It was almost a full day before King Ghostpaw was able to meet with the travelers. Rhizome and his friends were politely and without any chance of arguing asked to stay in a single kettle inside the burrow. For their safety, guards were posted outside and Gurin’s bag of herbs was kept elsewhere. Not that anyone believed the reasons, but when surrounded by rabbits larger than yourself, one has to choose their arguments.

What little Rhizome saw of the warren was a confusing maze of above-ground paths through the forest and underbrush mixed with many underground runs. The combination was not that unusual, but this was more extensive than Rhizome had seen or even heard about. Runs ducked under trees and over roots. One went up a low hanging branch, and into a hollowed out stump. It was impossible to tell if the runs lead into a short path above ground or past the edge of the warren. Even some kettles were above ground, nestled under the protective canopy of thorny bushes or low branches almost woven together.

Gurin didn’t recognize the guards, and they didn’t see any herbalists in their time waiting. The guards did bring them some grass to eat, along with some grubs for Eitan. Rhizome had to describe them as berries to the weasel while the guards watched and whispered. It was clear some of them recognized Eitan, although they were not close to Eitan’s childhood home.

Finally, as morning twilight started to brighten into day, a group of guards led them into one of the largest runs Rhizome had ever seen. Wide enough for two or three rabbits to hop side by side, it went deep within the ground. It was cool and smelled of fresh water, almost like the stream. The run only got larger as they descended, losing the outside light in the depths. Just before it opened into the audience chamber, Rhizome could make out a faint glow that seemed to come from their destination. He thought it was strange that light might come from below.

Being inside the chamber was like resting next to a still pond at night. A pillar of muted light shone down from the ceiling to illuminate what appeared to be an underground lake. Reflections from the water scattered flecks of light throughout, tiny stars dancing all around the room. A small raised outcropping of rock overlooked the water. On it was a large rabbit and surrounding it were a number of rabbits from the earlier patrol including Sand and Mange.

“Greetings travelers. I hope your stay has been welcoming.” The words were whispered, yet the smooth walls of the chamber caught every sound and brought it to every ear. “I am King Ghostpaw. Your leader should join me up here.”

Rhizome steadied himself and leapt to the top of the rock. He gasped, the tiny reflections were on the water as well. Rhizome felt he had just jumped into the sky.

King Ghostpaw was imposing. Sleek, well-groomed fur, a warm tan covered him except for a white patch over his left eye. Then there was his lack of a right forepaw. Rhizome had not seen a lame rabbit before. Without a proper forepaw to run with, and all that was stacked against a rabbit normally, they tended to have short lives. It looked like it had been bitten off where it met his foreleg, leaving a fuzzy misshapen stump.

“Thank you for having us.” The chamber caught his voice and dispersed it to the gathered rabbits, but also echoed it back to him. “I am Rhizome. My companions are Mune, Gurin and Eitan. It seems we’ve arrived at a time of trouble, but we are here to help.”

“Yes. Apparently you have a unique way to deal with predators.” Ghostpaw’s eyes were piercing. “There have been predator’s paws in the warren. My mate, Bia, was diligent in uncovering Thistle’s treachery.”

A female rabbit, gray fur over a smaller frame, hopped onto the rock with them. “Thank you. Thistle was difficult to reveal. This trick is easier to see. Eitan does not think of himself as a rabbit. I think you are his servant. A more complicated trick than what he used to escape our grasp last summer.”

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Fear gripped Rhizo, but he had a full day to prepare for this. “And, what possible reason would he have to sneak into this warren? We didn’t know you were here.”

“Death will come to Starbasin,” Bia said. “The revelation is part of what drove Thistle mad.”

Rhizome blinked. “Death as rabbits dying? Or Death himself? Do you know Death’s heart?”

Bia countered, “Do you?”

“No. But, I have spoken with him.”

“Interesting.” Ghostpaw looked out over the water. “Do you consider yourself brave for doing so? Does that make you special?”

“I have managed to change visions before.” Rhizome tried to get to a topic that might make him sound better. “Is it just Death being here that is a problem? Was there more?”

“In time.” Ghostpaw turned back to Rhizome. He hopped closer. “There are a few ways to tell your intent. I have chosen a few quick trials. Tell me: I cannot run; how is it that I have not only survived, but was chosen to lead this warren? How do I deal with predators?”

This was a test, and Rhizo did not like how it was going. He puffed up his chest and repeated what Belenus said. “Predators don’t expect rabbits without fear. If you confront them directly, they hesitate.”

“You are not Eitan’s paw,” Ghostpaw observed. The follow-up motion was a blur. Ghostpaw’s clubfoot smacked Rhizome’s muzzle and knocked him onto the rock. A large back-foot crushed the breath out of him. “Eitan, are you his prisoner? Should I free you?”

“Stop!” Eitan shouted. He was tackled to the ground by many rabbits. They moved as one, trained to pin all the sharp parts to the ground. Gurin and Mune tried to reach him, but were similarly restrained.

Eitan growled, “My life is his. Not taken, not captured. Given by choice. You’ve taken one family from me, don’t take him!”

“It is true. Once you stop being afraid, predators aren’t so tough.” Ghostpaw grunted. “Still, I am not cruel. Bia, can you confirm this is the child Thistle let escape?”

“I am sure of it.” Bia flicked her ears. “What happened to your mother?”

“She’s dead,” Eitan choked out. “Her injuries killed her last winter.”

“Let him up,” Ghostpaw ordered. “It was my understanding that your family slaughtered a small warren. We recaptured it in our search for a new home.”

“That’s a lie!” Rhizome gasped, still pinned. “They found an abandoned warren.”

“No matter.” Ghostpaw leaned down and whispered, “I think both of you are paws of something darker. I think he only cares about you because Death wants you alive.”

That made Rhizo’s blood go cold. “Death isn’t like that. He—”

“The basin knows the truth!” Ghostpaw and the gathered rabbits shouted.

“The water will tell us if you’re an enemy.” Bia sneered, “If Death will dwell with us, he will do so without his minions.”

“For what it’s worth, I hope you survive this,” Ghostpaw said.

Rhizome was suddenly aware he was tumbling off the rock. He heard Eitan’s cries as he bounced off the side, and shouts from the others as he plunged into the frigid water. He tried to swim, but a large foot pushed him deeper into the basin. He struggled, but the weight was too much.

This was not how things should end. Eitan could save him. Maybe Mune could pull some seer-trick or Gurin might find an herb he stashed. He thrashed wildly, trying to get the foot off of him, push himself up, or pull Ghostpaw off balance. As his life flashed before him, he was ready to be a hero or die trying.

The water was cold and relentless. It numbed his body even as his lungs screamed for air. Thoughts slowed. Yet, hope stayed. Death would be here soon. Death talked to each in turn. Rhizo went still for a moment.

This wasn’t a greater tragedy, but he found his voice.

“I want to live.”