Mouse Guard: Winter: 1152 (My version)
A/N: Hello there fellow readers, it is I, Sonicfighter bring you a new story. It's my version of Winter: 1152. You all know the drill, I don't own Mouse Guard, nor do I own it's characters, setting or story line. They belong to David Petersen. I only own my OCs. Anyway, on the the show!
Chapter 1: Journey to Sprucetuck
Fall of 1152 have left the Territories unprepared for Winter. Midnight, the Guard's blacksmith, betrayed his own and raised an army to storm Lockhavens gates and kill Gwendolyn, the matriarch of the Guards, and Richard, the captain of Lockhavens Guards. However, his plain to overthrow the Guards backfired by 7 of the Guard's finest, Saxon, Kenzie, Lieam, Edward, Remy, Sadie and Sienna, who was assisted by Celanawe, the true Black Axe. Midnight was then banish to the Wild Country, but he vowed revenge on the Guard and disappeared into the mist. However, Lockhaven have 2 new Guards after the battle. Twilight, Midnight's younger brother, become Lockhavens new blacksmith, and Angela, a well known healer from Thistledown. As the season and weather changed, undying problems with both food and medicine threatened the Mouse Territories. Gwen and Richard scattered 14 of their best Guardmice to act as ambassadors and to gather immediate supplies.
Winter. For younger mice, it means playing in the snow. But for older mice, it means trying to stay warm and hope that they have enough food to last the whole season. It's also a time for animals like bears, chipmunks and other mammals to hibernate in this time of year. While other animals like owls, hares and foxes go out into the snow to look for food.
In the forest, a group of mice walked through the snowy landscape. It is Kenzie, Saxon, Sadie, Remy, Edward and Celanawe all wearing their Winter clothing over the cloaks they have to stay warm and snow shoes so their feet won't freeze. Kenzie wear a blue rode with a hood, and holding a lantern on his staff. Lieam only wear gloves. Saxon wear a light blue cape over his red cloak. Celanawe wear a hood and have a green cloth wrapped around the Axe so it won't get frost on it. Sadie wear a plum rode. Edward wear a bright orange rode also with a hood, and gloves. And finally, Remy wear a yellow rode and gloves.
Lieam put his bag by a tree as he climbed up a tree to see where to go next. However, the cold wind blew in his face and Lieam shouted,
"Guys! This blizzard is getting worse!"
"So, where to we go now Kenzie?" Sadie asked as Lieam climbed down and putting his bag on his back.
"Well, we have one more city to get to, before we go back to Lockhaven." Kenzie replied as he pulled out a map. Kenzie use two rock to keep the map from blowing away and use his staff to hold it. Kenzie pointed to 'Sprucetuck' on the map.
"Our last stop is Sprucetuck and it lies just beyond that plain." Kienzie said as he pointed to a open plain covered in snow. But if they go through there, they'll become guardsicles.
"But in a weather like this and with no shelter, it's far too dangerous to cross."
"So, what can we do?" Edward asked Kenzie.
Before Kenzie could answer, Celanawe beat him by saying,
"There's another route we can take. We dig." Celanawe said as he remove the cloth from his axe.
"That'll work." Remy said. It sounds like a plain.
Celanawe used his axe to dig a hole while Kenzie give orders,
"Saxon, Sadie, you two guard our exit. Lieam, Edward and Remy, you three take the middle. I'll give Celanawe light."
"Got it Kenzie." Edward said as Saxon drew his sword.
After a couple of minutes of digging, Kenzie, Lieam, Edward, Remy, Sadie and Saxon follow Celanawe as he continue tunneling.
After that feels like hours, which in reality 10 to 20 minutes of walking through the frozen tunnel, Saxon broke the silence.
"We've been down here for hours." Saxon complained. "It was foolish for us to hide from a storm."
"Well, a sword can't defeat everything, Saxon." Sadie said to Saxon.
"She's right Sax." Remy said joining the conversation. "Something it takes a crossbow." He said holding his crossbow to prove it point.
Lieam chuckled a little and said to Saxon, Remy and Sadie,
"Yeah, and sometime it takes an Axe."
Kenzie shushed the four mice and whispered to them,
"Keep it down you four. We don't need a fox to hear you and run us over."
"Sorry Kenzie." Remy apologize.
Saxon look up and grabbed the handle of his sword, if a fox do hear them, he'll be ready to take it down.
Soon, Celanawe stopped digging as the axe hit something. Lieam looked at him puzzled. Why did Celanawe stopped?
The answer came when Celanawe remove the axe from the snow, revealing an opening.
"We're through to Sprucetuck." Celanawe said to the others.
It's true, the group did arrived at Sprucetuck after all that digging.
The mice look up as the exit the tunnel to see a tall spruce tree, which how the village got it's name.
Edward walked to the door located on the stump and knocked on it several times.
The door open as a light black mouse wearing glasses, a purple apron and holding a lantern stepped out.
"Yes? Can I help you?" The mouse said to the group.
"We're Guard mice here to see your governor." Kenzie said to the mouse.
"Ah, of course come in, come in." The mouse said as he stepped aside letting the Guards inside.
As they enter, Kenzie and Edward remove their hoods and the door closed behind them.
They looked around and see lifts pulling mice up and down from floor to floor. Sprucetuck is known to being home to mouse science. It's also have living quarters, apothecaries, breweries which medicine are made and libraries. They removed their snow shoes and Lieam removed the bag and his gloves and Remy also remove his gloves and placed them on the floor next to them.
The mouse walked to the group with an old mouse with grey fur, wearing a blue uniform and holding a cane.
"Sir, these are the Guard mice I was telling you about before." The mouse said to the governor.
"Yes, I can see that." The governor said to the mouse as he looked at the guardmice and said to them,
"So tell me, what brings you seven out in this blasted weather?"
"Governor, our lady Gwendolyn and her brother Richard send us this invitation and an offer of continued goodwill." Kenzie said as Celanawe pulled out a folded parchment from one of his pockets and handed it to the governor. "We're also in dire need or your elixir at Lockhaven." Kenzie finished.
"Come with me." The governor said as he and the guard follow to the lift.
"Take us to the storage room please." The governor said to the lift operator.
"As you wish." The operator said as he pulled the lever causing the lift to go up.
As they go up, Edward whispered to Lieam,
"You know, your girlfriend, Sienna use to live here before she joined."
"She's not my girlfriend." Lieam whispered back as he grind his teeth. "We're just friends."
"That what they all say Lieam. That what they all say." Edward said.
"What are you two talking about?" Saxon said, wondering what Edward and Lieam was mumbling about.
"Nothing. We're just talking." Edward quickly said.
"Oh."
Soon, the lift stopped at the third floor which have the storage room. Saxon, Kenzie, Lieam, Celanawe, Remy, Edward and the governor exit the lift and enter the storage room.
Normally, the storage room would be fulled to the brim with Sprucebrew elixir, a type of medicine made from different herbs, but the key ingredient is the sap from the tree itself, but due to the weather, they only have about 10 to 15 bottles.
"As you can see, our reserves is also low. So we can only give you two bottles." The governor said to the group.
"We're grateful for that." Celenawe said to the governor. Two bottles is better that having none at all.
Celenawe handed the governor two silver and three gold pieces. The governor looked at the money and replied,
"Lillygrove coinage. Normally, we don't accept this type of currency, but for the Guard, we'll make an exception." The governor placed the coins in his pocket as he took a deep breath and said,
"You know, Sprucetuck owes it's existence to the Guard. We're mice of science, not soldiers like you. When the towns of Ferndale and Walnutpeck fell during the War, our city become more remote and our continued faith is in the Guard."
'You have our thanks, governor." Kenzie said to the governor.
A mouse handed two bottles of Sprucebrew elixirs to Celenawe.
"Here you are. This batch was mixed with other herbs as well. Remember, use less per dose and it should last the season."
"We'll remember." Celanawe said.
Soon, Saxon , Lieam, Kenzie, Edward, Remy, Sadie and Celanawe went back to the ground floor and Lieam placed the two bottles in the bag as the governor read the letter. It is a request to a summit at Lockhaven by Gwen.
He shouted to the Guards who was about to leave.
"Your letter mention a meeting at Lockhaven!"
"Yes. In seven days time, the necessary escorts will come. We, on the other paw, must return with these supplies at once." Kenzie said to the governor.
A while later, Celanawe, Lieam, Edward, Remy and Sadie went back outside making their way back to Lockhaven. Saxon is helping Kenzie out of the tunnel while holding the lantern.
"Hey Kenzie, mind if I have a word with you?" Saxon said to his friend.
"Ask away." Kenzie said as he climbed put of the tunnel.
"We need to pick up the pace and walk all night. We lost a day while we're at Copperwood."
Kenzie got out of the tunnel and grabbed the lantern from Saxon and replied,
"Well, with a couple of days of cold terrain we cross, we could all settle down by a fire and rest. Beside, Celanawe insisted we make camp at night."
Saxon asked another question to Kenzie,
"Question,who's leading this group?"
"Me." Kenzie answered to Saxon.
"Lieam follows his step in awe." Saxon said as he looked at Lieam who is following Celenawe.
"And you bend an ear anytime he speaks."
"He's an ambassador for both Gwen and Richard." Kenzie argue with his friend.
"Also, I consider him a voice of experience. But I'm the leader of this mission."
"But he doesn't look like the type to be led, Kenz." Saxon said while looking at Celanawe in suspension.
"True, and nor does he look like the type to be fallowed, Sax." Kenzie also said he too look at Celenawe.
"My loyalties lie with Lockhaven, Gwen, and Richard. Not the Axe." Saxon also said to Kenzie.
"Celanawe have done nothing wrong but protect them and us." Kenzie said in Celenawae's defense.
"If last Fall taught us anything, it's be more vigilant." Saxon continue to say.
"And if Midnight was any reason, a treat can come from any mouse, even red cloaked one like you." Kenzie said.
"I mean no harm to you Kenzie. We've been friends for many years to question that and I'll always follow your lead." Saxon said in apologize.
"I know old friend. I know." Kenzie said as he patted him of his shoulder as they both catch up with the rest of the group.
Unbeknown to the mice, something watches them from a branch.
"Hey, is everything okay you two?" Sadie ask, Wonder what Kenzie and Saxon was talking about.
"Yes Sadie, we just talking about-"
"Everything is not okay." Celanawe said, interrupting Kenzie.
"What do you mean Celanawe?" Lieam asked confused.
"We're being watched."
"Watched?" Remy said to the oldfur. "Watched by what?"
"Look!" Edward exclaimed while pointing at something. "Up there!"
The group turn around and look at what Edward was pointing at: It was a great horned owl who been watching them for a few minutes and he look hungry.
"Well, well." The owl said to the mice. "A couple of midnight snacks."
"Everyone, draw your weapons." Celanawe said to the others, which they did.
"And stay together." Kenzie also said.
"Sadie! It'll pick us off one by one if we scatter!" Kenzie said to Sadie, who pulled out a sling.
"I don't bother to get that close." Sadie said while placing a rock on her sling.
"Neither to we." Edward said as he and Remy aim their bows at the owl.
Sadie twirled her sling over her head and let go making the rock fly to the owl. Edward and Remy followed by firing their bows.
The rock hit the branch and the owl moved his talon. The two mice arrows also missed as they flew passed the owls head.
"Ha!" The owl taunted to the mice. "You missed me."
"Those were warning shots owl! We never miss." Sadie said as she places another rock on her sling.
The owl swooped down at the mice, ready to caught them. Before Edward and Remy could loose another arrow, Sadie twirled her sling and let go again. This time, the rock hit the owls left eye, making him half blind.
"GAH! MY EYE!" The owl screeched in pain as he opened to only good eye while the other was red with blood.
"You'll pay for this!" The owl said as he flew away from the mice.
"Nice shot, Sadie!" Kenzie said impressed with Sadie's shot.
"Thanks." Sadie replied to Kenzie.
"I have a lot of practice slinging gulls back at Frostic."
"What? No swordplay?" Saxon said disappointed. He is eager to get his sword a few swings.
"You mustn't seek combat, Saxon, seek resolution." Celanawe said to Saxon wisely.
"He's right. It's what we fight for." Lieam said, agreeing with Celanawe's words.
"Well put you two." Edward said as he put the arrow back in his quiver.
The mice watch as the owl disappeared into the night sky as the put their weapons away.
"I think the owl is gone." Lieam said to his fellow guards.
"For now at lest." Celanawe said.
"Night have fallen and owls fly at night and eat us too." Celanawe said while opening his bag to get a couple of Spearmint leaves for his pipe.
"But this is good as anyplace to dig in for camp."
"Finally." Remy said as he put down his crossbow. After the encounter with the owl, he could use a few winks.
"I'll take first watch..."
"No." Kenzie said, interrupting Celanawe.
"No?" Remy said in disbelief. He was looking forward for a sleep and Kenzie said no?
"We head North all night long. Lockhaven is depending on us." Kenzie said in determination.
"All night?" Edward said in frustration. He too wanted to sleep.
"Yes, Edward. All night." Kenzie said to Edward.
"B-B-but, what about getting some sleep?" Remy try to reason with him.
"We can't sleep. Any delay won't spell doom for Lockhaven." Kenzie also said. No matter what it takes, they need to return to Lockhaven.
Remy sigh in defeat and put his crossbow on his back. So much for a good night rest.
"Okay. We're with you Kenzie." Remy said to Kenzie.
"Good." Kenzie said and looked at the others.
"Come on." Kenzie said as they walked into the cold night.
Back at Lockheaven, the snow covered the Ivys and part of the ancient castle.
Things have been good in the last couple of weeks since Midnight storm the gates. Rand is healed and back on patrol, Lockhaven got a new blacksmith and Angela became Abigail's apprentice. However, with their supplies running low as the days go by, Gwen became more and more desperate. Richard try everything in his power to keep her spirit up. Alvin, the former soldier of the Axe, have been a good friend to the Guards in those weeks. However, he suddenly became sick for reason unknown and have been in the apothecary for a week. Angela want to use her flower, but she only use it on wounds that are too severe to heal.
In the library, the fire in the fireplace danced as it gives heat to the room. Gwen asked Roibin about something,
"Hey, Roibin, have you seen Landra anywhere?"
"Yes, M'lady. I've sent Cornwall to escort her from Rand's gate office." Roibin said. Since Rand is out on patrol, Landra fill in his spot as the tracker of the guards.
Gwen chuckled and said,
"I have a feeling that beetle would follow you to the ends of the world."
"Yep, and I, him." Roibin replied.
Just then, Landra enter the library holding a map, a few notes, and a box holding Guard markers with Cornwall escorting her.
"I see that the beetle have found you. Did he Landra?" Gwen asked the quarter master.
"Yes he did." Landra replied. "Beg pardon scribe Roibin and Lady Gwen. I didn't mean to keep you waiting."
"It's alright Landra." Gwen said in a kind tone.
Soon, Landra placed the map on the table with rocks on the edges of the map and placing markers on the locations on the map and said to Gwen while using her pointer to show where the patrols are.
"As you know so far, the West and South are being covered by Kenzie, Saxon, Lieam, Edward, Remy, Sadie and Celanawe. It's the furthest to travel, and the greatest distance between the other cities."
"I have great faith in them." Gwen said, knowing that her and her brothers finest and the Axe himself will not let them down.
"Elmoss and Copper Wood have the largest surpluses in their cupboards." Roibin said to Gwen.
"Also, Sprucetuck may have the only medicines Lockhaven will need all Winter." Gwen also said. With the other towns blocked, Sprucetuck may be the only place within a hundred miles to get medicines.
"What about the others?" Gwen said to Landra.
"Well, Sienna and her patrol made up of Aubrey, Delvin, Bastian and Rand left Lockhaven two days ago." Landra said while pointing at a marker with a few smaller pieces.
"They're covering the Northern cities of Wildseed, Thistledown, Whitepine, and ElmWood. Right now, they should be nearing Thistledown this morning."
Landra pointed to another marker and said,
"As for the rest, Elymis is leading Cerise, Annika and Sela east to Maple Harbor and it's surrounding towns. That's the central hub of trading and their return to Lockhaven will depend on the merchant's offering."
Landra pointed to the final marker as she finished,
"And finally, Kenzie's group should be the closest to here. They have about two to three days from here if they made it through CopperWood like we planned."
"Well, I can only hope we have that much time." Gwen said as she exit the Library.
"At this rate, starvation and sickness will take more lives than last Winter."
"Don't worry Gwen." Landra said to the matriarch.
"I'm sure they'll make it back in time. Your brother believes that."
Gwen smiled at this. She knew her brother is right.
Speaking of Richard, he was in the armory with Twilight who was trying to stay warm using the forge. As for Twilight, he is busy drawing something on a piece of parchment.
Gwen enter the armory and saw her brother next to the forge trying to keep warm.
"Hey Gwen." Richard greets his sister as he rubbed his paws together.
"Hi Richard, Twilight." Gwen said to her brother and Twilight.
"Greetings Gwen." Twilight said as he continue drawing.
"What brings you here?" He asked the matriarch.
"Oh, nothing. I just came here to say hi. I'm heading to the Apothecary to check on Alvin." Gwen said to Twilight.
"I see." Twilight said in understanding. For the last few weeks, he and Alvin became friends and both exchange ideas. As it turn out, Alvin was a blacksmith from Ironwood before he join the Axe.
Gwen notice Twilight drawing and walked next to him and see that Twilight is drawing two sets of armor with the Lockhaven symbol on it's chest and a helmet.
"What's your drawing, Twilight?" Gwen said in curiosity.
"Oh, well, It's an armor for you and Richard I'm been working on since the siege last month." Twilight explained.
"That's a great idea." Gwen said impressed with the idea. After that battle, they can use some protection. "When you'll get started on them?"
"In two days. That is, with your approval."
"Consider it done, Twilight." Gwen said to Twilight with a smile.
Twilight smiled back and said, "Thanks Gwen."
"Your welcome Twilight." Gwen replied as she walk to the exit. "Try to keep warm you two."
"We'll try, Gwen." Richard said to his sister.
After Gwen left the armory, she walked to the apothecary to check on Alvin. Even though he work for Midnight or use to, he's a mouse and it's they're job to protect their own weather they're good or bad.
Gwen enter the apothecary and see Abigail reading her herb book and Angela placing a wet rag on Alvin's head who is sweating if he have a fever.
"Girls, how Alvin's doing? He look worst than before." Gwen said to the healers in concern.
"Well, his leg have stop bleeding, but the wound however have become inflamed. Angela try to cool him down, but without any fresh medicines, we don't have a remedy." Abigail explained as Angela ringed the rag.
"But will he last three or four nights?" Gwen asked.
"By my calculations Gwen, he'll last only two." Abigail said sadly. If the medicine don't arrived soon, Alvin will perish.
Gwen walked to Alvin, and placed her paw on Alvin's and said to the two healers,
"Alvin's sunset is many years away, but it won't be tonight."
"I hope your right about that Gwen." Angela said to the matriarch.
"I know I'm right, Angela. You got to have faith in me."
Gwen turn to Alvin and said to him,
"You must stay with me, friend of Lockhaven. Richard and my Guard's are coming back to help you. They must come back for all of us."
Angelia smiled at Gwen knowing that she's right. Hope Kenzie and the others can return to Lockhaven before it's too late.
Back with Kenzie's group, the sun begin to rise over the Territories as they travel all night.
Lieam yawned and stretch as the ask, " Is it a two full days journey back to Lockhaven?"
"Three if we're lucky." Celenawe answered as they stepped over a root.
"Good." Edward said to Celenawe. "Once we get back, I'll be sleeping all day."
Saxon, who wasn't looking were he was going, tripped on the root.
"Whoops!" Saxon exclaimed as he fell to the ground.
Suddenly, without warning, the ground under Kenzie, Sadie and Edward's feet collapse revealing a giant hole covered by the snow.
"Hey! What's going on!?" Edward said as he, Saxon, Sadie and Kenzie fell into the hole.
Lieam is lucky as he is at the edge of the hole as he grabbed Celenawe's paw, who use the Axe on a small root for support.
Remy is also lucky as he unsheathe his sword and thrust it into the snow close to the edge.
Whatever the hole was, it took 4 of their friends down into the unknown.
A/N: That's the wrap for my first chapter of my second story. Sorry it took so long. I didn't get a job as a Vet tech cause the jobs are limited for where I live. Instead, I'll be working in a computer repair store called, 'Computer Rebooter'. I'll be doing internship. Anyway, we reunite with the Guards in the middle of Winter and 4 of them fell into a hole. What's down there? It'll be revealed in the new chapter. Be sure to read and review and no flaming. They'll be use for campfires. Bye for now.