As the wolves approached the entrance, Cole wildly turned to me.

“They need to finish the assembly!” he yelled.

“I don’t think we can hold these wolves that long!” I replied, blocking the stroke of a slavering wolf.

“We need to.” Cole replied, throwing off a wolf’s blade.

“I can lead them off.” I said, slinging my sword to hue off the head of my next attacker.

‘But that’s too dangerous!” Pacer yelled, fighting his way next to us.

“My whole life is dangerous.” I yelped, dodging a fatal stroke.

“I don’t want to lose you!” Cole shouted over the battle clamor.

“Me neither.” Pacer yelped as he was forced into a dangerous scuffle.

“But I have to.” I said, turning to me friends.

“Then may your feet find the next stone!” Cole yelled. I sheathed my sword and shouted defiantly. The wolves all turned, leaving my friends and charging at me.

I waited a few quick moments before charging down the mountain. i leapt over tree roots and ducked branches, moving in a pattern I’d practiced so many times before. I couldn’t let the wolves lag. I remembered, slowing down.

I was dedicated to the cause. I would work for the mended wood even if it meant I would lose my life to save another. I was willing. And it seemed I would. Right here. In this very forest. It was hopeless.

I ran farther as the wolves snapped at my heels. I could hear spittle flying and grass being tore from the ground. I put all direction away from me, focusing on leading the wolves away from the mountain.

I skidded to a stop in front of an enormous and sheer drop. Rocks tumbled down the slope. I backed, nervously watching the wolves. My foot slipped, sending me over the edge.

I reached for anything to slow my fall. My hands caught a rock. I dangled over the edge, fear pulsing in my veins.

Fear. I assigned it a place in my mind, to sharpen my skills. I lunged for a rock farther up, catching hold. I found a place for my feet then climbed up. I cleared the edge. The wolves were still there, still angry and drooling.

“Rabbitbuck.” The nearest sneered, knocking me over.

“I ain’t scared of you.” I said, glaring up at him. He put his paw on my chest, pinning me.

“Ye should.” He said, growling.

“Well I ain’t.” I said, reaching for my sword hilt.

“I’d stay still if I were you.” Another wolf said, stalking forward. He had bright white fur. Blenk.

“So we meet again.” I said, calmly.

“I suppose, this time you can’t fool me with a fake uniform.” Blenk said.

“No. i can’t. but I could fight you if your soldier would leave me be.” I said.

Blenk growled. “your death is here.”

“No, it ain’t. yours is.” I argued.

He snapped, teeth inches from my face. I braced for the end, knowing that the citadels would be united. My trap had worked, and now the secret citadels could work together. What difference would it make if they lost one unimportant forest guard?

Nothing mattered anymore. The mended wood was the hopeless dream someone had come up with. But that someone was me. I had given them hope. I closed my eyes on tears. My life was over, and so was hope. All hope.

I braced for the end.

“Wolves. You are supposed to wait for Lord Morbin’s command to attack.” My eyes flickered open. Bastille. For the first time in my life I was glad to se this young rabbit who acted as a wolf and raptor but was on the side of the cause.

“I’m sorry, captain.” Blenk wheezed.

“Get back to Morbin.” She barked. The wolves raced away in terror, not a backwards glance.

“thanks, cousin, for saving my life.” I stood, wiping sweat and blood from my eyes.

“Idiot.” She grumbled, flashing me a grin, “but a brave one. Maybe he should have been killed.”

We laughed, the Bastille turned to me.

“Cloud Mountain will be attacked. Your trap worked, but we still have little time.” She barked

“Aye!” I shouted, turning to run up the mountain.

“Oh and Fleck.” Bastille said,

“Yeah?”

“Go save the cause” she said.

I ran up the mountain. It was still hopeless. The Mended Wood would never come, and if it did I wouldn’t see it.

it's about to get better!!!

WARNING: PLOT TWISTS ARE UP AHEAD IN THE NEXT CHAPTER!!! [If y'all have read the Last Archer you might have an idea of who Fleck is. lol.]

I LOOOOOVE WRITING PLOT TWISTS IT MAKES Y'ALL ANNOYED!!!

-Fleck