|
Amazon
Huntly House
Category:
Children
Publisher: Huntly House
ISBN-10: 0988534916
Type: Fiction
Pages: 227
Copyright: 2014
ISBN-13: 9780988534919
An adventurous young shrew unexpectedly finds himself at the center of the ancient conflict between Light and Darkness.
When a mysterious Creature appears just beyond the Hollow bearing a shiny object, it is urgent news for those living within the Refuge, especially the Council of the Glade. However, for a young shrew named Thutter, and his three friends, it becomes the occasion for an ill-advised adventure -- for to leave the Glade is to break the ancient Code and to surrender the protection of the Elders, Rulers of the Refuge.
All the same, the four critters begin their quest with a common goal: to see a real, live Solkreat up close. As they near the strange, two-legged Animal, however, one of the travelers reveals an altogether different agenda. He wants the magic hogseye, the "hero-maker" which dangles from the Creature's neck. And according to legend, a certain young shrew is the only one who can steal it for him.
But Thutter's friend isn't the only one coveting the enchanted object. The Beastmonger, a powerful and wicked slitherer, will stop at nothing to get it -- even murder. Fortunately, the Elders know this, and they too have a plan for young Thutter.
For Their plan to succeed, however, the tiny shrew must believe in Them, learning to listen for Their Voice. Otherwise, in the face of great betrayal and tragic death, the young insectivore will lose all hope. He will fail to protect his family and the Glade from grave danger. More so, he will fail to discover his all-important role in the ancient conflict between Light and Darkness.
Excerpt
The sun had all but disappeared over the marshy woodland, settling in behind towering pines and outstretched palms. A kaleidoscope of blues, purples, and oranges remained—vivid shades of dusk that would soon give way to the dull shadows of night. The magic of sunset was once again at work, stirring the creatures of the Refuge to action. For the day-movers, the arrival of dusk marked a cautious return to the den for some well-earned rest. For the night-walkers—those who’d waited patiently for the sun to go down—it was time to step out onto the dimmed Refuge stage and enjoy all that the darkness had to offer.
Now, for every rule, Reader, there is said to be an exception. In this case, his name was Thutter McClutter. He might be a night-walking critter who had waited for the sun to disappear, but little Thutter was anything but patient. In fact, if you had asked him on that night, he’d have said that he had already waited far too long. In any case, pushing away the soft leafy
bedding that he shared with his family in the cool, dark underbelly of the
Glade, the young least shrew quietly moved to the edge of the grass-strewn
nest and dropped one paw onto the burrow floor.
|
