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.

We each have a story- stored up inside.
Every one of us- has something to hide.
To trust in a neighbor- and confide,
Brings friends together- unified.

Life at sea was hard.  Not that I didn’t like it, however.  I was used to hard work by now, and life as a beloved goddess-child was a memory, and a vague one at that.

I'm never afraid when I am with you,
nor when I have an audience
I'm always onstage,
the lights in my face,
never out of costume

But only I know about the times
standing alone in a library
looking at endless lists of names
and wondering,
how on earth will I ever be good enough
How on earth will I ever be
the voice, the chartalan of powerful words
of worlds I've never seen?

The world was small,
the woods were deep,
the stag with a cross
did run and leap
his antlers twining, like the trees
their branches winding
in the breeze
The cave was dark,
the stars were bright
stories written in them
poems and songs they used to sing
before the wind did take them
The seas were great,
the fires blazing
the warriors ran,
their torches raising
with spears and bows, and swords to pierce
silver dripping, shining
eyes so fierce

“Flavia! You’ll catch your death of a cold out here without your coat!” It was Brian’s voice, imitating Mother’s.
Flavia, ignoring his remark, turned and gave him a sweet smile. “Wouldn’t it be lovely Brian, if—”
“Yes. Yes, I suppose it would be; not to have you worrying everyone all the time, throwing such awful fits, stirring up the little boys, bothering Cynthia, making—”
“Brian Joseph!” Flavia stamped her foot furiously. “I ought to beat you up for that!”
He smiled his extremely annoying smile. “I don’t advise it.”