Chapter 21
When night came, Hazel and Sam sat in front of a familiar tree. It was the place they had met Campion many times before his capture. The stone was still there where they had left it, with the mossy side up, indicating "meet immediately." Sam, Hazel, and Bigwig had been taking turns waiting for him every night since his capture at Redstone, but he hadn't shown up.
Sam sighed. "I don't think he's coming. Just like the other nights."
Hazel's ears lowered in sadness. "Let's get back to the down." Sam nodded and the two walked the familiar path to the cave. They traveled in silence, each worrying about Campion.
"We need to do something, Hazel," Sam said as they emerged into the Honeycomb. "What if Campion needs our help? We can't just sit here doing nothing while he might be in trouble."
"I know," Hazel replied in frustration, "but what can we do? We don't even know if he's still-"
"What are you two talking about now?"
Sam turned towards the new voice. It was Hannah, the mouse that usually hung around with Kehaar. Even though Sam had been there for months, he hardly knew anything about her. It often seemed like she tried to avoid him. As a result, his greeting was fairly basic. "Oh, hey Hannah," Sam said, "we were talking about Campion. You know how he was caught by Woundwort?"
"Of course I do. Not much gets by me around here."
Sam chuckled. "Right. Well, we're trying figure out how to help him, if he's even still alive. We just don't know what to do, we have no way of knowing."
Hannah shook her head. "Of course you have a way of knowing." The two exchanged a confused look. Hannah sighed. "Me! I could sneak into Efrafa and see how he's doing."
"We couldn't ask you to do that Hannah," Hazel replied immediately. "It would be too dangerous."
"Oh nonsense. I'm a mouse, I could get in and out without any of those fur brains knowing it. And even if they did see me, I could easily get away from them."
Both Sam and Hazel wanted to refute what she said, but couldn't. She had a point: mice were known for their abilities to get into and out of places undetected. With a place as large as Efrafa, where the owsla was on the watch for rabbits, not mice, there was no reason she would not be able to do it.
"Fine," Hazel finally relented. "But have a talk with Bigwig first. He was a part of their owsla for a few days, maybe he remembers some kind of hole in their sentries that you could exploit."
"Oh goody," Hanna said sarcastically, "discussing tactics with Bigwig. He'll just love that." Bigwig never got used to the idea of having a mouse in his owsla. There was a period when the others thought the two would have a serious falling out. They had since patched thing up and worked together...more or less. But there was no telling how Bigwig would take the news that he was going to be depending on Hannah for his information.
"Absolutely not."
It hadn't taken them long to track the captain down. His reaction was…less than stellar.
"Then find us another option Bigwig," Hazel said, "because Sam and I can't think of anything. We don't want Hannah endangering herself either."
"That wasn't what had me worried," Bigwig replied. "Infiltrating an enemy warren is tricky business; I'm not sure if she's up to the task."
Hannah bristled at the insult. "And you think you are? I already know about that warren: there's too much security for you to even get to the entrance, let alone get to Campion. I'm the only way you're going to know." The two glared at each other for a few second, each willing the other to back down. Bigwig was the one to finally relent.
"Fine," he said, "you'll go. But I'm going with you."
"So am I," Sam said. "Just in case anything goes wrong."
The next morning, Sam, Hannah, and Bigwig crouched in the tree line along the back side of Efrafa. There had been no problem sneaking past the guards with Hannah going ahead to pinpoint their locations, only further proving she was the best one for the job.
Hannah had no trouble getting from the trees to the warrens entrance. One of the guards might have seen her, but he didn't so much as bat an eye. Too easy, she thought to herself. She took the entrance that Bigwig had told her. There was a burrow where prisoners were sometimes held near the ledge where Woundwort gave his speeches. That would be the most likely option for finding Campion. If he wasn't there, she would have to check the prison burrows in each of the individual runs, increasing her chances of getting caught. She entered the large chamber and looked at the, from her point of view, massive ledge. Hearing a couple guards approaching, she quickly pressed herself into a crevasse and waited for them to pass. In little time, she found the burrow Bigwig had spoken of. There were two burly guards standing watch, a good sign that Campion was inside.
She approached cautiously. The guards were more interested in conversing with each other than watching the run, so she closed in with little trouble. They had a large stone, almost the height of one of the rabbits blocking the burrow. Luckily, it didn't sink all the way into the ground. Hannah found a small space that she could barely squeeze herself through. What she saw on the other side shocked her. She had seen Campion before; he was supposed to have been large, well-muscled, and lacking any kind of battle scarring at all, a testament to his skill as a fighter. The rabbit that lay before her was thin and malnourished. Along his back, which was facing her as he lay on the ground in a posture of pure exhaustion, were numerous scratches and other marks. One of his legs was pointed straight out, showing that it may have been injured in some way. He didn't move as she approached and he didn't appear to be breathing.
"Campion?" she called softly, fear heavy in her voice. He didn't answer. She hung her head in sadness and turned to leave, when she heard a harsh cough behind her.
"Who's there?" Campion said in a rough, scream tired voice.
Hannah whipped around upon hearing his voice. "Campion! Oh thank Apodemus you're alright!"
Campion stood on shaking legs and turned to face Hannah. "A mouse? Who's Apodemus?"
"Oh sorry, I forget sometimes. Apodemus is what we mice call Frith. Every animal has a different name for Him. My friend Kehaar calls Him Larus and-"
Campion interrupted her. "Wait, did you say 'Kehaar?' Isn't that the gull that's in league with Hazel and Sunflower?"
"That's him alright. My name's Hannah. Hazel sent me here to see if you were alright."
Campion gave a harsh laugh. "I wouldn't say alright, but the Black Rabbit hasn't taken me yet."
"They'll be glad to hear it. Everyone at Watership Down has been worried sick about you."
"Is Watership Down the name of your warren?" Campion asked. He stared off wistfully. "Sounds pretty nice right about now."
"We need to get you there," Hannah said, "and out of this place. Sam and Bigwig are waiting in the tree line. I can go back up there and-"
"No!" Campion said, cutting her off. "There's no way they could get me out and get all of us away safely. They'd have to kill every member of the owsla. And while I don't doubt that Sunflower has the power to do it, I don't want that to happen. Not every soldier here is like Vervain."
Hannah stared at him in disbelief. "Then what would you have us do, just let you die?"
"It won't come to that," Campion said with denial in his voice. "Woundwort has always trusted me in the past; I can get him to again."
"Are you sure about this, Campion?"
He nodded. "I am. Tell Hazel and the others not to worry about me. I'll get out of this."
Hannah didn't know what to say. She gave Campion one last pleading look before turning and leaving the burrow.
"They're starving him! He was so thin, and so hurt." Hannah stood in front of all the assembled rabbits of Watership Down, reporting what she had seen. "We have to help him, Hazel," she said desperately. "He'll die if we don't."
Hazel and the others listened to her report in silence, except for Primrose, who was trying hard not to sob. No one responded to Hannah's pleas.
"It's going to be harder than it sounds, Hannah," Hazel said slowly. "It's like Campion said: there's no way to break him out of Efrafa without injuring, or even killing some of their owsla. They're too many and we're too few. And with Vervain standing against him, I just don't know what to do."
They sat in silence, saddened by their leader's words. Suddenly, Dandelion called out.
"Hold on, I think I have an idea!" Everyone turned to face the lanky buck standing in the back.
Sam responded. "You know how we can save Campion?"
"I might. Do you remember the story of The Trial of El-ahrairah?"
Sam thought before answering. "I know I've heard it, but I don't remember off the top of my head."
"Then I'll give you the short version," the story teller said, taking a place at the front of the group. "In order to curb El-ahrairah's mischief making, Prince Rainbow forced him to take in a rabbit named Hufsa. Not very long after Hufsa came to live with him, El-ahrairah found that all of his plans began to go awry. El-ahrairah of course realized what was going on, but was afraid to expose Hufsa for fear that Prince Rainbow would devise something even nastier. But then Prince Rainbow planted a field of carrots, inviting El-ahrairah to watch. He couldn't take it anymore, and with the help of Rabscuttle, devised a way to steal the carrots, while at the same time ridding himself of Hufsa. El-ahrairah and Hufsa went that night to steal the carrots. But along the way, El-ahrairah's plan went into effect. They met a hedgehog covered in rose petals and singing to the sky for slugs, and a pheasant that was swimming, claiming it made his tail longer. The two were friends of El-ahrairah and had agreed to help him. After the carrots had been stolen, Prince Rainbow came the next day to take El-ahrairah to trial with a jury of elil. Prince Rainbow of course brought Hufsa up as a witness. El-ahrairah asked him to describe the journey they had taken, claiming that he didn't remember anything. Once Hufsa told them of the hedgehog and the pheasant, the jury thought he was insane, and released El-ahrairah."
Sam's eyes widened as he remembered the story. "Dandelion, that's brilliant! That's how we'll help Campion: make Woundwort think that Vervain is insane!"
"I have friends that will help," Pipkin said. "Yona the hedgehog would love to, and I'm sure Hawock the pheasant would help as well. We could recreate the story!"
Sam's eyes gleamed and he gave the group a wry smile. "Thanks Pipkin, but I don't think that's necessary. I like the idea, but I don't think it goes far enough. We want to make Woundwort think that Vervain had completely lost it. We have to go crazier."
Glade matched his smile. "What did you have in mind?"
"Oh, you'll see. Let's see, Hannah, Fiver, and…Kehaar, could I talk to you three in private?"
After a few days of preparation, Sam was ready to begin the plan. He, Hannah, and Silverweed were very close to Efrafan territory, preparing for their trick. Hannah was going to play an integral part.
"This was a great idea, Hannah," Sam said as he used a bit of fishing line to attach a square of cloth (both stolen from the Nuthanger Farm) loosely around her neck. "This wasn't what I had in mind when I said I wanted you to be Vervain's guide, but it's so perfect. So, do you think he'll believe that you're a…what was it? A hedge wizard?"
"Of course he will," she replied with certainty. "There are a lot of animals that believe in such mumbo jumbo. I can't think Vervain is smart enough not to."
"And you're sure you can pull this off?"
"Yeah, it'll be easy. My uncle thought he was one of these hedge wizards, so I've seen them in action before."
"That's perfect," Sam replied. "Now for the finishing touches…" He dug around in some bushes and found the other things he had taken from the farm: a match stick and the head of a tulip. He set the tulip upside-down on Hannah's head like a wizard's hat, then handed her the match as a wand. "Alright, I think you're ready. Bigwig and Strawberry should be pretty close with Vervain. I need to get to my spot to get ready. Good luck you two!" Sam turned and ran down the path that they had used to lay their trick, leaving Hannah and Silverweed there.
"Are you ready?" Hannah asked the mystic. He nodded and took his place inside a fallen, hollow log nearby. Hannah joined him while they waited for Bigwig and Strawberry to lead Vervain to the spot. The two had been sent out to intercept a patrol Vervain would be on. Their job was to get the patrol to chase them, lose the others, and lead Vervain to that spot. Hannah would take it from there with a little help from Silverweed.
They didn't have to wait long. They heard two sets of paws approaching quickly. One of them jumped off the log they were hiding in and shouted a quick "good luck" as they passed. Not long after they were gone, they heard someone else coming, this one much slower.
"Curse you…outsiders…" they heard an out of breath voice say outside. They recognized the voice as Vervain's, so Hannah nodded to Silverweed begin. Silverweed nodded and focused his powers. Since leaving Cowslip's warren, he had made a promise to himself not to use his powers to mess with others' minds. But seeing as it was for such a good cause, and that it was happening to such a deserving victim, Silverweed was able to make an exception. He used his powers to make it seem to Vervain as if he was hearing a low pitched humming noise that gradually got louder, while the log they were hiding in was spewing green smoke. As soon as they heard Vervain's surprised cry, indicating that Silverweed's trick worked, Hannah stepped out and began to act.
"Vervain," she said in a loud voice, "I have felt your desire and found you deserving of my power."
"Who? Wha-" Silverweed let the visions fade slowly as Hannah stepped out of her hiding spot. "Who are you?" Vervain asked in a panic. "What do you mean your power?"
Hannah struggled to maintain a straight face as she replied. "I am the mighty hedge wizard Hannah Bofanna! Using my vast powers, I have heard your desires to catch these outsiders of which you speak, so that you may deliver them to your master. I am willing to help you, if you can pass my test.
Vervain hesitated for a moment in distrust. What if this is a trick? Those outsides already have a gull and a human on their side, who's to say they don't have a hedge wizard as well? "How do I know you're telling the truth, wizard? I'm a very important rabbit in Efrafa; you might be here to capture me."
Although she showed no outward signs, Hannah began to panic. She tried to think of some way to make him believe her trick. "I know how important you are; that's why I've appeared to only you. There are no others in your warren I deem fit to witness my magic. I can give you the outsiders."
Hannah waited anxiously while Vervain thought about her words. Just when she thought it wouldn't work, he said, "Alright, Hannah Bofanna, I believe you." He said with a bit of pride, "I really am the best one for the job anyway. Now, lead on!"
"Not so fast," Hannah replied. "If you remember, I mentioned a test. I must first take you down the Trail of Terrors. There will be two trials before you reach the end. At the end of the trail, you shall have what you seek. Do you think yourself capable?"
"Of course I do. Now let's be off."
Hannah nodded solemnly, then turned and began to lead Vervain down the path Sam had shown her. She was able to silently let out some of her laughter and disguise it while they walked. They hadn't been walking down the path long when they came upon some bushes with roses growing on them. Hannah stopped and turned to face Vervain.
"Now listen, Vervain. It is here that you shall face your first test. It is a test of faith. Believe that my powers will protect you, and you shall pass. Now I say the magic words: appraticus immedicus barkehrum!" Just like they had practiced, Bark emerged from a hidden opening in the rose bushes, covered in rose petals. She had a goofy look on her face like she was hypnotized.
Vervain instinctively jumped back. "A lendri! Are you trying to lead me to my death, wizard?"
"As I said Vervain, my powers will protect you. Even now I hold the badger in my control. Watch. Dance, badger!" Bark sat up and began to slowly move her front paws to an unheard rhythm. It was only after she had been "dancing" for a few seconds that Vervain worked up the nerve to move closer.
He starred at Bark in awe. "This is amazing! I'm so sorry I doubted you Hannah Bofanna, you must be a truly powerful hedge wizard."
"I know I am," Hannah said in a smug voice. "Now come, there is still one more test you must complete before you receive what you desire."
As soon as they left, Bark shook off the rose petals. Fiver came out of the bushes where she had been hiding. "Nicely done Bark. Thank you for the help."
"Bark friend. I help whenever Fiver need me."
Fiver smiled in response. "Alright, I have to get to the end of the path for my part. I'll see you later." Fiver took off down a shortcut to the end of the trail, rather than using the slow, winding path Hannah and Vervain were on.
While Fiver and Bark were having their conversation, Hannah led Vervain further down the trail toward a bog. The path went right by a pool of water, making it the perfect spot for Vervain's next "test." Hannah stopped again and turned to Vervain.
"Here, Vervain, is where you shall face your second test. This is a test of courage. I shall summon a great monster out of the water. It will be terrifying, as if you are staring into the face of the Black Rabbit himself. If you can maintain your bravery, you shall have what you seek at the end of the trial, behind the monster's domain." Hannah cringed inwardly before continuing. "Have faith in yourself noble Vervain, and pass this last test." Hannah waved her matchstick wand with a flourish and ran through ahead on the path, leaving Vervain alone.
Vervain stared after her in shock. She's going to leave me alone with a monster? He didn't have much time to reflect, however, as he soon heard a moaning coming from the bog. He watched in terror as a pile of seaweed began to twitch before slowly rising from the water. As the seaweed fell away, Vervain began to make out a wooden face embedded in the weeds, with two gleaming, steel fangs sticking out of its mouth. Vervain began to back slowly away in fear. I…I can't get by this thing! It will kill me! I have to run, I have…no! If I can complete this test, then I can find the outsiders for the General. I have to try! He slowly lowered himself into a stance that allowed him to quickly break into a sprint when he found an opening.
Just then, the creature began to speak in a deep, foreboding voice. "So, the cowardly Vervain thinks he has the courage to make it past me? Ha! That's a laugh. You're pathetic. There's no way you'll ever find the outsiders you seek. And then you shall live the rest of your pathetic life in shame, because you wasted the one chance you would ever have to mean something."
Vervain shook his head, ignoring the words the monster spoke. That's what you think. He suddenly broke into a sprint and in an instant, he was behind the monster.
It turned to look at him. "Try as you might Vervain, you shall fail in the end." The monster then let out a mighty roar as a jet of fire came out of its mouth. Vervain quickly turned and ran down the trail. The monster stood motionless as Vervain made his escape. After about ten seconds, the "face" fell off, revealing two knife hilts jammed in the back, still warm from where Sam had been gripping them to hold the face on the body. He fell to the ground laughing as the seaweed landed all around him.
"Oh that was bloody brilliant, Sam," Dandelion said from behind him, also covered in seaweed. He continued in the same voice the monster had used, "Vervain is sure running now!" This only caused him and Sam to laugh harder.
"That was an awesome idea for the voice, Dandelion," the teen said. "I should have known the warren story teller would be able to put the final touches on my seaweed monster."
Dandelion was about to respond when Kehaar landed beside the two. The gull had decided to stay with Sam and the rabbits through the winter, saying he felt more at home with them than he did with his own kind. Sam had heard that his meeting with the other gulls a few weeks back hadn't gone very well, but he never pressed the issue. "Dat monsta scare stupid Vervain real good! But you gotta go Sam, he's almost to da end of da trial."
Sam quickly shifted back into his rabbit form so he could make better time. "Right, I'll see you two later. Oh, and thanks for helping me get all the seaweed, Kehaar."
"Yah, yah, now go!" Following the gull's advice, Sam took off running down another shortcut that lead straight to the end of the trail.
Meanwhile, Vervain continued to run down the trail until he found Hannah standing in the middle of the path. He skidded to a halt just before bowling the mouse over. He was able to look around before she began to speak to him. The area they were in now was much different from the path he had just been on, which had been dark and spooky. He was sitting in a natural bowl in the land, with a large rock outcropping stretching out over the opposite side. He was broken out of his inspection as Hannah began to speak.
"Ah, Vervain," she said with fake caring in her voice. "I am glad to see you are unharmed. And you have made it to the end of the Trail of Terrors! Here, you shall meet a friend of mine. He is a very powerful genie. In fact, he is the one who graced me with my own powers. Shmendrick? If it pleases you, I have brought a worthy mortal to ask for your help."
Vervain watched as a figure that looked vaguely like a rabbit approached slowly from over one of the hills. As it approached, Vervain saw that it was brown just like the earth and that it appeared to have giant leaves as ears. This genie must have the powers of nature to look like that!
Hawkbit, the one disguised as the genie, mumbled to himself as he approached. "…don't know why I had to do this. 'Oh, you look the most like a genie Hawkbit, you'd be perfect!' Yeah right, it'll take forever to get this mud out of my fur." He stopped talking as he approached Vervain and Holly and then spoke in as ominous a voice as he could muster. "Greetings Hannah Bofanna, and to you as well Vervain. I have heard much about your bravery and cleverness in this part of the world. And as a reward for your actions, I will now grant you one wish. What is it you ask of me?"
Vervain stood, quivering with excitement. This is it! I've done it, I've got them! "Mighty genie, in order to please General Woundwort, I wish to capture the outsiders, Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, and the ithe they call Sunflower."
Hawkbit grinned. "Very well Vervain, you shall have your prize. Your outsiders are there!" He waved his paw, and the four that Vervain mentioned hopped slowly over the hill, Sam in his rabbit form. All of them looked to be in a trance. They stopped next to Hawkbit and stared ahead with no emotion on their faces.
Vervain was almost quivering in excitement. "I…I did it! It's really them! The General will be so pleased. Thank you so much Hannah Bofanna, and you as well Genie. Now, my newest captives, come along. General Woundwort will be so pleased to see the four of you."
They didn't move.
All four of them responded in the same, monotone voice, "We obey only Woundwort."
Vervain's face fell and he rounded on Hawkbit. "What is the meaning of this? Why won't they listen to me? I thought they were under your spell."
Hawkbit chuckled. "It's not my fault mate, you said 'to please General Woundwort.' Apparently the magic took that to mean that he's in control of them, not you. If you want these four to go anywhere, you'll need to bring him here."
"Fine, I will." Vervain turned to leave when Hawkbit stopped him.
"Be aware Vervain, that this place is separate from your world. The power of my magic brought us here. The only way to enter and leave is through the Trail of Terrors."
"That will be fine," Vervain said. "If the hedge wizard can lead me and the General though, it will not be a problem."
"I can't do that," Hannah replied. "The two of us only appear to worthy mortals, and you are the only one. I can lead you back, but you must take Woundwort through the trail on your own when you bring him. You must activate the tests again as well, or it won't work."
Vervain nodded frantically. "Yes, yes, that's fine. Now let's go! The General will want these four as soon as possible."
"Very well," Hannah said and turned to lead him back along the trail. The others waited until they were safely out of ear shot before bursting out in laughter.
"I almost didn't think he was going to buy it," Sam said while trying to catch his breath. "There were a couple of times when he seemed suspicious, and I got ready to grab him if he tried to bolt. Good thing he's so stupid!"
"This entire plot was top notch, Sam," Bigwig said. "We'll have Campion free in no time."
Hazel smirked. "Now, we wait."
After leaving Hannah, Vervain ran back to Efrafa as fast as he could. He got a few strange looks from other members of the owsla, as well as some of the rabbits out on silflay, but he ignored them all. It wasn't long before he located General Woundwort, resting within his burrow.
"General!" he called out loudly, waking the giant rabbit. "I've found them General! I have found Hazel and the others!"
Woundwort lifted his head as a scowl appeared on his face. "What are you talking about Vervain? How could you have found the outsiders?"
"It was magic, sire. A hedge wizard led me to them! Please General, you must believe me. The genie said that they can only be controlled by you, and that I would have to bring you to them if we wanted to capture them. Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, and the ithe are there."
Woundwort looked up suddenly at that. "What was that? You have the human? You have the messenger?"
"Yes sir, the one they call Sunflower that can turn into a human is there, captive like all the rest."
"Why didn't you say that earlier?" Woundwort cried. "If you have the messenger there, we need to go now! Get Campion, Moss, and two others and meet here. Go now!"
Vervain nodded and went to collect the ones Woundwort had told him. He sent a messenger to find the other three while he went to get Campion personally.
"Hello Campion," he said haughtily. Campion lay on the floor in no better condition than Hannah had found him in a couple days ago. He lifter his head weakly as Vervain spoke. "We found your friends, Campion. Now get up. The General wants you to come along so they can prove you were working with them. If I were him, I would make the outsiders kill you."
Campion's eyes initially widened in shock, but he quickly hid it. "How many times do I have to tell you, Vervain? I am not in league with the outsiders. If you really managed to capture them, then that would be a great victory for Efrafa."
"Save it traitor, let's go." Campion struggled to his feet and followed Vervain to where Woundwort and the others were already waiting. Seeing the two approach, Moss went over to support Campion as he walked.
"How are you holding up, sir?" he whispered.
Campion chuckled. "As well as can be expected, Moss. And I've told you before to stop calling me sir; it's going to get you in trouble."
"If someone deserves the honor, I shall give it to them, whether they have an owsla position or not."
"Enough talking," Woundwort said suddenly. "Vervain, lead us to where you say you have the outsiders."
He nodded and led the group slowly to where Hannah had appeared to him the first time. Their pace was slow due to Campion's injuries, so it took them longer than before. The sun was just beginning to go down as they got to the beginning of the trail.
"Sire, welcome to the Trail of Terrors. This is where the hedge wizard, Hannah Bofanna, led me."
Campion's ears perked up. "Did you say Hannah Bofanna?"
"Yes Campion," Vervain replied. "She said her name was one of great power, and that only worthy being should utter it, not a traitor like you!"
Campion rolled his eyes. "Oh yes, of course." Hannah? Why would she be talking to Vervain? What do they have planned?
Vervain led the group to where he had encountered Bark. "This is where the first test takes place. All you have to do is say the magic words: appraticus immedicus barkehrum!" The group stood there waiting for something to happen. Nothing did.
Woundwort growled in annoyance. "What are you doing, Vervian?"
"These are the magic words sire. When the hedge wizard said them, a lendri covered in rose petals came out from the bushes and started dancing!"
Campion and the others started chuckling when he said that. Woundwort was not pleased.
"Enough of this nonsense Vervain, lead on."
"But sire, if we don't complete the tests-"
"Now, Vervain!"
The small rabbit nodded his head and continued down the path with the others following. It wasn't long before they approached the bog where Sam and Dandelion had played their prank.
"Be careful, sire," Vervain said. "There was a fire breathing seaweed monster here. We have to be cautious."
"A fire breathing what, Vervain?" Woundwort said, barely keeping his anger contained.
"I-It was a…seaweed monster. Sir."
"Did it look like that over there?" Woundwort gestured behind Vervain. He turned to look and saw a mass of seaweed hanging on a bush with a piece of drift wood propped against it.
Vervain starred at the pile in shock. "General, that's not what I saw! There was a monster here, there was!"
"You have one chance left Vervain," Woundwort said coldly. "Now, where are the outsiders?"
"Th-This way, sire."
They continued down the path slower than before. Not because of Campion, but because Vervain was beginning to get scared. If Hazel and the others weren't there, there would be no telling what Woundwort would do. They approached the clearing where Hawkbit appeared as the genie.
It was empty.
Vervain looked around furiously. He turned to Woundwort and began to beg. "They were here General, I swear it! You have to believe me!"
"I have had enough of you Vervain," Woundwort said. "You two," he said, gesturing to the other guards that had accompanied them, "take Vervain back to Efrafa and lock him away. Until I say differently, he is to be treated as insane."
The two guards nodded their heads and began to drag Vervain away. Woundwort waited until his screams and pleas faded before he turned to Campion.
"Captain Campion, it appears I have miscalculated. You have suffered unnecessarily because I believed the ramblings of a madrabbit. You will be given time to recover, then you will resume your post as Captain of Owsla. Moss, you shall take Vervain's post as sub captain." He turned away and followed the guards and Vervain back to Efrafa.
Campion smiled and turned to Moss. "Go with them; I'll be along in a bit."
"Are you sure?" Campion nodded. "Alright. It's good to have you back…sir." Moss followed the rest of them out of the clearing.
Campion waited until he was sure they were all gone. "Thank you Hazel, and Sunflower. I don't know if you can hear this, but thank you." He slowly followed the others back to Efrafa.
Hazel, Sam, and the others poked their heads out from the rock outcropping where they had been hiding.
"Well," Sam said, "I think we can call that a rousing success."
"Great job everyone," Hazel added. "Now let's go home and tell the good news."
The group emerged from the cave and into the warren to find everyone waiting for them. They even had company.
"Hickory! Marigold!" Sam exclaimed as he came into the warren. "How have you two been?"
"We've been fine, Sam," Marigold responded.
Hickory continued, "As have the others at Redstone. Some of them have approached us in private and confessed that they think you can be trusted. Unfortunately, there are still hrair against you."
Sam smiled. "It's alright. Every little bit helps. Thanks for sticking up for me."
"You deserve it. So, how did your thing with Campion go? We heard what you were trying to do when we got here."
"We did it," Hazel said. "We were able to convince Woundwort that Vervain was insane, so he let Campion go. As a bonus, Vervain is now imprisoned."
"That's good," Marigold said with a smile. "We came to check in before winter started. Once the snow begins, there probably won't be much contact between our warrens."
Hazel nodded in agreement. "You're right. It's best to stay close to home during the winter."
"Speak of the devil…"
Everyone looked toward Sam, who was standing at the entrance to the warren. Tiny snowflakes had begun to fall. They melted as they hit the ground, but it was still an obvious sign.
Winter was here.
A/N: And now for a spot of bad news. I haven't even started writing the next chapter yet because of this online class that I've been neglecting. The class ends on the 29th of July, so I probably won't even be writing until then. Needless to say, it's going to be a pretty long wait for the next on. Sorry :(