"Of, course, how rude of me," said Smalls, stepping between Heather and the female Cardinal bird, "Heather, this is Windcutter Singmuch, she's representing the songbird tribes of the Eastern Woods. Windcutter, this my wife and Queen, Heather Joveson."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Windcutter," Heather smiled as she held out a hand, "I don't think I've ever met a songbird before!"

The brown bird outstreched a wing, placing the tip of a feather in Heather's hand, before speaking in broken rabbit, "Much pleasure. Meet queen! You, write many words, yes? Reading, hard. But I read your words!"

"I'm glad some of my books were able to find their way into your han- uh, possesion. I hope you enjoyed them?"

The Cardinal chirped and flapped a little, "Yes! Very much! Prey lords come, many tribe flee. Some try fight. Many die... Dark times. Your words, give hope! Now, Good King is returned, other tribe will return, all work together for Mending!"

"We'll be glad to have you," Heather beamed.

"First," interrupted Owen, "We'll need to secure our shipments of True Blue. Almost every shipment we send out of the First Warren has been stolen without a trace..."

Heather blinked, "I havn't heard any news of missing caravans..."

"That's exactly whats so perplexing!" sighed Owen, "The haulers, the guards, the merchants... everyone always comes back fine! Theres no raids, no deaths, no sightings of any enemy- the only thing that even lets them know theres been a theft at all is the missing Firstflower!"

"Why would someone even steal Firstflower?" asked Edith, who was leaning on the wall near the door.

Everyone turned to look at her, and she winced.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesties, that was out of turn," he said as she bowed.

"Quite alright," Smalden said while studying her, "You are Heyna's apprentice, correct?"

"Yes, Your Majesty,"she said, straightening, "Edith O'Smith, all the way from Kingston."