Uncle Oz Is Ok
RW Abbey: Library
The library is disturbingly empty of books and scrolls, and only a small fraction of the knowledge it should be able to hold is actually present and available for perusing. The beautifully crafted windows are well cleaned. Giving the library plenty of light during the daylight hours. This, combined with the room's high vaulted ceiling, causes a rather foreboding play of shadows in the corners and between shelves. The flagstones of the floor are cool and smooth, and echoes of clicks and thumps can be heard quite clearly when beasts walk among the mostly bare shelves. Brass lamps containing short, fat little white candles provide enough light for reading.
Light is beginning to filter in through the windows.
Exits/Entrances:
[G]reat [H]all [M]ap [B]ookshelf [B]ookshelf of [W]oodland [L]ore
[B]ookbinding [R]oom [H]istory [B]ookshelf [B]ookshelf of [B]iographies
[P]oetry [B]ookshelf [B]ookshelf of [S]tories
Contents:
Abbey Charter
Oz walks up to the library after asking a couple novices where Zinnia was, he even asked a guard and they didn't know and so he has decided to try and search on his own, his staff in paw.
Zinnia is in a large soft chair up here, ever so often a sob is heard, she is up here alone and has not been to her lesson with Benar today and has sort of avoided the squirrel when he came to look for her, then slipped back to her chair when he had left, she now is in the chair and frowns.
Oz hears the crying and slowly heads over to the sound, he knows where the large chair is and guesses it's where Zinnia is, he reaches out once he is at the chair to touch a shoulder or head fur, well something and speaks softly, "Zinnia?"
Zinnia tenses up at the light touch on her shoulder and starts to growl, she is not in the mood to be bothered, the only thing that stops her from hitting the beast is when they speak, she looks up slowly as if she heard it wrong, seeing its Oz she quickly stands and wraps her arms around him burying her face into his shoulder, and starts crying again.
Oz lets his staff help him stand as the other badger hugs him, he returns a hug as well and pats her on the back, "It's ok Zinnia, what is wrong? I was told by Sister May you were not at your lesson with Benar today"
Zinnia manages to finally talk, "I..I thought he had killed you cause..cause that’s what Nightfur does, he never never takes captives..he has them but he has those that work for him get captives and..and" Her worry is very clear.
Oz listens, he leans back and offers a smile "I am alive as you can see, I am unsure what all happen on the road by the gate, Bandit was there and I know Lee and least one guard came out to check on the two knocked out, but another was with Nightfur I know, a guard helped me on inside and I alerted others, I believe there will be more than 2 guards at the gate now and things are a little more secure at the gates."
Zinnia smiles and hugs Oz again, "I was scared..I keep having flashbacks of mama..when she died, papa had died before her and she hid me in some rubble and told me stay quiet no matter what and the slaver came and..and he killed her, but he didn’t find me..not, not right away, he did a couple weeks later."
Oz does listen and nods, "Let's not think of the past, I can see why you would be afraid of Nightfur and what could of happen, but I am fine dear, but will let you know something if you calm down and talk to me"
Zinnia sniffs and wipes her eyes, she has calmed down, "Know what uncle Oz?"
Oz smiles, he has yet to really discuss being a sudden uncle thanks to Zork but that’s for later, "I was scared last night as well, but for your safety, not so much mine..well perhaps a little concern on weather I was going to go back inside or not, but it would of been worse had you been hurt, yes my sense of hearing is very high and my sense of smell, bit more than most but not seeing does make it hard still, more so when things like that happen."
Zinnia nods, and remembers he can't see and says "I am glad you ok Uncle Oz, I wouldn’t want to lose you or Papa...you and Zork are my family now and don’t want to lose family again, not so soon or ever"
Oz smiles "You won’t lose either of us, as for Zork he is very skilled warrior, not known him to lose a fight, that very rare, yes he has gotten hurt in a fight but most do get an injury of some sort in a fight, but it would take alot to make him lose trust me, he is very strong, even stronger than me, he also has other skills besides fighting, tracking and...well he can explain next time see him."
Zinnia says, "Alright, I did see him fight once just briefly but didn’t see all of the fight, he had this like very very large blade."
Oz says, "Yes his Blade of The North Wind...umm something like that, he made that sword in Send Valley and that’s very deep into the snowy Northlands, where me and him use to live, I came down this way first and some seasons later Zork showed up and we both now live at the abbey, which I am glad of, he use to wander around Mossflower before that, still think he has an urge to a little at times, but he will stay at the abbey and help with defense right now, when he is out he is trying to find that slaver base, but your to stay inside its safer inside the abbey, Zork will be fine on his own, or if he chooses with a guard but knowing Zork he won't have a guard with him at all."
Zinnia chuckles some when he can’t remember the name of the blade, she has calmed alot now as she looks around "Someone was supposed to read the charter to me, I probably made them upset when wasn’t around since last night cause was avoiding beasts again"
Oz nods "Well don't avoid beasts, especially when your upset, it’s best to seek beasts to help you feel better"
Zinnia asks, "I will remember Uncle, it’s just so use to hiding to be alone, think I can still do my lessons today?"
Oz smiles, "Thank you and I am sure you can still do your lessons today, sure it can be understood you had a bit of a bad night and morning, but all is well now"
Zinnia smiles "Yes it is" She sounds happy again, she stands and looks at something on a table, "One thing was learning the charter but..I can’t read that well yet, but I am learning and learning to write and will become a novice soon"
Oz asks, "Ah the charter, maybe read to you? or told most know it by heart"
Zinnia shrugs "I am sure can get someone to read it later"
Oz smiles, he clears his throat, "I may not be able to see the words but I do know them,....To be Brothers and Sisters of peace and goodwill, living together in harmony under the protection of Redwall Abbey, forsaking all unnecessary forms of violence, not only to Mossflower, its trees, grasses, flowers, and insects, but to all living creatures.To help and comfort the dispossessed, harbor orphans and waifs, offer shelter to all creatures alike, give clothing, warmth and food to any beast or creature that is deemed in need of such. To educate and learn, particularly in the healing arts, comfort the sick, nurse the injured and help the wounded. To take our food from the earth and replenish the land by caring for it, husbanding crops and living in harmony with the seasons always. To honor and protect our friends and brethren, only raising paw to do battle when our life at Redwall is threatened by treachery and the shadow of war; at these times every Redwall creature should show courage, fortitude and obedience to the Father Abbot. Albeit the taking of another life must always be justified and never carried out in a wanton manner."
Zinnia listens as he speaks, trying to remember all of what is said, "Wow..that is alot to remember Uncle Oz but I am sure I can remember it all, I will try my best"
Oz says, "Yes it is alot but I know you will be well dear, have someone else recite or read it to you again later, it helps to hear more than once, " He goes on to repeat it more slowly to her and smiles, "Like said..helps"
Zinnia nods, "Yes it does, thanks Uncle Oz"
Oz heads to the door, "Now I must go tend to the dibbuns, before Sister May gets upset, you can stay up here if you wish for a little while or come downstairs, I leave it up to you" With that he heads on out.
