A Taste for Rabbit

by Linda Zuckerman

  “What about the rebels?”

  “There was no sign of them,” Zack said, ”although I imagine they’re probably at the cave by now.”

  “We needed to leave that place,” Frank said, nodding.

  “I take it you never saw Harry, or Elton? Or Gerard, the weasel?”

  Zack shook his head. “No. Listen, Quentin — are you feeling well enough to walk? I want to go home, now. I need to see my old familiar house and my things. I need to see other rabbits and hear their voices. And as soon as I open the door to my place the first thing I’m going to do is get under the covers and stay there for about a week. I’m serious.”

  “I can understand that,” Quentin said. “Then what?”

  “I’m not sure. Obviously, this whole thing will have to be reported to the Leader, don’t you think? Some policies will have to change.”

  “Actually,” Frank said, “I’ve been imagining what it would be like to go home. I think it would kill me to walk into my house and see … the children’s toys and clothes, and my Mary’s things, all the signs of our life together but with the family gone … I can’t do it.”

  “What else can you do?” Quentin said, surprised.

  “I’ve been thinking I’d join the rebels,” Frank said. “Don’t laugh, you two. Now that the … trade has been stopped, the rebels may be able to return to the cooperative life they once led. Tabor struck me as an intelligent, thoughtful creature when he wasn’t ferociously angry. I think I could get used to it — peaceful, nonviolent, loosely organized…. And they certainly need some help with their cooking!” he added with a laugh. “In any case, I think I’d like to try. Maybe you and Zack can visit me from time to time.”

  Quentin closed his eyes. In his mind he could see Wildwood Forest, the perimwall with its towers. On the other side is my home, Stonehaven. I could go back and finish school, maybe make a permanent connection and raise a family. Every day would be pretty much the same. No risks — no jumping off walls or pitching tents. No foxes, no weasels, no badger checkers …

  “Can we talk about this later?” he said. “I think I need to sleep.”

  “Of course,” Frank said, getting up. “We’ll be outside if you need us. It’s actually stopped snowing. Coming, Zack?”

  Zack had stopped and was looking at Quentin. “In a minute,” he said.

  Frank nodded and walked outside.

  Zack sat down again. “Something’s wrong, Q. What is it?”

  “You know me too well,” Quentin said. He shifted position and sat up so that he could see Zack clearly. “I was thinking about going home. I don’t know if I can.”

  “Q! What do you mean?” Zack looked stunned. “Why not?”

  Quentin struggled to explain it. “I’m not the same rabbit who jumped off the perimwall. I’ve talked to a fox and a badger! I’ve done things … I never thought I could do. It’s just hard to imagine living my old life. When I think about it now it seems so boring, so … predictable!”

  Zack gave a short laugh. “After all we’ve been through,” he said, “that’s exactly what appeals to me! A world with no surprises.” He stood and walked to the opening of the tent. “I long for peace and quiet! Don’t you?” When Quentin didn’t answer, he turned to him. “Maybe you just need some time. Maybe you’ll change your mind once you feel stronger.” He sat down again. “You’re my closest friend, Q,” he said. “Who will I complain to about the government? Who will listen to my radical political views — if I still have any,” he added, almost to himself. “Who will I meet for lunch at the café?”

  Good questions, Quentin thought. “I’ll have to think about it,” he said as Zack turned away and walked out of the tent.

  I must make a decision, Quentin thought, closing his eyes. I could go home and at least give it a try. I owe that much to Zack. Or I could join Frank and the rebels, which would be different, at least. But that’s not what I want, either! I want to be in a place where things happen that I’m not prepared for, or didn’t expect, and instead of being frightened, I’m excited. And then see that I am ready for the unexpected, even though I didn’t think I was. Where will I find that?

  * * *

  Toward the late afternoon, Quentin was able to stand. Allison had provided a large wooden staff for him to lean on, and in a short while he could walk, slowly, holding on to Frank’s arm with his other paw. They gathered up what gear they could carry, along with two lanterns given to them by Becky, and set out for the front gate to Stonehaven. Zack, cold and silent, walked on ahead.

  By dusk, the air was milder; snow had melted all around them. The path, covered with a coat of slush, was slippery and Quentin’s boots were beginning to soak through by the time the sky darkened and the moon appeared, a silvery disk behind the clouds.

  Frank lit the lantern.

  “I told Zack I’m not sure I can go home,” Quentin said to him.

  Frank stopped in his tracks, a look of amazement on his face. “That explains his silence today,” he said. “I wondered what had happened. But not going home!” he said. “I didn’t think for a moment you’d be joining me! I must say I’m enormously pleased. It will be good, Quentin. Like old times at school, only better because we’re older and have more sense. And it will be less lonely for me to have the companionship of someone from Stonehaven.”

  “No,” Quentin said. “That’s not the life I want either,” he said. “I’m sorry. I just don’t know what I want to do.”

  “I see. I think.”

  Ahead of them, Zack had stopped and was staring into a clearing. Quentin and Frank came up beside him.

  There stood Elton’s tent, illuminated by the moon, the packs and bundles inside, where Quentin had left them; he peeked in and saw Rabbit Heroes for All Times opened to the first page.

  Beyond the tent was the rough lean-to that he had built that first night and the path into the woods where Zack and Frank had been taken by the rebels; there was the log he had leaned against, holding the stick, terrified, when he had first seen Harry. The bright moonlight, filtered through the trees, made the clearing seem a peaceful place.

  “Let’s stop here for a while,” Quentin said. “I need to rest.” He stepped inside the tent and sat down with difficulty near the bundles. Frank and Zack followed, and Zack picked up the book.

  “I remember laughing when you said you’d brought this,” he said. “Now I’m thinking they’ll have to add both your names.”

  It was the first time Zack had spoken to him since the morning. “All our names,” Quentin said.

  Zack shook his head. “I try to imagine telling our friends what happened,” he said, “and I can just see their faces. No one will believe you jumped off the perimwall, Q, or that you talked to a fox and a badger, or that there’s an Inn run by raccoons. They certainly won’t believe that Dan and Wally were behind the disappearances and were acting alone, or what happened to the rabbits who vanished, or that you and Frank killed … No one will believe me. They’ll think I’ve gone crazy. They’ll send me away. I’m serious.”

  “You’re right,” Frank said. “Not about the crazy part. But we’re the only ones who will ever really understand what happened in these woods and at the cave. As far as the other things — maybe you can persuade the Leader to visit the Inn. When Allison and Becky heard about what happened — they were shocked, especially since Gerard and Martin had stayed with them so often. They would certainly vouch for you.”

  “You could show him the cave and the collapsed tunnel,” Quentin said.

  “I never want to see that place again,” Zack said. “Besides, that’s not really the point, is it?”

  “No,” Quentin said quietly. “It’s not.”

  Zack walked outside the tent and stood staring into the woods, his arms folded across his chest.

  Quentin followed, and put his paw on his friend’s arm. “Zack — please try to understand,” he said. “I can’t see myself joining the rebels.”

  Zack turned to look at him
.

  “I suppose I could try it. But something about all that endless pacifism and cooperation — it seems so boring! I don’t mean that I’d like to fight every so often just to liven things up,” he added hastily.

  “Glad to hear that.”

  “I’m not explaining this very well.” Quentin sighed. “I think it’s the idea that everything has to be just one way or the other all the time, forever. I want surprises.”

  “I guess when you’re a warrior rabbit,” Zack said with a crooked smile, “the world looks different.”

  Quentin felt a flood of relief. “I guess it does.”

  “Look,” Zack said, trying again. “You’ve changed. You jumped off the wall. Maybe our community can change too — in small ways at first. If you’re a part of it, you can help make it happen. We could do it together. What do you think?”

  “Small ways?”

  “Yes … like, well, we could encourage the others to try different colors. Rabbits don’t have to wear blue all the time, for example.” Zack started to laugh at the expression on Quentin’s face. “Oh. Not exactly what you had in mind, I gather.”

  Quentin exploded with laughter. “No,” he said. “Small changes won’t be enough,” he said. “But perhaps I could find a way to push things along.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve been thinking of giving up agriculture and studying rabbit law instead. Maybe I’ll run for office someday. I’ll bet that would be an unexpected life!”

  Zack’s face brightened. “I like it — Quentin for Leader. You’d be a good one.”

  “Do you think so?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “And maybe the first thing I’d do would be to try to get everyone to jump off the wall in the snow, just once,” Quentin said with a little smile.

  “Literally?”

  “Literally.”

  “You know,” Zack said slowly, “that’s a really interesting idea.”

  Frank emerged from the tent, carrying his things. “Have you two figured it out? I need to get going. Quentin, are you sure you won’t be joining me?”

  “No, Frank. I don’t think so.”

  “Then I’ll say good-bye.” Frank dropped his bundles into the snow. “Thank you for helping me get through this,” he said to Zack. “I’ll be thinking of you safe and warm under the covers.”

  Zack nodded.

  “But don’t stay there forever,” Frank continued. “Don’t let Dan and Wally change you permanently. Take the time you need and then come back to yourself.”

  “I will,” Zack said. “You do the same.”

  “I’ll try.” Then Frank turned to Quentin. “One of the hardest things in the world is saying good-bye to a friend.”

  “It is hard to say good-bye,” Quentin replied.

  “Brothers,” Frank said, looking into their faces, “we will meet again.” Frank embraced Zack and Quentin briefly, then picked up his bundles and a lantern and turned into the woods.

  “Well, Q?” Zack said, his sad eyes hopeful.

  Quentin clapped his friend on the back. “All right,” he said. “Let’s start with red.”

  “Harry,” a familiar voice growled.

  Harry lifted his head and saw Elton step out of the shadows of the cave; at the same time, he heard Tabor and the other rabbits charge inside behind him. He felt himself roughly lifted off his feet and pulled toward Tabor, who held a knife to his throat. The edge of the blade was sharp and it drew blood — Harry could feel it. Tabor’s eyes were filled with hate and rage. Behind him, the other rabbits crouched in a circle, their spears and clubs pointed at Harry.

  “Isaac!” Tabor said hoarsely. “Now you will die for all the crimes you have committed. This immoral trade ends here and now!”

  “No,” Elton said in his deep voice. “Not Isaac.”

  “Elton? What are you doing here?”

  The badger came closer and placed a paw on Harry’s shoulder. “Friend,” he said, and Tabor, looking shocked, lowered the knife.

  Harry was about to speak, when Martin pushed his way through the rabbit guards. “What’s going on?” he asked. His face was swollen and he held a pawful of melting snow against his bloodshot eye. He looked from Tabor’s face to Elton’s and said furiously, “You ain’t going to believe no stinking badger! Badgers don’t know nothing about no foxes. This is Isaac. I know him. I seen him. It ain’t no one else. Look at his walking stick!” he said again, holding it up.

  “It’s not mine,” Harry said, wiping the blood from his neck with a shaky paw. “My brother gave it to me.”

  Martin looked around at the armed guards. “Foxes ain’t known for never telling the truth,” he said wisely.

  “Not Isaac,” Elton said again.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Sure.”

  “I told you,” Harry said. “I’m Harry, Isaac’s brother. You’ve been chasing the wrong fox. I saw Isaac two nights ago. He’s far away from here by now. You’ll never catch him.” He was still breathing hard, and it was not only from running.

  “If you’re a friend of Elton’s, that’s good enough for me,” Tabor said to Harry. “We’ve traded with him for a long time. He doesn’t lie.” He turned to Martin. “You, weasel, are a different matter.”

  “I ain’t taking no blame for none of this!” Martin cried. He dropped the walking stick, pushed his way through the rabbit guards, and ran.

  He’ll probably pick up that gold on the trail, Harry thought with fleeting regret, then sighed. He can have it.

  “Let him go,” Tabor said as the guards started after him. “There’s no point in punishing an underling when the real evildoers go free.” He looked around the cave and noticed the blood and the collapsed stairs, the stone cover to the tunnel slightly ajar and cracked into pieces.

  “What about the others, Wally and Dan? What happened to Frank and Zack, and their friend?” Tabor asked Elton.

  “Don’t know.”

  “If Isaac is really gone,” Tabor said, “then this trade is finished, thank the gods. We’ll seal up this cave, and then we’ll go home.” He turned to Harry. “I’m sorry for the mistake.”

  “So am I,” Harry said.

  * * *

  A while later, Harry was walking slowly on the melting path with Elton at his side, his leg throbbing with every step. He told Elton about his meeting with Isaac, and about Gerard. “I thought you were going to the rebel camp,” Harry said. He wasn’t ready to talk about the events at the cave just yet.

  “Rebels gone,” Elton replied.

  “How did you get here so quickly?”

  “Shortcut.”

  “Did you see Quentin or the others?”

  “No.”

  “Why did you come to the cave? You were supposed to meet Quentin at the tent.”

  “Worried.”

  “About Quentin?”

  Elton shook his head. “No. You.” He looked up at Harry. “Threw stones.”

  Harry was about to ask what the stones revealed and thought the better of it. Finally, he said, “Elton, if you hadn’t been in the cave …” He stopped and cleared his throat. “Thank you. I owe you my life.”

  Elton coughed and turned away. “Owe nothing,” he said, looking intently at the ground.

  They walked on in silence. “Look.” Elton had stopped and was pointing into the woods at the mangled, bloody body of a rabbit, the side of its head bashed in, splayed on its stomach across a snow-covered log. The thin afternoon sun filtered through the trees and cast a pale light on the rabbit, its limbs askew. Clearly it had been thrown away, like garbage. It wore no clothes.

  Harry went closer. “It’s not Quentin. I see a bit of that bald spot — mange, most likely.” He recalled Quentin’s description. “It must be Dan. Good. Shall we leave him?” he asked Elton. “Considering the cold, the body will probably be intact for quite a while.”

  Elton nodded. “Wolf food,” he said. “Deserves it.”

  “What do you think
happened to the other one?”

  “Don’t know.”

  They continued on the trail until the path forked, and then they stopped.

  “Inn first,” Elton said, dropping his things on the ground. “You?”

  “I’m not sure,” Harry said. “I had thought about going home, but now …”

  Elton was waiting. “Plans?”

  “I’m going after my brother,” Harry said firmly. He saw a flash of disappointment cross the badger’s face. “Well? What would you do?”

  “Forget.”

  “Forget that my brother wanted me killed? And that he almost succeeded? How could I do that?”

  Elton thought about it. “Hard,” he acknowledged, then added, “for you.”

  * * *

  Harry and Elton returned to the Inn, where Harry picked up his belongings, paid his bill, and left a large tip in his room for the considerate young rats. This time Allison greeted him and expressed concern about his leg. “The rabbit said the war was over,” she told him, peering down at him from behind the front desk, “and I didn’t believe him. I was right.”

  “Rabbit?” Elton asked.

  “Three, actually,” Becky said, coming into the room. “One was quite seriously injured. Quentin, I think it was — am I right, sweetie? But thanks to Allison, he was in better shape when we left.”

  “Do you know those rabbits?” Allison asked, turning to Harry.

  “Yes,” he said. “I know Quentin.” So he’d survived! Harry thought, surprised at the relief and pleasure he felt. Good for him!

  “Really?” Becky said. “Well, he and his friends may already be on their way to the fortress.” She handed Elton some wrapped parcels of food and he nodded his thanks.

  “You might be able to catch up,” Allison said. Then she glanced down at Harry’s leg. “Maybe not.”

  Becky held out a paw. “Thank you for staying at Inn the Forest,” she said to Elton and Harry. “Come again.”

  Allison’s grip on Harry’s paw was firm. She gestured to his leg. “Take care of that,” she said gruffly, and she closed the door behind them.