PROLOGUE – ‘Codes of Chivalry’
Long ago in the city of Winchester, under the reign of King Arthur, there lived twelve mice. These mice were knights by profession and they each served and protected the households of the twelve human knights of King Arthur’s Round Table. They were famously known as Brothers in Arms and they lived their lives following twelve basic rules. These rules were called Codes of Chivalry, and each knight had contributed one code.
Today, centuries later in the year 2010, their descendants are trying to keep their forefathers’ traditions alive and follow the Twelve Codes of Chivalry implemented by them…
Chapter 1: ‘To Seek After Wonder’
Switzerland – In the Middle of Snow Covered Mountains: THE KNIGHT
The snow capped mountains started to glow as the sun set and the full moon rose. The trees cast deep shadows on the snow. Except for a few retreating skiers and one very small and very weary skier, there was no life in sight.
Sir William was grateful for the full moon as he could not locate the cabin which was his destination. He was also grateful for the armor he wore which not only protected him from the snow and wind but kept him warm as well. The recent sunset confirmed that he was heading west and in the right direction, but there was no cabin to be found.
“It has to be here somewhere,” he muttered. “King Art is getting nuttier day by day. Why couldn’t he pick a motel in town for our meeting? But no…he has to make this into a quest every time. Well, I better find this cabin quickly as I have the most important news to convey.”
Just then, he heard a loud cracking sound and then the telltale loud and rumbling sound of an avalanche. He stood frozen to his spot, wasting precious seconds as the deadly snowy torrents descended with lighting speed down the mountainsides and straight towards him.
His first instinct was to outrun the avalanche and he quickly headed down the slope, skiing with great speed. But soon he realized that this was impossible as the white mass behind him gathered more snow and speed on the way. He saw a large tree and headed towards it. He then took out his sword and jabbed it hard into the tree trunk and held on to it as tightly as possible, waiting for the snow to rip him off the mountain.
Unbeknownst to Sir William, there was a crevasse, a very large and big hole in the ice that the avalanche fell into losing most of its power and resulting in Sir William being covered in only a harmless layer of snow.
Switzerland – Abandoned Cabin in the Snow Covered Mountains: THE KNIGHTS
The eleven knights and their king were gathered around the round table made of Finlandia Swiss cheese. As per custom, they met once a year unless a crisis called upon them to meet immediately.
They all wore armor and each had a sword. Additionally, the king was wearing a purple robe and crown on his head. They were talking to one another and enjoying the cheese. The table was partially eaten at some spots.
With a large crashing sound, the door to the barn fell open. A hush descended across the room as the king and his knights stopped talking and looked towards the open door.
Sir William, the twelfth knight, rushed in on his two back feet covered entirely with snow. He took a few steps in and slipped on the melting snow.
Craaaa…ssh.
Some laughter was heard through the barn. King Art sighed and shook his head.
Sir William picked himself up and then clumsily scurried in on all his four feet. He stumbled on his sword, straightened himself and curled his tail into a tight coil to avoid tripping on it.
“King Art, I have important news. The East Nest is planning an attack on the Mischief Mice.”
“Calm down, Sir William. Sir Mellor has already informed me of this. Please take your seat,” ordered the king.
Sir William glanced at Sir Mellor who looked back with a smirk. Water from the melting snow ran into Sir William’s eyes, almost blinding him. His whiskers fanned out to guide him to his seat.
As he passed by, the other Knights looked at him with amusement. Some stifled laughter followed him.
“Don’t,” whispered a Knight to his neighbor.
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t laugh out loud. He’s one of King Art’s most trusted allies.”
As Sir William sat down on the only remaining seat, he brightened immediately when his gaze fell on the table made of Swiss cheese.
“Hi Pell. Ah…Swiss! The tangy Danish cheese at last year’s gathering had left me—err—rather indisposed,” he informed his uninterested neighbor who smiled politely.
He sliced off a piece of the cheese table with his sword and stuffed it into his mouth.
“So, how was Tokyo?” he asked Sir Pell with his mouth full. Sir Pell immediately brightened at the topic.
“Oh, I had the most amazing time. But, alas! I fell in love with a …”
“That’s great…that’s great,” replied Sir William quickly cutting off Sir Pell before he could continue any further. “Paris was spectacular too.”
King Art cleared his throat and slowly the room fell silent. All eyes turned towards the king.
“Knights of the Round Table! Congratulations to all of you for successfully completing your last assignment,” announced King Art. “As you all know, the military assignments are becoming rare these days. But the humans are in great need of our services in their day-to-day struggles of modern living. As such, please be assured that your civilian assignments are of utmost importance.”
Military assignments were very few and happened only when mice of different countries declared war on each other to strengthen their territorial hold and power. It was then that King Art and his Knights were called upon to help end the conflict.
“I prefer the civilian assignments anyway.” Sir William leaned towards Sir Pell and covered his mouth. “Meeting new people…Adopting new families…Ahh. My last assignment in Paris was most challenging. Protecting the painter’s studio and his paintings was not easy. That Phillip Renoir…he sure knows how to paint.”
“Sshhhh”
As King Art began the task of giving new assignments, Sir William sat back hoping to be assigned a place he had never visited before. He had already accomplished civilian assignments in three continents and was looking forward to traveling the remaining four.
Sir William was born with wanderlust in his blood – Code of Chivalry #1, ‘To seek after wonder.’
King Art turned towards him. Sir William had a huge chunk of cheese in his paws and his mouth was stuffed with more.
“ Uh…hmm! Sir William, we are very pleased with your services and commend you for the wonderful work in Paris. You will now travel to New York and you may choose any family to adopt. Please make sure your services are of value and that the family is in need of it.”
Sir William had a hard time containing his excitement and anxiety at King’s command.
New York was not for the weak-hearted…
He quickly chewed and then swallowed. King Art looked at him expecting a reply, but Sir William started to chew some more and then swallowed again and nodded his head a few times.
King Art rolled his eyes, looked away exasperated, and then continued. “And now, we need to discuss the very important issue that I was recently made aware of by Sir Mellor. The East Nest is planning an attack on the Mischief Mice. We are all to prepare for the upcoming war…we do not know when this will happen…but it’s best to….”
Sir William was not listening as he was miles away in thought, planning his visit to the Big Apple.