Mouse walked through the woods.

The top of the woods.

It was Friday; Fish night.

Mouse always loved fish night.

 

As Mouse was crossing the rope bridge between the Bitereas tree and the Molvernesh tree, he looked down in the water.

Fish. Big fish.

The grylphis jumped from the bridge and flew at the fish.

He missed.

The fish turned and swam downstream.

Mouse swam after it.

Coming to a pool, Mouse looked for the fish.

He saw a tail in the weeds.

Bingo.

"Hey!" yelled the Mermaiden.

I am highborn, actually, (does it surprise you? I can see that it does.) by way of my father’s seventh cousin’s wife’s mother. She was the wife of Hilu Ka. (If you’ve forgotten already, he was our king.) She becomes important later on, but it doesn’t do to bring certain people into the story too quickly, so you shall hear about her later.

I love my trees. Before you start calling me some sort of tree-hugger (I will resent that greatly), let me explain. My trees are a little like people. I have an old weeping willow in the north yard that always pretends it’s crying because it’s sad, but they’re only fake tears and if you’re careful, you can get it to giggle at its own foolishness.