Ok. That's not the name of the chapter.
The Seed of the New World: Chapter 7: Heather's concerns.
“What does ‘Gak’ mean?” Heather asked.
“Ugh.” I said.
“I’m waiting.” Heather impatiently tapped her foot.
“Where’s your dad?” I asked.
“Don’t know. Anyway, that doesn’t tell me what Gak means.”
“Gak: an expression of shock. Often used when one is surprised.” I said, spewing nonsense like a waterfall.
“Hurrumph.”
“So…” I trailed off.
“What do you know about Helmer.” Heather said, glaring at me with such intense vision I was sure she and Bastille would get along.
“Um… his name is Helmer?”
“Something better.”
“Well what do you want to know!” I shouted, disturbing the contemplation of several nearby rabbits. “Sorry.” I whispered.
“Picket’s apprenticed to him.”
“So?”
“Does Helmer bite?” She asked. I laughed.
“No, and I have to go.” I said, tearing off down the hall.
Eefaw Potter was in the hallway. He had seven beautiful trays of rabbit-eared mugs in his hands. I opened the door to the savory den.
Soldiers from Halfwind, Kingston, Blackstone, and others all gathered around the tables. I soon found Jo Shanks, but as I was about to make my way toward my friend, Eefaw’s mugs began to curve in an s-shape.
“Not again, Eefaw Potter!” Gort called, his small legs waddling quickly toward the potter. I joined his running efforts.
Gort slipped on some spilled soup and catapulted into the thin potter. I dove to try to rescue some mugs.
I found myself triumphantly holding two mugs. But I didn’t see the soup. I tripped, barreling across the floor and landing at the feet of an indignant Lieutenant Drand.
“Get up, Soldier.” He yelled.
“Wha-“ I stood. He laughed.
“Your not Shanks.” He said.
“Wha-?”
“Get back on the floor.” He hollered, shoving me onto the floor.
I looked up, wondering why we couldn’t all be united. I slunk off to a table to sulk.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, five minutes later
“Cove?” A kinder voice asked. I looked up to see Captain Frye. “Drand’s a little on edge today. But that’s no excuse.” He said.
Y'all should recognize this part....
i need help deciding on an illustration for the first chapter of the book i'm writing. if y'all have any suggestions.....
-Fleck
Lol Heather is rather funny in this one!!! I like how you show her indirectly being annoyed that Picket is being apprenticed to Helmer and Fleck is awesome!! Great job Abbi!!!
and i forgot to add the story. only five chapters so far...
CHAPTER 1. A LULL IN THE STORM
Hazey Reedy sat by the dull and faint fire. The harsh winds blew around the little farm just one mile from Snow Creek. He lay down his quill pen and looked at the tenth sketching in the sketchbook his father had made him.
The drawing was of a little cottage tucked in the mountains. Snow whipped around it on high winds. The shutters were carved from pine tree wood, with little trees shaved out of the center. Pine trees sprinkled around the log cabin. The home Hazey wished his family had.
“Can I?” His littlest sister asked. She reached for the picture. “I want t live there.” She said.
“Me too.” Hazey said, staring into the fire as the warm flames leapt and twirled.
“Can we?” She asked, real longing on her little face.
“No sweetie.” Hazey said, picking up the little doe and twirling her around.
“Why?” She asked.
“It exists only in our imagination.” Hazey said, watching his older brother place another rusty pan under the leak in the roof.
“Will they leave.” She asked, pressing her finger into the ashes spilled on the hearth.
“The raccoons?” Hazey asked. She nodded, little hands tossing the ashes like snow.
“I don’t know.” Hazey truly wished he knew. He wanted things back the way they were.
"Hazey." Father called, stepping into the room. "It's dusk. Captain Thortson from Snow Creek informed me that there have been raccoon spottings nearby. I need you kids to go to the barn. Now. Don’t come out until morning.”
Hazey’s heart raced. What did this mean? His father had never acted this way before. It was strange.
“Can I trust you?” Father asked. The rabbits nodded.
Hazey grabbed his sketchbook, pen, and ink, which he stuffed in his satchel.
“Come.” He said. The five kits made their way to the door in the pitch black night. He felt for the handle, opening the door.
The night was strangely silent. The stars rested in the sky seemed to disappear as the heavy clouds of smoke flew towards the sky. The moon shone defiantly from under a heavy covering of smoke, shining it’s faint rays.
The grass felt cold and damp under Hazey’s bare feet.
“Hazey.” His brother whispered. The voice was like a lifeline in the pitch blackness.
“Yeah?” Hazey inched closer to his brother.
“Look over there.” He said, pointing to the faint tree line. Hundreds of pairs of gleaming yellow eyes peered out. Snarls. Raccoon snarls.
“Raccoons.” Hazey said, mouth and Throat
suddenly dry.
“The terrors of Hazelah.” His brother said.
“The barn’s over there.” Hazey’s older sister said, pointing. The barn rose out of the dimness and smoke as his brother lit a lantern. In the flashes of light snowflakes caught on the spinning wind, hurling into the rabbit’s faces. The barn was up ahead.
As Hazey opened the door, he caught the sound of hooves stamping and animals eating. The fresh smell of sweet hay and straw came whisking up from the horses hooves as they kicked it. A sound of chomping issued from the goats.
“Someone should check on mom and Father.” His sister said, carefully laying in a stack of hay.
“I will.” Hazey volunteered. Before anyone could argue, he was grabbing the lantern and slipping out the door.
In the night air, the smoke settled further. Hazey heard voices away to his right. It was Captain Thortson of Snow Creek.
Hazey suddenly realized the presence of a sword at his Throat
"Oh." it was Captain Thortson. "Hazey, is it not?"
"Yes. Please remove your sword before I draw my own." Hazey kept his calm.
"Don't try to stop me." Thortson said
"Why? Have you betrayed us?" Hazey asked.
"There is no need" Thortson said, bringing his blade around, "For you to know."
Hazey dodged the strike and drew his sword. Thortson came with another stroke, but Hazey blocked it.
"Aren't you happy that farms like my families don't have food?" Hazey asked.
"Your farm?" Thortson laughed. "There is no more farm.".
Hazey looked backwards. His home was a smoldering wreck. He was angry.
"Traitor." Hazey launched a surprise stroke at the captain. Thortson knocked the sword from Hazey's grip and kicked the younger rabbit to the ground. The 12-year-old buck was pinned. It seemed hopeless. Thortson loomed over him.
Tactical. Hazey waited for the right moment to spring his trap. But he didn't have time. It wouldn't work.
He glanced toward the barn. Large raccoons with terrible faces and blazing torches threw flames through the open windows. His family. Hazey heard screams, saw arrows reeling, flames eating the barn as if it were carrots.
In all this time, Hazey had been gripping the milking pail. He lifted the metal bucket, his heart beating quickly.
“A bucket?” Thortson laughed. His laugh was like the cackle of a raccoon.
“Yes.” Hazey said. A still quit fell on the yard. He saw, out of the corner of his eye, his family held captives. Anger built up like a raging fire in his heart.
“Humph.” Thortson laughed. Hazey focused as raccoons surrounded him, jeering. They stabbed at him with bright, shiny blades. He dodged every stroke landing a hefty blow to Thortson’s head with the bucket.
Seeing his chance, Hazey got to his feet and sprinted away, not caring about the hidden dangers in the field.
Smoke diluted his senses. All he could smell was smoke. All he could taste. Flames bit at his fur. His eyes watered, though he kept them open. Under his feet, he felt the ground ebbing from soft grass to hard gravel.
An unseen rock caught his foot, spinning him down. He landed on the gravel, uninjured. But his fall had cost him precious time. The enemy was closing in.
Thortson led the charge, followed by a slavering armada of angry wolves. There was no escape.
Chapter 2.
Hazey tried to stand. He realized that his enemies were too close. Smoke clouded his vision.
“Ahh.” Thortson and his company ran off as arrows streaked through the sky. Hazey slowly stood. A small young rabbit approached from the shadows, riding a horse.
It was Corey, riding one of the farm’s prized horses and leading another.
“Hazey.” Corey called.
“Corey?” Hazey hinted a question in his voice.
“Theyre storming the warren.” Corey cried, leading a horse to his friend. “The forts are busy preparing for war.”
“So what does this have to do with us?”
“The king’s in danger. We have to go, Hazey.”
“Aye,” Hazey sprung onto the other horse. The two bucks urged their horses into a gallop.
Snow Creek Farm had once had beautiful fields of corn, wheat, and beans. Hazey vividly remembered navigating the corn field with Corey after fishing had been ruined, last fall.
The two bucks raced the horses past the fields. Hazey smelled corn, charred corn. Though the corn smelled delicious, the two friends raced onward. Their destination was miles away.
The horses were fast. That was the only kind of horse on Snow Creek Farm. Hazey’s parents had sold horses. The ranch was also a dairy.
The friends stopped their horses at the cache, a small fort they had dug out several years ago. They led the horses into a nearby lean-to called the stable.
They entered the little hideaway to get food for the journey. Hazey smiled, recalling when the bucks had dug the cache. Corey tucked the envelope of important things behind the stump table.
Hazey pulled out a knapsack and placed two jackets, the box of dried corn and beans, a full waterskin, and some grain for the horses into the pack.
Hazey poked his head out of the hole. Smoke was clearing. The friends grabbed the pack and clambered on the horses.
The horses were ultimately scared. They ran north as soon as they were out of the stable, because Hazey’s father had taught them to run to The Warren.
“At least their going in the right direction.” Hazey hollered.
“But there running too fast!” Corey shouted. Hazey gripped the pack and tried to slow his horse, but it didn’t work.
They were running faster than the bucks had ever rode. Corn and wheat fields whizzed past, houses and barns were blurs, and goat herders waved, but the horses were going to fast.
“Where are you Hazey?” Corey shouted.
Corey was blind. He hated it when rabbits took him lightly because he didn’t have a sword and he couldn’t see. Corey had a quiver of throwing arrows, and he never missed a shot. The wind rushing past must be diluting his other senses.
“Two feet to your right” Hazey called.
“Thanks, Hazey.” Corey called.
Hazey was nervous as they approached the enormous wall of the warren. His horse reared as a young buck with green fur and brown clothes slipped out of the warren.
Corey was confident as he approached the wall. His horse leapt and cleared the tall wall. Hazey kicked at the young rabbit and leapt to the ground.
The second kit shied away from Hazey.
“I’m Hazey.” He volunteered.
“I-I’m Spruce.” The younger rabbit piped up.
“I barely saw you.” Hazey said.
“I’m hiding from skunks.” Spruce said.
“Skunks? Why not raccoons?” Hazey asked
“Because skunks are scary.” Spruce whispered.
“Do you really have green fur?” Hazey asked. Spruce shook his head.
“Bye Skunky.” Hazey said, secretly waving toward the forest. Spruce screamed and raced away. Hazey looked confused before slipping onto his horse.
“C’mon. If Corey can do it, we can too.” Hazey walked his horse back from the gate. Smoke spilled from the historic city.
“Go!” Hazey shouted. He felt confident.
Halfway to the wall, Hazey’s horse started shivering. Another cold front was moving in.
The horse cleared the wall and landed on the other side.
Corey was attentive. His horse was walking toward a smoldering wreck. The palace was on fire.
Chapter 3.
Hazey’s horse trotted alongside Corey.
“The palace is on fire.” Corey said. He often used other senses to detect what happened.
“Yeah.” Hazey replied as the friends urged the horses into a trot.
Corey’s fist tightened on his quiver of throwing arrows. The bucks rode in front of the fire to join a crowd of rabbits.
Captain Grove approached Hazey and Corey.
“The royal family is missing,” Captain Grove was panicked.
“I’ll find him.” Hazey responded, swinging off his horse.
“Wait, Hazey?” The captain asked,
“Yes?” Hazey turned.
“Have you seen Spruce?” He asked.
“Yeah. He’s running from so-called skunks.” Hazey said.
“Not again.” Grove grunted, and ran off.
“Be brave, Hazey.” Corey said, waving to his friend.
Hazey sprinted inside. The door was mere seconds from falling apart and Hazey’s foot fell through the porch boards. Hazey pulled free and sprinted onward.
The halls were charred and roaring with flames. Smoke made his eyes water and diluted Hazey’s sense of smell.
The halls were lit by bright flames. His fur singed and burnt. He could feel the heat rising from the floor and burning his bare feet. His eyes watered from the smoke.
Boards crackled and burned and walls fell. Flaming splinters flew from caving halls. Hazey dodged a burning board. As he turned quickly he noticed a small buck about his age hovering in a corner.
Hazey crept toward the shivering rabbit. The flames lit the tunnel ahead. The young rabbit was Prince Jackadee.
“J?” Hazey asked.
“Hazey?” Jackadee asked. Hazey walked over.
Jackadee stood and yanked a sword from the wall.
“My sister’s missing.” Jackadee said.
“C’mon.” Hazey grabbed the younger bucks’s hand and led him through the twisty and smoky halls toward what they hoped would be success. Jackadee led him down another hall.
The bucks burst into a room. Jackadee’s little sister, Clare, was climbing up a pile of quilts to jump out a window.
“Clare! No.” Hazey yelled.
“But dad sayed that I had to dump out the winow.” Clare said.
“That window’s too high!” Jackadee cried, sheathing his sword.
“No it not!” Clare called, stepping onto the sill.
“Yes, it is.” Hazey lunged across the room.
“I want go out!” Clare called
“We’ll get you out!” Hazey yelled.
“Did you bwing hoses?” Clare asked, recognizing Hazey.
“No.”
“Den I’m not coming.” Clare defied.
“I brought a horse.” Hazey quickly said.
“Ware is da hose?” Clare asked
“Outside.”
“Den I’m dumping.” Clare poised to jump, but Jackadee grabbed his little sister. The three rabbits heard crashing walls below.
“We have to hurry!” Hazey shouted.
………………………
Corey paced the yard. He heard Captain Grove run up.
“I can’t find Spruce.” He said.
“I can look.” Corey offered.
“Huh. But you can’t see.” Captain Grove responded.
“Really?” Corey asked, knocking the captain over and pinning him to the ground. “I hadn’t noticed.”
“Lucky guess.” The captain raised his hand to push Corey away, but the younger buck blocked the stroke.
“Listen to me!” Corey shouted.
“Humph.”
“Everyone thinks I need help. I don’t. I’m a better fighter then you.” Corey shouted
“You couldn’t take on a two-year-old.”
“You really believe that?” Corey yelled
“Yeah.”
“Let me do something for once. I’m tired of everyone not taking me seriously. I may only have some throwing arrows and no sword but that doesn’t mean I’m not a fighter.” Corey hollered.
“Alright. Alright. Is Hazey back yet?”
“No.” Corey fumed.
“Then you can look for him.”
“I will.”
“Wait. Corey.”
“What?” Corey asked.
“If you can’t see-“ The captain began, but Corey was frowning.
“You must have a sixth sense.” The captain said. Corey smiled.
The young buck raced inside the door as the back of the palace exploded.
Chapter 4.
###################################################
Hazey grabbed at Jackadee.
“Go outside now!” Hazey shouted. Jackadee turned and ran.
“what awe you doing?” Clare asked.
“Your brother is needed out there. Let’s get out of here.” Hazey said.
“I’m thcared.” Clare whined.
“I know.” Hazey shouted as a blast echoed and the palace fell apart around them.
“Run!” Hazey shouted, grabbing Clare by her hand and dragging the youngster into the halls.
Flames danced across the wooden walls as they crumbled into charred rubble. The hall in front of the rabbits collapsed, trapping Hazey and Clare in the charred palace.
……………………
“Corey!” Captain Grove shouted, lunging toward the wreck.
“Captain!” Prince Jackadee of the royal family was racing out of the palace.
“Jackadee! Are you okay?” The captain asked.
“Hazey and my sister are still inside.” Jackadee yelled.
“I sent another rabbit inside for them.” Captain Grove said.
“Where’s Skunky?” Asked Jackadee.
“Running from skunks.” The captain replied.
“Ugh. My brother doesn’t know there are more dangerous things then skunks.” Jackadee replied.
“I do!” Spruce peeked his head from behind a tree. The nearest rabbits plugged their noses.
“Skunky. Did you run into any skunks?” Jackadee asked.
“Uh-huh. Why’s our home burning?” Spruce replied.
“Why do you smell like a skunk?” The rabbits watched in terror as the palace started collapsing.
………………………
Corey ran his fingers along the hot palace wall. He knew that in a fire any rabbit wouldn’t be able to see. Corey climbed up a cindering staircase, each step crumbling behind the fast buck.
“Hazey!” Corey shouted. No reply.
“Anyone?” Still no reply.
“King Spruce?” No reply. Then a loud shout.
“Jack?” He heard.
“No! I’m Corey from Fort Snow Creek!”
“Help!” The king called.
“Please keep yelling.” Corey called.
“In the great hall!” The king called.
Corey crept forward, feeling along the wall. His fingers felt tapestries and paintings. He came to a door, which he felt for the handle.
His fingers were burnt on the metal handle. Corey leapt back.
He slipped forward and used a tapestry on the door to open the handle.
“We have to get out of here.” Corey said, motioning to King Spruce and Queen Sophia.
“Come on. Are my children safe?” The king asked.
“I think so.” Corey frowned, then led the royal family through the halls.
“The smoke is blinding.” The queen stated.
“I’m already blind.” Corey mumbled, leading the two rabbits onward.
“Then how do you know how to get out.” King Spruce asked.
“Some would say I have a sixth sense.” Corey mumbled.
“What do you mean?” The queen asked.
“I have a map in my mind.” Corey said, pulling the royal family into the open.
“Spruce! Jack!” The king and queen rushed to their two children.
“Where’s Clare?” Jackadee asked.
“I don’t know.” Corey admitted.
Captain Grove smiled at Corey.
“You did it, youngster. I’ll never doubt someone because of appearances again.” The captain said.
“They say you can’t judge a book by it’s cover,” The king said.
“They also say that often good things come in unexpected packages.” Queen Sophia said, flashing Corey a smile.
“Wait.” Corey said, frowning.
“Yes?” The captain asked.
“Where’s Hazey?” Corey asked, panicking.
“For all I know, he’s still inside.” Captain Grove replied.
Chapter 5
Hazey and Clare examined the situation.
Rubble blocked the hall and all windows were too high.
A hose could break down da wocks.” Clare said.
“Maybe…” Hazey paced in front of the blocked passage.
“What else vill we do?” Clare asked.
“Yeah, but one problem….” And Then Hazey had an idea.
“What?” Clare asked.
“Fire.” Hazey dug through his pack for his flint. Hazey struck his flint, and a new fire started.
Hazey didn’t know why he did it. The rubble in front of the door charred, and Hazey barreled into it. He burned his arm badly, but managed to knock the rubble down.
Hazey and Clare rushed into the hall.
…………………….
An army of raccoons charged over the wall of the city.
“Ranks!” Captain Grove shouted. Chaos surrounded as rabbits aligned into ranks.
“Sir?” Corey asked, tapping the captain’s shoulder.
“Yes, Corey the Brave?” The captain asked.
“Can I fight? I have throwing arrows.” Corey said.
“Yes Corey. Don’t give the enemies the upper hand.” The captain said. Corey saluted and ran off.
He took his place in the front ranks, next to Spruce.
“Will there be skunks?” Spruce asked, tugging on Corey’s hand.
“I don’t Know.” Corey replied. The enemies organized their ranks.
Corey pulled an arrow from his quiver and felt for imperfections. None. He threw his arrow and hit his target.
“Nice shot!” Spruce exclaimed. Corey grinned.
………………………
Clare tripped on some rubble.
“Are you okay?” Hazey asked.
“My foot hurts.” Clare whined, Hazey bent to examine it and realized it was sprained.
“Come on.” Hazey picked up the 3-year-old and started running.
………………………
“Corey” The king shouted, thrusting his sword hilt into Corey’s hand.
“I’m going to go look for your friend.” He shouted, running off.
“But I don’t know….” Corey trailed off “How to use it.” Corey stared at the sword.
“There’s no time like the present to learn.” Corey said, wielding the blade. He charged the enemy ranks, hitting most targets.
As he swung around his blade, Corey found himself on his back, sword several inches away.
……………………..
Hazey emerged from the smoking door and nearly ran into the king.
“Your safe.” The king smiled as Hazey placed Clare in her father’s arms.
“Battle?” Hazey asked, nodding to the fray in front of him.
“Not for you.” The king said, taking notice of Hazey’s burnt arm.
“Why?” Hazey asked.
“Because-“ But the king was cut off as the bucks noticed Corey desperately battling for his life.
“Never mind! Save your friend.” The king yelled. Hazey saluted and grabbed an abandoned sword from the field. He charged into the fray.
Hazey tackled and ended Corey’s attacker. Corey was soon on his feet and helped Hazey up.
“Go see the king” Corey said.
“Fine.” Hazey sheathed his new sword and walked over to the king.
“Were winning!” Spruce shouted, watching the battle from on top a barrel of explosives.
“Off, Skunky!” The king commanded. Spruce leapt off the barrel.
“There. I’m off, dad.” Spruce said.
“Skunky?” Hazey asked as the king took care of his injured arm.
“Dad calls me that.” Spruce said. Cheers rose around the rabbits as the enemy was pushed out of the city. Corey ran up to Hazey.
“Hazey.” He said, and the friends embraced.
Chapter 6
Hazey and Corey sat in the council, several hours later.
“They will attack again.” Captain Grove shouted.
“What do we do?” a young buck spoke up.
“Attack them back.” The captain replied, balling his fists.
“Excuse me for interrupting.” Corey stood up.
“Yes?” Captain Grove asked.
“We can send for help from the army up by cannon range.” Corey said.
“Aye, we should.” The captain said, frowning.
“We could go.” Corey said.
“Two mere kits?” The captain laughed a barking laugh.
“We’d be less suspected.” Hazey spoke, standing.
“Cannon range has been through enough.” Grove barked.
“Yes, but they have cannons, a new invention.” A buck from the crowd spoke.
“Yes.” The captain seemed overwhelmed. He motioned Corey to take his place.
“Bucks and does.” Corey began, “Hazey and I will send for help from Cannon range. It will be a long journey, but we are young and ready. It may sound impossible, but it is the opposite. If we unite we will be able to fight the enemy. But if we pull apart, our world will fall.”
Anxiuse murmuring from the crowd reached Corey, but he plowed on.
“Please let us go?” Corey begged
“I-“ The captain stuttered, looking nervously around the room.
sorry for the length... i need assistance on the illistrations.. what scene from each chapter should i draw?
oh and the charactersaren't that developed.... and skunky.... well... y'all get the pint.
i'm hoping to get this published, so i need feedback, please.
also the first chapter sounded to much like GE so i edited it. please tell me if it still does sound Green ember...
-Fleck.