposedly manifests inside of Mythil. Marion shook her head. ¡°Look, Alistair. She seems normal to me. Maybe you are wrong about this.¡± ¡°How could you know? What is she supposed to looked like?¡± Alistair whipped back at her. ¡°Like you.¡± Mythril stood up. ¡°Perhaps it would have something to do with this?¡± She held the chain that her mother gave her. Its blue gems sparkled brightly. Alistair walked up to her and examined it carefully. ¡°Where did you get these?¡± ¡°My mother gave me it. Just before she died that is.¡± ¡°I''m so sorry for your loss. These are beautiful. However, the chain is simply jewellery.¡± Mythril looked disappointed at the fact that she didn''t help. Not that she knew how to anyway. Alistair returned to his seat. ¡°Thank you for your time here, miss Mythril.¡± ¡°Sorry that this wasn''t quite as spectacular as I''m sure you hoped.¡± The mayor mouse said as Mythril left. *** Portland, Mayweather and Sydni walked around on a specific route not too far from the human village which housed their town. The sky was clear and the air calm. No wind to pick up loose snow and dust to blind them. Everything seemed calm. Mayweather was struggling to keep up with the others however. ¡°Guys. Can we take a break?¡± Portland and Syndi stopped for him to catch up. ¡°Bloody ''ell, Mayweather! If ya can''t keep up with us, how are you supposed to catch your little ones?¡± ¡°I must be getting old already.¡± Mayweather laughed as he caught his breath. Portland was distracted from the conversation by the view they have of the land when the sun was still rising. He could see the green trees in the distance. Standing out from the white snow. He stared out unblinkingly. ¡°Oi, Portland!¡± Sydni called to him. Portland''s eyelids fluttered and he turned to Syndi. ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°What are ya lookin'' at?¡± ¡°Nothing. It''s... Nothing.¡± ¡°Right. Anyway -.¡± Portland became distracted by some figures that dug through the snow. They were large and vaguely mouse-shaped. Portland squinted his eyes to try to get a better look at them. Without knowing it, his hand rolled to his sword. His jaw shook but he was finally able to speak. ¡°Guys?¡± ¡°What is it now?¡± Sydni said. There was a distant shout. And suddenly there was a loud cry from Mayweather and he dropped forwards. Two arrows made from sharpened twigs and cut feathers stuck out of his back. Caught by surprise Syndi fumbled to pull his sword from his scabbered. Portland stopped him by holding his arms. ¡°Sydni! Grab Mayweather!¡± Sydni quickly nodded without hesitation and they both grabbed Mayweather and pulled him back towards the town. Portland noticed that the rats had stopped attacking as he and Sydni ran with Mayweather hanging over their shoulders. A scouting party? He thought. He kept his head on a swivel and looked to make sure that they weren''t being followed *** Mythril walked back to Pyrite''s house, still confused over the meeting with the council. She enteredIf you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. and her children and Pyrite were playing. Mavis was on his back while Mackerel held onto his leg. ¡°You''re back!¡± Pyrite said cheerfully at Mythril''s entrance. ¡°How did you go?¡± ¡°We talked.¡± ¡°About what?¡± Mythril was silent for a minute. Everyone became still, though Mavis'' arms became tired and she dropped onto the ground with a soft thud. Mythril looked at the chain. Then she looked back at Pyrite. ¡°What do you know about magic?¡± Pyrite''s eyes widened. His jaw tightened. ¡°Funny you should mention it. Mother asked me the same thing when you were born.¡± He gestured to the door for Mythril to shut it. She did. Mackerel untied himself from Pyrite''s leg. The children watched as Pyrite walked to Mythril and looked at her face to face. Staring into her eyes which glistened with a soft hazel-green hue. ¡°When you were just born. Mother, father and I once took a long journey to a distant land...¡± *** Many years ago, three mice: Calara, Bismuth and a young Pyrite, walked along a secluded path through a green forest, the snowy mountains far behind them. Calara carried a small white mouse on her back, wrapped in cloth and asleep. Bismuth held Pyrite''s hand tightly. ¡°It''s your first time around here so I want you to be on your best behaviour.¡± His voice was gruff, a sign of his age, but warm and clear. Pyrite nodded his head. He looked at the towering trees. Shining green leaves roofed over their heads and blocked most of the sunlight. Vines clung and twisted around trees, some hung from branches. There was a thick feeling to the air from a recent storm and the moisture stuck in the air. The smell of the dust from the soaked ground filled his nostrils with a sweet scent that was alien to him. ¡°Where are we going?¡± Pyrite asked. ¡°We are going to meet an old friend.¡± ¡°Who would live here?¡± ¡°Now, now.¡± Calara said. ¡°Just because it isn''t home, doesn''t mean that people don''t like it.¡± ¡°Our friend is... A little different from us.¡± ¡°Who is it?¡± ¡°You''ll see.¡± They walked up to a giant boulder, with trees resting on top of it. Fallen after they died or had been chopped down. One face of the boulder was flat and had a carved symbol in its centre. Calara held her hand to the face of the boulder, the chain with blue jewels around her wrist glowed brightly. After a few seconds had passed, the jewels faded and Calara pulled her hand back. There was a brief second of silence before the face of the boulder cracked into small stones and shifted out of the way to create a path for them. The inside of the boulder was hollow and dark. ¡°Barrigo!¡± Calara called out. Her voice echoed in the large cave. Silence once again. Then a light sparked to life. A glowing ball of glowing mist appeared and revealed the dark shape of a gigantic creature. Bulbous and furry. *** Pained screaming was heard from the town entrance as Portland and Sydni carried Mayweather through the gate and collapsed on the ground. Captain Celle rushed out of the barracks to see what was going on. He saw the three on the ground. Mayweather was covered in blood from his arrow wounds. He was unconscious on top of Portland and Sydni. Celle looked at the two guards who stood confused and anxiously awaited orders. ¡°Shut the gate!¡± Celle bellowed at them. The guards rolled the stone in front of the hole in a furious rush. Portland and Sydni crawled out from under Mayweather. Sydni ran off to get help while Portland knelt next to Mayweather. ¡°Hey! You''re going to be all right!¡± Sydni returned with Alistair who was quick to tend to Mayweather. ¡°What has happened?¡± Alistair asked. ¡°We were attacked by rats! Mayweather took two arrows and-.¡± ¡°That''s enough.¡± Alistair took a handful of herbs from a pouch that was slung around his neck. The skin on his hand became a bright green as he rubbed the herbs around Mayweather''s wounds. He pulled the arrows out with ease and continued rubbing. ¡°Water.¡± Alistair demanded. Portland handed him a flask filled with water which Alistair used to clean the wounds which looked more like scars now. Portland noticed that Mayweather was breathing easily now. Alistair stood up straight. ¡°Get him to a bed and let him rest.¡± He ordered the guards. They immediately picked up Mayweather with utmost care and carried him to his home. Alistair looked at Captain Celle, who wore a guilty face. ¡°I... thank you... Sir.¡± Celle said. ¡°You ought to be more responsible for your men, captain.¡± Alistair twisted his head to Portland who was frozen on the ground next to a patch of blood on the ground. Portland''s uniform and fur was covered with blood and sweat. He shook his head and walked away thinking: The child has to go through this already.