Will grabbed the bucket, it was late at night and he was tired. Tired of no answers. What had Father meant? Of course his mother loved him! But what if Father spoke truth? Why would Father ever lie to his son? I need to know why, I think it is high time I visited Mother.

He walked down the hill, the two buckets filled with swooping churning molasses. When he reached Nick Hollow, he placed the pails down by the door and entered the dark house. Everyone is asleep. perfect I guess. Will quietly went up the stairs and grabbed a few of his things in his room and then walked through the door, he stopped. And turned his head to look at his half sisters. He sighed and looked away. He loved his family. But he had to do this. On his own. He walked towards the stairs then remembered something. He turned to his right. His Father and Weezie's room.

But to the left, was the study room.

He walked to it and slowly reached to the handle and grabbed the cold stone.

Will opened the door. It creaked and Wil cringed. he tip toed in and looked up at the giant sword that was bigger than both of his sisters combined, it was hanging on a wall to his left. He walked past it and looked at the giant map of Natalia. At the top left was written in little delicate words it said: Nick Hollow. And down at the bottom right were big words that said: First Warren, Home of the Kings and Queens.

He put his finger over the tiny drawn in castle below and traced it back to Nick Hollow, it was a long way away. But he could do it. Plus, Wil thought, I can make stops at the secret citadels. He turned back to the sword. It's black metal had dust settled over it. And it's handle with it's rabbit with wings carved in was scratched and had lost it's handsome gleam long ago. He pondered. Then grabbed it and put it in it's sheath and attached it to his belt.

He teetered out of the room. The sword was very heavy. But he probably would need it.

He walked down the stairs, then took one last look at his home. Then raced out of the door and into the night.

**********************************************************************************

Wil woke to singing. And not Weezie's singing, but the voice of an older man. Not like grandpa sort of voice. But not a young voice either, the song went something like this:

We'll walk through the towns of old,

There we will show

our tinkers and tankers

Quick or long look

Of Hence's and Pepper's Cranies and Nooks!

It won't take much,

Just a bit of kindness

A small act of niceness

To fill our (pockets) and bellies!

Just come on down to Hence's and Pepper's Nooks and Cranies!

Will got up and looked around, blinking slowly in the cold morning air. The fire he had started was out. He had not planned anything and he had wandered aimlessly last night until he had thought he had found the river that was supposed to be the only path from here to the Warren.

Apparently all he had found was a measly creek made from the melting snow.

He looked towards where he had heard the music and saw a buck with a giant straw hat on with a long cape draped on his shoulders. The brown buck was smiling down at the little grey one and said hi.

"Hi?" Will asked.

The brown buck looked at him. "I mean Hi, How're ya doing! Can't ya speak english?"

"Of course I can!" Wil said flustered. he looked behind the buck and at the strange objects he had. A wagon filled to the brim with anything you could think of. From furniture, to swords, he seemed to have it all. Painted on the side in rough writing it said:

Hence's and Pepper's Cranies and Nooks.

And the strange being that pulled the wagon was a- a hawk?

"Oh, um it seems you have seen my friend Pepper?" The buck said, "I'm Hence by the way."

Why would a monster have such a pretty name? The red tailed hawk was harnessed to the wagon.

"But birds are our enemy!" Will said looking up at Hence.

"Excuse me, I am standing right here you know." The bird talked! She looked at Will her red and brown feathers slightly ruffled against the cold wind. She looked down at Will's sword. Will pulled his scarf a little tighter against his neck and stared back at the bird. Hence held out his gloved hand and Will took it in his bare hands, Hence helped him up.

"Tell me, why's a small buck like you is wandering in such a big cold world?"

"Tell me why is a rabbit and a bird friends?"

"Touche"

"But seriously," Will said, "Why are you friends with a bird"

Hence looked confused. "Why, didn't ya know?"

"Know what?"

"The war, the war is over. Birds and rabbits alike are together in peace."

Will's world was turning upside down to today.

Was everything he had learned a lie?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

AHHH I am done! I finished! Part 4 next week, I plan to make them weekly!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Thanks for the support.