A Basket Full of Magic
Written and read by Rachel Lynn Anderice
Chapter 12 - A Plan is Hatched
“I know how they found you,” answered Spunky. “This is all my fault.”
“How is it your fault The Quillza want to steal magic?” asked Mama Owl. “You rescued Molly and Abby from the river. We are very thankful.”
“They want me, not Molly and Abbs,” said Spunky.
“But Spunky, they found us in the forest before we met you,” argued Molly.
“They sniff it,” said Spunky.
“But we didn’t know about magic until after we met you,” argued Abby.
“The sparkling light that labeled our buttons,” answered Molly. “I bet that was magic. We just didn’t know.”
“What brought them here?” asked Abby.
“The sketch on Spunky’s pendant changed. It added two little dots and one big dot. Not long after that, The Quillza showed up. And we asked the button rainbows a question. Not long after that, The Quillza showed up again,” answered Molly. “It’s not your fault at all, Spunky. Please don’t blame yourself.”
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“Excuse me please. Sorry to bother,” said Bizzie.
“WooHoo, Bizzie. Do come in. I’m glad you’re here,” said Mama Owl.
“Missus is not pleased with our lodge guests. She agreed to keep them as long as I help,” said Bizzie. “I am at your service Mama Owl.”
“WooHoo, delightful. Delightful,” hooted Mama Owl.
“The Quillza have left for now,” said Radar. “I bet they will be back, especially if the other buttons are not magic.”
“They will be back,” said Spunky. “No doubt. We need a plan.”
“Maybe we should get the basket,” suggested Abby. “What if The Quillza find it?”
“They won’t,” said Mama Owl. “It protects and hides itself.”
“But can’t it be found, just like the buttons were found?” asked Radar.
“Radar, you have been scouting around the forest for a very long time. Have you, or any of the bee patrol, ever seen the basket in the crooked oak tree?” asked Mama Owl.
“No,” answered Radar, the bee patrol shaking their heads in agreement.
“The basket is safe where it is,” said Mama Owl. “I am sure of it.”
“We should scout out their headquarters,” suggested one of the bee patrol.
“Oh yes. I heard them talking about The Ridge Bridge,” said Bizzie.
“Not safe,” said Spunky.
“We don’t know how to fight them,” said Abby. “Shouldn’t we figure that out first?”
“We need a defense,” said Mama Owl. “But I don’t want to meet up with The Quillza here. I can gather others back in the forest. The bees can gather information and meet us back at the flat rock ledge at the edge of the river. We will hold them back as long as we can.”
“Okay, meet you there,” called Radar and the bee patrol as they buzzed away.
“What about me?” asked Bizzie. “I cannot fly and I cannot run very fast.”
“Please find the other beavers and meet us as soon as you can,” said Mama Owl.
“I will check with Missus. She knows all the gossip,” said Bizzie. He snapped a bow and plodded off.
“What do you mean, hold them back?” asked Spunky.
“I’m not sure, but it’s better to plan for trouble and not find it, than have trouble surprise you,” answered Mama Owl.
Mama Owl gave Molly and Abby a feather to secure their buttons around their necks.
“These feathers will never break and will never slip.”
Then she plucked a tail feather and looped it around Spunky’s collar.
“This feather will help you fly in times of need,” said Mama Owl as she flew off. “See you at the flat rock ledge.”
