Deep in Efrafa...

Vervain hopped about cautiously underground. Despite having tried to avoid the General all day, he knew it was only a matter of time before he caught up with him.

As Vervain turned a corner, sure enough Woundwort's familiar voice was heard from behind

"Vervain!", he started, at which the Owsla captain froze

"Yes sir.", replied Vervain, sounding very small

"How many moons has it been since I told you to find the outsider's warren?", asked Woundwort

"er...well...er...", stuttered Vervain

"And how much have you found about the outsider's warren?", he continued

Vervain tried to speak, but instead all that came out was a strange noise

Woundwort moved his face close to vervain. Vervain cowered to the floor

"Now, I'm not going to put up with your incompetence much longer. Get out there, and find that warren!", he shouted

Vervain tried to stand up, but found his legs had turned to jelly. Instead, he crawled away along the floor.

Outside

"You okay, mate?", asked Moss, almost tripping over Vervain

Vervain finally managed to stand up

"Of course I am. What a stupid question to ask an Owsla Captain!", he replied

"You look like you've seen the Black Rabbit.", pointed out Moss

"Well I haven't. Anyway, gather a patrol. We have work for the General to do.", decided Vervain

"That reminds me. The General was looking for you.", pointed out Moss, at which Vervain jumped

"You have your orders!", he shouted back

*************

On Watership Down

Bigwig came running up the Down with Dandelion, Pipkin, Hawkbit and Pimpernel, towards Hazel and Fiver who were waiting at the top.

"Any luck then?", asked Hazel

"Nothing Hazel.", replied Bigwig

"We've looked everywhere. The farm, the woodland, the river, everywhere! Campion's nowhere to be seen.", continued Dandelion

"Pipkin asked all the animals, and they've seen nothing.", continued Bigwig

"I asked The Thrushes, The Voles, The Mice, The Frogs, The Squirrels, The Shr...", started Pipkin

"Alright lad, he get's the idea.", interrupted Bigwig, as Kehaar crashed to the ground with Hannah

"No sign of him around Efrafa either.", shouted Hannah

"We're fast looking out of places to look. Are you sure you're right about this Fiver?", asked Hazel

"I dont know whether I'm right or not. You know I can only tell you what I see.", replied Fiver

"Well, he can only either be deep in the heart of Efrafa, or still down in the caverns. Neither of them is something I'd like to think about.", sighed Hazel

"So what can we do?", asked Dandelion

"Well, we're not sending anyone into Efrafa unless it's absolutely necessary. I suppose we'll have to scout the caverns.", decided Hazel

"It's been many round moons since Woundwort invaded the warren. Why would Campion still be down there after all this time?", snorted Hawkbit

"Perhaps he's lost, or injured, or both. Either way, it's worth taking a look.", replied Hazel

"I suppose.", grumbled Hawkbit

"After Silflay though!", he continued

"Fine, We'll meet back here when Frith is high in the sky.", finished Hazel

Everyone began to move away in different directions

"Oh, and one more thing. Don't let a word of this get back to Blackberry.", he shouted after them

"Why?", asked Hawkbit

"It took her long enough to get over Campion. I dont want to get her hopes up, only to disappoint her again.", replied Hazel

*************

Soon, near Efrafa

Hazel, Fiver, Dandelion, Hawkbit and Pimpernel hid in the undergrowth, as Bigwig moved towards the river to check for danger

"I still dont see why we had to come this way.", sighed Hawkbit

"With the narrow passage blocked, how else were we supposed to get here?", asked Hazel

"We could have dug around it somehow.", replied Hazel

"If it could be dug around, do you really think Woundwort would still be looking for the warren overland?", asked Hazel

"Even if we could, we wouldn't be able to do it without Blackberry noticing.", continued Fiver, as Bigwig rejoined them

"I think it's safe, lads. There's 2 sentries on the river crossing, but other than that it seems clear. We'd best keep our heads down though.", he spoke

Bigwig led, as they all crept down to the river, and slipped behind the plants hiding the cavern entrance. Fiver was the last to enter, and as he did so he suddenly stopped.

"What is it?", asked Bigwig

Fiver paused, before speaking.

"I thought I heard something. It's probably nothing.", he replied, before following the rest into the cavern

"We'll split into 2 groups. Hazel, Fiver and Pimpernel can go one way, while me, Hawkbit and Dandelion will go another.", decided Bigwig, as Fiver joined him

"Frith's smiling on me today.", sniggered Vervain, crouched in the long grass, as he watched Fiver disappear from a distance

*************

Soon, deep underground

"Campion!", shouted Hazel, his voice echoing around the caverns

They paused to listen, but heard no reply

"Are you here?", continued Pimpernel

Other than the sound of the stream, there was no reply

"This is hopeless. Where in Frith's name do we start to look in a place this big?", sighed Pimpernel

"Well, I suppose we may as well start at the blocked entrance to the back burrow, and work back from that.", replied Hazel

"Come on.", he continued

Nearby

"Where are you?", shouted Bigwig

There was still no reply

"Am I the only one who doesn't think this seems to be working.", started Hawkbit

"Hey, if you can think of a better idea, I'd love to hear it.", Bigwig snorted back at him

"I'm just saying. How likely is it that Campion could survive down here for nearly a whole season. I mean for one thing, there's no food.", argued Hawkbit, before Dandelion interrupted

"Come and take a look at this.", he shouted

"What is it?", asked Bigwig, joining him

"On the walls. There's green Moss!", replied Dandelion

"Oh, well that's really helped.", snorted Hawkbit

"But it could be used as food.", pointed out Dandelion

Hawkbit sniffed at it, before pulling a piece off. He swallowed it, then screwed up his face.

"I cant see any rabbit eating that. It's all slimy and... horrible.", shuddered Hawkbit

"But I suppose it's better than nothing.", replied Bigwig

"Campion!", he continued, returning to his shouting

Back with Hazel's team

Hazel, Fiver and Pimpernel had started to work backwards from the blocked back burrow, hoping to find some clue, however nothing materialised. By now they were near to the Efrafan end of the caverns.

"Still no sign?", asked Hazel

"Nothing.", replied Pimpernel

"But it's so wet down here, that any tracks would be near impossible to find.", he continued

"Well, keep looking.", continued Hazel

"But dont stray to far. We dont want to become seperated down here.", shouted Hazel, as Pimpernel moved to investigate further

He turned back to Fiver, to notice a familiar glazed expression on his face.

"Ohhhhh!", groaned Fiver, the noise echoing round the caverns

"What is it? What can you see?", shouted Hazel

"The evil overshadows the world so bleak, The Flower of Spring grows ever weak.", groaned Fiver before collapsing to the ground

"What in Frith's name does he mean by that?", started Pimpernel

"Flower of Spring? I dont know, Pimpernel.", replied Hazel

"What's going on?", shouted Bigwig, suddenly appearing from nowhere, with Dandelion and Hawkbit following shortly behind

"We heard a terrible noise!", continued Dandelion

"It's Fiver. Another vision.", replied Hazel

Hawkbit rolled his eyes

"The evil overshadows the world so bleak, The Flower of Spring grows ever weak.", recited Hazel

"Any ideas what it means, Lad?", asked Bigwig

"No, nothing I'm afraid.", replied Fiver

"Well, if it involves Evil, it must have something to do with Efrafa.", decided Bigwig

"Thanks Bigwig. That helped us alot.", retorted Hawkbit, recieving his customary cuffing round the ears for doing so

"How's about Campion?", asked Hazel

"Nothing. But these caves are massive Hazel. Even if we had everyone in the warren down here, and kept searching until the next round moon, we wouldn't cover half of here.", replied Bigwig

"And no-one's found any tracks?", asked Hazel, at which everyone shook their heads.

"Come on then. Let's get back to the warren. I somehow doubt we're finished down here, but we'd best get out before it gets too dark. We'll think about what to do in the morning.", he sighed, beginning to move towards the exit, with the others following

Suddenly they all stopped, as they heard voices, and dived for cover behind some rocks

"Wouldn't it be easier just to wait for them to come out this way, mate?", asked Moss

"Dont argue with me, Moss! I'm not taking the risk of them sneaking out another way.", shouted Vervain

"Besides, this is my moment of glory.", he continued quietly to himself

"It's Vervain.", whispered Hazel

"We'll never get past them.", continued Bigwig

"Never get past them! How in Frith's name are we supposed to get out of here then?", asked Hawkbit

"Come on, there must be another way out.", finished Bigwig

They all turned to move away, staying behind the rocks. Fiver, however, knocked some small pebbles into the water

"Over there!! Get after them!", shouted Vervain

"Run. Now!", shouted Bigwig

"Stay here. Guard the exit!", continued Moss

3 Owsla officers took up a post, whilst the remaining 3 gave chase alongside Moss and Vervain

"There has to be another way out of here, Hazel.", shouted Bigwig, as they came to a junction

"This way. It smells like there's fresh air coming from somewhere in this direction.", shouted Hazel

"Oh well that really sounds confident!", snarled Hawkbit

"Are you sure you know where you're going?", asked Moss

"Why?", asked Vervain

"I dunno mate. These caves seem like the sort of place you could be lost for many moons.", replied Moss

"I doubt it. All I do know is these Outsiders wont be able to get out.", replied Vervain

"There. I can see Frith shining between those rocks. We must be near the surface.", shouted Hazel, as they ran towards a dead end

"Can you move them?", asked Bigwig

"Yes, but it'll take time.", replied Hazel

"Time is something we dont have, Hazel.", pointed out Dandelion

"You, Fiver and Pimpernel stay and clear a way out. Me, Hawkbit and Dandelion will try and slow down the Efrafans.", decided Bigwig

"How? You're not suggesting we stand and fight them, are you?", replied Dandelion

"Hopefully it wont come to that.", replied Bigwig

"Come on.", he continued, running off in the opposite direction with Hawkbit and Dandelion

"Where are they?", started Moss

"They ran this way. They have to be around here somewhere.", replied Vervain, heading towards where Hazel and Fiver were

"You call yourself a rabbit! It's an insult to Elahrairah!", shouted Bigwig, attracting the attention of the Owsla

"Get them!", shouted Vervain, as Bigwig, Hawkbit and Dandelion began to run

Vervain watched as the 3 Owsla officers and Moss gave pursuit. Bigwig suddenly doubled back, causing the 3 confused officers to slide into the rocks. He headed straight for Vervain, who stood his ground, expecting him to change direction again. Instead Bigwig charged straight into him, pushing him to the ground, before continuing to run as though Vervain weren't even there.

"You wont get away.", he gasped

As Vervain attempted to stand up, Hawkbit and Dandelion ran over him, forcing him back to the ground.

"Dont let them get away!", he gasped, as Bigwig, Fiver and Dandelion disappeared from sight, and the other Efrafan officers climbed to their feet again

"Nooo!!", he continued, as they all trampled him too

"Are you through yet?", shouted Bigwig

"Nearly. Just keep them distracted a little longer.", replied Hazel

Bigwig looked around quickly, before setting his eyes upon some loose rocks at the top of a small incline

"Outsiders, we have you surrounded.", shouted Vervain, unable pinpoint exactly where they were

"Now!", shouted Bigwig

At that the 3 of them started stamping at the loose rocks, sending them tumbling down towards the Efrafans. Vervain cowered to the ground as they crashed down around him.

"That's it. There's a small enough gap to squeeze through to the outside", shouted Hazel

"Come on lads. I think the rocks here are a bit less stable than we realised.", he continued, as several other rocks began to shudder

Hawkbit followed through the gap last, as he heard several rocks crashing down behind him

"'Where are they?", coughed Vervain, amidst the dust

"They must be on the other side of the rocks.", replied Moss

"Well, what are you all waiting for. Move them!", shouted Vervain

"It'd be quicker to go back and round the long way.", replied one of the other Efrafan officers

"If I have to tell you again...", started Vervain, moving towards him. Before he finished his sentence, he was interrupted by a low voice echoing round the caverns

"Are you there?", it shouted

Vervain's eyes became fixated.

"Anyone!!", it continued

"Run for your lives! It's the Black Rabbit of Inlé!", squealed Vervain, knocking the Efrafan officers out of the way as he ran. The other officers followed at a steady pace in silence, fearful of the noise, although not to the extent of Vervain.

"I'm sure I recognise that voice.", muttered Moss to himself. He listened for it again, but heard nothing.

Outside

Hawkbit dusted himself down, as he joined the others in a strange field

"So where are we then?", he asked

"Looks like we're between the river and the wood.", replied Hazel

"Did you hear something then?", asked Fiver

"I heard Hazel say..", started Hawkbit

"No, something else. A faint voice.", replied Fiver

"Haven't you heard enough for one day. Come on, let's get home.", snorted Hawkbit

He moved away with Bigwig, Pimpernel and Dandelion, leaving Fiver standing. Hazel walked up to him, and placed his paw on his shoulder

"Dont worry. I believe you.", spoke Hazel

"Why?", asked Fiver

"I may not see or hear as much as you, but I still sense something isn't quite right. That latest vision just backs up what I already know in my heart. We may have found nothing today, but I believe you when you say Campion is still out there somewhere. If only we knew where.", finished Hazel

Hazel began to follow the others. Fiver paused for a moment, before suddenly groaning. Everyone turned back round to face him

"The Darkness comes to take us all, If we survive then one will fall.", he shouted