In a small cabin in a village that was once meant for humans, a mass population of mice set up their new home. A small town that thrives by being hidden away in the remains of human settlements away from larger predators. The town of mice live in tranquillity, busily going about their lives. Most of the mice had recently moved into the town. Most of them were forced to leave after the wolves began destroying their old homes and taking the mice.

Mavis and Mackerel held their mother closely and looked at Pyrite inquisitively. Pyrite noticed them hiding and he leaned closer to them. “And who are you two?”

“Mavis and Mackerel, my little ones.” Mythril said.

“Ah. They have your ears.” Pyrite said as he stood up straight. He gave a cheeky smirk that he held for a moment but faded to a questioning look. “Um... Where's mother?”

Mythril silently stared at her feet and took a deep breath. Pyrite put a paw on her shoulder. “Mythril, I-.”

“No. It's alright.”

“Why don't we go to my place? You look like you need to rest.”

***

Pyrite opened the poorly made door to his house, one of the many homes made from a large wooden box.

Mythril, Mavis and Mackerel walked in and examined the layout of what only Pyrite could call home.

He had a cloth mat that he slept. A single candle sat in the middle of the room under a metal pipe for warmth and light. There was a wide thimble that he used as a water basin and a crudely made wooden chest sat beside it. Parts of his walls were cut out as windows and they could see outside into the town. This also meant that the bustling and rowdy crowds could be heard clearly.

“It isn't much, but it's enough.” Pyrite said in an enthusiastic but very embarrassed tone as he scratched the back of his head.

“It will do.” Mythril said.

“Make yourselves at home. I'm sure I have some bread in the chest.”

Mavis and Mackerel ran straight to the chest and munched down on the bread pieces

“Long journey?” Pyrite joked. He turned and looked at Mythril with an empathetic face. “How are you holding up?”

“I am still shaking. That wolf-.”

“Hey. It's all right now.”

***

Back at the barracks, Captain Celle stood by wooden table meant for a doll house.

Captain Celle, he was captain of the guard for most of his life. Earning his rank through the lost lives before him. He wore a short, frayed dark green cape and a pin that marked his rank.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

A small candle (that was still about as large as he was), lit up the room nicely.

Two other guards also stood by.

Celle was surveying a large map with an illustration of the country when a spear-mouse that was on patrol walked in. He clicked his heels together and saluted the captain, “no enemies on the horizon, sir.”

“Excellent.” Captain Celle replied. “Make sure the other guards return then send the order to shut the gate.”

“Yes, sir.” The spear-mouse saluted again, turned on one heel and marched out.

No wolf nor rat has found our refuge yet. But if they do, we're severely underpowered. Celle thought to himself.

At the entrance of the town, the last few guards walked inside and a plank was lowered onto two hooks on the door, sealing it in place.

For the mouse-hole, a circular stone was pushed to cover it up.

Outside of the cabin that keeps the town everything looked normal. It was as if everything was as it were many years ago. But for the mice the town was cut off from the world for the night.

There was a training area at the barracks where guards or mice who could arm themselves practised their techniques on wooden poles and bags filled with grass.

Here was where one mouse was swinging away at various training dummies with an improvised sword. It was made from a section of a saw stuck into a wolf tooth which was tied to part of a brush handle.

This mouse had white fur with dark grey spots on its back and shoulders. Though plates of armour cover its fur. A female mouse who had a buff build, but didn't appear as intimidating as a rat, even with a few scars and gnawed ear.

She struck the dummies with ferocious blows, often cutting them cleanly in half. Soon all of them were razed to stumps and the mouse could catch her breath, lowering her sword and taking a few deep breaths.

“Ma'am?” A guard said, approaching from behind her.

With blinding speed, the mouse raised her sword, twisted round and held it at the guard, who nearly fell backwards. “Lieutenant! Same side!” The guard screamed. “The town is sealed for the night. You should get some rest too.”

“Hmmph.” She lowered her sword once more. “What's your name?”

“Portland, ma'am.”

“Portland. Are you new to the ranks?”

“Yes, ma'am.”

“My name is Diana. I guess they haven't told you much about me?”

“Only that you're a bit jumpy.”

Diana smiled, “that's one way of putting it.” She walked past the guard and stopped. “Sorry for startling you. You're lucky though, I've injured a few people before.” She continued on walking to her bunk. Portland stared at were with a worried look.

***

It would be to no surprise that mice, as small as they are, would have many predators that would hunt and kill them. Wolves were the most common. They ran the Everwhite Kingdom with power and fear as their weapons. They lived up in the northern mountains, not far from the mouse town, where a castle remains. The castle still holds damage from the past war.

West lived the rat colony. Scoundrels. Low-life thieves and murderers who would do anything for a price, especially to keep themselves safe from the wolves. East would see the only part of the land that wasn't covered in snow: the Evergreen Kingdom. Not many mice have travelled there, neither have many of the other animals. But some believe it to have been the only place that still sheltered wild creatures. Ones who haven't taken to the life of choice and civilisation.

***

Mythril slept beside her children on a mat on the floor. The candle had burnt out and the room was dark. It was very quiet with only the faint sound of quiet breathing in the air.

It was hard for her to get to sleep though. She was filled with grief and remorse. Even if her mother had made it to the town, would they all be comfortable?

Pyrite did have to re-assure her that she couldn't do anything more to help their mother. Maybe that was true. Maybe not.

The children couldn't get to sleep easily either. They were up late while Pyrite told them a story. One of great mouse warriors who would fight to save cities back in the human age.