Chapter Two: Barney's Warning
The night grew darker as she moved deeper still into the trees. Talia no longer feared the dark, and her fear of the closeness of the trees was no greater than the usual cautionary feelings she had toward any other familiar location silf. She had spent a great deal of time within the woods; mostly trying to hide away from the bullies at the warren.
It had been during one such wandering that Talia met Barney for the first time. She had not been much older than three months, both of her parents were dead and no one else seemed to care that the runty half kitten wandered off from time to time. Talia smiled to herself as she brushed past a fern, tickling her nose. Crickets continued to chirp, unconcerned by her presence. Barney the Brittany had seemed huge to her at the time; and had done no little job of terrifying Talia on their first meeting. He had broken his leash free one afternoon eager to investigate an intruder on his Master's property. The middle aged dog had followed the scent deep into the woods to satisfy himself that the intruder was indeed gone. The intruder had greatly annoyed the Master with something he had said. His Master's dislike of the visitor had been enough for Barney to dislike him as well. (As he had explained to Talia shortly after she was calm.) While out in the woods, Barney fell to chasing a pheasant hen into a dead fall of trees. Still trailing his leash, one of the old logs had given way causing the dog to fall. However the leash caught on a bare limb and held tight, threatening to strangle Barney to death.
That was how Talia had met the dog; as he whimpered, eyes bulging, gasping for air, and struggling frantically to get free. Perhaps she had known the dog would not harm her. Perhaps she had foolish notions that the elil beast would feel indebted for her assistance. Or, perhaps more accurately at the time, Talia had been in search of the Black Rabbit of Inle at the time. Life at the warren was unbearable without her parents; who had loved her while no other inhabitant had. Whatever her reason; Talia freed Barney by chewing through the rope holding him fast. Much to Talia's surprise, Barney had been grateful, exceedingly so. The two had forged an unlikely friendship from that day. Barney had mildness and tolerance for rabbits due mostly impart to his own puppyhood. The Master's young daughter had kept rabbits as pets for years, Barney grew up thinking of rabbits as being merely unusually shaped playmates.
Barney saved Talia when she was selected as a sacrifice to a nearby homba. The warren had decided to send someone out to bait the elil away. Talia was chosen because she was expendable, no one thought she would survive. She had figured out a plan to lead the homba onto the man place where Barney could bark to get the man's attention. In the meantime she would escape the homba (and the man, who had never yet spotted Talia leading the homba) by hiding behind Barney in his dog dwelling. The situation benefitted Barney who was always well rewarded by the man for his diligence in keeping the hombil away from the stock animals.
Talia's pace slowed as she came within sight and smell of the man place. She crouched low under a large fern plant; trying to ignore a flying beetle which had landed on the top of her head. She sniffed cautiously, listening for signs of the man. Somewhere above an owl hooted softly, causing Talia to shrink down as low to the ground as she could. The terror filled squeak of a mouse ended abruptly, signaling that the owl, for now, was no longer a threat. Talia shivered, and shook the beetle from her fur, cautiously moving out of her protected area into the openness of the yard. She wrinkled her nose at the scent of burning wood, and an old garbage smell of musty books and bananas; the man had been cleaning a storage room recently. Careful to keep to the shadow, Talia approached the dog dwelling stealthily. A smile of triumph crossed her face as she stood before Barney, who remained asleep. She stood in front of him for a long time, waiting to see if he would notice and wake on his own. When he did not, she cleared her throat, thumping the ground quietly to get his attention.
Barney opened his eyes in surprise, after a moment he grinned down at her, his tongue lolling. "Guess ye got one up on me tha' time rabbi'," Barney said warmly. "Just don' go tellin' anyone ye did it. I've a reputation ye know."
"Who would I tell?" Talia asked, offering a shrug. "Listen Barney, I need your help again with another homba."
"'Nother fox? Don't they ever give ye a rest?"
"When I'm dead I might," Talia said humorlessly. "Shall I fill you in on the details? Will your Master be home tomorrow?" They spoke briefly of the tactics which had worked before to bring three previous hombil to their deaths. When Talia was satisfied that the plan would still be functional for a new homba she settled in next to Barney, lapping from his water dish and trying to ignore her instincts towards dog scent.
"Listen," Barney began, "We got anotter problem. Ye remember I told ye about tha' intruder awhile back? Well, he came back jus' yest'day. They want my Master to sell the house an' move. Buildin' some sort of fancy new man place near by I reckon. Righ' by yer home Talia. I don' like the look or sound of 'em, these strange men. Ye migh' wan' to warn ye'r people." He explained that the visitors were wanting to build a community of upper class homes, by the description the warren would be right in the middle of the development. These people also wanted the land Barney's Master owned, but would not sell. "Progress the men call it," Barney said with disgust. "Never figure 'em out my rabbi' friend; an' I live with one of 'em."
"I doubt they will listen to me," Talia said concerned. "But I will have to try." She was unable to comprehend the thought of complete destruction of the warren. Her heart sank as she realized Radish-rah would not listen to her warnings, and he certainly would not care for Talia's admittance of where she learned such information. The Owsla did not know about Barney, she was afraid to tell any of them; even Quickmoss had not been told. Only her two most trusted friends, Westeria and Tamsin knew, and Talia regretted telling Tamsin at all. He would probably be trying to talk "sense into Talia" for hrair days to come. Although he would never purposely betray Talia's trust; she was also afraid he would let her secret in the wood slip to someone.
"I have to get back. Eventually someone's going to notice I'm missing," Talia admitted reluctantly, her ears drooping miserably. She always hated leaving the woods.
"Talia," Barney said with effort; he had always found her name difficult to pronounce. The Brittany held his head to the side curiously. "Not tha' I don' enjoy yer company; but...why don' ye ever think of leavin' yer home for a'notter?"
Talia shivered at the mere thought. "We rabbits are not meant for travel. I'm smaller than most; and would make easy prey for hawks, hombil, or whatever else might want a meal. Being out in the open far away from the warren is more dangerous than living in the warren." She shrugged. "And, who's to say another warren would be any different than this one? What warren in it's right state would take a runt like me in?"
"Size isn' everything," Barney said moodily. "Yer quick and clever. Tha' should count fer somethin'."
Talia shrugged. "It should. But, it doesn't. All I can do is hope that will change." *Yeah, right. And tomorrow hawks will nest in burrows while rabbits live in branches,* Talia thought sarcastically. She lapped more water from Barney's dish and carefully peeked out of his dwelling. Satisfied all was clear, she said her farewell to the dog and hurried out into the wood.
Despite the urgency to get back to the warren, Talia took time to linger in the woods while entertaining the fantasy of digging her very own burrow at the base of one of the trees and doing away with warren life all together. Rabbits were not meant to live alone, she decided reluctantly several minutes later as the trees began to thin out. With the breeze, warren scent started to mingle with the trees, moist soil, and various herbal plants. Inevitably, she arrived at the clearing on the edge of the warren. She was surprised to see Quickmoss was sitting sentry duty in her section. His shadowy form gave Talia a nod of greeting, allowing her to return to her burrow without delay.
Her burrow had once belonged to her entire family; all but her were gone. Talia settled in, thinking she could almost still smell the lingering scent of her marli, Tulip, and brothers: Raist, and Skhan. Her parli had been killed before the kittens were born. Tulip had fallen prey to a hawk when the kits had been 8 weeks old. Raist had been one of those killed by the homba which had taken so many of the outskirters. Skhan had disappeared shortly afterwards. No one knew what had happened to him; no body had ever been found. Talia wondered when it would be her turn to go. When would she hear the Black Rabbit of Inle whispering her name? Her head heavy on her paws, Talia fell into an uneasy sleep strange and troubling dreams plaguing her mind. In her dreams she chased her brothers in a game of tag, when she caught up with them she was horrified to see their eyes were blank; blood trickling from their noses and mouths. Skhan's head lolled in an unnatural position as though his neck broken. Talia awoke with a contained squeal as Raist attempted to speak; warning her about the men who would come with guns, and dogs. Somehow Raist's point came across, however in the dream he had only been able to moan a maggot falling from his jaw.
Shaking, Talia rolled over and gazed steadily in the darkness. Just a dream. That was all. Talia sobbed into her paws for what felt like forever. She had cried herself out by the time she heard the approach of a rabbit in the run leading to her burrow.
"Talia," a voice called. It was a doe named Nettletha. "Officer Bark is looking for you." Nettletha gave Talia a tentative look of sympathy as she appeared from her burrow. "I hear you're supposed to lead away another homba."
Talia nodded, not feeling up to conversation. She quietly thanked Nettletha and moved up the run at a slow pace. She was not surprised to see Bark glaring at her impatiently as she looked silf. "Took your own sweet time, runt, didn't you?" He asked gruffly. "Come on. Radish-rah and the Captains are waiting for you."
"What?" Talia asked dumbly, forgetting in her surprise to address Bark properly.
He turned sharply, cuffing her roughly across the cheek. "You will address me as 'sir,' and not take that petulant tone with me, Elil Bait. Otherwise I might be of mind to make sure you fill that homba's belly. There'll always be someone else to take your place."
"I'm sorry, sir," Talia said ducking and cowering back. Even through her fear at Bark, she felt a choking knot of contempt rising in her throat. Although she had known no other life, Talia had a suspicion she did not like playing the role of a cowering weakling. "I-I was surprised to hear that Radish-rah and the Captains would want to see me, is all."
"They don't WANT to see you, runt. No one actually WANTS to see you," Bark said coldly as he continued to loom over her. "Who would actually WANT to look at something as plain, and insignificant as you anyway? Come on, hurry up."
Talia was not encouraged by the expressions on either Captain Oysten's face, or Captain Oakleaf's. She risked a half glance at Radish-rah who gazed at a point just above and to the right of her face. The Chief Rabbit was the largest of the group, his dark brown fur positively glowing in the sunlight. "Radish-rah, I present..."Bark paused, realizing he did not know her proper name. "This doe." Although seemingly impossible, Talia's ears drooped more heavily. Why would anyone bother to learn her name?
"I must admit," Radish-rah said airily, "your previous performances have been note worthy." He continued to avoid looking at Talia. "I have been thinking, if you are successful, perhaps you should be rewarded."
"A...a reward, sir?" Talia asked, certain she had misunderstood his statement somehow.
Radish-rah gave a chuckle which had been intended to sound paternal; however, instead it sounded forced. Oakleaf and Bark echoed the chuckle with their own as Oysten shook his head. "Goodness my dear, don't sound so surprised. Someone who has performed as many dangerous services should receive some sort of recognition."
Talia found the term "recognition" amusing considering none of these bucks had bothered to learn her name. Radish-rah continued. "You have been one of those working on Rosestem's new burrows aren't you?" Tell you what, once you've led the homba to it's death, I'll give you the rest of today and perhaps tomorrow off." He grinned as though being extremely generous. "How does that sound?"
She did not speak immediately, wishing bitterly that he had not offered anything at all. She was risking her life to avoid one, perhaps two days worth of digging. (Then again, to get away from Rosestem might be worth it.) "T-thank you sir," she said in what she hoped to be a thankful sounding tone.
Radish-rah turned to leave, but Talia remembered Barney's warning. He would not listen, but she had to try...too many lives depended upon what she knew. "Wait, sir!" She called. Seeing the sharp looks being given to her by the Captains and Bark, she flinched and added softly. "Please?" The Chief Rabbit looked at her with an expression of mixed surprise, and the mild amusement often worn by adults when dealing with a particularly slow-witted kitten.
"Yes?" Radish-rah asked, "Something else? Go on then, I'm extremely busy you know."
"Yes, sir. I'm sorry. Just one more moment, please. You know that I led the other hombil to the man place in the wood. Well, a source there told me that the entire warren is in danger. Men are coming to build more of their dwellings in this area."
"Nonsense," he barked, "There are no men here except for that one. Whoever your source is, they are playing a trick on you. Now, if you will excuse me." He turned once more to leave; Captain Oysten falling in behind him.
"But if it's true!" Talia called after him desperately, "Then we're all in great danger!" Her voice carried, catching the attention of many nearby at silflay.
Radish-rah turned sharply, glaring at Oysten as he momentarily stumbled into the Captain who was in his way. Oysten moved quickly, now all four bucks glared at Talia. The Chief Rabbit's gaze was cold, and angry. "How dare you speak such lies. How dare you make such an unfounded and absurd statement in public. How dare you attempt to undermine my authority and create a panic in the warren."
Talia swallowed hard, shaking her head wordlessly in terror of what her punishment might be. The two Captains and Bark were maneuvering to surround her. Talia cowered closer to the ground and whispered. "I meant no disrespect, my Chief. Please, my first concern was for the warren."
"Punish her," Radish-rah said coldly, addressing Captain Oakleaf. "Perhaps an injury would make her more tempting to the homba." He turned, leaving Talia to the whims of the Owsla. She just knew they were going to kill her for speaking out against the Chief Rabbit. Talia squealed out of fear as Bark growled and shoved her over. She fell hard onto her side, scraping her chin on a jagged rock. The Officer left no time to recover, he was on top of her instantly, shoving roughly and pinning her down on her back. She gazed up at the four large bucks in fear.
"Hold!" Captain Oysten snapped before Bark could set in for a throat hold. "I want that homba dead. The runtling needs to be able to run it onto the man in the wood."
"But it might eat her," Bark argued, pushing his weight down on her chest. His gaze was fixed on the doe's pulse, which he could see beating at a spot beneath her fur. "It won't hunt while full; even a runtling like her could fill it's belly."
"And it would return when hungry again," Oakleaf said, glaring down at Talia. "A small punishment now, and full punishment later...if she survives the homba." The way he spoke the last, made Talia wonder if the homba might be more merciful than what this lot would have planned. Bark in particular had a history of cruelties. It was rumored he had once killed a litter of orphaned outskirt class kittens; and enjoyed it. "What say you Captain Oysten?"
"Yes. A little bloodshed now to tempt the homba." He cuffed her across the cheek swiftly, raking his claws across her eyes and down to her neck. The wounds opened bled freely. Without waiting for a prompt, Oakleaf mimicked the action on the other cheek. Bark grinned down at Talia; rubbing a bloody cheek with his paw. Talia squealed and kicked as he bit into her left ear; his teeth scraping together an instant before he pulled up sharply, ripping the tip of the ear.
"If you live, Elil Bait, your full punishment will occur in two weeks time during the Full Warren Meeting. You will serve as an example to others who might consider speaking in a manner of treason against the Chief Rabbit; and why it is unwise to spread rumor-filled lies." Oysten beckoned the others to follow him back to the main area of the warren, leaving Talia alone, huddling in the grass. She cried into her paws at the thought of the Warren Meeting. She had seen a buck punished at one of those in the past. By the time the Owsla was through with him, he had lost both of his ears, and had been lamed. The entire warren was told to shun him completely; no contact what-so-ever; to befriend him would be to share his fate. He had reportedly, walked right into the jaws of the last homba on purpose.
The night grew darker as she moved deeper still into the trees. Talia no longer feared the dark, and her fear of the closeness of the trees was no greater than the usual cautionary feelings she had toward any other familiar location silf. She had spent a great deal of time within the woods; mostly trying to hide away from the bullies at the warren.
It had been during one such wandering that Talia met Barney for the first time. She had not been much older than three months, both of her parents were dead and no one else seemed to care that the runty half kitten wandered off from time to time. Talia smiled to herself as she brushed past a fern, tickling her nose. Crickets continued to chirp, unconcerned by her presence. Barney the Brittany had seemed huge to her at the time; and had done no little job of terrifying Talia on their first meeting. He had broken his leash free one afternoon eager to investigate an intruder on his Master's property. The middle aged dog had followed the scent deep into the woods to satisfy himself that the intruder was indeed gone. The intruder had greatly annoyed the Master with something he had said. His Master's dislike of the visitor had been enough for Barney to dislike him as well. (As he had explained to Talia shortly after she was calm.) While out in the woods, Barney fell to chasing a pheasant hen into a dead fall of trees. Still trailing his leash, one of the old logs had given way causing the dog to fall. However the leash caught on a bare limb and held tight, threatening to strangle Barney to death.
That was how Talia had met the dog; as he whimpered, eyes bulging, gasping for air, and struggling frantically to get free. Perhaps she had known the dog would not harm her. Perhaps she had foolish notions that the elil beast would feel indebted for her assistance. Or, perhaps more accurately at the time, Talia had been in search of the Black Rabbit of Inle at the time. Life at the warren was unbearable without her parents; who had loved her while no other inhabitant had. Whatever her reason; Talia freed Barney by chewing through the rope holding him fast. Much to Talia's surprise, Barney had been grateful, exceedingly so. The two had forged an unlikely friendship from that day. Barney had mildness and tolerance for rabbits due mostly impart to his own puppyhood. The Master's young daughter had kept rabbits as pets for years, Barney grew up thinking of rabbits as being merely unusually shaped playmates.
Barney saved Talia when she was selected as a sacrifice to a nearby homba. The warren had decided to send someone out to bait the elil away. Talia was chosen because she was expendable, no one thought she would survive. She had figured out a plan to lead the homba onto the man place where Barney could bark to get the man's attention. In the meantime she would escape the homba (and the man, who had never yet spotted Talia leading the homba) by hiding behind Barney in his dog dwelling. The situation benefitted Barney who was always well rewarded by the man for his diligence in keeping the hombil away from the stock animals.
Talia's pace slowed as she came within sight and smell of the man place. She crouched low under a large fern plant; trying to ignore a flying beetle which had landed on the top of her head. She sniffed cautiously, listening for signs of the man. Somewhere above an owl hooted softly, causing Talia to shrink down as low to the ground as she could. The terror filled squeak of a mouse ended abruptly, signaling that the owl, for now, was no longer a threat. Talia shivered, and shook the beetle from her fur, cautiously moving out of her protected area into the openness of the yard. She wrinkled her nose at the scent of burning wood, and an old garbage smell of musty books and bananas; the man had been cleaning a storage room recently. Careful to keep to the shadow, Talia approached the dog dwelling stealthily. A smile of triumph crossed her face as she stood before Barney, who remained asleep. She stood in front of him for a long time, waiting to see if he would notice and wake on his own. When he did not, she cleared her throat, thumping the ground quietly to get his attention.
Barney opened his eyes in surprise, after a moment he grinned down at her, his tongue lolling. "Guess ye got one up on me tha' time rabbi'," Barney said warmly. "Just don' go tellin' anyone ye did it. I've a reputation ye know."
"Who would I tell?" Talia asked, offering a shrug. "Listen Barney, I need your help again with another homba."
"'Nother fox? Don't they ever give ye a rest?"
"When I'm dead I might," Talia said humorlessly. "Shall I fill you in on the details? Will your Master be home tomorrow?" They spoke briefly of the tactics which had worked before to bring three previous hombil to their deaths. When Talia was satisfied that the plan would still be functional for a new homba she settled in next to Barney, lapping from his water dish and trying to ignore her instincts towards dog scent.
"Listen," Barney began, "We got anotter problem. Ye remember I told ye about tha' intruder awhile back? Well, he came back jus' yest'day. They want my Master to sell the house an' move. Buildin' some sort of fancy new man place near by I reckon. Righ' by yer home Talia. I don' like the look or sound of 'em, these strange men. Ye migh' wan' to warn ye'r people." He explained that the visitors were wanting to build a community of upper class homes, by the description the warren would be right in the middle of the development. These people also wanted the land Barney's Master owned, but would not sell. "Progress the men call it," Barney said with disgust. "Never figure 'em out my rabbi' friend; an' I live with one of 'em."
"I doubt they will listen to me," Talia said concerned. "But I will have to try." She was unable to comprehend the thought of complete destruction of the warren. Her heart sank as she realized Radish-rah would not listen to her warnings, and he certainly would not care for Talia's admittance of where she learned such information. The Owsla did not know about Barney, she was afraid to tell any of them; even Quickmoss had not been told. Only her two most trusted friends, Westeria and Tamsin knew, and Talia regretted telling Tamsin at all. He would probably be trying to talk "sense into Talia" for hrair days to come. Although he would never purposely betray Talia's trust; she was also afraid he would let her secret in the wood slip to someone.
"I have to get back. Eventually someone's going to notice I'm missing," Talia admitted reluctantly, her ears drooping miserably. She always hated leaving the woods.
"Talia," Barney said with effort; he had always found her name difficult to pronounce. The Brittany held his head to the side curiously. "Not tha' I don' enjoy yer company; but...why don' ye ever think of leavin' yer home for a'notter?"
Talia shivered at the mere thought. "We rabbits are not meant for travel. I'm smaller than most; and would make easy prey for hawks, hombil, or whatever else might want a meal. Being out in the open far away from the warren is more dangerous than living in the warren." She shrugged. "And, who's to say another warren would be any different than this one? What warren in it's right state would take a runt like me in?"
"Size isn' everything," Barney said moodily. "Yer quick and clever. Tha' should count fer somethin'."
Talia shrugged. "It should. But, it doesn't. All I can do is hope that will change." *Yeah, right. And tomorrow hawks will nest in burrows while rabbits live in branches,* Talia thought sarcastically. She lapped more water from Barney's dish and carefully peeked out of his dwelling. Satisfied all was clear, she said her farewell to the dog and hurried out into the wood.
Despite the urgency to get back to the warren, Talia took time to linger in the woods while entertaining the fantasy of digging her very own burrow at the base of one of the trees and doing away with warren life all together. Rabbits were not meant to live alone, she decided reluctantly several minutes later as the trees began to thin out. With the breeze, warren scent started to mingle with the trees, moist soil, and various herbal plants. Inevitably, she arrived at the clearing on the edge of the warren. She was surprised to see Quickmoss was sitting sentry duty in her section. His shadowy form gave Talia a nod of greeting, allowing her to return to her burrow without delay.
Her burrow had once belonged to her entire family; all but her were gone. Talia settled in, thinking she could almost still smell the lingering scent of her marli, Tulip, and brothers: Raist, and Skhan. Her parli had been killed before the kittens were born. Tulip had fallen prey to a hawk when the kits had been 8 weeks old. Raist had been one of those killed by the homba which had taken so many of the outskirters. Skhan had disappeared shortly afterwards. No one knew what had happened to him; no body had ever been found. Talia wondered when it would be her turn to go. When would she hear the Black Rabbit of Inle whispering her name? Her head heavy on her paws, Talia fell into an uneasy sleep strange and troubling dreams plaguing her mind. In her dreams she chased her brothers in a game of tag, when she caught up with them she was horrified to see their eyes were blank; blood trickling from their noses and mouths. Skhan's head lolled in an unnatural position as though his neck broken. Talia awoke with a contained squeal as Raist attempted to speak; warning her about the men who would come with guns, and dogs. Somehow Raist's point came across, however in the dream he had only been able to moan a maggot falling from his jaw.
Shaking, Talia rolled over and gazed steadily in the darkness. Just a dream. That was all. Talia sobbed into her paws for what felt like forever. She had cried herself out by the time she heard the approach of a rabbit in the run leading to her burrow.
"Talia," a voice called. It was a doe named Nettletha. "Officer Bark is looking for you." Nettletha gave Talia a tentative look of sympathy as she appeared from her burrow. "I hear you're supposed to lead away another homba."
Talia nodded, not feeling up to conversation. She quietly thanked Nettletha and moved up the run at a slow pace. She was not surprised to see Bark glaring at her impatiently as she looked silf. "Took your own sweet time, runt, didn't you?" He asked gruffly. "Come on. Radish-rah and the Captains are waiting for you."
"What?" Talia asked dumbly, forgetting in her surprise to address Bark properly.
He turned sharply, cuffing her roughly across the cheek. "You will address me as 'sir,' and not take that petulant tone with me, Elil Bait. Otherwise I might be of mind to make sure you fill that homba's belly. There'll always be someone else to take your place."
"I'm sorry, sir," Talia said ducking and cowering back. Even through her fear at Bark, she felt a choking knot of contempt rising in her throat. Although she had known no other life, Talia had a suspicion she did not like playing the role of a cowering weakling. "I-I was surprised to hear that Radish-rah and the Captains would want to see me, is all."
"They don't WANT to see you, runt. No one actually WANTS to see you," Bark said coldly as he continued to loom over her. "Who would actually WANT to look at something as plain, and insignificant as you anyway? Come on, hurry up."
Talia was not encouraged by the expressions on either Captain Oysten's face, or Captain Oakleaf's. She risked a half glance at Radish-rah who gazed at a point just above and to the right of her face. The Chief Rabbit was the largest of the group, his dark brown fur positively glowing in the sunlight. "Radish-rah, I present..."Bark paused, realizing he did not know her proper name. "This doe." Although seemingly impossible, Talia's ears drooped more heavily. Why would anyone bother to learn her name?
"I must admit," Radish-rah said airily, "your previous performances have been note worthy." He continued to avoid looking at Talia. "I have been thinking, if you are successful, perhaps you should be rewarded."
"A...a reward, sir?" Talia asked, certain she had misunderstood his statement somehow.
Radish-rah gave a chuckle which had been intended to sound paternal; however, instead it sounded forced. Oakleaf and Bark echoed the chuckle with their own as Oysten shook his head. "Goodness my dear, don't sound so surprised. Someone who has performed as many dangerous services should receive some sort of recognition."
Talia found the term "recognition" amusing considering none of these bucks had bothered to learn her name. Radish-rah continued. "You have been one of those working on Rosestem's new burrows aren't you?" Tell you what, once you've led the homba to it's death, I'll give you the rest of today and perhaps tomorrow off." He grinned as though being extremely generous. "How does that sound?"
She did not speak immediately, wishing bitterly that he had not offered anything at all. She was risking her life to avoid one, perhaps two days worth of digging. (Then again, to get away from Rosestem might be worth it.) "T-thank you sir," she said in what she hoped to be a thankful sounding tone.
Radish-rah turned to leave, but Talia remembered Barney's warning. He would not listen, but she had to try...too many lives depended upon what she knew. "Wait, sir!" She called. Seeing the sharp looks being given to her by the Captains and Bark, she flinched and added softly. "Please?" The Chief Rabbit looked at her with an expression of mixed surprise, and the mild amusement often worn by adults when dealing with a particularly slow-witted kitten.
"Yes?" Radish-rah asked, "Something else? Go on then, I'm extremely busy you know."
"Yes, sir. I'm sorry. Just one more moment, please. You know that I led the other hombil to the man place in the wood. Well, a source there told me that the entire warren is in danger. Men are coming to build more of their dwellings in this area."
"Nonsense," he barked, "There are no men here except for that one. Whoever your source is, they are playing a trick on you. Now, if you will excuse me." He turned once more to leave; Captain Oysten falling in behind him.
"But if it's true!" Talia called after him desperately, "Then we're all in great danger!" Her voice carried, catching the attention of many nearby at silflay.
Radish-rah turned sharply, glaring at Oysten as he momentarily stumbled into the Captain who was in his way. Oysten moved quickly, now all four bucks glared at Talia. The Chief Rabbit's gaze was cold, and angry. "How dare you speak such lies. How dare you make such an unfounded and absurd statement in public. How dare you attempt to undermine my authority and create a panic in the warren."
Talia swallowed hard, shaking her head wordlessly in terror of what her punishment might be. The two Captains and Bark were maneuvering to surround her. Talia cowered closer to the ground and whispered. "I meant no disrespect, my Chief. Please, my first concern was for the warren."
"Punish her," Radish-rah said coldly, addressing Captain Oakleaf. "Perhaps an injury would make her more tempting to the homba." He turned, leaving Talia to the whims of the Owsla. She just knew they were going to kill her for speaking out against the Chief Rabbit. Talia squealed out of fear as Bark growled and shoved her over. She fell hard onto her side, scraping her chin on a jagged rock. The Officer left no time to recover, he was on top of her instantly, shoving roughly and pinning her down on her back. She gazed up at the four large bucks in fear.
"Hold!" Captain Oysten snapped before Bark could set in for a throat hold. "I want that homba dead. The runtling needs to be able to run it onto the man in the wood."
"But it might eat her," Bark argued, pushing his weight down on her chest. His gaze was fixed on the doe's pulse, which he could see beating at a spot beneath her fur. "It won't hunt while full; even a runtling like her could fill it's belly."
"And it would return when hungry again," Oakleaf said, glaring down at Talia. "A small punishment now, and full punishment later...if she survives the homba." The way he spoke the last, made Talia wonder if the homba might be more merciful than what this lot would have planned. Bark in particular had a history of cruelties. It was rumored he had once killed a litter of orphaned outskirt class kittens; and enjoyed it. "What say you Captain Oysten?"
"Yes. A little bloodshed now to tempt the homba." He cuffed her across the cheek swiftly, raking his claws across her eyes and down to her neck. The wounds opened bled freely. Without waiting for a prompt, Oakleaf mimicked the action on the other cheek. Bark grinned down at Talia; rubbing a bloody cheek with his paw. Talia squealed and kicked as he bit into her left ear; his teeth scraping together an instant before he pulled up sharply, ripping the tip of the ear.
"If you live, Elil Bait, your full punishment will occur in two weeks time during the Full Warren Meeting. You will serve as an example to others who might consider speaking in a manner of treason against the Chief Rabbit; and why it is unwise to spread rumor-filled lies." Oysten beckoned the others to follow him back to the main area of the warren, leaving Talia alone, huddling in the grass. She cried into her paws at the thought of the Warren Meeting. She had seen a buck punished at one of those in the past. By the time the Owsla was through with him, he had lost both of his ears, and had been lamed. The entire warren was told to shun him completely; no contact what-so-ever; to befriend him would be to share his fate. He had reportedly, walked right into the jaws of the last homba on purpose.