Scurry: The Drowned Forest

By Mac Smith

Wix has escaped temporarily, has a bad dream about Titan, and then meets a moose who wakes him for warning the dangerous spot he'd chosen to sleep. The moose, Atlas offers to give him a ride to "the Refuge" and then Wix can decide if it's worth continuing on to the mountain, he making the wise choice and joining the moose, not noticing the forest mice watching. Meanwhile, Pict has been granted permission to ask the king if she can cross the lake to get back South, this king, apparently in a bad mood over all the leaking sounds he either imagines partially or hears too well, this hopefully not coloring any decision he has to make regarding Pict's request. With a little bit of a tiff between a raven and the beaver who'd led Pict there, the king only focuses on the idea of more workers to help build the dam higher and leak-free, this giving him reason to grant her request, maybe fortunately.

On the way to the Refuge, Wix recognizes the spot they were going to be sent to, he searching for the rumored truck, but not seeing it. At lease he hadn't wasted a trip trying to get the rest of the way there on his own. They then are confronted by wolves, Atlas has to tear at one before they back off after they get all balls deep about the woods now being theirs, and Atlas holding his own, the leader having the pack consume the weak and still conscious wolf, leaving them as the leader Erebus again promises to meet them again with the rest of his pack. Meanwhile back at the colony, Resher breaks the news of everyone on the team of Wix and Pict were killed along with the 2 and they should prepare to make the trip to the city, but Orim, Pict's papa, still wishes to wait 4 days, since Wix's body hadn't been accounted for and he preferred giving the allotted time agreed upon before making more disastrous plans, but his cough getting worse and he collapsing after the meeting ends.

A flying squirrel attempts to save Wix from Atlas as his little fellows of mice attack from the ground, wrongly believing the moose was a wolf. Then one of the loopy mice recognized Atlas and has the others stop, since their attack was a failure anyways. Minka, the leader believes he recognized Wix for a mo. then directs them to where the Guardian of the forest used to stay. Then back at the Colony, Umf reveals they'd put off his trip to the city, and he was way alright with this, the wolves currently cleaning the area of the cats.

The only other rat in the place confides to Umf of something he needed to discuss and show him, as well, he leading him away. Pict is considering still leaving whilst it was raining when her companion had came over to hear how her meeting went, and after they part ways she discovers something about the ravens she gets caught overhearing and seeing. She gets whisked away once more, only her companion seeing this. Atlas and Wix meet some knowing foxy ladies about the 2 travelers roles and then continue on to the dam.

As they get closer and Pict is sacrificed to another when the raven settle her in more shallow water, before she's et, the dam breaks and water spreads through the area, Atlas and Wix close enough to be effected, as well. Atlas is seen by the wolves and they plan to locate him again when the water settled down, Wix being found by the foxes and clearly being discourage with his mission to save Pict. What gets him moving is knowing Pict is now closer because of the flood, but still in danger, the foxes arming him with a stick-like sword, they referring to him as a knight. They then lead him to where she is, as she's attempting to readjust her bearings and her wannabe-murderer behind her.

Wix is there to divert his attention in time, but his sword breaks upon the fella's head, a stone thrown by Pict not quite doing it either, but when she's endangered, Wix stabs him in the eye, but he still coming after him, the duo finally able to teamwork him to fall into the water. It isn't long before the ravens threaten them, but the beavers interrupt and make war upon their asses. The beaver King is dead, so another beaver took over and planned a smaller dam elsewhere, inviting Pict along, but she sticking with her plan of getting back to her papa. Pict and Wix go downriver as instructed by the beavers Pict more worried when Wix shared how the truck hadn't been where they'd been told, hoping they returned soon.

It's revealed the ravens have paired up with the wolves, they readying to take over. This, I believe concludes the 2nd book, I've been guessing. This last bit seems like it'll be a doozy, so I'm looking forward to finishing this baby up. Much fun, though, worth it for the style, if nothing else; I've seen the complaints on story, but I find it minor differences of opinion. When the 3rd book comes out, I'll stick a review of it along with the other, since I know I'll be reading it.