Move to North Peak: Part One (WIP)

Move to North Peak: Part One (WIP)1

Jasper had managed to get two of the hounds to fight amongst themselves, while the other four had lost his scent. The majority of the other hounds had not strayed from the pack, which still waited with their masters in the field. The forest was Jasper's territory, and he had only ventured outside in an attempt to get the hounds to follow him. It worked, for the most part, but he suspected that the humans wouldn't let him go just yet.2

In many ways, Jasper liked fox hunting season. His heart pumped faster, his legs moved quicker, and his senses were at their peak; his brain was still his favorite weapon, of course. 3

Suddenly, a hound who had caught his scent began to follow him. Jasper darted into the brush and began to weave himself through the fallen branches and trees, it was an easy way to divert a dog's attention. Jasper sort of chuckled to himself as he looked back and noticed that the dog was struggling to keep up, usually stamina isn't something dogs lack, but Jasper assumed that the one following him had to have covered a good deal of land already.4

Another hound appeared in front of Jasper, he hadn't planned on that happening, but he was always quick to think. The dog snarled at him and bared it's teeth. Jasper took a deep breath, and as soon as he was sure that the dog was going to move towards him, he darted to the right and ran towards the sound of the river.5

The river stretched beyond the forest did, as most of the forest had been cleared by the humans for their cities and roads. But they let the river stay. Jasper didn't know why humans let some things stay how they were, while they cleared away other things. Perhaps humans didn't like hiding amongst the trees, and Jasper knew that they certainly didn't live in burrows.6

Both the dogs that had been following Jasper had joined together and were now chasing not far behind him. Perfect, Jasper thought. He continued running as fast as he could, knowing that he had to push the dogs to their limits. The faster, the better.7

The river was roaring now, and although it was a large distraction to the senses, Jasper's eyes still worked just fine. The dogs were nipping at him now, their drool flying in the air, falling just inches behind Jasper's paws as they hit the dirt. Perhaps the dogs were thinking that they had finally chased down a fox after hours of fruitless running, but it is more likely that their minds were so set on chasing Jasper that they had little else to think about. It was the latter thought that Jasper was counting on, that the dogs had all but abandoned their senses in favor of an all out pursuit through the forest, and that is why Jasper suddenly darted out of sight—just inches from the small drop-off which fell into the river.8

The dogs had no idea. Jasper stopped running as quickly as he had started, and turned around. There was a loud splash, and some yelping. Jasper chuckled and slowly walked over to the edge, it hadn't been a very far fall, but it had still shocked the poor hounds. The dogs splashed around in the river as they attempted to make it across to the other side, fortunately for them the river was rather low and so there was hardly any movement in it. When the dogs reached the land again, they let out a sort of dejected growl and shook the water off themselves. Jasper grinned and then walked away from the edge, when he stepped right into Lefty.9

“Hi Jasper,” Lefty said happily, he was standing on his hind legs with his head in the air, indicating that he was searching for something.10

“What are you doing here?” said Jasper, his eyes narrowing. Usually, when a fox eyes up a rabbit like what Jasper was doing, it meant that he was plotting a way to kill it. In Jasper's case, he was concerned. “The hounds will come for you too, you know,” he said.11

Lefty's ear twitched and he rolled up his nose. “It's Owl,” he said.12

“He already warned everyone of the hunt, or is it...the foxes?” Jasper asked.13

Lefty lowered his left ear and looked Jasper in the face. “N-no, he said it's something a lot worse. He said that everyone needs to return to the Tree at once.” Lefty took a deep breath, which is rather like a normal breath for animals other than rabbits. “I came to find you, I was hoping you hadn't gotten caught, although I knew you wouldn't really, so that's why I had to come fine you, because I smelt you had come this way and then I knew that you hadn't been caught.”14

“I see,” said Jasper. He began to walk away from Lefty, back towards the Tree. He knew Lefty would eventually fill him in on the way back home, but eventually could take until night, and Jasper didn't particularly want to be out at night in the middle of the forest. So, Lefty continued talking and Jasper continued walking, and eventually they were both running with Lefty talking in hurried breaths.15

“You—should--have seen—the way—the—squirrel--were--scurrying--about--the--look--on their—faces!” Lefty was almost gasping as they neared the Tree, Jasper hoped that Lefty would eventually run out of breath completely. “But—then--” Lefty stopped and gazed ahead. Every animal that lived in the Tree was standing outside, looking up at Old Gray talk from above. In addition, there were even some animals there that Lefty hadn't seen before, dozens of them, huddled around the Tree.16

“Wow,” said Lefty.17

“Shut up and listen,” replied Jasper as the two neared the Tree. They sat down behind some mice and a turtle, and listened in to what Old Gray was saying.18

“We all know, of course, that the humans have already cleared what little remained of the forest beyond the river, but now they edge even closer to our home.” Old Gray looked down from the branch he was perched on and spied Jasper and Lefty in the crowd. He cleared his throat and continued. “He had assumed, for as long as the humans kept hunting us—kept fishing the river, and trekking up the hills—that they would not harm our forest. For awhile that was the case, however...I have received recent news most grave. The humans intend to destroy the forest, they intend to completely wipe it out.”19

Several animals gasped, as everyone began conversing with each other. The mice were darting around, talking to their many friends and family members, and even the foxes were conversing with one another. “W-wipe out the forest?” said Lefty to Jasper. “W-what are we going to do? What will happen to us? Where are we going to go?”20

“I'm sure Gray has a plan, Lefty, just calm down.” Jasper said.21

“My friends!” exclaimed Old Gray, his voice echoed down from the branches and instantly ceased the ruckus below. “My friends, we must not panic. Were we to panic now, we would surely dissolve into nothing more than fools. We played by the humans' game for far too long, and that is why we created this union. We call this Tree our home because we are sick of fending for ourselves against them. I tell you now, all of us who formed this union must stay together for the livelihood of all of us.”22

“What good is our union if the humans march in with their machines and rip our Tree out by the roots?” yelled a distraught raccoon.23

“We'll be scattered across the land, into the open, and killed!” cried a squirrel, its friends and family nodded in agreement.24

“There is no way to defend the Tree against the humans.” said a slow-speaking turtle.25

“All of you are correct,” said Old Gray from the top of the tree. “If we stay here, we shall all either be killed or permanently separated.”26

“Then what do you propose?” asked the distraught raccoon, his voice now changing into a more hostile tone.27

“We must leave of our own accord, before the humans arrive with their machines.”28

Everyone grew silent.29

“We must leave our Tree and this forest, and travel north, into the mountains.” Old Gray looked down at the animals and took a deep breath. “Our friends in the north have already informed me that they will welcome us, but we must make the trip alone.”30

“Travel to the mountains?” Jasper said out loud, the idea seemed odd even to him. The other animals were beginning to converse amongst themselves again, no doubt some had already made up their minds.31

“This is the only way for our union to remain in tact, for the majority of us to gain safety.”32

Suddenly, Dollard, leader of the rabbits stepped forward and raised his head. “The Rabbits agree with Old Gray, the mountains are our only choice.”33

Now, everyone was talking. The animals were deciding to stay, to leave the union, or to make a journey as wild as the one Old Gray was talking about. The Rabbits were one of the first groups to join Old Gray in forming the union, and Jasper assumed that it hadn't taken Dollard long to gain the support needed to voice his agreement with Old Gray.34

“We shall go wherever Gray leads!” yelled Grusk, the leader of the Black Bears.35

“And us as well!” cheered the tiny Miriam, leader of the Squirrels.36

“Aye,” said the leader of the badgers, who simply nodded his head.37

One by one, the various leaders of the animals raised their voices in agreement with Old Gray's plan. The only ones left to speak out were the Foxes, the Turtles, and the Raccoons. Jasper didn't know why the Turtles were having such a hard time reaching an agreement amongst themselves, but it wasn't unusual for the Raccoons to behave in a way counterproductive to the rest of the union, most of their kind took to humans much quicker than any other animal did.38

The foxes began to speak, not yet reaching a conclusion themselves.39

“What do you think?” asked Lyle as he and the other foxes gathered.40

“I think we must do what Gray says, don't you?” replied Lyle's older brother, Liam.41

“But the mountains? What will we eat, and what shall we use for shelter?” asked one of the younger foxes.42

“The union animals of the mountain do as we do here.” said Liam. “The Gray Foxes eat plants and insects and fruits—they are no different than us.”43

“You're all fools.” said a grave, mocking voice. It was Rishka, and his eyes were set on Jasper. “You aren't seriously considering this are you?” he asked the group. Liam and Lyle looked at each other, and Jasper eyed up Rishka and took in a deep breath. “The old owl is foolish if he thinks we can survive a journey into the mountains. Do you all even know how many days a trip like that will take. Even if we managed to get this motley crew together, do you really think we'll make it out alive in the middle of hunting season?” Rishka glanced over at Lefty. “Especially with a group of idiots by our side,” he added.44

“That's enough.” said Jasper. Rishka simply glared. Jasper stepped forward, towards the crowd of animals, and looked up at Old Gray. “The Foxes have decided,” he yelled, and everyone looked. There was a moment of pause, and then Jasper spoke up again. “We agree with Old Gray. We shall travel to the mountain.”45

There was a short outburst, during which Lefty hopped up next to Jasper and smiled. Jasper looked over at lefty and nodded. Jasper was confident that Old Gray's idea was the only way to keep the union together, whether all the Foxes liked it or not. 46

Old Gray looked down at Jasper and nodded, then he turned towards the turtles. “Turtles, have you made your decision?” he asked.47

“Not...yet.” said the elder turtle, Gomer.48

“What's the hold up?” asked one of the other animals.49

“Yeah, by the time you make up your minds, the humans will have already come and wiped us out!” said another.50

“We have made up our minds...” said Gomer. “Only, it is just that...”51

“Just what?” asked Old Gray.52

“We fear we could never keep up. That is why we should stay behind,”53

“Foolishness!” yelled Grusk, leader of the Bears. “We shall carry you on our backs if we must!”54

“And if we fall off?” asked Gomer.55

“We'll pick you back up!” Grusk replied. “Come, we've wasted too much time on words. Let us begin preparing for the journey!” the bears roared and nodded their heads, the other animals cheered in response. 56

“Wait,” said Old Gray. “Raccoons, you are are the last to make a declaration, what--57

“The Raccoons leave the union,” said Riley, the leader of the Raccoons. “We cannot blindly follow your words any longer, nor can we simply hope to find food on the cold rock of the mountain.” Riley looked over the crowd and shook his head. “This union was to put us on equal footing with the humans, but we hide from them instead. We choose to stay and find our own way, whether it is by living near humans or traveling on our own.”58

Jasper wasn't shocked. The Raccoons had never been a stable member of the union, neither were they particularly prideful, they were far more resourceful when it came to fending on their own.59

“Very well.” said Old Gray. “Then leave the Tree and go your own way, any who choose to stay may do so.” As Riley turned his back and left, so did all of the Raccoons, none stayed behind.60

“All the better,” said Jasper. Old Gray turned and entered the Tree from atop the branches, the rest of the animals slowly dispersed from the area and began preparing for the journey.61

“Moving to the mountains sounds dangerous,” said Lefty, his ears were still at full attention, as if Old Gray was still perched above.62

“It will be,” replied Jasper. He knew that such a trek would be very long and dangerous, and that they may very well loose most of their group along the way. Such was the nature of a plan like the one Old Gray had formulated. All the same, Jasper still thought leaving would spare many more lives than staying.63

“Rishka didn't seem very pleased with you,” said Lefty.64

Jasper shook his head. “He never is,” he said.65

Lefty hopped up onto a nearby stump and wiggled around a bit as if scratching a hidden itch. “I-I just don't understand why he chose to join the union, if he doesn't like the way Old Gray thinks. There are a lot of foxes that didn't join with you, Jasper, not that it was your fault, but they didn't join the union, and anyhow, they're fine, but Rishka decided not to join and he--66

“Rishka is much older than I am,” interrupted Jasper. He had grown accustomed to answering Lefty before the poor rabbit was finished talking. “He is too old, in fact. If he was alone out there, he would surely die. Our kind doesn't typically help each other out.”67

“For being old, he sure has a mouth on him,” said Lefty.68

“His body is old, but his mind is sharp,” too sharp, thought Jasper. “Anyhow, aren't you going to help out Dollard and the others?” he added.69

“Dollard told me that I'd be more of help if I stuck around you,” said Lefty, as he began to anxiously hop up and down. “I don't know why, really.”70

“I can hardly imagine,” Jasper said sarcastically. “Fine, if you're hanging around with me, then we have to go find Lyle and Liam. There's some things I need to talk to them about.”71

“Okay,” Lefty hopped off the log and enthusiastically followed Jasper as the fox walked into the entrance of the Tree.72

The inside of the Tree was divided into multiple sections. There were dens and burrows for the foxes and groundhogs, and the like; as well as areas where the ground had been scooped out and filled with water, so that everyone could get a drink—and so that the turtles could stay nice and moist. The sides of the Tree were carved from within to be ramps, so that all types of animals could ascend the tree from the inside. On the outside, of course, were dozens of nests for the various birds of the union, not the least of which being Old Gray. Jasper liked the Tree, it was the only place he had ever considered a home. He assumed that feeling was shared with many of the Tree's inhabitants.73

Lyle and Liam were sitting near a watering hole along with some other foxes, thankfully, Rishka wasn't with them.74

“Jasper!” said Liam. “Lyle and I were talking, and we thought that maybe we should help the Birds collect berries and such.”75

“No,” said Lyle. “I said that we should help the mice and squirrels collect nuts and twigs.”76

“I think it would be wiser for us to help collect berries,” said Liam.77

“Only so you could eat them!” exclaimed Lyle.78

Liam scoffed. “Of course not! We need them for the journey, unless you want to eat dirt, that is,” Liam looked over at Jasper and nodded. “Isn't that right, Jasper? Shouldn't we help collect berries with the Birds?”79

“I don't think so,” said Jasper. Liam and Lyle looked at each other and then back at Jasper, their eyes open wide. “I haven't talked to Old Gray about it yet, but I think it would be best if we used our skills in a different way.”80

“Our skills?” asked Lyle.81

“He means our brains,idiot,” answered Liam.82

“Oh,” said Lyle.83

“Exactly,” said Jasper. He approached the brothers, his tail swinging back and forth in a pattern that seemed to appear only when Jasper was devising a brilliant plan. “We can't expect to leave the forest in the middle of hunting season, especially with a group as big as ours. It would be impossible to out maneuver the humans with all of us traveling at once. So, instead, we will distract the humans while the rest of the group goes on ahead.”84

“A diversion,” said Liam.85

“Brilliant,” said Lyle.86

“Having fun discussing matters without old Rishka here to ruin your fun?” sneered Rishka as he sulked out from the corner of the room.87

“You always seem to come in at the edge of a conversation, Rishka,” said Jasper, his eyes narrowing.88

“Its these feeble bones, I'm afraid, can't quite move as I used to,” Rishka said. “Which of course, means I would be of little use in your little plan to let the rest of these lugs go while we foxes get eaten by hounds.”89

“Pity,” said Jasper dryly. Rishka chuckled and edged in between Lyle and Liam. “Or, we could just let you be the distraction, let you get eaten while the rest of us make a run for it.” Rishka rolled his eyes.90

“J-Jasper.” Lefty said nervously. Lefty wasn't particularly comfortable around any fox besides Jasper, nor was he especially comfortable around any animal that could and would eat him if he wasn't a member of the union.91

Jasper understood Lefty's caution and tried to calm himself down. Rishka had been wearing on his patience lately, and he wasn't especially fond of the old fox to begin with. “If you're going with us, Rishka, I expect you to help,” said Jasper.92

“Oh?” asked Rishka.93

“Liam, Jasper, and I will create the diversion. I want you and Lyle to watch over the females and the kits,”94

Rishka look down towards the ground as he thought for a moment. “Fair enough,” he said. With that, he simply turned tail and walked away. Liam and Lyle watched Rishka as he made his way back into the darkness of the burrows, then they turned their attention back on Jasper.95

“Alright guys? Liam, I need you to meet with me tomorrow so we can go over everything in detail. I'm not sure when Old Gray is planning to have us leave, but I'll talk with him as soon as possible.”96

“Alright, Jasper,” said Liam.97

“Okay,” said Lyle.98

“Alright, I'll see you later,” Jasper said. He turned away from the watering hole and began to walk up the incline which lead up toward where Old Gray lived. Lefty was hopping behind Jasper, although his attention was continually diverted to all the animals hard at work within the Tree. The Squirrels and Groundhogs were already amassing food, the birds were chirping continuously outside, and the mice were darting about every which way. Eventually, Lefty became too distracted with everything going on, and he forgot that he was supposed to be following Jasper around. Instead, he simply glanced out one of the 'windows' to see what the rest of the animals were up to.99

Outside, deer were flitting about with opossum on their backs, helping the opossum as they collected leaves and sticks with which they could bundle up some of the foods they would need for the trip. The bear were smashing down beehives and ripping branches down, while the Bear leader, Grusk was demonstrating how they could carrying turtles on their backs. The turtles, of course, were helping with Grusk's demonstration themselves, and their leader, Gomer was observing.100

Meanwhile, Jasper had already made it up to Old Gray's room. He had noticed that Lefty had strayed behind, of course, but he didn't care. In fact, Jasper thought, it would be better if Lefty didn't follow him around so much anyhow.101

“Come in, Jasper.” said Old Gray in his usual stony voice. Jasper obeyed and stepped inside the room. Old Gray had a collection of many rare and unusual things in his room, including human tools and belongings that Jasper had never seen before. Jasper wondered if Old Gray really used the odd human things, it wouldn't have surprised him if the old owl really did understand how the tools worked. Old Gray had lived a long life, and had seen many things. If it wasn't for Old Gray, the idea of a union would have probably taken hundreds of years to develop.102

“Sorry if I'm disturbing you,” said Jasper.103

“Not at all,” replied Old Gray. He turned and faced Jasper, his old eyes becoming slightly wider as the day turned to night. “I suspect things have not been easy for you.”104

“With the others, you mean?” asked Jasper.105

Old Gray nodded. “Rishka, especially, is not one to hold his tongue, I know.”106

Jasper shook his head and took a step closer toward Old Gray. “We're working it out,” he said. “That's why I needed to talk to you. I think it would be best if I took a small group with me on the day of the journey. Then we could divert the attention of the hunters and hounds, while the rest of the you made your way toward the mountains.”107

Old Gray looked Jasper up and down, a technique he often used when sizing up a situation. He was careful with his thoughts, just as he was with his actions and his words. “I'm afraid that won't do,” he said.108

Jasper looked dumbfounded. He had never expected Old Gray to disapprove of his plan. “What do you mean?” he asked.109

Old Gray stepped over towards a large thing called that Jasper knew to be called a book. Jasper followed Old Gray over to the book and peered inside. Jasper knew what letters were, but he didn't understand words yet, not human words, anyhow. Old Gray took his talon and flipped the page of the book over, showing the next two pages. The other pages had a large picture drawn in the center of them, with a lot of complicated shaped and symbols. “This,” said Old Gray. “Is a map. A map is a picture that shows you how to get from one place, to the next. It is a picture of an entire area.”110

Jasper nodded to show that he was listening. “Lines like that,” Old Gray said as he pointed to the book, “show a river. And lines like the other one over there, show a mountain or large hill. These odd shapes here, those are forests.”111

“I understand,” said Jasper. “But, why are you showing me this?”112

Old Gray turned to Jasper and sighed. “Because you must learn how to get to the mountain, and how to get to the animal union on North Peak.”113

“Why?” asked Jasper. He knew that he would have to follow the group, but he had assumed that Old Gray would lead the way. He hadn't expected that he would have to memorize something as complicated as a 'map'.114

Old Gray took another deep breath and looked Jasper straight in his wide, yellow eyes. “Because I won't be able to lead the union any longer."