Part one of Chapter One, The Woodpecker's Bell

Part I: Becoming a Warrior

The witch rules, but not for long,

For today, there are two born.

Who will, in sixteen years’ time,

As the woodpecker’s bell chimes,

Come with an army so great,

It will save us from our terrible fate.

This mouse and girl, together will,

Destroy the witch, and forever fill

Our lands with joy and happiness,

Now always free without distress.

-As prophesied by Kolku, the Wise One.

Chapter One

“Where are the babes, Kolku?” asked Queen Selene. An old man, with long, white hair, and a long, white beard that he draped over his arm, looked up from a shabby cradle and stared with hazel eyes within an emaciated face at the regal figure before him. She was a fairy of medium height, floating in midair due to the massive, silver wings situated on her back. She wore a thin, delicately wrought, silver circlet upon her her head, shining amidst her long and radiating blonde hair. In the center of her crown was a bright and beautiful emerald that penetrated the darkness around her and illuminated her dark, dark green eyes. They were standing in the dim, smelly room of a rundown shack.

“Why, Selene! I did not think that you would take such interest in mere babies, that you would come all this way from Felucia, your lovely land of fairies, to see them!” Kolku said with an unnerving calmness and peace that he always used. He never betrayed his feelings, always seeming to be the most utterly undisturbed being in the world.

“Do not act ignorant. I know of the prophecy. So does Norine. My fairy spies have heard that she sent Gobbet to kill them. You must hide them!”

“Yes, I’m quite aware of Norine’s plans. I have my own way of knowing things. I have entrusted the babies to Sinus. He will separate them. As long as they are separated, the marks that identify them will never show. Therefore, I doubt Norine will ever find them.”

“Where have you hidden them?”

“Alas, my dear friend, I cannot tell even you. Norine has her spies as well.”

“Oh, you humans-even if you yourself are immortal-are always so..so..so impudent!”

“Are you sure that’s the word you wish to use?” Kolku queried, patiently peering down at her in a quiet manner.

“Argh, I must leave!” she spat angrily, and with a flash of lightening, she was gone.

“Ah, fairies, so impulsive.” stated Kolku with a small shake of his head. He looked down into the cradle the babies had lain in, before Sinus had taken them away. He sighed as he gazed at the moth-eaten blankets and thought of the prophecy he had made just an hour ago. Sixteen more years of Norine’s tyranny, but at least they had hope. Hope that a mouse and a human, both only sixteen years of age, would come save them from Norine’s cruelty. Well, it wasn’t the most comforting hope, but at least it was something. Nessa, the human girl, would grow up oblivious of the prophecy and oblivious of her importance. Whereas Timothy, the boy mouse, would be well aware of the prophecy, but unknowing that he was a Chosen One. He’d at least be trained well. Kolku was unsure how Nessa would be brought up. She wouldn’t be brought up with terror of Norine, at least. No, the Chosen Ones would have to live in completely separate worlds before they could fight.

“I think I’ll spend the next sixteen years thinking of ways to tell Timothy and Nessa that they’re the Chosen Ones. Of course, Nessa will need more explaining, but Timothy can do that. Make less work for me,” Kolku mused with a smile. “Well, they don't call me the Wise One for nothing!” He laughed, and with a flash of light, he disappeared to retire to his small, hidden abode.

* * * * * * * *

Norine repeated the words of the prophecy over and over again, as she paced her cold. stony chamber. Her black robe, that matched her hair and heart, rippled with each step she took. If Gobbet didn’t kill those brats now, while they were powerless, than all her chances would be ruined! How could a mere mouse and a mere girl destroy her? The most powerful witch ever to walk the Gorodian Forest! Prophecies didn’t always come true, though. There was the prophecy that said she would never come to power, and now she was the Queen of the Forest. But, on the other hand, Kolku had made this prophecy. Every prophecy he ever made came true! What if this one came true, too? What if Gobbet didn’t kill the babies? What if, in sixteen years, she did fall because of those little brats? What if this prophecy was false and Kolku had made it up to frighten her? Norine pondered these questions, as she walked from one stone wall to the other, her tapping of her black boots as she walked echoing around the chamber. Her jet black hair shone bright in the moonlight that radiated from the only window in the room. There were two pieces of furniture in the room: a large bed, with blood red curtains around it and a black coverlet over it. A desk stood next to the bed, and papers littered the top. Her thoughts began a new train of possibilities. If only Kolku had never found those brats, lying side-by-side! If only they had died from the sharp, bitter cold air. If only she had found them first and disposed of them, before the prophecy was even made! If Gobbet didn’t kill them now, she’d have to go search for them herself with the evil sprites. At least she had clues: one was a male mouse, the other a female human; when they were together a special mark on the palm of their hand glowed, otherwise you never saw it; and the mark, shaped like a star, was on the right hand. If Gobbet didn’t kill the brats, would the sprites be able to find them? Everything depended on whether or not Gobbet killed the babies. Everything depended on Gobbet.

“Oh,” Norine groaned, “this will definitely be a failure!”