Origins Of The Bellmaker: Chapter 3 - The Journey Begins

Joseph went out fishing that same morning and returned with full nets of fish, but there was a concerned look on his face. Jeremiah helped him bring his catch ashore and stretched out his back before turning to his son. "What is it, Joseph? You seem bothered by something."

The tall mouse nodded. "I am. I keep coming across shoals of pike in the deeper waters, and it seems they're getting closer to shore each week."

Jeremiah sighs. "The others have been reporting that too. They've moved to the other parts of the waters, but even then it seems the pike follow them there."

Joseph looked out to the sea where he saw the other boats fishing. "What's to be done?"

Jeremiah seemed a little worried. "I'm not sure. We can try and catch the pike too, but they're ferocious beasts, powerful also. It would take five of our strongest mice to haul just one in... I'll go and ask Leo if he can start making nets strong enough for pike. Meanwhile, go find Syra. We may need to begin living off of our island's produce. Oh, and Joseph?"

Joseph had already walked five steps, but he turned around. "Yes?"

The other mouse nibbled on a whisker. "Tell any residents you see to begin stockpiling food and water. I have a bad feeling about this."

Joseph frowned. "Famine?"

Jeremiah nodded. "It hasn't rained for two weeks now, there's no wind, and it's warmer than normal. Go on son, do what I've asked."

Joseph nods once and goes to find Syra, telling all the mice he saw to begin storing up food and water. Jeremiah sighed and looked out across the water that surrounded the island. "May the fates help us all."

Out in the vegetable fields Joseph found the mice complaining about a sickness that was infecting the vegetables. Periwinkle and Syra were in front of a growing pile of blighted produce, patiently hearing the concerns of the other mice.

Syra nodded. "Yes we know of the infestations, but our only suggestion is to begin planting elsewhere, at least until the blight dies out."

Joseph approached his mother and waited, but the mice saw him coming and looked to him for an answer. Thinking quickly, Joseph looked at the rotting vegetables. "Those of you who can plant new fields, do so, but all must begin filtering the water they use. Sackcloth will work fine, but for now, that's what I suggest. If any more blight is found, uproot it and add it to the pile here. It will be burned later today."

The field mice went about their work, pleased with Joseph's suggestion. Periwinkle hugged her son, barely reaching his chest. "Thank you Joseph. Myself and Syra didn't know what to say."

Joseph hugged her back. "Glad I could help some, but don't get too happy. We have a problem."

Periwinkle and Syra listened as Joseph explained the increase in pike, and Syra frowned when he was finished. "That makes a bit of sense, but what of our crops?"

Periwinkle looked at the cloudless blue sky. "No rain means insects can eat what they please and get away with it."

Syra nods. "How long do we have before the famine starts?"

Joseph looked around. "If it's not here already... I'm not sure, Syra. It could be tomorrow, it could be three seasons from now. Plant everything that can be planted, filter the water, and pray the Fates will give us a good harvest."

The same happened with the fruit deeper on the island. As the day passed, the piles of blighted and diseased produce grew until it was taller than Joseph and could fill ten huts.

That night as everyone ate, Elder Peter spoke to the islanders. "It has come to my attention that not only is there a blight upon our fields, but pike are also driving away or eating our graylings. I can see now that I was not lied to. So tonight, as your village elder, I must make the decree that all residents begin harvesting all good produce and storing up water. If it rains again, get all you can store. But do not give up hope. Tonight we burn this diseased crop not out of fear, but out of defiance! The Fates will know that we are not afraid of this infestation! With that said, enjoy your meals, and burn these crops!"

Loud cheering erupted from the villagers as Peter stepped away from the huge pile of rotten food. He, Jeremiah, Raphael, Andrew, Leo, and Joseph took torches, lit them from the fire pits, and lit the pile on fire.

As the blighted vegetables and fruit were burned, Joseph looked to his father. "Will this work?"

Jeremiah looked back at him. "We can only hope, son. If it doesn't, then you'll be leaving sooner than expected."

The fires died down until they were nothing but ash, and a full moon shone down on the shore as a lone figure sat down on a smooth rock. It was Joseph, and he sighed as he looked up at the stars. "A famine, Martin? Really?"

He received no answer, but his ears twitched at the sound of someone coming toward him. Pawing his father's fish-skinning dagger, Joseph waited until the other mouse was within arm's reach. Moving like chain lightning, Joseph jumped up and reached out, grabbing the mouse with an iron grip and lifting them face level to him.

The moonlight revealed the frightened face of Syra, gasping for breath. Joseph grunted and set her down, shaking his head. "You should know better than to sneak up on someone, Syra."

Syra gathered herself as Joseph sat down again. "What do you want?"

Syra took a breath. "W-Well, I saw you alone out here, so I came to see if you were alright."

Joseph looked at her. "I'm fine, but since you're here, you can tell me why you tried to kill my mother."

There it was, the issue that Syra had suppressed for fifteen seasons. Now Joseph had made his request, so Syra sat beside him. "Okay, but don't hurt me."

Joseph nodded. "You have my word."

Relieved, Syra explained what had happened. "I allowed my jealousy of Periwinkle to boil over. You see, Jeremiah was everything I had ever wanted. Big, strong, handsome, and a hard but honest worker. A lot of the females wanted him, but he refused all advances until he had decided he was ready. You don't know how fervently I was hoping for him to choose me. We were great friends once, but when the time came for his mate to be decided, he chose your mother. Though she was older than I was, she was still beautiful... My heart was crushed, but I was able to remain friends with Jeremiah."

Syra paused. "When the village found out that Periwinkle was with child, I recalled how I had been spurned by your father, and my despair turned into anger, rage, and jealousy. It only got worse when she seemed to be held in higher respect than even the Council."

Joseph stopped her. "So you tried to kill my mother and essentially me because you wanted to be my father's wife?"

Syra only nodded, and Joseph shook his head. "Awful. Pathetic. You should feel beyond ashamed of yourself."

Syra turned to Joseph, looking into his eyes. "I suffered a ten season exile because of my actions, but while I was gone I gained a new appreciation for our village. That's why I try to help everywhere I can, so the mice know I have changed."

Joseph stared hard at the water for a minute, then stood up. "Thank you for telling me Syra. I won't hold this against you, because that would be wrong, but I don't know if such a deed can ever be forgiven."

He went to leave, but felt Syra gently grab his massive paw. The big mouse sighed, recognizing the meaning behind it. "I'm sorry, but I can't be with someone who tried to kill someone else. Had you not done that, then yes."

Joseph stalked away, leaving a saddened Syra on the shore to reflect on a past that may have ruined her future. The following morning Joseph set sail to go fishing, but instead of sunshine, he saw dark gray clouds. The wind was strong and the seas were choppy, so Joseph stayed close to shore until he was forced to deeper waters.

A few hours later, Joseph heard his name being called. He looked around to find Brother Andrew sailing toward him. "Joseph! Joseph!"

Joseph waved, having to shout to be heard. "Ahoy Brother Andrew! What's the matter?"

The elder mouse looked around, yelling to be heard above the increasingly strong wind. "It's the weather! There's a storm coming! I've got one boat left to help bring in, so go back to shore and spread the word!"

Brother Andrew sailed off and Joseph turned his boat to shore, riding high rollers as the rains began coming down. Essentially dropped back on the shore, Joseph tied the mooring ropes as tightly as he could, then dashed toward the fields. "Gather your baskets! Hurry!"

Hearing the urgency in the baritone call that rang out, the harvesters gathered everything they could, set out empty containers and barrels, and took shelter in their huts. For one solid week, there was nothing but rain and wind as the storm unleashed its fury. Once the storm finally subsided the villagers took full advantage of plentiful fish, enormous fruits, and fresh vegetables along with huge barrels of fresh water.

Things changed afterward. The next six seasons were as dry as a desert. Food was running low, no rain fell, and few fish were caught. Jeremiah pulled Periwinkle aside one day and told her the obvious. "No one knows how long this famine will last, so we need to send Joseph on his way."

Periwinkle nodded, sighing as she looked at her son, now 31 seasons of age. "I hate admitting it, but you're right. If he leaves then he has a chance. If he stays, he may die of starvation."

Jeremiah nods and hugs his wife before going to shore. "Joseph?"

Joseph nods. "Yes sir?"

Jeremiah takes a breath. "Your mother and I feel it's time you were on your way to Salamandastron."

Joseph put down his tools, with which he was repairing a sail. "Is it because of the famine?"

His father nodded. "Yes. We love you and would prefer you stay, but you may die if you do. Besides, you have a destiny to fulfill."

Joseph nodded, realizing his father was right, and hugged him tightly. "I'll make sure to come back when I've accomplished what I'm meant to do."

Jeremiah watched the boat as Joseph packed up, almost crushed his mother with his hugs, and boarded his vessel to sail away. As he left, the villagers watched and waved, with Elder Peter whispering a blessing. "May the Fates protect you and Martin guide you always, Joseph. We look forward to the day you return to us, hopefully with your own family to raise."

The lone boat caught a strong gust of wind as it headed northwest, and was soon lost to view from any resident of the famine-stricken island.