In the first year of the reign of King Argon, the Five Kingdoms experienced many weeks of bitter, winter weather. The coastline was lashed with gales and fishermen lost their boats when a giant wave roared into the harbour at Sarnemouth. The river Listi froze in many places and shepherds started sheltering their flocks in the caves at Gaheil.
In Brak, even the young Green Mantle was confined to sitting beside the fire, considering the fate of small creatures in such vicious weather and she angered her household by welcoming all those beasts that could reach her threshold. There were wolves in the great hall, tiny finches in the vaulted galleries, deer and hedgehogs in the library and badgers in the guest bedrooms. Every available stable was filled with otters and ferrets, grouse and rabbits occupied the pantries and no space was too small for the streams of insects that trudged through the snow to reach the Meed of Brak. Food was gathered when it was possible, often through the dark arts of the Mantle. But for many, hibernation was still preferred and sleeping under the protection of Green Mantle ensured that no predator would risk her anger by eating another guest.
It was alarming then, that on the first day of the third week of their stay, the word spread that a small hedgehog had gone missing and could not be found.
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