Some Try, Brisbys Do

Nicodemus

"Come in... come in, my dear."

Kristy wiped her sweaty palms on her dress as she and Justin stepped into the room. It wasn't often she came to see Nicodemus, so it was easy to say each visit surprised her. She and Justin saw Nicodemus sitting at a desk lighting a candle.

"Sir, Kristy Brisby is here to ask about Jonathan", Justin said.

"Very well", Nicodemus said, his old voice wavering in his old age.

Kristy looked back to see Justin leaving. He gave her a small smile before closing the door. She sighed as she turned back to look at Nicodemus who's was dipping a quill into ink. She watched in awe as wisps of golden light swirled out of the jar of ink.

"I know why you're here", Nicodemus said, his eyes glowing yellow. "Jonathan was very dear to you, as any brother would be."

"I need to know what happened", Kristy said. "I know Jonathan was doing a job for you and the rats. I want to know why this had to happen. No disrespect, sir, but was Jonathan the only one who could've done this job instead of any one of the rats in this bush?"

Nicodemus sighed deeply as he took the quill and began to write in the large book that sat open on the desk. At first nothing appeared on the page until Kristy saw letters being etched into the page with a fiery light.

"Jonathan Brisby was killed today while helping with the plan. It has been four years since our departure from NIMH, and our world is changing."

"The plan?" Kristy asked. "What plan?"

Nicodemus dipped the quill in ink, drawing more golden swirls as he continued to write.

"We cannot stay here much longer. Jonathan was a dear friend. I am lost in knowing how to help his widow. She knows nothing about us or the plan. Perhaps it is best that I do nothing at present. I shall miss him."

Kristy watched as Nicodemus closed the book. He turned to a box that sat on the desk and opened it.

"Nicodemus?" she said. "Sir?"

She gasped as Nicodemus held an amulet in his hands. It was a golden color with a glowing red stone in the middle.

"What is it?"

"Jonathan's last gift to his wife", Nicodemus answered, looking at the red stone in the center. "Jonathan... wherever you are... your thoughts must comfort her tonight. She will be waiting, and you will not return."

Kristy looked down knowing how upset Elizabeth would be for the next few days. Nothing would be able to comfort her so easily. Nicodemus put the amulet back in the box.

"Farewell... my friend."

"Nicodemus", Kristy said. "I apologize for my behavior earlier."

"Of course, my dear", he said. "You should return home. Jonathan's family needs you."

"I suppose they do. Goodbye."

Kirsty bowed to Nicodemus before turning toward the door. Justin stood outside the door waiting for her.

"Did you get the answers you needed?" he asked.

She nodded and walked with him toward the exit, neither of them saying a word. From the corner of her eye, Kristy saw someone watching them.

"Justin..."

Justin followed Kristy's gaze. He put his hand on the hilt of the sword on his belt.

"Who's there?" he called out.

"Nothing to fear. It's just me."

Out of the steps came a tall black rat with a grey face. He was dressed elegantly in dark clothes to match.

"Jenner", Kristy sighed. "It's only you."

Jenner smiled unpleasantly showing his sharp yellow teeth. Kristy backed away a few steps. Jenner always made her uneasy. There was just something about him that she didn't trust.

"I extent my deepest sympathies at this hard time", Jenner said taking her hand and placing a kiss.

"Th-thank you", Kristy stuttered. "If you'll excuse me, I need to get home now."

"Will you come again?" Justin asked.

"I will as soon as I can."

Kristy hugged Justin quickly before running out of the bush. She made her way across the fields undetected by Dragon. Kristy entered the stone block seeing Theresa, Martin and Cynthia sitting by the fire.

"Hey", Kristy said. "Where's your mother?"

"In the bedroom with Timothy", Theresa answered.

"Timmy? Is he alright?"

The kids shrugged not knowing what was going on. Kristy rushed to the bedroom to see Elizabeth sitting at Timothy's side, dabbing his forehead with a damp cloth. Timothy moaned from the touch trying to turn away.

"Elizabeth?" Kristy said. "What's wrong?"

"Timmy's running a fever."