Doe just nodded to Thistle, starting to run silently through the forest. From time to time she stopped for the moment to look around her, before she resumed her scouting. After awhile she heard a weird sound coming from a distance ahead. It was strange, because Neltita coul not recognize what thing was making that sound, although she had felt that she heard it before. Especially when it seemed to fade after a second and then resound again, with irregular periods of silence between each time of noise. She listened to this, when suddenly she heard another sound, a rustle behind her. Neltita turned around to see a hare coming to her. He stopped a leap from her and they observed each other without saying a word. Finally, the silence was broken by hare:
"You are rabbit doe, not hare." he said with a slight tone of disappointment "What you are doing here alone?" he asked, tilting his head in display of curiosity. The hare was brown-fured and like all of his kind he looked as a strong and fast creature.
Neltita thought about the answer for only a moment. Being honest would not cause any harm probably and this hare could have a value informations about the surroundings.
"I was send to scout the way for others, to make sure it is safe to go through this forest." After saying that she asked "Do you know what lies there?" she pointed in direction of the source of noises she was still hearing.
"You know... When I saw you running that fast, I thought you might be another hare... It is shame you are not. I've not seen any hare in this forest for many moons." he said giving her a somber look. "Answering your question: there is a... what you call it? Hrududu? Yes, that is it. There is a hrududu's trail there. You can cross it without a trouble, if you do it quickly. After that, you will be going though the woods for a days, before you will reach the other edge."
"Do you know well this forest?" Neltita asked, to which hare simply nodded. Then, acting on impulse she asked:
"Maybe you could help us go through it?" This question really surprised the hare and he just stand there speechless. Neltita used that silence to explain her idea "If you know well this area, then you would make a perfect guide for us and I am sure that in the place we are going to there are other hares living, so you wouldnt be alone anymore."
"How can you know that?" hare asked doubtfully.
"I have a feeling." she answered.
"A feeling. You mean the 'I had a vision about it' kind of feeling?" he asked.
"Well... Yes." after that answer there was again a silence between this two. The hare was obviously thinking about doe's proposition, but she couldn't tell if he was going to agree for it or not. Finally he spoke:
"I dont know if you have a real feeling or not, but I will have better chance finding a mate by moving out here than staying. I will join you." he stated firmly "And by the way... My name is... Well... I dont think you know how to speak hare language, so you may call me... Basil."
"Alright, Basil. I am Neltita. It is nice to meet you." she said.
"It would be a lot more nice, if you were a hare." he said, but this time he didnt sound sad, but it seemed more like as he was joking. "Where is your companions?" he asked.
"Follow me." Neltita said, going back the way she came...