*****
Hester sat in the darkness and pressed a cold compress on the rabbit's forehead. Jared's eyes had long since closed; he slept hunched forward in the chair on the far wall. The rabbit's fever needed to break soon. Hester refreshed the compress. Maybe she should get Dr. Cotton.
The rabbit sweat and shivered and mumbled strange noises on the bed. Then suddenly his eyes opened and Hester froze. He stared up into her eyes, then out through the large window behind her. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest.
"Can you see them?" he asked in the old tongue. Hester's heart beat even faster. "Can you hear my brothers? They march on without me." Hester shook her head rapidly. The rabbit reached a paw toward the window, then winced and grasped at his side. He blinked his eyes and stared out the window again.
"Is that real glass?" he asked.
He passed out before Hester could answer.
06
Clang. Blang. Hiss.
Sunshine blinded the rabbit; he blinked his eyes rapidly as they adjusted to the bright. His body burned and his head throbbed, but he tried to sit up.
Clang. Blang. Bong. Hiss.
Pain spidered out from his side, and he lay back down. White bandages covered his arm, shoulder, and ribs, bound tight, matting down his fur. He coughed, and winced at the spasm of pain.
"Water," he said, but no response. The room was sparsely furnished, just a couple of chairs and a nightstand. A large window dominated the far wall. He turned on his side, gritted his teeth, and scanned the room for his arms and armor. He saw them discarded in the far corner and his heart dropped.
He turned off his side and stopped; a fair-furred mouse had entered the room and their eyes met. She froze in the doorway, her breath short and rapid. Had he seen her before? They stared at one another in silence, until eventually his eyes wandered to the bowl and compress in her paw.
"Water," he said. "Please." The mouse's eyes grew wider. He pointed toward the pitcher on the nightstand. She nodded and hurried to pour him a fresh bowl. His whiskers flattened as he gulped down the cool water, and the mouse put a paw to his forehead. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," the mouse said, and his eyes brightened. He rabbit grasped at her shoulder and she froze.
"You understand me?" he asked. "It's been so long-" The mouse pulled away and rushed toward the door. "Wait! Don't go, please."
"I'm not," she said. "I mean, I should go and get Jared."
"Forgive me," the rabbit said. "I did not mean to startle you, but you have startled me. If you must go mouse-maiden, please, your name first."
"Hester," she said, and then blushed. He closed his eyes and exhaled.
"Thank you, Hester. I owe you my life."
"I didn't really-"
"You pulled me through the night," he said. "I shall always remember that."
Hester grabbed at her tail. "I'll get Jared; he'll have so many questions." She started to leave, but then turned back to face him. "What's your name?"
He tried his best to sit upright. "My name is Sven Pawsgaard, son of Sig..." He stopped and smiled. "Sven, call me Sven."
Hester smiled back and left. Sven shut his eyes, and when they opened Hester had already returned with another mouse, the Jared. His ears were large, and he was most certainly very old.
"Peaceful greetings, Sven," the Jared said.
Sven bowed his head as best as he could. "Peaceful greetings, though I know naught but your title."
The Jared grinned and bowed his head. "It's been so long since anyone has made the distinction," he said. "Call me Jared as others do, it's no matter to me; I can't remember my own name anyway." Sven laughed.
"Jared it is then," he said. He liked the old mouse already. "I am Sven Pawsgaard."
"But surely you deserve a more complete introduction," Jared said. "A noble rabbit such as you must surely give his name proper." Sven nodded and cleared his throat.
"I am Sven Pawsgaard, son of Sig, son of Edgar, son of Erick." Jared bowed.
"Welcome to Guineawick," he said. "Now I'm sure the mayor-regent will want to hear your tale. Hester, would you go get your father?" Jared snapped to catch her attention. "And some food?" Hester blinked and nodded.
"Yes of course," she said, and then she was gone.