Thorn Valley chapter 20
Plans ruined

-

Louis wasn't naive enough to suppose all the ruckus outside wasn't connected to how Befor was using his glowing hands. They abruptly stopped glowing...whatever it was, he was done. Befor let out one of his famous chuckles.

"Hehehehehe. Look sharp, Louis. We're about to have a visitor soon."

Louis shook his head. Befor as usual. It was a few minutes before the mouse's predictions came true.

Nicolas stormed into the cell, dusty and absolutely irate. He turned his bloodshot eye on Befor, more furious than a hurricane. He grabbed Befor by the scruff of his neck and pushed him up against a wall.

"You said you wouldn't interfere, madmouse!" Nicolas finally snarled.

Befor laughed as best he could, with Nicolas' paw around his throat. "Aheheh...I lied to get what I wanted. Surely YOU of all creatures can understand that."

That remark earned a fierce blow from Nicolas' other paw. "You wretched little maniac, do you think this changes anything?"

"Actually I do. Think about it. Your tunnel's ruined, so a sneak attack is out of the question. And with all your arrows wasted, you can't fight from a distance. And without the threat over her children, all Brisby has to do is limp up to the gates and expose you. What are you gonna do, huh?"

Nicolas face became more enraged as the reality hit him. Befor was right...All his contingent plans had been systematically ruined. Ruined!

"Remember..." Befor gloated. "All they have to do is take a look around..."

Nicolas threw Befor onto the floor in a rage. "Be quiet, madmouse! I've heard enough of your ramblings!" Nicolas stormed out the cell, leaving the two mice inside.

For the first time since he began this campaign, Nicolas felt terror. His plan could be wrecked...but he couldn't stop now! He would not admit defeat! He would fight, he would WIN! No matter what the enemies did! When this was over, he would see to it that Louis, Befor, Mary and Brisby were dead and gone!

Nicolas passed a message along to the town crier. He had an idea, his last-ditch one. But there was no time to waste. He had to move fast.

-

Mrs. Brisby winced as she brought a bowl of soup to her lips. Some of those bruises were still bitterly complaining. They were better now though...she could limp on a crutch Frank had provided, and she felt some strength return to her. Mary's promise probably helped. Somehow, she knew Mary would keep to her word.

The door creaked open very slightly. Brisby looked up, and whoever was behind the door ducked behind it, ashamed to show his face.

"Um...Come in?" Brisby asked more than commanded.

Justin, his head hanging down and his fingers in his pockets walked in slowly, closing the door behind him. He was unwilling to return Brisby's gaze. She smiled.

"Oh, hello Justin...Is something wrong?"

Justin sighed and looked up. "No, it's nothing...Um, here." Justin handed her the stone. Brisby clutched it in her bandaged paws and felt it's strength going into her. She felt better, but she noticed the look on her friends face.

"Justin, what is it? What's wrong?"

Justin gulped and sat down. He was silent for a moment, and then spoke up.

"Um...Brisby, are you ever...um...bitter at Jonathan."

"What?"

"Well...for dragging you into all this...NIMH and...well...us..."

Brisby understood. "Is this about...What happened?"

Justin nodded to her bandages. "It just...it's just that you got hurt because of us, because of your friendship with the rats of NIMH, and...that was what Jonathan was so afraid of..." Justin sighed again, and a short silence followed.

Brisby looked at her bandages. Then the stone. It was true...she would've wanted nothing more than to be a simple mouse living with her children on a farm, as simple as that...but...

Brisby smiled at Justin. "Of course I'm not bitter. Not about that...that would be like blaming Timmy for getting Pneumonia that day. That was what really...Justin, it's alright."

Justin was silent for a moment, and then agreed. "I guess so...but...um, speaking of Timmy, what do you think is going to happen? I mean..."

Brisby smiled warmly. "It'll be alright."

"How do you...?"

"MOTHER!"

Justin jumped out of his chair at the voice that seemed to have come from the wall. His eyes darted around the room before settling on the large crack along the wall. Several pairs of eyes stared back at him. One of them spoke up.

'Brisby, can yer friend dig? We gotta get these kids in here!"

"Mary!" Brisby hopped out of bed and hobbled towards the crack. Justin, still a little confused, pawed away at the dirt around the crack, widening the space. He was aided by several paws on the other side, all of them eager to make the hole big enough to crawl through.

It was soon big enough for Cynthia to get through, and she wasted no time in getting to her mother and giving her a big hug. It was happily reciprocated. Seeing this spurred Justin to widen the holes, and soon Timothy, Martin and Teresa got through and ran to their mother. The bear hug was one of the most touching scenes Justin had seen.

"It's so great to see you again!"
"We were so worried, Mama!"
"I was worried."
"I knew that ra...maniac was lying about you!"
"Are you Okay?"
"Are YOU okay? Did Nicolas do that?"

Justin smiled happily, then turned to the large mouse and two children he didn't recognize squirm through the hole. He turned to Brisby.

"Um, who may I ask?"

"Oh, that's Mary Jones, she's a friend."
"I can see that..." Justin grabbed the tall mouse's hand and shook it warmly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Jones."

Mother Jones blushed and replied. "Feelin's mutual." Justin noticed she had quite a firm handshake. Afte and Alicia introduced themselves, and welcomes were made all round.

Eventually Justin looked at the tunnel. "What is this?"

Mary Jones explained. "That's how Nick saw you and Bris."

"You mean Nicolas?" Justin growled.

"Yep." Afte replied. "Don't worry, the tunnel's blocked off where he could get in."

"Still, this should be filled in..." Justin turned to Mary Jones. "You got Brisby's children away from that monster. Now maybe we can act..."

"Actually, that's the thing." Afte chimed in. "With his, uh, leverage gone, he's not gonna wait around for you or Brisby to show him up,"

"What do you mean?"

"He's runnin' out of time, and he knows it. He's gonna act, fast. With all the mice he's got under his control. You better get ready.

-

Nicolas was acting faster than Afte was implying. He had gathered all his 'friends' together, and all the mice of Micoloni were keen to listen.

"My friends, I will not waste time with a speech. War is coming. Those vermin down in the valley are preparing to strike, to take our colony over, to kill our wives and enslave our children! They are coming!"

The mice of Micoloni were stunned into silence. The threats Nicolas had made had hit hard.

"We must strike now! We cannot tarry any more! We must attack! We will charge into the rat's den, all of us, and we will destroy those heathens before they come at us!"

A cheer of agreement rose up, the spirit of the moment invading.

"My friends! For our wives! Our children! Our Home! Let us MOVE!"