My foreleg throbbed as the bloody bite spread down to my paw and up my shoulder. I screamed in pain; had I gotten out in time?

“Stop that!” Basil forced me onto my back, his paws on my chest.

“Foxes... Two foxes were fighting.” It felt like a fox was standing on me, crushing me into the snow. Had Konal gotten me?

Concerned, Basil sat back. “Bremen?”

I tried to get my feet under me, but my foreleg insisted it was ripped to bloody shreds. It didn’t physically hurt, instead it tingled like I had slept on it. My mind wanted to drift back to the dream, but that wasn’t safe. If I let my eyes close, Konal still howled. I pushed my nose into the snow; let the cold wake me up. Uncomfortable, but better than letting Konal kill me. Or kill fox-Bremen. Or my father? The memories of the dream were scrambled with what was happening.

Fig grunted and took a step forward; he looked so like Konal to my half-awake senses.

“That’s enough.” Basil halted both him and the dream.

Seeing my foreleg was healthy helped further. I flexed my paw and reassured myself that it was real, that I wasn’t injured and my shoulder wasn’t bleeding.

“What’s going on?” Mulberry hopped into view around the large rock that hid us from the warren. Willow, the watch-rabbit who helped with Clover, followed close behind.

“I, uh...” Memory and reality struck hard. We were outside Foxvale, and it was the first snow of winter. Lord Sun had just cleared the horizon; I’d been unconscious for a while. I didn’t remember how they knocked me out, but I knew Fig and Basil were fox’s-paws. Unfortunately, I had no proof.

Basil grunted, “Go on. Tell him why you screamed.”

“I asked Basil about his vision of Bramble’s death,” I said. Maybe it was my choice, maybe it was Konal’s influence. Either way, what happened was unbelievable, and Mulberry would take his brother’s word over mine.

“Talking about that made you scream?” Mulberry narrowed his eyes.

I lowered my head. “Basil can explain it better.”

“He asked about Bramble’s death,” Basil said almost too cheerfully. “I tried opening him up to my vision. My talents are somewhat less than Hue’s in that regard and Brem must’ve experienced the vision from Bramble’s perspective. Quite my fault. Really. I should not have assumed he’d be able to handle it.”

Mulberry looked at Fig for confirmation.

Fig grunted. “We didn’t expect he’d react so poorly. If he would have just–”

“Fig,” Basil interrupted. “This experience has drained me. Arguing will make it worse.”

“Yes. That’s what happened.” Slowly, Fig’s ears relaxed. “Brother, there’s no need for concern. Basil and I will watch over Bremen.”

“It’s all right,” I said. My body still felt unsteady; my shoulder kept insisting it was bleeding. “I’ll rest here for a moment and you’ll be nearby while the others graze, right?”

Mulberry relented. “I’m relying on you to make sure Bremen is okay, brother. He got the foxes to react in a way we never could; that has to mean something.”

“Please, make sure everyone can find food,” Fig insisted. “The first snowfall is always difficult, and Lily will need help with the final winter preparations.”

Mulberry looked at Willow, then back at Fig, ears splayed. “If you need anything, let me know. Please, brother.”

With that, he led Willow uphill to the foraging groups.

We sat in silence. My memories tried to sort themselves into narratives. Basil hit me from behind. Impossibly hard; maybe a seer-trick that forced me to experience Talus standing on me. He lied about how the dream would affect me, but I didn’t know why. Was Basil forcing Fig to serve the foxes? Was Chimera forcing both of them? If he was being controlled, could attacking me have been a warning? Fig tried to warn me.

“Mulberry won’t believe you,” Basil said. “He didn’t believe Fig.”

Fig growled and sulked into the snow.

“And did you warn them?” I asked Basil.

“Warning them made my father beat me.” Basil flicked his ears lazily. “Warning them got Snowbell killed. Perhaps I will try a third time. Is that not what your kind believes in? Elements in threes?”

I got to my feet. Without knowing more, I couldn’t get Basil to make a mistake. I debated if I could beat it out of him, but I didn’t know how he knocked me out the first time. Falling for it a second time would be embarrassing and probably life-threatening. Besides, I wasn’t entirely sure if my shoulder was injured or not, and some part of me remembered a limp. Russet would be able to tell if I was physically hurt at least.

“Fine,” I snarled, “but this isn’t over.”

“Go. Meddle,” Basil laughed. “Do whatever a trickster does. We have the answers you need. No one else does.” He flicked his ears at Fig, then back at me. “You will return and it will be a happy reunion.”

Absently, I hop-stepped away from Basil. Not in retreat, but to have enough distance for a proper turning kick. Fig hopped between us. Probably for the best. Even with what had been said, Basil might be a victim.

“Where shall I meet you then?”

Basil inhaled sharply and wheezed. His voice was quiet. “Full circle. Fall and bound. Where it began, you will be found.”

He shook his head clear and added, “We won’t be hiding, my dear Brem.”

“Thank you,” I said flatly and hopped back uphill. Fig and Basil went toward a different entrance.

The feeling of failure followed me. I tried to run Basil’s statements through my head. If the words were from a vision, they would have other meaning than the explanation he had given. Once my frustration passed, I wondered if Basil was simply someone who’d been hurt. Maybe he’d been pushed into working with the foxes and didn’t know how to stop?

A few half-narratives found their place as I headed into the warren. Fig was being controlled and had been trying to warn me away. Basil was angry at the warren and Fig, but those were very different types of anger. The part I was most unsure of was Konal. Why had I been... Chosen? Infected? Bitten by Chimera? How did that involve Konal? Was I still myself? And for that matter, who had saved me from Talus two nights prior? That couldn’t have been Konal.

I was just flailing around; I needed more information. Maybe the owls could help.

The scent of herbs grew strong as I approached Sylvia’s burrow. Laughter drifted into the runs and pushed against my dour mood. At least there was some hope left in Foxvale.

“Russet, Sylvia. Good morning.”

“Hello Bremen,” Russet said. “What did Basil say about the dream?”

“Lots and little.” I didn’t want to say too much with Sylvia around. Fig was her cousin; perhaps if I could think of some way she could help. A thought for later, once I got a chance to talk to Russet. “Actually, I’m a little concerned about my shoulder. And maybe you can take a look at my leg as well? Someone’s hind leg was hurt in the dream and I can’t quite remember if it was mine.”

“Of course, once we get outside. Would it be okay if Syl comes with us? We were talking about trading with the owls and she’s got more herbs that I do.” Russet paused. “I don’t smell Fig. Isn’t he with you?”

“Basil needed him more.” Entering into the burrow, I changed the subject. “How is your paw?”

Sylvia replied, “The bite wasn’t deep; it stopped bleeding by the time he got here. It took a little poultice, but it shouldn’t reopen. As long as he doesn’t get in another brawl.”

I winced. “It wasn’t like that.”

“Syl’s been a great help,” Russet said. “She could use the practice trading and the winter stores here are a bit sparse. There’s nothing to fend off predators, only a few healing herbs, and some roots will help for emergency rations. Plus, I only have one Pepperpuff left, and we could really use a Slumberthorn.”

“My teacher, Thistle, introduced me to the owls last spring. I traded with Herb, but I couldn’t make anything rare enough that it’d be worth their time. Plus, we didn’t have many extra herbs.”

“Have you told her who we’re meeting first?” I hoped my concern didn’t enter my voice.

“A friend.” Russet ducked his head. “I kinda want her to meet Twitch.”

“He hasn’t told me much, just that your friend found Herb’s body,” Sylvia said. “As for the owls, you know these are big horned owls and not the smaller burrowing ones? Even tricksters get nervous around them.”

“I grew up with birds,” I said. “It’s a long story.”

“A crow?” she asked.

“Yes. My uncle Corbin.”

Russet gave Sylvia a nudge. She returned it and took a sniff at her pouch. “Did we pack everything?”

“All the herbs you had. Hopefully, we can trade some information. Maybe stories or news from Hazelford, or something we saw on the trip up here.”

My ears perked up. Someone was heading down the run, gasping for breath as they went. Instinctively, I dropped to the ground, as did the others.

“Syl!” It was Lily. “Is Bremen there?”

“I’m here,” I answered, sitting up. “Was there another attack?”

“What? No.” Lily entered the burrow and gave me an accusatory head-butt. “No one will tell me what happened to you.”

“Nothing happened.” I lowered my head to the ground. “One of Basil’s visions lashed out when we were talking.”

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“That’s all?” Lily shook her head, voice shaking. “I heard you screamed. And, the warren was talking about what you might have done to Basil. He said he was fine, though, but it’s such a change from yesterday.”

“I’m really okay. And if Basil isn’t upset...” I sighed and grunted. If Basil wasn’t upset, then whatever happened played into the fox’s plans. Or his plans. Assuming he’s not being controlled. “I don’t want to accuse Basil of doing it on purpose. I was asking about how Bramble died and it got out of paw. I did scream, but it wasn’t because he attacked me or anything.”

Lily ground her teeth. “I wanted to make sure you were okay. The warren needs you.”

Russet came to my rescue and nudged my shoulder. “There’s no new blood. Lily, if Bremen and Basil were fighting, his wound should have reopened. I’ll keep an ear pointed at him today.”

“But–”

“Nothing’s going to happen until tomorrow, right?” I offered. “Did Oakbud decide on a plan?”

“He did. Everyone will be gathered in the central chamber. With no one alone, the foxes will have to reveal themselves to strike.” Lily’s voice picked up. “You two have him filled with hope again. It’s a shame my father isn’t here to see it.”

I sunk a little lower into the ground. Hopefully Lily’s joy was not misplaced.

“Just be careful,” Lily finished. “I need to complete preparations. We’re going to try to get some dried grass so no one will have to wander off and figure out what to do about droppings. I think we’ll need a side-chamber we can bury afterward. Oh, and if you can trade for extra roots on your trip, it’ll help a lot.”

We did accompany Lily back to the main chamber before we headed above ground.

With the first snowfall, the groups of grazing rabbits had to wander farther to get enough to eat. Some were digging in the snow to find grass. One of the upsides of the warren being smaller was they could stay closer to the warren. It was a weak benefit wrapped in a grim reminder.

Mulberry was keeping everyone from the forest. He looked exhausted, possibly from herb-withdrawal. He almost asked where we were going, but saw the backpacks and realized we were heading to trade.

The woods were no less scary during the day. The fresh snowfall left perfectly formed tracks behind us. At least my white fur didn’t stand out against the snow, although that got me worried about Russet and Sylvia. The trees were nearly bare, and a falcon or hawk would spot us through the branches easily. While foxes and badgers preferred to hunt in twilight or at night, even a raccoon might choose to wander during the day. Plus, lots of predators like bears or bobcats didn’t keep to schedules.

The cold carried our scent further, especially because of the two large packs of fragrant herbs. The bags were a warning, that we had knowledge that might be stinging pepper or Slumberthorn, but that would only keep away those who weren’t starving. It was only the first day of snow, so there shouldn’t be more of those than normal.

Hopefully, the foxes’ warning still applied. Regardless, I kept my ears perked and Russet carefully sniffed the air.

Shortly, we stopped at one of the small areas of underbrush that still had some leaves. Russet and I stood watch as Sylvia nibbled at the dried remnants.

Russet examined my shoulder and the bandage. “Who hit you?”

“I think it was Basil. I was facing Fig, and he was behind me. But, he hit really hard. I thought he might have used some kind of seer-trick to get me to remember Talus pinning me. That’s a thing that’s possible, right?”

“Maybe? Where seers are concerned, most things are possible, but your shoulder was physically struck. Your wound should have reopened, but it didn’t.” He winced. “Brem, the bandage smells of fox. It’s faint. I think Basil or Fig tried to groom the scent off. Anyone else would have missed it, but it’s there.”

“I was dreaming it was really badly hurt, but that went away after I woke up. I’m worried it has something to do with the control the foxes have over Fig and Basil. Actually, I’m certain Fig’s under some kind of control, but I’m not sure about Basil. He might be a traitor.”

“He’d have to be, if you couldn’t tell.” Russet sighed and glanced at Sylvia. “We’ll have to talk about that later. Especially if you’re sure about Fig.”

“Yes. And Basil was insistent that I finish the dream. Maybe it’s related,” I said, unsure. “So... What’s the real reason you insisted Sylvia come along?”

“She’s worried about Fig, and thought talking about it would be best outside the warren.” Russet gave Sylvia a look, ear-tips curling slightly. “That was her idea, and I figured it’d give us some time to talk without worrying if anyone was watching. I think she deserves to know.”

“Sounds like she’s ready. How much have you told her about Twitch?”

“Not much. He’s a friend. I guess I wanted to see how she handles talking to him.” Russet’s ears shivered slightly, and he made a show of going back to sniffing the air.

I coughed. “You know, even if we stop the foxes, this warren will need help to make it through the winter. Maybe you could stay?”

“I–maybe...”

Sylvia finished eating. The conversation waited as we traveled further, not wanting to spend too long in one place. We settled down after more travel and it was Russet’s turn to eat.

“I hope Fig wasn’t too upsetting this morning,” Sylvia said as we settled in to stand watch. “He used to be so caring and gentle, and this spring he got into a scrape with a raccoon and he’s been different. I keep telling myself it’s just stress from the fox attacks, but I can’t tell if that’s all.”

“Yeah, I’m fairly certain there’s something more,” I responded. “I don’t want to accuse anyone without being certain, and I’m sure I don’t know the whole story. Maybe you could help with that? Were Fig and Basil always so friendly?”

“Fig was always standing up to the bullies when Basil was younger, and Fig was the only one to stand up to Buttercup, Basil’s father. He used to beat Basil for having visions.”

“I heard. Why only Fig?”

“Because Buttercup was one of our best tricksters and scouts. No one really thought that Hue’s visions had spoiled his mind. And, when he wasn’t around seers, he was ordinary. Cheerful.” She sighed. “It was still my first winter, and I didn’t know any better.”

“I understand.”

“After the fox attacks started, Fig got injured by a raccoon or a coyote. I’m not sure he got a good look at it. The bite didn’t seem that bad, but it really shook him. I remember him crying out in his sleep for a few days and Basil was the only one who could comfort him. Returning the protection Fig had given him, I think.”

I tried very hard not to wince. That sounded like Fig suffered a bite like mine, but hid it. And Basil tried to ‘comfort’ me when I woke up screaming. He had to be at the center of it. Could his visions be strong enough to control Fig, Chimera and the foxes? That would make him the strongest seer I’d ever met, but it wasn’t impossible. Except for how the foxes appear from thin air inside the warren. Would that make them harder to control? I had no reference or story to even attempt a guess.

On the other paw, Konal did not feel like Basil. That didn’t add anything, just reminded me that I needed more information. Hopefully, the owls would know where Hue died and this would make sense once we got there.

Lost in thought, I neglected to ask about meeting Twitch. Russet finished his meal, and it was time to move on. The forest was cold, and the snow, as thin a covering as it was, made my paws cold and wet as we continued. My stomach growled a little, and I was glad it was my turn to eat.

The sparse dead and dying leaves, long since changed color from the fall, were not particularly filling. Maybe it was my body’s need for more to heal; a nice root or something with a little more chew would have been better. As I picked at the leaves still on the scrawny bush, I let one ear flick back to listen to the conversation.

“I don’t want to alarm you, but the friend we’re going to meet isn’t a rabbit,” Russet began, nose twitching a bit.

“I figured,” Sylvia replied. “I trust you. If you trust him, that’s enough. Tell me about him?”

“Twitch is the most social weasel I’ve ever met. He’s the one who brought Herb’s body to the warren so the watch could stop driving themselves crazy looking. We’ve worked with him before, but that’s a long story.”

“I’ve only seen a rabbit talk to a weasel once before, last winter.” Sylvia tilted her head slightly. “Clearly, you know a little of everything; Lily said you helped get rid of whatever presence was left after Bramble was killed. Yet, when Fig asked if you were a seer, you were worried.”

“I–I did. I hope I didn’t upset you.”

“No,” Sylvia objected. “It seems to be a scar. If it’d be okay, I’d like to understand. To offer what support I can.”

“Alright...”

I almost stopped eating. Russet’s addiction was something he had difficulty talking to me about, and I was there.

“It was the summer before last when it began. I was finally an adult, and my parents were teaching me all they knew about herbs. Bremen and I had so many adventures that summer, with Twitch, actually. We were inseparable. Well, except for Twitch not staying at the warren. That’d have made a mess, but he was always nearby.

“So, I was learning about herbs. My father knew a lot of advanced ones.” Russet sighed. “One of the hardest herbs to make is also one of the simplest. It’s so easy to make, just a little cleaning of the right leaves and a bit of... Anyhow, are you aware of Seerleaf?”

“It makes you a seer for a while,” Sylvia whispered. “It’s known for the terrible price it takes from those who use it.”

“Yes,” Russet said. “Prepare it one way, and you get harmless Giggleleaf. A little stronger and it will leave someone hallucinating for a few hours, useful for healers and getting past trauma. Purify it just right, and you get Seerleaf. It’s not addictive by itself, but the visions... The visions it grants are.

“Bremen and Twitch were both strong fighters and very athletic. While I could track better than they could, if they were running from something, I could barely keep up. My running herbs are some of the best, but it wasn’t quite enough.

“On the way back to Hazelford from one of our adventures, we were crossing a field and Bremen got snatched up by a hawk. They were out of sight by the time Bremen managed to kick himself free. We didn’t know where he was, if he was still alive. We weren’t sure which direction the hawk had gone, and there wasn’t time. We were a full day from the nearest warren.

“I had a Seerleaf with me. For emergencies. What choice did I have? Bremen needed us to find him. Either before the hawk got to his nest, or wherever he had landed.”

Sylvia nudged him. “It’s okay. I’m here.”

“The vision–I saw the hawk tear us apart. Snatch Bremen and Twitch and take them far away. I could only remember parts of it. There was a cold winter of barren snow and I collapsed far from anyone I know. In that loss and fear, a small tiny light assured me I was not alone. Perhaps they were an agent of Prince Twilight or something else, but without them I would have been lost to the vision.

“When I woke, we used the clues I could remember to find Bremen. He was hurt, but we got him back to a warren safe and helped him recover.”

Although I had finished eating, I pretended to continue while keeping watch. Russet had this buried inside of him for so long and he needed to unearth it. Sylvia quietly reassured him by pressing against his side. She noticed I was finished, but didn’t interrupt.

“I made Bremen and Twitch promise we’d never drift apart. We actually took an oath to be brothers. But that didn’t stop the gnawing fear.”

Russet was crying, but kept his voice strong. “There was something coming that would tear us apart. Winter was fast approaching, and I didn’t know anything about it. Desperate, I started searching for more Seerleaf. Unlike a seer’s visions, with Seerleaf, you only have visions when you take the plant. It feels like you’re in control, but that’s a lie. A comforting lie the herb tells you.”

His voice broke, words coming in sobs as tears wet his cheeks. “By late fall, I had no control. When I was not having a vision, I was terrified of what I might be missing. There were so many truths waiting to be uncovered. And every time I took Seerleaf, there was pain. The pain of loss. I didn’t realize it was warning me of itself.

“It’s a summer plant. And I had stored nothing for the winter. I had scoured every source of it within a few days’ travel from Hazelford, and when I ran out, I left in search of more. If I had been thinking, I would have realized I didn’t let anyone know I had left. But all I could feel was the need. I had to know more; I had to find more. I needed to find out what would happen. It was the only way I could save my brothers.” Russet sighed heavily in defeat and collapsed into the snow. “Frozen, I collapsed far from anyone who cared about me. I had no idea where I was, just that I was alone. My first vision had come true.”

“And you were found by a young doe,” Sylvia continued. “A rabbit who traveled far to the south with her mentor.”

“What?”

Even I stopped looking around to gape, before shaking my head and resuming my watch.

“You reminded me of him, especially when Fig’s question scared you. And how many rabbits know crows and weasels?” Sylvia explained, “Last winter, I found you. You looked starved and writhed in pain, but you had no wounds on you. You called out for your brothers, begged someone to save them.

“Thistle said it was a rare herb and there was no way to help it pass quicker. We dug a scrape to give you some cover and chewed some grass that Thistle got you to swallow. While he tried to figure a way to get you back to a warren, I stayed with you and tried to warm you with my presence. I told you I was there and you weren’t alone.”

“It was a crow that found you, followed by four rabbits and a weasel. I hid behind Thistle; I hadn’t seen a weasel before and crows pluck out eyes. They were so worried and said you disappeared half a moon before. It was decided that they would take you to the nearest warren until the herb had passed. Thistle and I did not follow, but I often wondered what became of the mysterious rabbit I found that day.”

“I don’t remember anything after I passed out,” Russet said. “I woke up a few days later with Bremen and our parents watching over me. You stayed with me the whole time?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you.” Russet managed to get to his feet. Weakly, he licked Sylvia’s face.

After a moment, I showed I was done eating, and it was time to move on.