Erica headed back the way they had come.
Reaching the end of the corridor, Jericho stopped outside a heavily carved door. “On entering this room you will be respectful at all times, and only speak when spoken too, is that clear?” He told the two friends. Nodding their agreement, Jericho raised his fist and knocked on the door.
“ENTER!” Shouted a deep voice from within.
They had been in Maximus’s study for hours; and so far, he had thrown two inkwells and a heavy candlestick at no one in particular, these outbursts were due to his dislike of the answers given to his many questions.
“Girl, for the last time, why are you here?” Maximus yelled, his eyes wide and ears back. Once again, Eve gave the only answer she could, that they only wished to pass through his lands and to experience the wonders of the cities in the tree tops. Though the flattery went some way to calm him, it did not totally appease the angry rodent. Deciding that he was getting nowhere with his line of questioning, Maximus decided to play the slow game of interrogation. “Fine if that is why you are here; I shall say no more about it for now.” Changing tack, he continued his questioning, “I understand there has been some werewolf activity in the woods close to our border…, How many attacked you?” Surprised by the sudden change in the questioning, Eve was momentarily lost.
“That would be six, Sir,” Caleb answered. Making a mental note to thank Cal later, Eve stayed quiet and allowed Caleb to explain the attack.
“Hmmm, this is worrying news indeed,” Maximus murmured once Caleb had told his tale.
“Please Sir, if we could just rest for a day or so and wash our clothes maybe, we will leave your lands in peace,” Eve said as she looked the fierce mouse right in the eyes.
“You may stay for a few days, Jericho and Dexter here will be your guides for the duration of your stay. But mark my words, if you turn out to be spies, you will be very sorry indeed!” He warned them, though Eve hadn’t failed to notice that when Maximus had said about the possibility of them being spies, he was looking only at Caleb. Making another mental note to find out more of the history between the witches and riders, she stood with the others waiting to leave.
“Thank you, Sir.” They mumbled like a pair of naughty children and made for the door, which Dexter was holding open.
“Jericho, a moment please,” Maximus called after them. Returning to the study, Jericho stood before his leader. Leaning in close his black eyes fixed on his subordinate; Maximus uttered in hushed tones. “Watch them carefully, especially the witch.” Nodding, Jericho turned and left, closing the door with a muted click behind him.
Chapter Seven
It had been nine days since Maximus had spoken to them, and during this time Eve and Caleb had explored the tree- top city. There had only been one incident in which Caleb had managed to become an unwilling participant in a fight with a rather scary looking resident by the name of Nex. Caleb was still nursing some bruised ribs and three broken fingers from that encounter. It turns out that the riders do not like being referred to as mice. Not only was he beaten up by a giant rodent, it was also an extremely public spectacle. The incident took place in the Dome. The Dome a covered area where the food market and other trades were based. It was located on the mid-level of the City. It was the only part of this sprawling treetop metropolis, that was always full of activity.
Caleb had been waiting in line for lunch at one of the most popular stalls in the Dome; when he’d managed to accidently stand on the tail of a female waiting in line ahead of him. Unfortunately for Caleb, this happened to be Nex’s little sister Zoe. Nex was well known for his short temper and violent outbursts, he was the kind to lash out at the slightest misdemeanour, some of which were his own perceptions and not actual slights against him. As on
Reaching the end of the corridor, Jericho stopped outside a heavily carved door. “On entering this room you will be respectful at all times, and only speak when spoken too, is that clear?” He told the two friends. Nodding their agreement, Jericho raised his fist and knocked on the door.
“ENTER!” Shouted a deep voice from within.
They had been in Maximus’s study for hours; and so far, he had thrown two inkwells and a heavy candlestick at no one in particular, these outbursts were due to his dislike of the answers given to his many questions.
“Girl, for the last time, why are you here?” Maximus yelled, his eyes wide and ears back. Once again, Eve gave the only answer she could, that they only wished to pass through his lands and to experience the wonders of the cities in the tree tops. Though the flattery went some way to calm him, it did not totally appease the angry rodent. Deciding that he was getting nowhere with his line of questioning, Maximus decided to play the slow game of interrogation. “Fine if that is why you are here; I shall say no more about it for now.” Changing tack, he continued his questioning, “I understand there has been some werewolf activity in the woods close to our border…, How many attacked you?” Surprised by the sudden change in the questioning, Eve was momentarily lost.
“That would be six, Sir,” Caleb answered. Making a mental note to thank Cal later, Eve stayed quiet and allowed Caleb to explain the attack.
“Hmmm, this is worrying news indeed,” Maximus murmured once Caleb had told his tale.
“Please Sir, if we could just rest for a day or so and wash our clothes maybe, we will leave your lands in peace,” Eve said as she looked the fierce mouse right in the eyes.
“You may stay for a few days, Jericho and Dexter here will be your guides for the duration of your stay. But mark my words, if you turn out to be spies, you will be very sorry indeed!” He warned them, though Eve hadn’t failed to notice that when Maximus had said about the possibility of them being spies, he was looking only at Caleb. Making another mental note to find out more of the history between the witches and riders, she stood with the others waiting to leave.
“Thank you, Sir.” They mumbled like a pair of naughty children and made for the door, which Dexter was holding open.
“Jericho, a moment please,” Maximus called after them. Returning to the study, Jericho stood before his leader. Leaning in close his black eyes fixed on his subordinate; Maximus uttered in hushed tones. “Watch them carefully, especially the witch.” Nodding, Jericho turned and left, closing the door with a muted click behind him.
Chapter Seven
It had been nine days since Maximus had spoken to them, and during this time Eve and Caleb had explored the tree- top city. There had only been one incident in which Caleb had managed to become an unwilling participant in a fight with a rather scary looking resident by the name of Nex. Caleb was still nursing some bruised ribs and three broken fingers from that encounter. It turns out that the riders do not like being referred to as mice. Not only was he beaten up by a giant rodent, it was also an extremely public spectacle. The incident took place in the Dome. The Dome a covered area where the food market and other trades were based. It was located on the mid-level of the City. It was the only part of this sprawling treetop metropolis, that was always full of activity.
Caleb had been waiting in line for lunch at one of the most popular stalls in the Dome; when he’d managed to accidently stand on the tail of a female waiting in line ahead of him. Unfortunately for Caleb, this happened to be Nex’s little sister Zoe. Nex was well known for his short temper and violent outbursts, he was the kind to lash out at the slightest misdemeanour, some of which were his own perceptions and not actual slights against him. As on
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