The meeting chamber was well lit by the near-midday light. The thick shaft of light shone down on the water and threw dancing star-like lights around the chamber. Eitan followed close behind Erebus as the black rabbit burst in, and found himself facing a half-circle of rabbits. The weasel quickly interposed himself between them and Death.
“Get Ghostpaw!” Erebus ordered.
“How did you get out of your burrow?” a large rabbit demanded. Eitan thought he recognized her as one of the many rabbits that had attacked his mother.
“There’s no time.” Erebus ignored the question. “Death’s paw requires an audience. For the survival of the warren.”
“Oh Melia, do go find my mate,” a soft voice instructed the larger doe. “And while you’re at it, could you please fetch Mange and Ferris? I would discuss their ability to entertain guests.”
“You must hurry,” Erebus begged. “We only have until mid-day. And if I’m right, Ghostpaw wants the blessing this would give the warren.”
Reluctantly, a few of the rabbits headed back up the run. Bia hopped over from wherever she had been resting. “Where are the others?”
“They’re on their way,” Eitan answered. “We’re not trying to escape, just save Rhizome.”
“Like you attempted to save Thistle? Or did she save you?” Bia asked. “No matter. We can’t have you thinking you are free to go as you please.”
“Death is everywhere,” Erebus said. “But that isn’t what you mean, is it? Do you want to make an example of us?”
“You? No.” Bia pawed lightly at Erebus. “The weasel forced me to kill my old seer. Maybe not directly, but it was his influence that corrupted her.”
“You killed her for an act of mercy,” Eitan growled. His slight movement toward Bia was cut off by three rabbits. There were too many of them. He couldn’t fight.
“I didn’t kill her. The warren found a traitor,” Bia said. “She had pity for you, for the deer that ate our supplies. For others. But it hurt the warren.”
Eitan grunted. The other rabbits were vague ideas, but Bia… She was clear in his memories. Her disdain and questioning of Thistle. She didn’t care about anything beyond the warren. If Rhizome was here, he might be able to get through to her. To the others. Bia lived in a world of enemies. Eitan was one of them. That could have made him a monster.
Rhizome didn’t believe in enemies. Eitan believed that Rhizome wasn’t his enemy. He even believed that Erebus was doing his best to help them. But what of the others? The warren rabbits weren’t exactly innocent, but they weren’t enemies. They had followed orders, killed what they thought were invaders. His family wasn’t innocent. None of them were.
The weasel took a breath, and looked at Bia. “You’re wrong. Trusting others makes you more vulnerable, but it doesn’t hurt the warren.”
“Your family killed that entire warren.”
“It was the white blindness,” Erebus interrupted. “The whole warren. They exiled those who had symptoms down to the last of them. When the final rabbits got sick, they also left, leaving it completely empty. His family did kill, but not them. Not that warren.”
Bia hesitated. “You are Death’s paw, here to destroy us. We will not listen to your lies.”
Eitan turned to the other rabbits gathered. “We’re telling the truth. If you don’t believe me, then believe that Rhizome is facing the basin’s challenge. Erebus took him from the water too soon. We’re just correcting that.”
Ghostpaw arrived then. He didn’t let anyone say anything before asking, “Queen Bia, do you know why Rhizome is being dragged back here?”
“What?” she asked, and jabbed at Erebus. “What does that have to do with your defiance?”
Erebus responded, “There’s going to be an eclipse. Helios and Selene—the sun and moon—will both be in the basin shortly. I am going to ask them to return Rhizome’s spirit to his body. He has to be in there with me.”
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Ghostpaw laughed. “If you want to dunk Rhizome back into the basin because you think it’ll fix him, I won’t stand in your way.”
Bia gaped at the black rabbit, and back at her husband. She stormed off to the side.
As Erebus and Ghostpaw discussed whatever once-in-a-lifetime observation would happen in the basin, Eitan wondered about the queen. He cautiously walked over to her, escorted by several large rabbits keeping eyes and ears on his every move.
“What?” she asked.
“My mother…” Eitan sighed. He wasn’t sure what he would or should offer. “She was ruthless. And, I think if they had to kill a few rabbits to take the warren, my parents would have. I imagine if she heard what I am about to say, she’d tear my throat out for being weak.”
The queen didn’t look at him, but flicked an ear to show she was listening.
“Please, allow us to save Rhizome. I don’t know if it’ll work, but it’s our best chance.” Eitan crouched and bowed his head. “I beg of you. No matter what your mate decides, do not resent us for trying. He is my friend, and my life is in his service.”
Bia turned an eye to observe a predator beg. She did not show any other response.
“We are not enemies. We’ve been at odds, but we are here to change the vision of doom that hangs over the warren. Rhizome can change visions. If you let us save him, we will save the warren.”
Without a word, Bia hopped past Eitan, and joined Ghostpaw in his talk with Erebus.
Eitan met Gurin and Mune as they entered. He helped Mange and Alvis drag the grass weave that carried Rhizome into the chamber. When they got it fully onto the shore of the basin, Erebus joined them as well.
Ghostpaw hopped onto the observation rock. “Death’s paw, do you have the authority to accept a bargain for your patron?”
“What I agree to and what Death agrees to are the same,” Erebus called back.
“You say helping Rhizome will help the warren. That if the warren is fated to be harmed, he can fight Fate.” Ghostpaw sat up. “I ask you to make it official. Do you and your companions swear to help the warren?”
Eitan shouted first, “We are here to help. I will do what I can, to follow Rhizome’s teaching. To be without enemies.”
“I swear to help the herbalists of the warren,” Gurrin said. “If you represent them, then that means the same thing.”
Mune nodded. “I offer my services as a seer.”
Erebus hesitated. “Do you want my word, or Death’s? Or both?”
“Your word should be enough,” Ghostpaw responded.
“No,” Bia said. “There are many ways the warren is being tested. We want a task for … for each of your ears. You four and Rhizome.”
“Fine.” Erebus sat up tall, standing on his hind legs. “Death swears to find a way to fix things. To help the warren, to understand why you are plagued, and to save those here who are innocent of wrongdoing. I cannot refuse to take those who die, but I will do what I can to allow you to find your own fate. You have our support, and may demand of us favors. One for each ear.”
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The Lord Sun never liked that title. When he was feeling regal, he preferred Sol Invictus. Unconquered, untouchable, the first ruler. Yet, deep down he knew that was not entirely true. First, there were a number of things older than he was. Second, and more important, his heart had been touched by another. He didn’t think of that as being conquered; he was definitely the one in control. She shone with his reflected light. Yet, he had no desire to be above her, to be her superior. He wished her to know she was his equal.
Thus it came to pass, that every few seasons, he gave her a chance to shine. An expression of love, that she would supplant him, even for a moment. He smiled as she approached, otherwise invisible in the day sky. This season would be a special one. As their relationship waxed and waned, they were sometimes closer and sometimes farther away. This year, they were close enough for him to surround her with his pure brilliance for the whole mortal world to see. At these times, the Lord Sun preferred Helios. Not as much for himself, but because he preferred the name she used at these times. Selene.
The rabbit was unexpected. A mortal that wore the form of one of his children. Helios waited and observed as he always did.
The rabbit attempted to reverently crouch. Not used to the vastness of his current perception it looked more like the night sky had stumbled over the earth. He was not used to forming words either. Thankfully, Helios knew what was intended to be said. “Forgive me. I have no idea how to address one such as you, and I must ask a favor. I seem to be lost.”
A giant flare, tiny against the sun, formed words. Despite the mortal’s inability to read, the meaning transferred. “I see. Have you tried returning the way you got here?”
“I am sorry Lord Sun. I do not know how.”
“A moment then.” The sun gave the barest nod. He had been worshiped; He had followers offer still-beating hearts to him, and truly, how does one politely decline such an offering? Several had found him after death. Yet, none had simply talked to him. In a different mood, it could have offended, but today was his ultimate expression of humility. He thought a moment, tracing the path of life and existence that Rhizome had used. “You are very lucky. Your exit will arrive soon.”
With that, they settled and waited for the coming moment.