The Fox of WalesA Story by Samuel H. LudkeChapter 1: A Slice Of Paradise The little cottage sat in the center of a vast forest. A little river broke through the dark shadow of trees and rocks, which cut off this hideaway from the rest of the busy world. You could sit for hours by the rivers edge and watch the water flow on, which the young girl did every chance she got. This girl, who always liked to be called Abigail, loved nature. She loved losing her way in the woods and fields, because she thought she would end up somewhere far away. She often imagined that her brothers, Chris and Dale, were monsters chasing her through the trees. Most of these chases led to wrestling matches which were settled when mother rang the dinner bell. All was peaceful and quiet. The nearest town was 60 miles away, a town called Greenway. It was here that most of the miners and fur traders migrated from, and they often stopped at Abigail's house for tea and cookies. But there were not any people in the woods today. Abigail had just finished breakfast, when she stepped out onto the road. She had on a skirt woven by her mother, which had many different colors mixed into a rainbow. Her mother told her that she would be the talk of the town, mainly among boys, but she never thought about boys yet. She told her mother: "Dating is a grown-up thing mother. I want to wait a while." Of course, the young men always tried to ask her to see movies, or run off into the blue. She always came home just before supper, covered in dirt and sand. But today, there was no running off. As she left home, she felt a strong feeling pass over her. The birds were chirping as they flew over the cottage and up into the tress. The distant knock- knock -knock of the woodpecker could be heard in the distance. The whippoorwill sang it's song. The river flowed with such elegance and beauty. Abigail thought that all was as it should be in nature. "Heaven must be very similar." Abigail said with a smile. A sound floated over the top of the nearby hill. The bridge suspended over the river, which lead into the corn fields, creaked and shook. "I think I hear the merry sound of Mr. Wilson's whistling. Such a sound means he is off to market to sell his latest harvest. I wonder how he is doing. Hello sir!" Abigail said as Mr. Wilson drew near. "Well, Ms. Abigail is it? A lovely day it is here in paradise." "You are quite right. I was just off to meet my father at the shop this morning." Mr. Wilson laughed. "Your father is still running the old shop I see? It is good to see that he is doing well. I have a wee question for you? Does your mother still have cookies for the taking?" "Of course. There is always some for you." "Excellent. A word of advice to you. If you happen to pass the Northern Forest, do not enter. There are strange things happening in there." "What kind of things?" Abigail did not stir. She was not afraid. "Folks speak of a curse upon that forest. Creatures snarl and bite. Trees move and grab you. I shall not try to scare you. Tis only what folks say." He sounded nervous. "I shall heed your advice if I can resist the temptation to look." "I know you will. Tell your father I tip my hat to him." "I will! Farewell sir!" And with that the two parted ways. Abigail thought that Mr. Wilson seemed awfully cheerful. As she neared the small shopping pavilion just a few miles from the cottage, she noticed all of the people, moving from place to place. The women wore elegant dresses and long gowns of every color you could imagine. Fragrances flowed in rivers through the air after being sprayed. The men wore suits and carried long walking sticks fashioned from the finest wood. Their dentures shine in the morning sun. Toothpaste was not a luxury everyone enjoyed. Many things were being sold including, fruits , veggies, toys and trinkets, and clothing. Children scrambled to get a glimpse of candy being made. The most famous of these was fudge. Abigail walked up to the grand fountain that sat in the center of the square. Hundreds of shiny coins sat at the bottom and Abigail laughed. "Abigail!" Abigail spun around. "Father!" How are you doing?" She had been so entranced by the shining beauty of money, that she had forgotten father always came to the fountain to pray and drop in a few coins. "I am not doing very well. I think our shop might be on it's last leg. Customers just don't seem to be interested in old-fashioned things." That's terrible! What shall we do if the store closes?" "Well, we would have to move. There are no jobs that interest me here. If we go north to Greenway......" "Father, I can't leave this beautiful country behind!" "We may not have to. I am trying to raise enough money to keep our home running. Once the fur traders come from the north, they may bring more goods that I can sell in my store. Of course, I would pay those men well for selling me their fine pelts." "The miners have found silver deposits in the east, does this mean Greenway will become richer?" Abigail hoped the town would receive a boost. The last winter caused a food shortage and many families moved away. "Silver is very valuable. I expect it will fetch a pretty price. They will have cash to spend and I expect they will want to stock up on necessities for the coming winter." "Then what do we have to worry about?" Abigail sounded hopeful. "The winter can still cause the population to dwindle. Many wish to see warmer climates. I have been to the eastern shore in my free time. I used to take your mother there before you were born. It is quite beautiful. Vast deserts as far as the eye can see. But there is no fear of death. Water is plentiful in the towns there." "Why didn't you stay there?" "Because we expected a child silly!" He nudges her. "We always wanted to live in a wooded area and I wanted to open a shop." Beware the Northern Forest! Beware! An old man with a walking stick walked slowly through the crowd. "What about you, son? Afraid to go up against death?" He seemed to be blind. He poked people with his fingers and wore a silver cross around his neck. This was one of many questions he asked as he walked in circles. "Abigail, that man over there is nothing but a loon. Do not listen to him." Abigail's father said with a wink. "Why shouldn't she listen to me? The man was right next to them. They jumped out of their skins. "You! Why do you disturb the peace with this racket? Speak for yourself!" Abigail looked with wonder at her father. He usually didn't speak like this.
"That's where you're right. Heed my words and all shall be kept safe. Good day to you both." With that, the man limped away. He seemed to disappear into the crowd, blending into the sea of colors. Abigail's father had walked back to the shop. He took out a wooden cross and said his morning prayers. "What an odd slice of paradise I do live in. What an odd place." Abigail followed her father and started her daily chores.
Chapter 2: Meeting The Fox Once Abigail had finished her duties, her father let her go home. "If you happen to run into that man again, tell him I will be open to have a talk with him." "Father, there will be no need for "talks." I will put him in his place myself." "You know where I am if you need me. I will be home soon. Tell your mother I shall bring home supper." "I will." Abigail flipped over a sign on the door. This sign said: CLOSED! WILL RETURN AT 8:00 SHARP TOMMORROW MORNING! The crowds had disappeared from the square, but there were still a few people looking at last minute items. Some shops remained open until sundown. Now, the sun was just beginning to touch the horizon and a red flame was starting to spread across the sky. The sunsets were always beautiful, painting images that stunned. After closing the door behind her, Abigail began the short journey home. She would pass a few places before she reached her front porch and one of these places, was the southern tip of the Northern Forest. Abigail didn't think it was cursed. The birds chirped in the trees and chipmunks scurried on the path. The leaves were a bright yellow upon the gigantic trees. The forest stretched for miles, far beyond to the edge of Greenway's city limits which could take a long time to reach if you walked. The man's words swirled in Abigail's mind. The road wound on and on. Several signs were placed on the road-side. They pointed to several landmarks such as Greenway 56 Miles Northern Forest Road (You Should TURN BACK! was written in red paint) 2 Miles Old Mines 10 Miles Abigail had to take the Northern Forest Road in order to get home. "Turn back indeed, hah! What a waste of good paint!" Abigail laughed and kept on moving. In all her trips, she had never seen anything out of the ordinary in the woods. She had seen miners, with their potbellies and pickaxes, walking single file down the road. They often carried large bags filled with gems that sparkled in the sun. There were no miners today. The road was empty. As the girl walked, she noticed that the road came to a complete stop, as it always did. A large sign with big black letters read: WELCOME TO THE NORTHERN FOREST NO POACHING! (You Won't LISTEN ANYWAY) No large horse-drawn carts! The entrance to the forest was like a big arch formed by the trees, which looked ancient and worn. Crows squawked in the distance. The sight always got to Abigail. "Don't worry. You pass this way every day. You have just a few more miles before you are home and the trees will look a bit more, normal." She walked along a new road, which was made of bricks that looked like they had been there a century. Many were missing. Her heels made a loud sound with every step she took. "Every creature in the forest is bound to have heard me by now!" She thought she was all alone, until she walked over a large hill. She could see the road, which continued on into the dark trees. But she heard a sound. "What is that? Surely someone would not want to be in this place for long." The noise seemed to be coming from somewhere in the trees along the side of the road. Abigail stepped off the path and the sound became clearer. Someone was humming a tune. It sounded like "Old Susanna." Abigail took her heels off and placed then next to the path. The grass felt soft against her feet, which were covered by fine socks. As Abigail gazed through the trees, she noticed a small figure walking on all fours. It was a small creature and Abigail guessed that it was a dog or a weasel. But then, the animal stood on it's hind legs. It had a pair of glasses sitting upon it's small nose and a vest with small brass buttons upon it's chest. As the creature walked forward, it did so with grace. Behind it, sat a small hole, with a blue door and two small windows that sat on each side. A small mailbox sat in front of the animal ( He was A Fox in fact) and he opened it and took out three tiny letters with the name SIR PETER J. FOX scribbled on the side. Abigail leaned forward to get a closer look but tumbled forward. She must have leaned to far forward. The Fox had not noticed, for he stood like a painted figure. He was too busy reading. Abigail scrambled to her feet. She walked forward and hummed along with the Fox. His head snapped up at once and they both jumped. "Well good day to you!" The Fox said with a bow. "You can talk?" Abigail's eyes were wide. "Yes indeed! I have been able to talk for a long time. It has been possible since the age of five weeks as I recall." The Fox laughed. "I have never seen or heard you before." It was true. Abigail had never even noticed the small creature before and was now very curious. "I just moved here from the North. Dreadful place it is. The fur traders were wiping out my kind by the hundreds and I took with me my mate and kits. We settled here in this quiet country." The Fox wiped his glasses on a handkerchief that he pulled out of vest. Abigail noticed a small pocket-watch that had her father's signature scribbled in the finest strokes. "That watch came from our shop! How did you get it?" "My father gave it to me when I was a kit. I plan on giving it to my kits some day. I found it along the road. It is quite new." "Can your children talk too?" "Of course they can. We come from a long line of humble foxes, brave and true. Someone, and I don't know who, gave us animals the ability to express our thought verbally. But alas, the magic is running out and most of us are being killed." "There is magic left in this world after all?" "Quite right. Most of the talking animals have been driven to extinction by what people call "progress" and I don't see the meaning of it. Why not just sit in comfort?" When the Fox said "progress", he made little quotations in the air with his hands. "My father says that man will devour everything in his path before he is satisfied." "Alas, tis a sad and terrible truth. If man could look himself in the eyes, I don't know what he would say." The Fox lowered his head as he said this. "Your home looks quite small. It looks like my cottage back home. Although I do not live in the side of a hill." "Luckily for us, I have a secret." The Fox reared his head back and blew his breath back out again. Abigail's skin tingled. The trees around her grew taller and the Fox grew as well. "I invite you in as a guest, my dear. My home is quite comfortable and has many luxuries."
The bird was dressed in a fine suit with a red tie. He held out a tray with drinks. "Mr. Fox welcomes you to his humble estate. Our special drink is my personal favorite, Sparkling Cherry Cockroach . However, the master of the house finds this to be revolting." "Why do you serve something that is revolting?" Abigail questioned. "Because we mainly see animals at this estate young lady. Can I interest you in something from the human world?" The bird walked over to a door that was located at the back of the house and said: "Follow me, young lady!" Abigail did as she instructed. Beyond the door was the most beautiful garden in the world. It had statues of great foxes all lined up on both sides of a brick path. "Behold, my forefathers!" The Fox cried as he followed close behind. "My, what a big space you have for living in a tree." Abigail's eyes were filling with tears. The whole scene was so beautiful. "Humans see what they want to see. You may see a hole, but I see a mansion." The Fox walked over to a small pond at the other end of the garden. He pulled on a small lever and out poured an orange liquid. "Take a taste, my dear." Abigail did. The taste was sensational. It tasted like a warm hot fudge sundae. "It is my grandmother's secret recipe. It has been in my family for years. When man and animal could talk nicely with one another, we often shared secrets with one another." The Fox wiped his glasses again on his handkerchief. The bluebird stood nearby, pruning his feathers. He had also taken a pocket-watch from his vest and looked at it for the longest time. "Sir, I think I shall take my leave now." And with that, the bluebird lept up into the sky and flew over the ridge beyond. "I'm sure you would like to see the rest of my house. I will show you many wondrous things before the tour is over. In fact, I will take you to see my mate." The Fox led Abigail back into the hole and they came to a large staircase. There were photographs hung here and there and the wall was in itself a large photo album. They showed pictures of the young kits when they were young, running through the meadows in the north with their parents. There were many miles to explore before folk like you and I wandered into this world. The staircase wound around and around and Abigail felt that they would reach the stars before they stopped. Before long, the Fox did indeed stop. "My mate will be happy to welcome guests, so long as we don't wake the kits." The Fox pulled a golden key from his vest and opened one of the large doors found on the top floor. Inside the room they chose, was a large bedroom. A massive chandelier hung from the ceiling, shining like diamonds you would find on a wedding ring. The mate he spoke of, was curled up on the bed, hidden among the covers. "My darling, I have brought with me a guest from the human world." The Fox proudly said this. At first, there was no movement. The bed was silent. "She loves to sleep. Sometimes it takes a siren to wake her up." The Fox walked over to the door and opened it again. The covers stirred. "Is that you, darling?" The voice was so sweet and relaxing. Abigail's heart melted. "It is indeed. I would like to introduce a human to you." The Fox guided Abigail to the bedside. The female Fox looked up at Abigail and smiled. "And who is this pretty thing? She looks as though she was sculpted by the gods." She climbed out of the bed. "She just happened to be traveling along the road." "She looks almost like our daughter. The daughter that the humans took." The Fox's eyes seemed to fill with tears. He walked over to the wall and stopped in front of a big map. The map showed the land in which they lived. Thousands of red pins were stuck into multiple locations. The Fox stuck a pin into the wall and sighed. "The trappers are moving farther south. We will have to move." His mate's eyes opened wide. "We can't leave this beautiful country."
Chapter 3: The Magic is Fading After Abigail entered the Fox's home, her mother had become stressed. "Why hasn't my daughter come home yet? She was always a good girl and she had always been home on time!" Abigail's father wasn't so distressed. "She is only a girl darling. She has probably met up with her friends in the wood. I will fetch us dinner. If I see her running around, I shall tell her that her mother is worried sick." But even still, her mother paced back and forth while wiping her hands on her apron. She was washing up dishes, preparing for the bird her husband would bring home. "It's that forest, dear. So many hunters have gone in and have never returned." "She walks past it every day on her way home." Father was losing his patience. "You cannot keep her on a leash her whole life. She won't have any magic left in her when she becomes like us." He began to prepare his rifle for the trek into the wild. "Don't forget your canteen darling! I have filled it up as you like." Mother handed Father a small, metal canteen. You could hear the water swishing around inside. Father looked at his wife with pride. He took her in his arms. "Listen to me." Father could see tears in Mother's eyes as she adverted her gaze. Still, Father was persistent. "If anything were to happen to you, you can be assured there would be no mountain, flood, river, or country I wouldn't cross to help you. You understand?" Mother nodded. "You are the man of the house." She smiled. "What would a man be without his wife? His missing piece?" "You wouldn't be able to keep your suit clean or walk straight of I didn't tell u how." Father smiled. "My parents were weird, darling." "Same excuse." They were both laughing now. But Father said seriously. "I had grown up in the wild. It taught me things that keep me focused. Waiting for a deer, the only thing that could feed myself and my two brothers, taught me patience. My father taught me discipline, when he was not hooked on the bottle. The forest was my only hope when I was young. It was an escape." "But yet you are a shopkeeper?" "I was strong. Good with business. You are the strongest woman I have ever known and our daughter is your spitting image." Father picked up his rifle and walked to the door. "Trust me, our daughter will survive." He was gone. Abigail was still standing in the Fox's bedroom at this time. The Fox had tried to comfort his mate, but tear ran down her fur. "Darling, think of it like this. As the hunters come farther South, they will enter areas with human families. They will be forced to turn around." "But how will we move our family? We don't have a gopher or a mouse to pull our carriage. We will be sitting Foxes!" "My dear, we must not lose hope yet. Hunting season, luckily, is drawing to a close soon. Luck is still on our side." "What about poachers?" The Fox's face remained grave. It seemed as if he were recalling a long forgotten foe. "We cannot think about them now. We must stay positive." "Why haven't you moved in the past? Abigail asked. "My darling girl, you see the vast sea on the bottom of the map?" Abigail nodded. "We are here." He put his finger on a small green dot. "This is our home." He then slid his finger down to the edge of the water. "We are five miles from the sea. Where would we go?" "To the water's edge. I have seen beautiful sunsets there." Abigail loved watching the sunset of the southern shore. "I suppose I could die in peace there. Our kind would be gone. The magic that was found here in this world would go with us, Man-kind would never see us for who we really are." "But you must not give up hope. Maybe something truly amazing will happen. That is the thing about life. Every day is like Christmas morning. You get presents but don't know what is inside them until you open them." Abigail said while twirling her hair. Suddenly, they heard a knock upon the door. The blue-bird entered. "Sir, I am sorry to interrupt. Mr. Wither would like to speak to you." His eyes blinked, as if he had just spoken about a god. "Very well Winston, thank you. My love, I shall take my leave of you now." The Fox said hugging his mate. Abigail jumped off of the chest she had been sitting on. Her heels were shining as the light bounced off of them. "I believe he may have some good news for me after all." The Fox laughed. "Who?" Abigail was confused. Everyone seemed to act very strangely when this person was mentioned. The Fox looked at the floor as he walked. "Why, he is the wisest creature in this forest. He can see all. He works in mysterious ways and is not to be taken lightly." The Fox had a look of honest joy upon his face. "Where can we find him?" "In his Palace of course, which is right around the bend." "Is he a King or some sort?" "He very well might be. Most of us come to him for advice. Don't you worry." The Fox lead the way as they descended a long staircase. His house was huge. There were family portraits hanging on the wall. Priceless vases sat on golden tables. How can he afford all of this? He has no money! When they left the house, it was very dark. Small candles burned in the windows of the Fox's home. The night sky was filled with stars, stretching from here to there. There was the distant howl of a coyote, and the sound of the wind flowing through the trees.
They then entered what looked like a large Throne room. Animals were kneeling and whispering questions. A small robed animal, who she guessed was a representative of Mr. Wither, walked from animal to animal, placing his hand on top of their heads. He seemed to listen, like a priest in the confessional, to each question muttered. Then he would nod his head, and move to the next. A bell rang and every animal stopped talking at once. "Would you all take your seats please?" A stork had walked forward. Every seat became filled. Abigail noticed that the robed animal walked over to the throne, which was large and rounded. He seemed to kneel before whoever was sitting in the throne and whisper to himself. The doors were closed and bolted at the back of the room. The stork walked to the center of the room and stood in front of the crowd. "Thank you all for coming. I suppose you all are curious as to why you have been summoned." Not really! This is a joke! "Guards, seize that man" The robed figure yelled. There was a brief scuffle, the opening of the doors, and the scream of pain as an animal hit the ground outside. The doors were closed. "Those who do not take this seriously may be warned. We have grave business to discuss tonight. Many of you have offered your questions already." "What is this place?" Abigail whispered. "I will explain it to you. But first we must be quiet. He is about to speak." Chapter 4: The Oracle "Quiet please." The stork was trying to get everyone to sit down and be quiet. There were several bells ringing in the background. "The mighty Oracle has heard your questions and has determined that there seems to be a strange pattern. Many of you confessed to doing things, which is wonderful. He will offer counsel after this meeting. Most of you are asking about the human problem that is arising in the North. The hunters and trappers are continuing their slow trek through woods, fields, and the occasional frozen tundra to get here." The stork was standing up on what seemed to be a stage, and he addressed the whole crowd with a loud, booming voice. "What are we going to do?" Someone cried. "Yeah Oracle, help us!" Another yelled. "Silence! All will be taken care of. We cannot go South, for we would be trapped." The robed animal had continued to kneel before the person sitting in the throne. The stork continued. "Although the Southern Shores are beautiful, we cannot risk the long and difficult journey. Many of us will certainly die. The Oracle fears for your safety and mine." "Oh yeah, then how come this "Oracle" sits on his throne day and night? I don't think I have ever seen him before." An Eagle yelled. "The mighty Oracle is not like us. Can we continue with the meeting please?" The stork seemed to be nervous. Nobody spoke. "We must consider all of our options. We animals with the ability to talk will be destroyed. I remember when my father gave me my name. Pardon me, but I don't know his name now. In fact all of us were given the names that the humans call us by. You remember that." There were mixed replies of yes and no ringing out from all sides of the room. A beaver stood up. "I remember a place that was beautiful and pure, well except for a certain animal I won't mention now. I was given my name by a man. "Beaver", he called me." "It was truly amazing. But, there is no such paradise now. Man-kind has lost it's ability to communicate with us. Now, we are nothing to him." The stork bowed his head. "I know of such a paradise. I live in a beautiful wood." Abigail had jumped up. "A HUMAN!" A loud roar escaped from the crowd. Animals jumped up and began to run in every direction. "She can't be here! The Oracle will destroy her!" Someone yelled. "I certainly will not. I am a little girl! Why would I want to hurt any of you?" "I find it odd that they just noticed you now." The Fox whispered in Abigail's ear. The stork was trying to regain control of the situation. Food was thrown at the stage. Suddenly, someone started screaming. "It cannot be! Have mercy on me!" The robed animal was freaking out and clutching his heart. A soft, sweet voice, like the purr of a cat, rang out through the air. "My child, I wouldn't dream of harming a hair on any of you" Abigail's heart melted. It was so soothing. She gasped when the throne turned around. Seated upon the great chair, was a ginormous tortoise. His shell had a golden gleam to it and he looked around as if he knew what was going to happen. Animals that were running by instantly dropped to their knees. Soon, everyone was quiet, bowing before him. "That is better. Why do you disrupt our assembly with this noise?" The robed animal ran forward. "Sire, our meeting was going quite well, when when........" "Speak up, my son. Do not be nervous around me. I have always been here for you. Why should now be any different?" "Sire, there is a HUMAN here!" The robed animal fainted, as if the very phrase would kill him. "A human? Why do you run around and treat said person as an outsider? Bring her before me at once!" Abigail was pushed forward, her heels digging into the ground. The beauty of the animal was blinding. He had a glow that seemed to fill your eyes with tears. Abigail found herself kneeling. "Is this was ails you all? This small child? For shame, fools!" There were many whispers in the crowd. "We must treat her as our guest of honor! Bring her to a place where she can eat and drink! Guards!" The two badgers walked forward and escorted Abigail out of the room. The Fox was trying to exit the building but the Oracle looked at him. "You there, stop!" The Fox froze. Three guards brought him before the throne. They forced him to kneel. "Peter J. Fox! Are you mad?!" The Oracle was furious. "Slightly." The Fox replied. "This no time for jokes you fool! How could you bring a human into my domain? I ought to have you jailed for this!" The other animals were leaving the room quickly. "She is only a girl. I don't think she can harm anyone." "Yes, but what happens when you send her back to her own world? She might tell everyone that there are talking animals! Her family will think she is mad!" The Oracle started to beat his fist on the armrests of the throne. "Good. I hope the eyes of man will be opened for once." "You are a fool. Humans fear what they do not understand. That girl will be labeled as a loon. Do you want to bring that upon this girl?" "Of course not! I only wanted to better relations between our two kinds." "You have failed. I shall take up the responsibility of caring for the girl. As for you, you have caused enough problems. I sentence you to jail time." "What will you do to her? She has not caused any harm yet! I can take care of her myself!" "Enough! Guards, take the girl to my chambers! She will be comfortable. We will erase what damage this lunatic has caused. A little memory-wiping sleep never harmed anyone." "What is that? What does that mean?" "We will use a potion to drive out the memory of this place. It is quite simple. Now, you are to spend three months in the village jail. That is enough out of him." The guards dragged a furious Peter J. out of the room. The Oracle turned to the robed animal, who had been standing by the entire time. He was shaking. "I am going to get rid of them both. Peter J. cannot be released from prison. See to it that he never leaves!" The Oracle said. "But, you sentenced him to three months........" The robed animal began. "Just do what I say, or you will join him in that deserted place! As for the girl, she should never have been brought here. The potion that we will use may not work. If it backfires, she will talk and the humans will not believe what they hear." "What is the big deal, sire?" "If she remembers anything, she could lead the people right to the Fox's home! Right to the village!" The robed animal nodded his head. "Make sure the girl is comfortable and I will speak to her myself soon." Chapter 5: The Fox is Imprisoned The Fox had continued to struggle as the guards dragged him throughout the village. He noticed that the town was quite small. Animals looked with curiosity as he passed them. Their clothes were torn and ripped, almost like the very ground the walked upon. Along with this endless sea of creatures, came the smell of rot and decay. Several homes were basically tents, held up by sticks and rocks. Some were just fox-holes in the ground, in which eyes peered out in fear. "Help me walk darling!" A old mole said as he sat on his front stoop. "I can't grandpa! You have to at least try to stand yourself." A younger mole was trying to help his grandpa up, but the old mole could barely move anymore. His life was like that of a man who had seen much glory in his day, but he knows that he will soon become dust once again. "If you do not help me stand, I shall beat you with what strength I have left! Every time I see those guards, that means an execution is soon to happen. I haven't missed an execution since the day my mama could give me solids to eat. Help me up you fool boy!" The Fox gulped. Execution? "Clear the streets! Make way for the guest of honor!" The guards called this as they walked down the street. "Guest of honor? I would not bet my furry behind on it. Much less give that feller two days to live." One voice boomed. The crowd was laughing and giggling. "I would start talking to your maker right about now,son" Another voice said. "Quiet, all of you!" The guards yelled. "This man is a guest." There was that word again. Guest. If he was a guest, then why were they dragging him? Also, they had put a cloth over his mouth so that he couldn't talk. The stench of the village was revolting. Garbage littered the streets. Animals were on their knees, throwing flowers towards the Fox, making him want to cry. The robed animal was walking behind them at a distance. He seemed to be very frightened, as if the words of the Oracle were running rampant in his brain. Two more guards were escorting him through the streets. The Fox noticed that the guards pushed him forward when he moved too slow for their tastes. Finally, the horrible trip ended. They entered a large building, which was build like a fort. It was the village jail, where the insane people were kept. The Fox knew this well. He was not surprised when he heard the screams and cries of the ones society deemed to be unfit. You might think this happens in our own society. As they passed multiple cages, the Fox got a glimpse of these poor souls. Several were sleeping on cots, made from multiple twigs nailed together. It looked very uncomfortable. Many were being fed with long spoons. A guard would walk up to the bars and give the prisoner a sip of liquid. The Fox guessed he would get to try some of this "liquid food" as it was called. "Quest of honor indeed. I have been labeled a nut. I am not crazy. Well, maybe a little, but not insane. I have done nothing to deserve this." "You keep talking to yourself, everyone will think you are. Now shut up you!" The guard actually slapped the Fox as they walked. It was the first time that anyone had ever mistreated him. He had been spanked as a child because he deserved it. But getting slapped, simply because he was speaking his mind, was absurd. Especially when he had been arrested for no good reason. He had never intended to hurt Abigail. He wished to show her the beauty of nature. The true beauty found beyond normal sight. What we humans miss, when we look at an animal and say: "Look at that bird! It does not have any feelings. How pitiful!" "Well I do have feelings I say!" The Fox thought out loud there for a moment. "I can think. I can talk. I don't care whether anyone can hear me or even bothers to listen to my cries. I have dignity like everyone else. I will not be handle as if I have committed murder! "Nobody is accusing you of murder, my dear Fox. The Oracle wishes to have you locked up so that Abigail can be sent home. He wishes to wipe her memory of this place." One of the guards said. "He cannot do that. That potion has never been tested before. I am sure he means well and does not wish the girl any harm, but that potion could kill her for all he knows." The Fox said. "It is perfectly safe. The human will feel nothing. She will wake up and all will be well. The reason you are being locked up is simple. You have brought a human into our domain, which is a federal offense. We animals are never supposed to speak to a human. It has been forbidden since the "Fall" as I remember. The code has been strict. Violators have been punished." "Who made that law?" The Fox asked. "I do not know. I am only doing as I am told. I hear the Oracle is very wise and has lived for centuries. He has seen things that I can only dream of." The guard said. "What has he seen?" "I don't know. You will have to forgive my friend here. Sometimes he slaps anyone he wants." The Fox couldn't believe it. One of the guards was actually being nice to him. He has just committed a very serious crime and had been proven guilty. Humans were dangerous. That was true enough. But the Fox knew that some of them had to be good. How else could man still make beautiful things? There must be more to them then these animals think. That was why he brought Abigail into his home. She seemed so innocent and didn't have a care in the world. She had merely stumbled upon him by chance but the Fox sensed that it was meant to be. The prison was quite large. It held more people then it could feed. Often, animals had to be transferred to other buildings to receive food. When they behaved of course, they were allowed to see their families. This didn't happen very often though. When they were taken to the outside world to get food, they were escorted. They were never allowed to roam by themselves. Roaming alone could cause serious problems, depending on the inmate. But at least they got fresh air. The Fox was lead to a small cell, on the forth floor of the prison. The cell was quite small and had only a cot, a very small toilet, and a mirror, made out of a shard of broken glass. "Make yourself at home, runt." A guard said. He was an eagle in fact. "I would expect an eagle to have better manners. The Oracle used to hold you in high esteem." The Fox said, recalling the role the eagles once played in society. They were once personal messengers of the Oracle. Before that, they were messengers for the first man in some distant place. "We were held in high esteem. The Oracle became corrupted, as you have seen. He believes that animals and man must never coexist. He does not believe that we will last long." "He thinks that man-kind can't be trusted?" The Fox asked as the cell door was closed. "He thinks that they will kill us off. I used to think he reasoning was valid. But then, a young human girl found me near a cliff. I had broken my wing and had fallen from the sky in pain. I thought she would kill me, for the legends say humans are vile. But she took me in." "How did you break your wing?" The Fox asked. "I was shot. A hunter must have mistaken me for his favorite bird. The pain was unbearable. This girl was beautiful. She took me to her cabin in the woods and told her parents that she had rescued me. Then I was patched up and nursed back to health." He showed the Fox his wing, which looked perfectly normal. "It is like nothing ever happened." The eagle laughed. "I do have one question." The Fox said. "Ask any question. My name is Jeremy." "How did the Oracle come to distrust man? I mean he always seemed to be friendly, but I have seen his darker side." "You are lucky that you got to see him at all. I remember he used to hide. That is why he never sat facing the people. The throne was always turned facing the other way." "I had only seen his face and heard his voice. He actually revealed himself." "The Oracle has revealed himself? That is against his oath. When he left the distant place after the "Fall" he told me that he would pledge his life to helping animals in any way. If man could not help us, he would. Man was false and wicked. He vowed that he would never show his face but that he would act as an anonymous consular." "That is why he never showed his face. He once showed it to me, when I first came to him." "Then he has broken his oath on many occasions." The Eagle laughed. "I can tell you his story, but we cannot talk long. Maybe then you will understand his reasons." Chapter 6: Man Listens to Evil We must now go into the past. At a time when all was perfect. There was no darkness in the world. The Oracle had just hatched from an egg. His egg had a golden shine to it and his body held the same glow. His parents were thrilled. A loud voice proclaimed the news. It belonged to a man, who was standing over the nest. "He is quite beautiful. You should be proud. What will you name him?" "We shall call him Abner, meaning father of light. His children shall also carry that shine. A shine that glows like a sun peeking over the horizon." "He will be given great wisdom. He will be great." The man smiled. He walked off into the brush. As the Oracle grew up, he became respected. He was very wise and animals trusted him with their lives. He could often look through a soul and see the conflict within. One day, the man approached him. "Abner, I am quite lonely. There is no other person here to be with me." "Do not worry. I am sure the one who gave me the ability to speak can hear you and understands your pain. Time will heal your wounds." "I have given names to all of you. Every animal is my friend, you see." "Of course we are. We have always been friends. I knew that you were my friend when I first laid eyes upon you." "I knew that as well. This place is beautiful. I hope it can last forever." "It will. Trust me." The Oracle sensed that his human friend was conflicted. He felt uneasy at this realization. Time passed. One day the Oracle came to a tree he had never seen. "Man, what is this tree?" "That is the tree from which I am forbidden to eat." "It is quite pretty. Who told you you couldn't eat of it's fruit?" "He who put me here commanded me." The Man and the Oracle walked for a while, taking in all of the sights. When they separated, the Oracle noticed two small eyes peering out at him from the brush. "Come out! Show yourself!" A hissing sound erupted from the bushes. "You come to me, my friend." The voice was very deep and the Oracle became frightened. But he walked forward. A sharp tongue poked out the brush. "You truly think that man is good? He will betray you." The eyes were likes two small flames. "Nonsense! He would never harm me. You are mistaken." "Really? He now has a thing he calls a "woman" with him. She looks like she might lead him astray." "How do you know this. You are just a.." The creature rose up. It was a snake. The Oracle fell onto his back. "I know that he will betray you because I have heard him speaking. He curses me out and says he will destroy me. He stepped on my head with his heel and I tried to bite him. I say that I can kill him. He says that death does not grip him." "That does sound awful." "Does that sound like someone you would want to put your trust in? Someone who can crush your head?" "He wouldn't do that. He is wise and he is good." The snake started to move away. "We shall see how wise your man is. I shall talk to him myself and see if he really is as good as you say." "Where are you going?" The Oracle tried to follow him. The snake was slithering up the tree. "I can hear their merry voices now. I will speak to them. Make haste. See to it you do not interfere." Then the snake was gone. As the Oracle walked home, he thought about the snake quite a bit. The creature had been able to stare into his very being and make him uncomfortable. He had never met an animal like that. When he finally reached his home, he noticed that his parents were not there. The door was wide open and the windows were locked, which was weird. The heat alone would have caused his mother to faint. The wind had picked up outside and the shack shook. Then, there came a horrible sound from the sky. It sounded the the thundering of many hoofs upon the ground. The Oracle ran outside and noticed that the snake was fleeing for his life. He seemed to be cursing someone as he fled. But who was he fleeing from? A bright light was shining near the forest. The place were the big tree was. The Oracle ran as fast as he could to the edge of the forest. He noticed that animals were fleeing from the forest as fast as they could. The Oracle tried to get them to stop and explain themselves, but they would not. Then, he saw them. Two figures cloaked in animal skins, were being escorted out of the woods by a great light. This light has no form, but seemed to follow behind the two people. The Oracle noticed that the two figures were the man and his mate. They walked with their heads low and their arms at their sides. The Oracle became angry. "Why do you wear my friends on your backs? Murderers! Crooks! How dare you kill to keep yourselves warm! May they at least cover your shame!" The Oracle screamed with fury. How could the man and his mate wear their friends on their backs? It was maddening. The man looked back at the forest and then kept walking forward. The Oracle now saw man as false and he felt a lump of betrayal form in his chest. The great light stopped and it let the humans keep walking without it. But some of the light did not fade from the bodies of the humans, as if some greatness still lay within. Maybe it is still hidden somewhere. Chapter 7: Abigail's Escape "I hope you are comfortable." Abigail was. She was sitting in a large bed and had been waited upon all day by many servants. The Oracle had seen to that himself. Now, he stood before her as she ate. "I am so sorry to keep you waiting, my dear. I hope you can forgive me for being away so long." The Oracle had brought with him into the room, two armed badgers. Abigail was taking no notice of him. She kept eating, savoring every bite she took. Her stomach still growled for more. "This is the best food I have ever tasted." "Good. You will noticed that your clothes have been washed. Your hair has been done up. Your shoes were shined. You will be living in comfort when you are in my presence. It is a shame to let you starve." He snickered as he said this. "Where is the Fox? Surely he would like to eat some of this before I explode. I don't think I can finish it all." "The Fox will be tended to. I would like for you to tell me where you come from. Humans must have a place they call home." "Why...yes. I do live very close to this place. I live in a cabin." "Sounds pleasant. And where would this cabin be located?" "Near this very forest. This forest is quite beautiful. I don't understand why everyone fears it so." "Child, there is much you do not understand. I have lived here since I was young. I have seen treacherous deeds performed at the hands of many. That is why I proclaimed myself King of the Animals. I did it to protect my friends from the villainy of humans." "But I am not a bad person. I have never wronged you." But the Oracle grew serious. "How do I know you will not come back here with an army and crush us in our sleep? I do not know. Therefore, I must take steps to ensure the safety of my people." "What will you do with me?" "I will not harm you. You can be certain of that. I only mean to take some of your memory." "Why, I would never send an army upon you!" "That is quite enough. You will do as I say! I am the King of this land and I will will not be disobeyed. You will be taken to the procedure tomorrow morning! I have spoken!" Before Abigail could protest, the Oracle got up and left the room. His guards closed the door behind him. Abigail sat on her bed and started to cry. There was nothing she could do. She was an unwilling prisoner. ************************************************************************************************** Later in the evening, when she had calmed down quite a bit, there came a knocking upon the door. Abigail jumped up at once and opened it. She saw the robed animal standing in the doorway. "I beg your pardon, I hope I am not interrupting anything. I am still loyal to the truth. The Oracle is a wicked dictator." "I have found that out for myself." "Then you must come with me. I shall break you out of here and we shall rescue the Fox." "That sounds lovely." "You best put on more than just your pajamas dear lady." Abigail did just that. She threw on a long coat and headed for the door. "We must be very quiet. The guards will kill us both on the stop. Me, for being a traitor and you for being a runaway." "Is there an easy way out of this place?" "Not really. We must use the back entrance." The castle of the Oracle was quite large. There were many portraits hanging on the walls. Paintings depicting huge battle hung here and there. They walked past many rooms, all of which were occupied. The robed animal moved swiftly. He watched every shadow and moved closely alongside the wall. "Not much farther now." They came at last to a huge gate. "This is the back door. It is patrolled constantly. We must act as though we are merchants." "Why, must we do that?" "Merchants can come and go as they please. Hopefully, these guards have never seen your face before." The robed animal pulled her up to the gate. The gate opened rather easily. "Where are you taking that beautiful flower?" A guard sat up in a tower, drinking ale. He was clearly drunk. The animal spoke just like a man, making his voice deep and rich. He turned away to hide his face. "I have just bought this maid at the auction. I am taking her home with me." The market held auctions in which woman were sold off to husbands who offered the most money. Usually slaves of the Oracle were auctioned off. Others were kidnapped by the Oracles men. "I'll pay a lot more for her, mate." "You have a job to do! Good day, sir." Once they were far away from the castle, Abigail spoke. "Imagine it, selling woman away like we are nothing but a priced artifact." "It wasn't always like that. This town used to be very fruitful and full of virtue. That was the Oracles original plan when he proclaimed himself King. But alas, even the greatest King can become the root of the problem." "He seems to be drunk, for he thinks I am a female animal." "Yes, he does. What a dreadful thought!" "Where is the Fox then?" "He is being held in a prison on the outskirts of the town. We must go there at once." Chapter 8: Breaking Down The Bars The Fox continued to sit and listen to the Eagle's stories. "The Oracle really was once a good person." The Fox said. The Eagle sighed. "But even as we speak, your friend is being tortured. He will treat her nicely in the beginning, but he hates humans." "I wish I could help her. If I could summon an army of men to help me, I would. But they fear this forest." "The forest become the root of evil when the light left it. If man was really evil, would they not flock to it?" The Fox nodded. Suddenly, there came a shout from outside the Fox's window. He jumped up and raced to the opening. He saw two figures, standing over a much larger figure. It was Abigail. She was accompanied by another animal. "I will be delivered from this mess yet." He cried. "I will help you in your fight. I may be put to death, but I am starting to dislike the Oracle. May the Eagles return to their rightful status!" The Eagle and the Fox shook hands. Then, the Eagle reached into a pot that was sitting on a shelf far from the cell. He returned with a key in his hands and he unlocked the cell door. They two beasts ran through the prison. When the guards heard their battle cries, they raised their swords and shields. "Stop in the name of the Oracle! May one thousand curses be upon you traitors. Eagles are not meant to disobey!" They cried and they jeered. "What you follow is cruel and wicked. Have at thee cowards!" Their swords clashed. The Fox pushed guards over with incredible speed. He had been taught self defense by his father. "They must have broken into the armory, for they have weapons!" Guards began to appear everywhere. They ran out of rooms throughout the prison, attempting to stop the advance of our heroes. Most of them were cut down by the massive long swords, swiping here and there. Several heads rolled across the floor, while arms dropped to the ground. Outside, things were not much different. Abigail had been given a shield, while the robed animal fought with a long sword. Abigail found that she could just hit the enemy over the head, and they fell quite quickly. They fought their way to the main gate. This gate was not guarded at night because they were concerned with keeping people in, rather then letting people go. The gate was locked and the key was somewhere inside the prison. The Fox and the Eagle came to the gate very quickly. "Abigail! Are you alright? I never thought I would see you again!" This statement was followed by cheers and laughter, celebrating the fact that soon they would all be free. They didn't even care about the guards anymore. Freedom was so close they could feel it. "The Oracle is a wicked being!" Abigail stamped her feet. "He meant to wipe your memory of this place and send you home." This Fox said. "He also meant to keep the Fox under lock and key." The Eagle chimed in. "Then, we must fly from this location at once. If they find us here, we are sure to be put to death." "I know who can help us. He may be a bit odd in his old age. But he is a lot better than the Oracle. He is the true King of The Animals." Said the Eagle, who bowed his head. "A lion? That is the King Of the Beasts" Abigail said. "No, my father. He is the true King. He was born long before the Oracle. He has been true to the light ever since the fall. He even tried to stop the Oracle." "So the Oracle is a false guide, and your father is the truth?" "Correct. You now see how my friends have been blinded." "Then we must help them if we can." Then, find the keys my friends. They should be in that room behind you." Sure enough, there was a small room just a little ways from the gate. They found the keys hanging on a hook. Once the gate was open, the Eagle spoke: "Let the insane be sane. Let them come forth!" When he had said this, many animal ran out of the prison. They ran to the Eagle and thanked him dearly. They had been cured. "Those who do not hear, cannot be saved." Not every animal came forward. "Bars be broken." There came from the prison, a loud metallic sound. Many more prisoners were set free. The bars had been broken down. But even then, many animals went their own way. "Come, let us go to the castle of the King!" Chapter 9:The Door is Opened to All The journey to the King would be quite difficult. The human world was beginning to go quite insane. They all wondered where Abigail had gone to and several search parties were sent out into the wilderness. They all avoided the Forest with a passion. The Forest appeared to be wicked and wicked it was. You might say that the human brain added to the hype, making up tales of struggle and death, all occurring under that canopy. Most were false of course. "The King will not be expecting us. He believes that I am being held captive by the Oracle." The Eagle said. "But he will rejoice when he finds out you are free." The Fox said. "He has locked the gates to his castle. If I could tell him I was free, I would. I'm afraid he sees none." "You could fly into the castle!" The Fox said. "All of our catapults are broken dear Fox! Believe me, we used all of them in a long battle many years ago." There came from the woods, a long, shrill toot of a horn. It sounded as if an army was approaching. The Fox quickly raised the alarm. His new allies scrambled behind rocks and trees, trying to remain hidden. The Eagle decided to speak first. "Who is it that marches into my fair kingdom? By the sound, I should say you have a least a hundred behind you!" The footsteps stopped immediately. There were many whispers and chatters from among the group. "We are entering your kingdom seeking lodgings for some time. We are worn out and tired after a long battle." "You shall find it, if you are loyal to his majesty? Whom do you serve?" "The High Oracle of course. We have been fighting for him for years and have been kept safe under his watchful eye. Do you not think the same if our glorious leader?" The Fox laughed. "I would gladly give him to the human pest any day! He is like a stain that must be wiped out." There came the sound of swords being drawn. "I shall here no more words spoken against my leaders honor, you stinking wretch! Let us see your faces! I'll bet your faces are not as tough as your words!" "Let us see you run as the crow flies!" The men started to bark like dogs. They became like the crazed leader they supported. Even common sense was being replaced by a mad frenzy of hatred and vengeance. The Fox stepped out first. "Peter J! I have never heard you speak in this manner!" Now that the Fox could see the battalion, he was amazed at what he saw. Most of them were young animals of different shapes and sizes. They all wore the symbol of the Oracle on their shoulders. Their faces were worn and distraught, as if they very thought of seeing the Fox bit into their souls. Their uniforms were just like their faces. There were holes here and there. Entire patches of clothing were missing in some cases. They had seen many things but knew little. Most had never seen their parents, for they had been stolen at a young age. "You know what I think about the Oracle. He is a good man. He has always looked out for our village and our people." The Fox had to lie. He had seen the poorest citizens as he was taken to the prison. The Oracle couldn't even feed his own supporters. He talked about money and made promises he couldn't keep. The Fox could not believe he had not been removed long ago. He believed that the villagers kept him in office because of the spark of hope they still had for the future. But then, this begs another question. How long will this hope last? How long could they give up all their wealth to those who have enough already? "We know there are more of you hiding there! Come out, Let us see you!" The Eagle emerged from the hiding spot. He was shaking and trying to control his temper. "The Prince! I shall not bow to worship you! Your Father must meet the end of a sword I am afraid." "Is it because he speaks the truth while you wallow in your own false ideals? If anyone should be put to the end of a............." "Gentleman, please!" Abigail stood up. The animals recoiled in horror. "A human child! How could it be? The Oracle must be protected!" They started to march forward, hoping to end what journey our heroes had started. "You will not touch her! She is not as bad as you may think. Look at her! Do you really think this innocent child would hurt any of you?" The Eagle pointed to the girl but the animals only growled. "Conspiring with humans,eh? Too bad your old mom and pop can't see you now. You're hanging with a crook. Humans are not welcome here. They should go home real quick before they get hurt." "The King would welcome her and give her warmth. But now that I look at you fellows ans I have seen what you are all about, I don't think I shall give you the pleasure of entering My Father's kingdom." "Eagle! Do you not see that you are wrong. You have been flying too high I think. You don;t see that the humans close in on us as we speak. How can we trust the very kind that traps us and skins us?" "I really am quite nice! I have never harmed anything. Especially animals!" Abigail was starting to shake herself. "Well now, tell that to the rack my dear miss. We shall take you and your friends to the Fortress and we shall see how truthful you can really be." "You shall not touch anyone!" A voice suddenly boomed overhead! A shadow flew across the ground. Many of the animals dropped their swords. A flapping sound could be heard in the air. "Come now, Lord of the Guards! Let us see your ability to keep quiet for more than two minutes please. If you do not remain silent, I shall throw your head into the deepest part of the void! Do you hear me!" But nobody spoke. The voice demanded respect and it got it. The Eagle looked to the sky. "Father! Forgive these men who are not our foes. They know not they they disrespect you as well as me!" "They know full well who I am and what I am capable of, My Son! And now they are cowards!" Many of the animals ran in fear. They dropped what defenses they had an scattered. "Those who have sense, let them use it!" Some were smart enough to stay and drop to their knees. The creature above all, was the King of the Eagles. The High Lord of the Animal World. He was robed from head to foot and his beek was shining like the sun, which at this point was just beginning to rise. "Be gone all of you. I forgive you. But heed this warning. Those who follow the Oracle are not wise. They shall join him in the deepest places of the Void. My son shall see that all those who follow truth shall be saved from that end." The animals ran away in fear. But Abigail remained undeterred. She was in awe of the Eagles crown, which was decorated with jewels and other shiny things. She couldn't help but remain puzzled. "What do you mean? This world will come to an end?" "Yes, my dear child. This world is one that future generations shall not be able to find. The world will be swallowed. You shall see it when that time comes." "Father, We must retreat to the Castle and warn the people who are still loyal to you. The Oracle has corrupted many minds!" "Patience. The Oracle has sat on that throne for many years. I was just a chick when he took power and I once followed him into battle. But I found that his cult is not all I believed it to be." "He is wicked." The Fox cried out. "Wicked indeed. He was twisted by his own fascination with the Devil. I'll bet you a lot that the Devil himself planned this whole thing. Mind you, I cannot say so for certain. But the Man who put me here gave me a duty to protect those less fortunate than I." "That is the very wise thing to do. The King should look after his subjects." Abigail said. "Those who are loyal to me, receive my loyalty in return. I would like to invite all of you to my home. It is just a short walk and I think you will find it nice and homely." "Father, the human child wishes to know if she is welcome to spend the night? They have just escaped from the Oracle's grasp." "Only if it isn't too much trouble. We don't want to invite ourselves to spend the night. If you want us to visit with you, we can leave after lunch." " You are free to come and go as you please. I open the door to all of you now. I would gladly outfit you with an escort to take you back to your own world. But, as you were just talking, I sensed that the reason you asked is simply you don't want to be captured again or worse." "I just don't want to the Oracle to find us. If we leave the safety of your home, we may be crushed. Staying for a while may allow the dust to settle, so to speak." "I couldn't agree more. You can stay as many nights as you please. You will remain in my protection so long as you do so. Step into the village boundaries, and you will be prey." Chapter 10:The Great Castle Our group of heroes made their way to the entrance of the mighty castle. The most surrounding it was majestic. Nobody ever dared to question the authority of the Eagles. The Castle was built shorty after the King returned from a long war. He had been given the gift of gold when he was informed that the dwarves abandoned a small mine that lay just a few miles away. This of course, was quickly exploited. The money gained helped in the construction of a new home for the war hero. A feast chamber was built, along with a meeting hall as well. It was there that the assembly began. Many animals responded to the Kings call and many, were former war veterans themselves. They had seen the horrible sights, but now has fallen in love with the finer things in life. Beauty, Art, and Music, we're all things these animals adored. But they were rich. Abigail noticed the difference immediately. These animals were dressed in fine robes and the girls wore jewelry. An explosions of knowledge had taken place and with it came the chance to revive and rebuild the lands that has been destroyed. As they walked back to the Castle, the King spoke: "The Oracle has long been important. His influence cannot be denied. He will be hunting for you both. Many of his followers will fight to the death to keep him safe. We must act quickly and remain hidden. "What if they come to the Castle?" The Fox asked, skipping down the path. "I will not allow them to enter. The Castle shall be locked down and only close relatives and advisers will be allowed to see me." "That is surely good. I am hungry." Abigail was beginning to tremble. "Do not worry, my child. When we reach my kingdom, there shall be a great feast. Your hunger will be satisfied if only you trust me." They walked along a narrow road that ran on forever into the distance. The sound of music could be heard ahead. "Son, fly ahead and tell my children that I shall be home momentarily. Make haste!" The younger Eagle flapped his wings only once and he was off. "Why, it sounds like a massive party is in motion." Abigail started skipping with the Fox. "Indeed. There is no pain or suffering here. You can relax. We are entering the Woods now." The King hummed a song and the birds sang with him. "This place is beautiful. Look at the fruit that grows on the trees and the animals tending the fields." "Those are animals that has left the horrid world beyond. They are now working to expand my kingdom. I have given them new life." "Can we help you to expand?" Abigail said. "Of course you can. Anyone can. When my work is completed, you will be changed. I will help you to overcome the challenges ahead." "SIRE! SIRE! SIRE!" "What is this nonsense?" The King yelled. A young bear was running toward the group. "Sire, the Oracle has requested entry into the kingdom. What shall we do?" "Alert the guards! Only those chosen can enter the kingdom. If the Oracle enters this place, he shall be scorched alive. I wish to save him if I can." "Yes, sire." "The Oracle will be swift in his negotiations. Do not let him trick you, or his life is forgotten." The beaver moved as quickly as his legs could carry him. "Friends, to my Castle. It is just around the bend there. We must get you inside!" "But the Oracle shall die if he enters the kingdom!" Abigail said. "Yes, but there is one exception. If the Oracle confesses that he believes in me, he shall be allowed in. I cannot start a massive panic. I know what must be done. He must be driven off. In the meantime, we shall go to my Castle. It is just up the ridge there." They walked for a long while and saw many beautiful things. Gardens as far as the eye could see. Orchards were filled with every fruit you could imagine. "Those fruits there, were planted by the hands of man." The Eagle said this as if they were a great trophy or reward. The walk caused the group to feel relaxed. The air was fresh and crisp, which was perfect for cleaning out the airways of many. You could travel the world and never see canyons as beautiful as the ones displayed here. "This area was given to me by my father. His father witnessed the founding of this great land."
Many voices came from the crowd. "He cannot hurt us! You will protect us, won't you?" "I do not wish to see any of you suffer. It pains my heart to see even one of my children go astray. But to know that he could be brought to justice for his many crimes, fills my heart with love. I love him even though he curses me. Do you all not understand that he is my brother. All of us are one family." "But why would he be corrupted?" "Peace. He chose his own way. I suppose it is only the way this world works. If I could save him I would." A bright flash streaked across the sky to the South. "Sunset. A beautiful sight." The Fox said. "Time is not with us. The Oracle will be here in a days march if I am foreseeing it correctly. His army has grown tired for they would have been upon us already. I will take you inside the Castle. You will be fed and bathed and then we shall prepare for the coming of the lost." The Castle was very large. Unlike the Fox's home, there seemed to be a very eerie feeling floating around through the halls. Portraits of many battles hung above the heads of our heroes. "Many years and many moons have passed since these great warriors crushed their enemies. The very land we stand on was at the heart of the bloodshed. For one hundred years, the blood of my kin watered the ground. This Castle was built as a beacon of hope to all those who sought protection." The sound of joyous laughter filled the hall as the group passed by a large dining room. Many animals poured wine and other fine beverages. The smell of the wine was overwhelming. "I'm so hungry. Could we just stop?" The Fox moaned. "No, we must keep moving. You will reach the hall of your feast soon enough. Keep moving please!" The Eagle kept pushing the group along the golden hallways. "It's so beautiful! I've never seen a place like this! The Castles in the North don't even compare to your estate!" "It would be better if the horrid memories of bloodshed would leave my mind. Many animals died in the defense and construction of this great shrine. Many of them went off to seek their fortunes after it was completed, but ended up under the Oracles's control." The Eagle bowed his head. "Is that why the animals in the village look horrid and vile? Their homes are in disrepair and their souls crumble into the dust they breathe." Abigail said skipping along. Her heels clacked on the marble floor. "The Oracle led many of my friends astray and chooses to fill their minds with fear and doubt about what is true. He will face his end soon enough. Come my dear, let us feast." Everyone gasped as a massive table was revealed around one of the many corners. On its surface was placed glasses of wine or juice, baskets of bread, seeds and cakes, and tea. "Sit! Relax! Do not let your hearts worry about the darkness that looms. Now I welcome you to my table." The Eagle took his seat in the middle of everybody else and Fox sat at his left. Abigail removed her heels and sat at his right. The son of the Eagle sat next to Abigail. "MY KING!" A badger walked into the room. He had on him a robe and sandals. Abigail thought he looked like a hermit. "James, my son! Come sit! Enjoy a meal with your father!" Now this didn't make any sense to everyone around the table. But the Eagle seemed to sense their confusion. "My friends, James is my adopted child. He has been my friend since he came to me." After many hugs, the pair sat down. After eating their fill of cakes and drinking many cups of tea, the Eagle called for everyone's attention. "My friends, it has been an honor to share this time with all of you. Many of you animals will find yourselves returning to me in due time to share in this paradise forever. But I believe that I will not be with you much longer. The arms of evil stretch out like a great shadow across the land. The Oracles influence cannot be denied. But his will shall not be done. I should like to propose a toast." Many of the animals had been eating the bread found on the table. The Eagle poured wine (juice for Abigail) into their cups. "Friends, do not forget what we have shared here today. Whenever you drink this wine and eat this bread, remember me. For I will be with you always and if you believe in me, you will be victorious. There will come a day when I will return to eat and drink with you. But one of you has a temped heart and will cause destruction. This I know to be true." "Well, which one of us is it?" The Fox yelled. "Not ME!" James yelled. "Peace all of you! Do not fear what is to come. For it happens with a great purpose! I will now depart from you for a moment and return shortly." There was much grumbling after the Eagle left. Nobody understood his words and many arguments broke out. But these were stopped as a horn sounded from beyond the Castle walls. Everyone scrambled to the windows but it was two late. Warriors armed with spears and shields, broke down the door. James did not seem to be afraid as everyone else was. "Whom do you serve, sir?" James was shaking as the warrior looked on. "The high and mighty Oracle!" "Have you restrained the suspect?" "He is down the hall, in the gardens sir!" "Very good!" The warrior tossed a small bag to the badger. The jingling of coins could be heard. "Make haste to the river. Our army assembles there!" James didn't waste a second. He was never heard from again and he soul never saw the light because of what he had done. The screams if the oppressed rang throughout the castle. "The Oracle is here! The Oracle has come!" He had. The courtyard was ringing with cries and clashing metal. A loud, thunderous roar rolled across the land. "Hold onto to something!" The Fox yelled as he reached for support. The entire Castle bent and shook on it's foundation. "They are disrupting the peace! We will all be destroyed!" The robed animal has returned! He stood in the doorway with a ripped and tattered robe. His eyes were wide with fear and disgust. "You must flee from this place! The Castle will fall! Everything will be taken to the void!" "What is that?" Abigail was screaming over the wind. "The Oracle has broken the defenses. He is not worthy to enter this land. Normally you just burst into flames but someone summoned the vortex to this land. He is going to suffer for eternity!" "We must get out of here! We cannot remain here. We will surely be crushed to death!"
"Bring forth the King!" The Oracle screamed as his army surrounded the Castle. "If he is wise , he shall listen to me!" There was a silence among the crowd as they waited to condemn the accused. Of what he was truly wrong of, many of the men did not know. They followed orders and that was it. There hands were stained with the blood of the free. But said blood was not enough. Only the blood of one truly guilty in their own minds would quench their thirst. "Bring him out! Bring him out!" The shouting of the drones grew louder and louder. The dinner bell had rung. The limp body was dragged through the archway. The Castle swayed in the distance. Blood was running down his dry lips. The King himself trembled as the wind blew through his tattered wings. "It is warm! Bring me water!" The Oracle yelled. His servants were off in a flash. "Your estate is quite beautiful, King!" A hint of sarcasm could be heard in the golden voice. The King could barely speak. The warriors hit him over and over. "Where is the girl? I would very much like to speak with her. Stand aside now! Let me through." The King's head hit the ground and his crown rolled on the ground, denting itself upon the gravel. The Oracle scooped up the crown in his hands and laughed loudly. "The symbol of my victory. When the girl's memory is wiped, I shall take you and the treacherous Fox and toss you into the void. It's where you traitors belong!" "The only traitor here is you, coward!" The Fox and the rest of group dodged the falling debris and entered the courtyard. "The Fox! Arrest him and get that girl!" The Oracle screamed as the water was brought forth in a a massive bowl. "I am hot! Pour it over my head!" The water flowed over the giant head of the tortoise. He wiped his hands on a towel brought forth by a servant. "Let the void take them! Let the void take them! The crowd erupted into a frenzy of curses and taunts. "I am the King! These maggots have all followed this false king and now they have brought death to us all!" "You've brought it here yourself! This land has been tainted by your very presence! Why don't you crawl back into the snake-pit you come from?" "I'm afraid there isn't even enough time for me to make it there! Listen!" The land in the distance was crumbling and falling away, as if hell itself was coming to the surface. A bright light broke through the dirt. "Forget wiping the girl's memory. I tried to be nice to her and offer her a way back to her world!" "You were going to turn her into a mindless drone, just like your other followers. Do you not see your error? You are leading all of these people to their doom! The Void has come to take you and they are trapped!" The King's son had stepped up next to the Fox. "They are protected by their belief! There belief in a new kingdom is why they stand firm." "A kingdom that burns and destroys everything in it's path? These people has been wallowing in their own filth for long enough. Their belief has led them to neglect themselves. That is the difference between your kingdom and this one. We live! We support and share with one another. Your followers sit and wait. The wait for a leader that does nothing but sit on his fat backside!" Throw them in the void! The Void! The Void! Warriors began surrounding our heroes. The Mountains in the distance crumbled and collapsed, as if pulled by a massive hand. "Your eyes are blind to the truth. Now each of you will experience first-hand, the sufferings of the dead. Those who do not believe are taken! Taken like the trash they are!" The Oracle looked as though he had taken in too much wine. His eyes bulged out of his head and his hands swung wildly. That crown wasn't just a symbol for his power. It was all he had left. The very foundation of his world had fallen away and the brief thought flashed that his doom was near. His hold over the people, which had been essential, was suddenly gone. The ground allowed steam to smoke through the cracks and a canyon appeared. The wind was fierce and painful against even the toughest fur. Animals began to panic. "You will save us right?" A warrior asked him. "Remain at your post! Don't you move a muscle or I will have you shot and sacrificed first! Do you hear me?" "What will you do? You must hurry! We will all....." "Do you doubt me too, you filthy pig? Fine, you shall be the example! Grab him men!"
"The Truth. I always will serve the Truth." The warrior now saw with his own eyes. All his life he had seen the world through the lenses of another person. Now that he mind was freed, he turned and looked back at our heroes. "Don't worry friends! You shall find me soon." "To the Void with him!" The Oracle yelled. The fall was short. A small earthquake shook the already loose foundations of the cliff. "You see? Now he will be forever lost!" The Oracle looked wildly about him as if he sensed even more traitors around him. "He shall be saved. You shall be punished for your many crimes." The Eagle was struggling to pull himself to his feet. He looked like a rag doll that had be used one too many times. His beak was cracked. Fathers hung on only by threads. But even in this state, he shone brighter than the idol before him. Even the warriors had to hide their eyes. Never before had they seen the light before. "Why is that fool still standing? Grab him!" The Oracle's madness had reached it's peak. Seeing the void did not sway his words, nor did the raising of spears to his side. "We have had enough of your madness! Our kids have not eaten well for weeks! I sit in my own filth and watch my body blend with the ground!" "He's right! He's right!" The Oracles own General had seen the growing tension. The light had cleared his mind, as if he know knew the sufferings of his own people. "We could have lived here in comfort, feasting and smoking, and caring for one another as we rightfully should!" "You think this man would give you all of that? He is nothing but false! I have given you all the protection and good health you could ever want!" "Do I look like a healthy animal? DO I? Going to your fancy show-room and hearing your golden voice didn't solve my problems! I waiting for a savior and I didn't get one listening to you!" As the General spoke, he pulled at his rags. The dust upon his arms crumbled away, as if it was his own skin. The Castle crumbled and shook. The foundations had fallen long ago and some force unknown to them kept them in the balance. The Eagle looked to the sky as if he knew the unavoidable truth. He knew that the Oracles rein was over, forever. More and more spears were pointed upwards. The grumblings among the crowd grew louder and more descriptive. The Void was now so close the heat caused several animals to call for water. But the lake was gone, just like their sanity. It had crumbled like their will to stand still and wait. "Who knows? If we take action, we can live the good life, away from this fool!" The voices rose to a crescendo, blending with the grinding of natural force. The falling started slow. Those towards the back of the crowd screamed only slightly before plummeting to eternity. "Run! The ground breaks! Run to the hills!" The Fox screamed. Very few could hear him over their desperate cries. Eternity seemed a lot more important now that it was upon them. Those that could hear ran with him past the ruins to the surrounding slopes. The Eagle, broken and still, did not stir. He looked ahead at the disappearing ground as if he knew it had been his fate all along. Although friend and enemy plummeted, he did not seem to think he had chosen a side. Death was Death. He, like many, looked forward to something beyond his own feathers. As the Eagle slid downwards, Abigail screamed in panic. "I shall not let you fall!" She raced forward, kicking her heels off. She helped a few of the wounded to their feet and caught a few of the souls sliding down. She hauled them to safety and quickly went back for more. The Fox watched from the hills and didn't waste a moment. "Wait here! You shall be safe." He raced down to help Abigail, dodging cracks in the golden pathway. He passed a crack in the ground and noticed skeletons and coffins flying into the abyss. The Tomb of the Fallen. Many great warriors had been buried beneath the Castle many generations ago. Now even the dead couldn't hide from the void, the endless wrath. Abigail grabbed the Eagle by the left wing. He had almost slid into the void and hie raised his eyes to meet hers. "Do not worry, my child. You will see me again. I promise that to you. Let me go." "I certainly will not!" She couldn't hang on. Tears streamed down her face and onto her shoulders, leaving stains on her already stained dress. "We will meet again. When you open your eyes again tomorrow, you will find me there. I promise......." Abigail turned away. She didn't get very far. The Oracle had been perched upon his rocky perch for long enough. When the Eagle fell, he threw his head back and let out a loud chuckle. "You'll never take me! The Eagle is doomed!" But as if an answer was immediate, the rock he was standing on split down the middle, throwing him off balance. He flew through the air when his perch collapsed entirely. Sliding in a fury of anger and spit, he caught sight of Abigail and caught her ankle. "FOX! Help me!" Within seconds, the Fox had her wrists in his hands. The Oracle, with fire in his eyes and a torrent of laughter, fell into the spinning vortex that had formed in the valley below. "Give me your hands!" He yelled over the wind. "Okay, grab me!" But the Fox lost his footing as the ground started to fall. "EAGLE!" The Son of the Eagle stood above on the hillside and noticed the figures in peril. He flew down into the valley, dodging the spears of the condemned waiting for their turn. "Take her Now! It's too late!" The Fox tossed Abigail up into the air, and she landed in the Eagle's outstretched wings. "Turn and run! Get out of here....." "No, we cannot leave you!" Abigail kicked and squirmed but the Fox did not speak again. "We must head to higher ground, darling. He will be fine. Quick, let us go to the others!" The Eagle ran to the nearby slope, which was filled to the brim with survivors, those that had trusted the truth. The molten valley below glowed with the intensity of one thousand forest fires. "Do not fear for those we have lost. If they believed in the Truth, we shall see them again. We must move away from here quickly. This hill may not hold for long. Grab what weapons you can and follow me." The Eagle, still carrying Abigail, led the group into the next valley. Eyes were quickly widened as the massive object was revealed. A boat, from an ancient time, sat perched on the rocks below. The shear size alone could have caused fainting alone. "Behold! The Ark! A holy vessel long forgotten!" The Eagle pointed to a small entrance." That is where we shall find rest tonight." The trek down the hill was very difficult. If the valley had once been part of an ocean, the ground seemed to show it. Fossils of creatures and coral littered the ground. Surrounding the door, which was very small as it was, were the remains of soldiers. They were humans, and many of them bore different banners from throughout history. Greece, Rome, America, and Germany. Shields and spears littered the ground and several were stuck in the hull of the ship. Muskets were carried by the Americans and the Germans carried machine guns. "Do not open the door! These unfortunate souls learned that the hard way. I must give the password." The Eagle knelt to the ground and whispered something in a language Abigail did not understand. The ground shifted and a small hole revealed itself. It opened up wider and wider until it looked like a hatch. "Quickly get inside! I fear more danger awaits after nightfall." Everybody immediately did as they were told. The passageway led underground and the tunnel wound around and around. They soon entered what looked like a huge chamber, complete with a large waterfall. After filling themselves on the crystal clear water, their cares disappeared. Sitting in small groups, they smoked their pipes, and drank wine found in a hidden cellar. "Eagle, what do we do now?" Abigail asked. "We head for the water. The Great Sea to the South. There my ships will take us beyond this country." "My family will surely miss me. I have been gone for a great while and I have missed supper." "Supper is the least of our problems. A great shadow now moves. I can feel the ground shake when I lay my head down. The Oracle's downfall will bring forth a new threat, who seeks the throne. One who has been there since the beginning. The Cause. We will meet him soon and our fears will be realized. But fear not. We will conquer him as we conquered his student." "You have the throne! Who else but you may have it?" The animals stood and surrounded their King. "He seeks his own shrine. All men seek their own thrones, their own gold, their own pleasure, and yet they find no fruit. This is no man we face however, he is the wickedest creature in the land." After resting for some time, the group filled themselves up again on the water and set out once again. "The Great Sea has one great port used for trade. His majesty has a mighty vessel docked there, which we shall use." "Won't the humans catch us and skin us?" An animal bellowed from the back of the pack. "The human knows nothing of this vessel. We will sneak in and none shall see us." "I must really get home! My parents must be worried sick. I would not like to bring the wrath of the humans down upon all of you!" Abigail felt the tears "You will see your parents soon enough my dear. They will be waiting for you when our adventure has concluded." The desert stretched on and on. The water they had drank in the cavern kept them going for at least four or five miles. "I can't walk anymore. My feet hurt. Please tell me we are close to the port!" One of the animals yelled. "We shall be there soon friends! Have faith in your guide!" The grumbling did not cease. The sand was so hot that not even their worn sandals could hold the heat back. "I've been to the port before. I was freshly hatched but I still remember the glorious stench of fruit and the brand new rugs woven in the West." A duck squawked from the back of the group. "I remember a large fountain with glittering coins everywhere! A fortune is bound to still be there." A lizard spoke as he crawled along, avoiding the feet as he went. "I've heard that there's a massive market with jams, pastries, and all different kinds of jewelry." A dog barked as he trotted along. "Yes! You will get new clothes, sandals, and maybe a nice bath as well." The Eagle sounded confident, but the look on his face suggested otherwise. A sign appeared that read: Port of Salador 2 Miles The group started to trot forward with passion. Their tongues couldn't stand the uncomfortable dryness any longer. They had a zombie-like quality to them. Their eyes were fixed on the road ahead, the horizon twinkling in their padlocked eyes. For them, the heaven they had known, their home, shrunk into the distance. The Oracle, or the Banished One as he soon became, would never quench their desires again. For them, home was death. The Eagle was their life. "Welcome my friends, to the Great Port!" The Eagle turned after that long trot, expecting deliverance. The town and port sat as brown and lifeless as the sand around it. Flags and banners still hung from poles and above shops. Walking down the main street was the worst part. The ovens were buried under think blankets of filth and bone. Coins did litter the street and skeletons seemed to wave at our group from the ground. "A raid no doubt." The Eagles eyes scanned all the buildings. Nothing moved, except for the hawks circling the scene. "Why do we stand out in the open? Someone is bound to see us!" Abigail stamped her foot and dust circled and swirled around her dress. "Afraid the hawks will get you? They seem to be the only living thing that has touched this port in a few years." The dog barked. "Not even a distress signal? This was the center of trade for our kingdom. Look at all of my dead subjects! Many animals seemed to have died protecting this market. Pity my father knew nothing of your suffering." He started to cry. "No human remains? This was the last intergrated port in the land, yes?" The duck asked. "Yes, but in their last letters, the humans were thinking about leaving for newer territories." Everyone scratched their heads. "My fellow humans couldn't have done this to your people. It looks as if this place was ripped apart by weather! A sand storm perhaps?" Abigail hoped this was true. Humans were not that cruel! "Young lady, this port was fully functional just a few months ago! How could these bodies be so rotten if they have not been here this long? That's what I would like to know!" "Please, let us not allow this one event to tear us apart. We stick together and discover the truth ourselves." The Eagle hushed everyone and the wind appeared to stop blowing immediately. Silence fell like a black curtain upon the market. Then the hissing came. Very soft at first, then violent as it got closer and closer. "What is that, your majesty? What is that horrible sound?" Everyone began to cower in fear. "Do not fear what comes! We will stand our ground together!" The Eagle drew a small sword from his side and stepped forward in front of the threat. The hissing stopped almost immediately. A few heads appeared over the dunes in the distance, with a few more popping up every second. It was an army of various animals, all armed with spears and shields. Their helmets were made with hallowed out coconut shells and their spears were sharpened sticks and twigs. It seemed as if the sea had overflowed and a tsunami was near. They sang hymns as they approached and Abigail recognized song of them. It was a beautiful harmony that must have been carefully rehearsed. Every voice blended perfectly into the mix. "Hail, The True King! We have traveled far to meet up with you! How fares you and your party? We have snacks and candy galore!" A small gopher had walked forward, shielding his eyes from the sun. "I salute your speed! Yes, I am sure my friends would like some food. What news from the North?" The King said while saluting back. "The supporters of the Oracle have raised an army to combat you sire. The port that is still functioning up there has started to post flyers stating that you are a traitor!" "Who is raising such an army? I won't have any rebellion! Most of my kingdom has already been swallowed! We must try to keep the peace." The King hung his head low. His rein would surely be over if the rebels cut him down. "Word is, the Deceiver himself is at the head!" Every animals gasped. Cries of "I thought he was banished" and "How could he do this to us?" rang threw the crowd. "We must have his head then!" The King actually looked furious. His head seemed to be steaming. "The humans have left that port as well. The unfortunate souls of this port starved and their bodies decay. My King, you must save your subjects! Without trade from the humans, they will all surely die in the desert!" "Then we must make haste to the Port of Daloure and fast! Hurry my friends! We shall meet the traitors army there." After just a few more hours of traveling north, the group started to get nervous. "What if the humans come out and slice us to ribbons? Or what if the humans catch us and sell our fine pelts?" A beaver yelled. "Have faith in me! I will protect you." The Eagle did not stir. He had been answering this question many times. Once they had settled in one spot for the evening, a fire was built and the army pitched tents. Abigail sat with the Eagle, brewing tea, playing games, and singing. Abigail looked into his eyes and asked: "Do you think we shall ever see the Fox again? Or the others that were lost?" She seemed to be holding the tears back. "I believe we will. If those that have gone before us believed in the Truth and not the evil of the Oracle, then yes they are safe and protected." "Where did they go? What exactly is the Void?" "The Void is the ultimate test of one's soul. Think of it like a judgement. If you were good, you were safe. The Oracle will be punished in many horrible ways for tainting our world." "I just wish I could see the Fox again. I can imagine he was very scared." "At first, I would think that he would be. He was not meant to die. But he saved your life by throwing you away from that terrible fall. He deserves to be remembered for his bravery. Many songs will be sung about him I'm sure." Looking at the soldiers, Abigail noticed that many of them were former followers of the Oracles. Gone were their rags and horrid smells. In their places, armor and honor not found there before. Even the old and weak had taken up arms. One animal, a gopher, could barely stand. He held a sword in one hand and used a walker with the other. "I will fight for him who saved me from bondage! I will die clutching this sword and this shield which protect me from the Deceiver!" He walked slowly and had to be helped along. "Eat up and rest well. We leave right away in the morning." The Eagle walked to his tent and left Abigail in a soft doze. The flames from the fire felt good upon her face. She knew not what was to come. Abigail woke from her sleep with a start. Her heart was pumping, though she didn't know why. Her dreams had been pleasant and she had imagined that she was at home in her mother's arms. The fire was roaring in the fireplace and her friends had just came to play with her. This tranquil scene was interrupted by the shrill toot of many horns and the clanking of armor. The soldiers were already moving, sharpening their blades and packing satchels. "Come on little miss! We must go North a little ways. Pack your stuff!" Abigail guessed this was the general through her sleepy eyes. She climbed out of bed and combed her hair. A red dress had been set out on the couch, which looked very appealing to the eye. She slipped it on and walked to the mirror to check herself out. He eyes glistened in their sockets. When she exited the tent, most of the other tents were gone. The warriors were lining up and saluting the general, who was giving a rousing speech. Abigail could make out only small portions, as she scanned the remains of campfires and meals scattered around area. Something did catch her eyes as she walked near the cliff. The cliff overlooked a vast valley, appearing to be circled by smaller cliffs. Part of the Northern Forest stretched out from the right side and Abigail noticed her village, nestled right by the forests edge. The chimneys were still smoking from breakfast and the market was swarming with people. "I didn't know I was this close to home. This is an incredible view." "You've come full circle. You started there in the forest and have ended up here. Your journey is nearly complete." The Eagle had walked up behind her. "Seeing everything from up here is truly eye opening. You can see everything. Even the Great Sea far off in the distance. We are not that far from the coast that surrounds the land here." "The Coast will be a few hours march from here. You should go home to your family. They will miss you!" "I can't leave you. Not when your kingdom is on the line. I wish to stand by your side." Abigail looked up into his eyes. "You must allow me to come with you." "I would not like to see you get hurt. You are safe here in the center of the land. The army of the Deceiver is sure to be on it's way. You must flee." "What of your life? This isn't just evil we face. It is your way of life. I must stand by your side no matter what." The Eagle seemed to ponder her words. "We shall give you a group of warriors to protect you. They shall walk around you." "I'll be there to see you victorious." Abigail walked slowly towards the assembling army. She heard the marching of the boots. "The journey begins now. Let us go." After an hour of marching, the group started to notice that the enemy army had been present. Several animals were tied to posts and they were growling in pain. "The Oracle's army is nearby! Be on your guard and free these unfortunate souls." The Eagle drew his own sword and cut many of them free. "They were here! They were armed with swords and poison darts." One of the prisoners yelled. "How long ago? We chase their horrid hides!" "No more than an hour. They said they were going to the fountain." "They will desecrate a holy shrine! Quickly, up the path! We must catch them!" The Eagle dashed down the path and many followers followed him. Even the captives followed. When they did come across the enemy, they were destroying the site. Pillars were being knocked down, statues burned, and banners were ripped in two. When the first of the enemy noticed our heroes, they drew their swords. After taunting and spitting at each other for several minutes, the charge began. The swiping of the sword blended with the wind and no screams were heard. The statues that had been burned were off the King and his family members, several of which were buried below the fountain itself. A great family vault was said to have been built there. Nobody was surprised when the Eagle turned and bowed before the bronze plate that marked the site of the graves. He muttered what sounded like a prayer and wiped his sword on the grass. "His army must be very close! I can feel their presence." The Eagle looked around and seemed to be crying. The shrine of his ancestors was gone. His family had worked hard to erect the tomb. "Oh that is a shame." The hiss was like a piercing howl in their ears. The bushes rattled off to the side and parted forcefully. Two armed warriors walked forward, carrying other hostages. "Who is your master? Tell me or I will have your heads! You cannot desecrate this holy land!" Although he appeared to sound angry, the Eagle's face remained relatively calm. "You think that you can stop me? I am everywhere and my voice tortures." The voice was very soft and the bushes shook again. The Eagle knew exactly who was hiding there. "You will come out and face your crimes. You will torture these innocents no more! Two long have they wallowed in your lies. Your student is dead! Dead forever!" "My thoughts live on. Do you really think my student is truly dead? I have many students, many of which are here with me." The Deceiver spat. "Let them leave, your war is over. You must face your crimes against the Man and us." "Your crimes are far worse. Being a traitor is never a good thing and not you shall pay!" Warriors appeared to leap from the trees. But the Eagles's army met their blades. "Get behind them, all of you!" The Eagle rushed forward with his sword and swiped at the serpent, who snapped his fangs in fury. Bodies dropped and swords clanged. It was truly an amazing spectacle to behold. The two armies clashing and wrestling in the great fight. Good vs. evil lunged back and forth. "You are the Son are you not? You should know better than to lead these people astray! You have brought that girl here to die!" "You will not touch her! The Void should have taken you!" "You should have been the first sacrifice!" The serpents forked tongue flicked in and out and the battle commenced around them. Abigail had taken cover and had covered her eyes. She kept thinking about the Fox and all those that were lost. If only they could see the danger she was in. Surely they would help if they could. The animals surrounded the fountain with dances of elegant form. Swords clashed with pitch-forks-and shields. The Eagle was bruised and dirty. He had been punched, kicked and spat upon while the serpent watched. "Give up, little hero? You will join your father soon enough!" "Not before I put you in your place!" The Eagle seemed to move in a flash. But the serpent was faster. A cry of pain rang throughout the valley. He had been bitten. "Goodbye King! Now my glorious rein shall begin!" The serpent let out a sinister laugh and he warriors started to move in for the kill. The Eagle stood and wiped the blood from his chest. He rushed forward in fury and rage and kept into the air. He seemed to hang there as if suspended like one of Abigail's puppets. The serpent had turned to face his army. It was too late to turn around. The sword swiped through neck with a serious urgency. The body went limp and fell off the rocky pedestal with a crash. The Eagle raised his sword and let out a crazed yell of victory, but the warriors still moved forward. Their faces were masked by their own aggression now and not even the slightest raising of the enemy's bow will stay their hands. But before any more blood could be shed, a loud rumble could be heard in the distance behind the battle. The clouds seemed to part and let out a tremendous burst of light. The hills started to shake and crumble, leaving nothing but flat land in the wake of the herd moving over them. A cry of: "For the Eagle!" could be heard. "It's the Fox! It is truly him!" Abigail jumped up and wiped her tears. She was right. The Fox was at the head of a massive army that was charging across the plain towards the fountain. But they did not look the same. Their bodies glowed and shimmered in the afternoon light. The enemy army was stunned and frozen like the statues they had destroyed. How could these animals be here? They had all died! Shock was quickly replaced by anger and swords were prepared. Those with some sense bowed their heads and feel to the ground "Spare me! Oh please spare me! I have seen the light!" They cried out with horrible intensity. The spirits moved faster, their legs seemed to be moving at an incredible speed. Many started running away. Their minds were quite made up. They would choose no side. The bloodshed was very quick and simple. Those who stood firm were upon the ground within moments. Spiritual bodies passed through those who sat on the ground and let them live, for their confession had saved them. Several runners were caught and cut down in their hasty retreat. Swords were raised and hugs were exchanged among the living. It was over. Evil had met it's well deserved end. Abigail had remained in her position behind the cover she had chosen. She met the eyes of the Fox and walked out from her hiding place. "You returned! You've come back to me!" She was so happy she jumped up and down. Tears were streaming from her face. The Fox smiled. "I'm very proud of you. You have come a long way since the beginning of your journey. You have seen things that will last a lifetime. The young woman you have become is one you should proud of as well." "I've definitely changed. Change is not the worst thing in the world. You cannot avoid it, for it finds you." "You now know that there is more to what you see with your own eyes. Seeing what you want to see is the greatest illusion of all. Be wise and remember this day." While the Fox and Abigail talked, the Eagle and the Son hugged and talked as well. The Fox knelt to the ground. "Thank you for saving my life! I wouldn't be here if it were not for you!" They hugged and the Fox started to cry himself. "You are my friend. I will always be with you. When life gets you down, think of me." "I will surely miss you. I'll never forget you. Never!" The Fox started to float into the air. "My time has come. I go now to paradise, where my ancestors await me. I will see you and your children again. I promise you that." "My children will see you?" Abigail asked. "I cannot reveal that just yet. It is in my mind." He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. "Farewell Abigail!" And with that, he and his army floated into the clouds. It would be several decades before they would return. I'm sure you'll hear that story some day. "He is truly a hero. May he rest in peace and refreshment." The Eagle bowed his head. Now what they said next will come as a surprise to many. "This land we live in. I have just received word courtesy of the raven, that the humans have just named this fair land we stand upon. Wales, the next great kingdom of the Earth!" "They why don't we honor the Fox then. The Fox of Wales! That is a great name. He shall live on forever!" A gopher shouted. Shouts of approval rang throughout the crowd. The Eagle remembered his Father, although a name for him would be decided much later as a shrine was being built. "Let peace rein, now and forever!" The Eagle raised his sword and thrust it into the ground, and that's where it remains to this day. Maybe it will be found by someone in our age. A little while later, Abigail was being transported back to the borders of her village. She passed the Ark, the ruins of the Castle, and the Fox's hole. The small village the Oracle had ruled was now rebuilt and repopulated with thousands of talking animals. Many had moved there within a few days after the great victory was announced. They were free and freedom never felt so amazing. Their fears and their doubts had been cast aside. Abigail started to doze off as she rode in a royal cart filled with other subjects. The voices and movements of the animals melted into her dreams and she slept for a very long while. Then THUMP! A large book landed in front of her. She was still sitting in his dad's office! Now how could that be? She could still smell the stench of battle in her nose, feeling the harsh cold of winter approaching. Then she realized that it was the villager that was smelling so foul. The door swung open as guests entered. He father was still assembling clocks at his desks, eyeing a project with a sharp wisdom. "Excuse me miss, I'd like to buy this book if I can." The villager looked at her in a state of annoyance. "I think you have been sleeping long enough." "Very peculiar dreams I'll wager." His wife chimed in. "I'll say my love. Can we buy the book please?" He raised his eyebrows. "Of course." Abigail was in a trance. Her dream had seemed so real, as if she had gone on a long journey and just returned. She rang up a few customers and walked over to her father's desk. "Oh, hello my dear! Having a good day?" He smiled as he inserted the next piece of the clock. His teeth were always perfectly brushed. "I feel as if I've been gone on a break too long." She wiped her eyes. "You did doze off. Everybody in the shop was trying to wake you up. I would have called the surgeon had you not." He chuckled but in a nervous way. "How long did I sleep?" Abigail yawned. She felt as if she needed breakfast. But that can't be right. The clock on the wall told her that she had not even left the shop for the day yet! "About ten, fifteen minutes!" You kept moaning some peculiar things in you sleep. Maybe I'll call the surgeon anyway." "Father, you do not have to do that. I think I will be okay." She scratched her head and went back to the counter. "Strange girl, but at least she's back in paradise." Her father laughed and smoked on his pipe. As Abigail walked back home, she heard no humming, no sounds out of the ordinary. She passed the area where the Fox's hole had been and noticed that there was no hole in the tree. No Fox getting his mail, no bluebird, there was nothing. She returned to the road and noticed the old blind man, walking towards her. He tapped the brick road with his walking stick and smiled as the wind blew over his face. He looked at peace. "Why, hello sir!" Abigail didn't mean to make him jump. He nearly toppled over. "Oh, you're that girl from the well are you not?" he asked scratching his bald head. "Yes sir! How are you feeling today?" "Very well! I feel alive, as if a great weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. All is well in nature!" "My, you have changed your mind very quickly. Didn't you tell me to..." He cut her off. "Yes my dear! But that was before I had a dream. I was walking and the animals started talking to me! They said: Come here, let us show you the Truth! Well show me they did Missy! I now know that things are not as they seem! You won't tell the whole village I'm talking nonsense will you?" "It will be our secret." Abigail laughed and hurried on her way. As she walked home, she thought about her own experiences. The terrors, the good times, The Fox, and the Eagles. She wished she could go back and hug them all. But there was no time for that now. She had been gone too long already. She turned back and looked at the man. He winked at her and smiled, turning to walk into the village. Abigail thought about the paradise of long ago. She thought about the story the Fox had told her. That Man still had a little sliver of light within him as he walked away from said paradise. For a moment, both she and the old man had shone bright on the same plane. They understood each other without saying much. Maybe there is truth to the saying. A good story will last for ages. Maybe that Light is in all of us, waiting to break out into the world. Abigail's descendants heard the story and passed it down from one generation to the next. Now you, dear readers, have heard the legend for yourselves. I leave you with this challenge. Try to find that Light within yourself and others. If more and more people found that Light, we would shine like the stars of heaven. The End © 2019 Samuel H. LudkeAuthor's Note
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2 Reviews Added on April 3, 2019 Last Updated on April 4, 2019 Author
Samuel H. LudkeStevens Point , WIAboutI love telling stories and doing what I can to produce good literature. more..Writing
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