In the forest surrounding Muak Bach, on the first day of Sivan, thick fog shrouded the day. Siam was intimately familiar with this forest since he was a kitten, making it easy for him to navigate its winding paths. On this particular day, he ventured out with a determined purpose, to find Mia. However, to his surprise, he couldn’t locate her house; its whereabouts eluded him. Feeling a sense of security because Celestium Valley was known for its tranquility, Siam decided to venture deeper into the woods alone in his quest.

Unbeknownst to him, a group of Rotenrats had been silently tracking his every move. In the dense fog, a multitude of small, bright white eyes began to materialize all around him.

Desperately searching for anything in his pouch that might fend off these relentless creatures, Siam rummaged through it. To his dismay, he found no Ebonfang or even a small pocket blade to protect himself, and fear gripped his heart. Siam closed his eyes and began to sing loudly a portion of a powerful song that Hessen had written when he had faced a similar peril. The song’s lyrics were a source of aversion for the Rotenrats:

“Mighty as can be, is the Ebonfang with me
You can not see, but a fortress surrounds me.
If we placed our confidence solely in our own strength,
Our efforts would ultimately be in vain;
Yet the Creator of Faunadia 
crowned a grizzlie as our perpetual King.”

Upon reopening his eyes, the tiny creatures were barely revealed, pale forms of rats among the fog, emitting a terrible cacophony. Siam had never seen such a multitude of rats together, but the fear had diminished in his heart after he sang Hessen’s song. In an instant, the rats drew ever closer, yet amidst the shrouded veil of the fog, Siam unsheathed his claws, resolute to guard against the encroaching creatures.

In an unforeseen twist of fate, Mia tumbled from the treetop right before Siam’s eyes. His instincts nearly compelled him to strike at the unexpected intruder, but he resisted.

“It’s me, Mia. I heard your song and hurried to your side! I have two Ebonfangs with me; take one!” Mia delved into her bag, retrieved two small swords, and gave one to Siam. 

As their paws grasped the blades, the rats swiftly withdrew into the distance until they vanished from sight. Siam exclaimed, a sense of relief washing over him: “Oh, Mia, beloved Muakishi, I can’t go out without an Ebonfang anymore. Our village is in peril. The Rotens have observed our vulnerability, and they are a threat we cannot ignore.”

“I know. I can see it. I heard you sing the Hessen song from miles away and hurried here from the treetops. You know, nobody sings that song anymore, unless they’re in dire danger.”

“You’re extraordinary, Mia. We need your help.”

“How can I be of assistance, my dear Siam?”

“Last night, the cure from the Stardust Mint was confirmed.”

“Really? That’s both good and bad news.”

“Why is it bad news?”

“Siam, the quest for the mint is fraught with challenge. None is to be found, and the rats, swifter than any of us, possess knowledge of its healing properties even before we have experienced it.”

“But you know where to find it. We must gather as much as we can, only you can do it, I mean, Orwell will be your loyal assistant.” Siam pleaded.

“Alright, I will do my part for Muak Bach, as always. The mission will be perilous, the journey difficult, and the outcome uncertain, but we must do what is right. We will collect the mints and bring them to Sunflowers Field, gathering as many as we can find,” Mia replied as she circled Siam, her gaze unwavering.

“I knew I could count on you, Mia. Thank…” Siam began, but Mia vanished into the woods.

Siam returned home, and his encounter with the rats in the woods served as a stark reminder of the danger his village was facing.

Are you enjoying what you’ve read thus far? This captivating excerpt offers just a glimpse into the thrilling debut of the “The Amazing Stories of Maple & Siam” series. Stay tuned for the exciting release ahead!