The three rugged badger beastmen who had brought the stretcher stepped forward, their heads low, looking like the world was about to split open and shatter their final hope.
"Please..." the lead badger rasped, his voice trembling. "Can we... Can we see them? The kits and our sister?"
Hana looked at them for a second. How in the world was a rabbit a sister to a badger? Well, it wasn't her concern. She sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose.
"Wait right there. I don't want anyone trampling inside my den."
She turned back into the cave and signaled her vanguards. A moment later, Caspian and Kulu rolled out two clean, mechanical transport stretchers.
One held the resting, heavily bandaged mother, and the other held the three tiny, squawking grey and white kits wrapped in soft sterile sheets. They were very much alive.
