Hi guys!! It feels so springy here, and warm and fresh, like a dryer! XD Anyways, how are all of you? I made this one a bit longer than the last (Sorry that one was so short!). I would love feedback!

*******

Early the next morning, I made my way back to the quarters that were being prepared for Prince Bleston. As I neared, I noted how much cleaner the halls surrounding it were compared to the rest of Halfwind. It seemed rabbits were giving our new ally a lot of hospitality.

I smiled lightly as I walked up to the heavy wooden door and bowed to the bulking guard.

“Karissa Pacer, sir, here to be of assistance to Prince Bleston.”

The guard shoved the door open with a hard glare and I stepped into the wide room.

Several guards stood at intervals around the chamber, their black clothes in bleak contrast with the light which surrounded me. Prince Bleston sat on a tall throne, his armour glittering with silver stars, and a proud, yet surprisingly kind smile on his majestic face. I bowed low.

“Miss Pacer. What a pleasure to meet you,” Prince Bleston looked me over, his expression never changing.

“And you as well, Your Highness,” I replied.

“I have been told you aided Lord Ramnor, and that your services were thorough. If you are willing, I would like you to attend me as well for the time being,” Bleston glanced at a strange rabbit who stood apart in the corner. His fur was braided with beads, and his eyes glinted with a crazed, almost mad look.

“Very willing, Your Highness,” I replied, trying to keep my eyes on the kingly rabbit, while they continuously wandered back to the odd buck leaning against the wall.

“Yes, yes. Good. You will begin work at the morning bell, and you may be finished by the dinner bell. Your pay will stay the same as what you have previously received. Do these arrangements suit you?”

“Yes, Your Highness. They suit me very well.”

“Excellent. You may start with organizing this room,” Bleston motioned to the ornately decorated office we were in. I nodded. The apartment didn’t seem to need much organizing, but so be it. I would do whatever I could.

Prince Bleston dismissed me with a kind smile that evening, and I meandered off in the general direction of the Mess Hall, turning the events of the past days around in my head. Lost in thought, I wasn’t paying attention to where I was headed. As I rounded a corner, my head knocked into a soldier’s breastplate. Startled, I jumped backwards, tripped and crashed into the wooden slats of the wall.

“Oh, I’m so, so sorry!” I cried, trying to orient myself. I looked up to see Archer smirking at me. I felt my cheeks grow warm with embarrassment, and I nervously twisted the hem of my grey sleeve.

“Miss Rissa. Didn’t expect to be bumping into you. Not watching where you were going, eh? Well, how about you tell me where you meant to go, and I’ll take you. Hm?”

“Oh, sir, I am terribly sorry. And it’s all right. I’ll try to pay more attention this time,” I turned my face down, wishing I could get away.

“Apology accepted, but I insist on accompanying you. You wouldn’t want to knock Captain Vulm over, would you?”

“No, but really – “

“Right. That’s what I thought,” Archer looped his arm around mine, and I tried to pull away. No luck with that, though. I was dragged down the corridors, passing curious rabbits.

Great. Now everyone will think I’m being taken to prison or something like that.

I bit my lip, fighting my frustration and embarrassment into the back of my mind. We entered the Mess, and Archer set me down at a table.

“Wait here. I’ll be back.”

“I can get my own – “ I sighed as Archer winked and weaved his way out of sight.

Within a few minutes, he returned carrying our plates of rations.

“Thank you,” I said quietly as we began eating. I didn’t want to argue with him anymore. Yes, he irritated me, but I needed to focus on my work. If I had paid better attention yesterday…. No. I couldn’t keep thinking about that. It was only another distraction.

“What is your home like, Archer? I’ve always heard ‘rumours’ about Terrelain, but most of us never really believed it existed. In truth, it still feels like only a legend to me,” I nibbled on a forkful of cabbage.

“You want me to tell you about Terrelain itself, or about my own life?”

“Both of them, if you like,” I replied, trying to wrap my head around the idea of Archer having a private life. Perhaps he had a sweet mother back home? Possibly brothers and sisters? Maybe even a young wife.

“All right. A general summary. We focus a lot on history. You know, ancestors and tradition. Sort of like here. I’ve heard the other citadels don’t care much about that stuff?” Archer tilted his head waiting for me to verify.

“They do, just not quite so much. Halfwind is… reverent.”

“Right. Well, you ought to come visit Terrelain. You’d learn a new meaning for the word ‘reverent.’ And we have beauty too. Especially compared to here.”

“We have to spread out our resources. Cloud Mountain is the centre of beauty.”

“I see. Well, I can only say, I’m glad I don’t live here long-term. Anyways, the Military is also very important. Most young bucks serve for at least a time, like your military, and many continue even after that required time,” Archer took another bite of his dinner.

“Now, about my family. My da was a soldier too, for a while. When I was little, he had an injury that left him paralyzed,” Archer’s face fell, and he paused before continuing, “My ma was killed two years ago.”

“I’m sorry,” I said softly, wishing I could smooth away the hurt in his voice. I knew how it felt to lose a mother. A tearing, miserable grief – to never again hear the voice that used to sing me to sleep, to never feel those gentle hands squeezing mine, or see the always smiling face that brightened whenever it saw me.

“And I’ll do anything I can to prevent it from happening to someone else. That’s why I keep fighting. To keep other younglings from that pain,” Archer stared down at his nearly empty plate. I hadn’t realized a tall, muscular soldier could be so vulnerable, and something about it made me indignant. I hated Morbin – hated his pathetic servants, and I would do - I would give anything - if it would only help others to live their lives without fear.