Hey guys, sorry this is rushed. It was so rushed, so I am sorry for the possibly unnecessary conversation and just a chapter that feels mostly useless… Anyway, would love feedback. Thanks

Kayti

Luciana closed her eyes. She squeezed them so tight she saw stars and swirling lines. She didn’t want to die, at least not yet. Not like this. The bird let out another of his grading screeches that felt like it was ripping through her mind. She flattened her ears, knowing it would soon be upon them, it would soon be over.

Thwish. Whoosh. Thunk. And the bird's screech died in its throat. Kyter fell to his knees, and Luciana opened her eyes. The bird had dropped to the dirt, skidding to a halt, inches from Kyter. An arrow was stuck in the monster’s eye, and Luciana looked to see who their savior was.

“Luciana! Are you okay?” She turned toward the voice, recognizing it.

A white buck was hurrying toward her. He was young, bold, but his eyes were troubled. Tears came to her eyes as she looked from the death they had just escaped to her brother now before her.

“Lander,” she sobbed as he reached her, and she fell into his arms.

She was aware of another presence and saw Captain Massie with another arrow knocked. “The coast seems to be clear, your majesty.”

“Thank you, Massie. Can you check on the young buck that was rather close,” Lander said, gazing toward Kyter with worry.

Luciana turned and looked at Kyter. He still sat on his knees, the bird on the ground before. He had not moved, and Luciana wondered if maybe he could not move. Or maybe he was in shock.

Massie nodded and hurried over to Kyter. Luciana cuddled into Lander’s shoulder, happy to be alive and glad to see her brother. She had missed him so much. “Why are you here?” She asked in confusion as she pushed away from her brother. She was glad he had come but wondered what he was doing here.

“Father sent a letter asking me to come to stay a few days. Grandfather Grant is watching First Warren. I am to stay a few days, and then we are going to head back together.” Lander smiled at her as he added, “I’ve missed you, Luc. Everyone has. Won’t it be great to go home?”

Luciana looked down and was going to answer when Massie came back with Kyter following. Massie smiled at Lander as he said, “Prince Lander may I introduce you to someone.”

Lander smiled as he said, “Of course, Captain Massie. That is as long as Luc doesn’t want to introduce her friend.”

“Captain Massie can probably do him more honor than I,” Luciana looked down, afraid to meet Kyter’s eye. He had been so brave to stand in front of her, to shield her.

“Prince Lander, this is Kyter Blackstar, oldest son and second born of Lord Fleck Blackstar, the hero of the Battle of Ayman and our old friend.”

Lander surprised even Luciana with his reaction, for he ran forward and hugged Kyter, then stepped back and said, “It is so good to meet you. I have looked up to your father for years and am not afraid to say he is one of the bravest rabbits I know. I am honored to meet his son and to see that his son has the same courage as his father.”

Kyter smiled, bowed his head, and said, “Thank you, Prince Lander, you honor our family.”

Lander smiled. Luciana looked up to the sky and saw the birds were headed back towards the high mountains. She wondered how long they would fight against these foes? How long would they struggle? She wanted it to end, she wanted them to be free, but she knew that would not be. Not until the stone sword of Flint was broken but, no one seemed to know where the sword was. She sighed and turned toward Kingston with the others, holding Lander’s hand tightly in her’s. She was glad her brother was here, but she was sad that it meant she would soon be leaving.

She looked ahead to Kyter. She wondered what life held for him? And what life held for her?

Forsythe hurried back toward the warren, King Whitson not far behind. They had been out walking, and Forsythe had been showing Whitson the maps he had drawn of the area when they had heard the first awful screech. Forsythe knew that sound, and he also knew what it meant. King Whitson seemed to know as well.

As they reached the vicinity of the warren, Forsythe saw signs of the battle the bucks of Kingston had fought, but the birds were already leaving. He sighed, glad they were gone and that no one seemed to be hurt.

Lord Blackstar hurried over. He still had a shadow to his eyes, but he seemed better now that Kyter was doing better. “Have you seen Kyter or Luciana, Whitson?” Lord Blackstar asked, looking around with worried eyes.

“No, why do you ask?” King Whitson replied, a worried look beginning to dawn on his face.

“I can’t find…”

Lord Blackstar started to say, but then a voice replied, “Look no more Lord Blackstar, for Blackstar company hath taken care to save the heirs.”

“Very witty of you, Lander, except they're not heirs,” another voice said, chuckling.

Forsythe looked past Lord Blackstar, who had turned around, and saw a young white buck smiling, a middle-aged brown buck stood beside him. Luciana held the white buck’s hand, and Kyter stood there smiling.

“Well, thank you, Massie and heirs was the only word I could think of that would sound right,” the white buck said, laughing.

Lord Blackstar went forward and embraced both the bucks, and Forsythe stood in awe. Massie and Lander. Captain Massie and Prince Lander. No way.