Even when the small mouse, Louis, was but a young suckling, his mother told him of the dangers of the outside world. His mother, Rosa, was a beautiful brown field mouse with an ashen tummy and silk-like whiskers. She loved her only child very much, so much so that she never allowed him to leave their cozy underground den.
"Louis," she would begin in a worried and firm tone, "You can never go to the outside world if you want to live. Your brothers went out when they were young and never came back, and your father—oh your dear father—was taken away by the sky mice." The small Louis wasn't sure what a sky mouse was, but his mother's description was ever so frightening. "It's a big mouse, larger than myself, with a hooked mouth and terribly large claws, unlike our own small ones. It has no front paws; instead, it has large flaps that push the wind away, letting them fly high into the sky. They let out piercing screeches as they swoop down and take you up to the sky never to be seen again."
Louis would tremble whenever his mother told him stories of the terrifying creatures that existed outside above their den. The giants that roamed the land and ravaged it as their own, the many kinds of sky mice that ruled the air, the purring deaths that stalked and collected mice—they all sounded so scary that oftentimes Louis would stay up late, too scared to close his eyes and dream.
However, as Louis got older, so did his mother, and eventually she passed away, leaving Louis alone in their den.
Louis, having never left the den, stayed, just as his mother taught him. He nibbled roots and worms. He drank droplets of water from the grass roots hanging near the entrance. But never did he follow the tunnel's light to the outside world. Crippled with the fear of death lurking around every corner, Louis continued to live his life in the dark, known only to the outside mice as Mr. Mouse, the one who never leaves.
~
Canbran the garden snake lived a completely normal life for a snake. He hatched from his egg and roamed the underbrush with his kin until coming of age. He was always full of wonder at the sights in the world but also naturally cautious.
He had been of age to be on his own for some time, settling down in a large field, catching mice and locusts. It was during one of these catches with a particular mouse named Lemme that he learned of an easy prey and a new den.
"Listen, Mr. Snake! You don't have to eat me! I know your den was crushed by the giants, but I know where you can get a better den and an easy meal too!" Canbran was intrigued by Lemme's offer. A free meal and a free home? What more could a gardener snake ask for?
Lemme led Canbran to where the infamous Mr. Mouse lived and scurried away as fast as possible. Canbran slithered into the den's entrance. It was dark and moist but warm and cool—a perfect den for a snake such as himself. There were several caverns: one with access to roots by the entrance, and two more that had holes from worms. At the very bottom, far from the entrance, was a much larger cavern. Nestled inside the twigs and dry grass was a little brown and gray field mouse.
He was curled up asleep, snoring ever so slightly. In the dim light, the snake could hardly make out much, but his sense of smell told him the mouse was much smaller than Lemme, whom he had let go. Canbran slithered close to the mouse and settled.
~
Louis awoke to a cold sensation running across his fur. He jumped up, startled, only to be met face to face with a large green snake. Its eyes were big and glossy, its pink tongue flicking up and down, lightly brushing against the mouse's nose.
"W-Who are you?" Louis stammered, his little heart beating wildly in his chest. He had never seen such a creature before; the fear was crushing.
"Hm. I am Canbran, a snake." Canbran hissed, trying to sound scary and imposing. He had watched the little mouse sleep for some time while he looked around the den. It was clear that this mouse hadn't left this den probably its whole life. Mouse bones were somewhat buried near the entrance, long since picked clean by the scavengers that dared to come close enough to the hole.
Canbran was saddened by the idea of eating such a small creature—it was far too skinny to be a satisfying meal, and its fear was so pitiful it dulled his appetite. He resigned himself to fatten the mouse up a bit first.
"Why are you here…?" the mouse whimpered, letting out a few silent sobs. The snake thought for a moment. If he wanted to fatten up the mouse, wouldn't it be easier for the mouse to think he was a friend, not a foe?
"I came here looking for you, actually," the snake stated matter-of-factly. "I am a friend of your family." The mouse's eyes got wide in disbelief at first before confusion crossed its face.
"I have no family left. My mother died, and my father was taken by a sky mouse, and my brothers I never knew." Canbran felt a tingle in his body—its whole family was gone? Weren't mouse families rather large? And what the heck was a sky mouse? With so many questions, the snake started with the one that seemed least suspicious.
"What is a sky mouse?" Louis looked very surprised before answering.
"It's a mouse that flies in the sky and steals other mice, never to be seen again! It screeches and doesn't have front paws! It has large claws!" The mouse trembled, and the snake finally understood.
"Ah, you mean a bird?"
"B-Bird?" The mouse stammered, cocking its head to one side, causing its whiskers to twitch.
"Yes, a bird. It has wings instead of front paws, and they sing, not so much screech. But there are a lot of birds, so I suppose some do screech." Canbran looked down at the mouse, whose eyes were wide with curiosity.
"But mother said they were all deadly…"
"Oh no, no. Some are, yes, but most sing beautiful songs and have colorful feathers, and they mostly leave everyone alone." Canbran was surprised with how little this mouse knew, even if he did stay underground his whole life. "If you get close to the entrance, you will be able to hear the birds in the morning."
Louis looked confused. "Morning?"
"Yeah, you know, when the sun comes up after the night. That's when the birds sing the loudest." Canbran was getting annoyed now; this mouse couldn't possibly be serious. He didn't even know what morning was! Sensing the snake's agitation, Louis tried his best to explain in a small, timid voice.
"I've never left the den, you see. I don't know anything about the outside world except what Mother told me in stories." He looked sullen and a bit embarrassed. Canbran sighed before speaking.
"What kinds of things did your mother tell you that kept you hidden for so long, mouse?"
"L-Louis…" The mouse mumbled.
"What?"
"My name is Louis, not mouse…"
"I see. My name is Canbran," he said proudly, as if the small creature would know the pride of a snake.
"S-So, how do you know my family then, Canbran?" Louis's little paws fumbled as he nervously awaited a response. Canbran knew he couldn't say he knew his mother, as she didn't seem like she left the den much either. However, if his brothers disappeared, then he could very well pretend to know them.
"I know of your brothers. They sought me out to bring you to them." Canbran felt a bit of pity for lying to the small mouse, but he needed him to trust him if he wanted to fatten the little mouse up.
"My brothers!? They are alive!?"
"Y-Yes… They live far from here. But I doubt you would be able to make the journey after seeing you…" Canbran's throat felt tight at the hope in Louis's voice.
"Why not…?" Louis asked, disappointed.
"You are much too small to survive the journey. If you want to see your brothers again, you have to fatten up a bit." The snake did his best to resolve his feelings. This mouse was nothing but prey, and despite the sorrow the mouse had experienced, Canbran would still eat him, as is the way of the world.
"I can get stronger! Please help me, Canbran! If my brothers trust you, then I shall too!" The small Louis puffed his chest out in confidence, leaving Canbran to chuckle a bit.
With his plan set in motion, and the little mouse believing it, Canbran could rest easier.
"Canbran, what do we do first?" Louis said, excitedly jumping from one paw to another, his little ears bouncing along.
"Well, we need to get you better food, that's for sure. Then maybe get you outside next." With this statement Canbran saw the little mouse's expression change. He stopped jumping around and this time looked rather pitiful and sullen. "What's wrong?"
"I-I can't go outside, Canbran…" His voice was mixed with sorrow and fear. Canbran sighed before slithering over to Louis.
"Louis, the outside world is full of dangers, but I'll be there to protect you. As long as I'm around you can enjoy the beauty of the outside world without worry." Canbran meant what he said. Deep down he felt emotions stirring in his body that he never felt for prey before. He tried to push it down as far as he could but the trust gleaming in Louis's eyes made him falter.
From here, the two were quite inseparable. Canbran slowly got Louis out of the den to forage for food, and explained in detail what he knew about the outside world.
He taught him how to avoid the giants and the birds, and described the sun that shone during the day and the moon that lit the paths at night. They listened to the sweet tweeting in the mornings and the hoots at night.
Louis asked many questions, some that Canbran couldn't always answer for he too was limited in his knowledge. Eventually through the weeks the two formed a bond that couldn't quite be explained by the other animals that saw them. A predator and prey making friends seemed an impossible task but here they were, chatting and foraging away together. Louis got plumper and stronger, and through learning more about the world he became more confident going outside as long as Canbran was with him of course. Canbran too became softer and more understanding. After hearing all about Louis's life Canbran found himself wanting only to protect Louis rather than eat him. In fact, the thought of anything happening to Louis felt painful and fearful.
This being all new to Canbran made him uneasy about the outside world. Louis was so small even after gaining weight but the world around them was so big in comparison. And with that big world, came lots of things that could mean the end for Louis. Canbran did his best to not label what they had, fearful that if he did it would mean having to tell Louis the truth about his lies. He wasn't sure if Louis could handle the truth.
Of course the real issue came when Louis, getting more excited to see his brothers, began asking more questions.
"Where are my brothers living now,Canbran?" He asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement. Canbran was nervous, one misstep and everything they had built these last several weeks would fall apart.
"W-Well," He started stammering a bit, then he remembered the rumor about a mouse city just on the edge of the vast field where many mice decided to live together and help one another. "They live on the very edge of the field in Mouse City."
"Mouse City!? That sounds like a huge place!" Louis shouted, jumping up and down.
"Yes, it is big I suppose, for mice anyway." Canbran said teasingly. But the tension in his body wouldn't leave.
"So when are we leaving?" The mouse's words hit like a brick. Canbran thought maybe they would have more time together before he would have to make a choice but with the excitement Louis felt, it didn't seem he would accept more lies.
"I guess we will be leaving at the end of the week, you are much stronger and you've been going outside for a while now…" The snake's voice trailed off. He really truly didn't want to take Louis to the Mouse City. He envisioned themselves just living here in this den together. Of course Louis would be sad about his brothers but maybe…just maybe they could be family. The thought made Canbran feel embarrassed. How could he think he could be family to this mouse when the world looked at them as adversaries? How could he be family with the very thing that is to be his food? The emotional weight felt impossible to ignore now. He decided they would go to Mouse City, and even if Louis didn't have family there, he would still be safe even from Canbran.
The next week went by in a blur for Canbran but seemed to creak on for Louis.
His excitement grew with each passing day, and so did his questions.
"Canbran! What are my brothers like? Did they grow up strong? Do they have families? How did they go missing? Mom never told me anything about it, she seemed so sure they were gone for good." The insistent pestering grated on Canbran. He wasn't sure how to answer Louis's questions. It felt like his lie was becoming more unmanageable by the second.
"Listen, Louis, it's been some time since I was last in contact with your brothers, so I'm not sure how well off they are right now…" He tried his best to explain away the questions, avoiding as many as possible, but as the week was drawing to its end and Louis's excitement reaching new heights, it became all too clear for Canbran that he would have to come clean at some point.
It was finally time for them to leave the safety of the den and head out to Mouse City. Canbran steeled his resolve with the thought that at least he helped Louis get out of his den and was taking him to the safest place for mice. His heart fluttered as they set off, the lie forever lingering at the edges of his mind.
They set off north, to the other end of the field where Mouse City sat nestled beneath a huge willow. Its tangled roots acted as both self-defense and homes. It would take three days to make the whole venture there. In the meantime, they would have to camp out in the open and forage for food when they could. Canbran was mighty nervous; he had ventured further on his own but never with a small mouse like Louis. Louis was so fragile and nervous about venturing this far away from home, and he was relying solely on Canbran to help him make it through. Canbran thought to himself that maybe this is how families feel, worrying unnecessarily about each other.
Louis, although nervous, was still equally excited. He had never traveled before nor been out of the den for this long, but having someone as reliable as Canbran the mighty snake felt comforting and safe. He was oblivious of the world they truly lived in as predator and prey. He took little notice of the stares and whispers by the other mice or animals that crossed their path. Canbran would cringe or shrink with every comment, but Louis was also oblivious to this as well. Having no one but his mother in his life before made him blissfully unaware of his current situation. Perhaps this is why he never suspected a cunning snake like Canbran to lie to him so easily.
The first two days were exhausting. It was taking much longer than usual because of Louis in tow. Normally, Canbran could make this trip alone in just a few days, but Louis was not a mighty snake and could not swiftly slither between stalks of plants and under brush. Louis painstakingly lumbered his way through thicket and leaves, dodging bugs and roots to the best of his abilities. The trip was also taking longer because any cry from the birds resulted in Louis hiding for quite some time, trembling, still filled with the fear his mother instilled in his mind. Canbran was understanding, of course—how could he not be? His heart was still full of the bitterness of his lie. He wished Louis would insist on going back and just staying in the den together.
By the third night, Louis was suffering. He needed more rest, but resting out in the open is a dangerous game. Canbran volunteered to be on lookout so Louis could sleep. The little mouse was all too happy to accept his friend's offer. However, about halfway through the night, Canbran heard an all too familiar noise in the brush near them.
"Canbran! I thought I sensed you nearby. What brings you out this far and unguarded?" Two forest green snakes slithered out of the brush into Canbran's campsite. He stiffened up right away. These snakes were his brothers, Mont and Graze; they were a few years older than Canbran and bigger, too. They had successfully made it to adulthood and flourished as the largest gardener snakes in the area, constantly hunting together, preying on anything weaker than themselves, even other snakes.
"B-Brothers, it has been some time, I was just enjoying the night, you see—"
"HA! Really now?" Mont slithered closer, sizing Canbran up. "Then why do you smell of rodent?" Canbran felt his heart beat wildly; they were as perceptive as always, and even more cunning.
"O-Oh, that," Canbran used his tail to cover most of Louis's body, hiding him the best he could with his own scent. "I was chasing one earlier, but I lost it in the brush." Canbran tried to sound as convincing as he could, but his brothers seemed unconvinced.
"Is that so?" Graze slithered close as well, boxing Canbran in. "Why is it, little brother, that I don't quite believe you?" Graze slithered around Canbran, taking him in, and at once noticed Canbran's tail concealing something. "Are you holding out on us, brother?" Graze hissed harshly.
"It's not like that, Graze…" Canbran couldn't hide Louis much longer. He had to come up with a plausible reason that Louis was there. He took a deep breath; the only choice he had was to tell them some of the truth. Canbran moved his tail, exposing Louis, who still slept soundly. "I found this mouse. I painstakingly fattened him up and brought him out here."
"And why would you do that?" Mont squinted his eyes and hissed.
"My den was crushed by the giants some time ago. I heard of a better den and easier meal that came with it." Canbran felt his heart break as he spoke. This was the real reason he stayed around so long, but it became more—a friendship blossomed and feelings grew. Now, the words tasted bitter and his heart felt hollow.
"That still doesn't explain why you brought it all the way out here, Canbran." Graze's eyes never left Louis once since he was exposed. This made Canbran nervous. He had to be convincing, or his only friend would die at the hands of his brothers.
"I didn't want to sully my new den, so I convinced the mouse to follow me to Mouse City where his brothers are." Canbran stopped for a moment, trying to think of what to say next. "I brought him far enough that other predators wouldn't be attracted to my new den and come bother me. I planned to eat him when you two showed up." Graze turned his attention to Canbran, and they both watched him for a moment. Canbran was nervous. Had he convinced them? Or was it not enough? His thoughts were cut short by Mont's laugh.
"Haha! That is wonderfully evil, my little brother! Glad to know our bloodline of mighty snakes runs even through the younger generation!" Graze also lightened up, agreeing with Mont.
"Yes, we should be able to see Canbran grow as big as us one day if he keeps this up!" The pair enjoyed a good laugh before setting off to find their own prey.
"Well, we will keep an eye out for you. Once you get bigger, come join us, Canbran." Their acknowledgement felt good. Canbran didn't have a terrible family, but living as a predator meant competing with even your parents for prey.
Canbran finally relaxed as his brothers slithered further away. He sighed heavily and turned to where Louis was supposed to be, only to find him gone. Canbran panicked. Fear surged in his blood as he began to frantically search for Louis.
"Louis! Louis, answer me! Where are you!?" He dashed through the underbrush and out into a clearing where the moon was the brightest, lighting up the field around him. He heard a slight sniffling from a rock not too far away. He hunkered down and slithered closer, only to find Louis, crying.
"L-Louis, what are you doing out here? If one of the birds sees you, you could—"
"ENOUGH!" Louis's small voice echoed loudly, making Canbran shrink back. "I heard everything, Canbran! You were using me for my den!? Then what was this past month!? Did it mean nothing? Was it fun to watch your food trust you!?" Every word out of Louis's mouth felt like another knife plunged into Canbran's heart.
"N-No, Louis, wait, you don't understand—"
"What is there to understand?! You were going to eat me, take my den, and even lied and gave me false hope about my family!?" Louis sniffled, tears wetting his little whiskers. "I thought that maybe, even if my brothers may not be alive, or if we never found them, maybe…you could be my family, that I could be enough for you…but I'm just a mouse, right? Your food…" Louis trembled with sadness. He had never experienced betrayal before, but it felt cold and lonely.
"Louis, I-I only told them that so…they wouldn't eat you…" Canbran felt a lump form in his throat. His lie was out in the open, and he didn't know what to do.
"Then tell me, Canbran, tell me the truth…did my brothers actually send you to get me?" Louis's small eyes gazed into Canbran's soul. They were so innocent and pure that he had to look away.
"No…" Canbran lowered his head, not wanting to see the disappointment in Louis's eyes.
"So is what you told those other snakes true? You only came into my den for an easy meal and to steal my home? You fattened me up to have a better meal?" His voice was low, disappointment filling every word.
"T-That…yes. I found out about you through another mouse I was going to eat. He took me to your den in exchange for his life. I never intended to let you live at first…But listen, Louis, things are different now—"
"How?" Louis wouldn't look at Canbran now. Canbran's eyes were fixated on the back of Louis's head.
"I was taking you to Mouse City in hopes to find your brothers! I swear! If we couldn't find them, I was going to leave you there because you would be safe…I didn't want to leave you there, I wanted to be family too, Louis!" The words hung in the air for a long time, the moonlight dancing around them in the silence. "Louis—please…" Canbran laid his head on Louis's small body. He hated himself. He didn't want to hurt Louis, but he ended up doing just that.
"I think we should part ways." Louis's voice was soft and cold, like the winter nights that drove the smaller animals underground. Canbran was heartbroken, but he knew his lie was too big to forgive.
"I understand…but please, let me get you to Mouse City. Let me atone, Louis. Then I will leave for good." Louis sighed heavily before turning back towards the campsite. He gave no formal answer, but Canbran felt thankful to still be by Louis's side.
The next morning came swiftly, with neither mouse nor snake sleeping much. They were getting closer to the city with every hour. Louis maintained his silence. Canbran, still hopeful, tried his best to accept the situation. The hours passed, and at last, Mouse City was near. However, Louis stopped and sat under a plant that gave plenty of shade.
"L-Louis, the city is just up ahead. Why don't we keep going instead of spending another night out in the open? It'd be safer for you." Canbran's voice was laced with concern and worry for his dear friend.
"Canbran, what if my brothers aren't there…what do I do?" Louis still didn't look at Canbran, but his voice was full of sorrow.
"We could go back to the den, Louis. We could figure out what to do and maybe find them somewhere else, or—"
"I have no one…" Louis's voice sounded almost like a whisper on the breeze. "I was fine…until you showed up, you know…"
"What do you mean?" Canbran slithered forward, closer to Louis.
"Before you came, I was content. I didn't know the beauty of the sun, or the melody of the birds. I wasn't aware of Mouse City, of the giants that roamed the lands. I didn't see the moon or have a reason to long for it. My world was small, yes, but it was mine and it was safe."
"But Louis, that was no way to live—"
"How would you know!?" Louis exploded, his voice shrill and etched with anger. "I was alone, yes, but I was safe! I was free from thoughts of a different life! I didn't know what it felt like to love or be betrayed! I didn't have to be hurt…" Louis cried, letting out the bitterness he had kept inside. "But then you came. Maybe I always knew our relationship was weird, I heard the others talking about us too, but…I wanted so desperately to trust you…to trust someone so I wouldn't be alone anymore…"
Canbran felt tears fall from his own eyes. He hadn't realized that Louis heard or understood those other rodents. He hadn't realized how desperately Louis clung to every lie, despite how messy the lies were. He didn't realize how truly lonely and desperate Louis was when they first met. Canbran believed truly that the mouse was just dumb, naive, maybe a bit too trusting. But that wasn't the truth. Perhaps Louis had known all along that Canbran came there to kill him and had accepted that fate as long as it meant he wouldn't have to be alone.
"Louis…" Canbran used his tail to wrap Louis up and hold him close. "I am so, so sorry. I didn't know. I was just a dumb snake…but…you changed me, Louis. I found myself wanting to be next to you always, and protect you from all harm. I wanted to show you the world I had come to know and spend all our time together. But I messed it all up…I just didn't want to see you disappointed in me…" Louis held tightly to Canbran's neck. He wanted this moment to last, a moment of pure, genuine kindness between a snake and a mouse.
Once they had cried themselves out, they found it was already dark. The moon barely peaking through the clouds, giving the field an eerie, luminous glow. Louis backed away, wiping his dewy eyes from tears.
"Canbran, I forgive—"
"Shreetch!" an owl's cries echoed as it swooped down with its claws aimed for Louis.
"Louis, watch out!" Canbran pushed Louis to the ground. The owl scooped up Canbran instead, its talons clutching the snake tightly. Canbran cried out in pain and struggled, wriggling violently to get away from the owl. Louis ran after them as fast as he could, keeping his eyes glued to the owl in the sky.
"Canbran!!" He cried as he ran. Canbran finally wriggled out of the owl's talons and fell quickly to the ground with a hard thud. The owl, wanting an easier meal, left the pair in the field. Louis ran to Canbran's side. He had a slash on his stomach from the owl's talons and was weak from the fall. Louis was panicking, filled with terror and woe.
"Canbran, please be okay!" Canbran coughed a few times, sputtering blood out of his mouth.
"Louis, go. The owl could come back. I can't protect you like this."
"No! I won't leave you! Let's go together like you promised, Canbran! You're a mighty snake, remember! You have to be okay!" However, Louis's cries were in vain. Canbran was losing a lot of blood, and he didn't foresee surviving this.
"Louis, listen to me." His voice was low and serious. "You have to get to Mouse City. You can get help for me there, right?"
"Right!"
"Then go, Louis, try to find help. I'll be here, and we will see each other again, okay?" Canbran's voice was getting raspy and faint.
"Okay! I'll run as fast as I can and get help, Canbran! Just sit tight and I will come back for you!" Louis turned towards the direction of Mouse City, but before he set off, he turned back to Canbran. "I forgive you, Canbran. You're my true family. I know that now." With that, he ran as fast as his paws would take him.
As he ran further away from Canbran, he heard the same cry from the owl as before. This time, the owl was chasing him, though. It swooped and cried out with every pass, its claws reaching out to grab Louis. He dodged, dashing under twigs and grass to hide himself. The owl was relentless and grazed Louis's cheek. Louis, in his terror, didn't see the root jutting out of the ground and tripped, rolling until he hit a larger tree root and lost consciousness.
It was some time before Louis awoke. He was startled to find himself in an unknown den.
"You're awake!" A voice chimed in. A mouse with brown and white fur, just like himself, stood over him excitedly. "I can't believe you're alive! You should count yourself lucky, really—if the city patrol wasn't there, you would be owl food!" Louis sat up, looking around. The cut on his cheek no longer stung. He vaguely remembered running from the owl, let alone being brought to this den.
"Where am I?" He asked the mouse that looked like him.
"Well, Mouse City, of course! We have all been eagerly waiting for you to wake up! My name is Crimble, I'm the herbalist here. What's your name and why did you come here?"
"My name is Louis. I am here in search of my brothers, Kettle and Rain. I heard they might be here…Wait! Before that! My friend is hurt in the field not too far away, please, we have to help him!" Louis was panicked, thinking about Canbran still alone in the field, dying.
"Actually, you were saying that in your sleep, too. And we searched for a long while but found nothing else." Crimble 'tsked,' disappointed. "We often see many lose family while coming here. Sorry, kid."
Louis felt his heart plummet. Canbran isn't around? Then he thought back for a second: if they were searching for a mouse, then of course they didn't find anyone. But could Louis tell them he was looking for a snake? "Did…you happen to find an injured snake out there?" His heart pounded in his chest.
"Hm. Nope. Why, did you also fight a snake!?" Before Louis could answer, Crimble was already out of the room, sharing the news of the brave young mouse that fought a snake and owl and lived to tell the tale.
Meanwhile, Louis felt relief. Not finding Canbran could mean he is still alive, right? Just as Louis was pondering about how to find Canbran, two mice burst into the room.
"Are…Are you Louis? From the south side of the field?" The two mice looked desperate, which made Louis nervous.
"Y-Yes…"
"Was your mother's name Rosa?" They stepped closer, their eyes gleaming.
"Yes…my mother's name was Rosa…she passed awhile ago and I was left alone…"
"Louis! We are your brothers! Kettle and Rain!" The two mice embraced Louis tightly, talking and talking about their lives and asking Louis all kinds of questions about his own life. Louis, however, felt bitter-sweet. This feeling wasn't like he had imagined it to be. He was happy to have found his blood family, but the moment felt hollow, a ghost of the life he was fighting to save just hours ago. He hugged them back, but his eyes kept darting to the entryway, searching. Canbran was also his family too, and he missed him dearly, more than his own mother.
Time passed, and Louis got better and settled into life in the city with his brothers' help. However, he never stopped searching for Canbran. Louis joined the patrol in hopes to one day see his dear friend again. Tales of Louis the Great spread far and wide amongst mice. The once timid mouse that never left his den was no more. Only Louis the Great was left.