A Poison Flower? Some More of the Tale from Zork's View Point..(Zee Tale)

From Redwall MUCK Wiki


--Zork tells his side of the story, enjoy ---

RW Abbey: Entry


You stand on a grassy sward between two cottages. To the south you see a small, calm pond. To the north lies an open space where the Abbey has its feasts in the warmer seasons. To the east is the Great Hall, a massive structure that rises far above the abbey walls and is completed with large towers that pierce upwards into the sky. The main building is completed with a large, iron banded door that would allow one into the Great Hall.

The blanket of snow is replaced with the vibrant greens of spring. Newly sprung flowers and young shoots dot the path. They hold a promise of color and enhancement. The earth is relatively dry here, and the soil rich for growing, but muddy patches of dirt still can be found. Many Abbeybeasts can be seen tending to the gardens, though some are content with just being out and about, enjoying the warmth of the virgin sun and the pleasent weather. Dirt pawprints are tracked upon the clearing's surface, serving as witness to the fact that the majority of Abbeybeasts are caught up in the "spring fever." Most will will do just about anything, or make any excuse to be outside, eager to watch as spring colors emerge in scraggly clumps.


                       Exits/Entrances:
     [G]reat [H]all      [C]limb to the [R]amparts      [A]bbey [P]ond
     [Ga]te [H]ouse      [Leave] through the gates      [Open] Ground
                         [C]hampion's [C]ottage

With:

Rayen has arrived back at the abbey, she still has her wrapped box and a couple bags. She smiles as she sees the dibbuns and calls them over "I got some candied walnuts, not to worry there is enough for all of you" She passes them out as she goes to pick up her box and other bag.

Zork is coming from the open ground, wheeling slowly to the entry as he is reading or maybe re reading a letter and frowns. He stops in the entry as he sees Rayen" Ello Rayen..ummm tell beasts I went on a little trip."

Rayen frowns, "Trip?" She looks at the letter, "Can I see that, though I think I know what it is. And you shouldn’t go anywhere, not in a wheelchair."

Zork frowns but hands her the letter. "Tis from Uncle Zee."

Rayen looks over the letter and smirks at the end "And tell me nephew NOT to try and come here and if he does I will bonk him on the head with me staff, I am highly able to care for me own niece and Brother Leon is here anyways so stay put boy" She chuckles and then clears her throat, "But he has a point, you don't need the stress, Zinnia is in good paws, she will be alright I am sure Zee will keep us updated."

Zork cross his arms and leans back in his chair, he sighs "Little too late fer stress, but not knowing how she is makes it more stressful. The letter explains why she is in the infirm, did Uncle Zee say much on it, anything about that poison being from de north."

Rayen nods "He told a story of when you and Oz were dibbuns..well guess you were not so much one but Oz was." She goes to push his wheelchair back towards his room when it starts to rain" Tell you what you can tell me more if you want but inside it’s raining and try not to worry too much, stress isn’t good for you remember?"

Zork sighs "That’s a little hard she be me daughter...fine, fine we can go to me room"

RW Abbey: Zork's Room

This is a good size room and has a large bed with a blue blanket and a couple blue pillows on it. The bed looks like it could easily fit a tall badger. At the foot of the bed is a cherry wood chest that is locked , only the owner knows what lies inside. Beside the bed is a small nightstand with a small drawer and a larger drawer. On the Nightstand are an oil lamp and a wash basin. On the wall is a picture of Brother Zork made from charcoal. And a toolbox is close to the wall, inside is forge tools, and it’s wise to leave them alone. There is a door that goes back to the hallway.

Exits: [O]ut

Rayen pushes him inside and sits in a chair, “Ok, so now what?”

Thorn pokes her head in “Hi, every beast ok?”

Zork nods looking concerned “Yeah..well not me daughter”

Thorn blinks “What happen to Sister Zinnia?”

Rayen explains “A poisoning, some beast put it in tea and she drank some of it, some beast was after Marek and Scioto but she was there too, a guard also died and I guess the poison is from some flower roots or least that’s what I learned yesterday.”

Thorn asks “ Like way way north?”

Zork clears his throat, “Yes way way north…see me little brother was effected by the same stuff, no one gave it to him he was, well picking the flowers and by the roots, he also got some in a skinned knee so it made it a little worse. He got real ill and almost died.”

Rayen listens, “But he lived but guess it effected his strength or something” She frowns at a thought.

Zork nods “Yeah it did, but like said he got some in like his blood so took longer ta get rid of, the antidote which Silverfangs had, luckily had or Ozzy would of died, the antidote helped him. It took a while to recover. One reason why he is not as strong as other badgers,” He decides to just tell his side of the story.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Zork was getting some training in with Zee; he has a simple long sword he uses to block Zees raspier.

Zee nods “Very good Zork, what training ya got from me brother Powell has been good.”

Zork frowns, “It was only a couple seasons, and some a little bit of a season before that with some paw to paw so when is Uncle Soot gonna let me have father’s blade?”

Zee shakes his head, “When you are good and ready to have it boy, ya know that.”

Zork frowns and pouts as he drops the longsword, “But it’s my sword now, The Blade of The Northwind Storms is mine.”

“I made it, tis mine to say who gets it lad!” Says a booming voice, it’s none other than Soot as he walks in with the help of a cane. He glares at the young badger, “It stays with me till I say so Zork, you have much to learn.”

Zork looks at Soot “I am ready, I can use a blade.”

Zee sighs and walks over to a chair and sits down.

Soot narrows his eyes “You need to truly know how to use a blade, any blade and once you prove you can use any blade then you’re ready to use The Blade Of The Northwind Storms and not till then, but now is not the time to argue, Silverfangs is here with your young brother Oz, it’s time to pay respects to Powell and Kate”

Zork frowns “I don’t like graveyards..” But he follows as he knows not to argue with the older beasts.

Zee frowns as he stands up and heads to the door “You Coming Soot? Ya know I do agree with the lad I dislike graveyards also, this past winter been so hard on this family. Him and Oz losing their parents, I mean Zork be just barely 7 seasons and Oz is just 2 seasons. I even lost me oldest son Mason due to this horrible winter I am glad tis over with.”

Soot shakes his head “I will go later on maybe, I have some work in the forge”

Zee nods and heads out after Zork, soon catching up with Silverfangs and Oz as they head to the graveyard. Zee goes ahead of them as Silverfangs speaks with Zork and Oz for a short while.

Later at the graveyard Zork stays off to the side, he glances at Oz every so often as his little brother skips around pulling flowers up by the roots.

Oz is suddenly in front of him “Lookie lookie!” He holds out the flowers with roots still attached and a couple doesn’t have the roots on them.

Zork sighs “Yeah Yeah Ozzy they look nice little bro.” It’s clear he rather not be here but he stays.

Silverfangs is talking to Zee ““Good day Zee, how are you doing today?”

Zee answers “About as well as one can when their son has died, I still have me daughter and other son..Hyde but he well, been away and no one knows where he is except his sister Paige”. He frowns “I also lost a sister in law and a brother, a son, the winter was very hard on all of us my friend as I know some of the wolfs lost their lives as well.”

Silverfangs nods “Yes this winter has been hard on many beasts,” He closes his eyes and frowns as he opens them again” I feel now is the time to stay close, threw the sorrow as your family must remain strong for great times of need or yet more pain could be unbearable without staying close.”

Oz smiles as he is not paying attention, he is just happy to see his uncle, he looks down and points to Kate and Powell grave” Mommie..daddie?”

Zork frowns, he listens to Silverfangs as he looks at the grave and starts to walk away, “I think I will go do some training with Soot..” He starts to walk away.

Zee shakes his head “Nope, ya staying here boy where is your patience? You need to learn it or your never be the true warrior one day I know that you have inside you.”

Zork rolls his eyes and folds his arms over his chest, “And he still has me sword, Dad said it was mine and I know how to use a sword I do!”

Silverfangs frowns as he listens and speaks” Please no shouting Zork, you must learn to not shout or let anger get the best of you.”

Oz wiggles free and is soon back to skipping around like any normal dibbun his age usually does.

Zee shakes his head again, “Soot has the sword and you get it when me and Soot see ya fit to have it boy and not before and yes you know how to use a simple blade but soon your learn how to use all blades and prove you are ready for that sword and not before boy!”

Zork frowns, “Not angry just..I don’t want to be here and “ He sighs at Silverfangs, “ I miss mom and dad, you’re not my dad and you never will be”

Zee bonks Zork on the head with the staff, “ Respect boy! Respect is very good to learn for warrior, for any beast.”

Zork rubs his head and frowns, he then says softly “Sorry Uncle Zee.” He sighs and hugs his Uncle.

Zee pats Zork on the back, “Things will be ok Zork, your see we will all get through this as long as we have each other.”

Zork nods as he holds back any crying he feels coming on, to cry may show weakness he believes and he is to be a true warrior someday so he takes a deep breath and nods again, “Yes family is important, I know that . I always know that” He manages a small smile.

Silverfangs frowns “Where is Oz?”

Zork looks around and frowns “I..I don’t know”

Zee looks around now as well, “Well we go look for him then as he is still a dibbun. And watching and protecting your brother IS a job of your Zork, always protect those who can’t or are unable to protect themselves.”

Worry starts to fill Zork’s mind again, he vowed to take care of his brother always, he quickly goes off to find him looking around the area by the grave yard “Ozzy!..Ozzy where are ya little bro, now is not a time for hide and seek!”

Oz is by the flowers and has placed a couple, roots and all in his pocket and has found a butterfly he decides to chase.

Zork sees him and quickly runs over to him and scoots him up in his arms.

Oz wiggles and tries to get loose “Down..down..” He then starts to wail when he can’t get down.

Zork frowns “Ozzy calm down, you scared me I didn’t know where you were, I was worried. I am supposed to help protect you.”

Oz stops crying and looks at Zork “Protect me?” He looks around “From whats?” He says and points to the butterfly and giggles.

Zork sighs and hugs Oz as he smiles “I love ya Ozzy and never never want anything to ever happen to you. I WILL always be thar for you no matter wot.”

Oz smiles and kisses Zork’s forehead “Loves” And snuggles into his chest fur as he is carried back to the others.

Zork smiles and keeps a good hold on Oz as they start to head to home.

Silverfangs takes away some of the flower Oz is holding, but there is still some unseen in the pocket. “Come there is a feast soon and it shall brighten our spirits, let us go”

Oz smiles “Yummy!”

Zork chuckles and lets Oz up on his shoulders as they run ahead of the others.

Oz giggles out loud as he says “Faster Zork..go faster!”

Zork grins as he goes a little faster but he keeps a good grip on his little brother to make sure he doesn’t fall and they arrive at the setup of the feast as he puts Oz down, “I will be back later I have ta talk with Uncle Soot ok Ozzy”

Oz nods as he is placed down “ I make sure no one eats all cookies”

Zork chuckles “Just so you don’t little bro” He pats him on the head and heads on to talk with Uncle Soot.

The day goes fairly well, that was until his argument with his Uncle Zee. All he wanted to do was train with his father’s sword and all he got to do was train with the simple and plain long sword he has so he stormed out of the training field leaving an even grumblier Zee, “Come back here boy! Ya listen to me boy..your never be a true warrior with that attitude and warriors listen to their elders, their teachers and are not disrespectful!”

Zork rolls his eyes and mutters, “Supposed to be me sword ya..” He looks down the path and his eyes widen as he sees Oz laying the ground and rushes forwards. ”Ozzy!!!”

Oz whimpers and is having trouble breathing and shivering badly, his knee is skinned and swollen. He opens his eyes barely and looks at Zork with some odd far off look as he whimpers more and coughs roughly as he shivers.

Zork looks around quickly and sees Silverfangs and rushes Oz over to him” Silverfangs Silverfangs!”

Zee had been following Zork but seeing Oz is clearly in trouble he rushes forwards just in time to see Silverfangs get Oz out of Zork's arms and rush full speed to the infirm, he looks at Zork “Wot happen to your brother, whats wrong with Oz?” His anger gone and he shows worry and concern.

Zork frowns and looks on the edge of tears “I..I don’t know he couldn’t breathe”

Zee hurries to the infirm.

Zork follows but he stays outside and catches a little of what is said but can’t see whats all going on and frowns. Why does the day have to get worse and worse?

Zee frowns and walks over, he spots Zork, “Zork..come here please boy. Your brother is..is in very bad shape I am afraid.” He doesn’t want to say dyeing as he always hated that word.

Silverfangs sighs as he steps back “There is no more I can do. He is in a very deep faint and his breathing and pulse is so very very low you may have to prepare for the worse.”

Zork is by the doorway and then bolts off in tears, he needs to get out of here. He gets as far as the Send Forge and sits on one of the benches crying.

One beast is in the forge, a great Uncle, Soot as he walks slowly with the aid of his cane. He lives in a room at the forge and he reaches over to lay a paw on Zork’s shoulder, ”Wot is wrong child?” He knows the badger is no longer a child, more an adolescent but most are child to Soot as he is old as..well soot! He also knows it’s very unlike Zork to be crying.

Zork looks up and stands hugging tight to the older badger and just sobs. ”Ozzy might die, I don’t want him to die to, not like mom and dad died, I can’t look Ozzy too, I can’t..I can’t..” He lets out more sobs and coughs.

Soot holds him close and lets him get all the crying out, “Is he with Silverfangs?”

Zork nods and lets out a hic-up sort of sob. He rarely shows emotion and always hid it unless he was over happy or upset at something.

Soot rubs Zork’s back “Then he is in good paws child, have faith all will be ok. You tell old Soot what happen”

Zork relates on he found Oz on the ground barely breathing and rushes him to Silverfangs and how Silverfangs and Zee were giving Oz something and saying a couple things and how they had to wait and see what happens and how Zork is clearly upset and not wanting to see anyone else in the graveyard.

Soot nods “That is understandable and to me it sounds like you saved your brother’s life. Had you not left your training session early , you wouldn’t of found Oz in time and he most likely would have been dead. But he is alive still thanks to you, you found him and got him to the infirm to be helped by Silverfangs. Silverfangs is one of the best healers and seers that I know”

Zork sniffs” But wot if he still dies? They said he was very bad off and..and I didn’t want to even go inside and see him cause I am scared.”

Soot nods “It is ok to be scared Zork, no such thing as no fear, no fear would be a horrible place as it would mean no one cared. It would mean foolishness would happen. Fear keeps one safe, fear helps one save others. Fear can keep one alive at times when needed to run from an enemy instead of fight them who are stronger than you so never be afraid to run from a battle it doesn’t mean you’re a coward, it means your wise.”

Zork blinks “I..don’t understand some of that, but I will try”

Soot nods “Your understand in time, you’re not expected to learn it all at once.” He walks over to where the Blade of The Northwind Storm hangs on the wall and takes it down, “Like this.” He goes to hand it to Zork.

Zork’s eyes widen as he goes to take it, he holds it and even takes a practice swing, he has been wanting this for the past almost 3 seasons, but he hands it right back” Not yet Uncle Soot. I am not ready for my father’s blade, you keep it safe till I am ready, I..have a lot to learn still”

Soot takes the blade back and smiles as he hangs it back up “I am proud of you Zork, you are learning and will be ready to take up your father’s sword sooner than you think, that sword has a long history I shall have to teach you as that’s another important thing to know.”

Zork nods and smiles, “Yes it is Uncle Soot.” He then hugs his uncle again.

Soot smiles and hugs him back “Come, let us check on your brother”

Zork nods and him and Uncle Soot head to the infirm.

Inside the infirm Zork stays by Oz’s side for the next two weeks. He even helps in the infirm while he is there. Zee and Soot let him not worry too much on training or working in the forge as they know he needs to be here. He even learns some healing skills while he is here.

Over the next few days Oz went in and out of his deep faint and a couple times it looked as though they were going to lose him as one time he stopped breathing for a brief few seconds but luckily he started breathing again.

It was two weeks till Oz finally woke up and stayed awake, over the last couple weeks Silverfangs slowly feed him vegetable broth and water and helped him swallow by rubbing his throat and he keep it down, which was encouraging but waking up and trying to speak is even more encouraging. He coughs from his dry throat and whimpers as his eyes open and he looks around. Side effects have weaken him greatly and still being a dibbun he starts crying as he is unsure where he is at.

The only one in here is Soot and Zork, Soot responds by laying a paw on his forehead, “It is ok Oz; you’re safe and sound in the infirm.”

Zork, who had been sleeping now is wide awake” Ozzy?..Ozzy!” He is very quickly by his brother’s side and it’s clear he has been very worried the past couple weeks, in fact rarely going to his training sessions or helping much in the forge.

Oz looks at Zork, “Z..Zork.” He feels weak and tried and his legs and arms are a little sore but his breathing and heartrate are very good now.

Zork smiles, “I am glad you’re feeling better little bro.”

Oz frowns, “Me feel weak.”

Zork smile fades a little and he hugs Oz, “Its ok, your get better soon and I will help you.”

Oz smiles weakly, he trusts his big brother to help with anything.

Zork does help over the next season he helps with a lot, and still keeps up with forge work and training sessions as well. Him and his little brothers bond grows very strong during this time and even stronger as seasons go on.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Zork smiles as he finishes, ”Ozzy did learn how ta use a staff and became very good at it, he still is in fact.”

Thorn looks surprised “Wow. I need to see him use the staff may be cool. So he is like not as strong as other badgers.?”

Zork shakes his head, “No, he isn’t as strong as he should be, he doesn’t run as fast as you would think but it doesn’t seem to bother him much. Silverfangs made sure he learned the staff at least, just in case. Now Ozzy does and I have seen, does have moments where he can show strength and it’s a great deal but he is usually hurting after wards like a pulled muscle or something. He never was interested in forge or learning other weapons anyways, he learned some healing and we both learned how ta make tea.”

Rayen asks “Do you know how to use the staff Brother Zork?”

Zork shakes his head “Not very well no, but other weapons yes. Blades..daggers, bolas even, a spear and thar be a lot of blades I can use, short and long ones. Now since me weak heart problems me warrior days are behind me and lately me blacksmith days” He frowns now and is quiet before speaking up again, “ But I find me self more able to mediate these days and a sort of spiritual side now, I also don’t hide me emotions like I use to before.”

Rayen speaks, “You know it’s interesting to hear two different views of the same story, sort of explains where you were right before Oz was found laying on the ground and why you didn’t want in the grave yard. I was also curious as to what happen after you ran off but your Uncle Zee didn’t know, he never mentioned Soot bringing you back to the infirm.”

Zork grins , “Cause he was asleep, Uncle Zee was asleep and Silverfangs didn’t want to wake him up.” He goes on” Silverfangs said it was good for me to be thar with Ozzy to help him recover, like cause a beast in a deep faint can still maybe hear loved ones and he said it was cause of me being by his side most of the time in the infirm that Ozzy recovered so well, so I helped him live and I am glad. I don’t know wot I would of done if I had lost Ozzy all those seasons ago, wouldn’t be here that’s for sure. Heck may have been dead me self seasons ago from some battle or other as Ozzy helped me also, kept me from being a fool a couple times when got angry at something. We rarely left each other’s side, it were just when Ozzy left de snowy north that we didn’t see one another, only like once..twice during those like in 8 or 9 seasons, and then he came further south ta de abbey and I found him here and..well after a season of me wandering around..or was it a couple” He shrugs, “ We have yet to leave each other’s side again”

Thorn smiles “That’s cool as I heard badger brothers usually don’t like to be around each other too long, you and Papa Oz are like really really close “

Zork smiles “Yes we are and always will be.”

A novice pokes their head in “Its lunch and the friar will be upset if your late, it started 5 minutes ago.”

Rayen chuckles and goes to help Zork to lunch.

Thorn walks on out “Meet ya there”

Zork chuckles at the novice, “Yeah yeah tell Lacota not to get his fur in a knot, we be coming…”