I dedicate this book to my family who I know will always have my back.

"Aaah" screamed Mouse as Lion Cub viciously scampered towards her."Spare me,please !" Mouse pleaded. "If you spare me I will be your life-long servant and I will give you anything you desire."

Lion Cub intently thought about this proposal and he slowly realized that a life-long servant for himself would be more important than a part of his meal.

"I accept your proposal," Lion Cub snarled, "but you must keep your side of our agreement or I will eat you."

Mouse gulped in fear and managed to respond "Yes master."

Lion Cub sneered for he knew this fearful mouse would not disobey him. "My first request for you is to borrow the Emerald of Power."

Mouse screamed for she knew that one could die facing the guardians of the Emerald of Power- Empress Troblvina and her army of elves, goblins, trolls, vicious humans and worst of all, the Big Bad Wolf Pack.

"Go now so I will get more power sooner," Lion Cub instructed.

Mouse ventured out, taking her first step towards a new journey.On the way to Empress Troblvina's castle, Mouse thought about what she should say to the Empress to convince her to lend the Emerald of Power.

Mouse reached the castle and bravely took a step inside . There were guards by the door and they did not appear to be doing anything until Mouse stepped inside. One guard stepped forward and startled Mouse so much that she jumped.

"My name is Lampton," said the guard who had stepped forward, "State your name and purpose."

"Hello," Mouse replied, "My name is Mouse and I would like to speak to Empress Troblvina.

""What time slot?"Lampton asked "Umm ... as soon as possible, " Mouse replied, wondering why she had thought the Empress's people would've never been so refined.

Follow me Mouse

Okay

"Mouse, you may have thirty minutes with Her Majesty in two hours," Lampton said.

Mouse thanked Lampton and let him usher her to her room where she was to stay while waiting for attendance with the Empress.

"Wow!" Mouse exclaimed when she saw her room. It had white walls and a comfy bed with a hairbrush lying on it. Soothing violin music was playing in the background. A fancy hat, sweater and shoes were on a stool. Mouse put them on. Now Mouse looked like a fashionista!!!

Lampton handed Mouse the room key and left to join his fellow guards. Mouse quietly brushed her fur and thought about how jealous Lion Cub would be if he could see her right now, experiencing this luxury.

TWO HOURS LATER

"Mouse," Lampton called "It is time for your meeting with the Empress." Nervously, Mouse followed Lampton through the corridors leading in to Empress Troblvina's Throne Room.

I wish to borrow the Emerald of Power for my Master, Lion Cub.

Once Lampton had shown Mouse the way to the Empress's Throne Room, he bowed dutifully and left Empress Troblvina and Mouse to talk.

"Hello, my name is Mouse and I wish to borrow the Emerald of Power for my Master Lion Cub," said Mouse in the bravest tone she could muster.