Blueberry's Tale

Authors Note: This is a fanfiction story based on Watership Down by Richard Adams, this takes place alongside the original novel of another rabbit that gets to meet Hazel, Bigwig and all along the way.  Originally posted as separate chapters, this has been put together as one big file with books one and two placed together.  Enjoy the forty chapters.

Chapters:

Book 1:

Chapter 1 - Bobstone Contest
Chapter 2 - The Farm Raid
Chapter 3 - Doing what El-Ahrairah did when in trouble.
Chapter 4 - Starting a new life at the warren.
Chapter 5 - Man's Wrath
Chapter 6 - The Aftermath
Chapter 7 - Danger disguised in beauty.
Chapter 8 - The River
Chapter 9 - The Iron Road
Chapter 10 - The Patrol
Chapter 11 - Efrafa
Chapter 12 - General Woundwort
Chapter 13 - Blueberry learns how to be an Efrafan
Chapter 14 - Caught
Chapter 15 - Making plans and being attacked.
Chapter 16 - The Escape
Chapter 17 - Prisoner of Efrafa
Chapter 18 - Efrafa prepares for war.
Chapter 19- The Attack on Watership Down
Chapter 20 - The end of the beginning.

Book 2:

Chapter 21 - The Aftermath of Separation.
Chapter 22 - Birch gets a shock.
Chapter 23 - The Shadow Patrol of Darkclaw
Chapter 24 - Living under the Shadow of the Black Rabbit
Chapter 25 - The Doe Rose
Chapter 26 - The Second Fight
Chapter 27 -The price of spying...
Chapter 28 - Halgrass vs Dewclaw
Chapter 29 - Run Rabbit Run to the River...
Chapter 30 - River Test & The Male Otter, Watercress & The Iron Road.
Chapter 31 - The Farmland
Chapter 32 - The Return to Darkclaw Warren
Chapter 33 - Farmland near the Down
Chapter 34 - The Reunion.
Chapter 35 - Off to Efrafa
Chapter 36 - Prisoner of Efrafa
Chapter 37 - Blueberry vs Vervain.
Chapter 38 - The attack on Campion-rah
Chapter 39 - The start of change
Chapter 40 - The first peace meeting.

 

PROLOGUE

 

A dark shape moved gracefully through the water, twisting and turning as it continued on it's task.  A bit further ahead was a smaller shape moving just as gracefully through the water as it fled the larger shape.  Shining brightly silver, it came near to the surface and leapt out, the salmon turning it's body in the air as water droplets.  A larger splash came from behind as a large brown form twirled in the air before slamming into the smaller fish, a flash of white teeth and with another splash a small trickle of blood moved with the river current.

 

Swimming slowly to the edge of the river, a large male otter pulled himself out with dead fish held in his jaws.  With water running off his back, the otter sniffed the air and gently placed the fish down onto the grass, several blades glistening with water droplets now.  Keeping it's small ears erect as it looked about.  His nose twitched again before grabbing hold of the fish roughly as it turned around and slipped back into the water again.

 

Along the path slightly up the slope of the bank, three men with heavy boots trundled by, shaking the pebbles as thin lines of smoke came from their white sticks.  One of them pulled his white stick from his mouth and blew out a fine mist of grey mist as he spoke.  "Ben, you're sure that's the warren that is causing me to have my crops tainted?"

 

Ben nodded his head.  "Aye, that's the one.  Little vermin they are, keep on popping out young ones so that they can eat and then they will pop out new young ones.  I tell you mate, it's a good thing we spotted where they are.  I'll have to call up a mate of mine to bring some help.  It's a big warren, but we get this problem sorted out for you.  Besides, rabbits attract foxes and we don't want to start losing chickens as well as vegetables now, do we?  It will take a few days however to arrange it."  Jack on the other side, coughed.  "Speaking of which, did you read about that cucumber in the church fair last weekend."  The conversation continued on as the men walked past and slowly headed out of the way.  Slowly the otter came back out of the water again carefully.  Sniffing the air as it dropped the fish down on the grass once more, he wrinkled his nose, sneezed to the smell that the men had left behind and began to eat his meal, grasping the fish within his front webbed paws.

 

Chapter One - Bobstone Contest

 

Author's Note:  This tale takes place before Sandlefort Warren gets destroyed, seen by Fiver's vision.  Copse Warren is situated to the South East of Efrafa and North to another warren, simply known as Darkclaw Warren.  Copse Warren is situated within a copse near to a farm and a river, named Test.  This tale also takes place a few days before the prologue...

 

***

 

Deep under the ground in the safe confines of a burrow within Copse Warren, two rabbits cheerfully chatted to each other as they chuckled from time to time.  The discussion changed from what had happened a few days back, mating and also what was happening up on the ground right now.  One of the rabbits, named Birch was a middle aged buck, light brown fur, with several scratches on his face and ears from previous mate fighting with another buck.  He was with a doe, his mate at the time, named Snowdrop who was a bit smaller than Birch, well formed body.

 

"Well, I've heard that the chief wants the owsla to go on another one of those farm raids again.  You know, what with the new kits of his, they're really into the solid food now, unstoppable eating machines that they are."  Birch said while nibbling on one of his pellets.  "He and the Captains have gone through the last stuff they got.  You think that eating grass would be enough."

 

Snowdrop shook her head.  "You wouldn't say that if you tried some of it."  He looked away from his friends glare as Birch swallowed what he was chewing.  "You liar, when did you ever try flayrah?"

 

Snowdrop pulled down one of her ears and began to lick it as she pondered for a moment, then felt a paw poke her on the side as she let go, watching her ear move back up again.  "Oh now don't be like that.  Anyways it was during the last raid, one of the owsla officers left a bit of lettuce in the run.  I didn't think they miss a single leaf so I took it."

 

Birch grumbled.  "And you couldn't find me to at least share it.  I mean we've been mates for ages."  Going quiet he sighed and shook his head and nuzzled her.  "I am sorry, it doesn't matter.  How could I miss anything if I haven't even tried it.  So do you know what else is happening?"  He gently began to groom the side of her shoulder as he listned to her reply.

 

Snowdrop replied back.  "Well, there was a discussion with the other does this morning silflay, something to do about another challenge with bobstones again.  I think it's that young buck, Blueberry had challenged the Captain of Owsla again.  Oh yes, Riza-Rah's kits were up and about at silflay this morning.  I think him and his mate are going to try and get them to like grass.  You can't have flayrah every day now."

 

Birch stopped grooming and turned his head to the exit of the burrow and sniffed the air gently.  "Hmmm, looks like someone is coming down here."  He looked at the opening of the burrow and smiled as he saw another buck skid to a halt just outside their burrow, panting heavily.  Snowdrop smiled.  "Oh it's only Carbi.  What's the rushing for, dear?"  She said softly.

 

Carbi swallowed and tried to speak, he was a young buck, only just barely out of being a kit amongst the other rabbits point of view but he tried again but found nothing was coming out of his mouth.

 

Birch smiled as he looked at the young buck and said softly.  "Alright, calm down and take a few breaths in and out first before you try to tell us what you want to say, okay?"  He looked at Carbi who nodded his head and began to calm down, though his body was still shaking from excitement.

 

Eventually, Carbi calmed down and began to speak to the two rabbits.  "Did you hear, there's a bobstone contest going on up above?"  He paused and looked at them both.  "Aren't you two coming up to watch?"  Meanwhile as he was saying this.  His back legs twitched slightly wanting to get going again.

 

Both Birch and Snowdrop turned to face each other with the look of confusion on Carbi's face before they turned their heads back again to face him and laughed.  "We know, we were just discussing it before you came in."

 

Carbi blinked a few times before spluttering out.  "Oh, okay then.  So are you two coming up to see the match, I mean, it's not every day you see a young recruit challenge Captain Sando.

 

Birch rolled his eyes up and pondered for a moment.  "Oh I don't know, we're quite comfortable here at the moment, are we Snowdrop?"  Snowdrop smiled and nodded her head.  "Yes, nice and snug in here.  But I suppose this is something that doesn't happen all the time so I don't know?"  They both looked at Carbi again who looked down fallen.  "Aw, come on..."  He moaned.  "You know I can't get a good seat without you two about?"

 

Snowdrop got up and nodded.  "Okay, then, let's go make our way up there.  Come on Birch, let's not keep Carbi waiting."  Watching Carbi run off again, she turned around to face Birch and smiled.  "He's growing up well isn't he?  Not long since he was in this burrow."

 

Birch followed Snowdrop out as he replied back to her.  "I know, but he really does need to stand up for himself.  It's stopped him being accepted for owsla duty and all."  He blinked at Snowdrop and carried on quickly.  "Yes, I've had a word with Captain Sando but he says Carbi isn't the right material.  Not sure what to do with him really but he's happy enough anyways, right?"

 

Snowdrop sighed as she turned around a corner, nodded her head and spoke softly.  "I suppose so."  She felt herself dipping slightly before feeling the run heading upwards as the soft cool breeze and bright light of day began to filter through.  Coming to the end of the tunnel, she ended up squinting her eyes for a moment, sniffing the air outside that was full of the sweet scents of grass, leaves and rabbits.  But most importantly there wasn't a smell of elil in the air.

 

Cautiously and slowly she headed out with Birch behind her, she could feel the breath on her tail and back as eh carefully hopped outside and took a few steps into the open.  Birch was quickly to her side as he sniffed the air himself and smiled.  "You know, it is too much of a good day to waste underground.  So where are they?"  Looking around for a moment and hearing cries to the left of him.  "Ah, they're over there by the tree line.  Come on, let's go."  Hopping over to the small group of rabbits all huddling around just three rabbits, Birch and Snowdrop eventually saw Carbi trying to get some room to see what was happening with the match.  In the middle of the group was Riza-Rah, Captain Sando and the young buck Blueberry.

 

Riza-Rah was an old rabbit, most of his fur was greyed out now, having lost it's brown colour a season or two ago.  He was quite a large rabbit but now frail with deep meaningful eyes that looked out at the two younger rabbits sitting down facing each other in front of him.  To the left of him was his trusted close friend, Captain Sando.  A large strong rabbit with a lot of combat experience gained throughout his life.  He was the best cunning rabbit second to only Riza-Rah himself.

 

Captain Sando stared unblinkingly at Blueberry as he spoke.  "Are you sure you want to challenge me with bobstones?"  Blueberry nodded his head and turned to face Riza-Rah.  "I have that right, don't I?"

 

Riza-Rah nodded his head as he looked at Captain Sando.  "He does have the right, old friend."  He shook his head as Captain Sando grunted slightly.  "Fine, but he's not getting out on his owsla training though."  Blueberry's ears flopped down the sides of his head as the rest laughed.  Biting his lip, Blueberry grinned as he looked back up again.  "Fine but if I win I can go on the next farm raid."

 

Captain Sando blinked and turned to face Riza-Rah.  "He's not ready and..."  He stopped as he saw the chief looking at him and bowed his head before turning back to face Blueberry again.  "Okay, only if you win but you will do what I say on that raid."  He paused for a moment and carried on.  "Only if you win this match, okay?"

 

Blueberry nodded his head.  "I agree to the terms, Captain."  He felt his heart lift as he heard the rest of the rabbits about him, cheering.

 

Coughing, Riza-Rah gently held up a paw and spoke.  "Welcome my friends.   What a beautiful day that Frith has granted us today.  Two of our friends have decided to have a game of bobstones and have asked me to make sure that no cheating is done."  Looking around he continued on.  "I would be most appreciated that no one helped these two during the match."

 

All of the rabbits around the three nodded their heads in agreement as Riza-Rah continued to speak.  "Right, as you know the rules, I am going to go through them again just to be sure.  This is a standard bobstone match."  Looking down to where two pebbles were lying on the ground he looked back up again.  "The object of the game is to guess correctly until one guesses incorrectly.  This is when the match will end."  Looking from one to the other he continued.  "Will both of you turn around so that you're not facing me so that I can set up for you to guess.  The one to guess correctly will win the decision on choosing or hiding the pebble first."

 

Both looked at Riza-Rah for a moment and then turned around to face away from their chief rabbit.  Captain Sando spoke quietly from the corner of his mouth.  "Well, good luck, you need it."  Blueberry just replied back.  "Well, if it makes me beat you, then I'll take the luck kindly, sir."

 

Meanwhile, Riza-Rah looked down and chose what he wanted and then called out, having moved a paw step closer to the two.  "Right, I have chosen.  Who will pick one and who will pick two?"

 

Blueberry looked at Captain Sando as they began to whisper to each other and then nodded.  Captain Sando spoke out.  "I shall pick two."  Blueberry spoke.  "And I will take the other one."

 

Nodding his head, Riza-Rah paused before slowly lifting a paw to show one.  The group of rabbits that had decided to support Blueberry cheered while the others that supported Captain Sando, muttered and said that it would get better.  All were forced to go quiet as Riza-Rah moved his other paw away to reveal two pebbles.  Speaking aloud, the chief rabbit stepped back.  "Captain Sando has won the right to choose if he will guess first or not?"

 

Carbi muttered as he looked at the beaming Captain and looked at Blueberry who was waiting the response of the Captain's decision on the matter.  Carbi muttered to Blueberry.  "It's okay, you can still beat him."  He turned to face his marli, Snowdrop.  "Isn't that right?"  Snowdrop smiled and nodded.  "Just do your best, dear."  She said to Blueberry who nodded back as he turned to face Captain Sando again.

 

The Captain came to a decision and spoke out.  "I will choose first."  The large paw of the Captain rolled the two pebbles towards Blueberry.  "Good luck."  He turned around so that he wasn't facing Blueberry.

 

The whole crowd went silent as all eyes were on him now as he looked down at the two pebbles and moved his paw down to move them about.  Pausing for a moment as he decided, he chose what he wanted to do and after placing the pebbles in the right position called out.  "I am ready."

 

Captain Sando slowly moved around as he looked directly into Blueberry's eyes and then down to where Blueberry's paws were.  "Hmm."  He went quietly to himself before looking around slightly and then back to Blueberry's paws.  "Bobstone guess..?"  He paused again as he could hear everyone holding their breath.  "One."

 

Pulling back slightly with a gasp, Blueberry saw Captain Sando smile as he spoke.  "Need to practise that look of yours."  He watched as Blueberry lifted his paws to show that there was one pebble there and turned around.  Most of the rabbits where cheering for Captain Sando while Carbi muttered, yelling above the cheering to Blueberry.  "Come on, it's only a small set back, you can come back into this."

 

Giving Carbi a re-assuring nod, Blueberry turned around to let Captain Sando sort out his move in the game.  Blueberry stared out past the rabbits looking at him as he closed his eyes in thought and listened.  Breathing slowly he nodded his head as he heard Captain Sando speak out.  "Ready when you are, young one."

 

Turning around slowly, Blueberry didn't waste anytime and spoke out loud and firm.  "Bobstone guess, one."  He watched as Captain Sando looked crestfallen as he moved his paws away.  Carbi was jumping up and down as he shouted.  "Yes!  Go on Blueberry, now you have him."  The others were either congratulating Blueberry or offering advice to Captain Sando.

 

Turning around, Captain Sando was waiting for Blueberry to sort out his next move.  "Ready."  Blueberry said as he watched Captain Sando turn around, full in thought.  "Bobstone guess is, two."  Blueberry smiled as he lifted up his paws to show that there was only one pebble there.

 

Birch had to put his paw in front Carbi to stop him from leaping right into the middle of the match area.  "Please calm down Carbi."  He said quietly.  The whole lot of rabbits watched as Blueberry turned around again so that Captain Sando could sort out his next move.  Picking one option, the Captain stopped and looked at the back of Blueberry for a moment and changed his mind, moving his paws down as he called out.  "I am ready."

 

Blueberry turned around and nodded his head, looking into the eyes of Captain Sando as he thought of his guess.  The whole group of rabbits waited to see if the young buck would guess right and win against the Captain or if the game would continue for yet another round.  Speaking slowly, Blueberry made his guess.  "Bobstone guess is two."

 

Captain Sando lifted up his paws and there lying on the ground were two pebbles, Carbi hopped about as he ran around the group of rabbits.  "Yay, Bluberry won!"  Captain Sando nodded his head and smiled.  "Well, looks like you won fair and square.  You're on the next farm raid, as long as you practise beforehand that is?"

 

Blueberry smiled and nodded his head back.  "Yes sir, that I will."  Turning around, he headed out of the group that was now starting to break away, leaving just Captain Sando with Riza-Rah who was watching Blueberry get buzzed about by Carbi.

 

"Well, you took that well."  Riza-Rah said softly to Sando as he laid down to nibble on a long blade of grass.  Sando nodded his head as he looked at Blueberry giving Carbi a playful swat with his paw.  "Well, he is eager; I like that in the young ones.  They be a fine replacement for the warren."  Sitting down, he looked about for a moment.  "So when do you want me to arrange the next farm raid anyways?"

 

Riza-Rah replied back with bits of grass falling from his mouth as he chewed.  "Well, tonight if it is at all possible.  Besides it's mostly for you lot this time around than me."  He looked at Captain Sando and smiled.  "Well, you have been working hard in getting the flayrah for my mate and the kits.  Speaking of which, where is Cloverleaf?"  Riza-Rah looked about and spotted her chatting to some does in the distance.  "Anyways, where was I?  Oh, yes."  He turned his head back again.  "It would help if you did take Blueberry anyways, there's mothering and there's mothering.  He has to learn by experience and who better than you to be with him at the time."

 

Captain Sando nodded.  "Have you met him properly sir?  I know he's seen you around and that he's been close to you just now but you know.  Give him words of wisdom or such?"

 

Riza-Rah looked to where Blueberry had managed to get away from Carbi and was now silflaying on his own.  Getting up, he nodded.  "You're right.  I'll go and do that now.  Thanks friend."  Without saying anything else he headed towards Blueberry slowly.  Captain Sando watched for a moment and then hopped off himself as something else had caught his eye and went to meet other rabbits within the owsla.

 

"Blueberry?  It is Blueberry isn't it?"  Riza-Rah came up alongside Blueberry who jumped slightly.

 

"Yes Riza-Rah sir."  Blueberry stuttered, not expecting the chief of the warren to just come up to him for a friendly chat or any chat.  He looked worried which made Riza-Rah smile.  "Don't worry."  He began.  "I only want to talk."

 

Relaxing a bit, Blueberry nodded his head, listening to what Riza-Rah had to say.  "Anyways, you've grown up nicely, since the erm..."  He stopped and looked about.  "With the incident that involved your mother a few seasons back."

 

Blueberry nodded his head again and looked down to the ground.  "Sir, it's what must of us face everyday with elil all around us.  It's what Frith intended, but I like to hope that I am making her proud of me in what I do achieve in my life."

 

Riza-Rah smiled.  "Oh I think that she would, I mean, you're about to go on your first farm raid.  You're really showing how grown up you are, but."  Blueberry blinked and turned to face Riza-Rah and tilted his head slightly to the side.  "But?  Have I don't something wrong sir?"

 

Shaking his head, Riza-Rah replied back.  "No, no.  Nothing like that at all so don't worry.  I don't want you to mess up tonight that's all.  Listen, please take notice to whatever Captain Sando has to say.  The farm is a very dangerous place to go to, what with cats and dogs and of ocurse, man.  You really don't want to mess with man, so just be careful okay?"

 

Blueberry nodded his head.  "I will do my best sir."  He turned to face Riza-Rah and nodded once again.  "I'll really try my best sir.  Don't you worry about that."  Seeing that made the chief relax a bit he added.  "Thank you sir."

 

Nodding his head, Riza-Rah got up onto his feet and turned to go.  "Well, I best be going, you get some rest, you'll need all the energy tonight."  Without another word Riza-Rah was heading in the direction of his mate.

 

Blueberry lowered his head to take another bite of grass and pulled one of the stems apart as he began to chew.  Swallowing what he had in his mouth, he muttered to himself.  "I wonder what it will be like."  Twitching an ear, he could hear Captain Sando calling him.  Taking a deep breath, he got up, stretched and then ran to where he was waiting with the others.

 

Captain Sando was sitting there with Hawk and Bracken.  "Right, I want you all to go down below and get some shut eye.  No staying awake either, I'll need you all to be on full alertness when we head out after Frith goes down, is that understood?"  All three rabbits nodded their heads as they followed Captain Sando back down into the ground.

 

Blueberry eventually got into his burrow and started to settle down on the soft earth and began to wonder what it would be like.  He hadn't seen a farm before, only heard from the tales of the older rabbits in the owsla that were alive, some had passed on.  Without another thought, he smiled thinking about the bobstone contest and slowly slipped into sleep.

Chapter 2 - The Farm Raid

 Blueberry tossed and turned in his sleep as he thought of all the things that could happen tonight, that he didn't wake up to Captain Bracken's poke on the side.  "Blueberry, come on, wake up.  Captain Sando is waiting for us up top.  Blueberry, come one."  Captain Bracken shook Blueberry harder.

 

With a start, Blueberry woke up and nearly shouted but he saw it was only Captain Bracken and calmed down again.  "Wha-what is it?"  He asked while trying to calm down his thumping heart.

 

  Captain Bracken just sat and shook his head.  "You're late for the farm raid.  Although was to be expected.  Had bad dreams then?"  He asked as he watched Blueberry get up, stretching again.

 

"Yeah I did have bad dreams, but I don't want to get into any trouble, so can we go?"  He looked at Captain Bracken but he didn't move.  "Come on, Blueberry."  Captain Bracken said softly.  "We can wait a bit more, just relax, you wear yourself out before we even get out there, you know?"

 

Nodding his head, Blueberry took slow and deep breaths until he felt himself calm back down again, the shakes from his body disappearing, just as the fog from his head from sleep.  Eventually, Captain Bracken nodded his head and turned to head out.  "Come on, we have to catch the other two who should be waiting by the road.  They went on ahead of us."

 

Following Captain Bracken out of his burrow, Blueberry followed behind as they passed several other burrows which had sleeping rabbits, breathing in and out slowly.  Turning his head this way or that as he passed the openings, he could smell the scent of the occupants and it made him feel safe and happy.  Gradually they passed a burrow that had two rabbits talking quietly to themselves of the days events, the sound of sniffing came before a low voice from inside the burrow called out.  "Good luck, Blueberry."

 

  After a few moments, both rabbits were up on top in the cold night air.  The grass was damp from dew as it began to cling onto their fur.  Sniffing the air, Blueberry could tell that it had rained while he was asleep.  Captain Bracken paused and listened before turning to face Blueberry.  "Come on, let's get going."

 

Nodding his head, Blueberry went and followed Captain Bracken as they continued to hop along the grass side by side.  Captain Bracken was quiet for a bit but he began to talk to break the silence.  "So, what were you dreaming?"

 

Blueberry thought for a moment and then frowned.  "You know, I can't honestly remember now.  Why do you ask?"  He looked at Captain Bracken who replied back.  "Well, you were moving about in your sleep like you were trying to get away from something.  You're not worried are you about heading out to the farm?"

 

Blueberry sighed.  "A bit, I mean, after hearing all those tales about how dangerous it can be and all those elil about.  I be a fool not to be a bit worried or scared."  He went quiet as he felt a cold shiver run right up his back and hopped a bit further as though he felt something was behind him.

 

  Looking behind him, Captain Bracken checked to see that nothing was following them before looking ahead again as they approached a small bush.  Steering clear of it, they headed to where the first line of hedge was and slowed down.  "Alright."  Captain Bracken whispered.  "What do we do here?"

 

Blueberry thought for a moment and replied by whispering back.  "We check to see that nothing is hiding within the hedge."  He sniffed the air and cautiously moved forwards as he sniffed again.  "Can only smell field mice smell, some hedgehog tracks and er."  He lowered his head to the ground and sniffed.  "Can't make that one out, bit like mouse but it's...  Oh, I don't know."

 

Moving up alongside, Captain Bracken took a sniff and wrinkled his nose.  "That's a Rat scent, that's another thing."  He got up again and carefully headed into the hedge with Blueberry followed and felt the twigs brush through his fur.  Coming out on the other side to be in another field, he saw Captain Bracken waiting for him as he came up to him and they both carried on their way.

 

  "What about rats, sir?"  Blueberry asked as they carried on their way through the field, passing several sleeping cows.  Captain Bracken replied back.  "Rats can be good but some can be as bad as elil themselves.  It depends on if they've eaten, their mood but usually rats carry diseases so be wary of them all the time."

 

Nodding his head, they could see two small dark forms on the other side of the field.  Before Blueberry could say anything, Captain Bracken smiled.  "Ah, there they are.  We haven't wasted too much time then."  Looking up to the sky and smiling.  "Still inle."  He came to a stop and reported.  "Captain sir."  Captain Bracken said.  "I got Blueberry, sorry for the delay, first time jitters, you know how it is, sir."

 

Taking a look at Blueberry, Captain Sando nodded his head.  "Ah, I see.  Well I am glad that you both made it then."  Feeling relieved that he wasn't going to be told off, Blueberry sat there and listened to what Captain Sando had to say.   "Now listen to me Blueberry.  Me, Captain Bracken and Hawk have done this farm raid now several times and it's quite simple so I will tell you what to do as well as Bracken and Hawk.  Don't worry we're all here to make sure that we get through this okay.  But you have had your training so if you can help another in trouble, then do so if it won't put the rest of us in danger, got it?"

 

  "Yes sir, I got it."  Blueberry replied back as he looked about him.  "What are those things?  Cows right?"  He looked at the large black and white creatures sleeping on the grass. 

Hawk nodded his head.  "Aye, those are cows; they're harmless as long as you don't get in their way when they're moving about.  They just do what we do mostly and eat grass all day and sometimes at night as well."

 

"well, shall we continue on the way then?"  Captain Sando said as he saw all three rabbits nod their head as they formed up.  Captain Bracken and Hawk lined up beside Blueberry with Captain Sando up in front.  It was he who spoke again.  "Now, we have to pass a road that hrududu runs on."

 

Blueberry shook when that name came out, he had heard his mother and other rabbits in the warren talk about such things and didn't like it one bit.  Carefully they moved through the hedge again and came out on the other side.  There in front of him was the road, Blueberry had seen this before on his training and he didn't like it at all.  Moving his head side to side, he searched for any bright lights that would come to claim him if he put one paw on the hard surface and he swallowed.

 

  Hawk moved up alongside Blueberry and looked at him for a moment.  "You be okay, just move when Captain Bracken goes.  I will be going first with Captain Sando.  The hrududu normally ignore us to be honest, remember?"

 

Nodding his head, Blueberry did remember the lesson, he thought back to the time when he had nearly got run over by one of those huge machines, with it rushing over him.  "I know."  He said softly.  "I have to be brave."

 

Captain Sando spoke.  "Be brave but don't be a fool either.  You were lucky that day, Frith must've been smiling on you."  Turning his head to look down into the darkness he turned to face Hawk.  "Alright, let's get moving.  Bracken, we will head up ahead again and wait for you at the last field before the road that leads to the farm.  Give Blueberry last tips on how to deal with the elil there amongst other things, will you?"

 

Captain Bracken nodded his head.  "Aye sir, I will."  He watched as both Captain Sando and Hawk ran off across the road and vanished through the hedge on the other side.  Turning his head to Blueberry he smiled and settled down.  "We be okay here for a moment.  Now what do you remember about what is in the farm?"

 

  "Well, I know that there are rats and mice that try to steal crops from the tall buildings man stores it in.  And with that there would be a few cats."  Blueberry paused for a moment and then carried on.  "As for the dog, well I think this farm has chickens doesn't it?"

 

Captain Bracken nodded his head.  "Aye the farm does.  Don't go anywhere near them if you can help it, they're a bit on the jumpy side.  Can't blame them really, they can't get away as quickly as us when homba's are on the hunt.  Though they do make a lot of racket to wake up the dog, bring the cats along to see what is going on and then you have man?"  He thought for a moment.  "So what do you know about man?"

 

"Only what I have heard before and from stories of El-Ahrairah."  Blueberry replied back.  "I suppose man came along to really keep our numbers down but they don't like other elil either." 

 

Captain Bracken nodded his head.  "And that would make them, what?"  He looked up and down the road again before returning his gaze back onto Blueberry.  "Well, it makes them a very dangerous creature to go up against.  They're magical; able to kill us without even being near us with their banging sticks."

 

  Getting up, Captain Bracken nodded his head.  "Aye, so they can.  That's why you should be extra careful while you're in there."  He looked up and down the road again and then turned to face the younger rabbit.  "Right, time for us to get moving.  We carry on talking as we head for the farm."

 

Pushing himself up from lying on the verge near to the edge of the road, Blueberry came up alongside Captain Bracken and looked up and down the road.  "How did you manage to overcome your fear of this thing?"  He asked.

 

Giving the go ahead to run across the road, Captain Bracken waited until he was safe across and through the hedge before replying.  Staying to the edge of the hedge, he looked about and sniffed the air.  This field was empty but it had the strong smell of sheep in the air.  Cautiously stepping out again, he replied to Blueberry's question.  "I never did get over it but when you're on duty and have a mission to do, you have to get over it.  Besides, being scared keeps you alert.  Use it, don't let it use you or you run blindly into something you don't want to."

 

  Stepping out of the hedge, Blueberry sniffed the air again and looked about.  "Well, I don't plan on making it easy for anything to take me out."  Lowering his head down to the ground he sniffed and looked about before heading off again across the field with Captain Bracken by his side.

 

"So?"  Captain Bracken said after a short while.  "What would you do if you came across a cat?"  Both rabbits came to a stop again as they huddled together amongst a small patch of tall grass.

 

Sniffing the air while moving his ears about to catch any sort of sound, he looked towards a the right of him where a small field mouse was moving through the grass in fits of starts and stops.  Still looking in that direction as he listened to the sounds of the mouse squeaking he replied back.  "Not to move until the cat does, no matter how much it provokes me?"

 

"Good answer, you have been paying attention, more than the others of your age.  Anyways, what do you do about the dog?"  Captain Bracken asked as he too took notice of the squeaks from the field mouse.

 

  Blueberry shook his head.  "Sorry, not got a clue on that one.  Don't think I was well when that was discussed.  Can't we like talk to it and trick it?"  He saw Captain Bracken shake his head.  "No, they don't talk anymore, lost the power of speech I think after becoming man's best friend."  He stopped talking as he heard a familiar loud hoot from above and crouched down a bit more.  "Great, just what we need?  Owl hunting in the area, keep still."

 

Keeping his ears flat to his head, Blueberry held his breath as he looked up and saw the owl fly overhead as it swooped down in the direction of where the field mouse had passed a few minutes ago.  Both rabbits kept still as a loud high pitch screech came as both rabbits felt their blood run cold through their veins as Captain Bracken got back up.  "Right, let's get moving."

 

Blueberry was relieved that Captain Bracken said that they should move and he followed closely behind him as they moved through the field quickly.  Again they slowed down to check that the hedgerow was clear before passing through to the other side.  This field was mostly just soil which moved up and down as though it had been raked by huge claws.

 

  Bending his head down, Blueberry sniffed the moist soil and lifted his head back up.  "What creature did this?"  He looked around fearing for the worse as he saw Captain Bracken hop forwards and turned around to face Blueberry.  "Oh, you mean this?  It's just another man thing.  They made it with a hrududu that has claws.  It leave you alone if you keep out of the way, it just ignores you."  He paused for a moment and then spoke again.  "As for the dog, listen.  We can out run them no problem but they can run a lot further than us and we will end up tiring out before they do.  So the best thing to do is to not run in a straight line.  Move about, double back, etc.  They can't turn as quick as we can.  Understand?"

 

"Yes, I understand and I'll remember that one."  Blueberry replied back as they headed off again across the field but then started to turn sideways as Captain Bracken explained.  "The farm is this way and we should be coming up to the other two in a moment.  Now, please remember what I have told you, Captain Sando doesn't mess around while we're in here.  Come to think about it."  He turned to face Blueberry as they continued to run.  "Neither does anyone.  We won't be talking much from now on."

 

  Hawk was waiting for them with the hedge behind him.  He nodded his head as they both came up to him and spoke softly.  "Captain Sando is on the other side of the hedge keeping an eye on out on the road and the farmhouse.  It looks like everything is quiet but he's not taking any chances."

 

Captain Bracken nodded as he moved past Hawk and slipped through the hedge.  Hawk looked at Blueberry for a moment and smiled.  "So you got the talk then?"  Blueberry nodded as he spoke back quietly.  "Yeah, I did.  Nearly made me turn and run back to be honest."

 

Hawk shook his head.  "Now come on, it's dangerous but would you prefer to spend your entire life just in a burrow and being ordered to do this or that.  You know you be a fully fledged owsla officer soon enough and not in training."  He paused and smiled a bit more.  "Forget that, we're always in training but you know what I mean?"

 

Blueberry nodded his head.  "Yeah, is tonight going to be a lot of questions then?"  He saw Hawk nod and he sighed.  "Alright, I suppose I am being tested.  So when do we head in?"

 

  Hawk replied back.  "As soon as Captain Bracken comes back to say that everything is fine and we will be heading into the farm.  We need to get to the farmhouse garden, that's where the best flayrah is kept but it has its dangers."  Blueberry nodded his head and spoke back.  "Yeah I know, cats, dogs and man."

 

"Don't worry too much about it, you do fine."  Hawk looked about as he spoke quietly again.  "Did you hear the owl hooting a while back?"  Hawk moved his head up to see if anything was up there as Blueberry replied back again.  "Yeah, it flew over me and Captain Bracken.  I think it caught a field mouse that passed us a few moments before.  We were well hidden in some small patch of long grass in the field."

 

Hawk nodded, though he was worried.  "We were thinking on heading back to see if you two were okay.  We did think that the owl had left the area but it seems that we were wrong."  He hopped away from the hedge as it rustled and landed beside Blueberry as Captain Bracken's head popped out from the leaf cover.  "Come on, Hawk.  You think I don't know when to run and hide when an owl announces it's in the area?"

 

  Hawk swallowed as he replied back.  "Yes sir, sorry sir."  He blinked twice as Captain Bracken hopped out and spoke again.  "Right, we're ready to head in.  Blueberry, Captain Sando wants you to be with him.  So go head through.  I have to have a word with Hawk, you be with me on this one."

 

Moving through the hedge, Blueberry came up and saw that Captain Sando was a few paces away from him.  Moving slowly to him, he saw the Captain turn his head around to look at him for a moment and then back to facing down the road where a metal gate was closed separating the world from the farm yard.  Speaking quietly he spoke to Blueberry.  "Well, here we are.  You can turn back you know if you're not ready?"

 

Blueberry looked down the road as he sniffed the air, smelling cat, dog and other strong scents from other animals as well as man and something else that came from hrududu.  Swallowing slightly he shook his head.  "Sir, I want to do this, I've worked so hard to get to where I am now to back away now."

 

Captain Sando nodded his head.  "Then so be it, you are ready after all.  Just follow my lead and you do fine.  There is much more to learn tonight and you must learn it quickly."  Turning his head around as Hawk and Captain Bracken pushed themselves out from the hedge he looked back to the gate.  "Bracken, take Hawk and cross the road, head down by the ditch and be careful of the cats, they be out there somewhere. Blueberry and me will head down on this side.  We will meet up at the gate there.  Let's be cautious shall we?"

 

  Both Hawk and Captain Bracken crossed over the stone road which had a line of grass right in the middle of it, several dips with puddles or muddy water reflected the light from the moon which came out from the clouds overhead from time to time.  Slowly, Captain Sando nodded and moved forwards, his ears pointed forward as he stopped after a few hops and checked the air by sniffing.

 

Blueberry was following up from behind and he sniffed the air himself to keep his own fear in check by needing to know what was around him right now.  Turning his head to the other side, he could see Captain Bracken and Hawk opposite as they were moving a bit forward and stopping.  Seeing Hawk check behind him, made Blueberry turn around as he checked the rear.

 

Slowly and carefully the four rabbits made their way towards the gate and stopped just by the concrete posts.  Blueberry was looking behind him, checking for smell of cats which was strong but it was a old scent.  Captain Sando sniffed the post and wrinkled his nose, whispering quietly.  "Cats, right we need to be on our guard here."  Turning to face Captain Bracken on the other side, he nodded and both he and Bracken slipped through the gap in the gate.

 

  Both Captains sniffed the air as they looked around the main farm yard which was covered in concrete.  Hopping a bit further in, the looked about again and then towards the main farm house, twitching their ears about as they heard the sound of a bed spring moaning before the soft sounds of slow breathing and heartbeats.  Turning back they headed to the gate and nodded, Sando whispering quietly.  "Right, come on, lets go get this over with."

 

Blueberry carefully moved a paw over the first metal rung of the gate, lifting his body over it as he felt the cold metal press against his tummy and back legs as he climbed over it into the main farm yard.  Looking about, he could hear his heart thumping in his ears and swallowed before looking to where Sando was and hopping over to where he was.  Carefully all four rabbits moved about the farm yard slowly and carefully, stopping now and again as a strange noise came.

 

Blueberry nearly jumped when he heard a loud groan coming from within the house as he snapped his head towards it.  Captain Sando nudged him gently and whispered.  "I know, but unless you see a bright light, man is still asleep.  Come on."

 

  They didn't say another word for a bit as they ventured more into the yard.  Blueberry kept close to Captain Sando while they stopped and checked again with their surroundings.  Captain Sando whispered to Blueberry.  "There is where we have to go."  Pointing with a paw to a open gate next to the house.  The hinges were attached and smelt of oil to the stone wall that separated the main farm yard to the farm owners garden.

Hawk moved through the gate while the other three waited outside and kept a look inside the garden and around the farm yard itself.  Blueberry turned to look inside the garden now and sniffed the air.  A strange familiar smell came to his mind from a while back when he was little.  Moving his nose closer to the hole in the wood of the gate, he sniffed again and felt warmth move through his body.  He whispered quietly to himself.  "I know that smell."

 

Captain Bracken came up to Blueberry while Captain Sando kept an eye out for any movement in the farm yard.  "You should.  You had flayrah before you know, when you were just a young leveret."

 

  Blueberry thought back for a moment as he felt something that he should know and turned to face Captain Bracken.  "What happened to my mother?"  He saw Captain Bracken look away and nodded for him to follow him into the garden.  "Your mother was a fine doe, she was heavy with a litter that included you, but your father was killed by man before you were born."  He slowly hopped over to a small bush in the garden and stopped.  "When you were born and was old enough to start eating solids, she wanted the best so she headed to the farm by herself.  She didn't make it, she ws injured by a cat but she brought you some flayrah herself."  He looked at Blueberry for a moment and looked down.  "We found you inside the burrow with her lying there still."  He paused again before finishing.  "So we as in the owsla took you in and fed you the best food to make sure that you would survive."

 

Blueberry was silent for a moment and he nodded his head slowly.  "Thank you for telling me."  He sniffed the air again and thought to himself.  "I vaguely remember that night."  Swallowing he looked about and pushed the feeling to the back of his head, it wasn't the time to go thinking like this at the moment.  "Okay, so what do I do now?"

 

  Hawk came back to where Captain Bracken and Blueberry was, nodded to them.  "Garden is clear but it does sure as smell of cat.  I best go and take watch so that Captain Sando can join you so you can teach Blueberry here on what to do."  Without another word, he was off towards the gate.

 

"You okay?"  Captain Bracken asked as Captain Sando was coming towards them.  Blueberry nodded his head.  "Yeah, I am fine, just a bit unexpected response for a night like this."  Captain Sando arrived and smiled.  "Well, if that's all the unexpected things to happen tonight then I will be happy.  Come on, let's go see if those carrots are ready."

 

All three moved through the well cut lawn of the garden as they looked at the house from time to time as different noises just kept coming from it.  Blueberry twisted his ears to the sound of water dripping, wood groaning and hearing the whole house creak and groan.  Turning his head back to the front again, he could smell the scents of vegetables in the air.

 

Chapter 3 - Doing what El-Ahrairah did when in trouble

 

Blueberry came to a stop at the edge of the grass where it was just moist dark soil in front of him with patches of leaves sticking out from the ground.  He sniffed the air and felt his stomach rumble a bit as he felt both Captains moving alongside him. 

 

Captain Sando smiled and looked about the small vegetable patch as he spoke.  "Well, here we are.  So what do we need to get again?"  He looked at Captain Bracken who replied back.  "Well, we need some lettuce for the chief rabbit and his mate and then he said that we should get what we wanted to get which was carrots, wasn't it?"

 

  Blueberry blinked.  "What we wanted to get?  Surely this lot is for the chief rabbit only?"  He turned his head side by side and then looked down.  "Sorry if that was a wrong question to ask.  I know I had this flayrah before."

 

Captain Sando smiled and replied back.  "Don't worry about it.  The chief has given us permission for all the help we did to feed his young and mate when she was carrying.  That and dealing with that troublesome hlessi last season, remember that Bracken?"

 

"Remember it?"  Bracken snorted.  "Uptight little brat it was.  He lied to us as well, not to mention stealing flayrah from our raid before we even got back to the warren, which really annoyed the chief."  He looked at Blueberry and explained.  "He didn't actually stay in the main warren, just on the outskirts of it but he caused quite a bit of bother."

 

Blueberry blinked as he stepped onto the soft soil and muttered.  "I think I heard something about it once when I was passing a group of does.  They were discussing about how angry Cloverleaf was that her young ones or she didn't get the right food that night."

 

  Both Captain Sando and Captain Bracken looked at each other for a moment and then back at Blueberry.  "I didn't know you eavesdrop on doe conversations?"  Captain Sando said as he came up to Blueberry.  "Well, they did miss something out, she was livid with me for even allowing it to happen."  Captain Bracken hopped over to a lettuce and began to pull the leaves out carefully.  "Well you did pass on that anger though?"

 

Not replying to that one, Captain Sando went back to the task in hand.  "Blueberry, come here will you?"  Captain Bracken noticing that the conversation was at the moment over with, went back to his work.  "Now, look here, this is a carrot that is in the ground.  I want you to try and dig it out without breaking the carrot.  Try to dig around it to loosen it and then pull it out gently."

 

Moving over to where the carrot lay, Blueberry lowered his head and began to carefully scrape away the soil from where the leaves where.  Eventually he could see the hard orange root under the ground and carried on to work at it as Captain Sando went to work on another one next to Blueberry.

 

  With no time, Captain Sando had managed to get away enough soil so that he could get a good grip on the carrot itself and began to pull.  Blueberry eventually thought that he had enough of the soil away and began to bite into the root gently, tugging at it.  Feeling it slowly move out of the ground he turned his head and dropped it.  Captain Sando nodded his head and then looked about.  "Okay, now get another one and then we're going to leave, we've spent far too much time here."

 

Nodding, Blueberry worked on getting out another carrot from where he was standing, digging out the soil around the next carrot.  This time it didn't take him as long but he did pull his head up to wipe soil from his nose, wrinkling it and going back to work again.  Soon there were three carrots lying on the ground next to several leaves of lettuce.  Captain Sando picked up a carrot and headed off to where Hawk was, leaving Blueberry with Bracken.

 

"So, how you enjoying yourself doing what El-Ahrairah did, steal from others?"  Bracken looked down at their small catch.  Blueberry nodded his head and looked about him, checking to see if there was anything nearby and sniffed.  Moving his gaze back to Bracken again he replied.  "Never felt so good in my life, scared though but it does beat staying in a burrow."

 

  Captain Sando came rushing back and he looked a bit worried.  "Right, get what we came for and get back to the gate right away, we have trouble."  Picking up a carrot, he was gone again and heading back quickly to the gate.  Without saying a word, Captain Bracken was placing the leaves of the lettuce and was off.  Bending down, Blueberry placed the carrot in his mouth and was soon in hot pursuit of where the other two had gone.

 

Hawk was staring out from around the wall, looking through a small gap of where the opened gate would let him and he could see that there were two cats prowling about, sniffing at the ground outside.  Captain Sando was the first to arrive and he placed the carrot down onto the ground gently before whispering.  "What have they been up to since I went back to warn the others?"

 

Blueberry and Captain Bracken arrived as Hawk gave his report.  Speaking quietly he looked out at where the cats were sniffing.  "They arrived back along the road from where we came from, they weren't carrying anything at all.  Rats must be too quick for them tonight.  They seemed to have picked up our scent, but I think the scent of other animals here is masking ours so they don't know where we are yet."

 

  Nodding his head, Captain Sando looked about and sighed.  "There isn't another way out of here except through that yard and what with those out there.  We can only hope and wait that they will give up, take the rats someplace and eat."

 

Captain Bracken frowned.  "So we're trapped basically, well that's all very well and good but I don't like to be sitting about all night so near to man in case they do figure out where we are and come into this garden."  He looked about and muttered.  "It's too small, at least we have a better chance out there in the yard."

 

Frowning Captain Sando nodded his head.  "Alright, but let's just do this right and get out of here, okay?"  Without saying another word he turned to face Hawk and Blueberry.  "While me and Bracken distract the cats, keep coming in here to get the flayrah out and hide it in the field down the road.  Be quick, I don't want to be hanging around."  He went to move but stopped.  "Oh and keep in the shadows, if they spot you and work out what we're up to."  Sando turned to face Bracken.  "Shall we?"

 

  Nodding his head, both he and Sando moved out from around the gate and hopped into the yard, leaving just Blueberry and Hawk alone in the garden, staring out to see what happens.  Hawk whispered.  "We move soon, they just need to get them away so that we can move this lot out quickly.  I'll deal with the lettuce, you grab a carrot.  Then we come back and get the other two but we have to be quick.  If the cats wake the dog then we have to leave the carrots alone.  Be too risky to get them."

 

Blueberry nodded as he watched as both Captain Sando and Bracken made for the gate and slipped through it to the main road.  Captain Sando frowned and stamped his rear leg on the road.  "Hey you, smelly fish breaths.  You look really stupid sniffing about like that?"

 

Blueberry blinked and whispered.  "What on earth is he doing?"  Hawk smiled as he began to arrange the lettuce leaves into a pile for picking up quickly.  "I think he's had a better plan and wants the cats to chase them away from the farm.  It'll make our job a bit easier to be honest, but not much."

 

  Both cats turned around and hissed as they began to stalk towards the gate itself.  Captain Sando didn't move as he spoke out again.  "Oh come on, what's the matter, rats too quick for you tonight then?"

 

Hissing, one of the cats spoke. "Don't dare speak like that, longears.  We run fast enough."  Both cat's tails were waving side to side in annoyance and anger.  Taking a step back from the gate, Captain Sando and Bracken looked at each other and began to speak.  "I don't know?"  Sando began.  "Don't think they're fast enough to catch us, what do you think?"

 

Captain Bracken turned back to face to two cats and shook his head.  "I don't know, they seem thin enough but that could mean that they can't catch anything at all."  He paused for a second, then carried on.  "Oh I have to agree with you, they're not that good at all."  He didn't have time to say anything else as the cats screeched with anger and charged them.  However, both rabbits were running down the road with both cats on their tail.

 

Hawk picked up the lettuce leaves as Blueberry picked up the carrot as they ran out of the gate into the farm yard.  Moving to where the gate was and staring out into nothing but blackness, both rabbits slipped out and ran down the road for a short while.  Hawk turned into the hedge and dropped the leaves, with Blueberry beside them.  Panting heavily, Hawk spoke in between breaths.  "Come on; let's go get the other two carrots before those cats give up?"  Without another word, both he and Blueberry ran back towards the farm.

 

  Captain Sando and Bracken were slowing down a bit to keep the cats in sight behind them.  "How long can we keep this up?"  Bracken panted out heavily, looking behind him.  "They'll give up soon and head back to the farm."

 

Panting heavily himself, Captain Sando replied back.  "As long as we can and hope that it has given them enough time to go get everything.  I am not risking my life for just one carrot to share with the four of us."  Turning his head back again he muttered.  "They're not very committed are they, they've given up?" 

 

Captain Bracken looked behind him and sure enough, the two cats had stopped running, going about licking their front paws as though the rabbits didn't even matter to them as they tried to save face.  Slowly they got up and started to head back to the farm.  Both rabbits came to a stop and slipped through the hedge into the field.  "Well."  Captain Sando spoke.  "Let's hope we gave them enough time.  Come on, we got to head back to where there should be some flayrah waiting for us."

 

  Back at the farm, both Hawk and Blueberry had slowed down and headed back into the garden again to pick up the two remaining carrots lying near to the gate.  Carefully they headed back out and ran over to the main gate and stopped.  In the far distance they could see two cats slowly walking back.  Hawk dropped the carrot and spoke quietly.  "Right, follow me and don't drop what you have.  We may get out of this yet."  Picking up the carrot again he slipped out of the yard with Blueberry behind him.

 

Hawk slipped into the hedge alongside the road and waited there with Blueberry as the cats were complaining to each other as they walked past.  "Stupid longears, why can't prey don't play nice anymore.  It's not as though our pets play fair and feed us properly."  Eventually both cats slid back into the farmyard and began to head towards the garden.  Sighing, Hawk looked back at Blueberry and smiled.  "Well, look on the bright side.  You can't say that your first raid was boring.  Come on let's go catch up with the others."  With that, he picked up his carrot and left the hedge into the field side, heading to where they had dumped the first load of flayrah.  Blueberry looked back and nodded his head, he hadn't had so much fun in his entire life.  Life was good at this moment in time and he ran without a care in the world alongside Hawk.

 

  They both arrived where both Captain Sando and Bracken were waiting for them, looking quite relieved to see the Hawk and Blueberry.  Captian Sando smiled and looked about.  "Well, I am glad to see that we all got through that without anyone being harmed.  So what happened?"

 

Hawk replied.  "We had a lucky escape as the cats were heading out way just as we were heading out of the farm.  I thought you said you could keep them going for a bit longer?"  Captain Bracken shook his head.  "You know cats, they get bored if they know they can't catch us, should've seen them though, licking their paws as though we didn't mean anything to them."  Captain Sando looked at Blueberry for a moment.  "And you, still want to go out on these raids then?"

 

Blueberry nodded his head.  "I haven't had so much fun in my entire life.  Yes, I love to keep on doing this."  He looked down at the carrot and heard Captain Sando speak again.  "Good, well that carrot belongs to you.  Well, shall we get going again?"

 

All of them nodded their heads as they began to pick up the cabbage and carrot in their mouths and began to head back across the field.  Blueberry enjoyed the weight of the carrot in his mouth as he ran for a bit then walked alongside Captain Bracken.  Hawk had take to being with Captain Sando again as they came to the long grass in the field and stopped.

 

  Dropping the carrot to the ground they all sniffed the air for any signs of elil and rested for a short while.  Captain Bracken looked about a bit more as he muttered to himself.  "I just hope that owl has fed enough tonight."

 

Blinking his eyes, Captain Sando replied back as he heard the comment.  "Now, now, Bracken, elil don't stop going out just because you want to be safe."  Captain Bracken replied back.   "I know that sir, just that sometimes you just feel like you want just one day without having to be on alert all the time."  Slowly he moved his head about again to scan the field once more.

 

Replying to that one, Hawk nodded his head.  "I feel the same sometimes but it's the way we have to live by Frith's orders and we do what we have to do and survive."  Captain Sando chuckled.  "Well, said Hawk."  He turned to face Blueberry.  "You're quiet?"

 

Blueberry came out of his thoughts and nodded.  "Yeah, was just thinking about what happened that's all."  Pausing for a moment, he yawned.  "You know, I cold do with being back underground again."

 

  Getting up, Captain Sando agreed.  "Yeah, it is getting late, we should head back.  Let's get going."  With that he picked up his carrot again as the others got themselves ready and they carried on their way back to the warren.

 

After a short while, the small hill was visible that had the copse on top.  Feeling better, Blueberry began to speed up a bit that he was so near to home, as did the rest of them.  Seeing one of the rabbits at the entry of a hole in the warren, they nodded to him as they filed past and headed back down into the warren itself, leaving the cold night air and arriving into the dark warm and safety of the warren itself.

 

Neither of the rabbits said anything to each other as they each went their separate ways down the runs, wanting to get to their burrows and settle down for the night.  Blueberry sniffed about to get around without touching the walls of the warren and eventually smelt his thick scent and turned into his burrow.  Dropping the carrot to the floor, he looked about and then began to settle down, tired from all of the running about.  Gradually he fell asleep. 

 

  Elsewhere in the warren, Hawk stopped and saw Captain Sando in front of him without the carrot now.  He spoke quietly so that he didn't wake any nearby sleeping rabbits.  "Okay, Hawk.  I left a carrot in your burrow.  Bracken and I will be sharing the bigger one between us.  I'll go and take that lettuce to the chief, you go get some rest."

 

Hawk placed the lettuce down onto the floor of the run and nodded his head.  "Thank you, sir."  Turning around, Hawk went back down the run leaving Captain Sando alone in the run as he carefully picked up the leaves and turned around himself to head back to the deepest part of the warren where Bracken-Rah and Cloverleaf lived.

 

The deepest part of the warren was warm.  The walls of the runs and burrows were smooth, having been dug so long ago.  Moving further down, Captain Sando turned around a corner and saw a rabbit lying in a shallow burrow who sniffed and looked at him before letting him pass as Captain Sando turned into the run that had the Captains as well as the chief rabbit of the warren lived.

 

  Passing his own burrow, he slowed down and stopped right outside Bracken-Rah's burrow.  Turning to head inside, he carefully placed the leaves down on the soft soil and began to turn to leave.  "Sando, is that you?"  Bracken-Rah spoke quietly as he stirred awake.

 

Captain Sando nodded his head and whispered back.  "Yes it is sir.  Sorry for waking you up."  He saw Bracken-Rah turn over so that he was lying upwards again and looked at the Captain.  "No, it's okay.  Let us go someplace else to talk."  He turned to look at Cloverleaf still asleep and gently got up to head out of the burrow with Captain Sando.

 

Slipping into Captain Sando's burrow, both rabbits settled down as Bracken-Rah made himself comfortable before speaking again.  "So how did the farm raid go?"  Captain Sando replied back.  "It went well enough, we did run into those two cats again though, not that they've managed to catch anything for a while.  It really didn't take long to rile them up."

 

"And how did Blueberry get along on his first trip?"  Bracken-Rah asked thoughtfully.  "You didn't think he would be up to it before you set off this evening?"  Captain Sando thought about this and lowered his head.  "Well, I did think he wasn't up to it but I have oto admit that I was wrong.  He took the whole thing as any newcomer would but he did it better."

 

  Pausing, Captain Sando looked about the burrow for a moment before continuing on.  "He spent some time with Captain Bracken but from what I have saw, he coped well in heading into the far but was a bit jumpy on some of the noises."

 

Bracken-Rah chuckled.  "As we were when we were young and were taken for the first time by Captain Yew, remember him?"  Bracken-Rah closed his eyes as he carried on.  "It's been a long time since he got taken away from us with that homba."

 

Captain Sando nodded his head.  "Yeah I do."  He coughed and carried on.  "Anyways, he did okay, didn't flinch when we were trapped by the cats for a moment and did his task in getting all of the flayrah out with Hawk while me and Captain Bracken dealt with the cat problem."

 

"So do you think you want him as a full fledge officer?"  Bracken-Rah asked.

 

Captain Sando nodded his head.  "I think he's ready for it, if it's okay by you we should call on him tomorrow and make it official.  We need to make him a new burrow though so that he's part of the owsla.  He's done well lately in his training, so yes, I think he will do fine."

 

  Bracken-Rah nodded and got up from where he was lying and looked at Captain Sando.  "So be it, I will let you arrange things.  We will do it when most of the rabbits are up tomorrow for morning silflay.  I will let you get some well earned rest."  Captain Sando smiled and nodded his head.  "Thank you, sir."  With that, Bracken-Rah left the burrow as Captain Sando fell asleep

 

Chapter 4 - Starting a new life at the warren

 

The warren was slowly beginning to wake up as Frith was slowly beginning to rise up into the sky.  Most of the rabbits that had been on sentry duty had finished their task and were heading off to get a well earned nap, as others went to take their place or to go about to silflay or to chew pellets.

 

Carbi was an early riser as he was wandering around the warren, wanting to go see Blueberry.  The young buck was interested in hearing just what happened that night before as he pushed past a buck that looked annoyed but shook his head as Carbi carried on his way, ignoring the buck's cries of annoyance.

 

  Blueberry was still fast asleep, curled up in a tight ball within his burrow as Carbi arrived and hopped about all over the burrow, sometimes his paws landed on Blueberry hard and fast.  Waking up quickly, Blueberry was beyond himself.  "What?!  What?!  What on Frith's name is going on here?!"

 

Carbi was still bouncing about in the burrow while he was talking quickly.  "So what happened last night, did you get to fight cats, foxes and stoats.  See Prince Rainbow or the black rabbit himself?"

 

Blueberry blinked and frowned before getting up quickly, pushing Carbi to the burrow wall and cuffing him on the head.  "Just what are you doing, barging in here like that?"  He saw Carbi sit down with a look of fear in his eyes as Blueberry relented a bit and shook his head as he backed away.  "I am sorry.  But you frightened me."

 

Carbi swallowed.  "What was I doing?"  He looked at Blueberry for a moment and spoke again.  "I over reacted again, didn't I?"  Blueberry nodded his head and sighed.  "Don't worry about it, here have some of this carrot."  He rolled it across the burrow and watched CArbi pause before continuing on again.  "It's okay, really."  Blueberry wanted to get Carbi to calm down again as he watched him begin to nibble on the carrot.

 

  "You wanted to know what happened last night?"  Blueberry said and saw Carbi nod his head as he bit off the thin pointed end of the carrot.  "Well, it was an adventure to remember.  Cold night air, as Inle looked down on us as I travelled to the farm with Captain Bracken.  We met up with Captain Sando and Hawk met us further down."

 

Carbi had calmed down and had finished having the carrot which was now left alone on the burrow floor.  "So what was the farm like?  I haven't seen it before." 

 

Blueberry began to explain what he had seen the night before.  "The farm is big and full of really weird smells from man, animals and elil.  Plus it's really loud place, lots of strange noises but I had to remember not to be scared as they were noises and I had to listen out for the important ones like a cat moving."

 

Carbi blinked as he watched Blueberry talk.  "Must've been a really scary place, don't think I could've gone there."   He looked down before letting his ears flop to the side of his head.  "Why won't the let me into the owsla, I could just do sentry duty."

 

  Blueberry looked at Carbi for a moment and spoke gently to the younger buck.  "You didn't try hard enough in your lessons, always being distracted with something else.  You could try again with the training but I don't know if Captain Sando would want to risk anymore time on it."

 

Carbi sighed and then looked up.  "Could you teach me?"  He saw Blueberry blink a few times and carried on quickly.  "I won't be any bother; I love to know more about what goes on from outside of this warren.  I'll do my best in everything."

 

Blueberry felt sorry for the young buck and he nodded his head.  "Okay but only if and when I'll have the free time and only if I am willing to teach you."  He said.  "So you want to go up to chew on some pellets?"

 

Seeing Carbi nod his head, Blueberry got up and allowed Carbi to head out first as he followed him.  Coming up to the top with the fresh clean crisp morning air, Carbi hopped out as Blueberry shook his head and took the more cautious approach in sniffing and checking if it was safe. 

 

  When he was satisfied, he called out.  "Carbi, would you come back here please."  He sat there looking a bit cross as Carbi came hopping back.  "Carbi, you just don't go rushing out like that, you should know this by now.  Your first lesson is now, get back into that hole this instant and turn around."

 

Bluebery waited until Carbi had popped his head out and he shook his head again and then pushed it back in with a fore paw.  "Now look, you have to check to see that things are okay before you even attempt to put a head out.  What you have to do is sniff the air, listen for anything outside and then carefully and slowly head out, and to make sure that you are going to do that, I want you to tell me exactly what you can hear and smell."  Hopping a bit further away from the hole, Blueberry laid down in the grass and looked about him again as he turned his attention back to what Carbi was up to.

 

Carbi carefully looked out of the hole, seeing Blueberry lying on the grass as he looked around him.  He saw the view of the field and several bushes, a few birds hopping about on the ground to pick up some berries that had fallen onto the ground.  Sniffing the air, he could sense the smell of Blueberry very strongly, grass, faint scent of cow dung in the distance and something else far off which he couldn't tell but there wasn't anything at all to say that there was anything bad out there.  He slowly came out and looked about him again before hopping over to where Blueberry was.  "Sorry, keep forgetting to do that."

 

  "So, what did you smell then?"  Blueberry asked as he took a sniff of the air himself once again to make sure he had the scents fresh in his mind.  Carbi answered back.  "There was you, the grass, birds collecting berries, cows in the field and something weird coming from the farm as usual for this time of the day."  He blinked twice before continuing on.  "Did I miss anything out?"

 

Blueberry nodded his head.  "You forgot the sheep but that doesn't matter right now, it is safe for the moment."  He took a look up to the sky and got up onto his feet.  "Right, lets go get something to eat."  Without saying another word, both he and Carbi headed towards where most of the pellets were near the holes in the shallow hill.

 

While Carbi and Blueberry were eating near one of the warren entrances, Birch and Snowdrop came out to silflay themselves as they looked about and looked at each other while staring at Carbi eating pellets with Blueberry.  Birch hopped a bit away and spoke to Snowdrop.  "Well, would you look at that, it seems Carbi is taking a liking to Blueberry now and looking up to him."

 

  Snowdrop nodded her head.  "Well, maybe it be for the best.  Maybe Blueberry will be able to get Carbi to grow up a bit more and calm down."  She hopped a bit further ahead and then took a nibble of moist morning grass.  Birch just kept looking as both Blueberry and Carbi talked while they were eating and turned his head back to face Snowdrop.  "I hope your right.  Maybe he's telling Carbi all about what happened the night before on the farm raid."

 

Snowdrop flicked an ear as a ladybug landed on it before replying.  "Well, we know Carbi wants in the owsla anyways.  We find out what he's been up to once Carbi wants to tell us."  Both carried on talking while turning to watch the two rabbits from time to time.

 

Blueberry had noticed the attention and spoke to Carbi.  "You're parents are up."  Carbi took a look at them and turned his head back as he finished chewing what pellets he needed.  "Do you mind if I'll go see them.  Want to tell them what you got up to last night."

 

Nodding his head, Blueberry watched Carbi run off to the other two rabbits and stood up on his hind legs, sniffing the air again.  The smell from the farm had faded away, bringing only the faint smell of cat, dog and other animals.

 

  Hopping away from the entrance, Blueberry stretched as he worked out the sleepiness from his body, lifting one of his back legs up and behind before wriggling his toes.  Seeing something move from the corner of his eye, he turned his head in alarm and calmed down as he saw it was only Hawk coming out from below.

 

Spotting Blueberry, Hawk hopped over and cheerfully called out.  "Morning, what a nice day, isn't it?"  He looked up and sniffed the air before turning his head back to Blueberry again.  "Had a good sleep?"

 

Blueberry snorted and turned to look at Carbi who was talking very fast to his parents before moving his head back to face Hawk.  "Hardly, I was woken up rudely by Carbi, you know how he is sometimes.  I had to promise him I'd help to train him so that he could impress Captain Sando."  He looked down.  "I didn't like cuffing him; he does look up to me for some reason or another."

 

Hawk shook his head.  "Well, I don't know.  If you think it's worth trying to get Carbi right for owsla duty.  I've tried, everyone has tried but for some reason his mind wanders off or he just forgets what he's learnt.  It's your neck."

 

  Blueberry frowned slightly.  "Oh, don't say that please.  Maybe I'll have better luck than the rest, who knows.  Carbi must be useful for something, I mean, Frith had to have put him here for some reason or another."

 

Munching on a blade of grass, Hawk just shrugged and chewed the juicy blade slowly.  "Well, like I said, it's your neck but good luck anyways."  Turning his ear slightly, he turned around and smiled.  "Ah, there's Captain Bracken."

 

Stretching himself, Captain Bracken hopped over to where Hawk and Blueberry was and nodded his head.  "Morning, both had a good night sleep?"  He saw both nod their head as he continued on.  "I just saw Captain Sando who is talking to Bracken-Rah, they wanted me to make sure that you stay around where they can find you Blueberry.  They want a word with you when they come up."

 

Blueberry blinked and looked down.  "I suppose this means that they're coming up with a decision to see if I am good enough, right?"  Hawk replied back.  "Of course you're good enough, you did okay last night during the raid."  He turned his head around to face Captain Bracken again.  "Please tell me we're going to lay off on the farm raids, there's only so much luck we can press on that and I don't want to annoy man anymore than we have to."

 

  Blueberry nodded his head.  "I have to agree with him.  From what I saw of that place, there was a bit of death in the air."  He felt himself shudder slightly and swallowed.  "I didn't want to say anything at first in case I was imagining it but you could definitely smell it."

 

Captain Bracken nodded his head.  "Yeah, the farm does smell of death as well and I don't think we be risking anymore raids on the farm.  The chief rabbit isn't willing to make it anymore for a long while yet.  Best to leave it for a while until man forgets about it, besides too much flayrah would spoil you."  He chuckled slightly and coughed. 

 

Slowly and eventually, most of the rabbits from the warren had slipped out for silflaying, having talks with friends about what had been happening in the warren or talling stories.  Captain Sando was with Cloverleaf and Bracken-Rah who were heading in their direction.

 

Hawk smiled at Blueberry.  "Well, good luck, mate."  He nodded to Bracken-Rah, Cloverleaf and Captain Sando.  "Good morning Bracken-Rah, Cloverleaf and sir, nice day isn't it?"

 

  Bracken-Rah nodded his head as Cloverleaf spoke gently back.  "Yes, it is a pleasant morning.  Thank you for the lettuce you brought to us last night, it is very much appreciated."  Turning to Bracken-Rah, she spoke again.  "Mind if I go and talk to the other doe's dear?"  Seeing him nod, she turned and left the bucks to carry on talking to themselves.

 

Bracken-Rah looked at Blueberry for a moment and coughed.  "I have heard all about you and your adventure last night from both Captain Bracken and Captain Sando and Hawk.  They all speak very highly of you Blueberry."

 

Blueberry sat there and replied back.  "Yes sir, thank you sir."  Bracken-Rah continued.  "Therefore it is my duty to allow Captain Sando to make you a full owsla officer.  Congratulations."  Giving them all another nod, he turned to Captain Sando.  "I'll leave you to your duties Sando."  Nodding again to all, he turned and hopped off to catch up with Cloverleaf.

 

Blueberry was lost for words as he looked to the others as Captain Sando smiled.  "Well, lad, looks like you're fully one of us now.  Which mean more training, more sentry duty and other tasks that'll need to be done, okay?"

 

  Blueberry nodded his head back.  "I understand sir."  He looked to Captain Bracken who was the next person to get a word from Captain Sando.  "Bracken, help Blueberry with his first sentry duty.  It is your time to do that now, isn't it?"

 

Captain Bracken nodded his head.  "Yes it is.  Come on Blueberry.  I'll show you the ropes on what to do, though you probably remember anyways."  Both he and Blueberry left, leaving Captain Sando and Hawk by themselves.  "He be okay."  Hawk said as he went back to silflaying.

 

Moving to the outskirts of the warren, Captain Bracken stopped and looked about the area as he spoke.  "Right, tell me what you remember about sentry duty?"  Blueberry replied back.  "Sentry duty is to keep an eye out for any elil that comes nearby.  Our duty is to warn the rest of the warren of approaching danger so that they can all get back underground safely.  We're the last ones to go down or to try and keep any elil from catching the slow ones."

 

Scratching the earth and grass with a paw, Captain Bracken replied back.  "Good answer.  Now, let's keep an eye out for anything, shall we?"  With that for the rest of the day, both Blueberry and Captain Bracken kept watch while the rest of the warren silflayed and did their business up on top before eventually Frith was starting to go down to end another day. 

 

  In the evening, Captain Bracken called for the sentry duty to be ended for the day as they both made their way into the warren with the last of the rabbits, passing two which were on duty for the evening.  The two owsla officers gave a nod to Blueberry and wished him good luck and well wishes for getting into the owsla.

Slipping down, Blueberry went to go down one of the runs where he was stopped by Captain Bracken.  "No, you're burrow is going to be used by someone else now Blueberry.  You have to move into one of the owsla burrows nearer to the chief.  It was arranged during the day, you should find your carrot has been moved there.  Follow me, you will be next to Hawk."

 

Blueberry nodded his head and followed Captain Bracken through the warren where he reached another part of the warren and came to his burrow.  Sniffing it, he could tell that it hadn't been used for a while and that there wasn't any scent to it at all.  Captain Bracken spoke again.  "You and Hawk are on sentry duty tomorrow.  You will find yourself being given orders and it would seem that Captain Sando wants you and Hawk to take sentry duty for the next few days.  Anyways, I must be off, have a good night."

 

  Blueberry watched as Captain Bracken left and vanished from sight as he turned his head back to the opening of the burrow and slipped inside.  Looking about the burrow, his new home within the warren, he sighed and began to rub his body on the walls to leave some trace of his familiar smell.  He moved his feet against the ground as well as his neck against the walls and the floor.  Eventually he was satisfied enough for the time being and laid down on the soft earth.  Looking to where the carrot was lying, he grabbed it with a fore paw, pulled it towards him and began to nibble on it again.  All the time he wondered on how life would be like now that he had managed to gain the rank of an owsla officer.  Eventually he fell asleep with the carrot resting underneath his chin as he dreamt of things that may happen.

 

The next morning, Blueberry slipped out of the burrow in time and saw Hawk was just getting out himself, half asleep.  "Morning Hawk, nice day for it I hope?"  Hawk muttered and then stretched, popping something in his back.  "I hope so, you haven't experienced rain sentry duty yet have you?"

 

  Blueberry shook his head on that one and shivered.  "You're kidding?  I thought all rabbits would've stayed underground if it was raining?"  Hawk turned to leave as Blueberry followed him and replied back.  "No, some still have to go out to pass pellets and all.  It will be our duty to go out with them and keep a watch for any trouble.  But you get used to the rain."

 

Both coming out of the warren carefully, they looked about and nodded that there wasn't anything wrong at all apart from the ground being cool and moist once again from the morning dew.  Both took up their posts away from each other but close enough to talk to each other if they wanted to.  They began to look all around them again as they checked the ground for any signs of anything that had passed throughout the night.  Blueberry looked at Hawk and muttered.  "Can't smell anything, the grass is too wet.   Looks like it did rain during the night though, can't remember hearing it however."

 

Hawk replied back.  "I did, was up at the time when it started."  He turned around to look behind him and carried on talking.  "I was worried that it would've still be raining when we came up but it's just cloudy today."  He finished while looking up.

 

  Their conversation ended as they saw other rabbits that were on sentry duty come up followed by the normal populous of the warren that were heading up to either pass pellets, eat pellets or to eat the grass. Most of the morning went without any incident as Hawk nodded for Blueberry to silflay as he kept watch for him.

 

Nibbling on some grass, he saw Carbi in the distance, sticking close to his parents that were starting to get annoyed with him.  Blinking, he saw Birch push Carbi away before telling him off, then headed off with Snowdrop.  Hawk broke the silence.  "Looks like Snowdrop is expecting new litter again.  Carbi will have to admit that he can't hang around them anymore."

 

Blueberry blinked.  "Is it getting near to that time again?  Great, that's all the warren needs.  There be more fighting amongst us.  Over does as well."  He bit on a blade of grass and pulled it up and Hawk laughed.  "Oh I don't know, you have gone up in the warren now.  Probably some does have already decided to keep an eye on you."

 

  Blueberry spluttered as he spat out half chewed grass from his mouth.  "You're kidding.  You mean I may not have a choice of avoiding any fights this time around?"  Hawk replied back.  "Afraid not, it's one of the perks of the job as well as a hazard but as long as you've been keeping up with your fighting training, you shouldn't get too beaten up."

 

Blueberry pulled a face of disgust and shook his head.  "Maybe one day I'll find a mate but I ain't that interested at the moment, besides, what about you?"  He looked at Hawk before turning his head again back to the task in hand.

 

Hawk just grinned.  "Well, you see that doe over there.  I think she's interested in me.  I think her name is Blossom but I don't know?"  Blueberry got up as he stood on his hind legs and sniffed the air.  "You don't know?  Haven't you liked, asked her name yet?"

 

Hawk shrugged.  "I've tried but anytime I get anywhere near her, she ends up meeting another buck or doe." He sniffed the air again and looked in a general direction.  "Er, can we discuss this another time, something's not right."

 

  Blueberry came alert and stopped eating just as he was about to again and came right up to where Hawk was.  Speaking a bit urgently he asked.  "What is it?"  Hawk sniffed the air again and looked at Blueberry for a moment.  "Stay here, I have to go get one of the Captains.  If you think it's too dangerous for anyone to be up here.  Sound the alarm."  With that, Hawk ran off towards the warren quickly.

 

Moving about slowly and carefully, Blueberry sniffed the air and stopped mid step.  Raising his head higher, he shivered as he could smell the scent of man.  Hopping a bit towards the bush he stopped again and felt a cold shiver running up his spine as he saw the bush move slightly.  Staying absolutely still, he saw a pink hand slowly brush aside the leaves as a face was looking directly at him with a cap.

 

Instantly Blueberry went into action.  He thumped the ground quickly with his hind leg repeatedly, making every other rabbit look up before running towards escape tunnels.  Turning to run, Blueberry came up with Captain Sando who had just come up and out as he met Blueberry in the middle of the field.  "What?"

 

  Blueberry didn't look back but he reported quickly.  "Man, man is in that bush behind us, I could only smell one but there are three different man scents."  Not saying anything else, both he and Captain Sando ran into their holes.

 

Looking through the bush Ben pulled back and made his way back to the other two men.  "Aye, found it.  Looks like the warren has grown a bit too much, you're going to have problems with that unless you deal with it right away."

 

Jack rubbed his beard for a moment with a nod.  "Aye, flipping bunnies and all, I had my missus complaining this morning about the vegetable part of the garden being ruined again by them.  I shouldn't have left the gate open to the garden when I came back from the pub."  Ben brushed down his pants as he replied.  "Well, let's head back and arrange things.  We discuss this more on the way as well."

 

Staying by the edge of the hole, Captain Sando sniffed the air and turned his head back to where Blueberry was standing.  "Looks like they are heading off, probably just wanted to see us but we have to go talk to the chief about this.  Come on."  Slowly he edged out of the run with Blueberry alongside him as they ran to another part of the warren and down into the hole again.

 

  Bracken-Rah had already heard reports that the owsla had sounded the alarm of a danger to the warren and he was moving in and out of his burrow with worry.  Cloverleaf looked at him with a frown.  "You know, you keep on doing that and you will sink without a trace."  Bracken-Rah gave Cloverleaf a frown.  "If this had anything to do about getting more lettuce for you and your doe friends and this warren is in danger, it's on your back."  Seeing Cloverleaf huff slightly to that one, he sighed and moved away from his burrow.

 

Captain Sando and Blueberry met Bracken-Rah outside of the run that led to his burrow.  He looked at them both before asking.  "Was it man?"  He saw Captain Sando nod his head before replying.  "Blueberry sounded the alarm, there were three of them but he could only see one.  We need to talk, Bracken-Rah, sir with a meeting with the owsla sir."  Seeing Bracken-Rah nod, all three rabbits headed off to a burrow to discuss matters.  Blueberry followed behind them, still shaking from the experience.

 

Chapter 5 - Man's Wrath

 

Most of the warren was up in arms over what had happened.  Carbi was hiding in his burrow, whimpering with Birch who was trying to calm him down.  The does were worried about it more than anything so close to the mating season again.  And to top it all off, Bracken-Rah and Captain Sando has requested that no one is to go up top for the rest of the day while the whole owsla were having a meeting up there.

 

  Captain Sando was standing up on his hind legs as he addressed the rabbits that were there.  "As you know, earlier today we had a visit from man, of which we do not know their attentions.  So the question is, what do we do about it?"

 

Bran spoke up.  "Could it be that they are angry over the farm raids that we've been doing lately?  We have been doing a lot of them and perhaps we have pushed our luck in not angering man?"

 

Bracken-Rah sighed and nodded his head towards Bran.  "I have already been thinking that and it could be that man wanted to know who was interfering with his food.  The question is, was it the farmer or just another that wanted to see us?"  He turned to Captain Bracken.  "Remember that other one that came about and just sat there quietly with some big white thing, moving his paw all over.  He didn't harm us did he?"

 

Captain Bracken thought for a moment and spoke out.  "No, he didn't which was strange as man doesn't like us usually.  But that doesn't mean that nothing is going to happen with this man as we don't know what he's after."

 

  Captain Sando spoke next.  "All we can do is to be on our guard for the next couple of days and that we are cancelling anymore farm raids.  I really do not wish to anger man anymore just in case."  He turned to face Bracken-Rah.  "Is that okay with you and your mate?"

 

Bracken-Rah nodded.  "It's okay by me and I was just about to suggest it Sando.  As for Willowleaf, she probably complain for a bit but she get over it."  He saw the frustration in Sando's face and carried on.  "Listen, I know that she used to be a hutch rabbit that was left stranded and that she hasn't exactly changed properly yet to the wild life but she is trying."  Turning to face Blueberry, he changed the subject.  "So Blueberry anything else that you could tell us about what happened before?"

 

Blueberry thought for a moment and recapped once again on the events that happened.  "Well, sir.  Me and Hawk were on sentry duty and that Hawk let me rest to have something to eat while he was keeping an eye on the situation.  It was Hawk that noticed the scent first and that he, erm."  Blueberry turned to Hawk and nodded his head.

 

  Hawk carried on.  "Yes, I did notice the smell of man approaching the warren.  I knew that Blueberry here would know what to do if it came down to it and I went to fetch one of the Captains of the warren, noticing that most had already slipped back down again.  I managed to bump into Captain Bracken just as I heard the thumping from above and knew that the danger was much worse than I had thought.  After that I was ordered by Captain Bracken to help the rabbits rushing in to just go to their burrows as he went to get Captain Sando."  Hawk turned back to Blueberry who then carried on once again.

 

"I was checking to see where the smell of man was actually coming from and approached the bush just slightly away from the warren itself.  There I saw the leaves part and there was man's face close staring back at me."  He shivered.  "I had to fight back the fear and then sounded the alarm before running off.  This is where I met Captain Sando and we stayed up above until all rabbits had gone back down, there we came to seek you out Bracken-Rah."

 

  Everyone went quiet again as they all turned their attention to Captain Sando and Bracken-Rah.  Hopping forwards, Bracken-Rah spoke out.  "This is what I will say on the matter.  We do not know what man it after or if it is to do with our raids on the nearby farm but we will ensure that we will be duly informed if anything does happen.  Sando, increase the sentries for the time being and keep me informed immediately if anything else happens."  Bracken-Rah sniffed the air and nodded his head.  "And since the smell of man has gone, I will allow rabbits back out again.  See to it will you, goodbye for now."  With that, he turned around and hopped off.

 

"Right," Captain Sando spoke out.  "I want all officers to double up in sentry duty from now on until we are sure that nothing is going to happen.  That'll mean less sleep for a while but it will be worth it.  Those that were on sentry duty, please go back to it.  Those that were on sentry duty tonight will have to go on now and for those due tomorrow will be on at night time and so on."

 

  By mid afternoon, most of the warren had slipped back to the normal run of things but there weren't as many rabbits up as before.  Hawk yawned as he batted away a fly that was buzzing around his head.  "I can't wait for this sentry duty to end."

 

Blueberry nodded his head.  "I know what you mean, can you feel it, and the whole place just feels oppressed in some way.  Though there was a storm coming our way, like thunder."  He sniffed the air again and shook his head.  "Not that I can detect a storm coming, there's not a cloud in the sky."  Looking up for a moment before he moved his head back down again.

 

Hawk shrugged.  "It's just the whole warren being a bit wary on today's events that's all.  You see, it all go back to normal eventually when nothing happens and we'll forget about it."  Going quiet again he looked to the group of quiet rabbits just silflaying and thought quietly to himself for a moment before adding.  "But I can see what you're getting at.  Don't worry about it, the day's nearly over."

 

  Hawk was right when he stated that the day was nearly over as soon, all of the rabbits that had come out had gone back down so the two bucks slowly got up to take a look about while they grabbed a few blades of grass themselves.  They both ate quietly as they made their way back into the warren and didn't speak at all.  As they passed through the warren, Blueberry felt a shiver run up his body as though something was bothering him that not many rabbits were talking in the burrows.  Shaking his head, he muttered to himself.  "It's nothing, Hawk is right.  It'll be a whole new day tomorrow."  Slipping into his burrow he didn't take long to fall asleep.

 

 

***

 

The following few days went by without a single incident and the warren slowly went back to normal in it's activity.  The chief rabbit, Bracken-Rah had ordered Captain Sando to put the sentries back to normal and the mood of the warren lifted once again.

 

Blueberry was for once on his own now on sentry duty, the last day one before he had some time off before being switch over to his first night shift.  Seeing Carbi come towards him, Blueberry gave a friendly nose twitch in his direction.  "Hello Carbi, I haven't seen you around for the last couple of days.  How have you been?"

 

  Carbi sat down and looked around avoiding Blueberry's gaze.  "Blueberry, sir," he began to sound a bit unsure on what he was trying to say.  "I admit now that I won't be any good in the owsla and that I don't want to be part of it anymore.  This thing with the man that came a few days ago would've sent me tharn with fear."  He looked at Blueberry now and carried on.  "I be happy to just live my life as simply as possible and help out the warren in other ways."

 

"Oh, what made you change your mind?"  Blueberry enquired, as he looked about again, listening to Carbi carry on.  "Well, I ended up in a burrow on my own but eventually I decided that I didn't like that.  Just don't tell anyone about it okay, I know my father was trying to help me on that but he did have a point.  Find something I really liked to do and I did.  I ended up keeping the young ones happy by telling stories to them."  He hopped about a bit.  "I've decided to become a storyteller in this warren.

 

Blueberry sighed and shook his head but he was glad inside of Carbi's decision.  "Well, I think that's an excellent idea, you will be able to bring up the young ones to your own ideals.  You do know all of the stories, right?"

 

  Carbi shook his head but he replied back to that question.  "No, but I am being teached by that old buck, Greywhiskers.  You know the old storyteller?"  Blueberry nodded as he saw Carbi turn to leave.  "Well, I have to go as he wants to tell me another story today for me to learn.  See you around Blueberry."  Without another word, Carbi ran off again, leaving Blueberry to check on the world around him as he watched two bucks starting to push into each other.

 

Frowning as he saw the pushing turning out into a full out fight amongst the two bucks, Blueberry ran over to them shouting.  "Now stop that!"  Charging into them with his head, Blueberry headbutted one of the bucks on the side.  He looked about while standing in between them both.  "You used to be friends so find a way to settle it without coming to blows."  Seeing them both looking down on the ground, he calmed down a bit and carried on.  "We have enough problems without causing more amongst ourselves at the moment.

 

Leaving them both standing there, he made his way back to where he was situated and sat back down again, fuming.  He muttered to himself.  "Hawk was right; the whole warren is heading for madness again."  He flicked an ear and got up again onto his hind legs to get some better view of his surroundings and spotted Hawk on the far side looking back.  Settling down again, he continued to talk to himself.  "Don't know what I am going to do if I am pushed into it.  Just hope the does find someone else to bother."

 

  Perking an ear to the sound of a dog barking, Blueberry turned to face the other way for a moment and flicked his tail up so that the other sentries could see that he had detected something.  Crouching down, he moved slowly towards the bush again as he slipped inside.

 

Hawk spotting the flash, turned to face another of the owsla rabbits and spoke.  "I am going to see what Blueberry is up to, keep a watch over here and send someone to get one of the Captains.  I'll be right back."  Without another word, he ran right across, jumped down from the small hill and raced across the grass, with other rabbits watching him for a moment in confusion.

 

Blueberry heard more barks and felt the fear rising up again within him as he lay down hidden in the bush.  Sniffing, he could detect the smell of oil, the sound of a hrududu moving loudly and the unmistakeable sound of man.

 

Hawk came alongside Blueberry as he looked at him.  "Okay, we need to go check this out."   He looked out to the field and then got up.  "Come on, we race right across to where the road is and see what is going on."  Without another word both rabbits raced right across the open field in broad daylight.

 

  Coming up to the hedge, both rabbits slipped through as they moved to where it ended and the road began just in front of them.  Turning their heads around, they spotted a tractor from the farm trundling along the road getting closer and closer.

 

Blueberry was rooted to the spot as Hawk moved to head back into the hedge again.  Seeing that Blueberry hadn't moved he came back again and cuffed him hard.  "Get out of sight, for Frith's sake."  Blueberry moved into the hedge as he watched the tractor trundled past with such noise that it made both rabbits bodies vibrate.

 

Blueberry hopped out of the hedge after the tractor had passed and sat down in the road, watching a dog held by a man by a leash was barking right back at him.  Then Blueberry saw the tractor stop.  Hawk meanwhile came out slowly and looked at Blueberry as he turned his head around to see a man hop down from the back cart that the tractor was pulling to head to where the gate of the field was and began to mess with a padlock.

 

Blueberry just stared out, oblivious that he was sitting in the middle of the road as he saw the man get back into the cart as the tractor became that little bit noisier as it turned into the field.  Hawk turned as he moved to the other side of the hedge and saw that it was slowly heading towards the warren.  Turning around, he raced through the hedge, slammed right into Blueberry as he shouted.  "Come on, we have to warn them!"

 

  Snapping out of his tharness, Blueberry ran right through the hedge again with Hawk beside him.  Both rabbits could see the tractor ahead of them as they race with all their speed across the field.  A man saw the two and unleashed the dog as it jumped out of the cart, running towards them.  Hawk shouted.  "Hraka!  We got to go this way!"  He turned sharply away from the dog but also from the warren itself.

 

Blueberry panted as he slammed into the hedge again, feeling the branches grab at his fur as the dog came to a stop outside of the hedge and tried to get rid of the branches with his front paws.  A loud whistle came making the dog turn around to head back from where it came from.  Hawk panted as he looked back.  "We have to keep moving.  We go the long way back to the warren.  Come on!"  He was up and off again as Blueberry followed him.

 

Meanwhile at the warren, all panic had set in.  The owsla had already set off the alarm as all rabbits were heading back under ground again.  Captain Sando was shouting at the top of his voice.  "Come on if you don't want the dog to rip you to bits!"  Several rabbits began to push each other to get underground as he cuffed and bit them angrily.  "Do it properly or we be up here all day!"  He shouted and turned his head around.  "Bracken?!!  Where are you?!" 

 

  Bracken practically kicked a panicked doe down the hole as he called back.  "Here, we need to get to the chief rabbit.  I say we leave them here if they're too tharn to go down."  He saw a rabbit a bit further out of the warren and then the dog came racing out heading to the stricken doe before she cried out as her throat was ripped out.

 

Captain Sando had seen enough.  "Bracken, head for the other entrance of the warren, now."  He didn't waste anytime and pushed the last buck down the hole before running off as the dog threw the rabbit into the air and gave chase.

 

Blueberry and Hawk heard the deathly scream of the doe and winced as they carried on around the side of the hill and hopped up so that they were running through the copse now.  Hawk panting heavily, looked at Blueberry briefly as they made for the rear entrance of the warren underneath a thick bush.

 

Coming to a stop, they saw Bracken and Sando racing towards them with a dog closely behind.  Blueberry didn't waste anytime as he raced off towards Sando with Hawk shouting behind him.  Captain Sando looked at Blueberry raced past him towards the dog and then veered off, leading the dog away from the rear entrance of the warren.  Catching onto the idea, Sando smiled as he turned to Hawk.  "Get another few owsla officers up here.  Make sure that they don't find this hole."  Seeing Hawk disappear into the hole, Sando turned around and raced to where he last saw Blueberry race off to.

 

  Blueberry was racing around the tree's of the copse, the only thing that was keeping him from the dog catching him to rip out his life from his body.  However he was starting to tire out as he could feel that the dog was getting closer.  Captain Sando came into his view as he raced towards him, past and sped past the dog enough to make him change his route and went after Sando instead.  Running to a bush, Blueberry collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily as other owsla officers came to him.  "He's that way with the dog on his heel."  He coughed as he saw the officer's move quickly.

 

At the other end of the copse, man had already began to take down something from the back of the cart, a cage full of ferrets.  Ben who knelt down beside the cage, turned to look at the farmer with a smile.  "Right, let's get some of the runs closed so that they can't escape.  Leave three open.  We have one to let these in."  He patted the roof of the cage as he continued to speak.  "Then with the other one, we set a fire to smoke them out.  Any that try to get out from the middle we kill them one by one."  He paused for a moment.  "Someone whistle for the dog to come back will you?"

 

  Captain Sando saw the dog run back after hearing a high pitch whistle as he stopped panting himself.  Looking around, he saw the owsla officers running to him as he called.  "Right, let's get back the way we came..."  He paused and sniffed the air.  "Oh Frith and Inle, I can smell smoke."  He ran off towards the back entrance of the warren and saw that Blueberry had recovered and was just getting up.  "Stay here."  Captain Sando said.  "I'll send up Hawk and Captain Bracken to you."  Without saying another word, he past him and ran into the hole.

 

Captain Sando raced into the warren as he could hear all the panic and frustration from within.  "Oh Frith help me."  He said as he made his way to the chief's burrow and looked at him.  "Sir, man has come back; they've brought fire and dogs."  He looked towards the run to the sounds of rabbits crying out.  "We have to leave the warren now."

 

Bracken-Rah blinked as he looked stricken with fear, Cloverleaf wasn't anywhere to be seen as he shook his head.  "And where do we head to, Captain?  There isn't a place to go to.  The elil will pick us off one by one."  Somewhere else in the warren shouted out.  "Ferrets are in the mountain!"

 

  Leaving the chief for the moment, Captain Sando saw Hawk and Captain Bracken in the run.  "Go get as many as you can to leave this warren or are willing to do so.  Go now, Blueberry is waiting up top near the bush."  Leaving them, Captain Sando headed to where no doubt his owsla officers were in their attempt to keep out the ferrets.  The smell of smoke continued to grow within the warren as he had to cuff, bite and kick his way through the madness.

 

Meanwhile Blueberry was shaking up on top, his whole body wanting to go and run away right now but he stayed put, just like Captain Sando wanted him to do.  He could smell the thick smell of smoke in the air as he turned to face the hole and moved towards it, sniffing.  Looking up, he shuddered and shouted down.  "Hurry up whatever you are doing, I think the smoke is going to come up here."  Looking up, he hoped that man wouldn't notice.  Listening for a reply, all he could hear was the squeals of death before a faint smell of death hit him full in the face.  Turning around, he ran for a few paces and stopped turning right around again.  The whole warren smelt of the Black Rabbit and he didn't like it one bit.

 

  Deep within the warren, Captain Bracken and Hawk were trying to get anyone that was willing to leave the warren to head to the back where the Chief Rabbit lived.  Most of the rabbits refused thinking that there would just be more smoke and ferrets that way and the only way to escape them was to head to the deeper parts of the warren.  Hawk growled as he was pushed aside by some mad buck.  "Their tharn, they'll never survive if they stay here?"

 

Captain Bracken nodded but they did get some response on a few that did want to go with them.  Carbi was one of them, though it took a few hard cuffs on the head by Bracken to make him change his mind.  Three does and that was all that he could manage to get.  Coughing, he spat out.  "Come on, let's get out of here before we can't.  It's getting too thick in here to breathe."

 

At the other side of the warren, Captain Sando was in the thick of it.  There were dead bodies of rabbits lying in the run.  Right in front of him was a ferret shadow in the fog that had just killed another rabbit.  Speaking as he dropped the dead form to the ground with blood dripping teeth.  "Man is angry with you longears, man sends us down to deal with you." 

 

  Captain Sando backed up as much as he could and bared his teeth back.  "You're not to come any further into this warren.  I've been ordered by my chief to protect this warren."  He knew he was lying but then again he had a duty and Bracken-Rah would've given the order nonetheless.  He had to give his other officers time to get the chief rabbit out.

 

Hissing the ferret moved forward, walking over the dead body of the rabbit as Captain Sando backed away.  He could hear other ferrets within the warren amongst the death cries of the rabbits and he snarled, lashing out with his paw, cutting through the ferret's nose with his sharp claws.  "I told you, you're not coming any further ferret."  Captain Sando snarled.

 

Bracken-Rah could see some rabbits moving past his burrow with the sound of Captain Bracken's voice.  "Come on now, just keep heading that way and follow Hawk out of the warren."  Stopping as he turned into the chief rabbit burrow.  "You too as well sir.  Captain Sando orders."

 

Bracken-Rah blinked.  "But what about Cloverleaf, I haven't seen her since this all started?"  He saw Captain Bracken come in as he started to push the chief rabbit out of the burrow.  "I am sure that Captain Sando will do his best to get her out but please we have to leave, the owsla can't keep the ferrets from entering this part of the warren for long and this smoke will kill you if you stay."

 

  Pushing Bracken-Rah, the chief rabbit reluctantly allowed Captain Bracken to take him out of the back way of the warren.  Looking back, he coughed from the smoke and heard a rabbit close by squeal as it was killed which made Bracken-Rah run down the run.  Outside, Blueberry was helping to keep the rabbits that had managed to get out to be calm as Hawk looked down the hole which was now starting to billow out smoke.  "Captain!  We have to get going.  Man will surely see the smoke!"

 

At the other side, the men were too busy at the other end as rabbits were coming out dazed from the smoke, only to be met by the wrath of a pitch fork.  Seeing a ferret come out, they left it alone as Ben shook his head.  "I don't think the ferrets will take much more of that smoke down there.  If they don't get out we're going to lose them."

 

Sam shook his head as he killed another rabbit that had managed to get out of the only hole that allowed them to.  "We can always breed more ferrets."  He cursed as he missed a rabbit that managed to run in between his legs.  "Oh I lost one Sam!"  He shouted as he got the other one that tried to follow out.

 

  Cloverleaf had managed to get out of the warren and was running, still blinded by the smoke she ran smack bang into the jaws of the large dog and squealed as she felt the sharp teeth ripped into her side.  Sam called back.  "Doesn't matter, Benji got it."

 

Jack walked back to the cart and lifted out a spade, walking back again he began to dig at the place near to the hole and then told the others to move aside as he began to fill up the hole in the warren.  "That's enough."  He said as he placed his heavy foot down on the mould of earth to pack it in.  "They can choke to death from now on."

 

Underground, Captain Sando heard the hole being covered up as the smoke began to really grow thick in the warren.  Knowing it was too late to do anything now, he turned around, kicked out at the ferret full in the face and then ran, clawing his way over the dead bodies in the run as his lungs burnt with each and every breath.

 

Shaking its head, the ferret hissed with anger as it took flight after the rabbit, being smaller it was much easier for it to go over the bodies of the dead as it gave chase, with only the anger flowing through its veins keeping it from dropping down exhausted.

 

  Up above the ground, the smoke from the rear run was now billowing out thick and fast as Blueberry had to hop away from the hole as he looked at Hawk.  "It's no good, you can't breathe anywhere near it."  He turned his head back again and shook his head.  "If they're not out now I don't think anyone else is going to."

 

Bracken-Rah looked down, shaking his head in disbelief.  "We pushed too far; Frith brought this on us with man.  We shouldn't have taken more than we had to."  Looking about him for a moment he carried on talking.  "We had all the grass in the world, we didn't need to go stealing man's food."

 

Captain Bracken looked at Hawk, Blueberry and another owsla officer before turning around on Bracken-Rah and cuffed him.  "Sir, please come out of it.  There's nothing we can do now but we do need your leadership."

 

Bracken-Rah looked at Bracken with hatred as he backed away.  "You're trying to kill me as well, working for man.  I won't let you kill me, you hear, I won't let you?!"  With that he turned and fled in the smoke as Captain Bracken rolled his eyes.  "Oh for..."  He turned around and looked at Blueberry.  "Wait here, I have to go get him."  Turning to a owsla officer next to him.  "Come on."  With that he ran into the smoke as well.

 

Chapter 6 - The Aftermath

Bracken-Rah kept coughing as he talked to himself, the tharn-ness was fully with him now.  "I won't let them kill me, they're all against me, I..."  He stopped as he heard a familiar sound reach his ears as he cried out.  "No, Willowleaf!"  Without any fear, he ran for the sound of the stricken doe with Captain Bracken and another rabbit beside him.  Bracken was beside himself with anger.  "I don't believe this, of all of the times to go lose your head."  He muttered, then stopped.  "Hang on, where did he go again?  I can't see in this hraka smoke."  He moved about a bit, then stopped as he could hear the fire itself and voices of man.  "They can choke to death from now on."  Shivering slightly he moved a bit forward as he heard another voice ring out.  "Hey, there's another one.  Let go of the ferret."

 

  Captain Bracken stopped and moved in front of the other rabbit.  "Leave it, our chief is lost.  We best get back and get away from here."  Without saying another word, both rabbits turned around and ran back the way they came.  Bracken-Rah could see the dead form of the rabbit, his mate Cloverleaf and then laid down beside her body.  "Oh please, don't leave me."  He said softly.  "I didn't mean to shout at you before."

 

Stalking through the smoke, a ferret came into view as it spoke softly.  "Longears, how touching.  I'll send you to meet her if you want."  Without another word, the ferret leapt as it savagely killed Bracken-Rah there and then, before lying on both the bodies, licking at the wound it had fatally inflicted on the buck.

 

Hawk and Blueberry listened to Carbi as he told a story to the other rabbits that they had to keep them calm.  "Well he's definitely found something useful to do."  Hawk said softly.  "You were right, I think he should be our official storyteller now, make him part of the owsla."

 

  Carbi heard that as he paused in his story, coughed and continued on talking.  Blueberry nodded his head.  "We need all the help we can get right now."  Hearing Captain Bracken return with the officer in tow, coughing, he sighed.  "No luck on Bracken-Rah then?"  Captain Bracken sat down and replied back.  "No, we couldn't find him.  He probably find us at a later time.  Has Captain Sando come up yet?"

 

Both Hawk and Blueberry shook his head.  "No sir, he hasn't come back up again."  Blueberry looked at the hole and carried on from what Hawk had just said.  "I don't think anyone else could survive in that sir."  The thick smoke still carried on up into the air.  Captain Bracken nodded his head and looked about.  "Right, we're heading away from this place right now.  Let's go south, away from the men and the farm and see if we can find a safe place to set up scrapes before Frith goes down."  Moving towards Blueberry and Hawk he whispered.  "Hawk, teach Blueberry everything that you can, I'll be doing the same."  He moved his head to look at Blueberry.  "You have to work a lot harder now, we have to look after the rabbits we got out."

 

  Slowly, the owsla rabbits got the non owsla rabbits into formation as they began to slowly move them through the smoke away from the warren.  Each rabbit was down in spirits as a few turned to look back at the place that they have called home all of their lives but were pushed on by someone else.  Blueberry and Hawk were at the rear as they carried on using their front paws to gently push the does onwards again.

 

Back at the warren, Captain Sando was having difficulty trying to get one of the larger fat rabbits out of the way, he cursed as he sank his teeth in pulling backwards to get the dead rabbit out of the way.  "Come on, move."  He muttered through the fur as he cursed.  "If I die then I am so putting you on a diet if I'll ever meet you again."

 

Up on top, the men had noticed the smoke rising up at various other places in the copse and began to make their way over to the sources.  Finding the open hole in the middle of the bush, they cursed and began to pull away at the branches so that they could to it quickly.  Jack quickly filled up the hole with his spade while muttering.  "Should've looked, seems some had escaped as well."

 

  Ben looked about but couldn't see anything with the smoke.  "Well, they're gone now; they won't last long without being able to get underground quickly.  Let's get that fire put out and fill in that hole before heading home.  Tell you the truth.  I wouldn't mind getting a drink, how about you?"  He saw the others nod as they began to head back towards the still burning fire.

 

Down below from where the men were walking past, Captain Sando could feel that something else was wrong, the smoke was getting thicker but he couldn't smell the fresh air from behind the fat rabbit.  Slowly he let go as he opened his mouth and turned around to see the ferret coming towards him slowly, shaking its head side to side.  Tensing up, Captain Sando muttered.  "Well, it's come down to this then, has it?"

 

***

 

Under the guidance of Captain Bracken, the group of rabbits slowly moved through the edge of the copse.  They slowly hopped down the small hill again as they cleared the smoke.  Breathing easily now, they all looked about as they could hear the sound of the tractor in the distance as it began to move away, growing quieter.  Hopping a bit forwards, Captain Bracken called out.  "Hawk, Blueberry.  Scout ahead for us and find us a suitable place to rest for the night, we will be following you behind."

 

  Leaving the main group, both Blueberry and Hawk ran ahead as they had time to talk to each other now.  Hawk shook his head.  "Do you think that Captain Sando made it out?"  He looked back at the group moving again slowly as he turned his head back again to the front.

 

Blueberry thought for a moment and replied back to his friend's question.  "I hope so but I really can't see how, the smoke in there was just so thick that I think most would've been killed."

 

Hawk lowered his head and nodded.  "Why does man want to do such things?  I mean, I know we took a tiny bit of food from time to time but it's not like they didn't have enough, there were huge fields full of carrots or cabbages."

 

Coming to a hedge at the end of the field, both rabbits slowed down as they began to move through it.  Seeing farmland again, they frowned and looked at each other.  "I'll go."  Blueberry said as he turned and ran back to where Captain Bracken was.

 

Reaching him, he saw Captain Bracken run a bit ahead so that the two could talk.  "Sir,"  Blueberry said panting a bit.   "There's another field that looks to be owned by man, it's like the other fields near the farm we raided from."

 

  Captain Bracken nodded his head.  "It's to be expected, we have to travel by night then and rest during the day.  Okay, we settle up in that hedge and set up sentries to make sure nothing comes out way.  Find a suitable place in that hedge for us to hide out."  Blueberry nodded and ran back towards where Hawk was as Captain Bracken waited for the group to catch up with him.

 

Arriving where Hawk was, Blueberry gave his orders.  "We have to find a suitable place to rest in the hedge for the night, somewhere where we can put scrapes in without being detected by elil.  Let's find a place where it's away from any noticeable elil paths."

 

Hawk nodded his head as he looked about.  "Okay, I'll go this way and you go that way.  Make sure you check everything."  He looked at the late afternoon sun and looked back again.  "We don't have that much time either."  Without saying anything else, he slipped out of the hedge and ran down the field.

 

Moving alongside the farm land area, Blueberry stopped from time to time to find a suitable place for the his comrades to rest for the night.  It took a while but after what had happened, he was being over cautious on what he could smell from rat scent, a few fox hairs that had a fox brush past through the hedge at one point.  Sighing he wasn't coming up to anything as he carried on his way.

 

  It wasn't until he had come to a part of the field right near to the corner that he had found a decent place to stay for the night, the hedge had thickened out a bit more as it had a tree growing in between the four fields.  Sniffing the area, Blueberry couldn't detect anything and looking about he nodded his head and stepped back out of the hedge in the field that Captain Bracken and the rest were at.  Standing up on his hind legs, he stayed there until he saw that Captain Bracken turned to head his way.  Hawk on the other side was running towards him along the edge of the hedge.

 

Captain Bracken nodded his head as he inspected the area.  Looking at Blueberry he gave his approval.  "This will do for tonight, I want shifts that everyone will do no matter what.  Two owsla and two non-owsla and then we swap middle of the night.  I suggest that those who aren't on for the time being, to get some sleep."  Captain Bracken chose who he wanted on now and it was that Hawk and Blueberry were to take the first shift.  Nodding their heads, they moved to their own areas to keep an eye out while the others slept.

 

  The rest of the afternoon and early evening went without any problems at all.  Blueberry was watching on the side, facing towards the old warren, which only showed the faint whisper of smoke now.  Lying down on the grass he stared out across the field and wondered just what was going to happen from now on, where would they go?  He didn't know, all he knew is that they had no home at the moment and that they would have to find a new place to set up again or see if another warren would want to take them in.

 

Later on in the night, Captain Bracken came to relieve Blueberry.  "Anything of interest happen?"  Blueberry shook his head.  "Nothing, it looks like everything has calmed down but then the night is young and I don't know which elil would come around here."

 

Captain Bracken looked about.  "Well, I be keeping out of sight just in case and hope that nothing catches our scent or we be in trouble."  He looked back at Blueberry.  "You best get some rest."  Blueberry nodded but didn't move.  "Sir, what about Captain Sando and Bracken-Rah?"

 

  Captain Bracken replied quietly.  "Captain Sando has stopped running; there isn't anything that can be done about it.  Same goes for Bracken-Rah, I couldn't stop him from running towards man while he was tharn.  I would like for you to keep this quiet for the time being, don't want any other rabbit to know.  But you can tell Hawk but quietly.  Now go." 

 

Making his way back to where the others were sleeping, Blueberry met up with Hawk as he laid down next to him and whispered into his ear.  "You heard, we lost both Bracken-Rah and Captain Sando.  This doesn't look good at all, how are we supposed to survive?"

 

Hawk looked down as he replied back very quietly as though no one else could hear them.  "We do what rabbits did long before us and what rabbits will do long after us, we carry on surviving, no matter what?"  He looked up to the star lit sky and smiled.  "There is the way of things that will always go on, they can't get rid of us completely, Frith made it that way but he also made sure that we cannot rule this world of his ever again."  He turned his head back again and yawned.  "Let's get some sleep shall we?"  Blueberry nodded back and slowly they drifted back to sleep.  Carbi though opened an eye slightly before closing it again and he to fell back to sleep.

 

  The next morning, all rabbits were up and about again within the safety of the hedge.  Captain Bracken was concerned about something that had come through the field that he wanted the group to move as soon as daylight came once again.  Captain Bracken arranged a meeting to discuss such matters.

 

"This is how I see it at the moment."  Captain Bracken began.  "We need to find a safer place to move to but there isn't much I know about what is past this field.  No one has ever ventured out this far before.  Maybe their will be another warren or a decent place for us to start a new one.  But we have to keep moving and hope that nature doesn't start making us think about mating as we cannot afford that right now and it would definitely kill the does if they had to travel while they are expecting, so mating is fully off marks for now, is that understood?"

 

He saw all the bucks nod and he got up.  "I repeat, we are the only bucks in the owsla that are in this group apart from Carbi but I will keep an eye on him, you can try and explain it to him Blueberry since he takes so much interest in you.  But I will not have any squabbles about mating.  Now onto the other thing, it would seem that we had a fox check out the hedge last night which I was keeping an eye on from where you two were."  He looked at Blueberry and Hawk.  "I know we agreed on not to move until nightfall but I do not want to risk meeting it again when it is out for the next hunt, so we are going to move now.  So let's go get the others ready and head down south, I want to be far from here by the time Frith goes down again."

 

  Moving under Frith's gaze, the rabbits continued to move along the hedge of the field, keeping under cover as much as they could.  The journey was slow after Cpatain Bracken had to tell the does off for trying to get a buck to mate with them.  "Are you tharn?  Just look at where we are at the moment, we don't have a warren or a burrow for you to bring up your kittens properly.  You want to kill them and eat them?"

 

Captain Bracken had to do it a few times during that day and he was getting a bit fed up of it.  Eventually they all rested amongst the tall grass in a empty field and looked about.  "This place smells of man."  Blueberry muttered as he settled down to nibble on a blade of grass and spat it back out again.  "And this grass tastes awful."

 

Hawk tried the grass himself and spat it out as he looked at Captain Bracken.  "Sir, this grass is poisonous, we can't stay here.  This is a man thing and we already angered him a bit too much."

 

Captain Bracken nodded his head to the situation as he saw one doe continue to eat the grass as he shook his head.  "Well, she's not complaining too much."  He coughed however as he looked directly at her. "Daisy, stop eating that, you don't know what is on that stuff."

 

  Daisy muttered.  "But I am hungry and besides, you've walked us for a while now without any such thing as a rest."  She backed up as Captain Bracken hopped towards her.  "What do you call this?"  Hawk hopped in front of Bracken and looked at him.  "Sir, this isn't helping any matters with the situation, sir."

 

Backing up, Captain Bracken turned away as he hopped a bit away from the group and sat back down again.  Blueberry hopped over to him as he sat down next to him and spoke.  "Sir, it's okay.  We all know you're trying your best to keep us alive under the dire circumstances.  Do you want me and Hawk to go ahead and scout to see what else is in our way?"

 

Captain Bracken nodded his head as Blueberry turned to Hawk as they both headed off to see what else the land lay ahead of them.  Hawk ran alongside Blueberry as he spoke.  "Blueberry, I don't know what to do if Captain Bracken loses it as well.  He's the only high ranking officer that would know what to do in any given situation."

 

Blueberry replied back to Hawk.  "Well, you're one as well.  You may not be Captain yet but you have been in the owsla for a fair many seasons so you should know what to do but he's not going anywhere, none of us are..."

 

  Hawk frowned.  "Oh Blueberry, just look at what is going on around here, it won't be long before we're picked off one by one or more if elil find out that a group of rabbits are wandering the countryside without any place to stay safe."  He looked back to where the group of rabbits were hiding in the grass.  "I don't think some of the does will last much longer either, they're not up to the situation at the moment, they've never left the warren at all.  They wouldn't know what to do except run into a hole if a homba came."

 

Blueberry sighed as he replied back to Hawk.  "I know but what can you do about it but do our job and keep them safe as much as possible.  I just hope that they don't complain too much to set Bracken off again."  Hawk nodded.  "He was about to retire at one point but I don't think that's possible anymore to be honest.  I just think that he's like everyone else and I can tell you that at the moment even I am starting to worry on what is going to happen.  I don't like the unknown, Blueberry."

 

  Blueberry looked ahead as he replied.  "Neither do I but you can't say that owsla life has been boring since I've been promoted to an officer."  He went quiet for a bit as Hawk blinked at him.  "What?"  Blueberry sighed and replied back.  "It was all my fault, if I didn't win that stupid bobstone contest to go on a farm raid then none of this would've happened."

 

Hawk rammed into Blueberry and made him roll onto the ground until he was on his back.  Blinking as he saw Hawk stand over him, looking down as he spoke sternly.  "Now you just listen to me."  Blueberry went to say something but Hawk placed a paw on his face.  "I said listen to me and keep quiet, understand?"

 

Blueberry tried to nod his head but he could only manage a small nod that Hawk felt with his paw.  "Good," Hawk said as he looked directly into Blueberry's eyes.  "You're a good friend but you have to learn a lot and a lot to learn very quickly.  The farm raid would've carried on that night regardless of you being there or not.  We would've got another officer to go with us and it would've sent the same fate to the warren and you wouldn't have become part of the owsla.  Me, Captain Sando, Captain Bracken and every other owsla officer knew that you did your training and are good enough to be in it, so stop this silly self pity and guilt and remember your job as I don't want to end up being the only rabbit in this group that won't be tharn, do you understand?"

 

  Blueberry mumbled something and Hawk lifted his paw off the face of Blueberry who repeated what he had just said.  "Okay, just don't do that again, alright?"  Watching Hawk move back, he twisted his body around and got back up.  "Remind me never to get in a fight with you."  Stretching his back to get rid of any discomfort the knock Hawk had done to him.  "Right, let's get going?"

 

Hawk agreed as they both ran off again due south.  Blueberry began to notice the smell of fresh water, moist grass as he looked to see that Hawk had noticed the very same thing.  Coming to a stop, they both made their way to the hedge of the field and then slowly pushed their way through to a whole new experience.  There in front of them was an untouched area with long grass, flowers that ran down a hill to the sound of running water.  Blueberry smiled.  "You know, maybe things won't be that bad after all.  Let's go back and report this, I think they need some good news.

 

Chapter 7 - Danger disguised in beauty

Blueberry and Hawk got back to the other rabbits that were sitting or lying down miserable as Captain Bracken looked at them for a moment.  "Please tell me you have good news."  He saw both of the nod as he quickly followed another question.  "Then tell me what you have found?"

 

Blueberry replied back to him.  "We found a field that is two fields from here that has long fresh grass, flowers that runs down to a river.  We haven't checked it properly but there wasn't any scent of elil in the air.  We could rest up there for the time being."

 

  Getting up he looked at Hawk.  "Is this true, you both found a perfect place for us to stay at?"  Hawk nodded his head back.  "It's true sir, we found a perfect place, you have to come now to see it.  We can rest there than in this forsaken place."

 

Having heard quite enough, Captain Bracken gave the order for the group to get up and follow both Blueberry and Hawk to the place that they have found.  The does were keeping quiet, wanting to get to the field so that they could eat.  It wasn't until they reached the first hedge that Daisy began to fall behind.

 

Captain Bracken turned to face her and spoke.  "Daisy, will you come on and stop holding us back, you don't want to be left behind do you?"  Daisy just moaned and began to wobble a bit before slowly she just laid down on the grass and cringed.  "I can't go on, I have a pain in my stomach that won't go away."  Both Blueberry and Hawk looked on in horror as they saw Daisy there and then just began to twitch and twist until she closed her eyes.

 

Captain Bracken moved towards her and gently prodded her.  "Daisy, you okay?"  He tried to prod her again to make her move but he didn't get anything at all.  "What in Frith's name..?"  He looked down at the ground where the grass was and turned his head to where Blueberry and Hawk was.  "You didn't actually eat any of that did you?"  He saw them both shake their heads as they replied.  "No, it tasted bad, didn't even chewed it."

 

  Nodding his head, Captain Bracken waited as everyone bowed their head to say their goodbyes to Daisy and then moved on quickly.  Captain Bracken didn't want to spend another moment in that field and he wanted to get Blueberry and Hawk to the river so that they could wash their mouths out just in case they too went ill.

 

The rest of the journey went okay and without any further incident as they reached the hedge that would take them into the field that both Blueberry and Hawk had found a while back.  Slowly passing through the hedge, all of the rabbits stopped and looked about before running about in the long grass as Blueberry smiled.  "You think they check for any signs of elil wouldn't you?"  Captain Bracken passed him at that moment and muttered.  "They're not owsla, they wouldn't know.  Anyways, you two get down to the river and make sure you dunk your heads into it so that it can clean your mouths off.  Then drink your fill.  And please, no buts either on the matter."

 

Nodding, both of them headed down to the river as Carbi watched them and followed them down as well from behind.  Blueberry sighed but he nodded his head after a moment's thought.  "Actually, from all that running and the smoke, I be happy to get rid of that nasty taste in my throat."

 

  Hawk nodded his head.  "I know, that smoke really does make your throat taste horrible afterwards, at least we're not coughing anymore though, really lucky to have gotten out to be honest." 

 

Blueberry thought for a moment as he looked down at the moving water in front of him.  "I don't even want to think about it and I wasn't even down there.  I am not jealous of you having that memory, Hawk."  Blueberry bent down and dunked his head right into the water, feeling it move into his ears as his hearing went funny.  Opening his mouth, he let the cold running water flow through it as he felt the bad taste of the smoke wash away.  Eventually he slowly began to drink before pulling his head out of the water.

 

Hawk nearly laughed as he saw Blueberry sit down as he began to move his head to the side before attacking it with his hide paw to get the water to come out of them.  "You look so funny there, Blueberry."  Blueberry just blinked questionably at Hawk.  "Pardon?  What was that?"

 

Hawk didn't say anything but did the exact same as what Blueberry did the moment before as he dunked his head into the cold water as well.  Blueberry swallowed as he heard his ears go pop as the normal sound came back as water trickled out and went down the side of his head like the rest of the water on his fur.  It was then that he heard something behind him and he jumped around to see Carbi sitting there.  "Carbi!"  He shouted.  "Frith save me, you scared me nearly to death there."

 

  Carbi didn't say anything at first but then he nodded his head as he saw Hawk lift his head up from the river and then spoke.  "I am sorry, Blueberry.  I needed to talk to you two alone since everyone else is just prepared to eat grass or the flowers right now."

 

Blueberry nudged Hawk as he turned to look at him and saw Carbi as well before doing the exact same to his own ears, scratching them with his large rear paws.  Blueberry nodded.  "Okay, Carbi.  What was it that you wanted to talk about then?"

 

Carbi looked a bit uncertain for a moment and moved a front paw about on the ground.  "Well, I was awake last night and heard you and Hawk talking."  He looked back up after his head was staring down at the ground.  "Tell me it isn't true about Captain Sando and Bracken-Rah."

 

Blueberry sighed as he hopped towards Carbi and looked him into the eyes.  "You didn't tell anyone about what me and Hawk were discussing about last night, did you?"  The sound of Hawk scratching at his ears could still be heard with him muttering as Carbi replied back.  "Of course I didn't say anything to anyone else.  That would send most if not all of the does into panic.  But Blueberry, our chief can't have stopped running, what are we going to do?"

 

  "Listen to me," Blueberry said urgently to Carbi.  "I want you to do this and do this well.  You're to keep this news from the other rabbits that aren't in the owsla for the time being.  Not until we are safe at any rate.  But this is what you can do, keep telling stories to keep everyone's hearts up, we need it right now.  Understand?"

 

He saw Carbi nod as he turned to go, hopped off a few places and then turned back again.  "I won't let you down, Blueberry."  With that he was heading back to the others further up the hill.

 

Hawk had eventually cleared out his ears as he hopped over to where Blueberry was.  "So, what did hyper Carbi want then?"  He looked at Carbi running back to where the others were as he turned to face Blueberry for his answer.

 

Blueberry replied back to the question.  "He was awake at the time when we were discussing about Captain Sando and Bracken-Rah, he knows what has happened or what we think has happened to Captain Sando at least."

 

Hawk blinked as he frowned.  "He was pretending to be asleep; well I will have to have words with that young buck."  He made to head off but Blueberry hopped into his way.  "Leave it Hawk, he isn't going to say a word about it and I don't think he will say anything about it either.  Let me keep an eye on him but I do trust him."

 

  Hawk muttered.  "Well, you know best on how to deal with him but as for me, he's a bit over active and probably say it out loud.  You best inform Captain Bracken about it."  Without saying anything else, Hawk hopped off leaving Blueberry to watch for a few moments and slowly he followed.

 

Finding Captain Bracken silflaying, Blueberry came up to him and coughed.  "Sir, Carbi knows about what has happened back at our old warren."  He looked about and turned his head back to the Captain again.  "He said he wouldn't say anything to the does but would keep them in high spirits by telling them uplifting stories."

 

Captain Bracken sighed as he replied back to Blueberry.  "Well, it was to be expected, maybe it would be best if we told them after all, they'll find out eventually, as for the other thing."  Blueberry went to say something but Captain Bracken got up and held up a paw.  "No, I have to say this, so please let me?"

 

Blueberry closed his mouth and nodded his head back as he listened to Captain Bracken talk.  "I haven't been myself today, what with losing my head with a few rabbits here and there.  I just wanted an easy life but that seems that wasn't to be so I have to put myself back in charge again or that someone else will have to be placed in charge.  I am sorry."  He got up and called out.  "Right, everyone to gather round, it's time for a meeting."

 

  Slowly, most of the rabbits got around as he looked about.  "Okay, there's two does missing, do you know where they are?"  He looked about and spotted them by the edge of the river and nodded his head.  "Ah, they're just taking a drink.  Anyways,"  Captain Bracken said.  "I'd like to apologise for shouting my head off today.  I know everyone Is scared and confused about what has happened.  But we have to move on."

 

Most of the rabbits didn't respond but Captain Bracken carried on.  "I was thinking on not saying this but I have to tell you right now about what I do know."  He paused for a second and carried on. "Copse Warren is no more, there is nothing we can do about it as man had decided that they didn't want it anymore.  We have lost a lot of friends, family during this time but we've also lost our chief rabbit."

 

A few of the does, squealed in despair as one of them cried out.  "What are we going to do, we need a leader."  Captain Bracken looked about again.  "So who are we going to pick for the new leader and new Captain of owsla, this is something that everyone will have to think and discuss about."

 

  Blueberry spoke up.  "Sir, may I suggest that you become our new chief rabbit while Hawk becomes your new Captain."  He looked about and carried on speaking.  "Mainly as you have most experience than anyone else and that Hawk has been in the owsla longer than any of us."  He coughed slightly and looked away a bit.  "That and we trust your judgements."

 

Hawk blinked as he looked at Captain Bracken who was in thought.  Looking about he spoke again.  "Well, you heard one rabbit's point of view on it, does anyone else think anyone else would be suitable for the tasks we have to face?"  Seeing no one speak back for a short while, a young buck, named Balm spoke out.  "I can't think of no one else, Bracken-Rah, sir."

 

Captain Bracken smiled as he looked at Balm and then to the others as they all agreed to Blueberry's decision and it was made final.  Bracken was accepted as the new chief rabbit and Hawk was promoted up to being the leader of the owsla.  Bracken-Rah coughed as he spoke out.  "Well, first thing first, we stay here for a few days and if nothing else shows up, we will set our warren here by the river."  He turned around to Captain Hawk.  "Arrange a place for us to set out some scrapes before nightfall."

 

  Captain Hawk nodded and turned around to Blueberry and Balm.  "You two come with me."  He looked at the does who knew what was coming next.  "When we have found a place, we like you to dig out the scrapes for us."  Seeing them nod their heads, the three bucks went off to find a suitable place.

 

Hawk turned to face Blueberry and spoke to him.  "Why on earth did you put me into the position?"  Blueberry replied back.  "Oh come on, you're the most knowledgeable rabbit for the position, it's not like I can become a Captain of owsla yet."

 

Balm coughed.  "You could of, it's not like you haven't proven that you have learnt pretty much anything anyways."  He muttered under his breath.  "You did much better than me or anyone else at the time in training."

 

Hawk replied back.  "He does have a point, besides you did manage to trick to get onto the farm raid faster than anyone else?"  Blueberry frowned.  "It wasn't a trick, I just played well at bobstones that's all."

 

Hawk chuckled right back at that one.  "Yeah, of course, well since that is the case then I will have to play you a bit later on then to see if you really are the true master of the game."  He saw Blueberry look away for a moment and he grinned.  "Thought so but anyways, thanks again for putting your faith in me."

 

  Getting back ot the main task of things, the three bucks found a good place to stay by a berry bush that was situated by the only tree in the field.  Blueberry went and sniffed the bush before shaking his head as he looked at Balm who was looking a bit too closely.  "Leave the berries, they don't smell right.  Go get the does and bring them here so that they can start making the scrapes."

 

Nodding his head, Balm ran off leaving just Blueberry and Hawk at the bush.  Hawk smiled as he spoke.  "You know, for someone who doesn't know what he's doing, you sure do like speak like a Captain."

 

"Oh shut up."  Blueberry said as he ducked a swipe of Hawk's paw as he quickly added on.  "Sorry sir, but right now I feel I be best for this group as I am at the moment."  Flopping over onto his side to escape anything else from Captain Hawk wanted to try t do and he sighed.  "You think we be able to stay here now, it be nice not to have to move that much, less danger being out in the open."

 

Captain Hawk watched as Balm was bringing back the does over to them as he replied.  "I haven't a clue but Bracken-Rah is hoping that we can stay here, if nothing much happens from man in the next field."

 

  Blueberry nodded as he hopped out and nodded to Balm who began to show the does on where to put the scrapes as he turned to watch them as Hawk joined him and Balm eventually.  "Yeah," Blueberry replied back.  "But we haven't exactly gone that far so what if man around here are still mad with us?"

 

Balm sighed.  "You know, you worry too much."  He hopped off to keep an eye on the does as Hawk shrugged slightly himself.  "He'll learn, but you keep with the thoughts there.  You may have a point but we know soon I suppose."

 

Frith had gone down by the time the scrapes were dug, the does were fast asleep as Bracken-Rah insisted that he stayed up to do at least one shift of sentry duty.  The whole night went quietly without a single incident but Blueberry found it hard to sleep during the night, something was on his mind all the time but he couldn't see what was wrong at all.  By the time that Frith was coming up for the new day, he was found t be sitting by the river bank edge deep in thought.

 

Bracken-Rah sat down next to him as he looked down to the reflection.  "You haven't been here all night have you?  I thought you were going to get some rest?"  Blueberry replied back.  "I couldn't sleep."  He looked about for a moment before carrying on with what he had to say.  "I don't know, maybe I am still uptight about what happened.  I don't like being so close to man either, that field behind smells of man things and it looks like any other farm land.  I just hope we're not risking any danger by staying here."

 

  Bracken-Rah frowned.  "Look, you put me in charge and as such I decided that this place is okay, we never had one single elil at the moment and as for man."  He looked back up the hill to where the hedge was.  "You saw that field just over there.  It's just grass, not a single thing growing there so I don't think man would mind us being in this little wilderness."  He got up and stretched.  "I'd suggest you get out of whatever is bothering you and accept that the warren is gone and that we've found a new place to stay."  Without saying another word, he turned and ran back up the bank.

 

Blueberry frowned slightly and sighed; he looked down into the water and muttered.  "Please let me be wrong."  He turned around before heading back up the hill himself to see what was to be done for that day.  Captain Hawk was sitting there as he waited for Blueberry to come up.  "Okay, thanks to you with your words to Bracken-Rah we have to go and check on the area."  He looked a bit miffed as he turned to go.  "Let's get going."

 

  Blueberry swallowed and began to follow behind the rest of the group, feeling that they were a bit angry with him as they made their way further away from the others.  Eventually, Captain Hawk slipped back as he came alongside Blueberry.  "Look, we're just a bit annoyed that you can't seem to see anything good from this at the moment."  He looked ahead as he carried on.  "But I do understand that being careful is the best thing right now.  So since this is your fault, come up front and help me, I be damned if I am going to do all the work that you have made."

 

Moving alongside Hawk at the front, Blueberry apologised to him.  "Look, I am sorry, I am still a bit shaken up with this whole thing and to be quite frank I want to settle down and all but I want to be safe.  I don't want to ever see anything like that ever again."  He shuddered slightly.  "I just want everything safe and checked, you understand?"

 

Hawk nodded.  "Yeah, I do and I hate you for being so right all the time, would you mind stopping that and letting someone else do that from time to time."  He saw Blueberry nod as he replied back.  "I am not right all the time and I still don't know everything."  Hawk sighed.  "It seems that way but then maybe it's okay to be so, I am just not sure right now if it's a good thing or a bad thing to have someone like that who I know."

 

  The three rabbits ended up at the other side of the field and rested under the safety of the hedge.  Blueberry was looking out to the field on the other side of the one in front of him with the bad smell.  "We don't have to go back into that field, do we?  Can't we head over that way?"  Blueberry asked Captain Hawk.

 

"See, now those are the questions that I like."  Captain Hawk looked over to where the bad smelling field was and shuddered.  "I am not going back into that field, even if I was chased by a homba."

 

Balm shuddered.  "Oh yes, that's what we could really do with about now, a big homba running down towards us.  Anything else you like to happen, sir?"  Hawk turned to face Balm but Blueberry just laughed, falling to his side as Hawk turned to face Blueberry.  "Oh come on, it wasn't even that funny."

 

Blueberry gasped and got back up.  "I am sorry, sir but the mood did have to be lightened up and it is kinda funny to wanting a homba to show up."  Hawk frowned.  "Me, want a homba to show up?  I never said such a thing.  I'd rather take up flying like a bird or climb a tree like a squirrel."  He paused.  "And I would swim before I would even agree to want a homba chase us."  Captain Hawk turned to face Balm.  "Now, listen here.  You started this and another thing..." 

 

  Blueberry closed his eyes while he listened to Captain Hawk remind Balm about what was expected from him.  Everyone seemed to be fighting each other or arguing, even Blueberry couldn't agree to anything at the moment, something else was starting to get on his mind like a loud noise ringing through his head.  "Will you two shut up, you're starting to give me a headache."  Blueberry complained as he hopped out of the bush and stood up.

 

Hawk blinked as he spluttered out.  "Pardon, didn't know I was talking so loud."  He saw Blueberry turn his head back around and frowned.  "Don't you see what is happening, we're starting to move into the mating season and everyone is so wound up with the situation we're in we can't agree with anything."  He winced to the sound coming to him again and he shouted.  "And that thing is really starting to annoy me!"

 

Captain Hawk came out now as he stood up on his hind legs, followed by Balm who sat down slightly behind him.  Captain Hawk sniffed the air as he twisted his ears around again to the sound in the air.  "Sounds like something I should remember..."  He said quietly.  "Come on, let's go see what it is."  He looked at the other two and then ran off towards the field that smelt bad.

 

  Blueberry ran alongside Captain Hawk as he muttered.  "Are you sure that you want to go back into that forsaken field, I don't fancy having to go about and dipping my head again into water, took me ages to get that out of my ears that did."

 

Captain Hawk replied back.  "Well, no you won't have to if you don't eat it but let's go see what that noise is, it may be important."  He carried on running and slowed down as they reached the hedge again.  Slowly all three of them entered the hedge as Blueberry slipped around a thick trunk as he felt the leaves brush over his back.  Sticking his head out of the hedge he spoke rather urgently.  "Erm, Hawk.  You remember only just now that you said you wanted a homba to run towards us?"

 

Hawk stuck his head out and muttered.  "Are we into that again, why?"  He blinked as he swallowed.  "Blueberry, is that what I think it is?"  Blueberry shivered as he blinked again to see if he was dreaming.  There in front of them was a fox, closely followed by what seemed to him, hrair number of dogs, horses and man.  Snapping out of his confusion, Blueberry turned around and shouted.  "Run!  Run for your lives!"

 

Chapter 8 - The River

Captain Hawk, Blueberry and Balm were tearing across the field as they could hear behind them the sound of the hedge being torn apart as the fox went through, followed by the hounds and then jumping over, came the men on their horses.  Hearing the frightening noise behind him, Captain Hawk growled.  "I really, really hate it when you're right about there being danger."

 

  Blueberry panted heavily as he replied back.  "Hey, I wasn't the one that said he wanted a homba to chase us!"  He looked back and then jumped as he ran a bit quicker.  "Mind you, if this is how your wishes work, then I have to say their very bad form of co-operating, since you brought dogs and men on er...?"

 

Hawk replied back.  "Horses, I heard about them once in a story, which you should've remembered, right?"  Blueberry frowned.  "I think I have more important things to think about now than some story."

 

Balm looked back as he shouted.  "Could we please have this discussion at some other time when we don't have an army of elil chasing us!"  All three of them shut up now as they forgot about slowing down at the next hedge and tore through it quickly, feeling some of the branches scratching them.

 

Blueberry frowned.  "We have to warn the others, have to get across the river."  He looked back to seeing the hounds come through the hedge after the fox.  "We never get them out of the field in time, those will tear us apart in no time at all."  He turned his head back to the front and saw Bracken-Rah with two other officers as he shouted.  "Get back and gather all the rabbits to the edge of the riverbank.  We have to cross it, no time to escape anywhere else!"

 

  Bracken-Rah turned and fled quickly shouting at the top of his voice to get to the river bank edge as Blueberry, Hawk and Balm crashed through the hedge and turned to the does quickly.  "Come on, unless you want to die."  Captain Hawk growled, pushing the does down the hill towards the water.

 

Bracken-Rah turned around to see at the top of the hill the homba come panting into the field before it collapsed near one of the does that squealed and ran for it, full pelt as she jumped into the river without even realising it.  The next instant, the hounds were through the hedge as they all went to attacking the fox, some of them noticing the rabbits and seeing that they couldn't get at the fox, began to run their way.

 

Blueberry and Hawk arrived where the others were and shouted at once.  "Into the river if you want to live!"  Barging a few does into the water as they took one last look in horror as two does were grabbed.  Hawk went to where Bracken-Rah was and pushed him in before jumping himself.  Blueberry noticed Carbi and ran to him.  "Come on, you're not being left behind."  Biting him hard on the ear to bring Carbi from his tharn-ness, he guided the small buck to the river and pushed him in as he jumped barely escaping the snapping teeth of the hounds. 

 

  Blueberry was lost to the dark water that was flowing all around him, his ears filling up quickly as he could feel water rushing over his body.  Opening his eyes, he saw Carbi a bit ahead of him in the murky water trying to swim to the other side.  Kicking out, Blueberry made for where the small buck was and reached him.  Feeling his lungs bursting with fire, he bit hold of his back, feeling Carbi kick out, scratching him slightly and made for the surface.

 

Breaking he let go and spluttered.  "Carbi, it's me, stop kicking me dammit!"  Pushing Carbi to the bank, both rabbits got hold of a shallow ledge.  Climbing out, they pulled themselves out of the water and collapsed onto the grassy ground.  Panting heavily, Blueberry closed his eyes but woke up again quickly.  Forcing himself up, he grabbed hold of the unconscious Carbi and pulled him under some undergrowth before passing out completely.

 

Blueberry woke up with a start at the middle of the night by the sound of an owl hooting overhead.  Looking to where Carbi was, he noticed that he was still sleeping and got up, still feeling damp all over and smelling of river water.  While waiting for Carbi to wake up, Blueberry set to his task of grooming himself while wondering just who else survived but more importantly where had they gone.  He stopped for a moment and looked at Carbi before sighing to himself.  "Well, looks like we down to just two, you and me, Carbi.  For however long that will be..."

 

  It was nearly dawn before Carbi woke up from his ordeal and Blueberry spoke.  "Well, you okay, I have to admit you have sharp teeth and claws."  He looked out of the bush that he had managed to pull Carbi in before.  "So, how are you feeling?"

 

Carbi stretched on his side before getting up.  "Like something hit me quite a lot of times."  He looked about before asking.  "Where are the others?"  Blueberry sighed.  "It's just you and me, maybe they came out of the river before us?"  He looked back.  "I think we should head back this way along the river and see if we can find anyone else."  He turned his way to the way the water was running and shook it.  "I don't think anyone would survive long going that way.  Are you ready to move?"

 

Nodding his head, Carbi got up as they both headed out of the bush, walking along the river bank.  After a while, Carbi spoke out to break the silence.  "We're not doing so well are we since the day you won that bobstone contest?"

 

"Well, if you're going to start with blaming me, then go right ahead.  I did get to the farm and all."  Blueberry muttered.  "Nothing has gone right from that day onwards and now we're out here walking along the bank without knowing who else is where."  He frowned.  "You're going to do exactly what I say without question, I be damned if I am going to lose you as well.  Understood?" 

 

  Carbi nodded his head.  "So looks like you're the leader now then?"  He saw Blueberry frown as he carried on quickly.  "I am sure you know what to do given the circumstances." 

 

Blueberry just kept on frowning but he relaxed after coming to a conclusion in his head.  "You know, you're right.  I be able to do anything."  He thought to himself and nodded again as they carried on their way.

 

The journey had it's hassles, for one there came a boat with a man in that Blueberry had to quickly find a place up the embankment so that they were well hidden.  A dog was on the other side of the river, playing with a smaller man while two larger ones were sitting on coloured ground with the rich smell of food and flayrah.

 

It was quite late in the evening when they arrived back at the point that they had noticed the same field that they had fled that morning.  Sitting down at the edge of the bank, Blueberry shook his head.  "Great, this is just great, no one at all."  Carbi looked over and muttered.  "Is there anyone over there?!" 

 

  Blueberry blinked and cuffed Carbi on the head.  "Sure, shout.  Bring elil to us, who's to say that the dogs and man are waiting over there in hiding for us?"  He looked about for a moment and then walked over to a bush.  He nodded to Carbi to come over to him.  "Right,  I want you to wait here.  I am going to swim over and check if anyone made it back over there."  He went to go but stopped.  "Stay here and keep quiet."

 

 Moving to the bank edge again, Blueberry hopped into the water and swam across much easier this time around as he knew what he was doing.  Making it across the river a bit further down from where he left, he climbed out onto the field that he was that morning and began to walk up again towards the bush with the scrapes. 

 

Moving his body lower, he could smell another rabbit but there was also the bad smell of hound, man.  He could also smell homba and rabbit blood faintly in the air.  Carefully he edged his way slowly to the bush and poked his head in.  There lying on it's side, breathing shallow was a rabbit, covered in scratches.  Moving closer, Blueberry came around and blinked in shock as he jumped back.  "Captain Sando!"

 

  Blueberry was looking at Captain Sando who was looking none for the worse as Blueberry nudged him slightly.  "Sir, it is Blueberry here, sir.  What happened, sir?"  He looked as he saw the Captain open his eyes slightly and coughed.

 

"Blueberry?"  He blinked again but didn't get up.  "Ah, I found you then, how many survived?"  He looked at the face of Blueberry and coughed.  "Only you?"  Blueberry shook his head.  "No, Carbi is on the other side.  Bracken-Rah, Captain Hawk and the others I have no idea where they are.  We had to flee into the river, I'm not sure how many survived, if at all?"

 

Captain Sando didn't move but replied, his voice weak.  "I see, then all is lost then, our warren will not be able to carry on, it is what Frith wanted."  Blueberry frowned but removed it quickly.  "What happened to you back at the warren?"

 

"I was trapped in the warren with a ferret behind me.  The whole place was dark, thick with smoke as we fought but the ferret must've been weak from the smoke as it couldn't get the killing blow.  But it did do damage.  It just collapsed and never got up again."  Captain Sando coughed as he shivered.  "So cold..."  He paused for a moment and carried on.  "I had to dig my way out of the rear run, the air was so hot and stifling, I thought that my time had come but I managed to break free.  Whether man was still there or not, I just wanted to breathe in fresh air.  There was no one up on top, not even any rabbits but I could smell the dead smell in the air."

 

  Blueberry nodded his head as he laid himself down on the ground.  "How did you follow this place?"  Captain Sando replied back.  "I followed the tracks that were left, hid behind when I heard man chase a fox.  I didn't know that they were heading your way until I got here but now that you told me what happened."  He stopped talking and shivered.  "Blueberry, try and find another warren for you and Carbi to move in, don't let yourselves die out."  He coughed again as he spoke for the last time.  "Make sure Copse Warren is remembered.."  Shuddering, Captain Sando went still and limp.

 

Placing a paw on the side of Captain Sando, Blueberry looked down and spoke quietly.  "My heart has joined the thousand, for my friend stopped running today."  He remained quietly for a moment and then spoke again.  "I promise you Captain that nothing will come to harm to me or Carbi."

 

Blueberry spent time in digging out a hole in the middle of the bush before he pushed Captain Sando into it.  It was only a shallow hole which he began to push the dirt back over the form in silence.  From time to time he came out of the bush to check up on Carbi before finishing the task.  Eventually he slowly walked out of the bush and made his way back to the bank's edge.  Giving one last look behind him, he made his way back across the river.

 

  Climbing out of the river, Blueberry shook himself, shaking off the water droplets in waves before heading over to where Carbi was hiding in the bush.  Sniffing about slightly, he ventured in and stopped.  "Hawk, what in Frith...?"  He blinked and looked at Carbi who was lying next to the unconscious rabbit.  "Carbi, what is going on?"  Blueberry sat down in confusion looking from one to the other.

 

Carbi replied back.  "I went for a little walk while you were over on the other side of the river."  He saw Blueberry frown at him but he carried on talking.  "He was further up the hill in the hedge, not looking too well, exhausted really.  All I managed to get out of him was that he didn't see anyone else but was glad that he had finally found someone again."

 

Blueberry laid down on the ground and nodded his head.  "Okay, but do what I say next time around, something could've happened to you?"  He looked at Captain Hawk for a moment and sighed.  "Well, if he could find us, maybe others had managed to survive."

 

  Carbi didn't say anything on that but he did speak up.  "So what did you find on the other side of the river?"  Blueberry looked in the direction of where the sound of water could be heard before he turned his head back again and replied.  "I saw Captain Sando and I know what happened to the warren."  Carbi blinked and nearly jumped up.  "Can I go over and see him.  Blueberry shook his head.  "No, there's no point in going over, he's stopped running.  I tell you what happened in the morning, sleep for now, I'll wake you up later."

 

Carbi woke up the next morning and looked at Blueberry still awake and looking out to the river.  He hopped over to him and coughed.  "So, when was it that you were supposed to wake me up?"  Blueberry just shrugged before Carbi frowned.  "You've been up all night haven't you?"

 

Blueberry replied.  "I didn't get tired so there wasn't any point in waking you up."  He changed the subject quickly.  "So how is Hawk?"  Carbi turned to face him.  "He's still asleep, did he wake up during the night?"  Blueberry shooked his head back.  "No, you two slept without any sound."

 

  "Well, it's a lot better than you snoring."  Hawk said as he opened an eye, turning it around to look at Carbi.  "And you need to make sure someone is asleep or not, considering you pretend you're not that good at detecting it."  Getting up, he stretched.  "So anyone came during the night?"

 

Blueberry laughed.  "Well, you weren't listening when I was just talking then.  No one else has come."  He swallowed.  "Sir."  Captain Hawk hopped over to where Blueberry was and he looked out to the river.  "You think anyone else survived?" 

 

Carbi came up alongside them to hear what they were talking about better.  "No I don't but then I have been wrong from time to time."  Blueberry said.  But we just don't know and I don't want to stay here, we haven't moved far away from this place yet and being chased by man twice in so many days isn't on.  I don't want it to be the first."  He looked down to stare at the blade of grass and continued in a low voice.  "I hope that they are okay but they may have been washed so far down the stream that they would never find us again."  He swallowed.  "I hate to say this but I think it's time to move on."

 

  Carbi coughed as he gasped out.  "What?  We can't leave our friends.  We have to stay here!"  He hopped around and faced the other two with pleading eyes.  "We just can't leave them behind."

 

"I don't want to leave them behind."  Blueberry said right back at Carbi.  "But just look at us, we've been moving about little bit here and there and getting into trouble and we're just down to three.  I made a promise last night that I would get you to a safe place and staying here to wait for anyone isn't going to work, we don't know if they're alive or not.  And even if they were, we don't know if they have moved on themselves.  We can't stay out in the open, elil will find and kill us."

 

Hawk spoke up now as he looked at Carbi.  "Blueberry is right, we have to move on and find a place.  Do you really want to risk another episode of a homba chasing us again while we stay here?"

 

Carbi thought for a moment and looked down onto the ground.  "Okay, I just going to miss them that's all."  He looked up again.  "Okay, so where are we going to head?"  Hawk looked at Blueberry with an ear raised a bit higher than the other.  "You know, he does ask a good question there?  Where do we head?"

 

  Keeping quiet for a few minutes, Blueberry hopped out of the bush followed by the other two as he looked about.  "I say we move along the bank for a bit and head this way against the flow of the river, then head away from it.  What do you think Hawk?"

 

Hawk looked up the river as he thought and nodded his head.  "It's a good a plan as any, we have to make good progress and find a place to stay by nightfall though."  He turned his head back to Carbi.  "Okay to go?"  He saw Carbi nod as they began to move along the bank.

 

Hawk looked at Blueberry.  "So what did happen last night?"  Carbi blinked as they carried on moving onwards as Blueberry thought for a moment.  "Okay, I'll tell you what happened to me and Carbi while you can tell us what happened to you."

 

Thinking back for a moment, Blueberry began to retell the tale.  "I didn't jump into the water at first, I saw Carbi hiding halfway in and out of a bush, completely tharn.  I wasn't prepared to leave him to the fate of the dogs teeth and claws so I er."  He stopped as Carbi spoke up.  "He bit me!  He bit me quite hard in fact!"

 

  Blueberry smiled a bit in the way that rabbits do which isn't much.  "Well, you know you weren't exactly with us and I had to resort to drastic measures but it worked and you're here so stop complaining."  He paused for a moment and then continued.  "Anyways, we ended up in the river which took us quiet a fair bit down before I could get him."  He looked at Carbi then continued.  "To the bank and out, he was fighting all the way.  We slowly made our way back up to where we were on the other side of the bank and I decided to go over and take a look."  He stopped talking, then stopped walking completely.

 

"What is it?"  Hawk asked as he stopped a few paces ahead of Blueberry and had turned around.  Carbi looked away and began to nibble on some grass stems as Blueberry swallowed.  "I saw Captain Sando last night."  Blueberry began.  "He was hurt, really bad."

 

Chapter 9 - The Iron Road

Hawk blinked.  "Where is he?  How did you meet him?  Is he okay?"  He blurted out the questions thick and fast.  Blueberry bit his lower lip before replying back with the answers.  "He is back in the field that we were at before we were attacked by the homba, man and the dogs.  He tracked us there after digging himself out of the warren.  Man blocked all the entrances and even left a ferret in there.  He's dead Hawk, he didn't survive much after finding out that me and Carbi was okay, just that he wanted me to go and find a safe place again to live."

 

  Hawk thumped his front paw hard on the ground.  "Well, that's just great.  All we're good for at this moment in time is losing rabbits and our friends and comrades.  It's not on Blueberry.  How much do we have to give to satisfy inle and his army of elil?"

 

Blueberry replied back.  "Not anymore, I won't allow it.  We carry on as we do, we find someplace that we can call home and live in peace."  Carbi finished eating as they carried on their way along the river, stopping from time to time to check for any signs of danger.

 

Eventually the river began to turn away from them as they could see a hedge in the distance.  They all arrived at the hedge, the sound of the river now a bit far behind them as they looked through it to see a road in front of them again.  Blueberry frowned. "I don't like it, we're heading back into man territory again.  They seem to be everywhere."

 

"So what are we going to do then?"  Carbi asked as he looked quickly to the side to see a hrududu rushing towards them.  Everyone backed back into the hedge as it roared by with Hawk looking at Blueberry.  "Go back to the towards the river and see if that will lead us away from this?" 

 

  Blueberry nodded his head.  "I don't want to go anywhere near man for the time being, so yes.  Let's go back and follow the river for a bit longer."  Turning around they came back to the river and instead of going back the way they came, they went down the other way, hearing hrududu's passing from time to time to the left of them.  Hawk looked at Blueberry as he whispered so that Carbi couldn't hear.  "I hope this is the right way?"  Blueberry replied back quietly.  "So do I, Hawk.  So do I..."

The thee rabbits rested under the undergrowth near the river bank edge as they saw in the distance the bright light of the hrududu move along from time to time.  Blueberry was sitting out with Hawk as Carbi fell asleep a long time ago.  "So when you going to get some sleep?"  Hawk asked Blueberry while staring up at the night sky.

 

"Soon,"  Blueberry replied back.  "I hope anyways."  He slowly laid down on the grass and began to silflay, dealing with his hunger.  "Still think I am doing the right thing here?"  He bit some more grass and chewed slowly.

 

  Hawk pondered for a moment as he flicked an ear to get a moth away from it.  "Does anyone know what they're doing in a situation like this?  Being an hlessi isn't as relaxing as those that came to us from time to time, is it?"

 

Blueberry shook his head.  "No it's not but for some reason I've had more excitement than all of my days at the warren.  I mean, when was it the last time you saw an army of dogs led by a fox, with man riding, what were they again?"  Hawk replied back.  "Horses but yes, that's something you don't see that often at a warren."

 

Blueberry yawned as he looked at Hawk.  "You don't mind taking watch do you?  I was up all last night."  Getting up, he moved into the bush as he left Hawk looking at him before turning his head back out again to stare out to the cloudless night sky with the moon shining down.  "No, I don't mind at all."  He was about to say something else but decided against it for the time being.

 

Hawk woke up Carbi in the middle of the night and made him take some first sentry duty.  He sat down next to him as he explained.  "What you have to do is to keep alert for anything.  Move about if you need to get another view but you have to remain quiet, listening, sniffing and seeing if anything of danger comes."

 

  Carbi nodded his head.  "Yes sir.  And if I see anything that is dangerous?"  Hawk replied back.  "You stamp your back foot on the ground quickly, don't worry we owsla have that drummed into us so much in training that we be awake before the third thump.  Wake us up before dawn."  He turned to go and stopped, looking back.  "Good luck and don't let us down or Blueberry, he has faith in you."  Carbi nodded as he sat still letting Hawk catch some sleep as well.

 

The next day, the three rabbits carried on in fits and starts along the river as the hrududu passed by from time to time.  Wrinkling his nose, Blueberry sneezed as he rubbed his nose to the smell.  "Ugh, they do sure leave a nasty smell in the air.  Hang on."  He looked up ahead and blinked.  "Hawk!  Grab Carbi and get to this bush, something is coming along this bank up ahead."

 

All three ran to the cover of the hedge, knowing that the road was just behind them as they saw a man walking a dog along the bank with a leash in one hand and a fishing rod, bag with the other.  Hawk whispered.  "You know, I'll give anything to just not see man again for a while.  What on earth do you think this one is doing?"

 

  Keeping quiet, they watched as the man walked down the bank until he had found a place.  Letting the dog go off the leash, Blueberry was nearly ready to turn around and bolt across the road there and then.  But he could hear another hrududu in the distance.  He turned his head to Hawk and Carbi.  "Okay, this is getting tiresome, let's just slowly move along the hedge so that we can get away without being detected.  No noise though."

 

Carefully they began to move through the hedge, slowly as to not disturb the leaves or make any noise to attract the dog or man.  Stopping from time to time to check on them, they saw the man was now sitting on something while flicking a long pole in the air.  Carbi shook his head. "You know, I love to know what he's doing?  It could prove to be an interesting story to tell one day."

 

Both Blueberry and Hawk frowned at Carbi as they shook their heads and began to move off leaving him behind.  "Fine, you stay then."  Hawk said.  "We make sure to include you ending up inside the dog."  Blueberry carried on.  "Or that the man grabbed you.  Come on, Hawk, he has a story to investigate."

 

  Carbi blinked as he saw both Blueberry and Hawk vanish from sight amongst the thick leaves of the hedge and moved to follow them.  "Hey, come on, it was only just a thought, wait up."  Eventually they managed to get away from the danger and had slipped back out of the hedge again to be within the fresh air once more.  Blueberry looked behind him from time to time as Hawk noticed.  "What are you doing, we left man behind there ages ago?"

 

Blueberry gave another look back as he replied back to Hawk's question.  "Look, I know but usually where man has come from he goes back the same way?  I thought it would be the same if it was if the farmer went back from his fields to his home?"  He saw Hawk nod and he muttered.  "I can't believe I forgot about that, my apology on the matter."  He started to look back as well.  "I've had a lot on my mind lately what with climbing the ladder with my friends being lost."

 

"I know, so where do you see yourself right now then?"  Blueberry asked Hawk as he looked at Carbi a bit ahead of them, sniffing about.  "What is he doing?"  Hawk grinned.  "Well, he's following the trail of the dog, it give him training for following a scent or to at least learn it to know about what a dog smells like to keep well away from it."  Blueberry nodded his head.  "That's a good idea, but you didn't reply to my other question, so where do you see yourself now?"

 

  Hawk looked away.  "That depends on how you take it."  Blueberry blinked back at Hawk.  "And what does that mean, exactly?"  Stopping in his tracks, Hawk looked at where Blueberry was and then Carbi who hadn't noticed that they had stopped.  "Blueberry, listen.  I ain't ready to move right to the top, so I am staying just as a Captain.  You've got your mind, mostly on what has happened and I trust you as a friend.  I am not going to fight or anything, I've decided to let you lead from now on."

 

"Me?  Are you serious?"  Blueberry blurted out.  "Come on, I hardly been a owsla officer and there you are putting your trust in my decisions?"  Hawk lifted up a paw and poked the chest of Blueberry.  "Exactly, none of us at this moment has even been through this situation.  All we had to do was sit about looking about what was going on around the warren, make sure that no one disturbed the chief rabbit and to go fetch some flayrah from time to time.  This is just so new and I haven't a clue on what to do."

 

  Blueberry frowned.  "Like I do, but we can't just run into a hole or that."  Hawk nodded.  "Exactly, but you knew that the field wasn't safe when we decided to stay, forced the issue and that made us go back to scout and we had an early warning of approaching danger."  Hawk began to move again.  "As such, I am happy to let you be in charge."  He looked ahead.  "Come on, Carbi is starting to get really small now."

 

Running up, they both caught up with Carbi who had stopped to sniff at the ground again, wrinkling his nose in disgust.  "Don't dogs ever clean themselves, I don't know what you want me to learn the smell.  I could smell a dog coming from far away.  It's disgusting."  Sitting down he rubbed his nose with his front paws.  "I'd rather lose my nose like El-Ahrairah did than keep on smelling this."

 

Hawk chuckled.  "Oh it's not that bad, you get used to the smell eventually besides dog is easy, just try smelling cat.  It's much harder since they tend to groom themselves more than we do."  He paused for a moment. "We take you to a farm later to see if you can cope with one."

 

  Carbi shuddered as he shook his head.  "No thanks, I'll stick to telling stories like I am thinking of one now.  The day the dog started to stink."  Both Blueberry and Hawk laughed as they carried on their way. 

 

Much later as the sun was starting to go down again, Blueberry could hear something from behind him, the same sound he heard that morning and he looked at Hawk who was already looking behind him.  "We best get hiding again, that man looks to be heading our way again."  Without hesitation, they ran up again to the hedge and slowly entered it, disturbing a sleeping fieldmouse that squeaked in annoyance and moved along the hedge.  Hawk flattened his ears as he heard it complain, muttering.  "Language, like we didn't know it was sleeping here."

 

Blueberry whispered.  "I need to brush up on my hedgerow at some point."  He went silent as he saw the man walking back along the bank with the dog on the leash again while carrying something that stank horribly more than the dog.  Carbi was looking really disgusted as he muttered quietly.  "What on Frith is he carrying?"

 

  Hawk muttered right back.  "I have absolutely no idea what it is."  He looked to Blueberry.  "Do you?"  Blueberry just looked at Hawk as if though he was mad.  "Do I look like I can fly?"  Carbi responded back.  "No but you did swim, did you see anything at all under that water, that looked what that man is carrying?"

 

"No I didn't, I was too busy trying to stop you from tearing me to shreds under there as well as not swallowing more water than we should have done."  He went quiet as he watched the man slowly got smaller in the distance and sniffed the air again.  "You're right about the smell though.  What you think?  Dog or whatever that was?"

 

Carbi snorted as he replied flatly back.  "None of them, I'll settle for a nice, warm burrow thick with rabbit smell thanks you very much."  Blueberry and Hawk laughed as they slowly slipped back out of the hedge again and looked about the area.  "You know."  Hawk said as he looked about.  "We haven't seen any elil today, maybe they're afraid of the road?"

 

  Blueberry had to agree to that one.  "Well, at least that gives us some room to relax but I ain't going to relax that much."  He hopped over to where the man and the dog had been a short while ago.  "Don't think we're meant to relax much anymore, not until the black rabbit takes us anyways?"

 

Carbi shuddered as Hawk went a bit pale in the ears.  "Now, let's not start thinking about that.  I think we should rest here for the night and carry on during tomorrow, what do you think?"

 

Blueberry looked about and nodded his head.  "Fine but I am not going to sleep on hard ground again so we may as well try to dig our own scrapes for once."  He looked about and nodded to the shelter of another bush again.  "We arrange it so that we're facing out all the time."

 

Carbi blinked.  "Are you kidding me?  Dig our own scrapes?"  He turned away a bit disgusted.  "Never heard anything like it before, next you be saying we have to dig out our own warren."  Hawk gave Carbi a cuff on the head with his paw.  "It's an owsla thing and we have to do it if we can't get back to the warren.  You don't have to do it but if you don't mind another uncomfortable night again."

 

  Grumbling, Carbi followed the other two as they began to find a suitable place in the bush before scraping away the hard dirt to leave back a nice soft shallow hole in its place.  Slowly they began to settle in as Hawk carried on about why they needed scrape.  "Look, it lowers ourselves into the ground, makes it harder for any elil walking past to see us, unless they're heading in our direct way but we can run away faster than them so it's in our favour."  Eventually Carbi didn't complain much anymore and fell asleep.

 

"Hawk, give him a bit of slack, he doesn't know our ways, he tries to but it's going to take some time."  Blueberry said, looking out of the bush to scan the area that was quickly darkening.  Hawk sighed.  "Well, he better get used to it soon or he won't survive long Blueberry and you know it.  Mind you, I am beginning to think we're not going to survive much longer pressing our luck while we stay by this river.  I think we should cross the road tomorrow and head up that way.  Just in case we meet any other men that want to take a walk in the same place as us."  He shuddered.  "That and I don't like being trapped between a road and a river anymore."

 

  "Alright, we cross the road before dawn then and make our way across the field."  Blueberry turned to face the river and he spoke quietly.  "We're really leaving the area aren't we, our home and everything.  I thought things lasted forever but I know that's not true."  He yawned and settled down.  "You can take the first watch Hawk, wake me up sometime later and I'll take over."  Hawk nodded and allowed the other two to sleep as he thought quietly to himself.

 

The next day, all three slowly headed to where the road was and slipped under the hedge to get through it.  Moving to the outside they saw it just a bit away from some tall grass and hopped until they were right at the edge of the road.  "Hawk, quickly remind me again of the road?"  Blueberry said as he looked up and down it.

 

Hawk replied.  "Oh this, well it's not that dangerous, the hrududu usually just ignore us but I wouldn't risk hanging about on it to find that out though."  Blueberry nodded his head as he turned to face Carbi.  "I want you and Hawk to go across together and wait on the other side for me." 

 

  Carbi nodded and moved behind Blueberry so that he was next to Hawk.  "Off you go now."  Blueberry said as he saw the two race across the road and into the next hedge, disturbing a small bird which flew up into the air.  Bracing himself, he gave a last look and then raced across himself as he tore through the hedge and ended up in the field on the other side.

 

"Now we're definitely out of the way."  Hawk said as he looked to the sight of sheep sleeping or just grazing the grass.  "Would you just look at that, they're pulling the grass right out from the root.  It will never grow back that way."  Blueberry began to move.  "Well, it's their loss if they eat all the grass in the field and starve.  Let's get moving.  Where there's sheep, there's usually a farmer."

 

Moving quickly they left the field as they carried on through another empty field, that smelt of cows but there weren't any to be seen.  "Funny, place smells of cows but there aren't any?"  Carbi said, looking about the area.  "Wonder where they went?"

 

  Blueberry replied back.  "Who cares, we have to leave this field, I remember Captain Sando saying something about man taking the cows away very early before Frith came up and they were back in the field a short while after Frith does come up."  He looked to the sky which did have Frith slowly coming up again.  "And that's about now."

 

Hawk nodded on that one.  "You're right, I remember being with Captain Sando at the time we saw that happen.  Come on Carbi."  They had left the river far behind as they were crossing the field diagonally.  Blueberry came to a halt as he came to another road, Hawk running into him.  "Watch it!"  Blueberry shouted as he scrambled back into the hedge again.  "What's with all these roads!"  Blueberry's voice was now clearly getting on the anger side of things.

 

Hawk shrugged as he sniffed the road again.  "I don't know, maybe they're tests for us.  That or man is lazy and don't walk or run like we do but ride in those monster hrududu things."  He frowned at Blueberry.  "Could we at least calm down about it though?"

 

  Blueberry nodded.  "Okay, Lets just get over this one and hope we don't come to any others."  They ran across the road just as they were hearing one of those hrududu coming down the road as they entered another field that was just grass.  They carried on forwards through the smaller field until they found yet another road in front of them.

 

Hawk just blinked.  "Okay, man is lazy."  He said in disgust.  "Can't they like walk like anyone else, what they afraid of, wearing out their paws or something?"  That cheered up Blueberry no end as they ran across the road again, the hard surface was really starting to hurt their paws now and they were glad to get back onto soft grass once again.  Blueberry panted as he rested for a moment.  "Maybe it hurts their paws to walk on that."  He lifted up a front paw and licked it.  "I wouldn't want to run on that all the time I can tell you."

 

Moving at a slower pace now, all three decided to turn so that they were heading northwards as they didn't want to risk meeting another road again.  The group paused from time to time.  Blueberry stopped and looked about the whole area again while sniffing the air.  "Something different in the air, not sure what it is?"  He turned to Hawk who shook his head without saying anything.

 

  A slight breeze came over him from the side as he sniffed, stamping his foot to the ground instinctively.  "I can smell a homba."  Blueberry turned his head after saying that to the side and sniffed again.  "Yes, I can definitely smell a homba, it's back from where we were."

 

Hawk frowned.  "Oh great, that's just flipping great.  Here we are in the middle of a field and we have a homba on our tail.  All we need now is a hawk or something to.."  He didn't get to finish as there was a loud bang in the air that made all three of the scatter apart.  Each of the three managed to find a place of hiding really quickly from each other as it took them a while to calm down and slowly find themselves back together again.  Hawk was looking worried.  "Man used a bang stick."

 

Carbi blinked.  "A what stick?"  Hawk repeated it again.  "Man used a bang stick.  It's what he uses to kill something from afar."  Blueberry looked to the hill in front of them a bit further ahead.  "Let's get over that then.  Maybe the other side will be a better place to be right now."

 

  Moving to the bottom of the hill, they began to climb it, Carbi finding it harder than most as he had to stop a few times to catch his breath.  Eventually they all managed to get to the top of the hill and stopped where they were, looking open eyed at the sight before them.  Hawk looked at Blueberry before he could even ask.  "Don't ask me what it is?  I have absolutely no idea."  Blueberry moved a bit forward and placing a paw on one of the wooden planks, he gave the thin silver line a sniff and pulled back.  "It's got me stumped, what about you Carbi?"  Carbi shook his head.  "I don't know, don't think any of the stories I have heard and they're not that many have mentioned anything like this from our warren."

 

Chapter 10 - The Patrol

Blueberry, Hawk and Carbi carried on sitting there by the strange railway tracks in front of them.  Blueberry looked about for a moment.  "We can't say here, it's too much in the open and I am sure I can hear something..."

 

Hawk flicked an ear as he turned his head to the noise.  "What is that?, it sounds like it's moving really fast."  He turned his head to Carbi.  "Get off that this instant, you don't know what it is."

 

  Muttering, Carbi followed Hawk's orders and hopped back to where they were sitting.  Blueberry sniffed the air as he looked in the direction of the noise that was starting to make the ground rumble.  "I don't like this?"

 

Hawk or Carbi didn't reply as they looked out to the distance, a small black dot In the horizon had suddenly appeared, growing louder with each passing moment.  Blueberry turned his head around to look at the track that had started to tremble and shake with a rattling noise.  "I really don't like this.  Come on, let's get down the hill quickly!"

 

They didn't have time to move as the huge object reached them with a huge gust of wind that blew all three down the hill with a thunderous roar.  Blueberry saw his world topple upside down a few times before he arrived at the bottom of the hill, aching.

 

Hawk got up from the ground and shook his head a few times as he saw the object had long gone and was only a small speck in the distance.  "What was that thing?"  He sat down and shook his head, his ears still ringing.

 

  "What?"  Carbi said as he sat up to scratch at his ears with his hind paws to get rid of the ringing sound.  "I didn't quite hear that?"  Blueberry was on his back, staring up into the sky as he saw the smoke still floating in the air, left behind by the fast moving object.  After a time, he got up and looked at the other two as his hearing came back to him.  "Carbi?"  Blueberry turned his head to face him.  "What was that thing?" 

 

Hawk muttered.  "I asked him that a while back but didn't get an answer, I don't think he knows what it is?"  Carbi frowned as he replied back.  "Well sorry, but I did have this awful ringing in my ears that wouldn't go away."  He turned his head back towards Blueberry again and replied.  "It was Frith's messenger."

 

Hawk blinked.  "What?  That was Frith's messenger?  What makes you think that?"  Hawk turned his head to look at Blueberry before going back to his ear again to get rid of some remaining ringing in his ear that had returned.

 

Carbi nodded his head.  "Yes, I head it last winter while a lot of stories were told from one burrow to another.  Frith uses it to send a message to one of his creations from time to time.  No one knew what it looks like but it could move faster than anything and well."  He turned to look up the hill again.  "That moved faster than anything I ever seen so it must be Frith's messenger."

 

  Blueberry looked at Hawk.  "Well, you have to admire his thinking that one out.  So where do you think this messenger is heading to?"  He moved his head back to face Carbi again. 

 

"How should I know what goes on with Frith's mind, I can't read it.  But who knows, probably none of our business anyways.  Frith hasn't spoken to us for ages now."    Blueberry nodded as he looked up into the sky and frowned.  "Great, looks like he was asking for someone to come and make it rain then.  Just look at those clouds, we best go find someplace to shelter from it before it arrives."

 

Getting up as the sky continued to get darker with each passing second, Blueberry could feel a cold wind starting to build up as he looked about again, stopping to check a hedge as they entered a field full of crops.  "This is different..?"  He said quietly while hopping to one of the stalks and sniffing it for a moment."

 

Hawk muttered.  "No, it's just more farmland, I think man wants the whole world to himself.  Shame Frith can't do something like he did with El-Ahrairah and sort them out."  He gave a stalk a sniff and pulled his nose back.  "Got a un-natural smell to it as well."  He looked about on the field and turned his head to Blueberry.  "Noticed anything?"

 

  Carbi hopped about as he sniffed one of the plants in the field as Blueberry looked up and felt that the sky was getting to be too depressing to look at it anymore and lowered his head back down again to face Hawk.  "Nothing, there's not to notice here, it's just a field."

 

"Exactly, there is nothing in this field apart from these plants."  Hawk said as he looked about.  "Just listen and you won't hear a single thing in this field, it's like there isn't anything at all here."  He looked down to the ground and frowned.  "There isn't even any bugs walking on the ground or on the leaves of these plants."

 

Eventually, small droplets of rain began to fall onto the ground as Blueberry looked up again and frowned.  "Oh this is just great.  Look, we have to find shelter or we end up catching our colds and I already got thoroughly went enough for the rest of my life, thank you."

 

Moving on again through the field, the rain continued to fall down as Carbi sneezed, causing droplets of water to fly off his head before more water fell down on top again.  Hawk was keeping his head down low as Blueberry looked ahead and called out.  "There, we can hide in there until the rain has past."  The other two looked up to see a hole in the hill as Hawk blinked.  "Is it safe?"

 

  Blueberry replied back. "It better be as I don't think a bush will give us that much protection in this downfall."  Slowly all three of them headed towards the iron road again but instead of climbing up the hill, they slipped under the wooden fence and entered a path that led towards a tunnel.

 

Running up to the earth, the rabbits slowly came to a stop just inside the tunnel and sniffed the air.  "It smells of man, but it's very faint and old."  Hawk said as he placed two paws onto the cold stone wall and sniffed again.  "I think we be safe here."

 

Blueberry nodded as he looked through the tunnel and spoke out.  "I agree, there's another opening on the other side, it's like some huge run.  We should be fine here."  He turned his head to where Carbi was and motioned for him to get inside.

 

Carefully they moved down to the centre of the tunnel and moved towards the edge where it was dark and dry.  Huddling together, they all began to doze off while the sound of running water came from both ends of the tunnel.  It wasn't long before they had all fallen asleep.

 

  ***

 

Elsewhere not so far away from where the iron road lay, Efrafa warren was going through their daily business.  In the run where the near hind mark was to go out, Captain Campion went passed the small shallow burrow which had two large rabbits with a small buck in between them.  He nodded his head at them and turned to look out to the open.  "I don't think we be needing him today?  I'll let you know in a moment."  Seeing the guard nod he moved on to the edge of the run and looked out.  Hearing two other rabbit's head his way he saw Captain Vervain and another officer.  "Vervain."  He looked out of the burrow again.  "We can't go out on patrol, not in this weather and I am cancelling this mark's silflay as well."  He turned to the other officer.  "Could you inform the officers of this mark and inform the General that we won't be able to track in this weather."

 

Vervain nodded as he turned his head back to look at Blackavar with a frown before he turned his head again back to Campion.  "Well, I don't think we find anything in this weather anyways and any rabbit out there would've taken shelter until it's over.  We find him."  He saw Campion frown with a slight growl on that and Vervain quickly changed the subject.   "So we're heading out again to search for that newcomer that escaped?  Heard that the General wasn't too pleased the patrol couldn't catch him?"

 

  Campion looked down to the wet grass just outside of the hole.  "Holly?  Yeah, it's not good for moral and keeping the others under control if a rabbit can escape from our control.  We have to get out there and find him, Vervain."  He looked out of the burrow and sighed.  "But I wish that it wasn't raining, it's going to get rid of any sign of him from around here."  Campion went quiet again and waited until the rabbit that he had set off a short while ago came back panting.  "Sah, the General said for you to rest but he really wants you to head out as soon as the rain stops to find Holly." 

 

Campion nodded his head back and started back down the run, before he turned his head to Vervain.  "We best get some rest as we have a lot of searching to do tomorrow.  We be heading towards the iron road and start from there."  Vervain nodded back and he stopped just beside the rabbit sentry.  "Let us know immediately once the rain has stopped."  The rabbit nodded.  "Yes, sah."  After the rabbits had left, the two owslafa guarding Blackavar pushed him out as they headed back into the warran again.

 

  Vervain caught up with Campion.  "So?  Do you think that we will find him tomorrow?"  Campion replied back.  "Well, we better find him or one of the other patrols or a few other rabbits as if we come home without anyone, then how do you think the General will take it?"  He saw Vervain shake his head before they nodded to each other and made off for their own burrows.  Campion stopped and looked at a small doe hiding in a dark corner of the mark.  He stood there for a moment and then carried on his way. 

 

Hyzenthlay held her breath as she saw Captain Campion looking at her and she backed away a bit into the burrow.  She turned and vanished as Campion watched her for a moment and headed off down the run in thought.  Hyzenthlay found what little space she had in the burrow and curled up in thought.  She wondered if they suspected her of helping Holly to escape.  She sighed softly and wished on her heart that she could change their minds about how bad it was with overcrowding or escape but her hope was dying slowly.

 

  ***

 

It was still raining with Blueberyr, Hawk and Carbi lying close together in the middle of the tunnel.  Blueberry slowly opened an eye as he lay awake, giving off a small yawn that woke up Hawk.

 

"Still raining?"  Hawk said while keeping his eyes closed.  Blueberry replied back.  "Yes, but it's not as much at the moment I think it's night as well now."  He looked at Carbi in between them, sleeping soundly.  "Well, I have to say that even though we're inside a man made burrow in the ground, I do feel a bit safe at the moment.  First time in a few days of complete tharness though."

 

Hawk nodded.  "So you want to go straight through this run then and pass that thing above us?  It be easier to do that than to cross it you know?" 

 

Blueberry nodded his head as he looked back the way they came and then to the way that they haven't gone yet.  "Yes, as soon as the rain stops we head that way, maybe there be a warren we can find.  I really want to find one now where we can be safe and settle in."

 

Hawk muttered.  "If they accept us enough to take us in, nevermind allowing us to be part of their own owsla, we may not be allowed."  Blueberry sighed.  "Well, it's the risk we have to take and I don't know how it goes with hlessi, apart from that one that Bracken and Sando knew about that they had to push away once to leave again.  But I don't think we would cause any trouble.  I just want to lie low and get along, that's all."

 

  "Well, we all need that, but you get some sleep."  Hawk said.  "I'll keep an eye out and wake you up a bit later or when this rain stops.  Besides, one of us should really keep an eye out in case anything else decides to take shelter from the rain."   Blueberry nodded his head as he rested his head on his front paws again and slowly drifted back off.

 

The next day brought the end to the rain as Frith shone down brightly.  Blueberry woke up as he looked at Hawk looking at him.  "Come on you two, it's a lovely day out there and I don't know how often this place is used by man."

 

Blueberry nodded his head as he nudged Carbi on the side.  "Come on, time to get up and moving.  You never know, today could be the day that we find a new home."  Carbi opened an eye and yawned.  "Okay, I'll get up if you promise not to start saying that this will be the day that we find a home."  Getting up, Carbi stretched before hopping a few places.  "So what are we going to do now?"

 

Blueberry got up as he hopped over to where Hawk and he had discussed earlier that night which had come and gone.  "We're going to head this way, away from those bad smelling fields."  He hopped a bit further ahead as he came to the edge of the tunnel and sniffed the air.  "I smell, fresh grass, wheat."  He turned around and smiled.  "I think we're past the worse.  Come on you two."

 

  Venturing out of the tunnel, the trio of rabbits looked about the new area and saw the same wooden fences again with crops.  "Well, it doesn't look any different but it does smell better."  Hawk said as he hopped out and looked down the path. 

 

"So which way do we go?"  Carbi asked as he looked from Blueberry to Hawk and back again to the path in front of them.  Blueberry replied, while looking in the direction that suited him.  "We head this way to the left field and see where that will bring us.  Come on."

 

All three of them hopped along the path as they made it to the fence and through it with hight spirits in their heart.  Blueberry felt relaxed for the first time since he had come back home from the farm raid.  Hawk was chasing Carbi about after the young buck had said something and as he looked up to the sky, there wasn't a hawk to be seen.  All that was looking down was Frith that slowly kept on rising into the air.  "Hawk."  Blueberry said.  "So how do you feel today?" 

 

Hawk had caught Carbi and knocked him to the ground before replying.  "Better than I did yesterday."  He rolled over and sniffed the clean air.  "There's not a single bad smell in the air at all and you know what?  I am actually hungry?"  He stopped and sniffed again.  "I can smell cabbages over that way."  He looked through the tall corn and hopped a few places before confirming it.  "Yes, fresh cabbage and not a single bad smell in the air."  He turned his head to the other two and smiled.  "I tell you what?"  He began to run.  "I'll race you there."

 

  All three rabbits crossed over the field that they were in a very short time.  Hopping through the fence they ended up within a field full of cabbages.  Everyone came to a halt panting heavily as they looked about the field, seeing just rows and rows of cabbages sticking out of the wet soil ground. 

 

Blueberry panted as he looked at Hawk.  "You cheated, running off before you finished saying what you were planning to do."  Hawk hopped over to a cabbage and sniffed it before he turned his head back around and replied flatly.  "Hey, you two are younger than me, I have to have some advantage if I am to win, you know?"

 

Carbi chuckled.  "Well, we have to let you have the first bite then, old one."  He ran off with Hawk chasing him again.  "I'll give you old one, you little rip, come 'ere"  Blueberry shook his head and hopped over to one of the lettuce, taking a small nibble as he tasted the leaves, which tasted fresh and moist from the rain the night before.

 

Flicking an ear he turned to the other two and coughed.  "Listen, do you two really want to chase each other, or rest and get something to eat, these cabbages are fine.  Come on, stop messing about now."  He watched as both Hawk and Carbi ran up to where he was as they tried the same cabbage that he had nibbled on a moment before.

 

  ***

 

Nearby, making their way across the field, a small group of rabbits were running across the field led by Captain Campion and Captain Vervain, the patrol stopped from time to time to get a sniff of the land.  Campion frowned as he looked about and muttered.  "I thought so, the rain has washed away any sign of anything that would've moved through this way."  Vervain added as he looked towards the hill where the iron road lay.  "Perhaps we will have better luck once we cross that and check around the field there.  We can do an arch and go back through the tunnel."

 

Campion nodded his head as he looked at the other two rabbits.  "Right, you heard him, we go across the iron road and see if we can track any signs since he headed that way."  He pointed to one of them.  "You were on the patrol after him, show us exactly where you saw him cross."  Without saying another word the patrol ran off in that direction.

 

They arrived at the bottom of the hill as Campion placed a front paw on the slanted slope and looked up.  "So you were chasing Holly up here then?"  The officer nodded his head.  "Yes sah.  It was dark and we could hear something loud coming but we kept on chasing him.  When we got to the top we saw him for one moment and then this thing rushed by and by the time it had passed, he was gone.  We didn't find anything of him at all, so we headed back."

 

  Campion frowned.  "So I had heard."  He turned to the officer in question.  "Well, since you were here before, you can lead us up the hill and over the iron road.  Vervain, he's one of yours, go up with him."

 

Vervain swallowed.  "Me?"

 

Campion nodded his head.  "Yes, you Vervain, who do you think I mean?  Come on, I don't intend on wasting time while Holly could be alive or dead.  We need to know which."  He watched as both Vervain and the officer in question headed up the hill in front of Campion and the last remaining party of the patrol.  Coming to the top, Campion looked about from side to side as he hopped forward and gave the iron road a sniff.  "Nothing, not even a very faint scent left."  He turned to the officer.  "You should've done a thorough check on the area before heading back."  He paused as he hopped right across the tracks.  "Come on, let's search on the other side.

 

Quickly the patrol headed across the line and made their way slowly down the hill, unable to run down it quickly without pushing themselves over to tumble down over their heads.  Reaching the bottom, the patrol entered the field and split up into two as they began their thorough search.

 

  Moving through the field, the patrol met up again without a single success in finding anything at all to say that Holly had died or came through the field.  Vervain shook his head.  "Well it's a loss for me on where he could've gone?  We may as well head back to the warren."

 

Campion took a step closer towards Vervain and shook his head.  "No, we were ordered to find Holly or at least find out what happened to him.  Do you really want to give the others hope that they can ignore our laws just to have an easy life?  We are out here until we know otherwise."  He turned around and looked for a moment.  "Let's try the other fields on the way to the tunnel."

 

As the day got on, the search continued as Campion was beginning to realise that they're chances of finding anything after the rain wouldn't come to pass.  He was more annoyed with Vervain than anything for not going across the iron road that night but what had been done, had been done and he had to sort it out.  The last field before the path that led to the tunnel running under the iron road showed that nothing had come through it.  He hopped over the fence and sat down in the path.  "Vervain?"  Campion looked at him.  "Tell the officers to rest for a moment and we will search that field before heading back through the tunnel to give the search of the fields on that side."  Vervain nodded his head and allowed the officers to nibble on some of the grass growing under the fence.

 

  ***

 

Blueberry was full as they carried on walking through the field of cabbages now.  He turned to face Hawk who was looking a bit full himself and he himself turned to face Carbi.  "Okay, let's not do that again shall we."  Blueberry had to agree as he nodded his head.  "Well, no, we won't do that again but it was nice anyways.  At least we won't have to eat for a while at least."  He stopped and got up, rising his body into the air as he stood there sniffing the air.  "I can smell a badger."  He looked in the direction where the smell was coming from.  "Seems that the wind has changed and is blowing the scent from that small bunch of tree's.  I think we should avoid that area completely."

 

Hawk muttered.  "Lendri, so this area isn't as safe as it was on the other side we left."  Carbi hopped a bit forward as he heard another rumble in the distance and turned to face where the iron road was hidden from view of the hill and saw another train rush by, heading the other way than it did the night before.  "Looks like whoever Frith sent a message to is going to get his reply."

 

  Blueberry and Hawk turned to look at the train moving away very quickly and shook their heads.  "Well, I am glad that not one of them came over last night, that thing could wake up anything that tried to sleep near it."  Hawk said as he looked at Blueberry.  "So where do we head to now?"

 

Blueberry looked about and chose another clear way.  "We head through the fields, we should find a warren in one of them.  There has to be another warren nearby, I just not that sure when we will hit one."  Slowly they began on their way across the field, looking at the small group of tree's from time to time in case they could see a badger come out.  Blueberry muttered.  "Sando told me once that they only come out at night, so I wouldn't worry about it but keep an eye out for any other elil.  I know homba come out during the day, so do hawk as well."  After saying this, he gave another glance up to the sky but didn't see anything.  Blueberry looked at the others and saw that they to had moved their heads up to give the sky a check and smiled inwardly.

 

  ***

 

Giving them enough time, Campion got the rest of the patrol tog et back up again as they made their way across the path to the next field.  Stopping from time to time, Campion sniffed the ground and got up as he shook his head.  "Nothing, there's absolutely no trace of him anywhere.  This is your fault, Vervain."

 

"My fault, what do you mean, this is your fault?"  Vervain sneered back at Campion who was frowning back as he walked through the field checking for anything as he stopped to inspect one of the stalks.  "You should've crossed the iron road, not come back because of signs of rain.  Of which if I recall it didn't start at all, did it?"

 

Vervain swallowed.  "It looked like it was going to but it was too dark to see anything, I thought that he had died being run over by whatever runs on that iron road."  Campion shook his head.  "So where is the body, Vervain?  I admit that something would've took it if they found it but there hasn't been report of any elil in the area for a few seasons.  Our way of life has made it look as though there isn't a warren about for elil to stay around."

 

  Vervain looked down.  "I forgot to look, I already been told off by Woundwort on it, do I really need you to get on my back."  Campion just huffed and stood up again to give the field another look as the two officers came back.  "There's nothing here, no scent or marks."  One of them reported as Captain Campion came back down again.  "Okay, we head to the tunnel and search the other side."  He turned his head to Vervain.  "You best hope that we find him."  He gave the same look to the other officer and as he walked towards Vervain and spoke quietly in a whisper as he stopped next to him.  "As I only spoke friendly to you last night in the warren.  I didn't want to see the non owsla rabbits seeing officers fight."  He moved on and began to make his way back towards the path again.

 

Frith was riding high in the sky as Campion and the three other Efrafans reached the tunnel entrance.  Standing still, Campion sniffed the air as he slowly walked over to one end of the tunnel and placed his nose closely to the wall.  "Someone's been here, there's a rabbit scent."

 

  Vervain spoke excitedly.  "Is it Holly?"  Campion sniffed again as he shook his head.  "No, it's not Holly, this is a whole new scent."  He turned around and hopped back to the centre of the tunnel again before slowly walking in as he spoke quietly.  "It looks like we have a new hlessi, which has ventured near to our warren.  We have to find him or her as quickly as possible."

 

Walking slowly in the tunnel, Campion stopped again as he sniffed the air and then moved over to a spot to the side and moved his head for the others to come near.  "There, this is where they slept last night."  Vervain sniffed and looked back up.  "There's more than one of them, three I think, bucks as well."  He sounded very pleased with himself, perhaps Woundwort would forgive him if he helped to capture them.  Campion was sniffing the ground and lifted up his head.  "I have their scent, we shouldn't have problems tracking them now."  He turned his head to one of the officers.  "I want you to go back to Efrafa and bring back another patrol and head here.  You should be able to track our scent.  Follow us."  He hopped right across the tunnel with the other three and stopped, sniffing the path.  He nodded his head as the three ran off towards the field to sniff out a section of the fence and hopped into it.  The Efrafan officer turned around as he ran back towards Efrafa.

 

Chapter 11 – Efrafa

Blueberry slowed down as he came to another fence that separated the fields.  Poking his head from within the tall grass that grew along the fence, he sniffed the air as he listened, looked for anything to be wrong and nodded his head as did the others before slipping through.  Carbi had to climb on the wooden plank before jumping off and landing softly in the next field.

 

***

 

Not that far behind in another field, Campion was tracking the three rabbits as he could see the fresh tracks on the soil.  Running across the field quickly, the patrol covered the whole field in no time at all as they slowed down to sniff at the fence separating the field.  Vervain began to move into the field, before Campion stopped him.  "Careful, we won't be able to keep them all together without more of us and we don't know much about them yet."  Going quiet, Campion turned his head back again to look into the cabbage field before nodding his head.  "Okay, let's go but keep low and move quietly.

 

Seeing the tracks stop next to a cabbage that showed signs of being eaten, Campion frowned.  "This is just what we don't want?"  He looked up and about as he sniffed the cabbage before looking about again urgently.  "Man will definitely search for any signs of rabbit unless we clean this up."  Campion bent down as he pulled at the remains of the torn leaves of the cabbage until they came off from the stem.  Without another thought, the three rabbits ate the remaining leaf quickly to get rid of any sign that the cabbage had been touched. 

 

  When they had finished eating the lettuce leaves, they turned to see where the tracks were headed to before setting off quickly after them, running across the field quickly as they came to the edge and looked out.  Campion stood up and quickly came back down again as he nodded his head.  "They're on the other side of this field, three of them.  We will follow them slowly until another patrol arrives and then we will take them down."  Slowly they slipped through the fence as they kept low.

 

***

 

Unbeknown that they were being watched, Blueberry and his two companions carried on moving through the field in high spirits, the weather was looking much better from the day before, the weight of the last couple of days had lifted from their spirits and for the first time they were feeling as though this was one of those normal days.  Hawk bent down to sniff at a dandelion before biting off the head with Blueberry looking at him.  "Come on, you're not getting hungry already, it wasn't that long before we ate those lettuces?"

 

  Hawk chewed as small yellow petals dropped to the ground.  "Come on, it's only a snack."  He swallowed as he looked at Carbi hopping about trying to sniff at a white butterfly and grinned as he turned his head back at Blueberry again.  "Look at him, you think we haven't been through anything at all?"

 

Sitting down, Blueberry checked the area again and looked behind him for a moment before moving his head back to Hawk again.  "Well, that was a long time ago now, hrair days.  I think we decided in our own hearts to move on and carry on living as any rabbit does, which suits me fine."  He got up again and stretched.  "We're both.."  He stopped and looked away from Hawk.  "Well, I am a young buck fresh from joining the owsla, you're in your prime and we have young Carbi there that seems to be enjoying himself today, I think the storm washed away all our troubles while we slept, perhaps a gift from Frith, who knows?"

 

Hawk nodded as he got up.  "Well, we best carry on our way, can't stay out in the open like this, I rather we rest at that fence over there."  Blueberry nodded and hopped over to Carbi who nearly caught the butterfly but Blueberry scared it off.  "Come on Carbi, we have to get going again, not safe to stay out here in the open."  Seeing Carbi move to where Hawk was, Blueberry turned his head back around again and sniffed.  Detecting nothing, he shrugged and ran up to where Hawk was as they carried on their way.

 

  Hawk looked at Blueberry for a moment.  "What's the matter, you've been looking over your back now a few times."  He turned his head around to look back as well before he turned his head around to look at Blueberry as they made their way towards the edge of the field.

 

Blueberry frowned slightly.  "I have this feeling of being watched.  It's the same I got at the field by the river where I couldn't settle down but I can't detect anything at all.  Maybe it's nothing or everything but we will find out soon enough anyways."  Hawk looked back himself again and frowned.  "You know, you just had to pass that feeling onto me now but you're right, I can't tell anything, the wind is blowing the wrong way for any scent to come our way.  Hopefully it will change soon enough."

 

***

 

Vervain nearly jumped up as Campion growled.  "They haven't detected us yet, the wind is blowing towards us, we can smell them but they can't smell us so don't you go thinking that because they're looking behind them all the time is that they know we're here."  He went silent for a moment and frowned.  "It's an owsla thing."

 

  Vervain blinked.  "So they're owsla then?  That must mean that they're from a warren.  We have to find out where this warren is."  Campion frowned.  "Actually I think two of them are owsla and one isn't from what I can see of the younger one but we may have trouble with the other two."  He turned his head around to face Vervain.  "This will mean, that you will let me do the talking and see if we can get them to come to us on their own free will.  Once we have them within our sentry lines at the warren then we can take full control of them."  He turned his head around and scanned behind them.  "That's when the other patrol reaches us."

 

Vervain blinked.  "What do we need another patrol for?"  Campion replied back.  "They can be around just in case they get edgy before we head back into the warren completely.  You never know if they run or not but I rather try and get them in without too much hassle first.  We're too far out to bring them in by force."

 

A officer that was looking behind them, coughed slightly as he made Campion turn his head about again.  "Sah, the patrol is here."  He moved to the side to let Campion run up to there they were and sat down.  "Captain Lotus, I am glad that you were able to get here.  How are things at the warren?"

 

  Lotus replied back.  "Quiet, yet there is still that slight dissection in the air, I think that the council is going to decide on keeping an eye on some of the does."  Vervain nodded his head.  "Ah, so they suspect someone did help Blackavar then in escaping as well as Holly?"

 

Campion nodded at Lotus as he changed the subject.  "Right, I want your patrol to keep hidden while mine will go and meet these hlessi.  You know what to do if they decide to run from us, we will have to corner them.  But right now I want them near to the warren before we put them under arrest, understand?"

 

Captain Lotus nodded his head as Campion turned around and nodded to Vervain and his group.  "Right, let us go and meet the new hlessi shall we?"  Without saying another word, Campion was through the fence and running towards where the scent of the three rabbits led them.

 

Catching up, Vervain looked at Campion.  "I take it you want me to be quiet as you trick them?"  Campion looked at Vervain for a moment and shook his head.  "No, but be careful on what you say and follow my lead on everything.  You know how other warrens work, they don't think much of being oppressed."

 

  Vervain snorted.  "Oh come on, every owsla push their luck on the lesser rabbits from time to time in a warren.  It's what we've been told from other rabbits we took in."  Campion nodded his head.  "Yes, but you can't go overboard on the antics, I want to try it this way.  If it fails we can always call for the others to come."  Campion went quiet as they quickly reduced the distance to the three rabbits in front of them.

 

***

 

It was Blueberry that had noticed that someone was following them and he turned his head around again to make sure.  "Hawk, we have four rabbits following us, actually they're running towards us and covering the distance quite quickly."  Blueberry stopped as he turned around with Hawk moving in front of him as Carbi kept to Blueberry's side.  Hawk turned his head around and muttered.  "If they're planning to cause us any trouble, I want you to run with Carbi."

 

Blueberry blinked.  "But, what about you, we won't leave you behind?"  Hawk huffed right back in Blueberry's face.  "It's a Captain's privilege Blueberry-Rah sir."  He grinned at Blueberry and nodded.  "Carbi, vote now, you want Blueberry in charge as much as I do, right?"  Blueberry turned his head to look at Carbi who nodded his head.  "But.."  Blueberry started but was interrupted by Hawk.  "Nothing to complain about, we voted, you're it and my job is to protect you, if needs be that is?"

 

  Blueberry was about to say something back but he saw that the rabbits running towards them were too close to say anything and he remained silent as Hawk hopped a pace forward and looked at the newcomers that came to a stop.  "Hello there."  Hawk began.  "Nice day to be out, isn't it?"

 

Campion nodded his head.  "It is indeed.  May I enquiry something?"  Hawk nodded as he listened to Campion continue to talk.  "You're not Efrafan's are you?"  Hawk turned to face Blueberry who replied back.  "No, we don't know of the place, is that your warren?"

 

Campion took stock of the situation right away, the rabbit in front of him was only protecting the two rabbits behind.  Vervain spoke up.  "Who's in charge of your group?"  Hawk turned his head to look at Vervain.  "Why to you want to know?"

 

Campion turned to look at Vervain for a split moment and moved his head back to face Hawk again.  "May I enquire what you names are?  I am Captain Campion, this is Captain Vervain, Birch and finally Stemleaf."  Campion sat down on the ground as he looked from one rabbit in front of him to the other.  "So may I ask who you are?"

 

  Before Blueberry could stop him, Hawk replied back.  "This is Carbi, I am Captain Hawk and this is Blueberry."  Blueberry sighed as he thought Hawk would've said he was in charge, but he nodded his head at any rate.  "I take it there is a warren nearby then that you come from?"

 

"Our warren isn't far away.  You must be tired from travelling?  May I ask how far you have come?"  Campion said as he idly scratched at an ear, keeping an eye on Hawk before he turned his head to face Blueberry.

 

Blueberry replied back.  "It matters not about our warren now, but I wouldn't mind asking if we could come and see your warren."  Hawk looked at Blueberry.  "May I have a word before we make a decision?"  Bluebrry turned his head to Hawk and then to Campion.  "Do you mind?"

 

Campion shook his head and allowed the three rabbits to hop a bit away from them as they talked amongst themselves.  He turned his head to Vervain and nodded.  "See, we have them within out sentries soon enough, now please just let me do the talking before you mess it up like you do everything."

 

  Blueberry looked at Hawk as he sat down again.  "What is wrong in going into their warren?"  Hawk looked at the four rabbits.  "I don't know but there's just something on my mind about them and I don't know what it is.  I mean, did you see Campion give Vervain one of those looks and those other two haven't said a word since they arrived."

 

Blueberry looked down for a moment in thought and then looked back up at Hawk.  "Well, they could be very wary of us as well, I mean, how many times have you seen three hlessi moving through the countryside near to their warren?"

 

Carbi flicked an ear before bringing himself into the discussion.  "Well, what harm would it be to go and see their warren, we could always leave and move on if it doesn't work out or if they don't like us anymore?"

 

Blueberry nodded as he thought and looked at Hawk before ending the discussion.  "Okay, Hawk you didn't trust me when I had a bad feeling and look what happened to us so I am going to trust you on this one.  The first sign of danger and we will get away if we can.  Let's keep our eyes and ears open to what we can see and hear, okay?"

 

  Hawk nodded his head as he replied back.  "Now that's good thinking from our leader."  He was about to turn when Blueberry stopped him.  "Listen, both of you.  I don't want them to know that I am a chief rabbit, even if I don't think I am and you two do.  Let's just say I am a Captain or an officer."  He looked at Hawk who nodded but Carbi spoke up.  "Why?"

 

Blueberry turned his head to Carbi and answered him.  "A warren only accepts one chief rabbit so for the time being I rather not have it if it will upset these rabbits.  If we have to move and leave the warren I take that title again but not now, okay?"  He saw Carbi nod and turned around to hop back to where Campion was waiting.  "Okay."  Blueberry said.  "We're ready to go with you to your warren."

 

Campion nodded as he turned around with Vervain while Birch and Stemleaf moved to the back of the three rabbits as Blueberry blinked as he looked around.  "Why have they moved around the back?"

 

Campion replied back.  "They're just there to ensure your safety, there has been some sightings of a homba about and we don't want anyone to get hurt while out here."  He turned back again and started to lead the rabbits through the field, back the way they had been before turning around to the side as they began their journey.

 

  Blueberry was in thought as he and the others continued to follow both Campion and Vervain back to their warren.  Every now and again, Blueberry would give Hawk a sideways glance which he saw that Hawk was giving him one from time to time.  Carbi who was in between them just looked from one to the other, unsure of himself.  Eventually, Blueberry coughed.  "So what is your warren like?"

 

Vervain looked at Campion for a moment who nodded his head as he turned his head around and simply replied.  "You find out when you get to it."  Blueberry blinked and came to a stop, feeling Birch behind him hop right into him as he blinked.  "What do you mean, we find out when we get there?  It was a simple question I asked?"

 

Before Campion could respond, Vervain snarled and looked directly at Blueberry.  "It was a simple question, sir and you have no right to talk to me in this way."  He turned his head to face Campion.  "Right, I had enough of this silly nonsense."

 

Campion frowned as he saw Hawk begin to push Blueberry to the side as Birch moved in his way.  Hawk turned to face Campion.  "Okay, what is this?  Why can't we move on our own."

 

  "Because I can't let you do that."  Campion said as he frowned at Vervain for a moment, having to do this his way.  "You're within Efrafan territory and as such you all have to come with us to the warren.  I have to put you under arrest."

 

Blueberry blinked.  "Why?  We can just leave and you won't have any trouble from us if you didn't want us near the warren."  Campion shook his head.  "I cannot allow that, you must come with me back to the warren to see the General."  He looked up and saw Captain Lotus arrive with his officers.  "Now don't make this any harder than it has to be."

 

Captain Vervain smiled as he gave the order.  "Split them up, two officers per rabbit."  Blueberry frowned as he saw two rabbits move beside him so close that he could feel their bodies pressing against his.  The same happened to Hawk and Carbi.  Vervain turned around to Campion.  "I take the rear."  He turned and ran around the three group of three rabbits as Campion frowned facing away from the others as they carried on moving on their way.

 

  Not being able to do anything, Blueberry allowed himself to be lead to the warren, unable to turn his head to look at the other two or to talk as he just looked ahead as he saw them approaching the edge of the field once again.  However there were tree's now and he could see a lot more rabbits sitting about the field all looking in as he saw a group of rabbits on the far side being hurried back into the warren again by a few other rabbits.

 

Campion came to a stop and turned around.  "Right you lot."  His voice had changed as he looked at Blueberry, Hawk and Carbi.  "You're to follow me down below to see the council and our chief rabbit."  He turned around and spoke.  "Come."

 

Blueberry found himself being pushed down into the warren itself as he followed Campion through the runs with an officer beside him.  Not being able to see the others behind him, Blueberry came to a stop as he was pushed against the run wall and told by an officer to wait there and be quiet.

 

Chapter 12 - General Woundwort

 

Blueberry kept his ears up as he heard Campion begin to talk.  "Sir, we haven't been able to find the rabbit that had escaped but we did manage to pick up three new hlessi that were passing through the area."

 

It was then that Blueberry, Hawk and Carbi heard the voice of Woundwort.  "Did you now?  You better tell me what happened, Campion."  Campion replied back from within the burrow.  "Yes sir..."

 

  Campion nodded at the larger buck lying down on top of a shelf in the burrow.  "Well, sir.  We searched the area where Captain Vervain had lost Holly by the Iron road but the rain the night before made everything clear of any sort of scent.  However we carried on for a few fields past the iron road in an attempt to picking up something but to no avail."

 

Campion stood up on his hind legs as he looked at the rest of the council.  "There we headed back towards the tunnel that lies underneath the iron road and we found a new scent of rabbit that had past through.  Checking it, we found that there were three sleeping there in the middle, probably last night and so continued on to see if we could find the scent to see where they had moved today."

 

General Woundwort looked down at Campion as he stretched his paws, digging into the soil as he nodded his head.  "Please continue, Campion."  Campion nodded his head.  "It didn't take long to find them at all, they're not very good at hiding their marks.  They even took a few leaves from a cabbage in the field not far from the iron road that we had to clear up.  After we found them, we stayed out of sight until we had some more officers and requested that another patrol be sent to us to ensure that we would bring them in."  Campion paused before continuing.  "I did have a plan but Vervain here, ruined it."

 

  Vervain looked up at Woundwort spluttering out.  "I didn't ruin it, they knew that we were lying from the start."  Campion saw Woundwort turn his head towards him and spoke.  "Is this true, Campion?"

 

Campion shook his head as he looked up to Woundwort.  "No sir, I had a plan to pretend that this warren was a safe warren.  Just so that we didn't have to resort to fighting another hlessi and losing one of our own officers or the hlessi itself and drawing in elil into the area as a dead rabbit would as well as leaving hlessi moving about the fields drawing attention."  He paused as he frowned.  "I was working well up to a time until one of the hlessi asked a question about what the warren was like and Vervain ruined it by forgetting the plan I suppose and speaking like a true Efrafan.  We were lucky that they didn't try anything and that the other patrol arrived so that we could bring them in safely."

 

Woundwort didn't nod as he turned to face Vervain.  "I want you to do sentry duty for a few days then report back to me."  He waited until Vervain left the burrow and turned his head back to Campion.  "Do you know which one is the leader of the three?"

 

  Campion nodded his head.  "I believe I do.  Sir, they did try to disobey orders after the incident when I had to bring help from the other patrol."  He paused and got back to the point again.  "I believe their leader is the buck named Blueberry, sir."

 

Woundwort nodded.  "Bring them in, we shall see them now."  He waited as he saw Campion turn around to nod at the rabbit by the entrance of the burrow as he saw Blueberry, Hawk and Carbi being pushed into the chamber while Campion moved to the side next to Blueberry himself.

 

Woundwort looked over the three of them for a moment as did the rest of the council rabbits as Blueberry looked right back as did Hawk, Carbi on the other hand, looked away or tried to at any rate.  "Well, I heard that you disobeyed Efrafan laws?  What do you have to say for yourselves?"

 

Blueberry spoke up.  "We didn't know that we were breaking any laws?"  Campion looked at him fierce fully as Blueberry added.  "Sir."  Campion nodded his head in approval as Woundwort spoke out again looking around him.  "Ignorance of breaking the law isn't acceptable, you still broke the law and refused to come here when an officer of the owsla told you to do so.  Is that correct?"

 

  Blueberry replied back.  "If that's how you see things, then I will have to agree with you sir."  Blueberry went silent again as though this was the right answer to give to the large rabbit looking down at him.

 

Woundwort shuffled about a bit as he nodded his head again.  "That was very wise of you?  What is your name?"  He looked at all three of them as Blueberry spoke once again.  "I am Blueberry, this is Hawk and this is Carbi."  He moved his head as he said the other two names.

 

"I see, so I take it that you are the leader of your small group?"  Woundwort enquired as he looked at each one again with his eye, one of them didn't look right to Blueberry but he didn't know why.

 

Hawk spoke up.  "That would be me, sir."  Blueberry went to say something but stopped as he saw Woundwort staring at him for a moment before he turned his head back to where Hawk was.  "This is not what my Captain told me and from the look of your friend here, he proved that he is your leader."  Woundwort frowned at Hawk.  "Do not try to fool or trick me again or you will face the consequences." 

 

  Woundwort turned his head back to Blueberry again.  "This is how things will happen, you are not in charge of your friends anymore, I am.  What I say goes, same if any of my officers under my command in your mark."  He looked at Campion again and paused.  "You had something else to say, Campion?"

 

Campion nodded his head.  "Yes sir, they told me of a warren that they had come from but did not tell me of where it lay."  He kept still at attention as he saw Woundwort turn his attention back to Blueberry again.  "You will tell me about your warren right now and where it lies."

 

"Telling you where the warren is would be a waste of time."  Blueberry said as he saw Campion turn around to raise his front paws before he turned his head to Woundwort.  After a moment, Woundwort frowned.  "And why not?  This had better be a good answer for your sake."

 

Blueberry looked at Campion who had a stoned face look about him as he turned his head to Woundwort who had even a more stoned face look about him.  Swallowing, he replied as he explained what he meant.  "Our warren was destroyed by man in retaliation for us stealing his flayrah at his farm.  We are the only remaining survivors.  We came from a warren far past the iron road and across the river situated by a copse.  We did meet one more rabbit that managed to escape but he confirmed it's destruction before he stopped running."

 

  Woundwort nodded his head as Campion backed away before he spoke.  "Very well, this is your home now, to all of you.  We shall see how you are settling in before we decide on what to do with you.  I might remind you that if you are loyal to the warren and work for the good of the warren that, benefits may come before you.  Failure or disrespect to any of the officers or the warren will result in the most severe punishment."  He paused as he looked away.  "Oh one more thing, you will be identified by your mark."

 

Blueberry and Hawk winced as they felt sharp claws raking through their hind leg.  Carbi gave a more squealed response from the same treatment as Woundwort spoke to Campion.  "Find them a burrow, I shall see them again one by one eventually.  Make sure that they know the rules and settle in."

 

Blueberry, Hawk and Carbi were led out of the council burrow with pain still ringing on their hind leg from where the mark was given as they were led to the part of the warren that held that mark.  As they moved, Blueberry could see that the owsla burrows were well made but as they made their way into the main part of the mark burrows, he saw that it was a different story altogether as many dull eyes stared out from the burrows, which all looked overcrowded.  Campion came to a stop and nodded.  "This burrow had been cleared away for you.  There will be a few more coming your way eventually no doubt.  I am sure someone will come to you to tell you the rules."  Campion turned and left without saying goodbye.

 

  Blueberry looked at Hawk and Carbi.  "Well, okay.  I have no clue on what we have gotten ourselves into here."  Hawk muttered.  "I thought it was obvious, they don't let rabbits leave, but why I haven't got a clue."

 

Carbi just curled up at the back of the burrow behind Blueberry and Hawk not saying much at all.  Hawk turned his head to look at him and then moved it back to Blueberry once more.  "I don't think Carbi likes it here, Blueberry."

 

Blueberry muttered.  "I have a feeling that I won't but what can we do about it?  This may end up being our new home and we did say that we would try our best to fit in."  He stopped talking as he heard someone was outside of their burrow and got up.  Blueberry moved his head outside of the burrow and saw Hyzenthlay outside.

 

"Oh, you're the new ones that arrived.  I was told to come and give you the ropes on what happens around here?"  Hyzenthlay said while turning her head to look at another buck not far off watching her.  "I don't have long, so can I come in?"

 

  Blueberry nodded his head and moved back inside to let Hyzenthlay slip in as she sat down.  Sniffing she looked at each one before hopping over to where Carbi was and began to lick at the wound on his hind leg.  "Poor thing."  She said before speaking in between cleaning out the wound.  "You're part of the rear hind mark now.  You can't do anything without being told when to do it.  You will be informed on when to go up to silflay, when to pass pellets."  She paused as she licked at the wound and spoke to Carbi gently.  "It will stop hurting soon."  Lifting up her head, she carried on.  "You mustn't be found outside of your mark or try to.."  She gritted her teeth and forced out the words.  "Try to escape.  The council knows everything, they hear everything so I would prefer that you decide to follow all the rules and do what the owsla officers or owslafa officers have to say."

 

Hawk nodded his head along with Blueberry who spoke.  "Thank you, we try to follow the rules.  Who do we report to though?"  Hyzenthlay had got up and turned her head back again.  "I am sure the mark Captain Chervil will pop along at some point."  She didn't say anything else and hopped out leaving the three rabbits to settle down for the time being, licking their wounds.  Hawk turned to face Blueberry.  "Well, this is definitely a fine mess we got ourselves in."  Blueberry nodded his head as he looked out of the burrow in thought.  He turned his head back and licked Carbi's wound first until the small buck was asleep, then he went to tend to his own, keeping silent while deep in thought.

 

  ***

 

Later on, Blueberry woke up to seeing another rabbit sitting outside of the burrow.  Getting up he blinked before he heard the other rabbit speak.  "I am Captain Chervil, your mark Captain.  I need to ask a few more questions?"

 

Blueberry nodded his head as he replied back.  "Okay, what do you want to know?"  He watched as Chervil began to speak again.  "I hope that you have been informed of the rules here, but there are a few that haven't been told to you yet, so I will inform you of them now."  He frowned slightly.  "First of, you will call me sir at all times, I won't let that pass again."

 

Blueberry nodded his head back.  "I apologise sir."  He saw Chervil relax again before he continued on.  "Very good.  There isn't that much room in the mark so you may be getting another rabbit or two that will be sharing with you sooner or later.  I have to ask you though.  What was your positions in your previous warren?"

 

Blueberry replied back.  "I was in the owsla, sir.  Only an officer that had come out of training, sir.  As for Hawk."  He turned his head around to where Hawk was sleeping.  "He is an officer for over a few seasons now and Carbi."  Blueberry stopped.

 

  Captain Chervil looked at Carbi for a moment.  "And Carbi?"  Blueberry turned his head back to face Chervil as he replied.  "He isn't owsla but just a rabbit living at the old warren.  He is a storyteller though of El-Ahrairah, or should I say that he's learning at least." 

 

"I see."  Chervil said at length.  "Well, for the time being you can forget about being in the owsla until we feel that you can be trusted.  You're not to dig this burrow any bigger, not without council approval.  You will be shown where to pass hraka on our next silflay and how to bury them immediately.  That is all for now, go back to what you were doing."  Without saying anything else, Chervil turned and headed off again down the run.

 

Hawk opened an eye as he spoke quietly.  "Charming fellow isn't he?  Mind you, I don't think any Efrafan here has anything to be charming about?  It's just rules, rules, rules and not one bit of relaxation."  He paused.  "What are they scared of?"

 

Blueberry pondered for a bit as he shrugged.  "I honestly don't have a clue, maybe they're scared of man finding this place and not having the warren destroyed like ours."  He placed his head back down again as he carried on talking.  "Hawk, do you miss the place, I didn't earlier today but now, I don't know but it seems like this is all a dream and I will wake up soon to see myself lying in my burrow or Carbi hopping all over me again."

 

  "Don't think that will happen."  Hawk said back quietly.  "Look, we're here now and for what it's worth, it's a warren, we're safe back underground again and if they're way of life is different to our own.  We adapt in time."

 

Blueberry nodded slowly.  "Maybe, if we survive long enough."  Hawk lifted his head as he blinked.  "What do you mean?"  Blueberry turned his head around to look at Hawk again as he replied.  "Well, look at that doe that came to see us before and other rabbits in this warren.  Did they look healthy to you?  I thought that they looked a bit on the thin side as though there isn't much food about to eat and as for this hiding hraka all the time, what's the point in that if you can't eat pellets again ever?"

 

Hawk lifted an ear as he pondered this one before replying back.  "I suppose we're lucky that we managed to stuff ourselves then before arriving here."  Hawk's voice had a hint of worry now as he looked to Carbi.  "Do you think non owsla rabbits survive here?"

 

Blueberry closed his eyes as he thought about that one for a moment.  "I don't know, but if the owsla here are in charge so much then I would think that they would get the best of everything the higher you go up.  Well, that's if I am right though, it will take time to see if I am or not?"

 

  Hawk muttered.  "That's it then, I am going to look after Carbi a lot from now on and you should as well."  He saw Blueberry nod slightly as Hawk continued.  "I mean it, I think we should look after him, just in case."  Blueberry turned his head back again and replied.  "I know and I'll do it myself.  Maybe getting into a position here would help more though."

 

Carbi woke up as he murmured.  "Help who?"  He slowly woke up and looked at Hawk and Blueberry before blinking his eyes again.  "What are you two talking about?"  Hawk looked at Carbi as he moved to check the wound on him that the officer had left before and licked it.  "Nothing, don't worry about it."

 

Carbi shook his head.  "No, come on.  Tell me, what is wrong?"  He looked from one to the other as he shook his head.  "Fine, don't tell me anything, I know I am the youngest here and not the most experienced but I don't like being in the dark."

 

"Okay."  Blueberry said as he moved so that he was facing Carbi.  "I will tell you what we were talking about."  He turned to face Hawk before looking back at Carbi again.  "This warren looks like its overcrowded and as such I don't think there is enough flay to go about, what with not being allowed to eat pellets, I don't see how many rabbits get enough to eat."  He went quiet as he looked at Hawk.

 

  Hawk carried on.  "And we decided that we are going to look after you, we don't know how many small rabbits are in here, if it's for the fittest then I doubt that there are many or if there are any at all."  Blueberry finished.  "And I made a promise once to make sure that you would be safe, no matter what.  It was an order, a dying order from Captain Sando and I am going to make sure that it's followed through."

 

Carbi looked at them both before replying.  "Well, do what you have to do but don't put yourself in danger because of me.  How long have we been asleep?"  Hawk shook his head as he replied.  "I haven't a clue, I don't know when we will be heading back up again.  Do you know Blueberry?"

 

Blueberry thought for a moment and shook his head.  "No, I did see the mark Captain though, his name is I can remember it, is Chervil.  They all like you to call them sir though so be careful on that one, I think there are quite a few bullies within the owsla."

 

Hawk muttered.  "Ah, well I know how to deal with those."  Blueberry looked at Hawk and frowned.  "No you won't, I ain't sure yet what sort of punishments they do in this warren.  I am sure Campion before in that burrow with their Chief wanted to see if he got the order to kill me right there and then.  We have to be careful."

 

  Hawk relented.  "Fine but I really do not like this at all.  The more I am thinking about where we are, the more I am not liking it."  He paused as he looked at the entrance of the burrow.  "Someone's coming."

 

Blueberry blinked as Hawk moved so that he was at the front of the burrow while Blueberry turned his attention to seeing how Carbi's wound was getting on.  Looking into the burrow a buck looked in and spoke in an gruff manner.  "The General wants to see the buck, Blueberry."

 

Blueberry got up and moved to where Hawk was, looked at him before heading out of the burrow to follow the officer down the run.  Carbi looked at Hawk who was watching from outside of their burrow.  "Well, we soon find out what is going on.  Looks like it's the next day if they're asking to see us on our own."  He moved back into the burrow to settle down next to Carbi.

 

Blueberry was silent as he followed the buck towards the same place he had been the day before but as he went into the main big burrow again, he didn't see any other rabbit in their.  The buck looked at Blueberry before speaking.  "You wait here, the General won't be long."  Without saying another word, he left leaving Blueberry along and confused."

 

  Blueberry hopped about looking at the burrow for a moment as he heard a noise behind him and turned around to see Woundwort had entered the burrow silently.  "Well," he said as he moved into the burrow and settled down at his place.  "I see that you are taking a good look around this burrow?"

 

Blueberry looked about again as he spoke quietly.  "I haven't really looked at the place properly.  I only just noticed on how big it is now."  He swallowed.  "I apologise if I moved, I was told I shouldn't have, sir."

 

Woundwort replied back.  "Do not worry about it, I suppose this would all seem a bit daunting for you and your friends for a while."  He paused for a moment and added.  "As long as you follow the rules I don't see how you will have problems."  Woundwort looked at Blueberry again for a moment as he added.  "You look as though you have something on your mind?"

 

Blueberry nodded.  "Well, I do sir but I ain't sure if it's the right thing to ask them or not?"  Blueberry sat down and looked up at Woundwort.  "If I have your permission to ask them, I will?"

 

  Woundwort remained silently before he nodded his head.  "Ask away."  Blueberry nodded as he asked his first question.  "I was wondering, since you are the chief rabbit of this warren.  Why aren't there any officers around you for protection?  Especially when you're alone with an unknown rabbit?"

 

Woundwort gave off a sly smile as he slowly got up.  "Well, I can show you why not, but you see, I really don't need an officer with me?"  He jumped down from his shelf and walked towards Blueberry, speaking.  "Come on, let's see how much you have learnt at your old warren."  Blueberry blinked as he saw the large rabbit heading his way and he swallowed, backing away a bit.

 

Chapter 13 - Blueberry learns how to be an Efrafan

Woundwort carried on moving towards Blueberry as he turned his head back quickly to see that he was actually running out of room even in this huge burrow.  He quickly moved his head back again as he saw Woundwort lift up onto his hind legs, ready to strike down.

 

With a quick move, Blueberry got out of the way quickly as he moved right around Woundwort and stood behind him.  "I apologise if I have offended you, sir?"  Blueberry said unsure of himself as he saw the large buck turn around.

 

"Hmm, you move quite well but how can you cope in an actual fight.  Come on, I want you to attack me?"  Woundwort said as Blueberry just sat there looking confused.  "Pardon?"  Woundwort growled.  "I ordered you to attack me, give it your best shot."

 

Blueberry replied back.  "Um, yes sir..."  He moved quickly forward, rose onto his hind legs and cuffed Woundwort as hard as he could on the head.  Without knowing what happened next, Blueberry was flying backwards as he landed onto his back then felt the weight of Woundwort on top of him, pressing down.

 

Blueberry tried to squirm out of the way but it wasn't any good as he couldn't get a grip anywhere.  Eventually he remained still and felt the weight lift from his body as Woundwort got up and made his way back to his place.  "As for why I haven't an officer here is that I do not need one."  Woundwort said as he looked at Blueberry still lying on the floor.

 

Slowly, Blueberry got up again onto his feet and shook his head.  "Okay, point learnt."  He sat down again and looked at Woundwort with some admiration in his eyes.  "So you never had a problem with another rabbit?"

 

Woundwort shook his head.  "No, never.  What else is on your mind?"  He carried on to look at the buck as Blueberry thought for a moment.  "I am a bit confused on why this warren has to behave in what it does."  He paused and quickly added.  "Not that I am saying that it is wrong but I am used to another way and all."

 

"Ah," Woundwort said, idly scraping the claws into the soil as he talked.  "I would assume that you would be confused, so let me explain.  I came to this warren when it was falling apart, man was killing rabbits, elil were running amok and killing any rabbit that they saw.  I looked around and saw confusion and mayhem.  I brought balance and order back.  Now there isn't a single elil that knows about this place, man also thinks that.  We must remain hidden and be vigilante at all times."

 

Blueberry nodded.  "I see."  He looked down for a moment in thought as he looked up.  "Exactly what do you have planned for us?"  He looked at Woundwort for a moment as he shifted about a bit.

 

Woundwort was waiting for this question as he replied to it.  "Well, that depends on if you will answer my questions truthfully or not?"  Blueberry thought about it for a moment and nodded his head.  "I will answer your questions as truthfully as I can since you allowed me to ask some of my own, sir."

 

Woundwort nodded as he began to speak.  "Very well."  He took a deep breath and spoke slowly.  "Tell me about your warren?"  He looked at Blueberry for a moment and added.  "Everything about it, please?"

 

Blueberry replied as he explained about his warren.  "My warren was called Copse warren, sir.  It was situated south west from here far from where the iron road lies and across the river.  We were situated not far from a small farm that we used to steal flayrah with the owsla.  Our warren was under the command of a rabbit named Bracken-Rah."

 

"So the warren was destroyed, this is what you told me last night?"  Woundwort said.  Blueberry nodded his head.  "Yes sir, it happened a few days after my first farm raid, we were sent to steal flayrah for the chief rabbit and his mate.  I suppose we pushed man too far and he exacted his revenge on us.  I was on sentry duty at the time when the attack happened."

 

"I see," replied Woundwort.  "Well, the first time it happened when I was on sentry duty I was face to face with man, I immediately sounded the alarm and everyone went down below.  This was before the attack."  He saw Woundwort nod as Blueberry carried on.  "There was a meeting but it was decided that man didn't hold much of a risk and as the days went by."

 

Woundwort added.  "The warren relaxed in it's security?"  He saw Blueberry nod his head as he added.  "Continue."  Blueberry carried on with his tale.  "Anyways, man did come back but I was out again on sentry duty and heard a noise far off, I think it was a dog barking but it was close.  I made a signal for Hawk to come to me and we went to investigate it.  What we saw was man heading our way."  He paused as he looked down.  "Even though we tried to get back, the dog managed to get loose and chased us away from the warren.  We had to taken the long way around to get back there again.  But man had already arrived and the whole warren was in chaos.  The only way was for us was to get to the rear run and see what could be done there."

 

Clawing at the soil, Woundwort pondered for a moment and spoke.  "How many of you managed to escape from this attack?"  He looked at Blueberry again as he felt as though the big buck was looking through him with his only eye.  Swallowing, Blueberry answered.  "At first there were a hrair of us that managed to escape under the cover of mist that made it hard to breathe."  Woundwort nodded.  "Ah, so man used fire against you then."  He closed his eyes and shuddered for a moment.  "Yes, I remember fire..."

 

Blueberry blinked as he moved his head to the side slightly and uttered.  "Sir, you okay?"  He saw Woundwort snap open his eyes again suddenly.  "Yes.  You were saying?"  Blueberry swallowed as he continued on as fast as he could.  "We managed to get away and kept on heading away from the warren.  This is when I heard that man had also used ferrets to head into the warren as well.  There was also disturbing reports that Bracken-Rah was killed as with anyone else that didn't make it out.  Eventually we managed to get to the river after a few scary moments which resulted in a doe dying after eating some badly smelling grass.  We stayed there for a few days resting."

 

Woundwort listened to everywhere Blueberry had to say, nodding his head from time to time as Blueberry carried on.  "But we were attacked, hlessi life was hard and we didn't expect a fox to come, followed by hrair dogs and man.  Most of use managed to escape by jumping into the river but by the time I had managed to get out.  There was only three left."  He paused before speaking quietly.  "I do not know if there are anymore that have survived, sir."

 

"I see."  Woundwort said at length.  "I believe you are telling me the truth, however I have heard reports that there are some rabbits moving across the fields at the moment from my wide patrollers."  The words gave Blueberry some hope as Woundwort noticed it.  "Well, we shall find them at any rate."

 

Blueberry nodded his head as he sat there.  Woundwort got up and hopped down from where he was and came right up to Blueberry.  "I have heard about your discussion that you were having last night and I know you want your young buck Carbi protected so this is what I propose."  He paused for a moment, while Blueberry wondered how he could know about said discussion.  "I will not accept any treason against this warren, but I do understand that even though you do not understand our ways that you are still willing to learn them nonetheless."

 

Blueberry nodded his head.  "I don't intend to do anything of the sort sir, I am just not used to this warren's way of life, that is all."  He backed away a step as Woundwort came to sitting down and called out behind him.  "You can come in now?"  Blueberry turned his head to see that Captain Campion came in with Captain Chervil as they hopped either side of Blueberry as Woundwort spoke.  "Did you hear what he had to say from outside?"

 

Both Campion and Chervil nodded their heads as Woundwort carried on.  "And what do you think of what Blueberry here had to say?"  It was Campion that spoke up first.  "It would be easy to find out if a wide patrol was sent over that way to find out any tracks had survived or not.  But what with the rain, it would be hard since it washed most of it away due to our other problem."

 

"Ah, yes our other problem."  Woundwort said thoughtfully before speaking.  "Well, I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt and see how he settles in.  I will speak to the others next one by one."  He turned his attention back to Blueberry again.  "I have decided to put you under the command of Captain Chervil and Captain Campion.  They will both teach you what you need to know to become an officer in this warren.  Listen to them both as they both have much to teach, as I do.  Serve me well and you will be rewarded.  Don't and suffer the consequences.  Do you understand?"

 

Blueberry nodded his head as Woundwort turned to the other two.  "Take him away, Campion will you show him around the warren while Chervil goes and brings Hawk to me."  Both nodded their head as Blueberry did the same and spoke.  "Thank you sir."  He turned with the rest and followed Campion out.

 

As they left the burrow and headed down the run, Campion spoke.  "So, what you had to say to Woundwort must've pleased him?"  Blueberry replied back.  "I only spoke the truth, besides you heard all of it yourself, didn't you sir?"

 

Campion nodded his head.  "That I did."  He moved along the run and stopped looking about.  "This is part of the mark that you are in, these rabbits are now under your control, they will hear soon enough that you have gained a position within the owsla.  It does have it's benefits by the way."  Campion said as he turned his head to look at some does who were huddled together, talking quietly.  "Although if you do choose a doe to mate, be careful as to which one you do choose.  We've been having some problems with a few lately."  He motioned for Blueberry to follow him and led him off elsewhere.

 

Moving through another part of the warren, Campion stopped again as he looked about.  "The system goes like this, you have sentries that take orders from officers, the officers take orders from the Captains, the Captains take orders from the mark Captains who in trun take orders from the Captain of owsla who takes orders from the council and the council takes orders from the General himself.  Now as for you, you're on probation right now so even though you will have officer rank you have a lot to learn which is what I am going to teach right now."  He moved on again as Blueberry followed.

 

Coming to a run that was leading back up to the top, Campion stopped and turned around to face Bluberry.  "Each mark takes it's turn to head up on top to silflay, pass hraka and to bury it.  The whole exercise is done first.  Sentries and officers go up on top first to make sure that the area is secure and that it is safe for the mark to go up.  When we are ready, the officer near to the entrance of the run will signal down below and the mark is brought up."

 

Blueberry nodded as he continued to listen to Campion explain things.  "No one is to leave the area, anyone that tries to run are picked up quickly and sent back for punishment.  This is to ensure that our warren is safe and that man or elil will detect that there is a warren here.  Each mark has a set time limit that they have and we make sure that the mark goes down below before we go down ourselves."

 

Blueberry asked.  "Is that your job?"  He saw Campion shake his head as he motioned Blueberry to head up to the top and ventured outside.  Once he looked about the area, he turned his head back again to face Blueberry and answered.  "No, my job is the same as any other wide patroller.  If a signal comes to say that a rabbit has escaped, there are a few patrols out there ready to pick up anyone that has run off."  He looked around for a moment and nodded for Blueberry to follow him.  "The shoulder mark should be coming out right about now, we will go over there and you can see what I mean."

 

Campion moved to the edge of where the mark was and nodded to two rabbits who stopped them.  They looked at Campion before turning their heads to Blueberry.  "Who's he?"  One of them asked as Campion replied back.  "He's a new officer in the near hind mark.  I am going to show him how a mark goes out and back in.  I am on orders by the General to show him how things work."

 

The two rabbits nodded his head as they replied.  "The mark should be coming up in a moment.  The mark Captain is already out and sorting out the sentries."  Campion nodded his head as they made their way through to another field as Campion spoke.  "Stay with me at all times, not everyone will know who you are, this is another mark and they won't know you since you won't be able to come here again unless you get permission from Captain Chervil."

 

"I understand."  Blueberry said back as they stopped at the outskirts of the mark territory as Blueberry looked about.  In front of him he could see quite a lot of sentries that had been situated around the area as a rabbit ran back to the hole which had another rabbit standing just outside.  Campion spoke softly.  "That's Captain Thymus.  He's the mark Captain here right now."  Blueberry turned to face Campion on that as he replied.  "Accidents happen, sometimes an owsla officer has to go on a wide patrol from time to time.  No doubt you will be asked to head out on one at one point, after you have proven you can be trust, that is?"

 

Blueberry turned his head back as he saw the mark come out of the warren to silflay or to go and pass hraka at the prepared pits.  Campion spoke again.  "There are another set of rabbits who's job it is to go out and to dig those out as well as to fill them in.  However, if a rabbit is on that duty then they have reached the very bottom of the warren or are on punishment.  It's the least worse case of punishment that the council gives out."

 

Blueberry spoke.  "And what are the punishments that the council give out?"  He watched as he saw Captain Thymus head towards them as Campion explained.  "Depends on what the crime that has been done.  Take one rabbit for instance that you will see in a moment or two, he had his ears shredded for continuing to try to escape.  Other times the death sentence is given out but you really have to push your luck on that one."  He turned to face Blueberry.  "Mind you, sometimes you have to be careful here.  You have a position now in the owsla, others do not and as such they may try to kill you if they can get away with it to gain your rank.  That's another way that rabbits here see death."

 

Before Captain Thymus reached them, Blueberry muttered back.  "Thanks for the warning."  He saw the rabbit come right up to them as he looked at Campion.  "Hello there, what can I do for you on visiting my mark?"  He turned his head to look at Blueberry for a moment and asked.  "Who are you?"

 

Campion replied back.  "He's a new officer in the near hind mark.  I was ordered to show him around and since you're mark had come up for silflay, it was an opportunity to show him how it is done since he have to help do it this evening."

 

"I see."  Captain Thymus replied back as he relaxed again.  "Well, welcome to Efrafa, I am sure that you will fit right in."  He turned to look back at the mark.  "Care to follow me as I make my rounds with the sentries?"  He saw Captain Campion nod as all three began to move through the field.

 

Blueberry followed the other two as Campion spoke out.  "So how is the mark getting along?"  Captain Thymus replied back.  "We're just as crowded as all the other marks but we haven't had anyone yet try to escape, but we did increase the sentries though after Blackavar tried to run off."

 

Blueberry blinked.  "Blackavar?  Who's that?"  He saw Campion look at him before looking ahead again.  "Blackavar is one of the rabbits that doesn't like the overcrowding of the warren and has against the council's wishes, always wanted to leave here.  It's all for Efrafa's sake to stay hidden for our protection and protection comes at a cost."  He paused as he turned to Captain Thymus.  "Mind if I go and show him now, best to get it out of the way than let his own rabbits see his reaction for the first time?"

 

Captain Thymus nodded his head as he left Campion and Blueberry alone as he made his way to make sure that the sentries were doing their jobs.  Hopping across the field, pass several rabbits silflaying while being watched by officers close by, he came to the run that led down and spoke to the sentry there for a moment quietly.  Blueberry couldn't hear a word but he saw the sentry nod his head and moved to the side.

 

Both Campion and Blueberry moved into the run and headed down a bit until they came up to where a shallow burrow was situated.  Blueberry stopped and looked at Blackavar who was sitting in the middle of two larger rabbits as he looked at the state of the shredded ears.  "What can we do for you Campion?"  One of the rabbits spoke, while giving a look to Blueberry.  "Isn't he one of the new ones you picked up yesterday?"

 

Campion nodded his head as he replied back.  "Yes he is, I've been ordered by the General to show him around and I may as well get this over with."  Campion looked at Blackavar and spoke.  "Why don't you tell Blueberry here on why you are here?"

 

Blackavar looked up feebly as he replied back.  "I was sent here as an example by the council to show what would happen if anyone tried to escape."  He paused and looked down as one of the Owslafa officers raised a paw.  "Come on, finish it."  Blackavar shook as he carried on.  "The council were merciful in their decision."

 

Campion turned to face Blueberry as they turned and headed back out again.  "He has to report to every mark that go out and back in so that they can see him.  He's coping with it so far but I don't think it will last much longer though."  Blueberry nodded as he turned around and felt a cold feeling run up his spine.  He turned back around again and spoke.  "Have to do whatever you have to do to keep order, I suppose."

 

Blueberry looked about the area again and noted how so many rabbits weren't enjoying themselves, keeping quiet as they chewed on what grass they could find.  Feeling Campion nudge at his side, he spoke.  "We best get moving on, we have a lot to do."  Campion ran up to where Captain Thymus was and nodded at him.  "How long before the mark heads back down again?"

 

Captain Thymus replied back.  "Not long now."  He paused, looking about.  "Not much happening in this one I am afraid, which is good but you won't see how something works.  I am sure Campion will explain on what to do though if anyone ran off."

 

Campion frowned slightly as he sat down and watched the group of rabbit's silflaying before Captain Thymus got up and nodded.  "Alright, let's get these lot back inside again."  Blueberry watched as the officers down below began to herd the rabbits back to the run that led back underground where Blackavar was sitting in between the owslafa.

 

Blueberry gazed as he saw how efficient the owsla got the rabbits back down underground as the rest of the sentries waited until everyone had gone down before leaving their posts.  Captain Thymus nodded his head at Campion and Blueberry.  "Well, I shall be seeing you soon Campion, sir."  He looked at Blueberry.  "Good luck and all, but I have things to do."  With that, he ran off with the others and slipped back underground.

 

Campion turned around and faced Blueberry.  "Right, this is what you do if someone attempts to run away.  You try to stop them at any lengths.  If however you are not close enough to catch the runner and if it will endanger keeping the others from running, then all you should do is to set off the alarm by stamping your foot and shouting escape."  He began to hop back to where they came and Blueberry followed him back to his mark.  "Don't worry."  Campion said.  "We wide patrollers will be able to hear the alarm and get into the area quickly.  "Hardly anyone escapes from here."

 

Campion frowned before he added.  "Well, it used to be nobody but lately..."  He went quiet and looked at Blueberry for a moment.  "I hope you learn quickly as the General and I don't take to failures here."  Blueberry nodded his head and made a point never to fail considering what he had seen for punishment.

 

Chapter 14 – Caught

Campion showed Blueberry around the warren for a while before leaving him back at the entrance to his mark again.  "Well, I best be heading off, I am on duty soon for the evening patrol.  Your mark should be coming out for evening silflay so you should be okay."  Campion looked about and then started to head away.   He stopped before turning his head back again before adding.  "I would head back down again, see how your other friends got on with talking to the General."  Without saying another word, Campion ran off.

 

  Passing a sentry, Blueberry nodded his head as he delve back down into the dephs of Efrafa again.  He didn't go far without passing another officer or sentry as he paused to remember which way his burrow was before he turned down the familiar run as he heard some well known voices in the burrow.

 

Hawk was talking to Carbi as Blueberry popped his head into the burrow from outside.  "So, how did it go?"  Blueberry asked as he moved into the burrow and sat down, blocking the hole as he moved his head from side to side.

 

Carbi gave a shudder as he replied.  "I don't think he likes me, said I was a terrible storyteller.  I did try to say that I was still learning stories though.  But I ain't of owsla material."  Blueberry nodded.  "Well, I would keep out of it, from what I have learnt, some things happen to you if you fail here anyways that you really don't want to know."  He moved his head to face Hawk as he gave him a questionable look.

 

Hawk sighed.  "I've been made into an officer myself, though I've only just got back a short while ago after being shown about by Captain Chervil.  He was telling me on how things worked around here, that everything had to be reported to the council and Woundwort, the punishments that had to be given out if a rabbit gave any disrespect or broke any laws.  We're not allowed to dig the burrow bigger or anything."  Hawk looked down as he frowned.  "Blueberry..."

 

  Blueberry nodded as he looked behind him again and took a look out of the burrow from left to right before he moved his head back again and lowered his voice.  "I know, we just have to make sure that Carbi survives in here, that's all."  He looked at Carbi for a moment, noticed the look that he was getting and frowned.  "Listen, you find out exactly what sort of punishment they can give out when it's time for silflay.  Speaking of which, Campion said that it would be evening that this mark will be going up, so that should be soon before we're called for."  Blueberry finished as he looked at Hawk.

 

Carbi muttered.  "I don't need looking after, I am supposed to be seeing this other rabbit that tells stories here.  He's an old council rabbit from what I have been told, Woundwort said that he would teach me all about all the tales that have happened here as well as the El-Ahrairah ones."  He looked at both Hawk and Blueberry.  "Trust me, I think I will be alright."

 

Both Blueberry and Hawk looked at each other silently before they settled down to wait for what orders that they were to be given.  Eventually through the quietness of the burrow, Hawk broke it.  "I wonder what duties we will have to do each day?"

 

  Blueberry thought for a moment silently as he replied back.  "I suppose the usual stuff, keeping an eye out for any sort of rebellion, talk about escaping here as well as making sure that the mark silflay goes without a hitch."  He frowned.  "I did learn though that we can move from one mark to another if we get permission from the mark captain to go visit another mark if it doesn't affect our duties of course."

 

Hawk rolled his eyes.  "Wonderful, is there anything else that we need permission for?  I suppose we have to get permission to get a mate?"  He saw Blueberry shook his head as he replied to that one.  "I don't think so?  I think that being an owsla officer gives you the right to find any doe and take her, if she's not already taken of course by another officer or captain."  He paused as he thought a bit more.  "I don't know but I think that if a doe is already mated and I hope I am wrong here, I think the officers can just take her if the buck isn't in the owsla."

 

Carbi looked aghast from that but Hawk nodded his head.  "You're right, Captain Chervil was commenting about it when I was looking at a doe on my guided tour through the mark.  The buck hasn't a leg to stand on complaining anyways.  In fact, it's encouraged that if a doe is expecting kits, then she has to give them up so that she can bring good quality officer offspring."

 

  Blueberry frowned as Carbi got up and looked about disgusted.  "That's it, I can't live in a place like this.  What hope do I have if I can't even become an officer?"  Hawk cuffed him hard on the head and mutterd.  "Lie down and keep your voice down, do you want to end up in trouble."  Blueberry added with a low warning voice.  "Or your ears ripped to bits."

 

Hawk turned his head to Blueberry and moved his head a bit sideways.  "Pardon?"  Blueberry sighed.  "I saw a buck who has to be on show at every mark's silflay."  He paused for a moment as he looked from one to the other before carrying on.  "He tried to escape so many times without success, the council ran out of ideas on how to punish him, so after the last escape he had the punishment of having his ears ripped to shreds by officers."  He could see the horror in his friend's eyes as he carried on.  "I tell you, I have seen some things in my life from fights between bucks before during mating but this sickened me."  He closed his eyes before finishing.  "Anyways, let's catch some sleep before silflay..."  Without saying anything else, Blueberry remained quiet in his thoughts.

 

  Captain Chervil arrived at their burrow a bit later on as he coughed.  "Right you two, we need to head out before the mark goes up for silflay."  He looked at Carbi before turning his nose up.  "As for you, you're going to have to wait and follow the others up when it's time."  He moved out of sight and carried on down the run.

 

Blueberry got up and looked at Carbi as he spoke gently.  "Don't worry, just follow the others up and we see you up there.  Just do whatever the sentries and officers tell you to do.  See if you can make any friends up there."  He moved his head closer to Carbi as he added.  "But don't let on that you don't like it here or anything, I have suspicions that there are spies in this place."  He backed away again and looked at Hawk before they both left the burrow.

 

They saw Captain Chervil waiting for them at the end of the run as he frowned a bit.  "Come on, we don't have all day."  Hawk muttered.  "We were only making sure that Carbi is okay, sir."  Blueberry saw Captain Chervil roll his eyes before he replied.  "Whatever, I have to show you where you two will be keeping watch for this silflay, you be under another officer for a few goes until you know what you are doing."

 

  They both followed Captain Chervil out of the warren as they saw other officers waiting out there, some were eating already, some watched as the three of them arrived.  Captain Chervil coughed as he got everyone's attention immediately.  "Right, as you probably heard by rumour now, that these two here are new to our mark and have been placed within the owsla.  I want two volunteers on helping them get to grips with our procedures, even though Blueberry has seen it before, I wasn't able to arrange for Hawk to see what we do?"  He looked about and frowned.  "So is there anyone at all?"

 

Cnicus and Arrowroot both hopped forward as they nodded to Captain Chervil.  Arrowroot looked at Blueberry as he spoke.  "I would be happy to show Blueberry around, sir."  Cnicus looked at Hawk with a nod as Captain Chervil agreed to it.  "Right, I want you all to get into position.  Blueberry, you stay at the hole as the rabbits come out, Cnicus, you go and take Hawk over to the boundary and show him the ropes there.  Right, let's get moving."

 

  Blueberry went and followed Arrowroot to where the hole was and he could hear Blackavar down below with the two owslafa officers talking.  Arrowroot sat down at the side of the hole with Blueberry beside him as he spoke.  "Avens should be bringing up the rest, have you seen him yet?  He's the other mark officer around here."

 

Blueberry shook his head.  "No I haven't seen him yet, then again I haven't been around much since I arrived here."  He turned his head around to look at where the other rabbits were placed before he turned back again.  "Sorry, it's just going to take a while to get used to things, you know?"

 

Arrowroot shook his head.  "I am afraid I don't know since I was born here but I suppose for some that would be a problem but I would rather have you get used to it quickly, like right now before Captain Avens comes up with the mark."

 

Blueberry didn't have time to reply back as he saw Captain Avens arrive followed by the low bows of the mark behind him.  Slowly he moved to the side next to Blueberry as he watched the mark head out slowly and quietly.  He turned his head around and spoke.  "Ah, so you're the new one.  I'd keep an eye out for these, they're trouble some of them."

 

  Blueberry could see Hyzenthlay frown on that as she turned to say something right back but was stopped by another doe before they moved on.  Captain Avens nodded.  "Like that one, be careful of her, she's quite a lot of trouble, got the council watching her."  He paused.  "So how are you finding it so far?"

 

Blueberry blinked as he saw Carbi pass him, noting that Captain Avens had spotted him as well before he replied back.  "As well as can be expected, I suppose."  Blueberry said quickly as all of the mark had passed them.  Captain Avens nodded his head.  "Well, let's go through the mark and I'll let you know who is who and who to look out for."  He turned his attention to Arrowroot.  "You be fine here for a while on your own?"

 

Arrowroot nodded his head.  "Yes sir, shouldn't be a problem here."  He moved back to sitting still as Captain Avens nodded before beckoning Blueberry to follow him.  "Right, let's go."  He began to walk Blueberry through the mark as he commented on various rabbits.  "Take this one."  He stopped looking at a buck who was eating grass.  "He's a bit edgy sometimes but he is well known to give us word if something is going on in the mark."

 

  Blueberry looked at the buck before asking. "And what is his name?"  Captain Avens moved on as he replied back.  "His name is Ash, his mother died last winter, I suppose he's only helping us to get an easy life here, although..."  He went quiet as he looked at Blueberry and whispered to him.  "If he's found out by anyone else, I can assure you that rabbit who let someone else know would be killed.  As I can't see the others not trying to harm him so he's very valuable to us." 

 

 "So is he a council spy?"  Blueberry asked as Captain Avens shook his head.  "No, even I don't know who is or who isn't a council spy.  Be warned and do your job properly, as even we are kept an eye on by them and Woundwort.  They like to know everything."  He moved to where Carbi was and stopped.  "Ah, a new one, so what's your name?"

 

Carbi looked up and relaxed a bit as he saw Blueberry standing there next to Avens.  "My name is Carbi, sir."  He said back, looking at Blueberry.  Captain Avens looked from one to the other before speaking.  "I take it that you two know each other?"

 

  Blueberry nodded his head.  "He came from the same warren as me and Hawk.  He's no trouble at all, I can put my reputation on it."  Captain Avens nodded his head as he turned to look at Carbi for a moment.  "Hmmm, so it would seem.  However, we shall see if that remains to be true or not."  He turned to go as Blueberry looked at Carbi for a moment and then turned to follow Avens.

 

Catching up, Blueberry saw Avens looking at Hyzenthlay as he noticed that she was frowning back at him.  Coming right next to him, he sat down and looked back at her.  Hyzenthlay frowned as he spoke.  "Well, looks like we have a new officer."  Captain Avens went to lift up his paw as he spoke right back.  "Yes he is and you will show him the proper respect, Hyzenthlay."

 

Still frowning, she nodded as she turned her gaze onto Blueberry and spoke back.  "Yes sir."  Blueberry watched as Captain Avens moved off as he gave the doe another look before heading off himself.  Hyzenthlay blinked slightly watching Blueberry leave before hopping.  It was then that she stopped when another buck came right up to her and she went back to nibbling again.

 

  Catching up with Captain Avens, Blueberry listened to him explain the situation.  "She's the main trouble causer within this mark.  I would suggest that you keep well away from her.  After the Blackavar situation, the owslafa are keeping a very close eye on her."

 

"I take that under advisement."  Blueberry replied back as he saw Captain Chervil and another rabbit run up to them.  "Ah, there you are Blueberry."  Captain Chervil spoke.  "I want you to go back to Arrowroot.  Avens, come with me, it would seem that Campion has found another hlessi, we've been summoned to go meet him." 

 

Captain Avens turned his head to face Blueberry before running off with Chervil and the other rabbit.  He sat there for a moment, watching them before making his way back to where Arrowroot was.

 

"So, how did the tour go with Captain Avens?"  Arrowroot asked as Blueberry took his place again next to the hole.  Replying, Blueberry looked about.  "It was going okay but he was called away on some other important business.  We may be getting another new rabbit in the mark, but I don't know."

 

  Arrowroot blinked.  "Oh?  Hmm, okay.  What do you know then?"  He looked at Blueberry who stared back quietly for a few moments.  "Well, all I know is that Campion found a lone hlessi somewhere out of the warren and brought him in.  That's all I know about it."

 

"I see."  Arrowroot said quietly.  "I wonder why there are so many rabbits out and about now."  Blueberry blinked as he flicked an ear.  "Oh, why's that?"  Arrowroot blinked as he looked out and nodded his head, calling out.  "Alright, time's up.  Let's get these back underground."  He hopped away from Blueberry and didn't say anything for a while.  Blueberry eventually gave up on the question and remained quiet, just looking about the whole area when he noticed in the distance Campion showing around another rabbit through the mark.

 

This happened for a while until Captain Chervil came back up to Arrowroot and Blueberry giving Arrowroot the nod.  Arrowroot hopped back to where Blueberry was and looked at him as he spoke.  "Right, the job now is to count them coming back in, once we know that they're all down below, we can head down ourselves.  We are the last to go down while the captains are away."  He paused before adding.  "If anything goes wrong, it be us that will be in for it as well so please don't interrupt me."

 

  Blueberry went silent as he began to watch the rabbits forming up in a line as they slowly moved past them.  As Arrowroot said their names, he tried to remember the names to the faces as he saw Carbi move past, heading back down below.  Eventually, Arrowroot nodded his head as he called out.  "Okay, everyone's down below."  He watched as the officers and sentries moved past them.  Hawk gave Blueberry a look before heading down himself as Arrowroot looked at Blueberry.  "Okay, you down first."

 

Not arguing the point, Blueberry headed down, feeling that Arrowroot was following him down the run as he past Blackavar again still being watched by the same two owslafa officers.  Not saying anything at all, he carried on his way, ignoring Arrowroot for the time being as he headed back to his burrow again.

 

Blueberry did turn his head around as he reached the burrow but didn't see Arrowroot anywhere and slipped inside to see Carbi lying on the ground.  "Where's Hawk?"  Blueberry asked as he laid down on the soft soil.

 

  Carbi shook his head.  "I don't know, he was called to help with something elsewhere within the mark.  Who was that with you before?"  Blueberry placed his head down on his paws as he replied back.  "Oh, that was the other mark captain, Avens I think his name is."

 

"I don't like him."  Carbi said after a short pause.  Blueberry smiled.  "I don't think he likes you either but then I don't think he likes anyone."  He decided to change the subject.  "So did you manage to make any friends while me and Hawk are busy with our duties?"  He turned his head around to look at the burrow opening, expecting some other rabbit to come for him to do something.  It was the sound of Carbi's voice that made him look back to the front again.

 

"Yes, I did and I didn't.  But some weren't really in the mood to talk, its as though they don't trust me because I am new."  Carbi sighed.  "I don't know, it's like everyone is looking over their backs in case something that they do or say will be reported to someone else."

 

  Blueberry frowned slightly.  "So what did you find out if anything?"  He closed his eyes as he listened to what Carbi had to say.  "Well," Carbi began as he stretched before settling back down again.  "They don't really like the place, they want to leave if they could.  Everything is too stifling here."  He paused as he looked at Blueberry.  "They're terrified as well, some wouldn't mind being picked off by elil than continue to live here, so overcrowded and being told to go up or down, being told when to eat."  He looked down.  "To tell you the truth, I haven't even been here that long as some here who have lived here all of their lives but I don't like it." Carbi lifted up his head again. "To tell you the truth, I want to leave."

 

Blueberry sighed as he looked at Carbi for a moment.  Getting up, he moved close to the young buck and laid back down again, with his back to the opening of the burrow.  "Listn, Carbi.  I make sure you get out of here at some point but you have to trust me on a few things.  Just try and cope with it for the time being, okay?"

 

  ***

 

Hawk had followed Cnicus to another part of the warren where he they both stopped.  Cnicus turned around and spoke.  "Wait here."  Cnicus turned and popped his head into the burrow.  "Dew, the council wants to see you, I've been sent to collect you."  Hawk saw a doe pop her head out of the burrow shaking all over as she looked at Hawk and then back at Cnicus.  "W-what have I done sir?"

 

Cnicus sneered.  "Oh you know what you have done?  Captain Vervain overheard your conversation with Palmgrass.  Plotting to escape, saying bad things about Captain Chervil.  Shall I go on?"

 

Hawk felt disgusted as he saw Cnicus cuff the doe hard on the head, his claws making her nose bleed slightly.  "Now stop asking questions and come with us."  He turned to face Hawk.  "You follow behind her and make sure she comes.  If not, we're under unders to force her, any means possible."

 

Hawk frowned as he turned his head towards Dew as Cnicus started to move.  As he passed her, he whispered gently.  "Just do what he says, you be fine."  He saw her nod her head before moving off to follow Cnicus down the run. 

 

  As they moved down towards the runs, passing various rabbits from within the owsla or not, Hawk was starting to get a bit uneasy on the whole situation with just the atmosphere that was being shown to him from all angles.  He looked at Dew and saw that she wouldn't stop looking about, jumping at the slightly movement or sound around her and it just got worse as they approached the council burrow.

 

All three entered the burrow as Hawk saw the whole council once again sitting down with Woundwort right in the middle clearly bigger than any of the other rabbits there.  He looked at Cnicus and Hawk with a nod before he frowned at Dew who was in between them.

 

Digging his claws into the soil, Woundwort spoke in his soft, yet ruff voice.  "Well, Dew.  I hear that the punishment that Blackavar got wasn't enough to stop you from planning to run away from us?"  He paused as he looked down at her.  "Would you mind telling us why?"

 

Hawk flicked an ear but remained where he was as he heard Dew speak up.  "I didn't see what happened, well I did see what happened but I didn't want to believe it, so I usually keep my eyes shut."  She stammered.  "I didn't want to see it."

 

  "Enough!"  Woundwort snarled.  "You have learnt nothing and that I know you were planning on making a run in the next silflay.  Therefore there has to be another lesson learnt."  He turned to face Hawk and Cnicus.  "Kill her."

 

Hawk blinked as Dew gave a startled cry, lowering her body down to the ground as Cnicus was already preparing to give the fatal attack on the doe.  Hawk didn't move as the eyes of the council turned to face him.  Woundwort looked at Hawk for a moment, then he spoke very slowly.  "I gave you an order Hawk, either you help kill her for breaking Efrafan rules or you can join her.  What is it to be?"

 

With a resigning look, Hawk turned as he faced Cnicus, rose up into the air and both bucks went into Dew.  Within a matter of moments, she lay dead on the ground while both Hawk and Cnicus were covered in her warm blood.  Woundwort nodded his head in satisfaction.  "Good.   Remove her body and bury it out of sight.  Use one of the burrows, the occupants can find somewhere else to live."

 

  Both Hawk and Cnicus began to drag the body out as Woundwort set his mind onto other things as he called Campion over to him.  "How does it go with the newcomer?"  Hawk could hear Campion's reply as he fumed inside.  "He has settled in quite well into the position, we were glad he was so willing to join..." 

 

***

 

Blueberry sighed as he tried to change Carbi's mind on the matter.  "Look, we can't make any moves such as that right now.  They still be watching us very closely for a long time before they could trust us."  Carbi was about to say something back but Blueberry carried on.  "Besides, I haven't been able to do anything right now on my own.  You have to give it a bit more time."

 

Carbi frowned.  "I don't want to, this place is just evil through and through and after hearing what some of the rabbits were on about what happened and..."  He stopped before he shivered.  "I really can't get that image of poor Blackavar out of my head, being shown up like that to everyone.  It would've been less cruel to just kill him."

 

  Blueberry shook his head.  "But what about the council rabbit you're learning stories from in here?  He isn't that bad is he?"  He blinked as he heard Carbi spill it out.  "Bad, bad isn't the word.  He's so wound up with the rest of them to allow Woundwort to do whatever he wants as long as they get the flayrah and that he allows them to make a judgement from time to time but it usually has to be one that would please the chief.  Oh and they get to set punishments or even order to kill someone as well."  He frowned.  "No, I can't stand it.  I want to go home, back to our warren where you were free to do whatever you wanted."

 

Blueberry frowned.  "You know very well that warren was destroyed by man because we were careless.  At least this place has the security from that ever happening again."  Carbi got up suddenly and cuffed Blueberry right on the nose as he growled.  "You're starting to sound just like them, what good is being undetected by elil or man if you don't have the freedom to enjoy life.  Is this how you're going to make sure I am safe on your word to Captain Sando, keep me prisoner in this place.  I'd rather die."

 

  Blueberry felt his anger slip away from him as he rubbed his nose before sneezing.  Looking up at Carbi he spoke.  "No, I don't want you locked up, I don't want myself locked up or Hawk.  Fine, as soon as we can figure out how we can get away from here, we're leaving."

 

Both Carbi and Blueberry felt themselves go stiff as the blood ran from their bodies as a voice spoke from outside of the warren.  "Oh, so you're planning on escaping then from here?  You know, you really should keep a look out, you never know who may be listening.  You could get into a lot of trouble over that?  So what do you two have to say about it?  That's an order by the way."  Blueberry turned around and swallowed as he looked at the dark figure in the open of the burrow.

 

Chapter 15 - Making plans and being attacked

Blueberry got up onto his feet as he turned around, glaring at the dark figure outside of the burrow.  "And just who is giving me that order?"  He felt Carbi move behind him as he kept on staring out into the run.  "And you better have someone else with you as I won't get past me either."

 

The dark figure didn't move but he flicked an ear and scratched at it as though what Blueberry had said wasn't that important.  The rabbit looked about one way and then the other before heading into the burrow while Blueberry backed away, feeling Carbi press up against his rear.  Blueberry growled.  "That's far enough, answer my question."

 

  "You know, you really shouldn't speak loudly around here."  Bigwig said as he sat down with a frown.  "You...  Hang on, you have fur on your head?"  Blueberry just blinked as Bigwig shrugged.  "Well, it's not important, anyways.  What in Frith's name were you talking aloud like that?"

 

Carbi popped his head out from the side of Blueberry and then hid again as Blueberry replied back.  "Well, yes.  We didn't expect anyone to actually come here, a mistake I assure you but who are you and why are you here?  I suppose you want to take us both to see Woundwort now?"

 

Bigwig replied back quietly.  "Well, I would if I liked him, but I don't."  He turned around and looked outside again in the run before coming back in as he sat down, lowering his voice.  "I am not going to send you to anyone or report you."  He frowned.  "You have enough skill into getting into trouble yourself."

 

"Now, just you list..."  Blueberry started to speak but Bigwig cut him off.  "No, you listen to me for a moment and keep quiet, young one."  Blueberry went quiet and listened as Bigwig continued.  "I don't know if I can trust you two yet."

 

  Blueberry butted in.  "Well the feeling is mutual there."  He saw Bigwig lift a paw up and press it against Blueberry's nose.  "What did I tell you to do, keep quiet."  He frowned and checked outside again before coming back in.   Speaking quietly he muttered.  "Sheesh, young buck, you know nothing at the moment.  Now I know you were in the owsla at your old warren but I would've expected someone to at least follow orders.  Nod if you will follow this one and keep quiet?"

 

Blueberry gave a nod and Bigwig carried on.  "I've decided to trust you but if you break it, I'll kill you.  Nod again if you understand, same goes for the rabbit behind you."  Blueberry nodded as Carbi looked out and nodded as well.  Bigwig removed his paw and sat comfortably again.  "I've come from another warren, not far from here, although I won't tell you were it is.  After listening to your conversation for a bit outside of the burrow I decided to come in and offer you that chance if you want to leave."  He paused before adding with a frown.  "Although, if you do decide to, then you do what I say without question and right now you will keep quiet and act like you actually like this place, got it?"

 

  Blueberry looked at Bigwig before swallowing.  "Right, yes I got it."  He looked at Carbi who was slowly coming back out again before adding.  "So you're the new one that they picked up earlier today?"  He saw Bigwig nod as he continued on.  "So you're a..?"

 

Bigwig replied.  "Captain, which means you call me sir."  Blueberry nodded again.  "Sorry, yes sir.  I was only trying to calm down Carbi here who hasn't exactly..."  He paused as he turned his view from behind Bigwig.   "Someone is coming."

 

Bigwig went into a change as Hawk and Cnicus was walking down the run towards their burrow.  As they both arrived, Cnicus looked at Bigwig for a moment and bowed his head.  "Sir?"  Bigwig nodded back as he explained.  "Don't mind me, I was just checking on the officers so I know who is who."  He looked at Hawk who was just sitting there.  "And you are?"

 

Hawk replied back again.  "Hawk, sir."  He looked to where Blueberry was and then back at Bigwig.  Cnicus coughed.  "Sir, may I get back to my duties?"  He saw Bigwig nod and turned to leave as Hawk made his way into the burrow, frowning as he looked away from Bigwig at Blueberry.

 

  "What's up?"  Blueberry asked which brought about a even more sterner frown from Hawk as Blueberry looked at him.  "It's okay, I explain later."  Looking at Bigwig at the same time that Hawk gave a look.

 

Bigwig looked back as he looked down the run and moved his head so that he was facing into the burrow again.  "It's okay, Cnicus has left.  I'll keep a watch out here and if anyone asks, I'll just say I am still finding out about you two."

 

Hawk turned to face Blueberry as he gave a questionable look but didn't get anything back from him.  "Blueberry, I've had it in this place."  He said quietly but with anger in his voice.  "I had to kill a doe for thinking about escaping from this place." 

 

Blueberry blinked as Bigwig lifted up a ear before speaking quietly himself as he came back into the burrow, which was now crowded.  "Right, I say this before as I told him."  Bigwig looked at Blueberry.  "I am here to help, come from another warren and if you want out then that can be arranged."

 

Blueberry blinked.  "How?"  Hawk looked at Bigwig and muttered.  "You really are stupid, Blueberry.  He could be from the owslafa, tricking us."  Bigwig frowned as he replied back.  "If I was, do you think that you three wouldn't have been killed yet?"

 

  Blueberry muttered.  "He does have a point there, Hawk.  He's okay, I don't know how or why but he's okay."  He turned to Carbi and looked at him before Carbi added.  "I trust him, we need all the help to get away from here."

Bigwig made a face as he muttered.  "Now, if we got that out of the way, I would advise you to keep quiet on these matters.  Maybe you didn't listen to the tour but they have spies everywhere, which was confirmed when I talked to someone as well." 

 

Hawk eventually nodded.  "Fine but whatever is planned, make it soon, I don't fancy killing another for no good reason apart from being free."  He lay down slowly in the corner of the burrow and went quiet again.  Blueberry turned his head towards him and nodded.  "Okay, but I think we should carry on and see what Bigwig here has planned and be more careful."

 

Bigwig got up and smiled.  "That's the first thing I have actually heard you lot say that made sense.  I'll let you know what's happening soon."  He turned and left, leaving the three rabbits on there own, as Blueberry settled down.  "Let's try and get some rest for I have no doubt we have a lot to do."

 

  ***

 

A few days later, the mark was back up again for another silflay session.  Blueberry was placed elsewhere this time as he was alone for the first time.  Arrowroot was nearby as they carried on to watching the goings on within the mark as Captain Chervil came up to Blueberry.  "Do you have anything to report?" 

 

Blueberry replied.  "Nothing sir, everything has been quiet on both fronts."  He looked at the rabbit's silflaying before looking about.  "I think even Hyzenthlay has calmed down somewhat over the last few days."

 

Captain Chervil looked around until he could spot Hyzenthlay and he gave a frown.  "Maybe, she's becoming a bit too sure of herself these days."  Chervil turned his head back around to face Blueberry again.  "So I want her watched more, she is up to something, this is only the calm before the storm.  Don't let her put you into a false sense of security."

 

Blueberry nodded his head.  "Yes sir, I won't let that happen."  He paused before adding.  "Was there anything else you wanted me for?"  Captain Chervil nodded his head.  "Yes, the General would like to have a word with you again, if you will follow me."  He turned his head to Arrowroot, nodded his head as he saw Arrowroot nod back and both then left.

 

  Following Captain Chervil, Blueberry moved up to where the Crixia was and saw that Woundwort was there alongside some other rabbits.  Coming to a stop, Blueberry nodded his head to the larger rabbit.  "You asked to see me sir?"

 

Woundwort replied back.  "Yes, I like to know how you are coping now here?"  Blueberry replied back.  "As good as can be expected sir.  Has there been any complaints that says I am not adjusting?"

 

Blueberry blinked slightly as Woundwort didn't reply straight away.  "I was told you and the little rabbit, Carbi were having a slight discussion a few nights ago in your burrow with raised voices.  What can you tell me about it?"

 

"Well, sir.  Carbi hasn't settled in that much and I suppose me and Hawk haven't been helping him that much to adjust to his life here, what with our duties and all."  Blueberry looked down.  "I apologise for that sir."

 

Woundwort frowned for a moment.  "Well, that is a thing for you and Hawk to sort out."  He turned his head to Captain Chervil.  "Make sure that Carbi settles down in your own judgement captain."  He went silent as he moved his head back to Blueberry.  "And next time I would remind you not to wake anyone up in the burrows and causing any unrest within that area of the mark."

 

  Captain Chervil led Blueberry away as he kept quiet until they were away from Woundwort and then spoke.  "I am going to have you and Hawk on and off, so one of you will be with Carbi at all times.  However, I have to point out that you may as well know that you probably have someone on the owslafa keeping an eye on you now."  He frowned slightly.  "Of which annoys me really as it puts pressure on the rest of us that work hard to keep the mark running without any hitches to annoy the General."

 

Blueberry nodded his head back as he replied.  "I remember that, sir."  They remained silent as they carried on back to where the mark was silflaying as both lifted up their ears as they heard a loud noise coming from the other side.  Captain Chervil muttered.  "Oh what is going on now?  Come on, follow me."  He ran across the grass alongside Blueberry as they made it to the fence and stopped as they looked out to where they could see Bigwig sitting close by a large seagull.

 

Captain Chervil blinked as he saw the seagull wave its wings, making a lot of noise as he frowned.  "What on frith is he doing?"  Blueberry blinked as he saw Bigwig move towards it but couldn't hear anything at all as he replied back.  "I have no idea sir, can't hear a thing."  After a few moments, the bird flew up and away as Bigwig made his way back to the mark.  Captain Chervil turned his head to Blueberry.  "We have to go and report this.  Well, I will as I am sure that Arrowroot will need your help to get the mark in with Captain Avens.  You go and do that while I'll go and report this."

 

  Arrowroot blinked as he saw Blueberry arrive back at his station again and looked out to where the rabbits were silflaying or digging to burrow hraka in one area.  "So, everything went okay?"  Blueberry turned his head to Arrowroot and replied back.  "Oh he wanted to know how we were settling down in the warren."  Arrowroot looked and shook his head.  "Well, hopefully it won't be too long before you are settled in, you have a patrol eventually to go out with, Woundwort always likes to see how you cope in those situations."

 

Blueberry nodded as he saw Captain Chervil and Avens give the signal for the mark to go back underground.  Hopping slightly forwards, Blueberry scanned the area and saw one rabbit trying to hide in the grass.  Giving a sigh, he hopped over and frowned.  "Come on, get back down below.  What's your name anyways?"

 

Tacca frowned back at Blueberry.  "What's it to you?"  Blueberry gave the buck a hard cuff.  "What's it to me?  Listen, do you always speak to an officer like that, give me your name now?"

 

  Tacca got up as he replied back.  "Tacca sir.  Are you going to report me to the council?"  Blueberry shook his head.  "No, not this time but you get down below."  He paused before adding loudly.  "Now!"

 

Tacca got up and frowned, muttering as he hopped away.  "Oh you treat others like dirt but when it comes to Carbi, spoilt brat that he is."  Blueberry was about to run after Tacca but he stopped and looked about again as he thought he heard something.  By the time his head went back again, Tacca had gone.

 

Blueberry made his way back to the hole and stopped, picking up some grass in his mouth as he made his way into the warren again.  He didn't look at Blackavar as he passed him with other thoughts on his mind as he made his way back to the burrow.

 

As Blueberry came to the run where his burrow was, he blinked with grass still in his muzzle as he heard loud shouting coming from down the road and could hear Tacca's voice ringing out.  "You little spoilt brat, living with the owsla.  Who do you think you are?  I've lived here all my life and I don't get special treatment!"

 

  The next sound Blueberry heard was the sound of Carbi squeal.  Running along the run, he skidded and barged right into the burrow, grass flying everywhere as he opened his mouth and headbutted Tacca into the wall hard.  Tacca's body dropped down onto the floor as Blueberry stood over him, teeth bared.  "Listen you and get this into your thick head."  Blueberry placed a paw against Tacca's side and growled.  "If you ever lay a paw on Carbi again, I'll kill you, you got that?!"

 

Tacca panted as he squirmed under Blueberry's paw.  "Yes, yes I got it."  He turned his head to look at Carbi cowering in the corner of the burrow.  "Nice to have friends in high places isn't..."  He didn't finish as he yelped from Blueberry cuffing him hard on the head.  "You don't listen do you?"  He turned around and started to kick Tacca out of the burrow.  "Now get out of my sight this instant, before I will report you to the council."

 

Blueberry saw Tacca scramble onto his feet before running off.  Blueberry turned his head around and moved over to where Carbi was and sat down next to him.  "What happened?"  He asked softly, nuzzling Carbi on the side before licking at the wound.

 

  Carbi shivered before replying.  "Blueberry, I want to leave this place.  A few rabbits here are jealous because I am with you and Hawk and they don't know any owsla to get favours from.  I thought he was going to kill me."  He looked at the entrance to the burrow and shuddered.  "I really want to leave, I didn't do anything to them."

 

Blueberry frowned as he looked in the direction as well for a second and returned to his grooming.  "Shush, don't speak of it again, we have to be careful."  He was speaking very quietly while tending to the wound.  Carbi blinked as he looked out to the side of Blueberry and spoke.  "Bigwig's here."

 

Bigwig came into the burrow as he looked at Carbi, blinking.  "What happened to him?"  Blueberry frowned.  "I caught Tacca beating him up all because of some stupid jealously of Carbi here living with some owsla officers."  Blueberry looked down.  "I'll kill him if he ever touches him again."  He moved his head towards Bigwig and gave a frown.  "I thought you said last time to be careful?  What were you doing with that bird today?"

 

  Carbi blinked.  "Bird, what bird?"  Bigwig smiled.  "Never you mind, I was trying to impress the General that's all."  He turned his head and saw a rabbit move past.  "I don't think I did exactly impress him.  So are you going to report Tacca?"

 

Blueberry shook his head.  "No, not this time, I decided I'd rather deal with him myself, but I have no doubt I would have to report him on the matter though."  Blueberry saw Bigwig move to look outside of the burrow before turning his head back again as he spoke in a whisper.  "It's for tomorrow evening, that's when we're going, I won't say how but just be ready."  Without saying another word, he turned and left.

 

Carbi relaxed a bit more as Blueberry went back to attend to his small scratches.  "Okay, that should be it."  He said as he finished, getting up to pick up the grass that had spilled onto the burrow floor and brought them to Carbi.  "Now, eat that up.  I haven't been able to keep an eye on you and after what I have seen, I don't know if you've eaten or not yet."  Blueberry laid down on the other side of the burrow, watching Carbi slowly eat the blades of grass quietly.

 

  After a short while Hawk slipped into the burrow, Blueberry nodded his head.  "Oh, you're back."  Hawk nodded and checked on Carbi sniffing him slightly for a moment before he moved his head back with a frown.  "Okay, what happened?"

 

Blueberry yawned again as he got up to have a stretch.  "I caught Tacca attacking Carbi all because he was jealous that Carbi was getting special treatment from us."  He frowned as he spoke the next part.  "Something to do about living in a burrow with two owsla officers and that makes it right for them to get angry and try to beat him so that they can get in instead."  Blueberry could hear Hawk was scraping claws into the dirt as he frowned.  "Now don't do anything, I have it covered but stick to Carbi all the time from now on."  Blueberry remained standing as he looked at Carbi sleeping.  "It would seem that accidents happen if you're in the way, even for non owsla.  So how was your duty?"

 

Hawk replied back.  "Quiet, nothing much to do apart from staying outside and seeing if any elil come our way but to be honest, there wasn't anything that would come near this place or know anything about it.  I know though that there is talk about some patrol that is about to head out in a day or two to find some other band of rabbits moving across the countryside."  Hawk sighed.  "It doesn't stop here, they just keep on picking up any unsuspecting hlessi."  He paused.  "Besides I am evening duty tonight so came here to get some rest."

 

  Blueberry blinked and pondered for a moment.  "I see, well, we do have something to talk about before someone wonders where I am."  He lowered his voice as he explained.  "We're being watched by the council, Bigwig has a plan and it's happening today at evening silfay, do not speak of this again.  We don't know who is coming or not.  Okay?"  He saw Hawk and shook his head.  "You're on duty so it looks like me and Carbi can go but I don't know what to do about you however."

 

Hawk nodded his head before he replied back after a short while.  "You do what needs to be done.  If you can get away then do so.  I think of something, don't you worry."  Blueberry shook his head.  "No, it doesn't seem right, we've been together since things went tharn and I ain't going to leave you."  Hawk frowned as he replied back.  "No, it put too much risk on the plan if I am on duty and ran as well.  Just do me a favour and think of something to get me out of here after you make sure Carbi is safe, okay?"

 

Blueberry got up and nodded.  "Okay, that I promise, I best head off though, not sure what they have planned for me today but I'll let you know later."  He turned to Carbi.  "Don't keep him awake too long, he's been up all night." After that, he turned and left the burrow.

 

  Blueberry headed down the run and turning around to head down another, Blueberry could see Arrowroot talking to Captain Chervil and Captain Campion.  He hopped over to where they were and nodded his head.  "Good morning Arrowroot, sirs."  Blueberry said as he sat down.

 

Captain Campion gave Blueberry a look before nodding his head and then hopped off.  Captain Chervil looked at Blueberry himself as he spoke to him.  "I had an interesting talk with Tacca last night about you Blueberry.  He said that you were beating him up for no reason at all."  He paused.  "What can you tell me about?"

 

Blueberry frowned.  "Sir, I found Tacca attacking Carbi on my way back from duty.  I wasn't going to put up with it, he was abusive and bad talked me, so I cuffed him a bit, that's all."  He looked from Arrowroot to Captain Chervil who looked back.

 

Captain Chervil nodded his head.  "Ah, thought as much, you have to watch Tacca, he's one of those nasty rabbits.  That and Arrowroot was nearby and he heard everything that was going on before he followed Tacca to bring him to me.  He's been banned from silflaying today."  He started to move as Blueberry followed alongside him.

 

  "Woundwort is looking for good officers to help him go on a patrol in a day or two in search of the rabbits that have been known to be moving across the countryside."  Captain Chervil spoke.  "He has asked Bigwig to go with him but he's looking for others to go along as well.  He's left me to decide on which other officer to put in from this mark.  I was thinking on either you or Hawk, see if we can get either of you some experience in the wide patrol."  Captain Chervil paused as he added.  "That and Captain Campion has been taking a bit of interest with you since hearing how you dealt with Tacca.  You're to report for owsla training this morning after the mark has silflay for some fight training."  Blueberry nodded his head back.  "Yes sir."  He carried on his way with the other two, wondering on what the owsla training would be like.

 

Blueberry could see quite a lot of rabbits around in one of the mark fields that didn't have a mark up on top at this time.  He looked about and saw quite a few different officers from various marks.  Captain Chervil and Arrowroot hopped a bit ahead as Blueberry slowed down a bit to look about a bit more and frowned as he saw Vervain once again back into the fold.  Blueberry decided to hop over to him as he nodded his head.  "I see that you're back with us again?"

 

  Vervain frowned at Blueberry with a nod./  "I did my punishment, though I will be keeping an eye on you though."  Blueberry nodded as he walked off.  "Be my guest, it's not as though I have anything to hide."  He saw Campion and Woundwort arrive and Blueberry hopped over to where Arrowroot was and sat down.

 

Woundwort looked over at the rabbits as he turned his head to Campion who nodded and hopped forward.  "Right, this is officer fighting training.  I want you all to find a partner to spar against.  After the General has picked three officers to go against him you will..."  Blueberry turned to face Arrowroot.  "Where's Bigwig?"  Arrowroot replied back quietly.  "He was on duty last night so he won't have to do this.  But shush, you get us into trouble."

 

Going quiet, Blueberry listened to Campion talk a bit more before Woundwort picked out the three biggest rabbits that there was and headed off with them to one part of the field.  The rest started to pick each other into pairs as Captain Chervil nudged Blueberry.  "Right, you with me, I want to see exactly what your old warren owsla really taught you."

 

  Blueberry walked alongside Captain Chervil as he saw that Vervain had picked out Arrowroot before he turned his attention back to where Captain Chervil was looking at him.  Blueberry started to walk around Chervil as he spoke.  "So, how many times does this go on?"

 

Captain Chervil frowned back.  "Do you always have to talk?"  He leapt forwards as he gave a swipe at Blueberry but found that he had only hit thin air as Blueberry had moved to the side as he replied back.  "Why?  Can't I talk as well as fight?"

 

Frowning, Captain Chervil caught blueberry in a reverse back kick that sent him flying over until he was lying on the ground and replied back.  "No, it leaves you open for attack.  Get up."  He stood there as he watched Blueberry slowly get up again, looking a bit winded from the kick.  "You still have a lot to learn, young one, especially if you want to get far in this owsla."

 

Blueberry frowned and ran up to where Captain Chervil was, seeing him move to the side, Blueberry changed his direction and caught the captain on the side, sending him over followed by a few cuffs to the head as he hopped away just barely missing the strong back legs again from Chervil.

 

  Getting up, Captain Chervil smiled.  "My, you have learnt something at least, usually it takes new officers a few goes to work out how to put me down without getting hit back."  He lunged at Blueberry as he caught him square on the head hard and watched Blueberry fall down to the ground.  "But you have still much to learn."  He looked and stepped back, leaving Blueberry lying on the ground.

 

After a short while, Blueberry finally opened his eyes and saw Captain Chervil looking at him from a small distance, most of the other rabbits had finished and were just sitting down on the ground as he turned his head back to Captain Chervil who was just starting to speak.  "Ah, you're awake.  Sorry about that, didn't realise I was hitting you that hard.  You're okay though, right?"

 

Getting up slowly, he felt his head banging before he nodded his head.  "I be okay in a while."  He shook his head to get rid of the ringing noise from his ears as he sat down.  "I suppose this puts a bad mark on myself for being knocked out?"

 

  Captain Chervil just sat there quietly for a moment.  "That depends on the answer to the next question, doesn't it?"  Blueberry blinked as he slowly got up onto his feet a bit shakily but steadied himself.  "And that would be?"  He asked as he stood there as steady as he could make right now.

 

"Are you willing to carry on and do that over and over again to perfect your skills?"  Captain Chervil asked.  Blueberry nodded his head slowly.  "If it means that one day I can improve to better myself, then yes.  I won't quit because I got knocked out."  He saw Captain Chervil nod with approval.  "Then your probation period is over, you're a full officer in the mark."  He turned to go and looked back.  "Come on, you can get some rest, I will inform Campion and Woundwort of your answer."

 

Chapter 16 - The Escape

Blueberry left Captain Chervil as he went down one of the two holes available as he looked about for a moment, spotting some sentries at the bottom and passed them.  Walking slowly now, feeling several of his bruises and his head thumping he made his way back to the burrow where he immediately fell onto the ground and sighed in front of Hawk and Carbi.

 

  "What happened to you?"  Carbi asked, concerned as he moved over to where Blueberry was lying as he looked at him.  "You've been fighting haven't you?"  Hawk asked with a frown.

 

Blueberry looked at Hawk for a moment before resting his head back onto his paws again as he replied back.  "It was owsla training, they get you to fight one another.  All I can say is that if Captain Chervil gets the chance, he knock you out for a while.  At least he allowed me to rest for a while until I go on duty later."

 

Hawk nodded.  "I suppose it be my turn for this training at one point.  Well, I hope you did show them how we fought?"  Blueberry nodded.  "I did but I didn't last long."  He saw Hawk frown but he carried on regardless.  "Look, they do this all day, every day.  This is a warren for war, you can just tell that."

 

Carbi spoke up.  "That's it, that's why we didn't see any other warren nearby or that it was so quiet without any other hlessi about while we were travelling.  This whole place runs to keep rabbits off the land and they must attack any warren nearby to make sure that they are all safe."  He paused.  "I heard tales from others about what had happened.  There was an old buck here that told me that their warren was attacked a few seasons ago by Woundwort."  Carbi went quiet.  "I just didn't think it was possible, maybe I didn't want to believe that something like this would ever come about with us."  He looked at both Blueberry and Hawk, speaking quietly.  "We have to get out of here before this place changes us and we end up just like them, killing and destroying everything when there isn't any need to."

 

  "You know?"  Hawk said as he turned his head towards Carbi.  "You really do talk too much sometimes about the obvious."  Carbi looked away as Blueberry turned to face Hawk.  "Oh come on, he's right though but anyways, enough of that."  He turned his head back to face Carbi again.  "So you still want to become an owsla officer?"

 

Carbi blinked as he turned his head back again to face Blueberry.  "You still remember that?"  He saw Blueberry nod his head slowly before carrying on quickly.  "Well, yes but not in this place."  He looked away again.  "Maybe in a small peaceful warren that all you have to worry about is the occasional farm raid and telling stories.  Not like here."  He shuddered.

 

Hawk was about to say something but Blueberry looked at him for a moment and Hawk closed his mouth again.  Getting up, Blueberry winced as he made his way over to the wall and flopped against it.  "I tell you Hawk, don't hold back on fight training as I don't think anyone else will?"  He paused.  "So has Tacca showed his face around here?"

 

  Carbi got up and moved over to another part of the burrow.  "No, he hasn't shown himself since then but I am sure we will see him when we go up above ground."  Blueberry nodded and slowly fell asleep due to the heat in the burrow.

 

***

 

Later on, Carbi woke up Blueberry as he nudged him gently.  "Come on, it's time for us to head up and silflay."  Blueberry yawned as he got up stiffly and frowned.  "Okay, okay.  Come on, let's get going."  He went out of the burrow, closely followed by Carbi as they made their way up to the outside.

 

Both passed Hawk as they left to head out into the field and Blueberry spotted Tacca frowning at Carbi.  Blueberry looked at Tacca directly and saw the buck turn his head around to avoid looking back.  Blueberry slowly passed him as he looked at Carbi.  "Don't worry, he won't touch you."  Eventually they both found a good spot to silfay and waited as they chewed grass slowly.

 

Time began to wear on as Blueberry wondered what was going on as he looked about for a moment or two and then back at Carbi but didn't say anything at all.  Then he saw it, in the distance.  Bigwig was talking to Woundwort and a slight cold feeling ran down his whole body.  Carbi looked at Blueberry was was looking at him with a slight worried look but lost it quickly as Vervain was hopping nearby.  "Well, good evening Blueberry."  Vervain smiled.  "Hope Captain Chervil didn't knock you about too much?"

 

  Blueberry frowned back.  "No he didn't sir, but that's okay, I am used to getting knocked about during training.  It toughens up a rabbit so I was taught."  He saw Vervain frown and hop off as he gave a slight smile, but it was lost again as he heard the mark was to go back down again.  He turned to Carbi and whispered.  "Something is wrong."  Carbi looked to face away from the warren and whispered back.  "Maybe we should go now."

 

Blueberry shook his head as he nudged Carbi back towards the warren.  "No, we be run down before we got through the first field.  Let's just head back and I'll find out what has happened."

 

Hawk looked at them both as they passed him to head back inside but didn't say anything at all.  Eventually Blueberry reached his burrow and then left Carbi there by himself as he went through the warren himself.  Eventually he came to a part where he could hear a buck and a doe talk with worried voices.  Blueberry listened and heard Bigwig talk to Hyzenthlay a bit more.  "Don't worry, we can try again tomorrow.  I'll let the others know."  Hyzenthlay's voice sounded very worried and stressful.  "But if one of the does talk, the council will surely find out."  Bigwig replied back.  "We better hope that doesn't happen."

 

  Blueberry turned around and headed back to the burrow where he saw Hawk lying there next to Carbi as he frowned.  "So what happened?"  He said quietly as Blueberry lowered his body down to the ground as well.

 

"Woundwort was talking to him for one reason or another."  Blueberry replied back.  "The only reason I can think of is that Captain Chervil and I saw him talking to a seagull earlier today.  That must be it as I don't think he's leading us on."  He paused with a frown.  "Hawk, you be taking Carbi with you tomorrow, that's when it will be tried again, if we get that far that is."

 

Carbi blinked.  "Howso?"  Hawk looked at Blueberry who didn't reply straight away and added.  "Come on, what?"  Blueberry looked away for a moment as he replied back.  "We're in Frith's hands now, we have to hope that whoever Hyzenthlay has told to come doesn't say anything about it or the council will find out and you know what will happen then?"

 

Both Carbi and Hawk nodded, they knew exactly what would happen and they both shuddered at the same time.  Hawk spoke after length.  "So you're the one that will be staying behind then?" 

 

  Blueberry nodded his head.  "Yes, for the same reasons as before.  Do this for me, Hawk.  Keep Carbi safe."  He paused and lowered his head.  "I did make that promise to Captain Sando before he died but it looks like it's fallen to you."

 

Hawk nodded.  "Don't worry, I will do the same."  He turned to Carbi.  "As long as you do what I tell you?"  Carbi nodded his head as he shuddered again.  "If it means getting out of this place, then I'll walk into a homba's den to get out."

 

***

 

The rest of the next day was heavy for all of the rabbits that wondered when one of those that were involved would let slip of the plan and ruin everything.  Added to the fact that there was an oppressive atmosphere all throughout the warren as Blueberry moved through the warren alongside Captain Chervil.  "Thunder is approaching us, it should hit us this evening.  Could put the silflay off but we won't unless ordered to.  So you okay from yesterday's training?"

 

Blueberry nodded his head.  "Yes sir, I am fine.  I've had quite a few knocks during my training in my other warren when I was a kit.  You can't practise anything without actually doing it."

 

  Captain Chervil nodded his head.  "Exactly."  He paused.  "Oh yeah, that bird came again during morning silflay.  Bigwig sang to it to drive it away, I tell you, we found a good find there with him that can deal with elil birds."

 

Blueberry blinked as he looked at Captain Chervil.  "Oh, what did he sing to him?"  He saw Captain Chervil think for a moment and then shook his head.  "I can't honestly remember.  He came to a stop within a junction of the runs and sighed.  "Well, this is going to be the last of the morning, evening silflays.  We be on the ni-frith and fu-inle ones tomorrow.  We best start to head up there."

 

Blueberry nodded and went down one of the runs while Captain Chervil headed down antoher.  Blueberry reached the end of one burrow and popped his head out, sniffing the air as he could smell the heaviness in the air and nodded.  "Definitely thunder."

 

Captain Chervil was already out with another officer as he nodded and watched as Blueberry made his way across the area to his post on the far side on the right.  He saw Arrowroot was already there and he nodded.  "I hope we can get this over with before that thunder starts.  Don't want the mark to end up being tharn and running all over the place.  I have to wonder why this hadn't been cancelled."

 

  Blueberry didn't reply as he looked back out again to the field as he saw Bigwig heading towards Captain Chervil.  Bigwig looked at Captain Chervil and another officer who was nearby and spoke.  "I've been told to inform that evening silflay has been cancelled today."

 

Blinking, Captain Chervil looked at Bigwig.  "Funny, I haven't been told anything about it?"  Bigwig smiled as he continued.  "Don't believe me, then why not take a look over there, then?"  He saw Captain Chervil turn his head to seeing several rabbits run out.  He was about to say something but Bigwig charged him down into the run.  Blueberry blinked as he saw what was going on and in a few moments, Bigwig was out alongside with Blackavar.

 

Blueberry went to move but all hell broke out within the warren, the sentries around him started to sound the alarm as another rabbit ran into the warren.  By the time Blueberry turned his head back, he couldn't see where Bigwig or the other rabbits were.  Blueberry  muttered under his breath.  "You better make it."

 

  Captain Avens shouted.  "Everyone get back down below!"  He looked at Blueberry who was running back and shouted.  "Not you three, Woundwort wants you both."  He turned his head and pointed with a paw to where Blueberry should run.  He turned his head and saw Arrowroot and Vervain was just behind him as he ran right past Avens through the bush.

 

Woundwort was there alongside Campion who looked as though he had hit something but lost.  Blueberry could see the anger in Woundwort's face as he gave out orders.  "I want their tracks found immediately!"  Following Arrowroot, Blueberry slipped into formation as Woundwort led the patrol in the direction that Bigwig and the others had headed a short while ago.

 

The whole group ran fast as Blueberry panted as he ran alongside Arrowroot.  Vervain moved alongside Blueberry and frowned.  "When we find them, they're going to be killed, if they don't give themselves up that is."  He looked up as the first spots of rain began to drop down.  Blueberry felt a bit relieved as rain began to fall down as he hoped it would get rid of all marks of where Hawk and Carbi had gone.  Blueberry felt his heart sank as he heard Campion up ahead alongside Woundwort shout.  "They're heading towards the iron road!"

 

  Arrowroot nudged Blueberry to the side as they moved up the hill while some of the other rabbits slipped to the side of the tunnel as they ran up and over the iron road.  Moving down, he could see that Woundwort had made it there already with a few others and was face to face with Bigwig.  With water running down his ears, he couldn't hear what was said but jumped when a bright flash of lightning lit up the sky followed by a loud noise from up above as he saw something dark swoop down, knocking Woundwort down.

 

By the time Blueberry got down the hill, he saw Bigwig and other rabbits run right past and saw Hawk alongside Carbi and Blackavar.  Woundwort shouted as he got up from the ground as the seagull flew off.  "Come on, get after them!"  He was up and running after the group as Blueberry followed after them, he could feel his heart pounding, remembering that he had been here before, the same smell of road lay ahead followed by the sound of running water.

 

Woundwort didn't stop as he came to the fence the separated the road from the field and tore across it in fury, seeing Bigwig just jump through with another rabbit he hadn't seen before.  Blueberry went to slow down but Vervain who was next to him shouted.  "Keep going you fool!"  Blueberry swallowed as he fought back his fear of the road and leapt through the fence, before tearing across the road within seconds as he jumped through the other fence into the field that sloped down towards the river.

 

  The whole group came to a stop just behind Woundwort as Captain Vervain and Campion sat down beside him.  Blueberry looked down the slope as he moved his head to the side and spotted another rabbit nibbling away at something but he quickly moved his head back again in case anyone else wondered what he was up to.

 

Woundwort looked at Bigwig with murderous eyes as he spoke.  "There's nowhere for you to run now, Bigwig."  Blueberry blinked as he saw Woundwort turn his head around to the side and spoke quietly.  "When I give the word, we go into them." 

 

Blueberry jerked his head to the side as he heard the loud snap and saw another rabbit run right past them before leaping into the air.  Woundwort and the others ran up ahead as Blueberry followed and came to a stop at the edge of the bank and saw Hawk and Carbi looking back, just their heads popping over the edge.  With a few more seconds they were out of sight.

 

The whole group was silent as they just stood there looking in the direction of where the boat disappeared to a few moments ago.  Eventually Woundwort growled.  "I want them found, I don't care how long it takes, I want the found!"  He turned around and barged right into one of the rabbits and knocked him over to the side.  "Campion, get someone to wait here while you go back and get more patrols sorted out."  He looked down for a moment and angrily added.  "Let's go back."

 

  Campion picked a rabbit as they began to move back up the hill.  Arrowroot was next to Blueberry as they carried on up in the middle of the group, some of the other officers had moved to be behind them both as they wanted to keep away from Woundwort's anger. 

 

Behind them at the rear were Campion and Vervain who were talking but very quietly.  Vervain looked up ahead as he spoke.  "Did you notice that two of the new lot escaped."  Campion blinked.  "No, it was too dark to make it out."  He paused as he looked in the direction of where Vervain was looking.  "But you were in a different position so who did you see?"

 

Vervain sneered slightly.  "Hawk and Carbi, now what does that say about Blueberry when he paused in his chase a while back?"  Campion frowned slightly.  "Are you saying that he knows where they could be?"  Vervain nodded his head.  "Perhaps, we should see what he knows when we get back." 

 

Campion nodded his head as he hopped faster to get to the front of the group and began to talk quietly to Woundwort.  Blueberry at the time just kept on running, wondering still on how Bigwig managed to make such an escape but more importantly, whether he would see his friends again.

 

Chapter 17 - Prisoner of Efrafa

The journey back to Efrafa was a very quiet affair, the whole patrol could sense the anger that was welling up from within Woundwort that most had subconsciously backed away from their leader as the outskirts of Efrafa approached.  Nothing was said as they made their way past the first line of sentries before stopping in an empty field.

 

Blueberry came to a stop and began to rest with the others as he saw Woundwort talk again with Campion, Chervil and Vervain.  Shrugging slightly, he went back to having something to eat, the cool wet grass was good to his dry throat.  Arrowroot was doing the same next to him as the patrol was quiet.

 

  Eventually Woundwort coughed as he stood up onto his hind legs and began to speak.  "I want nothing of this spoken of to anyone else in the warren.  You will keep this from becoming well known fact as long as you can.  Campion here will be sorting out which patrols will be heading out to search for those rabbits and find out if they have a warren or not.  We will get our rabbits back, mark my words on that."

 

Blueberry nodded his head as he saw Campion look at him before noticing that while Woundwort was talking that a few rabbits had moved behind him and now that he had two moved alongside him.  Woundwort nodded back.  "And that now turns to you, Blueberry."

 

Blueberry blinked as he looked back at Woundwort.  "I don't follow you sir?"  He tried to move but felt two paws pressing onto his sides as Woundwort hopped over towards him. "You don't follow?  Well, let me explain it to you then.  Your two friends were part of the lot that escaped from this warren.  What do you know about it?"

 

"I don't know anything about it at all sir."  Blueberry replied back as he saw Woundwort come within one or two hops in front of him and sat down.  "Oh?  Is that so.  Are you trying to tell me that you were so blind as to not know what your friends were planning while you were in the same burrow as them?"  Woundwort frowned as he turned his head back towards Vervain.  "And I was informed that during the chase you paused for a moment as though you were helping them."  He moved his gaze back again towards Blueberry.

 

  Blueberry gave a quick look at the smug look of Vervain before turning his view back again to the frowning look of Woundwort as he replied back.  "Sir, I did not know what was going on at all.  I am surprised as you are with this whole thing.  I paused because I was trained to do so when approaching a hedge by my last warren captain of owsla, that's all."

 

Woundwort nodded his head.  "Well, that explains it then."  He turned to Vervain and frowned.  "He was just being cautious, that's all."  He hopped back and turned around when he reached where he was before.  "However, I have known Vervain longer than you so I am putting you until his capable paws for the time being."  He turned his head around to face Vervain.  "You have until Fu-Inle comes again to see if he is lying or not."  He turned to the other three.  "You will guard him for the time being.  Take him away."

 

 Blueberry resigned himself as he felt the other rabbits pushing him towards the warren with Vervain in front, looking rather important as Blueberry gave a frown in his general direction.  Slowly he felt himself slip down under the ground as he followed Vervain to another part of the warren where he came to a stop.  Looking about he blinked.  "I don't know about this part...?"

 

  Vervain smiled.  "Oh you wouldn't know about this part of the warren, only those that have been really naughty get to be in here, you see you're now under owslafa control and these are their prison burrows.  Get inside."  Vervain nudged his own head to the side and Blueberry moved forwards a bit before looking into the small burrow.  Pausing he looked at Vervain before slipping inside as he sat down. 

 

Blueberry saw Vervain look into the burrow for a moment with that smug grin on his face.  "Right, shall we begin."  He slowly came in with another rabbit that Blueberry didn't know as Vervain sat down.  "Tell me what you know about Bigwig's plan on escaping and where have they gone to?"

 

Frowning, Blueberry replied back.  "I don't know, if you were listening up above when I told the General what I had said, you would know that."  Blueberry moved just in time as the other rabbit had took a wing at him with his paw and felt the sharp claws rake through the side of his head, leaving a mark.  Vervain frowned.  "You lie, now let's start again shall we?"

 

  It was much later that Vervain frowned as he turned to leave the burrow.  "Right, time for us to have a rest.  He's not to leave this burrow at all, understood."  He saw the two rabbits outside nod as both Vervain and the buck with him left, leaving Blueberry frowning at the back of the burrow.

 

Settling down onto the floow of the burrow, Blueberry wondered how long it was that he had been down here answering the same questions over and over again to Vervain who just couldn't grasp what he was saying.  Ignoring the pain from the various cuts on his body, Blueberry slowly closed his eyes and took whatever rest that he had.

 

Blueberry was woken up again by a kick in the nose as Vervain was sitting there looking smug again.  "Right, I hope that you're going to be a lot more co-operative this time around.  Where has Hawk and Carbi gone to?"

 

Taking a deep breath, Blueberry let it out slowly as he replied back.  "I told you everything that I had to tell you, there isn't anything else that I can tell you."  He paused and looked at Vervain.  "That's unless you want me to lie so that you can get back in favour again."

 

  Vervain lashed out as he growled.  "How dare you.  I was born an Efrafan and you weren't.  Your friends have run off with that traitor Bigwig and you're left behind.  I don't trust you at all.  I should have you killed right this instance."

 

There was a cough from behind as Vervain turned around to see Campion sitting there.  "That's enough Vervain, I believe he's saying the truth."  Vervain spluttered.  "But it isn't time yet, I have more time to get things out of him."  Campion shook his head back.  "Woundwort has grown impatient of your lack of skills."  Campion ignored Vervain as he looked at Blueberry.  "Come, the council wishes to see you, there you face whatever judgement they see fit to give you."

 

Blueberry got up and winced from the pain that he had from the night before as he slipped past Vervain who turned to follow but Campion shook his head at him.  "No, you're not wanted, go back to your normal duties Vervain."  Blueberry saw the look of disgust coming from him but didn't respond to it, instead he turned his head back to Campion again as they carried on walking along the run.

 

  After a time, Blueberry broke the silence.  "So what do you think?"  He turned his head to face Campion.  "Do you think that I have done wrong here?"  He moved his head back again as Campion replied back.  "That isn't for me to decide but for the General."  He paused for a moment and shook his head.  "I haven't a clue if you did wrong or not, don't think I want to know either.  Not that I will admit that though."  He remained quiet again and Blueberry didn't press the issue.

 

Eventually Blueberry and Campion arrived at the large burrow where the council resided and looked inside as he felt Campion pushing him in.  Looking about he could see that Woundwort was lying there in the middle again, several scratch marks were just in front of him as the big buck kept flexing his claws.  "Well."  Woundwort said in a low voice.  "I take it that you still say that you are innocent, even after what Vervain and his officers did to you."  He gave Blueberry a long look and shook his head. 

 

Blueberry didn't respond and Campion gave a frown.  "Well, come on, answer?"  He ordered as he pushed Blueberry to the side with his front paws.  Blueberry blinked and nodded his head. "I said what I told you before sir.  I knew nothing about what was going on at all."  He paused for a moment in thought.  "How could I when me and Hawk split up on duties.  They would've had enough time to plan things while I was away on duty."

 

  One of the older rabbits to the right of Woundwort nodded his head.  "Be as it may, you still delayed in going through the hedge, why?"  Blueberry could see that all of the council was looking at him as he gave his reply.  "Sir."  Blueberry said calmly.  "At my old waren under the guideance of my owsla training with Captain Sando, Captain Bracken I was always told that you had to check that no elil was hiding inside the hedge or that man hadn't left a snare.  I didn't hesitate on purpose but it was something automatic response on seeing the hedge.  I did slow down on all the hedges but..."

 

Woundwort spoke now.  "But what?"

 

Blueberry blinked back.  "But I suppose the last one before we reached the river, sir was the one that Vervain was looking at me."  He looked down to the floor and slowly raised his head back up again.  "I don't feel any anger sir, he made a mistake.  I would rather just move on.  I would've thought the same if I didn't know all of the facts."

 

Blueberry blinked as there was silence for a moment as Woundwort got up.  "Very well, we will come to a decision soon, you wait here."  Without saying another word he and the rest of the council left the burrow leaving Blueberry with Campion and a few other rabbits that were there guarding the place.

 

  Lying down on the floor, Blueberry began to think on what was happening again with his two friends, there was a lot of questions in his head as to where they went, the only thing he could see was Hawk and Carbi looking over the edge of what they were on as they moved out of sight.  He tensed up as he gave sigh, then looked about quickly but no one said anything about it and he relaxed again.

 

It was a short while and Blueberry nearly fell asleep but was nudged by Campion as he noticed then that the rabbits were coming back down the run and got up to his sitting position again.  Woundwort came out slowly and made his way back to his seat followed by the rest of the council who sat down at either end. 

 

Blueberry blinked as he listened to what Woundwort had to say.  "We have come to a decision on this matter."  He began while looking at Blueberry at all times.  "That we find you in need of more training in our ways, therefore we do not believe that you are involved in this conspiracy to escape from this warren."  Blueberry relaxed as Woundwort carried on.  "However, if it is found out that you have lied to us and that you were involved it is the decision of this council that you will be put to death, immediately."

 

  Blueberry nodded his head but he heard another rabbit alongside of Woundwort speak up.  "And we have decide that you cannot leave Efrafa, there will be no wide patrols for you until this matter is dealt with, the warren found or that we find all the rabbits that did escape."

 

Blueberry nodded his head again as Woundwort spoke.  "Campion, please take him back to his duties.  Make sure that he has someone with him at all times from now on, then you will come back here with your patrol, we have decided on where you should send your patrol next."

 

Campion nodded his head and nudged Blueberry so that he turned and started to head out.  Blueberry felt relieved as he headed back down the runs again and spoke.  "You know, Vervain isn't going to like this, I don't want anymore hassle from him."  He frowned.  "I don't think I want to meet him right now either."

 

Campion replied back.  "Don't worry, he's on patrol with me, he shouldn't be around for a day or two."  He paused for a moment in thought before adding.  "I do hope you weren't involved in this matter though.  We've lost a lot of good officers already, we can't afford to lose anymore, especially those who would be a traitor."

 

  "I understand."  Blueberry said as they approached Captain Avens.  "He's been found not guilty on the charges."  Campion said as he allowed Blueberry to settle down next to him.  "However, the council informs that he is not to be left alone and that another officer should be with him at all times.  He's not to leave the warren or go past the sentry line for any reason.  You understand?"

 

Captain Avens nodded his head.  "Is there any news on when I be getting another captain to help, what after Chervil being killed and all?"  He saw Campion shaking his head on the matter and sighed.  "Well, could you inform them that we do need another captain here as soon as possible, we're beginning to get overstretched what with all the good officers being taken ill or being killed on those patrols of yours?"  He paused as he looked at Campion.  "Don't tell me, you're taking a few of my officers on another patrol again, aren't you?"

 

Campion nodded his head as he replied.  "Don't worry, I am only taking Vervain from this mark.  You're only losing one this time around.  Speaking of which, where is Vervain, he's needed by the council?"

 

  Captain Avens replied back.  "He's in his burrow."  He saw Campion nod his head and turned to go, leaving Blueberry with Avens.  "So, Blueberry, you're to report as normal on the next silflay which is at Fu-Inle, understood?"

 

Blueberry nodded his head.  "Yes sir.  May I enquire who will be with me from now on?"  He looked about as he looked back at Captain Avens.  "And is it possible for us to go to him before captain Campion returns through here?"

 

Captain Avens thought for a moment and nodded his head.  "Yes, I think that would be wise considering the circumstances."  He turned around.  "Well, follow me, we may as well put you back with Arrowroot again, he should be in his burrow."

 

They both found Arrowroot dozing in his burrow as Captain Avens coughed and stamped at the ground with his back leg twice.  Seeing Arrowroot wake up he coughed again.  "Ah, good, you're awake.  You have a new burrow companion.  You're under orders to go wherever he goes.  Council orders, understand the orders?"

 

  Arrowroot nodded with a yawn.  "Yes sir."  He closed his eyes again and dozed back off.  Captain Avens smiled.  "He has the right idea, you will be up for most of the night so try and get some rest as well.  Now if you excuse me."  He turned and hopped off.  "I have someone waiting for me in my burrow."  Captain Avens disappeared down the run as Blueberry ventured into the burrow, being careful as to not disturb the other rabbit.

 

It was a long while before Blueberry could settle down to doze off, each time he tried to find a comfortable position he was reminded from the bruises he got from Vervain, who always kept sneering at him whenever he closed his eyes.  Nonetheless, Blueberry did drift off when his thoughts moved back to his friends again.

 

***

 

Arrowroot woke Blueberry up as he nudged him a few times with his paw.  "Come on, wake up.  It's time for heading up for duty."  Blueberry slowly opened his eyes and yawned.  Lifting up his head, Blueberry nodded.  "Okay, I am up."  Blueberry moved his paws to rub out any sleep that had formed over in the corner of his eye. 

 

  Both rabbits moved out of the burrow together as they made their way down the run in the general direction of where most rabbits were slowly starting to wake up again so that they could go up to silflay.

 

They found Captain Avens looking rather worried as they approached him.  He smiled and nodded.  "Ah good, could you go up and get into position please.  You're on the entry of the mark again."  Arrowroot nodded his head before asking.  "Is there anything wrong sir?"

 

Captain Avens shook his head back.  "No, nothing much wrong at all, this is just becoming more troublesome that's all what with losing good quality officers on these patrols."  He gave a frown at Blueberry.  "This escape that happened has made a few in the mark have become a lot bolder these days.  It's only a matter of time before someone else tries it and with losing officers..."  He stopped and coughed.  "Anyways, just make sure you're on the look out for anything suspicious, the council doesn't want anymore incidents."

 

Blueberry and Arrowroot made their way back up to the top again as they both took their position at the side of the opening and sat down.  There were a few other rabbits up and about as Blueberry looked about.  "Where's Cnicus?  Shouldn't he be up by now?"

 

  Arrowroot sighed as he replied back with a quiet voice.  "Cnicus didn't make it back on the last patrol, it was reported that a weasel got him."  He looked back up again and frowned.  "It seems our luck has gone downhill ever since that traitorous Bigwig left."  Arrowroot flicked an ear and frowned.  "We talk later."  He looked at the first rabbit to come up to silflay as both rabbits began to take notice on who has come up.

 

Blueberry saw Tacca come out of the run and he sneered at Blueberry.  "Hello sir, heard you had a bit of trouble."  He sniggered and hopped off, leaving Blueberry to frown in Tacca's direction.  After all of the rabbits had come up, Arrowroot turned his head to face Blueberry.  "Ignore him, he's just enjoying the fact that you got beaten up."

 

Blueberry muttered under his breath.  "The little whelp won't know what hit him if he doesn't back off."  He could feel his claws digging into the dirt but then relaxed with a sigh.  "Don't worry, I won't start anything but I think I'll keep an eye on Tacca, something about him that I don't like."

 

  Arrowroot turned his head towards where Tacca was talking to a few others and nodded his head.  "Want to split them up?"  Blueberry shook his head.  "No, there be no point to it.  It would only set Tacca off again."

 

Captain Avens hopped over and looked where the two others were looking.  "So what's wrong?"  He asked as he sat down.  Blueberry sighed.  "It's Tacca, gave a snide comment to me and now he's talking to that group about something."  Captain Avens frowned.  "Oh is that so, well they can break it up."  Without saying another word he headed off towards them, Blueberry meanwhile had a smug look on his face as he saw Tacca getting told off by Captain Avens.

 

Chapter 18 - Efrafa prepares for war

The next few days were uneventful for Blueberry as he carried on with his duties being on sentry duty during the Ni-Frith and Fu-Inle silflay for his mark.  There had been no word back from the patrol and Blueberry hadn't seen Campion back at the warren.  But more importantly, Blueberry hadn't seen Vervain for the last couple of days which had made him feel more at ease within the warren once again.

 

  Arrowroot was still next alongside him as usual as Blueberry kepted a look out to the rabbits, silflaying in the blackness of night.  They had been out for a while as Inle was hidden and it was too dark to move that far away from them.  Flicking an ear, he heard Arrowroot begin to talk quietly.  "Well, glad that it's the last time we're out during night time.  We're back on the early morning, evening shifts tomorrow."

 

Blueberry blinked.  "Where did you hear that from?"  He looked at a doe that was looking at him and then turned his head back to face Arrowroot again.  "Avens?"  Arrowroot nodded his head.  "Yeah, he got the news from the council messenger before this silflay.  We should've gone..."  He paused and looked at the doe.  "Don't you have to silflay right now than eavesdrop?"

 

Petal blinked back at Arrowroot and shook her head.  "No I wasn't listening sir.  I was just er.  Can I go please?"  Blueberry looked at Arrowroot who smiled and nodded his head.  "Go on, go."  He chuckled as he watched her go before he turned his head to face Blueberry.  "I think you have an admirer there."

 

  Blueberry rolled his eyes.  "Not interested, not right now anyways.  Besides I like to do the looking, not the other way around."  He stopped and looked in the direction again of where Petal had gone.  "So what can you tell me about her?"

 

Arrowroot smiled.  "Well, she isn't one of the troublemakers if that's what you're wondering about.  Don't think she likes causing trouble.  Why you interested?"  Arrowroot finished giving Blueberry a sly look.

 

"Of course I am not interested."  Blueberry replied back before he turned his head around quickly to the sound of Captain Aven's stamping his rear foot, calling out.  "Get everyone down below."  Sighing, he turned to see that Arrowroot had already got up and was making sure that everyone was heading back down.

 

Blueberry stayed behind as he watched the others move in single file down both holes into the warren as he heard Captain Aven's come up behind him.  "Where's Arrowroot?"  Blueberry pointed with his paw.  "He's helping the others get inside, I am making sure no one turns around or hides sir."

 

  Captain Avens frowned.  "I thought I told him to..."  He stopped and shook his head.  "Nevermind, you're to head to the council burrow with me, the patrol has come back and Woundwort wants you to listen to the report at the same time that they do.  Come on."

 

Blueberry and Captain Avens arrived just outside of the council burrow as Blueberry saw Vervain frowning at him.  Blueberry ignored as he slipped into the burrow itself with Captain Avens, moving to a place that was shown to him before sitting down.  Looking about he could see that Campion was there as with the rest of the patrol that had come back.  But there were a few missing.  Blueberry blinked slightly as he heard Woundwort begin to speak.

 

"So Campion, have you found what you were looking for?"  Woundwort asked after a slight pause.  He looked over to where Blueberry was before returning his gaze back on his captain.

 

Campion nodded his head as he gave his report.  "Sir, we have travelled far and wide, but we did find the warren in question."  He looked about as he carried on.  "We know as we saw Bigwig himself heading back with a few rabbits from the farm.  WE tracked them back to their warren which is on top of a hill."  He paused.  "We didn't go up on the hill but moved around so that we could get as close as we could to it.  We came straight back to report this."

 

  Woundwort nodded as he dug his claws into the ground.  "Did you see our rabbits there?"  He saw Campion nod his head.  Raising himself off from the ground, Woundwort roared as he looked about.  "Right, I want all available owsla officers to begin training immediately, I want us ready for the attack on their warren."  He lowered his voice as he looked at everyone in the room.  "Everyone will be prepared as we will kill each and everyone of those meddling rabbits."

 

Blueberry swallowed as he felt the cold evil stare rest on him as he looked back at Woundwort who spoke again.  "Isn't that so, Blueberry?"  Blueberry swallowed and replied back.  "I be alongside with you General."  He didn't look away from the stare that Woundwort was giving him.  Eventually Woundwort turned his head back to Campion.  "You and I will be training them, make sure that any officer that is coming on this attack is not to be side tracked by normal duties."  He paused as he looked at Blueberry again before finishing.  "He's your first officer that will be coming with us."

 

  Campion nodded his head.  "I understand sir."  He turned to look at Blueberry before beckoning for him to follow as Blueberry left alongside Campion.  From behind him he could hear Woundwort talking to Captain Avens.  "As for your request about a new mark captain, we regret that we haven't come to a decision yet..."

 

The rest of what Woundwort was saying faded away as they got further away from the council burrow.  Campion came to a stop and looked at Blueberry for a moment.  "I have to warn you that Vervain still thinks that you have something to do with that escape.  If you weren't involved I would suggest that you keep your wits about you in case anything happens."  He started to leave but stopped, moving his head back again.  "However, if it does turn out that you did have something to do about it.  I have to report it and let Woundwort deal with you, but I thought you appreciate the warning anyways.  Get some rest, you'll need it for tomorrow."  Without saying another word, Campion has left, disappearing around a corner.

 

  Being on his own again, Blueberry slowly made his way back to where his burrow was and sighed as he could hear Arrowroot talking to Petal.  Taking a deep breath, Blueberry came into the burrow and blinked. 

 

"Well, hello there.  Petal was just coming to see you."  Arrowroot said as he got up and moved towards Blueberry himself.  Stopping briefly he whispered into his ear.  "Now, don't go ruining this will you?  Not everyday you get a doe coming to you but she could be after something so just warning you.  I'll wait a bit further down the run if you need to call me."  Without saying anything else he left. 

 

Blueberry gave Arrowroot another bad look before he heard a soft cough and immediately removed it before he turned his head to face Petal again.  Sitting down, he looked at her.  "So may I enquire what do you want?" 

 

Petal blinked.  "Oh, I just wanted to talk that's all?"  She said softly.  "Get to know you and all.  Please, do you want to stay in the entrance of the burrow all the time?"  Blueberry blinked, and then nodded his head as he came into the burrow and sat down in front of Petal.  "Oh, sorry, is this better?"

 

  Blueberry saw Petal nod her head as she spoke again.  "So tell me about yourself?"  Blueberry thought for a moment and closed his eyes.  "Why would you want to know?  You're not one of those spies of the council are you?"

 

Petal frowned slightly, then gave Blueberry a small cuff on the face that surprised him as she replied back.  "No I am not and I have you know that I just want to know you."  She got up and frowned.  "But it looks like you're just another officer in this place.  Sorry to bother you."  She made a move to get around Blueberry who got up and blocked her way.  "Get out of my way."  Petal frowned, baring her teeth.

 

"Whoa, calm down.  I didn't mean to offend you in any way, just I had enough of being within the council dealings these past couple of days."  Blueberry replied back gently.  "Please, sit down again and I'll tell you what you want to know."

 

Petal paused, then gave Blueberry a look as she sat back down again and sniffed slightly.  "Well, first I like to know where you stand here exactly?  Are you from the council yourself?"  Blueberry opened his eyes more and shook his head.  "No I am not, I don't think they like outsiders to get too high a rank here."  He got up and moved over to the far end of the burrow and fell down against the soil wall.  "So what made you interested in me?"

 

  Petal gently lay down again and replied.  "It was the talk about you protecting Carbi from Tacca.  No officer would've stopped anyone else from trying to get in on another by killing them or would've cared.  You made quite a few think about what you did, me but I think also others within the owsla and the council of course."

 

Blueberry lied.  "Yeah, that's what I was in trouble for a while, I wasn't giving enough of being a true Efrafan apparantely."  He paused and frowned.  "How many others think they can get in on me now for protection?"

 

Petal frowned back.  "Now, don't start again, what is up with you, you're as jumpy if you were facing a weasel himself."  She relaxed again as she replied.  "A few but they're too scared to approach you.  I don't want anything at all apart to get to know you better.  Besides, I have a mate already."

 

"Oh, I see."  Blueberry said after a short while.  "My apologies, but I thought Arrowroot said that you weren't?"  He blinked as he saw Petal move towards him before lying down next to him as she spoke very quietly.  "We aren't supposed to be, but he isn't in the owsla.  It's not allowed you see, so I really need to ask you a favour?"

 

  Blueberry blinked as he thought for a moment and replied back.  "You want me to be your mate so that they will stop wondering why you haven't accepted another officer approach?"  He frowned.  "Surely your mate would've rejected the idea?"

 

Petal nodded.  "He has but I can't keep rejecting or trying to change the subject when someone came up trying to mate me."  She sighed.  "Look, he's accepted it for now and I really don't want to ask but if it keep me and him safe for the while then hopefully one day things will change here."  She looked at him and carried on.  "The escape that happened recently has given many the hope that things will change here but we don't know when or how but all we do know is that most have a glimmer of hope that we didn't have before."

 

"I do it."  Blueberry replied back.  "But I suggest that I don't meet your mate in the meantime in case anyone notices the look that he may give.  I'll tell you about myself so you know what to say."  He paused for a moment and then went on to talk about where he had come from, the descruction of his warren, the journey across the wilderness and finally how he arrived at Efrafa.  By the time he had finished, Petal had fallen asleep right next to him and Blueberry remained awake thinking on what he had gotten himself into now.

 

  ***

 

Arrowroot came in to see that Blueberry and Petal were asleep, lying against each other and nodded his head approvingly before slipping into the burrow and gave Blueberry a gentle nudge with his nose.  "Blueberry, it's time for us to leave."  He saw Blueberry wake up before moving back.

 

Blueberry nodded his head.  "Could you give me a moment?"  He saw Arrowroot nod his head and then left the burrow.  Giving Petal a look, Blueberry nuzzled gently and then go up, leaving the burrow as Petal opened her eyes and smiled, before she closed them again and fell back asleep.

 

Arrowroot was smiling as he saw Blueberry approach him.  "So how did last night go?"  He said as he walked along the run alongside Blueberry.  "It went as good as it can get." Blueberry replied back as they turned around a corner.  "You were right, she did like me after all so I may as well settle down here, I accepted her as my mate."

 

"Ah good, a few were wondering when you were really going to settle down here."  Arrowroot said as they went up the run to head up to the top and outside of the warren itself.  Blueberry didn't reply back as they made their way towards the group of rabbits that were already up on top. 

 

  Campion was there alongside Woundwort as they both looked at Arrowroot and Blueberry arriving before Woundwort began to speak.  "We now know where the rabbits are that escaped and the traitors Hawk and Bigwig.  You all have to pass a test to see who will be granted this moment of glory and possible promotion within the warren."  He looked at Campion and nodded.

 

Campion carried on.  "There are a few runs that have had the cover collapsed, this is in case they decide to block their runs as other runs have done in the past.  You're all to go into pairs and dig them out.  You will have to do this before the mark is ready to come out for silflay or they will have to do without."

 

Woundwort nodded his head and gave the order.  "Alright, get to it."  Officers from the ground picked their companion as they headed off to the various runs within the warren as Blueberry went with Arrowroot to one that had been blocked from their mark.  Both went at the soft soil with their front claws and began to dig out the soft soil blocking the run.

 

  Throughout the early morning, both Woundwort and Campion moved through the ranks to see how they were doing and were impressed by a few and not so impressed by others.  Woundwort frowned by some from the neck mark that he sent them away, while cancelling their mark silflay for a whole day.  Eventually he had got the rabbits down to who he wanted for the attack, they were all summoned back to where they were before next the crixia.

 

Woundwort looked at the group of rabbits in front of him and spoke.  "You all did very well in that test.  We may not have to use that but in case that we do have to dig them out.  You're all to be off duty.  There has been a new reserved for you within the council section of the warren.  We will not mention any plans for escape until after we have left.  Then the warren will be informed.  If you follow Campion, he will show you to your new burrows."

 

Blueberry began to follow Campion as did the others, leaving Woundwort to head off in another direction.  It was then that Woundwort saw Vervain who was within the group and moved his head back with a frown.  Arrowroot was next to him and spoke.  "Let me guess, you saw Vervain?"  Blueberry just nod as Arrowroot carried on to speak out quietly.  "Ignore him, we have a job to do now, a chance of glory when we kill every rabbit within that warren."

 

  Blueberry didn't reply back as he felt the cold shiver of what Arrowroot said run right through him.  There wasn't any chance of getting word to his friends as he didn't know the location of where the warren was and didn't think either Campion or Vervain would make a mistake in giving it's exact location, all that it was on a hill.

 

Gradually rabbits left as Campion stopped to show them that they were to rest here for the rest of the time that they were to be at Efrafa.  Arrowroot and Blueberry were placed in a large burrow as the others moved along past them, all except for Vervain who stopped and looked in on Blueberry.  "Well, we shall see soon just where your loyalities lay, won't we?"

 

Arrowroot frowned.  "Leave him alone, he's loyal to the warren alright, he has a mate here now so what does that tell you?"  Blueberry shook his head as he saw Vervain smile.  "Oh?  Is that so?  We have to find out what he has told her then won't we, when we get back from our mission?"  He turned around and headed off as Blueberry sighed.  "I wish you didn't tell him, you know he's out to get me."

 

  "Ah, you worry too much."  Arrowroot said as he laid down his head on his paws before closing his eyes.  "You think that the council or the General would allow you to come on such an important mission if you were on the other side.  Just ignore him."  Not saying anything else, Arrowroot fell asleep again.

 

Blueberry settled down himself and thought to himself as he looked at Arrowroot then closed his eyes again, deep inside of him he wanted this whole event to be over, lying all the time was starting to become a burden on his heart, making it heavy with guilt.  He didn't know what to do if he came up in front of either, Hawk, Carbi or the others.  Yet he knew that he had a choice to make on the matter.

 

***

 

It was late evening that a rabbit went along the run, waking up the inhabitants of the burrows alongside it to say that it was time to head up on top.  Blueberry and Arrowroot got up and made their way back to the top of the warren again and slipped back outside without saying much at all. 

 

Blueberry had noticed that no one else was saying anything right now, but there was a air of anticipation, fear and uncertainty in the air as they all headed to where Woundwort was with his captains.  "Right, we're all here?"  Woundwort asked as he looked about and nodded his head before he carried on.  "Efrafa had been attacked by another warren, we had some of our rabbits kidnapped by a traitor who acted as a spy for the other warren.  We cannot and will not allow this to carry on, they declared war on us and war that they shall get.  We will all head off to bring punishment down on them in the Black Rabbit's name, for EfraFA: "

 

  Blueberry's ear twitched as he heard the rest of the rabbits cry out.  "For EfraFA: "  Without another word, Woundwort gave the orders for them to leave in formation and slowly the attack force of Efrafa began to filter out from the hedge onto the Crixia itself in the lead of Campion and Woundwort.

 

Chapter 19- The Attack on Watership Down

Frith was still hidden from view as the rabbits under the command of Woundwort carried on their way across the field.  There in the far distance was the tall hill that Blueberry could barely see in the darkness but the light of the moon gave it a eerie look.

 

The group came to a stop in a field near to a farm as Campion and Woundwort headed away to discuss some things as Arrowroot nibbled on some grass next to Blueberry who was looking a bit worried on where they were.  Blinking, Arrowroot looked about.  "What's the matter, you're more on edge than usual?"

 

  Blueberry swallowed as he gave a shiver.  "Nothing, it's nothing at all, don't worry about it."  He stayed where he was and looked out all around him, expecting to see the cat, dog and especially man come from within the darkness to finish the job that they couldn't do before.  After a while, nothing happened and Blueberry began to get more confident in that man wasn't all seeing and powerful at all.

 

Eventually the patrol were told to rest and dig out scrapes until the next morning.  Blueberry slowly began to dig out a shallow hole in the ground and carefully laid his body into it so that he wasn't easily seen by any passing elil from the ground or in the sky.  Each rabbit remained still as the cold night breeze whistled through the hedge and tree's. 

 

Blueberry flicked an ear and twisted it to the farm house in the distance as familiar sounds came flooding back to a long forgotten memory.  The sound of man snoring in his bed, which squeaked loudly as the springs gave way to the heavy masses lying on top of them.  A loud dripping noise of water splashing onto the bottom of the sink to the loud clicking of the clock held somewhere in the house.

 

  Arrowroot was only a few paces away from Blueberry as he listened also before whispering quietly.  "Man really does like to live in such a noisy place, doesn't he?"  Blueberry twisted his ears towards Arrowroot before moving them flat against the top of his head as he whispered back.  "Maybe man doesn't have anything to be afraid of or he doesn't have any enemies to worry about.  Maybe he's a god like Frith."

 

"Gods, I doubt that?"  Arrowroot said as he looked ahead towards the area where Woundwort would be at, still talking to Campion and a few other rabbits.  "Now there's a rabbit that could be counted as a god."  He saw the look of disbelief on Blueberry's face and frowned.  "Doubt me do you?"

 

Blueberry shook his head, then nodded it reluctantly.  "Maybe but then I haven't seen what he is capable of doing to have that opinion of him.  You have been at Efrafa all of your life, I haven't, remember?"

 

"I suppose so."  Arrowroot whispered back as he closed his eyes.  "You're in for a treat though, I was only a very young officer when we found a nearby warren that dared to start up near us, should've seen Woundwort rip into them.  Those that weren't willing to join us were killed.  Of course the chief of the warren gave himself up but the General killed him anyways purely I think that he couldn't or didn't want a threat to his own position.  That's what it's all about really.  The fitter and stronger rabbits are to live, any threat or the weak should die, you should know this from your own warren."

 

  Blueberry didn't reply at first but thought about the way that his warren did things compared to Efrafa and he gave a slight shudder.  Looking about he spoke out again quietly.  "Well, there are some differences and all from the way this warren works but yeah, I suppose that the fittest of the rabbits get to be owsla members while the weak were left to fend for themselves mostly out in the outskirts of the warren."  Blueberry stopped then as there wasn't anything about killing to get another promotion.

 

After that, the conversation ended and both rabbits did what the others were doing and got some rest, most stayed up but were deep in thought, some rabbits fidgeted about awaiting the battle that was to come along soon.  Eventually the hours passed as the sound of man getting out of his bed, made Blueberry jerk his head up as did everyone else. 

 

Woundwort nodded his head to Campion who in turn gave the signal for them to carry on.  One after each other, the rabbits filled in their scrapes from the soil around them before heading off again across the field as in the distance, the farm house lower window light came on before the sound of strange music in the air.

 

  As they moved ahead through the field before slipping through the hedge, Blueberry noticed Vervain sitting there as he watched him this time around but Blueberry slowed down again to check that it was okay before giving Vervain a frown and disappeared through the hedge.  Catching up with Arrowroot on the other side of the road before they slipped through the hedge once more, he spoke.  "He's doing it again, checking up on me."

 

Arrowroot panted as he replied back.  "Who?"  Blueberry saw him looking back as he saw Vervain move through the hedge before he turned his head back again and frowned.  "Just ignore him, I told you, you've not done anything to be worried about."  Arrowroot paused and looked at Blueberry.  "That's unless you have done something to be worried about?"

 

Blueberry shook his head.  "Of course I haven't done anything wrong.  Just forget about it, okay?"  He went quiet and ran a bit faster, edging ahead of Arrowroot who quickly caught him up again. 

 

Eventually the group came to a stop near the metal pylon and looked about before moving off to a small wooded area to the left of it.  Woundwort was looking at the hill from time to time with a frown in his only eye, turning his head to face Campion, he nodded.  "We rest here for a bit, that hill will tire us out if we just run up there right now."  Campion nodded his head as he gave the order for the rabbits to hang out around the wooded area and waited for Woundwort's next move.

 

  Frith was slowly edging it's way up in the sky as Woundwort gave the order for a few rabbits to head off ahead to keep an eye out for anything.  Campion and Vervain ran off while the rest of the group waited quietly, giving the hill a look from time to time.  Blueberry was looking at the hill as he thought about his friends up there, wondering if they knew that they were down here.

 

As the hours passed, Blueberry began to feel himself nodding off before he was prodded awake by Arrowroot who was next to him.  Opening his eyes, Blueberry could see that Campion and Vervain was coming back with another rabbit in the middle of them and he snapped fully alert again as he saw Woundwort looking at the newcomer.

 

"We found him heading this way."  Campion said.  "He said that he wanted to pass on a message."  He looked at the rabbit in the middle as Woundwort scraped at the ground with his claws.  "Does he now?"  He paused and looked directly at the rabbit in front of him.  "And you are exactly?"

 

Blueberry blinked as he heard the other rabbit reply back without any hint of being scared.  "I am known as Hazel."  Hazel replied back calmly.  "I wanted to ask if we could come to peaceful terms than fight, surely both of our warrens can live in peace with each other?"

 

  Woundwort snorted and looked around him to the other rabbits.  "Peace?  You want peace?  You invaded my warren, took my rabbits and you want to have peace?"  Blueberry blinked as he saw Hazel nod his head slowly.  "Yes, I do.  We have enough problems with elil than to go about fighting amongst ourselves, surely you can think about it?  We only want a peaceful solution to this."

 

Campion spoke as he turned to face Hazel.  "Shall I kill him sir?"  Blueberry stopped breathing as he saw the fear now in Hazel's eyes and felt for a moment pity for him as he looked at him.  Seeing Hazel look back he changed his look as he noticed Woundwort turning to face where Hazel was looking before replying back.  "No, he's to be let free but with a message."  Woundwort turned his head back to face Hazel again.  "You can send this back to your chief.  If I don't see my rabbits waiting for me when I get up there, I'll rip out every throat in that warren."

 

Hazel nodded before turning around and ran off back towards the hill.  Woundwort got up and nodded his head.  "We head up there right now.  Campion, get your lot ready."  He turned around to the others as he gave each of them a look.  "You all know what to do, even if our lot are up and ready for us, I want all those rabbits killed, no exceptions."

 

  Blueberry felt sick as the whole patrol moved on and out of the small wooden area, heading towards the tall hill in front of them.  Reaching the bottom of the hill, Blueberry looked up and saw that it just went on and on forever.  Feeling a rabbit behind him, push, he nodded and began to hop up slowly along the steep hill, pausing from time to time to gain his breath but he saw that Woundwort hadn't stopped at all and was a fair bit ahead of the others.  Eventually all of the rabbits reached the top as they looked around and saw that there wasn't a single rabbit up on top.

 

Blueberry hopped about as he turned around to look from the top of the hill, then slowly let his mouth open.  There in front of him was a sight he had never saw before, vast fields just rolling about in front of him as the whole world of Frith he could see.  Arrowroot hopped up to him and coughed.  "Come on, we didn't come here for the view."

 

Nodding his head slowly, Blueberry turned to go but paused as he took another look of the view before running after where Arrowroot was heading and frowned as he tried to think of a way to stop this.  Coming up to one of the runs that had been collapsed, Blueberry and Arrowroot began to dig into it, as did others around the other openings of the warren.

 

  Blueberry lifted his head from the hole that he was creating and sneezed, sending small specks of soil into the air, before he rubbed his nose on his paw.  "This is ridiculous."  He muttered before going back to it again.  He blinked as he could hear loud noises ringing out from beneath the ground.  Pressing his head to the side, Blueberry listened as he could hear two rabbits not far from him talking. 

 

"Here, listen."  One of them said as he pressed his head down against the soil.  "It sounds like they got something un-natural down there."  The other rabbit looked about as he replied back.  "You remember back at the bridge when they had that bird that flew and attacked us?"  The first rabbit nodded his head.  "Aye and I remember that they sent for Frith's messenger to save them at one point as well and allowed the river to take them away."  He looked about and swallowed.  "Perhaps we should head home."

 

Woundwort was on them like a flash.  "Who said that?  Who said that we should go home?"  He looked at the two rabbits who cowered before he bellowed out.  "Keep digging!"  Blueberry hurried up with his digging expecting Woundwort to come near his direction but he didn't see or hear him.  Pausing in his digging he lifted up his head and looked out, spotting a group of rabbits run off down the hill, then he heard Woundwort shout and went straight back to the task of digging once again.

 

  One group of rabbits shouted that they were nearly through and Blueberry pausing for a moment could see that Woundwort ran up to them and began to dig himself furiously into the ground.  Within a few minutes, Blueberry saw Woundwort disappear from view as he went back to digging again.

 

Arrowroot left him as he heard the call for more reinforcements come from the area and Blueberry slowed down in his digging until he stopped and looked up, seeing a few others were digging also at other holes, some only had their rears out from them and he sighed, shaking his head before going back to it again.

 

Pausing in mid swipe of his paw, Blueberry thought for a moment and then began to dig with more effort, he muttered under his breath.  "I won't fight them but if I can get them to escape through this hole then maybe they can get away.  Must find Hawk and Carbi..."

 

Blueberry stopped suddenly as he heard a ear piercing scream of a rabbit being killed from within the warren and felt his entire body run cold with fear.  Renewing his effort, Blueberry carried on to digging into the hole with new effort, forgetting about the soil that was hitting his face as it fell from the ceiling he slowly ended up sinking into the ground.

 

  ***

 

Meanwhile deep within the warren, Woundwort dropped the dead limp form of Blackavar to the ground, his chin dripping from the rabbits blood as he looked about and saw no one else in the great burrow.  Frowning he looked about and gave orders.  "Search for them, they have to be here somewhere!" 

 

Campion and the others began to search around the large burrow while Woundwort pushed aside Blackavar and moved towards one of the far ends of the burrow where one rabbit was listening to it.  "Sir, I think this wall is a fake?"  He turned to face Woundwort who gave a soft smile before frowning.  "Then get out of me way."  He crouched down before jumping into the wall, breaking through it completely.

 

***

 

Far from the warren, Hazel was running down the road with Dandelion, seeing the farm up ahead as he frowned with worry with what was happening back at the warren.  Slwoly both rabbits came to slowing down as they reached the entrance of the farm yard as Dandelion sniffed the air.  "Hazel, I hope you're plan works here." 

 

  Hazel nodded his head as he looked about before hopping into the farmyard itself.  "So do I, you remember what you're supposed to do right?"  He saw Dandelion nod but looked worried as he answered.  "I don't think I be able to run all that way back to where Blackberry is without being run down by that dog."

 

Hazel replied back as he moved through the long grass and stopped just in front of where the dog was sleeping.  He turned around to face Dandelion and looked at him.  "Just keep moving in and out of the hedge along the road, that will keep you safe.  But we have to get that dog to the warren."

 

Dandelion nodded.  "You know, if this works we get rid of a real threat to us.  It make a great story this will, Hazel."  He sat down in the grass as Hazel began to move away.  "It may make a good story but only if you tell it Dandelion."  Without saying another word, Hazel had moved on, making his way carefully around towards where the farm dog was sleeping.

 

Carefully, Hazel began to climb up on top of the small mould of grass and earth behind the box the dog was sleeping in and carefully placed his paw on the wood.  Hearing the dog yawn, made him stop dead as Dandelion watched unblinking as Hazel carefully moved towards where the rope was.  Sniffing it for a moment, he began to nibble on it, stopping from time to time when he heard the dog move from down below.

 

  Dandelion saw Hazel sit up as he looked at him before nodding back and hopping out into position and watched in the general direction of where the dog was sleeping.  Without a moment's hesitation, Hazel thumped hard on top of the box with his hind leg, bringing the dog to lunge out towards Dandelion. 

 

The dog gave another hard tug on the rope which rocked the box slightly.  With a few more tugs, Hazel saw the rope snap apart before he was toppled over onto the ground.  Seeing both the dog and Dandelion run off into the distance he began to pull himself up before was thrusted back onto the ground again.  "Can you run?  I think not..."

 

***

 

Woundwort moved through the narrow run, while a rabbit was moving backwards slowly.  Suddenly from nowhere, in a cloud of earth flying all over the place, Bigwig was on top of Woundwort as both bucks went tooth and claw into each other, slashing away as they felt each others claws or teeth cutting through the fur and skin.  The fight was over quickly as Bigwig turned away and kicked at Woundwort sending a few pieces of soil into his cuts.

 

  Snarling, Woundwort followed as he moved along the run where Bigwig had turned around waiting for him panting.  "Well, sir."  Bigwig said in between his gulps of air.  "I told you I hope that I would impress you."  Woundwort frowned as he reared up replying back.  "And I told you that I would rip every throat in this place.  There's no bird to save you now."  Both rabbits went at it again while a bunch of rabbits behind Bigwig cowered slightly watching the gruesome battle.

 

***

 

Blueberry paused in his digging as he listened again, the sound of rabbits down below was thick in his ear as he carried on to push soil out from the hole.  Arrowroot came up from the hole and called down.  "Blueberry, stop there, we got in via another way, Woundwort's fighting with the chief himself, it will only be a matter of time."

 

Coming to a stop, Blueberry came out from the hole and shook himself free from any dirt resting on his body.  "Where exactly?"  He looked about and saw where Arrowroot was pointing and nodded his head.  "How many are in there at the moment?"

 

  Arrowroot replied back.  "Quite a few of them, but I thought you would want to go and be in the front of the attack?"  He looked as Blueberry shook his head.  "No, I don't want to, I be best served up here in case anyone came up and tried to escape their punishment."  He saw Arrowroot frown but then relax again.  "Okay, you keep watch while I continue to dig in that hole of yours."  Without saying anything he was down the hole as Blueberry looked on with a frown before moving his head back again to where Arrowroot was looking just a moment ago.

 

***

 

Dandelion was running for his life, feeling the hot breath of the large dog just behind him as he felt his back legs ache with pain.  Feeling the sharp teeth nearly raking through his back, the buck changed direction as he slammed his body through the hedge and stopped panting hard.  From behind him he could hear the dog scratching at the thick branches with a growl, barking loudly in frustration.

 

Swallowing some air down, Dandelion got up and moved a bit down the field slowly before he edge back through the hedge again onto the road and sat there, watching the dog still scratching at the undergrowth.  Shaking his head, Dandelion thumped on the road with his hind leg catching the dog's attention and was off again running down the road.

 

  With the rope swaying alongside the dog, it carried on chasing Dandelion along the road as it began to near the field with the tall metal pylon.  Not stopping for anything now, Dandelion felt his whole body ache as he enhaled every single dry breath, he jumped nimbly through the fence and ran up to where Blackberry was panting.  "Dog behind, too tired to move..."  Dandelion moved over to one end of the pylon and collapsed out of sight.

 

Blackberry looked to where the dog was and ran off towards the hill before slowing down.  Blackberry turned around and saw the dog sniffing about around the pylon as he saw that it was heading slowly towards where the exhausted Dandelion was lying low in the ground.  Frowning slightly, he muttered.  "Stupid dog, why can't you be a bit more intelligent..."  Without thinking, Blackberry ran forward, disturbing two nesting birds on the ground which brought the attention of the dog to look in Blackberry's direction.  With a loud growl, followed by a bark, it took off after Blackberry who had turned around and was heading towards the hill.

 

  ***

 

Bigwig spat out as he pulled away again from another brutal attack by Woundwort and frowned at him.  Woundwort moved closer as he frowned.  "Why don't you give yourself up?"  He spat onto the ground as he took another swipe at Bigwig who backed away, feeling the rabbits behind him piling up.  However, Bigwig carried on pushing his way backwards.

 

Spitting back onto the ground, Bigwig replied back with venom.  "Sir, I was ordered to protect this run by my chief."  Woundwort's anger vanished completely to move to a complete look of confusion as he pulled back his left paw and blinked.  "Your chief?"  Woundwort had stopped advancing as he looked at Bigwig for an explanation.

 

***

 

Up on top, came confusion to the rabbits of the attacking force of Efrafa.  Campion who had heard the noise from the dog approaching, went off to check what was going on and had returned in full speed, shouting at the top of his voice.  "Run!  Run for your lives!"  Blueberry was up near the hole on watch, looked and jerked his head back down the hole where Arrowroot was.  "Stay there!"  He turned to see a rabbit being flung into the air with it's throat ripped out as he turned and ran for it.  Arrowroot came up and looked about.  "What?"  He saw the dog chasing another rabbit before killing it and vanished back down the hole again, pressing his body against the soil wall shaking in fear.

 

  Woundwort came out as he looked about as several rabbits were running away with a frown.  He punched the ground hard with a paw, shouting.  "Come back!  Come back and fight!  Dogs aren't dangerous!"  Woundwort turned his head around as he saw the farm dog drop a dead rabbit to the ground before slowly advancing towards him...

 

***

 

Blueberry was running around the other side of the tree as he came smack into Blackberry who jumped to the side and kicked Blueberry hard on the side of the head, sending him over backwards before running down a run.  Gasping for breath, Blueberry pulled himself up and crawled over to where the opening of the hole was before meeting a stern look from Blackberry who lashed out at him.  "You can stay out there and meet your end, you hraka Efrafan!"  Blueberry frowned back at Blackberry.  "Like Frith I will."  Blueberry pulled himself up.  "Just let Hawk, Carbi or Bigwig know that Blueberry's here."  Blueberry collapsed again onto the ground and lost consciousness.

 

Chapter 20 - The end of the beginning

"Well, what do we do with him?"  Blackberry asked as he looked about the burrow while the form of Blueberry still lay unconscious on the floor.  Hawkbit frowned.  "Kill him of course, he was one of the attacking Efrafan's."

 

Carbi cried out as he moved right over to where Blueberry was and frowned.  "No, he isn't against you at all."  Carbi moved his head towards Bigwig and frowned.  "Why don't you say anything on the matter?"

 

  Bigwig frowned back at Carbi.  "Hey, we don't know what happened after we left Efrafa, he may have decided to work for them."  He stopped and then headed over before giving Blueberry a cuff on the head while muttering.  "Come on, wake up now."

 

Blueberry winced as he felt pain in his head still but slowly he opened up his eyes as he sniffed about muttering to himself.  "Sky must've fallen on my head.  Ow..."  Blueberry lifted his head up and looked about with the various rabbits that were looking at him.  "How did I get here?"

 

Hazel had been quiet for all this time as he hopped forward but stopped as Bigwig gave him the cautionary look of not going too near to the rabbit lying on the ground.  The honeycomb burrow was still wrecked in places as with the hole in the ground as Blueberry slowly pulled himself up to a sitting position, gave up on it and laid back down again.

 

"You've been here unconscious for a few days."  Hazel said as he looked at Blueberry for a moment.  "Blackberry pulled you in from being killed by the dog, although it was probably against a few other rabbits judgements here.  You knowing Hawk and Carbi was helpful."

 

  Blueberry closed his eyes and replied back.  "I suppose you want to kill me then?"  He sighed softly as he stopped after hearing what Hazel said back.  "No, there has been enough killing already.  Woundwort has been defeated, killed by the dog, there isn't anymore need to carry on fighting, although your role in this has still to be determined though."

 

Bigwig nodded as he looked down at Blueberry.  "Why did you come on the attack of our warren."  Blueberry opened an eye and replied back.  "I had no choice on the matter."  He winced slightly before carrying on again with both eyes open now.  "I was under suspicion from Vervain after the chase when you escape...  How did you escape by the way?"

 

Hazel replied back.  "We're asking the questions at the moment, please continue."  Blueberry nodded his head slightly and carried on.  "I hesitated at a few hedges which brought my attention to Vervain who didn't like the fact at all that I wasn't running after you at full speed.  I didn't want any of the rabbits to be caught.  I didn't want Hawk or Carbi to be caught either.  But after we couldn't find them, we headed back to Efrafa where I was put under arrest by the owslafa."  Blueberry shuddered slightly.  "It was then I was questioned by Vervain on what I knew about the plan and where your warren was.  I only knew what Bigwig said but I didn't say anything at all.  Even after they had beaten me up a few times."

 

  Carbi was silent but carried on to lick at one of the new scars on Blueberry's body as he listened carefully.  Blueberry carried on.  "Eventually they gave up or I think Campion gave up on the matter and I was freed from not knowing anything at all.  I made my choice on the matter to stay so that you and the others would get away.  I didn't think that Woundwort would want me to be on this attack.  I am fed up of the fighting myself, especially on such a futile and tharn reason for it."  Blueberry went quiet again as he closed his eyes.

 

"I believe him."  Fiver said as he hopped over to the other side of where Carbi was and placed a paw on top of Blueberry's head.  "Hazel, he's speaking the truth, I've seen it but don't ask me how?"

 

All of the other rabbits nodded their heads as they turned to face Hazel and Bigwig who turned to face Hazel.  "Well, you're brother hasn't been wrong so far.  I am willing to let the whole matter go."

 

"Very well, he can stay." Hazel replied as he turned his head around to face Bigwig.  "Give that option open to the other Efrafan's.  If they wish to leave to go back to their warren then let them do so, those that wish to stay here may do the same."

 

  Bigwig nodded his head and left the honeycomb, running down one of the runs while Blueberry picked himself up again to a sitting position.  Blackberry smiled as he spoke.  "Sorry about that, didn't know who you were back then."

 

Blueberry nodded as he looked about.  "Don't mention it, you did what you had to do."  He looked about a bit more as he frowned.  "So, where's Hawk?"  He looked at Carbi who was looking away from him for a moment as he looked to Hazel.  "What's happened to Hawk?"

 

Hazel replied back.  "I am afraid Hawk volunteered to help stop Woundwort and was killed in the attempt.  He said he had to do it to protect Carbi whatever that means."  Hazel paused before carrying on.  "He didn't fully explain why."

 

Blueberry sighed and looked about.  "Mind if I can go up for some fresh air?"  He saw Hazel nod as he began to walk alongside Carbi before he stopped and spoke.  "He did it as he made a promise to me to keep Carbi alive always like I promised to do back by the river long ago when my captain of owsla stopped running."

 

  Blueberry didn't say anything else as he followed Carbi through the unfamiliar runs until they were up on top again.  There wasn't a sign of any dead rabbits about on the field as Carbi explained.  "I think elil took them or that man cleared them up.  Either way there isn't much to say that there was any sign of fighting.  It rained for a day after you were still sleeping.  I think Frith was washing away the evil from this hill."

 

Hopping over to near where the hill started to slope downwards, Blueberry came to a stop and looked out over the edge as he saw a few rabbits down below hopping away as Bigwig came running over.  "Some of them are heading home, none of them could say if Woundwort was killed or not but he must've been, there wasn't a sign of his body anywhere."

 

Blueberry nodded his head.  "I hope he is dead, he was evil throughout, thought he was the Black Rabbit and doing what the Black Rabbit wanted to do."  Blueberry paused as he carried on looking out to the view in front of him.  "Bigwig, you still doubt me?"

 

  Bigwig blinked and shook his head.  "No, I don't doubt you.  Maybe you made the right choice and all, just that I don't think that we could trust them again."  His voice trailed off as he watched as the small forms moving across the field down below finally went out of view. 

 

Blueberry didn't respond at first before he coughed.  "So you and Hyzenthlay?"  He gave a side look to where Bigwig was sitting but saw him look away with a cough.   Bigwig eventually replied back.  "I think she's picked Hazel, but that's okay.  You know, you should be proud of Hawk in what he has done, he did tell me everything once."  He turned his head to where Carbi had wandered off to talk to a few other rabbits that were up and out of the warren now.  "Carbi's settled down very well here, you think he's been here all of his life."

 

"I am glad of that, at least."  Blueberry said as he looked back himself as Carbi began to chat friendly to some of the Efrafan's that had escaped or chosen to stay behind.  "He can make friends with anyone, well..."  Blueberry paused before taking a scratch of his right ear that had started to irritate him again.  "Mostly anyone though, there are exceptions to that rule."

 

  Bigwig chuckled.  "Well, I don't think Tacca would've liked to be friends with anyone."  The large buck was at ease now as he carried on talking.  "So tell me about Captain Sando?  You must have really liked him to risk your life in carrying out his orders."  Bigwig said admirably.  "I admire that in an officer, loyalty and all."

 

Blueberry carried on watching Carbi tell a story as he replied back to Bigwig.  "Oh, Captain Sando was one of the old style of captains in the owsla.  He was okay with you as long as you did your work, trained hard and was honest and truthful.  He taught me everything he knew as a kit."  Blueberry looked down.  "He even stayed within the warren while all hope was lost when we were ordered to get away.  I suppose it was one of those protect the chief against elil to the last breath."  Blueberry paused and looked at Bigwig.  "Are you crying?"

 

Bigwig coughed and looked away.  "No, no of course not, I just had something that blew into my eye."  Blueberry gave a smirk as he hopped over a few places.  "Okay, well let's see what Carbi is talking about shall we." 

 

  Hopping over to where Carbi was talking, Blueberry groaned as he heard the tale of him taking on Captain Sando with a bobstone contest to get on a owsla farm raid.  Bigwig nudged Blueberry and laughed.  "Okay, now I like you."  He turned to face Carbi before asking.  "Is this true, he challenged his own captain of owsla?  You didn't tell us of that story."

 

Carbi nodded back excitedly.  "Oh yes, Blueberry so wanted to get on with a farm raid and pass his owsla training that he just hopped right over to where Captain Sando was, sat down, gave his right ear a scratch with a hindpaw and then spoke.  'Captain Sando, I like to challenge you to a bobstone contest'.  It was really amusing at the time.  I ran off to get others to come and watch, it wasn't everyday you had a young buck challenge their captain."

 

Blueberry felt like he wanted to be swept off his feet by a hawk or something as he looked down at the ground.  "Carbi, that was a long time ago now."   Blueberry felt Bigwig laugh, quickly followed by the others until Bigwig coughed and looked at Blueberry, then back at Carbi.  "So, technically speaking, he's the bobstone champion at your old warren, right?"

 

  Carbi nodded his head and Bigwig nudged Blueberry on the side.  "Well, that settles it then, I challenge you to a contest right now, champion against champion.  What do you say, lad?"

 

"Watch it Blueberry, he's the champion here and captain of owsla as well."  Carbi said but Blueberry turned his head to face Bigwig with a grin on his face.  "You're on, old one.  I've taken down captains before."

 

Bigwig hopped forward and turned around.  "Oh is that so, young lad.  Well, we shall see who will win this one."  He turned his head around and called out.  "Hazel, Fiver.  Do you mind coming over and judging a bobstone contest?"

 

Hazel blinked as he paused in his silflaying and looked at Fiver.  "I see, Bigwig's found a new challenger, what do you say?"  He turned his head around to Fiver who got up.  "Well, it be interesting to see if Blueberry can beat him."

 

Both got up as they headed over to the group of Watership Down rabbits and Efrafan's that had formed a small group on the hill of Watership Down.  Carbi went and found the right sort of pebbles and brought them back, dropping them onto the ground from his mouth and sat back away.

 

  Hazel looked about and smiled, Frith was high in the sky, not a single sight or smell of elil in the area as he moved his vision back down to the two rabbits with fur on their heads as Hazel blinked.  "Are you two related by any chance?"

 

Both Blueberry and Bigwig turned their heads around to face Hazel as both spoke at the same time.  "We don't know."  Hazel looked at Fiver who just sat there looking at them both without saying a word before he turned around back again to the two bucks.  "Who's going first?"

 

Bigwig smiled as he replied.  "Young lad can guess first."  He watched as Blueberry turned his back around from Bigwig and waited as Bigwig looked down and pushing one pebble to go underneath him, he placed his paw over the remaining one and spoke.  "Ready."

 

Blueberry turned around as he came face to face with Bigwig again and looked down at both paws on the ground.  Slowly he lifted up his head and looked about again to where the world was laid out before him and smiled.  He turned his head back once again and while under the gaze of rabbits that used to be prisoners and enemies with each other, now all watching a friendly bobstone contest, Blueberry spoke.  "Bobstone guess...."

 

Book Two

Prologue:

Several days had passed since the bobstone guess, the day that Woundwort was defeated, the great leader of Efrafa had never been found by Captain Bigwig's patrol around the down.  The rest of the warren had been busy in helping the defeated Efrafan's that had managed to survive the dog attack to settle into the warren as well as clearing out the dead bodies that still laid out on the ground.

 

Hazel has informed the warren right away that the cleanup would have to be done right away.  Bigwig had made sure that those rabbits that were placed with forenamed duty would be able to hide away the dead rabbits so that the down wouldn't attract too many elil.

 

Blueberry was sitting up looking about the down as he heard Hawkbit mutter from below him as soil came out from the hole that he was digging.  Eventually a pair of brown long ears came out as Hawkbit looked at Blueberry with a slight frown.  "So, tell me..."  Hawkbit shook his head, sending specks of dirt to fall off the top of his head.  "Why I am doing the digging and why you are sitting nice and pretty up there?"

 

Blueberry had become to like Hawkbit in the short time since he had become friends with the buck.  The first time around he wasn't exactly welcome in this warren but a few chosen words from both Hazel and Bigwig had sorted out any problems between the Down rabbits and Efrafan rabbits.  Smiling down at the buck, he shook his head with a slight wiggle of his left ear.  "Oh, well if you're not happy in staying down there, then why not come up here and stand guard over a dead rabbit where it will attract elil.  I'm sure you can say hello to a Hawk or a homba..."  Pausing for a moment, Blueberry began to move.  "Actually, I think it's time to swap, don't you?"

 

Hawkbit blocked the path into the hole and shook his head.  "Oh I am onto your game."  The buck lifting a paw and swatting Blueberry on the nose.  "You want to get inside and be safe, well I ain't having it."  Turning around, he headed back down below.  "I be fine down here, thank you very much."  The sound of digging continued as Blueberry looked about again, speaking quietly.  "Just one thing, hurry up will you."

 

The only reply that Blueberry got was a face full of dirt, of which the buck snorted and shook his head, moving out of the way from the firing line that Hawkbit was sending dirt out from under the ground.  A muffled voice came from down below.  "Why can't the does do this?"

 

Looking down at the hole from where the voice came, Blueberry replied back as he watched more dirt fly out of the hole.  "You know why, they're busy fixing the inside of the warren itself.  That's going to take a while mind you, considering the damage."

 

Hawkbit's came back out of the hole again with a snort.  "Well, you lot did make that mess, if I remember correctly."  He looked at Blueberry and frowned for a moment, shaking his head.  "Sorry, your friend here did at least."  Looking to where the dead Efrafan was lying on the ground.

 

Sighing slightly, Blueberry shook his head.  "He wasn't my friend."  Taking another look at the rabbit lying there, Blueberry didn't really knew who he was.  The dead Efrafan was from another mark for one than what he was in at Efrafa.  Hawkbit coming out of the hole fully brought Blueberry back from his thoughts.  "Erm, what are you doing?"

 

Hawkbit was moving around the dead rabbit muttering to himself again.  "What does it look like."  Blueberry watched as Hawkbit tried to move the rabbit and stopped, looking back up again.  "Well, the hole is ready, do I have to do everything here?"

 

Grinning slightly, Blueberry moved to help Hawkbit push the rabbit down into the hole, of which it slid down quite easily.  While they were slowly pushing earth in to fill up the hole, Blueberry turned to look at him.  "Hawkbit, are you always this grumpy?"

 

While Blueberry continued to push earth into the hole, Hawkbit had stopped and was looking at Blueberry now as he replied back.  "Grumpy?  Who's grumpy?"  Looking behind him, Hawkbit remembered that he had stopped working and carried on again as Blueberry replied.  "You of course.  You're not happy unless you're moaning about something."

 

"Oh that..."  Hawkbit said as he stopped and looked about the place, standing on his hind legs, sniffing the air.  "It's just everything you know, ever since Fiver had this vision, we've been moving about here and there.  All we seemed to have done is find trouble and more trouble, more than what a warren normally faces mind or should face really."

 

Finishing up, Blueberry began to hit at the ground with his hind leg to flatten out the soft earth while looking about at the others who had bolted up to hear what he was doing.  Blinking, Blueberry stopped as he moved away from the small mould with Hawkbit at his side, replying back after length.  "We face what we have to face, you know that.  This is what was supposed to happen, I think anyways..."

 

Hawkbit nodded his head.  "I suppose..."  He went silent for a bit as they past a few others working or silflaying outside of the warren.  "Er, Blueberry, we are friends right?  I mean, you were Efrafan and all but we are friends?"

 

Blueberry smiled.  "Hawkbit, for the hrair'th time.  Yes I am your friend and I ain't sure if I really was a Efrafan to be honest.  It was just a warren that me and my friends found.  If anything, man should be blamed for all of this, they keep on poking their noses into our business and taking over the world."  Coming to a stop at the edge of the down, the buck looked out over the fields that lay out below them both as Hawkbit sat down beside him.  "I sometimes wonder why Frith hasn't done something about man like he did against our kind when we were taking over the world."

 

Hawkbit didn't reply at first but turned to look at the others further up on the hill working away.  He turned his head back again and replied softly.  "We don't always know how Frith works, we just have to trust him that's all."

 

It was then that Carbi came up from behind them both, slowing down while panting.  "Hello, I've just been talking to Fiver, he's a bit weird isn't he?"  Blueberry gave Carbi a slight frown but he heard Hawkbit laugh a bit which made Blueberry relax.

 

"Oh, Fiver, he takes a bit of getting used to but he's quite fine."  Hawkbit said back, before giving one of his ears a scratch with his large rear foot paw.  Carbi nodded his head back at Hawkbit.  "I know and it's okay, we're on good terms."

 

During this conversation, Blueberry had once again turned around to face the world that lay out in front of him.  One of his ears twitched slightly as gentle breeze washed over the down.  Carbi who was listening to Hawkbit tell of a time where Fiver had scared his old warren to nearly being all tharn, ignored him and turned to face Blueberry, hopping over to where he was.  Hawkbit noticing this, stopped talking and hopped forwards as well.

 

Carbi turned his head to face Blueberry, seeing the larger buck's head at the side and spoke gently.  "Blueberry, what's wrong?"  Hawkbit had come up alongside Blueberry on the opposite side to where Carbi was and nodded his head.  "Come on, something is on your mind."  Spoken after seeing Blueberry shake his head.

 

Still looking out to where the world lay out before him, Blueberry's nose twitched slightly as he replied back to them both.  "I was wondering how our friends were doing Carbi.  If they're safe like we are now."  Blueberry turned his head around slightly to look at where Carbi was and saw that the smaller buck was now thinking the same.  "Also wondering if we ever see them again."  Hawkbit remained silent, he had images of friends that he had at Sandleford warren as all three now looked out over the down and beyond as far as they could see.

 

Chapter 21 - The Aftermath of Separation

As Blueberry's words had drifted away in the wind over the down, Bracken-Rah, Birch and Captain Halgrass were still in the young buck's mind.  As to where they were or how they were, Blueberry, Carbi and Hawkbit didn't know, none of the rabbits in Watership Down or Efrafa knew but the three rabbits knew.  Their tale starts just as they ended up being split up at the river...

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

Bracken-Rah came out from the water first, feeling Birch right behind him, his teeth biting down on the bucks tail.  Wincing a bit, the larger buck pulled up from the water, digging his front paws into the bank as slowly he hurled himself up from the river.  Spluttering behind him was Birch who had now let go of Bracken-Rah's tail and began to pull himself up on the bank himself.

 

Further down the river, Captain Halgrass was resting on his belly, the lower half of his body was still within the cold water as the buck held tight to some grass, claws digging into the wet soil as he spluttered, coughing up some water which fell to the ground.

 

Bracken-Rah turned to face Birch with a frown.  "Do you always have to bite down on a chief rabbit's tail like that?"  The buck falling to his side before bending his body around to lick at his small tail with his tongue, soothing it.  Birch looked down to the ground.  "Sorry, I lost my footing, didn't want to end up being swept down with that current."

 

Pausing briefly in his grooming, Bracken-Rah snorted slightly.  "Well, be careful next time, it's bad enough that we are being chased by elil than have our own kind taking a bite out of us."

 

Birch sighed, nodding his head.  "Sorry, Chief."  The buck stood up and looked about before speaking again.  "Has anyone seen Blueberry, Carbi and the others?"  He hopped about and slowly made his way down to where the river bank edge was again and looked into the river once again.  "You don't think?"

 

Captain Halgrass had got up from his resting place and was beside Birch now as he bent his head down to look at the water flowing past his nose before lifting his head back up again.  "I don't know, we must've got split up or they've ended up coming up along the bank someplace else from where we are."  Captain Halgrass turned to look up and down the river and frowned as that didn't bring any results.  He gave up on that and turned to face Bracken-Rah who had stopped grooming his tail and was looking at them both.  "What do you think, sir?"

 

Bracken-Rah didn't reply at first but he slowly got up and looked about.  "We have to find someplace dry and warm otherwise we're going to catch a cold or worse."  The buck shook himself, sending sprays of water droplets into the air as the other two followed his lead before they stood with fur sticking out.

 

Captain Halgrass looked at Birch and smiled at the look of him before nodding his head back at Bracken-Rah.  "Okay, then I suggest we head this way out of the way of the river for a bit, we can come back here and begin our search."  The buck paused for a moment and gave a slight frown.  "Now don't think I am evil or anything but if we can't find anything within a day or two then we have to face the fact that we may never find our friends again and we have to then find a place to live."  The buck stood up again and sniffed the air.  "I don't like to be out in the open for too long, what with elil and all, our main priority is to find another warren."

 

Getting up, all three rabbits slowly hopped away from the sound of running water as Captain Halgrass took the lead with Bracken-Rah in the middle and finally Birch led from the rear, the buck looking behind him all the time in case anything was following them.  It was Birch that gave a sneeze someway off as they were carefully crossing a field full of cows, lazily grazing away at the grass.

 

The other two waited as Birch paused for a moment to rub at his nose with his two front paws and muttered.  "Come on, there has to be some shelter around here."  The buck got up onto his hind legs and looked about again.  "This is ridiculous, who would want to get rid of cover?"

 

Bracken-Rah stood up himself but backed away as a large black nose came down to meet him and snorted in his face, bowling over backwards the buck scrambled to his feet and took off a bit for a few places and stopped again with the others right beside him.  The cow that had lowered down her head, moo'ed and started to eat at the grass where Bracken-Rah was standing.

 

Taking deep breaths, it took Bracken-Rah a few moments to recover and answer Birch's question.  "Who knows why man wants to get rid of everything?  They have their own means for this sort of thing."  Sniffing the air again he gave a sudden.  "Doesn't help that those animals have the smell of man on them either.  Stupid dumb cows."

 

Captain Halgrass chuckled as he looked at the cows moving about slowly in the field, munching away on the grass.  "Oh come on, they're harmless as long as you keep out of their way.  It's the cats and dogs that I am worried about."

 

Birch added a few words of his own.  "Not to mention homba, stoats, eagles..."  The buck looked into the air as he thumped the ground hard a few times bringing his two other companions to attention.  Ducking down to the ground low, the other two followed suit as Birch muttered quietly.  "Kestrel I think..."

 

Captain Halgrass looked up into the sky and frowned as he saw something hovering in the sky a short distance away.  "I don't think it's seen us but we have to get cover before it does."  Moving his head back to ground level again he nodded his head.  "Right, close formation, run and stop under a cow.  Got it?"

 

All three kept still as Bracken-Rah looked up into sky.  "I think it's looking the other way."  This was all that Captain Halgrass needed to know.  "Okay, everyone move now!"  All three rabbits ran over across the field quickly as they heard a loud cry in the air as Halgrass shouted again.  "Don't look up, just keep moving!"

 

Coming to a stop under the first cow, the three rabbits panted heavily as Captain Halgrass peaked out from just behind the rear left leg of the cow and stared upwards to the sky where the kestrel was flying about before hovering again in the air.  Ducking back again he turned to face the other two.  "Okay, we be okay if we can reach that hedge and hide out there for the time being.  Well, until dark comes at least."

 

Bracken-Rah shook his head.  "Well, while we're standing here talking this cow is starting to move away from where we want to go, so if you don't mind, I would like to get a move on."  Seeing Captain Halgrass nod his head, he turned to face Birch.  "Right, ready?"

 

Once again the three rabbits came hurtling out from the cover of the cow which in turn sent the call again from up above.  Captain Halgrass gave a look and he shouted quickly.  "Split up!"  Continuing onwards alone, Captain Halgrass had left both Birch to head to the left and Bracken-Rah to head right from where he was heading.

 

The kestrel started to beat it's wings before lining itself up for the drop, both wings curled into it's body tightly as the bird began to rapidly descent downwards in the path of where Captain Halgrass was running.  The wind whistled around the bird as it saw Captain Halgrass getting larger and larger within it's gaze.

 

Birch had made it to where another cow was and came to a halt underneath it.  Turning around quickly he saw Captain Halgrass running fast towards another cow with the kestreal now opening it's wings to slow down its descent.  Birch held his breath as he saw Captain Halgrass run right past the cow.

 

Unable to stop, the kestrel slammed into the side of the cow which mooed loudly, running away, the side of it's body cut from the beak and claws, dripping with blood as the bird fell to the ground unconscious with a broken beak.  Birch slowly came out of his hiding place and looked to where Captain Halgrass was sitting and nodded for them to follow him.

 

After both Birch and Bracken-Rah had made it to the hedge, all three of them were panting and shaking a little.  Bracken-Rah looked at Captain Halgrass with a smile.  "Please don't tell me that you planned that?"

 

Birch turned to look at Captain Halgrass as he smiled back.  "I be lying if I said I did plan it but considering what happened, I have to say things turned out better than I would've hoped for."  Captain Halgrass began to lie down and rolled about in the dry ground, getting his fur dry as he possible could.

 

It didn't take long for Birch and Bracken-Rah to follow suit as they dried themselves off as best as they could from the damp fur and laid down, facing away from each other so that they could look out and cover the view from outside of the hedge and within.  None of them spoke for a while, relaxing after their ordeals as each one came to their thoughts.

 

Frith was slowly starting to go downwards ending another day as Bracken-Rah and Birch were sleeping leaving just Captain Halgrass awake and alert to any danger.  He kept very still watching as he saw two men enter the field but didn't move.

 

Birch and Bracken-Rah slowly awoke to the smell of man as they looked out towards the field the cows were in.  Bracken-Rah spoke very quietly, he knew that man couldn't understand him but the threat made him whisper anyways.  "What are they doing?"

 

Captain Halgrass replied back with a low voice himself.  "I think they are herding them out of the field, I've seen this before on many trips with the owsla, they don't keep cows out during the night, I think they go indoors for what reason I don't know."

 

Birch nodded his head.  "We never found out why they do it."  Adding to what Captain Halgrass had said.  "I think Captain Sando tried a few times but he never managed to get near enough in safety to see what man was actually up to."

 

Bracken-Rah nodded his head.  "Ah yes, I remember that night.  I believe we were interrupted by pffefa."  Looking out, he watched as the cows slowly left the field by the open gate and shook his head.  "I can't understand why some animals have decided to be slaves to man."  Slowly, Bracken-Rah got up and stretched.  "Well, we can't stay here.."  He stopped talking and looked as he saw a rat slowly walk past confidently as though the rabbits weren't a threat to it.  "Better make that now..."

 

All of them slowly backed away as they turned around.  Rabbits and rats sometimes didn't get on, mostly with rabbits getting the brunt of rats attacking them in numbers.  Captain Halgrass kept an eye on where the rat was seen as they left the safety of the hedge and turned around again to face Bracken-Rah.  "It's okay, I think it was only one of them but just to be sure we're not on one of their runs we best get going."

 

Long dark shadows were formed on the golden orange glow of Frith as the evening continued, the light slowly fading away as the three rabbits made their way across the next field.  Eventually they came acroos a field that wasn't part of farm land and they slowed down even further, Frith had fallen from view, only the haze above the horizon was giving away his presence but that was slowly fading away as well.

 

Eventually all three came to a stop by a tree and rested again for a moment.  Captain Halgrass was looking out for any movement in the field as Birch yawned slightly which Bracken-Rah ignored, moving his attention to where Captain Halgrass was sitting.  "So we should start moving back towards the river again?  See if we can't find anything from our friends."

 

Captain Halgrass and Birch nodded their heads as they slowly got up again and looked about the field once more.  A faint sound of an owl in the distance hooting in the air to signal that it was awake and about to go hunting during the night, made all three of them on their guard for the rest of the night.  Moving slowly, they kept quiet as they made their way back towards the faint sound of running water that filled their ears, getting louder as they slowly got closer.

 

Captain Halgrass came to a stop just by a barbed wire fence, held up by wooden stakes several feet apart as he looked to where the short field was that sloped downwards during the river itself.  Carefully he moved forwards, ducking his body below the wire as he crawled under it and sniffed the air.

 

Bracken-Rah and Birch followed slowly under the fence as each of them finally got to the other side and looked about the field.  Birch stood up and sniffed again, the smell of running water hit his nose, water lily and sweet grass, richer than usual from the wet soft ground near the river.  "So which way do we go?"

 

Bracken-Rah came up to the edge of the bank and looked one way and then the other and sniffed the air briefly.  A small fish jumped up out of the water and landed with a small splash, quickly being followed by a small trail of bubbles under the water.  Hopping back to where Birch and Captain Halgrass is, Bracken-Rah smiled as he replied back.  "We go this way."  Nodding his head in a direction, that unknown to them would lead them away from Blueberry and Carbi.

 

Nightfall continued on as the three bucks continued on their way along the bank, looking for any signs of rabbit that may have climbed up along the bank.  At first they were very optimistic about their task but as the hours crept in, they were starting to feel for the worse for their friends.

 

Coming so a stop near a tree that had grown near to the edge of the river, large roots hanging off from the edge and into the water itelf, Bracken-Rah came to a stop and looked about.  "Okay, we shall rest here for the night.  Let's make sure that there isn't anything about though."

 

Birch moved over to look at the roots that were hanging off from the edge of the bank, the rabbit placing his paws on the wooden root and looking over, staring into the river for any signs of life.  With his nose twitching from time to time, he gave the root a sniff here and there, moving about slowly until he hopped away from it and gave a nod of his head.

 

Captain Halgrass was about the field, sniffing out for any signs of elil or other dangers.  Hopping about the ground, he came to a stop in several places, sniffing the ground before taking a look about the place.  At the same time, his long ears twitched and turned around to catch any sound that would alert him to danger.

 

Around the other side of the tree, Bracken-Rah had found something, a hole within the tree that had rotten away from countless seasons that were unbeknown to rabbits.  Carefully edging his head in he sniffed and came back out again, his body tensing up to run away if anything dangerous was inside.  Carefully, Bracken-Rah slowly edged forwards again as he poked his head back into the hole and sniffed.  Giving a slight pause he pulled his head out and saw Birch's head poking around the corner of the trunk and spoke.  "Come here and tell me if it's safe.  I've checked but can't tell."

 

Birch who was younger than Bracken-Rah came over and sniffed at the edge of the wood to the hole and paused for a moment and sniffed again, hopping into the hole and looking about.  "Nothing is in here."  Came a voice from within the hole as Birch's head popped out from within the tree.  "I think a otter used to use this but it's not been used in a while.  I think we should be safe for tonight at least."

 

Birch was about to answer but he saw Captain Halgrass come running up to them and backed into the tree but sure that the Captain was happy.  Coming to a stop, Halgrass gave his report to Bracken-Rah.  "Nothing bad in this field, only the faint smell of otter but nothing else.  I think we should be safe here for tonight at least if we.."

 

Bracken-Rah nodded his head and cut in.  "If we keep someone up to keep guard, then yes we can stay here the night."  Looking about, the buck yawned slightly.  "Question is, who is going on the first watch?"

 

Birch nodded his head.  "I go first, you need your rest sirs."  Hopping out of the tree, Birch made himself a place to sit down in the grass and looked back at the other two.  "I wake one of you up when I can't stay up anymore."  Both older rabbits nodded their heads at Birch as Captain Halgrass looked at the younger buck.  "Okay, wake me up later, I'll take the next watch."  After that, both turned to head inside, leaving Birch outside as he turned to look at the river.

 

What rabbits mean later could mean anything since they can't tell any time so Birch stayed alert and kept watch for as long as he thought that he could do the job without damaging his owsla reputation.

 

Eventually Birch slipped into the tree and nudged Captain Halgrass awake as he looked at him.  "Sir, it's time for your watch."  Seeing the older buck get up and stretch, he nodded slipping out, leaving Birch to find a place to settle down and soon he found himself lying asleep just like his Chief on the other side of the temporary home.

 

Chapter 22 - Birch gets a shock

The next morning, Birch was woken up by Captain Halgrass who prodded him with a paw.  "Come on, get up.  We're heading onwards."  Birch yawned as he stretched with a nod.  "Okay, nothing happen last night?"

 

Captain Halgrass shook his head.  "Nope, was a quiet night, I don't think we can risk another though here.  Don't know when the usual occupant will come back and we want to be as far away as we can just in case riverdog has a taste for rabbit."

 

Those words made Birch remember about the scent in the tree and he got up and headed out into the open where Bracken-Rah was waiting, looking about the area.  "We're going to search more of this river and if we can't find anything by ni-frith, then I'm afraid we have lost our friends."

 

Both Captain Halgrass and Birch nodded to Bracken-Rah as they hopped towards him and saw the buck turn to lead them on through the field.  Birch had a few brief moments as they stopped to check on whether it was safe enough to move on to catch a few bites to eat, chewing the grass as he moved.

 

 The journey this time around was a more quiet affair, each of them were thinking if they would see anyone from their warren that had managed to get away from the fox and man yesterday.  Bracken-Rah has a stern look on his face as he kept in front, stopping now and again to check to see if there was any sign, any sign at all.

 

They paused near a boulder which stuck out from the ground.  Hopping onto the stone, Bracken-Rah was frustrated as he looked about before taking a look at the sky and then back down again.  "My friends..."  Bracken-Rah's voice sounded sullen as he spoke.  "I'm afraid that we have lost our friends, we have been searching but if anyone had survived they would've been found by now."

 

Captain Halgrass and Birch who were still standing at the time, looked at each other and nodded their heads slowly.  Bracken-Rah carried on speaking.  "Therefore I feel that we must stop and think back on the friends that we have lost, our family and our warren and especially to our old Chief, Riza-Rah..."

 

Birch felt something in his throat as he swallowed, his ears falling against the back of his head as he moved about slightly to keep himself from lying down.  Moving his head even higher, the buck pushed himself to stand tall and proud, looking at Bracken-Rah.

 

 "And it's with great sorrow that I have to say this."  Bracken-Rah slowly closed his eyes and stood up, which was followed by both Captain Halgrass and Birch as Bracken-Rah spoke quietly and slowly.  "My heart has joined the thousand as my friends stopped running today."

 

The words were spoken quietly between Captain Halgrass and Birch who repeated those words and then opened their eyes, still standing on their hind legs and looking at Bracken-Rah who looked to have moved on.  "Right, our new task is to find a new warren."  He looked at the both of them.  "Which means I cannot be known to another rabbit that I am a Chief.  You know that they wouldn't allow me to stay as it would be a challenge to the current Chief that is in charge.  If you value my life then you will make sure that this information about my position doesn't come out.  I shall take whatever position I get wherever we find, understood?"

 

Bracken-Rah saw both rabbits nod their head as they both spoke at the same time with the same words.  "Understood, we won't say a word."  Happy that he had them understand, Bracken-Rah hopped down from the rock and looked at Captain Halgrass.  "Now, should we continue to follow the stream with hopes that a warren has settled near it?"

 

 Shaking his head, Captain Halgrass replied back.  "No, I don't think staying by the river is a good idea.  Mainly as any warren that was built near one would be flooded by the winter floods.  Well, that's what I have heard in tales anyways.  Our best bet would be to head a bit away from the river and see if we can't find a warren further away from here."

 

Bracken-Rah considered it for a moment and then nodded his head back at Captain Halgrass.  "Yes, I think that you are right.  So which way should we go then?"  Bracken-Rah looked about and nodded his head.  "We should continue along the river but slowly edge away from it.  I don't want to find another warren near a farm again if I can help it."

 

These words were both accepted by the other two as they both nodded their heads at the same time.  Captain Halgrass thought back and shivered at the thought of another man attack, something that he didn't wish to face again for the rest of his life.  Birch on the other hand didn't want to see another farm yard or garden again if he could help it, the whole place was just a very bad omen to him now and bad luck to even tread on it.

 

 It was late afternoon that the sound of the river had fallen to a point that they had to strain themselves to hear it again.  The air was dryer in this part of the country, which made travelling in the daytime much more harder to do.  Birch muttered to himself as he flicked his ear about to throw away any blue bottles that had decided to land on them.  "Any shelter we can rest in?"  He asked while shaking off another bluebottle again.

 

Captain Halgrass answered back as he was looking ahead.  "We can see if there's anything in the copse over there."  The buck pointed with a paw before carrying on.  "That's if its safe though."  Captain Halgrass looked up into the sky for any signs of other birds in the air and looked back down again.  "That's the problem, we're in the open and in danger but there could be danger there as well."

 

Bracken-Rah sighed slightly as he turned to face Captain Halgrass.  "We know that, it's the way that we have to live now."  Moving his head back to the front again, the rabbit gave a smile.  "But tell me, Halgrass...  Would you have it any other way?"

 

 Birch turned to look at where Captain Halgrass was as he stared at the buck in thought before nodding his head.  "Aye, it's made life a lot interesting when El-Ahrairah decided to go against Frith, hasn't it?"

 

Birch replied back before Bracken-Rah could respond.  "Well, could you see ourselves not having adventures, risking our lives and just laying about, eating grass?"  He found himself laughing at the end of that which made the other two laugh as well.

 

Bracken-Rah smiled as he nodded his head slightly.  "Well, I like the occasional danger and all, keeps you young."   Looking as the copse began to grow bigger with each passing hop on the ground, the group of rabbits ran across the field with new hope in their hearts, enjoying themselves for the first time since the destruction of their warren.

 

Arriving just outside of the copse, all three rabbits came to a slow walk, looking about the tall trees, branches hanging over them with birds tweeting, several of the bushes rustling from within as a bird hopped out with a worm in it's beak before flying upwards turning around in the air and landing out of sight in a tree.

 

 Moving forwards slowly, Bracken-Rah sniffed the ground and lifted up his head again slowly.  "Looks safe but we should be careful.  Let's find a place just on the edge of the copse."  The buck lifted his front paws off from the ground and sniffed the air again.  "I don't think we should go in there."  Moving his head back to the other two.  "Something isn't right, make sure you tread carefully."

 

Captain Halgrass nodded his head as he moved up alongside Bracken-Rah and looked at him, standing up on his hind legs as well, whispering.  "What's wrong?"  The buck listened as Bracken-Rah replied back quietly.  "Don't know, remember that tale a long time ago when our warren was nearly destroyed by man?"

 

Captain Halgrass nodded as he thought back, to when he was little.  Lying with a group of other young rabbits all paying attention to a much older rabbit that he hadn't seen for seasons, telling of the tale of when Copse Warren was under attack long time ago from man, ferrets and of course, shining wires.  Somehow though the whole thing stopped for no apparent reason but the rabbits.  Bringing himself out of his daze, Captain Halgrass turned around to Birch and with a stern voice.  "I want you to listen to everything I say and do whatever I say without question, understood?"  Birch nodded his head.  "Yes sir."

 

 Bracken-Rah and Captain Halgrass were moving about on the outskirts of the copse very slowly, the two bucks looked troubled which in turn passed over to Birch who was looking a bit worried.  Keeping a few paces away from the edge of the copse. They stopped from time to time to check that everything was safe around them, but none of them could get rid of the feeling that something was wrong.

 

Captain Halgrass was getting annoyed with it as he frowned, dropping down low in the long grass to hide himself, making the other two follow suit.  Muttering under his breath.  "You know, I think we're being watched, damned if I know who by though..."

 

Bracken-Rah was keeping very still but he turned his head to look through the long blades of grass and stared into the copse for a moment before returning his gaze back to his two friends.  Speaking quietly.  "Well, I can't see anything but you're right."  The buck paused for a moment and shivered.  "I've been feeling something running up and down my back since we got here and it's got worse since you mentioned it."

 

 Birch shuddered slightly.  "Well, what do we do?  We can stay out here for the night and keep a watch or try and find something else?"  Looking about he gave a shiver.  "Or we could go in and see if anything is actually in there or we're just being worried about nothing."

 

All three of them nearly jumped out of their lying position when they heard a bird chirrp loudly before taking flight from the copse as it took to the sky.  Captain Halgrass got up and shook himself.  "Birch is right, we can't stay out here, you don't know what may happen.  My suggestion is we keep on moving and find a spot to dig out some scrapes.  That should keep us hidden from anyone."

 

Bracken-Rah got up as well, looking to where the copse is and with a frown he shook his head.  "Okay but if I can't get rid of this feeling then I am going to get us to leave this place, see if we can't go back the way we came and see if we get better luck that way."

 

The other two nodded their heads as they began to move off again, slowly in the long grass.  They each took a few hops before stopping and checking things out, the long grass gave them shelter and safety but it also sometimes could hide danger.  Captain Halgrass had slowly made his way so that he was leading the group, stopping for a moment and looking about.

 

 "You know, that feeling is going, maybe it was something on that side of the copse that was un-nerving us?"  Taking a deep breath, Halgrass lifted up a paw and began to scratch at his ear, shaking off some pollen and dust at the same time.

 

Birch sneezed with the dust that Captain Halgrass was making and rubbed his nose with his two front paws.  "Mind where you're sending that, would you?"  Wrinkling his nose about a bit, he stood up on his hind legs and looked about in the late afternoon light.  "Hmm, it's starting to get late, we best find a place for our scrapes before it gets too dark and inle elil come out."

 

Bracken-Rah was looking ahead and he hopped forwards.  "Maybe over there should suit our purposes."  Looking towards a place where there was even thicker mass of tall grass that waved about in the afternoon wind.

 

Birch reached the patch of tall grass first and looked inside it, pulling away quickly as he ran back to the other two.  "No good!  No good!  Stoat!"  He ran right past both Bracken-Rah and Captain Halgrass without even looking at them.

 

 Bracken-Rah thumped the ground as well as Captain Halgrass without them even knowing that they were actually doing it and with an instant they had turned around and ran in the direction that Birch had taken.

 

It took a while for the two to catch up with Birch who was now lying on the ground, tired.  Captain Halgrass came up to him as he saw the younger buck lying down and was panting himself alongside Bracken-Rah who had turned up.  "What in Frith's name."  Bracken-Rah said as he looked back but the copse was small again in his view.

 

Birch swallowed and tried to talk but couldn't at the moment.  He was shaking all over and closed his eyes before opening them wide again immediately.  Captain Halgrass and Bracken-Rah had recovered but they saw that their friend had not.

 

Lying down beside him, Captain Halgrass looked at Bracken-Rah.  "He's shaking."  The captain placed a forepaw on the younger bucks back and looked at the other rabbit with concern.  Bracken-Rah moved over and slowly laid down in the grass facing Birch directly in the face.  "Birch, you're safe."  Bracken-Rah said softly.  "Come on, please...  Try and relax now.  Tell me what you saw."

 

 Staring beyond Bracken-Rah's eyes, Birch was looking stricken with fear.  Captain Halgrass gave a worrying look on his face and muttered.  "He's never been like this before unless..."  The look on Captain Halgrass's face confirmed to Bracken-Rah that something was wrong.

 

"Please, Birch...  Tell me what you've seen?"  Bracken-Rah said again softly before looking at Captain Halgrass.  Birch swallowed and spoke gently.  "I..I..I.."  He stopped talking and shook his head before staring a bit more in control but still shook under Captain Halgrass's paw.

 

"What did you see?"  Bracken-Rah said again as he looked still at Birch eyes gently, his voice soft and calm as he tried to bring the other buck to relax enough to get what information that he wanted.  Speaking again without looking at Captain Halgrass.  "See if we're not being followed."

 

Nodding his head, Captain Halgrass lifted his paw up from Birch's back and moved off abck the way they came slowly, checking for any signs of a stoat.  Bracken-Rah looked at Birch still as he spoke.  "Come on now, please tell me what you saw?"

 

 Birch nodded as he spoke quietly.  "I saw a stoat in the long grass, the wind..  It must've been blowing the other way as I didn't smell anything until my head was inside the long grass.."  Birch went quiet again and shuddered, closing his eyes.

 

Captain Halgrass was a few paces away, standing up tall to look in the direction of the copse, the buck keeping very still as his face was full of concertration as he felt the wind change and then he felt his ears twitch before it.

 

Meanwhile, Birch had brought himself again to speak before Bracken-Rah could say anything to make him speak more on what he had seen.  "I was there, looking at the eyes of a rabbit, going dull."  He swallowed again and gave a shudder.  "They were so bright but they were going dull so quickly."

 

"Go on..."  Bracken-Rah said as he saw Captain Halgrass moving back towards them as he sat down speaking quietly.  "Nothing is coming our way."  These words seem to settle Birch down a lot more as he continued to tell his story.  "There was a growl and then I saw it, the stoat..."  Birch gave another shudder but stopped as he felt a paw on his shoulder which was Captain Halgrass's again.  "It had blood dripping from it's muzzle, part of the rabbit that was lying there was hanging from it and it just started to chew and swallow.  I ran right away..."  Birch stopped and looked down to the ground, ears flat against his head and back.

 

 Bracken-Rah looked at Captain Halgrass for a moment and then back at Birch.  "Its okay, you're lucky that it was eating or you wouldn't be alive right now."  Bracken-Rah turned his head towards Halgrass and spoke.  "We need to get some scrapes dug here, I want to be in the open so that we can see anything coming our way during the night, this place is as good as any."

 

"I agree."  Captain Halgrass said as he looked about again.  "And then we should move from this area quickly early on tomorrow."  The buck gave Birch another look and spoke.  "The sooner we find a warren and get under ground the better."

 

Bracken-Rah nodded and looked at Birch.  "You rest here, we can make your scrape for you."  Getting up, Bracken-Rah looked at Captain Halgrass as they moved away a bit before starting to scrape away at the ground, each taking turns to pause and looking out for any signs of trouble.

 

While the other two worked, Birch continued to lie on the ground recovering from the sight of what he had saw just a short while ago.  Eventually he got up from the ground and looked about, his body has stopped shaking and with a guilty look on his face, he was glad that he had been able to move at all.  Hopping to where the other two were working he came up alongside them and spoke.  "Its okay, I can finish off my own scrape."

 

 Captain Halgrass looked at Birch with a questionable look.  "Are you sure?"  He saw Birch nod and then backed away from the scrape to let Birch move into position.  Both of them had finished their own as they moved away from Birch for the time being and watched him. 

 

Bracken-Rah looked at Captain Halgrass, speaking gently.  "You think he be alright?"  Captain Halgrass nodded his head.  "Aye, he be fine in due time.  Everyone is like that when they see that for the first time.  I am glad that he has in a way, hopefully he won't flinch when it comes to dealing with something else further on.  Could save his life, you know?"

 

Birch could hear them talk but he felt nothing at the moment, his claws scraping away at the ground as he moved into the scrape and tested it before backing out of it again and making a few more adjustments.  After the third try, Birch was happy with what was available and moved into the scrape, lying down as he saw the other two looking about.  From his point of view he could just see over the rim of the scrape as he settled down, placing his ears down against his head and heard the other two rabbits move about.

 

 Bracken-Rah nodded.  "I'll take the watch tonight."  He looked at the other two and shook his head.  "You two didn't wake me up last night."  Giving Birch a look he smiled.  "I think it be wise if you got a full nights rest, me and Halgrass have talked about it and came to an agreement."

 

Birch looked at each of them but said nothing, finally ending up nodding his head in agreement and settled back down again.  Captain Halgrass moved over next to where Birch was and slowly settled down into the scrape himself.  They had set it up for sleeping in the same way that they had done the first night on the river bank, facing outwards.

 

Bracken-Rah moved into his scrape and laid down himself as he looked about the place before lowering his head, the group of rabbits now hiding out as the afternoon started to change into early evening.  All three of them were tired as both Captain Halgrass and Birch were fast asleep, leaving just Bracken-Rah awake, alone with his thoughts.

 

Unbeknown to both all three, they were being watched from within the copse, dark shadowy shapes looked outwards as they kept very still.  They could see the three rabbits earlier move about before settling down as one dark form moved towards the other.

 

 Captain Ebony was looking outwards when he felt the presence of another rabbit beside him.  "Get down, do you want to give our position away?"  He felt the other rabbit next to him settle down as Captain Ebony continued to look out with his green eyes.  "So, how did the sacrifice go?"

 

Frogspawn replied back quietly.  "It went well sir, I don't think we have anymore trouble with the others now, not after we got rid of the troublemaker."  Frogspawn saw that those were the right words to give as Captain Ebony nodded his head.  "Good, now go and let Captain Shadow know that we shall move when it gets dark."   Captain Ebony felt the other rabbit begin to move and he spoke again.  "Oh and Frogspawn, if you fail to see anyone start to rise up again, I'll kill you myself."

 

Frogspawn nodded his head and hopped away, leaving Captain Shadow alone.  When he was out of earshot he looked back and gave a frown before heading onwards through the dense copse to where Captain Shadow was situated.  When Frogspawn did find the officer in question, he came up to him and nodded.  "Captain Ebony said that we shall move when it gets dark.  He will give us the signal."

 

 Captain Shadow nodded his head.  "I will be ready, get back to your position."  Not looking at where Frogspawn heads to, the large buck looks out to where the part of the field lay where the three rabbits were situated.  "Well, well, well..."  Captain Shadow said quietly.  "Looks like Blackclaw-Rah is going to have three newcomers to play with."  He grinned as he heard a quiet chuckle coming from one of his rabbits and then all lay still.

 

***

 

It was dark when Bracken-Rah was starting to nod off, his head lowered down to his front paws and then came back up again.  Knowing that he was too tired to do anything else he turned his head around and spoke.  "Halgrass, you awake?"  Hearing nothing he turned his head around to the front and yawned, getting up with a stretch.

 

Captain Halgrass was fast asleep when he felt Bracken-Rah hit him hard on the head, which woke him up immediately.  "What?"  He said loudly, before seeing Bracken-Rah looking at him.  "It's your time to stand guard."  The buck moved away from Halgrass and slowly placed himself back into position in the scrape.

 

 Rubbing the top of his head, Captain Halgrass shook himself slightly before getting up and taking a stretch.  Standing up on his hind legs, the buck looked about the place but could only see the faint glow of the moon shining down on the grass, giving it a ghostly appearance.

 

With mist starting to form on the ground, Captain Halgrass stared at the low fog creeping over the field, the moisture warmed up by the day had started to form into thicker water droplets.  This had given the eerie view with each passing moment.  Feeling cold, Captain Halgrass went back down onto all fours again as he settled back into his scrape, staring out for a few moments.

 

What Captain Halgrass did was get up every so often and move about in a small circle where Bracken-Rah and Birch slept, stopping every two hops and checking the area while standing on his two hind legs, sniffing the air while listening out with his large ears.  It was around the fifth time that he was doing this that he was also starting to get tired again, the cold night wind blowing into his fur, made the buck shiver slightly.

 

 Feeling his fur starting to get damp from the fog, Captain Halgrass stopped again and stood up onto his hind legs and looked about, the thick fog was now gently rolling away from where the river was situated, guided by the wind.  Taking a sigh, Halgrass turned around to look in one direction and stopped, he stood there looking at something before turning his head to the right quickly as something passed just barely outside of his field of view.

 

Hopping slightly away from where his friends slept, he stopped again and stood up onto his hind legs and stayed perfectly still, his whole body tense, ready to make a instant move if needs be.  The left hind leg was tense, poised to go into action, to warn his friends if there was something going on.  He stood there for a short while and didn't see anything else and slowly felt his leg relax again, while his upper paws moved slightly and then he dropped back down onto all fours.

 

Returning back to his patrol again, Captain Halgrass didn't notice anything else move, he couldn't smell anything in the air apart from the dense smell of fog which just smelled of water, dampness and the thick smell of grass underneath his paws.  Pausing in front of Birch, he turned to look at the younger buck was was twitching slightly in his sleep and slowly shook his head, he knew what the young buck was dreaming of and slowly lowered his head as he lowered his attention for the time being, taking a nibble of grass and chewed it slowly. 

 

 Moving slowly through the field were a large group of rabbits that were silent through the fog as they carefully continued to move towards their prey, each one taking their time as they watched Captain Halgrass nibble on some grass while the other two rabbits were sleeping soundly.

 

Chapter 23 - The Shadow Patrol of Darkclaw

Things were quiet under the pale moonlight of Inle, Captain Halgrass was moving back to his position again to settle within the scrape that he had made earlier that day when he stopped and looked up into the night sky and saw a huge dark cloud slowly drifting in the sky as it began to cover up the moon, sending the whole area into pitch blackness.

 

Slowly he settled down again in the damp scrape as the cloud drifted lazily, some moonlight came through some of the faint parts of the cloud, making the fog show up again faintly as though there were ghosts drifting about.  Captain Halgrass yawned, half closing his eyes and through the fog he nearly cried out in shock.

 

There in the fog was a lone dark figure with bright coloured eyes staring back at him, twinkling in the moonlight that shone down when the clouds allowed it.  Blinking slightly, Captain Halgrass slowly got up from where he was lying and walked forwards slowly until he was a few paces away from where his friends were lying.  Feeling a cold shiver move up his spine, he watched as the rabbit seem to move slowly through the fog as though it was floating in the air.

 

 Unknown to Halgrass was when a cloud moved over the moon the form of the rabbit vanished, so did the eyes but when the fog and moon returned the rabbit was in a different place, though slightly closer.  Halgrass felt the cold shiver along his back move closer around his throat and chest, unable to say anything at all he was unable to hit out at the floor as he stared at the ghostly rabbit form a small way from him.

 

Slowly the other rabbits around the three rabbits were slowly edging their way forwards, being quiet as Captain Shadow stood there, staring back at Captain Halgrass, not moving since the moon had come back again and waited for the right moment when the fog was at the right thickness and slowly moved a hop or two closer and then sat down again on his hind legs, just moving his body slowly up and down as he closed his eyes and reopened them slowly.

 

Captain Halgrass couldn't move, he just kept staring at the form in front of him, though at the back of his mind he wondered why he couldn't hear any words from this dark rabbit and with a small flick of his ear, he was about to turn around.  Captain Shadow noticed it and again with another thicker part of the fog rolling past hopped two more times quickly and returned to his bobbing stance and spoke quietly.  "I've come for you..."

 

 This had the desired effect that made Captain Halgrass put all his attention back on the dark rabbit in front of him.  Swallowing slightly he felt his whole body tense up further than he was able to remember for a long time.  "Me?  What do you want with me?"  Captain Halgrass replied back.

 

Captain Shadow smiled as he gave a soft reply to the question.  "I am not who you think I am but I shall tell you this.."  He saw Captain Halgrass look puzzled as Captain Shadow hopped forwards again.  "You've entered the realm of Darkclaw's warren and under arrest by the Shadow Patrol."

 

Captain Halgrass tried to move as fast as he could but as he was about to hit home with the first thud of his hind leg, he was knocked over as something hard hit him on the side, sending him bowling over into the damp ground where he saw another dark rabbit standing over him before knocking him out with a swift kick to the head.

 

Birch and Bracken-Rah felt a weight on their backs as two rabbits jumped on them in their scrapes.  Both scrambled about trying to get out as they saw another rabbit move in front of them and with a swift kick in the face with their hind legs,  they were knocked out cold just as Captain Halgrass was.

 

 Captain Shadow hopped over to where Captain Halgrass was and shook his head.  "I can't believe that they still fall for that, mind you it's been a while since I had fog to make it look realistic."

 

Captain Ebony nodded as he checked over the rabbits in their scrapes with a paw poking them.  "Good job, they're knocked out cold.  We got to get them into the warren where we can keep them."  Standing up on his hind legs he looked about.  "Well, come on, I want these inside before anyone else comes about.  We don't want to be discovered, now do we?"  Looking to where the scrapes where, he frowned.  "Someone get rid of those as well." 

 

Moving as a controlled unit, the rabbits slowly began to lift up the unconscious rabbits by biting on the back of their necks while two larger bucks slid underneath them.  Slowly they walked towards the copse, making sure that neither rabbit slid off back onto the ground as silently the whole field emptied out, each one disappearing into the cover that the copse gave.  Two rabbits remained near the scrapes, making sure that the ground was once again flat before they to, headed into the copse a short time after.

 

 ***

 

Captain Halgrass woke up with a splitting headache, though he was still in the dark.  Slowly he tried to lift his head but he felt it throbbing heavily inside of his skull and lowered it back down again.  Using his other senses, he knew that he was inside a burrow, the way that the place smelled as well as the warmth and the soil under his paws had given that much.  Sniffing the air and he could other rabbit scents, though he knew that he was alone.  Closing his eyes again, Captain Halgrass didn't know where his friends were or if they were alive.  All that he could remember was being knocked over on the ground and then feeling a kick to the head, nothing else.

 

Birch was also in a burrow all by himself though he was lying unconscious still on his side.  Captain Halgrass was just getting up, lifting his head with a frown, feeling the deep throbbing pain in his head.  Outside of the burrows, big rabbits stood guard silently just outside of each burrow, each of them twisted their ears in case they would hear anything differently.  Slowly one of the rabbits moved and looked into two of the burrows, having heard their heartbeats had changed as well as some scraping on the floor since the two prisoners had moved about.  Not saying a word, the rabbit moved down the run without saying a word.

 

 It wasn't long before Captain Ebony had arrived in the run as he looked at the rabbits standing guard and they all gave him a nod as he looked at the two burrows that had two prisoners that were awake.  He stood there for a few moments and then nodded his head.  "Wake the other one and bring them, they're to meet Darkclaw-Rah and find out what their fate is."

 

Captain Halgrass and Bracken-Rah heard those words and felt a cold shiver of worry run through their bodies as they saw large rabbits in front of their burrow entrances, looking mean as they growled.  "Come on, our Chief hasn't got all day for the likes of you."

 

Leaving their burrows, they could hear Birch cry out in pain from within his burrow as he was dragged out by two other rabbits by the ears, their teeth clamped down hard on them as they lifted his head up and pulled the buck onto his feet.

 

Bracken-Rah and Captain Halgrass were ready to jump right at them but he saw the look that his guards were giving him and he relented, turning around as he was shown with a paw on which way to go but both of them were fuming all the way as they were led through several runs.

 

 Birch had his head down as he moved through the run, closely flanked by another rabbit by his side.  His head was thumping deep inside as well as sharp pain from where his ears were bitten on and then dragged.  He winced when he felt one of his ear tips brush agains the roof of the run and then lowered his body even more.

 

As they were passing another burrow which had a rabbit standing guard at it, Birch just had time to look in that direction and sniffed the air.  He recoiled in horror as he could smell the terror that was held from within with the rabbit there.  He moved his head back to the front again and wondered why someone who lived in a warren would be living in such fear or in such a bad condition.

 

Gradually they arrived at a sullen part of the warren where all three were pushed into a large burrow before being flanked with two rabbits each.  There in the middle of the burrow was a boulder that was empty at the time.  All three looked about and could see dark shadows in the edge of the burrow.

 

It wasn't long before they could hear something else moving at the far end of the burrow, entering it from another run and before their eyes, they could see another large rabbit climb up to the top of the boulder and laid down on it.  Birch felt himself shrink back slightly as he saw the large buck look at him for a moment before feeling a tiny bit relieved as the gaze move to the other two.

 

 Captain Ebony came out from within the shadows of the burrow and hopped in front of where the prisoners were held.  To the other side, Captain Shadow came out of the shadows and Captain Halgrass flinched when he saw Captain Shadow, feeling guilty for falling for such a trick.

 

Darkclaw-Rah noticed the look and he gave a evil chuckle.  "Ah, so you're the one that my Shadow has fooled."  Captain Halgrass felt himself feeling embarrassed and angry at the same time, his front claws clenching, digging into the soil.

 

This only pleased Darkclaw-Rah even more as he looked at Captain Halgrass.  "My, my.  I see that these have a lot of fight left in them, at least this one does anyways."  Pausing for a moment he looked at Captain Ebony and Captain Shadow.  "Please give me your reports."

 

Captain Shadow spoke first.  "One of my officers had noticed them earlier on today, approaching our warren, sir.  As you know this was reported to you and Captain Ebony."  He saw Darkclaw-Rah nod his head and continued to speak.  "We spent all day in watching them, though they did not notice." 

 

 Bracken-Rah flinched there as he remembered the bad feeling that they had near to the copse that day but Darkclaw-Rah ignored it.  Captain Shadow continued.  "Unfortunately though, they did notice one being killed by the stoat."  Captain Shadow turned his head to where Birch was backing away slightly but stopped when the two guards looked at him.  "We thought that all was lost but they didn't go far and decided to stay out in the open, they made scrapes sir.  They were destroyed."

 

"Good, good."  Darkclaw-Rah spoke as he smiled at Captain Shadow and Captain Ebony.  "You have both done well, you shall both be rewarded.  You will not have to fight for two days."  Looking about the burrow.  "Make it known that no one in my owsla is to challenge these two for two whole days.  Anyone that does, will face the consequences, understood?"

 

There was a approving murmur about the warren that told Darkclaw-Rah that they understood and he returned his gaze back onto Captain Halgrass.  "Now, bold one..."  He spoke slowly.  "What is your name?"

 

 Captain Halgrass didn't speak at first but was prodded as one of the rabbits growled.  "Speak when our Chief asks you a question."  Captain Halgrass growled back but he turned his head back to where Darkclaw-Rah was on the rock and spoke.  "Captain Halgrass."

 

It was Captain Ebony that had turned around and slashed Captain Halgrass on the face as he snarled.  "Halgrass, sir.  You hold no owsla rank in this warren."  Captain Halgrass growled under his breath but looked right up at where Captain Ebony was but was then distracted as Blackclaw-Rah chuckled.  "Yes, he'll do...  You shall be the first one to fight tonight."

 

The looks on all three rabbits was enough to make Darkclaw-Rah smile even more if he could manage it and he hopped down from the boulder and looked at each of the newcomers carefully.  "It's quite simple, to survive in this warren you will have to work for us.  Your life belongs to me now."  Darkclaw-Rah said with some malice in his voice.  "And you will entertain us by fighting to the death."  Darkclaw-Rah moved up and down the line, pausing to look at each rabbit in turn as he turned back to face Captain Halgrass.  "Since you are the most vocal, you shall fight for us tonight, against someone else.  It will be to the death."

 

 Bracken-Rah spoke now with surprise and shock in his voice.  "You can't be serious, rabbits don't fight each other like that!"  He felt himself being pulled down to the ground by the two rabbits guarding him as Darkclaw-Rah looked at him with distasteful look on his face.  "And you are?"  He said slowly.

 

Bracken-Rah sighed as he tried to look up with his head but felt two paws forcing it down to the ground.  "Bracken....  Sir..."  He replied, knowing that he couldn't tell them on what he really was, he would surely die.  Darkclaw-Rah looked at Bracken and smiled slyly.  "And who do you think you are to tell me if fighting is wrong or not?"  Lowering his head, the buck laid down in front of Bracken and stared into the buck's eyes.  "Hmmm, perhaps you think of yourself as a higher authority person?  You also a Captain...?"

 

Bracken nodded his head slightly but found that he couldn't move it much at all.  "Yes I am sir.."  Darkclaw-Rah didn't speak for a moment as he looked into Bracken's eyes for several minutes and then slowly rose up again onto his feet.  "Hmmm, I believe you for now..."  Turning around, the large buck hopped back onto the boulder and turned around, lying down on it again as his front paws hung over the edge slightly.  "There are some other things that you should know of.  You will do what you are ordered, no matter what the order is.  None of you three are allowed to hold  a position in my owsla..."  Darkclaw-Rah chuckled.  "Not unless you impress me..."

 

 All three felt sick to the stomach as they wondered just what had to be done to impress this Chief.  Birch didn't speak or move at all and he felt even worse as he heard the other words leave Darkclaw-Rah.  "Now if you become troublesome or refuse to work, well you will share the same fate as for the other you saw the day before with the stoat."  Grinning at Birch who had tried to back away again, shaking he chuckled.  "So I would suggest you forget any thoughts of escaping or anything that displeases me...   The last Chief didn't like elil at all and neither do I but I rather let them catch you lazy lot than my own, so to speak."

 

Closing his eyes, Darkclaw-Rah nodded his head which meant to the two Captains that he had indeed finished with them for the time being and Birch, Halgrass and Bracken were pushed to head down another run where Captain Ebony was the only one leading the way.  When they were away from the burrow, he spoke.  "I would think really hard about our Chief has said, you will survive longer, that's if you win your fights that is."

 

 Birch felt a shudder run up his spine as a sick feeling came from within his belly while they were being led to another part of the warren.  Soon they were passing through other rabbits who were under guard as they were busy digging away for new runs while some who had stopped to rest were immediately beaten on by a larger rabbit.  Bracken frowned alongside Halgrass as Birch looked on in horror as one very weak buck had one of his ears torn as he screamed.

 

Captain Ebony smiled at the sound as he spoke to the three.  "You may be wondering why we are doing this, well I shall tell you.  Our warren is preparing for the time when it is time for war, when the dark shadow shall spread to control all rabbits.  We're preparing for someone to return." 

 

Halgrass frowned as he looked at another buck who was just skin and bones, working weakly at a half dug out burrow, under the gaze of a stronger buck shouting orders for him to hurry up.  Snapping his head back to where Captain Ebony was, he growled.  "And who would that be?"

 

 Stopping, Captain Ebony turned to face Halgrass as he replied.  "We do not speak his name, we're under the command of Darkclaw-Rah for the time being but someone else has been foreseen in coming to lead us to a new era of control, bringing death and destruction to other warrens.  For the time being we wait in secret.  Only the one that can get past our guards and enter the warren is the chosen one."  Snorting he looked a the three prisoners.  "You three however aren't the chosen one, you were too easily found out and fooled."

 

Halgrass saw Captain Ebony turn around and felt his anger rising again, he wanted to fight now but he didn't know if he would be fighting one of them but as he turned his head around again before they started to move forwards, his anger subsided as he thought that one of these would be facing him tonight, slowly his anger built up again to new levels as he growled quietly to himself.

 

Evnetually they arrived at a run that was short as Captain Ebony turned to face another rabbit who was standing there with a few others.  "Ah, Inlo, I have three new workers for you, make sure that they get this new run and burrows dug out will you before they're killed or something."

 

 Coming to attention, Inlo nodded his head back at Captain Ebony.  "Aye sir, I'll make sure that they work hard."  Turning to face the three rabbits.  "You three in there now and start digging."  He gave a pause and then shouted.  "NOW!"

 

Moving past the guards, Birch, Halgrass and Bracken slipped into the run where it was unfinished as Birch stopped to where there was a small hole in the wall and began to dig out a burrow while both Halgrass and Bracken started to work on the run itself.

 

While the officers were busy talking to each other, Captain Ebony was nodding his head as he listened to what Inlo was talking about, Halgrass turned his head around but saw that the exit to the run was blocked by hrair rabbits at the moment and moved his head back to where Bracken was pulling away some more of the earth.  "I wonder where the does are..?"  Bracken said as he scraped at the hard soil wall in front of them.  Halgrass muttered something.  "Come on, they be used for them to make sure they can keep their owsla numbers up, force mating and all."

 

 "Actually..."  Captain Ebony said behind them which made them both jump.  "They're happy to provide that service, helping the warren grow strong but you won't see any of them though."  Smiling at them softly.  "In fact I don't think you will ever mate again, you're not one of us at all.  To be honest if you did have any does with you, they would've been killed immediately, we don't let outsiders dirty us, you know."

 

Halgrass started to turn around but Bracken stopped him, muttering angrily under his breath.  "Don't fall for it, he wants you to do something."  Captain Ebony smiled.  "I'd listen to your friend there.  You survive longer...  But I was here to tell you that we have found your opponent for tonight.  It will be held in the middle of the copse in the open.  Do not think to escape, there will be plenty out there to stop you."  Turning around he headed back out of the run and looked at Inlo.  "Work them hard..."  Without saying another word, Captain Ebony disappeared out from view.

 

Birch was left alone for much of the day as he worked hard to clear away the soil, slowly making the form of a new burrow, under the eyes of another officer who was standing just outside.  "Remember, if this place isn't to the satisfactory of a doe, you're going to lose an ear."  Birch felt himself shudder as he corrected something, trying to remember what the burrow used to feel like at his old place and making corrections that way.

 

 Halgrass made some conversation with Bracken when he was allowed to, sometimes a rabbit was standing over them, watching them work or hitting their backs with his front paw when they weren't working fast enough.  Neither of them knew what time it was being down below as they lost all track of time, the only thing that they did know that they were tired from the force work that they were being put through.

 

When they did have some time alone, the officer had moved to look at what Birch was up to with the other officer, Bracken whispered.  "You sure you be okay for this fight?"  Turning his head to face the other buck who had ducked slightly with some dirt fell from the top, landing on his head.

 

Halgrass shook his head as his nose moved about a bit when some of the dirt fell against his whiskers.  "Nothing else has been on my mind all day."  Halgrass whispered back to Bracken.  "I can't believe such a place exists, are you sure that this isn't Efrafa?"

 

"It can't be, they didn't name the warren that did they?  It's properly named after their Chief but I wonder if this place had another name at one point."  Bracken paused for a moment and shook his head.  "I can't believe I am rambling on.  I am sorry my friend."  Bracken said as he looked at Halgrass.  "I don't envy the task you have to do tonight."

 

 Halgrass grumbled softly.  "Oh I wouldn't worry about that, I am sure they will get around to you and Birch eventually, we're new so I am sure that they want to see us kill a few off that they can't give to elil."  Halgrass's claws dug into the soil as he snarled.  "I won't lie down though, one day I am going to help get rid of this place if it's the last thing that I do.  You with me?"

 

Bracken smiled softly at his friend and nodded his head, still whispering in the quiet conversation.  "Since we're now on even turns I will be with you, yes.  But we have to think of something though, I don't think just us three will be able to do it."

 

They didn't have time to say anything else as Halgrass turned his head around to see that the guards were coming back and stopped working when Inlo called.  "Right, you can stop working for now.  You..."  Inlo looked at Bracken.  "Are to go with that other one where you will be taken to your own burrow."  Turning to face Halgrass.  "As for you, you're to go up on top, it is time for your fight.  Let's hope you're as good as your mouth is."

 

 Halgrass gave Bracken a look before slowly moving off and leaving him behind with Birch as he walked to the end of the run where he saw Captain Shadow standing there.  "Well, well.  Let's hope you do better than you did last night.  Come, follow me."  Halgrass saw two other rabbits waiting for him and nodded his head as he slowly vanished from sight.

 

Bracken came up next to Birch as they saw Halgrass vanish from sight and giving the younger buck a look, they moved forwards under the guidance of Inlo as they moved elsewhere in the warren.

 

Chapter 24 - Living under the Shadow of the Black Rabbit

Halgrass found himself moving out of a hole within the copse, the whole clearing was surrounded by rabbits that lined up in a circle.  There was a fallen tree trunk lying on the ground where he could see Darkclaw-Rah sitting there with Captain Ebony.

 

Captain Shadow smiled as he ran off ahead to join Darkclaw-Rah, sitting down on the trunk of the tree beside the Chief who was in the middle of the two Captains.  Halgrass was pushed into the circle where the officers that brought him, closed off the route back out.

 

Halgrass moved about in the circle, looking about as he saw other rabbits staring back at him as he then saw an opening forming up on the other side where he began to walk towards it but stopped.  Slowly a thin looking buck was being led into the clearing with a guard beside him.

 

Seeing the other buck sit down in the clearing, Halgrass did the same as both of them looked at each other before Darkclaw-Rah began to speak.  "My brave owsla, you have all worked hard to be allowed to see this fight tonight, may you all enjoy yourselves."

 

 Halgrass looked about as he heard the rabbits surrounding the area cheer as they all called at once.  "Hooray for Darkclaw-Rah!  Leader of the Shadows!"  Moving his head back, Halgrass noticed that the other buck hadn't moved at all, still looking at the newcomer with determined eyes. 

 

Darkclaw-Rah continued to speak.  "As you can see.  We have one who has lived here, won many battles but his work has fallen as of late.  And we have the newcomer, the one that our own Captain Shadow was so easily able to fool the night before.  Let's see if this newcomer is able to fight after working hard all day."  Again another cheer rang up in the air as the rabbits nodded their heads at their Chief while some began to take sides on who would win the fight.

 

"This fight is to the death, please be aware that if you do not kill the other."  Blackclaw-Rah said as he looked at Halgrass with a smile.  "I will choose to throw you or one of your friends to be injured and left for one of the elil to take them away."  There was a laugh rising up from around the circle as Halgrass felt his blood boiling, glaring back at Darkclaw-Rah but knew he be cut down before he even got near him.  "So let the fight begin!"  Darkclaw-Rah shouted to the approval to all.

 

 Halgrass walked slowly forwards, making for the centre of the clearing, the overhead branches casting shadows from the moon-lit sky and stars shining down.  Eventually he was only a few paces away from where the other buck had come to a stop and Halgrass blinked as he heard the other buck talk.  "So, what's your name?"  The other buck slowly moved about, which Halgrass followed every move slowly.  "Halgrass, and you are?"  He said under the cries of the other rabbits watching the fight.

 

"My name is Bluebottle, I hope you don't hold back just because I don't look as fit or as healthy as you."  Bluebottle said as he lashed out quickly, barely missing Halgrass's eyes with his claws.

 

Halgrass had jumped back as he felt the wind brush past his face from the swipe and growled.  "The thought never crossed my mind."  Halgrass said as he lurched forwards, hitting Bluebottle hard on the side of the head and watched as the buck fell sideways before scrambling away.

 

Darkclaw-Rah smiled as he watched the fight unfold in front of him as he spoke.  "So, who do you think will win?  The newcomer or our current champion?"  Darkclaw-Rah smiled as he saw Bluebottle swipe a paw across Halgrass's shoulder, cutting it.

 

 Captain Ebony replied.  "I think the newcomer will succeed, he has a lot of fire in his eyes."  Captain Shadow nodded his head.  "I agree, he could be dangerous, kept a close eye on..."  Darkclaw-Rah nodded his head as he replied back.  "Make it so then, I want to know more about these three.  Here's what I want you to do..."

 

While the three talked to each other on the log, Halgrass had barely managed to get away from Bluebottle again, his shoulder was stinging as he was near to several rabbits now on the edge of the circle.  A few of them cried out in joy as Bluebottle managed to get another hit on Halgrass's face to the dismay of Halgrass's supporters.

 

Falling back against one rabbit he heard the buck growl.  "Come on, I have double shift on you, get back in there and fight, dammit!"  Pushing Halgrass back towards Bluebottle who was waiting and head butted him, sending Halgrass flying backwards onto his back in front of a few large officers.

 

Bluebottle charged forward as he leapt into the air, ready to land right on top of Halgrass who was lying there, panting for breath.  Halgrass though, was a experienced owsla officer and saw the danger coming towards him as he instinctively lifted up his rear legs, pulled them close to his body and as Bluebottle landed on him, Halgrass felt the air rush from his body but he kicked out hard and sent Bluebottle flying backwards, before landing on the ground with a sickening thud.

 

 Halgrass slowly pulled himself up while feeling pain throughout his whole body and looked to where Bluebottle had landed awkwardly on his side.  Taking deep breaths, he stood there and watched as Bluebottle tried to get up and move but he cried out in pain as he felt his right forepaw unable to hold any weight.  Carefully he got up and stood on three paws as he looked at Halgrass who didn't do anything but stood there.

 

After a few moments, Bluebottle started to move again carefully as Darkclaw-Rah was about to shout out that they should continue to fight.  Halgrass moved away leading Bluebottle again to the centre of the clear area while keeping an eye on the buck, noting the weakness that Bluebottle was frowning at as he hobbled carefully forwards.

 

"Well, what's the matter?"  Bluebottle said with a slight hiss of annoyance in his voice.  He hopped right up to Halgrass and whispered.  "Don't I deserve an honourable owsla death then?  Come on, don't back off now all because I am injured."  To make the point clearer, Bluebottle suddenly bit onto Halgrass's ear and pulled, ripping it a bit as Halgrass pushed Bluebottle off and smacked the side of his head again with his claws, slashing the face to the cries of enjoyment from the watches.

 

 Halgrass suddenly latched onto Bluebottle as he pushed the other buck back a few paces.  "So, you're owsla then, lived here...?"  Halgrass gruntled as he felt Bluebottle push back with a growl.  "Caught, only one left from my lot, we had to move because man was building things too close to our warren."

 

Panting heavily, Halgrass shook his head as he looked at Bluebottle.  "How long have you been here?"  He ducked a swipe from Bluebottle and hopped to the side before ramming the other buck over onto this side with his head.  Gasping, Bluebottle turned over as Halgrass came at him locking his front and back paws against Halgrass, trying to push the heavier buck away.  "Seasons, too long...  So tired..."  The back legs dug into the underside of Halgrass who cried out and jumped back out of the way.

 

Bluebottle got up and growled at Halgrass.  "Well, I like to talk and all but I rather get this out of the way.  You either kill me or I am going to kill you, even if I end up failing my workload tomorrow...."  Lurching forwards, Bluebottle bared his teeth as he hopped into the air at Halgrass, who moved to the side quickly turning his body around and with Bluebottle landing where he was just a instant before, Halgrass's back powerful legs slammed into the side of Bluebottle's head with a audioable crack.

 

 Bluebottle landed onto the ground awkwardly and didn't move.  Halgrass stood there, facing away from him as he looked directly at Darkclaw-Rah who smiled, nodding his head.  "Make sure he's dead, rip his throat out."  Halgrass didn't move as Darkclaw-Rah hopped down from the tree trunk and shouted.  "If you don't do what I say, I order your friends to be killed immediately!"

 

Halgrass growled as he moved over to where Bluebottle was and stared at the dead form.  Not wasting any time he bent down and pulled up again with blood dripping from his chin as he stared defiantly back at Darkclaw-Rah.  "You happy now?"  Sarcasm in his voice.

 

Nodding his head, Darkclaw-Rah nodded.  "Very, looks like you've taken the top spot in the fights.  You fight again tomorrow, more you win, the more your friends won't have to."  Already unknown to Halgrass, several rabbits had moved into the clearing and came up alongside him as they started to push Halgrass away to get back into the warren.

 

***

 

The burrow that Bracken and Birch were sent to was just big enough for two rabbits but they had crowded in as best as they could.  However, some time later, they were approached by another thin looking buck by the name of Straw.  The guard that brought him smiled as he pushed Straw into their burrow with a grin.  "Halgrass will be here later if he has survived, so try and make yourselves comfortable, won't you?"

 

 Leaving the three rabbits alone, Straw shivered as he looked at the other two and spoke gently.  "You're new aren't you?"  He saw Bracken nod his head.  "You could say that, we only arrived last night I think."  He gave a pause and carried on.  "So how long have you been here, er..?"

 

"Straw and I've been here for a while as you can tell by the way that I look..."  He pressed his body against the wall of the burrow and carried on.  "Well, from the way I look, we don't get that well fed here.  We're not that important, you see."

 

Bracken frowned as he nodded his head with a gruff voice.  "So I've gathered."  Pausing he relaxed again and spoke.  "My name's Bracken and this is my friend Birch and I think we may have Halgrass come back if he's coming back that is..."

 

Straw nodded his head.  "I heard, I saw Bluebottle being taken away before I was told to leave his burrow.  I hop.."  He stopped and looked away.   "Sorry, he's a friend of mine and well, he's been winning a lot lately but I don't think I want to see your friend killed either."  Looking back at them.  "This place will do that to you.  By the time you realise it's grown on you and you have to fight to survive.  Do not show any sign of weakness as the guards will play on that."

 

 Birch didn't reply as Straw looked at him.  "I see that you already gave them something, well just be careful, okay.  Best to be on your guard and all."  Birch just nodded his head as he looked to where Bracken was and he nodded as well, leaning to where Birch is and whispered.  "Don't worry, me and Halgrass will take care of you but you got to pull yourself together, you're an owsla officer, remember.  Me and Halgrass are depending on your help as well."

 

Pulling away, Bracken twisted his ears as he heard some movement outside of the burrow as Birch felt more confident about himself, thinking on making things better and becoming what he had worked so hard for when he was young.  Bracken-Rah sniffed the air and he could tell the scent of his friend as well as blood.  Turning his head, he looked to where Straw was and saw the buck wasn't looking that happy at all as Halgrass's head came into view.

 

"Halgrass!"  Birch said excitedly, seeing his friend come back from the fight.  One of the guards growled.  "Quiet you..."   Halgrass slowly moved into the burrow as the other three slowly made room for him as he laid down on the floor and sighed.  Birch was about to say something else but Bracken shook his head and spoke quietly.  "Later, let him rest first."

 

 ***

 

Eventually, Halgrass was ready to talk and he gave the bad news about what had happened to Bluebottle to Straw, who nodded and turned around to face the burrow wall and did not speak again for the time being as the others talked.  Bracken shook his head as he looked at Halgrass.  "This can't go on, we shouldn't be killing each other the way that they want us to.  Who said that another rabbit would take control of another in such a way."

 

Birch spoke then.  "Oh I don't know, think of the way that our owsla treated non-owsla rabbits in our old warren, it's basically the same but this place just takes it to a whole new level."

 

Bracken nodded his head.  "Well, remind me whenever we get out of this place, if we ever do."  He paused with a frown.  "Not to get anyone to ever treat a non-owsla rabbit again in such a manner.  We should all be equals."

 

Halgrass nodded his head as he looked at Birch and Bracken.  "I agree, what I did today has made me ill, even for my rank."  He felt his claws digging into the soil floor of the burrow as he frowned.  "They see me now as a champion, I knew that my training would be used sometimes to fight another rabbit if it was to protect the warren or my Chief, but not in such a disgraceful, un-honourable way so that other rabbits would enjoy two ripping each other apart.  I feel ashamed on what I did tonight."

 

 Straw spoke again, breaking his silence.  "You did what you had to do.  Bluebottle died fighting on his feet, he didn't allow them to injure him so that they would leave him out to be killed by elil in such a disregard of honour."  Straw turned to face the others and looked at them sullenly.  "I miss my friend but you allowed him to go the way any owsla rabbit would've wanted to go and that's go down fighting."  The buck slowly gave a small smile.  "And from I can see, he gave as much as he got no doubt."  Straw said, moving his head to lick at one of Halgrass's cut ear gently.

 

Halgrass felt a bit better on those words and decided to work hard and fight hard in the memory of Bluebottle.  Slowly the group fell to the charms of sleep as the last one to succumb to sleep was Straw who stopped cleaning Halgrass's cuts and looked out of the burrow to see green eyes looking at him.  Swallowing he nodded as he saw them disappear but he sighed softly, falling asleep himself.

 

The next day, Halgrass was woken up with the rest of them as the guards started to move rabbits to other parts of the warren to fix on repairing certain areas or to do what some owsla wanted them to do.  Birch, Bracken, Halgrass and Straw were sent back to where they were working the day before and were just being sorted out in what work they were doing when Captain Ebony turned up and looked at Inlo.  "I need Halgrass."  Looking at the rabbit who had blinked, turning around to face the two.  Inlo nodded his head as Halgrass moved away from the others as he followed Captain Ebony.

 

 "Darkclaw-Rah would like to have a word with you."  Captain Ebony said.  "I think you impressed him the night before.  Not many newcomers do that, but don't let it get to your head."  The last part was spoken as a warning and Halgrass nodded his head, still wondering on what exactly Darkclaw-Rah wanted him for.

 

***

 

Bracken looked at Straw and muttered.  "What was that about?"  He turned to see Birch already heading into the burrow that he was working on the day before and the sound of scratching was made again from within.  Straw shrugged as he hopped down the run until it ended and began to work again slowly.  "Looks like your friend has impressed someone with the fight last night.  Not many newcomers win you know, I've seen larger rabbits fall who underestimated us."  Pulling a small stone from the wall he watched it fall to the ground and hopped back out of the way.  "Some really shouldn't underestimate us in here, we do anything to survive, it's all we got left in what we can try and control."

 

Nodding his head, Bracken sighed as he helped Straw to move a stone to the end of the run slowly, pushing it as it rolled about.  "Well, I don't think we're going to roll over and die just because we're new."  He ended the conversation as he looked at Inlo as another two rabbits came down the run outside and took the stone moving it down the run as the two of them, moved back the way they came. 

 

 Halgrass looked at Straw.  "So what's really with all this building?"  Straw smiled as they reached back to the soiled wall and answered.  "It's quite simple, they're building an army for someone, though the officers won't actually say why.  That and the does are nearly ready for another batch again.  These will be for their new officers no doubt for training purposes."  He stopped in his digging and looked at Bracken.  "Speaking of which, you have to make sure that Birch is okay.  There's nothing worse than being picked on to be bullied by training owsla officers who can do whatever they want to train.  A few have been killed when they couldn't fight back."

 

"Are you kidding me?!"  Bracken said incredulously, looking at Straw now.  "They actually do that.  You're not allowed to fight back at all?"  Straw shook his head.  "Nope, you can defend yourself but you have to make sure that you don't harm them at all.  Just one complaint from them will end up in you being harmed yourself and left for the elil.  There's also worse though but I won't mention it."

 

 Bracken stared at Straw for a moment and as Straw sighed, leant over to whisper something into his ear which made Bracken's ears lose all colour in his ears.  After a short time he swallowed and nodded his head.  "I have a word with Birch about it later."

 

***

 

Elsewhere in the warren, Halgrass was walking through the warren once again with Captain Ebony who stopped and turned around to go up the same run that Halgrass had gone up the night before.  "Darkclaw-Rah is up outside, he wants to share silflay with you."  Halgrass blinked as he shrugged, following the rabbit up above while two more walked behind him.

 

It had been over a day since Halgrass had seen Frith and as he moved out into the open, he had to close his eyes for a few moments to let them adjust to the light.  Blinking, he could see Darkclaw-Rah sitting there in the clearing, munching on some grass as he beckoned them towards him.

 

Halgrass hopped forwards being flanked by the two rabbits and sat down a few paces from Darkclaw-Rah.  "So, you did well last night, Halgrass."  The chief said as he watched Captain Ebony move to his side.  "Very impressive indeed.  Please, eat something, you need to keep your strength up for tonight.  A lot are putting their support on you now so best to keep their asset as healthy as can be."

 

 Halgrass gave a frown but he leant down and started to nibble on the grass before chewing softly.  "What of my friends?"  He said with a flight gruff'ness in his throat.  Captain Ebony was about to reprimand Halgrass, but Darkclaw-Rah stopped him with a look.  "Your friends will not be harmed as long as you keep on winning, though I hope you show a bit more ruthlessness in your next fight.  Talking to your opponent is not the best way to go about things, no indeed."

 

Halgrass looked surprised but Darkclaw-Rah carried on.  "Oh please, Captain Shadow can tell when there's a conversation going on within a fight.  So keep on winning and you may end up going places in this warren.  Don't and well, some things will happen to your friends before they are caught, especially Birch.  We've already decided that he will face the same fate he was so terrified the day he arrived."

 

The image of Birch that day, flashed into Halgrass's mind as he relented in his frown and nodded his head at Darkclaw-Rah.  "Fine, I do whatever you say."  Darkclaw-Rah smiled as he spoke.  "Good, now eat and rest, you need all your strength for tonight.  You're to leave your friends as well."  He turned his head to face Captain Ebony.  "After he has finished eating, take him down to Bluebottle's burrow.  Our champion has to sleep in the champion burrow."  Halgrass sat down in the grass as Darkclaw-Rah smiled.  "You get one rest day when I decide.  Tomorrow you be back at work, until I can think of what else you can do for me."  Getting up, Darkclaw-Rah started to leave as Captain Ebony looked at Halgrass.  "Well, done.  It looks like your our Chief's new favourite.   Halgrass on the other hand didn't know if that was such a good thing after all.

 

Chapter 25 - The Doe Rose

Birch, Bracken and Straw were busy working as they heard movement coming down the run again which turned out to be Halgrass arriving back with his guards who were carrying a mouthful of grass which they dropped to the floor.  Looking a the other three they nodded their heads and walked off.

 

Inlo smiled as he looked at them.  "Hmmm, looks like you have something to eat, well hurry up and eat your fill, then get back to work."  The three moved past Halgrass as they didn't have to be told twice, each one moving to a slightly damp patch of grass and began to munch away on it quickly.  The small meal didn't last long as it vanished with Inlo smiling.  "Best make it last, you won't get anymore until tomorrow.  Now get back to work."

 

Bracken looked at Straw, who nodded and followed Birch into the burrow while he made his way towards Halgrass, coming up alongside him.  "So, what did our leader want then?"  Halgrass didn't reply at first as he muttered under his breath.  "He just wanted to talk."  Halgrass started to dig at the soil wall again as he looked at it for a few moments and then stopped working.  "Come on, what?"

 

 Bracken pulled down some more soil as he replied back.  "Well, you were gone a long time and yet you're being quiet about what he wanted.  You think that he asked you to do something you didn't want to do or something?"

 

Halgrass growled slightly as he responded to that one and nodded.  "He did, he wants me to do stuff for him, win fights so that you and Birch are safe."   He stood up and looked back but saw that the guards were busy talking to themselves at the end of the run before returning his gaze back to where Bracken was.  "I am also being separated as well from you, I am sleeping in Bluebottle's old burrow.  No doubt I be sharing with someone I don't know but I don't know about that one."

 

"Great, so that's what he's up to."  Bracken said as he began to work again.  "Halgrass, be careful with him.  I know exactly what he is up to now.  He's going to try and get you to work against us, or split us up."

 

Halgrass nodded his head.  "I know, we're new, strong and therefore a risk to their security."  The buck stopped working and looked at Bracken.  "Which means we have to try and escape, even if it's one of us, find someplace that could help us.  Surely there would be another warren that wouldn't want to know about their plans on taking over the place.  I thought Efrafa was bad in tales but this place..."

 

 Bracken nodded his head.  "So what exactly are their plans?"  He continued to work as Halgrass replied back.  "I don't know yet, not sure if I can fully gain their trust, we have to see what happens.  That's if I can win the next fight that is."  Bracken muttered something but spoke up after clearing his throat.  "Well, one thing you're still fresh and you're not going to underestimate your next opponent are you?"

 

Halgrass nodded his head.  "No I won't.  However, I've been told that this time around I have to be more ruthless in defeating my next opponent or Birch will be thrown to that stoat or other elil."

 

Bracken stopped digging and stared at Halgrass with a frown.  "And when were you going to tell me that.  Of all the hrak.."  He was stopped when he heard Inlo call down the run.  "Okay, enough of the chat and get back to working.  Bracken was fuming as he returned back to work as Halgrass whispered.  "Trust me, I'm not happy about it either.  I think we should get Birch out of here."

 

"I think you're right."  Bracken whispered back.  "Something that Straw said about showing weakness which would make another owsla buck here take advantage of the situation."  Halgrass blinked, his ear twitching slightly as he felt soil fall on top of his head before shaking it clear, whispering back.  "Such as?"

 

 Bracken didn't reply at first as the buck ran things in his head but slowly he whispered back, his paws aching from working on digging all through this time.  "Something Straw tried to tell me but couldn't.  I think some of the officers like bucks like him."  He stared at Halgrass's wide eyes and nodded.  "I know, which is why I want to get him out as well.  But I think it be best if we kept it between us three for the time being."

 

Halgrass winced as his paw hit a root and shook his head.  "Oh great..."  He blinked and looked about as he saw Inlo coming up towards him.  "What is it?"  Halgrass moved to the side and looked at Inlo.  "We seem to started to hit roots.  This is going to take longer than expected."

 

Inlo frowned slightly.  "Okay, I have to get a doe down here."  The buck sounded like he didn't like the idea at all.  "Do as much as you can and then she can inform you on how to deal with it.  Why you bucks never learn to dig is beyond me."  Turning around, Inlo went down the run, unable to see Halgrass muttering a few unchosen words in his wake.

 

 Inside the burrow, Birch was talking to Straw as they were putting the finishing touches to the burrow, they had heard what Inlo had said and Straw was looking worried.  "They're bringing a doe down here now?"  He began to work that bit faster as Birch looked at him.  "Is that bad?"

 

Straw looked at Birch, nodding his head.  "It depends on which doe is being brought down.  We be okay I think if it isn't one of the fussy ones.  But you really don't want to have Darkclaw-Rah's mate down here.  She's really tharn, in a bad way.  Anything that isn't perfect will annoy her and that will annoy her mate."

 

Birch blinked.  "So this place is okay, right?"  The buck sounded worried as Straw looked at Birch with a frown.  "Right, stop that right now.  You can't show weakness in this place.  The others will use that against you, even your friends eventually."  Straw continued to flatten out the floor, checking it carefully as he bent down his head to take a close look.  "Birch, this place changes you, who you came in with as friends can turn against you given time.  You have to start showing some sterner stuff."  Looking back up again he looked at Birch.  "I've already heard the talk moving through the warren about you and the stoat incident.  No one blames you for the way that you acted and all but you need to learn from it, grow stronger or very bad things are going to happen to you."

 

 Birch moved his paw over the soil floor and sighed.  "I know and it's been bothering me since it happened.  You know, I was trained to be able to think on my paws, not end up terrified out of myself.  Always be prepared to save those that you're protecting was the owsla motto in our warren."  Birch looked about the dark burrow and frowned.  "I ain't sure if I am going to get a chance in this place though."

 

Straw came up to where Birch was and placed a paw on his back.  "Listen, it was your first time seeing something like that."  He saw Birch blinked and chuckled.  "Oh come on, I can tell as I've been through it before once while I was with Bluebottle.  He was a year older than me but he trained me to be an officer and I remember my time when I saw something like that.  You want to know what he told me which helped?"

 

Taking a deep breath, Birch nodded his head as he flicked a ear while Straw pressed his nose into it before whispering.  "Just do your best..."  Pulling away, Straw lifted up his paw and then moved to another part of the burrow before speaking loudly again.  "So, lets see if we can't make this place acceptable.  You've done a good job before I turned up.  So how did you do that?"

 

 Birch just stood there and shook his head slightly to bring himself back to where he was.  "Oh, I imagined what the burrow was like back at my old place before it was destroyed.  Trying to work on memory, even though it was made long before I was born by some doe I really don't know the name of."  Birch said with a thoughtful look and moved over to the wall to inspect it, scratching off any sharp pointed bits as soil fell to the floor.  "You know, I never thought about that before.  Who made a burrow that you call your home before."

 

Straw chuckled.  "Well, it seems to have worked anyways."  He perched his ears a bit higher and hopped towards the exit of the burrow and sniffed.  "Hello....  We seem to have a doe in our run.."  Birch blinked and hopped over to the other side of the burrow opening and listened to what was going on outside.

 

Outside in the main run, Inlo was looking worried as he saw a doe heading towards him and sighed slightly.  "Ah, hello."  He said, bowing his head to her as she approached.  "I am sorry Rose, we were doing fine until we hit some roots and needed an expert advice on them and..."

 

 Rose snorted as she looked at Inlo with a frown.  "Bucks, always saying they're the best things in the whole world but come to digging out a warren and you haven't a clue.  Just typical."  She looked at Inlo who had backed away slightly before she blinked at him.  "Well, come on.  I haven't got all day you know.  Let's go and take a look at what work has been done here, shall we?"

 

Inlo nodded his head as he backed out of Rose's way as she headed down the run while he went with here.  They went past the burrow that Birch and Straw was inside, just the tip of their noses betraying their position as Inlo spotted it and gave them a frown.  Immediately both Straw and Birch vanished out of sight.

 

Sitting there, watching them approach was Halgrass and Bracken who were looking at Rose intently wondering what she was going to say on the matter.  Rose came to a stop in front of them and spoke.  "So I heard you were having a bit of trouble?"  The tone in her voice had a hint of annoyance as Halgrass stared at her.  "Yes, we have and we didn't want to do anything without knowing if it was okay to do it."

 

 This made Rose blink as she looked at Halgrass with a smile.  "Oh I've heard of you.  You must be Halgrass our new Chief's favourite..."  The tone in her voice had softened as she then asked.  "Well, what would you have done then?"

 

Rose mood went to the worse as she heard Bracken reply back to her question, she frowned at him but Bracken just ignored it.  "We would've just gone right through it or went around it in owsla style of digging but the roof hasn't been that stable."

 

"Oh..."  Rose said as she rose up onto her hind legs and looked at the roof, sniffing it before touching it slightly as some dirt fell from the ground.  "Hmmm, I see what you mean.  Move aside so I can take a look at those roots."

 

Inlo watched them carefully as Rose went past the two bucks to inspect the end of the run where she quickly found the roots and sniffed it gently.  She didn't speak for a moment or two but eventually she turned her head back to where Inlo was and spoke.  "I think we can remove them but I have to stay and keep an eye on the situation."

 

 Inlo blurted out.  "You can't, what matters if this place falls down and buries them."  Rose snorted back at him as she shook her head.  "Nothing, but we need this run and burrows, quickly as well.  We should be getting our first batch of new litter anytime now.  Besides, do you want to tell Captain Ebony why this part of the warren has been delayed in expansion?"

 

"But, if anything happened to you.  I be blamed!"  Inlo replied back as he looked at Rose who stood her ground and walked towards him.  "Oh yes, you would be blamed but that's what happens when you are part of the owsla here.  If anything does happen then it's your fault.  It's all very well for using us to breed more rabbits but when it comes down to the really hard work, you lot just stand about and do nothing."

 

Inlo leant his head closer to her and growled.  "Mind not putting me down in front of the prisoners..."  He bared his teeth at her before stopping and closing his mouth.  After a moment he spoke.  "And we don't just stand about, we do our training as well, for you know."

 

 Rose moved her head so that it pressed against Inlo's nose.  "Now listen here.  I was called for, Captain Ebony knows that I am here and knows that you're in charge of these prisoners and this run here.  So if anything happened to me it's on your head.  Now go away and keep guard and let me get to work.  Besides, I like working from time to time, keeps me from going bored."

 

Inlo made to say something else, but he thought better of it and looked at the other two.  "If anything happens to her, you're dead."  Turning around, he headed back out of the run where Rose sighed.  "Sorry about that, shall we get to it."  Turning around to face the wall.  "Okay, I want you to secure this roof first, may as well make it a owsla style run but keep the floor soft, some of the does would complain if it's too hard.  I will go and check on the burrow."

 

Bracken watched as Rose headed back down the run and entered the burrow.  Turning his head to Halgrass, he smiled.  "Hmmm, that was weird."  Halgrass nodded.  "And interesting, we best get to this though, think about what happened later."  He chuckled.  "Don't want to get on her bad side now do we?"

 

 Meanwhile Rose entered the burrow and looked about for a moment, she ignored both Birch and Straw while checking out the floor carefully and then the walls while she hum'ed softly to herself.  Eventually she spoke.  "Okay, which one of you have done this?"

 

Straw spoke.  "I only came in today but it was Birch here that has been digging this burrow out."  Birch swallowed and gave a slight frown at Straw but then he noticed the look that Rose was giving him.  "Wow, I wouldn't have believed a buck would be able to dig out the perfect burrow for a doe and her litter."

 

Birch couldn't help himself as he blushed slightly, looking away.  "Oh it was nothing."  Rose replied back sharply.  "Oh it was more than nothing, looks like we have a decent worker for once."  She turned her head back to where Straw was and shook her head.  "Well, at least your honest.  Let's keep it that way shall we?"  Straw blinked at her but said nothing as she continued on.  "Sorry about Bluebottle losing."  Turning around again to look about the burrow.  "This one is okay, you can go start digging out the next one.  Make sure you leave enough room so you don't dig through into this one, okay?"

 

 Birch nodded his head.  "I know."  He started to leave and paused for a moment to look at Straw but he didn't move.  Ignoring both, Birch left the burrow and looked to where Bracken and Halgrass were busy working.  Hopping down a bit he was much closer to them now as he turned to the side and began to scrape at the wall.

 

Bracken turned his head around slightly and blinked at Birch.  "So everything's okay then?"  Birch nodded his head as his paws began to pull dirt from the wall.  "Yeah, she's happy with my work.  Glad she didn't call me a doe though.  Then again she did say it was a perfect burrow."  Halgrass chuckled on the words as he paused chewing away at the root, spitting out some of the wood from his mouth.  "Well, you do have a good memory on things.  Future Chief I think, don't you agree Bracken?"

 

Birch blushed again for the second time that day and he flicked his tail in annoyance.  "Oh come on, like I do that here?"  He tore at the wall and watched as some of it came tumbling down, covering Birch halfway up his body.  Halgrass just laughed as he hopped over to where Birch was and started to pull away the dirt from him.   "Yes, you will."  He leant forwards and whispered.  "Don't say anything to Straw though but we're going to get you out if we can.  Mission for you lad.  We need you to find help.  Are you interested?"

 

 Birch started to move as he felt the soil fall against his front and then nodded his head.  "Just tell me when and how."  There was some uncertainty in his voice but he nodded his head again.  "Yes, I'll do it."  Halgrass smiled as he saw Birch move away and shook himself free from as much dirt as he could manage before turning back around and heading to where Bracken was working on the root now.  "Birch said that he was in, we just need to work out how, now."

 

Bracken licked his own nose after he pulled away from the root.  "Well, if we can all get out I be more happy about it but it be best if one gets out if it means we can't."  Halgrass went to say something but Bracken shook his head, still talking quietly.  "No, I won't let anyone face this place alone."  Halgrass decided not to press the issue.

 

Inside the burrow, Rose was talking to Straw as he backed away to the wall.  "Look I told you I'm not spying on them.  What's it to you anyways, you could be spying on me for all I know."

 

Rose snorted as she pressed her nose against Straw's.  "Now, why would I want to do that with you.  I mean, you were our last champion's best friend and that holds some power still even for your miserable life down here.  Funny how you ended up working with the new champion."  Rose lifted up her paw and ran it over the side of Straw's head.  "So tell me what you do know about them?"

 

 Straw looked into the doe's eyes and closed his own as he spoke.  "From what I know, they came from a warren that isn't there anymore.  You were speaking to Birch in here and outside with Halgrass is Bracken.  I think Bracken is the leader of the group though."

 

Rose rubbed her nose against Straw before backing away.  "See, that wasn't too hard.  So why did you get placed with them?"  She frowned as Straw didn't say anything at first.  "Come on, I know there's more."  Straw sighed.  "They want me to keep an eye on them, see if they're up to anything.  Captain Shadow doesn't trust them, even though he tricked Halgrass easily that night.  You know how it goes with a newcomer, they get someone in to spy on them, make sure they're not a problem."

 

Straw saw Rose nod her head.  "I knew that, just want to hear you say it.  So what you going to do about it?  I mean, you did get one of your friends killed last time didn't you?  Shame Bluebottle didn't learn about it, wonder what he would've done to you if he did."

 

 Straw looked at Rose and shook his head.  "I don't know what to do, I'm fed up with this whole cloak and lying stuff.  I suppose you're going to inform them that I don't want to do it now, aren't you?"

 

Rose replied back softly.  "No, no I don't think I will."  Speaking quietly she looked at Straw for a moment who looked as though he was shocked.  "Look, you think I like seeing some of my does being killed because we have enough of them each time I give birth to a buck I have no choice on the matter.  It's not nice and I don't like it."  Pressing her face up to Straw's again.  "But spy on them, but be careful on what you say.  I don't want any of them getting into trouble okay?"  She saw Straw nod and she gave him a gentle nuzzle.  "Good, do this and you will repay your previous errors.  Now come on, you should get back to work."  Rose called out loudly.  "That's fine, thanks for fixing that problem.  This burrow is ready." 

 

Leaving the burrow first, Rose gave a look to where Inlo was staring down the run and nodded at him before moving down to where the other three were working.   She turned her head.  "We be needing other bucks to help clear out the dirt in this run Inlo."  She saw the buck nod his head and start to talk to another next to him before that rabbit headed off out of view.

 

 Passing Birch who was slowly starting to make a dent in the wall, she made her way over to where Bracken and Halgrass were, several small bits of root were now lying on the floor as she looked at it.  "Okay, er."  She paused and looked at the largest of the two.  "Bracken, come help me get this roof secure while Halgrass continues to work on those roots."

 

Moving along with Bracken, Rose whispered.  "So how are you doing?"  She stood up to look at a part of the run ceiling that she didn't like and started to work with it, touching it with a paw.  Bracken stood up at the same time and using his paws, tried to press the soil harder together but decided that the best way was to use the top of his head.  "Oh you know, captured, force to work as a slave and what's it to you anyways?"

 

Rose spoke quietly.  "Everything, you think I like being here.  All I am doing is being born to breed.  We hardly go outside ourselves, as soon as we give birth then we're being prepared again to carry more litter."  The doe shuddered.  "I had to promise to carry Captain Ebony's next litter to get anywhere near you.  They were going to send someone else."  She paused for a moment.  "I know you don't trust me but seriously, I am really fed up of this whole place.  It's just making more rabbits to go to war, but no one knows when, not even Darkclaw-Rah."

 

 Bracken nodded as he moved to fix another part of the run ceiling.  "What can you tell me about this so called rabbit that's supposed to lead this warren to war?"  He pushed up with his back legs to press his head against the soil, compacting it against his skull before moving back down to a normal standing position on all four legs.

 

Rose spoke quietly.  "We had a small buck once that didn't make it into the owsla, but he had a vision before he died, still only very young.  Said that one day that someone would come to this warren and bring it to greatness.  We should prepare for his arrival by building him an army.  A rabbit that had come through the darkness to exact revenge against all that was against him."

 

Bracken shook his head over this.  "So what's with the fights?"  He looked back to where Halgrass was and returned his gaze on Rose who replied.  "Its to learn about our enemies, we know other rabbits are out there but we need to know how a captive fights, some warrens fight differently.  Even on their own, a rabbit will show how one warren has taught their owsla.  Unfortunately they caught you lot since your warren has fallen.  But we sometimes, I mean the bucks go out and catch a rabbit from another warren now and again.  That's how they got Bluebottle, Straw and their comrades, they were on a farm raid I think."

 

 The conversation ended as Bracken thought to himself as he worked, he wondered what Rose was up to and whether he could trust her or Straw, though slowly his worries moved to the next fight that Halgrass had to do later on.  Slowly as he worked along the run with Rose next to him, Bracken wondered who this rabbit was that this warren was patiently waiting for, even it's Chief who must knew that he was going to be replaced.

 

Chapter 26 - The Second Fight

Work had finished in the warren for the night as most of the rabbits had been taken away, back to their burrows as they were cramped in together.  Birch, Straw and Bracken were left alone, knowing that they wouldn't see Halgrass until work the next day.  Rose was led back to another part of the warren to rejoin on where the does lived.

 

Which left Halgrass once again standing out in the open with another set of rabbits who were clearly not on duty at the time to watch the next match.  Looking up to the sky, he could see clouds overcastting as it blocked off the moon's light and moved his head back down again, just barely able to make out the shapes in the subtle faint light.

 

Twisting his ear around, a faint sound of an owl could be heard in the air as he looked instinctively up into the air as did some of the other rabbits who formed the circle.  Deep down within him, Halgrass wished that he could get this over and done with quickly and get back inside again.  He didn't trust them to keep him out last to be taken away before any of their lot were.

 

 Finally another buck was brought up as the bucks surrounding the area parted way to let him through to enter the fight arena.  Halgrass looked at his opponent who looked a lot healthy than Bluebottle and he felt himself lowering down slightly in a defence posture. 

 

Blackclaw-Rah smiled at the way Halgrass was acting as he stood up again on the log and held up a paw for silence, which his owsla quietened down.  "My comrades..."  Darkclaw-Rah spoke.  "Another fight is held for you, we have a new champion who will have to prove himself before he can be given the option of challenging one of us."  Halgrass's ears perked a bit on this news, this was new information for him.  Darkclaw-Rah continued on.  "We still prepare, waiting for our true leader to show up as it was foretold and now that we have arranged a more worthy foe for our newcomer, let us see just what he is really made of."  Looking down to where Halgrass and the other buck was, he nodded his head.  "Fight."  There he sat down on the log again.

 

 Halgrass had to quickly move out of the way as he saw the other buck rush right at him quickly, tearing across the grass as Halgrass kept his front to the other buck who came to a stop.  "So, who are you then?"  Halgrass asked as he moved around cautiously on all fours.  Jumping back as he felt a paw swipe through the air, Halgrass growled.  He wasn't going to get any talk from this one, he was in for a fight of his life.

 

Both bucks clashed together as Halgrass headbutted the other buck hard and felt the other rabbit's hind legs buckle for a moment before pushing away as it hopped backwards and to the side before coming back in again, knocking Halgrass to the ground.  Just as the other buck was about to land, Halgrass had already rolled away as he scrambled to his feet.  Breathing heavily he snorted.  "My, you're the feisty one, aren't you?"  Immediately afterwards, he lurched forwards as he and the other buck clashed together again with the joyful sounds of the other rabbits watching the fight.

 

Claws slashed at each other as Halgrass felt the other buck cut into his skin, under the fur.  Growing angrier, Halgrass bit down on the top of the other bucks nose and ripped a bit of it off as he pushed the buck away from him.  Breathing heavily, Halgrass spat something out onto the ground as he looked at the other buck who was pawing at his nose with his paws, pain in his eyes as Halgrass lunged forward again, anger in his heart that he was being forced to do this for the protection of his friends, hatred of Darkclaw-Rah and the whole warren.

 

 The other buck backed away and got out of the way just in time before Halgrass arrived.  Sneezing, droplets of blood flew out as it splattered over Halgrass as he spluttered, but jumped forwards, sinking his teeth into Halgrass's left ear, pulling it apart with his teeth.  Halgrass pulled back and winced at the pain before turning around quickly and kicking out at the other buck with his strong rear legs.

 

Jumping up and away, the other buck had his front paws up which saved them from being broken by the strong kick but he wasn't able to get out of the way in time as he felt the force hit his chest, the sound of a rib cracked under his skin made the buck gasp out for breath as he landed back and walked backwards slowly with pain in his face.

 

Halgrass had already turned around, an angry look in his eyes as he ran forwards and started to bat the other buck's head hard with his front paws, his claws slashing into the fur as he felt some wetness of the blood as the other buck cried out when one of his eyes was slashed open.

 

 Turning around, the other buck ran which brought a boo'ing cry from the rest of the crowd as Halgrass took after the other rabbit, thinking to himself.  'Why won't he let me just end this and get rid of the pain...?'  But Halgrass knew, it was survivor instincts or much, much worse.  Another owsla rabbit's honour.

 

Running away, the other buck twisted and turned around, trying to get around Halgrass so that he could get in another attack.  With a sharp turn to the left, he back hopped quicky and as he watched Halgrass move to turn as well, the other buck used all the strength in his back legs to propel him at Halgrass's side.

 

Halgrass blinked as he saw what was coming but he couldn't stop it in time as he felt the other buck's head slam into his side, a sharp pain running through his body as he flew into the air and landed, rolling over.

 

Sitting down, the other buck felt his head spin, he tried to get up but felt the world around him swim round and round as he swaggered over slowly to where Halgrass was panting on the ground, his whole body lying there as though he couldn't get up. 

 

 Darkclaw-Rah looked on with a frown on his face as Captain Shadow smiled.  "Well, he didn't last long did he?  Shortest champion that we had.."  He went quiet as he heard the dead bark under Darkclaw-Rah's paws snap as his claws cut through it.

 

Halgrass stayed still, breathing as he caught his breath, the pain on his side came with each breath in and out, making him wince as he could see the other buck slowly make his way over to him in the corner of his eye.  Halgrass just waited, he laid there as he judged for the right distance which came.

 

The other buck blinked in shock as Halgrass came up from nowhere and rammed his head upwards as it slammed into the underside of the other rabbits, the sound of teeth broke in the other bucks mouth.  Before the other buck had time to spit them out, he felt another pain on the side of his body, making his crack rib ring out in pain.

 

Halgrass slashed away at the other buck's side before knocking him over onto his side.  Darkclaw-Rah smiled at the look that Captain Shadow was giving at that moment in time as he spoke back.  "Hmm, looks like he knows a few tricks himself, eh Shadow?"  Darkclaw-Rah chuckled as he could here his captain growl, gripping the bark under his claws.

 

 Halgrass moved his body over onto the other buck who couldn't move now as he felt Halgrass's breath on his neck and staring up into the night sky, felt the sharp pain in his neck as he began to choke on blood which gushed into his windpipe.  Slowly the other buck closed his eyes as with a final gurgle, he didn't breathe again.

 

Standing up, Halgrass looked about him, with fierce angry eyes as he looked directly at Shadow, those eyes which never blinked as Halgrass forgot about the pain he was in at the moment as he saw that Shadow was looking right back at him, a unspoken conversation was going on before Shadow nodded his head slowly.  Unknown to everyone else, Halgrass had just challenged Shadow for when the time would come.

 

***

 

Deep down below the ground, unknown on what had been happening in the fight, the blood that had been spolled that night.  Bracken was being quiet thinking to himself, as Birch and Straw were walking quietly to themselves.

 

"So what did she tell you about that burrow then?"  Straw asked as he kept on looking outside of the burrow, keeping his voice down since there was on duty officers outside.  Neither of them wanted a officer to come in and punish them for talking too loudly when they weren't really allowed tonight.

 

 Birch replied back.  "She said that she liked it, was a good burrow."  Birch replied back as he paused from time to time as he licked his front paw clean with a tongue, trying to keep his fur clean from all the digging that he had been doing since he arrived here.

 

"Anything else?"  Straw asked as he saw Bracken's head lift up from his paws and turned his head to where Straw was and before Birch could reply back, he spoke.  "Why not tell us why you were in that burrow alone with her for a short while, what was going on in there?"

Straw swallowed as he turned his head away from the looks of both Birch and Bracken, replying back quietly.  "She just wanted to talk that's all."  Bracken frowned.  "Well, must've been important, I mean after all the fuss that the guards made about her being safe and all, it's funny that they didn't go into that burrow immediately.  So..?"

 

Straw looked up again slowly before turning his head back towards Bracken.  "We just talked, about you newcomers really, she was interested in who you were and all."  He could see that Bracken was still staring back at him like one of the captains in the owsla that guarded them here and he swallowed again.  "Come on, aren't you going to say anything?  Is that alright, I only mentioned a few things that you were talking about freely, didn't know it wasn't allowed or anything."

 

 Birch was now looking back and forth between Bracken and Straw but Bracken was keeping quietly, all he was doing was staring back at Straw.  Birch blinked and uttered a few words.  "Could someone please tell me what is going on here?"  However, he didn't get a reply at all while Straw slowly moved his eyes away from Bracken's stare.

 

"Okay, okay."  Straw said as he looked away and down to the ground.  "I was put in with you to spy.  Darkclaw-Rah wanted to know if you were up to anything.  He doesn't trust newcomers, he always splits them up if he can.  Put one on the fights while the others work with threats that they be hurt if you don't do it."

 

Bracken growled softly.  "We knew about the threats that were made, Darkclaw told Halgrass those already."  Looking at Birch.  "Move, get over me so I can take your place."  Birch just stared at Bracken and shook his head.  Bracken glared back.  "Do as I say now."

 

Birch was about to say something else but he stopped and nodded his head, getting up quietly as he started to climb over Bracken while he shuffled over so that he was now next to Straw himself.

 

 Feeling a bit scared now, Straw could feel Bracken move closer to where he was and then felt the warm breath against his neck but as he was closing his eyes tightly, waiting for the killer bite he only heard words.  "Did they threaten you?"  Bracken asked quietly.

 

Straw didn't respond at first as he was busy trying to work out that he was dead but he heard Bracken ask the question again.  "Who threatened you?"  Bracken didn't move away from where Straw was lying as he could hear the other buck breath in and out.

 

"Only my own life..."  Straw said quietly.  "You don't understand..."  He went quiet again as he heard an even lower voice come from Bracken.  "Try me..."  Straw thought for a moment and then slowly he began to talk about everything.  "It's this place, I told you that it changes you.  I was under the command of Captain Bluebottle when we were on a search for a killer who had killed one of our chief's kits."

 

Birch listened and looked shocked at that news but Bracken kept quiet as he listened on.  "We didn't find any tracks on our culprit.  He was a really nasty piece of work.  Our chief was outraged and wanted to go himself but Bluebottle said it was too risky to go after Entri."  Pausing for a moment, Straw sighed.  "I think Bluebottle blamed himself for allowing Entri a chance to cause harm to his chief."

 

 Bracken gave a frown as he pulled away from where Straw was and nodded.  "I can understand that one, so how come you ended up here then?"  Bracken's voice still had that uncertainty that he didn't trust Straw yet as he listened on to the story.

 

"I think Bluebottle wanted revenge and he went about quickly around the warren to find anyone that could help in tracking down Entri and killing him.  He was such a bad thing to keep alive was what I was told.  Eventually he found a small group and we headed out of the warren under the watchful eyes of our Chief."

 

Birch sighed softly as he looked away from Straw as Bracken said.  "Get to the point where you ended up here?"  Straw nodded.  "Well, we managed to catch up with Entri at a farm.  He was already injured slightly by a pfeffa, pleaded with us to help him."  Straw paused for a moment as he closed his eyes.  "Bluebottle just said...  'Goodbye, Entri'  And he ordered us around and we left Entri to face his fate there."

 

Before Bracken or Birch could say another word, Straw continued.  "That's when we were caught on the way home, we came by this copse that just didn't feel right at all."  Bracken gave a frown.  "Aye, we had the same feeling ourselves, they were watching you right?"

 

 Straw nodded his head.  "So we learnt after we were caught and placed in this cursed place."  Looking about.  "Our party eventually died out, being killed in the fights.  They even had this great idea once where they made Bluebottle fight two of his own officers and then they made me betray one who wanted to escape..."

 

Bracken swallowed, trying to get rid of the growl that was trying to escape from his throat.  "What did you do?"  Straw spoke very sadly as he looked away from them all, staring at the burrow wall as those he was looking at events again on it.  "They wanted to know anything that was happening.  Somehow they knew that one of us wanted to escape, they said that it was always the case when new rabbits arrived.  Darkclaw-Rah ordered me to tell me who it was that had the idea or that I would have to face the consequences of being killed if a escape happened."  He paused for a moment and shuddered slightly.  "Darkclaw-Rah was on that boulder and he just laughed at me.  I was willing to die, no one should betray another of their warren.  But it was when he said, 'Unless it's you but I doubt it.  However, we will follow whoever does escape and find your warren and we shall go and kill everyone in it.  No one shall know where this place is, no one.'  And that's when I betrayed one of my friends."

 

 Bracken's anger had subsided as he spoke softly.  "And that's what you were talking about with Rose earlier on today?"  He saw Straw nod and he growled, not at him but at the whole situation that they were in.  "You were right, this place does change you."

 

Birch looked down as he kept quiet while Straw turned to face them.  "I feel guilty about the whole thing since it had happened.  But I couldn't take the chance that they would find my warren.  However, they are doing what they did with me but if I can't find anything then they will start to use you against each other.  I ain't sure if your warren is actually destroyed."

 

Shuddering now, Birch looked at Bracken.  "What if they make us fight Halgrass, I don't know if I can do that.  I mean, you two are much better at fighting than me."  Bracken turned his head around to face Birch and frowned.  "Don't talk like that, at least you should listen to Straw's words on not showing weakness."  Bracken turned his head around to where Straw was and asked another question.  "And what are you going to do now?  Betray us, help us?  What?"

 

 There was a short pause before Straw replied back.  "Help, I don't want to stay in this place anymore."  He turned his head around to look at Bracken and stared at the other buck's eyes.  Bracken stared back as Straw spoke.  "Please, I don't want to do this anymore, following their orders, betraying anyone else.  I want to fix it by helping, maybe I will repay my debt..."

 

Bracken looked into Straw's eyes for a short while and then nodded his head slowly.  "I believe you."  He turned to where Birch was and nodded his head.  "Okay, I suggest that we get some rest for tomorrow and hope that Halgrass has survived the next fight."  Lowering his head down onto his paws, he sighed.  "No doubt what happened won't have put him in a good frame of mind."  Straw looked at Birch for a moment, none of them said a word but they followed suit and slowly all three of them ended up asleep.

 

***

 

Elsewhere in the warren, Halgrass hadn't been lucky to go and rest yet as after the fight he was led back down to the burrow where Darkclaw-Rah was sitting on top of the boulder and looking down at him with a smile.  "My, you do seem to keep impressing me, though you didn't do what I wanted as such, so again tomorrow you will fight better and make sure you really get into it."

 

 Halgrass glared up at where Darkclaw-Rah was and snorted, his body was still on edge from the fight.  "And what if I don't?"  Halgrass got his reply right away as Darkclaw-Rah smiled.  "Then Birch dies first time the next day under Frith's view."  Hopping down from the boulder, the large rabbit looked directly into Halgrass's eyes.  "You know, when he changed our friends to be our enemies."

 

The two guards beside Halgrass, had to trip him up as he lunged right for Darkclaw-Rah right there and then, before placing their weight on top of the buck as the Chief laughed.  "Hmm, I seemed to have hit a raw nerve with you?"  Turning around, Darkclaw-Rah hopped back up onto the boulder and turned around.  "I shall forgive your action this once since you would still be angered with fight flowing through your veins but I shall do this though."  He paused with a smile on his face.  "I saw the look you gave Captain Shadow and he's already accepted your challenge, so if you win a fight against one of my officers tomorrow night, you will fight Captain Shadow next.  However, to give you some chance of winning, you're not to work at all from now on."  Darkclaw-Rah watched as they dragged Halgrass up.  "However, I don't think even that will get you to defeat my officer never mind my captain.  Take him away."

 

 Halgrass was dragged away from the burrow as Darkclaw-Rah turned around to look in a dark shadow of the burrow.  "So, you think you can beat him?"  There came a voice from out of nowhere as Shadow replied back.  "I make him look like a fool before I take his life, don't worry sir.  I won't fail you."

 

Blackclaw-Rah nodded his head.  "I know you won't Shadow."  He turned around and spoke again.  "And what say you?"  There was silence for a moment as a weird voice spoke.  "Everything is going to plan, I feel it...  You must allow things to play out no matter what happens..." 

 

Darkclaw-Rah turned back to look at where Halgrass was before and nodded his head.  "So be it, soon we will get our true leader and let him bring our warren to conquer the world of El-Ahrairah..."

 

Shadow came up onto the boulder and whispered into Darkclaw-Rah's ear and he nodded his head.  "You have permission."  Feeling Shadow leave, Darkclaw laid down on the boulder with a smile on his face.

 

***

 

The next morning, Bracken, Birch and Straw didn't get to see Halgrass at all when they turned up for work.  The guard smiled at them as they passed into the run.  "Shame about your friend, he died last night, screamed like a coward that he was."

 

 Bracken looked sick to his stomach as he moved on through the run as he looked at Birch with a frown.  "Looks like we're on our own then?"  He could see Birch looking worried and no doubt he knew that he would be seeing the same look on his own face if he could see it.

 

Straw on the other hand was looking even more depressed than he was the night before when he told everything to the other two rabbits.  He kept himself to himself and excused into the half dug out burrow that he and Birch had made before, just sitting inside for a moment and sighed.

 

Birch looked at Bracken before heading into the burrow as he entered it slowly, he barely fitted into it as he placed a paw on Straw's back.  "Look, it isn't your fault.  We don't blame you at all, it's this place remember."

 

Straw sighed again.  "It's not that, I thought that you were really the ones to really help and maybe I get out of this place.  You know they will pick one of you eventually to fight.  It all depends on how long the next champion lives."

 

"We get through this, just let us know anything that they tell us."  Birch spoke softly.  "We need to know what they're up to so we can fight it, okay?"  Birch saw Straw nod his head and got up onto all fours.  "We best get back to work.  You helping here or with Bracken?"

 

 Birch nodded and turned around as best as he could.  "I go and check."  Moving out of the burrow he blinked and saw that Bracken was already with Rose and turned his head back again.  "It's okay, Rose is with him so we can work together and get this burrow dug out."  Straw smiled as he began to work alongside Birch.  "Thanks, not really sure if I wanted to be on my own anyways."

 

Pulling at the soil, Birch replied.  "Yeah I know, I'm just annoyed that we're in this situation and I can't do a thing about it or know who did kill Halgrass."  Straw jumped back alongside Birch who had pulled down a lot of soil as Straw blinked.  "Whoa, remind me never to annoy you."  Birch however, didn't say a word back.

 

Outside of the burrow, Rose was helping Bracken to take away some more of the roots as she talked quietly.  "So you heard about the fight last night?"  She saw Bracken tense up as he tugged on a root which snapped, hitting him in the face, slightly cutting it.  Dropping it to the ground, he winced and nodded.  "Yeah I heard.  Not that it does Halgrass any good mind you."

 

 Rose looked behind her and saw that the guards were once again taking no notice of them as she turned her head back around again.  "Oh, really.  Well, as far as I can tell I saw him on my way past his burrow here and he's sleeping right about n.."

 

She didn't have much more to say as Bracken was looking at her in shock.  "Are you sure?  He's alive?"  He saw Rose nod her head and he nodded back at her.  "Right, best keep this quiet for the time being.  So it looks like someone is playing games then?  I wonder what they're up to..."

 

Chapter 27 -The price of spying...

Later on in the day, Halgrass was woken up from his sleep as the officer came into his burrow.  "Okay, you're needed up above.  Darkclaw-Rah would like you to join him again."  Halgrass yawned as he slowly got up and felt a slight stiffness to his side which the guard prodded him there with a paw, sending a sharp pain to his head.  Growling, he muttered.  "Okay, I'm coming...."

 

Halgrass noticed that he didn't have that many rabbits with him now, he only had the one guard with him as he followed through the runs as he saw other rabbits sleeping, some of the does were talking to their young ones as he was led further into the most respectful part of the warren.  Noting everything down he came to another run that led to the outside as the guard stopped at the bottom.  "I leave you, don't keep him waiting, will you?" 

 

Looking up the run where he could feel the cool air blowing down, he started to walk up the run slowly, Halgrass was looking behind him but he saw the officer disappear from view as he turned his head to the faint point of light at the top of the run and continued towards it.

 

 Slowly he came to a stop just outside of the run and poked his head out cautiously, sniffing out the air and then slowly coming outside as he felt the hanging grass on the upper part of the hole brush over his back.  Carefully as he looked about, he took a few hops away from the run and then stood up on his hind legs, looking about.

 

"Glad that you have woken up."  Darkclaw-Rah said from behind Halgrass as he stood a few paces from behind the hole that Halgrass had appeared only a moment before.  Halgrass turned around to face Darkclaw-Rah with a frown.  "You wanted to see me again?"  He said as he turned around to walk about the clearing, not seeing any sign of the rabbit he had beaten last night.

 

Darkclaw-Rah nodded as he watched Halgrass move about.  "Well, if escaping is on your mind then you can try but you won't get far, my officers are about the rim, checking on things and you at the moment."

 

Halgrass nodded his head as he turned to face Darkclaw-Rah.  "And what's to stop me from attacking you right now, they never get here in time."  He stared wide at Darkclaw-Rah who moved about before taking a bite of some grass.  "Well, be my guest but your friends will die.  I thought about it and you know, having a run collapse will be quite good.  They can suffocate."

 

 "Why you..."  Halgrass said as he approached threateningly but stopped and sat down.  "What do you want?"  He looked about the clearing as he listened to what Darkclaw-Rah had to say.

 

Darkclaw-Rah spoke as he sat down.  "Well, I ain't sure how it happened but your friends think that you are dead at the moment.  They think that you have lost your fight but that can easily be fixed if you want to see your friends again."

 

Halgrass blinked.  "What do you mean, they think I am dead?"  His voice was rising up into a shout.  "What are you up to?"  Halgrass just couldn't believe what was going on here.  "Okay, that's it I am fed up of playing your games, why don't you just get to the point so that I can know where the hraka I am at."

 

"Very well."  Darkclaw-Rah said.  "I want to know exactly who in your group is planning to escape on the night that you fight Shadow, you will tell me exactly who just before the fight.  Before the fight, you can watch your friend being killed by yourself."

 

Halgrass blinked.  "You're insane, you're not making sense, you keep on threatening me and then saying something else.  Just who do you think you are?"  He stood up with hair on the back of his neck standing up.  Darkclaw-Rah smiled as he stood up himself and growled.  "Your Chief, that's who and I don't have to explain my actions to you, hraka scum.  Your friends are being allowed up here to silflay, you will use this time to find out what they are up to and you will tell me everything.  Otherwise I will put your two friends in a fight with hrair officers fighting them."

 

 Halgrass sighed as he lowered his head down.  "Fine, I do what you want, I fight who you want, just leave them alone."  As he lifted it back up again he saw that Darkclaw-Rah had vanished and ended up scratching his head in confusion.  'What is he up to?'  Halgrass thought to himself as right now he was really confused by this lack of direction his enemies were showing him at the moment.

 

Halgrass was left to be up on top for most of the day as he used the time to get ready for the fight that forthcoming night, though in the back of his mind he still felt that something wasn't right with the current chief in the warren.  He would bring this up when he would see his friends.

 

Bracken was the first one to get out from the run with a few guards following him as more rabbits came out in a row.  Halgrass was happy to see Bracken who looked shocked at the sight of Halgrass as did Straw and Birch who nearly fell back down into the run but was pushed out by another officer.

 

After the initial shock of seeing Halgrass alive, they were left alone in the middle of the clearing with Bracken sniffing the grass.  "Oh, Frith, it's been so long since I've been up on top."  Moving his head to look at Halgrass he smiled.  "It's good to see you as well, some officer thought they would have fun by saying that you died."  Lowering his voice.  "Rose told me otherwise but I thought to keep it quiet from the others."

 

 Halgrass nodded his head.  "I know, there's something funny going on with Darkclaw-Rah, he seems to be going tharn or something.  He's either threatening to kill you, then he isn't and then he's after something else entirely."  Halgrass ended up finishing by scratching an ear.  "Bracken..."  He said after he finished doing that as he looked to his friend.  "He wants me to betray one of you?  I ain't sure if it's a joke or not.  I just can't read him properly."

 

Bracken frowned as he turned to face Birch and then gave Straw a longer look as he turned to explain what had been said the night before which led Halgrass to frown at Straw but he had a much softer look at the end of the story.  Halgrass looked at Straw.  "You've had dealings with Darkclaw before, what is he up to?"

 

Straw pondered for a moment.  "I don't know but it could be that tharn idea he's got in his head like everyone else that he's going to be replaced soon by another rabbit that will arrive."  Straw looked at Halgrass.  "Maybe he thinks that it's you and has to follow certain rules.  I mean, if you defeat Shadow then you have to fight Darkclaw-Rah next."

 

 "And you lot, he's been threatening to kill you all the time."  Halgrass pondered as he looked about the area.  "He's also said that we're being watched at the moment."  Halgrass had ignored the other rabbits in view that were guarding his friends but he knew that there were others out of sight.  "Look, he wants you all to watch the fight tonight.  Bracken, we have to come up with an idea to escape as I don't know if you will survive if I lose either to this officer or Shadow the next fight after."

 

Birch shuddered as he bent down to nibble on some grass to stop his teeth from clattering.  Bracken nodded his head as he lowered his head down to nibble on some grass, watching the others follow suit as he spoke.  "Yes, it's getting too dangerous now to stay.  We should keep Rose out of it though, I don't know if I trust her yet."

 

Straw sighed.  "Like you didn't trust me at first, who knows.  Maybe she speaks the truth?"  He looked at where Bracken and Halgrass were staring at him but they shook their heads.  "I ain't so sure, it's much harder for someone to want something different if they've only been living in this place all of their lives.  You don't miss anything if you haven't experienced it before and I know they kill all does that are outsiders."

 

 Straw nodded his head.  "That is true..."  Halgrass nodded.  "Well, we best come up with something so that we know what to do and when.  We need to test Rose for a start.   Listen, this is how we're going to play things out...."

 

***

 

Later on, all three had been made to go back down underground to continue work in the run where Rose had been working while they were up on top.  She turned to look at them with a cross face.  "And where have you lot been?  I've been working here all on my own."

 

Inlo muttered at her.  "You don't have to be here, you volunteered to work, they were ordered to go see Halgrass by Darkclaw-Rah."  Inlo turned to look at Rose.   "You don't like it, you go take it up with him.."

 

Rose ignored Inlo as she turned to face Bracken and followed him down the run.  "So I was right that he was alive then?"  Bracken nodded his head.  "So?"  Rose asked.  "What did he have to say?"

 

Bracken moved to where the roots had been removed and started to dig.  "Oh you know, he was annoyed that he was suddenly dead, he still doesn't trust Straw though.  But we think Darkclaw-Rah has gone tharn or Halgrass does anyways."

 

 Rose nodded her head.  "Oh?  Not heard of that one, so are you lot going to do something about it if it's true?"  She saw Bracken nod his head.  "Well, what?"  Rose said impatiently as she just sat there and looked at what Bracken was doing before he stopped working and turned to face her.  "Win the Chief spot and set us free.  He's planning on attacking him tonight."

 

"Hmm, risky isn't it?"  Rose said thoughtfully.  "I mean, if the plan fails and all, you be put to death?"  She looked at the smug face the Bracken was showing as he replied back.  "Oh don't worry, Halgrass is quiet good enough to get the job done.  He's been holding back on the fights.  Best to you know, not sure what you're capable of in the first place."

 

Rose just nodded as she went back to work again, working on the run until she was sure it was enough time and looked about.  "Hmmm, well you seemed to have sorted out the root issue and we've been digging for a while and there hasn't been another.  I think you be fine on your own now."  Rose turned her head and called to Inlo.  "Could you inform your captain that this run is now safe enough for them to work on their own, without my supervision please."

 

 Bracken smiled as Rose left the run and as he saw Birch move his head out of the run, he nodded at him before seeing the head go back into the burrow.  Birch nodded at Straw who nodded back and they carried on with their work again.

 

***

 

"Sir?"  Captain Ebony said as he entered the burrow.  "I have a doe, named Rose for you.  She said that she has information for you."  Moving to the side as Rose slowly moved into the burrow as she lowered her head at Darkclaw-Rah.

 

"Well, what is it?"  Darkclaw-Rah said as he looked down at where Rose was and watched as she crawled on the floor until she was near to him.  "Sir, I have news about the newcomers.  They have been confused by different news, they don't know what you are up to but Halgrass is planning on attacking you directly tonight.  He wants to challenge you right away after the fight."

 

"Hmm..."  Darkclaw-Rah said as he got up from the boulder and hopped down to where Rose was and looked down at her lying form.  "Anything else?  Why would he try and attack me?"  Rose gave a shudder before speaking.  "Sir, Halgrass wants to get your place and then order to be released from the warren." 

 

 Darkclaw-Rah nodded as he turned to Captain Ebony.  "They must have planned something else.  I want his friends up on top for the fight, they can be guarded so that they can see Halgrass be ripped apart.  I want the best fighting officer to go up against him."  Captain Ebony nodded his head as he watched Darkclaw-Rah place a paw on top of Rose's head.  "Thank you Rose, you've done your warren proud."

 

Rose got up after she felt the paw on her head lift and bowed to Darkclaw-Rah.  "Thank you sir."  She backed away bowing until she had moved out of the burrow where Captain Ebony looked outside and nodded his head as he turned his head back.  "She's gone.  Sir, what are you going to do about this?"

 

Darkclaw-Rah smiled.  "Everything is going to plan, Halgrass will try to get me no doubt and I am sure that there is more to this than what we know.  This is what I want you to do.  When something happens, make sure that there is a tracking patrol ready.  We shall find their warren, we shall end up with so many more workers that we never have to risk being seen until our new leader arrives."

 

 Captain Ebony nodded.  "And as for these rumours that you're going tharn?"  He stared at Darkclaw-Rah who chuckled.  "Best to keep your prisoners wondering what you are going to do than know what you really can do."  He turned around and moved to the boulder again, hopping on it.  "Oh and Ebony, please deal with Rose.  She's been a bit too friendly with them, they can't find out that she's told me anything."

 

Captain Ebony nodded.  "Sir?  What about Straw?"  Darkclaw-Rah shook his head.  "He isn't that important to worry about, Shadow overheard the conversation last night, they know that he's been working for me, his past but he wasn't really the spy.  Rose was but she's finished with her task."  Darkclaw-Rah turned his head around.  "Kill her."  Captain Ebony replied as he nodded his head.  "It shall be done."  He backed out of the burrow and headed off to find where Rose had gone.

 

"Do you still fear what has been foretold." A voice came from the dark as Darkclaw-Rah frowned, lying down on the boulder as he snapped back.  "What, the foretelling of my death.  Isn't there a way out of it?"

 

 The voice came from within the shadows.  "I don't know, I only can tell you what I have seen and that is soon a new leader will arrive that will challenge you for your place.  Whether you die or not is something I can't see.  But you know it's your duty to prepare this warren for him."

 

Darkclaw-Rah sighed.  "Whisp, if you're wrong about this..."  He watched as a small rabbit came out from the shadows as he spoke back.  "Things have to be played out as they are for now.  This is all that I have seen, though things could change.  We just have to hope that things play out."

 

"Well, that's a lot of help that is."  Darkclaw-Rah snapped back at Whisp who was swaying about side to side.  "And could you stop doing that, it makes me dizzy watching you."  He saw Whisp move back into the shadows as he sat there on the boulder.  "Few  more questions.  Am I the one?"

 

The voice of Whisp came back softly.  "I don't know, you could be, you may not be."  This made Darkclaw-Rah lay down softly on the rock.  "Is Halgrass the one?"  Whisp didn't reply back right away as he came back.  "Again the vision is too cloudy for me to see, it's not as clear yet on who it is." 

 

 "Only one more question."  Darkclaw-Rah said softly.  "Is there anything else you can tell me at this time?"  He flicked his ear in annoyance as the answer he was waiting for actually came back to him from Whisp.  "Not at this time, no."

 

***

 

Rose was heading back to her own part of the warren when she heard another rabbit come up from behind her.  Turning her head around, she smiled.  "Oh, Captain Ebony, did I do a good job?"

 

Captain Ebony nodded his head as he came up to where Rose was and nuzzled the side of her head affectionately.  "You did fine, how did you cope with being with them?"  He said, giving her a gentle lick on the cheek before walking with her along the run.

 

Rose snorted.  "Horrible, why do we have to bring in such outsiders to our warren.  I mean, some of them were thinking about having me as a mate."  The doe smiled.  "I can tell what bucks are thinking, even you have that thought right about now."

 

Captain Ebony chuckled.  "My, you're like one of those veheers you hear about in stories.  So want to go up on top and talk about things without being heard?"  The buck giving Rose another nuzzle again as she nodded her head.  "Thought you wouldn't ask, been putting off a lot of lower rank bucks, you see."

 

 Leaning against Rose, Captain Ebony chuckled.  "Well, you were always the one to try and get to the top, so what about the other does?  I mean, they won't like the fact that you're being with me for instance.  Can't get higher than me, well if you're interested in the Chief that is?"

 

Rose snorted again as she replied.  "Oh him, he's only there until our true leader shows up.  Besides he scares me and I don't trust him."  Captain Ebony smiled.   "And you trust me then?"  He saw that she nodded and smiled to himself as he turned leading her to go upwards to the outside.

 

Rose sniffed the air as she looked about.  "Oh we're not going to do it in the clearing are we?"  Wrinkling up her nose.  "Not where those horrible rabbits fight and die."  She felt Captain Ebony brush past her side as he nodded at her to follow.

 

Following, they started to head away from the clearing and into the copse itself with all the tree's, bushes and flowers which Rose smiled and looked about, stopping now and again to sniff gently.  "Are you sure that no one comes around here?  What about the hidden guards?"

 

 Captain Ebony replied back.  "Oh don't worry, no one will see what we are up to."  He said as he stopped and slowly began to rub his head against hers as she sighed softly.  Rose felt warm and happy as she sniffed Captain Ebony's scent, lifting her neck upwards as another sigh came from her open mouth.

 

Instead of getting another rub, Rose cried out as she felt pain in her neck, Captain Ebony had bitten down as he held her there in her mouth, pulling as he felt her try to pull away and after a few moments he let go, watching her fall over backwards.  Gasping for breath Rose tried to move but felt Captain Ebony land heavily on her as he knocked out the air from her lungs.

 

Moving back from her, Captain Ebony sat down as he watched her slowly get her breath back though her neck was bleeding badly.  Eventually, Rose was able to speak again.  "Why....?" 

 

Getting up again, Captain Ebony placed a paw on her side and looked down at her.  "Why, because it was ordered so.  You've been talking to those rabbits.  You really think that we didn't know, that Darkclaw-Rah wouldn't find out about what you were up to.  Especially in talking to Inlo in such a way."  He pressed his paw harder on Rose's side.  "Who do you think you are in speaking to a officer like that, you're nothing but a doe."

 

 "Please...  Let me go..."  Rose pleaded as she tried to squirm her way out of the way, anything to get away from her attacker, but Captain Ebony wouldn't move, his paw pressing harder on her side as he growled.  "And why would I want to let you go?"

 

Rose carried on squirming as she spoke, her voice showing that she was in pain from the bite on her neck, blood leaking life out of her.  "Please, I can help you get more information, you could end up being in charge of this place."

 

Captain Ebony shook his head.  "You think I want to be in charge of this warren, when we are waiting for our great leader to turn up?"  His claws dug into her side as Rose cried out again.  "No, I ain't that stupid to do that.  I leave that up to Darkclaw to stay in that position, he wanted that chief for so long I didn't.  Always kept below him I did, same as Shadow.  This is as high as I want to go so you don't have anything you can help me with I am afraid."

 

Rose close her eyes as she felt Captain Ebony claws raked through her side as his voice came out from nowhere.  "Alright, let's get her ready."  She stopped squirming as she heard other rabbits moving about around her.

 

 Captain Ebony lifted his paw from Rose's side as the other officers moved about her, he backed away as he watched her scream when two of them tore up her back leg muscles and nodded his head as slowly Rose was lifted up from the ground as two other bucks moved underneath her. 

 

Slowly they walked through the copse as Captain Ebony walked behind them slowly, Rose could see herself being carried slowly as she felt pain running through her body as she closed her eyes, her body feeling twigs and leaves brushing past her fur.

 

Slowly they left the copse as Captain Ebony stopped at the edge and watched as Rose was led out into the field, he slowly sat down, feeling something come up alongside him as he saw Captain Shadow sitting down.  "So, he gave the order to kill her then?"  Captain Shadow said slowly, watching the rabbits slowly place Rose onto the grass.

 

Nodding his head, Captain Ebony replied back.  "Yeah, she did her job but he didn't trust her.  Not that I blame him, you know she tried to get me to use her so that I would take over as Chief in this warren."

 

 Captain Shadow looked at Captain Ebony.  "And your reaction?"

 

"Well, I refused of course otherwise she wouldn't be out there right now."  Captain Ebony replied back as he saw the officers running back into the copse and disappeared out of view.  Neither captain moved as they waited for confirmation on Darkclaw-Rah's orders.

 

Captain Shadow nodded his head.  "Good, we play things right and we be working for whoever is next in line."  He sniffed the air and smiled.  "Well, it looks like something has picked up the scent of your work."  Looking about as he spotted something.  "Ah, homba this time around."

 

Looking around, Captain Ebony spotted the small red fox moving about in the field, pausing the sniff about slightly as it moved on again slowly.  "Ah yes, there it is.  Well, you have that fight don't you, tomorrow?  Have you thought on who we're picking for tonight?"

 

"That depends."  Captain Shadow replied back as he carried on looking to where Rose was lying on the ground, crawling as best that she could with her forepaws as the fox was getting closer.  "On who this time has become a threat to us or has annoyed us.  Who turn is it by the way?"

 

 Captain Ebony didn't reply as he kept looking out watching as he saw the fox catch the smell of Rose and began heading in her direction, Captain Shadow didn't press the issue for the time being as he continued to look out as well.

 

Rose kept on crawling, her whole body was tense from the pain that her back legs dragging on the ground as she felt weaker with each passing moment.  Pulling herself up, she pulled again and then collapsed onto the ground, panting hard, each breathing becoming much harder to pull in air.

 

Hearing something behind her, Rose turned around and then stared widely at the approaching fox, padding slowly towards her, teeth bared as she tried to pull herself away again, but failed as her weak forepaws gave way to her weight.  Feeling a paw press down onto her back, her eyes closed over as she felt the sharp teeth slip into her neck before it broke, ending her life.

 

Captain Ebony watched on as he calmly replied back to Captain Shadow.  "What do you think we or either Dewclaw or Captain Sharptooth?"  The two rabbits watched as the fox lifted Rose up from the ground and turned around carrying her away.  Captain Shadow thought for a moment and replied.  "Dewclaw, I think he deserves a chance of being promoted or at least show us what he's made of."

 

 "Very well, I go and let Darkclaw-Rah know that we've chosen Dewclaw for tonight's fight.  You be there to watch your possible future opponent, right?"  He said, half turning around to head off.  Captain Shadow nodded his head with a smile.  "I wouldn't miss it for the world."  He kept on sitting there, looking out into the wild world outside of the copse where a few moments ago, Rose had died.

 

***

 

Deep within the warren, Captain Ebony had once again found himself standing in front of Darkclaw-Rah as he bowed his head.   "Sir, your orders have been carried out, Rose was killed by a homba and taken away."

 

Darkclaw-Rah smiled as he listened to the news.  "Very well.  She was a potential mate for you, wasn't she?"  He asked looking down at the other buck.  Captain Ebony nodded his head.  "She was, one of the potential mates I could've picked but there are other does in the warren that can suit my needs sir."

 

"That pleases me."  Darkclaw-Rah said softly, crossing one of his forepaws over the other.  "And did you speak with Captain Shadow about who would be fighting tonight?"

 

 Captain Ebony nodded his head back as he looked back up again at Darkclaw-Rah.  "Indeed we have, it shall be Dewclaw who will face Halgrass, sir.  He has shown great potential in training and is an excellent fighter."  Captain Ebony paused before continuing on.  "He is one of the best fighters that we have, he should give us a good fight.  If you think he won't be able to fight Halgrass, then I can go pick another."

"Hmm..."  Darkclaw-Rah thought for a moment and spoke again.  "Why didn't you pick one of our captains, they're usually better fighters?"  He lowered his head, staring at Captain Ebony who replied back.  "Sir, that is true but Dewclaw is a fine young officer, he wants to move up in the warren and will do anything to get there.  I thought we needed someone who really wanted to impress you so would do anything to kill Halgrass."

 

"And if he beats Dewclaw?"  Darkclaw-Rah spoke quietly as though the thought of it didn't really matter to him.  Captain Ebony once again spoke back.  "Sir, if he fails then he has no place in our owsla, but Halgrass will have been softened up enough for Captain Shadow to finish the job off, especially if you put Halgrass back to work again the next day.  News will get around the warren that hope of escaping is foolish to even think of."

 

 Darkclaw-Rah smiled.  "Ah, Captain Shadow has proven loyal to me on such an occasion, so have you as well Captain."  He saw Captain Ebony bow his head slightly.  "So I shall let Captain Shadow have his fun with Halgrass and if by chance Dewclaw does kill Halgrass then we have a potential new higher officer in our warren so we win either way."

 

"I am glad that you approve, sir."  Captain Ebony said back as he rose back up again.  "Is there any other orders that you want to give me sir?"  Captain Ebony asked.  Darkclaw-Rah thought for a moment and shook his head.  "No, there's nothing else you can do for me at the moment.  You may go and sort out who is on duty and who shall watch the fight tonight." 

 

Turning around, Captain Ebony replied back.  "Thank you sir."  Without saying another word he headed out of the burrow, nodded to the two sentries and walked down the run.  As he came to the end of the burrow he caught an officer walking down another run towards him and stopped him.  "Crass, please go find Dewclaw for me and ask him to come to my burrow.  Do it now, I need to have a word with him immediately."    Crass nodded his head.  "Aye sir."  Before running off down a run, leaving Captain Ebony alone with a smile, before he continued on his way.

 

 ***

 

Captain Ebony didn't have long before he saw Dewclaw lurking about outside of his burrow and he called out.  "Come in, make yourself comfortable Dewclaw."  Watching carefully as the strong buck came into the burrow.  "Thank you sir, you wanted to see me sir?"  Dewclaw said as he laid down on the floor, looking back at the burrow's owner.

 

"That I do."  Captain Ebony replied back.  "I've been watching you a lot lately, what with your practise sessions and also in your combat.  I think you're ready to show us just what you are made for?"  He saw Dewclaw nod his head and continued on.  "What would you say if I offered you the chance to fight this newcomer, Halgrass?"

 

Not getting an answer right away, Dewclaw seemed to be thinking about matters before he nodded his head.  "I would love to sir, when will it be held?"  He listened as Captain Ebony replied back to him.  "It would be tonight, is that enough time?  Or would you like more time to get ready?"  The second question was spoken as if the captain didn't think that Dewclaw was up to it.

 

 Dewclaw shook his head back to Captain Ebony.  "No sir, I don't need anymore time, I had practise today before Frith came up.  I am ready for the fight."  Captain Ebony nodded as he spoke.  "Then that's all I wanted to talk to you about, please arrive on time."

 

Getting up, Dewclaw nodded his head.  "Yes sir."  Backing out of the burrow the buck vanished from sight, leaving Captain Ebony alone as he thought quietly to himself.   

 

Chapter 28 - Halgrass vs Dewclaw

The rest of the day had been building up with tension throughout the warren and also relief.  The relief came as news was that no other worker rabbit would have to face the new champion, Halgrass that night which meant that no one was going to be picked to face certain death out under the glow of Inle.

 

Must of the officers had noticed this new reaction and they had become more bullish towards them throughout the day, upping their workloads.  Captain Shadow was annoyed when he had heard that his officers had come with reports of a few that had nearly came to speaking back at them that he had threatened to kill any that he caught in the act of not working fully.

 

However angry or annoyed Captain Shadow was, it couldn't face the anger that Inlo was showing at the moment as he shouted out at Birch, Straw and Bracken down the run.  "Come on you three, get a work on."  He came down the run slightly and glared at them.  "You've been slack since Halgrass hasn't been around to help you out."  Seeing Birch poke his head out from the new burrow that was being dug out he growled.  "Who told you to get out, get back inside and dig out that burrow!"

 

 Birch ducked back out of sight from where Inlo was glaring at him and moved back to where Straw was.  "I told you not to put your head out, he's quite annoyed today."  Straw muttered as he continued to work on making the burrow bigger.

 

Birch frowned.  "What's his problem anyways, he's had a sore head all throughout the day since we were told Halgrass was okay... Oh..."  Birch turned his head around and frowned.  "Is that it?"

 

Straw shook his head.  "No, then again maybe part of it but I think Inlo is mad because, well he never got picked to fight Halgrass tonight.  I've seen this before."  Straw paused in his digging and sat up properly.  "Looks like Halgrass is going to fight an officer tonight which means they've finally want to see if he can beat one of them."

 

"You're not serious, he's been fighting every Inle for Frith's sake."  Birch said as he looked at Straw who grinned back.  "It hasn't been, you see Halgrass hasn't fought every night, he just thinks he has that's all.  We lose so much time down here that we don't know when Frith is up or when he is down, they have other fights in between when Halgrass fights.  So we don't know how many days has passed.  Well, I think that's correct, not sure anymore.  Never saw the light from Frith like before for a while."  Straw smiled.  "I nearly forgot what Frith looked like."

 

 Birch nodded.  "I was wondering why you were squinting a bit."  He gave a frown.  "How many actually have seen Frith here?"  He looked back and hushed up quickly as Inlo was looking in their burrow before moving off again as Straw replied back, whispering.  "Some haven't seen it since they arrived, most don't see Frith again.  They only end up either dying down here or dying under Inle's gaze."  Shuddering, Birch felt a cold shiver run along his spine as he hoped that they could get out of here. 

 

His thoughts were taken away as Inlo was shouting again, his voice forcing it's way into Birch's mind.  "And you should know that you be watching Halgrass fight tonight, in case you may or haven't been told.  You can watch him be killed by one of our officers."

 

"Ah, that's what is wrong then."  Straw said with a subtle hint of sarcasm in his voice as Birch turned to look at him.  "He's annoyed he wasn't chosen to fight Hark and possibly gain a promotion."

 

"Straw!"  Birch whispered loudly as he frowned.  "Halgrass will win, this isn't one of those times where he's going to lie down and let some hraka officer here gain another rank while he lies dead on the ground."

 

 Straw frowned.  "I know, I was only saying Birch, that is what is bothering Inlo at the moment.  I don't know why he doesn't just go ahead and challenge someone else and get it over with."

 

Birch just growled slightly.  "Well, lets keep this work going or he find a way to not let us go up on top tonight which is something we don't want."   Both nodded their heads as they continued to work hard.  Outside in the run, Bracken had made progress during the day since they had arrived back from the top with their meeting with Halgrass and he was about to make more headway with the run when he heard Inlo come up behind him.  "That's enough for this run, go help with the burrows, I want at least two more burrows dug before the end of the shift." 

 

Bracken frowned at Inlo but he had already turned around and missed the look as Bracken slowly followed Inlo to where the burrow was where Birch and Straw was.  "Er, Straw, I need Birch, can you finish this one off."  Bracken slowly came into the burrow and frowned.  "He wants two more burrows done before the end of our shift."

 

 "He wants what?!"  Birch nearly shouted in annoyance but his voice was muffled out by Straw who had placed a paw over the other buck's mouth.  "Shhh, do you want even more work given by him, he's in a foul mood as it is."

 

Birch didn't move but once Straw had removed his paw from his muzzle he spoke quietly.  "Sorry, okay let's get this done then."  Moving out of the burrow, Bracken turned to look at Straw who nodded.  "It's okay, this one is practically finished."  Bracken nodded and headed out.

 

Seeing Birch who had found another place in the run to start digging, Bracken came up next to him and whispered.  "So what were you talking about inside with Straw?"  He looked back to where Inlo was busy brooding at the end of the run, talking quietly to another rabbit as he turned his head back again.

 

Birch replied back.  "Oh Straw thinks that Inlo our great working motivated is having a bad day because he wasn't picked to fight our great powerful Halgrass and win, gaining promotion and fame."

 

Bracken blinked at Birch.  "So you noticed it too?  Well, it runs in any warren sometimes when some rabbit wants to move on and upwards."  He began to start digging at the wall alongside Birch and carried on talking quietly.  "Maybe the higher you go, the better the does you get.  Though it's just a guess at the moment."

 

 Birch nodded.  "I know and that what scares me, what if we fail, I mean we don't know what this warren has."  Frowning more as he spoke.  "Not that I like to stay and have Inlo shout at me when he's having a bad day or that, just that I ain't sure I want to die either."

 

Bracken nodded.  "Well, it's trying or being a prisoner here until they force you to fight another rabbit or you end up being too old that they send you out to be killed by elil so you're going to die by them either way.  You're not having second thoughts are you?"

 

Birch shook his head.  "No, just on edge, worried, angry.  I've been...  Oh I don't know, something has been bugging me all the time since I arrived here, what with that stoat scaring me half to death and now only seeing Frith once since we came here.  You know, I like a nice warm burrow from time to time but I want to go and get some fresh air more, at least stretch my legs and run.  Before I can't that is."

 

Bracken smiled as he looked at Birch.  "I thought we lost there there for a moment, keep thinking like that and you be back to your old self."  Birch nodded his head.  "It's been quite a tharn ride so far.  Bracken...  Have you had time to think about the others?  Blueberry, Carbi for instance?"

 

 "They're always in my mind, that's if they survived and all."  Bracken replied back.  "Though I hope they are having a better time out there than what we are having at the moment.  Being forced to stay down below, no freedom.  I am hoping that they found a better warren.  Even if its under the command of the Black Rabbit himself."

 

Birch nodded his head back slowly.  "Me, too but I hope that they're alive someplace though.  I don't think anything would be worse than here, Carbi wouldn't have survived."  Birch frowned before continuing.  "I am sure Blueberry would've though but not sure if it would be him facing the fights than Halgrass though."

 

Bracken chuckled.  "Hmmm, he was always the sort to challenge everything wasn't he?"  He looked at Birch and quietly asked.  "What's wrong?"  Birch sighed.  "I don't like this plan of Halgrass's, I mean we can't leave him.  Surely we can get him out as well?"  Bracken shook his head.  "You heard what he said to us before, if we have a chance of getting away, we should take it.   Birch he may die in this fight, let's not make it in vain shall we?"

 

 Birch was about to reply back when he heard Captain Ebony who had turned up to talk to Inlo and both went quiet as they worked listening in as best as they could.

 

Inlo looked at Captain Ebony arrive at the end of the run where he gave the two working bucks a look before moving his head back to where Captain Ebony is and bowed his head.  "Hello sir.  Work is going according to plan here."  He paused.  "Is there anything that I can do for you?"

 

"Yes there is, you're relieved, Captain Shadow wishes to speak with you, I shall keep an eye on these for a few moments.  The fight is nearly upon us."  Captain Ebony replied back as he looked at Inlo who tried to hide a frown.  "Is there a problem?"

 

Inlo blinked and looked away from Captain Ebony before returning his gaze back again.  "No sir...  Well sir I thought that maybe this time I had a chance of fighting an outsider."  He went quiet again as he backed away from Captain Ebony who lifted a paw.

 

"Inlo, that's why I would never pick you.  Now get going and report to Captain Shadow before I change my mind and pick someone else."  Captain Ebony snorted and watched as Inlo went around Captain Ebony, pressing his side to the wall and running off.

 

 Birch continued to work as he gave a sideways glance to Bracken who just twitched his nose in return as the felt some more soil fall to the ground as their paws scraped downwards.  Captain Ebony watched for a few moments and started to walk up the run and stopped after taking a few steps.  "Right you three...  Where's Straw?"

 

Straw popped his head out of a burrow and replied back, bowing his head.  "I am here sir."  The buck's voice sounding timid as Bracken gave a frown but it relented as he reminded himself that this place changed you over time.

 

"Good."  Captain Ebony replied back as he looked at the three.  "Straw, get out here, you're work for the time being is finished.  It is time for you three to come on up and see your friend fight.  Let's hope he shall give us a good show, hmm?"

 

Bracken turned to face Captain Ebony and glared at him.  "You really think that whoever you picked will be able to take down Halgrass quickly?  Well, keep thinking that."  Birch flinched only slightly as Captain Ebony shouted back.  "Did I ask for your opinion, no I didn't.  Now come on, we haven't got time to waste on you."  Captain Ebony backed up and nodded for them to head off to the right.

 

 Moving along, Bracken went ahead first and gave Captain Ebony another glare as he passed him, turning around to face a small group of rabbits waiting for them.  Not saying a word he led Birch and Straw as they all began with Captain Ebony leading up from the rear down the run.

 

***

 

Darkclaw-Rah looked up to the sky and frowned, there was thick cloud cover that was blocking the moon as he looked back down again, noticing Captain Shadow running up towards him and jumping on the log.  Moving his head towards Darkclaw-Rah, he whispered something quietly to him.  "All is prepared.."  Without saying a word, Captain Shadow hopped off the log and headed into the undergrowth behind Darkclaw-Rah and vanished from sight.

 

It wasn't long afterwards that Darkclaw-Rah saw Captain Ebony come up with the other three rabbits, the chief hadn't seen the others since they had arrived and liked that they had started to look like the others, thinning out as they were starting to show signs of not being as healthy than they were.

 

Coming to the centre of the area, Captain Ebony told the others to wait as he ran off towards Darkclaw-Rah, leaving Birch, Bracken and Straw to look about seeing the other rabbits forming a circle around them.  Bracken turned his head to where Captain Ebony had jumped up onto the fallen log and was talking closely to his chief.

 

 Soon though, Captain Ebony came back running and looked at the other officers.  "They're to watch over there."  Pointing to a place where they were to go.  Turning around, Captain Ebony went and headed back to where Darkclaw-Rah was as Birch, Bracken and Straw were led over to one end of the circle were some officers moved to the side and allowed them to get in line with officers sitting down beside them.

 

Bracken looked out as he saw the officers that were up and about moving about slightly, making a lot of noise as they saw Darkclaw-Rah get up on his log and held up a paw for silence.  The whole place went quiet apart from the noises elsewhere in the night, the sound of a far off owl, the chiming of a far away clock in a village chimed.  "The time has finally come where we shall see our own, pure bred.  Dewclaw."  He got a cheer from that as he smiled, looking to where Dewclaw walked into the clearing to more cheers from the rabbits surrounding the edge of the clear space.

 

All three had to lower their ears as they winced to the sound that the other rabbits were making, Bracken slowly ended up opening his eyes first before the other two followed as the noise died down and he could see Dewclaw for the first time, a large rabbit, well built and trained like a owsla officer.  He muttered quietly under his breath to Birch and Straw, each were to the side of him.  "Great, he's a fighter."

 

 Neither Birch or Straw could get in a word of their own as they heard Darkclaw-Rah speak out aloud again.  "And here if his challenge, the rabbit that came to our warren, got fooled by Captain Shadow and ended up to work for us, to fight for us."  Darkclaw-Rah smiled as he turned his head to the three rabbits in the distance.  "And the one responsible for Rose being killed.  Halgrass."

 

The noise of boo'ing from the other rabbits was deafening as Halgrass came out into the arena guarded by two other rabbits who turned and went to where the circle was.  Halgrass was glaring right at Darkclaw-Rah as he moved slowly towards the centre, his eyes moving to the other rabbit in the area which was Dewclaw.

 

Birch muttered under his breath.  "I still don't like this, Bracken..."  He didn't say anything else as he looked to where Darkclaw-Rah was as he spoke again.  "So, Halgrass...  Here is your final challenge before you get the chance to challenge Captain Shadow for his position.  I see that some of your injuries have cleared up but you do seem to have a few that haven't.  Well, that shouldn't stop a arrogant buck like yourself."  There was laughter coming from the others as Darkclaw-Rah spoke one more word.  "Fight!"  He slowly sat down to watch.

 

 Dewclaw began to make his way towards Halgrass who edged forward slowly watching the other buck carefully.  Bracken frowned as he saw Dewclaw get in a early hit suddenly out from nowhere as he muttered under his breath.  "Come on Halgrass, you walked into that one."

 

Halgrass recovered quickly as he ducked under Dewclaw's strike and headbutted the other buck in the belly, sending him falling over onto his tail before moving onto his back.  Bracken smiled with his friends as they saw the rest growl at that, Birch turning to look at Darkclaw-Rah who wasn't looking very pleased.  Birch felt Bracekn nudge him as he turned his attention back to the fight.

 

Dewclaw growled as he managed to get away from Halgrass, scrambling around before launching another attack, his claws catching one of Halgrass's ears as he pulled downwards.  Halgrass resisted as he felt the ear rip as he growled loudly.  Dewclaw suddenly rakes his claws on Halgrass's neck with his other paw as Halgrass jumped back in pain.

 

Straw watched as he turned his head to where Birch and Bracken were watching in total horror, Halgrass was injured as his neck bled staining his frontal fur.  Moving his head back to what was happening in the match, he could see Dewclaw moving for another blow, rising up onto his hind legs and forced both of his fore paws down hard on Halgrass's head.  Bracken was growling.  "What on Frith's earth is he doing?"

 

 Birch muttered back as he saw Halgrass walk backwards as Dewclaw scratched at his face again.  "Oh Zorn!  He isn't!"  Bracken stared and growled louder as the group of officers all around were watching now, even those that were beside them and he then understood.  Moving his head to the side each way, he checked on what Darkclaw-Rah was doing and then whispered.  "Let's go, now..."

 

Birch didn't move as he saw Halgrass taking more damage as he felt Bracken scratch him on his side.  Coming out of his attention of the fight, he turned around to see that Straw had moved off and Bracken looked at Birch before nodding quietly.  Birch nodded back and took one look back as he turned, walking away quietly himself.

 

From the corner of his eye, Halgrass while continuing to be on the defensive saw his friends make a move and he returned his gaze back to Dewclaw who was getting bolder with each minute.  Halgrass stumbled on the floor as Dewclaw jumped right at him, but Halgrass rolled over away from the attack as Dewclaw growled, only finding grass.

 

 Dewclaw in his rage, turned around quickly and got his claws to strike on the hind leg of Halgrass which brought the officers around the clearing to cheer even louder as Halgrass took another beating under Dewclaw's paws and teeth.

 

Moving away from the place, Birch, Bracken and Straw had entered where the copse was properly, moving about slowly as they heard the fight continue to go in Dewclaw's way as Bracken frowned, fuming deep within himself.  Birch didn't look that good as Straw moved ahead slowly, stopping now and again as he looked about before stopping.  Bracken came up alongside him, whispering.  "What?"

 

Straw sniffed about again and shook his head, whispering back.  "Nothing, just not sure where the other rabbits are, if they are about?"   Bracken moved past and frowned.  "We don't have time for this, Halgrass won't let that buck beat up on him too long, come on."

 

Following Bracken, they made their way through to the edge of the copse without any problems.  Looking out to the world beyond, they each looked at each other as Bracken gave an order.  "Its dark, keep close so that we won't lose each other.  Move quick and fast and stop in the long grass.  I shall check to see if it's okay to move on.  We need to get to the river and cross it by morning.  If we can find it the river, that is."

 

 Looking about, all three of them moved out into the clearing as Bracken ran ahead with Birch and Straw behind him, they made it to the first patch of long grass and came to a stop, the sound of the fight had left them as they couldn't hear a thing, each of them panting heavily.  Bracken though looked up and about but couldn't see any movement from the copse at all, turning his head back to the other two, he came back on all fours and spoke.  "Right, enough rest.  Let's get going."  Without saying another word, they continued on their way.

 

Inlo had turned his head around from where he was posted as he listened to the fight, muttering to himself as he frowned.  "That could've been me in there, winning against that hraka Halgrass..."  Unbeknown to him, three dark shadows had made their way across the field and vanished in the long grass out of sight.  Sighing from more cheers again he turned his head back again, muttering.  "Nothing is happening here either..."

 

***

 

Halgrass growled as he landed on the ground again, his whole body was aching from the cuts he had received from Dewclaw and he suddenly snapped.  The rabbits sitting there watching gasped as he suddenly started to lay into Dewclaw who backed away from Halgrass's anger.  "That's enough!"  Halgrass shouted as he began to slash at Dewclaw's face.

 

 The mood within the clearing changed from cheering to outrage as they saw Dewclaw begin to lose the fight for the time being.  Darkclaw-Rah was outraged as he watched one of his supposed good future officers being beaten up as he turned his head to Captain Ebony.  "I thought you said that he was a good fighter?"

 

"He is, fights go one way then the other you know."  Captain Ebony said as he blinked, looking at Darkclaw-Rah.  "I am sure that he's going to get back in this fight."  Darkclaw-Rah nodded his head as he watched the fight still.  "I hope that you are right.  How's our other guests doing, they better not be enjoying this part of the fight."

 

Captain Ebony turned around as he looked to where Bracken, Birch and Straw should be and he jumped out onto the clearing as Darkclaw-Rah growled with clench teeth.  "What are you doing?"  Captain Ebony turned his head back at Darkclaw-Rah, Captain Ebony spoke.  "They're gone."

 

Dewclaw blinked as he heard the shouts of Darkclaw-Rah and turned his head around but it was a fatal mistake to make.  Halgrass went for the killer bite and as he watched Dewclaw shocked face still on him, his neck bleeding with a fatal cut, he fell to the ground as Halgrass smiled.  He could see Darkclaw-Rah running up towards him but he kept on smiling, breathing heavily from the fight.

 

Chapter 29 - Run Rabbit Run to the River...

Darkclaw-Rah came to a stop right in front of Halgrass, ignoring the dead form of Dewclaw who had that look of shock still on his face.  "Where are they?!"  Darkclaw-Rah shouted at Halgrass with a frown.

 

Halgrass replied back simply.  "Where are who?"  Halgrass turned his head to look about the group of rabbits there were making their way towards them, closing off any other escape as he turned to look at Darkclaw-Rah again.  "I thought I was told that my friends would be watching this match?"

 

Captain Ebony cuffed Halgrass hard on the head as he growled.  "Don't play games with us."  He looked at Darkclaw-Rah who nodded his head as Captain Ebony stood up from his hind legs.  "Stay where you are."  Lowering back down again he listened to what Darkclaw-Rah had to say.  "So they were but I suppose that they left."  Darkclaw-Rah said.  "Well, we don't have anymore use for you now.  I am going to cancel your fight with Captain Shadow.

 

Halgrass blinked as he growled, lowering his body as he bared his teeth.  "You liar, you absolutely hraka.  Call yourself a chief, you're nothing, nothing at all!"  He was about to jump at Darkclaw-Rah but Captain Ebony blocked his way.  "Shall I give the order to kill him, sir?"  Captain Ebony asked as he looked right at Halgrass.

 

 Darkclaw-Rah nodded his head.  "So ordered."  Halgrass stared opened eyed as he turned and ran while Captain Ebony took flight.  Unfortunately for Halgrass, he didn't get twelve bounds before he was brought down by several large rabbits as they tore into him, Captain Ebony came up to him and smiled.  "Goodbye."  Without saying a word, he gave Halgrass a fatal scratch on the neck as he nodded to the others to back off.

 

Halgrass lay there, breathing heavily as he felt his body starting to go lighter, he muttered something under his breath.  "For my chief....."  No one else heard those words as Halgrass slowly closed his eyes and with a few more breaths, his side rising and falling, it fell and didn't rise again.

 

Darkclaw-Rah smiled as he looked about and then blinked as he saw Captain Shadow running towards him.  "What is he doing here?"  Darkclaw-Rah growled as he saw Captain Shadow push past some of the other rabbits and looked at the dead form of Halgrass.  "The fight's over?"  Captain Shadow asked as he looked at Darkclaw-Rah.  "So they didn't escape then?"

 

 The look on Darkclaw-Rah went from anger to confusion and then worry as he looked down at the dead form of Halgrass and back up to where Captain Shadow was.  "You mean, not one of your officer raised the alarm to you?"

 

Captain Shadow shook his head but didn't have time to answer as Darkclaw-Rah roared.  "I want this whole warren checked.  Make sure no one else has escaped!  I want this whole copse searched all over, they have to be found!  Do it now!"  Everyone around Darkclaw-Rah left as he moved off to look for the three with the others.  Captain Shadow looked down at where Halgrass lay and he lowered his head, sitting there as he spoke.  "I misjudged you.  You were more wiser than I had let on to believe.  Taking your life for your friends."  Placing a paw on top of Halgrass's head, Captain Shadow nodded slowly.  "I won't underestimate your friends."  Without saying another word, he headed off to search himself.

 

***

 

Bracken, Birch and Straw came to a stop in the cow field again, though it was clear for this time in the day.  It had been a few hours since they had left the warren and Bracken came to a stop in the middle of the field and stood up looking about while the other two caught their breath.  "It doesn't look like we're being followed."  Bracken said quietly as he looked at Birch who turned his head away.  Moving back down to all fours, Bracken moved to get in front of Birch and spoke gently.  "Birch, Halgrass made his decision.  We were going to die in there."

 

 Birch snarled and cuffed Bracken hard on the head as he spoke loudly.  "I don't care.  He shouldn't have had to face that alone with all those...."  He sighed and laid down on the grass as Bracken shook his head, placing a paw on Birch's head.  "I know, but he was protecting us, it was his duty."  Bracken closed his eyes as he continued to speak gently.  "We have lost a lot of our friends and I miss them as well."  Removing his paw, Bracken slowly lowered his head as his front paws joined together.  Straw did the same as Birch seeing what was being done, slowly got to his hind legs and did the same.  Bracken spoke softly.  "My heart is sad, for my friend stopped running today..."

 

Birch opened his eyes as he spoke.  "Bracken...  I'm sorry..."  He looked as he saw Bracken nod his head.  "I know, I'm mad as well but we have to honour him by surviving and we won't get anywhere if we're found.  We need to find a place to hide for the day, only travel at night if we can help it."  He looked about and frowned.  "Straw, should we travel by night or by day?"

 

 Straw looked about as he munched on some of the grass.  "I think any night that is clear or during the day.  I don't want to be near another copse again during the night or any to be honest if we have to."

 

Bracken nodded his head as he looked at Birch.  "I think we should travel in both, but if it's fog again like last time I am not going to move us on."  He saw Birch nod his head as they looked about and eventually Bracken nodded his head.  "We make for the river and cross it again, that should help to get rid of our scent."  He saw Birch make a face but he nodded.  "I know, but it won't be long before they send some out to search for us.  We can fine a place to hide on the other side, we let the river take us down a bit before getting out.  Come on, let's go."

 

Moving in the direction that they thought the river was, Bracken began to move about the field until they came to the hedge and slowly walked up to it.  All three were being careful as they sniffed at it before slipping inside as Birch looked behind him, thinking that someone was following them but he couldn't see anyone.  Bracken had noticed it and he looked at Birch.  "Please don't tell me you have those feelings again?"

 

 Birch shook his head.  "No, not like last time, just that I am scared that we're being followed.  Bracken looked back and shook his head.  "I don't feel a thing so that's a good sign, let's get going."

 

Moving through the field, Bracken began to see things that he saw on the way through here and he smiled at Birch.  "It looks like we're heading back the way we came.  This is what we're going to do.  We shall pretend to swim across the river, but we won't."  Straw blinked as he ran alongside them in the field.  "What do you mean?"  He said, looking about as Birch suddenly smiled.  "Oh that's clever."  Birch turned his head around to look at Straw.  "We entered the river but we keep hold to the bank and head back up against the current.  After a while we pull ourselves out and keep to this side of the river."

 

Straw blinked.  "And that would help us how?"  He stared as Bracken grinned.  "Well, if they think we are on the other side of the river, then they can meet those crazy humans with dogs and hombas.  Should be a nice surprise for them I think."

 

 ***

 

Back in the copse, Inlo was still standing about looking out for when the other rabbits were supposed to leave like anyone else when he couldn't hear anything in the clearing anymore.  Thinking that the fight was over, he waited like the others not willing to leave his post in case he got into trouble.

 

Twitching an ear, Inlo heard another rabbit come through the bush as Captain Shadow turned up.  "Has anyone left this copse or passed through here?"  He asked urgently.  Inlo blinked as he replied back.  "No, no one at all came through here.  What's wrong?"

 

Growling quietly, Captain Shadow replied.  "Bracken, Birch and Straw have disappeared, you sure you didn't see anyone leave through here?"  Inlo thought back and he felt a shiver run up along his back but shook his head.  "No, no one."

 

Pouncing, Captain Shadow growled as he landed on top of Inlo with his teeth bared, staring into Inlo's eyes.  "Did you see anyone pass through here?"  Inlo swallowed as he shivered underneath Captain Shadow and replied back.  "I may have been distracted for a moment or two to not know if anyone did leave..."

 

 Captain Shadow ended up growling more.  "WHAT?!"  This made Inlo stop shivering from shock as Captain Shadow lifted up a paw and brought it down.  Closing his eyes, Inlo thought it would be the last thing he would see but he slowly opened them again to see the paw hovering over his face.  Captain Shadow growled.  "You're not getting away that easily."  Looking about he called out.  "I need some help!"  Inlo winced as he saw two more rabbits arrive as Captain Shadow spoke.  "He's under arrest, bring him with me, we shall let Darkclaw-Rah here this news from his own voice."

 

Inlo was worried as he made his way to the clearing as Captain Ebony was fuming within himself.  Finding someone looking about around the edge of the clearing he called over to him.  "Go find Darkclaw-Rah and Captain Shadow right now."

 

It wasn't long before the officer was coming back across the clearing with Darkclaw-Rah and Captain Shadow behind him as Inlo felt his whole body go cold.  He wanted to get away but he could feel the two officers beside him, pressing their bodies against his so that he was stuck for the time being.

 

 Captain Ebony ran up ahead and came to a stop as Darkclaw-Rah slowed down and stopped in front of him.  "Well, what do you want?"  Captain Ebony could tell that Darkclaw-Rah was in a bad mood.  Nodding his head, he spoke.  "Sir, it would appear that they may not be in here after all and did escape."

 

Seeing Darkclaw-Rah tense up, Captain Ebony carried on quickly.  "It was Inlo sir, he didn't keep an eye out all the time, he was interested in the fight and took his eyes off his post sir."

 

"He did what?!"  Darkclaw-Rah went past Captain Ebony and went straight for Inlo, the two guards got out of the way fast as the large rabbit knocked Inlo to the ground before placing his body on top of Inlo.  "You did what?!"

 

Inlo squirmed underneath Darkclaw-Rah as he swallowed.  "I...I...  I took my mind off my duty sir.  I'm sorry...."  Gasping suddenly as he felt the paw press down on his throat, Captain Shadow came up to where Darkclaw-Rah was and spoke softly.  "Sir, if I could make a suggestion."

 

"What is it?"  Darkclaw-Rah said angrily, still not removing his paw from Inlo who was choking, his body squirming underneath the Chief's body.  Captain Shadow smiled.  "Inlo has clearly failed in his duties and I know that means that he should die but I have a better idea for him."

 

 Darkclaw-Rah growled as he looked at Captain Shadow.  "Will you just get on with it?"  Captain Shadow nodded.  "Why not put him with the others, make him work on the run that our prisoners were working on and let him be on the other side.  Then he can fight, if he wins all he can get his position back but if he ends up dying then at least it be a slow death."

 

Inlo felt the pressure on his throat lessen as Darkclaw-Rah looked down at him before Inlo took a took deep breath of air as he nodded his head.  Lowering his head down he spoke the words that made Inlo wish that he had been killed.  "You're out of my owsla, Inlo, disgraced and shall never reap the rewards when our new leader arrives.  From now on you're just like any other rabbit, forced to work to build our warren ready, fight when we want you to and eat when we say."  Looking upwards again, Darkclaw-Rah nodded to the two officers.  "Take him down to where the others where, he shall continue to make that run ready."

 

The two guards nodded their heads, as Darkclaw-Rah lifted his paw off and moved away, made their way to get Inlo up as Darkclaw-Rah looked at Inlo.  "And you will work alone, live alone and if I ever hear that you have said that they have escaped.  You never get back into the owsla again, got it?!"

 

 "Please, I do anything else, just not that."  Inlo said as he was dragged off, Darkclaw-Rah ignored him as he turned around.  "Give him a few days and arrange an accident.  I won't have him in my owsla again."  Captain Ebony nodded his head as Darkclaw-Rah frowned.  "So they did manage to escape.  Shadow, get what you need and begin to track them down.  We need to know where they came from.  They will be heading home no doubt."

 

Captain Ebony spoke.  "You don't believe their place was destroyed then?"  Darkclaw-Rah shook his head.  "It's been used before but we found the warren after one of them escaped."  Darkclaw-Rah turned his head back to where Captain Shadow was.  "If you think its best to kill them, do it."  Darkclaw-Rah frowned.  "Take some that they haven't seen before, get them to arrive in the warren and discredit their story, you know what to do."

 

Captain Shadow nodded and turned, heading off away from them as Darkclaw-Rah turned to look at Captain Ebony.  "We best get this warren ready, the time for our saviour comes close, it has been foretold."  They both turned around as Darkclaw-Rah spoke.  "Make sure that the rest of the warren knows that Halgrass died as did his friends, but Dewclaw was killed when his friends interrupted the fight and cheated."  Captain Ebony nodded his head.  "I know what to do, it shall be done."

 

 ***

 

The three rabbits came up to a road as Bracken came to a stop and sniffed it, the smell of tarmac was filling his nose as he pulled his head up to get away from the un-natural smell.  Lifting his paw up to rub at his nose, he looked up and down it.  "Okay, I think the river is near here."  Birch came up alongside him and nodded his head.  "Perhaps but I don't think we came this far did we?"  He looked about and frowned.  "Just where are we anyways?  I can't hear the water at all?"

 

Straw had placed a paw on the road as if testing it before lifting it up again and looking underneath his paw with a puzzled look.  Slowly he placed his paw back on the road again as something slowly began to come back to him as he muttered.  "Hrududu run on this, right?"

 

Bracken and Birch turned to face Straw who didn't notice them looking for the moment.  "Hmm, always make sure that you don't stop with the smell...  No, that's not.  Don't get in between the lights, that's it."  He stopped and turned to look at both Bracken and Birch.  "Sorry, it's been a while, was I talking to myself?"

 

 Birch nodded.  "Er, yes you were.  I didn't think you did that?"  Bracken turned to look at what Birch had said but turned his head around to face Straw again.  "It's okay, we should cross this then?" 

 

Straw nodded his head.  "Yes, while it's quiet."  He slowly stepped out onto the road, his body stopping after he had all four paws on the tarmac and looked about again.  "Hmm, looks like a river, though you can stand on it.  Great!"  He then ran across the road until halfway and stopped, turning around as he rose on his hind legs at Bracken and Birch.  "Well, you two coming along?"

 

Bracken smiled as he started across the road, watching Straw turn around and ran over to the other side before disappearing through the hedge.  Birch was right behing Bracken as all three came into the next field as Straw was smiling.  "I love it, the open area, fresh air."  He lowered his head down into the grass and bit a few glades, chewing it.  "I missed this for so long."  Straw had his ears up tall and proud as Bracken smiled.  "Well, it looks like Halgrass will be happy."

 

 Birch nodded his head.  "Yeah but I still miss him.."  He hopped forwards and came next to Straw.  "Come on, we have a lot more to show you again."  Bracken nodded his head as he looked about again and nodded.  "Yes, like the river if we can find it."  The buck stood there, sniffing the air and with a gentle breeze he smelt water.  "I think it's this way.  Come on."

 

***

 

Captain Shadow had found three more officers.  Tallow, Dropwort and Snowberry who came up to meet Captain Shadow waiting for his return to the clearing.  They saw him coming back up as he looked at the three of them.  "Right, we need to find where these rabbits have gone."  Not saying another word, he nodded his head and began to lead the three to the edge of the clearing as they entered the overgrowth.

 

Snowberry had taken the lead next to where Captain Shadow was and frowned.  "And who's bright idea was it to let them get out without being spotted?"  He ducked under a branch as Captain Shadow replied back with a growl.  "That fool Inlo, he was too interested in that fight than keeping an eye out."

 

 Dropwort replied back from behind them.  "So, they have a head start on us, doesn't mean we won't catch them up."  Tallow nodded his head.  "Aye and then we can bring them down if necessary."

 

Captain Shadow frowned as he replied back, the group fastly approaching where Inlo was situated on the edge of the copse.  "Maybe, but we have a lot of work to do now thanks to Inlo." 

 

Eventually they came to where Inlo was situated as all of them looked out into the open countryside that lay out in front of them.  Captain Shadow frowned but he saw no movement at all in the area, Halgrass was being taken out in another part in the country to await something to pick him up as Captain Shadow nodded for them to leave the copse.

 

Snowdrop moved ahead now as he sniffed the ground, moving about slowly, hopping in front of the group as they waited.  Captain Shadow was doing the same as the other two were looking about for any elil or other passing rabbits.  Coming to his hind legs, Captain Shadow looked to where Snowdrop is and muttered.  "We have to hurry this up, we can't betray our warren's location just yet."

 

 Nodding his head, Snowdrop didn't reply in words as he stopped and got up onto his hind legs and nodded.  "I think I have found something."  He felt the other three come up to where he was.  "They went through here."  Moving back down onto his fours again, he lowered his head and sniffed.  "Yes, they headed out this way."  Moving along, Captain Shadow smiled as he followed Snowdrop with the other two behind him.

 

***

 

Bracken had come to a stop again and frowned.  "I can smell water but I can't hear it yet, we must be lost."  He looked about on his hind legs with a frown.  "We could've ended up coming out anywhere in that copse." 

 

Birch nodded his head.  "Well, we're in the same sort of fields that we came through on the way to that copse."  He hopped about and sniffed the ground.  "I can smell cows so we must be in the same place, right?"  Looking up again to stare over the grass before turning his head back to where Bracken was still standing on his hind legs.  "Does it matter where we are?  As long as we don't get caught?"

 

 Straw looked about and gave a shiver.  "Please, I don't want to even think about that, can't we just find this river or something and try to lose our tracks at least?"  Both Birch and Bracken nodded as they continued on their way again.

 

When they reached the end of one field and saw that on the other side of the hedge that they were out of grass, just soil was in front of them with smell rows of dug out earth that ran along the whole length of the field.  Bracken wasn't happy as he looked about before sniffing the ground.  "Okay, now we have gone the wrong way."  Looking up ahead he could see that there was a small building up ahead and he shuddered.  "We're pretty near to a farm."

 

Birch had backed away again into the hedge as he shivered.  "Okay, farm is bad, brings bad things.  We don't want to annoy man again."  Straw looked at where Birch was backing away and turned his head to where Bracken was.  "So your warren did get destroyed then?"  Bracken nodded his head.  "Yes, man was mad at us for stealing his food, we got a bit too bold with our raids."  Bracken said softly.  "So we're pretty much a hlessi now until we can find another warren that will accept us."  Pausing he turned his head around to where Straw was.  "Unless you know where your warren is, we can head that way?"

 

 Straw hopped forwards and stopped a bit away from where Bracken was, Birch was still hiding within the hedge as he shook his head.  "No, my warren is gone for me now, I won't risk it being found by Darkclaw-Rah."  He looked about and nodded.  "Okay, so if the farm isn't a good place to go to then we should head this way instead.  Hopefully we are far away for our scents to get lost in the morning dew."

 

Birch hearing this came out of the hedge as he sniffed the air, the smell of soil in the air as he hopped to where the other two where.  "You're really remembering what things are, aren't you?"

 

Straw nodded his head as they started to move in the new direction, heading along the hedge.  "Well, you never really forget it I think."  Straw said quietly.  "It just takes seeing things again in a new way to remember what you thought you lost."  Birch nodded his head.  "I suppose that's true."  They all carried on through the field, only disturbing a fieldmouse who squeaked at them before running off inside the hedge.

 

Chapter 30 - River Test & The Male Otter,

Watercress & The Iron Road

Captain Shadow had led his rabbits out of the field where his warren lay further up the shallow slope where the copse stood big and dark as he took a look back.  The group moved through the hedge as they entered the next field.

 

Snowdrop looked about as he sniffed the ground.  "They're still ahead of us but we should be fine before the morning dew hits, if we can't find them by then, I don't know what we do?"

 

Captain Shadow growled as he ran that bit faster.  "I tell you, if Inlo is still alive when I get back, I am going to kill him myself."  They carried on until they reached the end of the field and came up to a road where Snowdrop stopped and looked about.  "Not sure if they crossed or went down this..."

 

Dropwort stepped out onto the road and looked about one way and then the other, standing up on his hind legs and sniffed.  "I can smell a stoat."  Immediately the other rabbits croched down as Captain Shadow whispered low.  "Where?"

 

 Dropwort sniffed again and faced the direction that the wind was blowing.  "It's upwind from us at the moment so it can't smell us yet, we best be careful though, it could be somewhere in that hedge or in the field itself."

 

Tallow got up and moved forwards onto the tarmac with a growl.  "Well, if we can't out do a stoat then we aren't suitable for the great one or whatever we be calling him when he arrives."  Tallow ran over the length of the road and came to a stop as he began to sniff at the grass verge before looking back, nodding his head.

 

The rest followed across the road, one after each other as Snowberry sniffed the grass and muttered.  "They crossed here alright, looks like they're going straight on through this field."  Captain Shadow nodded as he moved into the hedge with the rest following and stuck his head out of the other end.  "Dropwort, go back to the other side and tell me when you can tell if that stoat is coming along the road."

 

"Right."  Dropwort said and turned around, hopping over to the other side of the hedge and moving out slightly so that he could get a good look down the road where he could smell the stench of the stoat in the air.

 

 Slowly, it was Tallow that spotted the stoat as it entered the field, carrying a small rat in it's muzzle.  Captain Shadow cursed under his breath as he looked at it moving across in it's slinky way, the head easily vanishing from time as it settled down to start eating the rat in the field.   "Well, that's torn it.."  Captain shadow said.  "Right, we can't go through this field, we have to go the long way around, back out to where Dropwort is."

 

Moving carefully backwards, not to disturb the hedge, Captain Shadow frowned as they made their way out onto the other side as they all sat on the verge of the road.  "Okay, let's get going."  Captain Shadow said as they slowly kept down wind from where the stoat was, not willing to get it's attention.  Dropwort took the lead, followed by Snowberry and Tallow kept by the side of Captain Shadow as they slowly moved along the thin verge edge.

 

Snowdrop looked up to the sky and frowned.  "Frith's starting to show signs of coming back."  Captain Shadow and the rest looked up as they saw the faint start of light beginning to make the dark sky a different shade of blue as Captain Shadow growled.  "Great, man will be up soon then."

 

 Moving along the verge quickly, they heard a sound coming in front of them, a hum that made all of them stop as they listened with erect ears.  As the sound got louder quickly, it was Dropwort that noticed the lights in the distance.  "Hrududu."  He said quietly, while looking at the two small lights growing bigger with each passing second.

 

"Hide!"  Captain Shadow said as they all turned and went into the hedge loudly, knowingly that they had made a noise that distracted the stoat in the field as it looked up from it's meal, looking in the area where the hedge had shook.  Dropwort felt the thick trunk hit his head as he felt Tallow behind him, pushing him on the rear.  Growling, Dropwort snarled.  "Stop pushing, I can't go any further..."

 

Tallow pulled back, allowing Dropwort to pull himself up, shaking his head as he muttered.  "Thanks..."  The sound of the car was now loud as Captain Shadow looked out of the bush, his body low to the ground as he hid behind the leaves, still staring at the bright lights as they became too bright for him to see.  Closing his eyes, the loud noise came and with a rush of air, the Land Rover had passed them.

 

 Feeling his fur all over the place on his head, Captain Shadow sneezed at the foul smell that the Land Rover had left behind and felt slightly ill in the head.  Spitting he muttered.  "I can never get used to that smell."

 

"Long-ears nearly get run over then?"  Came a cold voice from behind them as Tallow, Dropwort and Snowberry turned around to seeing a bloodied muzzle of the stoat poking in it's head.  "Maybe you prefer to die, my way, hmm?"

 

All four of them moved quickly as the stoat hissed and jumped into the hedge while Captain Shadow, Snowberry and Tallow got out of the hedge, moving onto the road and running down it.  Before the got a few paces down the road, they heard a squeal and Captain Shadow turned around to see the hedge rustle slightly before another ear piercing squeal and the hedge went still.

 

Turning around again, the three rabbits continued to run down the road but they slowly slowed down as the hard tarmac was tiring them out quicker than they had thought.  Panting heavily, Captain Shadow nodded for them to go back to the side of the road that they had come from in the first place and moving into another hedge, they rested panting hard.

 

 Panting heavily, Snowberry flopped onto the ground as he felt his heart racing.  Captain Shadow was in more of a foul mood than he was earlier that night when he looked out of the hedge before muttering.  "We rest here for a bit and continue on during the day."  Captain shadow turned his head around.  "Understood?"  He saw the other nod their head as they rested, the new day slowly starting to arrive as the sky got lighter.

 

***

 

Slowly the world around Bracken, Birch and Straw continued to awake around them as they moved through another field, full of grass now, the farm house was in the distance though they could hear movement coming from that direction.  Birch kept looking towards it from time to time as he heard a faint loud whistle coming from a kettle within the building that he turned his head back towards Bracken again and muttered.  "They're doing something un-natural in there, I tell you."

 

Bracken nodded as they came to a small ditch at the edge of the field and he looked down into it, smelling the water held within it.  "Birch, we've kept away from the place, they're not going to attack us."  A loud squeal came through the air as all three rabbits looked up and back to where they had come and Bracken frowned.  "That sounded like another rabbit being killed."  Growling he looked at the other two.  "We're being followed."  Bracken turned his head back and slowly hunched up before jumping over the ditch and scrambling up as he landed slightly short to the other side.  Coming up on his hind legs, he glared.  "Well, come on if you don't want to go back into that blasted place."

 

 Birch nodded as he ran up and jumped over the ditch, landing into the hedge as he muttered.  "You don't have to tell me twice."  Straw followed suit as he turned to look at Bracken.  "Me either, I had enough of that place to last me a lifetime."  Bracken grinned slightly before following the other two bucks through the hedge as they found themselves on another road.

 

This road was different, it didn't have that horrible stench of tarmac in the air but it was just two very worn tracks with tall grass growing in the middle with several dandelions about the place.  Straw hopped forwards and started to nibble on one of the dandelions.  "Mmm, not had these in a while."  He chewed and then spat them yellow bits out and looked like he was ill.  "Yuck, what on..."  He turned to the other two as Bracken chuckled.  "Ah a hrududu comes along here then, they do that to the grass and plants that grow near a road."

 

Straw muttered under his breath as he hopped over the other side and went through the metal wire fence and blinked turning his head back around again as he looked at the other two.  "That fence is humming?"

 

 Bracken stared at the fence and then looked at Straw.  "Don't go near it.  Birch, make sure you don't touch it at all when you go through, got it?"  Birch nodded his head as he slowly walked over and crossed where the thick grass grew in the middle of the road.  "Got it."  Moving across again, he watched as Straw moved to the side and then backed away slightly as Birch could hear the humming coming from one of the metal wires.  Lowering his body down and crawled through the long grass on the edge of the road, flattening his ears down so that he got past the wire and crawled over to where Straw was.  Sitting up he looked at Straw and blinked.  "I don't think you should go jumping through a fence like that again if it hums." 

 

Straw nodded as he watched Bracken do the same as what Birch had done a moment before and came up alongside them.  "Okay, we be spotted here if we stay.  Let's carry on."  Birch twisted his ear around as he heard the faint sound of whistling before a door opened at the far farm house.  "Okay, let's get going shall we."  Birch couldn't see the farm house but he was near enough to hear sounds in the early morning air as he turned around and hopped away, just as the first bird began to sing, announcing to the world that morning was arriving.

 

 The next field had sheep in it once they had made their way up a small hill as Bracken gave a sigh.  "Oh great, that's all we need."  Birch ran up alongside as they carried on their way as he muttered.  "Maybe it's too early for them to be too arrogant?"  Straw was also wary as he looked about.  "Don't they destroy grass by pulling them out to the roots?"

 

Birch nodded his head.  "Yes, that's what they do, they destroy a field and move onto the next one.  It takes a while for man to get a field to re-grow grass again.  It's very annoying to be honest, they should only eat the shoots then it would grow back again."

 

Slowly they made their way through the field as they could hear more sheep starting to wake up, rising from the ground as Bracken quickened their pace.  "Come on, sheep usually have a dog to herd them."  He said with a worried look about him as he glanced about the place.

 

Straw looked about.  "But they go with man don't they, so unless man turns up we be fine."  However, there wasn't anything to slow down Birch or Bracken as they finally made it to the end of the field and another electric fence.  Carefully moving through the fence was the only time that Bracken and Birch had time to slow down and feel more comfortable again as they ended up in a clear field that held nothing.

 

 Moving through the grass, they walked slowly, tired from their journey so far as Bracken looked about.  "We need to find a place to rest for a while.  Keep a look out if you see anything."  Both Birch and Straw nodded their heads as they walked across the grass field slowly.

 

Nothing was available as there was another wire fence but the lack of any sound made the rabbits think it was a normal fence and as Birch went under and left a tuft of fur from the barbed end he looked about in the next field and saw what they were looking for.  "There's a small crop of tree's over there, we can find someplace safe perhaps."

 

Bracken looked at Birch.  "You sure, what if it..."  He stopped and nodded his head.  "Sorry, not all places will be the same as that other copse we were at."  Straw didn't say anything as they ran across the field to where the small crop of tree's where as they came to a stop and started to look about.  Bracken sniffed the air and gave a look of concern in Birch's way but he shook his head.  "Nothing, no bad feelings.  Not a single feeling of being watched either.  I think this is safe enough for us to rest for a bit."

 

 Straw nodded his head as he sniffed at a bush before turning his head around to the other two.  "So who's going to take the first watch, just in case we need to move off quickly?"  Bracken looked about and replied back.  "I take the first watch, you two get some rest and I wake you up a bit later on."  Slowly all three of them slipped into the bush and out of sight as the morning continued to roll on, Frith threatening now to show himself as a orange glow shown from under the horizon.

 

***

 

Much later on in the day when Frith was climbing still in the sky, Captain Shadow watched another hrududu rush past them, his nose wrinkling again with the smell that was left behind as he looked at the other two that were sleeping quietly.  Getting up, he moved to where Tallow was and nudged him with a paw.  "Tallow, get up, it's your turn to keep a watch out, I need to rest for a bit."  Poking Tallow again with a paw, he saw the other buck open his eyes as he yawned.  "Okay sir, how long should I wait?" 

 

Settling down, he replied back.  "As soon as it hits Ni-Frith."  Captain Shadow replied back while closing his eyes.  Speaking quietly.  "If anything else comes about, usual single, thump on the ground if it's urgent."

 

 Tallow nodded his head as he moved to look out at the road for the time being, his nose wrinkling at the smell that still hung in the air and after looking up and down it, he turned around and moved quietly to check out the field behind him, the buck preferring this side as he watched some birds slowly rise from the tree's before falling down on the groun to search for worms.

 

Tallow kept moving about throughout the morning as he checked on the position Frith was in and slowly he woke up the other two, shaking them gently.  Captain Shadow and Snowberry woke up, both stretching before they slowly pulled themselves up as Tallow nodded.  "It's time, should we cross over the road and head back to where that field is, try and pick up the tracks again?"

 

Snowberry nodded his head.  "That would help yes, need something to work on."  Looking upwards, he sniffed the air and frowned.  "Though it looks like it's going to rain soon though."

 

Captain Shadow frowned.  "Then let's get a move on shall we?  I don't fancy returning in failure with Darkclaw-Rah.  I rather not risk sharing a place beside Inlo."  With those words in their mind, all three rabbits came back to the outside of the hedge and looked to the road that did have some traffic moving on it now.

 

 Another hrududu rushed past, nearly threatening to send all three to roll over on the ground as Captain Shadow looked about and nodded his head as all of them ran across the road, while the sound of another hrududu was approaching quickly.  Tallow had just managed to hop out of the way when a tyre rolled in the spot he was just in before as he fell flat on his face panting.  "Phew that was close..."  Tallow said as he looked back, before getting up and following the others as they were moving through the field.

 

Running across the field, they slowly turned around as they headed back the way that they had ran to that morning away from the stoat.  Snowberry was ahead of the others as he looked at the approaching hedge and slowed down before going through.  Captain Shadow and Tallow were just behind him as Snowberry checked the field in front of them and nodded his head.  "No stoat, nothing is in this field at the moment.  Let's go."

 

Moving carefully, the group finally got to the point where they could smell their own scent as well as their quarry that they were tracking.  Snowberry moved about as he sniffed again and pulled his head back out of the hedge.  "Stoat got Dropwort, blood on the leaves."  Brushing a fly from his nose with a paw.  "No body though."

 

 Captain Shadow sighed as he looked about.  "We best get on, nothing that we can do for him now."  He turned to look at the hedge and shook his head slightly.  "At least he left some of his kittens with a doe.  I shall inform them one day on how he died."  Nodding at Snowberry to carry on, he watched the buck sniff out again before hopping off.  "They went this way."

 

Following Snowberry as he kept on checking the tracks, the party continued to follow where the escaped rabbits had left a short time ago, knowing that they had managed to get a fair lead now due to their problem with the stoat.  Captain Shadow was still in a foul mood on the whole thing as they came up to the end of the field where Snowberry was checking again and pointed out some fur that smelled of Straw which Captain Shadow gave a sniff himself to be sure.

 

"Yeah, that's him.  I can tell his smell from anywhere."  Captain Shadow gruffly said as they entered the next field which he stopped dead in his tracks.   Going quiet he could see from the other side of the field a tractor slowly moving along a road as it stopped far from the gate.  Twitching his ears, all of them could hear cows moo'ing before they saw a man come to the gate, opening it wide.  Then Captain Shadow saw something that made him shiver and drop to the ground as the others followed suit, there was a dog barking but they couldn't see it yet.  Growling, Captain Shadow dug his claws into the ground.  "I don't believe this.  I really just don't believe it, this is not my day..."

 

 Tallow looked out to the other side and looked at Captain Shadow, all three were now lying low on the ground.  "It's okay, the dog is with the man see, I think they're heading off to tend to the sheep after this, it's a sheepdog."  Hearing a grunt come from Captain Shadow, he went quiet after deciding not to bother his superior officer for the time being.

 

Watching silently they saw the cows moving out in the field as the farmer closed the gate and giving a whistle to the dog, Captain Shadow saw the dog bark and then jump into the tractor as the engine came on again before it slowly drove down the road as it came to a stop on the road behind them.  Reversing it turned back around as they could hear it slowly moving down the road again as the cows continued to move out around the field to graze.

 

"Come on, before something else happens."  Captain Shadow said as they entered the field.  Snowberry was moving quickly now as he looked back to where the other two were and then continued to follow the scent.  Which wasn't easy as a few times they had to get out of the way from a few hooves that were getting in their way or nearly on top of them.

 

 Eventually they made it to the other side and Snowberry sighed as they crawled through the hedge to the ploughed field in front of them.  "Hmm, this is going to be tricky."  Snowberry said as he sniffed the ground before moving on again to follow the scent as best as he could.  Eventually he came to a stop where Captain Shadow and Tallow were looking at him before he turned back on himself and searched for the scent again and headed in another direction.  Stopping again he looked up and around before heading back to where Tallow and Captain Shadow were standing. 

 

"Well, they didn't head towards the farm house, perhaps it scares them."  Snowberry said as he went back to sniffing the wet soil ground as Captain Shadow looked towards the faint house in the distance.  "Hmm, they did mention that they're warren was destroyed by man, perhaps they were telling the truth."

 

Tallow looked about.  "Well, where are they heading then?"  Snowberry continued to move on again as he found their scent once more and replied back.  "They went this way."  Slowly they headed over, jumping across small muddy puddles as they came to the edge of the field where there was a ditch, filled with muddy water.  Captain Shadow didn't need Snowberry to say that they have come this way as he could see scratch marks on the other side.

 

 Captain Shadow was about to say something when he heard something on the other side, the same barking sound came as he heard sheep bleet back in a field up ahead.  "Well, let's go see where that is."  They had no choice but to keep following the path that Bracken and his two friends were leading them as they slowly jumped across the ditch each in turn.

 

***

 

The sound of the dog had woken up the three rabbits in the other field as Bracken got up immediately, thumping the ground instinctively before stopping.  Birch was looking outside of the small wooden area and turned his head back again.  "There's a dog in the other field where the sheep are."

 

Straw gave a shudder.  "Could we please move, we need to get moving."  Bracken thought about it and nodded.  "Come on, we cut through this small wood and see what comes about on the other side. 

 

Chapter 31 - The Farmland

The journey through the small wood was non eventful as Bracken, Birch and Straw came out on the other side to the relief of hearing water running in the distance.  Looking at each other, all of them smiled as they moved onwards.  "I knew we find it eventually."  Bracken said as they ran over the grass field which seemed to be more natural in look than the other fields they were in before. 

 

Slowly they came to a stop as they looked out at the bank, slowly moving dowards towards then edge and where the river stood.  Birch smiled as he looked at it and went running forward as Bracken and Straw came up behind him.  All three came to a stop at the edge of the river and stared at a boat on their side, trapped in the bank on the opposite side as Bracken pondered for a moment and looked back to the way that they had come.

 

After a moment in thought, Bracken shrugged the idea out of his head and then looked at the other two.  What Bracken didn't know was that they were on the same side of the river that his warren used to be but they were further down the river, that was all.  Neither Bracken or Birch would ever find out this startling fact.  "Okay, new plan, we're crossing this river.  I don't want to be near a farm again for a while.  And besides it may get whoever is following us to lose us if they get swept away like last time when we tried this."

 

 Birch came to the edge of the bank and looked at the water.  "It's moving slowly here, than what we tried back when..  You know, we could cross here."  Bracken came up and looked at the river with a nod of his head.  "Yes, this will do."  Bracken turned his head to where Birch was and smiled.  "Didn't think I be swimming again so soon, did you?"

 

Placing a paw into the water, Birch slowly slipped his body in as he gave a shiver.  "It's cold..."  He began to swim off as Bracken turned his head to where Straw is and looked at him.  "You okay?"

 

Straw walked over to the edge of the bank and looked in the water before moving his head back towards Bracken again.  "I haven't swam before."  He slowly looked back at the water and gave a slight shiver as he moved his head up to see that Birch had reached the middle of the river, his head bobbing up and down before turning to face Bracken again.  "It is safe, isn't it?"

 

Bracken looked to where the water is and nodded his head.  "It's okay, Straw.  You just get in and then kick out with your back legs to swim across.  Use your front paws as well as though you are walking."  Moving to where the edge of the bank is, Bracken turned his head around and nodded.  "Just watch how I do it and follow me, okay?"

 

 Straw nodded as he watched Bracken jump into the water as he swam over to where Birch was just getting out of the river, pulling himself up by his paws.  Straw hopped about up and down the bank as he looked at the water and sat back down again.

 

Birch watched as Bracken came up onto the bank, panting.  "Has Straw started over yet?"  Bracken asked as he clambered up and then gave himself a shake, sending water droplets all over the place.

 

Shaking his head, Birch replied back.  "No, he's walking up and down the bank.   What's the matter with him?"  Bracken turned around and sighed.  "I don't think he's swam before.  Why didn't he say, we could've found a bridge or something?"

 

Birch slowly made his way over to where the bank was again and called over.  "Come on Straw, it's easy.  You want to be caught again?"  Seeing Straw shake his head, the buck made his way over to the edge of the bank and then placed a paw into the water before lifting it out again.

 

"Oh for Frith's..."  Bracken said as he came over to the edge and called over.  "Straw, get into that water right now, that's an order!"  Birch looked at Bracken, shaking his head.  "I don't think you're going to do it by shouting at him.  Let me go back over and talk to him."

 

 Bracken looked at Birch before taking a look at where Straw was with a thoughtful look.  "Okay, but I don't know if you be able to help him though."  Birch shrugged as he made his way back over to the river bank edge and was about to get back into it again as he stopped and looked at some bubbles in the water.  "Hello, what's this?"

 

Suddenly Bracken and Birch jumped back as a small round brown furred head popped out of the water as it looked at the two rabbits.  Bracken lowered his front as he growled before stopping as he saw the creature just laughed in a high pitched tone.  "Well, I never, never saw long ears swim across a river before in all my life.  Bless my long rudder and all, what you doing swimming across river, longears?"

 

Bracken backed away slowly from the edge of the river as he gave a brief look to where Straw was doing the same on the other side of the river as he muttered to Birch.  "What is it?"  Birch swallowed and spoke back to the creature in hedge speak.  "We longears, need cross river escape from evil longears after us.  Friend not want swim.  You help?"  Bracken blinked and turned his head to where Birch was.  "Are you kidding me?  What if he eats us like a stoat."  Looking back at the head.  "It does look like a stoat..."

 

 Another loud laugh came from the head in the water as the otter ducked his head into the water before reappearing again.  "Oh you longears are funny as always, no I don't eat rabbit.  My cousins do though."  Slowly with some alarm with Bracken and Birch the otter climbed out of the water and shook himself.  "I only eat fish, so don't worry.  Not that partial to fur to be honest."  Lifting his head up he stared at the other side as he looked at Straw.  "What's wrong with him?  Scared?"

 

Bracken muttered.  "He's not the only one."  Birch coughed and looked at the otter.  "Hang on, you can speak our language?"  Bracken and Birch were staring at the otter who nodded his head.  "Aye, used to be a warren near the river far from here but it was where I grew up at."  He sniffed the air as his head kept on moving about which Bracken was keeping a close eye on.  "Made some friends with a few young rabbits, taught me the language.  Actually, they saved me once from a hunt, man was after me which I suppose I owe my life to all good rabbits.  I won't harm you, got my honour."  The otter looked proud as he looked at Birch.  "So you want to go back over and talk to Straw, I can help if you want."

 

 Bracken looked at the otter as he replied back.  "Could we just have a moment?"  He saw the otter nod as he hopped away, beckoning Birch with him as he stopped and whispered.  "What on Frith are you doing?  You're scared of stoats but you're talking to this thing as though it was a friend all your life."

 

Birch turned his head to look at the otter and moved his head back again.  "It hasn't really harmed us and it could've got any one of us since we were near the water edge.  Please, just trust me on this one, if he can help to get Straw to swim over the better.  We don't know how far back the other two are."

 

Bracken didn't reply at once but he slowly nodded his head.  "Okay, but I still don't trust him."  Hopping back to where the otter is, Bracken spoke with a flat tone.  "Just what are you anyways?"

 

The otter bowed his head as he replied back.  "Tarka which in my language means otter, though we all respect the great Tarka who tricked man, made a fool of him and his dogs.  It's a very big and important story."  The otter paused as he looked back to where he couldn't see Straw anymore.  "However, that's for another time.  I think one of you should get back over there and find your friend."

 

 Birch looked and groaned as he ran over to the edge of the bank and jumped into the river.  The otter was about to follow but was blocked by Bracken.  "If you so much as harm a hair on either of their bodies.." The otter nodded.  "I understand but you have nothing to worry, truly."  Without saying another word, the otter ran over to the water and jumped in without making a splash.

 

Birch kicked out in the water as he saw the otter pop his head out just beside him.  "For a longear you swim quite well."  Without saying another word, the otter had vanished under the water again as Birch continued to kick out.

 

Reaching the other side, he pulled himself out and looked about.  "Straw, where are you?"  Birch hopped about as he sniffed the ground and headed back up the slope until he saw where Straw was hiding.  Moving into the long grass, Birch nuzzled Straw gently.  "Straw, what's wrong?"

 

"You're...  You're still alive.  I would've thought he ate you or someth..  Hey, where's Bracken.  Oh no, he got killed didn't he?"  Straw gave a shudder as Birch shook his head.  "Actually if you look outside of the bush you may be able to see him stewing over on the other side of the river."

 

 Birch watched as Straw got up and slowly moved to where he could see properly and saw Bracken sitting on the other side of the river looking rather cross.  Turning his head back to where Birch was now standing next to him.  "He doesn't look happy, does he?"

 

"That would be because of me."  The otter said as he lay there on the grass a few feet away from the two rabbits.  "I don't think he trusts me, eh."  The otter looked up at Birch, who nodded his head.  "Birch."  Straw who was in shock simply replied back as well.  "Straw."

 

Bobbing his head, the otter churred softly.  "Well, like I was saying I don't think your friend likes me Birch, then again I ain't surprised."  The otter went to licking one of his webbed paws as he spoke.  "I mean, I am one of the elil."

 

Straw nearly bolted but Birch stopped him as he looked at the otter.  "You are?  And you don't eat us, isn't that a bit weird?"  Straw gulped as he muttered.  "This isn't the time to question an elil about eating us, Birch..."

 

"I told you, I was saved by a rabbit once and I won't harm another as long as I live, besides I can get on with others, though I mainly eat fish and eel now."  Looking at Straw the otter chrr'ed softly.  "You're quite safe, so tell me Straw, why won't you swim?"

 

 Straw looked uneasy but Birch nodded his head.  "Trust me..."  He said softly as he looked around, leaving Straw to talk to where the otter is.  Straw replied back.  "I haven't done it before and it looks scary.  It's okay for you, I've seen how easy it looks and all."

 

"You think that, wouldn't you?"  The otter replied back.  "Listen, I will let you in on something.  When I was little at a time when my mother wanted to know me, I didn't know how to swim at all.  I was as scared as you when I came to the water for the first time."  He looked down towards the river as he bobbed his head slightly. 

 

"Hang on, what you mean your mother wanted to know you, doesn't she want to now?"  Straw said as he looked at the otter.  "What's your name anyways?"  The otter thought for a moment and replied back.  "I think my name is.."  The otter paused for a moment and shook his head.  "I don't have a name."  He looked to where Straw was and grinned.  "Why don't you name me?"

 

"Name you?  Er..."  Straw blinked on that and thought for a moment.  "How about er, Watercress?"  Straw pondered in his mind while thinking on other names but the otter smiled.  "Watercress, I like it, okay I shall use that from now on."

 

 Straw blinked.  "Didn't the other rabbit give you a name?"  Watercress shook his head.  "No, I had to go and so did he as we heard the hunt getting closer again but that's another story for another time." 

 

Birch came running back as he panted.  "Yes and we have to move, I went back across the field and I have seen Captain shadow coming with two other rabbits up the farm road we were at this morning."

 

Watercress nodded and got up before pushing Straw with his head.  "Right, I like you lot and if you say you're being chased by some other longears that want to do Watercress friends harm then I won't allow it.  Come on, time for you to swim, friend."

 

Birch moved forwards behind Straw as he struggled, still scared to go into the water as the otter had him firmly in his teeth.  Pulling on Straw's scruff Watercress slipped into the water with Straw as Birch looked into the water and then up at where Bracken was looking horrified.

 

With a splash, Straw came back up to the top, the rabbit kicking out as he spluttered a bit while Watercress came up a bit away from where the rabbit was and churred.  "See, nothing to it, come on, swim this way."  Turning around Watercress moved towards where Bracken was.

 

 Birch watched as Straw followed Watercress across the river and jumped in himself as he swam across.  Finally all three rabbits were on the other side as Watercresss looked at them from within the water.  "Farewell, friends.  Come see me again sometime and Straw."  Watercress turned his head to look at the rabbit.  "For a beginner, you swim very well."  The otter turned around as Bracken hopped forward and coughed.  "Er, Watercress...  I'm sorry for doubting you."

 

Watercress turned his head back with a toothy grin.  "Bracken, don't stop doing what you have been doing, not all of my kind will be friendly, in fact I don't think you get another otter to talk to you, they will kill you like any other elil.  Now go, I shall keep these from crossing the river as best I can.  Try and use the time to get as far away as possible."

 

Bracken nodded his head as he turned around to head off.  Birch and Straw looked at the otter and nodded their heads.  "We come and see you again, I promise."  Birch said along with Straw as they turned around and followed Bracken up the bank and disappeared into a bush.

 

 ***

 

Captain Shadow continued to watch as Snowberry sniffed out the route as they moved along the dirt road before he muttered.  "I thought they weren't heading towards the farmhouse."  Tallow looked about and ducked his head as a bird flew out from the grass on the side of the road.  "I don't think they know where they are going sir."

 

Snowberry stopped and stood up on his hind legs as he heard a dog bark up ahead.  "Well, wherever they are we should get into that field."  Snowberry turned and faced the fence as he sniffed it but pulled his head back.  "Something isn't right about it, I wouldn't touch it at all."

 

Captain Shadow looked at the wires and shuddered.  "I agree, no touching the fence."  Captain Shadow didn't like the look of it, it looked like a snare to him as he slowly ducked under and crawled under it as the other two followed suit.  Moving into the field where the sheep were grazing, they slowly continued to move through, following the scent left behind by their prey.

 

After moving back and forth, Tallow avoiding an angry sheep that tried to headbutt him away from a particular part of the field that it was grazing in, they finally made it unscathed to the other side of the field.  Being as careful as they were on the last fence, they crawled under it and left the unruly sheep behind with Captain Shadow's blessings.

 

 "I've never known such stupid tharn animals as sheep."  Captain Shadow muttered under his breath as he and the others looked about with what they're surroundings now brought.  Tallow nodded his head.  "They're greedy as well, we weren't after their stupid grass."  He turned his head back and shouted at the sheep.  "We weren't interested in your grass.  At least when we eat it, we don't kill it off completely, stupid sheep."  Moving his head back again he hopped to where Snowberry was sniffing.

 

Captain Shadow could smell what Snowberry's nose was twitching.  Hopping forwards, they carefully made their way down to the water and stopped as a head popped out, growling.  "Oh, more longears, this really must be my lucky day."  Watercress churred as he slowly crawled out of the water.

 

All three lowered this bodies as Captain Shadow looked at the otter.  "What do you mean, more longears?"  He felt himself backing away slightly but looked to either side of him and became that much bolder, lifting up his head.  "Come on, speak now!"

 

 Watercress growled as he showed his sharp teeth.  "You're not nice at all are you?  Not like the other rabbits that passed through here, they thought that I would help them cross the river."  The otter flipped over as it played with his tail before turning his head to the other two.  "Think their names were Bracken, Birch and Straw."

 

Snowberry snorted.  "How come you can speak perfect lapine then?"  He jumped back as the otter flipped himself back onto his paws quickly with a growl.  "Best to know your prey so you can catch them, longears.  Want to try me?"

 

Backing away, Snowberry didn't reply as Tallow hopped forward.  "I will, you can tell us what happened to them now."  Tallow growled back at the otter as he jumped back as Watercress took a bite where Tallow's nose used to be.  "My, you're pretty brave for a stupid longears.  Who says I am alone?"

 

Watercress grinned as he saw all of them look about quickly to make sure that they weren't surrounded and answered with a cold harsh voice, the male otter moving back to his old lonely mood that he had learnt to be mean and tough over the seasons.  "Listen to me, Longears."  Watercress started walking towards them.  "Your friends are dead, they tried to cross my river so I killed them.  They lie at the bottom ready for me and my family to eat later on.  If you don't run away I shall kill you now and let you lie where they are."  The otter turned to where Snowberry is.  "You, go check where they're tracks are.  You should see them end at the bank."

 

 Moving away in a wide arc, Snowberry moved to the edge of the river bank and after sniffed for a moment before running back with a nod.  "He's telling the truth."  Captain Shadow looked at the otter for a moment and nodded his head.  "Fine, we wanted them killed anyways."  Backing away, he and the other two kept their eyes on the otter as they made their way to a bush and vanished from view.

 

Captain Shadow looked out of the bush and muttered.  "He's still there, so what do we do?"  He turned to the other two who shook their heads.  "Well, they're gone aren't they?  I've heard about otters before from another rabbit, they're very fast in the water, we wouldn't stand a chance in the water.  They're just as good on land in killing something, we be up against a stoat or ferret.  We're lucky that he's killed and not interested in us, we should head back."  Snowberry replied.

 

Tallow growled.  "As much as I hate to agree with Snowberry, sir.  I like to find them myself and beat them up but if they have been killed then our mission is over.  Our warren won't be known and well."  He paused as he looked at Captain Shadow.  "Sooner we get home, the sooner we can make Inlo's life a misery for wasting our time and I want to get him back for Dropwort being killed on his mistake."

 

 Captain Shadow didn't reply for a while but slowly he nodded his head.  "Okay, let's head back home, there's nothing for us to do now."  Hopping out of the bush again he looked at the otter for one more time as he nodded to the other two as they made their way towards the fence and back to where the sheep where.  Watercress watched them head off as he walked over to where the fence is and stared as he saw the rabbits move through the field.

 

Watercress stayed there all through the day and didn't see the rabbits again, once Frith was starting to go back down again, Watercress turned around and slinked back towards the water as he sniffed the evening air before churring at the water.  "Hello, fishies...  Guess who's back?"  With a graceful movement, the otter slipped back into the river without making a sound.

 

It was early evening when Bracken, Birch and Straw found a safe place to stop for the night, far from the river now as all three of them were exhausted from their day's journey.  Slipping into the bush, Birch yawned softly.  "Well, that was a day that was.  Who would've thought we make a friend with a elil creature."

 

 Bracken chuckled as he looked out of the bush, flicking one of his ears to a insect that landed on it.  "Yeah, well that's one thing that El-Ahrairah didn't do I think?"  He looked at Straw who was already half asleep and grinned.  "I think this day has been too much for him, he's not used to this, is he?"

 

Birch settled down next to Bracken with a grin.  "What with the farm raid, the being chased out of a warren with ferrets, foxes, man and then some crazed out warren that has a tharn chief in control.  Well, I suppose that and making friends with an otter would make many rabbit not used to it."  Birch slowly nibbled on some long blades of grass as he continued to speak while chewing.  "Well, to be honest I am trying to get used to it myself."

 

"Well, you're the one that gave Watercress a chance, I doubt I would've to be honest."  Bracken looked out into the field that they had travelled through the early evening.  "I wonder if he was successful in getting them off our backs..."

 

Birch looked out as well.  "Well, I don't think Watercress would've been friendly to them, you know.  And when elil says they caught someone who's a rabbit supposed to think that they didn't."  Yawning again, Birch gave his nose a rub.  "Well, I don't think we be seeing them again."

 

 Neither of them spoke for a while as they day slowly grew darker, a faint rumble came from behind them but both rabbits at the time ignored it as they stared out to the evening sky.  Eventually Bracken spoke quietly.  "You know, Halgrass would've loved this evening, seeing Frith show off himself in such a beautiful way."

 

"I miss him also."  Birch said quietly as he looked out to the world in front of him.  "We lost so many of our friends during this, but we're alive and we got someone out of that warren, made a new friend and we're alive.  Halgrass would've loved that, we're still living as we did back at our old warren.  Taking risks."

 

Bracken nodded.  "Yeah, you're right, get some rest, I wake you up in a bit."  He watched as Birch settled down, falling asleep as Bracken looked out into the early night sky, with only his thoughts in his head.

 

***

 

The next day all three continued on their way through the fields as Frith slowly moved up into the sky.  Captain Bracken was leadint the group as they crossed over another field, passing a hedge each time as they looked up into the sky, clouds floating about, sometimes blocking Frith's light.

 

 Birch looked ahead and saw a small hill in the distance.  "Maybe we find a warren there."  Standing up onto his hind legs to have a look as the other two passed him.  Bracken nodded his head.  "Well, I hope it's better than the other place, I don't want to go through that again."  Straw looked about as they came to a bush by the bottom of the hill and sniffed it.  "Smells bad here."  He said as he looked inside and backed out quickly, looking disgusted and stricken.

 

Bracken moved to look inside the bush as he turned his head around and hopped away from it.  Birch made his way to take a look himself, but Bracken muttered.  "I wouldn't, not if you don't want to see rabbit remains."  Birch stopped in his tracks and stood up on his hind legs, sniffing about urgently.  "I don't smell any elil nearby, so what killed it?"

 

Bracken looked about.  "I don't know and that worries me."  Looking about he shook his head.  "Well, doesn't look like there is any rabbits here apart from what is in that bush so no warren."

 

 Straw shuddered.  "I think we should leave, see what is over this hill and move on, just in case."  He looked about and was getting a bad feeling before moving up the hill itself.  Bracken blinked.  "Straw, hang on a moment will you."  Moving to go up the hill to catch up with Straw as he turned his head to Birch.  "Come on, before we lose him."

 

Straw was standing on the ground as they reached the top of the hill and they stared at another rabbit who was lying down in the middle of a railway track.  Birch opened his mouth but closed it again as Bracken moved towards one of the wooden planks of wood and sniffed it.  "What is it?"  He looked to where Straw was and then the other rabbit.  "And who's this?"

 

Straw looked at Bracken and shook his head.  "I don't know, he's not talking sense, keeps going on about some dog."  The buck lying on the tracks started to shiver as he shouted.  "The dog!  Run!  Run away!  The dog is coming!"  Bracken looked at Birch who was staring at the buck.  "What dog?"  Bracken said at length but all he got was gibberish from the buck.

 

 Straw shook his head slowly.  "I don't think we're going to get anything from him, he's in complete zorn state, something must've happened.  I mean, seen these cuts, it looks like he was in a fight."

 

Straw backed away as the buck got up from his lying position and looked at the rabbits in front of him now, the eyes staring out insanely as he growled.  "You're those Watership Down rabbits, I won't go down without a fight.  Efrafa will be strong forever!"

 

A low thunderous noise started to form in the distance as Straw moved to where Bracken was and stared wide eyed, muttering.  "Did he just say Efrafa?"  Birch who had a paw on the metal rail on the track hopped off and back away as he turned his head to where the buck was now growling at him.  "Yes he did..."  Birch looked at the buck as he spoke clearly.  "Where is Efrafa?  Tell us?!"  He shouted over the insane ramblings of the buck.

 

The sound of the rumble got louder as the buck answered.  "It's over that way, they shall find you with their patrols and imprison you."  He went up onto his hind legs now as he growled.  "You won't defeat us..."  The eyes glazed over again as he muttered.  "The dog, the dog...  High hills, Watership Down must repay defeating us..."

 

 Straw looked to where the loud noise was coming from as he shouted.  "Down the hill!"  His voice made the others turn around as Birch looked at the buck before the fast approaching object.  "Come on, get off!"  He didn't know why but he felt something was bad.  The buck though was standing there muttering about a dog as Birch shrugged, turned around and ran down the hill until his powerful hind legs sent him overhead and he rolled down as the muttering rabbit vanished until the train.

 

All three lay there on the ground as the loud thunderous noise shook the ground as it slowly started to grow faint as Bracken got up, groaning slightly.  "Okay, what on earth was that..." 

 

Birch slowly got up as he shook his head.  "Not sure but..."  He stopped and frowned as he began to rub his paw on his ears, brushing a few twigs off his head.  "Frith's messenger, perhaps." 

 

Finally, Straw got up and started to move back up the hill as he climbed up slowly.  "Well, whatever it was, we should see what happened to that rabbit at least."  He paused and looked back down to where the others were.  "I can't believe a place exists, it was rumoured about a warren like Efrafa but never would I thought of actually meeting a rabbit from that place."

 

 Bracken watched as Straw climbed up the hill and saw him slip over the top before calling down to him.  "He's gone, there's no sign of him whatsoever."  Straw's head came up from over the edge.  "Seriously, he's gone, come up here." 

 

Bracken looked to where Birch was and both hopped up the hill again to there the strange tracks was placed as they looked up and down with a puzzled look.  "Frith's messenger must've took him."  Birch said as he sniffed the metal line again carefully."

 

Bracken was watching Straw as he hopped onto the track before stopping and looking about.  "What are you doing?  You don't want to be taken away do you?"  Bracken noticed that Straw had ignored him and hopped over to the other side, leaving the tracks behind as he stood up on his hind legs.

 

Birch looked at Bracken before both ran over the tracks to the other side as they came up alongside Straw who was looking out ahead.  Birch looked at Straw and asked.  "What?"  Straw continued to look out and spoke.  "He said that they were beaten by another warren on a hill."  He looked out over the clear day, the fields and spotted something faint in the distance.  "I think it's there."  His forepaw pointing ahead in the distance.

 

 Bracken blinked.  "There, it's going to take a while to get there, but Efrafa could be somewhere down there as well."  The buck looked out into the vast fields as Birch smiled slightly.  "Well, looks like another challenge Bracken.  Think you're up to it?"

 

Straw looked from one to the other as Bracken nodded his head.  "Up to it, why Birch my friend.  I think it will be fun, though I think there's a few farms along the way."  Birch nodded slowly as he spoke.  "Well, we can't be a owsla rabbit anymore if we're scared of going to a farm.  We have to face our fears."

 

Straw blinked at each one as he looked from one to the other.  "What are you two on about?"  He heard both laugh beside them as they started to hop away, down the other side of the iron road as they vanished from sight, leaving Straw looking very confused.  Bracken called from down below.  "Well, Straw...  Are you coming or what?"

 

Straw flicked an ear and turned his head around so that he was looking behind him, blinking once he nodded his head.  "Thanks Watercress.."  Without saying another word, Straw headed down the hill out of sight.

 

Chapter 32 - The Return to Darkclaw Warren

Captain Shadow and his two officers had made it back to the road that was the only thing that separated them from getting home to their warren.  Waiting until the right time to cross, all three of them ran across the road and entered the field.

 

"Well, we're back."  Tallow said as he looked about the familiar field before walking forwards at a casual place.  Captain Shadow nodded his head as he made his way towards the copse in the distance as he turned his head around to Snowberry.  "Well, that was over quick, want to watch a fight tonight?"

 

Snowberry nodded his head.  "If we get the time off, not sure how Darkclaw-Rah is going to take the news on this."  Tallow shook his head.  "Well, it wasn't like it was our fault was it, it was that stupid otters fault but then you can't tell what elil are going to do."  He looked at the copse and smiled.  "Well, apart from the ones that visit this place from time to time."

 

Captain Shadow entered the copse as he nodded to a rabbit hiding behind a bush while he replied back to Tallow.  "Well, as long as we keep on giving a rabbit from time to time they leave us be, which is good since they won't touch our kind at all."

 

 Snowberry looked about, feeling more at home within the copse as they slowly emerged into the clearing which looked empty.  Captain Shadow looked at Tallow and grinned.  "Well, let's go see our leader shall we?"

 

Moving into the warren itself, it wasn't long before they had come into the burrow where they saw Darkclaw-Rah sitting there on the boulder, munching on some flayrah.  When he saw them, he nodded his head for them to approach while nibbling on a piece of lettuce.

 

"Darkclaw-Rah, sir."  Captain Shadow said as he bowed his head.  "We followed the scent of those that escaped from the warren.  Over roads, fields and near man himself.  We eventually came to a river where we met this otter."

 

Lifting an eye a bit wider than the other, Darkclaw-Rah stopped munching and as he spoke, some of it fell from his mouth.  "An otter you say, what happened?"  Snowberry spoke next.  "He was happy that more longears had shown up, sir.  Said that he had already killed three rabbits already and that he didn't want to kill us as he had enough already for his family."

 

 Darkclaw-Rah blinked as he stopped eating now.  "The otter told you this?"  He saw Captain Shadow nod his head as he replied again.  "Yes sir, he was warning us to get away from his river, said that the three had tried to swim across it and he killed them there.  I feel though they have drowned Chief.  Their scent only came to the edge of the bank and there was no other signs at all that they were alive.  We thought it be best to come home and report it."

 

"I see.."  Darkclaw-Rah said after a brief silence.  "Yes, yes.  You did well.  Since they have died under the cruel fate of elil then they are gone.  However I feel a tad bit upset that I wasn't able to exact my revenge myself but you can't really control elil."

 

Captain Shadow shook his head.  "No sir, it annoyed me greatly that I was unable to bring them back to you or find their warren.  Do you want us to resume our duties?"  He looked up to where Darkclaw-Rah was, who had started to eat again slowly.

 

"Yes, but if you need a rest you can do so.  Please go and report to Ebony that you are back.  I am sure you want to go see Inlo, he's still alive working away."  Darkclaw-Rah said with a grin.  "No doubt you would like to say hello to him?"

 

 Bowing his head again, Captain Shadow backed away with the other two.  "Thank you sir."  Eventually they got out of the burrow and started down the run as Captain Shadow looked at Tallow and Snowberry.  "You two get some rest, I see about getting you to see the next fight.  I try and get Inlo to fight tonight, depends on if he's been in one yet."  He looked back.  "Darkclaw-Rah didn't say but we see what happens."  Coming to a part of the run where it changed into different directions, he left the two bucks and began to make his way towards where the new runs were being dug.

 

Captain Shadow found Captain Ebony in the run that Inlo was situated as he came up to him.  Captain Ebony smiled as he looked at Inlo with a frown, making the buck work before turning his head back to Captain Shadow.  "So you're back then?  Did you find where they were going or catch them?"

 

Inlo who was listening in on the conversation as he worked at a new burrow he was digging out, heard Captain Shadow reply back again.  "They got killed by an otter, tried to cross a river and well, you know how some elil are like.  See one or three rabbits and they still kill them all."

 

 It was the first time since he lost his position in the owsla that Inlo had smiled, felt new hope run through his body as he heard those words.  He began to dig into the soil wall as he imagined he was that elil that was tearing into those three rabbits as he continued to listen in on the conversation.

 

Captain Ebony shook his head.  "That's a shame, we could've done one more practise of destroying a warren.  The others are getting a bit restless in waiting for this new leader, we just don't know when he will show up."

 

"That's if he does show up, not sure where Darkclaw-Rah is getting those ideas from but we must trust him on the issue."  Captain Shadow spoke quietly and then turned his attention to Inlo who was still working.  "And now onto you.  How are you doing Inlo, hope that you haven't forgotten me?"

 

Inlo frowned as he muttered.  "Don't worry, I didn't forget you sir, just wondered when you get back that's all like the rest of us."  He paused in his working and looked at Captain Shadow with a frown, but then turned back to his work.

 

 Captain Ebony smiled.  "He's been working hard since you left, I didn't let him take any rest at all."  He turned his head to look at Inlo.  "Did I, Inlo?"  Inlo muttered something again but the raise paw of Captain Ebony made him speak again loodly.  "No sir, you did not."

 

Captain Ebony nodded.  "Good, get on with it."  He turned to one of the officers.  "Keep an eye on him, I have to go for a bit."  Seeing the two guards nod their head, Captain Ebony led Captain Shadow down the run.  "So..."  Captain Shadow said.  "Has there been anymore fights since I left?"

 

Shaking his head, Captain Ebony sighed.  "No, Darkclaw-Rah hasn't been in the mood to do another fight until you came back.  Not surprised since the escape and all, that and he didn't want to see Inlo again for a while."

 

Coming to a section where another run crossed over, they walked past as two other bucks were waiting to push some more dirt along again as Captain Shadow frowned.  "He doesn't blame me on that mishap does he?"

 

"No, but he isn't happy with Inlo at all, I don't think he wants him to get his position back at all.  I wanted to wait until you came back since you're the one that's good with accidents and all."  Captain Ebony said with a smile.  "I leave it up to you since you were the one that was made a fool of, after trusting him with such a important task."

 

 Captain Shadow smiled as he thought about that.  "Hmm, well I don't want anything quick to happen.  I think it's time for a few non-fatal fights, don't you?  Let's get Inlo into the owsla practise sessions with our young ones.  This can be done during the day.  He can work at night."

 

"I make the arrangements with Darkclaw-Rah."  Captain Ebony said back quietly.  "You go and get rest and I see you about tomorrow."  Turning around, he left Captain Shadow as he made his way back the way he came.  Captain Shadow watched before heading off down another run as he made his way to where his own burrow was.

 

***

 

The next morning, Inlo had been woken up by Tallow who did it roughly.  "Come on you, get up.  You're needed up on top."  Inlo shuddered as he woke up, muttering.  "What?  Fight to the death already?"  He got up onto his paws but was smacked hard on the head by Tallow.  "No, you're going to offer your services in a non-fatal owsla practise session.  How fun it will be for you...  Now MOVE!"

 

Frowning, Inlo moved out of the burrow with Tallow following him as he continued to talk.  "Just think, letting all those fine young bucks practise in hurting you and you can't hurt them back as it only bring about painful punishment or slow death.  My, I really want to be in your paws at the moment."

 

 Inlo growled.  "Tallow, you know you can be a right pain at times."  Inlo found himself barged into the wall as Tallow growled deeply.  "Listen hraka scum.  I have been over the country searching for those that escaped due to your stupid mistake and you don't have the right to even use my name anymore, you got it?  You call me sir.  Say it!"

 

Swallowing, Inlo nodded his head.  "Yes sir."  He kept quiet as Tallow led him through the burrows as even some of the working slaves in the warren wouldn't even look at Inlo at all, most if not all of them didn't trust Inlo as they all thought he was some spy trying to get in to their private conversations, their hopes, dreams.

 

Moving up to the top, Inlo had to close his eyes to get used to the sunlight while Tallow just pushed him out with his head.  "Come on you, get out there.  They're waiting for you."  Inlo slowly walked out into the open area with his eyes closed and slowly he started to open them as his eyes adjusted.

 

Raising a paw up to shield one of his eyes, he could see that Captain Ebony was up and about as well as Captain Shadow but also Darkclaw-Rah was sitting on his tree overlooking things.

 

 "Inlo, come over here please."  Captain Ebony said as he looked at where Inlo was.  Tallow pushed him forwards with a growl.  "Well, come on, we haven't got all day."  Inlo walked forwards and came right up to where Captain Ebony was standing.

 

"Good, now this is what you're going to do."  Captain Ebony said softly.  "Captain Shadow has officers all around this area on the edge who I might add are much better at doing it than you."  Inlo felt his blood boil but kept quiet as Captain Ebony continued on with his speech.  "You will run around this area while these young officers will chase you.  If and I should say, when they do catch you, they will beat you up, bringing you down in what manner they see fit."

 

Turning his head towards the young bucks that Inlo had once knew he swallowed as he turned his head back to where Captain Ebony was and slowly he nodded his head.  "Yes sir, I do what you want."  He said quietly as Tallow behind him smiled as he moved into position himself with the others.  Inlo blinked and went to ask a question but stopped.

 

 Captain Ebony smiled.  "Okay, get running, the others will follow suit as soon as I reach Darkclaw-Rah."  Leaning forward, he whispered.  "Have fun.."  Turning around he ran across the field towards where Darkclaw-Rah was and Inlo bolted on the spot.

 

Tallow and the other rabbits waited as they were watching where Inlo was and also where Captain Ebony was.  As soon as Captain Ebony had reached where Darkclaw-Rah was sitting the group of rabbits took after Inlo.

 

Panting, Captain Ebony climbed up onto the log where Darkclaw-Rah was watching the events unfold in front of him and he spoke in a happy mood.  "So, this was Captain Shadow's idea then?"

 

Captain Ebony nodded his head as he settled down to watch the fun as Inlo was changing direction quickly, keeping the other rabbits off him for the time being.  "Yes, he wants to make him suffer for making him look a fool.  He still feels bad and all over this.  He still thinks that you blame him for their escape you know."

 

"I shall have a word with him in private about it.  Could you send him to my private burrow at the end of the day."  Darkclaw-Rah said as he chuckled, one of the bucks nearly caught Inlo as he shook his head.  "Well, at least he's providing a good service at the moment in letting these new officers practise."

 

 Captain Ebony nodded his head.  "Inlo's doing quite well at the moment, though he does have more experience in these matters."  He watched as he turned his head and chuckled.  "Or maybe not.  Sir, look over there.  It looks like the group have split off.  One half is waiting doing nothing while the other half is chasing him.  It looks like they're waiting until Inlo tires out."

 

"Yes, it works in this scenario."  Darkclaw-Rah said as he looked at the group that had sat down and waited.  "But it wouldn't work in the open."  Captain Ebony nodded.  "They know that sir, but I thought it be best that Inlo got caught by fresh officers in case he thought he could disobey orders and tried to fight back."

 

While Darkclaw-Rah and Captain Ebony were talking amongst themselves, Inlo was in a race hoping to tire these officers out before he did so that he could avoid being hurt.  However as he turned around and harrowingly avoided being caught again, his heart sank as he saw Tallow sitting with a few others who hadn't run yet. 

 

 Slowing down, Inlo raced away as he saw the others come to a stop and then with a frightened look in his eyes, he saw Tallow and the others tearing into him.  Pushing off again, he ran away as fast as he could manage. 

 

Tallow though was catching up with Inlo as he saw him turn around and made the correction quickly.  Inlo felt every muscle in his body crying out for him to stop as his chest burnt within him.  Panting heavily, he could hear them behind him as he turned again in desperation.

 

As Captain Ebony and Darkclaw-Rah watched from afar, the tired Inlo tripped and fell onto the ground as Tallow caught up with him, jumping into the air as Inlo scrambled back onto his feet again and with his claws clamping down onto the other bucks back, Inlo fell down again as he felt pain at his sides.  "Well, looks like they caught him."  Captain Ebony said quietly as Darkclaw-Rah smiled with the results.  "Yes, but the fun isn't over yet."

 

Inlo winced in pain as he felt Tallow being to dig his claws in deeper into the other buck as he whispered into Inlo's ear.  "Since I caught you, I can practise my fighting on you and you can't fight back."  The other bucks came to a stop as they watched, Tallow keep his body on top of Inlo, his hind legs now climbing on top of the buck before his larger rear claws dug into the rear legs of Inlo, cutting them.

 

 Inlo cried out as he squirmed underneath Tallow but the buck kept on top of Inlo, whispering into his ear.  "Come on, Inlo...  I want to hear you apologise to me, beg for me to stop."  Tallow's claws dug deeper into Inlo's back legs as he felt the rabbit underneath him, shake from the pain.

 

"I'm sorry..."  Inlo begged as he felt Tallow bite down onto his ear as he cried out before he felt the pain lessen again as Tallow got up from where Inlo was lying down on the ground and turned to the others.  "Right, let him get his breath back and we see one rabbit chase him."  He looked at where Inlo was breathing heavily and smiled.  "Remember to use your claws and teeth to bring down someone.  You have to get into a position where he can't fight back.  The best way is to get on their back and using your hind legs, destroy their hind leg muscles." 

 

The other officers nodded their head as Tallow gave a fierce look to where Inlo was lying and spoke.  "Get up."  Watching as Inlo slowly got up, wobbling a bit as he tried to use his back legs but he could only move slowly.  Shaking his head, Tallow muttered.  "Well, looks like he can't run now."  Looking to where Captain Ebony was, he called out.  "He can't run sir?"

 

 Captain Ebony blinked as he turned his head to where Darkclaw-Rah was.  "Sir, do you think Inlo has had enough for today?"  He waited for an answer as Darkclaw-Rah kept on staring at Inlo slowly moving about while his face was in pain.  Eventually he replied back.  "Well, the other officers have to get their practise in so let them take turns in doing what Tallow just did."

 

Captain Ebony nodded and hopped off the log as he ran over to where Tallow was.  "Darkclaw-Rah wishes for you to continue, he thinks it's unfair for you to get all the fun and our youngsters unable to get in on the fun themselves."

 

Tallow smiled as he looked to Captain Ebony.  "Our chief speaks wisely, thank you sir."  Turning his head around to look at the other officers he left Captain Ebony to run back to where Darkclaw-Rah was and stopped at one particular buck who was keeping very still.  "Okay, why don't you be nex then, Aconite."

 

Aconite nodded his head as he stepped forwards, giving Tallow a look before turning his head to where Inlo had retreated, moving about in the clearing slowly, his ears down against his head as the buck had resigned to his fate.  Moving to the side, Tallow watched as Aconite moved slowly forwards as he took off after Inlo who wasn't running away anymore.  Inlo could hear the other buck approaching him and tensing up, prepared for what he expected.

 

 Aconite pounced into the air as he head butted Inlo to the ground, as the other buck fell over, Aconite jumped up and smashed his back legs onto the side of Inlo's head, knocking out the buck as he turned around to where Tallow was watching with a slight grin on his face.

 

Darkclaw-Rah looked to the side of him as he spoke.  "Well, that's that then."  Hopping off the log, he turned to face Captain Ebony.  "Make sure he's sent back to his burrow and get him up later to work, once he's recovered."

 

Captain Ebony nodded.  "I make sure he's ready again for tomorrow."  Seeing Darkclaw-Rah head off again he began to move in the direction of where Tallow and the others were.  "Good job."  Captain Ebony said as he looked at the unconscious form of Inlo.  "Right, test strength."  He turned to where Tallow and Aconite was.  "Since you two made him unable to move on himself, it's your job to get him down below to his burrow."

 

Smiling at the response shown on both bucks, Captain Ebony dismissed the others as he headed off himself, leaving Tallow with Aconite were standing near to Inlo.  Tallow waited until Captain Ebony was out of earshot and turned his head to where Aconite was standing.  "You just had to knock him out, didn't you?"

 

 Aconite frowned.  "So what?  He's a disgrace anyways, letting those newcomers escape.  He deserves all he gets as far as I am concerned."  Bending down, the buck sniffed Inlo and frowned.  "He's beginning to smell just like them as well, un-nourished and everything."

 

Moving around in the grass, Tallow looked up and saw Captain Shadow moving through the undergrowth briefly as he turned his head back to see Aconite rake his claws on Inlo's side with a low growl.  "Come on, wake up.  You think I am dragging you down below..."

 

"Forget it."  Tallow said softly as he moved up alongside as he nudged Aconite out of the way, looking at the new wound that the other buck had made with his paw.  "You knocked him clean out, he won't get up again for a while at least."  Giving a slight grin to that one, Tallow moved his head to the side, staring at Aconite.  "Which means I best keep an eye on you.  Looks like you're going to get into the owsla no problem."

 

Aconite began to tug on one of Inlo's ears as he didn't reply, both of them slowly dragged Inlo towards the warren entrance and rested for a while they looked at the lone form.  Aconite smiled.  "Thanks, I suppose I could do with some competition anyways."

 

 Tallow sighed as he began to move around to the rear of where Inlo was lying on the ground.  "Well, right now we have to work together.  Unless you want to leave him out here for elil to catch him?"

 

Aconite looked at Inlo with some thought.  "It is tempting but I think we get into trouble with that choice."  Tallow nodded as he began to push, watching Aconite move around to take hold of Inlo's ears and tugged.  Tallow replied back with a grunt.  "Tell me about it, I don't know if he's either a pain for being in the owsla or not at the moment."  Slowly they slipped down one of the holes.

 

Chapter 33 - Farmland near the Down

The journey through the day had mostly been uneventful since they had left the Iron Road, all three of them were on their guard since they had saw a tharn Efrafan rabbit before being whisked away on what they thought to be one of Frith's messengers.  Bracken came to a stop and looked ahead again before he spoke.  "You're sure about this, right Straw?" 

 

Straw looked ahead and nodded.  "Well, we need more information but I am sure that they were on about a warren on a hill and that's the biggest hill that I can see at the moment."  The buck sniffed the air before moving one of his ears to flick off a fly that had landed, disturbing one of his hairs.  Straw looked about again as he sniffed the air.  "I can't see any other hill that would do it, besides think on it."

 

Birch came up alongside Straw and sniffed the air as well.  "About what?"  He said while looking to where Bracken was catching a quick bite to eat as Birch replied back.  "Oh come on, that this is the only place that you could tell if anyone was coming from far away."

 

 Straw looked about again with some thought as he nodded his head.  "Well, yes I agree.  It would give a warren a huge advantage if you could see danger coming from afar."  He turned his head towards Birch again before Bracken swallowed what he was eating and spoke up.  "Well, listen.  They may have this advantage but so did we in a way, it was only bad luck that made our warren get destroyed."  Bracken moved his head to the side as he gave his left ear a scratch to get rid of an insect that had decided that it was a good place to have lunch, sending it away again before he shook his head to make sure that it had gone away.  "I think we got a bit greedy with the local farm, took too much.  Man isn't one to be known to share."

 

Straw got up onto his hind legs and then cowered down as the other two followed suit as the sound of a kestrel was heard in the distance flying about.  "Well, not to be a bore or anything."  Straw said with some hint of worried in his voice.  "But I'd rather we move on and find this warren than stay about in the open and advertise ourselves as nice easy snack for our enemies El-Ahrairah made when he annoyed our past friends etc."

 

 Bracken flicked an ear as he heard the call again further away as he slowly got up and nodded.  "Okay, let's get going.  Straw, since you know or seem to know where we are heading, why not take the lead, I assume that we have to move towards that sound we heard before."  He saw Straw nod his head before seeing him hop forwards.

 

"Yes,  I believe Frith is leaving us a sign and that perhaps with what we have found out by that tharn rabbit."  Straw lowered his head as though it was bad that they couldn't help one of their own before he lifted up his head again.  Moving off, the other two rabbits followed him as he zigzagged about.  Stopping here and there as they kept checking on what was in the air and the sounds all around them.

 

Bracken was looking about during one of the pauses that they were doing as his eyes scanned the area all around him, the tall grass swaying about in the wind as he could smell the rich thick scent of it swirling about in his head.  His ears twitched as the sound of a bee elsewhere in the field was buzzing a short distance away as it was busy collecting pollen.

 

 Sometimes as the three carried on their way, a few memories popped into their heads of times long ago, where each one had a moment that was close to their heart on their friend who had valiantly given his life so that at the moment each one of them had the chance to continue on with the fight for life and all the struggles that comes with it.  Bracken felt the loss as though it should've been his place.  No honour would've come about in ensuring the price of your life was the safety for the warren and of course the chief that you were under.

 

All three came to the end of the field that they were in, the grass getting longer before weeds started to appear just before the thick hedge that marked the edge.  Slowing down, Straw sniffed the air, knowing full well that even though the long grass gave shelter, it also held another side, the dark side where elil could hide out and jump right at you.  His whole body was taunt as he sniffed again, his nose opening and closing as he tried to filter away the thick smell of grass.  Slowly he put a step forward and edged himself into the long grass as he looked about again. 

 

 Subconsciously, Straw could feel the presence of his two friends who were a few paces behind him as he looked about left and right.  Slowly he managed to get rid of the feeling of his friends behind him and centred into himself as he remained still, the wind blowing through the tall grass, making it rustle as his ears strained for the slightly change in pitch to alert him of anything else in the area.  Slowly he began to relax as he couldn't feel anything else, his instincts remaining calm as he spoke.  "Its okay, come on."  Hopping forwards he came to the edge of the hedge and sat down.

 

Bracken-Rah and Birch came up as they sat down again, if only for a brief rest as they felt safe for the time being.  Birch looked about as he muttered.  "I be happy once we find a good place to get underground, all this being up top really doesn't fit my style of having some time off to relax."

 

Bracken-Rah shrugged as his ears dropped down.  "Birch, please.  I ain't sure how much I can take of your complaining at the moment."  Bracken turned his head towards Straw and then spoke again.  "Sorry Birch but we're all feeling it at the moment but we have to do what we have to do.  Just remember your training for the time being, that's all."   Bracken looked at Straw before continuing on.  "Come on, let's get going."

 

 All three rabbits slipped out of the hedge as they saw another road but it was different to the other roads, this one looked like another farm road, just two dirt tracks with some grass growing in the middle.  Bracken hopped forwards and sniffed one of the dirt tracks as he could smell something horrible.  His mind couldn't bring words to what he was currently picking up, as his nose picked up oil, rubber and petrol.  Wrinkling his nose, he looked up and down the road before muttering.  "Man, always man.  Do they own this world?  Why has Frith allowed them to rule this world?"  For a brief moment, Bracken could feel resentment towards Frith in general.  He felt that all rabbits belonged to him in that instant and he hated it, the fact that all rabbits were punished for their own mistake and there was man allowed to continue on without any punishment at all.

 

"Sir..?"  Straw looked at Bracken with a concerned look.  "Are you okay?"  Bracken blinked as he nodded his head before hopping over the grass in the middle, landing in the other dirt track.  "I'm fine, let's get going, shall we?"  He vanished through the other hedge without pausing to check it.

 

 Birch turned his head to Straw who looked at the place where Bracken had vanished and nodded.  "Come on, best to catch him up."  He hopped away, jumping into the hedge and vanished from sight.  Birch followed behind as they entered into a brown field where rows of cabbages were growing in neat rows.  Up in the middle of the field, there was Bracken who was looking up to where an old scarecrow was swaying slightly in the wind and they could hear him shouting at it.

 

Straw and Birch ran up towards Bracken as he was looking up with a frown.  "Why...?!  Why aren't you punished for your actions?  Is it just us rabbits that have to endure Frith's anger?"  He looked down as he head butted the pole that the scarecrow was attached to and then rested his head against it, breathing hard as he heard two sets of paws coming up behind him as Birch called out.  "Are you okay?"

 

Bracken shook his head as he slowly turned away from the scarecrow and then jumped at Birch before pinning him to the ground with a growl.  "No, Birch I'm not okay.  I'm far from okay at the moment.  And you know.."  Bracken felt a sharp pain on the side of his body as he found himself flying into the air and landing with a hard crash into one of the cabbages.  Straw was standing over Birch, breathing heavily as he looked at Bracken with a frown.  "What are you, tharn or something?"

 

 Bracken breathed heavily as he felt the anguish lift from his body as he gave out a soft groan before slowly stretching his body.  "Did you have to hit me so hard?"  He asked as he gave a wince while moving up to a comfortable lying position.  Straw continued to stand over Birch as he looked at Bracken with a frown.  "Sir, it had to be done, but I like to know just what do you think you were doing?"

 

Birch tried to move as Straw looked down and nodded before stepping over him to make his way over to where Bracken was carefully in case he had to defend himself.  Bracken noticed the body language that Straw was showing him as he muttered.  "You don't have to be wary anymore, it's passed."  Bracken looked to where Birch was and lowered his head.  "I'm sorry Birch, things just got to me rather quickly all of a sudden, it had been on my mind since we left that place.  Thinking about why we had to endure everything and how man gets away with things.  I was blaming Frith for it, but maybe he has his reasons why he won't deal with them and only punishes us."

 

 Straw sat down as he looked from one to the other while his frown slowly melted away.  "Okay, look.  I know that the last few incidents haven't been the best since we had to leave our warren but we have to stick together.  We're the only ones left, you know?  We shouldn't be fighting at all, it's not right.  We still have each other and we're going to find this warren and see if we can get accepted there and we'll be able to live our lives in peace." 

 

Bracken nodded as he got up now fully, standing there as he looked about.  "Well, we best get on, we are I think within Efrafan territory or there about.  But it's weird how we haven't met anyone from it.  I'm sure we should be meeting some of those wide patrols we've heard passing hlessi tell us about when they stayed at our old warren?"

 

All three of them came to an agreement on that as they all headed off across the field, leaving behind the scarecrow which continued to stand there as nothing had happened.  Moving through another hedge, they arrived into another field that had green plants growing out of it in rows as Bracken looked about.  "Well, we're in some farm I know that but I don't know where the farm house is, so maybe we're on the edge of it."  He began to hear sheep noises up ahead and then gave a shudder.  "Oh don't tell me we're coming near to sheep."

 

 To all three, it seem that their journey was now a challenge after another as they approached the end of the field where they looked through the hedge to see a green field with white sheep moving about, pulling the grass out to the roots as they made a racket.  All three of them had dealings with sheep near their old warren and they all knew what pests they could be.  It was Birch who spoke out first.  "So want to go through them or take the long route and see if we can find a field without them in?"

 

Bracken looked ahead and saw something that made his heart miss a beat as he smiled.  "Look over there, just over the end of the field.  Can you see it?"  The other two looked up and for the first time they could see a hill starting to show up above the far hedge line in the field and they all felt their spirits lie.  "Well, maybe that's the place that rabbit was afraid, the warren which beat Efrafa."

 

Straw nodded his head.  "Well, it doesn't answer Birch's question though, do we go through or find a way around?"  He heard Bracken reply back immediately after asking the question.  "We go through, now that we have something to aim for, I rather not waste time in finding a place where we don't have to go through them.  They could be in more than one field and you never know, they could end up just ignoring us if we ignore them."

 

 Birch nodded his head.  "Right, it's not like we're competing against them this time around for food source when they escaped that time and ended up around our warren."  He saw Straw gave a frown as the image of the memory entered his mind.  "Don't remind me, they never shut up, even when it had gone dark.  I couldn't get a wink of sleep for days as I recall.  I was glad that I heard a dog which led them away and brought peace."

 

Bracken slowly went forwards as he spoke himself.  "Well, yes.  As well as interrupting the way of life for the warren.  We lost two rabbits I think after some sheep decided to stampede.  What I am wondering though, isn't there a male goat about?"  Birch brought an even more important question that made Bracken quickly turn around and head back into the hedge.  "What about a dog?  Sheep usually have a dog?"

 

"Okay, that mistake I don't want telling to anyone."  Bracken said as he panted, ashamed of thinking such a valuable bit of information.  Straw smiled.  "Don't worry, you were feeling a bit pressurised a few moments ago.  You're still here so it is a lesson to be learnt I think."  He saw Bracken nod his head as Birch looked out into the field.

 

 "I don't think there is a dog, can't hear one and I can't smell one either but I think the best thing for us to do if it is a bit risky anyways."  He looked around to the edge of the field.  "Is that we run about the edge of the field, follow the hedge until we get to the other side and then leave.  Hopefully we will be past them and won't have to worry about it.  Besides..."  Birch stopped as he was thinking, trying to bring something up from his teachings as he muttered.  "Usually if there is a dog about, wouldn't the sheep be all gathered up together than be all over the place at the moment?"

 

Bracken came to a decision as he spoke.  "We try and cut across the field.  Going around the other way would bring too much danger and I rather we get through this as quickly as possible.  If we do run into a dog, we can run under the sheep, the dog couldn't anyways so we have an advantage while it would waste time to get around them.  Even if it meant us risking being trampled, by the sheep who would also want to get away from the dog as well."  Bracken looked at the other two and saw them nod their heads.  Giving one more look about to make sure that it was safe, all three of them sped off again into the field as they past sheep who continued to graze at the grass.  Straw muttered under his breath.  "It'll never grow back again, never pull it out completely."  He saw the warning look from the other two and remained quiet as they reached the centre of the field and stopped to have a rest again.

 

 Birch jumped when one sheep took a bit of the grass but also nearly bit into his tail as he hopped away to get around behind Straw.  "Hey, watch we're your eating?"  Birch heard the other two, laugh out loud as he frowned.  "It's not funny..."  He hopped away again and then heard Bracken give a shout as he had to get out of the way from a hoof.  "Right, that's it.  Come on, I want to get out of here."  All three of them ran off again to get to the other end of the field which they were all glad when they were away from the sheep and in the safety of the hedge.

 

Straw panted as he looked back to where the sheep were and then spoke.  "Well, that was frustrating.  Why do you think they keep such annoying creatures, I mean what use do they do apart from eat all the grass until it doesn't grow back."

 

Bracken replied back.  "No, it does.  I've seen man go about once in a field that sheep had eaten everything with a few officers once and then after a while, new grass had grown back.  He was throwing stuff down onto the ground and all.  Besides, it's just another weird thing that man does that we may never really fully understand."

 

 Birch moved about around the brambles within the hedge as he spoke.  "I don't think I want to know, I may go tharn with all the tharn'ness that man does and end up doing what they do every day.  You have to wonder if they like living the way they do."

 

"Who knows?"  Bracken said with some annoyance.  "Always seems to bring the conversation back to man though.  Can we at least change the subject for a while?"  He saw the other two nod their head as he continued.  "I was thinking more about what to expect when we get to this new warren, if this is the right direction and all."  He slowly began to walk out of the hedge as he checked about again before walking slowly out, content on just walking for the time being than staying still.  The other two followed him as they came up alongside him as he continued to speak out.  "I mean, they will have their own Chief rabbit and Captain of Owsla and we will be the ones that will have to show respect as lowly rabbits for the time being.  I can't expect us to be with the top lot right from the start or if we ever will."

 

 Straw nodded in agreement.  "Yeah, that had crossed my mind.  We could try and get back into their owsla if they would let us but at the moment I be happy to be accepted and get a burrow, even if I have to share it on the outskirts from the main warren.  What about you Birch?"

 

Birch was looking ahead as he thought about his answer for a moment and then replied with a soft thoughtful voice.  "I'll be happy with anything as long as I don't have to go back to that other place.  But yeah, a nice warm burrow and also the chance to eat pellets again would be nice.  Something you forget about when you always have to travel making it a bit impossible really."

 

All three of them had been neglected to follow certain rabbit rituals that they would've done while in a warren and the thought that they had forgotten about doing them had made them wish that they could get back into warren life as soon as possible.  Even though a small part of them had enjoyed the excitement of being an hlessi, the experience taught them a few things about how things went about and that there was other places around that were just as dangerous as elil and man himself.  Gone were the days when they had thought that the only place that rabbits feared was the tales of Efrafa but now they had experience a place that was much worse.  None of them wanted the life of being an hlessi now, the call of it which had been there in the back of their minds while they did the routine warren life stuff had long since left them.

 

 As the afternoon wore on, they could see the hill get taller and taller while they pass through field to field, road over road and eventually they came up to a road where they could see in the short distance from them, a tall metal thing sticking up out of the ground which Birch said it looked like a tree.  "Hmm, a glowing tree."  He stared at it for a while before he was poked in the side by Straw.  "Come on.  Let's get across this road first so that we can go have a closer look at it."

 

The road at the time was clear as all three rabbits ran over the road, the hard surface tiring them out faster than being on the soft ground.  They came to a stop near the hedge and rested within it for a moment.  Bracken sniffed about a bit and replied.  "Definitely can smell rabbit, been through around here recently as well."  He moved about and saw some droppings which he sniffed again and looked about.  "Hmm, its fresh as well, still warm.  I think we found the place, must've gone up to report it."

 

Straw nodded.  "Well, they could've seen us approach from a while ago and sent someone down just to see if we are heading this way.  I think we should expect some company soon."  Birch got up and stretched.  "Well, I'm going to take a look at that glowing tree anyways before they do.  Not seen a tree like that before, doesn't even have leaves."

 

 The electric pylon was near the edge of the field which was the furthest from the bottom of the hill that lay in another field away.  As they moved towards the pylon, Birch came to a stop and sniffed it when he got near enough to do so.  Giving his nose a rub with his front paws he tried again to give it a sniff and then blinked at the other two.  "Well, it doesn't smell like a tree."  He looked up at it and stood up to get a better angle.  "Weird leaves as well, they go on and on."

 

Bracken flicked an ear.  "Can you hear that?  There's like a sound coming from it, like a bee buzzing about but it has the same sound coming from it."  He looked up before adding.  "Sounds like it's coming from the top?" 

 

Birch nodded his head.  "Yeah, it's a bit loud though, really.  Wonder what grows on it and falls down?"  He sniffed the tree again and once more rubbed his nose.  "It's got that same smell as what Frith messenger runs on.  I wonder if this thing grows those things it runs on or grows the food that the messenger eats."

 

 While they were looking at the humming glowing tree, the sun reflecting on one side of it, they didn't notice that a few rabbits were coming down the hill in the distance, one of them with a thick tuft of hair in between his ears and looking like he meant business.

 

Chapter 34 - The Reunion

Four rabbits were carefully making their way down the hill, Hazel, Hawkbit, Bigwig and Blueberry.  Blackberry had seen them earlier in the day and had reported to them that there were three rabbits heading their way.  Blackberry had gone to where he could find Bigwig earlier on in the day.

 

"Bigwig, there's three rabbits heading our way in the distance?  Don't think they look Efrafan but you never know, could be some stragglers about after their defeat."  Blackberry said while trying to catch his breath.  Blackberry listened to what Bigwig said and nodded his head before running off back down the hill to wait to see if they would come any nearer. 

 

In the meantime, Bigwig headed off to where he knew Hazel was up and about and came up to him.  "I just had Blackberry mention we have a few rabbits out on the down heading this way.  They should reach the bottom of the hill by early evening."  He flicked an ear to an insect as he looked around for a moment.  "Do you want to come with us when they arrive or wait until we know if they're safe or not?"

 

 Hazel didn't reply at first as he contemplated things before replying.  "I'll come down with you.  Besides, you can't protect me all the time."  He saw Bigwig was about to contest that and chuckled.  "Hey, I am not going to end up like our old Chief at our old warren.  I like to keep active as well, you know."  Hazel nodded his head at Bigwig and added.  "But I know you have my back."  That seemed to have done the trick as Bigwig nodded back before they continued on with the rest of the day.

 

As the four rabbits from above were heading down the hill, the three were still looking about at the power pylon and hadn't noticed that anything was coming their way.  Birch sat down and gave a sneeze as he rubbed his nose with his paw and shrugged.  "Well, I'm fed up of this.  Doubt we know what that thing is really, knowing something it's probably man made and it's not a tree afterall."

 

Bracken shook his head as he replied back.  "I think you're right, but then again maybe not."  He paused as he looked at Straw who was in thought and looked the other way as he replied.  "I still think it has something to do with the Frith Runner, but we don't know much about that stuff.  I suppose he will tell us when he wants to."  He looked towards where the sun was slowly starting to head downwards and then blinked as something caught his attention from the corner of his eye and he spoke quietly.  "I think we're about to be met by the local warren."

 

 Bracken and Birch turned around and then hopped so that they were next to Straw.  Bracken found himself in the middle with Birch and Straw on each side of him.  He looked as he saw the rabbits moving down the hill as they vanished out of sight when they went into the field in front of them.  "Well, should we go ahead and meet them or wait for them to get here?"  Bracken asked.

 

Straw replied back.  "Well, let's wait here as this seems a good enough spot and we can see anything coming around us anyways.  Let them make the first move, just in case we make a wrong one by moving around their own territory."

 

Birch nodded.  "Well, if they so much as look like they're the same as that other place I'm going to just run away if it's all the same to you two."  He didn't get a reply as they saw a rabbit head pop out from the hedge in the distance, sniffing the air before emerging fully out with another three rabbits behind him.

 

Bracken blinked as he stared out, two rabbits were looking nearly the same with the same tuft of hair on top of their heads but as the group came closer and closer, even Birch and Straw suddenly began to realise that something was familiar about one of them.

 

 Blueberry was had noticed who they were suddenly gain a bit more speed and took over from where Bigwig was in front as he heard Bigwig call out.  "Hey, what do you think you're doing?"  Blueberry though ignored him and came running right at the three rabbits and slid to a stop, some grass had been ripped by his paws.

 

"Straw, Birch...  Bracken!"  Blueberry blurted out.  "How..?  I mean, hi but how on Frith...?  Where have you been?"  He swallowed as he felt the other three arrive behind him and swallowed before turning his head towards Hazel, Bigwig and Hawkbit.  "It's okay, I know them, they're from my old warren."

 

Bracken chuckled as he looked at Blueberry but then he turned his head to Hazel and lowered it.  "My name is Bracken and I would like to request that we could join you."  He paused for a moment and then added.  "Sir."

 

Hazel looked at Bracken for a moment and then spoke.  "How did you know I was the one in charge?"  He kept looking within the eyes of Bracken and then nodded his head as he spoke.  "I see, you're the leader of your warren I take it?"

 

 Bracken nodded his head as he sat down and replied back.  "Sometimes you know, after working with someone who was Chief, you just know the look that they have, the way that they show themselves.  I wasn't Chief at my old warren though, a good friend was, but he went tharn at the time man came and destroyed it.  I was under Captain Sando but he didn't make it either."  Bracken turned his head to where Blueberry was standing.  "We ended up getting split up at that river when man came along chasing after a homba.  Tell me, did any others survive?"

 

Blueberry nodded.  "Well, Hawk died but Carbi is still alive and is up on top."  Blueberry lowered his head as he spoke.  "Hawk did it so that he could save Carbi while we were in Efrafa."

 

Straw lowered his head as he replied back.  "We lost Halgrass as well, but that's a long story for later."  Bracken nodded his as he looked at Blueberry again.  "Well, I can see that you have grown up since we last met."  Bracken saw Blueberry nod his head as he turned to face Hazel again and coughed.  "Sorry, you were saying?"

 

 There was no malice or frustration on Hazel's face as he replied back.  "It's okay, I'm sure that you have a lot of stories to share and no doubt that we would be happy to listen in if that would be okay.  It's not every day that a warren has new stories to tell and share."  He paused before adding.  "Please, come.  Friends of Blueberry's is a friend of ours."  Without anymore being said for the moment, all of them started on their journey back up to where the warren lay on top of the hill.

 

Bracken came up alongside Blueberry as he looked at him.  "So I noticed you have a mark?"  He saw Blueberry nod his head as he replied back to Bracken.  "Yes, I came across Efrafa first, had no choice at the time in joining them, they didn't take kindly to having hlessi running about the place, that and warrens."

 

Bigwig who had caught the new conversation from his ears, slowed down, as he came up alongside them as he listened.  Bracken nodded his head.  "Well, it seems to have made you grow up a bit.  Then again I think our situation has made all of us grow up in a way."

 

 Bigwig nodded.  "I think when you are faced with such danger of losing a warren and having to move into uncertainty that you do grow and learn."  Bigwig looked ahead at where Hazel was up in front as he spoke.  "There was a time when even in our group there was tensions on who should be in charge, we didn't lose our warren, we had warnings from a veheer, Fiver who saw it all but leaving a warren like that was hard.  Needless to say that I came to a conclusion that after all, Hazel was the right one and I was happy to step aside."

 

Bracken replied back.  "I don't think we had the time to think of things like that.  After all, we ended up being in so much trouble after being washed down the stream.  Listen, I think we've shaken them off as we've not had anyone follow us for days now, not since crossing the first of two rivers.  But there's another warren, Darkclaw warren with some tharn Chief there.  Well, we never had the time to think about who should take over, bit busy with surviving really."

 

The group reached the bottom of the hill as they started to climb it.  Straw hopped forwards to get in line with where Hazel was and spoke.  "I didn't think I could've believed such a place existed, not until we met some rabbit back a few days ago that got ran over by a messenger of Frith."

 

 Hazel blinked.  "You met an Efrafan?  What did he have to say for himself?"  Hazel turned his head to the side a bit to listen to the reply from Straw as they bounded up the hill much faster than Hazel and his group had come down previously.  Straw replied back.  "He went on about you and your warren, how you controlled elil and suddenly just ran into that messenger and died.  It was the first time we met one, we heard stories told of them from passing hlessi who had heard about them and knew to keep away from the warren or had to be very careful in passing it."

 

Hazel spoke back.  "Well, we've not heard anything from them at the moment although I ain't sure if that will last.  We have to wait and see what will happen now with that, but it is something I have put off for a while, perhaps I should do something about that."  He remained quiet and Straw didn't push it since he was new and all.

 

The group finally reached the top of the hill as Bracken, Birch and Straw turned around to look out over the top as they saw the world below them.  Blueberry hopped over to where the others where and smiled.  "Well, you have to admit that we have a view that makes anyone who comes here take a look out, don't you think Hawkbit?"

 

 Hawkbit gave a scratch of his ear as he nodded his head.  "Well, Hazel you can't dispute that one, seems that we have something to show off."  He looked up and gave a loud shout.  "Come here and see the world."  He paused as he shook his head.  "Hmm, well I suppose we could charge flayrah for the privilege?" 

 

Bigwig snorted.  "Don't talk daft, you're starting to sound like one of those Shining Wire lot with ideas such of those."  Bigwig gave a slight shudder as the memory of it came back to him and he swallowed a few times before feeling a bit better again.

 

Bracken turned around and hopped back.  "Well, I definitely know that you saw us coming from a fair way away.  You can see the farm and river from here."  Hazel nodded his head.  "One of our rabbits spotted you appear earlier on this morning, but you were too far away to really send anyone.  We had some work to do on fixing the warren still."

 

Nodding his head, Bracken replied back.  "Well, we didn't meet anyone at all apart from that one rabbit."  Blueberry looked at Bigwig and spoke.  "You know, perhaps we should go check it out again, see what is actually happening there and all."

 

 "That's not up for us to decide that but..."  Bigwig turned his head towards Hazel with a questionable look.  "So, what do you think?"  Bigwig continued to look at Hazel as he closed his eyes in thought before replying.  "Okay, we have to check on the situation and I have been thinking about it myself.  Perhaps with Woundwort gone they won't have the need to continue in those ways of theirs anymore and may need help."

 

Hawkbit blinked.  "So a show of good faith then, is it?  Well if you two are going then I'm coming as well."  Hawkbit looked at Blueberry and Bigwig.  "Even though it scares me, I'm interested in seeing this place and besides, someone has to keep a look out on you."  Hawkbit looked at Blueberry before hopping back to get away from an attempted cuff by the other buck.

 

Hazel shook his head.  "Okay, Bigwig.  You may leave as soon as you like but come back as soon as you can determine what is going on there.  If you can see if it is okay, then I would like to arrange a meeting with whoever is in charge there now and try to secure a new peace.  I think you best let Blueberry go in there though, they'll probably think he's still one of their own."  Hazel looked at Blueberry.  "But that isn't certain, but I think it may be asking too much if Bigwig goes in what with killing one of their officers while escaping and bringing their downfall.  As for you Hawkbit, well they won't know you but all of you keep on your guard."

 

 Bigwig nodded.  "Right, we leave first thing in the morning, before Fiver gets wind of this and tries to talk me out of it or get you to change your mind.  You know how your brother is like Hazel.  He does worry far too much sometimes."

 

"So that's why you left without saying a word the last time?"  Hazel said to Bigwig with a chuckle.  "Well, at least this time I know what you are up to so I won't worry too much."  Hazel turned to the others.  "Well, we leave you be and let Blueberry find you a place to stay.  You all probably have a lot to talk about before he has to go tomorrow.  And I need to go anyways before Hyzenthlay comes looking for me."  Bowing his head slightly, Hazel ran off and vanished down one of the holes in the ground.

 

Bigwig gave a yawn and nodded to the rest as well.  "I'm heading down as well.  Blueberry, Hawkbit, I don't want you to stay up too late tonight.  If I see that you're not in perfect position tomorrow you won't be coming, I will pick another rabbit or two if I need to."  Bigwig turned to go and then paused before looking at Bracken, Birch and Straw.  "It's been nice to meet you as well.  Get some rest before I get back as well."  Bigwig gave a wink and then bolted down one of the holes and vanished from sight.

 

 Bracken blinked as he looked towards the hole was where Bigwig had vanished into.  Hawkbit spoke up as he hopped over to where the three newcomers are and turned back to look at Blueberry.  "Should we tell them?"

 

Blueberry moved his head to the side before he gave a thoughtful sound and then answered.  "Oh I don't know.  I mean, they only just arrived, not sure they want that horror thrusted on them."  Blueberry blinked as he saw the three of his friends stare at him before coughing and spoke.  "I think you're about to be drafted into Bigwig's owsla, as officers."

 

Bracken, Birch and Straw just stood there and then shook their heads.  "Oh I don't know."  Bracken said.  "I suppose we could manage it, I mean we have been owsla before you know?"  Blueberry gave a funny grin before replying back.  "You sure, seems to me that you've forgotten about what warren life is all about."

 

Blueberry bolted as Bracken lunged at him.  "Why you cheeky thing, come back here!"  Hawkbit just sat there and then laughed as he saw Bracken chase Blueberry around the top of the hill as Birch shook his head as he looked at Straw.  "Looks like we're going to be alright, doesn't it?"  Straw nodded his head as he saw Blueberry get knocked onto the ground before being cuffed playfully by Bracken.  "Yep, I think you're right there, we're home."

 

 A short while later, deep within the warren, Carbi was saying his goodbye's for the night with Fiver before he left his burrow; both of them had been talking for most of the day and had become good friends.  He was about to settle down to sleep when he heard Fiver talk at the far end of the run and gave a soft yawn.  Then he paused with his mouth open as he heard other voices and then closed it again before moving about in the burrow to get ready to get a few hours of sleep.

 

Blueberry poked his head around the entrance of the burrow and spoke.  "You still awake?"  He listened and then repeated the question.  "Come on, I know you're awake, Fiver only left a moment or two ago."

 

Carbi yawned as he turned around and looked at where the sound of Blueberry's voice was coming from and replied back.  "Yeah, I'm awake, what do you want?"  He blinked as he saw Blueberry walk past and then poke his head in again on the other side of the entrance to the burrow.  "Oh I thought you would like to have some guests, they do want to talk to you and all."

 

 Blinking, Carbi replied back.  "Blueberry, I'm tired.  I've been awake all day talking, not to mention helping Fiver out this morning in keeping the new kits we have from the does of the Efrafan's entertained.  You have to tell them to come back tomorrow."

 

"Well, that's nice, after all we've been through to get here, you think he be willing to see us."  Bracken said as he popped his head into the burrow himself.  "Hello again Carbi, now how are you?"  He slipped into the burrow and then came Birch and Straw who followed in as Carbi stared out in disbelief, which was quickly followed by surprise and happiness.

 

"No, no.  Please come in."  Carbi said as he looked to where Blueberry was and blinked.  "You staying as well, we have lots to catch up on."  Carbi saw Blueberry shake his head and looked to where Hawkbit was, though Carbi couldn't see him and spoke.  "I be a short while, you best go.  I see you in the morning."  Blueberry turned his head back again and looked at Carbi before he spoke to him again.  "I'm heading off first thing in the morning.  Owsla duty and all, we've been ordered to go see what is happening back at Efrafa."

 

 "Why?!"  Carbi spoke out loudly, making Bracken, Birch and Straw to look in between Carbi and Blueberry as Blueberry sat down and replied back.  "It's something me and Bigwig have been discussing lately."

 

Carbi shook his head as he blurted out.  "But after what happened there, I don't know why you would want to go back."  Carbi looked out at Blueberry with a frown as he shook his head.  "I'll never go back there."

 

"I know."  Blueberry said as he spoke softly.  "Carbi, it was Woundwort that made them the way they are, if there is a chance that they can change without his influence then no one else should ever have to go through it.  They may need our help and if we have the same hatred then we would be just the same as they are."

 

Straw looked at Carbi and gave him a friendly nuzzle, sniffing his friend again to get back that scent.  "Carbi, he does speak truthfully, you know our warren would never think evil of any other rabbit and I know that this warren doesn't."

 

Carbi sighed but he nodded his head.  "Just promise me this, Blueberry.  Be careful when you're there.  We've lost enough of our own than to lose anyone else from our warren."  Blueberry nodded his head and then turned to go.  "I will take care."  He stopped and turned his head back again.  "It's really great to see you all again."

 

 Bracken nodded and got up as he headed out of the burrow leaving the other two with Carbi as he walked slightly down the run with Blueberry and stopped.  "I don't know what has happened but I'm sure I will by the time morning comes about.  I'm not going to say you shouldn't go or if you should as I can see in your eyes now that you know what you are doing and know your limitations."  He looked back to where Carbi's burrow was and turned his head back again.  "But be careful anyways and always have some tricks ready just in case, okay?"

 

Blueberry nodded.  "Yes sir, I know."  Bracken shook his head and spoke.  "Nope, not your commanding officer anymore, you're in the owsla and at the moment I am not.  So really I should be calling you sir.  I'll see you around."  He saw Blueberry nod and then Bracken turned and headed back into the burrow with the others. 

 

Standing there in the run for a moment alone, Blueberry could hear voices coming from within the burrow now and he felt a warm glow in his chest.  He didn't know if anyone else survived or if it was just them but in some form or another, the old warren that he knew would live on and so would the stories that each rabbit held within them.  Blueberry turned around and headed off to get the rest he needed for the task that lay ahead the next day.

 

Chapter 35 - Off to Efrafa

Frith hadn't risen from the ground as Bigwig was up and about with Hazel and Fiver.  "Look, Fiver, we have to go do this."  Bigwig said as he unintentionally rolled his eyes, the buck knew that this would eventually come but thought when he had woken up that he had gotten away from it.  "I mean, what could possibly happen?"

 

"What could happen is that you don't know how dangerous it could be.  There will be those still there that will still be under the influence of Woundwort and wouldn't take kindly in seeing your there for a start."  Fiver replied back as he looked upwards at Bigwig to get some sort of eye contact with the bigger buck.

 

Hazel spoke.  "Fiver, it's been decided, they will take care of themselves but we do appreciate your concern on this matter."  He saw Bigwig nod his head as he spoke next.  "Yeah, I do.  Look, we will be careful, it's not like I want to be a prisoner in that place again, once is quite enough for me I can tell you."

 

"Once enough is what again?"  Hawkbit said as he came up from one of the holes and looked about before hopping to where the three rabbits were.  Bigwig repeated what he had just said to Fiver.  "I was on about not being a prisoner in that warren again."

 

 Hawkbit nodded.  "Well, I don't want to be a prisoner in that place even once."  Hawkbit replied back.  "Whoa, we just agreed on something, okay I want everyone to forget that moment."  All of them laughed out as the mood lightened up as Blueberry's head came into view as he sniffed the cold damp morning air.  Blueberry came over as he looked at them just ending their laughing session and blinked.  "What's the joke?"

 

Hawkbit coughed as he nudged Blueberry forwards towards the start of the slope downwards on the hill.  "What?  There's no joke, besides we have to get going, busy, busy, busy that's the thing with the owsla right."  Hawkbit turned his head around.  "Are you coming Bigwig.  Bye Hazel-Rah, by Fiver.  We'll be back as soon as possible."  Turning his head around he continued to push the protesting Blueberry away from the others as he continued to deny that there was a joke.

 

Bigwig smiled.  "Ah well, just think about how much I can tease Hawkbit on the way, he'll never want me to let his friend know he agreed with something I said."  Hazel chuckled as he shook his head.  "You know I could come with you, just to make sure you don't."

 

 Fiver began to push Hazel away back towards the warren.  "Oh no, you've much to do around here, warren to run and all.  Take care Bigwig, make sure those two don't get into any trouble now."  Bigwig blinked and decided to leave as he ran after Hawkbit and Blueberry as Fiver stopped and looked at Fiver with a worried look.  "I hope they will be okay but I have that feeling.  You're sure you want them to go?"

 

Hazel nodded his head as he replied back.  "Well, we can't protect ourselves completely and we do need to know what is going on there.  They're all clever enough to trick their way out or to keep out of trouble if there is any.  Come on, let's go look for a good place to silflay before the rest of the warren wakes up."

 

Catching up with Hawkbit and Blueberry, Bigwig slowed down as they started down the slight slop, running was out of the question soon as the hill would drop to a steep slope and neither one of them wanted to fall down forwards and roll down the hill.  Moving along in a zigzag pattern, they began to slowly head downwards as Bigwig spoke.  "Okay, it shouldn't take that long to get to Efrafa, we be there by the end of the day, bar anything that would go wrong.  Still have to go through the farm though."

 

 Hawkbit muttered.  "Great, farms, pfeffa, dogs, man.  I'm sure you pick the toughest route, you know."  Bigwig nodded his head.  "Well, have to keep my officers on top condition now, keeps you on your paws."  Hawkbit groaned as Blueberry chuckled.  "Well, I'm all for whatever at the moment, been in that warren for a while is okay but I'm still willing to try out things."

 

Hawkbit frowned.  "To be so young, so adventureous, you'll soon learn to slow down and appreciate life when you have more responsibilities and all."  Blueberry turned his head to where Hawkbit.  "Come on, lighten up, we're on another adventure again, at least it's not digging."

 

Bigwig nodded.  "That's true, could very well tell you to go back and you can dig more new holes for the warren again, I'm sure the does would appreciate it."  Hawkbit winced as he shook his head.  "Oh no, I've done enough digging to last me a few seasons, no.  I'm coming on this mission, besides I think that I may need to increase my skills.  Wouldn't mind showing a pfeffa how stupid they are."

 

 Turning more serious, Bigwig spoke now.  "Okay, listen up you two.  We know we're heading into Efrafa but we have to make sure that we know a few things.  For one, Hawkbit, I don't think you want to end up joining the club of being marked; it's a bit permanent in that."

 

Hawkbit nodded his head as he listened to what Captain Bigwig had to say.  "As for me, I don't think I will be able to come in with you or get as close as I want to so I'm going to wait at the river by the bridge.  There I will wait for you Hawkbit if you have any information you need to send back to me as I think only Blueberry should go back into the warren as they still think he will be a straggler from the battle."

 

Blueberry frowned.  "There could be a problem though, I ain't sure if Vervain trusts me at all, he's still got something against me and I haven't met him after the battle so I don't know what he has in his mind for me if I do return."

 

Bigwig nodded his head.  "Will it be a problem that you can't deal with?"  He looked at Blueberry who shook his head.  "No, I don't think it will be a problem, Vervain can be a problem but it's not like I haven't been able to deal with him before or others in that warren.  I'm more concerned on what may happen."  Blueberry paused as he looked at Bigwig.  "It's like you have to keep an eye on your back just in case you're taken out so that someone can take your place."

 

 Hawkbit continued to move down the hill and reached the bottom as he heard Bigwig and Blueberry talk behind him as he looked about and sniffed the air.  Hawkbit couldn't detect anything but damp morning dew as he turned his head back again.  "Every time I have about Vervain I feel a cold shiver run down my spine.  It sounds like he's trying to take on the same paw steps as Woundwort himself."

 

Both Bigwig and Blueberry snorted at the same time, but it was Bigwig that spoke with a reply after doing so.  "You think Vervain to be the next Woundwort?  Trust me Hawkbit, he's evil alright but he has a totally different way of doing things.  He's sneaky, he lies as well no doubt to get where he wants to get.  I wouldn't be surprised if he killed those who were injured to gain their promotion as well.  With Woundwort now gone and Campion being in charge now, I think I fear for Campion's life as no doubt Vervain would want to be Chief himself."

 

Hawkbit replied back.  "Great, I'm getting this really warm, fuzzy feeling about him already.  I only have a question.  Why didn't either of you kill him, could've done the world a favour."  Blueberry looked away with a frown.  "I wanted to, trust me.  A few rabbits there annoyed me in such a way that I wanted to."

 

 They came to the road and stopped, looking up and down it as Bigwig hopped out until he was in the middle of it and turned around.  "Come on, man hasn't woken up yet, far too early for him to get up and drive about."  He hopped over to the over side and then paused as he heard a faint sound of a crash ringing in the distance as though glass had broken followed by some dog barking loudly.

 

Moving again, Bigwig looked at the other two.  "It's far away, nothing to do with us so let's get going, shall we?"  Both Blueberry and Hawkbit ran over the road as they vanished through the hedge and into the field where there were a lot of cow pats on the ground.  Running about they stopped in turn ahead of each other as they listened out for elil, since it was still that time of night where most were on the prowl or just coming back from a hunt.  Moving along they reched the other side of the field in no time at all as they slipped past a field mouse that was lapping up the dew from a flower, the stem swaying side to side as Blueberry paused to look at it as it lifted up its small snout, some of the flower nectar dripping from its whiskers as it gave a soft squeak.  Blueberry nodded his head and then slipped through the hedge to catch up with the other two.

 

 Over in the distance a faint glow began to show as Frith was starting to show itself again as the clouds gave away the secret with bright light on their under bellies.  Hawkbit looked at it briefly as he jumped over a small grey stone in the grass field and came up alongside Bigwig again.  "So Bigwig is anything else that we should know?"

 

Bigwig replied back.  "Just don't get caught, especially when you have a chance to find out what is going on or hear from Blueberry.  I would suggest that you pick a good spot that isn't too far or too near to the warren.  If things are fine then maybe we can start some proper discussion.  Blueberry, you will have to see if Campion is interested in peace with our warren.  Try and get the idea in his head that Hazel-Rah wants to meet with him to discuss it."

 

Blueberry came to a stop and stood up as he looked about before getting back down again, running after the other two as he caught up and replied back.  "Understood, it just be like last time apart from that you don't have a seagull this time around and you're not there to do the risky stuff."

 

 Hawkbit blinked as he looked up into the sky as though he was expecting to see that gull fly about overhead as he muttered.  "I wonder if we ever see that bird again."  Bigwig replied with a snort.  "Well, don't know.  He always wanted to get back to that big water of his so I think he's happy at home there while we're happy here.  He never said if he was coming back again."

 

Blueberry chuckled.  "He's probably found a female bird to start his own nest.  Though I wish I had known him better from all the stories I have heard about him though.  I can't believe you ran into him Bigwig."

 

Bigwig just coughed as he came to a stop just near to the hedge again and stood up, sniffing the air and listening out, the sound of un-natural sounds reached his ear as far away in the farmhouse the radio was on as he listened in to the sounds of whistling mixed in with it.  "Man's up."  He said quietly as he looked about.  "We have to be more careful; don't know when they will come out to tend to the fields today."  Hawkbit sniffed the air and wrinkled up his nose.  "Oh yeah, they're up alright.  There's that disgusting smell in the air again.  Only time I smelled that was when we had those dead rabbits to bury."

 

 Blueberry nodded.  "I've seen it before; they eat some very weird things.  I was on training once with Captain Sando once.  It was a very weird first time that I saw man.  I could smell both meat and flayrah as well that they were eating."

 

They all continued on their way again slowly as they passed through another field which was full of sleeping sheep, some have started to stir and wake up on the other side as they all hopped along past one large sheep that was snoring slightly. 

 

On reaching the end of the field they saw the narrow road that led up towards the farmhouse and looked in that direction, life had started to pick up in that area as loud footsteps could be heard echoing on the ground as cows began to make a racket.  A bright yellow light shone out from one of the barns as the rabbits looked at each other before Bigwig muttered.  "We best get going, not safe here now."

 

All three ran across the road and into the next field as they slowly began to make their way away from the farm.  By the time they had reached a few fields further away, Frith had already gained enough height to bring full daylight all around them as they came to a stop for a brief rest under a bush, all of them panting hard.

 

 Blueberry coughed as he spoke.  "Well, we should be away from man now."  He turned back towards the way that they have come and started to hear the sound of a tractor starting up in the distance.  "I don't think this field has been touched by man for a very long time."

 

Hawkbit looked out of the bush and nodded his head as he saw the overgrown grass swaying in the morning breeze, the light from Frith making the water droplets that dangled on bent blades of grass shimmer with a halo effect as a few flying insects flirted about from one part to another to get a drink.

 

After a brief rest, the group continued on their way as Frith continued to climb up into the sky.  For Bigwig and Blueberry, the closer that they got to Efrafa, the more cautious they became to the point that it started to pass over to Hawkbit who was also checking for stuff a lot more than usual.  Eventually they reached the fields where the cabbages were being grown on either side of the iron road.  Bigwig came to a stop right next to the wooden fence from the far side and then stood up as he sniffed the air.  "There's rabbit here but I think..."  He stopped and hopped over to one of the wooden posts and sniffed at the ground before nodding his head.  "Yeah, it seems to be the scent of your friends that past here recently."

 

 Blueberry came up to where Bigwig was and bent his head down to give the ground a sniff himself as he lifted it back up with a reply.  "Yeah, that's them.  Look, you can see their tracks in the ground still."  Blueberry hopped over to them as he gave them another sniff.   "Don't think they knew the danger really of walking through here with leaving tracks like that."  He looked up into the sky.  "They'll go as soon as the next rainfall comes however."

 

Bigwig hopped forward and went passed Blueberry as Hawkbit came up alongside Blueberry.  "Well, maybe they were too busy moving in case the other warren they escaped from was going to come back and send another load of rabbits after them.  Did you hear anything more about them?"

 

Blueberry nodded.  "I had a quick talk with Carbi before I left, it kind of put Efrafa as a nice safe warren.  What got me though was the chilling tale of their Chief.  It seems like they're all waiting for their true leader to return.  But being made to fight each other to the death was the one that set me back.  I'd take Efrafa any day than that."  He began to follow Bigwig as he talked quietly to Hawkbit.  "They even made their prisoners become proper target for their new training owsla to kill."

 

 Bigwig had stopped as he turned around to face Blueberry with a frown.  "They did what?!"  He hopped back towards them with a frown.  "They killed rabbits like that."  Bigwig shook his head as he dug his claws into the dry earth.  "It would seem that this world is full of warrens that are full of evil and have lost the way.  Shining Wire, Efrafa and what was this warren they were in?" 

 

Blueberry replied back.  "They call it Darkclaw Warren, apparantely there are rabbits around there that are more scared of that place than Efrafa.  Most haven't even heard of that place as it's so far away.  It was bad luck that my friends ended up being swept down there by the river."

 

Bigwig gave a shudder.  "We went downstream once in the rain to get away from Woundwort.  I'm so glad that we never met anything like that at the time."  He looked about again as he stared up at the sky and then back down again.  "We best get moving, if they have managed to get their owsla back into order, then there should be a wide patrol soon in this area."

 

 Moving onwards they reached the end of the field which was again surrounded by a wooden fence and slipped through it to get onto the dirt path.  Looking about Bigwig was deciding on which way to go and then he motioned for them to head off to the left as they kept as close to the fence as possible running down the lane.

 

Hawkbit panted as he was just behind Bigwig with Blueberry taking up the rear as he looked up and saw some birds fly overhead high into the sky as they came to a part where Bigwig started to slow down.  Bigwig gave them a look of not talking as they approached the tunnel that lay underneath the railway bridge as they hopped across the width of the lane and came to some overgrown long grass.

 

Moving slowly out, Bigwig looked into the dark tunnel as he walked slowly into it with Blueberry and Hawkbit taking up the rear.  None of them breathed as they ventured into the darkness, seeing the light at the far end as even their own steps echoed around the walls.  Looking up, Hawkbit saw that some water that had dropped onto his head and quickly moved out of the way before another cold droplet could land on him.

 

 Bigwig gave Hawkbit a warning glance before heading off, leaving Hawkbit to scowl slightly that it wasn't his fault.  The rest of the way went uneventful as they came to the other side and back into the daylight again.  Sniffing the air, Bigwig came to a stop and turned around to where the other two were standing.  "Okay, I'm going to head off to the river.  Hawkbit, I'll be where we were last time when we found that boat."

 

Hawkbit nodded his head.  "How could I forget that night, but I remember it yes."  Bigwig nodded his head.  "Okay, I want you to come with news for me every night at fu-inle.  Come even if there is nothing to report.  If you come at any other time I will know that something is up."

 

Bigwig turned to go but Hawkbit coughed.   "Look, Bigwig, just be careful okay, I don't think they would be fooled by that river thing again.  Perhaps you could find another place to hide out and show me it on my first report."

 

"Well, yeah I'll do that."  Bigwig said and then he ran off into the distance, leaving Blueberry and Hawkbit alone at the edge of the tunnel.  Blueberry sniffed the air and then spoke.  "We best get going, sure you want to do this, if you get caught it won't be a pretty thing."

 

 Hawkbit hopped a bit forward and then spoke.  "Well, we can't stand here all day and I rather get it all done before I change my mind and decide that this is a really tharn idea."  Hawkbit went to hop a bit more before he heard Blueberry call.  "Er, Hawkbit, the warren is this way."  Coughing, Hawkbit turned around and ran up to where Blueberry was and came into step with him.  "So, you're pretty much away without leave with the Efrafan owsla then?"

 

Blueberry sighed and nodded his head.  "You could say that but I suspect there are a lot of us that are either still about the countryside or just about getting back to the warren.  I just hope that me and Bigwig didn't leave it too long.  Too soon and it could be suspicious on why I have come back, especially if you're caught or if they find Bigwig in the area.  Too late and yes, I could be charged with running away from the warren.  I have no doubt Vervain would like to use either excuse really or he has something else thought up in his mind."

 

"Well, I'm sure you will be able to deal with him, sounds more like a bully to me, anyone that stands up to him and I'll bet that I won't eat another carrot in my life that he won't run away, that's if you get him on his own or he doesn't have any backup."  Hawkbit replied back as they continued to run along the path, Frith was high in the air now as the shadows continued to shrink.

 

 Blueberry came to a stop and looked about.  Hawkbit stopped just behind Blueberry and he looked about as well before speaking.  "What's the matter?"  Blueberry took a few steps forward and then he turned around to look at Hawkbit.  "Can you run?"  Blueberry saw Hawkbit nod his head as he turned towards the hill that led up to the railway tracks.  "Get up there and hide.  A patrol is coming; you have to follow where they will take me without being caught.  Go, now!"

 

Hawkbit didn't wait about as he ran off through the wooden fence and made his way up the hill as Blueberry ran off to get as far from Hawkbit as he could, making his way over to where the patrol was.  Feeling the beat of his heart thud in his chest he could see them in the distance as they came into view.  Not slowing down, he saw them increase in size before he gave a sigh of relief as he saw that Vervain wasn't with them. 

 

Eventually Blueberry came to a stop and stood there waiting for the patrol to come up to him.  Eventually he saw them arrive as they surrounded him before Captain Carpgrass spoke up.  "Right, just stay where you are."

 

 Blueberry didn't move as he replied back.  "Do you see me moving?"  He looked around as he saw the other rabbits move around to the side and behind him as one of them spoke up.  "Sir, he has a mark."

 

Captain Carpgrass moved to look to where the mark is and then he looked back at Blueberry again.  "Well, well.  Looks like we have got an officer who had ran away.  You're under arrest."  Blueberry sighed as he looked at Captain Carpgrass.  "For what, running away?  You know how dangerous a dog is when it's tearing about killing everything?"

 

Buckwheat was about to give Blueberry a cuff on the head but Captain Carpgrass held up a paw to stop him.  Looking at Blueberry he replied back.  "It's Captain Vervain's orders; all that haven't returned back by now to Efrafa are to be treated as traitors.  I can't go against those orders, you do understand?"

 

Blueberry gave a frown as he heard the name that he had been waiting for and he shook his head.  "No, I don't suppose you could.  Can you tell me if anyone else from my mark came back?"  He saw Captain Carpgrass shake his head.  "None of your mark came back, you're the first and only one.  Now come on, we have to get you back to the warren."

 

 The patrol slowly began to run away as Hawkbit poked his head up a bit to look at them running off.  Muttering to himself as he slowly got up and ran along the top of the hill keeping the group of rabbits in view ahead.  "I hope we know what we're doing here..."

 

The trip to Efrafa was silent as Blueberry was kept in the middle of the group, he knew that there was no escape but that was far from his mind as he looked about seeing the same old area again as they came to the point where the road known as the Crixia.  Blueberry moved his head to the side as he saw a few rabbits lying about as he knew that he was well within the guard area now.

 

Hawkbit came up as close as he felt safe to and ducked into a bush and laid down onto the ground as flat as he could.  Looking out to where he could see in the distance of Blueberry being led by the four other rabbits he could see other rabbits in the grass as he gave a frown, muttering.  "Great, now what?"

 

***

 

Blueberry slowed down as the rest came to a stop as they looked about.  There he could see a rabbits heading their way and he could see that it was Vervain.  Blueberry slightly dug his claws into the ground when he saw Vervain but relaxed again in case anyone noticed it.

 

 Captain Carpgrass spoke up.  "Sir, we caught him near the iron road."  Blueberry stood still as Captain Carpgrass moved aside as Captain Vervain came forward with a sneer.  "My, I thought I would have a good day today and look who has come back to us.  Where have you been Blueberry, hiding away like a coward instead of reporting back for duty?"

 

Blueberry felt a growl growing up within him but he forced it back down again with a swallow.  "No, I have not sir.  It has taken me this long to get back after being chased by a murderous dog on a rampage after getting blood lust from killing rabbits."

 

Blueberry felt Captain Vervain slap him with his paw hard across his face, in the distance Hawkbit saw it and gave a growl himself as he watched on.  Blueberry spat onto the ground as he felt pain from the claws as he looked back at Vervain with a stern look.  Before he could say anything back, another voice came over as he saw Campion come running over.

 

"What is going on here?"  Campion said and Blueberry saw Captain Vervain grow smaller as he turned to look at the other rabbit with a reply.  "Sir, a patrol has found one of the stragglers that never returned back home for duty."  Vervain paused before he continued on.  "You know the ruling on this, there will have to be a council hearing to decide his fate.  He is under arrest and I thought I would question him."

 

 Campion looked at Blueberry and then looked beyond him as he answered back to Vervain.  "I see, well we do have to go with the rules, until the council decides that my position as Chief is a permanent one, that is."  Campion gave Vervain a look.  "However, Blueberry here is still an officer and I would like for him to be treated as such even though he has to face charges.  So there will be no more of that."  Campion turned around again to look at Blueberry's new wound.  "Captain Carpgrass, take him down to one of the prison burrows and place a guard on him."

 

Captain Carpgrass nodded his head as he pushed Blueberry to the side.  "Come on, let's get going shall we?"  Blueberry gave Vervain another foul look before he went off with Captain Carpgrass and the other officers before slipping down into one of the holes in the distance.

 

"Campion, may I remind you that Efrafa is still a warren built from Woundwort's ideals and that you'll have to follow our rules on the matter.  We have to rebuild and attack that warren again, not to mention that General Woundwort may very well still be alive."

 

 Campion didn't look at Vervain as he replied back.  "Why Vervain, it sounds like you're trying to say that Efrafa's Chief Rabbit doesn't know what he is doing?  I could see the council looking at you in a bad way also Vervain."  Campion moved off slightly before he stopped and looked at him.  "As for rounding up our officers that ran off, I would like to point out that you did the exact same thing and didn't see you come to General Woundwort's help when he told us to stay and fight that dog either.  I will fight you on this one."  Campion moved off without saying another word, leaving Vervain to stare back with a frown before heading off himself.

 

Chapter 36 - Prisoner of Efrafa

Later that night, Hawkbit was about to leave so that he could get back to report to Bigwig before he gave another look again, noting when the officers had changed their rotas.  Backing up slowly from within the bush, he turned around and nearly cried out in shock as he saw Campion standing there by himself as he muttered.  "Shhh, not so loud, we're not that deaf you know.  Follow me."

 

Hawkbit blinked but he slowly followed Campion out and away from the warren as he kept looking about for signs of an attack.  When they finally came to a stop, Campion turned around and gave a growl.  "I suppose this was Bigwig's idea and that Blueberry is now working for your lot now?"

 

Hawkbit bit his tongue as he looked at Campion and replied back.  "What's happened to him?"  Campion looked about before he spoke again.  "He was arrested by Captain Vervain, he still has some power within the warren but that's falling now, there isn't that much support since our loss to your warren.  You know, you should really learn to hide a bit better, I saw you today while I was talking to Vervain in the open."

 

 Hawkbit sat down as he spoke.  "We didn't want to fight you, we were just living on our own, minding our business and we tried to help you by taking a few rabbits to offset the overcrowding that you had."  Hawkbit frowned at Campion.  "You're the lot that decided to come and attack our warren."

 

Campion sighed as he looked at Hawkbit.  "Okay, this will be very important if Blueberry is a friend of yours."  Campion saw Hawkbit nod his head as he spoke.  "Answer truthfully, what are you up to and what do you want?"

 

Hawkbit looked back at Campion as he replied back to him.  "Well, that depends if you're going to attack us again?"  Hawkbit looked at Campion as the silence filled the night air for a short while as Campion shook his head.  "No, we're not going to attack you again."  Campion turned around as he looked up into the starry sky.  "I think your chief was right, rabbits shouldn't be fighting with each other.  We do have enough problems with elil and man to contend with without fighting amongst ourselves."  Hawkbit remained silent as Campion continued on.  "I respected the General, but I know now that he went overboard on a few things, but he had our good interests at heart, even if he lost how to do it without being blind on hurting some at the end."

 

 "Hazel wants to talk to you."  Hawkbit said as he hopped so that he was beside Campion.  "We want peace with our warrens, no more fearing about attacks or another war, we should be helping each other to make things right.  Can you help Blueberry at all?  Is there any way of breaking this cycle of attacking another warren or making rabbits into prisoners?"

 

Campion nodded.  "I'll see what I can do, you should leave here.  I take it that Bigwig is at the same place by the river?"  Hawkbit didn't answer as Campion spoke again.  "Don't worry, I won't send anyone there to get him.  You have my word as a Chief Rabbit, not as a General."  Hawkbit nodded his head as he replied.  "Yes, but if we see anyone else but you come then we will leave."  Campion nodded.  "I do not know when the council will see Blueberry but it will be soon, so you best make sure that you let anyone know what is happening.  I will meet up with you with someone else that I trust later on, you should go wait with Bigwig, it's far too dangerous to do so here."

 

 Hawkbit frowned.  "Okay, but before I do I'll need to ask another question.  If Blueberry is found guilty what will happen to him?"  Campion simply replied.  "He'll be killed, but I will try and make sure that does not happen."  Campion frowned.  "I think Vervain will try and use this as a way to gain control of the warren and may get rid of me as well."

 

Hawkbit blinked.  "You know, I'm curious as to why you're telling me all of this?  How do you know you can trust us?"  Campion turned around to leave but he turned his head back again with a reply.  "The only way to start peace is to start being truthful with each other, if there is no lies between us then it will make it much easier to do with the task.  Let us hope that we both do not mistreat that trust.  Farewell...?"

 

Hawkbit replied.  "Hawkbit is my name."  Campion nodded.  "Campion-Rah is mine.  It's been nice to actually talk to one of you Watership Down rabbits for once, let us hope that we can do more in due time."  Without saying another word, Campion had vanished through the bush, leaving Hawkbit to turn around and leave, heading away from the warren.

 

 Campion headed back down below where another rabbit was waiting for him.  "Sir, the council would like to see you."  Campion nodded his head and went through the runs towards where the council were.  Entering the large burrow he bowed his head as he entered and spoke.  "You wished to see me?"

 

Avens nodded.  "That we did.  We understand that Captain Vervain has arrested one of our own that has come back to us.  What do you think about it?"  Campion sat down and replied back.  "It was a difficult situation, I do not think that he did anything wrong under the circumstances.  I would like to see the situation resolved but he should not be punished for escaping with his life, he did after all return to us."

 

Moss spoke up.  "You ask for us to find him innocent of the charges.  Where do you think you want to lead our warren, Campion-Rah?"  Campion looked over at Moss as he replied back.  "Efrafa has taken a huge loss over the last couple of seasons, we have faced over-crowding, famine and of course the disastrous attack on another warren."  Campion got up and walked up and down the burrow.  "I know where Vervain would like to take our warren but I think that would be a mistake." 

 

 Pisum spoke next as he flicked an ear.  "You're suggesting that General Woundwort ideals were wrong?"  Campion stopped walking and sat down again.  "No I'm not, he had some good ideas and he made sure that no elil would get into the warren.  However, you cannot deny that it brought new problems that we were eventually blind to.  Surely we can achieve both, Efrafa has to change."

 

Avens spoke.  "I agree and I do carry the weight of the council decision in this as well as the Chief Rabbit which is you for now.  I just hope that you can ensure this warren does not fall; we have all worked so hard to make sure that it will not happen.  However, speaking of such, Captain Vervain does hold some political power of his own and he has a good argument himself so we will have to see on who will bring their views in the trial.  We will have to remain partial throughout this though but we have taken both sides wishes on hand in this matter."

 

Avens hopped down from where he was sitting and he walked over to where Campion was before he stopped very close to him and he spoke quietly into his ear.  "But be careful, I feel that maybe a few on the council and Vervain himself may have other plans, the removal of General Woundwort has brought a new problem and a few officers may take this opportunity to attack if you show weakness.  Times will be difficult for the one who is in charge now."

 

 

Avens turned around and hopped back to where he was before he turned and faced Campion again and spoke aloud.  "If you want to stand up for Blueberry it is your right but you will lose your vote on the council.  Do you agree on this?"

 

Campion nodded his head.  "I agree to those terms.  When will this trial begin?"  Campion looked at each of the council members as they all turned to face each other and began to whisper before they gave a answer.  "The first session will start tomorrow evening where it will be Captain Vervain to bring the case to us, you will cross examine the following day where we will come to a decision on this matter the day after that."

 

"I understand."  Campion said and turned to leave but he stopped as he heard Avens speak again.  "We will not be able to see you again in private.  The same has been said to Captain Vervain as well.  Not on this matter but we will require you on other warren matters however.  I will warn you not to try and bring this situation up during those times.  It will go against you in the overall rulings."

 

 Campion nodded and left the burrow where he left the council rabbits to get back to what they did which was rest at this time.  Campion came to a junction in the warren run and looked to the left and to the right.  Heading to the right, Campion went to where the prison burrows were placed as he came to another junction where two big rabbits were blocking the way.

 

"Let me pass."  Campion said as he looked at them both, but saw them both shake their heads.  "I'm sorry sir, but Captain Vervain said that the prisoner wasn't to get any visitors from anyone, including you."  Both rabbits backed away as Campion frowned at them.  "So you think you should take orders from Captain Vervain and deny access to a chief rabbit then?"

 

"No.  No of course not sir."  The large buck on the right said and he moved to the side followed by the other one.  Campion moved forwards as he turned his head to face them both.  "You will not tell Vervain about this, as far as he is concerned.  No one has seen the prisoner, is that understood?"  Campion saw them both nod as he walked past them with a frown.

 

 Coming to the burrow in question, he turned into it and sat down looking at the sleeping buck on the ground and he coughed.  Seeing Blueberry wake up, Campion looked about the burrow before he spoke.  "Well, you have gotten yourself into a right mess, haven't you?"

 

Blueberry shook his head as he tried to get the cobwebs from his head as he replied back.  "What do you want?"  Campion slid down as he lay on the ground with a reply.  "To help, though I do want some honest answers to a few questions first.  The first one is why did you betray General Woundwort?"

 

"I'll think I'll leave that until I'm in the council session if you don't mind."  Blueberry spoke back.  Campion shook his head.  "I'm asking now, are you always this disrespectful to a chief rabbit?"

 

Blueberry snorted.  "It depends on the chief, if there is a good chief that has the mindset of looking after the warren rightly then he would get all the support and loyalty that he would deserve.  But Woundwort, he was bad, I didn't like that, could see the suffering in this warren and no one else could see it."  Blueberry looked Campion in the eyes as he spoke again.  "Sometimes it takes someone from the outside to see something wrong that someone from the inside has grown accustomed to."

 

 Campion spoke again.  "So that's why you had to betray this warren?"  Campion saw Blueberry nod his head with a reply.  "Yes, sometimes it's necessary to do something wrong and risk your own life and respect if it helps a warren.  That's why we did it, I won't say I won't do it again if it is called for."

 

"Good."  Campion said back which made Blueberry blink back.  "You are right about it, we did get used to how things were going here.  A lot of our own kind suffered under the harsh regime.  At first even I didn't see it when Hazel and all came and they had so much devotion on peace and living how a warren once did before the General came."  Campion looked about as he lowered his head to the ground and sniffed it for a moment before lifting it back up again.  "I changed after that, knew that the way that we were doing things was wrong.  Do you know that a lot even started to begin to forget about El-Ahrairah and thought that Woundwort was even better than him?" 

 

Blueberry replied back.  "No I didn't, wasn't around that long."  Campion nodded.  "I didn't either but after being able to think about things and also knowing how hard being a chief can be, what with all the politics it brings with it.  I've come to understand maybe how Woundwort changed the way that he did.  He wasn't this bad in the beginning but I suppose with all the problems this warren had and the demands that this position brought.  Some rabbits got into his head to make him go down the path that eventually led to his destruction."  Campion looked at Blueberry before asking.  "I need you, I need people that I can trust and you have the same mindset as those at Watership warren do.  I know you may not wish to live here or be part of this warren but I am asking, giving you a choice.  I will help you at the trial even if you wish to go back to Watership."

 

 Blueberry didn't reply back at first as closed his eyes in thought.  "May I have some time to think about my decision?"  He heard Campion get up as he nodded his head.  "That will be fine, I will speak to you more tomorrow morning.  Get some rest; you will need it when Captain Vervain will question you in front of the council tomorrow."

 

Blueberry spoke out.  "Be careful of him, I don't like him at all."  Campion nodded.  "I am keeping an eye on him, I already know what he wants."  Blueberry blinked and looked questionably before Campion spoke again.  "He wants to be Efrafa's chief rabbit, if he manages to do that then I fear that we will make the same mistakes all over again under the General."  He paused as he looked at Blueberry before speaking.  "He was one of the rabbits that put things into Woundwort's head, changed him into what he was.  Vervain wouldn't fight, never would on his own, you see.  He would always use others to do it for him.  But I think he underestimated Woundwort in the end, he couldn't control what he made in the end.  The student became the teacher.  No, I think Vervain would prefer to be in charge and have a few that he can control.  I think he already killed the others who helped him in the beginning but there's no proof of that.  They all died while on patrols."  Campion turned and then left the burrow leaving Blueberry to think hard as sleep had left him.

 

 ***

 

Hawkbit was panting hard as he ran as fast as he could until he reached the point where Bigwig would be waiting.  Slowing down, he looked about and frowned before he heard something from behind him and jumped to see what it was.

 

Bigwig was there as he looked at Hawkbit and just spoke a word.  "Report."  Hawkbit nodded his head as he spoke.  "Sir, Blueberry was arrested by a patrol under the orders of Captain Vervain.  I witnessed that myself while I was hiding close by."  Hawkbit saw Bigwig frown from that bit of news and continued on with his report.  "But it didn't look like they were happy with their orders though.  It seemed that they didn't want to go about arresting their own kind but anyways, they led him back to the warren.  I followed as best as I could but I was too far away to hear anything else that was said."

 

Bigwig began to pace up and down with a frown on his face.  "We suspected something like this would happen.  Me and Blueberry knew that Vervain would be up to something already but it would seem that he has gone a bit too far ahead of himself.  Is there anything else to report?"

 

 Hawkbit nodded.  "I saw Campion."  Hawkbit saw Bigwig turn around as he nearly shouted.  "What?  You were seen by them?"  He was about to go into another spate of shouting when Hawkbit spoke back quickly.  "Yes, he saw me but he's changed Bigwig.  I told him what we wanted to do and he wanted to meet with Hazel himself.  He also said that he would try and get Blueberry off the charge as well.  It would seem that he wants Efrafa to change but Vervain looked to want to continue on with the General's way of life and attack Watership."

 

Bigwig sat down with a thoughtful look on his face.  "When is he facing the council?"  Hawkbit shrugged.  "I don't know but Campion...  Er, Campion-rah thinks that it will be soon, perhaps when Frith next goes down or the one next after that."

 

"I see."  Bigwig got up and he looked at Hawkbit.  "Are you okay to stay here while I go back to the warren and talk to Hazel about this?"  Bigwig saw Hawkbit nod his head as Bigwig began to run off.  "I'll be back as soon as I can."  Hawkbit went by a bush and slid under it as he turned his head but Bigwig had already disappeared.

 

 ***

 

The next morning, Blueberry had found himself being woken up by Vervain who had that sinister look on his face.  "Come on, get up.  You know the drill be now, we have to show you off to the other rabbits and get them to think twice of doing something wrong in your mark."

 

Getting up, Blueberry walked out of the burrow as he moved down the run, Vervain was up in front but Blueberry could see another rabbit in front of him so he decided to soak it in for now.  He found himself going upwards until he was pushed into the small alcove again where Vervain sat and looked at him.  "I see that you have no one willing to fight for you, well not that I'm surprised, usually those that do end up sharing the same fate and I'm sure I can persuade Campion and the council that you should be punished."

 

Blueberry gave a sneer.  "You mean Campion-rah right?"  He winced as he felt the paw of Vervain rake through the front of his face again as Vervain spat.  "Do not think to correct me scum.  I've never liked you and I don't trust you either."  He looked at the officer next to Blueberry.  "Make sure he doesn't escape, his mark should be coming up soon."

 

 Seeing Vervain leave didn't help to relieve the anger that had been welling up within Blueberry as he looked at the run wall opposite him, some of the soil had started to play shapes as daylight began to shine part of the way down into it.  Blueberry thought that they must still be using the rotation system for silflay and he wondered why that hadn't stopped.  Then he thought that perhaps Vervain and his lot had probably made that a lot harder for Campion to bring in those changes.

 

After a short time, Blueberry saw some owsla officers come past him, some of whom looked at him with a sorry look or a frown before the main mark came up.  Blueberry was shocked to see that most of them didn't give him that sort of scared frightened or angry look that they had when he was there for the first time as they went past.  Blueberry thought he heard one of them trip but muttered under his breath of good luck but he couldn't be sure.

 

The time during was boring for Blueberry but he did pass the time in thinking on what he had to tell the council and if there was any way for him to get one over on Vervain during that time.  Remembering that he had to see Campion again brought his spirits back up as the time went by and he saw the rabbits come back past him again as htey went back underground.  Blueberry was led back again to his burrow but without Vervain this time around.  Settling down, he waited until Campion could come back again.

 

 ***

 

Bigwig had arrived at the bottom of the down and decided to rest for a while under the iron tree, using the thick long grass as cover while he caught back his breath.  He felt all of his body ache form all that running he had done the night before and it had placed him in a foul mood before he got up again and started his journey up the hill.

 

Arriving at the top, he was pleased to see that Hazel was up and about on top as he ran over to him and came to a stop.  "Hazel, we have a problem."  Bigwig said as he explained the situation.  "Blueberry has been arrested by Captain Vervain but Campion wants to start negotiations with us for peace.  However it would seem that Vervain wants to get the warren back to attack us again and is trying to become chief by getting rid of Campion."

 

Hazel blinked as he looked about.  "It would seem that our success in defeating Woundwort has brought about another big problem and it would seem that they have a power struggle going on there."  Bigwig nodded his head as he replied back.  "Yes, and it would seem that Vervain is going to use Blueberry for something.  What do you want to do Hazel-rah?"

 

 Hazel went quiet as he looked to where the hill went down as though he was looking in the direction of where Efrafa was and then turned his head back again.  "Right, we need to go down there in case we need to help out, at least we can wait and see if Campion shows up so we can talk at least."  Hazel paused as he looked at Bigwig.  "Where's Hawkbit?"

 

Bigwig replied back.  "He's waiting where we were when we got that boat last time we were in that area.  Just in case Campion came about it was best to leave someone there than both come back."  Hazel nodded.  "Well, we best get ourselves sorted out and get back there.  We should take a few others with us just in case."

 

Soon, Hazel, Bigwig, Fiver and Blackberry ran back down the hill again as they made their way to get back to where Hawkbit was waiting, hopefully with some new information as Hazel frowned, hoping that they could stop the madness from happening again, he didn't want to face another battle, they had lost so many from that already.

 

***

 

Campion arrived in the early afternoon as he entered the burrow again to talk more to Blueberry who was staring at the blank wall, watching an ant walk about as he turned his head to where Campion was and spoke.  "I was beginning to wonder if you were going to show up?"

 

 "I was delayed, some business I had to take care of within the council."  Campion replied back.  "Even though Bigwig took some rabbits with him, we're still pretty much crowded and it's starting to get serious.  We can't keep going like this in keeping them here."  He saw Blueberry's face and added.  "I know but I can't do anything about it until I get some more support or at least make those supporting Vervain to come over to my side."

 

Blueberry sighed as he shook his head.  "I don't think I would like to be in your place then, how could a warren get to be like this, so full of corruption?"  Campion looked down to the ground and didn't reply before Blueberry added.  "I'm sorry, I wasn't passing judgement, I was just wondering."

 

Campion nodded as he spoke.  "Well, that can be for another time but I need to tell you on what is about to happen.  I don't think you have been through something like this so you may not know the rules.  I think Vervain is trying to keep everyone from seeing you so that you can act insulting to the council which would work in his favour."

 

 Blueberry nodded.  "I see, so what do I need to do then?"  Campion began to explain the situation.  "You cannot speak unless the council asks you a question by name.  Any question that would seem to be directed to you without using your name is actually directed to me or Vervain.  I'm your defender in this case.  Vervain will try to prove whatever defence or yours if you get the chance to be wrong.  You have to keep your head down at all times when you enter and then stay in a strict sitting position; you're an officer so you have to be as though you're being inspected by a captain.  It could be a while, I take it you can stay like that for the duration?"

 

"Okay, do I call them by name or just sir?"  Blueberry asked as Campion replied back.  "If and when you are allowed to answer then speak as though you're talking to someone higher up than you.  If you show off the right attitude, don't get angry, don't snap back and keep your cool.  Vervain will try anything to make sure you don't.  If you can do all that then we have won half the battle."  Blueberry nodded as he saw Campion get back up again.  "Good, well I have to get going, I can't stay long this time as well, Vervain is keeping an eye on me more.  I ain't sure if I can keep it secret that I'm to be the one defending you, he still thinks you have no one."

 

 Blueberry grinned.  "So you're trying to throw him off hoping he be out of step when the thing starts?"  Campion nodded.  "Yeah, something like that, just hope that we have more tricks of our own than he has."  Campion turned around and left the burrow.

 

Chapter 37 - Blueberry vs Vervain

Later on in the afternoon where Frith was slowly declining in the sky to signal the time that evening was again over the world.  Blueberry was woken up down below in the dark underground burrow which had started to smell like himself as he got up and sniffed to see that there were two rabbits outside.  One of them spoke.  "Come on, you're wanted by the council.  It is time to see if you will still be alive by the time Frith comes up tomorrow or not."  The other rabbit gave a soft snigger as Blueberry nodded his head and followed them out.

 

Blueberry walked through the warren as he saw a few rabbits that they pass lower their heads to the owslafa officers as he made his way from the prison part of the warren and into the large council burrow.  There he could see that the council was on a higher shelf of the burrow where he was led to a point and told to stay right there.  Keeping his head low, Blueberry waited as he heard Campion and Vervain enter the burrow from opposite ends.

 

 Campion came next to Blueberry as Vervain paused slightly and gave a frown before he looked up to where the council was and saw them nod their approval which made Vervain frown even more but then he realised what he was doing and he looked down and waited.  Avens cleared his throat as he spoke.  "Captain Vervain, would you please state what charge this officer is under?"

 

Vervain lifted up his head as he spoke up.  "This officer is charged with running away from a battle, a battle that Efrafa lost due to the cowardice which led to the downfall and defeat of Efrafa and also the loss of our leader, General Woundwort.  I put it to the council that this officer should be made an example of so that any other officers that decide to try and come back will know that we do deal with deserters."

 

Avens nodded.  "So noted, Captain Vervain."  He turned his head towards Campion and spoke.  "Campion-rah, do you have anything to say in this officers defence?"  Campion nodded as he lifted up his head.  "I would've done the same against such odds as would any other rabbit.  Is it not true that survival is deep within us that to run into danger would go against our very instincts?  We do not know this officers full story yet so how could we punish by guessing on what happened?"

 

 Teasel nodded his head.  "That will happen in due time, Campion-rah."  He bowed his head and allowed Avens to speak again.  "It is so noted.  Would the officer in question please show the respect by coming to attention?"

 

Blueberry lifted up his head as he came to a full sitting up position and looked out in front of him, matching the same stance as Campion.  Avens nodded his head as he turned to Vervain.  "You may continue."

 

Vervain walked about as he passed Blueberry and Campion before walking back again and stopped before facing Blueberry with his back to the council.  With a sneer he looked directly into Blueberry's eyes, daring the buck to hit out at him as he spoke.  "Are you a coward, officer?"  Blueberry didn't answer until Avens spoke.  "You may answer the question."

 

Blueberry replied back to Vervain.  "No, sir I am not a coward."  Vervain smiled as he padded about again.  "So if you're not a coward, you must have had a motive for running away when the General called out for you to stop and help fight that dog, correct?"

 

 "I had no such plan, sir.  I was just trying to survive like everyone else."  Blueberry replied back before Campion added.  "As what myself and Vervain did, council."  Vervain gave a frown as he walked up and down before he turned on Blueberry again.  "

 

Pisum spoke.  "But Campion-rah, you do agree that a chief should expect absolute loyalty from his officers, correct?"  Campion nodded his head.  "Yes, that is expected."  Pisum continued.  "So why would you think that this officer here decided to not show that respect and ran away like many others had, included you."

 

Campion lifted his head up a bit higher as he replied back.  "The owsla was tired, they had been searching for long for this warren and when they had found it we had problems with elil who knew that such a large number of rabbits out and about.  After getting up there and digging out the holes we were shocked to see a dog on the down, a lot of confusion can sometimes make anyone take flight away from danger."

 

Avens nodded.  "That is understandable, I have seen some who have fled when duty could've been done but it is in our nature."  Avens turned to face Vervain.  "Captain, I have not heard much yet to decide that this officer has done anything wrong, considering you had ran away as well.  Why are we here?"

 

 Vervain was taken aback as he looked at the council members before speaking.  "Sirs, we cannot allow this to happen, if we..."  Avens cut in again as he looked at Vervain.  "Then we should place you and Campion on trial as well.  That's if you want justice done for the death and loss of our General?  Is that not so, Captain?"

 

Vervain looked down as he shook his head.  "No sir, I do not think I should stand trial for the loss of our General."  Avens nodded.  "Then if you do not have anything else to discuss on the matter then I see no other way but to release this officer so that he can resume his duties within his mark."

 

"I just have one more question to ask."  Campion said as he looked towards Blueberry.   "Why not tell us why it took you so long to get back to this warren."  Blueberry replied back.  "I had ran off in the other direction, it took a while for me to make my way back without being caught by other elil and to not to go directly through Watership Down.  Elil have been more around this area since that battle.  It wasn't easy to get back but I am back now."

 

 Avens looked to the others as he saw them nod their heads, before he turned his head back again and spoke.  "Then I lift the charges from you and you can go free."  Avens turned his head to Vervain.  "May I request that you make a better case with facts next time you arrest an officer."

 

Vervain nodded his head as he fumed inside.  Avens added.  "Oh and that you should concertrate on finding anymore stragglers out there that are ours in case they need help in finding their home again here.  This trial is over."  Avens nodded to all as the council left, leaving just Blueberry, Campion and Vervain in the burrow.

 

Campion spoke.  "Vervain, I think you owe Blueberry an apology, don't you?"  Vervain didn't speak as he turned to leave.  "Vervain!"  Campion shouted that made the other buck stop dead i his tracks.  "I said, don't you think you owe Blueberry an apology."  Vervain muttered.  "I'm sorry."  Then Vervain ran out of the burrow, leaving the other two inside.

 

Campion looked at Blueberry before he spoke.  "Well, you are off the hook, they couldn't charge you without charging me and Vervain and anyone else that got back here alive."  Campion paused before he spoke again.  "Remember what I said before, that I needed someone to trust.  Well, I like you to take over the hind mark as the new captain, what do you say?"

 

 "I don't know."  Blueberry replied back.  "I ain't sure if I can call this place my home."  Blueberry moved about.  "Hawkbit would say I'm mad and as for Carbi, he would go insane that I chose to stay here."

 

Campion came over to where Blueberry was.  "Look, I won't lie but I need you, you have the same sort of vision that the rabbits have that stood against Efrafa.  I know it's a very hard thing to do but the mark does need some help again and you could make sure that changes could be made within it, if done slowly.  You be helping those within that mark."

 

After a short while, Blueberry nodded his head.  "Fine, I'll do it but you best keep Vervain away from me or I will end up back here on a charge of killing him."  Campion nodded.  "Don't worry I think soon Vervain will make his move.  Shall we go and I'll introduce you to your officers, then I have to go do something."  Blueberry nodded his head.  "May as well, jump into the deep end I suppose."

 

Following Campion, Blueberry looked about as he slowly went up to the top as he sniffed the night air.  Hopping out he came up to where Campion was and stood up on his hind legs.  "Okay, I admit it.  It is good to be on top again."  He looked about as he heard something in the distance but then turned his head back to where Campion was.  "Tell me, why is it that we're still in the mark system?"

 

 Campion sighed.  "Blueberry, I tried to tell you, it's hard to change things when there are rabbits like Vervain enforcing the old ways."  Blueberry frowned.  "But you're the chief rabbit, he doesn't control you."  He looked away before muttering.  "It's like you want him to control you like Woundwort did."

 

Blueberry hit the ground hard as Campion pressed down onto his side with a growl.  "No I don't!"  He paused and then released his paws from Blueberry's side and then nodded.  "You're right; I have put it off long enough.  But I have other things to do first.  Come on and I'll show you to your new burrow where you can take a look about your mark."

 

Both moved to another hole as Blueberry spoke again.  "Campion-rah, I'm sorry if I had offended you, I didn't mean."  Blueberry paused.  "I'm just frustrated that things haven't changed even with a new chief in place."

 

Campion nodded.  "Don't worry about it, you're still young and all, you will learn that some things will take time, but anyways we should not discuss it now."  Campion changed the subject.  "I will get another mark captain to meet you for a few days, just so that you know what the schedule is and how you should go about things.  You do have other captains and officers under you which you will have control of if they have your mark."

 

 Blueberry looked as he past several burrows with some rabbits inside each one that remained quiet as he passed.  "I understand, what is this marks current silflay times?"  Campion replied.  "At the moment it's morning and evening, the normal for rabbits so you shouldn't have too many complaints until it changes again to ni-frith and fu-inle."

 

Campion slowed down as he stopped at an empty burrow.  "This is your burrow; make it as home as you want and Blueberry, thank you for doing this for me."  Campion came closer to Blueberry and whispered.  "Anything you want to pass on to anyone?"

 

Blueberry nodded and spoke quietly.  "Try and explain why I stayed here.  Tell them that it's something I have to do and that I don't resent them.  I hope that things will work out so that we can see each other again."  Blueberry paused.  "If things don't work out then I'll have to request going on a wide patrol or leave, I don't think I could stay here if Efrafa remained the same, you understand."  Campion nodded before he turned and headed out.  "Get some rest; you're not on duty until silflay.  I'll let others know they have a new captain in charge here, no doubt they will come and see you for orders."  With that, Campion left Blueberry alone.

 

 ***

 

Hawkbit had welcomed Hazel, Bigwig, Blackberry and Fiver back as he looked out to the dark running water of the river and turned his head back again to them again.  "Well, no one has come yet, wonder what has happened.  I hope blueberry is okay." 

 

Fiver hopped about as he looked into the river himself and gave a shudder.  "Something bad is going to happen but I don't know what it is."  Hazel came up to where Fiver was and placed a paw on his back gently.  "What is it?"

 

"I don't know, it's like something is searching for something, wants revenge."  Fiver shuddered slightly as he looked away from the river and stared up at Hazel.  "Evil is coming, but I don't know from where.  All I know is that it is searching."

 

Bigwig muttered.  "Oh that's great that is.  Wonder what else we have to put up with."  Hazel gave Bigwig a frown as he spoke to Fiver.  "Do not worry about it for now, I'm sure we will find out and overcome what is to come."

 

A short while later, there came a noise from a bush as Bigwig moved to stand in front of Hazel as the head of Campion came into view.  Campion looked at Bigwig and spoke.  "Well, hello Bigwig."  Bigwig frowned at Campion as he spoke back.  "You came alone?"

 

 Campion nodded as he hopped forwards a bit and then sat down in front of them.  "I've not come here to fight or to take you away, just to talk like Hawkbit said to me before.  What do you want?"

 

Bigwig was about to say something but Hazel came into view from behind and spoke.  "We want peace, assurances that there will not be any more trouble between us."  Campion nodded his head.  "I would like that, yes."  He paused before looking at them all.  "I suppose you're going to ask for our surrender?"

 

Bigwig spoke.  "Well, it would be a start."  But Hazel added quickly.  "But it isn't necessary, we should be allies, help one another if we are in trouble.  Rabbits should help to survive, we do have enough enemies out here to cope with than fight with each other."

 

"I'm in full agreement with you."  Campion said quietly.  "I have lost many good friends during this whole affair, some who have gone way before their time."  Campion paused and spoke again.  "How are the rabbits that left our warren coping at yours?"

 

 Hawkbit spoke.  "They're doing fine, though it's taking a while to get used to not taking orders all the time."  Campion nodded as Fiver hopped forward and looked at him.  "Hazel."  Fiver said.  "I believe Campion is speaking the truth."

 

Hazel nodded.  "Well, that is all that I needed.  So what has happened to Blueberry?"  Campion explained the situation.  "Blueberry had faced the council because of Vervain.  However, his attempt to bring him to justice failed when he had a pretty much weak argument to start with."

 

Hawkbit butted in.  "So he's fine then?"  Campion nodded.  "I'd asked him if he minded joining the warren, it was his own choice.  Blueberry decided that he would like to join the warren and I have placed him as a mark captain from the mark that he and you Bigwig were in."

 

Bigwig growled.  "Are you sure it was his choice?"  Campion nodded.  "Bigwig, listen I would care if you didn't growl at me, I am here peacefully as the chief rabbit of my warren.  I need help to change things from within; there are still some rabbits there that are loyal to Woundwort.  I am in a way but I also know that he was wrong on some things.  I cannot change things if I don't have someone that I can trust.  Hopefully in time we can exchange rabbits from warren to warren though I have to say that we still face some overcrowding issues."

 

 Hazel nodded his head in thought.  "We can't take many more now ourselves, our warren is growing with the new rabbits that we have from yours.  Some are now expecting."  Blackberry who had been listening quietly to the conversation spoke up for the first time.  "What about if we make a new warren, we can send any excess to there and it should help issues of overcrowding with both warrens.  That and perhaps we could help to tie friendships if we have both set of rabbits move in."

 

Campion and Hazel turned to look at Blackberry, followed by Fiver, Bigwig and Hawkbit before Hazel spoke brightly.  "Blackberry what a clever idea that is."  Hazel turned his head to where Campion is.  "Does that sound fine to you?"

 

"Yes, yes it does sound fine to me."  Campion replied back.  "We should meet up again to discuss this more.  I think I have a rabbit in mind who can take charge of it.  An old friend of mine, Groundsel is his name, unless you have another choice for a chief rabbit for it?"

 

Hazel smiled.  "Well, it will be something to think about.  We should head back to our warren but we will welcome you if you come back.  Maybe one day you can offer us the same friendship and hospitality in coming to your own warren."

 

 "We have a lot to work on."  Campion said as he looked at Bigwig.  "I don't blame you now for what you did.  I hope that we can be friends for real this time around than pretend?"  Bigwig looked down as he replied back.  "Our friendship wasn't fake, Campion.  I knew that you would eventually see sense on what was going around you.  I just hope that my actions didn't impair it too much?"

 

Campion replied back.  "No you didn't Bigwig.  I would be happy to talk procedures with you some more."  Bigwig relaxed a little and nodded his head as Campion turned to go.  "I should go, leaving the warren for so long without anyone noticing can make some edgy if you don't know where your chief has gone to, until next time, goodbye."  Without saying another word, Campion ran off and vanished into the night.

 

Hazel nodded as he motioned for them to head in the other way back to Watership Down.  Hawkbit looked to where Campion had gone and he spoke quietly.  "I hope you know what you're doing Blueberry."  Bigwig came up to where Hawkbit was and spoke softly.  "Of course he knows, it's something he has to do.  You'll see him again, don't you worry."  Hawkbit felt Bigwig slip past him and after a short moment he turned to follow, paused and looked back before he ran off to catch up with the others.

 

Chapter 38 - The attack on Campion-rah

Blueberry couldn't sleep as he woke up again in his burrow, his mind was racing as he got up and tried to find another place to get comfortable again but after a while he finally got up and slipped out of the burrow and into the run itself.

 

Dewdrop who was walking down the run, nodded his head to Blueberry as he said quietly.  "Sir, can't sleep, eh?"  Blueberry nodded his head as he looked at the buck in front of him.  "What's your name?"

 

"My name's Dewdrop, sir."  Dewdrop said as he looked at Blueberry for a moment.  "Care to come up top for a while?"  Blueberry nodded his head as he started to walk down the run with the other buck.  Dewdrop spoke.  "Campion-rah came to see me, said that you were in charge now and that I could trust you."  Blueberry paused in his step but caught up quickly.  "Ah, he did?  So you're not here to make sure I'm not going to run off again are you?"  Dewdrop shook his head.  "No need, he believes that you won't this time around."  Blueberry nodded his head as they came up top and looked about into the night air.

 

 "It's nice out tonight, isn't it?"  Dewdrop said as he hopped a bit forward and got a bit to eat.  Blueberry followed and did the same, he hadn't eaten since he had left Watership Down with the others.  Chewing the wet grass he looked about as he swallowed.  "So what is my schedule for tomorrow?"

 

Dewdrop spoke.  "Well, I shall come to your burrow to wake you up when you will talk to us about what we should be doing.   You will choose who will be doing sentry duty inside and out as well.  It's also a time to hear anything that has happened during the night."  Dewdrop paused briefly.  "At the moment, nothing of note has happened so I don't think you have much to listen to.  I will then be off duty but I shall be about later after I have slept a bit.  The rest is up to you, sir."

 

"I see, well that's good at least."  Blueberry said as he looked about, before silflaying silently as he began to think to himself quietly, while watching Dewdrop look about as he took a bit to eat himself.  When Dewdrop got up onto his hind legs he listened out as he dropped back down onto his four paws again and looked at Blueberry.  "Sir, I know you only just been drafted back in and all and you're probably tired but I can hear something over there that we should investigate."

 

 Blueberry replied back.  "Don't worry, I had a sleep during the day, bit boring when you're in a prison burrow."  He nodded to Dewdrop and walked over to where his own ears had picked up a sound as he looked at Dewdrop again and whispered.  "Let's be quiet, don't want to scare whoever it is or announce our presence."

 

Dewdrop understood as he nodded silently as both walked quietly though quickly towards the sound.  Both stopped now and again as their ears flicked about to catch the sound as Blueberry caught the sound of Vervain's voice in the air.  Blueberry turned his head towards Dewdrop who nodded as though they both had the same question in their heads before they carefully approached the fence and stalked along it, keeping their bellies low to the ground.

 

Vervain was with two other rabbits as they hid in the dark shadow in the field.  "Campion should be arriving here soon.  We have to be quick and report this as elil attack."  Blueberry felt his blood boil as he heard what was going on and he turned his head towards Dewdrop and gave a silent look.

 

 Dewdrop nodded as he backed away slowly and quietly before turning around and headed off back to the warren as Blueberry heard another rabbit he didn't know.  Pisum spoke.  "Did you hear that he made Blueberry a captain of his mark?  Mind you, I thought you said you had a good argument?"  Vervain replied back.  "I made a mistake, I won't make another one, besides once I'm chief we can continue with Woundworts work."

 

Blueberry dug his claws into the ground as he began to rub his teeth together.  Gerva spoke up as he looked about.  "Shh, there's a rabbit heading this way, it must be Campion."  Vervain nodded as he started to run off towards the lone figure.  "Well, let's get this over and done with." 

 

As all three rabbits headed off, Blueberry looked back to see if Dewdrop was returning and when he couldn't see anything he muttered to himself.  "Three onto two, well.  I think me and Campion can take them on."  Blueberry lowered his back as he crawled under the wooden plank before making his way slowly across the field.

 

 Campion hopped through the fence at the far end of the field, thankful that he had arrived back at the warren without anything bad happening.  He looked up into the sky in case there was anything flying overhead as the moon shone down before he looked back down and in front of him again.

 

Ahead of him, Campion saw three rabbits running towards him as he blinked and sighed, thinking that he had to come up with some excuse about why he had been out but he looked ahead and as he thought, he ran towards them.

 

Vervain came to a stop just about in the middle of the field and waited with his two companions for Campion to arrive as he gave off a sly grin, victory was at hand as he watched his enemy approach him.

 

Campion came to a stop as he looked at Vervain, Pisum and Gerva before speaking.  "Is there something wrong?"  Vervain shook his head as he replied back to Campion.  "No, everything is fine for us.  There is though, something wrong for you."  Pisum and Gerva began to move around Campion as he lowered his body to the ground with a growl.  "So, Vervain?  You show your true colours at last.  What took you so long, couldn't find anyone to help you until now?"

 

 Vervain began to move around Campion as the others did while he replied back.  "Oh you know.  We must get rid of the weak.  Efrafa has to be strong to get rid of all warrens.  You want to disgrace the name of Efrafa by wanting to change things.  You think all those low non-owsla rabbits deserve to be treated better?"

 

Campion continued to growl as he looked back and forth between the three of them with a reply.  "What's the matter, Vervain?  Can't you fight me one on one?"  Campion looked at Vervain directly as he tensed up.  "So, who's going to attack me first?  Or should I?"

 

Without any warning, Campion jumped towards Vervain but was knocked to the side by the large buck, Gerva who bit into the shoulder of Campion, making him yell to the pain.  Campion pulled away as he felt the hairs on his shoulder pull from their roots as he broke free and turned around and gave Gerva a swift kick with his back legs, sending the buck flying backwards.

 

 

Vervain used the advantage as he headbutted into the side of Campion, sending him down onto the ground as Pisum jumped on top of him, using his weight to pin him down.  With a laugh, Vervain walked over slowly to where Campion was as he lifted up a paw.  "My, how the mighty have fallen, such shame really, but now it's time for you to go, and for Efrafa to continue in the ways of Woundwort."  Vervain lifted up his paw to get ready on making the killing blow.

 

 Blueberry tore across the ground as his back legs sent up clouds of dry dirt into the air as he head butted Vervain clear off his feet.  Blueberry came to a stop as he turned around to Pisum with a growl.  "Get off him now!"  Gerva got up as he growled back as he began to walk towards Blueberry.  "Or you will do what?"  Pisum squirmed as Campion began to kick about, trying to get out from underneath the fat rabbit on top of him.  "You will do what exactly?"  Gerva said with a low growl.  "You're still outnumbered."

 

Blueberry looked towards Vervain and Gerva with a growl.  "What?  I can take on you two no problem."  Blueberry didn't wait for an answer as he charged right at Pisum, sending him off Campion.  Just as Blueberry's rear paws barely left over the head of Campion, he was up and went straight at Gerva, his front paws slashing at the larger buck's face, making him back down.

 

Vervain backed off as he saw Pisum try as he much as he could to keep himself from being killed by Blueberry but he wasn't a fighter and soon, Blueberry had bitten into his neck and killed him.  Vervain fled as he saw Blueberry turn to face him and ran away from the warren and into the darkness.  Blueberry took flight after him, all the anger ran through his veins as he thought of all the times Vervain had been a pain but he came to a stop as he heard Campion call out in pain.

 

 Blueberry turned his head around to face Campion who had ended up on his back and was using his front paws to try and push Gerva off of him, before he turned his head to where Vervain had vanished in the darkness.  Blueberry gave off a loud snort before he turned around and headed back to where Campion was, headbutting into Gerva as the large buck gasped before falling onto his side wheezing.

 

Campion panted as Blueberry looked down at him while he turned his head back towards where Vervain had ran off to.  Campion coughed as he got up.  "Thanks, where is he?"  Blueberry looked back to where he had been running to a few moments ago as he answered back.  "He ran off that way."

 

Campion growled as he got up with a wince, and then turned his head to where Gerva was panting on the ground.  He walked up to where he was and placed his paw on the buck's neck, pressing it down.  "As for you, you dare to attack your chief!" 

 

Blueberry turned his head to where he could hear several rabbits heading their way as he called out.  "Over here!"  He saw Dewdrop arrive with several other officers and then spoke again.  "Arrest that buck there."  Blueberry pointed to where Gerva was.  "He's under arrest for the attempt murder of Campion-rah."  Blueberry paused as he looked at Dewdrop.  "I hope you can run.  I want you and another one to come with me, we have to go get Vervain, he was the ring leader in this attack."

 

 Dewdrop nodded as he turned around and called out.  "Quicksilver, you come with us."  Blueberry looked and saw a thin rabbit with grey fur as Dewdrop spoke out again.  "Trust me, he's fast and can fight.  Quicksilver, this is Captain Blueberry." 

 

Quicksilver nodded his head as he replied back.  "Hello sir, what are our orders?"  Blueberry turned to face Campion with a questionable look as Campion gave a reply.  "Bring him back alive.  If he resists, kill him.  I'm going to deal with this one."

 

Blueberry nodded as he turned to face Dewdrop and Quicksilver.  "Right, let's go."  Without another word, Blueberry ran off in the direction that Vervain had run off to.

 

***

 

Vervain panted as he looked behind him while he ran through the field.  Ignoring everything else for the time being he turned his head back as he muttered to himself.  "Why?  Why did it go wrong, I had everything planned out but no, Woundwort left and we had that tharn Campion take over the warren.  It would've gone okay if it wasn't for that interfering rabbit as well."  Vervain looked back again as he knew that he was going to be followed, his ears turned back to try and catch the sound of a patrol after him.  Never did he think that he would be on the receiving end of it, fearing it as he used to enjoy chasing down a scared rabbit.

 

 Vervain came to a stop at a fence and looked ahead, the sound of a train in the distance filled his ears as a white line moved across in the air as he turned his head back again with a worried look.  Coughing he lowered his body to get under the barbed wire and winced as he felt some of his fur get caught as it pulled off.  Not looking back, Vervain ran off across the road and jumped through the wooden plank and into the next field, scaring a fieldmouse as it fell off from a long blade of dry grass.

 

***

 

Blueberry had a firm frown on his face as he ran across the field leaving behind Campion and the others as Dewdrop spoke.  "So what happened?"  Blueberry replied back.  "Oh Vervain, Gerva and even Pisum tried to kill Campion."  Quicksilver blinked as he spoke.  "Pisum?  The council rabbit?"   Quicksilver gave a frown himself.  "I knew Vervain was up to something but I didn't know he would try something so tharn as this."

 

Blueberry nodded as they came to the edge of the first field and sniffed about for any signs of where Vervain was heading.  "Well, Pisum's dead."  Blueberry said as he looked about and dropped his head to the ground to search for tracks.  "He made his decision and well, he's paid for his actions."

 

 Quicksilver called over.  "Found his tracks."  He waited as Dewdrop and Blueberry came over to him as Blueberry spoke.  "Where's he heading?"  Quicksilver looked up as he passed through the fence and sniffed the air again.  "I think he's heading towards the iron road."

 

Blueberry nodded as he jumped through the fence and ran across the dirt path.  "Well, lets get there then."  Blueberry vanished through the following fence as Quicksilver looked at Dewdrop.  "You think he be okay?"  Dewdrop nodded as he began to run again with Quicksilver beside him.  "You don't know their history, I was only a training officer at the time but you do get to hear things if you listen.  Vervain had been annoying Blueberry for a while.  But I think he's more annoyed that he's dared to attack a chief rabbit."

 

Blueberry was a few paces ahead of the other two as he looked ahead, already knowing the way back as he had travelled this way before.  He looked up as he saw the moon light reflecting off the clouds before he turned his head back again to the front.

 

 Dewdrop and Quicksilver caught up with Blueberry as they came up to the fieldmouse who was complaining.  Blueberry looked at it and then walked over with the other two looking puzzled.  "You, mouse.  You seen rabbit?"  Blueberry said in hedgerow tongue.

 

The fieldmouse looked up to where Blueberry was and nodded as he gave back an angry squeak.  "You rabbits, ignorant, fast, bothered mouse.  Knocked down, went that away."  The mouse moved a paw up and pointed in the direction of the iron road before walking away without another word.

 

Dewdrop came up to Blueberry with a smile.  "Well, that's a new thing, have to remember that one, may come in handy one day."  Blueberry nodded.  "I know you don't like to talk to other creatures but some do have information that you may not have, at least we're still on the right track, so let's get going.  We have to get ahead of him if we can."  The small group of rabbits ran off quickly through the fence.

 

***

 

Vervain arrived at the end of the field where he could see the hill going up to where the iron road lay.  He looked back and sniffed the air, his body tensed up as he moved across the road slowly, keeping his body close to the ground as he paused to the slightest sound before moving ahead again as he hopped through the fence and got up onto his hind legs and listened out.  Vervain didn't know where he was going or what he was going to do but he had to get away from Efrafa since he had failed and the last of his friends had been caught and no doubt killed.  Going back or being caught would mean that he would end up being killed and Vervain shivered by the thought.  Slowly he made his way through the field and arrived at the bottom of the hill.

 

 "Alright, Vervain."  Blueberry said as he came out from behind a bush.  Dewdrop and Quicksilver came out from their own hiding places as Blueberry looked at Vervain.  "I think this is far enough, don't you?  I mean, you really think you could get away from a Efrafan patrol, I mean we aren't going to end up being clueless on these matters all because Woundwort has gone and you have ended up being a traitor to the warren."

 

Vervain frowned as he slowly walked backwards towards the bottom of the hill as he replied back.  "I never did anything wrong.  I was protecting Efrafa and upholding the good name of Woundwort.  It's you that wants change."  Vervain spat at Blueberry.  "You and those hraka rabbits at Watership Down, well I won't stand for it, you hear me.  I won't!"

 

Away in the distance the faint familiar sound of rumbling could be heard in the air, the ground began to shake slightly as Vervain turned around and ran off, shouting in the air.  "I'll come back and get revenge on you all, mark my words!"  Blueberry took off at the same time as Dewdrop and Quicksilver as the rumbling sound got louder.

 

 Vervain panted heavily as he saw the iron road in front of him begin to shine as the light from the train was getting closer.  He turned his head to see the train racing down the track but he didn't stop.  Jumping onto the track he hopped quickly off it just as the train raced by before falling down the hill at the other end as he rolled about.

 

Blueberry came to a stop as he saw the train blocking the way, the wind blowing him and his party back down the hill on the other side as he landed heavily on his back.  On the other side, Vervain got up and ran off again, making for the river. 

 

Blueberry got up on the other side as he groaned slightly.  "Okay, is everyone okay?"  Quicksilver moved his head about a bit and heard a crack and a pop come about on his neck as he winced.  "Okay here I think."  Dewdrop shook himself as he gave a soft growl.  "Can we not do that again please, I have nightmares after hearing reports of what happened to some patrols getting run over by that thing."

 

Blueberry nodded as he heard the rumbling sound grow fainter with each passing second.  "So noted, I don't fancy ending my life that way either.  Come on, it should be safe now, let's get after him."  The three rabbits raced back up the hill again as they crossed over the iron road before jumping down the other side of the hill. 

 

 Quicksilver spotted him from where he was halfway up the hill as he was making his way down.  "He's making his way towards the river."  Blueberry nodded as all three continued on their way to try and close the gap between them and Vervain.

 

Vervain arrived at the end of the field and looked into the dark river in front of him, the water was running fast as he looked into the blackness and took a step back as though he was scared of the rabbit staring back up at him.  Vervain turned his head around as he saw the three rabbits heading towards him before he turned his head back again and then jumped into the icy cold water.

 

Chapter 39 - The start of change

Blueberry, Dewdrop and Quicksilver arrived at the edge of the riverbank as they watched Vervain being swept down the river with a spluttering laugh.  "You'll never catch me, never!"  Blueberry ran down the edge of the bank but found that the gap was increasing with each passing second before he couldn't run anymore and stopped looking out into the river as Vervain vanished around the corner.

 

Blueberry walked back slowly to where the other two was as he looked at them for a moment in silence.  Neither of the other two spoke a word as Blueberry looked back to where the river was and then spoke quietly.  "Come on, let's go, there's nothing for us to do here anymore."  Slowly he, Dewdrop and Quicksilver walked away.

 

"Well, I hope that's the last time we see him."  Dewdrop said as he walked alongside Blueberry.  "I can't see how he can survive something like that."  Quicksilver said with a thoughtful tone in his voice.  Blueberry didn't reply back at first as he continued to walk and Dewdrop turned his head to look at him.  "Sir?"

 

 Blueberry came out of his thoughts as he replied back.  "I don't know, someone like that could always come back or there would be someone else to take over from the space that he has left behind."  Blueberry paused for a moment as he swallowed and cleared his throat.  "What I want to know now is what to do about the future."  He stopped and looked at Dewdrop and Quicksilver.  "I mean, with our mark, do we continue on with the old ways or do we work to change things?  We have to try and get council approval and all but as I've seen with Vervain, some will not be willing to allow change to happen."

 

"Sir, if it be alright, I'm all for it."  Dewdrop spoke back as he looked to Quicksilver who nodded his head.  "We don't know how to though, we've been here in this warren longer than you but we know you're not proper Efrafan and all."  Blueberry looked away as Dewdrop continued to speak.  "However, we can share ideas with each other, we know how some things work out better and you know how some other things work better than we have done.  So overall it would help Efrafa to get better and that's fine by me, a stronger warren would come of it."

 

 Blueberry smiled as he continued to walk on again.  "Dewdrop, continue to talk like that and I'll begin to think you're looking for a promotion."  Quicksilver snorted with a laugh.  "Oh I have no doubt that he is looking for one, best watch your back."

 

Dewdrop shook his head.  "No thanks, I rather gain it from working hard on it and earning it properly.  Best way really, stops you taking on too much and then having to pretend you know what you're doing when you get too high up."

 

They reached the iron road again but decided to go under it this time around by the tunnel.  Blueberry didn't say a word as he looked about the dark tunnel and heard bats moving about above, before flying out as they all kept their bodies close to the ground.  Getting back up again they finally carried on without anymore incident and arrived at the field where they saw Campion waiting for them at the end of the field that the attack first happened.

 

Blueberry came up to him as he shook his head.  "He got away, jumped into the river.  I didn't want to risk anymore lives on him, if he wanted to commit suicide then that was his choice.  I can't see how he can survive but then again weird things have happened.  He'll be well out of reach from a patrol now though."

 

 Campion-rah nodded his head.  "Well, perhaps it's for the best after all.  He has left us and now that we can get on with changing this warren for the better.  You best head back down and get some rest."  Blueberry nodded as he looked at Campion-rah.  "So where did the bodies go?"  Campion replied back.  "We dragged them to a place where we know elil to pass by.  No doubt that by tomorrow morning there won't be a sign of either Gerva or Pisum when Frith comes up.

 

Blueberry nodded his head as he turned to head off, but Campion-rah called him back as Blueberry looked at Quicksilver and Dewdrop before speaking.  "I'll see you tomorrow, thanks for tonight."  Seeing them nod and leave he turned and headed back to where Campion was.  "I saw your friends tonight, do you think it will be in the warren's best interests to be allies with those that we had fought for?"

 

Blueberry blinked as he looked at Campion-rah.  "Having second thoughts?"  Campion-rah shook his head.  "No, but after what happened tonight I think we may have a hard time of making it happen here."  Blueberry nodded as he looked out to the stars shimmering in the night sky.  "Well, I always liked a challenge, think that came about after going across half the country from being forced from home with man.  We should be fighting them than with each other.  I think in the long run we will benefit from it all.  Anyways, sir I should head off.  I'll make sure that my mark will keep an eye out for Vervain in case he tries to sneak back again."  Without saying another word, Blueberry left as Campion continued to look up into the sky.

 

 ***

 

The next morning, Blueberry was woken up by the sound of officer Dewdrop who was standing outside of the burrow.  "Good morning sir, looks like it's going to rain today."  Blueberry yawned as he got up and stretched, feeling his back pop slightly as he nodded his head.  "Well, can't expect the good weather to last forever, at least it will help in making more grass grow around here."

Dewdrop nodded his head.  "That's something that we need to discuss, we may have to ration a bit more on what is left out there."  Blueberry got up and walked out of the burrow as he looked at Dewdrop.  "I didn't know that things had got that bad."  Dewdrop nodded his head.  "We're in a mess, even without someone forcing things on others.  You want to go see your officers, they will be waiting up top."

 

Dewdrop led Blueberry up to the top as he looked about with the following rabbits that were catching a quick bite to eat but they all stopped as Dewdrop came into view followed by Blueberry.  Dewdrop spoke up.  "You all heard about the orders that Campion-rah has given out and that Captain Blueberry is now in charge of this mark."  Blueberry saw all of the rabbits nod their head as he spoke up.  "I don't know you at this moment in time but I'm sure that in the next day or two I will get to know you by name.  I also know that some may still be thinking about the rumours about my last time being here.  If anyone has anything to say I rather you come and tell me than keep it from me, we're all here to work together.  For the time being I would like you to stick to your usual schedule of duties today and I will come about and talk to each of you in turn."  Blueberry paused as he looked about.  "So let's get ready for the mark to come up for silflay, shall we?  Oh one more thing.  We're not having sentries to keep people in anymore, you're new task is to keep an eye out for any dangers."

 

 Dewdrop spoke up.  "You heard him, we're on a schedule here, so let's get ready."  Blueberry saw them all move about, some heading back underground while the others started to go about to get into good positions as Blueberry looked about and then hopped up onto a tree stump and sat down.  "Dewdrop, go by the hole where they will be coming up and tell them if they want to come talk to me, then they may."  Dewdrop nodded and hopped off to where the hole was as he sat down.

 

Slowly the rabbits began to come out as Dewdrop spoke to each in turn as Blueberry saw some look towards him as he nodded back before going back to looking about himself, his head moving up to scan the early morning sky as he flicked an ear about.  Eventually Dewdrop came back over and sat down again.  Blueberry blinked and looked down at him.  "I thought you had duties to perform?"

 

Dewdrop nodded his head.  "I do, I'm your bodyguard, every captain in the owsla get them here.  This warren is still too dangerous, there are a lot of angry rabbits that resent us still."  Blueberry nodded as he spoke back.  "So that means you be sticking by me all the time?"  He saw Dewdrop nod his head and he smiled before looking out again to the mark who was busying silflaying.

 

 Balsum came over to where Blueberry was and looked up, shaking a bit.  "S-sir, may I ask something?"  Blueberry looked down and nodded his head and replied gently.  "I said that you could, what do you want?" 

 

Balsum replied back as he looked up.  "Sir, I just wanted to say hello.  I saw you last time when you were here and you were a decent officer.  I'm glad that you are back again."  Blueberry blinked as Balsum ran off again to a small group of rabbits and he looked at Dewdrop.  "Well, seems I did make some impact when I was last here."

 

"It would appear so."  Dewdrop replied back as he looked about before adding.  "I wouldn't make it go to your head though."  Blueberry gave a snort as he replied back.  "I wouldn't even think of doing so."  He looked about before he asked something to Dewdrop.  "Are there any within our mark currently out on wide patrol?"

 

Dewdrop shook his head.  "No, our forces have been depleted a fair bit after Watership Down.  It's going to take about a season I think before we can get things back together again.  It was our mark that went off to deal with the problem.  After all, we did fail to notice what Bigwig was up to and all."

 

 Blueberry nodded slowly.  "Well, sometimes things can happen, you can't foresee everything, have to be a veheer to do that and sometimes that does creep me out a bit but I don't resent them."  Dewdrop blinked and turned his head up to where Blueberry was.  "Oh, do you know anyone at all?"

 

"Well, there was someone back in my old warren but he was old and died about a season before our warren was destroyed.  I'm not sure if he would've been able to foresee something like that happening."  Blueberry replied back as he looked upwards to the sky as a bird flew overhead but it was only a crow.

Dewdrop looked up at the same time but had already returned his gaze back to the rabbits up and about. 

"What actually happened?"  Blueberry closed his eyes as he replied back.  "Usual thing really, man came one day with their dogs and other elil, I think they were ferrets.  They brought fire to smoke us out.  And to top it all off, they had their fire sticks that make loud noises and kill from afar."

 

"Frith!  That must've been horrible."  Dewdrop replied back as he gave a shudder.  "I suppose in a way, Woundwort was trying to keep that from happening here, I don't think man likes a warren that has got too big.  We had to be careful in doing farm raids for instance.  No leaving anything behind to show that there was rabbits there and we had to be careful in picking stuff up that wouldn't be noticed."

 

 Blueberry didn't respond right away as he gave a thoughtful look.  After a while he spoke again with a low voice.  "I suppose you're right."  Dewdrop nodded his head as he looked about.  "He had protected this warren but his methods did go overboard."  Dewdrop stopped and then coughed.  "So, change of subject, want to go meet some of your officers?"  Blueberry nodded his head.  "Yeah, let's."  Blueberry hopped down and followed Dewdrop.

 

***

 

Down below, Campion was again inside the council's burrow as he looked at Avens before speaking.  "I hope that the council didn't know about Pisum's intentions on helping Vervain last night?"

 

Avens gave a frown.  "No, we did not know of any such plot and we resent that you think so, Campion-rah."  Campion nodded.  "I apologise but I had to ask the question."  Avens sat down as he responded back.  "Apology accepted.  We have decided that for the best interest of the warren that you should be made chief rabbit permanently."

 

Campion lowered his head as he spoke.  "I will give everything I have to ensure the warren survives."  Avens hopped down from where he was and placed a paw on top of Campion's head.  "Campion-rah, successor to General Woundwort, the council acknowledges you as chief rabbit with all privileges that come with it."  Avens moved his paw off Campion's head and hopped back to where he was.

Campion lifted his head as he spoke softly.  "We should get down to business.  I have some changes I wish to implement within the warren."  Avens sat down as he nodded his head for Campion to continue.  "I wish for Efrafa to accept a proposal from Watership Down for peace."

 

 Moss spoke.  "Have they made an offer?  What are their terms?"  Campion replied quickly.  "They offer no terms, they wish to be friends and offer help.  This will be in return for our own help.  I believe that we must accept if only to get help in sorting out our overcrowding problems.  Our old system cannot cope with it anymore, we will end up being spotted if we do not sort it out quickly."

 

Teasel spoke next.  "And what do you suggest Campion-rah?"  Campion walked up and down the burrow as he looked at the council rabbits.  "I suggest we look into their plan of starting a new warren, one that is halfway in between here and their own warren.  There both warrens would send rabbits there that will live in peace with each other."

 

Avens closed his eyes for a short while and then reopened them again.  "And who is to be in charge of this warren.  Is it one of ours or one of theirs that will become Chief there?"  Campion stopped walking and looked at Avens.  "They were quiet happy with my suggestion of offering it to Captain Groundsel."

 

 "Please wait while we consider this."  Avens replied as he turned to the others.  "Please, follow me while we decide."  Campion nodded as he watched the council leave the burrow before he sat down patiently.  It was a short while before he saw them again as Avens came back out again with a nod.  "The council agrees with this plan, how do you wish to proceed with it?"

 

Campion looked towards Avens.  "I plan on going to their warren with a patrol, there we will discuss matters of peace where we had recently been there to kill.  I do not foresee any dangers of said mission.  And we could invite them to come over here for the second meeting."

"We trust your decision with this."  Avens said as he looked down at Campion.  "You have always shown to be a good officer when you were captain of owsla and we know you have a good level head.  Do you have any orders for us in keeping this warren running?"

 

Campion replied back.  "Only what I told you yesterday, this warren has to change from the ways of the General if we are to survive and grow stronger.  Efrafa needs to find itself again, from the early days.  Do I have support for this?"

 

 Moss replied.  "You do, though the council would like to take things slowly with such matters.  The attack on you was just a warning that if we take things too quickly there could be others that may wish to fight to keep things the same.  You will have to show them that things can work differently."  Avens nodded.  "We will obey your orders and give advice, the final decision is really yours but we appreciate you asking us for permission and for our support on these matters.  But we will suggest that you will have to find a new captain of owsla."

 

Campion nodded his head.  "You have always helped to guide our chief rabbits in the past in the right direction, I do not see any reason to change this system.  I am grateful for the council's wisdom.  As for the captain of owsla, I am still considering my options with that but shall come to a decision with haste."  Campion bowed his head and turned around before leaving the burrow.

 

Making his way upwards to the top, Campion paused as he checked that things were okay before carefully leaving the safety of being underground and stepped out into the bright daylight.  He paused for a moment.  Campion pulled a officer over as he spoke.  "I like to see Blueberry by the log, please send for Dewdrop,

Carpgress, Groundsel and Buckwheat."  Campion saw the rabbit nod as he ran off.  Campion made his way over to the tree stump and hopped up onto it, waiting for the others to come to him.

 

 ***

 

Elsewhere, Vervain laid out on the bank, half of his body still lay within the cold water as he continued to show that he was lifeless.  Several rabbits came towards him as they stopped a bit further up on the bank.  Captain Ebony looked down at the still form as he sniffed the air.  "I don't detect any elil."

 

Inlo replied back.  "No, perhaps he just fell into the river and got swept down here."  Inlo gave a wicked smile as he hopped a few paces down.  "Ah well, bad luck for him, want me to see if he's alive?"

 

"No, I do that myself."  Captain Ebony replied back as he walked down past Inlo and stood over the still form of Vervain before lowering his head, placing his ear on the side of the buck's body before lifting it back up again.  "He's alive."  Captain Ebony turned his head back again towards the others.  "My, it would seem that his luck isn't improving, though it's going to get even worse in a moment."  Captain Ebony turned back around as he shouted into Vervain's ear.  "Get up!"

 

Vervain woke up with a start before spitting out some water that was still within his mouth as he looked up to see a large buck standing over him.  "What do you want?"  Captain Ebony smiled as he looked down at Vervain.  "Oh, just here to tell you some bad news that's all.  What's your name?"

 

 Vervain blinked as he tried to get up but felt a paw being placed on the back of his head as he replied back.  "Vervain and you are?"  Captain Ebony grinned. 

"Captain Ebony of Darkclaw warren and the bad news is that we found you so you have to come back to our warren.  If you refuse, we will just kill you right here and now."  Captain Ebony dug his claws into the back of Vervain's neck.  "I would decide quickly before I get bored and just kill you."

 

Vervain swallowed as he replied back.  "I will come with you, just don't hurt me."

 

Chapter 40 - The first peace meeting.

Campion-rah looked at the rabbits that had come to his call as he looked down at each one of them for a short while before speaking out.  "We are going to head off to Watership Down again but instead of going there to fight them, we are going there to discuss peace."  Campion-rah paused as he looked again to each one in the eye before he continued.  "I have the council's approval on such matters and I believe that we are on the verge of change, good change that will do this warren good."  Campion-rah paused.  "However, if there is anyone that doesn't want to go or think that this will be a waste of time, then they should remain here and leave the warren by the time I get back."

 

Campion-rah looked at each one again as no one moved before he nodded his head in approval.  "Thank you, we shall leave immediately."  Campion-rah turned around and spoke to a rabbit behind him.  "Please advise their marks that they have left the warren with me and that they will have to cope without us for a while.  If anything comes up then they are to go seek advice from the council."  Campion-rah turned his head back again and then hopped off the tree stump, landing onto the ground with a thump before he walked through them.

 

 Blueberry turned around as he started to follow, then the others began to turn around at the same time as they walked.  Captain Carpgrass came up next to Blueberry and smiled.  "Well, glad to see that you're one of us again, knew that things would go okay, no hard feelings on arresting you before?"

 

Blueberry shook his head.  "No, no hard feelings.  You had a job to do regardless if you liked it or not."  Campion-rah chuckled as he spoke up.  "Ah, so you're beginning to learn, well good for you.  Maybe you have a future after all."  Blueberry didn't say anything back as they started to pass some sentries.

 

Dewdrop slipped back as he turned his head to Grounsel.  "So how've you been, sir?"  Groundsel replied back.  "I'm doing okay, thanks for asking.  My injuries have healed up which is a good thing."  Dewdrop nodded his head.  "It was lucky that you managed to get away from that stoat, could've been a whole different thing altogether."  Grounsel frowned.  "Aye, that would've been terrible, I wouldn't be around anymore, but at least I managed to kick it in the nose, quite hard actually..."

 

 Campion-rah smiled.  "Ah, Efrafans, always with picking fights with elil if they get the chance.  Groundsel you really are getting too old for doing that."  Captain Grounsel snorted as he looked up at where Campion-rah was and replied back.  "With all honesty sir, you're not that young yourself anymore."

 

When Campion-rah laughed, the rest followed suit as Blueberry chuckled, seeing something different for the first time with the officers.  He had from the last time never seen any laugh or enjoying themselves, but now, it looked like there was hope after all.  However, Blueberry lowered his head as he looked at the ground while walking.

 

Dewdrop who was still trying to get to know his captain better, looked at Groundsel and then hopped forwards a bit as he turned his head to him.  Blueberry slowed down and allowed Groundsel and Buckwheat to pass as Dewdrop looked at Blueberry.  "What's up?"

Unknown to them both, Campion had slowed down and nodded for Groundsel to take the lead as he pulled up alongside them both before Blueberry looked at him.  Campion nodded his head as Blueberry replied.  "I'm worried that Carbi will throw a fit with me coming back to Efrafa but to actually offer my services again he may not understand."  Blueberry paused as he looked at Dewdrop.  "He didn't have a good time there at all."

 

 Dewdrop replied back.  "Well, we guessed that would've been it, even when you returned we guessed it but we didn't get proof until later."  Campion-rah added after Dewdrop spoke.  "I knew after you told me about the offer Hazel wanted to do, though I don't understand why you didn't speak truthfully to the council."  Blueberry replied back with a frown.  "I didn't want Vervain to win, it's as simple as that."

 

Campion-rah nodded. "That will be the first and last time I will ever accept you to lie, you understand?"  Blueberry nodded his head as Campion-rah spoke.  "Then you're forgiven, I expect my officers to be truthful as well as loyal, captain." 

 

Without saying another word, Campion-rah headed off to the front to leave Blueberry and Dewdrop along as they carried on running through the field that they were currently in.  "So," Dewdrop said after a short while.  "Just from you to me, were you involved in Bigwig escaping?"

Blueberry nodded his head.  "I'm sorry Dewdrop, but it was something that had to be done, some wanted out from that warren and well, I and Bigwig are the type that wouldn't have allowed it to continue.  You understand once you get to meet him."

 

 Dewdrop smiled.  "I did once, he told me off when I made a mistake in my training, he has a loud voice that rabbit does."  Blueberry chuckled.  "Oh you have no idea, but he means well."  Blueberry went silent again for a bit before he spoke up again. "So, tell me about yourself Dewdrop."

 

Dewdrop replied after thinking for a short while.  "Well, I was born within Efrafa itself from those who were allowed to breed at the time.  It was hard at first as well, they had to see if you would fit into being a owsla rabbit.  Most wanted to as you got better privileges than those that weren't in the owsla."  Blueberry nodded his head as he spoke.  "I can understand that, keep things so bad that you have a lot applying for the position."

 

"Well, I was smaller in the litter and my parli didn't want any of his bucks to not make the grade so I ended up doing a lot of work to get stronger, even got more food than the does.  Needless to say after training a lot I was accepted into the owsla and became a officer."  Dewdrop said as he looked ahead to where the others were talking themselves.

 

 Blueberry spoke.  "That must've been hard for you, so what made you decide that Efrafa had to change?"  Dewdrop replied.  "It was after Woundwort denied anyone to help after a run had collapsed killing my marli and the rest of the does that were part of my family.  Of course my parli was all for it, saying that they had to go in to that dangerous part to dig out a new section since we were overcrowded but even he didn't cry after it happened, he had other does to breed with.  I kept up with it all but I lost all respect for the way the warren had become.  Shortly afterwards you and Bigwig arrived."

 

Blueberry sighed as he looked at Dewdrop.  "I'm sorry, but hopefully we should be able to change things for the better.  Just think about it, you're going to be part of Efrafa's new history where we change and become better for everyone."  Blueberry's words made Dewdrop smile as they kept running with the group.

 

***

 

Vervain was surrounded by rabbits as they travelled away from the rivcr and was now coming near to where the warren lay.  Captain Ebony was up ahead as he called out to one of the sentries.  "Go inform Darkclaw-rah that we have a new prisoner, ask him if he wishes to see this new rabbit.  He looks like he could fight."

 

 The rabbit nodded before spinning on the ground and running off as Captain Ebony smiled back at Vervain.  "You may have to fight tonight, see how long you survive, though most newcomers never make it through the first night."

 

Vervain felt himself shake as he didn't like the sound of that at all.  "What if I don't want to fight?"  He asked Captain Ebony who chuckled.  "You don't have a choice in the matter, you will be facing someone tonight whether you want to or not.  You can just not fight and get killed, if you're willing to end it quickly, that would be fun as well."

 

Vervain looked about for any sign of escape but he couldn't see any, there were rabbits about now as he saw the ones in front move to the side as they surrounded the hole which Captain Ebony said.  "Come on, get down below, let's go see if Darkclaw-rah wishes to see you."

 

Swallowing, Vervain nodded as he ducked his head down and slowly went down the run with Captain Ebony behind him.  As he reached the bottom the rabbit that had ran off before had arrived and spoke.  "Sir, Darkclaw-rah does wish to see him, he wants to know if he is the one."

Captain Ebony laughed.  "Him, the one, I don't think he is but then again that isn't up to me to decide.  I don't think he could beat one of our officers, never mind the chief."  Captain Ebony pushed Vervain to the left.  "Come on, move down this way."

 

 With being pushed into the right direction, Vervain was slowly moved through the warren as he was led deeper into it until he arrived into a large burrow.  Sniffing about, Vervain gave a shudder as he saw a large rabbit lying on the ground and swallowed as Captain Ebony spoke.  "Sir, this is Vervain, we found him lying unconscious on the river bank.  You were right when you ordered us to go check on that area daily."

 

Darkclaw-rah nodded as he looked at Vervain who was now shaking.  "Ah, you don't look like the one at all, in fact I don't think you will be much fun tonight either."  Darkclaw-rah got up as he walked over to where Vervain was and sniffed him.  "So where are you from?"

 

Vervain replied though he fought hard to try and stop shaking.  "I'm from a warren known as Efrafa.  I do not know where it is as I have lost all memory of how I got here after jumping into the river.  I only woke up and found myself surrounded by your officers.  Why do I have to fight?"

"Why?"  Darkclaw-rah asked as he looked at Vervain.  "It is what we do around here, we're waiting for someone to arrive.  Someone to lead us to victory, isn't that right Whisp?"  Vervain looked about and didn't detect another rabbit in the burrow but the weird voice that came from the dark shadows nearly made him jump.

 

 "He isn't the one but the time for his arrival is nearing."  Wisp said as he slowly came from within the shadows and looked at Vervain carefully.  "However, there is something about this rabbit here.  I think he should fight tonight, it may be a sign of things to come."

 

"No!"  Vervain shouted but he gave a yell as Captain Ebony bit into his ear as he growled.  "You do not speak until you are allowed to, scum."  Vervain lowered his head to the ground as he laid there while Darkclaw-rah chuckled.  "Forgive my captain, he's very sensitive to any rudeness that a newcomer does, but you shall learn the rules if you live long enough."

 

Whisp had already moved back into the shadow as Darkclaw-rah looked at Captain Ebony.  "Take him away and put him into a burrow.  Make sure he has a last meal and keep him under guard."  Darkclaw-rah looked at Vervain.  "There's something about him that makes him look more dangerous than what he is currently letting on."

 

Captain Ebony bowed his head as he replied back.  "It shall be done, sir.  Can I decide on who will fight him tonight?  Perhaps, maybe one of the slaves that have been here for a while?"  Darkclaw-rah nodded his head.  "Sure, make certain that it will be a entertaining night though."  Captain Ebony smiled.  "Oh it will be, you can be assured by that."  Captain Ebony growled at Vervain.  "Get up, come and get up!"  He kicked at the side of Vervain, making him get up.  Keeping silent Vervain moved out of the burrow, looking rather rejected.

 

 ***

 

It was late afternoon when Campion-rah, captain Blueberry, officer Dewdrop, captain Groundsel, captain Carpgrass and officer Buckwheat had reached the bottom of the down.  Coming to a stop, Campion-rah looked up as he made the sign for the patrol to stop as he saw three rabbits coming down the hill slowly.  Campion-rah turned his head back.  "Blueberry, come up front if you will." 

Blueberry nodded his head as he walked up past the others before standing next to Campion as he saw the familiar faces of Hazel, Bigwig and Hawkbit.  When they were a few hops away, they came to a stop as Hazel spoke.  "Ah, Campion-rah, thank you for accepting our offer, would you like to come up and make yourself at home?"

 

Campion-rah smiled as he replied back.  "We would welcome a rest.  Please lead on."  Slowly they began to walk forwards again as Hawkbit came up to Blueberry and fell in line.  "It's great to see you again, so you decided to join them."

 

Blueberry nodded his head as he turned to face Hawkbit.  "Yeah, I think it's something that I have to do and all.  You know, you could always come and join yourself if you wanted, could do with another friend there."

 

 Hawkbit gave a thoughtful look as he turned his head back up to where the hill was right in front of them and the ground started to go upwards.  "Well, I have to give it some thought, I don't want to get a mark though."  Blueberry nodded his head.  "Well, what about if you came and visited for a while and see what it is like there now.   We are trying to change things and there's one thing you should know.  Vervain's gone, it's pretty much over for any of the old Woundwort lot in high positions."

 

Hawkbit blinked as he looked at Blueberry.  "It would seem that you have a lot to tell us since we last saw Campion-rah by the river.  How did he go?"  Blueberry was about to answer as Campion-rah turned his head back before calling out.  "That will be explained later on."  Blueberry nodded his head and went quiet again as they continued up the hill.

 

When they all got to the top of the hill, Blueberry saw Carbi and as he went over to meet him, he saw Carbi turn his head around and then walked the other way.  Blueberry came to a stop and sat down, just as Fiver came up and sat down next to Blueberry.  "He took it a bit hard."  Blueberry nodded his head as he looked to where Carbi was making his way to another part of the hill.  "I hope that he will understand the decision that I have made."

 

 Fiver nodded.  "He will in time, that's all he needs at the moment, just time."  Blueberry bit his lower lip but nodded his agreement on what Fiver had just said before speaking again.  "How has he been?"

 

"He still gets some bad dreams about the experience, though they are starting to distance themselves from when he has them.  He does sleep some nights now without waking up."  Fiver replied back quietly.  Blueberry looked about the area as he saw the big tree and smiled.  "I am glad to be back here though, it's just so welcoming here."

 

"It's as though you feel a warm glow in your heart?"  Fiver asked as he looked at the tree directly.  "That's what I felt when I first saw this place when I had a vision about it."  Blueberry blinked as he turned to face Fiver.  "Huh?  Well, maybe but perhaps that's just because of the company as well."  Blueberry turned his head around to where Campion-rah was talking to Hazel-rah and gave a thoughtful look.

 

"You're worried, aren't you?"  Hazel said as he looked to where Blueberry was looking.  "You're worried that peace may not happen and that you have made a choice to join them with loyalty and there's a possibility that you may end up seeing us as enemies again."  Blueberry blinked as he turned his head back towards Fiver.  "Has anyone ever told you, you're just annoying when you're always right?"

 

 Fiver chuckled.  "I think Hazel-rah has a few times, Bigwig has and oh Hawkbit as well."  Blueberry nodded.  "Well, I am in a way.  I think I'm more in common with Bigwig, I take loyalty to a chief rabbit very seriously as well as a warren."  Blueberry laid down on the ground.  "I think I changed after my warren was destroy in such a descructive way."

 

Lying down as well, Fiver looked to where Campion-rah was now talking to Bigwig as Hazel was listening before speaking out.  "Man does a lot of things like that, but I think if we survive such things it will make us stronger.  They can't kill us all off and I think that may be the reason why they try so hard.  It's like we're confronting their authority and not obeying the laws that they have laid down."

 

Blueberry looked about before he saw Bracken, Birch and Straw talking to Carbi then turned his head back again as Fiver spoke.  "I think they want to speak to you."  Blueberry turned his head around and nodded as he got up and walked over to where Bigwig, Campion-rah and Hazel-rah were standing.

"Ah, Blueberry, there you are."  Campion-rah said as he looked at him.  "We've agreed on something, that we're going to make a new warren and that Grounsel is going to be the new chief."  Blueberry nodded his head as he replied back.  "That's good to hear, sir."

 

 "I thought you would say that, we have also decided that me and Hazel-rah that we have forged an agreement of peace between our two warrens."  Blueberry blinked as he spoke.  "That was fast."  Hazel-rah nodded.  "It usually is when we come to end the war with each other.  We're all friends here now."

 

Blueberry smiled as he looked out over from where the ground went down and to where the land lay out in front of him.  "You know, I think things are going to turn out just right after all."  Bigwig chuckled.  "Don't they always but you don't know what else that needs to be done."  Blueberry turned his head around as he stared at the other three.  Bigwig added.  "Since you're now an Efrafan we need to have a rematch on our bobstone contest again.  Winner will take on whoever wins between Hazel-rah and Campion-rah."

 

Blueberry smiled.  "You're on."

 

***

 

Things were far from good for Vervain as he stood in the middle of rabbits blocking his every possible escape route from the warren.  There as he looked over to the other side was a strong rabbit who looked like the constant digging that he had to do had helped to bulk him out.

Captain Ebony smiled as he looked about before calling out to the others to quieten down as Darkclaw-rah spoke up.  "Welcome everyone to yet another battle for you to be entertained."  Darkclaw-rah heard the whole place erupt as he stood up onto his hind legs.  "The rules are simple.  Whoever wins this fight will gain a rank within the owsla, the loser will be killed.  Do you both accept?"

 

 Vervain swallowed as Trabark nodded his head.  "I accept!"  He called out before levelling his head again to fix his eyes on Vervain's.  Darkclaw-rah smiled as he called out.  "Then let the fight begin."

 

Vervain blinked as he saw Trabark race over towards him and turned around to flee.  The whole crowd surrounding them broke out into laughter as Vervain kept ahead of Trabark as Darkclaw-rah turned his head to where Captain Ebony was.  "You call this entertaining?"  Captain Ebony nodded his head.  "He won't last long, besides if he gets too near to the edge, they only go and trip him up."

As Captain Ebony was saying those words, Vervain was tripped up by a rabbit as he flew into the air and landed heavily onto the ground and skidded.  Trabark leapt up and landed heavily on top of Vervain, making the buck gasp out loudly.  Digging his claws into the side of Vervain, Trabark growled softly.  "Well, that was fun but thanks, you just bought my freedom."  Vervain tried to squirm about as he felt the hot breath over the back of his neck.

 

 Suddenly there was bodies flying apart from one end of the circle as a large rabbit came running down before slamming into the side of Trabark.  The large buck turned around to face Trabark as he got up with a growl and before the smaller buck knew what was happening, the larger buck had ripped out his throat and dropped the dead body to the ground.

 

Vervain blinked as he stared at the large buck standing next to him and felt his heart skip a beat before the large buck turned around and looked directly to where Darkclaw-rah was.  "I challenge you."

 

Vervain got up as he stared and while he gasped for air he said one thing.  "General."

 

END?