Some Try, Brisbys Do

Elizabeth and Justin

Mr. Ages stepped into the light surprised to see Elizabeth catching her breath.

"Mrs. Brisby?" he said. "What are you... what are you doing here?"

"Oh", Elizabeth gasped. "Oh, thank goodness it's you!"

"How in thunder did you get in here?"

"The plow has come early this year", she said explaining.

"Well, you had better march straight back out the way you came!" Mr. Ages said turning away.

"I can't bring Timothy out", Elizabeth continued. "The chill in the air will kill him!"

"That's another matter", he said limping away. "That doesn't explain what you're doing here."

"That big rat chased me away. But I must see Nicodemus! The Owl told me to see Nicodemus!"

"The Owl?"

Kristy stepped into the light revealing herself to Elizabeth. Elizabeth gasped as she saw her.

"Kristy? What are you doing here?"

"Is it true?" Kristy asked. "Did you really see the Great Owl?"

"I went to see the Great Owl", she nodded.

"The Owl?" Mr. Ages repeated. "You say you saw... the Owl?"

"Yes, and he said I should ask for Nicodemus", Elizabeth said.

"Nicodemus?" Kristy asked. "What can he do to help? He's old."

"You know him?"

"Of course, we know him", Mr. Ages said. "He's the leader of the rats."

"Can you please take me to see him?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes", Kristy said taking her hand. "Come on, let's go."

Mr. Ages limped ahead of the girls, leading them through the bush. Elizabeth looked around in frightened awe. She had a hard time understanding how Kristy and Mr. Ages were involved with the rats.

"Is it always so dark?" Elizabeth asked.

"We're down three feet", Mr. Ages explained.

The three of them watched as lights flickered on. The bush was suddenly shining lights of all colors. Elizabeth gasped in wonder and smiled.

"It's the most beautiful sight I've ever seen!" she gasped.

They continued walking through the bush. Kristy looked around for Justin. This was his normal post, but she didn't see him around. Must be listening in on the council again. Kristy and Elizabeth gasped as Mr. Ages was lifted into the air.

"Reveal thy name..."

"Justin, you featherhead!" Mr. Ages grumbled. "Get your hands off me!"

"Alright, alright, just a joke!" Justin smiled, putting him down. "I didn't mean any harm. The meeting's already in progress."

"What's this all about?" he asked.

"Hey, Justin", Kristy said.

Justin turned to smile at her. He then noticed Elizabeth who was looking at him with a loving look in her eyes. Kristy turned to see what Justin was looking at and gasped inwardly. Elizabeth had eyes for Justin?

"Who, may I ask?" Justin asked.

"Yes, yes, she can be trusted", Mr. Ages said. "This is no stranger. My dear, may I present Justin, the captain of the guard. Justin, Mrs. Brisby."

"My sister-in-law", Kristy added.

"It is an honor and a privilege, milady", Justin said bowing to her.

Kristy watched him jealously. She nearly got angry as she watched Elizabeth continue staring at him.

"How beautiful..." she whispered.

"Ma'am?" Justin asked.

"Oh!" Elizabeth said coming to her senses. "Uh... the lights! They're quite lovely."

"Yes, they are", he agreed. "We've had electricity for four years now."

"Jonathan often spoke of electricity", Elizabeth said as she walked alongside Justin.

"But you see, our shame is that we're stealing it, from Farmer Fitzgibbons."

"Stealing?"

"All of that is going to change", Mr. Ages said.

Kristy walked behind Justin and Elizabeth watching them with jealousy in her eyes.