“So, what’s the price?” Sandpaw asked, smiling up at the raven above him. The raven had been invaluable to him, and he couldn’t thank the creature enough. It was nothing but a trifle to try and give the price.

“You accepted the price.” The raven said, unfurling its wings. “You accepted that you would give me my needs willingly.”

“Yes, with the night as my witness, dark as your wings, I accepted the price.”

“Then you will pay with your blood!” The raven screeched, flying down and landing on top of Sandpaw. He may have grown up from being a little kit, but he was nowhere near full grown and his body was easy for the raven to grab. He felt it’s talons dig into his fur. They were wickedly sharp but not long enough to get deep, just enough that he could feel himself bleed.

“W-what did I do? Why do you want to hurt me so?”

“You said you’d pay the price. This is the price I ask.” The raven said before Sandpaw felt a quick knock on his head. The Raven had sunk it’s beak into the back of his head and instantly knocked him out with the trauma.

***

When he woke up Sandpaw found himself battered but not missing any pieces. He’d written his life off, the raven’s price a grizzly one, but he wasn’t dead. There may have been enough damage that it should have killed him, but the raven had been… very deliberate with its words and deals. Sandpaw was alive and ready to complete his mission, just unfortunately exsanguinated.

With a heavy sigh the young rabbit dragged himself to his feet. It felt like a massive leap to take a single step, but he managed one more than another as he dragged himself over to his prize. There was the wild carrot, and the acorns too. All he piled up and began to drag into the warren.

Dragging being the operative word, as he had trouble even managing to lift his hind legs up enough to crawl, much less really carry the food forward. No, he rigged himself up as a slay and moved step by step through the thorn bushes without much care.

Once, twice, three times he tore his flesh on the thorns… but no blood welled up. He was rather low on the substance it seemed, and keeping his fur pristine was not it’s main duty at the moment. He practically collapsed as he reached the end of the pathway, seeing the beautiful clearing of the warren once more.

“Oh dear heavens, what in the beast lord’s name are you doing?” The guard bunny asked, staring at him. “You look like you lost a fight with a cat, or a panther! How are you alive?”

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“Determination.” Sandpaw said, coughing and hacking up a little blood onto the carrot flowers.

“We need to get you to Herbcheek!” The guard said. “I’ll call my troops.” He thumped loudly, an echo sound that Sandpaw realized moved through tunnels beneath the earth.

“But my…” Sandpaw said, trying to resist but unable to as a pair of rabbits came up to him. One was a larger barely rabbit, Clayjaw, he had a habit of not talking ever since he was a kit and ate clay. The clay had stuck in his teeth and made it hard to talk for him. Beside him was a surprising face, Swiftfoot, who looked at his friend with concern. Both of them began to Carry Sandpaw by the shoulders, the acorns falling off his back and into the grass. “Hold.” the small bunny hissed.

“What?” Swiftfoot asked. “What do you want?”

“Acorns. Must bring.”

“You can get your acorns when you get back, everything will be taken care of.”

“No. For Herbcheek. Let me take.”

“Fine you stubborn mule, but then we go.”

Sandpaw gratefully turned his body, weak as it was, and scooped all the acorns, shoving them into his mouth along with the wild carrot’s stalk. His cheeks bulged and were sore, as he was no rodent with cheek pouches. It would have to do. After a few minutes he was dragged into the correct section of the Warren, there in front of Herbcheek’s den.

Two more came, taking him into the place, but he was unable to get a good look at them. They must be assistants of Herbcheek, new members of the medical corps.

“Oh, dear heavens!” Herbcheek said when she saw the state that Sandpaw was in. She gasped as he spat out the acorns as well, instructing the other medical buns to go process them. “I can’t beleive you got into so much danger, this is my fault!” She scuttled around him. “Oh dear child, I feel awful. Come here baby.”

Sandpaw wanted to resist and complain, but he was unable to as Herbcheek dragged him into her personal den. The single room smelled like her, while all the other parts of the medical den smelled of herbs and the sick. Herbcheek’s personal quarters were soft, as she had lined it’s floor with her own velvety fur, giving her a way to rest comfortably.

“I-I did it.” He said, voice wavering.

“That you did little one, that you did. I can’t believe I let myself put you in so much danger. This is inexcusable.”

“No. I did good.” Sandpaw said. “Good strong acorns, from big strong oak. They deserve the food.”

“It is a might sight better than I’d have expected, with you being so coherent given all the damage you’ve taken. The kits will appreciate the food, but whatever you fought wasn’t worth that!” Herbcheek held him, licking his skin with her medicating saliva that numbed his pain slightly.

“It wasn’t a fight. I paid the price. I didn’t die, and I learned a valuable lesson.

“What lesson is that?”

“Don’t take deals without knowing the price.” Herbcheek nodded at that, it was a good lesson. Sandpaw didn’t say the other lesson that was moving through his mind though, as he fell back asleep. If you can pay the price, the raven will deliver on its promises.