The Battle for Oak Ridge

Order Your Copy Now On Amazon

THE 800 YEAR OLD OAK THAT INSPIRED THE STORY

Read Extract 1

Read Extract 2

James, a fellow protector, introduces Benjamin to his sleeping quarters in the city....

James stopped and looked around to Benjamin. “Have you seen where you’re sleeping yet?”

“No. I was whisked off to the training room straight away. I have no idea where I’m staying.”

“Right, we’ll do a slight detour then,” declared James, as he broke into a run. “Keep up.”

Once they were back inside Oak Ridge, James turned right along the landing. Benjamin could see the Mouse Elder’s quarters over the opposite side of the huge trunk. He ran his hand over the banister as he followed James along the carved wooden floor, keeping as close to the trunk wall as possible—it was a long way down on the other side of that banister.

“Here we are,” whispered James, as he slowed down and pointed to a door. He signalled Benjamin to follow him, pushed it open and then crept inside.

Benjamin walked in after him, closing the door quietly behind. It was a very dark and calm place, with the murmur of life in the main trunk almost drowned out completely. His eyes quickly adjusted and he could make out the long hollowed out branch. Small carved holes were cut into the outer walls; each had wood shavings and old leaves lining the base. Several mice were curled up inside some of them, deep in sleep.

“When you come in here, stick to the left or right. Look,” whispered James. He pointed to the middle of the floor; running along the centre of the room and into the dark distance was a line of leaves and wood shavings. He pointed back up to the wall. “Protectors and elites sleep up there; everyone else on this level sleeps on the floor. Ok?”

“So, which hole do I go in?” asked Benjamin, looking at the wall.

“Anyone you like, as long as it isn’t being used.”

“So, I sleep in someone else’s bed?

“Yes.”

“What if they dribble?”

James sniggered. “Dribbling is the least of your problems. The nervous ones wee too.”

“Oh no, I can’t sleep here. Wee? Really?”

“No. Not really.” James laughed. “These are protectors and elites we’re talking about—no one wees in their beds. Seriously, Benjamin, what goes through your head?” One of the mice sleeping close to them began to stir. “Come on, we better get back to training. Watch out for any wee as you head out.”

“Funny,” mumbled Benjamin, but he actually checked the floor before he took a step.

Once they were out, Benjamin glanced at the wall in front of them, the one with names etched into it.

James stood by his side.“The list of the taken.”

“Yes, I know. I saw it earlier. Giles seemed to blank me when I asked about it.”

“He has his reasons.”

They both stared in silence, reading the many names.

“Who took them?”

“Night feeders, predators, who knows? It’s the risk we all take; we go out, but there’s no guarantee we’ll return.”

“It’s horrible.” Benjamin glanced along the wall. “There’s so many.”

“Come on. No time to dwell on this,” said James. “We have to go.”

Benjamin is in the midst of the battle and under heavy attack from the crows. Several have latched onto the side of his Aeropigeon. He is trapped inside the basket and his pigeon has been thrown off. Now they plan to crash him into the trees ...

The basket was still being held by the two crows. Benjamin tried fiercely to stab at the crows with the sharp sticks in the Aeropigeon but couldn’t get close enough through the wind and commotion.

“Mind out!” came a shout, as another Aeropigeon dived by and shot the crow on the left.

Benjamin looked around and could just make out James flying by. The thorn bomb hit the crow with a loud thud, making it let go with a sharp lurch. The remaining crow was now able to fly faster towards the trees opposite Oak Ridge, close to the stone wall. Benjamin knew what was about to happen and struggled to free himself, but the basket was being held at a steep angle and he was still strapped into his chair. The damaged ratapult swung around and pushed against him. He grabbed his straps and pulled, desperately trying to loosen them. The ratapult turned from side to side while the thorn bombs had broken out from their store and were rolling around in one corner.

The strap suddenly clicked open, allowing Benjamin to move from the chair. He reached over and grabbed his sharp stick then stabbed it into the crow’s foot. He was lifting the stick into the air to stab the crow again when it let go of the basket. Without worrying about the consequences, Benjamin pulled himself away from the ratapult, grabbed the side of the basket and jumped out.

The basket hit a tree trunk within seconds, splintering into countless pieces. The thorn bombs, and parts from the ratapult, were thrown in all directions with the impact, before falling to the ground.

Benjamin grazed the tree, which sent him spinning through the air, hitting several branches and leaves, and eventually smashing through the brambles, to land at a small opening by the long grass near the main battle. He’d landed on his left arm and had several deep cuts on his legs and arms that were bleeding. Hitting the ground had winded him so he struggled to move and breathe. He lay there on his side for a few moments, dazed and in pain, wondering how he was going to get back.

He glanced around. On the floor were parts of his Aeropigeon, some of the thorn bombs and even his sharp stick. He reached out with his good arm and grabbed the stick, hoping it would help him get up. As he did, he became aware of three large figures standing by him. They had their backs to him and were watching the battle. To his horror, he realised he had landed by the General and his two bullying officers, Nigel and Kevin. He stayed still, trying to think of a plan through all the noise around him but before he could, one of the rats turned around and saw him. It was Nigel. He slowly walked up to Benjamin and prodded him with his toe.

“Errrrrrrr!” he said in disgust. “Another one just fell out of the sky!”

Benjamin was playing dead, lying on his side and clasping his stick under his body. When Nigel looked over to the General, Benjamin mustered all the strength he could, rolled over with his stick gripped in his hand, lifted it in the air, and stabbed it right through Nigel’s foot.

Nigel immediately jumped into the air, grabbed his foot and fell back into Kevin. “Aaaah!” he yelled, as he rolled on the floor, pulling the stick out of his foot.

He quickly pinched the wound to stop the bleeding and sat up. Benjamin had managed to roll over into the cover of the long grass and bramble next to him.

“Get up!” shouted the General. “What are you doing?”

“He stabbed me in the foot!” cried Nigel.

“Who stabbed you?”

“That mouse. The one that was dead.” He got up and angrily limped over to where Benjamin had been.

Benjamin backed further into the bramble to avoid being captured. He lay completely still, watching the rats kicking the grass to find him. As he looked up at Oak Ridge, he caught sight of an Aeropigeon taking off from the platform. It immediately dived to gain speed but didn’t seem to join the battle around the tree. Instead, it carried on diving towards the ground, pulling up at the last minute and flying over the battle towards the General.

The Battle for Oak Ridge

A fight that wasn't theirs in a world they never knew existed.

Mitsy invents a basket which is carried by pigeons. Along with her friend, Benjamin, they eagerly take off on their maiden voyage only to be attacked by a hawk and crash to the ground in a dangerous land.

Their path home is blocked, taken over by the rats who are days away from launching an attack on the mouse city of Oak Ridge, the one place that can get them home.

They must find refuge within the great oak before the vicious battle commences. Can a new friend, Jack, help guide them to safety?

In this world, there isn’t always a happy ever after and animals will fight to the death to survive. Trust must be earned, not everyone is who they seem, and not everyone will survive.

Dive into the first book of the Mouse Protectors series - it will open your eyes to a dangerous world that we are all blind to.

Order Your Copy Now On Amazon UK

Order Your Copy Now On Amazon US

Get a Preview of the Second Book....

Kirsty Puddick

"An exciting, enthralling and epic adventure. A must read that teaches us bravery can come in all sizes..."

Amy Warner

“My whole family were transported by this action-packed animal adventure story. The story twists and turns through a lovingly-rendered vision of the Bedfordshire countryside, revealing a secret world of animals living among the fields and hedgerows, under the oblivious noses of us humans. An unforgettable story of friendship and adventure which gives you a mouse eye view of epic journeys, close shaves, and deadly battles. We can’t wait for the next instalment!”

J Betts

“I quickly grew to love the characters as they ventured through the story. I couldn't put the book down once the battle began - read twelve chapters straight! Now I know what they really are, mole hills make me sad when I see them. Hurry up with the next one - I've read this twice already!”

Peter Benjamin

“A must read! Entertaining and inspiring. The book takes the reader through a wonderful imaginary journey. It’s wholly gripping, with a powerful story of friendship and rivalry, with great twists and turns amongst our countryside animal-friends. A highly original and authentic read and I can’t wait for the next one in the series!”