Ch. 3: The Beginning

The Brisbys had followed the river back to Fitzgibbon's farm. Humans in large red vehicles had arrived. With hoses they were blasting torrents of water at the forest fire, but Martin knew their home, that was at the edge of the burning forest, was long gone.

The five mice made their way to Auntie Shrew's the field currently full of the forest animals, having run from the flames. They reached the shrew's house to see that she was already outside.

"Brisby!" her shrill voice yelled out. She nearly knocked Elizabeth down with her embrace. Martin wasn't the only one who was surprised, he couldn't remember a time when the shrew had showed physical affection. "I thought you had all perished in the fire!"

The family took her inside, Elizabeth and her daughters calming her while Martin tried to keep still.

He had nearly cried out in excitement when his mother said they would be going to Thorn Valley. Martin felt like his skin was the only thing keeping him in one place, his mind running with thoughts. Thorn Valley was a place where he wouldn't be judged, where they would even admire his differences. Elizabeth had told them who Justin had sword fought with Jenner. Martin couldn't wait to show him his new skills.

But they were still trying to calm Auntie Shrew.

"You don't have to go find those rats," the shrew was insisting. Elizabeth had explained how they escaped the fire, though nearly losing Teresa in the progress. When the shrew had seen the burn mark on the young mouse she offered an old purple shawl which Teresa excepted. And even though both Auntie Shrew and Elizabeth informed her that her bald spot would need air for her fur to grow back. But still Teresa wrapped the shawl tightly around herself.

"You can stay with me," Auntie Shrew offered.

Martin bit his tongue before he could tell her to shut up. But Elizabeth grabbed Auntie Shrew's paws, "This place is too small for my children. They need a place to grow."

Auntie Shrew's eyes flashed, looking as if she would cry. But she instead lifted her chin, "I suppose there's no point in trying to dissuade you. You can be so stubborn when you want to be."

Elizabeth smiled warmly and kissed her temple. Teresa and Cynthia hurried over to wrap their arms around their aunt, eyes already streaming.

The hug Timothy and Martin gave her was awkward to say the least. Timothy had never been close with the shrew and Martin had always been antagonistic. So he was startled to feel his throat close up in grief at the thought of never seeing this shrew again.

.

Thorn Valley laid north by northeast from the Fitzgibbon farm. The river Teresa had fallen into separated their forest from the other, the latter being spared from the fire. And it was that forest the Brisby family would travel through.

Elizabeth at the edge of the forest, just before the shadow of the woods. Her blue eyes betrayed her uncertainty. Timothy and Teresa took her hands with understanding expressions.

Elizabeth looked over her shoulder at what was left of the old forest, the humans had managed to stop the fire. The inferno had left ashes and stumps in their wake. To her it was like an entire story being erased, but to Martin it was like breaking the chains that had been holding him back. But he stayed quiet and let his mother grieve.

A few moments later it was Cynthia who broke the silence: "Come on, Momma." She hugged Elizabeth's arm. "This is gonna be a great adventure!"

Her mother smiled at her, and nodded. Together the Brisby family stepped into the forest.

.

With the tall oaks, pines, and sycamores blocking out the sun's rays the air was chilly with the upcoming winter.

Martin and his family walked closely to share the body warmth. The grass rustling beneath them and the woods clicking and yipping noise. Martin kept his eyes open for any predators trying to stalk toward them.

"So are we looking for any particular landscape or..." Timothy's question trailed off.

"We're looking for Trout River," Elizabeth answered. "And then we follow it to the mountains where Thorn Valley hides."

"How do you know that?" Teresa asked.

"Justin and Nicodemus told me."

The eldest child let out a soft sigh, "I wish I could've met Nicodemus."

"He was very kind and wise," Elizabeth told her, "You would've liked him."

"At least we'll get to meet Justin," Cynthia added.

Elizabeth's smile grew fond, "Justin in one of a kind."

Martin saw his sisters hold back giggles while exchanging looks. He rolled his eyes behind their back. Of course their mother was fond of Justin, after all the help he was it was only natural. Females always over-exaggerating things.

A few hours later dusk fell along with the temperature. Elizabeth decided they would stop for the night, finding a sleeping space under a tree's root. The family curled together, steadily warming the space with their bodies.

"I can't wait to see Thorn Valley," Cynthia breathed into the evening air. "What do you think the rats are doing?"

"Probably sleeping in nice warm beds," was Timothy's dry reply.

"We'll be there soon enough," Elizabeth assured. Already she was closing her eyes and was the first to fall asleep.

Once she was no longer awake Teresa turned to her siblings, "We're not staying if they make Mother leave."

Her sudden order made Cynthia and Timothy blink in bemusement. But Martin's face was twisted into a scowl, "Why are you so sure they'll do that? You just keep insisting we'll be treated badly."

Teresa's eyes pulled away to look down at her hands, "I don't know it's just...it's been eight years since Mother has seen the rats. They could've changed they could've forgotten about father... Thorn Valley could not be what we hope it is."

Martin studied his sister, noticing that maybe the prejudices they had faced hurt her more than she let on. And now that they were about to be at their next step she feared life wouldn't let her walk.

"Of course we won't stay a place that wouldn't welcome all of us," Timothy spoke up. "We're a family and we'll stay together no matter what."

Martin and Teresa nodded in agreement while Cynthia nuzzled lovingly into his side, embarrassing him.

With muttered 'good nights' they followed their mother into sleep.

.

Martin was awoken at dawn by Timothy shaking his shoulder. He blinked his eyes open to see frost on his whiskers.

"Martin," Timothy breathed so as not to wake the girls. "It snowed last night."

He followed his younger brother out from under the root only to have his feet crunch in fluffy white snow. The forest had become a winter wonderland while they slept.

"It's pretty," Timothy stated, his arms around his torso as he leaned against his brother.

"But cold," Martin smirked.

"This probably won't make our travel any easier," Martin agreed, his ears flicking and already pink with cold. "We'll figure it out. Wanna look for some breakfast?" They had a few things from their picnic but he had no idea how long this trip would take. He wanted them to eat sparingly.

"Sure." Timothy pulled away and walked off to a snow covered bush a few feet away, leaving tracks behind him.

Martin turned to his left, sniffing the cold air. He caught the old musk of a squirrel, maybe one had an abandoned food storage nearby. But Martin hadn't even moved before he saw a clump of snow land in front of him.

His head shot up to see a blur of tawny feathers. Martin whirled around just in time to see a large barn owl descending on his unknowing brother.

Martin shot his paw out and screamed, "TIMOTHY! RUN!"