Sandpaw made his way across the meadow to another of the more secluded sections. Unlike where Elder Benjamin was sequestered, one of the more quiet sections of the meadow and on the other side of the hill, the section he entered next was incredibly noisy. It was probably one of the most busy of all sections in camp.

The burrow which contained Herbcheek’s medical section was in the Northern section of the warren, equally distant to both the fields and the forest. It was a collection of several tunnels all connected together with a few rooms, ranging from those where Herbcheek lived to those where injured rabbits slept.

When he arrived, Sandpaw found himself confronted by another of the rabbits. “Uh, hey bro, what’s your business?” The assistant asked. Sandpaw knew he’d seen the bun before, but his memory was fuzzy and he couldn’t remember their name.

“I need to speak to Elder Herbcheek for a second.”

“You don’t look injured.”

“I’m not, I just need a little advice.”

“It’s the Elder’s personal time, if you aren't seeking urgent medical attention I’ll need to ask you to leave and come back later.”

“B-but…”

“Hey, what’s going on out there.” The sound of a husky feminine voice came from in the tunnel. “Amanitatongue, what are you doing?”

Sandpaw wondered about that name, it seemed like it had more syllables than most buns he knew.

“Uh, I’m just… you know… keeping your rest restful.”

“Ah, well, cut it out. I believe I know why this young bunny wants to speak to me.” The large form of Herbcheek came out of the tunnel. “Please, come right this way, Sandpaw.” He followed obediently, as she took him to one of the farthest back sections, where a bed of hay had been laid down. There she sat, staring at the younger rabbit.

“Uh, you were expecting me?”

“Well, yes./ Although, you were the least likely of your trio of misbehaving misfits that I expected to try. You want a job, right?” Sandpaw stared at her fur, it was matted oddly, different from all other rabbits he knew.

“Uh, that’s right… I’m not allowed to work in the warren, so I need a job outside.” Sandpaw scratched at the dirt, it was looser packed than Benjamin’s.

“Alright, well, the medical core is always an option. I have a good group of assistants, as long as you aren't too squeamish.”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Oh, no, that’s not why I’m here!”

“Oh, you are squeamish then?” Herbcheek asked, flopping down and causing some dust to settle in the air. It hade an odd musty smell, one of medicine and plant matter, rather than dirt.

“Oh, no, that’s not it.” Sandpaw said confidently. “I’ve been known to be alright seeing injuries and even death among the warren. Swiftpaw thinks I’m heartless though…” He sounded less confident at the end.

“Well, that’s fine. I understand, not a lot of our kind are comfortable with blood.”

“You aren't listening!” Sandpaw said, thumping. He only then noticed the elder laughing under her breath. “Uhg, was that all a trick?”

“Not at all, in fact I did expect one of you to join the medical core. If you are thinking of the legion instead, I’ll understand though.” On a closer look Sandpaw could see that her fur had specks of green and pink in it. There were herbs practically tangled in.

“I was actually thinking of joining Benjamin’s explorers…” He said, rubbing his head with a paw.

“Oh? Really? That is a shock.” Her mouth was constantly filled with some herbal substance. She chewed them to mix them, and some said just her normal saliva had gained herbal properties but it was hard to tell.

“Yeah, and I wanted your advice. He wants me to get him a carrot, but I don’t know where to find one.”

“Oh, that’s easy, we get wild carrots from the forest up on the large hill. There are some paths, and they are covered in them.” She reached up and grabbed a bundle of flowers from the ceiling. “See these flowers, their little and white, and they come in a large circle like this.”

“Ah, that makes sense.” Sandpaw said, sniffing the flowers with his little pink nose. It did, there was a part of him that felt like it was obvious, even though he didn’t know the information. Like he should have known. “Thank you!”

He immediately tried to hop away but he was stopped by a large paw in his way. Her paw was weird, she had paw pads, which… bunnies shouldn’t have. And they were greenish like a plant. “Now hold on you little buck, why should I let you go get yourself killed like this?”

“Because Elder Benjamin said so? Don’t you have to like… not interfere with his work?”

“Hmm, maybe, but it’s my job to protect your health, that means your body as well. If I let you out there you’ll be in danger from the woodland creatures. Foxes, deer, even rodents might attack someone as small as you.”

Sandpaw frowned. “I’m not small anymore.” He said in a huff. “Just because I was the runt doesn’t mean I am stunted for life. I’m becoming an adult and you need to treat me like that.”

“That’s not what I meant, I just meant someone as young as you. I didn’t mean to comment on… on that.” She looked sad as she remembered him when he was young. Sandpaw almost started to remember, then pushed it away with his soft paw.

“Whatever, just… what will it take to let me go?”

“A promise… I’ll give you a quest too, and then I can help you get back.”

“Uh… okay?” Sandpaw asked, confused as to how having more to do would make it safer.

“Yeah, that’s right, you'll have a job to do.” Herbcheek grinned. “So, all I need you to get is acorns. Porridge is the best food for growing buns.” She looked away. “I’m sure you remember.”

Sandpaw nodded. “Yeah, okay, I’ll get it.” He said, wiggling from foot to foot.

“Good, for that, I give you my blessing.” Herbcheek leaned down and kissed his forehead. He felt a vibrancy, something that was like sugar or caffeine, fill his little body. She let him go and he ran to the gates, loping as fast as he could.