I choked on the biscuit I'd been chewing. So much for subtlety. Why this doe knew my real name, I wasn't sure. I thought for a moment of denying I was Flora Joveson, but checked myself, shaking my head. I leaned forward across the table, so I could talk quietly enough for the doe to hear. "Who's askin'?"

Apparently, she took notice of the fact that I didn't want to be overheard, because she lowered her voice as she replied. "Heyna Blackstar. I'm here with Prince Smallden Joveson's party, I trust you know who I'm speaking of?"

I nodded. "Aye." I glanced over at Eliot, who was making his way back through the crowd with a couple of mugs of Ale. "Don't go nowhere. I'll be back in a moment." I squashed between two crowded tables, meeting with Eliot in the middle.

"Goin' somewhere?" He asked, an eyebrow raised. "Not even 9'O'clock."

"Uh, yeah," I stammered, searching for an answer that wouldn't sound suspicious. "Somethin' came up, and I gotta take care've it. Sorry." I finished lamely.

Eliot frowned. "That's a'ight. Come get me if ya' need help." And with that, he disappeared back into the fray. My heart gave a little pang as I watched him leave, but I ignored it, and turned resolutely back to Heyna Blackstar, who was waiting patiently just where I'd left her.

"Can we take this outside?" I asked, nodding towards the door. She nodded, and followed me out the door, down an empty street, and onto a small, floating dock, which jutted out into the harbor, away from the fishing boats and larger sailing ships. "Good place to talk," I stated flatly, sitting cross-legged on the worn wood, and gesturing for her to do the same. "Before we start with whatever it is ya' want from me, can I ask how ya' found me?"

Heyna Blackstar hesitated before replying. "A lot of detective work, a couple of dead ends, and one exhaustive search."

I cocked an ear approvingly. "Sounds like a whole lot of work for not even knowin' whether or not I was the right person."

"It was," She agreed. "But I suppose you'd like to know why we came looking for you?"

"That would clear a couple'a things up," I admitted, glancing out at the moonlit sea, where a lone ship sailed across the horizon, headed for some unknown port or harbor.

"Well," Heyna Blackstar began, following my gaze. "I'll begin at the beginning. You probably know the secret Citadels are at war with the Preylords."

"I'd heard as much," I sighed. "Was hopin' it weren't really true, seein' as the rumors that reach hunter's ears are very rarely the truth."

"That could make it a bit hard to know what's going on in the world," She smiled.

"Aye, it does. If ya' really want ta' know what's goin' on in the world, ya've gotta sniff it out yerself, and that's a hassle nobody's got time for."

"I see," She nodded sympathetically, dipping a finger into the water, swirling a pattern. "It's not looking good for us, really. Our headquarters is currently Halfwind Citadel, but we're having trouble getting the rest of the Citadels to unite under Prince Smalls. We need all the help we can get, and uniting the remaining Joveson siblings is a crucial key to uniting the Citadels."

I sighed, trying desperately to think of a way to explain to this doe, who was clearly very kind and well-meaning, the situation I was in. "I wish I could help easily," I began. "But the thing is this: I dunno if ya' knew this already, but I happen to be the newly appointed future Captain of the highest-rankin' huntin' ship in the Natalian oceans. If I drop everythin' to help someone I ain't seen in twelve years, an' leave the people who done saved me life, I'd be breakin' their trust. I can't do that, I jus' can't."

Heyna's face fell. "I understand." She stood. "I'll inform the prince of your choice. Thank you for your time." She turned to leave, and I suddenly felt guilty. I didn't know why, how, or where it came from, but a small voice in the back of my head was suddenly telling me that it was very, very important that I figure out some way to help the Cause, as I'd heard other rabbits refer to it as. So as Heyna Blackstar walked away from the dock, I called after her.

"Wait!" I stood myself, dashing after her, and tapping her on the shoulder.

"Changed your mind?" She raised an eyebrow suspiciously.

"Well, no," I admitted. "But see, the ship goes in for a sort've check in a couple'a weeks, where the guys down at the shipyard fix what needs fixin' and it takes about six weeks for that ta' get done, so all've us on the ship get a six-week leave. I might be able ta' come an' help fer a little while," I finished breathlessly.

Heyna broke into a grin. "Alright, sure," She squeezed my shoulder. "Good on you. The Prince will be glad to hear it." And with that, she turned, and left. And my heart swelled with something I hadn't felt in a very long time.

Sorry this is so short, hoping to get a longer one out soon! Pretty busy getting ready for a new sibling and all that jazz (: