This chapter is where we meet our main characters. [Jaidie is in The Fall fanfic as well]

this is nearly four years after the last battle

I leapt into the trees, racing skillfully across a thin branch. I leapt higher still, savoring the sweet early afternoon air tinged with a fresh spring smell. Buds popped out along the rough branches of the elm trees, occasional leaves poking through.

“Wait up Fisher!” I heard. It was Jaidie. Jaidie Joveson. Another exile of the fall like myself.

There were four of us now, Marshal, a rabbit youngling, Jaidie, the eldest and daughter of Jupiter the Great, Kianna, a young wolf exiled after helping a young rabbit, and myself, a small, brave, young squirrel.

“You coming?” I asked.

“I wish. But seriously, Fisher, we’re not all fancy squirrels.” She replied. I twitched my tail, leaping higher.

I kept leaping till all I saw was the great blue expansion of the sky. It was so big, so blue, so calling. Up here, the air was sweet and clean, the sky great and blue, and not a patch of winter snow in sight.

I wished I lived up here, so high. I should live in these trees.

But I had a promise to keep. A mission to be fulfilled, a message to deliver.

I sighed, taking one last, long look into the bright blue sky before scampering to the ground.

We walked for a while, thirst and hunger at the edge of our thoughts.

“We aren’t all as tough as you two!” Kianna cried. Marshal and Kianna were lagging behind Jaidie and i.

“True.” I frowned. I was hungry too.

“Look!” Jaidie cried. We looked in the direction she pointed.

A stream of crystal clear groundwater erupted from the mountain. Growing next to it was an orange tree.

“Food!” Marshal cried, sprinting into the pool of water. I raced after him, soon arriving.

I dipped my paws into the clear spring and dipped out cool water.

“Forget something?” Jaidie asked, tossing me a ladle.

“I did indeed.” I said, dipping the dipper into the stream and drawing out a cool drink. The water was refreshing in my parched mouth, cooling and sweet. It was ice cold, filled with a certain flavor coming from the mountain depths. I took another drink.

“Fisher, everyone else wants a drink.” Marshal pointed out. I tossed him the ladle, thirst temporarily quenched. I picked an enormous orange from the tree, carefully cutting it in four pieces.

Juice rolled from the fruit. It looked so good. I took a bite, instantly falling in love with the sweet flavor. It was by far the best thing I had ever eaten, it’s fruit soft and ripe and juicy.

“Is it good?” Marshal asked.

“No. it’s terrible.” I lied. Marshal laughed and snatched a piece, trying it. I stood, chasing him.

he dodged me, however I kept running. I face planted in the cool stream, laughing. Soon the others were leaping in.

Our happy moment was disturbed by a weary traveler. His fur was grey and muddy. His clothes were torn.

“It’s Garten!” Jaidie cried, leaping from the pool. We followed.

“May I stop here for a drink?” Garten asked,

“Uh. Of course.” I said, backing to leap into a tree. I sat on the branch, eying him warily.

“Please, Garten. Do tell your story.” Jaidie said.

“Very well, young ones. My story is one of betrayal. And not of redemption.”

“But sir.” Jaidie began, “Don’t we all get second chances?

“I wish that were true.” He said, sighing.

hope you enjoyed!

feedback would be valued.

-Fleck