Grig- Chapter 2: Hunters & Protectors
Grig reached up and pushed the blade away from his face.
“I’m Grig Solly, teacup, now who the greck are you, and what are you doing here?”
He got to his feet, causing the shrew to retreat a few paces, though the tiny creature still pointed the sword defiantly for a moment.
“Beggin your pardon, Mr. Solly,” Brier said. “Based on your reputation, I had no idea I’d find you so soon. When you look like me, you have to come on a bit strong to be taken seriously.”
“Fair enough,” Grig said.
“I am Brier Longtail of the Voran shrews. I was sent to you by Eshak of Mawroi.”
“Eshak sent you? Why would he do that?”
“I am the fastest courier in these woods. I come to bring a message and take you to safety.”
Grig resisted the urge to laugh; Brier’s dour facial expression helped.
“Gask king of the Neslah has placed a blood bounty on your head for the murder of his brother, Keres. He has dispatched his hunters to claim your blood and bones.”
Grig gasped involuntarily at the mention of the Neslah king. He thought Gask was just a story to scare young Kefi.
“Eshak recently learned of the hunter’s presence in these woods and has managed to divert them for a time, but no longer. They will reach your village soon, and your death will not satisfy them.
“I am the first of your protectors. Four more shall arrive before the sun sets, and we must depart before it rises again. Do you understand, Grig Solly?”
Grig gulped and fell into a seated position, trying to regain his wits and his composure. He knew adventure would find him someday but he never imagined it would be so soon or the dangers so close to his home and family.
They had risked everything to bring him home. He would not repay them by bringing death to their doorsteps.
Grig shook himself, rose to his feet, and nodded curtly.
“I understand, Brier. Where will we go?
“To a place of safety and strategy. Eshak and the other leaders of the circle of thorns1 know the Neslah will never stop. We have devised a distraction to divert the hunters and disguise our departure. You are summoned to a council of war.”
WAR. This was almost a foreign word for Grig. The Gicha had successfully evaded wars of all kinds for centuries. They trained for protection and defense, but never for attack or aggression. Peace was their aim, and, unfortunately, a way to insulate themselves from the outside world.
“Let me tell my family and leave word for my friends, and I will go with you, Brier. Are these terms acceptable?”
“They are Grig. Please take me to your home so we can prepare. The others will be here soon.”
Grig nodded, then said “just a moment” and ran to look for Ox and Cuddles. He found them napping under a large spreading fern.
Grig smiled and nudged Oxter gently with his foot. Ox grunted and raised his head.
“Sorry to wake you, Ox. I need you to wake up Cuddles and alert the village. We’re about to have some visitors. “
The council of friendly creatures. It is made up of mice, shrews, frogs, some birds, and a few friendly rat tribes.