Chapter Fifty-Three: One of the Five...

Luckily for the Watershippers, only a few rabbits were on guard, including Appleseed and Vine.

The four bucks hopped over to Pearl, who was sitting in front of a perfectly good patch of clover, ignoring it completely.

"Pearl," Campion said softly, "We need to go home now."

The doe stared at him blankly.

"And leave my kits?" she growled, "No, never!"

"We have to," Campion said, "But on my word as a warrior, we will come back for them."

Pearl sighed.

"I know what will happen to them. I just do not see how. But you're right. For them to tread their destined path, I must leave them behind."

"Well, then, who's ready to do a runner?" Phlox asked playfully. Blackavar looked nervous.

"Ready as I'll ever be."

"Then run!" Campion yelled, charging straight at the guards.

"Appleseed, go get help!" Vine yelped, just before he was bowled over by Phlox.

The white buck rushed off, while most of the rabbits also out at silflay took the opportunity to try escaping. Vine's Owsla were quickly occupied with having to catch all the slaves.

All except Vine himself, who was pinned down, helpless, beneath Phlox.

The brown buck looked up into his enemy's hard blue eyes, and knew that he would be a fool to even ask for mercy.

But Phlox hesitated. To the white buck's mind, it seemed that to kill Vine in cold blood would be to say that he was no better a rabbit than his enemy.

"Phlox, hurry!" Campion called, "Finish him, and come on!"

Phlox stared at Vine as if seeing him for the first time.

"Kill him? Here? Right now? That's murder..."

Vine gave him one last imploring look, then shut his sapphire eyes. Phlox raised his paw, then lowered it again. Vine was evil, but he had also been Phlox's friend.

He sighed.

"Go," he snarled, releasing Vine, "You won't get another chance like this."

The brown buck stared at him in disbelief for several seconds, then, when he was sure Phlox's back was turned, he attacked.

"Phlox! Behind you!"

"Top ten reasons not to show mercy," Phlox reflected ruefully. He winced as Vine slashed at him. Luckily, the swipe just connected with one of his ear stumps, which would sting uncomfortably for a while, but would cause no lasting damage.

As the two bucks fought, more Owsla began pouring from the warren, with none other than a very angry General Woundwort at their head.

"I think his nap has been interrupted," Thorn said grimly, "He's never in a good mood when that happens."

Campion nodded.

"Do not go between Woundwort and his nap."

"And you know this how?" asked Blackavar.

"Captain of Owsla," Campion said. He glanced at Thorn.

"Um...?"

"Punching bag," Thorn said moodily, "Can we kill Efrafans now?"

"It seems we have no choice," Pearl said, "First chance you see, run!"

"We can't leave anyone behind," Campion yelled.

And then the Efrafans were upon them.

Campion, to his won great satisfaction, knocked Vervain and several other Efrafans senseless, then looked around to see how his friends were faring.

Phlox was still occupied with Vine, Pearl and Blackavar were fighting side by side several yards away, and Thorn...

Campion gasped in shock, then hurtled through the fighting rabbits toward the largest rabbit of all.

Woundwort had Thorn pinned down with one huge paw, and he had the other raised to swipe down at the helpless youngster.

But before Campion could reach them or offer any aid, Woundwort slashed down, not through Thorn's throat, but scratching at the younger rabbit's unprotected eyes.

"NO!"Campion roared. He hardly knew what he was doing, but he attacked Woundwort as if the Black Rabbit of Inle himself was beside him. Perhaps he was. But in any case, Woundwort was driven back by his fierce and unexpected onslaught. Campion saw his friends fight their way over and stand between him and the Efrafans. He raced over to Thorn.

"Thorn? Thorn!"

The sienna buck seemed unharmed, other than the scratches across his face. But those scratches cut across his eyes...

"My eyes!" Thorn cried, "I can't see!"

"Campion! We have to run!"

Campion hoisted Thorn onto his back.

"What's happening?" Thorn squealed. The young buck was clearly on the verge of panic.

"Keep still!" Campion said calmly, "It will be all right."

He raced off toward the woods, aware of his friends behind him, but even more painfully conscious of the young rabbit on his back. Thorn. His son.


Blackberry, Primrose, Leao, and a very reluctant Corydalis had organized a play-date for their kittens, and Strawberry had dropped off Alfalfa and left, because it was all does, and he was a buck.

However, keeping track of fourteen kittens was no easy task. Especially when most of them were old enough to get into a lot of trouble.

Thus, Blackberry was very relieved when she heard pawsteps coming up the hill. She thought it was the twilight patrol returning, but when they crested the hill, she was astonished to see none other than Pearl, Blackavar, Phlox, Campion, and a stranger, a young buck.

Judging from the fresh scratches across his face, and the fact that that the strange rabbit was being carried by Campion, Blackberry judged that he had been badly injured.

"Campion!" she cried happily, "You're back! You're safe!"

"Blackberry," Campion smiled, "May I ask for some help?"

"Of course, you silly buck! I'm your mate, that's what I'm here for! What do you need?"

"Can you take a look at Thorn here? He...Woundwort scratched his eyes."

"Well, I'll try," Blackberry said, "Now, Mr. Thorn, can you tell me what's wrong with you?"

"I can't see," Thorn said, "I can't see anything. My eyes hurt."

"Well, Campion, come along with me, and bring your friend. I'll find something for the pain."


After Blackberry had settled Thorn down in the 'infirmary' burrow, she and Campion left the young buck to rest and hopped out into the warren.

"Will he be all right?" Campion asked.

"His eyes have been scratched badly," Blackberry said cautiously, "It's doubtful he will ever see again."

"What?" Campion growled, "No! He will be all right! I know it!"

"Who is he?" Blackberry asked, "He looks just like you."

"A friend," said Campion, "A friend I don't want to lose."

"I'll do my best," Blackberry said, "You know, he could possibly be taught to survive without his sight."

"Not the way rabbits are supposed to live. He needs to be able to see, Blackberry. He has to be all right."

"I'll do everything I can, Campion. Don't worry about it. Why don't you go see the kittens? I'm sure they'll be happy to see you."


Makeup chapter! (Hides under the bed) Nice humans, don't kill me. See, I have free plushies for everybody! (I'm writing the author's note, like, a week after I wrote the chapter, hence, hyperness!)