Meeker and I sat by the fire. We began singing, softly, a new version of an old song, to entertain us.

“This is the war that never ends, yes it goes on and on my friend, some rabbits, started fighting it not knowing how it’d end, and they will keep on fighting it forever just because….”

“STOP SINGING THE SONG THAT NEVER ENDS!” Helmer yelled from across camp. He looked absolutely miserable.

“It’s the war that never ends.” Meeker corrected him.

“War? Oh- ‘this is the war that never ends, yes it goes on and on my friend,” Helmer groaned and held his head as two young rabbits poked out of the forest.

“Cassie! Jupie!” Kiowa yelled.

Wilfred, who was attempting to take care of Fleck’s wounds, looked up.

I took that moment to walk over to Whittle Longtreader.

“Will Fleck be OK?” I asked. Whittle shrugged. “Better ask Wilfred, I couldn’t tell ye.”

I walked over to Wilfred. “How’s Fleck?” I asked.

“Alive.” Wilfred said. “Alive, but we need a plan.”

……………………………

10 minutes later

We sat around the fire, wrapping ourselves in our cloaks and listening to the wind whip through the trees around us. Nine of us able to talk about plans. Jupie, Cassie, Andrew, Meeker, Jaidie, Whittle, Wilfred, Helmer, and myself. And then there was Fleck, who had been knocked unconscious.

“What do we do?” Kiowa asked, finally.

“We could go sav e the world.” Jupie said, rubbing his eyes.

“I don’t think we could do that.” Wilfred said.

“Then what do we do? We can’t hide our whole lives!” I exclaimed.

“We could get into trouble.” Jaidie said.

“Or run around screaming.” Andrew replied. The two Jovesons looked at each other.

“We could run around screaming while we get into trouble saving the world.” Andrew said.

“No. Bad idea. Bad, bad, bad idea.” I said. Those Jovesons, their crazier than Daggler.

“We could send messengers to First Warren. Get aid and supplies, then catch up to Rake and the army to decide what to do next.” Helmer suggested.

“That might work.”

“But with Fleck injured and the other messengers either at First Warren, who could we send?” Meeker asked.

“I- I.. could. Go.” I heard. I looked over to see Fleck attempting to stand. Meeker rushed over to help him.

“No.” We all shouted, except Cassie, who was arguing with Jupie.

“Please? Let me?” He begged.

“NO.” Cassie said, looking him square in the face.

“But—” Fleck didn’t look very pleased to see his old friend.

“Ok…” he said, sighing, and joined us around the fire, though he was still weak.

“I heard rumors.” Meeker said. “Rumors that Daggler has joined Morbin. And Winslow and Whitbie too.”

I gasped, gazing around the circle. Meeker’s face was calm, though I saw him holding back tears. Fleck looked sad as well. Jaidie was gaping in horror as was Andrew.

“Winslow, My twin…” Jaidie said, trailing off.

“Daggler the Deranged.” Fleck spat.

“Indeed.” I said, staring into the trees. I was happy to have Fleck back, though I doubted he would be able to fight.

“What happened at Jupiter’s crossing?” He asked. Wilfred told him. We all listened, sad.

“There’s no hope.” Helmer said.

“But- there’s always hope.”

“Not this time.”

“You know what?” Fleck asked. "I'm gonna go to First Warren. i'm gonna fight Daggler. and i'm gonna win."

“And we’ll go too.” I said, pulling Kiowa up.

“If they go, I go.” Meeker said.

“And we’ll join them.” Cassie said, grabbing Jupie. We looked boldly at the council.

“wait- Ikker, Meeker, Kiowa, you’ll stay in First Warren. Fleck, Cassie, Jupie, you’ll come back here with supplies.” Rake said.

“Who fights Daggler! I want to!” Fleck volunteered.

“no one.”

“Aww…” Fleck sighed.

“They might need some of your TB, Whittle.” Wilfred said.

“Sadly, I used the last of it.” He sighed.

“What’s TB?” I asked. But the others were already in the forest. I followed. King’s Arm, no matter that there were two left, were at the head, followed by Kiowa who was dragging his father’s sword, Cassie, who was ready for anything, Jupie, who was afraid, an myself. We kept finding ourselves in the midst of adventures, one way or another.

Daggler the deranged.. lol...

-Fleck Cove