About a day earlier, Rhizome and the others were almost at the warren of Starbasin. They had managed to settle under a collapsed trunk that had fallen on a rock. It had created almost a natural rabbit run, sheltered from flying predators with openings both ways around the rock. Rhizome had slept clean through morning twilight, and woke slowly as the early light filtered through the forest canopy. He yawned and stirred, then realized how late it was.

“Why didn’t you wake me?”

Mune was keeping an eye out for predators. “You’ve been pushing yourself much farther than you’re comfortable with. We’re close enough that we’ll make it to Starbasin today, and Eitan decided that you should be well rested for when we arrive.”

Rhizo frowned. During the trip, he kept thinking about the lives he saved. Still a little unsure it was him that caused it. Mune was probably the one he could least deny saving. The wolf would have eaten him. Still, what heroic tricksters oversleep the day before their biggest adventure? What if his luck ran out during the meeting? What if Fate was simply waiting until then to retaliate?

The seer nudged him. “I’ve already eaten, Gurin is grazing with Eitan and hopefully they’ll be able to bring back something for you.”

“I’m sorry to impose.”

“You’re not.” Mune shrugged. “I can feel your concern. If it helps, remember that we’re in this together. I chose to help you figure this out. I want to see what is happening. You don’t have to be the only hero. Maybe we’ll all grow into those roles.”

“I’m not sure I want to be the hero.”

“No, you’re not sure you can be a hero. It’s a different fear.”

“It’s a big ask.” Rhizome shivered. “Are we going to save the warren? Are we going to fix your visions? Why are we here? Why me?”

“And, that is what we’ll learn when we get there.”

Rhizome settled into waiting. He watched Mune, trying to think of things to say to the seer. He managed to ask, “I am guessing, if you had a vision of where we’re going, you’d have shared it?”

“I would,” Mune responded.

Eitan and Gurin returned shortly after. The herbalist took his pack off and pulled out a few mushroom caps to chew on. “Good to see you awake. These are edible and were easy to stow in my pack. I hope they’re not too strange. I guess you haven’t had them before?”

“No, but I’ll give it a try.” Rhizome sniffed at the earthy caps. “This would be a lot easier if I knew how to forage like this. I had no idea these were edible.”

Gurin shrugged. “Yeah, you do have to be a little careful with them. Thankfully, edible is easy to tell. Still, you have skills. You have shown yourself to be good at inspiring others. You got two owls to rescue rabbits. That’s something special.”

“They wanted to know about the visions.” Rhizome grunted. “I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m worried I’m going to get myself killed. This story or vision or whatever it is thinks I am the hero. I don’t mind saving lives, but the rest of it...”

Eitan offered, “If being a hero was easy, everyone would do it.”

“What happens when I’m not lucky?” Rhizome shivered. An odd chill crept into his mind.

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“I believe you will find a way.” The weasel nudged Rhizo with his nose. “I am giving my life for you.”

“What?”

“I can’t hunt. I’ve been eating bugs.” Eitan sighed. “What do you think will happen in the winter? There’s not enough of them when it’s cold.”

Rhizome stammered, “You’re going to starve?”

Eitan licked Rhizo’s ears. “It’s a long way off. For now, I’m here for you and I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Rhizo shuddered and slumped onto his stomach. At least two whole seasons were between now and then. Most rabbits didn’t last to their second winter; they were eaten by predators like weasels. Yet, the chill in his mind crept into his gut. “How can I be worth your life?”

“You are.”

No reason was given for Rhizo to argue with. No thought that Rhizo could pick apart. Just a statement he could choose to accept or not. He sighed. Maybe Death had told Eitan. Maybe Rhizo’s mind had made up all of the stuff with Death. It certainly didn’t feel real. Death didn’t talk to anyone. Why wasn’t Death here to claim them?

Eitan shook him. “Don’t give into despair. You are not alone. You will never be alone while I draw breath. If Death allows, you will never be alone while you draw breath.”

Rhizo lifted his ears. “You can’t mean that. Even if, and I’m not saying I believe you, even if I was worth your life, I’m normal.”

“Perhaps you’re here to show that no one has to be normal.” Eitan licked Rhizo’s ear again. “If you can be a hero, then anyone can be one. Even me. Even that kit you saved. What was his name?”

“Whitepaw. He’ll be two moons old soon.” That lightened his mood somewhat. “It’s bad luck to be born so early in the season. Hopefully he’s had all he will face in this life.”

The others nodded assent. The chill faded, mostly. “Eitan, are you hungry? You can’t eat mushrooms, right?”

“Not really.” Eitan deflected, looking away.

“If I need rest before we do this, then you need to eat. If we get stuck in the warren for a few days, we don’t want you hungry.” Rhizome hesitated; acting as a leader was easy to do, but he didn’t trust that his instincts were best for the others.

Mune volunteered, “I can help. Gurin, can you keep an eye out for a bit?”

Rhizo frowned; maybe Mune would be a better leader. Eitan headed back out with Mune following. Gurin nudged a mushroom toward Rhizo.

The taste wasn’t unpleasant. It was drier than he expected, but it worked. Between munches, he frowned. “I guess all tricksters start somewhere. What if I’m just one of the many who die quickly?”

“When I told Alvis, my mentor, that my nose wasn’t strong enough, he told me something important.” Gurin took a breath and closed his eyes. His voice changed to a soft tone, without the hesitation it often had. “An herbalist doesn’t have to do everything. He just does what he can to help the warren. Even simple herbs help a great deal.”

“But this isn’t herbs.”

“Then understand this.” Gurin opened his eyes and lifted Rhizo’s head to meet his gaze. His voice remained strong. “Heroes must be like that. Even small deeds are enough.”

The moment hung in the air, too profound to be disturbed.

“Gurin.” Rhizome sat up and looked at the rabbit before him. Was that how he looked to the others? Confident, strong, like he knew what he was talking about? For a moment, Rhizome didn’t care if Gurin knew or not, he wanted to trust his friend’s insight. Yes, that’s what they saw him as. “Thank you.”

Gurin asked, “Ready to be a hero now?”

“No, but that hardly matters.” Rhizome laughed as the chill let go. “Heroes don’t get to choose when they are ready. The situation is thrust upon them.”

They settled in to wait for the others to return. Rhizome wondered briefly if Gurin’s confidence was his own, given back in a form he could feel.

Eitan rushed back alone. “There’s rabbits! Mune stayed to see what they wanted. Come on!”

“Hopefully they’re from Starbasin.” Rhizome took a few hops. “Best we don’t keep them waiting. Eitan, remember the plan.”