I stepped out into the mid-day sun. My eyes adjusted to the change of light from inside the cottage to the few feet outside the front door. I looked to gather my surroundings and found the path to my right that led down to the bridge. I started forward and listened to the singing of birds and the gentle wind. I still have no idea what the birds were saying though, but it was beautiful. The leaves swayed and rustled, and my mind began to wonder slightly. I began to have a philosophical moment as I realized my place in the world.
“Why was I chosen to come here? Was I supposed to help the animals at this cottage? Or am I supposed to just carry out my days as a predator? Ugh, so many questions that I could have asked myself earlier.” I thought to myself.
The questions went unanswered, as my paws failed to move as the surreal scenario filled me and took my attention. My black coat swayed as the wind hit me from the west, my mind was still on my purpose here as my paws carried me. The sensation of the wind picking up brought me from my musings and I looked around to see that I’ve wandered a good fifteen feet from the front door. I was at the midway point between the bridge and the cottage. To my right was a gathering of animals. I looked at the field to be surprised to see podiums that surrounded a small wooden platform were in the middle of the yard.
The platform was the centerpiece, while five podiums took up a position two meters from the wood board. The podiums were facing the board itself, and the whole set up looked like a pentagon if you were to draw a line between them. I tilted my head at the strange setup. The podiums were all occupied by different animals, except for the farthest one from me. From this distance, I could see their shapes and make a good guess as to who they are.
The podium farthest from me happened to be vacant of an occupant. The animal on the left podium, farthest from me, looked like Librarian the owl, and the one on the right next to the empty podium looked like it was occupied by a small red animal. The one closest to me on the right looked like there was a small purse or a wallet on it, but it was moving so I assumed it was also a small animal. Using my power of deduction I figured it was a mouse. The one on the left, next to Librarian looked like a small white rabbit. I assumed that was Angel.
I noticed the significant lack of Fluttershy. I checked the sky, but saw nothing but traveling geese and clouds. I looked back down at the backyard and saw no indication of the Canary yellow pegasus anywhere. I then noted the amount of animals watching from the trees, clouds, and the ones scattered all around the yard. The quantity seemed as unreal as the variety.
They all kept within the pink fence, and around the podiums. They seemed to be conversing to each other about things that involve themselves or the meeting that’s going on. I looked upon the large crowd and began to be slightly self-conscious with so many potential eyes watching me. I shook it off as I’ve actually experienced worse, when having to give a speech at a high school pep-rally, but a crowd of strangers rather than peers is something I felt I could fear.
Anxiously, I left the gravel path behind me and took my first steps onto the well-kept green grass of Fluttershy’s backyard. I kept an eye on the animals, who slowly took notice of me as my body moved closer to the five podiums. I was three meters away from the gravel path behind me when I was able to finally make out the brown creature on the podium closest to me and identify it as a mouse. I continued to approach without word, but I stole nervous glances at the group of animals who had their eyes slowly being trained on me.
I slowed my pace as nerves began to eat at my every thought. Almost all the animals had their eyes on me, but unlike before, it felt as if they were judging me. I was being put in a position where I would be discussed over, and that thought alone wasn’t too bad, but the fact others would be watching and also making their own assumptions was slightly nerve racking. I slowed my pace to be less noticeable, but it didn’t matter since they already saw me. It was more of a defense mechanism that seemed to just kick in. Something deep inside me told me to get out of the open. I dismissed it as my instincts and began to worry about that affecting my judgement later.
I brought my speech training to the forefront of my mind and began to pick up my pace toward the podiums to keep myself from seeming nervous. By now, I was between the cottage and the podium setup, all the while the four animals at them were watching me. As I got closer, I noticed the brown animal had some sort of feathered appendage on its head and I began to think it was a bird, instead of a mouse. I quickly changed my mind when I realized it was a Native American headdress that the animal had just put on. He was securing it firmly on his head with his paws.
I got closer and I started looking at the ground for any mice that may be in the grass. It also helped me cope with the attention when my head was lowered to scan for things at my feet. I avoided several land animals like a few turtles that I decided to ignore, due to the situation. But I planned on coming back to ravage their shells with my tongue when it was over. I also passed by a few ferrets and the pink flamingo I remembered from the other night. I lifted my head and saw I was less than two meters from the brown mouse and his podium. I maneuvered around its left side and looked between the animals at each podium. I took into account that each wood structure is taller than me.
The bird to my right, was the same bird I hypnotized. I suddenly became a little nervous that he was at a podium, but I looked as calm as I can because I didn’t know what the meeting will hold for me. The height of the podiums made me look up, and I looked to the sky when I sensed movement and saw the many birds huddled together on the edge of every nearby cloud. I noted the position of the sun; it was only nearing its zenith. Next, I looked back down at the empty podium that remained unoccupied. I looked to the left of the empty podium and looked at Librarian who only gave me a casual gaze. Angel who was between him and the brown mouse on the left. I remembered that Fluttershy said Woodcutter was supposed to be here too.
“Wait hold a sec. Didn’t he leave with Applejack?” I thought in slight confusion as I stared. "Hold a sec, if he's with Applejack then wouldn't that mean we'd have to wait for him? Or was he not actually a member of whatever this organization is at all? But then does he just have a lot of influence?"
“Hushed,” started Librarian to my left.
I looked over to him when he spoke up, only to realize I had been staring at the empty podium for quite some time.
“I ask that you take a seat on the platform in front of you,” he instructed me calmly.
I looked at the wooden platform, and saw it was a good twelve inches off the ground. It was one square meter in diameter, and it rested two meters from each podium. I stepped forward and hopped up onto the platform and sat down in the center. I maneuvered my body to face away from the empty podium so I can be in a position to speak to each important member. The red robin was now to my left, while Librarian and Angel were each to my right. Angel and the mouse with a Native-American Headdress were near the center of my view, so they were at the two podiums in front of me, that helped make the pentagon.
“Hushed. I’m sure you know we’re here to discuss what to do with you. We are short one member at the moment and we will wait for him to return. In the meantime, do you have any questions?” Librarian asked simply.
“What exactly are you deciding?” I asked with a slight tilt of my head.
Angel answered for him, “We’re here to decide your place among us basically.” I turned my head toward Angel. “If we don’t want you here we’ll banish you and you won’t be allowed back. We could also allow you the freedom to just come and go. But we can also decide that you need to do certain tasks as a condition of staying here,” he added nonchalantly.
“Great, as if I didn’t have enough chores back home.” I mused to myself and rolled my eyes.
The mouse to angel’s right spoke up, “Do you mind if I ask you something? It’s a question that’s been on my mind, since I’ve heard of you.”
I looked at him with a face of contemplation. “Umm, no. I don’t mind.”
“Why did you come here?” he asked.
Before I could answer he was interrupted by the red bird to his right, his voice bitter, “We should wait for Woodcutter before this conversation. I don’t want to spare him an explanation.”
Librarian spoke up, “Actually from what I understand, Hushed already explained his reasoning to Woodcutter.”
The robin looked at me suspiciously. “Hmm… then feel free tell us the story of your earlier days. But it had better line up with Woodcutter’s praise...”
Angel gave him an unsure look before confusedly asking, “Why? He hasn’t done any harm to you, has he?”
The red bird gave Angel an aggravated glare and spat in return, “He hypnotized me in front of my peers. He robbed me of my pride; I was almost in tears. My power was given to hold my clan together. But this turn of events could scar me forever.”
“Oh shit I’ve made an enemy. Well, this is going to suck.” I thought fretfully.
“Please,” squeaked the mouse snarkly, and grabbing the attention of the group. “You used the situation to gain more respect by rejecting him,” the brown mouse groused with an aged wise voice. “Succumbing to peer pressure doesn’t make you respectable, Xain,” he added sternly.
The red robin looked at him with an aggravated glare, “Peer pressure has nothing to do with my words. Wolves even eat more mice than they do birds! How can you even consider defending him from a known truth? Such inaccurate judgement is most uncouth” he snapped back.
I could feel my coat getting warm from the sun. But my emotions were beginning to tell me to speak up. I believed the red robin had the right to feel angered about what I did, but I didn’t see a true reason for why he would reject me so quickly. He has reason to not like me, but there’s no reason to act as impulsively as he has.
Angel started tapping the wood of his pedestal with his foot while having his arms folded and giving Xain a cold glare. The tapping got our attention and everyone looked to him. “I’d like to remind you that we’re not here to throw around accusations, but to decide how welcome Hushed is. I personally want him here to help Barry keep any predators from the sanctuary, authoritatively stated Angel, turning to regard each of the other animals.
The Mouse quickly spoke up before the robin countered Angel's reasoning, “I personally want him here to teach mice how to better hide themselves. We value being stealthy, but we’d like more information about how he does it…” he stated matter-of-factly. “Hopefully we can hide better from hungry owls. No offense Librarian,” he added apologetically.
I looked to my right, where Librarian sat on the pedestal. He lifted a wing in reassurance and spoke softly, “No need to apologize, I understand your reasoning, and I agree with it.” He paused to collect his thoughts.
The red robin looked irritated when I glanced back at him. “Tell me why you two would act so crass. You’d side with a creature that has killed in the past?” he stated trying to prove a point.
Librarian puffed up his feathers in irritation and raised his voice. “So, you disagree with eating meat? I wasn’t eating Fluttershy’s food pellets when I was born! Nor was I eating them before adolescence! I ate mice, like many other owls. And it’s a habit that I no longer participate in, because of my relationship with a mouse. Choose your arguments carefully, Xain. You may offend the wrong owl,” when Librarian was finished, some of the animals surrounding the podiums looked between each other and began whispering.
I looked around to observe the many faces of all the animals present. Some seemed disturbed, while others looked understanding. Some others even seemed shocked from the outburst, while others held doubtful expressions. I looked to Xain, to see him looking away with his head slightly lowered, almost submissively. Angel had lowered his ears and given the look of surprise toward Librarian.
“Wow, this atmosphere just got intense,” I thought with some anxiety.
I was hesitant to begin panting, but I began anyway as the midday sun continued to beat down on my black coat. Although I noticed how bad of an idea that was due to the fact that every animals eyes were on me now. It was because I started making noise in the first place that grabbed their attention. But what I do with this attention is up to me, right now. I felt like this argument needed to stop, and the deciding actions needed to begin. But the question was, how to go about just that. I couldn’t let the attention move away from me, now that I have it.
I inhale and exhale nervously before I spoke up shakily, “I-I think you should just decide what you guys want me to do. I’m sure we can just get through with this, right?”
I completely underestimated my nerves, in this public speaking environment. I was able to think straight without their eyes, but now that I have hundreds of animals looking at me and judging me for what I say makes it hard for me to make sense. Now my nervous thoughts were getting the better of me, and I began saying things that didn’t line up with my thoughts. I wanted to continue the sentencing so the day could continue, but that was beginning to become hopeless until Woodcutter returns.
“I disagree, Hushed,” replied Librarian. He flapped his wings once and continued on coolly, “Not all council members are here. And It would be disrespectful to continue without one member.”
“Oh come on, I can’t sit in the sun for hours. I’ll start boiling before Woodcutter gets here. Not to mention I’d probably upset the respect of all the council members.” I thought morbidly.
I waited for someone else to talk, but when everyone just took on bored or patient expressions I began to thank the lord for a gift of silence. Now I could think of a good argument to get this hearing going. I’d like to know my fate sooner rather than sweating about it for five hours and then hearing an acceptable compromise. I began thinking up things that Woodcutter might say, or what he might want to do. Also I took into account of all the things that might influence Woodcutter’s decision.
I took another breath and spoke up again. “Ok, I have a suggestion.” I stated and waited for their eyes to be on me. “We continue without Woodcutter. But I want you guys to keep in mind that I saved his life. He might make a biased decision… you know?” I finished lamely and slightly lowered my head due to the amount of eyes on me.
“He has a point that's indeed evident. But should we really continue without Woodcutter present?” Xain, the red robin piped up before Librarian could respond.
“Well, it is his hearing.” added the mouse. “And he wishes to continue with the meeting when the person most favorable toward him is away,” he looked at me thoughtfully for a minute. “I’m sure Woodcutter will understand. He’s been faithful to the council, and has asked for something like this when I was away for important business, when we accepted Barry into our fold,” he regarded the others at their podiums.
I could tell he wanted to take my side for this. He seemed too eager to back me up, and I wondered what sort of plans he would have for me if he got his say in. I’m sure it would be something benefiting the mice in some way.
“I believe we should begin without Woodcutter as well,” Xain spoke turning to regard Libraian. “What the wolf said was true, as we can tell. Since he saved Woodcutter in his stride, our friend would easily take his side.”
Angel gave Xain a look of distain before arguing, “You would go through with this, because you want Hushed punished or exiled.”
I couldn’t let this argument last thirty more minutes.
“Angel,” I stated calmly, getting his and everyone else’s attention. “I know what I’m giving him. But I trust you and the other clan leaders, to keep the decision from being too extreme or too unreasonable.” I finished, panting somewhat more heavily.
There was a moment of silence where everyone was giving me a blank or confused look. I began to wonder if the sentencing worked the way I thought it did. As a group decision. But the longer the silence lingered the more I began to regret saying that.
“I agree.” chimed in Librarian, looking to Angel sagely.
Angel gave him a stunned look. “But Librarian, you know what Xain might do!” he exclaimed, his voice full of worry.
Xain huffed in irritation and spoke snappily, “Oh please, don’t speak as if I’m not present. That kind of action is most unpleasant.” He turned his head to the side dismissively.
“Don’t worry, Angel,” Librarian spoke calmly. “We will bring forth our suggestions as planned. Woodcutter has already told me his, and I’ll present it for him.”
“Suggestions?” I thought confusedly.
A squeak got my attention. “Then I’ll go first,” the mouse chief spoke, as he stood up straight. “I believe, as payment for his right to live and eat beside us, Hushed must teach mice to better themselves at stealth, so when we go to the Everfree, we are less likely to succumb to its wrath.” the mouse projected his suggestion confidently.
Angel narrowed his eyes and then looked at me seriously, “I suggest Hushed be given the role of protector of the sanctuary, and carry out his life among us keeping the peace, and keeping away anything dangerous from the Everfree. He will work alongside Barry for a month to be acquainted with the daily rituals of the sanctuary, Angel offered up authoritatively.
Xain ruffled his feathers and we all looked at him, he spat, “I don’t believe the wolf can be trusted just yet.” He then stood tall for his suggestion. “I suggest Barry keeps an eye on him as he pays his debt,” his statement raised a few eyebrows as how fair it actually seemed. But he wasn’t finished. “But he must eat outside in solitude to prevent the animals' fright. He also mustn’t be within the sanctuary, near dusk or at night.”
I was surprised at how fair that actually seemed, compared to anything completely ridiculous like making a fool of myself when asked.
“That was rather tame for you Xain. Even with your history of hatred toward wolves,” Librarian commented in an impressed tone.
Xain huffed. “I’d rather exile him, but he's good for protection. So, thusly, towards his nature, I'll show rejection.” He said with a subtle hint of anxiety.
It was Librarian’s turn. “I for one, believe Hushed should be able to come and go as he chooses, just as long as he brings us information of the movement of Timberwolves, so our friends and family can avoid them, and hopefully be able to make regular trips to the Everfree without worry of Timberwolves hunting their every step,” he offered wisely. “Now, for Woodcutter’s suggestion,” he cleared his throat with a hoot. “Woodcutter wants Hushed to provide protection against Timberwolves as the beaver clan sets up walls to protect animals, and their water sources. Also he is to set up random bunkers in the forest itself, to provide temporary shelter against any creatures that chase our friends.” added Librarian.
They all nodded and looked at me. Angel spoke up. “Hushed, we presented our suggestions to you. You may choose what suggestion you want to follow. But if you refuse all of the suggestions, then you will be exiled,” he said calmly.
“Oh god they’re making me choose? Ok well I like most of those suggestions, even Xain’s. But the problem is that Xain’s conflicts with Angels and the mouse chief.” I thought to myself.
I looked at the ground while I panted and thought about the options given to me. I wasted a full five minutes just thinking about what each one entailed. And how each one could potentially take my life if I accept.
“I’ve made a decision,” I stated, and looked at Xain. “I accept all suggestions given to me except Xain’s,” I added and he looked furious. “I will, however, accept Xain’s suggestion if he allows me for freedom, and all the other suggestions need to be adjusted, to fit my activities.” I explained, looking at the others, then back to Xain. “I will accept your suggestion, if you allow me to adjust it so Barry watches me, while teaching me to protect the sanctuary, and I will eat inside. I will also reject a curfew, and I will stay as long as I’m either needed, or I please.”
He frowned and irritably added, “There's a later time when we can discuss my suggestion. Your other decision; what's your intention?”
“Mouse Chief,” I turned to regard the mouse with the Indian headdress. “I will teach only a select few mice, and they will teach more. But I won’t teach them, all as I have other duties.”
“I accept this condition,” he replied happily, a smile adorning his face.
“Angel,” I then looked to him. “I will do what I can, but I’m going to need more time to myself than staying beside Barry while I’m here. I’ll have to teach the mice, and hopefully help out Woodcutter when he needs my protection in the forest.”
“Sure, just don’t forget your other obligations,” his reply came seriously.
I looked to Librarian, “I’ll tell you what I can about the forest, but I want to be able to report to someone so I can help out where I’m needed, without going out of my way to find you.” I gave him my changes reasonably.
“I’ve already set up that system. I know you might not be able to find me during the day, or even most of the night, so I asked an old friend of mine to meet up with you, and give me what you know. But will you accept patrolling the Everfree?” he asked with a wing under his beak and a raised eyebrow.
“Only when I’m able,” I responded simply. “I might want to help Woodcutter set up good spots to put hideouts on certain days. When this happens, I want to be able to scout out the area, but since I’m only one wolf, I’m going to ask some owls to do it. If you have any to spare.” I asked respectfully.
He tilted his head in confusion and asked, “Why do you need owls?”
“I want to set up patrols. So we can have a more reliable way to find Timberwolves, and their locations, rather than just me being on the ground and having to travel hours to get back to you.” I reasoned.
He shook his head. “Sorry to say Hushed, but we already have patrols. But none of them are below the trees. And none can see under the tree canopy. There are things under there that can hunt owls,” he replied regretfully.
“Oh… well that sucks. But wait, he doesn’t know where Timberwolves move, right? I’m sure they avoid danger like giant spiders, too, right? I did see most on paths, maybe they follow a pattern.” I thought smartly.
“I can help you find paths where Timberwolves move,” I offered. That got everyone to pay close attention to me. “Timberwolves avoid danger, like you do. They’ve just been doing it for so long in this forest, that they’ve got their own safe paths to walk. It’s not safe for animals because of the Timberwolves, but if you have an early warning system for when the Timberwolves are using them, then animals can also use them safely when they aren’t around.” I added, using information that I only know as theoretical.
Angel spoke up. “If what you’re saying is true, Hushed... then the Everfree can be much safer, even without Woodcutter’s hideouts.”
“We should still make them, just in case the paths change on a daily basis.” I suggested trying to keep myself from being the fall guy if it all goes wrong. Being the one responsible for deaths of other sentient beings is usually ok for me being a wolf, but if I can avoid it then I’d gladly do it.
“Why didn’t you bring this to us sooner?” Librarian asked.
“Uh oh.” I thought apprehensively.
“I-I didn’t think-. I mean I don't-uh.” I replied nervously while darting my eyes between each council member.
I became aware of the smiles on most of the faces of the animals in the crowd. I began to realize how big my ‘discovery’ really meant to them. A path that is safe only when it’s not traveled by something that can eat them is a big thing, if the Everfree is as dangerous as I’ve seen it. Just being around when the Timberwolves were frenzied showed me how dangerous it is to be in the forest with them. They began turning on me, a creature they respected. Now, my situation was pretty dangerous. I needed to prove there was something there that I wasn’t sure was there in the first place.
I hate being nervous in front of crowds. It always gets me into trouble.