The Summer Has Lost Its Warmth Today-ICLY happen 8-22-15 Right around lunchtime

From Redwall MUCK Wiki


    • Song that fits this, a request from Zinnia [1] ***

RW Abbey: Second Orchard

You stand in a sort of verdant sanctuary where the sun is filtered through leaves and thus comes out to be a much softer light, one that's a little more manageable. At least, more manageable than the comparatively harsh light of the more open entryway and a pond area almost completely devoid of large, shade-giving plants that this orchard has in careless abundance. A soft covering of moss and grass finds itself beneath the trees, only serving to add to the quiet comfort of the whole scene.

The stately flora has come alive with youthful blossoms. Flowers of all shades of pastel line the trees, bushes, and ground. Poking around the pink and yellow petals, some fruit has begun to form, peppering the orchard with green apricots and plums and unripe pears and peaches. The air is full of pollen that tickles the nose and dirties clean habits. After a rain, rivulets of water trickle around tree trunks, irrigating the flore before draining into the pond.

Exits: [F]irst [O]rchard, [P]ath by [G]reat [H]all, [Ki]tchen [P]ath

Zork helps one of the abbey Brothers balance a basket of apples and smiles as the order Brother takes the basket away. Most of the fruit pickers are in another part of the orchards and the badger decides to mediate a short while. But he does have some trouble and frowns, deciding to just get up slowly so he can back into his chair, as he always goes to sit on the grass when he mediates.

Caleb was in the orchards a while, after a short talk with the badger he goes to find Leon, as he is a little concern about Zork.

Zork looks around the orchards as he is leaning heavily on his walking staff. He starts to head over to his wheelchair and reaches out to steady himself using the chairs arm and his paw brushes it as it’s just out of reach, he then falls forwards landing in the grass beside the chair, he reaches out to take a hold of his walking staff and slowly reaches his other paw towards the chair and then then paw drops and his other paw holds on very loosely to his walk staff.

Zinnia was on her way to the orchards and looks over just in time to see her father fall and fail at getting back up and frowns. “PAPA!” She then quickens her pace and gets to Zork’s side.

Zork doesn’t really respond, his eyes are barely open and very unfocused. His eyes look slightly cloudy and he doesn’t seem to be breathing right now. If he heard her it’s unclear, his eyes then flutter shut and the weak grip on the staff is lost as the staff rolls a couple feet away as he goes complete limp.

Zinnia gently shakes him “Papa…Papa wake up, look at me..” She goes to take a pulse, she knows how to take a pulse as she has learned that. She tries to see if he is breathing, but is not sure how to do that, she goes to shake him a little harder.

Zork doesn’t respond no grunts, snoring, or anything. He has only been on the ground a minute maybe. His chest is also not rising and falling like it should, and he has no pulse…..Zork Winters is dead.

Leon meanwhile had been found by Caleb and is going quickly over to the orchards, upon seeing Zork on the ground he frowns and speeds up.

Zinnia starts to panic, and decides maybe she just took his pulse wrong, she looks around “Help..HELP!”

Leon had no plans of his own to go to lunch, no he was going to skip lunch today and get inventory of the infirm down. But this was more important and he gets to the badger’s side .He goes to take his pulse at the wrist and neck, he also digs out a flat bit of metal, he rarely uses, and places it near his mouth looking for signs of mist. Ok maybe he is over reacting as well and he studies him, watching for any kind of movement that would answer his question. He frowns and double checks for a pulse, when he fails to find one and notices no mist was found on the metal piece he moves back and sits there, a sort of dazed look. He then remembers Zinnia being there and turns to look at her and that’s when the flood gate of tears silently come and he finds he suddenly can’t speak.

Zinnia watches Leon as he tends to her father, she keeps repeating in her head, he’s be ok now, over and over again. But when the healer frowns and moves backwards her eyes widen. ”W..What’s the matter?” Worry in her voice, then the tears are seen. Why would Brother Leon be crying? She looks back to her father, “Papa?” She lays a paw on his chest and is silent at first as it dawns on her, the tears..the fact her father would of answered her by now she shakes her head and fights back her own tears, “No…no..he..he is ok, he just passed out. He needs to go to the infirm!” She goes to shake her father, knowing deep down it won’t do any good, “Papa..Papa open your eyes and look at me, tell me..y..you’re ok, please…” Then she screams,” PAPA!!!!!!!!! WAKE UP….NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!” She lays her head on her father’s chest and starts sobbing.

Silverstorm was coming past the orchards when she hears the crying and quickly goes over and gasps as she places a paw on her mouth and looks over at Zinnia and Zork, she looks over at Leon,” Is..is Zork…” She barely manages to get out the next word. ”D..Dead?”

Leon is still in a bit of shock as he stands slowly and is a little shaky himself now, "I...I got to..find..." He is unsure who to find, Maybe Benar or ..well someone, anyone works, he probably won't even be able to speak correctly, great.. "S..Stay with ..with Zinnia" He gets out to the otter and then manages to get the will power to hurry off.

DoraRose and LilyMoore were walking through the orchards when they meet up with Leon. The adult instantly understands that something is wrong and so has Lily run off and find Angela...after ordering her to STAY IN THE INFIRMARY. The young mouse, frightened, obeys her mother, who has pushed past her husband and run to where the badgers are. She skids to a stop and stares at the scene, her heart breaking as tears form in her eyes. No. No no no. She swallows her sorrow and rushes over to the Recorder. She goes to hug her without moving her away from the body, struggling to not cry. She has to be strong right now. She HAS to be the strong one. She has to be.

Zinnia doesn't really pay attention to the hug, she is still crying and feeling lost right now, "No..no..was o..ok this morning." Something in her doesn't want to believe this, maybe it’s just a mistake, a dream, she even goes to try and shake him awake and finally scoots back and lays beside him and still cries.

Silverstorm is not sure what to do and frowns, this just brings back some sad feelings of her own father when he died.."I don't know wot happen'..I just heard crying and...”

Zork has only been dead maybe a few minutes, eyes closed and clearly no pulse or breathing, he is sadly dead.

DoraRose smiles sadly at the otter, trying to hide the trembling in her lips. "It...it's okay, Silverstorm." She lets the badger do whatever she wants to do (so long as it's not self-harming) and goes to lay a paw on Zork's own. A tear trickles down her cheek. /No....oh, no...../ Angela rounds a tree, leaning on her staff and toting a healer's satchel. She freezes when she catches sight of Zork. "Ah, no....." She whispers as she seems to lose most of her strength. She leans against a tree, and closes her eyes for a few minutes. Then, gritting her teeth, she pushes herself forward and kneels beside the body, going to check him over, just to be sure. How can she not? She is a healer, and no matter how cynical and jaded she is, she still has that tiniest spark of hope that she might be able to save him.

Zinnia shivers now, she tries to stop crying but can't, she coughs as she gets that stopped up nose and have to catch your breath stage of crying. She knows the others are there, faintly knows anyways.

Silverstorm sits beside Zinnia and lays a paw on her shoulder, she is unsure how to comfort as no one comforted her in a time like this, maybe just being here will help.

Zork shows no signs of life, no pulse anywhere..even a weak one, no movement of his chest, and even is starting to not feel as warm as one would if they were still alive, maybe just a hint of being a little cold, but not a lot cold yet seeing as he has only been dead a short while, so it's happen with in the past 10-15 minutes by now maybe.

Angela seems to shrink as she sags. Going to rest her head on his chest, she just sits there, hardly moving, barely breathing as she tries to process this tragedy. DoraRose turns to the others, quickly wiping away a tear. She goes to rest a paw on the otter's shoulder and goes to hold the Recorder's paw. She says nothing, for there is nothing that she really can say. A light has gone out of life.

Zinnia looks over and watches Angela, when the healer seems to not be able to do anything she sniffs and starts to sob sort of hic up again and coughs back some tears, she shakes her head" Nooo..he's...he's ok..j..just passed out." She is not taking this well at all and takes a deep breath trying to calm herself. She lets the mouse maid hold her paw and goes to lay the other on Zork.."J..just..wake up." Then she just starting crying again and suddenly starts coughing, too much crying and trying to hold back tears has caused her throat to hurt and she might be starting to have an asthma attack. And this only causes grief to turn to more panic.

Silverstorm frowns, "Whats..going on now?"

Angela looks up quickly, her face etched with pain and grief. "No, love....your father is dead. I am so sorry." As the crying turns to coughing, the old healer quickly comes to her side and starts to mix herbs together in a bowl. "I need 'ot water, fast!" DoraRose nods and runs off, stumbling slightly. She soon returns with a teapot full of hot water and hands it to her grandmother, then goes to hold the paws of her friends again. "I am so sorry....."

Zinnia has tears going down her face and coughs again having a little trouble breathing now, she tries to take a couple deep breaths but is not doing a very good job as it becomes clear it's an asthma attack and not the best time for one either. 

Silverstorm steps back and lets the healer help Zinnia as she looks around, “They were..supposed to start picking fruit today, maybe someone else will come out to orchards"

A young novice, one fairly close to brother status happens to walk up and slows as he sees whats going on, they are a vole and he stays where he is a few feet away and frowns.

Angela motions for her granddaughter to help her get the badger into a sitting position. Spotting the Novice, the old healer growls, "Come 'elp us, quick!" The mice go to help the Recorder sit up so she can breathe the steam from the herbal tea Angela made. DoraRose nods sadly at the otter, knowing that this is the way some beasts deal with tragedy. "Aye, they were. Perhaps one of us should go try to find Benar."

Zinnia allows the help, but is sort of half there now as she coughs a couple times and manages to sit up with help from the beasts around her and shivers a little, both depressed and maybe a little scared now also.

The novice does what he can to help, "I..don't know where Abbot Benar would be right now?" The novice frowns, he knows most of the beast here and a thought comes to mind, "What about...ummm Oz, should someone find him?" And does he know where he is..nope.

Angela growls, "Come 'elp us 'old the Sister up! That's what we need right now!" DoraRose goes to stroke her friend's head. She takes off her apron and goes to drape it around the Recorder's shoulders. It's not a blanket or a cloak or anything, but it's better than nothing, right?

The novice does help them with helping Zinnia sit up better.

Zinnia coughs and does try to breath better, she has all of them helping her to stay sat up and also manages to sit up on her own, even if a little shaky. She isn’t speaking right now just trying to breath better and allow the herbs to help.

Angela grumbles a bit at the Novice, then just tries to help the Recorder breathe more easily. DoraRose looks like she feels useless as she just tries to hold her friend's paw and offer comfort.

The novice frowns, but still stays to help, and stays quiet as to not anger the healer.

Zinnia breaths a little better and frowns.."W..Why?" She gets out. 

Silverstorm stays beside the badger and frowns, “You...your friends will help you through this.."

DoraRose shakes her head, getting close to tears again. "I wish I knew, Zinnia. I have nothing, no answer to give you. I am so, so sorry." Angela stays quiet, looking old, so old. She hates death so much, and yet she can't stop it....or reverse it.

Zinnia can speak a little better "He..he wa..was ok this morning...we had breakfast and he was fine..." She lets a sob and cough escape.."I..I was coming to the or..orchards and was still bit off and he..he looked like was ..s..standing by his chair and then fell sideways and did..didn’t get up.." 

Silverstorm just listens, she is not good at dealing with death either. And she has her own tears on her face now.

DoraRose nods, listening as she lets a couple tears trickle down her cheeks. She goes to hold the otter's paw while keeping hold of Zinnia's paw with the other.

Zinnia frowns as a thought comes to her mind and she starts to cry again, after just stopping but she manages to control it somewhat and does hold back her tears, and the herbs help some as well.

DoraRose goes to squeeze the badger's paw. "What, Zinnia?" She has kind of stifled her sadness, so it's now more of a dull ache deep in her chest, a heaviness weighing down her soul. She can address it later.....if she can figure out how to make it resurface. Anglea hands the badger the herbs, then turns to the Novice and starts whispering something about a stretcher and a sheet.

The novice listens and frowns, he will have to get a couple otters most likely and nods as he stands, maybe he can find Benar as well, the abbot should know about this.

Zinnia clears her throat. "What about...he and Sister Jenny took the dibbuns out to the woods. He won't be back for a f..few hours." Tears go down her face.

Angela asks for her bag, one she reserves for after a beast has died. “Also there are six otter healers that always help me and get my black bag as well” . DoraRose goes to hug the recorder to hide the looks of sorrow on her face. "Ah! Oz. We...he should.....some beast should tell him as soon as they get back. I..." She can't say anymore. She can barely think as she stuffs another layer of grief down. So many of her friends will be so broken when they hear this....and LilyMoore. "Oh! What about Lily?" She then pulls back and goes to hold her friend's paws. "Sorry....you don't need that worry right now.”

The novice nods and heads off quickly to do as he is told.

Zinnia nods, she leans against the tree they were beside and lets tears flow, she glances over at where Zork is and frowns, "T..this hurts..never gonna..gonna hear him say it's ok, not ever again..or his laugh or..or" She closes her eyes and just lets quiet tears flow and memories she can’t stop just come as well. 

 Silverstorm frowns, "A lot will miss..miss Zork."

DoraRose nods and stares at the ground. "I understand." She suddenly looks immeasurably sad as she goes to slowly draw something in the dirt. Angela sighs and nods at the otter's words. "Aye....he will be greatly missed." Picking up her staff, she hobbles over to the badger and adds quietly, "We'll be moving him to a room just off of the Infirmary soon. I don't know if you want to walk with us to the room or not, but I thought you'd like to know."

Zinnia shakes her head as she opens her eyes, she is still by the tree, and doesn't want to look where he is and sniffs, she frowns at the chair and hides her face in her paws.

Silverstorm frowns and folds her paws in front of her “What do we do with..his chair?"

Angela looks to the chair and sighs. She leans heavily on her staff. "I....I think 'twould be best for now to take it to the forge for now..." DoraRose goes to wrap her arms around the badger and stroke her head.

There are footsteps off to one side amongst the trees and Elmef comes walking into sight, he's looking back over his shoulder in the direction the Novice Angela sent ran off in. "Is something the matter Novice...." He starts to ask but stops as he sees the scene before him. He gapes for a moment then sprints forward toward Angela and Silver, "Wh.. what Zork! Is he ok? What happened?" 

Silverstorm frowns, she would of been in the other section but  was needed here, and they had just barely begun too.. "He..." She frowns as she is not good with words.

Zinnia just looks at Elmef..great and now the sobbing happens again as she at least not coughing now from the sobs.

Zork is lying on the ground not too far from his wheelchair, which is pushed out of the way some when the novice had gone to find someone. No signs of life , he has sadly passed on to the dark forest maybe a short half an hour ago, maybe little less .

Angela looks at the new mouse sadly as she walks over to the body from her former position beside the Recorder. "He has passed into the Dark Forest. It...he's gone." DoraRose bites her lip and goes to rock badger from their position sitting at the base of a tree. "He...." No words can come out. The Warrior is almost broken, trying to not mourn for her friend but rather be strong for the others. It's almost killing her. The sun shines through the trees, seeming to mock the tragedy that has occurred below the orchard's leafy canopy.

In one of the clearings of the orchard furthest from where Elmef's work party was getting on with picking fruit from the trees a very sad scene is playing out. Zork, Blacksmith, Elder, beloved badger is lying on the ground, his eyes closed, his chest still and unmoving. Elmef kneels down next to the badger and takes his paw, staring at him, "He... he can't be dead... he was fine this morning! He was holding a basket under the plum trees for Novices Graham, Lou and Bertram... he was fine...." The field mouse scrubs at his muzzle, tears making his eyes glisten as he stares at Zork. "He... he was laughing and everything..." The mouse seems incapable of saying anything else, shock has him as he holds the large badger paw and stares at Zork's face. "He... can't be gone."

Raspy, urgent breathing echoes through the woods and the scrape of claws on the ground and the thump of something lumbering over the dirt. Zarok barrels into the area and skids to a halt, turning around with a bitter snarl when he realizes he's too late. He can smell death. He claws at the ground, frustrated, and Terfil skids to a halt as well beside him, clambering up onto his friend's back. Zarok steps closer carefully to Zork's form. "Nar'hoyez," He mutters bitterly. Too late. He glances to DoraRose, as if asking permission for something.

Zinnia frowns, "He..was..was ok at breakfast too...I only left for a..a short while, and..and though he just passed out..but" She lets tears flow, "And who is gonna ..gonna tell Uncle Oz...he needs to know..a..and he is with the dibbuns so..somewhere." She leans on Dorarose as tears flood .

Silverstorm decides to go ahead and take the chair to the forge for now, and maybe just stay inside after that.

DoraRose goes to rub the badger's back as she lets the Recorder lean on her. She waves her adopted nephew over and quietly asks, "What do you want to do, Zarok, love?" The word 'love' is added as a kind of afterthought, as if the death that has happened has reminded her how short life truly is, and how much we should cherish those that we have left. Angela goes to gently rest a paw on Elmef's shoulder. "I'm sorry, but he is. Most beasts are fine before they die. I'm sure 'e was 'appy and at peace when he left this world, don't worry about that." She's had to tell beasts that their loved ones have died so often that she knows some of the best words to say. And she hates it.

Zarok pads over quietly, considering his thunderous entrance to the clearing. "Just wanted to say goodbye, like we did in the Tribe," He says softly to his aunt. Terfil meanwhile volunteers to tell Oz.

Shaking his head Elmef looks around as Zarok runs into the clearing, "Zarok..." He looks up at Angela and reaches up to take her paw and squeezes it as he rubs at his eyes with his other paw, "Did we send anyone for Benar? I am not sure where he will be today... he was going to go read in the gardens someplace."

Zinnia frowns "Maybe the one..novice w..went to find him..."

DoraRose goes to gently rest her paw on his head. "Would it be alright to save it for the funeral, sweetheart? I, too, wish to say good-bye like they do back in my old home, but I am refraining from it right now because it's not the place nor the time." Anglea shakes her head and goes to squeeze Elmef's paw in return. "Not yet. I can have that vole Novice try and find 'im, when 'e comes back." 

Dora is trying to rest her paw on Zarok's head.

The novice comes back out of breath, yes he got the otters the healer mentioned and whatever else she needed as he looks at them "I..asked Brother Rick, then Brother Ralph and finally Sister Andrea said she knew where Benar was and was getting him now"

Matthias starts to ring, the golden tones of the bell ringing the afternoon high, Methuselah joins in a few moments later, gently ringing a counterpoint. It all seems so very unreal to Elmef, kneeling beside Zork who for all intents and purposes could just be resting. The sun is up, the trees are laden with ripe fruit and the bells are ringing to tell the work crews to take a break. "I... I see... thank you Angela, I am glad you are here... this is... it is..." He sighs and slowly stands up, brushing grass from his habit. "It is hard to take in."

Zarok nods sadly, accepting his aunt's instructions. After letting her rest her paw on his head for a moment, Zarok ducks down and begins scraping the dirt with his dagger-like claws. After he's ripped up a good amount of soil, he opens his dirty paw over his snout, letting dirt coat his face, symbolizing the return of one of his friends to the earth. He lets out a soft whisper in his own language, and Terfil imitates him, coating his own face with dirt. "G'bye, Zork," Zarok whispers. "Luv ya."

Zinnia sniffs "Someone has to tell..tell Uncle Oz when he gets back with the dibbuns...who is..is going to tell him?"

DoraRose feels her chin start to tremble again at Zarok and Terfil's innocent acts of sweet mourning. She suddenly wished that she would feel like she had that kind of freedom. Instead of feeling like she has to be the strong one. Angela nods as the male mouse stands. "Aye, you're right. Death seems unreal sometimes."

Another Bell rings, smaller, quieter, silvery... weaving through the trees is the Abbot, he's carrying his staff, the silver bell on the cross tree chiming with every step. Sister Andrea by his side, Elder Lorwyn walking on his other. He's wearing his habit, the hood up high framing his face. It is odd to see the Abbot with his staff, he rarely uses it except on solemn or ceremonial occasions. Elmef's breath catches and he bites back a sob at the sight as Benar walks across the clearing and plants his staff by the badger's feet. The bell rings one last time as the Abbot bows low to Zork. "Oh Zork..." He whispers softly, sadly, "I had hoped that Martin's words had a happy reason... not one as sad as this..." He kneels, the grey squirrel placing one hand on Zork's foot as he stares at his friend. "May you join him and walk alongside him to join the quiet in the Forest."

The novice whom had got the abbot walks back over and frowns as he stays off to the side.

Zinnia watches all this and stands slowly, she chokes back a sob as tears flow, she then looks ready to bolt off somewhere, probably to go lock herself in her room or the library room. "I..I gonna..get..get out of here."

Zarok hangs his head low, and whispers as well, inspired by Benar, "Have a good journey to sky-cave. Frostbiter not find you, Martin find you. White Golem save you. Luv ya," he adds again as an afterthought almost.

Angela makes a sound as if she's in pain as the Abbot approaches. She starts to sink to the ground, and is soon resting on her knees beside the body. The otters stand to 1 side in sad and respectful silence, holding the stretcher and death sheet. The old healer has her black bag that she reserve for after a beast has died, and starts to slowly open it. "Sir Abbot, it is the custom where I'm from to add spices and oils to a body as soon after death as possible. With your permission, I shall do that now." DoraRose stands and tries to stop the Recorder. "Zinnia, love, wait! Let me come with you, at least!"

Zinnia frowns as more tears flood down her face, she sniffs and goes to gently lift Dorarose and place her to the side, she then bolts as fast as she can, sobbing loudly after being a few feet away, she won’t stop till she is at the library book binding room and locks herself inside and cries in a far corner of the room till she falls asleep.

Benar reaches out a paw to one side and grips Zarok's hand, he squeeze it as he slowly stands up, drawing the young monitor into his side. "Martin has found him already... he told me last night to keep my staff with me today." He sighs leaning on the lizard and stares down at Zork's frame. "We... need to take him inside, find Oz and... prepare to say goodbye," He eyes the black shroud and shakes his head, "You may treat the body Angela, but please do not use that thing," He gestures to the black bag, "I... dislike them, his last journey into the abbey shall not be made in darkness but under the sun, let him look at Redwall one last time until the earth welcomes him to his sleep."

Zarok nods. "Aye. Then he go in good company," He says, satisfied, sort of. He wraps his tail around Benar to steady him slightly.

Angela nods. "This bag is just what I keep the oils and spices in. I was going to cover him with a white sheet, but I shall leave his face uncovered if ye wish." She pulls out a bottle and examines the label. The 6 otters move forward at her sign, then look to the Abbot for permission to put the body on the stretcher. DoraRose gasps as she is picked up, then just watches her friend dash off as tears start pouring down her cheeks.

Benar steps back with Sister Andrea and Elder Lorwyn, drawing Zarok with them. "I... need to go inform everyone else. Elmef please go and ask Lilymoore to ring the bells and summon everyone to the Great Hall then bring her. Don't tell her why please. I need her to ring Matthias clear." He bows to the body and allows Angela and her assistance to work. "Bye my friend..."

Zarok trots carefully alongside Benar, while Terfil runs up to DoraRose, jumping clear of Zarok, and comforts her.

The novice from before goes to walk off to the great hall ahead of everyone.

DoraRose goes to pick up the newt and hold him tightly to her, closing her eyes as the tears continue to stream down her cheeks. She looks up at the Abbot and says in a voice that shows how close she really is to sobbing, "Lily's in the Infirmary. I told her to stay there after she got Nana. Please tell her that I say she needs to ring the bell to the best of her ability. Make us all proud of her." Make Zork proud of her, she refrains from adding. Anglea says something, and the 6 otters go to work, going to move the body of the badger to the stretcher and cover him up to mid-chest with the sheet. The old healer goes to dab some of the oil onto his forehead, and the entire area smells like a rare and very expensive perfume: myrrh. She then puts the bottle away and slowly stands, leaning heavily on her staff. She'll do more in the room they'll be taking him to.

Benar nods to DoraRose, squeezes Zarok's paw, thankful for his adopted sons strength and starts to walk back toward the abbey slowly and steadily. It is going to be a long and sad day for the Abbot of Redwall, the summer sun has lost its warmth, at least for now."

The 6 otters start to slowly carry the dead badger to the Abbey, Angela hobbling beside the stretcher. DoraRose follows the group, carrying Terfil. The Matthias bell rings out, alone and clear, sounding, for all intents and purposes, perfect. Lily doesn't know why, exactly, she is ringing it, but she is determined to do it right. She knows that later she will understand the 'why'.

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