The Legend Begins Read Online Free PDF Page B

offering and then bring what is left to me.”
    The rat squealed with indignation. “No, Herness! What filthy creature has been lying to you about me? Never would faithful Gazrak do such a low thing. Never.” He sank to his belly, groveling.
    The owl sighed. “Eat, Gazrak, but leave the seeds.”
    The rat abandoned his cringing, gouged a great, juicy chunk of the pear and darted away.
    â€œHe took the best bit,” Little Fur said.
    â€œHe is a rat,” the owl responded mildly. “Creatures generally behave as their natures dictate, unless there is something that causes them to do otherwise. Such as the threat to the wilderness from whence you came, Little Fur. Neither troll nor elf would normally make such a journey as you have undertaken.”
    Little Fur’s mouth fell open. “How do you know who I am?”
    â€œI often know who comes, because those who have sought my advice are sworn to bring to me such news as I might find useful. It is part of the price they pay for failing to solve their own problems. And it causes those who come to feel the proper awe.”

    â€œI see,” Little Fur said, though she didn’t quite. “But if you like everyone to be in awe of you, why did you tell me how you knew I was coming?”
    â€œOne does not need to create the illusion of mystery when true mystery exists,” the owl said. She fluffed herself up and then resettled. “I heard that an elf troll meant to come to see me. I knew of you because I have sometimes sent wounded creatures to you to be healed, or others to seek refuge in the enchanted wilderness of the Old Ones. I thought the rumor of your intention to journey here was nonsense. Then, from dusk yesterday, I began hearing reports from animals and birds who claimed you were moving through the city. I might still have thought it foolish gossip, but then the trees began to dream that Little Fur would vanquish the tree-burning humans. That she swore an oath.”
    Little Fur was aghast. “But I didn’t!”
    â€œDid you not take the seeds of a tree when it offered them?” the owl asked.
    â€œI did, but only because it wanted me to plant them somewhere safe.”
    â€œDo you not know, Little Fur, that to take a seed freely given by a plant is to make a promise?”
    â€œNo . . . I didn’t know that,” Little Fur stammered, but immediately she realized that somewhere, deep down, she
had
known it. “I mean, I didn’t understand what the tree was thinking. I only promised to plant the seeds somewhere safe.”
    â€œBut where will be safe in a world where the tree burners have their way?” the Sett Owl asked gravely.
    Little Fur’s heart was beating very fast. “I can’t stop the tree burners, Sett Owl. You know I can’t. I am not a hero. Humans have chased me and a road monster tried to kill me as I was coming here and I would have been caught or killed if not for my friends. I only want to know how to protect the Old Ones. And if you can tell me that, then I can keep my promise to the pear tree.”
    â€œIs that all you would ask of me?” the Sett Owl said. The flecks in her eyes were star clusters in a dark sky and Little Fur had the oddest sensation that the unknown magic pooled in the beaked house was deepest around the Sett Owl.
    â€œI don’t know what you mean,” she whispered.
    â€œWould you not rather ask how you could save all of the trees?”
    She licked her lips nervously. “I am only—”
    â€œOnly a small creature who undertook a difficult and dangerous journey with the help of a treacherous crow.”
    â€œCrow is—”
    The owl’s eyes flashed. “You came for my advice. Have the courtesy to listen to it! I cannot give you any power to save your wilderness. But I can tell you that unless the tree killers are stopped, the Old Ones will burn.”
    Little Fur’s eyes filled with tears.