The Island of Whispers by Brendan Gisby Page A

if I do ... share your
feelings ... what of it? It’s just nonsense to speak about leaving
here. The land across the water is nothing but ... a
dream.’
    ‘ No, comrade, it can be done!’ Long Ears was excited now. ‘Look
down there!’ His snout twitched furiously as he motioned to the
extreme point of the island. ‘From there to the giant’s foot is but
a short distance. We could swim –’
    ‘ Swim?’
    ‘ Yes, swim! Aren’t we told constantly that the founders of our
society swam to this place from a Two-Legs vessel? Surely we can do
the same to leave the place?’
    ‘ All right,’ Twisted Foot nodded again, although he was still
not convinced. ‘What then?’
    ‘ Then we climb up into the giant’s belly. I have seen the
Two-Legs do this often. I know it can be done. We climb up during
the darkness when the Two-Legs are gone from the giant. Then we
crawl along the straight belly until we reach its end.’
    The two
Watchers now gazed up at the bridge. The sheer size of the
structure was intimidation enough for Twisted Foot.
    ‘ I don’t know,’ he said. ‘What about the creatures – the
Two-Legs creatures which rush through the giant? Won’t they be a
danger?’
    ‘ Yes, of course. But if we do the same as the Two-Legs and keep
well to the edge, I’m sure that we’ll be safe.
    ‘ I know that it can be done, comrade,’ Long Ears added
quickly.
    Twisted Foot
stayed silent for some time. The plan was terrifying – but it could
succeed. A jumble of thoughts and questions filled his mind. He
tried to think clearly through the tangle. There had to be some
tangible benefit, some hard justification, for such a perilous
journey.
    ‘ This land across the water,’ he said at last. ‘What do you
know about it? What does it offer? Won’t there be many dangers over
there?’
    Long Ears grew
excited again.
    ‘ You remember the stories told by the Chamberlain? The stories
about the land from which the forefathers came? Their land had
trees and grass; waters running down the sides of hills; lairs
built deep under soft earth; birds of all kinds and small Four-Legs
on which to feast. I think – I’m sure – that the land across the
water has all these things.’
    ‘ But the Two-Legs? Won’t there be many of them?’
    ‘ Perhaps, comrade. But the land is so vast. It can’t be too
difficult to find a place far from them.
    ‘ Think, Twisted Foot!’ Long Ears was insistent now. ‘No Rulers
or Protectors! No Selections! Mating when we desire it! Bird flesh
for the taking!’ The words were cajoling, persuasive.
    Twisted Foot
had caught the excitement; many more questions were on the point of
tumbling from him – Who should undertake this journey? How would
they begin their new society? Who would lead them? – but Long Ears
was already giving the answers.
    ‘ There must be others in the lair – young Watchers like us –
who would be happily gone from here. I’m sure there would be little
effort to persuade them. We should go with our mates and our young
ones: we couldn’t form a strong society without them. But –’ Long
Ears stopped now. He needed to choose his next words with care. He
looked away from Twisted Foot and back to the far, twinkling
lights.
    ‘ Our flight from this place must be well planned,’ he said
eventually. ‘The venture is a dangerous one. We are doomed if the
Rulers suspect us; Long Snout will feed us to the Scavengers. Yes,
we need a careful plan. And we need someone – a brave and
intelligent warrior – to lead us. A leader who will decide our
steps and keep us from discovery.’
    Long Ears
turned to stare directly at his companion.
    ‘ Twisted Foot, comrade,’ he spoke softly. ‘Will you lead
us?’
    Transfixed,
Twisted Foot returned the stare. The excitement left him, ousted
suddenly by cold fear.
    ‘ Me?’ he squealed. ‘But – but I’m just a cripple. Not strong. I
couldn’t lead ...’ The words trailed off. The coldness seemed to
clutch at his insides,