I promised more... here it is.

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days later
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A rabbit stood on a hill in the Moorwind mountains. He surveyed the surrounding countryside carefully, his dark green eyes scanning the nearby forest, not missing a single tree. After watching for almost ten minutes the rabbit turned and began to walk down the other side of the hill. Tilting his head to one side, he stopped and slowly looked up at the light blue sky. Something was up there, he could have sworn it. Squinting in the bright sunlight he noticed a shape about five miles away that was rapidly coming closer. Without a moments hesistation he ran as fast as he could down the hill. As he reached the bottom a concealed gully was noticeable. At break neck speed the rabbit leaped into the narrow gulch and swung nimbly from a protruding branch and into into a tunnel entrance. Rushing through the tunnel he took turn after turn, knowing exactly where he was going.
At last he came to where he was headed, a large underground hall, filled with rabbits like himself. Leaping onto one of the six large wooden tables that filled the huge cavern, he shouted at the top of his lungs.

"They're coming back!"

That simple statement caused the entire hall to explode in a mass of confusion. Younger rabbits rushed about extinguishing candles that lined the wall, and mothers herded young children into other chambers. In less then a minute the cave was empty except for a small group of fiveteen young men. Their leader spoke.

"Remember what to do. Don't forget."

With amazing ease the rabbits moved through the darkness as if the room was fully lighted, for they had been given the gift of night-vision at birth. Splitting into groups of three the rabbits dibanded and dissapeared in the darkness without making any noise.

[How many were there?] As to not make any noise, the leader of the guard, Stephen, communicated with the Moorden guard hand signals instead of speaking.

[Three wind beasts carrying warriors] replied Tyler, the rabbit who had been watching on the hill.

[Why do they keep attacking us?] asked the other rabbit named Kevin.

[They want control of the mountains, and they view us as a threat]

[But they don't attack the Skysong clan, do they?]

[No, they always try to destroy one clan at a time. Thirty years ago the Elder Clan, the ancient race of rabbits, was over run by the Taw as well, but not without fighting bravely. As a last resort the Elder's detonated Moorwind Keep, taking the Taw warriors with them to the grave. Last month was the first sign of the Taw returning. I guess we were next on their hit list]

A very faint noise was heard somewhere in the underground maze, but the trained ears of the rabbit guard could pick it up.

[How did they find the entrance?]

[They're more clever than we think, Kevin. Talk's over now. Let's fight]

The small group of rabbits drew their weapons as one in the darkness, then concealed themselves in the darker shadows. If a person could have seen their weapons they would have seen intricate engravings on the swords that showed the skill of the Moorwind craftsmen.

Another slight noise, louder than before, could be heard in the tunnel that the three rabbits were in. Shortly afterwards, four shapes came into view groping their way through the darkness.

"This is ridiculous," whispered one of the Taw rabbits. "Turn on your lantern. It's not like these Moorden hill-folk can see better than we can in the dark."

One of the other Taw warriors pulled a lantern from his knapsack and flicked a switch on the side.

[That's a gem powered light!] signed Kevin frantically.

If Stephen could have signed back in a grim way, he would have.

[This is worse than I thought. We're leaving for Skybridge after this]

[WHAT?!]

The green flourescent glow of the Taw lantern illuminated the cavern, almost revealing the Moorden Clan gaurd.

[Shadowshift] signalled Stephen. Though it would take up some of their energy, the experienced veteran knew that even with their skill, the lantern would reveal them and the advantage would be lost quickly. The three Moorden rabbits vanished, and only one with a gift of night-vision would be able to tell they were there.

"Okay, that's good enough," said one of the Taw warriors. "Let's get going and finish this raid."

The band of Taw invaders walked past the shifting Moorden guard. After the Taw were a safe distance away, the rabbits shifted out of the shadows and returned to normal.

[Let's follow] signed Stephen who began to walk after the Taw.

Oblivious to the fact that they were being followed the Taw continued through the maze of tunnels.

"This place is deserted as the outland deserts," grumbled a younger Taw warrior. "Where's all the pillaging that jerk of a ruler Andria talked about?" Realizing what he had said, the warrior stuttered with fear, "L-look, I didn't m-mean that, you understand, r-right?"

"Oh, I understand all right," replied the leader, stopping.

"G-good," replied the young warrior in apparent relief.

In a flash the poor rabbit was against the wall with a sword to his throat.

"Don't you EVER talk about her like that again," snarled the Taw leader, "You're not even worthy to speak her name. Now shut up and get going!" After slapping the shaking rabbit in the face the leader turned to the other warriors.

"I'm going to contact the two other groups by the thought-link, but you scout ahead. I'll catch up shortly. Make sure this traitor here doesn't step out of line again, you hear?"

The three rabbits walked on ahead with the lantern, leaving their leader behind, never guessing he was in danger. Stopping about fifteen feet behind the Taw raider, the Moorden rabbits began frantically signing to one another.

[What's a thought-link?]

[I dunno, maybe it's some kind of gem-tech]

[We're going to find out soon enough. Attack him] signed Stephen with a deadly calm.

The Taw warrior never knew what happened. One minute he was communicating to his other troops, the next he was lying on the ground with a broken neck, oblivious to the thoughts being received in his head.

Hurrying ahead, the Moorden warriors quickly caught up with the other three Taw warriors just as they entered the main hall.

"By my hair!" gasped one of the Taw. "This place is huge."

"Yeah," echoed another one of the raiders in disbelief, "Wait 'til she finds out!"

"Don't worry," said a voice behind them, "You won't have to tell her."

The Taw spun in surprise, swords at the ready.

"Who said that? Show yourselves!"

I'll give them credit for being calm, but that's it, thought Stephen as he sheathed his sword and stepped forward where the group of Taw could see him. Kevin and Tyler followed his example.

"See, no weapons," said Stephen, "Don't tell me you're scared of an old rabbit like me."

Without hesistation the three Taw warriors charged the unarmed rabbits, but were shocked when they dissapeared.

"Over here!" called Tyler from in the cavern. "Come fight us if you dare!"

Spinning on their heels the Taw advanced more cautiously this time, fanning out so that the Moorden rabbits couldn't get behind them again. When they were less then ten feet away, the Taw raiders stopped and drew what looked like a slingshot from their belts. With a flick of the wrist, three small fire-stones flew at the Moorden guard. Two of them ducked, but Stephen blocked the burning stone with his wristbands.

"No one has ever done that before!" said the youngest Taw warrior, still not recovered from the slap his commander had given him. He began to shake again.

"Will you just shut up and fight, momma's boy?!" one of the Taw almost screamed at him. This only made the younger rabbit shake harder.

[Ignore the young one] signed Stephen at his warriors.

This time only two fire-stones flew at the rabbits. One grazed Tyler on the shoulder, who winced in pain but kept going.

Deciding to forget bravado and to just try and save their necks, the two Taw warriors began backing up and kept slinging fire-stones at the seemingly invincilbe Moorden rabbits. The other Taw had collapsed and was shaking with fear under one of the large tables.

After they had run out of energy for their fire-slings, the Taw drew swords and charged again. This time the Moorden warriors met them head on, swords once again drawn. With a battle cry Stephen entered the fight and fought for all he was worth: his home and his family.

The Moorden warriors made quick work of the Taw raiders and soon the only one left alive was the younger rabbit under the table.

"Tie him up," Stephen told Kevin. "We'll question him when we get to Skybridge."

"We're really going there?" asked Tyler while he nursed his wounds.

"You can bet your hide on it," replied Stephen. "Now, let's get this mess cleared up. I'm going to check on our other groups."

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hours later
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Groups of rabbits stood in the warm noon-day sun, ready to leave as soon as they were told. The Taw raid had been stopped and one of the wind beasts destroyed, but two of the Moorden rabbits had been seriously injured in the fight. One was not expected to live through next week.

At the sound of the trumpet the groups of rabbits started off, many crying at the thought at the thought of never seeing the Moorwind Den again.

===
TBC
===