Royal family of the Thirty Warrens

**Prince Grant**: To serve. To do rightly. To be first into danger and last out. To rule so that those under his rule are as free and good as they can possibly be.

—*Prince Lander and the Dragon War*

## Association information

### Symbol

Whitson Stone
Green Ember

### Purpose

To rule the rabbits in the land of Natalia.

### Members

• Whitson Mariner
 • Lillie
 • Lander Whitson
 • Lemual Whitson
 • Davis Whitson
 • Grant Whitson
• Lucianne Blackstar
• Walter Good
• Bleston
• Jupiter Goodson
 • Winslow Joveson
 • Whitbie Joveson
 • Smalden Joveson
 • Emma Joveson
 • Heather Joveson
 • Maggie Joveson
• Hanna Joveson

## Book information

### Appears

• *The Black Star of Kingston*
• *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*
• *Prince Lander and the Dragon War*
• *The Green Ember*
• *Ember Falls*
• *Ember Rising*
• *Ember's End*
• *The Last Archer*
• *The First Fowler*
• *The Archer's Cup*

The **R****oyal family of the Thirty Warrens** was the rabbit family descended from Flint Firstking and Fay (through King Whitson Mariner of the Golden Coast) that ruled the kingdom of Thirty Warrens in Natalia.

## History

### *The Black Star of Kingston*

Whitson was appointed to his royal role by King Gerrard, last of the rabbit monarchs of Golden Coast. He married Lillie, daughter of Lord Grant, and the pair had a son named Lander. The trio lived together in Seddleton, the first settlement established by the Trekkers in Natalia, until it was destroyed in the Battle of Ayman Lake. Fortunately, all three survived, and subsequently departed Ayman Lake with a large group of their subjects.

### *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*

Whitson, his wife, and son wintered with many of their subjects at Halfway Harbor, before setting sail again in the spring. Unfortunately, they were betrayed by the Grimble family and those loyal to them, and Queen Lillie was abducted by the villains. They hoped to force her to marry Captain Grimble and thus add legitimacy to their own renegade kingdom. However, through the efforts of a party led by Lander, Lillie was rescued, and Whitson and his loyalists subsequently defeated the Grimbles. The Grimbles' treachery had yet another unfortunate consequence, in that it drew the Trekkers into conflict with the local population of dragons.

### *Prince Lander and the Dragon War*

The royal family expanded to include Lemual, Davis, and Grant Whitson as the Dragon War continued, though Davis would perish young at the blade of Namoz Dragonking. Whitson was also afflicted with a degenerative medical condition that would lead to his own premature death. Perhaps due to his failing faculties, he lost the confidence of a number of younger soldiers within the camp, who came to desire that he abdicate or be removed in favor of one of his sons. Lemual, meanwhile, was selected to lead the Third Scouts in the event that the rabbit community at Lener's Crossroads was destroyed.

After Grant was badly injured while out on a mission, the malcontents made their opinion known. Tensions remained high in the camp as Grant lay near the point of death, while Grimble—now lord of his community—sent Whitson an invitation to a "peace summit" and insisted that he bring along one of his sons. Lemual was sent off during an attack by the Grimbles, and Whitson and Lander traveled to Barren Point for the meeting with Grimble. The ensuing battle saw Whitson's death and Lander's accession to kingship, as well as Lemual's return with the forces of Black Star Company.

While Queen Mother Lillie and Grant remained at Lener's Crossroads, Lander and Lemual led their army in the Battle of Dragon Mountain, Lander having proclaimed Lemual his heir. Though Lander suffered numerous wounds in the battle, he survived and led his forces to victory. Afterwards, he became determined to hide both the dragon seeds and the Stone Sword of Flint in a place that only his heirs would be able to access. Later, he and Lemual received word that Grant had regained consciousness.

### *The Green Ember*/*The Last Archer*

Over a hundred years after the time of Whitson and Lander, their line had become corrupt, with the royal line leading down to a self-serving tyrant. Fortunately, the son of this wicked lord, Walter Good, returned to the ways of his honored forebears and set about reestablishing the rabbit kingdom. King Walter was responsible for the rabbit kingdom of Natalia being dubbed the Thirty Warrens, an optimistic choice given that there were far fewer than that number when he ascended to the throne. Eventually, Walter prepared to honor the ancient tradition of the Bestowal of the Green Ember upon his heir and chose his third son Jupiter to receive the honor.

Regrettably, Walter's eldest son Bleston rebelled at his father's decision, feeling that he was the rightful heir to the throne, and dubbed Jupiter a usurper. He subsequently left the capital city of First Warren with a number of followers, leaving the way clear for Jupiter to ascend to the role of king after Walter was killed by hawks some years later. After years of establishing his kingdom through both war and negotiation, Jupiter married and had a number of children, including several sons. Unfortunately, Jupiter was betrayed by Garten Longtreader and killed by Morbin Blackhawk, leader of the Lords of Prey.

Before dying, Jupiter had conferred the Green Ember upon his youngest son, Smalden Joveson, though this was not widely known. Smalls was entrusted to the guardianship of Wilfred Longtreader, and the pair remained in First Warren for some time until they were forced to leave it. Smalls' elder brothers, regrettably, vied with one another for power in the occupied Great Wood, with the oldest brother Winslow accepting the title of governor under the rule of Morbin. He eventually banished Smalls and Wilfred in all but name, and the pair made their way northwest to Nick Hollow.

Heather and Picket Longtreader, after first learning of King Jupiter, met Smalls and Wilfred but were not made aware of Smalls' true identity. They would go on to learn the history of King Walter and his sons and question the seeming absence of King Jupiter's heir. Kyle would also inform Heather of the state of things between Jupiter's other sons in the Great Wood. Eventually, both Longtreaders learned Smalls' true identity, with Picket acting to rescue him from an ambush arranged by Kyle, Garten, and Redeye Garlackson.

In the process of this rescue and the simultaneous Battle for Cloud Mountain, Smalls would be revealed as heir to the throne.

### *Ember Falls*/*The First Fowler*

With the revelation of Smalls' royalty, plans would be made to get him from Cloud Mountain to Halfwind Citadel, and from there to Kingston for a Citadel Congress. This operation was menaced by the Preylord Solus, but the efforts of an advance team led by Lord Captain Helmer enabled the prince to reach Halfwind safely. From Halfwind, Prince Smalden set out for Kingston.

Bleston returned from Terralain with his son Kylen and saved Halfwind Citadel from a wolf attack. Following Lord Ramnor's death in the attack, Bleston became the leader of the citadel. Bleston bore the Whitson Stone and intended to rule Natalia and then pass the throne on to Kylen. Heather Longtreader tried to convince Bleston to give the throne to the rightful heir, Prince Smalls. At an assembly, Bleston, appearing convinced, told Halfwind Citadel that he would give the Whitson Stone to Smalls upon Smalls' return.

Wilfred returned with the news that Smalls had fallen in the attack on the abandoned slave camp. Emma, revealed as Smalls' younger sister, became the leader of the Cause.

Bleston betrayed Emma to Garten Longtreader, and Emma was nearly killed, but saved by the heroic actions of Lord Rake and Picket Longtreader.

Emma attempted to give herself up to Morbin, for the lives of the other rabbits, but Heather prevented her.

### *Ember Rising/The Archer's Cup*

Princess Emma and her council conducted the evacuation of Cloud Mountain.

Helmer and Picket expressed their (and Emma's) desire to enter and retake First Warren to Lord Hewson and his council. Captain Redthaw told them that after First Warren was captured, the Lords of Prey made Winslow, King Jupiter's eldest son, into a puppet governor of the city under the control of Morbin Blackhawk.

Emma met with Kylen, the son of Prince Bleston, who believed that he was the true heir to the throne and Emma only an usurper. Kylen accused Heather and Picket of treachery, greatly angering Emma. Emma realized that Kylen was not well, and as she was a doctor offered to help him. Kylen insisted that he could not accept help from her, and drew out the Whitson Stone from beneath his shirt, which symbolized that he had the right to rule. Emma told Kylen that she did not want the throne, and he said that she did not have to have it if she would only give it to him. Emma considered this for a second before telling him that she could not let him have the throne, as he would not be a good ruler. Tameth Seer and other Terralain soldiers then emerged from the forest, and Tameth bound and gagged Emma. Tameth Seer would have killed Emma if not for the timely intervention of Heyna and Coleden Blackstar.

While in First Warren, and in the Citadel of Dreams, Picket meets Whit, the second son of King Jupiter. Picket inquires why Whit wears a mask all the time, and Whit reveals the many scars across his face. Picket compares Whit to Smalls, and Whit reveals that he is the elder brother of Prince Smalls. He tells Picket that he did go along with Winslow's betrayals for a long time, but then mended his ways and returned to Jupiter's cause. Picket compliments Whit, and encourages him not to cover his scars. Whit politely declines, presumably because to him they are not only a reminder of his turning from the betrayal but the betrayal itself. Picket agrees to keep Whit's secret when he is informed that only Captain Moonlight knows of Whit's true identity.

Princess Emma was taken on a tour of all the secret citadels, beginning with Vandalia, where she was pleased at the warm welcoming she received. She then, along with Jo Shanks, and Coleden and Heyna Blackstar, visited Blackstone Citadel. Most of the rabbits of Blackstone Citadel did not recognize Emma as Jupiter's heir, and Emma hoped to change this. Emma attended a conference with Lord Ronan, but while on her way was nearly assassinated by Matron Wilder. At the conference, Lord Ronan told Emma of the letters from Bane Graveheart, saying that was the reason the citadel was so divided. Jo Shanks eventually figured out who Bane Graveheart was, caught him, and consequently ended the citadel's main troubles. Lord Ronan then pledged his support to Emma and her cause, and the whole citadel held a party.

Whit brings Picket and Helmer to Winslow's palace, where he has safe conduct. Winslow is not pleased to have Whitbie there, as it is 'Victory Day' in First Warren. Whit tells Winslow of Smalls' death, which seemed to have pleased Winslow, and then invites Lord Captain Helmer to deliver Emma's message. In the message, Emma calls Winslow a coward and tells Winslow that he will soon be no longer in command of the palace he has stolen. Whitbie then took his companions and left, having done what he came to do, and having angered Winslow.

Whit led Helmer and Picket to the city square, where Prince Winslow was praising Morbin. When the Citadel of Dreams exploded and collapsed upon many members of Daggler's band, Winslow assures the crowd that Daggler will investigate this and crush the resistance. However, Picket Longtreader then leapt from the wall, engaging his glider until he landed upon the statue of Morbin on the seventh standing stone. Weezie assisted Picket in placing blastpowder around the statue of Morbin, and then the statue was blasted off the standing stone. Winslow called for calm, but no rabbit paid attention. Winslow needed help standing up. The Battle for First Warren then begun, and Whit arrived on the balcony where Winslow stood and placed his sword point against his brother's neck and secured Winslow in a chair, and volunteered to keep watch over Winslow.

A wolf army and many Lords of Prey arrived to the city, but so did Emma's army, led by Coleden Blackstar and Captain Frye. When Emma tried to enter the palace, a member of the royal guard attacked her, but was quickly subdued. When Emma entered, she found Winslow on the balcony, still in his chair, watching the battle with tears in his eyes. Whit was beside Winslow, and when he saw Emma he smiled and reached for his mask, but it was not there. Helmer introduced Emma to Whit, telling her that without him they would not have had a chance. Emma was happy to see a brother who was no longer a traitor. He bowed to her and welcomed her and she kissed his forehead. They then turned their attention back to the battle, with Whit pointing out the remaining two raptors. As Picket rushed to rescue Jo from one of them, Emma worked to assemble her forces and Whit stood by her, still watching Winslow, who was 'a wreck' and did not seem to be a threat.

Following the battle, Emma came to visit Picket when he woke in the hospital. Soon after, Emma addressed the inhabitants of First Warren. She celebrated the liberation of First Warren and how well the rabbits had fought. Helmer then brought Winslow onto the balcony. The crowd erupted, jeering and crying out angrily. When this had calmed a little, Helmer told Emma of all the evil Winslow had done. Emma asked if Winslow had anything to say for himself, and he responded that he deserved death but was sorry for all the evil he had done and allowed to be done. Emma raised Helmer's sword to Winslow's neck. He did not move, only closed his eyes and waited, but Emma instead touched the sword to his shoulder. She then pronounced a pardon to Winslow, telling him that while he would be watched and his influence limited he would not be killed. Helmer led an awestruck Winslow off the balcony, and Emma then pronounced a blanket pardon for all who were willing to return to her cause. Many came up to beneath the balcony and Emma pardoned them all. A celebration then began.

Heather was dropped into a tomb by Garten Longtreader, and she found Smalls in the tomb too. Heather was devastated, and laid her head on Smalls' chest. Then, to her astonishment, she felt something that was presumably a heartbeat.

### *Ember's End*

Princess Emma held a council, knowing that Morbin would attack First Warren soon. Emma learns that, while the defenses are going well, they need more time to be prepared and may not have sufficient time. Emma then takes a group to meet with the Terralain army, in an attempt to get them on her side. However, they still believe Tameth Seer's lies, that Kylen is the rightful ruler of Natalia, and Emma only an usurper. The Terralains plan to attack First Warren along with Morbin.

In the Tomb of Lander's Dragons, which she has been kicked into by Garten Longtreader, Heather finds Smalls' body. To her great surprise, she also finds that his heart is beating. With the last dregs of her consciousness, as she has been mortally wounded by Garten, she wonders if Jone's tonic was actually what Aunt Jone said it was. She pours some of it into Smalls' wound before falling unconscious. Heather later woke to a living Smalls, and he told her that he had found out which tonic she had given him, and given it to her. They are both delighted to be alive. Heather and Smalls then meet a dragon, who tells them that he is the dragon keeper, and more to the point, that they cannot escape the dragon tomb.

In First Warren, Whit Joveson helped prepare the defenses. Winslow Joveson, who had been close to Morbin for a time, gave intelligence on the Six, helping explain why Morbin had chosen the strategy of having the raptors attack in waves instead of all at once. Winslow and Whit then listened while Mrs. Weaver interrogated the prisoner from the Longtreader Command, hidden behind a barrier, and Winslow took notes.

Many wise advisors insisted that Emma leave First Warren and go somewhere safe for the attack, but Emma refused to. She asked if any of them would leave, and they told her they would not, and she expressed her determination not to leave. Emma then addressed her army, making a rousing speech and telling them of how she would stay.

The Siege of First Warren then began. First came the Terralains. Tameth Seer again accused Emma of being a witch and usurper, and encouraged the army to fight Emma. However, Kylen and Naylen turned on Tameth, and after killing the old seer the Terralain army turned around to meet the oncoming wolves.

During the siege, Emma acted as a medic before taking command by the old palace and holding small councils. Kylen found Emma near the palace and fell on his knees. He apologized for all he had done, and surrendered the Whitson Stone to Emma. Emma forgave Kylen. To Emma's great joy, she met her mother, which led to a happy reunion. Winslow worked as an assistant in the hospital, and Whit fought bravely during the siege.

In the dragon tomb, Heather had discovered that the dragon they met was not who he said he was. After finding out that the vault inside the tomb opened with the Green Ember, and finding that she did not have the Green Ember, Heather was rescued from the enraged dragon by Smalls bursting out of the vault. They hurried inside and shut the door before the other dragons arrived, for the false dragon keeper had awoken many dragon eggs. Smalls and Heather realized that the vault had been breached, and the dragons could get out. They needed to end the dragons, once and for all. Smalls picked up Flint's sword, which he had found in the vault, and Heather armed herself with a maul. The two burst out of the vault and began killing dragons. After this, they began destroying the supports, and the tomb collapsed around the two, ending the remaining dragons. Smalls and Heather prepared to die. However, Whittle Longtreader lowered a rope through the tomb's ceiling and pulled them to safety just as the tomb finished collapsing and Forbidden Island sunk into Lake Merle.

Once on the boat, Smalls instructed the crew to steer for First Warren's seven standing stones. He leapt onto the first stone's stairs and ascended to the top. Smalls jumped from stone to stone below Morbin Blackhawk, and with the aid of Picket Longtreader, he was able to kill Morbin with Flint's sword. The Mending then began.

In the Mended Wood, Smalls became king. He married Heather Longtreader, and she became the queen. Whit and Winslow survived the siege, and Emma became princess, a role she was quite happy with. The rabbits of Natalia thrived and were happy under the rule of King Smalls.

## Family tree

 - The Royal Family of Natalia -

Note: Broken lines indicate relation through affinity or adoption or distant relation; unbroken lines indicate relation by blood.