Chapter 2 -- Rumors
Chapter 2 -- Rumors
Silky's last adventure had been to stop a group of kids from playing vicious tricks. Silky suspected them but wasn't convinced they would go to such great lengths.
"Have you seen any strange creatures in the wood?" She pointed to the surrounding trees.
"Nothing out of the ordinary." Noah thought a minute. He seemed to remember something.
"Now that I think about it, I have heard strange rumors."
"Rumors?"
"Whispers, really, about a strange animal. No one has ever seen more than a shadow except one, the Nightwatchman. He'd be the one to talk to."
His name is Chris and he was the most mysterious person in the village. He was also Silky's good friend. Chris lived on the edge of the Great Forest. As his name suggests, he guarded the village gate at night. It was the only way to get to the Great Forest from the village. When he saw Silky approach it was almost dusk and he was preparing for his watch.
"Well if it isn't my fine feline friend," he teased. "What brings you here?"
"Business I'm afraid. I'm here to ask about the shadow creature you saw."
"Now why would you want to know about that?"
"A local farmer had his fields turned to ash. I need to see if the two are related."
"Young Noah, I presume."
Silky nodded and Chris sighed. "Look, I'll tell ya what I told him. It was too dark to see it clearly. I could only see it was no animal I knew."
Silky raised an eyebrow, "You have the best sight in the village. I don't believe that you couldn't see."
Chris smirked, "Would you believe old age ruined my vision?" Silky shook her head.
"Can't fool you can I?"
"Never could. Now I'll ask you again, what did they look like?"
Chris sighed, "Very well. It was about the size of an average human. It was covered in shiny red and white scales like a dragon. The body was shaped like a mouse and the eyes were a bright, piercing yellow."
"So you saw a mouse-shaped dragon?" she responded with doubt in her voice.
Chris shook his head, "Believe what you will, I know what I saw that night."
"I meant no offense," she said hurriedly. "But that creature sounds so fantastical. I can hardly believe it."
Chris shrugged, "As I said, believe what you will. I merely answered truthfully."
"And I thank you for that," she bowed her head and gave a traditional farewell to show she meant no disrespect.
"May the night watch over you as you guard its secrets." She waited for a reply and when she heard none she left.
"Hey!" Silky turned at Chris' voice. "May the daylight reveal to you the truth." She smiled and continued on home.