Latha math, my friends! (LOL, sorry... I'm trying to learn Gaelic, and it's a bit of an obsession.) Well, it's a day later than I intended... whoops! Anyways, here it is! (Also, if you happen to spot typos, would you let me know? Thanks!)

Have a great weekend!

Blessings,

Abbi

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“Laurel! A small voice called.

Laurel turned, her heart skipping a beat as she saw Patrick scamper towards her, away from his group of classmates.

The Maker was still good. He had orchestrated this chance meeting with the last good thing she had in this world, despite the fact that he lived further from her reach than she would have liked. And what perfect timing, too. Dylan’s and her fight from three days ago made her ache. But what made it worse was that he no longer came to the resistance meetings.

She knelt and opened his arms, smiling as Patrick fell into her embrace. “I’ve missed you,” she murmured as tears burned her eyes.

Pat pulled back enough to look her in the eye, his face slightly worried. “I heard that bad things happened at home. Are you okay?” He asked.

Laurel felt a stone settle in her stomach. How could her little brother grow up so suddenly? And what all had he heard? “I’m all right, Pat. But how are you? Is everything okay at the school?”

He glanced over his shoulder, towards his teacher who was occupied with the other bucks and does. “Things are weird. There is talk about a big fight or something in the outside world.”

Laurel paled. “Pat, what do you know? What are they telling you?” Please, not lies...

He met her gaze. “I know that there is a better place than here. And I want that. Not the slavery they give us here.” He answered, his voice quiet. Mature.

“Oh, Pat,” Laurel moaned, pulling him into her arms. “You can’t let anyone hear this from you. It could mean bad things.” She whispered in his ears, pressing a kiss to his furry head.

“Don’t worry. The captain tells me exactly what to say and do. He is helping me, and says there is a special plan.” He whispered in her ears.

Laurel felt her heart stop. “What captain? Patrick, what’s going on?”

He opened his mouth to answer when the teacher approached them, his brows furrowed and his face stern. “Master Patrick, it’s time to continue on our field trip.” He shot a dark glower at Laurel.

She nodded and stood to her feet, offering Pat a small smile. “I love you,” she said quietly.

Pat smiled. “Love you too.” But his grey eyes seemed to reflect a warning of sorts. As he walked away with his teacher at his side, Patrick’s words continued to haunt her.

There is a better place. I want that.

There’s a captain who tells me what to do.

There’s a special plan.

***

Laurel finished her errands quickly before turning towards home. Running into Patrick earlier had rattled her. What was the academy telling him about the Cause and war? And what captain would go through such pains to single out a buck like Pat? It was unnerving.

Releasing a sigh, she turned around a corner and looked around, her feet slowing to a stop. Master Brown’s villa stood before her, stark and gloomy in the slowly setting sun. What had happened here after her injury? What pains had Dylan gone through to ensure her safety and recovery?

A stone sank into her stomach, and the pain of her broken heart brought a sting of tears to her eyes. How have I come to depend on Dylan so much? She wondered, dragging her hand across her eyes.

Not entirely sure why, Laurel started towards the house, needing to see those she worked with and her workplace. Just to be sure it was still there and not ruined like the rest of her life was.

The courtyard door creaked open, revealing a thin layer of dust and ash on the rocky surface. Clothes still hung on the clothesline, and the backdoor stood ajar, a beam of light spilling outside.

Reaching the door, she stepped inside and tried to hide her shock at the chaos and mess that greeted her. The table was covered in dishes and foodstuffs, and the basin for dishwashing was overflowing.

Stunned, Laurel turned and spotted Delta on a bench, mending a basketful of shirts. She hadn’t heard her come in.

Laurel opened her mouth, hesitated, then said, “Delta.”

The doe froze, her head slowly coming up. Her gaze met Laurel’s and her face registered in shock and wonder. “Merciful heavens, you’re alive!” She whispered, covering her mouth as a sheen filled her eyes.

A wave of emotion overcame Laurel and she came forward as the older doe got to her feet. Delta pulled her into an embrace, holding her tight for a moment before pulling away. “Life has certainly become more interesting since you were taken at the marketplace nearly a week ago.” She said quietly, looking about the kitchen in disgust.

Laurel grimaced. “I’ll say.” She set down her basket on the bench against the wall. “What’s happened here?”

Delta frowned. “Lots, to keep it simple. But the day you were arrested, Master Brown had a big fuss with Tory. That buck has been nothing but mischief, and that day was the last straw for the master. He told him to get out of here, which he did. We’ve not seen hide nor hair of him since.”

Laurel swallowed. “Because he joined the Administration. He was there for my arrest and beating.”

Delta actually growled as her face darkened in a scowl. “Blasted Turncoat!” She groused, shaking her head and shaking her apron in disgust. “Since then, master Brown has been reassigning his staff to safer workplaces where they won’t be at risk such as you were.” She paused, looking at her with worry. “I believe you’re still in the thick of danger, love.”

Laurel felt her jaw slacken, but she couldn’t say a word. What did Delta mean?

Before she could utter a reply, shuffling footsteps echoed from the hall, and master Brown hobbled into the kitchen. His brows raised in surprise as he saw her. “Well, you seem to be recovering well enough,” he observed, leaning heavily against his cane.

Laurel offered him a small smile. “I suppose. I’ve heard that there has been quite a stir here while I’ve been recovering.”

He scowled. “Indeed there has been.” He shook his head. “Your captain has been trying to find safer places for all of my employees. You included.”

Laurel felt her heart skip a beat at the mention of Dylan, but she brushed it aside. “No need, sir. I plan to stay here.” She paused, knowing the next phrase would sting. “And he’s not my captain.”

Brown glared at her. “What fight did you have with him?”

Laurel felt very small in his sight, and embarrassed at the turn of conversation. “It doesn’t matter. He made a choice, and he’s holding to it. My priority now is to find a way to take care of my brother.”

Delta and Brown exchanged glances. “Laurel, there could be trouble in regards to that. The Victory day celebration is next week, and they’ve already chosen who they will… well, ‘send on an adventure.’”

Laurel paled. Silence filled the room. The older rabbits before her watched her with concern in their eyes.

Laurel straightened her shoulders. “All the more reason to take care of him.”

Brown cursed. “You could very well be committing treason, Evergreen.” He snarled.

“He is all I have left!” She shot back, tears burning in the back of her throat. “Would you stand by and watch those you love die? I can’t! Morbin has taken too much from me, and I will not stand on the side and watch him take the last thing from me!” She quavered.

Brown met her gaze, his expression haggard and strained. He swallowed, then spoke in an airy, old voice. “Then the Maker have mercy on you, Evergreen. Because I don’t know what Morbin will do with you when he finds you harbouring your brother. You had better come up with a good plan.”

Laurel gave a single nod. I intend to.