Halfwind Citadel

Halfwind on a map of the area surrounding Cloud Mountain.

**H****alfwind Citadel** is one of the secret citadels in Natalia. It was led by Lord Ramnor prior to his death. Its symbol is a red circle crossed with four spears forming a diamond in the center.

## History

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

Emma tells Heather and Picket that Halfwind Citadel, the nearest secret citadel to Cloud Mountain (a day's journey) is an old-fashioned warren. Kyle tells Heather and Picket that someone from Halfwind saw Terralain. Captain Frye tells Heather and Picket that Halfwind Citadel was ready to intervene and stop their treachery, and that they will not stand idle this time.

When Heather runs into Jo Shanks in the woods, she sees that he is from Halfwind, as his tunic has the Halfwind symbol on it. Heather's story is later passed to Halfwind's soldiers, who copy it and pass to the other secret citadels.

On his way to muster on Westfield, Jo Shanks stops by Halfwind's mess hall and swipes a bag of food to eat on his way there. He mentions that nearly all the rabbits at Halfwind hate the Longtreaders. Lieutenant Drand told Jo Shanks that winning the Archer's Cup was not very important, as there were traitors loose in Cloud Mountain.

When Nate Flynn expresses distaste at the archery cups, Clay Fletcher tells him that they need to inspire young archers. Nate compares them to Harbone Citadel, saying that those archers are revered but do not spend their time on things like this. After the Archer's Cup takes place, Lund tells Jo that the ones not chosen to accompany Lord Ramnor to the citadel congress were tasked with guarding Halfwind while the best are away.

The Halfwind soldiers clash with the Longtreaders but that is resolved after Heather's story is spread. The Halfwind soldiers help in the Battle for Cloud Mountain.

### *The First Fowler*

Two parties set out from Cloud Mountain to Halfwind Citadel: a large group including Prince Smalls and much of his new court, and a smaller advance team to scout out the route. After enduring the perils of a force of wolves under the command of Preylord Solus, the two groups arrive safely at Halfwind.

### *Ember Falls*

After the Fowlers' training course is constructed at Halfwind Citadel, the Fowlers go through a number of exercises on it, always failing to make it through Helmer's formidable gauntlet. During one such exercise, the group nearly succeeds, only to fail due to Heyward making an awkward landing while attempting to join the group in a charge. As a result of this, Helmer deems Heyward unfit to continue service in the Fowlers and dismisses him from the unit. Heather Longtreader, the unit's medic, reproves Helmer for his public humiliation of Heyward before taking off after the buck.

Some time later, Picket Longtreader finds Perkinson out on the course early; the pair are later ordered to bring fellow Fowler Jo Shanks and new recruit Coleden Blackstar to the course. When the group is on the course, the Attack on Halfwind Citadel begins, and the four young bucks and Helmer were forced to take shelter. After the attack is repulsed with help from the Terralains, the Fowlers return to training despite Helmer being confined to the hospital with injuries. Jo, who arrives late to a training session, receives the established penalty of having to set up the course's obstacles for the day. Later, the Fowlers meet in the Mess Hall following the Attack on Halfwind Citadel to discuss the status of their messengers to other citadels. Picket Longtreader announces his intention to leave on his own, only for Kylen, Valter, and Tameth Seer to enter looking for him.

**Emma**: I hope he doesn't squeeze.

—*Ember Falls*, pg. 125

Lord Ramnor perishes in the Attack on Halfwind Citadel, and Bleston, whom they called the Silver Prince, ruled Halfwind after that. Most of those at Halfwind regarded Bleston as a hero and loved him.

The citadel came to the aid of Cloud Mountain when Morbin's forces marched toward there. Thanks to the soldiers of Halfwind, the Battle of Rockback Valley was won. However, Cloud Mountain's secrecy was compromised, and the civilians of Cloud Mountain were evacuated, many to Halfwind.

### *The Archer's Cup*

Cole mentions the Bracers, who are from Halfwind Citadel. Blackstone Citadel reminds Jo Shanks of Halfwind Citadel. Tangled brush surrounded the outside of Halfwind, and Jo described it as clean, even though it had tunnels and old-fashioned paths. Jo compares Blackstone to Halfwind, deducing that both are serious military centers. Jo asks Lokson if he has met Nate Flynn, saying that Nate is the best archer from Halfwind Citadel. Jo mentions the votaries at Halfwind to Slimmo, and later reminisces about cherry surprise pie, a pie often made at Halfwind, which the votaries had made for him as he grew up. Slimmo offered to make the pie for him, although he warned Jo that it probably will not be better than what the votaries at Halfwind made. When Jo Shanks introduces himself to a blacksmith, he says that he is from Halfwind. When Jo meets Grenda, he comments that the crown on her head would be called a peasant's necklace at Halfwind.

The Ultimate Archer's Cup reminds Jo of days he spent at Halfwind, and he enjoyed the familiarity and routine. Cheltham addresses Jo as the second-best archer from Halfwind, adding that Halfwind is not well known for archery. Lokson, Lokson's band, and Slimmo accompany votaries leaving for Halfwind on an important mission.

### *Ember Rising*

Following the Battle of Rockback Valley, Cloud Mountain, now compromised, was evacuated. The most vulnerable were sent to Halfwind Citadel, where they would be safe.

Picket compares First Warren to Halfwind Citadel, and describes Halfwind to be in that sense 'teeming with hope'.

The Halfwind rabbits participated in the Battle for First Warren, the most notable of these being Captain Frye. The Halfwind votaries played a part in the battle's aftermath, removing the statues of the Six and Garten Longtreader from First Warren's Seven Standing Stones. Some Halfwind soldiers taught young rabbits from First Warren to play Bouncer, and Emma commemorated Halfwind's brave fighters in her speech to the rabbits of First Warren.

### *Ember's End*

Votaries of Halfwind Citadel aided Lieutenant Heyward in creating the defense of First Warren. A group from Halfwind arrived to First Warren, with Wilfred Longtreader among them, and met Jo, Cole, and Heyna returning from spying on the Terralains.

Many from Halfwind Citadel arrive to help, in preparation for the Siege of First Warren.

Heather tells Smalls that she learned more at Halfwind than from her father.

Many from Halfwind Citadel participated in the Siege of First Warren. Captain Frye perished during the siege, killed after a brave charge at the wolf king Farlock.

## Locations

### Hospital

The **hospital** is where sick rabbits are taken care of in **Halfwind Citadel**. Heather Longtreader and Emma are asked to treat Helmer's wounds while he was in the hospital, but Heyna Blackstar was also there. Both does had long and hard days of work. When they got to Jo Shanks, they sort of argued about themselves. Then, after Heather gave Emma's prescribed tonic to the Willow twins, Heather noticed that Jone Wissel was in the hospital. After she turned around, a soldier accidentally tripped on her.

### Leapers Hall

**Leapers Hall** is a location inside Halfwind Citadel. It has an arched entrance and ornate stonework. Votaries gather here and lead all of the gatherings that take place in the Hall.

The walls are made of a mixture of rock and clay with great iron gates on the side leading out to Westfield. Beyond the gates are a series of heavy doors hidden from sight on the outside by clever means. The floor is laid with stones and the wooden stage is high. The center of the stage was raised even higher and it is made of a large grey stone. In front of this central stone, extending out into the hall, is Halfwind's replica of the Seven Standing Stones. The standing stones are often surrounded with votaries.

### Fowlers' training course

The **Fowlers' training course** is a special area of Halfwind Citadel set aside as an exercise area for the Fowlers unit. It was designed and built by Helmer and Heyward, and consists of obstacles both on the ground and in several trees.

### Lord Ramnor's ready room

**Lord Ramnor's ready room** was an important location within the citadel where Lord Ramnor would hold meetings with high-ranking personnel and conduct business as citadel lord. Heather met with Ramnor in the ready room and was informed of her appointment as field medic to the Fowlers. A meeting of Prince Smalls' court was held in the ready room after the citadel received word of the approaching Terralain army. Heather later visited Ramnor in the ready room again, and took advantage of his personal library which he kept in the room.

Prince Bleston took over the ready room after assuming command of the citadel, and redecorated it to suit himself, with a painting of Flint and Fay being one of the few possessions of Lord Ramnor's to be left in place.

### Mess Hall

The **Mess Hall** served as the food preparation and dining area for Halfwind Citadel.

### Westfield

**Westfield** is a large field encompassed by **Halfwind Citadel**, which serves as a training and marshalling ground for the troops of that citadel. The Halfwind forces gathered in Westfield when preparing to help Cloud Mountain in the Battle of Rockback Valley.

The **Bleston tree**, chosen as an informal memorial to the arrival of the Terralain army at Halfwind, presumably lies within or on the boundaries of Westfield.

## Physical attributes

The construction of Halfwind Citadel is very similar to a warren, and is surrounded by a tangle of thorns. Dirt walls give way to stone arches, and rugged accommodations lay not far from the ornate stonework of Leaper's Hall. It lies in close proximity to Cloud Mountain.

## Inhabitants

Personnel

* Lord Ramnor (Citadel lord; formerly; deceased)
* Frye (Senior captain; formerly; deceased)
* Drand
* Kout
* Clay Fletcher
* Bracers
	+ Nate Flynn (unit leader)
	+ Jo Shanks (formerly; reassigned to the Fowlers)
	+ Junder (formerly)
	+ Kent Halmon
	+ Owen
	+ Studge
* Fowlers
	+ Helmer
	+ Picket Longtreader
	+ Coleden Blackstar
	+ Heyward (formerly)
	+ Perkinson (formerly; traitor, deceased)
* Lallo
* Lund

Civillians

* Jone Wissel
* Junie Wise
* Misty
* Lala
* Lantrell Baker
* Prester Kell
* Sage Kins