Startled, you whip around to see a hedgehog, calmly holding a lantern aloft. “My name is Rin. Do you need help?” she asks. Relief floods your body at this unexpected turn of events.

...

An hour later, you still can’t believe your good fortune. 

All of you are comfortably resting in Rin’s cluttered but cozy den. A mellow fire snaps in the hearth, warming a cauldron of mushroom stew. It’s delicious, served in clay bowls with a thick wedge of acorn bread. 

Tully’s leg was cruelly and deeply gashed by the owl’s talons. Luckily, Roth and Halpra are unharmed. Shortly after you left the battle, the owl departed to find a meal with less fight to it. 

While you tend to Tully's leg, Halpra explains the urgency of your journey to Rin. She listens patiently, then speaks. “The owl will hunt until daylight. You can of course stay the night here. You’ll be safe.” Giving heartfelt thanks, the others soon fall asleep. But you find yourself wide awake and restless. Rin offers to make you a cup of chamomile tea with honey. It's incredibly soothing. 

“Apothecary, I don’t need to tell you about your companion’s leg?” she asks gently. 

You nod, sadly. The wound is severe. You know that Tully won’t be able to walk on it for quite a while, and the risk of infection is high. 

“She can stay with me as long as she likes, and I will do my best to keep infection away.”

“Thank you, you are very kind.”

“Oh, it’s a small thing, compared to the brave thing you are doing, my friend. A very small thing indeed.”

You think back to everything that has happened so far, the danger you have encountered, the terror you have felt. All the times you have been frozen in fear while the others reacted. "I don't think I am very brave," you admit to Rin. "The other mice are tougher, quicker, and know how to fight."

Rin considers you a moment, the firelight flickering over her face. "Bravery isn't always about fighting," she says quietly, "Sometimes, bravery is simply not giving up."

The next morning, you change Tully's bandages and give last minutes instructions. She's clearly unhappy that she can no longer help on this journey.  Halpra takes the news in pained silence. Then she asks for a private moment to say goodbye to her sister. You, Roth, and Rin wait outside, your breath hovering in the silver morning air. Finally, Halpra emerges from Rin’s den and has a few quiet words with the hedgehog, her head bowed. Buckling on her sword, she turns to you and Roth. 

“To Mossden,” she says grimly, then leads the way down the path, towards your goal.