Hey everybody!! I am back, and I apologize for being gone so long!!! Life got a little crazy, but I managed to get some writing done. Hope y'all enjoy it! And I'll aim to wrap this up, hopefully soon! (If I remember where I intended to go with this, lol)

God bless and have a great week!

Abbi

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Laurel was careful as she cleaned up after breakfast, taking care about leaning against the counter. Her throat was a little scratchy, but that was because of last night’s adventure.

She smiled, her heart shaking. It had been the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for her. She realized how much Dylan cared, and it warmed her heart. She decided that last night was the best thing that had ever happened to her. The best thing anyone had done for her.

A soft knock on the door roused her from her thoughts, and she wiped her hands on her apron before going to open the door. On the step stood Harmony.

She gave her a smile. "Morning." She greeted, gingerly reaching for the door handle as Harmony shuffled inside.

The doe gave her a smile as she looked around the house. “You haven’t been doing anything you shouldn’t, have you?” She asked, raising an eyebrow in mock suspicion.

Laurel chuckled. “No, I promise. Though I might go crazy if I have to stay here all day long. Not to mention for a couple days more.” She frowned. “Have you seen Dylan today?”

Harmony frowned. “No. But he is a captain, Laurel. He’ll probably be busy trying to appease the Commandant and other officers in leadership as they prepare for the assault Morbin is going to lead.”

Laurel felt something cold grip her heart. “What kind of assault?”

Harmony shrugged. “Beats me. But whatever it is, it won’t be good for the Cause. Especially the rabbits they meet on the field.”

A lengthy pause followed, and Laurel paled. “They won’t bring any prisoners, will they?” She asked, dread filling her stomach.

Harmony grimaced. “No, they won’t. Which means we have to pray to the Maker that we can do something. This has gone on long enough; but how much longer must we wait? We can’t keep losing rabbits. Otherwise there will be no one left to fight back.”

Laurel didn’t answer. Instead she turned and began to make some more tea, though she doubted she would be able to drink anything.

“Surely the end is near. Morbin will be taken out, Harmony. He will!” She assured her, though a niggle of doubt twisted in her gut. She had to believe that it was close. Surely! But again, how much longer?

Harmony sighed. “I know, Laurel, I know. I’ll try to be optimistic, but no promises.” She winked. “But until then, I better go to work. I’ll try to stop by afterwards, but if I don’t, I’ll see you at the meeting.”

Laurel nodded and bid farewell before turning to face the house. Frowning, she tightened her apron and began to clean the room, seeing her mother’s touch everywhere and wiping tears as she worked. And she prayed that she wouldn’t have to stay at home much longer.

“How have you been feeling?” Sween asked, looking up at her over her sewing.

Laurel smiled. It had been sheer luck when Sween showed up in the afternoon with her sewing. They both sat in the living room and chatted over tea and their projects. It would have felt nearly normal, except for the fact that the usual hostess was not present. Nor Patrick’s chipper voice breaking into each conversation.

“As good as can be expected. But I need to get out of here. I’m not sure I can manage staying home for the next couple days with nothing to do. I’ve already cleaned, but…” She trailed off, tears stinging her eyes. “I see my Mom everywhere, Sween. And I can barely manage to sit here with nothing to do and think about her.”

Sween gave her a sad smile. “Alright. How about this: come over every evening to our place? Whittle and I aren’t the best company, but we’d love to have you.”

Laurel smiled and wiped her eyes. “That would be great. If you don’t mind.”

Sween smiled and shook her head. “Not at all.” But then she frowned. “How has the captain been? Not in trouble with the Administration I hope?”

Laurel shrugged. “I don’t know. From what he told me, he’s been given a few days off to ‘clear his head’ as Vitton recommended. But I’ve not seen him since…” Laurel trailed off.

Sween smiled and continued with her sewing. “Well, he has his reasons, I’m sure. Will you be going to any meetings?”

Laurel shook her head. “Probably not tonight, but maybe tomorrow.”

A knock on the door roused her from her seat and Laurel crossed to the door, glancing back as the older doe packed her sewing back into a basket to prepare to leave if the need arrived.

Laurel opened the door, her eyes widening as Harmony entered quickly, slamming the door behind her. Her fur was damp with perspiration.

“Harmony! What’s the matter?” Laurel asked, ignoring the pain in her middle as she helped her friend to a seat. Sween scrambled to get some tea for her.

Harmony drew a wheezing breath before speaking. “There is rumor that Jupiter’s Heir might’ve been killed.”

“What?” Sween and Laurel asked in unison.

“I heard Morbin speaking with ambassador Longtreader. It sounds like the prince attempted to liberate a slave camp but was subdued and taken captive. That would explain why Morbin is sending Garten to strike a deal of sorts with the Cause.”

Laurel shook her head in an effort to clear it. “But how?”

Harmony shrugged. “There’s apparently another heir somewhere. Garten is preparing forces to go and strike a deal with them. If I heard right, he leaves tomorrow.” Harmony scowled. “They are going to attack one of the hidden citadels.”

Sween shook her head. “That’s not good news. But how accurate is this? They weren’t just rambling about ideas?”

Harmony snorted. “Morbin doesn’t ramble. You’ve been in the same room as me; Morbin and Garten’s word is law.”

Laurel looked around the room, wishing Dylan was there to be a support. Even if he didn’t have the answers, at least he was a friend. But for some reason that sat ill with her, he wasn’t nearby.