Meh... hope y'all like it! Blessings, A. R. --------------------------------------------------------‐‐‐      Laurel finally managed to wash down the courtyard but felt chilled to the bone. The apron she had grabbed did little for her, as her skirt and shirt were still soaking wet. But she felt master Browns kindness and was grateful for his simple act.      Stretching slightly, Laurel examined her work and was satisfied. She picked up the empty bucket and rags and headed to the kitchen, hoping that she could maybe stand by the fire for a few minutes before her next task. As she made her way down the hall, she checked her list again.      Wash windows. Take down drapes for washing.      She stared at the list in bewilderment. That was usually Tori’s job. But, she realized, Tori wasn’t there. That’s unusual, she thought to herself. Laurel entered the kitchen and put the used rags in a laundry basket and looked around, trying to spot Helen. She saw her huddled over the table, and Delta was handing her something with a pained expression. Laurel crossed over and put her hand on Helen's shoulder. The doe turned to her and Laurel gasped.      Half of her face was bleeding.      “Helen, what on earth…?” Laurel asked, helping the doe sit down and taking the poultice Delta was making and began to apply it to Helen’s wounds. The doe winced.      “I… was in the wrong place at the wrong time, let’s say.” Laurel glanced at Delta and saw the older doe rattling off instructions to one of the younger servants.      “Who did this to you?” Laurel asked, her anger making her hands shake. Helen squinted her eyes shut as tears mingled with her blood. She moaned.      “I was… going to get some things from the market because… Tori wasn’t here. As I was leaving, I tripped over my own feet and ran into… Vitton.” Laurel froze. When she spoke again, her voice was low and dangerous.      “Vit did this to you because you tripped?” Helen pressed her mouth tight and nodded, trying desperately to stop crying.      Laurel realized that she had it lucky. At least she was only soaked to the bone. But Helen? Her face was a mess, with multiple different cuts and scratches made from who knew what. Laurel felt angry that her friend had been treated in such a way.      “What’s your next job?” Laurel asked, contemplating sending Helen home and taking over her work for the day. Helen grimaced.      “Dusting and sweeping.” Laurel gave a small smile.      “Its settled. Go home and rest for the day and I’ll complete your work.” Helen shook her head as her face crumpled.      “Laurel,” her voice broke. “You have enough to do as it is. I can manage…” Just then, master Brown stamped into the kitchen. Everyone froze.      He looked around, scrutinizing every rabbit. But when his gaze fell on Laurel and Helen, his eyes widened in shock.      “What… on earth…?” He hissed as he limped over, bending to examine Helen. Laurel froze, and so did Helen. When had he ever taken notice of his servants wellbeing before?      “It was nothing, sir… just an accident.” Helen whispered, her eyes glazing and her voice hoarse. Brown cursed and stood up, looking around.      “Who will tell me what happened?” He roared. Everyone froze, but Laurel spoke up. She never would have dared answer Browns questions, but she was too angry to keep quiet.      “She stumbled at the market and Vitton decided to take it out on her, sir.” She answered, her eyes flashing at the very thought. She could see Vitton standing over the fallen form of Helen with a cruel tool of torture in his hands and a sick smile on his face.      Brown turned unexpectedly to Laurel and she almost expected him to smack her. He didn’t. He gave her a nod and turned back to Helen.      “Go home for the day.” He instructed. Helen trembled.      “B-But what about my chores?” She asked in a whisper. Brown raised his eyebrows.      “I can find someone else.” He answered, his voice almost kind and tender. Laurel spoke up again.      “I can take on Helen’s chores for the day, sir.” She offered, surprised at her own straightforwardness. Brown glanced at her and nodded before speaking to the rest of the servants.      “If Vitton touches any of you whatsoever, you must tell me. That’s an order.” Everyone nodded solemnly. Brown turned to leave but stopped, grasping Laurel’s arm.      “Take her home and come back,” he growled, his usual, grumpy and sometimes dangerous self returning once again.      Laurel nodded and waited till Brown exited the kitchen before coming to Helen's side.      “Come, I’ll take you home,” she whispered. Helen just nodded and Laurel helped her to her feet, looping her arm through Helen’s. Nodding to Delta, they exited the house and towards the 3rd district.        Laurel stayed at Helen’s house long enough to ensure the doe was in bed before leaving. She explained what had happened to Helen’s father Trent who happened to be home and left soon after, not wanting to run out of time.      As Laurel made her way through the streets, she was surprised to see so many captains and lieutenants that milled about. She looked around, trying to notice something that would explain the crowds. Turning again, she spotted something.      Tori.      The scrawny buck was hiding behind a tarp, looking nervous. Laurel cocked her head, not realizing she stopped partway in the road. Someone shouted,      “That’s him!” Laurel turned and saw a burly red buck point angrily at Tori and at least eight soldiers charged after him. Her jaw dropped as she watched.      To her horror, they caught Tori by the collar of his shirt and dragged him out into the middle of the street. He started shouting and cursing, trying to get away. Laurel trembled as she watched, unable to move. A crowd gathered and watched, everyone too stunned and terrified to murmur a word.      A captain looked down at Tori who sat on his knees with his arms tied behind him. The captain scowled and raised a fist. Laurel and some other rabbits gasped as he and his soldiers began to beat the life out of Tori. The public spectacle lasted about three minutes but it did more damage than Laurel had ever seen.      Tori's slumped form on the ground was covered in blood, but his chest rose and fell continually. At least he was still alive.      The captain brushed the front of his uniform and looked up, glaring at everyone who was brave enough to make eye contact.      “Let this be a warning. Don’t snitch on us or captain Vitton, or you’ll end up like this fellow!” And he turned on his heel, leaving the helpless buck on the ground. Everyone dispersed quickly, not wanting to get in trouble. But Laurel didn’t move.      She looked around to see where the lieutenants had gone and was sorry to see that many of them still lingered. She was glad to see that Dylan wasn’t among the group that tortured her co-worker. Laurel strode towards Tori's battered and bruised form and knelt beside him, gently touching his back. He flinched and opened his swollen eyes a slit, peering at her.      “You… gwave me avay,” he muttered weakly. Laurel’s eyes filled with tears.      “I’m so sorry, Tori. I didn’t mean to get you in trouble,” she whispered. The buck didn’t respond and it took Laurel a second to realize he had passed out. Laurel looked around and realized that no one was stepping forward to help like she had. They only continued their work with a few stolen glances at her. She cursed under her breath and took off her apron, trying to wrap it around Tori’s bloodied back. Once it was secure, Laurel struggled but succeeded in getting to her feet, Tori’s limp arm around her shoulder. Putting her other arm around his waist, Laurel started towards Tori’s cottage. She took a deep breath, trying to keep her anger at bay.      Vit the Skinner indeed.      He didn’t have to be there and not be responsible. Laurel had heard something was going on outside Akolan, and it was giving the Administration a real headache. Obviously enough so that the captains were taking out their anger on poor bucks and does just trying to stay alive.      “Let me help,” a familiar voice whispered. Laurel looked up and was surprised to see Dylan.      His expression was unreadable, and it took Laurel a minute to remember he had to appear like the other leaders despite the difference about him. She just nodded and paused, waiting till Dylan held up Tori securely on the other side before they started again towards his house. Laurel tried to not smile at the confused and horrified expressions when they passed bucks and does. If they only knew…