Rebel Rabbit: A Legend is Born

By Pendragan

A Legend is Born is Part I of the Rebel Rabbit trilogy. He’s a lone stranger on a secret mission, a new face in the forest, a threat to the powers that be. And he’s a rabbit! A rabbit with a magic and sometimes deadly touch. Wherever Sunny goes, villainous beasts seem to drop dead of their own accord, which means that in the Kingdom of Satyria, Sunny makes enemies as fast as he makes friends. As Sunny faces bigger challenges, and bigger beasts, from day to day, he needs all the help he can get. Can the rabbit outwit the wicked Lord Trixalot the Fox? Will he sort out Duke Grumpo the Bear, or even King Sharleman the Lion? It’s down to our floppy-eared hero to save Satyria from their deadly grip. Somehow!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dragan Matijevic
• Release date: Aug 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310214165

Pendragan

'Pendragan' is the pen-name for children's fiction-writing duo Penny Williams and Dragan Matijevic. They also write independantly as Penny Williams and Dragan Matijevic (adult fiction, self-help and cookery books). They launched Pendragan Publishing as an independent, international publishing platform for storytellers around the world. If you would like news about forthcoming publications, or books in the works, or if you have questions about any of the characters, please let us know. Dragan Matijevic Dragan started writing during the war that broke up Yugoslavia in the early '90s. Living in England with his one-year old son at the time, Dragan wondered how he could help his people in Croatia. The solution turned out to be magic! Dragan founded a theatre charity called Rise Phoenix, wrote his first puppet play for children, created his own puppets, and together with a bunch of troubadours, jesters and jugglers, drove a truck down to the war zone. In 1993, "Peppe the Magician" began to appear in refugee camps throughout Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo. Small puppets and theatre plays gave way to giant puppets and theatre spectacles. Children who had lost everything rediscovered the ability to laugh. Adults slowly joined in. One Croatian soldier shouted from the audience, "Croatia needs puppets, not guns!" Quentin Blake agreed and gave permission for Rise Phoenix to take his Big Friendly Giant to the war zone. Dragan went on to write and perform in many other children's plays, quite a few of which are now stories and novels. When not writing, Dragan teaches at The Artisan Bakery School, and continues to perform as the magician Sol Ray. Penny Williams As a child, Penny would row ashore to school from the sailing boat she grew up on with her family. This gave her a quirky view on life, encouraged by the stories she heard from blue-water sailors arriving in Falmouth Harbour. Penny grew up with a hunger for distant horizons and foreign shores. Her explorations took her to Europe, Africa, South America, Asia and even Antarctica. But her biggest adventure, which was falling in love with a Croatian magician (Dragan), happened right on her own front door step in England! So far, their story includes building their own woodfired oven for The Artisan Bakery School, moving to a crazy old cottage in Devon, taking an Invisible Man to Singapore, working with children in Sri Lanka and India and kayaking round the islands of Dalmatia. Penny also runs a professional copywriting, editing and translation business. She and Dragan write together to celebrate the magic that happens in real life. *** Connect With Us *** [e-mail] www.pendragan.com

Book preview

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Chapter 1: Sunny Enters Satyria

Stop, whoever you are! yelled the rat guarding the border. The big rabbit who had been waiting beneath a sign saying ‘You are now entering the Kingdom of Satyria’ for the last twenty minutes, sighed.

I stopped ages ago! he pointed out, mildly. Why do you guys always shout like that?

Silence! Did I ask you a question? screeched the guard. What is your business in Satyria?

He was not a pretty rat, and his breath was just plain ugly. It stank of everything that you’d never want to sniff in your life.

The rabbit, whose name was Sunny, turned his face away, whiskers twitching, seeking a breath of fresh air. The smell was everywhere. He could hardly breathe, let alone speak.

I asked you a question, pretty boy! shouted the guard, blasting more hideous breath into Sunny’s face. You stupid or something? When I don’t ask you anything, you chat. When I ask you a question, you shut up! You trying to irritate me, or what?

Sunny coughed and pulled back. Carefully snatching a quick breath, he said I have come to live in Satyria. I have bought a house here. Look, these are the papers.

The guard snatched the papers and brought his muzzle right up to Sunny’s nose again. Papers are everything in Satyria, he solemnly declared.

Eee-eww! That stinks! squeaked Sunny, despite himself, frantically waving his paws in front of his face in order to clear the air a little.

Fortunately, the guard was too busy to notice, stamping the papers with an endless pile of rubber stamps. Finally, he gave them back to Sunny.

Papers approved! I have to warn you, you are now officially the property of His Majesty King Sharleman the Lion, and His Majesty’s Grand Ministers, Lord Trixalot the Fox, Count Snappa the Croc, Grand Duke Grumpo the Bear and Super Security Marshall Beako the Eagle. The Grand Ministers live in their Super Private Zones and small fry like you should always keep to the Public Animal Zones. Got it?

What? Um, yes… said Sunny, cramming his papers back in his suitcase, I mean…

Don’t give me that ‘I mean’ stuff, spat the rat guard. You mean nothing to me! Let me put it to you simply: enter one of those Super Private Zones and you’re a dead rabbit! Move!

Is this yours? asked Sunny, suddenly producing a watch.

Border

What the..? Yes, that is mine! How did you..?

And look at this! exclaimed Sunny, plucking a book from the air. Ah-hah, it’s for you!

The guard read the title: You Look Like You Need a Holiday. For a moment he looked very confused. Then he sneered.

Oh-ho, so we’re a bit of a funny bunny, are we?

But Sunny had picked up his suitcase and was already on his way. He loved doing magic, but it really was wasted on officials. Talk about missing a trick!

Oi! shouted the guard after him. What’s that rope sticking out of your suitcase? Can you do magic with that?

Oh, no. That’s just to make a tree swing with, Sunny called back cheerfully, even though it wasn’t true.

As he was entering the forest, he spotted something moving on the ground.

Jussst a sssecond, someone spoke softly.

Sunny turned his head to see a long snake smiling at him in a way that could only be described as creepy. Or crawly.

Hello. What’s your name? asked Sunny.

John, said the snake.

What can I do for you, John?

Not a lot, I shouldn’t think. Just wanted to wish you welcome to Satyria! Don’t forget, as long as you listen and behave, everything will go perfectly smoothly.

With that, he vanished back into the bushes. Sunny shrugged, and started to whistle as he made his way into the forest. The air smelled wonderfully fresh and cool, and the light falling through the leaves made dancing patterns at his feet. He was so busy looking at them that he bumped straight into something solid and furry.

Hey! exclaimed the badger, Watch where you’re going!

Sorry, said Sunny.

"No worries. But, who are you? I haven’t seen you around?" asked the badger.

I’m Sunny. Just bought a den under Three Oaks.

Ahah, why didn’t you say? Great! For us, at least!

What do you mean? asked Sunny.

Oh, well, you know, we love new neighbours. Love them! I just wondered why you would want to move into Satyria when everyone else wants to get out?

You know what? whispered Sunny, so quietly that the badger had to lean forwards to hear him, This is the most wonderful place!

The badger stared.

The rabbit in front of him was a pretty impressive specimen. Strong and lean, obviously a runner, his fur was the colour of wild honey. His long ears were scarred, so he must have been in few fights too. What the badger noticed most though, were Sunny’s eyes. Large and intelligent, their expression seemed older than his body.

A wonderful place? murmured the badger. Well, yes, it used to be.

And it could be again! said Sunny earnestly. The badger's startled expression made Sunny laugh. Nothing like a bit of a challenge, is there? I love adventures, me. But then, I like the easy life too. Sometimes, I find it hard to get on with myself! he joked.

The badger smiled uncertainly.

Well, anyway, your den is very nice, he ventured. We used to know the previous owner. Great guy. Bit of a sad story that one... he trailed off.

Sunny, feeling sorry for him, changed the subject.

Now, my friend, we’ve only just met, and I’ve told you a little bit about me. Let’s see if I can tell you a bit about yourself. Tell me if I’m wrong!

Before the badger could protest, Sunny began.

First of all, you strike me as the sort of fellow that gets along with almost everyone, right? Someone who knows how to laugh, how to listen to people, and has a good strong shoulder for them to cry on if things get rough. You’re educated, smart, maybe you write words for papers? And your name is… hang on… Rodney? Rodg..?

Rodger! said the startled badger. How on earth did you do that?

Sunny bowed and laughed, Just something I picked up along the way!

Listen, said Rodger quickly, I must dash, but we’re having a party tonight, do you fancy coming? It would be great to see you do that trick with some of our friends.

Sounds fun, said Sunny, I’d love to come.

Wonderful! said Rodger, shaking Sunny’s paw. Our place is under Twin Beeches. Round nine o’clock? See you there! And before anything else extraordinary could occur, the badger hurried off down the path, wondering quite what had just happened.

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Chapter 2: Satyrians

Rodger Badger and his wife, Beanpole Stork, were the friendliest and most hospitable creatures in Satyria. If you wanted a cup of coffee, or a sandwich, or a glass of something stronger, day or night, the den beneath Twin Beeches was the place to go.

Sunny could already hear the music and laughter coming from the den as he hopped down the forest path.

Sunny! Great you could make it. Welcome again! boomed Rodger from the entrance to the den. Meet my wife, Beanpole!

Lovely to meet you, smiled Beanpole. Rodger told me you’re quite a guy.

Come in, come in! said Rodger, slapping Sunny on the back and leading him into a large underground hall full of chattering forest creatures. Look at these guys! The real party animals! Here, let me get you a drink.

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Sunny was in his element. The place was so full of life! He was so busy making friends, and startling them with how much he seemed