Reepicheep's First Raid

The first couple days after the meeting of warriors, Reepicheep seemed quieter. Peepiceek came over and sat beside his friend in the glade outside the Burrow. "I should not let criticism affect me this much," Reepicheep sighed. "It is difficult to remain sturdy when I am without support."

The amiable Peepiceek smiled consolingly. "You shall always have my support. Nothing you can do can alter our friendship. You are, after all, my inspiration."

Touched, Reepicheep started to feel better. During the next months he eagerly anticipated news from the warriors. Twice Rhevercheek went to meet with them, and twice he returned with little to tell. "We are still considering a strategy," the Chief would say.

At night, Reepicheep's dreams were filled with battles and adventures. In the daytime, he faithfully practiced his fighting skills. Geeniveek shared in his excitement, although she was somewhat jealous of her childhood companion. "You seem like you're just glowing with aspiration," Geeniveek said.

"And you with beauty," replied Reepicheep without a single touch of bashfulness. He couldn't help but notice how attractive his female friend was becoming.

Several months after the first warrior meeting, Rhevercheek went to and returned from a third one. "It is official this time. Everything is planned out and we shall take down and important Telmarine construction site next week. I'm bringing all available warriors."

Reepicheep nearly exploded with exhilaration when he heard this. There was only one thought on his mind now, one thought his entire being was bent on: I must go to that raid!

"No Reepicheep." Father was calm but assertive as he kneaded the dough for tomorrow's bread. "You cannot go to the raid. Now before you begin shouting revolution at me," he added quickly, "consider this. I do not intend to lose you the way I lost your mother. You are but fifteen, far too young to face your death."

"I'll be sixteen soon, if I may remind you!" exclaimed Reepicheep. "At the very least, allow to watch the raid. I shall stay out of immediate danger if that is your wish—I shall do anything at all you ish—if you would just allow me to go."

The Mouse Chief, Rhevercheek, walked into the torch-lit kitchen. "You always knew your son would be a warrior, Greenathreep. It is unreasonable to hold him back now that that his hopes and dreams are set like stone engravings in his heart. Permit me to remind you also, that in restricting Reepicheep, you are depriving me of a warrior who could help win back Narnia."

Greenathreep flared up angrily, something he rarely did. "Ha! We cannot win back Narnia! A handful of creatures against a million superior minds—killing scouts, stopping construction—this will not win Narnia! I gave up on idealism fifteen years ago, and I will not have my son part of this foolishness!"

Rhevercheek's black eyes narrowed and he put his paw on Reepicheep's shoulder. "Foolishness shames the great, Greenathreep. Now hark—I am the Chief, and you are the Chef. I have the power to command that Reepicheep comes with me, and I shall now put that power into practice."

"Then get out of my kitchen at once!" growled Greenathreep. He had a sour expression on, and his paws were mercilessly berating the bread dough. "I want nothing more to do with this."

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Later, Reepicheep and the warriors walked toward the meeting place of the freedom fighters. Reepicheep was armed with a real rapier. Accompanying the warriors was bittersweet—it was a dream come true for Reepicheep, but it was a grievous event for Father and Geeniveek. Father was worried sick, and Geeniveek was so jealous of Reepicheep she was in tears!

The warriors set out after dinner and reached the meeting place as the sun set. There were the Wolves, the Dwarf, and the other Mice. The Shuddering Woods were cut into on the southeastern side to make room for a new town. The warriors would attack here, where stacked lumber and machines brooded like giant creatures in the dusk. Reepicheep wondered if some of this lumber was taken from Peepiceek's home.

Reepicheep was ordered to go with the first of two teams to complete this mission. Team One would consist of the Satyr and the Dwarf, would sneak into the construction sight, break down the machines, and wait quietly for a signal from the others. When they saw the signal, the Satyr would run through the site setting fire to all the stacks of lumber.

Meanwhile, Team Two had their own mission. This Team was made up of most of the Mice and the Wolves. They would steal all the Telmarines' food and wine and bring it in several trips back to the forest. This done, the team would give the signal for Anglefur to start his combustible run. Both Teams would meet up at the dirt hills on the southwestern side of the site.

With their machines gone, their supplies stolen, and their lumber burned, the Telmarines would have no choice but to abandon this construction.

It was fully dark—time to start the raid. "Good luck Reepicheep," said the Mouse Chief.

Then Reepicheep and his two companions silently crept through the darkness. The young Mouse was a bit nervous, but mostly excited. It did not take them long to find the tall chopping machines and futuristic tools beside the Telmarines' bunk house. Anglefur indicated that Reepicheep and the Dwarf should take down the machines while he prepared the torches for his run.

"I'll be right over here," the Satyr whispered.

Thumtikk and Reepicheep, now alone, began to dissemble the machines. Thumtikk used his hand-tools to take out vital screws and bolts, while Reepicheep crawled up and down the tall devices cutting cords and ropes with his rapier. When this was done, the Dwarf and the Mouse waited side by side next to the broken machines.

"Are you nervous, little Mouse?" asked Thumtikk.

"I am perfectly composed," replied Reepicheep, remembering not let on any sign of fear. He still wanted to talk Thumtikk because he was curious about Dwarves. "Why do you question me?" Reepicheep asked in a whisper.

"I wanted to see what sort of Mouse you are," answered the wrinkled old Dwarf. "I see that you are fearless, fresh, and open-minded. You are not like the others here, so stubborn and biased. There is great promise for you as a warrior."

"I thank you for the praise," said Reepicheep, not holding back his expressions of pride. Although he didn't know much about Thumtikk, he had already decided that he liked the Dwarf immensely. "You are a brilliant warrior yourself, I imagine."

"Actually I'm more of strategist. The only thing is…Sarclaw just won't let me help with planning."

Reepicheep puffed out his chest and took on a bold expression. "Sir—I empathize with you vastly. You shall have my trust thought you have no one else's. That is a promise."

Thumtikk smiled—Dwarf smiles are rather ugly—and said, "Thanks." There was a few seconds of silence, and then the Dwarf looked all around. "Reepicheep," he said suddenly, "I see the signal! Someone's waving a bright flag! Hasten and go tell Anglefur to light the fires!"

"I don't see anything." Reepicheep strained his eyes in the darkness.

"It has stopped now—but you must tell Anglefur!" Thumtikk's low voice rung with urgency.

Reepicheep dashed off to find the Satyr and almost rammed into Anglefur's furry red shins. The Mouse quickly squeaked that it was it was time to start the fires. At once the Satyr, holding three flaming torches, let out a roar and galloped toward the stacked lumber. As soon as the fire hit the wood, the construction site was lighted up. Three giant lanterns illuminated everything—and Reepicheep was perturbed by what he saw.

Team Two had not finished their part of the mission! The Mice and wolves were still scampering around with stolen food on their backs and in their mouths. The Telmarine carthorses in the makeshift stalls smelled the smoke from the fire and began whinnying. Worse still, the Telmarine workers were beginning to stir!

Everyone was thrown into confusion. Wolves and Mice were running everywhere, dropping food, not sure where to go or what to do. Anglefur's arm had caught on fire during his run and now the explosive creature was roaring in pain. Reepicheep frantically looked around but did not see Rhevercheek.

Loud, rough exclamations filled the air as two Telmarines came out of the bunk house and observed the animals and the fires. They ran toward the intruders, intent on chasing them away. Reepicheep jumped out of the way in the nick of time to avoid being trampled. Remembering his warrior training, Reepicheep was able to stay calm. He quickly but calmly headed for the dirt hills on the southwestern side of the site. Anyone who escaped the Telmarines would go there.

As Reepicheep crawled along on all fours, he suddenly became aware that someone was following him. Without looking behind him, Reepicheep ran faster. He wanted to fight whoever was there, but he knew it would be a death sentence to fight a Telmarine here in the open. However, he could lure the man into the woods and finish him there.

Reepicheep's plan seemed like a good one until he noticed that the Telmarine behind was gaining n him quickly. As he pushed himself to run harder and faster, Reepicheep realized that his pursuer had not shouted or grunted or fired any kind of weapon yet. The Mouse was being chased by a deathly silent Thing—and he didn't even know what the Thing was.

Now Reepicheep was approaching the dirt Hills. He could see the Mouse Chief waving and calling, "This way, Reepicheep! This way!"

Obediently Reepicheep charged toward his teacher, but the Thing behind him sped up too. Putting forth all available energy, holding nothing back, Reepicheep strained to get to his friend. "This way, Reepicheep!" the Chief kept screaming.

But just when Reepicheep thought he was home-free, something grabbed him by the tail. Everything was muddled—Reepicheep felt like he was flying through the air, unable to see because everything was a blur, and unable to respond to the shouting of the Mouse Chief. Next moment he was on the ground again and was almost winded from the force of the fall. He could hear nothing now except his own heart and see nothing but darkness.