Peace and Warning
Justin awoke with a strange warmth in his arms, a slight pressure coating his chest. He looked down, seeing a white head of hair; Elizabeth. He smiled, recalling what had happened the night before. The early light of dawn was just beginning to creep through the window, the last of the stars fleeing from its light. The chirps of birds quietly filtered through the thin layer of glass in the rock. He kissed her forehead, causing a slight stir coupled with a small sigh. A moment later she opened her eyes.
"What happened?" she asked quietly.
He chuckled, pulling her along as he sat up. Their clothes were gathered in a crumbled heap at the foot of the bed. She smiled, but it quickly faded as she recalled what else had occurred the previous evening. Not only had she informed him of a horrid vision, she had seen a frightening weapon, and not for the first time. The scientists on the farm had carried similar machines, but she'd never gotten close enough to hear or see what they had been. She was pulled from the revere by a hand on her shoulder. "Elizabeth?"
She shook her head, staring into his eyes. Her tears instantly dried when she saw the courage in their depths. She knew that he would never let anything happen to her. Taking on a mind of their own, her hands secured themselves on the back of his neck, their lips connecting thoroughly. The romance was cut short by a sharp sound coming from outside.
Jeremy crash-landed, snapping twigs and dropping amongst fallen leaves to the ground. He had just seen a frightening sight, and knew he had to tell them. He gazed frantically about, seeing nothing but a ripening field. Where was everyone? Sure, the light was just beginning to slip into the valley, but the sun was well risen, and the rats of NIMH had always been known as early risers. Jeremy was still shaking debris from his feathers when a small voice called out to him. It was a strange girl, running as she shouted his name.
"Jeremy, are you alright?" she was breathing heavily when she reached him, a simple gown thrown over her body.
"Don't worry about me, Mrs. B," he said. The combination of her scent and her voice quickly told him who it was. He had just been too frazzled to notice the first time. He got to his feet as Justin came to her side. "I came here to warn you guys," the bird continued. He pointed toward the southern rim of the valley, toward the farm. "There's a group of rats coming this way, hundreds of them, and they aren't very friendly."
"What?" said Elizabeth. Jeremy held up his wing, which was bleeding from a wound caused by an arrow. The shaft was still partially embedded in his flesh, the other half lying among the twigs.
"They shot at me the moment they saw me," he explained. "It's the reason my landing was a…uh…a bit messier than usual."
She fought a smirk as she quickly pulled the arrow away, tossing it to the ground. She took an old cape from around her shoulders, tearing it into strips as she wrapped the wound. His landings had always been "a bit messy". She finished the last knot before allowing him to continue. "By the rate they're going it won't be long until they arrive."
"Are you sure about this?" Justin was always skeptical when it came to threats, especially if the informant was a bird known for exaggerating. But the bloody shaft at his feet told him that this was indeed true. He turned to Elizabeth, gripping her hand. "Go and inform the others. We need to be ready for this." She nodded, sprinting back toward the cliffs. The young rat then turned to the bird. "Tell me everything you can about these rats."
Elizabeth didn't know what to do, or whom she should tell first. The halls were just beginning to fill when she returned, and she suddenly got an idea. She spent a moment wandering the halls until she found who she was looking for. "Ashton!"
He turned, looking a bit unfamiliar in the clothes he wore. As well as a doctor, Ashton was also a member of the guard; he would know just what to do. His dark eyes flashed as he turned to her.
"Elizabeth," he said. "Is something the matter?"
She nodded, repeating to him what the crow had said, and what Justin had told her. "We have less than a week until they arrive," she finished.
He was stunned. So, it seemed, no matter where they went, NIMH would always be a threat. He considered arguing, saying that they were peaceful creatures, but cast it aside, knowing that even the most placid peoples had fought when they needed to. "I'll go inform the rest of the guard," he said. "You just need to tell a few people; it'll spread like wildfire afterwards." She barely had time to nod before he was jogging off toward the barracks. She then tried to continue her task, but the people she hailed refused to stop, especially if they were among the younger generations. It didn't take long before she gave up, realizing that they would always listen to her children. But why would they listen to them, but not to her? She shoved the question aside as she hurried off to find them.
She found Timothy first, resting in the library after a morning with his brother. His limbs were sore, but he figured he'd get used to it after a while. He was in the middle of a rather exciting book when he saw a flash of color from the corner of his eye. "Mum?" he whispered.
"Oh, thank goodness I found you," she said quietly. "There's something I need to tell you." She quickly related the facts, ending with saying that he needed to tell the others. "I've tried, but they still won't listen to me."
He nodded, setting the novel aside. "Martin and Cynthia are outside," he informed her. "And Teresa's in the sewing department. I'll see if I can get them to listen."
It was late. She collapsed on the couch, exhausted after all the running around she had done. She didn't know why she was so tired. Thankfully, her children had believed every word that left her lips, and they had taken the liberty of informing the rest of the colony. She hadn't seen Justin since that morning, but knew that he must have been helping to prepare. She closed her eyes, wanting to sleep until the front door creaked quietly open.
Justin stood in the space, the light gleam of sweat evident on his forehead. He doffed his cape, tossing it over a chair before kneeling in front of her. They shared a quick kiss before he updated her.
"According to Jeremy there are at least three hundred of them," he began. "They outnumber the guard nearly three to one."
"Surely they aren't the only ones who know how to fight," she tried to sit up, only to feel a sharp pain in her abdomen. She lay back down.
He shook his head. "No they aren't, but they're more experienced than the rest of us."
"What about you?" she asked.
He laughed. "I wasn't named captain because of my sense of humor," he said. "Though I think it helped."
She giggled, typical of him to joke at such a time, then became serious. "What do you suppose the outcome will be?"
"Honestly? I can't really be sure at this point, I just hope there aren't too many lives lost."
A tear slid down her cheek, though she didn't know why. He reached up to wipe it away. "You're frightened, I know. I am as well."
"Hm, now I find that hard to believe," a faint smile crossed her lips. He grinned, rising to his feet. He held out a hand, pulling her close.
"I'll always fear for your safety," he said quietly. He ran his claws gently through her hair. "And for your children's as well."
She smiled, sighing happily as she rested her head on his shoulder, though she had to stand on her toes to do so. It was hard to believe that, in the midst of war, she was still able to feel happiness, even if the times were often short-lived. She also knew that he would need to watch for Julian. "He's dangerous," she said aloud. He didn't reply.
He turned, seeing a vague shape approach. It was 243, without the others. He saluted smartly, then spoke in a low tone. "Mission objective achieved," he said quietly. "Their defenses are twelfth century at best."
"Where are the triplets?" snapped Julian. The soldier shook his head.
"Missing in action," he replied. "They vanished soon after we began the trek back."
Julian cursed, knowing where they had gone. "Those traitors," he hissed. 322, 332 and 324, all his own sons, had abandoned them for the other side, meaning that they were in trouble. The triplets all looked like their mother, but had his speed and strength, which were further enhanced by their youth. He had never cared much for them, but he knew that they would reveal everything to Justin's men, giving a further advantage to the enemy.
"And about that female…" 243 trailed off.
"Yes. Has something happened to her?"
The soldier shook his head. "Let's just say she's being kept warm for you," he saluted quickly before rushing off, not wanting to see the vile gleam forming in his captain's eyes. Someone else had fallen for her? Perfect. He always enjoyed a woman more knowing that he had stolen her from another. Besides, his rival was the most likely to not survive the battle. He'd always made sure of that.
Prepare yourself, Elizabeth, he thought. He gazed at the still distant cliffs. I'm coming for you. He turned to the troops, ordering them to press on. He was done wasting time.
