Chapter 4: The Great Owl
After some discussion with Jeremy the crow the group of four we're on their way to the forest while flying on Jeremy's back.
"Nice day isn't it. You see Ms. Briz I told ya you'd like flying" Jeremy said happily.
"I don't know how I let you talk me in to this" Elizabeth responded. "I'm right there with you sister I'm afraid of heights too" Dexter said.
"Well not me Hogarth said I love flying." "Me too" Tut said. "WOO HOO" they both shouted!
"The Great Owl will know everything he's the wisest in the forest." "Owls eat mice" Elizabeth said worriedly. "Well not after dark."
"Lizzie, remember the plan we go in get the information then run away" Hogarth said. "Yes how difficult can that possibly be" Tut said. Dexter joined in; "oh I don't know maybe if we get EATEN FIRST!"
After a couple minutes of flying they eventually reached the forest. They found the Great Owl's lair which was a dead hollow tree. When walking to the entrance Jeremy yelled into the entrance.
"Hello? Hello?" "Well I guess nobody's home we better get outta here" Dexter suggested.
Just then a loud hooting sound came from the tree sending the group flying. After a long pause in which the group was petrified a deep voice was heard from inside the tree.
"Step inside my house, Come inside or go away" the deep voice said.
Elizabeth who was still scared tried to stay still. Hogarth who was ready to face the Owl took Elizabeth's hand and gently walked towards the entrance along with Dexter and Tut.
"Lizzie, remember it's for Timothy," Hogarth said to her. "Yes" Elizabeth responded timidly.
The group walked into the tree slowly walking. Elizabeth bumped into a pile of mouse skeletons and gasped at the horrific sight. Tut did his best to calm her down.
"It's alright." "Come on let's keep moving," Dexter said.
The friends walked deeper into the tree all the while being followed by a giant spider that was watering at the mouth at the sight of what appeared to be its next prey. The friends walked closer and as the spider approached them it was crushed and killed by a giant claw.
The group backed away and looked up in horror revealing a giant owl with eyes that glowed like headlights that was standing above them. The group now fully petrified with fear backed away from the sight.
Elizabeth curled up in a ball and shook. Tut looked away putting his face in his arms. Dexter stood by a wall and looked at the frightening sight. Hogarth closed his eyes preparing for what he thought would be an inevitable demise.
Instead the owl looked at them with its glowing eyes and spoke. "Why have you four come?"
"Please Elizabeth said standing up regaining some courage, forgive us for disturbing you but my son's life is in great danger."
The Owl was distracted for a moment as it devoured a moth that flew into his sight. Hogarth decided to speak up.
"Sir the plow has come early this year and her family is stuck." "She must move her family," the Owl responded.
"Yes I would move but Timothy has pneumonia he can't even get out of bed." Dexter spoke up, "if she takes him out he'll die we have to try and protect him." "You must move to a place where you and your child will be safe from the plow." "Please there must be another way" Elizabeth tried. "There is no other way." Tut spoke angrily to the owl.
"That is blasphemy! She can't move him or he'll die, isn't there any other way where we could move him but keep him safe." "I just said to you there is no other way."
Elizabeth dropped her gaze in despair. "I must bid you good evening miss." "Mrs. Brisby" Elizabeth said to him.
"Brisby, Mrs. Jonathan Brisby" the owl asked while dropping his gaze to Elizabeth's face? "Why yes, Elizabeth spoke up, he was my husband, but how do you know about him?" The owl pulled back. "That is not important however I will say that his name is not unknown in these woods."
Elizabeth's eyes watered in sadness. "Please I'll do anything to save Timmy, anything." "There is a way." Hogarth smiled and was about to yell out but instead quietly responded. "What is your suggestion sir he asked?" "You must go to the rats."
"But I don't know any rats" Elizabeth said confused. "In the Rosebush the Owl said." "Wait I think I saw a Rosebush when we first got here." "Yes it's by the farmhouse" Elizabeth responded.
"Ask for Nicodemus." "Nicodemus" Elizabeth asked curiously? "They must move your house to the lee of the stone." "Sir it's impossible for any rat to move her house it's too large" Hogarth said.
"Yes it may seem impossible but remember this saying my son." "No matter how difficult something may be, it is never impossible". "Well I don't understand but I will do as you say," Elizabeth replied.
"Well it is night and I must go" the Owl said walking towards the entrance. Hogarth, Dexter, Tut and Elizabeth ran up to him as he was about to fly out and he turned to them. "Remember the lee of the stone." The Owl took off into the night.
"What did he say" Jeremy asked. "He told us that we must go to the rats" Tut said. "What rats" Jeremy asked?
The group of four looked on as the Owl flew off into the darkness with one thought he said to them in their minds, the lee of the stone.