Episode 8: New Friends, Old Enemies
Morning time had dawned.
Clambered up safely together from any sight, the farthing animals slept dreaming the dreams any animal would find super gratifying. Either it be? Feasting on the tastiest juicy fruitage or running exhilaratingly against the sunshine in golden scenery.
During so, It had been quite a very stressful time for them recently. Apart from being separated from Fox and Loveday, they'd all critically lost their entire trust in Toad's propounding guidance because his homing instinct had lapsed them off course and were mindlessly going around in circles. Not forgetting to also mention the unbecoming labour of Mrs Fieldmouse's new-born babies, which later brought Vole to approach solicitation for the smallest farthing creatures at stake. Such as bringing the Mice, Shrews and Voles together of course.
Vole being the radical type, wanted more than anything to be taken seriously for once on this exhausting journey. So for thinking it was all up to him, he'd risen early and spent all morning scouring the area optimistically.
Minutes later, he hurried on back to the resting grounds "We can stay here!" Vole proclaimed to the small members. "I've found us a home"
"I'm not alone!" mourned Voles deaf mother "What's the matter with him?" she demanded
"Shhh! You'll wake up the babies" Mrs Fieldmouse hushed them both
"He's found your home!" Mrs Shrew yells toward Mrs Vole
"No need to shout!" Mrs Vole grumbled typically, as her son starts describing his new found place.
"Soft earth, shady side of hedge, lots of grass and very near the fields. What more do you want?" Vole smiled proudly
"Water?" said Mrs Fieldmouse hopefully
"Trickle running through the ditch" Vole stated
"Sounds lovely" Mrs Fieldmouse sighed looking nearly fanciful "What with the babies and me so tired, I couldn't face going on" she differed with excruciation
"I want to know what's going on too?" Mrs Vole misheard again "Why isn't anyone talking to me?"
"Hmm…but you'll be breaking up the party" Hedgehog interrupted "Badgers not going to like it you know"
"Hedgehogs right!" Mr Shrew claimed "He very much won't"
"Well? He'll just have to lump it won't he?" Vole asserted "If you ask me? It's time we small creatures stood up for ourselves!" he looked very conspicuous at his striking miniature crowd. "with the right self-determination same as anybody. What do you say Fieldmouse?"
Fieldmouse feeling completely opposite to Voles outstanding speech only sputtered confidently "I-I suppose so, only I-"
"That settles it!" Vole brutally interjected, pounding his fist hard on the log like a judge's gavel "We'll tell him straight away!"
The loud thud he made caused the baby mice to wake up crying but their mother Mrs Fieldmouse managed to quiet them down "Shhhh!" she eyed at Vole's sudden interruption.
"Badger we are staying where we are" Vole finally pronounced severely and before he could run off to make his plan work, Hedgehog grunted at him looking pretty discontented.
"I insist on a vote" Hedgehog negotiated before any rebellious mutiny was affirmed properly.
"Fair enough" Vole permitted "the proposal is we all stay here. Hands up all who say I" that being said everyone of Voles followers upheld their paws happily, well except for old Mrs Vole who still couldn't hear a single thing, so one of the shrews eagerly placed it up for her.
"What's the meaning of this?" Mrs Vole asked confused to have her paw pulled striate up.
"It's unanimous! promotion is carried" Vole foreclosed the case
"Hooray! Hooray!" the little audience cheered in agreement to stay where they could rule amongst themselves without having the larger creatures boasting or treating them underestimately.
This soon caught the attention of both Owl and Adder.
Owl felt an opportunity running her way contently.
"Poor Badger" she chuckled silently "Who'd be a leader hmm?"
"And he gets so confused" Adder pitched in agreement, having the same sophisticated thoughts as Owl "I wonder if we should help things along. What do you say?" she laughed deeply as they both deviously hurried to find Badger first before Vole and Fieldmouse did.
"I'm always glad to be of service" Owl said while Adder sild herself over to Badgers spot.
Badger and Mole were the only ones trying to relish themselves, eating up a few tasty grubs they'd dug up together and kindly shared with one another.
"Hmm…Peace at last" Badger pleasurably sighed. Then Adder came by.
"Is that you Adder?" Mole greeted her "Tasty these grubs, make a nice breakfast"
"Just as well" Adder smirked "Looks like you have guests" she soon pointed her tail toward two scurrying rodents coming their way. As scheduled Vole and Fieldmouse came nearly looking aggrieved.
"Ah morning" Badger politely greeted while hearing them both clear out their throats "How are the little ones today?"
"They're very well thank you Badger" Fieldmouse answered looking more worrisome than Vole beside him.
Hastily Vole immediately started to selfishly talk about their whole reason for being here "Badger? As elected representatives of the mouse and vole party-"
"How are you Badger?" Fieldmouse interrupted him trying to save Vole from causing suspicion about themselves.
"Oh mustn't grumble you know" Badger said
"And you Owl?" Fieldmouse added
"Never better thank you" Owl pleasantly said back
"Can we get on with it please?" Vole was getting more impatient with Fieldmouse "we have come to tell you-"
"Well more to ask for your permission really" Fieldmouse said more humanely
"Shut up" Vole snarled "We've come to tell you that after due consideration and discussion the vole and mouse and shrew party have voted unanimously to stay here"
Badger then looked distinctly alarmed to hear him say that. As Fieldmouse had feared he tried again to explain "Well to put it another way we'd like your permission to-"
Now even more despised Vole interrupted him crossly, they were supposed to be dignified officials "We don't need his permission"
"Are you telling me that ya don't want to go on to White Deer Park with the rest of us" Badger gasped
They both nodded back although Fieldmouse still weren't too sure.
"If only Fox or Loveday were here with us" Mole told Badger feeling almost as shocked as he did.
What the farthing animals didn't know was that Loveday herself was even closer to them than they thought. At this time, Loveday feeling tired and hungry scooted right through a tunnel made of gunnera leaves.
"This is a fine kettle of fish…Hmm now let me see, where am I?" Loveday murmured as she pushed aside some leaves, looking right ahead "Aye, not too far to go now, there's a clearing and the gunnera plants finish where I can see it"
Ducking back underneath Loveday soon followed her intentional directions.
She could've chosen to control the giant leaves with her psychic powers to escape quicker but wisely denied this action. You might as well say after surviving the error she was way more denial of using her telepathic powers until further notice. For she knew without using the telepathic energy it'll leave her facing the price of endangering herself to be drained both physical and mental.
"Even though I'm feeling overwhelmed, I won't deny how excited I am to see the others again. I really hope Fox and Badger are alright? wonder how they're getting on without me? Well talking to myself isn't going to bring me anywhere closer. May as well continue"
Soon afterwards Loveday notices how brighter it had become further ahead and revealed itself to be the one way out.
"Aye at last" Loveday smiled "Now I'm getting somewhere" she says as she then squeezed herself out. Ending up at an area with a couple of thorny bushes and skinny trees standing guard all over.
Wiping off her sweaty head, Loveday sunk down to rest "Phew its hot and I bet I've been walking for miles, my legs are gonna drop off next, I know it"
Settling her head down on her hands and pleasurably enjoyed sniffing in the warm moist air, she then heard something singing faintly in the air.
"Hmmm-hmmm-hmmm"
"Hmm…must be me imagining things again" Loveday thought
Looking over her right-hand side Loveday spotted a thrush bird singing merrily to her fluttering chicks.
Thinking the bird may help her, Loveday carefully walked up to the nest without starling them "You've got very sweet singing voice" Loveday complimented politely
The thrush paused and turned to see the strangest person she'd ever saw "Oh! Goodness me you made me jump"
"Oh I'm terribly sorry" Loveday apologised trying to keep her calm "Please don't be frightened, I guarantee you that I'm not going to harm you or your family in any such way"
And to Lovedays own relief the mother bird didn't threat "Oh what a relief" the thrush sighed "things have so busy lately that I've been so tired and jumpy these days. I've never seen you around these parts before, when did you get here?"
"only just now" Loveday said "not staying for long, I'm only passing through"
"Do excuse me for asking you, but are you a human and are you actually talking to me?" Thrush asked very curiously
"Frankly yes I use to be human back when I was born but apparently I'm not completely normal because I've got the ability to speak and listen to every animal language naturally"
"You really can understand me" Thrush gasped "how delightful to meet you miss…I've been told such stories about humans who existed to communicate directly to us birds long ago. Yes, I believe they named them feral psychic's, only I never believed them to be true until you suddenly came along"
"Guess I am your first encounter" Loveday introduced
"You're saying-?" Thrush gave a look
"Oh Yes" Loveday answered with a smile "My name is Loveday and I'm a real feral psychic"
"How do you do Loveday" Thrush bows
"The pleasures all mine. I'm sorry if I disturbed you and your family I can go if you want me to?"
"Oh no please stay awhile" Thrush welcomes her "Be my guest, It's nice having to talk to you for a change"
"Aye, if you insist it" Loveday now feeling glad to stay, sat down next to the tree where the thrush's nest stood in. Tis then the baby chicks were chirping away restlessly and Thrush had to chirp them a smoothing lullaby again.
"Hmmm-hm-hm-hmmm-hm-hm"
"It's no wonder you Thrush's are such popular songbirds; your voice sounds so pretty and harmonious"
"Why thank you, I do rather enjoy it myself especially the little ones here. Just you wait until I give them their first singing lessons"
"I think you won't have to bother yourself, their already sounding quite professional" Loveday giggled with admiration. "hearing them just makes me want to join"
"Well? Why don't you then" Thrush offered
"ME!" Loveday jumped "Oh your too kind Thrush but the thing is…um… I've never really sang in front of anyone before and I may not be the singer you expect me to be"
"Oh go on" Thrush encouraged the shy girl "My mate's been telling me on his travels that humans have their own way to sing to one another and I've always wanted to hear them"
"Do you really?" Loveday asked wide eyed
"Really" Thrush answered "and I reckon my chicks would want to hear you. You've got nice voice"
"Let me think of something to sing first" Loveday says meaning to accept "I know a few good songs I'm happy to share from the world I lived in, it can be tricky to pick the right one"
"What can you sing?" asked Thrush
"Mainly songs that I've grown up with" Loveday replied "It's been ages since I'd last singed a song"
"Don't hurry yourself" Thrush said as she tended to her chicks "we look forward to hearing whatever you may choose"
"Aye Thanks"
As Loveday started warming up with shy expressive volume, her ring's powerful light pulsed as if it was flowing out the music Loveday could remember listening inside her head.
Out of all the personal favourites she'd rummaged for, Loveday faithfully choose the balled that she used to perform to grandmother who was on her deathbed at the time and had cheered herself up numerous times when she'd passed away afterwards.
"Hearts call, Hearts fall
Swallowed in the rain
Who knows?
Life grows,
Hollow and so vain
Wandering in the winter light
The wicked and the sane
Bear witness to salvation
And life starts over again
Now the clear sky is all around you
Ah…ah…
Love's shadow will surround you
All through the night
Star glowing in the twilight
Tell me true
Hope whispers and I will follow
Till you
Love me
Too Ah…ah…ah…
Now the clear sky is all around you
Ah…ah…
Love's shadow will surround you
All through the night
Star glowing in the twilight
Tell me true
Hope whispers and I will follow
Till you
Love me
Too Ah…ah…ah…
Ah…ah…ah…"
The glowing dimmed itself and Loveday was overthrown with tears, waist singing she memorized about the fox she missed so gravely and had stirred out her affections for him embarrassingly. Except for being shocked she was ashamed to disappoint the thrush who wanted to ease her interests in humans but to hear a voice so heavenly like never before made Loveday seem disrespectful like a complete show off.
"Not this again" Loveday thought, the powers seemed to have a connection with her emotions. There was no turning them away, no matter how hard she tried.
Thrush was expressionless.
"Well I'll be…" Thrush finally spoke with impression, she thought how marvellously Loveday sang beyond compare.
"Aye I know, please don't ask me why that happened" Loveday said feeling uncertain to explain herself "I didn't mean to sound so unrealistic"
"Don't worry yourself about it, tell me what song that was?"
"Its called 'Winter Light' a personal favourite" Loveday wiped her face
"perhaps you must've really enjoyed yourself" Thrush advised "I think that's why you sounded so beautiful, so beautiful in fact you even put my chicks to sleep look"
Now Loveday was more speechless to see the effects of her angelic singing putting the chicks down to slumber land. Won't these circumstances ever stop coming?
"I really didn't know I could do that" Loveday murmured "it's a funny thing how I was born to be qualified unlocking these strange occurrences like nothing happened but they already did, and here I am still lost through it all"
"You mean to say you can do other things besides singing that way?" Thrush must've heard her
"Well…it's what someone like me was born to do. Aye like I said I'm not completely normal" Loveday explains honestly "reason being why I'm here you see, before the accident led me to this place they've been useful-"
"what accident?" Thrush interrupted looking worried
Loveday gave a regretful look "I'm sorry. I don't wanna talk about it"
Thrush saw the misery in Lovedays face and respectfully changed the subject. "That's alright I'm sure things happen for a reason, then they'll always turn out for the better results we have in life"
"I suppose your right" Loveday agrees looking breathless and heard her tummy bubble with pain "I feel so hungry"
"Well since that you've been so kind putting my chicks to sleep and giving me a show I'll never easily forget, let me offer you something in return" Thrush attempted
"I couldn't possibly-" Loveday nearly says
"I insist it, you look as if you hadn't eaten for days. Please let me save from starvation"
"It's not that I want your help Thrush, it's just I can't eat bugs unless their edible enough for my stomach" Loveday felt green and queasy
"Ah yes. I get it" Thrush nodded, pointing one wing "then why don't you pick something on those bushes over there, there's plenty to share"
Loveday turned her head to see the rocky blackish red ovals covering the surrounding bushes. She was aware if they might be poisonous berries, but they looked too familiar, comparing to the berries she use to pick when she was little.
"Why there wild blackberries" Loveday gasped in delight "Aye growing here"
"Not the green one's mind you, there not ripe yet" Thrush warned the excited girl.
"Aye. Don't worry I've done this before" Loveday said carefully picking off a few berries at a time for her weak aching body and muscles. Clutching them in her now stinging arms she immediately started clewing them down. They tasted so sweet it reminded her of warm berry muffins from the oven. With the juice spilling all over her nails and lips she embarrassingly almost felt like a greedy pig"
"Mm mm these are the best berries I've ever had. Thank you very much Thrush you saved my life"
"Only doing a favour for a friend" Thrush asserted almost giggling at the sight of Lovedays greedy manner.
"You do know once I'm full, I'll have to get going" Loveday explains with a mouth crammed full
"already?" Thrush said looking saddened "we were having nice time getting to know one another and my mate would've wanted to have met you"
"I must" Loveday exclaimed "I'm looking for my friends, we got separated"
"Friends? you have human friends here somewhere?" Thrush wondered
"Actually I'm sorry to disappoint you but I'm with a league of mixed animals traveling together away from our old home in Farthing Wood" Loveday says "I fear the worse…I mean they're the only close friends I've got left. You see before I found out I was a feral psychic; I was alone and being treated unfairly by my own carers. So then I ran away and met the animals who all excepted me as a part of their trek"
"That's quite a fascinating story" Thrush beamed "I really hope you do find your friends again. They must be missing you very much"
"Aye, So do I" Loveday replied thinking if it were true that the farthing animals missed her like she did for them. "What would they be doing without me being there to protect them, If I'll be lucky I won't have to find out unless I start to act up more"
"Thrush? do you happen to know if there's anywhere a party of animals would go to shelter in your forest?"
Thrush gave a pitiful look "I ain't really the one who knows about that Loveday but there is somebody more accustomed to the entire forest heaths and miles beyond"
"Who's that? Tell me where I can find him, maybe he knows if my friends have taken heed here" Loveday shot up looking hopeful
"You should go ask the barn owl; he'll help you. He's been living here far longer than anyone else, you'll find him on the other side across the meadow and over the streamline" Thrush pointed over to the direction
"That wood?" Loveday asked looking where a small stream tripled in a grassy meadow and an even larger wood in the background.
"Correct"
"I'll make my way there now, thanks for your kind hospitality Thrush without your help I don't what I would've done"
"Thank you Loveday. It has been a great pleasure meeting you and I'll be sure to tell my chicks about your story"
Loveday blushed as she waved goodbye "Take care of yourselves"
"Good luck Loveday" Thrush returned the wave looking sorry to see her go "Mind how you go"
"Now I feel cheered up" Loveday thought as she went along "It's been fun having conversation with a thrush but I think I'll leave the singing job to the birds for now. Lets see? To find the barn owl, I wonder if he's similar to our tawny owl, what will he think when I come asking for his logic?"
Loveday reached the stream and took a few handfuls of water.
"The sooner I find them, the quicker we can leave this place, it may look safe but I know the oath can't apply to the local predators that might want to eat my friends. I must prepare myself or otherwise I'll be let down by my own rescue attempts…wait a minute? This could be my chance to step up my game from those lessons I've been taking from Kell, cause now it is time. Aye I'll need to let lose my powers to be sure I get some real practising. Kell must know something I don't expect like?...what is the meaning about my foretold density, What will I be to the farthing wood animals service? Can I really change the coexistence for both animals and humans living as friends?"
Back in town, a scared and frail Fox woke to find he had every human staring down at him in the channel lock.
"Oh great" Fox thought as he stared up between each of the walls. What he nervously didn't see was that the peering humans actually wanted to help out the poor trapped canine. It was a wonder how he'd even got on that fishing boat in the first place.
The loud chattering voices of man made Fox want to shrink.
"Can you catch him?"
"Come on Foxy! We only wanna help you"
"Doesn't he look angry"
"Look at his teeth"
"Hope he doesn't bight"
Fox looked very paranoid. Water kept increasing the craft up, bringing him closer and closer to the excited facing crowd of humans he truly wished could feel his awareness like Loveday always had. The boat was almost level at the top of the walls, he had to escape now.
"Come on, think, think" Fox firmly told himself
"Mummy can I have him as a pet?" a child's voice cried
"Watch out he's trying to escape"
At finale straw. The fox without thinking scrambled himself out and on to the pathway leading straight into a side street. Leaving the people with looks of bewilderment.
Through the streets and alleyways he passed by. It was as though every human minding their own business wanted to chase him. When on the road cars screeched to a halt nearly running him over. All he could do was helplessly try to find somewhere to hide without the attention of being pointed or stared at again. Zipping in and out knocking over a few bags and purse's, Fox quickly found a metal door where it hid a yard of sorts on the other side.
"I'm sure he came up here" a lady's voice said coming
Without a option to stay Fox hid behind a pile of cardboard boxes. The lady showing the crowd where the strange beast went stood on the doorway.
"He's behind those boxes" she pointed
"Meow!"
"A cat! Hehe it was just a cat all the time" the crowd shrugged and laughed.
"Some cat" the lady huffed closing the door behind them
To Fox's luck there was a working-class cat patrolling his yard by the name of Tom on his tag, out from behind the box's he hissed with threat at the trespassing stranger.
"Just a cat?-hiss-Can I help you Mr Cat? Remove your eye for instance" Tom stalked up to fox and tried to swipe at him with his sharp claws.
"I'm not a cat" Fox growled back looking controlled of his temper.
"And I'm not a fool either" the cat replied still glaring
Fox took a breath and calmly stood up to defend himself. "No offence meant; I take it that this is your territory?"
"Who wants to know?" Tom suspected nearly pushing Fox up against the wall
"I've come to ask for sanctuary?" Fox respectfully declared
"Sanctuary? Oh that's quite a different matter" Tom reformed "sanctuary from-"
"Humans" Fox confessed
"Humans eh? Might've guessed it. Take a tip from me Fox, all you got to do is learn how ta handle them. Do you know I can get anything I want around here"
"Is that a fact?" Fox asked sarcastically
"Come on tell me. What would you give for a collar like mine eh?" Tom said with opportunity in mind for his visitor
"I don't know? I've never had a collar" Fox said confused
"See never even had a collar! What I'd tell ya. Don't know how to handle them do ya" Tom sprang up on some piled planks and boxes. Having a conceited look on his face.
"Excuse me but I do have a significant way with humans by experience" Fox said feeling insulted
"Experience eh?" Tom smirked "How come?"
"Well I happen to be friends with one so there" Fox glared trying to hide his worry for Lovedays loss. His mind was still clouded by the fact that Loveday or Badger may not have made it out alive like he did. Although he had hoped to find his friends either way.
"Alright whatever ya say then" Tom decided to not challenge the fox anymore, without knowing what he was missing by Fox's words "I suppose your hungry too eh?"
"Starving" Fox grunted licking his lips as he followed Tom over a pile of binbags.
"Bits of meat over here; yesterday's, smells a bit that bother you at all?" Tom led with proud authority
"Just how I like it" Fox grinned with excitement
"Personally I wouldn't settle for anything less than the best, freshest, most expensive leanest cuts!" Tom overly described with one tear at the binbag, dropping a smelly chicken leg. "Disgusting!" he cringed
"Lovely" Fox said as his mouth watered against the old plump chicken leg. And just as he was about to take a gluttonous bight.
"Wait a minute, not so fast" Tom sternly interrupted leaving Fox dismayed "I'll let you eat this lovely bit of meat; what will you do for me eh?"
It was obvious that a city cat like Tom was privileged to bargain with whoever done business with the likes of him and not for free products. So Fox slyly gave in with his scheme.
"What you'd want me to do?" Fox asked
"Well I suppose you could do my duties for me" Tom suggested "keep the humans happy"
"Duties?"
"Yeah every morning I lay out a neat line of dead mice, rats and er?...so on. For inspection you see. Prove I'm worth keeping"
"And what do the humans do for you in return?"
"Feed me!" Tom grumbled "not that muck of course"
"Strange of Loveday to never tell me about animals already working for man" Fox thought
"Alright I'll catch a few rats for you" Fox obliged "Can I eat now?"
"Eats to his own I suppose" Tom allowed
Then all afternoon while Fox happily regained his strength, Tom vainly chatted on and on about how he should be showered by rewards of better feedings if he'd pretended to be ill from eating the garbage that Fox had been dining on. Using Fox to his advantage was worth earning his all-time favourite chicken livers.
From time to time, he even discussed how he regarded about Fox's in general circumstances.
"I don't know, you Foxes are always boasting about how good you are about hunting but your always scavenging aren't ya. I get no peace from you lot especially winter nights, terrible"
"Is it safe here at night then?" Fox asked without a care for Toms dreary tales.
"Supermarket closes in the evening; this yard belongs to it. Mind you delivery lorries come very early in the morning" Tom informed
"So? Could I stay here?" Fox pleaded
"Oh you better mate" Tom said as he flexed out his body lazily "you got some hunting ta do"
By night time Fox did as he bargained in order to spend the night in Toms backyard. All his pouncing and chasing brought him the lost memories of solitary life back before giving it all up initially for the animals that he'd sworn to stay with. Secretly he missed their company and Lovedays comforting presence.
Tom proudly slept listening to the beautiful sound of rats being bitten aggressively to death and was counting to be certain of keeping his original job's worth.
"EEK!"
"Three"
"EEK!"
"Six"
"E-EEK!"
"Ten?"
"No! Fourteen" Fox corrected him in a prideful manner
"Woah! Good lord that's enough. Don't overdo it" Tom dismissed him; next thing you know Tom would be ordered to try catching that many rats every night of his life and he'd live regretting making deals with fox's forever.
"Can I rest now?" Fox said looking impatient
"Sure thing Fox me old mate, you've earned your keep" Tom nodded
"At last" Fox murmured as he curled himself inside of a wooden crate
Next morning came, Tom's owner the inspector was over-joyed to see what a great display the cat had done ridding him of the rats. Except for Fox having to do all the hard work was still fast asleep. Until a forklift drove up and suddenly hooked up his hiding spot onto a yellow builders lorry. Fox at first couldn't believe to see himself going up and violently dumped in the back of the lorry's load. The engine roared vigorously away from inside the yard and back into the town. Leaving a rather confused Tom who never even got ta thank Fox for his efforts.
Back into the field, Badger still couldn't settle the score with the Vole and Field mouse's official request to stay behind permanently. For being Fox's trusting deputy he wasn't at all clever or confident like their leader and not having their guardian around was not any help either.
Owl took duty to advising what was best for everyone's solution, according to her factual verification. Or probably self-regarding recordation's.
"Weather Fox is here or not is of little consequence. We must decide what is best, clearly the field mice as good parents must do the best they can for their children. And if that means staying here then that is what they must do" Owl said proudly
"Oh thank you Owl" said Vole with gratitude. Having Owl speak on behalf of them was sure to grant them the freedom to choose easily.
"Whereas the rest of us are committed to continue our journey, are we not Badger?" Owl questioned him
"Hmm?...That is true Owl. Oh dear this is most confusing; if only Fox or Loveday were both here" Badger sighed scratching his head.
Mole tugged on Badgers fur "Badger? I'm worried about the babies. Their fathers not there to protect them and Adder-"
"Not now Moley!" Badger shushed him but Mole was right you know.
The baby mice just wouldn't stop crying. Mrs Field Mouse had tried everything she could think of to settle them. Why even Rabbit was trying to be some help.
"If only Loveday were here she'd know what ta do. Perhaps you should sing to them?" Rabbit offered
Mrs Field Mouse went giddy "Shhh! Weasel might hear you" she hissed
Worst to them Adder courteously slid herself past "Perhaps I could be of some assistance" she hissed
And before Mrs Field Mouse could tell her off and send the snake away, Adder forcefully overtook "I've had a lot of practice memorizing you know"
Both the mouse and rabbit hid the babies behind them from her view with untrusting glares. They weren't falling for any tricks even if Adder appeared very perspicacious.
"Yes you memorize your prey and then-" Mrs Field Mouse said
"You eat them!" Rabbit finished firmly
Adder ignored them and soon gracefully started to work her magic on one of the babies "Just watch me little ones". Adder then began to dance in a swaying hypnotizing motion without losing caption on the babies innocent eyes.
"First I sway gently from side to side" Adder said sounding like witch casting a spell, which she was.
Mole who earlier felt the need to check up on the babies safety arrived with squirrel to see Adder swinging herself lower and lower toward the babies with that lustrous look in her eyes.
"What's going on?" Squirrel wondered
"Then I start saying over and over very slowly 'You are going to sleep" Adder was drawing nearer, the babies rocked from side to side like her.
"Don't panic" Rabbit cried timidly
Mole's fears were coming true and he desperately needed to warn Badger at once "Help! Get Badger!" Mole told Squirrel which she obliged
"You are going to sleep, you are going to sleep, you…are going…to sleep, you are…G-going to…S-sleep"
"Thump!" Adder collapsed with a slump
"Well I never" Rabbit gasps
"What do you know? Adders made herself fallen asleep" Mole said baffled
"If the mice stay we all stay" Vole continued to primarily convince the unassuming Badger
"Vole before we started this journey everyone of us took an oath to look after one another-" Bader recited
"Badger!" Squirrel broke up the conference "A-A-Adders going to eat the babies" she panted
"Wha-?!" Badger intentionally picked up Vole and Field Mouse to follow Squirrel back to stop what was occurring.
As soon as they arrived they got quite dazzled to see nothing bad happened.
"What the?" Badger didn't know what to think.
"Don't panic Badger" Rabbit said in relief "Adder was trying to hypnotize the babies but she sent herself to sleep instead"
It was the funniest thing everyone heard all day, a snake trying to hypnotized but failed was so embarrassing. So they all just couldn't help it but laugh while Adder slept unnoticing.
Badger as always stayed modest "Ah let this be a lesson to us all"
In the hilly area Owl announced Badgers latest plan with her own mastery words to Weasel, Hear and Hedgehog "Our leader insists we move on"
"With the mice?" Hedgehog asks
"No! the Voles and Field Mice are staying behind" Owl replied
"The oath says we all look after each other, we can't leave them behind" Hedgehog argued
"That's what Vole says" Owl explained "That's why he's staying"
"He's got a point" Hear nodded "What does Badger say?"
"He says the oath means the voles have to stick with us" Owl said leaving them to think realistically about the oaths priority
"Excuse me? But I think our leaders got us all going round in circles" Hear admitted doubtfully to them
"Yeah I'll second that" Hedgehog agreed
"Morning mateys" Toad having woken up late missed the conversations and was trying to look pleasing in front of everyone after yesterday's dilemma.
Weasel smiled mischievously "Hahaha Just like Toad, going round in circles" she pointed accusingly
"Don't trust either of them" Hare crossed his paws glaring back at Toad
"I'll second that too" Hedgehog again agreed
"This oath thing's stupid anyway" Weasel thoughtlessly said as she laid back against the grass.
"Now there I must contradict you Weasel" Owl loyally defended since she'd witness how powerful the oaths performed for them these past few weeks she faithfully had no doubts about its unusual achievements anymore "The oath is necessary!"
"I could live without it; I could live very well hahaha" Weasel laughed without a care for Owls debate
Seeing that he wasn't wanted a saddened Toad left before the other animals clearly avoided his presence. It was race against time for him to find everyone's forgiveness in him.
After discussing for hours on end. Badger took some time to think it all off. Since he was elected leader it was all officially up to him to decide with example for the others to still believe in him. He'd have been happy if Fox or Loveday were there to consult for him.
Sadly it had all come down to accepting the breaking of the party, with no better way Badger gave up and respected Vole and Field Mouse's family decision. After all they were thinking best for the baby mice and ensued to keep the oaths existence.
As they were bidding adieu Badger wished for them in their new lives settled here in the field "Good Luck" he said with sorrow
"We are alright you know; you'll see what were capable of" Vole gladly professed
"Badger? Badger!" Toad hoped up looking heartbroken
"Now what?" Badger groaned until he regretted to see Toad's awful state.
"They've all lost faith in me" Toad sobbed
"Lost faith Toady?" Mole asked nervously
Toad then looked worse for wear, nearly as if he'd hated himself "They don't believe I can lead them to White Deer Park. Oh I do feel awful" he sniffed
"Poor Toad" Mole soothed as he went up to comfort his reptile friend by placing a nuzzling paw on his back "and it wasn't your fault, your homing instinct confused you"
Badger became cross to discover this personal rejection "I'd like to see anyone else doing better" he deadpanned
"I knows matey" Toad unconfidently said "but supposing my homing instinct gets the better of me all over again. Then where shall we be?"
"My dear chap, it won't Owl and Kestrel will make sure of that" Badger promised "Where is Owl?...Who'd be a leader?" he sighed "Kestrel!"
Kestrel was hovering above over the tree tops impressively. Taking a few private moments of hunting and enjoying the life of a hawk in mid-air.
"Gee-gee" she answered back
"We're going on Kestrel, can ya scout ahead for us?" Badger called above
"You can rely on me" Kestrel smiled down, as she prepared her wings to soar away.
"The sooner we're on our way the better" Badger confirmed "Come on Toad, buck up there's a good fella"
"Right you are matey" Toad nodded before looking collected "We go that way!" he directed
"I'm right ahead of you" Kestrel flow ahead for them
"You're a true friend Kestrel" Badger beamed "Alright everyone were moving off!" he announced then turned directly to the voles, mice and shrews.
"Goodbye" he said
"Goodbye!" the little creatures bidded
"Badger?" Mole called
"Now what is it?" Badger said annoyed and saw Moley standing beside a curled Adder.
"Adders still asleep" Mole innocently said
"Oh dear! How on earth are we gonna wake her up?" Badger asked knowing it was dangerous to disturb the snake without shaking it.
Squirrels sister then had really good idea "I-I know" she brought up as she hurried toward the best person to do the job for them safely.
"Weasel your wanted" Squirrel exclaimed
"Someone wants me. Pull the other one" Weasel laughed until Squirrel grabbed her arm and threw her to where she saw Adder
"Badger wants you to sing a song" Squirrel declared
Weasel looked amazed. Now somebody finally saw her talents and didn't need asking twice. "Well why didn't you say so"
In a flash Weasel ran up to Badger "You wanted me?"
"Uh?...Did we?" Badger said confused
"Yes Badger" Squirrel presented "Weasels going to sing a song to Adder to wake her up"
"To wake her? Oh I see" Badger then got the idea
"Charmed I'm sure" Weasel fluttered her eyes and sprang up a rock for a stage
The other animals prepared for the damaging Weasel could do with her off-pitched singing. Most of them would cover their ears or hide under bushes, Mole tried to get underground.
In a trilled and screechy voice Weasel exploded "Beauooootiful Dreamer! Wake up to me!"
"I can hear" Mrs Vole shook with surprise
"Staaarlight and dewdrops! Are waiting for me!" Weasel never sounded any better only worse each time.
But luckily Adder woke up with a start and quickly slid as far away from Weasel as she could. The other animals came out of hiding to set off energetically with Badger, leaving weasel lost in her personal world of stardom but without forgetting to waving off to their staying friends.
"Beauooootiful Dreamer! Wake up to me!" Weasel panted till she suddenly stopped to realize that everyone was gone and leaving her behind.
"Wait for me!" she cried running to catch up for them
"It's alright they've all gone" said Mr Field Mouse to his friends and family and began to settle themselves at home. What they didn't see was a pair of hungry eyes was watching them from above with one villainous thing on its mind.
As she was strolling through the woods Loveday appeared to be lost, she couldn't find the barn owl anywhere near. So she took a break and decided to practise using her powers.
"Now to stay in full control is to keep calm and concentrate on my aiming" Loveday said to herself as she looked at the targets me made to knock over.
"imagine yourself protecting your friends with feeling" she advised herself "it's what trigged them before, by my own emotions"
Loveday stretched out her arms and made both hands sprout out a liquefy trail of invisible energy. She flung her hands at the targets and telepathically threw them one by one all over the place like she was in a Bruce Lee film.
After that she tested her strength by lifting a log with the power of her mind, it fidgeted but dropped.
"Bother!" Loveday groaned "I really have to get this balanced out"
This time thinking harder in her second try, Loveday only got the log a few inches higher.
"I'll have to keep working on that" Loveday thought deciding to save it for next time.
"What else can I test? Hmm…Oh yes why haven't I thought so before" Loveday then decorated the area with her white glowing organisms and this time they were far better, more artistic and wrigglier like a galaxy of every type of star imagined.
"I've forgotten how amazing this is" Loveday giggled with enjoyment "And this was my first ever trick to perform in front of everyone to gain their authority for my intentional joining. And I wouldn't have gotten it if it weren't for Fox's help"
"I love it but I wonder how this could be used for my advantage?"
"Lost are you miss?" said a deep old voice
"Oh!" Loveday jumped making her lights disappear without a trace "Who's that?"
"Me! Look up here"
Loveday looked around then saw a sober but gentle looking barn owl. His feathers were nearly grey and had quite a prompting attire for an owl his age.
"Good day" Loveday greeted
"And to you too" the barn owl hooted
"How did you know I was here?" Loveday questioned
"Word has it there's been a visitor pacing here" the barn owl explained "also I happen to see what a commemorating exhibition you were functioning indefinitely"
"Oh you saw that didn't you?" Loveday blushed
"Indubitably, your unveiling is of a rarity unlike anything I've witnessed in all my years"
"I remember a barn owls lifespan is usually four years in total" Loveday recalled "You sound so…Hmm what's that word? Intellectual by the way"
The barn owl hummed approvingly "I may be wiser from my caducity but my eyes do tell me you hold up a potentiality to ingenious those who remain trusting towards you, even if your judged due to your species adversarial philosophies"
"What your saying is that you know I prospect differently from other human beings" Loveday interpreted "Yes I view the world as a peaceful place where we can all live in harmony without judgement"
"Only if it were possible which it isn't" the barn owl said disappointedly, although he was old and traditional he wouldn't deny Lovedays fine impression.
"I know. Sometimes I just wish I could make people think like me" Loveday imagined "the only thing you can do is treat everyone the same way as if your treating yourself if it weren't so difficult to ignore"
"You are unlike other humans even if your naïve still" the barn owl whispered
"Anyway the point is I'm trying to find my friends. That is why I have come to seek your advice. Would you mind helping me?"
"Certainly not a fuss" the barn owl nodded "What do these friends look like?"
"Where to begin..." Loveday had to explain all of the mammals, rodents, birds and so on.
"A group of animals you are identifying?" the old owl said as he thinked "How very compelling"
"and since we got separated I can't even scour my own footsteps" Loveday finished without giving away too much personal detail
"What about your powers? haven't you tried trailing them to trace your animal friends inhabitancy"
"I can't quite understand what you mean by that" Loveday exclaimed
"Seems to me that your human mind is still as forgetful and unbalanced"
"I beg your pardon?"
"No nothing important" the barn owl quickly deflected "I mean young lady; you know more about animals than you anticipate which I could tell is meant to be exampled as shown endurance mixed by your own creativeness"
"Shown endurance as example of what?" Loveday mutters
"It'll come to you eventually, just be patient that's all" The barn owl turned away getting ready to leave
"Wait! But I don't want to be patient" Loveday disagreed was this owl playing games with her?.
"Try going to other side of here, you may have better hope there and good luck to you child for you are the last" the owl flew away until he was completely swallowed by the woods.
"The last what?" Loveday was puzzled by that, surely that old owl didn't know Loveday was a feral psychic.
"the other side he says" she wondered "it's better than nothing I came for. What's that terrible noise? must be a whatever no doubt" the noise was like singing but a pain in the neck it sounded.
"Okay then time to move on…again" Loveday groaned as she telepathically pushed aside some branch's and thorns to clear her path.
"At least I can get used to doing this every day but not all the time" Loveday positively thought to stay practising her skills. Though she kept on wondering what the owl had told her earlier even as she grew hot and weak from the heat.
While being the passenger on board the builders lorry Fox courageously travelled outer into the neighbouring countryside near where the fields and forests skirted close to the town. All the way along he sniffed the air until he smelt something very pleasing. He was sure to have smelt out his friends whereabouts.
With little strength left he jumped off the lorry and felt the cool and cushioning grass beneath him. Fox panted desperately go under the shady spots. It was very hot indeed.
In a furbished paddock next to him stood a solitary brown horse. By the wrinkles around the face you'd know he was a horse in retirement from his life career.
"Hello there! Nice day" the horse wheezed formally as he encountered the fox passing his gate.
"Very pleasant" Fox replied
"Nice to see a friendly face I must say" the horse complimented his new visitor "can I offer you some refreshment?"
"Grass isn't my favourite food" Fox explained
"Pity. Mangers full" the horse wheezed again
"but I wouldn't mind a rest in the shade?" Fox inquired trying to not look ungrateful for the invitation
The horse beamed with happiness "be my guest"
As Fox got under the single chestnut tree, the horse for some awkward reason burst out laughing at him deliberately.
"What's so funny?" Fox asked thinking why his host was being rude for no reason at all.
The horse uncontrollably tried noting with an amusing smug "Bit ironic really! Been hunting foxes all my life and here I am now chin-wagging with you"
Fox's ears shot up with a startling look in his eyes "Hunting!" he shuddered
"Yeah lot of that around here" the horse stated then humbly realised the fox's discomfort "Oh dear! sore point eh? Didn't mean to upset ya"
"Isn't your fault" Fox reasonably understood, he couldn't blame the old horse for what he used to serve as for humans worse kind of wicked activity. His old creepy cubhood memories of being captured by a hunter were rebuilding.
"True. Only obeying orders" the horse indicated "Humans are a funny lot; crewel one-minute kind the next, have ta take them as ya find them I suppose"
"I don't know how I can take Loveday for instance since I've first met her, my guess this is a difficult relationship to define. She always stood brave, loving and non-judgemental which only reasons why we've all grown to befriend her as our protector instead of our nemesis which she's altered, by those risk's she numerously took for us and me especially even though I could smell her suffering and fear in silence. Personally I knew it was a bad idea for Loveday to start indulging about with those new forsaken powers because I cared about her…well really cared, I've warned her to be careful but she never learnt, although I am grateful for her selfish allegiance. If she's died in vain I'll never forgive myself for doubting her warnings…ever" Fox mindfully told himself looking condemned.
Unnoticing the horse rambled on and on since he was bored from not having someone to chat with for ages "Word of advise old chum 'don't hang about round here: hunting country miles around' wouldn't like to think you were…hmhmhm, you know hahahaha!" the old horse just couldn't hold it in.
Encouragingly Fox glared with ambition "Don't worry! 'm only passing through, on my way back to my friends"
"Friends? You've got friends…oh" the horse asked curiously
"Yes I wonder how their getting on" Fox said with extreme worry, then all a while he tells the horse his extraordinary journey he'd been having as leader of the Farthing Wood animals. The horse found this rather amusing to hear.
"Well?...yes this crow told me a tale of a bunch of traveling animals; nobody believed him of course, mostly about the human girl who's said to be partnered with them"
"Yes" Fox sighed "you wouldn't believe me if I told you about her but she is unlike any human you've probably seen"
"You're lucky to have her on your side, I must agree" horse nodded "suppose your friends must be missing you"
Fox stood and shaken out his body fur "Yes I've rested here long enough. Sun's getting high"
"Yes better hurry on" the horse looked up "find a safe hiding place for the rest of the afternoon"
Fox left the paddock grounds and turned to look back with gratitude "Thanks Horse!" he bellowed
"Good luck! Hope you make it and watch out for the hunt" the horse joked back with a steaming neigh
A short way along with Badgers group slacking by the hot weather. Something terrorizing occurred out of nowhere.
Hare froze from fright as he stared "Excuse me is that one of us!"
He pointed to a small disturbing bird fluttering overhead triumphally carrying a familiar prize dangling against its hooked jaws. It was one of the baby mice limping!.
Badger and the others saw it too "Quick get undercover!" Badger firmly whispered
"Don't panic" Rabbit said covering her children's eyes
"Get down dear" Hedgehog pushed his wife down
"Hide everyone" the squirrels ducked down too
"Oh my!" Mrs Hare gasped
"Shss!" the others hissed to her
"Do you want to give our game away Matey!" Toad warned
"What is that bird?" Mole cried
"I don't know" Badger replied "We've got to check on the others back behind us. Hare! You're the fastest of us, go back and see what's happened to the field mice"
"I'm already on fire" Hare said as he rocketed back the field they first immerged from. Swiftly footed he was neared the shrub where the voles, shrews and mice installed themselves.
"Shrrriiike! Shrrriiike!" an excited blood curding voice shrieked
That's when Hare choked as his blood ran cold at a neighbouring blackthorn bush which was all rusted by blood. The chestnut bird had skewered bodies of bumblebee's, Beetles, butterfly's, grasshoppers, lizards and hairless critters with the newly impaled baby mice planted against the thorns.
The bird turned and looked to at the hare like a giant fresh morsel. Hare shivered as he dared to say the killers name "B-Butcher bird!"
"Yeah! That's what they call me!" the butcher bird yelled handsomely as he left to seek other victims.
Hare began to search underfoot. Where were the grown-ups? "Vole? Fieldmouse? Shrew? Where are you!" he called cautiously
Vole was found in the open "Hare!" he whispered to him
Hare crept up "We are the others" he whispered back. Without answer Vole turned towards the others shaking under a bush for safety.
They all gasped with relief to see their long-eared friend come back for them.
Mrs Fieldmouse was crying aggressively with horror "Thank goodness you've come, my poor babies"
"Hare! Hare!" they heard Badger call in the open
Hare emerged "Over here! Don't worry we'll get you out of here" he comforted them
"Oh no!" Badger gasped coldly like Hare did earlier "Did you see?"
"Yes" Hare shivered with wet eyes "the babies have all gone but-"
Badger determined to not listen as he miserably picked up the over-regretful Vole in his paw.
"I'm sorry Badger…I was wrong" Vole tearfully said
Badger controllably replied "It was brave of you to…want to stay with the mice"
"Well anyway we vote to go on with you now if you'll let us"
"Of course you can" Badger sighed
After that they all quickly moved further and further away from the butcher birds territory. Owl and Kestrel who'd returned from scouting heard about the tragedy, so Owl usefully stood by for Badgers emotional state.
"I blame myself" Badger said downhearted to Owl
Owl feeling more sustained offers the best comfortable advise she could "There are three ways of acting wisely: the first is through mediation, this is the noblest. Second by imitation, this is the easiest. Third by experience, this is the bitterest"
"Fox would never forgive me" Badger admitted
"It's time we all accepted Fox and Loveday are dead" Owl irritated
Mole would hear none of it "I don't believe you so there! Their alive and making their way back to us"
In a warm tone Badger reinforced his followers "Well it's no use quarrelling about it. We must move on out of this terrible place"
"Come on everybody it's what Fox or Loveday would want" Toad reassured "And if we're quick, I think we can make a nice spinney by nightfall"
With new determination from all the setbacks that taught them the farthing animals got back into traveling coordination with restored sentenced and reliance.
"You are beginning to remember the way aren't ya Toad" Badger said
"That's right matey, so buck up Badger we'll make White Deer Park yet" Toad cheered. There was no way Toad was gonna let everyone down this time or ever again.
From all of her practising in the blazing sun Loveday dazedly slunk up to some shady oak tree's.
"Oh dear my head has hit the pit" Loveday placed her hand on "I guess one more rest wouldn't hurt" she folded back her arms behind the head and looked at the sunbathing leaves making a relaxing sound of coolness.
"What am I to do now. It's not like I can sniff them out like a dog, if only I knew what that Owl was talking about. I wish I was back with my friends" Loveday thought as she dozed off.
Fox was extremely tired after having to walk away from the horses paddock and into the forest environment and had very little ignorance about the constant wondering about the fate of his friends. As he wearily found a nice well-kept burrow with no scent of ownership in the corner of a field, he gratefully ventured in and place his head on his front legs in sweet relief.
The place was refreshing and empty. Soft enough for a few hours sleep and no interruptions. Soon as Fox was stirring to wake himself he caught the scent of something unmissable. A very feminine and creamy like smell conveyed up his nose with an embarrassing feeling to look up at the burrows entrance.
There right before him staring down was a rich but modest Vixen, a lady fox with such gentle eyes.
"Please don't get up" she said smoothly "Poor thing, you look exhausted"
"I'm sorry" Fox shivered with empathy "is this your earth?"
"Yes" the vixen nodded "but your welcome to use it. I do have several others"
"Oh!" Fox sighed coolly "I didn't know the place was occupied"
"I watched your tail enter" the vixen said "and have been keeping watch for you all this time you slept"
"How long?"
"Quite a while. Actually I was just going to hunt, are you hungry?" the vixen asked
"Starving" Fox replied looking gobsmacked to meet this vixen with interest. He began to get these feelings of excitement and lush for her "Haven't eaten since yesterday"
"Then your wits will be sharp" the vixen giggled at him "Care to join me?"
"Things are looking up" Fox thought as he actively went out with the wonderful creature he considered over charming. Together they ran far deep into the woods like two destined souls on an epic expedition.
Authors Notes:
I hate it when I'm struck by a writers block. This chapters been tough.
Well anyway. Hey guys I hope your all surviving like me in this lockdown madness. I know we'll manage and its not forever, we just have to give it time.
The next chapters on its way and I promise it'll be better than this one.
I'll see you all again soon and please stay inside as advised and save many lives as possible. Lets all be savers.
P.S Please don't go blaming the Chinese they can't help it if they've made this mistake on us all. We're all in this together and we need to stop it as equals among eachother. Good luck!