Hence and Helmer were speaking outside of the inn while Stacey and Pepper chowed down on some tomato soup, Will couldn’t eat he just sat with his head in his hands and tried not to puke.

Helmer walked up, “I can take you to the princess now son, or you can wait until tomorrow, it’s getting late and Emma works late so, do you have a choice?”

Will’s throat felt choked up like a bird made a nest in his throat, he could go see his mom today! But, Will looked longingly at his friends, was that a guarantee that he would see his buddies again? He knew where his mom lived so, could he stay just a little longer?

“I-I want to stay,” He started slowly, “Just a little longer, I don't think I am ready to see her just yet.”

Helmer nodded his understanding then turned to leave, saying something over his shoulder, “I will come back in two days’ time son.”

Will’s eyes wandered the inn after Helmer had left, it was an old stone and wood cottage, it was at least two stories and had thirteen rooms it had a nice cozy feeling, Will watched as a doe about his age walked over with a pitcher, and you would never hear Will say this, but she wasn’t the prettiest doe. Her gray fur was long and knotted and dirt smudges were everywhere, one eye was brown and the other purple.

She poured the steaming apple cider in Will’s cup and smiled at him sweetly, he waved.

Just then they turned to watch as a red-brown buck sauntered in. his blue eyes scanned the area and then his blue eyes like twin pools landed on the doe and he waved and yelled, “Court!” and hustled over there, he had overalls on but despite the cold no shirt, but a heavy coat and scarf over it. The boy was a little older than Will, but much smaller.

The doe named Court smiled and returned to her duties of filling Will’s cup.

“I haven’t seen you guys here, and I know everyone here.” The buck stated.

“We are newcomers, I am Will, this is Stacey and that is Hence and Pepper,” Will pointed to each in turn, “My friends.”

The buck smiled, “Welcome! I am Callum, and this is my older sister, Courtney.”

Courtney smiled, then walked off, Will watched her go, and Callum must’ve noticed because he asked if Stacey and Will would come outside with him.

Will shrugged and got up, Stacey warily following behind him.

Once they were outside Callum turned on them and grabbed Will’s shoulder, Will gasped at the strength from the small rabbit. Stacey whipped his sword out.

Callum stared hard at Will, “If you hurt my sister in any way, you will have to face me,” his gripped hardened, “She is beautiful, and there is nothing I wouldn't do for her, got that Longtreader?” Will nodded up and down, up and down, his shoulder hurt, while Stacey’s eyes narrowed.

“How did you know this?” Stacey hissed.

Callum grinned, “Word travels fast around here Halfwind runt.”

Stacey grabbed Will’s shoulder and Will winced, Stacey dragged him inside.

“What a creep! Why would we hurt her? What does he think we are? Peeping toms?”

Will planted his feet in the ground and shrugged off Stacey, “He called me a Longtreader.”

“W-what?”

“How could he know? Do I really look that much like him?”

“Will...” Stacey began.

“Don’t do that! Don’t lecture me” Will spat.

“Will, you are overreacting, he probably was just trying to scare you.”

“Stacey,” Will looked tired, “The war ended, like, a long time ago. Before I was born. Why is my name still used as a curse? I wasn’t even there, why is life so cruel?”

Stacey started to talk but Will cut him off again.

“I need to go,” Stacey started to protest, “no, I will come back, but,” Will sighed, “I just need some time to myself, I need to clear my head, goodbye Stacey.” He walked away, the opposite way that Callum, Stacey, and the inn was.

“Goodbye, Will Longtreader.”

````````````````````````````````````

Will was sitting in a cool alley, it smelled of rotten things, just like his heartfelt. For some reason, he wanted to hurt something, someone, anything, Will put his head in his hands and cried, a little later someone spoke.

“Are you okay?”

Will looked up at the voice.

It was a doe, she was about his age, her pelt was a light tan, she wore a thick sky blue dress and she leaned on a beautifully carved crutch, Will looked away and wiped his eyes and sniffled.

“I am fine,” Will said, his voice wavering.

The pretty doe sighed and limped to the opposite side of him and sat, Will, didn’t want her to, partly because he wanted to stay somber and sulk by himself and the other because he didn’t want the pretty doe to get dirty.

“Do you want to talk about?” she asked, her voice as soothing as a summer rain.

“No,” he sniffed, but he felt like he shouldn’t hide anything, or lie to her, why did he feel like this? “Well, this what happened…” he burst out what happened today, he didn’t even leave out the part with him being Longtreader.

“You are, a Longtreader?”

“Gotta problem with it?” he snapped.

She winced, and he automatically felt guilty.

“Not at all,” she said calmly. “I just thought you were underdressed for a Son of the Lords.” she grinned and nudged him, “I am Leeli Wingfeather, and I know who you are talking about, Courtney is an amazing rabbit, and Callum was only looking after her, but he didn’t have to be so harsh.” he face hardened and she looked hard at him, her green eyes were so deep that Will felt he might fall into them if he didn’t hold on, “I will come with you, and I will make sure my friend isn’t so mean to my other one.”

“Friends?” he pondered on what she said.

“Of course! You trusted me with your secret.”

Will thought it best to not say he felt kind of forced into it.

Yeah, I didn't really like this one, except three very important characters showed up...

so sorry.