Chapter Ten: A Chief Rabbit Murdered
On Watership Down, Mallow was feeling quiet proud of himself. The brown buck had successfully dealt with the troublesome TJ, and had managed to convince his father that Mallow's way f dealing with troublemakers was the right one. He almost couldn't believe Hazel was allowing himself to be fooled so easily. It seemed very uncharacteristic, but Mallow was thankful for it. Now, as the shadows lengthened, he had called together his followers. Stormy, Lilac, Oak, and Carrots. He had hoped to find more, and he knew they doubted his abilities, but only Lilac knew about his secret plan. He would tell the others now.
"Mallow, I don't understand this," Carrots growled, "How are we supposed to take over the warren without an army."
"What you don't know, Carrots, is that we already have an army," Mallow said silkily, "We may not control it yet, but I am in communication with its leader, and he is ready to reinforce me when the time is right."
"Really?" Oak asked, "Who?"
"And why didn't you tell us?" Stormy said.
"Because you did not need to know!" Mallow growled, "I am going now to conduct negotiations with the leader of this army! When I return, I will speak further of the plan."
He turned to Lilac.
"Are you ready, my love?"
"If you are," the silver doe replied.
"Then let us waste no time," Mallow cried, leaping down off the rock and galloping out of the Honeycomb, with Lilac behind him. He knew Stormy could at the very least be trusted to keep the others organized while he was away. Everyone would probably be asleep.
As they raced along, Mallow felt more at ease than he had been since he had put his plan into action. At first, he had overestimated Hazel, thinking he might actually have to get rid of his father before he could convince the warren Fiver was to blame. And it was crucial Fiver be put out of the way. No one could know that Mallow was the one behind it all. Not until he had an army to back him.
They had arrived at their destination. Mallow's sharp blue eyes swept over Efrafa. Now that night had fallen, the Efrafans had come out for silflay. He passed several slaves, who stared curiously at him as they nibbled halfheartedly at the grass, before he was halted by the Owslar Vesper.
"State your business!" the grey rabbit challenged.
"I'm here to see Cactus-rah," Mallow barked, "Don't play with me, Vesper."
"Sorry, sir," Vesper said sarcastically, turning and leading the pair into Cactus' audience chamber.
The large white buck was awake already, his icy blue eyes glittering impatiently.
"Well, if it isn't the ambitious Watershippers," he growled, "What have you to report?"
"Cactus-rah," Mallow said, bowing, "Our plan is being implemented. The seers have been banished, and I have dealt with one particularly troublesome buck, TJ by name."
"And Hazel?" Cactus asked, "He must not be allowed to escape."
"He will not," Mallow assured the Efrafan Chief, "We will carry out the final step tonight. Will your army be in place tomorrow?"
"They can be there before the sun rises," Cactus said, "We have two prisoners. Captain Campion…and his troublesome son. What of them?"
"Bring them with you," Mallow said, "I want to deal with them myself."
"You won't break them."
"As I am well aware, my Chief. But if I have Campion at my mercy, then I have the warren."
"At least you're not a fool," Cactus muttered, "Go now. My army will be on the Down at dawn."
"Understood," Mallow replied. Beckoning to Lilac, the brown buck turned and trotted off.
"How long do we have to keep pretending to pay homage to that old fool?" Lilac asked as the pair traveled home.
"Until I can overthrow him, love," Mallow replied, "It will not be long. When we return, tell Stormy, Oak, and Carrots of the plan. I will deal with Hazel myself."
Although most of the Watership warren was deep in slumber, Hazel-rah lay awake. The fawn-furred buck was thinking on his actions during the past few days. His mind had cleared a little, and it was as if he had awakened after a deep sleep. But he had woken to a very different warren than the one he had lived in before. Campion, Phlox, Fiver…all gone, and others with them. And he had been the cause of their banishment. He tried to tell himself it wasn't his fault, and it wasn't, really. Mallow had given him all the advice. Mallow had been the one who saw Fiver kill Gilia, after all. And the rabbits of his warren were huddling in their burrows day and night out of fear. Hazel realized he should have tried to speak with Fiver while he had the chance. He should have heard his brother's side of the story, but he couldn't bear to. His frustration with the seers, and especially Fiver and Silverweed, had been building up for seasons…but most especially since the last battle with Woundwort. The battle where he lost his best friend.
"I wish you were here right now, Bigwig," Hazel thought, "You always knew exactly what you wanted, even if it was a stupid idea you'd come up with."
He shook his head, trying to shake away the memories of his friend that threatened to overwhelm him. They had been a good team, Bigwig, Hazel, and…Fiver.
"When did I ever let myself become so stupid?" Hazel whispered, "I used to trust Fiver. Dear Frith, I used to trust everybody! But now…I trust no one. I have become foolish."
"Yes, father, you have," a familiar voice snarled, "A pity you won't live to apologize!"
"What are you talking about?" Hazel asked, staring at Mallow. His son smiled.
"I'm talking about your imminent death, father. You see, Fiver didn't kill Gilia. I did. And now you're going to die too!"
Hazel's eyes widened.
"You? So all this time, it was…"
"A trick," Mallow laughed, "Or, shall I say, an attempt to gain power. And tonight, Hazel-rah, I have."
Hazel tried to defend himself. But he had never been a warrior, and Mallow was young and strong. Trapped between the back of his own burrow and his crazed son, bleeding from his neck where Mallow had already clawed him, Hazel realized that there was no escape. As his life ebbed away, he had time for one regretful thought.
"Fiver…I was wrong. I'm so sorry."
*cowers* Must put a warning somewhere about all the dying...