Kawaii wriggled as he extracted a sticky burr from his tail. Darkroot had helped him for the most part, but after the fifth extraction, Kawaii had been in so much pain that he had snapped at Darkroot and the treefrog had fled. Kawaii regretted that now, but he decided heâd find the frog after he was done.
They had decided to skirt the main bulk of the forest, due to the eerie tendrils of mist that curled around them, and in a matter of a few days they had arrived at a desert, so large that neither could see the edge. Kawaii was an expert tracker, and successfully identified the tracks of Nurv, Jeol, and Rukia, He also noted a treos, and assumed that Cowmaster had flown. He did not recognize the large footprints accompanied by a four clawed foot, but he paid no heed to it many creatures probably roamed these parts. Kawaii was fascinated by the world around him, and although he started his journey against his will, he was beginning to appreciate the solidarity, accompanied by Darkroot, who he had begrudgingly began to like. Now that he was free of the hitchhikers that had attached to him from the desert shrub heâd run into, he was feeling fresh and ready to travel. Citing the tracks and where they led, he called out to Darkroot, hoping the irrepressible frog hadnât gone too far.
âDarkroot? Come on bud, letâs get ready to go.â Darkroot, had, in fact, been just on the other side of a small dune, and without further ado, they started the long trek across the desert. Kawaii was slightly worried about food and water, but he was feeling good and he decided that if he didnât make it, then the others hadnât made it, and his journey had been a success anyways.
A few hours later, Kawaiiâs attitude had very much changed. He cleared his parched throat, wincing with pain as the sore muscles contracted. Darkroot, as well, had been suffering, and as they breached a particularly large dune, they both groaned; there was no end in sight. Kawaii felt like giving up, but he was distracted by a quiet âahemâ at his side. He looked down, and was surprised to see a bruised, ragtag ant waiting expectantly for a reply.
âWho are you?â Kawaii rasped at the ant. The ant waved its feelers around for a few moments, as if pondering the question, then replied;
âMy name is Nilo. No doubt you search for Nurv and his cohorts?â
âWhy⦠yes. Yes I do. How did you know?â
âLong story. Longâ¦freakingâ¦story.â Mumbled the ant. Kawaii raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. âI can lead you to where I last saw them, if youâre finding it hard of late to read the tracks.â Kawaii admittedly was; sandstorms had all but buried traces of the group. Darkroot was going along with whatever the sarcastic rabbit was choosing, so Kawaii relented, and Nilo turned to lead them into the barren wasteland.
Back at the warren, things were deathly still. None of the rabbits dared to go outside, for fear of Sloth, and with four rabbits gone, there were little paws for gathering, and starvation was setting in. Lycanac, the faithful guard, was the only one who stayed outside, furtively watching the horizons for any sign of returning parties; but there was none. Secretmapper began to spend hours in the generalâs quarters, looking over maps and conversing quietly with Zaichic, who had smoothly transitioned to Secretmapperâs advisor. Windshift was not seen often, and it was speculated by the few ragged rabbits left that Secretmapper had given him some enigmatic task to complete for the good of the warren. It was on such day, as Secretmapper pored over some scrawled notes, that a rabbit hopped in and greeted him.
âHello, Secretmapper, can I have a quick word with you please?â
âAh yes, Einfach, please take a seat.â Einfach was a large rabbit, perhaps the largest the warren had ever seen besides Nurv and Gantic, and he was shrewd and surly. Secretmapper did not know him well, but he had respect for him. âNow, what is it you want to discuss?â
âThe monster outside our doors, thatâs what!â Secretmapper blinked irritably at the outburst, and leaned forward towards the larger rabbit.
âEinfach, do you not think weâre doing all we can to fix this? Supposedly, there is some invincible wraith outside the warren, who was already done away with FIVE of our members, not to mention our only source of protection, Cowmaster. I have been studying with Zaichic and Windshift for many weeks, and we may soon reach a conclusion. Is that enough for you?â
âNo.â Einfach said coldly. âI want into your little scheme.â