"I wonder who our guests are," mumbled Hal to Lewis as they line up on the parade grounds with the Fowlers from other barracks. There were sixteen of them there in total, divided among four barracks. Captain Owen had started his inspection at the opposite end of the line, giving Hal and Lew a little time to talk.

"I hope it's the Queen," replied the dark-colored rabbit. Hal blinked in surprise.

"You want to show off for the Queen?"

"Well, not her, obviously... she's gotten a new guard ever since the Blackstar doe left with the Pilgrim. The new girl is beautiful... feisty too, last week I heard her chewing some guardbuck who was dosing on the job."

"I didn't think 'feisty' was your type."

"Well, I need someone clever, energized, and imaginative to balance out my stern, serious, rational personality, now don't I?"

"I suppose so... otherwise your life would continue being a dull, colorless brick."

They both shut up as they heard the captain coming closer, "Farthrow... you're good, as usual. Lewis... yes, very good... Halifax... acceptable."

Owen stepped back to the middle of the field.

"Alright, bucks, listen up! Beginning tonight, we will be shadowing another shipment of True Blue to the East Woods."

There was a collective groan from the Fowlers. This hadn't been the first time they'd tried to catch the theives who had been stealing Firstflower, and they hadn't caught anyone the other four times either.

"I know, I know... but this time, we're going to have a little help. Fowlers, may I introduce to you the Windcutter Warflock!"

There was a loud chirp from the trees above, and the sixteen rabits all reacted simultaneously, readying their bows or drawing their swords to protect their fellows.