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Authors: Brendan Gisby
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the way for another kind
of turmoil, the one created by his need to decide whether to set
off on the perilous journey to a new life or to stay here,
suffering the hardships and indignities of the present society. As
the dream conflict wore on, the shining images of the sun-warmed
clearing in the trees grew stronger, more appealing, more
attainable.
In his nest
close by, Long Ears also slept fitfully; dozing when Twisted Foot
closed his eyes, suddenly alert when Twisted Foot awoke, watching,
waiting for some sign. He recognised the torment in his companion’s
movements; he knew that the decision would come soon. He had bared
his thoughts to Twisted Foot, his plans for a new society. Twisted
Foot was the most able of the young Watchers; of that, Long Ears
was certain. He was clever, with an inner strength that transcended
his deformed body; the one who could lead them away from this
hostile place, their saviour. The others won’t take me seriously,
Long Ears told himself. I am too weak, too afraid. But they would
listen to Twisted Foot. They would follow him. Long Ears
concentrated his thoughts, willing Twisted Foot to wake, willing
him to decide.
The dream had
broken again. With a start, Twisted Foot opened his eyes, meeting
Long Ears’ gaze. It is time, he decided. He rose wearily from the
nest. There had been no rest for him, but he was calmer now, more
sure of his actions.
‘ Come to the pool,’ he said to Long Ears. His voice, like his
actions, was firm, resolute.
They made
their way to the pool. There was a silence between them, a
tautness, Twisted Foot deep in thought, Long Ears in quiet
anticipation. As usual at this time of the day, several groups of
he-rats clustered near the water’s edge. Twisted Foot chose a quiet
spot away from them. The two lapped for some time and then shifted
back from the water to crouch close together. Twisted Foot looked
round the tunnel, making sure that he would not be overheard. He
spoke quietly and forcibly.
‘ All right, comrade, I will lead you and the others to the land
across the water.’
Long Ears
emitted a long sigh of relief, but he said nothing.
‘ First,’ his companion continued, ‘we must decide who should go
with us. They must be our closest comrades. Those we know best and
can trust most.’
He stopped for
some moments, rehearsing the details in his mind.
‘ Fat One, certainly, and Small Face: they will want to go.
Narrow Back, too. He is a very nervous and talkative Watcher, I
know, but we will need him for the knowledge he
possesses.’
The last
remark puzzled Long Ears. Again, though, he stayed silent.
‘ The others are either too old or not well enough known to us.
Besides, we must keep our group small, easy to handle. We will also
be taking our mates and our youngsters. Already, our number is
large enough.’
Long Ears
nodded his agreement, excitement building within him. Twisted Foot
huddled closer. His tone was urgent now.
‘ Our greatest danger at this time is discovery of our plan.
Secrecy is all-important. So this is what we must do. You should
speak to Fat One and Small Face. Separately. Not in the lair, where
there are too many ears. But here at the pool or on the world
above. I will approach Narrow Back. We must do this as soon as
possible.
‘ When the plan is revealed to each of them, we must ensure that
only our two names are mentioned. They must not know who their
other companions will be, only that there will be a group of us. We
must impress on them the consequences of discovery and the need for
utter secrecy. Each of us will speak to our mates – again, as soon
as possible – but our young ones must not be told until we are
ready to leave –’
‘ When ... when will that be?’ Long Ears interrupted
breathlessly.
‘ I don’t know yet. I don’t know how we will leave. I have still
to work out a plan. But it will be very soon, comrade, very soon.
Before our mates grow heavy with young. Before the Cold Cycle
begins in
of turmoil, the one created by his need to decide whether to set
off on the perilous journey to a new life or to stay here,
suffering the hardships and indignities of the present society. As
the dream conflict wore on, the shining images of the sun-warmed
clearing in the trees grew stronger, more appealing, more
attainable.
In his nest
close by, Long Ears also slept fitfully; dozing when Twisted Foot
closed his eyes, suddenly alert when Twisted Foot awoke, watching,
waiting for some sign. He recognised the torment in his companion’s
movements; he knew that the decision would come soon. He had bared
his thoughts to Twisted Foot, his plans for a new society. Twisted
Foot was the most able of the young Watchers; of that, Long Ears
was certain. He was clever, with an inner strength that transcended
his deformed body; the one who could lead them away from this
hostile place, their saviour. The others won’t take me seriously,
Long Ears told himself. I am too weak, too afraid. But they would
listen to Twisted Foot. They would follow him. Long Ears
concentrated his thoughts, willing Twisted Foot to wake, willing
him to decide.
The dream had
broken again. With a start, Twisted Foot opened his eyes, meeting
Long Ears’ gaze. It is time, he decided. He rose wearily from the
nest. There had been no rest for him, but he was calmer now, more
sure of his actions.
‘ Come to the pool,’ he said to Long Ears. His voice, like his
actions, was firm, resolute.
They made
their way to the pool. There was a silence between them, a
tautness, Twisted Foot deep in thought, Long Ears in quiet
anticipation. As usual at this time of the day, several groups of
he-rats clustered near the water’s edge. Twisted Foot chose a quiet
spot away from them. The two lapped for some time and then shifted
back from the water to crouch close together. Twisted Foot looked
round the tunnel, making sure that he would not be overheard. He
spoke quietly and forcibly.
‘ All right, comrade, I will lead you and the others to the land
across the water.’
Long Ears
emitted a long sigh of relief, but he said nothing.
‘ First,’ his companion continued, ‘we must decide who should go
with us. They must be our closest comrades. Those we know best and
can trust most.’
He stopped for
some moments, rehearsing the details in his mind.
‘ Fat One, certainly, and Small Face: they will want to go.
Narrow Back, too. He is a very nervous and talkative Watcher, I
know, but we will need him for the knowledge he
possesses.’
The last
remark puzzled Long Ears. Again, though, he stayed silent.
‘ The others are either too old or not well enough known to us.
Besides, we must keep our group small, easy to handle. We will also
be taking our mates and our youngsters. Already, our number is
large enough.’
Long Ears
nodded his agreement, excitement building within him. Twisted Foot
huddled closer. His tone was urgent now.
‘ Our greatest danger at this time is discovery of our plan.
Secrecy is all-important. So this is what we must do. You should
speak to Fat One and Small Face. Separately. Not in the lair, where
there are too many ears. But here at the pool or on the world
above. I will approach Narrow Back. We must do this as soon as
possible.
‘ When the plan is revealed to each of them, we must ensure that
only our two names are mentioned. They must not know who their
other companions will be, only that there will be a group of us. We
must impress on them the consequences of discovery and the need for
utter secrecy. Each of us will speak to our mates – again, as soon
as possible – but our young ones must not be told until we are
ready to leave –’
‘ When ... when will that be?’ Long Ears interrupted
breathlessly.
‘ I don’t know yet. I don’t know how we will leave. I have still
to work out a plan. But it will be very soon, comrade, very soon.
Before our mates grow heavy with young. Before the Cold Cycle
begins in
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