Chapter 1

Winter was nearly finished, and new flowers and herbs were replacing the older, tiring ones. The sun was already nearing the middle of the cloudless blue sky. Its rays shone down upon the trees of Mossflower Woods, who were starting to grow new leaves. Nearby, the clanking of a closing gate echoed across the forest, disturbing the peaceful silence. Soon after, a bird trilled an early spring song, before flying off, rustling the few leaves on the branch that it was perched on.

On the other side of a ditch, a winding road led through the woods. Three creatures wearing cloaks trekked alongside it, spying for early blooming flowers. They were laughing and joking about something, oblivious to their surroundings.

"Arrie, d'ye think really that Father Abbot will dress in a dress t'nigh'?"

"Not sure, Mee, but I'll wager 14 candied chestnuts that Yuvyy'll make him do so!"

"Burr, no ee won', oi'll wager that, burr aye!"

"How d'ye know that, Ajain?"

"Cuz Eelow'll ask 'im first, hurr hurr!" Laughing, the three companions walked on, nothing set on their minds but what they'd think would happen that evening at the feast. Finally, Avamee, the ottermaid spoke her thoughts aloud.

"D'ye thinks we'd be eatin' in Cavern Hole or the Great Hall?"

"Me?"

"Oi?" The three friends looked at eachother, and burst out laughing.

"Hmm… Who should I ask?"

"Oi!" Ajain the mole raised her digging paws high into the air.

"No, me!"

"But you were the one who asked the question first!" Mee winked at Linarrie slyly.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Miss Cleverness." The mouse pushed her friend gently.

"I'm not Miss Cleverness!"

"Burr aye, ee are, Arrie, ee are!"

"Why d'ye say that?"

"Oh, c'mon Arrie, y'were always top 'o classes at Abbey School!"

"No I wasn't! Especially not in history!"

"Hurr, tha' were only becoz Meeta preteended that ee copied 'er, an' ee got een trouble, burr aye!"

"Humph, well bully for Meartay!" Mee patted her friend's arm, sympathetically.

"Meartay's only a bit snobby 'cause her brother died a long time ago, only a few seasons older than a Dibbun, remember?"

"Aye, I do."

"Burr, oi too, oi remeember!"

"T'was so sad!"

"Aye, an' he was so cute!"

"Burr aye. What beez 'is name agoin?"

"I think it was somethin' that started with an N."

"No, it beez r!"

"Ye sure?"

"Not reelly."

"What d'ye think, Arrie?"

"Umm… wasn't his name Ato… Ato something?"

"Burr, ee bee's roight, burr aye."

Still chatting amiably, the three friends walked on, following the path. At last, Mee stopped and held her arms out.

"What beez happoinin'?"

Suddenly, something flying in the air hit Arrie straight on the head. The mouse screamed and fell over, but luckily Mee caught her and helped her stand up straight again.

"Who's there? Eh? Ye flippin' tailed liver-tongued fat-bellied creature who dares to attack a weaponless maid? Did yore ma teach ye any manners yet? Ye great lump 'o-"

Mee got no further. A flash of light brown fur sped across the road towards the trees, hiding itself before the rest could distinguish who or what it was. By accident, it had knocked the ottermaid over, though she quickly got up, luckily not hurt.

"Burr, Mee, ee be alroight? How 'bout Arrie?"

The mousemaid shook her head.

"I'm alright, though 'twas a bit shocking."

"Aye, 'twas. I wonder who the attacker was."

"Look there!" All three looked to where Arrie was pointing. A mouse peeked out from the place he or she was hiding, behind the slightly gnarled trunk of a sycamore tree. Seeing the others looking at him, the mouse ducked and he or she could be heard running away.

"Who wos that?" Ajain asked, frowning slightly. Arrie was about to respond when suddenly an otter bounded into view, holding a sling, followed by several others behind him.

"Avamee, Ajain, Linarrie, what's happened? Sister Inganara sent me; she said that she's in a bit of a hurry for her herbs."

"Oh, father, ye've gotta admit that that wasn't the only reason why ye've been followin' us!" Skipper of otters hugged his daughter tightly.

"Of course not, Avamee. Did ye really think I'd not worry for ye all? 'Tis the first time ye've all been out by yerselves of the Abbey."

"Ye shouldn't worry too much dad, but 'tis good you all came."

"Why's that? Did ye scare away poor Old Yooyus again, and he started chasin' ye all?" A burly and young otter named Resklow laughed. He was quite handsome, one of Skipper's best otters in the group, and loved teasing Mee. The ottermaid shook her head.

"Nah, somebody attacked Arrie, then ran across to the trees, knockin' me down on the way. I didn't get hurt, and Arrie doesn't think she did neither." Skipper looked a bit concerned. The otter scratched his head, his other paw grabbing a pebble. Then the otter chieftain turned around to the others behind him.

"Resklow, I want ye to take with ye Ovopo, Kuilo and Taydo to look around here. Do a bit 'o scoutin', y'know, t'see who an' what lives around in Mossflower Woods these days." Resklow and the triplets saluted and marched off. After watching them disappear into the trees, Skipper turned to his group again.

"Alright, Anehar, Fretch, Cleardart, ye three escort the three maidens back to the Abbey. Three should be sufficient, I think-"

"Boi, ee be wroing, meesta Skeeper, Arrie'm joist fallen onconcois." Everyone turned to Arrie, who had fallen and was held by Resklow.

"Whoops! She must've fallen asleep of boredom!" the handsome otter smiled, but quickly held the mousemaid to Mee, and turned away to go when Skipper looked at him coldly.

"Wait, father, can I go with them?" The young ottermaid looked pleadingly at her father, but he shook his head.

"Mee, go back to the Abbey with yore friends and the rest. 'Twill be safer for you and us."

"But whoit of ee, zurr?"

"Me an' the rest'll go pay Log a Log Retring a visit, see if he's any news of anythin'. Might help the Abbot too; Hurita's supposed to be visitin' soon. Enough 'o chattin'. I'll have to send two more to occupy with Arrie. Jorsta, Beshna, you guys join them. Just stay at the Abbey though." The only two otters of Skipper's crew hopped up to take Arrie from Mee's arms.

"All set？Alright, let's go." All creatures turned and went their own ways, oblivious to the set of emerauld eyes watching them from the tops of the trees.