Chapter 1
The fall leaves drifted slowly to the ground and the sun filtered through the russet colored trees as late afternoon turned to evening and the air began to chill.
Burn had a great sense of peace this late, autumn afternoon. He stood at the entrance of his home and breathed a deep sigh of satisfaction. He had finished his harvest just days ago and his home was insulated against the coming winter. He also felt another emotion – gratitude. It had been a good harvest this year – plenty; and no problems that could not be overcome.
Burn knew most of his friends were still hard at work preparing for the long, cold days to come. In fact, he could hear their activity all around him. Soon, Burn would begin offering his help to those who were still struggling, but first he had one last thing he wanted do before the celebration. It wasn’t a necessity for their winter existence, but it would mean a great deal to his dear wife and would be an extra special treat for the feast next week.
He would leave before sunup tomorrow and if all went well he would be back before it set. He would go alone. It would be easier if he could take someone along, but the risk was too great and he didn’t want his wife to hear about his plan. Not only would it spoil his surprise, but she would worry.
Burn’s reverie ended as he dropped to all fours and hastened through the entrance of the huge old, oak tree and into his snug home some forty feet off the ground. Carved over the entrance were the words, “Mugwort Hall”, so called for the wonderful meals shared in this home.
Inside was warm after the chill air. It smelled pleasantly of nuts, pine and dried leaves. As his eyes grew accustomed to the dimness Burn surveyed his domain. Ah, there it was again – that deep sense of peace and gratitude. “Thank You,” Burn spoke softly into the room.
The room was a little over three feet in diameter. The hard, oak floor reflected the light of the fire from years of his wife’s polishing. A small child’s squat wooden stool that Burn had brought home from his last trip stood in the middle of the room and served as their gathering place for meals, meetings, accounting, family time – it was the hub of not only his own family, but the Kingdom as well. Right now the table held a pretty, orange scrap of cloth on which sat a sample jelly jar with one mum blossom that nearly covered the jar completely. On one wall in the spacious round room was another larger (baby food) jar. A short, fat candle glowed brightly from it, providing light and warmth.
Burn crossed the room to an opening in the wall opposite the entrance. Although it was too dark inside to see Burn knew the cavity went back about a foot and down several feet. He was once again filled with a sense of peace and satisfaction knowing his cache was filled with enough black walnuts, dried blackberries, red mulberries and corn to last he and his wife all winter, with plenty of extra here and in the other hidden caches for others who might be in need. “Truly I am blessed,” he thought to himself.
Wearing a smile of contentment Burn moved to the shelves he had pegged onto the wall several winters ago. He removed two bowls made of half hickory shells and set them on the table, two more acorn shells for drinks and two squares of the same cloth that decorated the table for napkins.
Stopping to listen and check the position of the dropping sun he moved quickly to the candle jar and sniffed the contents of the small sand pail warming on top of the candle jar. The aroma of chestnuts simmering in mushroom sauce filled his nostrils and set his stomach rumbling.
“Burnie . . . Burnie; are you up there? A sweet, gentle voice called up to the den.
“Yes, dear, I’m here,” Burn answered.
A gust of frosty air swept through the room as Burn’s wife bustled in, chattering as she came “. . . I really didn’t mean to be this late! The stitching women wanted to finish all the projects – and we did it! Can you believe it, Burnie? Every family on Round Top will have a new quilt for the winter! Extol The One! We plan to give them out at the Kingdom Feast next week.”
Burn smiled to himself as he watched this face he loved almost more than life itself. It was a face still full and eyes bright with wisdom and compassion. “That’s wonderful, dear. It will mean a lot to folks when the winter snows come, but come now, our dinner is ready.”
“Burnie! You didn’t have to do that!” His wife exclaimed. “Thank you! How thoughtful!”
Mrs. Burnet removed her scarf and placed it on the pegs positioned conveniently by the door and set her basket on the shelf above and then removing the apron that hung on another peg she tied it around her as she scurried toward the candle jar.
“Why, Great Burnet Squirrel! You’ve made enough mushroom stew to feed an army, whatever were you thinking?” What Burn was thinking was that he could he eat a little extra tonight and there would still be plenty for another warm bowl before he left in the morning. But what he said was – “Just hungry, I guess”; which was not untrue as his stomach loudly proclaimed.
Hearing the testimony of his hunger Mrs. Burnet shook her head and laughed affectionately at her husband, “Alright then let’s get to it before you waste away.” She was laughing because although Burn was still very sleek for a seventeen year old gray squirrel, his tail still bushy and legs still strong, he was carrying a little extra weight even for late fall. This attested to the fact that his activity had slowed some. He felt it when he worked with the young pups. He was stronger than most, but he tired quicker. Still another reason why tomorrow’s journey meant so much to him, he thought. Who knew if it would be the last time he would be able to go.
Mrs. Burnet dipped the nutshells into the soup and the aroma of warm mushroom stew filled the room. Hunkering down comfortably on his haunches Burn lifted the shell and gave thanks, then slurped deeply of the warm stew.
“Perfect! If I do say so myself,” he said. Burn placed the shell on the table and began picking out pieces of mushrooms and nuts. “What do you think dear? Did ole’ Burnie do alright?”
“It is delicious, Burnie. I couldn’t have done better myself. Now – about tomorrow’s trip…” Mrs. Burnet eyed her husband over the rim of her shell. His face was the picture of astonishment. Eyes wide, mouth hanging open as tiny droplets of stew quivered on the ends of his whiskers. “I . . . You . . .” Burn stammered and then with a sigh, “How did you know?”
“Great Burnet Squirrel, I’ve known you nearly all of your life and I’ve been your wife for nearly fifteen years! Did you really believe for one minute I wouldn’t know you were up to something? I knew you were plotting something for the Kingdom feast. You’ve been mumbling and scratching notes on leaves for weeks now. Personally I think you should let one of the young pups go – then as Burn began to protest she held her hand up – but I realize how much it means to you to be able to take this trip and your concern for my welfare as well as the rest of the Kingdom - so I have asked Aven Fox-Squirrel to go with you.”
“You . . . I . . .” Burn realized he was stammering again and closed his mouth with a quick snap. Glancing sheepishly at his wife’s smug smile he wiped his mouth with his napkin, got up and began pacing the room. “This is a dangerous trip, wife!”
“I know that, dear.” Mrs. Burnet said meekly. Now that she had told him how she felt and what she had done she reverted to her usual submissive character and allowed Burn to talk it out. She knew he would see the value of having young Aven with him and she also knew he was secretly happy she cared and now he could share his plans with her.
“It is asking a great deal of Aven to go right now, especially since he has own future with Angelica to consider now.” Burn continued to pace, hands behind his back, head lowered, face intense.
“Yes, dear, but Aven was so thrilled that you would consider allowing him to go Mrs. Burnet responded. Burn stopped pacing and turned toward his wife. “Of course I would consider Aven! Why, he will be a great help to me!”
Mrs. Burnet relaxed even more. Her husband was not anymore stubborn than the next squirrel, but being the born leader that he was he liked to believe everything was his own idea. But all that matter to Mrs. Burnett was that her husband would take Aven Fox-Squirrel and she would feel much better knowing that he was not alone.
“Yes,” continued Burn, “Aven is level-headed and agile especially on the ground. He doesn’t need someone looking over his shoulder, telling him what to do next, but he doesn’t mind following orders either. He will be especially helpful when we reach the flat.”
Mrs. Burnet cleared her throat, bringing Burn back to the present. “How can I help dear? I’ve already filled your pack with medicinal leaves and barks.”
Burn’s gaze softened as he looked at his wife and his heart filled anew with love for her.
“Thank you, Oura, what would I do without you?” Burn knew that his wife “knew” he was going, not just because she had seen him “scratching on leaves”, but because The One often showed her things concerning the Kingdom and especially her husband. He treasured her all the more for her intimacy with The One. He coveted her vision and her entreaties.
“Well then, Burnie, let’s clear up dinner and get you to bed. Sunrise still comes fairly early and Aven will be prompt.” Mrs. Burnet began to bustle about the room, clearing up so that Burnie would not see what this was costing her. How she loved this squirrel and to not be at his side was very hard. In fact, if it were not for her faith in the protection of The One she would not be able to let him go. Even then she knew this would be a difficult journey and she knew there was the possibility he may not return.
Chapter 2
“Burnie?” Mrs. Burnet jerked her head from the soft pine of their nest and looked around in the darkness. What had woken her? A dream? Or a vision from The One? Had Burnie left already? She jumped through the hole of the nest into the main room. Seeing that is was empty she was hurrying toward the entrance when she heard the sound of her husband’s deep voice.
“Come on in a moment, Aven, while I check on things one more time before we leave.” Unable to sleep, Burn had carefully left their nest to go outside and seek The One before Aven’s arrival. The sky was barely gray now as they headed back into the den.
“Thank you, Sir, I’ll be glad for the warmth this morning,” replied Aven’s strong, young voice as the two came through the door.
Looking up to see his wife setting out bowls of steaming, mushroom soup, Burn’s face lit with a smile. “Good morning, wife! Did I wake you? I tried to be quiet.”
“No, no you didn’t wake me, but, I’m so glad I didn’t miss you. Good morning, Aven. You two sit right down and eat before you leave.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Burnet. It smells wonderful.”
Aven and Burn hunkered down to their breakfast, lifting their bowls in thanks.
As Mrs. Burnet bustled about the room refilling cups and bowls for the men, adding mushrooms and dried berries to the draw string pouches she had made with rat pelts, the men plotted trails and made plans.
“I think if we stay in the Oak Forest until we reach the north side of the flat it will be safer. I know it will take a little longer, but I believe it is best”, Burn said between bites.
“Of course Sir, said Aven, you would know.” Aven’s voice held respect and maybe just a hint of awe. G. Burnet Squirrel’s journeys were well known on Round Top as was his courage, generosity, wisdom and strength. All these qualities are what had made him such a great Kingdom leader for these past several years. Aven was humbled that he had been asked to accompany Burn on this journey. Not just because he was young or because Burn rarely asked anyone young or old, but because Aven was well aware of the fact that this could very well be Burn’s last journey and then not only would he retire from journeying, but he would also be appointing someone younger to help lead the Kingdom and eventually take his place.
“Actually, sir, I have been as far as the north stream in the Oak Forest, perhaps we could follow it to…” Aven’s voice trailed off as he realized he did not know for certain exactly where they were going. Glancing at Burn to see if he had overstepped himself, he saw that Burn was not annoyed, in fact, Aven could have sworn he saw a look of approval and maybe a hint of amusement in the older squirrel’s face.
Burn was amused at Aven’s youthful enthusiasm, but he also approved of the young, ground squirrel’s knowledge and budding leadership. Burn cleared his throat. “Yes, well I guess it would be wise to give you the details in case...” now Burn’s words stopped abruptly as he looked around for his wife “… in case we should become separated,” he finished lamely spotting her at the cook candle. Burn carefully pulled a very large and fragile maple leaf from his pack beside him. It was a pale yellow color with a map scratched on one side and preserved with a special mixture of bee’s wax and honey and other ingredients known only to the research squirrels that had created it. Burn smoothed it out onto the table between them and Aven’s bright, young eyes surveyed it eagerly.
“If we follow the tree line of the Oak forest north as far as the stream, as you suggested, Aven, I think we will be able to find plenty of cover along the stream all the way to the corn field and if we have favor with The One the corn stalks will still be standing.” Burn spoke softly hoping his wife was occupied with her packing and not listening.
Aven listened intently, memorizing the leaf map and nodding his agreement. “As I recall the stream as it left the forest still had a dense cover of Alder trees and Reed Canary Grass”, Avery mused. “Does it continue the entire way?”
“No, said Burn, the stream enters a large open grassy area owned by The Farmer about ten feet further on. The Farmer keeps his cows in this field. There is cover, but it is kept low in many places by the cattle and in one place the farmer’s children have a swimming hole with a swing hanging from a hemlock tree that is entirely nude of vegetation. The stream angles North East across the field until it runs parallel with the corn field. After the corn field the stream becomes unsafe. It takes a radical left turn into manmade ditches, culverts and channels, but we will be leaving the stream before then.”
“It is all Reed Canary Grass?” Asked Aven, trying to image how low the cattle could crop it. Reed Canary Grass could grow from three to five feet high so there still might be plenty of cover. Following his train of thought Burn answered, “It shouldn’t get extremely low in most places and there is the added benefit of plenty of blackberries along the way for fresh food.”
Aven could sense that Burn was holding something back, but before he could ask what it was Burn’s eyes locked with his and he gave an almost imperceptible jerk of his head in his wife’s direction. Then, turning toward her, Burn called his wife’s name. “Oura, come join us for a moment.” Mrs. Burnet immediately put down the packs she was just finishing and came over to the table. She stopped at her husband’s side and looked enquiringly at him.
“Oura, would you seek The One, on our behalf and ask for our protection and preservation?” Burn asked softly. “Perhaps, He will show something.”
Oura quickly closed her eyes as she reached out and laid her hands on both men’s shoulders. She didn’t want Burn to see in her eyes the moment of fear she had felt. She was disgusted with herself for even having it. Imagine fearing The One. Only those who rejected Him needed to fear Him and that was not the case for Oura or the majority of the squirrels in the Oak Forest thanks to Burn. No; it was not The One that Oura feared, indeed she loved Him with all her being, but rather she feared not having the strength to embrace what He might show her.
“Great One, Oura began, we thank you for your continued blessings in our lives, for your protection and provision, and we give you all praise. We praise you and we worship you for who you are. You are One over the Forest, creator of the world – THE ONE – All Powerful and all knowing.” Oura’s hands rose above her head as she extolled The One that she loved with all her being and the bucks joined her. The room seemed to take on an aura of warmth and peace, a feeling like what Burn had experienced yesterday when he surveyed his harvest. “Oh Great One give us our needs today and go with my husband and his young companion. May they know your protection and provision, and may they also know your presence on a greater level.” As Oura sought The One her own concerns and cares melted away – suddenly Oura hesitated and the expression on her face went from a far-away tenderness to a concentrated fierceness, her voice dropped several octaves and her hands rested heavily on their shoulders again – “Yeah, my sons, surely I AM with thee, My presence shall guide thee and provide for thee and you WILL know me in an even greater way. For you have thought that this journey was your own idea, you have thought that this journey was to collect treasure for your feast, but surely I would say to you, this journey is of my initiation and you shall collect treasure, but not the treasure you would think. Fear not what shall happen on this journey, fear not the dangers and the foes thou shall encounter, fear not whether thou shall return or not, for surely thou shall return, for I have much for you to accomplish before you rest. Know that I am with thee every step of your journey – even when it would not appear so – I am with thee, I am with thee!”
Oura’s head fell forward even as her hands slipped from the buck’s shoulders. Burn rose quickly and helped Oura lower herself to the table. “Rest, my darling Oura,” Burn spoke quietly in her ear and she smiled softly up at him.”
“I am a seer, husband, not an invalid!” Oura’s smile turned into a full laugh as she usually felt a strange mixture of elation and exhaustion whenever The One used her in such a way.
Chapter 3
Throughout the morning the two bucks had made their way through the familiar paths of The Oak Forest their steps in unison, passing families preparing for the winter and greeting friends they met.
Their friends and families saw the two bucks walking in the early morning sunlight sometimes jumping from branch to branch, tree to tree of the huge oaks that dominated this forest, sometimes almost marching across the pine needles that blanketed the ground. They saw two strong, handsome bucks one young and agile seeming to hold his pace to match that of the older, slower buck. The young buck’s ear was inclined toward the older to catch every word being spoken while the senior’s arms arced in descriptive motion encompassing surrounding woods and fields or pointing as he spoke. Some onlookers wished they could be privy to their conversation, envious of young Aven as the recipient of the wisdom of Burn of Mugwort. Some speculated that perhaps Burn was grooming Aven to replace him, telling him the secrets of the Kingdom – perhaps even their own secrets. Others wondered about their destination, because while not hurrying, their pace seemed purposeful as they were even now leaving the perimeter of the Kingdom - and not a few had noticed the famous dagger “Bryony” strapped to Burn’s side. Were they going foraging in the Oak Forest surrounding the Kingdom? Were they headed toward the stream for mushrooms? Would they bring back smooth stones for building walls, walks and the like? Some of the older squirrels wondered if perhaps Burn was taking Aven with him on a longer journey, they recalled the tales Burn shared around the Kingdom fire and indeed remembered the petitions that had gone up to The One for his safe return – and they remembered the treasures he had brought back with him on his other journeys. A few of Burns peers even remembered back to the time of The Change that had come when their leader had first arrived in their midst.
What none had discerned, not even Aven, was the turmoil that was raging inside of Burn’s heart and head. Questions like, was he doing the right thing bringing young Aven? Was he taking this journey too late in the season? Did they bring enough foraging bags to carry all they might find? How much of the communities history or his own past should he reveal to Aven and how? And heaviest of all what “dangers and foes” were they going to encounter on this journey?
“The sun on our face and the wind at our back, a smooth clear path and a good companion – it doesn’t get much better than this, son.” Burn spoke again for the first time in several minutes as they descended from the high oaks to the leafy ground and saw the last hill that completely hide their view of The Oak Forest and their Kingdom totally. Aven smiled in response, sighing contentedly. He looked up to note that the sun was actually more on their head then their back at this point and noticing his gaze Burn said, “The stream is about an hour from here. We will stop to rest and eat a bit then.”
Quiet descended again as the two bucks strode onward. It was companionable quiet. Each content to think his own thoughts. Aven was processing all that Burn had spoken already. The leader had begun to give Aven glimpses into a past that brought new light to everything he knew to be true and real. Could it be that they really were chosen, their Kingdom unlike all others? Aven knew that other squirrels were unable to communicate in the same way The Oak Forest squirrels did and certainly few other animals he had ever encountered could match their intelligence and none - squirrel or other had ever come close to their sense of compassion and Kingdom life.
The young buck thought these things without pride or judgment – it was just the way it had always been. He had never really thought about why – until now. Why were they able to speak, reason, build and love unlike nearly all other creatures of the forest including other squirrels? Perhaps that explains why there were such strict rules about their boundaries and mixing with other animals – even other squirrels.
This line of thinking brought to Aven’s mind all the “grafts” - squirrels that were not born in the Oak Forest and had not been there from the beginning with Burn. Some had come because they had met Burn and discerned the difference in him and desired to be part of this Kingdom he came from, some injured and lost, were nursed back to health and chose to remain and a few were brought back by foraging bucks - like Holly & Ivy, flying squirrel infants found abandoned in their Witches Broom Drey nearly starved and Jonny Jump Up a ground squirrel like himself who’s hind foot had been severed in a trap. There was an entire family of red squirrels that Burn had helped when their home had been destroyed by a fire.
The grafts while fully adopted into the Oak Forest Kingdom sometimes did not receive all the privileges of those born in The Kingdom – not because they weren’t freely offered, but for grafts some Kingdom privileges seemed too hard for them to receive. Grafts would often stand apart at the festivals, never fully joining in. Some refused to take from or contribute to the community cache, unnecessarily struggling alone.
Other grafts seemed to be the so grateful, they would almost worship Burn if he would allow them, but he tenderly and consistently taught them of The One that provided all for everyone, including them. These grafts were the most joyous at the festivals and the first to raise their hands in praise to The One.
All these thoughts and more chased one another round Aven’s head as he followed his leader chosen by The One, trusted and loved by all – or nearly. Squirrels – even Kingdom squirrels – have plenty of natural enemies. Although it had been years since there had been an attack of any kind on The Kingdom and even the last ones were by animals further away not those immediately surrounding The Kingdom. Many the speculation and story and some facts had been swapped about why this was. Most believed to a lesser or greater degree that is was Burn’s doing. The speculation and stories weaved the how and the what he had done. From dire threats, to mighty feats of strength and even hints of magic professio – the stories continued to circulate. Aven, himself believed that it was indeed Burn’s doing, but while he didn’t speculate how he revered his leader the more.