February - Witherod

FEBRUARY {Witherod}

“After several weeks of careful consideration, we have concluded that Chosen One Duncan will not be taken down from the position of Chosen One and will not be charged with any of the Great Rule allegations. We have spent many sleepless days discussing the different outcomes of this ruling. We have listened to every testimony and read every scroll of evidence sent to us. Thank you, Forrester Council, for bringing us this Article of Challenge. We, the Woodland Council, close this case.” Griff and the Article of Challenge committee read aloud to Rupert and the Forrester Council.

Rupert flew out into the dense woods, crying, “BREAKING: CHOSEN ONE DUNCAN WILL STAY THE CHOSEN ONE!”

A family of skunks sat outside of their hut, waiting for Rupert to fly by. When he finally did, there were yelps of joy.

“This is great! Just the outcome we wanted!” The father skunk said.

“I can’t believe they even thought of challenging Chosen One Duncan! It is outrageous. He should bring a case against the Forrester Council.” The youngest skunk said.

“That’s a great idea, Sector!” The mother skunk said. “Why don’t you draft a letter to Chosen One Duncan?”

On the other side of the forest, in the tall oak trees, the conversation had a different tone. The chipmunk family waited nervously for the news. When it was delivered, there were sighs of disappointment.

“This was not supposed to happen. There was so much evidence.” Kiwi, said, with dread filling their voice.

“I need fresh air.” Raindrop said, rocking back and forth.

“We are outside, honey.” Butter said, trying to be calming. “We need to know what’s gonna happen next.”

FEBRUARY {Witherod}

“And Goji-Rose on the rise. And we have an incompetent Chosen One. And… and… and… I need air.” Raindrop was now sitting down, rocking back and forth.

“We will be fine, Mom. We have a community. We will be fine, you hear me?” Kiwi.

“I know. Thank you, Kiwi.”

A day later, there was another broadcast;

“ELEVEN CONFIRMED CASES OF GOJI-ROSE. CHOSEN ONE SAYS THAT THE RIFE WILL HOPEFULLY BE WEAKER IN WARMER WEATHER AND THEN GONE. ANIMALS WONDER: HOW LONG WILL THIS GO ON?” Rupert cried from the ruins of a small part of the forest, where very few animals still lived.

Rumors were flowing through the forest.

“Gogi-Rose is not real.”

“Gogi-Rose is a man-made rife.”

“The Plains made it all up.”

Rupert was flying around, getting sources everywhere, saying six things at once. He was landing and then getting more scrolls. He was flying non-stop from dusk to dawn. Many citizens of the forest had no idea what to believe.

“There is not enough information!”

“Who are we supposed to listen to?”

There was the occasional statement from Chosen One Duncan. Scrolls were sent out most of the time, or Rupert would broadcast a message. The messages varied from “The rife is very much under control” to “Rife will ‘disappear’ one day “like a miracle”. Once this news was spread, people rejoiced.

FEBRUARY {Witherod}

The same conversation was happening all around the forest. When the news arrived, the chipmunk family was going on with their everyday lives.

tree. “Did you hear? Gogi-Rose will disappear!” Kiwi ran up to the great oak

“At least Witherod brings one piece of good news.” Raindrop was sitting down, reading the newest scroll sent out. “I guess our incompetent Chosen One pulled through.”

“But there are sixty cases of Gogi-Rose in the forest.” Butter said, joining in on the conversation.

“SIXTY CASES! WHAT!” Kiwi and Raindrop turned around in shock.

“Are you sure that is right? And how do you know?” Raindrop asked with panic in her eyes.

“Mom. Calm down; it is only 60 people. There are 329.5 million animals in the forest.” Kiwi was trying to calm down their mom.

“60 people might as well be the whole world.” Raindrop suddenly took a very calm turn. “We need to prepare. There might be a death any second now. We need to prepare.”

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