"Here I am, sitting on the wallsteps of Loamhedge. I must come out, for the room where I sleep is currently being occupied by a few naughty Dibbuns who disobeyed the Infirmary Sisters. It is a beautiful day outside, but many do not have a chance to enjoy it. Skipper, Foremole, and other brave creatures are helping to prepare against the vermin. They are making huge, thick staves of wood, bows, arrows, and otter javelins. 'Curtain rods and fire tongs also make deadly weapons,' Brother Derra, a mid-aged shrew, had said. Therefore, I am helping to find more everyday equipment. Although we are making great progress, I see that Skipper is worried. The expression is clear on his face. I wonder if anyone else notices?"
"Ahoy, maid, catch this quick!" yelled an otter to Lily.
Lily quickly looked up from her journal to see a bundle of branches hurdling toward her, and caught it just in time. The otter, a female named Salage, narrowly caught a falling ash tree, which was to be made into lethal spears. It was about twelve feet tall. Salage turned to Lily.
"Thankee, Miz Lily, I couldn'ta done it without ye!" she said, breathing heavily. Salage took the branches back from Lily. "This here's gonna be a bunch of new arrers, soon," she commented.
Lily could not help but admire the sinewy otter. How in the world did she do that? the mouse wondered. There was no time, however, to ask Salage. She had already gone away to help others.
Soon after talking with the female otter, Lily headed back indoors, where she found herself a bit tired and exhausted. Now what have I been doing today? Knowing that her room was full already, the mousemaid sat down in a corridor near the Loamhedge kitchens. Making sure she would not be in the way of future passers, Lily curled up against the wall and slowly drifted to sleep . . .
In her dreams, Lily saw a hooded figure walking towards her, but she was not scared, not at all. On the contrary, the mouse felt peaceful and happy. As the figure approached, it put down its hood, to reveal Abbess Sylvaticus, the very first Abbess of Loamhedge! The Abbess smiled at Lily, and said:
"Warrior blood lies inside the flower,
So you must leave our home within the hour,
Take with you the Gem with strength,
For you must travel many lengths,
Beware of the gorge's gaping maw,
Meet in the west with the violet paws,
Travel to the flower of moss,
To save our home from a terrible loss."
When the Abbess finished, she put her hood back on, and slowly faded away, leaving Lily with a sense of safety and peace. Suddenly, the mousemaid jolted awake.
"Father Abbot! Father Abbot! Oh, I have such important news!" she screamed, tearing down the corridors.
"How so very rude!" Iscey, a bankvole, muttered to herself. Iscey lived near the Great Gorge Tree, as some called it, with her son, Quory. Just that morning, a whole mob of vermin, yes vermin, had invaded their peaceful home dwelling, threatening them. And what did they want? A ship! A simple boat! Being nicer than the average goodbeast, Iscey gave help and support to even the vilest of creatures, believing that everyone always, no matter what, had a good side.
"Yes, mother, I agree. They could've just asked us nicely, but no, instead, they have to threaten us first, then trash our home, steal our food and our ship, and tying us up! Luckily we had some daggers they so nicely forgot to take! How very accommodating they are!" Quory stood up, dusting off his violet paws. He was a large fellow, with muscles stronger than most others. Usually a calm, mellow bankvole, Quory rippled with anger at the slightest mention of vermin.
"Ah well, dear, what can we do . . . ?"
Blacktongue was in a happy mood. He hadn't been like this in, what, ten years? Who cared? They were on their way to the grand Loamhedge!
The bankvoles were no problem to him, just regular business . . . And they made quite sturdy watercraft! After sailing across the gorge, Blacktongue burned the ship to ashes. Why would they let others use it? It was the Deathkins' now. The idea of needing to re-journey the large crevasse of water never crossed the black rat's mind.
Blacktongue yawned loudly, then surveyed his tribe of creatures. They seemed utterly exhausted after the boat ride. Several had been seasick, and many could not figure out how to work the ship. The warlord sighed.
"Right, crew! Rest up fer the day! Tomorrer we continue!" The evil miscreant had a malicious gleam in his eye . . .
A/N- Sorry for the holdup! Iwas really getting into this 38 chapter fanfic, but then my guilty concience kicked in, and well, here it is! All comments welcome!