Rosie and me were watch the morning sun-ray draw closer. Rosie had her head on my chest.

"The birds sing beautifully in the morning don't they?"

"As beautiful as your heart beats," replied Rosie with her ear perched to my chest as she rested her head still.

"Good morning, young ones," said a rabbit who suddenly appeared. He was a greyish-black rabbit and looked painful old and frail but had warm orange eyes."

"Good morning, sir," I said. "Do you live here?"

"I do," replied the rabbit. "But I normally rest in my burrow and have a morning hop. Leo Barning from Above I believe?"

"Yes, sir," said I. "And this is my doe, Rosie?"

"And you are, sir?" asked Rosie.

"Carnation, my dear," said the rabbit. "I see you await Frith to shine over you?"

"Yes, Carnation," I said. "He makes this world so beautiful."

"Is Frith God?" asked Rosie.

"Sort of," said I.

"Who's God?" asked Carnation.

"A man who died to save us all from our sins."

"We come from a different world, Carnation," I explained. "Our systems are pretty much parallel to your systems."

"So I see, lad," said Carnation warmly. "Always something to learn every day. Well, I'll be in my burrow."

"Want some escorts?" I asked.

"Oh no, no," chuckled Carnation. "I'm stronger than I look. I appreciate your concern, Leo, but trust me I'm okay."

And he hopped back into the warren, not even groaning in pain.

"What a lovely, buck," said Rosie. "Reminds me so very much of my grandfather. Both just as warm and gentle as each other."

The morning sun finally engulfed me and Rosie and more rabbits were starting to come out; Bigwig with Hawkbit, Dandelion, Strawberry, Blackavar and - Fiver.

"Fiver?" I said. "Since when did you join the Owsla?"

"I volunteered occasionally," explained Fiver. "But now that I'm a parent, I want to prove myself more protective. Even after the incident with Goo - with -"

"I know what you mean, Fiver," I smiled. The incident with Gooseberry seemed to have scarred him even though all his cuts had healthily healed.

Soon after, Pipkin arrived with Gillia, Snowdrop, Mallow, Raspberry and the group of rabbits Pipkin's height who slept with Michael the previous night.

"Oh, Leo," said Pipkin. "Did I introduce the lot? Loganberry, Acorn, Tulip, Pollen and Daffodil."

Daffodil was the tallest out of them all, otherwise the most handsome.

"So," said Daffodil. "The famous Leo Barning from Above. Many have bragged about you. I dare say you must be enjoying your fame - the glory, the stories and the honours."

"As much as I appreciate being admired," I said unsurely, "I don't really need to pay much attention to that extent."

"Then you clearly offend fame and it's important attention. Life is nothing if you choose to ignore it. Look at me. Surely you've heard many tales about me. Such as the incident with saving an infant rabbit from Duster the farm dog and flying on an owl's back?"

Pipkin covered his mouth and coughed, obviously hiding a laugh. Daffodil however seemed rather convinced by it.

I instantly disliked this rabbit. Was it Elliott Edderdeen hiding in that body? It must have been. Gooseberry, as far as I remember, was more arrogant than that. On second thought, these so-called tales of his victories, he made Elliott Edderdeen look like a selfless, content person. I only hoped that he did not treat Fiver like a snail hiding in its shell.

"That's quite enough now," said Bigwig. "I'm the only one here who has the IQ for victory for as long as I remember and I will not have debates."

"We can't really argue with this," said Michael. "We usually keep our egos to ourselves."

"Don't interfere, you," said Bigwig aggressively. "I got ways of discipline for cheeky bucks."

"I was only saying," retorted Michael.

"Are you asking for it?" said Bigwig. "You've only been here day and know nothing of Owsla combat so I could take you down now, shake some respect into you."

"He's bound to," interfered Daffodil. "He's obviously requesting it."

"Do so then," said Bigwig to Michael. "I'm open. Knock me off me feet. Go on."

Michael, not knowing what he was doing, turned, kicked and took the huge rabbit to the ground.

Everyone stared, jaws dropped.

"I didn't mean for it to be that violent," said Michael as he offered a paw to Bigwig but he ignored it and cleared his throat.

"We shall patrol from Nuthanger's Farm to the bridge and back and we shall return for the training of speed," he ordered. "Move!"

"Wait!" said Strawberry. "With what Michael has proved. Surely he has the making of an Owsla member."

"What? With a head as big as his?"

"Not as big as your mane," muttered Michael.

Bigwig turned but Michael quickly said, "I said 'Could accept today.' It's a lovely day and we don't want to waste the sunshine. Plus I am quite interested in this Owsla thing".

"Well, alright," said Bigwig. "But I won't tolerate any ill discipline."

And soon they were off, the Owsla, even Fiver, snickering at Michael's humiliation towards Bigwig.

Pipkin's crew, expect Daffodil, fell about laughing, tears streaming from their eyes.

"Where did such a rabbit come from?" chuckled Loganberry.

"We saw none of that coming last night," chortled Tulip.

"He's always been funny," I commented. "You should see his talent for pranks."

"How true," said Daffodil. "I've been pranking all my peers since I was a kitten. Shouldn't hesitate to come for me for a few tips."

…

After the parol experience, the group reached a farm. Michael liked the look of it with it's patches and fresh-looking vegetables.

"We're going to test our speed today," announced Bigwig. "We are going to wake up Duster and get him to chase us around the farm and back."

"Who's Duster?" asked Michael.

"The farmer's dog," replied Fiver. "Nasty piece of work, him."

"Why is it a task involving life risks when we could just practice it?" asked Michael boldly to Bigwig. Despite that the fact that Bigwig was bigger than him, Michael feared no-one or nothing.

"Because I'm Captain of Owsla and I decide how we are going to plan the systems," responded Bigwig sharply. "If you're scared, you are free to leave."

"I'll stay," said Michael, just like that.

"Being a Captain of Owsla, I must maintain discipline whether danger is false or not. Hopefully that'll teach you something."

"It has," muttered Michael under his breath. "That taught me the fact that you are an arrogant, self-important pillock."

"Right!" he began. "Blackavar, you're first."

Pridefully, Blackavar scrambled under a hole Bigwig had dug under the fence and hopped up to Duster's kennel.

"Cock-A-Doodle-Doo!" announced Blackavar but unconvincingly.

"He'll have no trouble waking us up, will he?" remarked Hawkbit.

"He won't," agreed Dandelion, unaware of Hawkbit's sarcasm.

"Wake him like you mean it!" shouted Bigwig.

"Shut up!" snapped Michael. "You'll get him killed."

Blackavar spat in his face and, with red, ferocious eyes, the dog charged out of the kennell after him.

The rabbit ran here and there; past the crops, a nearby scarecrow and eventually, he jumped onto a window sill with a flowerpot. Duster was down below pressing his paws to the wall trying to get at him.

"Help!" shouted Blackavar with, at the same time of fright, bravery on his face.

Michael got ready to go under the hole but Bigwig stopped him.

"He says he's come back from all the training he needs so it's a chance to prove himself."

"Self-proof or not," argued Michael. "Everyone deserves help."

"Don't be stupid!" cried Hawkbit. "This is only your second day and you know nothing about combat."

Life was more important than training. Michael slid through the hole.

"Moron," grumbled Hawkbit.

Michael emerged form the other side ran up to Duster, a short distance away, snapping at Blackavar.

"Oi!" shouted Michael getting the brute's attention. "Slug-Tongue!"

Duster turned to see the new rabbit and he charged after him. He was just charging up to where Michael was, when he leapt over him and made a run for it. He came to a dead end and Duster was glowering over him, saliva drooling from each side of his mouth.

Blackavar appeared on Duster's back and covered his eyes. Michael ran under his belly for an immediate escapade.

The two rabbits made their way back to the fence where the hole was, but the dog was catching up to them. Michael, without thinking, lay on his back and kicked Duster in the snout. The dog moved about groggily and Michael got out his claws and scratched each side of the face. After that, he and Blackavar slid into the hole and made his escape. Everyone, expect Bigwig, cheered at the newcomer's bravery - even Hawkbit.

"Well done, Michael!" cried Dandelion.

"Heroic!" laughed Strawberry.

"How do you do it?" remarked Dandelion.

"I wish I could do that!" smiled Fiver.

"Alright!" demanded Bigwig. "Maybe it was a harsh session but we can't often have hands for every session. You can't become a warrior otherwise."

"You're right," said Michael. "Who needs hands when we have paws?"

Bigwig growled and said to Michael, "Don't think you can take my place, my son. I'm Captain of the Owsla and nothing can change that. Dismissed!"

Michael was silflaying near by the orchard, when Blackavar hopped over to him.

"Thank you for saving my life," he said happily.

"Don't mention it," said Michael. "We're meant to help each other. Bigwig seems to hate me."

"For the record, he's probably jealous. No one has ever taken him down before."

"What do you mean?"

"That morning when you took him down?"

"Oh, that."

"Don't take it to heart. He'll grow to appreciate you."

"So where did you go to train?"

"Sun-Lagoon Warren," explained Blackavar. "The most professional teachers they had there. Bigwig just gave a hard time dawn until dusk and dusk until dawn."

"You performed brilliantly today. True courage."

"Thanks. You as well. I never saw anything like it. Only been here for two days and you are already a talented fighter. How do you do it?"

"I don't know, it just comes to my mind and I do it."

"No one taught you?"

"Mu dad showed me a few pointers."

"Where are your parents?"

"I don't really come from here," said Michael. "You probably would not understand if I explained. But family-wise, My mother died from an unexplained illness when I was two. Since then, I have lived with my dad and my abusive uncle who just lazes around but is tough and aggressive. He once nearly broke my arm, needless to say. Mu dad is a gym teacher thought he is gentle at the same time. He taught me how to fend for myself and signed me in for for various activities such as Judo, Karate, Kung Fu and Taekwondo."

"What are those?"

"Foreign styles of fighting. But I never really expect to do it as a rabbit. What happens is that my mind tells me what to do and I do it without thinking. Where do you come from?"

"Ever since I was a babu, I had suffered in a place called Efrafa led by an evil tyrant names General Woundwort. Hazel and the others helped me and Primrose escape but then Bigwig gave me quite hard time due to my lack of skill. In the end, it became too much and I left for profession practice."

"I see so much of my uncle in Bigwig," remarked Michael. "But has he ever scratched anyone."

"Never," said Blackavar. "He just encourages us all. Give it time. You should probably become the best of friends."

Michael and Blackavar spent the rest of the evening talking about their families until they finally went to the down where he met me and Rosie.

"How has your day been then?"

"fine for us," I said. "I had been looking after Blackberry and Leo II. I am so calm, when I'm with her. You as well Rosie, sorry."

"Oh don't be," she smiled. "I understand. You and Blackberry are every close as a nephew and aunt."

"And the kittens really love Rosie. They keep saying she is really beautiful and like to be with her."

"I'm not as beautiful as any of them," she said. "I'm glad they love me, for I just love bunnies. And Jason has been training with Pipkin's friends and Cynthia wandering around the place. I just love her sweet curiosity."

"Hey, Michael."

Fiver hopped up to us with a proud look about him.

"Have you told them yet? Your victory?"

And he told them about Duster and rescuing Blackavar.

"Wow!" cried I. "Only hear a day and you can fight!"

"Amazing!" said Rosie.

"I don't even know why or how I did it," explained Michael. "My instincts just instruct me and I do it."

"Daddy!"

Chestnut was running up to us and he jumped up to his father clinging onto his neck.

"Hello, Prince Winter," said Fiver. "Daddy has been really busy today."

"Uncle Silverweed has been teaching me fluent Lapine today."

And he began proving it right.

"What a quick learner you are," said Fiver tickling the side of his neck.

"Has he shown you yet?" asked Silverweed who hopped up to us.

"You taught him well," said Fiver. "Littlest rabbit with the biggest brain."

Chestnut suddenly looked sad.

"What's wrong?" asked Rosie.

"I don't want to be little," said Chestnut. "I want to be big like all of you."

"I understand, Prince Winter," said Fiver lovingly. "Daddy wasn't happy to be short either. But after so many experiences I don't really mind it. Hannah has her uses for being short."

And that struck me for the first time since coming here.

"Can't believe I forgot!" I cried. "Where is Hannah?"

"She went for a few days with Scree to look for some new rabbits to join the warren," explained Silverweed. I dare say they'll be back soon."

"Can we play Bobstones please, Daddy?" asked Chestnut?

"Of course, Prince Winter," said Fiver. "Get them ready and I'll be with you shortly."

The little buck excitedly hopped away.

"Prince Winter?" I asked.

"He was born winter," explained Fiver. "And I want him to feel as special as possible."

And so they has their happy little game of Bobstones, a lovely silly, following a tuck-in for sleep. But this night was what had started the dark events of this chronicle.