Chapter 21.
Challenge to Efrafa.
Over the next week or two, Bigwig had begun the Owsla's training, It was long and hard eventually culminating into a final demonstration for Hazel.
Hawkbit stood leaning against a nearby log as, On the command of Bigwig, Dandelion, Bluebell, Silver, Strawberry, Acorn, Speedwell, Buckthorn and Pipkin all bounded forward, They climbed all over Hawkbit and climbed over the log, The unfortunate Rabbit grunted in pain as each Buck trampled over him and leaped off the log one at a time, While Hazel, Fiver and Bigwig watched.
"Hmm, they're fast." Said Hazel.
"But Kehears a bit off his mark." Said Bigwig as he glanced up at the sky, Suddenly with a loud squall! Kehear swooped down from above.
"Now if that doesn't rattle the Efrafans I don't know what will." Said Bigwig.
"Very impressive." Said Hazel.
"It gets better." Said Bigwig, Before Hazel knew what was happening, The bucks suddenly appeared behind him and tackled him to the ground, With Pipkin sitting on top of him.
"Got you!" He said, Bigwig laughed.
"Alright, No need to murder Hazel." He said. "Well done lads."
"We're getting so good we could sneak up on a Fox!" Said Bluebell proudly as the Bucks hopped off.
"Don't let Bigwig hear you." Said Hawkbit warningly. "Or that might be our next training exercise.
"Well Hazel." Said Bigwig proudly. "We have an Owsla, I'd put them right up with the best."
"Then we're ready." Said Hazel. "It's time we go to Efrafa."
Back at the aforementioned place, Orchis slunk through the Tunnels until he came to the surface and spotted the Does, He then took a good long look at the whom he hated most.
"Hyzenthlay…" He scowled. "I'll break you soon my dear just as we did your Sister…"
From behind him, Bartisa came up, followed by Groundsel.
"Er, Captain Orchis sir." Said Bartsia.
"Huh?" Orchis was broken out of his thoughts by the mention of his name. "Oh yes, Barista, what is it?"
"Nothing Captain." Siad Bartsia. "It's just… I'm pretty sure it's been more than a day that's gone by since you offered Hyzenthlay the deal, And she hasn't taken it up, Shouldn't we be killing her off by now?"
"Well I would…" Said Orchis as he took a quick look back at the does, Before standing on his hind legs and pulling Bartsia close to him. "But I was thinking… Maybe let the desperating sink in more, have the hope in her eyes dim out more and more with each failed attempt."
Bartsia was stumped. "Uh Huh." As Orchis let go of him and began to hop away, Bartsia ventured a question. "So… Then what?"
Orchis looked back and smiled. "Justice for your Predecessor Captain, And my brother…" And he hopped off into the shadows.
Back at the Down, The Rabbits made final preparations for their journey to Efrafa, Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, Rosemary, Blackberry, Bluebell and Silver, Hannah and Kehear also went along.
"Right." Said Bigwig. "Wide Patrol, Gather round."
The other Rabbits huddled around Bigwig, While Holly and the rest stayed behind as Hazel said.
"Bah, Always the same." Grumbled Kehear. "Hurry up and wait, Can we go now?"
"Yes." Said Bigwig. "We go now."
And with that, The Rabbits hopped off to Efrafa, Amidst the calls of their fellows.
"Give the Efrafans a good thrashing friends!" Called Strawberry.
"And one for me too!" Said Pipkin. "Good luck!"
"May Frith be with you." Prayed Holly, As the rescuers departed.
As the Rabbits made their way to Efrafa, Kehear followed them from the sky soaring over them as he called out. "Efrafa on other side of wood, Old stone road, Follow me!"
"Yeah be right with ya." Said Hawkbit. "Soon as I grow myself some wings."
They followed regardless over the Stone wall and into the woods as they discussed the course of action for the next part of their expedition.
"Must have passed that "Caesar's belt" Place a while back." Said Bluebell. "We're on the edge of Efrafa."
"So, How does this work exactly?" Asked Silver.
Hazel thought for a moment, Then came up with something.
"These Efrafans outnumber us ten to one… One of us should infiltrate Eferafa and free the Doe's from inside, better save a lot of time than just… I don't know."
"If anyone should do it, It ought to be me." Said Bigwig. "I want a look at the place myself."
Hazel wasn't so sure. "It might be better if we sent someone less… Threatening Thaylli."
"Threatening?" Asked Bigwig.
"What I mean is…" Faltered Hazel. "Maybe we should send in someone who can easily pass themselves off as a Storyteller or… an outskirter."
"I agree." Said Blackberry. "This is an operation that will require subilty and cunning."
Bigwig grunted and jumped in front of the group. "Look, I'll admit I'm a hothead, alright? But I can be subtle. Just let me get the Does out, then I'll show you."
Rosemary spoke up. "Well It's not exactly like we have an abundance of options Hazel, It can't be Fiver or Bluebell because they'd recognize them, I can't do it because I'm a Doe, You can't do it because of your leg, Hawkbit and Dandelion can't do it because they can't act to save their hides."
"Oy!" Snapped Hawkbit.
"And Blackberry and Silver…" Rosemary paused. "Well I mean they could do it, I suppose."
They two bucks looked at each other and then said nothing.
"My leg's fine, Rosemary." Said Hazel. "It's not that bad."
"But we don't know how they'll react to an injured Rabbit." Said Rosemary.
"Besides." Said Hannah. "We need you here as our leader."
"Very well." Said Hazel. "Bigwig, You'll infiltrate Efrafa by pretending to be an Hlessi. Once inside, find Hyzenthlay, She can help you plan an escape that will take place tomorrow night."
"Right, But as soon as they get out, The Efrafans will be all over them." Said Dandelion. "How will they escape than?"
"Well that's where our secret weapon comes in." Said Hazel. As Kehear landed next to them after several squaks from the air. "Now Kehear, Tomorrow at Frith down, Bigwig is going to escape Efrafa and several Does and any other Rabbit that wishes to leave, We need you to provide support from above to make sure they can get away."
"Ya, Ya, Kehear can do that." Said the gull with a vigorous nod.
"So." Said Hazel, turning back to Bigwig. "The rest of us will wait for you somewhere near the Iron Road… Fox…" Hazel's attention was caught by something watching them through the bushes.
"Fox?" Asked Bigwig confused.
Upon the mention of the word, A Fox Suddenly jumped out the bushes with a bark!
"FOX!" Cried Hazel. "Everybody make a break for it!"
And the Rabbits then bolted through the woods with the fox chasing after them, They then hurried down a rocky stretch of a river bank until Hazle noticed a small waterfall next to them and skidded to a stop. "Wait!" He cried and the Rabbits stopped as he hopped over to the waterfall and peered through it, He forced a paw through and saw a small gap big enough to hide a Rabbit. "We can hide behind this, The water should mask our scent, Quickly!"
The Rabbits all crawled through the water and hid within the ledge, Bigwig was just about to enter when the fox suddenly appeared and made a beeline for him, Bigwig, Not finding enough time to enter the Waterfall quickly dashed off with the Fox in hot pursuit.
Meanwhile, Campion and Vervain led their patrol through the woods then suddenly heard the sound of a Gull carrying out.
"Take cover!" Ordered Campion, and the patrol quickly hid under a bush as they watched the Gull fly by in a hurry then circle back.
"That looks like the same gull that Chervil and Avens told us about." Said Campion.
"All gulls look alike." Scoffed Vervain. "And even if it is the same one, so what?"
Caption emerged from the bush as did Vervain. "Chervil said that gull seemed to be helping the Outsiders escape."
"You're saying they're working together?" Asked Vervain. "Right, And my best Friends a weasel."
"You mean Orchis?" Asked Campion.
"Let's watch our step anyway-Huh?" Campion suddenly noticed Mallow sniffing the air,
"Sergeant Mallow." Asked Campion. "What is it?"
"Movement, Dead ahead!" Said Mallow.
The patrol quickly rounded a bend and heard the approaching sound of footpaws.
"They're coming this way." Said Campion. "Mallow, take Gorse and Thistle that way, Vervain, with me! Stay sharp till we find out who's coming."
And with that, The two Captains hopped off down the road, While the other Rabbits hopped to the bushes and waited.
Then Bigwig suddenly burst out of the bushes, Knocked himself into Gorse and went tumbling into a puddle of Mud, As he got up he saw the Efrafans confronting him.
"What are you doing?!" Asked Bigwig. "There's a Homba-!"
"You stay where you are, Outsider!" Cut off Mallow.
Suddenly the Fox jumped out of the Bushes and pounced on Mallow! Sinking it's jaws into him as he cried out!
The dreadful sound could be heard across the forest, Right to the waterfall Hazel and his rabbits hid under.
"Oh Frith and Inle!" Cried Blackberry.
"What just Happened Hazel?!" Asked Fiver.
"Bigwig…" Said Hazel.
Meanwhile, Campion and Vervain heard the screams and found no one and nothing there, Only several patches of Blood soaking the grass, Campion sniffed them out. "A Fox." He said grimly. "It got Mallow, Gorse and Thistle."
Vervain suddenly shuddered. "What if it comes back?!" He asked nervously.
"No." Said Campion as he inspected the tracks. "Looks like the Fox was chasing something else, Mallow and the others got in the way."
Vervain gulped then silently hopped away through the nearest bush.
"Hmm, True to form as usual." Scowled Campion. "As he hopped off after him.
Back at the waterfall, Hazel and the others emerged out into the open just as Bigwig came hopping back.
"Bigwig!" Cried Fiver.
"Oh we thought we lost you ya old digger you." Said Hawkbit.
"No time for celebrations." Said Bigwig. "That fox could come back here, we have to move!"
"What aren't you hurt?" Asked Hazel.
"No! Never better now come on!" Said Bigwig as they all scarpered away.
And so the Rabbits made their way out of the forest.
"Bigwig what happened?!" Asked Hazel as they made their way across a field.
"The fox was upon me Hazel, I had to run!" Said Bigwig. "What was I supposed to do? Hide in the Waterfall while it watched, Besides I've been strung up all day thinking about Efrafa, Anyway I feel alot better now."
"But then why did you cry out like that if you're alright? Asked Fiver.
"I didn't." Said Bigwig. "I was leading the himba away when I bumped into some Efrafans, I tried to warn them about it but they just tried to stop me. Then the fox came and I ran off."
"What? So the Fox got the Efrafans?!" Asked Hazel.
"Well it must have." Said Bigwig sheepishly. "I led it onto them, But I never saw what Happened."
Soon they came to the borders of Efrafa, near the Iron road, They headed along a path that passed under a large bridge, They gazed up at the sight.
"I've never seen anything like it." Said Dandelion.
Suddenly Kehear flew over them alarmedly. "It's not to rest here!" He called down. "Efafans coming!"
"Another Patrol?!" Asked Bluebell.
"Yeah, Yeah, They coming this way let's go!" Called Kehear as he flew forwards. "Go to broken bridge by River!"
"C'mon! Off to that other bridge!" Ordered Bigwig. "Unless you want your ears chewed off!"
"Safe to assume Efrafan patrols don't range beyond the Iron road." Said Bluebell as the rabbits hopped to it, But Bigwig stopped.
"Hazel." He said. "This may be my chance to get into Efrafa."
"Alright." Said Hazel. "Take care, Remember the plan."
And he hurried off after the others, As Bigwig hurried back her peered around a wired white fence close to the bridge, In the distance he could see three familiar Rabbits coming this way, Lieutenant Avens, followed by Marjoram and Moneywort, Bigwig silently cursed the site of them, Hoping they wouldn't recognize him just in case he hid in the small tangle of trees and bushes behind the gate, At the same time two Rabbits popped out of the corn field, Bigwig noticed this and looked at the Rabbits, One was a small Doe, barely older than Pipkin with dark brown fur and green eyes, The other was a scarred blackish brown rabbit with torn ears, It was Blackavar.
The two rabbits saw the patrol coming and ducked down. "It's a wide patrol!" Said Blackavar, The young kit beside him began to sneak away. "Be careful Ivy."
Avens, Marjoram and Moneywort took notice of the young Doe!
"Oy! You!" Called out Avens. "Get over here!"
Ivy suddenly squealed and raced off as the three bucks chased after her, Blackavar suddenly raced across the road, The three suddenly saw this Avens and Marjoram quickly darted back towards him as Ivy was captured by Moneywort, The former two bucks tackled Blackavar and beat him mercailsy, Bigwig watched the scene unfold and saw his chance.
He leapt out from where he was hiding and stood there catching the other Rabbit's attention. "Oy! Lop ears!" He called out over here!"
Marjoram left Blackavar alone as he approached the big rabbit with bared claws, Bigwig showed no fear.
"Well now." Said Avens, as he sized up the big rabbit. "You better come with us mate, Without a fuss."
"I'm not moving anywhere till I meet your chief Rabbit." Said Bigwig.
To Be Continued.