I leapt from my bunk, racing through the familiar halls. I came to a stop at the hall nearest to the Savory Den, gasping for breath. Probably a new record for who could get to the mess hall the fastest. Lord Blackstar was up ahead, worriedly talking with Cole.

Pacer jogged up.

“Record!” he yelled triumphantly.

“What was my time!” I asked, excited.

“40 seconds!”

“Yes!” I exclaimed.

“I didn’t know you could run that fast!”

“Neither did Sno.” I laughed. Lord Blackstar, Heyna, and Cole walked up.

“Pacer, you and Heyna watch the Savory Den.” He said. They sprinted off.

“Sir.” i said, nodding, my legs felt like jelly after running so hard and long then stopping.

“Ah, Fleck, finally a reliable Forest Guard they’ll listen to.” Blackstar said, motioning to the Savory Den.

“What happened?” I asked.

“Frye. He actually insulted Heather and Picket.” Cole spat, leaning against the wall. I could hear muffled shouts and crashes from inside.

“And….” I asked, urging the Blackstars to go on.

“Picket almost fought Frye.” Lord Blackstar said, preventing Cole from speaking. Cole sulked against the wall, disappointed that his dad got to tell the tale.

“Urgh!“ I shouted, tugging on my ears. A small notch in my left ear I hadn’t realized was there caught my attention.

“Please!” Cole cried, nodding to the entrance to the mess hall where the shouts were getting louder.

“Father, it’s getting worse.” Heyna yelled, racing into the room. She was followed by Pacer, who seemed to be getting frustrated with the black doe.

“What?” I yelled, we heard smashing clay pottery and the sound of angry cries.

“They’re throwing the dishes.” Heyna said solemnly. Pacer smacked his forehead in frustration.

“Urgh!” I shouted, sprinting into the Savory Den.

When I looked in I was met by a horrendous scene. Shattered pottery, honey, bread, and other clutter littered the floor. Rabbits were shouting, different citadels yelling at soldiers from other citadels. Halfwind was yelling at Harbone and Kingston was yelling at Blackstone.

Gort was throwing spoons and ladles at anyone that tried to enter the kitchen. I heard the splash and clatter of pots and pans being overturned as Gort’s apprentices dashed around the kitchen and fled through the mess hall.

“ENOUGH!” I shouted, anger bubbling to the surface. The arguing continued. I dodged a flying bowl of soup, another landing on my head.

“I SAID ENOUGH!” I yelled. Silence rippled through the soldiers.

“The Savory Den is for eating, not fighting.” I calmly continued. “And honestly, I’m ashamed of your behavior. We are rabbits, not wolves. We stick together and stay organized. Wolves are disorganized chaos.” I growled.

“How can we if our sister citadel harbors traitors?” Frye raged.

“There are no traitors here!” I yelled, Throught hoarse.

“Then how do you explain the Longtreaders?” Frye asked.

“You have a Longtreader too.” I said, calmly. Frye spat and looked away.

“Now, everyone, back to eating.” I said, sighing and removing the shattered bowl from my head.

“How did you do that?” Cole asked, walking up.

“Authority. I’m a leader here.” I said, sighing.

“Your a good leader Fleck.” Cole said.

“I just wish I didn’t have to find peace through fighting sometimes.”

“Me too. I wish the war was over.” Cole consoled.

“It will not be so.” I began.

“In the mended wood.” Cole said. We grabbed plates of honeyed bread and found a table.

“How does Gort make such good food?” Cole asked, shoveling another mouthful of bread.

“I don’t know. It’s his calling, I guess.” I said.

“Do you want to learn how?” Gort asked.

“AHH!” Cole exclaimed, accidentally shoving his plate of bread onto Gort’s head. The harried chef glared and wiped honey from his soup-soaked fur. I laughed so hard I accidentally fell in my breakfast. I sat up, licking honey from my face.

“Fleck! The wolves are really close!” Andrew exclaimed, tightening his grip on his quiver of throwing arrows and running forward. Sweat and dirt clung to his fur.

“Double the guards.” I said, rushing to clean my face and turning to leave.

“Where do I go?” Andrew asked, following me as I turned toward the tunnel.

“Come with me. We’ll guard the entrance.” I bolted forward.

“Fleck wait!” Cole cried. “I’m coming with you!”

The three of us sprinted through the tunnels. We reached the entrance, leaping into the air and skidding to a stop next to an arc of guards.

“Cove! Lead them!” Peter exclaimed, racing into the tunnels “I’m going to secure Lord Rake.”

I took position as the wolves sprinted toward the entrance, drawing my sword.

“Hold ‘em back, bucks!” I yelled, raising my blade. “This may be the end.”

"This may be the end"

i had this chapter in my mind. so sorry i didn't post it sooner, i was at my nana's and had only my tablet which doesn't copy and paste so here it is i'm home now and i probably should have written it yesterday.... lol..