Memories (Of Dreams and Demons)

The Boy's Scout

Naoko and I spin about, our eyes darting around for the source of yet another unknown voice calling us in this strange land. If I get spoken to by another talking animal any time soon I'm probably going to have a nervous breakdown. There's been enough craziness the last few days to last me a lifetime.

It takes me a moment to see it, but I do. It stands there like a chivalrous knight of old, wielding a bright sharp blade, encased in gold-flecked leather armour and red leather bands. A natural green cloak wraps around half its body, acting as powerful camouflage for blending in to nature.

It's a tiny mouse!

I blink, momentarily losing the ability to think or act rationally. A mouse.

Naoko claps her hands and says, "oh, you're adorable!"

"Don't come near me," the mouse warns her, brandishing his sword. "I will slay thee!"

Ignoring the threat, Naoko kneels down and leans forward. She reaches out to playfully pat the mouse. Before her hand has made half the distance, the little thing crouches and bares teeth, courageously defiant.

In a flash it leaps at her, brandishing his sword and drawing a second one sheathed on his back. With a smooth double flip he glides past her outstretched hand, slashing at her fingers like a ninja.

Naoko pulls back in shock, nursing her fingers to stop blood flowing. After landing between her feet, the mouse jumps atop a nearby tree stump, leveling both swords towards her and readying for a second flurry of attacks.

"Fear me," the mouse dashes a victorious boast, "yield now or feel death's embrace!"

I am torn between choking back laughter at the mouse and showing concern for Naoko. While she is glaring mockingly down at the mouse and sucking on her fingers, she does not appear in real harm.

"We yield," she says, suppressing a smile.

"A wise choice," the mouse nods and continues, "now hand over your weapons, slowly."

"We have none," she says.

"What?" It asks, looking at us as if we are insane, "liars!"

I laugh and raise my arms, saying, "check us if you are able."

The mouse is caught between a rock and a hard place. With his small stature, frisking two humans is completely out of the question. Not wanting to seem afraid or at a loss for what to do, the mouse nods with acted satisfaction.

"I believe you two to be honorable foes," he says, as if convincing himself, "even in defeat."

"We are," Naoko nods, before feigning submission, "What ever are you going to do with us?"

I frown at her, but find it hard to contain my own amusement. She is toying with the poor thing.

"Fear not," the mouse consoles, "no harm will come to you. I will take you to my compadres."

"There are more of you?" I ask.

The mouse nods, "why, of course!"

"We are not your enemy," Naoko says, "we would love to meet them."

"They will decide if you're an enemy," the mouse replies, narrowing its eyes to study her as it purses its lips, "don't try anything funny, and follow me!"

With that he confidently turns and starts to march off, expecting us to honourably follow him.

"Wait!" Naoko calls, "what is your name?"

"My name?" The mouse stops in his tracks and ponders a moment. He turns to face us again, and flourishes his wide-brimmed hat into a little bow like a true gentleman.

"Forgive my rudeness, my Lady," he says, "my name is Vuitton. I guide the Six."

"The Six?" Naoko asks.

Vuitton waves his hand and says, "you will meet them soon enough."

As Vuitton turns to leave again, Alia jumps from a clump of grass nearby. She had been hiding there during our encounter with the mouse the whole time. Completely taken by surprise, Vuitton squeaks in carnal fear at the sight of a cat, hastily drawing his swords in preparation for a new fight.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that," Alia purrs fondly at Vuitton, "I could have pounced and eaten you, but I didn't. So don't you forget that!"

Vuitton's eyes widen in shock, no doubt the image of being eaten alive by his greatest fear clear in his head.

"I-I.. w-won't..," Vuitton stammers.

He leads us off down an old and windy stone road that rests just on the edge of the ruins, hidden beneath many years of dead wood and overgrown weeds.

As if he expects an attack at any moment, his eyes constantly dart between the trees, searching for enemies. His dark and cautious mood starts to rub off on us; it's not long before we too are left eyeing each other and our surroundings warily.

The land around the old ruins is covered with a dark and brooding forest. It rests cold, dead and grey, completely lacking any light. Low-lying branches droop down like a melting ceiling, claustrophobic, blocking out the sky. The only life I catch glimpses of are scurrying rats and swarms of cockroaches. The air is thick, and the smell of rotting wood and soil fills our nostrils.

We follow Vuitton for a short while. Just as I am about to ask how far away his 'compadres' are, he signals to us, before suddenly stepping off the path and ducking behind an ancient oak.

Naoko glances at me before following. The moment I turn the corner, I see yet another shock to my sanity: six beings straight out of a fairytale.

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