This chapter was taking too long and the second part was making me sad so i am cutrting it in half! and yes, adding another POV!!!

I was expecting a little more from our army than what I got. The army was way too small, and those left were not looking prepared for battle.

“Think you could get them ready?” Lord Rake asked. I gulped.

“Yes.” I smiled. /Lord Rake laughed.

I slowly made my way to the group of about 50 rabbits standing around like they weren’t about to fight, with Pacer, and Peter desperately trying to get them to behave. Lord Rake whispered something in Pacer’s ear.

“Silence!” Lord Rake yelled. The crowd grew quiet. “Listen to Lieutenant Cove.”

“Ranks!” I yelled. Everyone obeyed. It felt good to be home, but I had at least been expecting more soldiers.

“Units!” I yelled. It took a few minutes for the bucks to shuffle around. I was glad to see my own unit, the Cloud Defenders, as usual.

“Captains, your units!” I exclaimed, jogging over to my unit. Nathaniel, or Nat, was trying to steal Macy’s waterskin, Leo and Hans were playing trivia on little slips of paper, Peter was fidgeting with his sword, Luke was scribbling in a notebook, Jack was holding his helmet and trying to fix one side, and Macy was trying to find something in his satchel.

“Hi guys.” I said, walking up. I was hit on the head with Luke’s notebook as he scrambled over, Leo and Hans dropped their pen and papers, Nat knocked Macy over, Macy dropped his satchel and sent ink flying across Peter who tripped over Macy and spilled forward, landing in even more ink. Jack threw his helmet across the room, and I barely avoided Macy. I held up my hands and backed away.

“O…k…a…y… It’s good to see you guys too but the ink thing is a little…..” I had no time to finish, my unit was talking a mile a minute and in the confusion Lord Rake called me over.

The Cloud Defenders quieted and watched.

“Fleck. Do you remember when I made you a lieutenant?” Lord Rake asked.

I nodded. A sudden worried feeling had me frowning.

“You have proved yourself. I’m proud of you, Captain Cove.” Lord Rake held out a blue band for a uniform, the Forest Guard’s system of labeling Captains and Lieutenants.

“Why?” I asked, accepting the band.

“I…. If I fall anytime in this war, Cloud Mountain Shall need a leader.”

“But… What about Pacer?” I asked.

“I need you.” Lord Rake placed his hand on my shoulder a second, then walked away. I just stood there. Lord Rake wasn’t going to die. What about Pacer? It was Hans who disturbed my thought.

“Captain, Nat isn’t doing very well in training.” He said. I turned around, walked up to Nat, and placed my right hand on my heart.

“I accept you.” I said.

Nat, shocked, put his hand over his heart. “I am accepted.”

I paused a second, recalling the next few words. “I bind you with all honor to release you better after.”

“I am bound, by honor and fealty to serve you.” Nat said. I saw the shine in his eyes. The hope. And, in a strange way, it inspired me.

-Fleck Cove