Chapter 20.

Orchis Offer.

Hyzenthlay sat squat in a small corner of the Council Chamber, She felt a Chill go through her as she heard a familiar quiet chuckle fill the room, She looked up and found Orchis, His back turned to her as he spoke.

"You look tired, Hyzenthlay." He said sweetly. "Are the guards treating you well?" He scratched his paw against the Scattered Stones he was standing on. "No, Brother from Vervain I hope."

"I'm fine," said Hyzenthlay. "Vervains… No problem."

"Is he not?" Asked Orchis. "He's probably out preaching for your death, Which by the way I suppose you're wondering, Why hasn't that happened yet." He brushed his check and continued talking. "After all you were complicit in the escape of three of three Rabbits, not to mention the deaths of… Two Guards… And my BROTHER!" He growled out with Venom.

"Couldn't have happened to a nicer Rabbit." Said Hyzenthlay.

Orchis turned around chuckling and stood on a Quarterstone. "Good old Hyzenthlay." He mused. "Defiant evan in the shadow of one who could have her throat out."

Hyzenthlay said nothing, Orchis continued to speak. "You're alive because The General and I see value in you." Orchis left the Quarterstone and approached Hyzenflay. "The does, They respect you, Just as they did your sister." Orchis paused for a moment as a pained look crossed Hyzenthlays face. "I want you to work for me," Orchis said suddenly. "Be a captain in all but Title."

Hyzenthlay was confused. "What does that mean?"

"Nothing too complicated." Said Orchis. "No Ranks, No obligations, Except one… Just report any… Secret doings under our noses." He turned around and back away.

"You want me to be a Spy?" Asked Hyzenthlay.

"You use words like Spy, But what you would actually be doing." Said Orchis turning to face her again. "But what you would actually be doing… Is securing the safety of your friends, You could be the one, To make sure they have good conditions, Happy lives, All you have to do is help to keep them out of trouble."

Hyzenthlay didn't say a word, She just let Orchis's words sink in.

"I'll give you a Brace of Frith to Consider it." Said Orchis. "Be aware, That if you refuse, You will be sentenced to death."

Hyzenflay gasped as Orchis called out. "Guard! Let this Doe return to Original Mark, Her friends too."

Orchis looked on last time at Hyzenthlay. "Think on this Hyzenthlay, Is it better for the winds to stop blowing? Or to learn to steel yourself against them?"

And with that, Orchis hopped off, Leaving Hyzenthlay to consider every word he just said to her.

Later, Hyzenflay was escorted back to her old Mark, The Right Hind Mark, Several Does lay about in a Small Square clearing with Tiny walls in Two-Quarters of them, In the Yard of Efrafa, As Hyzenthlay was sorted back in Nelthilta was the first to notice.

"Hyzenthlay!" She cried. "I thought I'd never see you again. What happened?"

"Let's just say I've been given a small stay of Execution, Nettle." Said Hyzenthlay.

"Why did they return us to the Right Hind Mark?" Asked Nelthitla.

"I can't really say." Said Hyzenflay.

Seeing Hyzenthlay return, a few of the other Does quickly gathered around her, Among them were Vilthuril and Thethuthinnang.

"Hyzenthlay! Did you hear us singing out last night?" Asked Thethuthinnang. "We wanted you to know that we were with you."

"Yes, I heard you." Siad Hyzenthlay. "Thank you, Everyone, But please no more singing Thethuthinnang, You know the Rules, All It does is Annoy the guards and cause trouble for us, At any rate, I'm now on Borrowed time, We have to put our heads together and get out of here soon."

"But How Hyzenthlay?" Asked Vilthuril. "How? Vervain could Kill us and Orchis is always one step ahead of us."

"I actually did hear something." Said Nelthilta. "Woundworts doubled the wide Patrols."

"He has?" Asked Hyzenthlay. "That would mean there would be less of them here guarding us!"

"But even if we do get out." Said Thethuninang. "How do we find Holly, Fiver, and Bluebells warren if the Owsla can't?"

"One thing at a time, Thethuninang." Said Hyzenthlay.

"You There!" Called a voice.

The Does looked over to See Captain Campion and Captain Vervain coming towards them.

"What are you Does plotting now?" Asked Vervain, Leaping off the Wall, And Landing right in front of HyzenThlay.

"Nothing." Said Nelthilta. "Just not wasting our time on Fuddy Duddy dopes."

Vervain Scowled at Nelthilta's Snark. "General Woundworts coming up." He said. "You all seem to be messy, You'd do well to clean yourselves up."

"Who cares what we look like?" Asked Hyzenthlay. "Why should we groom ourselves when we're not doing anything?"

"Because It's Expected." Said Vervain. "Groom yourselves, NOW!"

Seeing no other Option, The Does all began licking their Fur and brushing their Ears as Vervain watched, The latter whom cast a particularly Sadistic look at Hyzenthlay.

"I know Orchis made an offer to you Hyzenthlay." He said.

Hyzenthlay froze.

"Yes, He has given you a choice hasn't he?" Vervain went on. "Either you cater to his every whim or be Executed, Well I hope you refuse him Hyzenthlay, I really do, Because I want to be the one to Carry out your Execution! I'll make you scream for the Black Rabbit of Inle Hyzenthlay! But he'll be a long time coming! Just ask Primrose!"

Campion's eyes went into slits at the Mention of the Name but before he could do anything, A rabbit frantically raced across the yard. "He's coming above Ground!" He called.

In an Instant, Vervain and Campion forgot their Beef and scrambled to the large smokestack entrance with several guards, Vervain smirked. "Hm, I'll have that Sullen Stuck-up troublemaker shaking at the sight of me you watch."

"I don't care for her much either, Vervain." Said Campion. "But make threats like that to anyone again, And you'll face me, We're Owsla, Not mad dogs."

Before Vervain could retort, The General appeared from the Entrance, Eyeing the assembled troops with a dark glare that finally settled on Campion and Vervain.

"Campion, Vervain." He Addressed. "You're not on wide patrol."

"We've been tending to our duties here sir." Said Vervain. "Chervil's lot were the ones on Wide Patrol but they-"

"Then now it's your turn." Cut off Woundwort. "You and Campion are to go out now Until you find the Other Warren Until You find that Captain Holly Until they're all dead UNTIL I TELL YOU TO STOP!"

Feeling the General made his point very clear, Campion called out to a few Rabbits. "Wide Patrol Owsla, Fall in!" He called.

And with that, Campion and Vervain set off with Seven other Rabbits, While Woundwort stared off with a Dark expression, Nearby they Does watched the whole Exchange.

"I've never seen him like this before." Said Hyzenthlay.

"He never met anyone like Fiver before." Said Vilthuril.

"Neither have I." Said Hyzenthlay.

"Hear This!" Called out Woundwort. "There is only Efrafa! THERE IS ONLY WOUNDWORT! WITNESS THE TRUTH!"

And with that, He retreated back into the Dark passages of Efrafa.

To Be Continued.