--feels guilty-- sorry guys, I was really busy yesterday and completely forgot to upload. Bad me. Yes, anyway, here 'tis. Thanks reviewers!
Kreeah glanced down often as the journey progressed, day by day; week by week. His little charge was drifting in and out of consciousness –more out than in as time passed– and he was worried. The wounds inflicted on the little tree-mouse were appalling, and he, frankly, was astonished that the lad survived. He flew as fast as he could, stopping only when he must, knowing the need was vital to keep the tree-mouse's life fire burning.
Each day passed like the others for the weary badgers until the trees started to thin. The ground became more sandy and he knew he was walking on the edge of the forest. Later than day, he finally broke the tree line and found himself staring out at the sandy expanse, bright and harsh.
He shielded his eyes and quickly took in his surroundings. The sand went on as far as he could see along the shore, but he could see the waves lapping casually on the beach only a little ways out. Smiling, Courage hitched up the pack a little higher and made his way to the wet, packed sand – perfect for traveling.
He started a comfortable jog and looked behind him. Suddenly gripped in fear, he sucked in a breath, not wanting to realize what he saw.
The vermin horde was there on the horizon.
He told himself not to worry, they were still a long ways off. Still, he couldn't help being uneasy.
"Alright, Mara. This is the home stretch," he muttered.
He could see Salamandastron far ahead, and it gave him hope.
Lenzon was drifting. His spirit wanted to leave, but his body held it in a grim viselike trap.
Lenzon walked toward the gates of Dark Forest. He peered in through the bars and tried to see what lay beyond.
"Um, hello?" he called. "Can someone let me in?"
A young mouse walked up on the other side of the gate. Actually, on closer inspection, Lenzon realized the mouse was very old; he could see it in his eyes.
"Lenzon Treeling, hello," he said, in a friendly manner.
"Hello to you, too, sir," Lenzon replied, trying to be formal.
He even gave a little bow. Something in this beast commanded respect.
"Will you open the door, good sir?" he asked tentatively.
"No, Lenzon. The time is not for you yet. Hold on to your life; you need to do one more thing for me before you can come."
"Oh?"
Lenzon's curiosity had now been roused.
"What could I do for you?"
The mouse smiled, as if he had anticipated that question and began to speak a riddle that Lenzon would never understand. Perhaps, if he had thought it useful, Lenzon might have written it down later, for he could remember it even to his dying day, but it never occurred to him that others might want to know.
"Life seems not worth living, now
But your life will save another,
Who in turn will save many more,
You.
You mean more than you can ever know.
Remember that."
He would never see the last half of the riddle carried out, but he knew it would be. It didn't bother him.
Lenzon nodded at the mouse and sighed reluctantly.
"Alright, I guess. I don't have much choice, do I?"
The mouse smiled.
Kreeah collapsed, his energy spent, in front of the gates of Salamandastron. The two hares guarding the gates peered cautiously out, until the older of the pair recognized Kreeah.
"By the left! It's Kreeah! Hurry up, young feller; get that squirrel to the sickbay double quick! I'll follow with Kreeah as fast as I can!"
The other hare threw a hasty salute and went out onto the sand to retrieve Lenzon. With little effort, he carefully arranged him across his muscled back and bounded in through the gates, and up the stairs toward the sickbay.
The older hare, by the name of Crumsput, hopped out to the exhausted hawk, examining it with a practiced eye. Soon. he determined that the bird was merely worn out, and predictably weak with hunger. He called back inside and drew out a few young hares to carry the hawk to the sickbay. He then followed, ready to explain the situation to the nurses.
Stand by a couple minutes while I upload the next chappy...
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