Thank the leapers! Luna had done it again! I watched as Eve’s father fell from the bird’s grip and onto a rooftop. Sure it wasn’t a soft landing, but it wasn’t lethal either.

I really should learn that buck’s name. I thought to myself. I couldn’t go on referring to him as “Eve’s father” could I?

I watched as Luna climbed as high as she could while avoiding the bird’s deadly talons and took it down in one swift motion. I turned my attention back to my own situation.

“What’s your father’s name?” I asked Eve. Her face was horror-struck and it occurred to me that now wasn’t a good time.

“Fin,” she replied.

“Well, it looks to me like Fin’s going to be alright.” We were pressed to the edge, some bucks holding onto others for support. “Right, bucks! It looks like we’re going down so we might as well go down with a fight! You should have been given knives so use them!” No one said a thing.

“Didn’t you hear me? Let’s fight our way out of here!” A few exuberant cries were followed by the clash on metal on metal.

I was pleased to feel the pressure ease a bit. These rabbits were given hope and that was enough to push them beyond their limits. I joined in as soon as I could, my sword being of much use. We eventually cleared a path and the former prisoners fled down the stairs and to the outside doors.

“Come on Eve, onto my back.” I wasn’t sure if she would be able to keep up with me. I carried her outside and felt a tear drop onto my fur. “He’s still alive,” I reminded her. “We’ll get him back.”

“You don’t know that.”

“No,” I admitted. “But I’m going to do everything I can. We’ll get him back.”

The former prisoners expertly sifted into the crowd and I just had to hope that they knew where to go. My focus was on Fin. I ran as fast as I could toward where he had fallen, ignoring everything else around me. I was thankful for Eve’s small stature, it made it much easier to carry her. We approached the building and I noticed many crates stacked up against it. Eve slid off my back and began climbing them, I followed close behind.

“Papa!” she yelled as she pulled herself onto the roof.

I checked him for injuries and was happy to find nothing lethal. His shoulder was bleeding where the bird had grabbed him and he had hit his head hard, but he would make a recovery. Fin groaned as I lifted him onto my back.

“Do you think you can keep pace?” I asked Eve.

“Of course. You always underestimate me.” I was glad to hear her usual banter now that she knew her father was okay.

We managed to climb back down the crates with Fin. The crowd was scared and mothers began grabbing their children, using this as an opportunity to hide them. Maybe we could do something bigger here. Before leaving, I used the height of the crates to look for Luna. I saw the bird’s body on the ground and found Luna racing towards the woods followed by Bender. Good, I thought. We can fix this.

“Let’s go!” Eve called up to me.

I jumped down and we raced towards the woods. There was no point in subtlety anymore, they knew we were here and they could probably see rabbits heading towards the woods. I decided that I would lead the former prisoners past the woods and into a different entrance, hopefully, that would throw the guards off our track.

I made a hard left to avoid the falcon's massive body as guards noticed and began chasing us.

“You know, Eve, I think they might not like us. I wonder why they’re so mad we’re leaving.”

“It’s a good question cap. I think it’s ‘cause we spoiled their party.”

“Ah, yes, that would do it. And we took their most hated prisoners with us.”

“I would think they’d be grateful for that bit, we took ‘em off their hands.”

My smile broadened as we darted into the forest. More of the former prisoners joined us and followed my lead. Eve was panting hard but I knew that she would make it. After a while, we approached the forest that concealed one of the Citadel’s entrances. I raced past it, not wanting to bring attention to it with the guards so close behind us. I risked a glance back and was happy to see most, if not all, of the former prisoners behind me. I struggled to carry Fin who was still unconscious but I pushed through.

Only stealth missions from now on. I thought. I don’t think we can handle any more of this.

“You can’t run forever!” yelled the head of the guards. I knew that voice from previous missions, it belonged to Daggler. My mouth curved into a frown even at the thought of him, though we had never met face to face, I had seen enough of him to know what kind of rabbit he was.

We were approaching a farm and Fin was beginning to stir. Everyone was breathing hard and I knew we wouldn’t be able to clear enough ground between us and the guards to be able to sneak into the Citadel of Dreams.

“Hey!” I called to a strong-looking buck. “Can you carry him?” I nodded to Fin.

“Yes sir!”

“Good.”

I passed Fin along and told everyone to follow Eve.

“Where are we headed?” she asked.

“Anywhere, just get them out. I’m gonna hold them off.”

“Not on your own!”

“It’ll be fine, they just want to make up for the dance they missed at the party we spoiled. I happen to be an excellent dancer.”

“I don’t think they’ll want to dance with you, you’re the one who ruined the party.” Eve smiled through tears.

“They will once they see what an excellent dancer I am!”

I turned around to face my attackers and was startled to see more of them than I had thought. Eve led the group through the farm’s crops. Half of the attackers followed while the other half stayed to protect Daggler whom I was now charging. I cut down a few of them before Daggler was exposed.

“Go! Follow the others!” Daggler yelled. “I can take care of him on my own.”

He drew his sword and we battled. He was an excellent swordsman and I was surprised to find myself struggling. I redoubled my efforts and we battled into the side of the farmhouse. He swiped at me and I ducked expertly, managing to get in a few good hits before he blocked me. Our swords were pressed together, each of us trying to best the other, I began to worry when my sword began inching toward my face. I was pressed against the side of the house and my arms began to give out.

Daggler leered at me. “Run out of tricks, did you?” he pressed harder, my own sword was at my throat. My arms shook as I tried to push him off of me but it was no use. “This is the end of your silly rebellion, all of those prisoners will be tortured and killed as you sit there watching, you will curse the day you ever thought you could beat me.”

Suddenly, he collapsed as something hit him on the head. I looked around and saw a snow-white buck holding a shovel in his hands, his face full of anger. I rubbed my neck with my free hand as I pointed my sword at Daggler while the white buck prodded his limp body with the shovel.

“I reckon ‘e’s out cold,” the buck said. “Not dead though.”

“Too bad,” I murmured. I considered ending Daggler’s reign then, but I couldn’t do it while he was unconscious, only a coward would end a life without a proper fight. I turned to my rescuer. “Thanks, I was in trouble there.” I hesitated for a moment and took in the buck’s pray mark and battle-marked face before sticking out my paw. “I’m Captain Moonlight.”

The buck shook my paw. “The name’s Snoden. What are you Capt’n of, exactly?”

“The Citadel of Dreams,” I said simply.

Snoden frowned, “Fey wrote ‘bout that. Ain't no way your capt’n of it.”

“On the contrary my good sir! The Citadel of Dreams is real and it’s closer than you think. It’s the name of the resistance here inside First Warren.”

“Well then, I say I’ve done good ‘ere,” Snoden said, poking the unconscious Daggler with his shovel.

“You sure have. Oh, I have to go! I left a group of runaway prisoners with a young doe and they're being chased by the army of First Warren, I hope you understand.”

Snoden smiled confusedly. “I’ll take care of ‘im then.” He poked Daggler again.

I saluted him as I ran off.

That’s a good rabbit. I thought. I’ll have to keep him in mind for recruitment.