Tales of the Room by Luke and Zach. (comprehension books txt) 📕

sloshing noise caught the ears of the unsuspecting pair of rabbits. Confused, Peter looked at Thrainkain having never felt this strange sensation. Before they had time to discuss their situation, a giant toy, who appeared to be half man, half water, emerged before them. His arms were bulging, practically rippling with muscle. His face was worn and weathered, a toy who had definitely seen his share of grief, battle and life. He had a crutch made of flowing water at his side, where he apparently was missing a leg. This ailment obviously did not bother this powerful toy as he effortlessly glided along like a river. Peter Rabbit had heard stories of this magnificent creature. His ability to manipulate and control water was legendary around the room. Thainkain had never heard of Flood and made this obvious by diving, terrified into a bush. The evil toy did not even give them a look, but continued through the forest. As he disappeared from view, Thrainkain stuck his head out of his bush and whispered loudly:

“DOES HE LIVE IN CRICKOWILLOW?!”

“Ha! Heavens no! He is most definitely a dweller of Nafrandor to be sure. I’m curious to understand what his business is in our region. I wonder if Flick knows about his presence here?” asked Peter still looking toward the path Flood had taken.

“The answer to that question is even more confusing than the question itself!” The voice came from behind them and caused Peter to jump and Thrainkain’s head to disappear in the bush once again.

“Don’t be afraid. Forgive me for my interruption. My name is Mr. Treefall and this is my lovely wife.”

Peter sighed, relieved as two beavers came out of the brush.

“Flick requested Flood’s aid. The water in this part of the forest is contaminated and water experts have been summoned from around the room. We have traveled all the way from Playmobil forest to offer our services. A few blue sea sharks have been summoned as well as Rob the action figure who has experience in plumbing. We heard of a diver action figure who is to help as well and I’m sure the wizard of nature will be present as well. A good team to determine the source of the problem.” The beaver paused for a moment to catch his breath. He looked at their travel clothes and asked:

“Where exactly are you good toys headed? What is the purpose of your present journey?
“Where is this meeting?” asked Peter Rabbit deflecting the beaver’s questions.
“Well it’s here in Crickowillow,” answered his wife. Peter wrapped himself tighter in his green cloak and Thainkain looked at him. Peter was deep in thought.
Benjamin moved toward his crop aware of every obstacle in his path. He was careful to not touch anything that made noise. He could feel a difference in the earth. He bent down with his bow at hand and sniffed the ground. It was a very peculiar smell that triggered his ears backward. He crept behind a rock and looked at the building that had been made on his field of Black Forest crop. It was more of mound of dirt than a building with vines tangled upon it and moss growing darkly at the foot of it. There was a small light coming from the front. It was red. His ears pointed up as he very well heard the conversation inside the mound. The door of the mound was open and two rats were inside speaking to each other over glasses of Blork. They seemed to have returned from a journey for they were wet and their slick cloaks stuck to their stringy fur. It was raining in the forest and lightning shocked the darkness into light as Bunny crouched out from behind the rock. The log fence was broken and he aimed his arrow between two halves of a log, straight into the mound at the rat on the left. His paw pulled the arrow back and his eye tightened. The rain splattered his bow making a hollow sound from it. Once to his cheek he paused for a moment, and then let the arrow fly! His own hand-made arrow pierced the rat in the heart and the rat dropped his Blork that had been so close to his lips. Suddenly from behind Benjamin a comrade of the one he shot dove into him with a snarl. They went tumbling into the crops and Benjamin kicked him off with his powerful feet. He turned to the sound of another and as the rat was in the air, the rabbit swiped him on the face with his claws. Two others pounced on him and wounded his shoulder and right foot. His bow served as a club for backing them away off of him. Once he pulled himself back together there were half a dozen around him. His bow was on the ground and he crouched low and his ears were one with his neck. The wild look in his eye was unpredictable. He lowered himself lower and lower, as they moved closer and closer. They pounced and he jumped over them and scrambled toward the mound. He was raced with the many different rats and crushed one and tackled another making him roll into the building itself next to his own arrow. Another’s foot lay rested upon the rat’s body. It was purple with black claws curling out.

Talrock, deep in thought, sat under a low hanging willow; its black strands of leaves swaying back and forth calmly in the morning breeze. He was digesting all that he had seen the past couple of days. He would have followed Senthara into the Dark Forest Village, but he was not fond of crowds. He did not like the feeling of being stared at, nor did he enjoy interacting or answering questions of other toys. He wished only to be free within the confines of nature and fulfill his desire for solitude. That was not to say he had no friends. No, Talrock had friends. They were just spread out among the forest regions. He loved the true forest dwellers. He could care little for travelers or vacationers. There he sat in silence, listening to the sounds of the forest. After an hour or so, a different sound became evident. It was a low musical humming coming from some hidden path. He was unsure where it was coming from, but he did know the source of the music. He patiently waited as the sound got louder and louder and it seemed to be coming from behind Talrock. The goblin did not move. He closed his eyes and relaxed his head. He felt a shudder in the willow he was sitting against and looked down quickly. A small door had appeared at the trunk to his right and a miniscule man emerged. He had a long green beard and carried a tall and ancient staff made of the Black Wood Oak.

“Hello Pinewrinkle. Where have your journeys taken you recently? I have not seen you for quite some time.” Greeted Talrock in his rough goblin accent, patting his shoulder as Crickowillow dwellers do when having not seen a friend for some time.

“The forest is all a stirred up goblin. I haven’t seen such a fuss in years; creatures and plants sick and in bad health. And no answers, no answers at all.” Pinewrinkle answered in a high, shrill, and weary voice.

“The water is poisoned. We ha-” Talrock attempted to answer, but was cut short.

“Ha! There is much more to this than water poisoning! This is bad magic. I’ve been in Nafrandor for the past month fighting a dark power that is sweeping over that entire region. The black wizard has gone missing in this time of need and we are scrambling for answers. The ice wizard and I met with Gandalf and we attempted to dismantle this malicious power, but our combined efforts have only delayed what is to come. Our defense spells and charms will not last for long. Powerful and evil is this magic and we would be wise to prepare for the worst.” The little wizard slumped down next to the goblin and closed his eyes slowly. He was exhausted from his travels.

At that moment a beam of bright light shot through the heavy canvas of leaves that sealed in the dark forest. Pinewrinkle quickly jumped up and grabbed a small yellow sack from one of his many pockets. Excited, he opened it up and let the beam of light enter. To Talrock’s great surprise, the beam curled up inside and shone no more above them in the canopy. It lay in his sack!

“This is a message from the black wizard!” exclaimed Pinewrinkle jumping up and down with joy. Looking at Talrock’s face of surprise and bewilderment, he added: “The wizard council communicates by writing on beams of light. Heavy stuff. Takes years of practice.”

“What does his message say? How do you read it?” inquired Talrock, clearly dumbfounded by the advanced magic.
The dwarf wizard looked into the sack and the light burst out. He studied it while Talrock hid from the light. After studying it he quickly shut it and his brows grew grave and he leaned against the tree. “What is it? What does the message say?” Talrock asked. The dwarf leaned against his staff and slowly looked up at the wizard.
“He has business outside of the room,” said Pinewrinkle after a moment’s pause, “he won’t return for many Room years, but only a few Human days. This is very bad, oooooooooooh!”
He began to tremble over his staff and then caught his balance with the tree. “What people we have, we must unite and fight this cause.” he said to Talrock while patting the tree he’d fallen against.
It was mid Shower-season and the rain poured mercilessly. Three red hoods traveled along a path built by Peter Rabbit in Crickowillow. Five sharp ears poked out of the thick red hoods. Three rabbits, one was in the front with a lantern, and two pulling a cart. Thonpor and Stij were the two male rabbits that pulled the loaded cart of vegetables, fruits (mostly berries), furniture, portraits, jewelry and dishes. These were all special from Fantasyland. The cart was covered with a leather tarp and the wheels were of smooth Fantasyland wood. Thonpor pulled the front of the cart and Stij was in the back pushing with a great deal of effort. Drankle, their sister, was in front holding up a lantern and a map of the paths of Crickowillow. She paused while behind her, her brothers struggled to unhand the cart from a mud-hole. She looked at the map, ears twitching in the cold of the rain. “Do you think cousin Peter has changed the paths since the last we saw him?” she asked Thonpor, the eldest with only one ear who finally was able to lift the cart with Stij’s help. He was covered in mud and grass stains from the long journey across the room that had taken them so long. He looked at the map and held it up to the light.
“See there’s the stream, follow it on the east bank and we’ll come to their cottage.”
As they were going, they heard something in front of them. The wet grass slowly bristled and bent while a snake slithered out. The snake was weary and coughing. It slid onto the narrow path and lay there coughing out colorful vapors and sparks. Drankle was frightened and ran back to the cart, but Thonpor snatched the lantern from her and curiously moved forward.
“Who are you stranger?” he asked ready for an attack.
“Don’t go