Chapter 7

  Graham’s party walked silently through the forest towards the Sunfields. They had left the Burrow almost an hour ago, and soon the forest would open up into the Sunfields. Even so, not a word had been spoken between any of the party members. Hould walked ahead of the group in silent determination, not even sparing the rest of them a glance.

  The only sounds were the rustling leaves and the occasional crunch of a carrot as Stevie gnawed away his nerves.

  “Will you stop that?” Hould’s friend, who they learned was named Cruz, shouted at the poor Rabbit.

  “Well, no one is saying anything and you guys are obviously all upset about something and it’s making me nervous! Why don’t you guys talk at all?”

  “Because talking to you is a waste of time. The sooner we make it to the village, the sooner I can get you all off my back.” Hould grumbled without even turning around.

  Graham rolled his eyes from where he was walking several paces behind Hould, but said nothing.

  “Great. So I guess we’ll just all brood together for the next seven or eight hours. Then we can gather around a fire together and all stare at it all night.”

  “We shouldn’t have to stop for the night at this pace.” Fleur snidely remarked.

  Stevie looked over to Fleur, who, for once, walked alone and not next to Graham. Stevie had known Fleur for a while from her visits to Honeypot but he rarely got to speak to her since Ms. Roxy kept him so busy. But Villia was surely smiling down on him today! This was finally his chance to talk to her. He sauntered up to her and smiled at her nervously. Fleur pointedly didn’t look at him.

  “Hey, Fleur. So listen, I was uh…thinking that when we got back…you know…you and I could–”

  “Not a good time, Stevie.”

  “Ah…Ok.” Stevie hung back a bit as he let the rest of the group walk ahead of him while he dragged his feet a bit sadly. Perhaps Villia was trying to teach him a lesson, instead.

  __

  The group continued on, the Sunfields long having opened up on their path, their expansive glory plain for them to see. They were taking the North road to the town called Stone Ear’s Bluff, which was on a hill in the far Northern part of the Sunfields, almost to the bordering mountains that surrounded the Valley. The area was considered a little less hospitable and fertile than other parts of the Sunfields due to their proximity to the mountains, but the reports received by the Alliance said that the crops were ‘unusually’ dead. The abnormality was apparently interesting enough that the Alliance offered to address it personally, and asked the local populace to avoid the area if possible.

  As the sun was beginning to set, Stone Ear’s Bluff came into view on the horizon. 100 stone buildings sat crowded on a hill, with several of the buildings beginning to dwarf the others in height, their pointed tile roofs serving as beacons for travelers miles out. Clusters of buildings formed small neighborhoods all gathered around a series of 4 large main streets that converged in the center. Graham hadn’t been this far North before. His life had primarily been spent out in the Southern half of the Sunfields, where the mountains still looked too far away to feel real. Even a few hours closer, the true majesty of the mountains made him almost breathless. Their snow-dusted peaks tried to grab the sky and stars like the tips of a giant Predator’s claws. Their smooth sides looked untraversable, yet pockets of green clung to life, unafraid of the assailing winds that haunted those passes.

  Graham and the others made their way into the town proper, with Graham, Fleur, and Stevie practically dragging themselves in, not as used to long travels as Hould and Cruz seemed to be. The town had started to wind down for the evening, with farmers making their way into the town’s limits, tools in paw, swapping stories with one another as they made their way home. Merchants in the town square were closing down their stalls for the day, some humming about their day’s success while others lamenting over their remaining goods.

  Catching sight of Graham and his party standing in the square, one merchant Otter saw fit to take advantage of the new faces. He rolled his travel cart full of all his wares over to the young party and threw on his most marvelously dashing merchant’s smile.

  “Greetings, travellers! I can tell you’re weary from your long road to our humble town. Can I interest you in some of my wares? I assure you, you’ll find nothing better for many miles no matter your destination? Come come, I have fruit, snacks, pastries, and even something special for the lady if she so desires?”

  The merchant stopped his cart and began opening up the various side doors and latches, displaying all of his goods for the party to see. Shelves lined with various baked goods, produce and even things such as clothes and small tools adorned the bustling cart.

  “No, no thank you. I’m sorry but we’re on official Woodland Alliance business.” Graham replied to the Otter, who, despite the refusal, only grew more interested.

  The Otter turned back to his cart and took out a key from around his neck, hurriedly unlatching a small compartment in his cart.

  “Truly truly? Ah, then my friends, I have much more appropriate goods for ones such as yourselves. Here here, take a look at these.” The Otter pulled out a finely carved wooden box that had been inlaid with golden designs, forming the symbol of a tree.

  Graham, Fleur, and Stevie all walked a bit closer to the Otter, whose smile only grew, having gotten their interest. Hould looked on coldly, his stony expression not betraying any thoughts. Cruz raised his eyebrow at the box, but didn’t move.

  “You see see, these are potions of a most magnificent quality. I acquired them from a travelling Beaver of all things. No no! I kid you not. He had travelled all the way from Lake Mirewater in the far Southeast of the Valley. There, he met a young Druid who had discovered the cure to the Feral plague. Now now, he wouldn’t reveal the secret knowledge of the formula to one so low as me, but he assured me that its efficacy is unmatched. Here here, take a look!”

  With a flourish, the Otter flipped open the lock on the box to reveal a set of 4 bright purple potions in crystalline flasks. Each was delicately laid onto a red velvet pillow that looked to be more expensive than any piece of clothing Graham had ever owned. Stevie’s eyes looked like they would pop out of his head and even Fleur looked to be mesmerized by the brilliant purple liquid contained in the flasks, having been immediately taken in by the mention of a fellow Druid.

  Before Graham could speak and ask about the flasks, Hould shoved the three of them out of the way and glared down at the opulent Otter. The Otter immediately recoiled backwards slightly, cradling the box for fear of Hould taking it from him or breaking it.

  “Take that junk somewhere else, Weasel.” Hould said coldly. “How long have you been swindling these Folk?”

  “Sir, I’ll have you know I’m sanctioned by the Intervalley Trading Association. I’ve been given permission to sell goods in all areas North of the Firestone River.”

  “I don’t care about your affiliations. You’re a liar and a criminal as far as I’m concerned. Get out of my sight before your stall becomes firewood.”

  The Otter scrambled back to where he was beginning to pack up his travelling cart, closing all the windows and ensuring that none of the shelved items would shift about. Grabbing the crossbar that allows him to push the cart forward, the Otter hurriedly steered his cart out the Northern entrance of the city, over to a small group of tents that had gone up as the sun went down, the beginnings of a fire glowing between them.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Watching the merchant go, Graham looked over at Hould, confused.

  “What was that all about?”

  “That merchant was about to charge you for everything you’ve ever owned. The potions were a fake. We’ve seen them pop up from time to time in the Burrow.” Cruz said, slowly crossing his arms.

  “So then why did you step in? Why do you care?” Fleur added, skeptically.

  Hould sighed before turning to them with a steely expression.

  “Because. If you imbeciles get seen buying junk like that while throwing around the Woodland Alliance name, you’ll make them look bad and damage their reputation. And what do you think will happen then?”

  Graham looked away with trepidation. He had to admit that Hould had a point. If word got out that the Alliance was buying these potions, not only would these merchants make a massive profit from the influx of customers, but, when the truth got out, it would make the Alliance look like idiots, or worse, accomplices in the scam.

  “Thanks, Hould. It didn't cross my mind that they were fake.” Graham said with gritted teeth, looking as if the confession physically aged him a year.

  Hould just stared at him for a second before turning and walking away. Cruz followed close behind as Fleur and Stevie stood there watching the exchange with confused expressions.

  “What just happened?” Stevie whispered to Fleur.

  “I think…that was personal growth. But I’m not sure. Pinch me.”

  “Can you guys stop looking at me like that? He’s right, you know. We’re a team even if we don’t want to be. So we might as well try and get along. Come on, let’s go and try and get a place to stay.”

  Fleur and Stevie followed Graham, who started walking in the same direction as Hould and Cruz. Fleur looked thoughtful for a moment before looking at Graham’s back as he walked. He’s changing so fast, isn’t he? How long do I have? I wonder.

  __

  Using a small metal medallion given to them by Knight Captain Rurik, the 5 were able to get rooms at a local inn. Once they were official members, they’d have their own badges engraved with their names to serve as identification for missions, but for now, this would do. Stevie in particular was more than happy to avoid his proposed ‘fire-staring’ scenario.

  After exiting the large two-story inn the next morning, the party made their way to the Mayor’s house to announce their arrival and get any information that could be provided, as was customary when on official missions for the Alliance.

  Arriving at the polished stone building, Graham was immediately a little surprised by how normal this building looked as opposed to the Burrow’s Mayor’s overly grand residence. A golden female Mouse dressed in simple but well made clothes made her way out of the building towards the party as they arrived. The scowl on her face was present the moment she laid eyes on the party of recruits.

  “So, this is what they sent us? This ragtag group of novices?” Hould’s face twisted into a scowl at the sudden attitude.

  “Ma’am, we’re a party here on behalf of the Woodland Alliance, and we’ve come to investigate your reported concerns over dead crops?” Graham said with hesitation, as each word he spoke made the Mayor Mouse’s features fall into a deeper and deeper frown.

  “Yes—obviously—fool. Though the reports you’ve read appear to have not done the situation justice. The crops are not ‘dead’ as you say. They’re petrified. As in: turned to stone.”

  The group all glanced around at each other, the confusion evident, with Stevie and Cruz unable to hide a bit of fear from creeping onto their faces.

  “I can see the gravity of the situation has failed to reach your higher-ups, and so you’ve been sorely misinformed. I’ve sent multiple parties of brave Mousefolk and Rabbits to the field to find the source, and none have returned. I need a serious party of Alliance Soldiers, not…whatever this is.” She gestured to the 5 of them disdainfully.

  “Mayor, we’re more than capable of taking care of this problem, don’t underestimate us.” Hould announced, more than a little offended by the Mayor’s harsh tone.

  The other 4 members, including Cruz, looked at Hould in slight shock at such a declaration.

  “Hmm. Your party members seem to disagree. No matter. Perhaps your disappearance will lead the Alliance to take this a little more seriously.” She clapped her paws and a timid-looking Scribe Rabbit hurriedly approached Hould, holding out a stack of papers.

  “As per usual for your missions, here is all the data we’ve gathered on the phenomenon. Let my Scribe know if you have any questions. Tell them that Mayor Bloomburrow sent you.” The Mayor elegantly spun around and headed back up the stairs to the building, not once glancing back at the party that she had so readily committed to doom.

  __

  “Are you out of your mind, Hould? You heard Mayor Bloomburrow! There’s no way that we can handle whatever this is! The Alliance probably just thought that it was some bandits or something messing with the crops! But we can’t deal with a magical catastrophe!” Fleur was livid, animatedly waving her arms in Hould’s face about his one-man decision.

  Hould scoffed. “You guys just need to relax. I’m confident I can handle whatever we run into. Serena and I have it covered.” Hould said while patting the handle of the large axe strapped to his back. Fleur gave him an exasperated look before throwing her arms to the side, at a loss for words.

  “Fleur is right, Hould. That’s ridiculous. What we need to do is report back to the Burrow and let Knight Captain Rurik know about the severity of the situation.” Graham said, still glancing over the intelligence reports that the Scribe had given them.

  “And what? Return with nothing? Then we’ll have failed the test. And I’m not going back to being a Guard. And you, Northtail? I thought you’d be jumping at the chance to make a name for yourself. Besides, the intel reports don’t mention anything living. It’s probably some kid practicing magic and messing something up.” Hould started stretching, as if he was just warming up to go for a jog.

  “And the missing squads?” Fleur asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “Well, it could be a number of reasons.” Graham mused from his sitting position with the papers. “This says it's only been a couple of days since they left. Maybe they’re still out there trying to figure out the cause?”

  “Don’t be naive, Graham. We should do what you said and–” Fleur started.

  “Even so, Fleur, Hould is right. As much as I hate to say.” Hould raised an eyebrow at the remark.

  “If we go back now, we have nothing. Maybe we should at least go and check it out. Get eyes on something so we have something to report. If we go back now…our adventure is over before it begins.” Graham looked uncharacteristically serious.

  “Huh. Never thought Northtail would be the one with a spine here. Cruz, what do you think?”

  “Look, I trust you, Hould. You. You know that. But I won’t work with these kids.” He swept his paw at the other three members.

  “Aren’t you only like…a year older than us?” Graham added with a hint of contempt.

  “Go try and be a Guard for a year, Northtail. Let me know how that goes.” Cruz spat back.

  Stevie sat nervously gnawing on his paw, as he had run out of carrots to chew. His eyes darted from Graham to Fleur to Hould before returning to the ground in front of him.

  “I don’t want to die…” Stevie muttered suddenly, getting the attention of the other 4.

  Fleur wore a sad smile as she walked over to him, placing a paw on his head.

  “No one’s going to die. Not while I’m here. Graham, does it say if any of those squads the Mayor sent had a healer?”

  Graham pursed his lips as he studied the papers in front of him.

  “Hmmm. No I don’t think so. Mostly just regular Warrior type Guards. And one Mage.”

  Fleur sighed and steeled her resolve.

  “Alright then. I’m in. But only because if I don’t go with you, I’ll never be able to face your Mom again. Especially if I let you die out here.”

  Graham looked up at her determined expression and nodded. “Thank you, Fleur.”

  Fleur sighed, deflated, and knelt down next to Graham, looking at some of the reports.

  “Alright, well, the reports say the field to the Northeast about 2 miles outside the city limits is where the phenomenon starts. So? Shall we?” Fleur said, standing up and looking around at the other members of her group.

  The others all nodded and started to collect their belongings from the small spot off the main road they had stopped at.

  “Try not to leave anyone behind, Northtail.” Hould said without a smidge of humor. For a moment, Graham caught a flicker of sadness in his eyes before they returned to his usual fiery glare. “Though I doubt your father taught you anything about that.”

  The party was taken aback at the sudden lore drop while Graham just met Hould’s gaze before giving him a resolute nod with the same fire in his eyes.