Chapter 1.4

He sat on the bed, listening to the sounds on the other side. The long, floppy ears on his head moved to angle itself to hear the voices outside while keeping an eye on the child. His eyes fell on the door handle. It turned slowly until the lock clicked, and the door opened softly. It became ajar enough for him to hear more clearly, and see the rest of the house from the space. The small body of the child was standing beside the doorway.

"Why would Granny bring the king and queen of Havengard here?" She asked herself curiously before looking outside again.

The sound of armor rattling as the two royal guards moved to escort the couple to the house.

"No, no, no. Stay here. I will bring the child out to meet you. There is no need for an extended visit, " the voice of an elderly woman said.

That must be the one the child calls Granny. The rabbit wondered if they were family. He also wondered what connects the older woman had to the king and queen of Havengard. His brow furrowed in concerned thought as he hoped that they were not here to take her away. The child saved his life this day, and he would undoubtedly save hers in kind.

The footfalls of the older woman led her to the doorway. The small girl opened the door to welcome her home with a smile and nod. The woman called Granny must have motioned her to come outside because the child moved away from the house while closing the front door behind her.

"Child, these are the king and queen of Havengard." She started while motioning to the couple before continuing, "They wanted to meet you personally before permitting you to have a familiar."

There was silence before the child moved forward so that he could see her from the window. She bowed like a gentleman to the two, which was not something ladies do.

"Ladies are supposed to curtsy, " the queen commented.

The child nodded in acknowledgment before stepping back to stand beside Granny. She has yet to speak a word to anyone, even the older woman. He found this intriguing after she had spoken to him earlier. The king stepped forward, and the guards moved with him, but the king motioned them to stay where they were.

"How old are you, child?" He asked her.

She held up five fingers with her palm facing out to him.

"Are you mute?" He asked her.

She shook her head, no. He demanded her to speak, and she shook her head no. The guard to the king's right spoke up.

"The king told you to speak, " he said with authority.

The child didn't acknowledge the man, nor did anyone else. The crickets were the only sound heard in response to his words. Granny spoke up, "Oh, those must be cricket toads."

The guard stood was offended, but the king spoke again.

"Where do you come here?" He asked only to receive a shrug.

"Do you know your name at least?" The queen asked as she was getting fed up with the situation.

The kid nodded yes, this time, she even smiled at them.

"What is your name?" The queen asked her with a smile.

"Her name is Rhaven. It is spelled with an 'h' after the 'r,' " Granny told them herself.

"Rhaven, " the king said.

His eyes bore down on the child, and the sight made the rabbit room from the bedroom to the front door. The situation didn't make him feel right.

"You said supposed to become the legacy of the two legendary heroes and champions of Havengard." He told her seriously, "However, you will not be treated any differently than the other children who are being educated and trained as adventures."

"Get to the point, " Granny grumbled.

"You will begin attending classes in Havengard beginning the next morning," He told her only to release a smile from her. "Promptly complete any missed work to get caught up."

Rhaven was unphased by the conditions of this request. She was more excited by the fact that she will be able to go to school. However, the critical thing was whether or not they will allow her to have her a familiar.

"Do you have a familiar?" He asked the child curiously.

She turned away from them without a word and strode towards the house only to see the door. Rhaven picked up the white rabbit with blue eyes to bring over to them. There has never been a rabbit with blue eyes. Rabbits with red eyes were rare, but no one has ever seen or spoken of one with blue eyes before.

"His name will be Ryes, " she told them herself.

He looked up at the small female child. The fire blazing in her eyes made him shiver, restless with a sudden burst of energy, he was anxious to see the future before them. He didn't know what a familiar meant, but if it allowed him to protect the child. Then he will accept it and do his best for her every moment of the day. He smiled up at her. Their eyes met, and she smiled at him too. Then light surrounded them suddenly, and the world went black without warning.