Morning rises over the land. The morning fog begins to roll through from the mountain village.
The guards of the town of mice rolled the stone out of the way of the entrance and a breeze of refreshing, chilled air rushed in.
In the centre of the town: a mouse wearing a dark blue vest waved his bell and crowed morning calls to the town. “Morning rises!” He bellowed, “morning rises!”
The town soon came to life and mice stumbled out of their homes to begin their daily chores.
The peace was disturbed in Pyrite's house.
Mythril grudgingly woke up, lifting herself up until she was sitting upright. She rubbed her eyes and yawned.
Pyrite was already awake and was warming the thimble filled with snow over the candle flame for his morning brew of tea. He noticed that Mythril was awake, though the children were still fast asleep. “I hope you like tea in the morning, because I have a whole bunch of leaves from when I moved into this place.” He gave a wide smile that reached from ear to ear.
“Tea sounds lovely.” Mythril replied.
Mythril looked at Mavis and Mackerel as they quietly slept. She kissed each of them softly on their foreheads.
“There is also breakfast being held by the Council today. Perhaps you'd like to go?” Pyrite said. He tossed a handful of tea leaves into the water and instantly the stench of dirt and old leaves was breathed into the room.
Mythril pinched her nose with one hand and wafted the stench away with the other. “I think I'll go with the breakfast.”
***
A shrivelled, lanky brown mouse dressed in robes and a hood with small jewels around his neck looked from a balcony on the side of the tower. He saw many mice begin to gather at the town centre, helping set up the big breakfast. He grinned and stroked the small patch of fur on his chin that has grown longer than the rest. He was one of the Mouse Council members.
The Mouse Council was as it sounded. After the mice' homes were destroyed by wolves, the Council was formed by the leaders of each major town and together they helped guide everyone to their new home that was the village on the mountain.
One of the other members, a well-dressed grey mouse with a slim navy blue coat, golden epaulettes and well trimmed fur stood by him. “Today we celebrate a full year of peace, Alistair.” She said in a hearty tone. She had her arms wrapped behind her back and her chest out in a dignified manner.
“Perhaps,” the hooded member said, “however I have a feeling that soon something interesting may turn up.”
The mouse in the coat deflated and leaned closer to Alistair. “Something 'interesting'?”
Alistair turned and began walking to the stairs, stopping just before he started descending and turned his head to her. “I can only hope that whatever it is, it means well.”
“Is this something we should prepare for?”
“If that is what would make you feel better, Marion. I doubt it is the rats again though.” The hooded mouse walked down, leaving behind the grey mouse.
She stared at the empty space above the staircase with concern for a moment before turning back to look at the town through the window. She could hardly focus on just one thing and she constantly turned her gaze to something else. From one home, then maybe to one of the townsfolk then to something else. Something 'interesting'? She thought and shook her head, clicked her heels together, turned and marched down the stairs after Alistair.
***
Everyone was gathered in the town centre. Three other council members were standing by a podium, waiting for Alistair and Marion. The council member, a large white mouse and the chosen mayor of the town, stood proudly behind the podium, the other two, one was tall and thin and had a purple vest and glasses, the other was dressed in white and purple robes with golden insignias decorating two ribbons that rested over his shoulders.
“Thank you everyone for joining us today. But before we begin, I'd like to explain why we're all here today.”
There were various members of the audience who rolled their eyes and shook their heads.
The mayor continued. “Today marks the one year anniversary of the founding of this marvellous town. We have lived here in peace for a good long time and we celebrate today in hopes that we'll live here for much longer!”
The crowd cheered. Many of them raised their paws into the air.
“Now go enjoy yourselves!”
The town's population found seats at the tables spread out around the town centre and everyone ate.
Everyone but Captain Celle who was still asleep in the barrack at the table where he studied the map of the land late into the night.
Portland walked in, he was in uniform but looking for his helmet. He saw Celle still asleep. “Sir?”
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Celle snorted and suddenly shot straight up, stumbled to keep his footing and finally just leaned onto the table. “Who-? Oh, cadet. My apologies. I must've been up late again.”
“I just came to get my helmet for morning patrol.”
“Morning? Don't they have the breakfast this morning?”
“They just started.”
“How about you go enjoy yourself this morning, cadet? Eat something before your patrol.”
“Thank you captain. I'm sure the whole town is invited.”
“I'm sure I'll be there soon.”
Portland saluted and walked out.
Captain Celle dropped back onto the table and fell into a deep sleep once more.
***
Mythril, Mavis, Mackerel and Pyrite ate some warm bread amongst crowds of mice who were quite joyful.
Alistair walked behind everyone, appearing to be checking to see if everyone was enjoying themselves, but with one scrawny hand he held a green talisman. “How are we all doing this morning?” He'd say trying to sound as excited as they were. “Enjoying ourselves?”
He glanced at the talisman every now and then. Eventually he approached Mythril and Pyrite.
“Good morning to you all.” He said.
“Who are you?” Mavis asked.
“Well, little one, my name is Alistair. One of the council members. What's your name?”
“She's Mavis, my eldest and next to her is Mackerel.” Mythril answered for her.
Alistair looked at Mythril, then at his talisman, which glowed dimly. “Miss? What was your name?”
“Mythril.” She said in a concerned tone.
“Miss Mythril. I would appreciate if you would visit the central tower later on today.”
“Why?”
Alistair leaned in close to her. “Something interesting.” He stood up straight and walked away to the next few mice. “Are we enjoying ourselves?” He said.
Mythril watched him. Confused, she couldn't eat for the rest of that morning and she just kept watch on Alistair.
Portland joined two mice for breakfast. A large brown mouse named Mayweather and a skinny grey mouse named Sydni.
“Good morning lads!” Portland said to them.
“Mornin' Portlan'!” Sydni said with a grin like the cheshire cat on his face. “Guess what?”
“What is it?”
Mayweather opened his wide mouth to speak but Sydni cut in almost too enthusiastically. “Mayweather has children on the way!”
“Really!?” Portland slammed his paw onto the table in excitement, “When?”
“We don't know yet. But from the way that Carla is looking, we shan't be waiting long.” Mayweather said.
“Of course 'is wife was already lookin' quite pregnant if ya kno' what I'm sayin'.” Syndi joked through the side of his mouth to Portland.
“Shut up! My wife is the most beautiful woman I've set my eyes on.”
“Congratulations anyway Mayweather.” Portland said.
“Right. 'ow about tonight we drink to celebrate?” Sydni gestured with a hand like he was holding a mug in the air.
“Don't you already drink every night?” Mayweather asked.
“I only drink on occasion. And accordin' to the mayor, every night is worth celebratin'! But tonight, we drink for your health and the future of your family!”
“How ironic.” Portland joked before biting into a piece of bread that sat in front of him.
***
Early noon, the council members met in the top floor of the tower.
The room was clean with a long table surrounded by chairs in the centre. Paintings of the members were placed on the walls. A potted flower occupied a corner of the room, directly exposed to the sun.
Sunlight filled the room with a white glow and lit the faces of the council members.
Everyone was calm and waited for Mythril to appear. When she did, everyone turned to face her.
“Welcome, miss Mythril.” Alistair said. “Have a seat.” He pointed to one of the many empty chairs around the table.
Mythril sat down. “You invited me here. Why?”
“Straight to business? Quite unusual for someone who just moved here.” Alistair remarked. “Perhaps you are feeling alienated?”
“Sir. I'm just really confused right now.”
Alistair placed the talisman on the table. It had a bronze frame around a circular green gem in its core. The gem glowed with a pulsating light like a heartbeat. Mythril looked at it, then to Alistair, who grinned as he focussed on the talisman.
“This talisman had been used by many in past years. It is said to be able to show those who are able to manipulate magic.”
“Magic?” A greater look of confusion formed on Mythril's face.
“A rare trait to have. Especially among us mice.”
“But how could that make any sort of sense? I've never done anything that seemed unnatural – or according to you – supernatural.”
“Perhaps. It does take years of training to learn how to manipulate nature to your will.” He held up a frail, thin paw towards the flower in the room. The leaves and head waved as if wind was rushing through the room. Then one-by-one the petals were plucked and thrown onto the floor around it as if someone was violently tearing away at it. Once he felt that the flower had had enough, he stopped and turned to Mythril to see her reaction.
She had a look of astonished awe coupled with concern. “I can do that!?”