BECOMING THE RAT
After a few days, the money ran out, and Zhelavar grew hungry again. Just over the bridge
on the east side of Britain was a vast grassy area with woods and water on most sides.
Zhelavar hunted rabbits and deer, enjoying the chase and the challenge. Her life was simple...
she'd wake in the mornings, go hunting all day, eat all eve, and curl up in a treetop at night.
One morning she awoke to the sound of a caravan. Looking about, she saw craftsmen, laborers,
and mounted guards. Quietly, she slid out of the tree and hid behind it. Staring closer at the
caravan, she saw that the carriages were filled with lumber, stone, shovels, and picks. She watched
the wildlife flee into the woods as the people shoo'd them away. The city of Britain was expanding.
Zhelavar had no intention of leaving her new home. She liked it there and was tired of running.
Trying to maintain her daily routine, Zhelavar hunted away from the builders, but the
construction progressed quickly and soon the area of East Britain was completed. Resentment
filled the girl, and she vowed that she would not be driven from her home. She bagan living
off the people... killing livestock for food, stealing from merchant carts, and robbing those
who were unaware. After a while, she became known by the townsfolk. They referred to her as
'the street rat'. Zhelavar was NOT happy with that title! She felt that she was more than
a common rat, and believed that she was working for everything she got.
