Chapter Text
A bloody sun set in the sky,
And bloody claws twitched, sharp, nearby,
And winging raptors circled high,
And Jupiter’s heir was bound and tied.
A traitor laughed, and Redeye growled,
And Garten mocked as Redeye howled,
The prince was calm as Redeye prowled,
Though death was near, the prince still tried.
“How now, young prince?” Garlackson said.
“No one will come. You’re good as dead.”
“No. One will rise, rise in my stead,”
“Deal death to you.” Smalls had not lied.
For in the trees, a buck there stood
And struck his fist against the wood
This buck was of Longtreader’s blood
But not his shame, and did not hide.
For Picket ran onto the plain
The Crossroads of the rending pain
Smalls feared he ran out all in vain
When raptors turned and Picket spied.
But no! They dove, but Picket rose,
Set on the course he bravely chose,
He leapt, and to the first dealt blows
That sent him to the ground. Hard-eyed
The buck sprang on the second’s back
And kicked so that the bird’s bones cracked
The bird went down, his vision black,
But Picket took it all in stride.
The bird went down, but Picket’s arc
Continued up. And all may mark:
Our Picket flew, a light in dark,
A feat all rabbits hold with pride.
A bloody sun set in the sky,
Red blood for oaths that bind and tie,
And Picket flew across the sky
And by his sword Garlackson died.
A flashing arc of furious steel
A flight of valor, hope, and zeal
Portent that Morbin’s fate was sealed
Longtreader flew, and fate defied.
When foes were dead in sky and land,
Our Picket clasped the prince’s hand,
They stood, a small but burning band,
Stood back-to-back, and side by side.
A traitor called, but he stayed true
The Leapers leapt, but Picket flew
He did what no one else could do
He wrought, in truth, a miracle.