Chapter two: The desperate Corim
Bella was pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace in her home, Brockhall. Anybeast could see that plainly that she was worried. Gonff, the Prince of Mousethieves, was missing, and everybeast, knowing Gonff's passion for stealing, had all suspected he had been captured by the hordebeasts of Kotir. Bella knew it was probably true, but she couldn't believe all the bad luck that had befallen the creatures of Mossflower.
First, horde soldiers had broken into Ben Stickle's home, and killed him, when he wouldn't give them any supplies or food. Goody Stickle had almost dragged herself, for she was sorely wounded, left for dead by the soldiers, to Brockhall, with her four young ones.
Then Gonff had gone missing. Bella rather liked the rascal, even though he could be mischievous at times. She sighed. That rascal would never learn to stay out of trouble.
Also, news had swept its way toward Brockhall that Gingivere, brother to the formidable Tsarmina Greeneyes and son to Verdauga, had been killed by "missing" a step on the way up the stairs. Everybeast knew this was not true; Tsarmina had always hated her brother. Bella glanced up to the family crest above the fireplace. Gingivere probably would have been a useful ally, as he was not as hard-hearted as his cruel sister.
The conclusion was inescapable: Mossflower was falling, and without reinforcements, Brockhall would also soon fall. Lady Amber and Skipper of Otters were very willing to help, but even though they were good leaders, they couldn't give the encouragement and spirit to the Mossflower residents. They needed some warrior, a natural leader, with the will to help other creatures and the spirit to defend.
Bella sighed as she relaxed in her armchair. Where would they find such a creature? Would he (or she, Bella reminded herself) be willing to help them? Would this creature be likely to come in the dead of winter? The badger had many questions, but they didn't seem very likely to be answered. She hoped the answers would come soon, or, she felt, something terrible will happen, or something will not happen.
Bella was pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace in her home, Brockhall. Anybeast could see that plainly that she was worried. Gonff, the Prince of Mousethieves, was missing, and everybeast, knowing Gonff's passion for stealing, had all suspected he had been captured by the hordebeasts of Kotir. Bella knew it was probably true, but she couldn't believe all the bad luck that had befallen the creatures of Mossflower.
First, horde soldiers had broken into Ben Stickle's home, and killed him, when he wouldn't give them any supplies or food. Goody Stickle had almost dragged herself, for she was sorely wounded, left for dead by the soldiers, to Brockhall, with her four young ones.
Then Gonff had gone missing. Bella rather liked the rascal, even though he could be mischievous at times. She sighed. That rascal would never learn to stay out of trouble.
Also, news had swept its way toward Brockhall that Gingivere, brother to the formidable Tsarmina Greeneyes and son to Verdauga, had been killed by "missing" a step on the way up the stairs. Everybeast knew this was not true; Tsarmina had always hated her brother. Bella glanced up to the family crest above the fireplace. Gingivere probably would have been a useful ally, as he was not as hard-hearted as his cruel sister.
The conclusion was inescapable: Mossflower was falling, and without reinforcements, Brockhall would also soon fall. Lady Amber and Skipper of Otters were very willing to help, but even though they were good leaders, they couldn't give the encouragement and spirit to the Mossflower residents. They needed some warrior, a natural leader, with the will to help other creatures and the spirit to defend.
Bella sighed as she relaxed in her armchair. Where would they find such a creature? Would he (or she, Bella reminded herself) be willing to help them? Would this creature be likely to come in the dead of winter? The badger had many questions, but they didn't seem very likely to be answered. She hoped the answers would come soon, or, she felt, something terrible will happen, or something will not happen.