The two guards stood to attention, barking out in unison, "Your Royal Majesty!"

"At ease," replied Heather, "Is the King inside?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. He is holding council with Captain Owen, Royal Engineers Heyward and Emerson, and Wingleader Windcutter from the East Wood Bird Tribes."

Heather paused at that last name. She had never met a songbird before, only heard of them in stories or as distant voices. It was hard to remember that Rabbitkind hadn't been the only ones to suffer under Morbin's iron talon.

"Thank you," said Heather, stepping through the doors as the guards pushed them open.

"Of course, Your Majesty."

King Smalden Joveson was inside, standing over a rectangular map table. Surrounding the table were the familar forms of Owen, filling in for Jo, Heyward, and Emerson. Behind them, however, was a small bird- well, barely bigger than a rabbit at least- dressed in pale-brown with red-fringed tail and wingfeathers, and a large pale-brown crest atop it's head. The bird was the first to notice Heather, and cocked it's head to the side to gaze at her with a single black eye, before chirping.

The four rabbits ceased their talking.

"My dear Heather!" shouted Smalls, "Such a pleasant surprise! Come, join us, Emerson and Heyward have just presented the most fascinating idea-"

"It must be, for you to skip dinner, dear Smalden," Heather said, smiling.

The king blinked and looked around.

"What time is it?"

He rushed to the nearby window that had been curtained for the sake of secrecy, and drew them back, revealing the beautiful night view.

"I'm sorry Heather, I completely lost track of time," he closed the curtains, and looked at the floor.

"It's alright," she replied, walking behind him, and beginning to massage his shoulders, "Why don't you introduce me to our guest here?"

___