Note: significant SPOILERS for The Archer’s Cup ahead.
So I’m the type to zero in on little details, as folks have no doubt guessed from my various posts and trivia answers. In the wake of The Archer’s Cup, my mind has been drawn to a certain one that appeared in Ember’s End. When the various forces of the Cause are mustering, Lords Felson, Morgan, and Ronan pledge their armies to Emma through Helmer, while Cole does the same standing in for his father Lord Victor. However, the text notes that there are other lords present besides the four already mentioned. Ember Rising also mentioned “several lords and captains” aside from Victor and Morgan.
Now, it’s possible that there are more secret citadels/communities of rabbits led by lords than we’ve had confirmation of. There are a number of locations on the map of Natalia that are little more than names to us. However, there is another possible explanation for these “other lords”, of whom there are at least two judging by the plural. As it happens, there are two other known secret citadels known to be taking part in the battle: Harbone and Halfwind. Their last known lords, of course, died in the preceding two books.
Now, you might ask, what about the former forces of Cloud Mountain and the Citadel of Dreams? Well, having considered the matter, I figure that they were most likely incorporated into the Royal Warrenguard, the Highwall Wardens, and/or the Royal Fowlers Auxiliary. The Forest Guard was an elite unit, after all, and bereft of leadership after the death of Lord Rake and the disappearance of Pacer. As for the First Warren fighters, they were known to be a small group, and if any were still in fighting form after the Battle for First Warren they clearly weren’t being led by Moonlight or Whit.
As for Harbone and Halfwind, their forces seem likely to have remained largely intact, apart from those recruited for the special defense units mentioned previously. Harbone lost a number of bucks, including Lord Hewson and Captain Redthaw, in various battles. However, it still had a number of officers who were active. One of those officers, Gantlin, was the oldest son of Hewson. He seems likely to have been elevated in the wake of his father’s death like Morgan, unless he was killed with his father or during the battle at Harbone.
Halfwind’s situation and the identity of any new lord are a bit harder. Lord Ramnor had no known family, and Captain Frye was one of the commanders of the Warrenguard. Lieutenant Drand, Frye’s right-hand buck, lost his leg and was apparently on his deathbed just before the final battle, though hopefully he survived. Lieutenant Kout, one of Halfwind’s other main officers, hasn’t been heard from since before the Battle of Rockback Valley.
The only other Halfwind officers I’m aware of were in the Bracers, and they were incorporated into the Highwallers. Wilfred, as a captain, seems like a natural for the part, but there’s no indication that he had been made a Citadel Lord when he arrives at First Warren. He also assumes Frye’s role over the Warrenguard after Frye’s death, so it seems he’s not leading the forces of Halfwind. The question, then, is who could be Halfwind’s new Citadel Lord?
Lokson.
The Archer’s Cup concludes with the son of Blackstone’s first lord, Lokken, leading a party to Halfwind Citadel on an important mission. Lokson’s bucks are numerous enough to be referred to several times as a “private army”. It also seems likely that at least some of the Halfwind bucks who evacuated Cloud Mountain made their way back to their home citadel.
With Captain Frye absent and no other Halfwind officers known to be present, Lokson seems like the natural choice to assume command. He’s a skilled fighter, charismatic, has undoubtedly been trained for leadership-what more could you ask for? The only real obstacle seems to be that Lokson, after the whole mess at Blackstone, renounced his desires for lordship. By this, you might conclude that he would be unwilling to accept lordship of Halfwind.
However, in light of Halfwind’s leaderless state, and his qualifications, I could see Lokson being persuaded to take up the position. In doing so, I think he would be providing the best service he could to the Cause, while honoring his choice not to try and become lord of Blackstone. I do think that, in light of past events, he would have been wise to select a Halfwind rabbit as his Lead Captain, rather than Cheltham. At any rate, Cheltham seems like the type to serve among the Highwall Wardens, which would make seconding Lokson rather difficult.
Well, those are my ideas; would love to hear any other suggestions.
It would not surprise me if there were other citadels if you look at the real world fortifications and settlements are all over the place, such as at crossroads, fords or other strategic or economically important locations, look at Hadrian's Wall it had about 12 forts along its 64 mile length. It makes sense that there would be other cities etc. Further, fortifications, especially ones mostly if not enterally underground can be very difficult to take, and Morban seems to have targeted the capital, to cut the head off the snake so to speak, over other locations.
Cool theory....we like it!!!!!!!
Wow!!! I never thought about that! The above is very thorough, but I will give you the ideas I had before reading what you posted.
I got the idea that, since there were more than one hundred warrens in the days of King Jupiter, that there must have been more citadels, perhaps further away from First Warren, that we don't even see on the map. Also, I thought that perhaps everything with a dot on the maps was a citadel, such as Glen Clair, Corby, Massie, and Lener's Crossroads.
Wow. You put a lot of thought into that.