Chapter Three-Hundred Thirteen

    Zorro

    Being a scion is a lot to get used to. He’s still trying to adjust, not only to the increase in intelligence, but also to how differently Thedeim runs things. Take the meeting, for example.

    The Southwood would never have a meeting like this of his scions... not that he had enough to even allow for a meeting until very recently. He would command it, and it’d be done as he commanded.

    With Thedeim, things are suggested and prepared, but it''s on the scions to follow through. The entire forest is a great example of that in action. He actually let Goldilocks and himself pick where their spawners go, and named the two on top of that! At least the other scions’ reactions to his incredulity helped him not feel insane.

    But though his spawner is in the Autumn section, he still doesn’t feel like he has a place. That apprehension is why he spoke up about his concerns about the cost of the new areas. Even with the influx from the Maw and the arena match, can his new home afford to spend that much at once? Teemo reassured him, and he could even feel the warmth of the dungeon on his fur as he tried to comfort the vulpine, but he still worries.

    The meeting soon adjourns with nobody else seeming to have too much to discuss, at least as one big group. The attention of Thedeim wanders, and Zorro watches as some of the scions chat amongst themselves, while others head off to do whatever it is they need to do. It’s a surprise to him when one turns to him and speaks.

    “Walk with me, pup,” speaks Leo, and Zorro is quick to heed him. They might both be scions and have similar status, but the wolf is not one Zorro intends to slight. Even if he wasn’t more physically powerful than Zorro, he still remembers the strategic acumen displayed to protect the Southwood.

    “What do you need, Warden Leo?” he asks as he hurries to his side, earning a chuckle from the wolf as he leads the way through a shortcut into the woods.

    “Just Leo is fine, pup. I mostly wanted to talk. You and Goldilocks are still adjusting, and I wanted to make sure you’re doing alright. I remember when I first joined and had to find my own place in this pack.”

    Zorro tries to minimize his discomfort as he answers. “It’s... a lot to take in, but I’m sure I’ll live up to Thedeim’s expectations of me in time.”

    The large wolf smirks. “Ah, you really are having a bit of difficulty adjusting. Goldilocks seems to be settling in and starting to work with Titania and Poppy, but you’re still following a meandering scent in circles, pup.”

    Zorro lowers his tail and whimpers before getting poked in the side by the Warden. “I’m not tearing you down, just pointing out the facts. A lot of his other scions took a lot longer than you are to find their place. Jello, for example, only recently found her passion with metalworking, and Coda tried a lot of different things before being inspired to build. If you want to try something, I have something you can try.”

    “You do?” Zorro quickly replies, not needing to think about the offer. He can’t imagine anything around that actually needs doing. Despite the chaos and lack of orders, things really do seem to run smoothly in the dungeon.

    “Great!” Leo smiles at the smaller scion, his tail wagging. “I’ll leave you to Poe for your first expedition, then. I need to organize the wyrms and rockslides to check the foundation of the forest. Be nice to him, Poe.”

    “I’m always polite and professional,” replies the large corvid, before turning his attention on Zorro. “Do you know the path to the war room?”

    Zorro thinks, trying to recall the labyrinthine tangle of shortcuts Teemo has made, but he’s apparently too slow for Poe’s liking. Without a word, the large raven takes flight, grabbing Zorro up in his talons before smoothly entering a shortcut.

    “It may be prudent to have you get more familiar with the shortcut system before sending you on expedition, but I really would appreciate a scion’s eyes on this one.”

    Zorro can’t even think to scream as he’s carried through the strange space, and soon he’s deposited atop the table in the war room. He takes a few minutes to gather himself, wondering if he may have gotten in over his head, but Poe doesn’t rush him now that he’s here. Once he looks around, he sees the delay might not just be for his sake, as Poe is looking through the drawers for a specific map. He gives a small caw of triumph once he finds it, and quickly spreads it over the table for Zorro to see, and taps a talon on it.

    “This is the location Fourdock wishes to build their Hold, in case something happens that requires the town to evacuate. As far as I’m aware, they have done their own surveys, but I don’t know how detailed they are. The snows should have receded enough to make the trip possible, though it will likely still be arduous. I intend to send you along with a wyrm, several rockslides, and a flock of ravens as support. The rockslides should be able to ensure their namesake doesn’t occur and injure anyone, while the wyrm can provide warmth and quicker reconnaissance of the underground area. The ravens will be able to see if anything else has happened in the area over the winter, while you will help direct them all in detail while there.

    “Lord Thedeim supports the idea of this hold, and Coda especially is looking forward to aiding in its construction. I want you to make sure this location will be suitable, as far as you can ascertain. The mountain must be stable here, water must be available, and if the path leading to the site is unstable or unsuitable, I want you to chart a better one.”

    He stops speaking and looks at Zorro, finally noticing how overwhelmed he looks. Instead of frustration at the inexperienced scion, Poe’s demeanor instead softens slightly.

    “I know it’s a lot, but please, just try your best. I don’t expect perfection from you, especially not for your first expedition. There will be multiple follow ups as plans progress, so don’t think you’ll need to spot every potential issue that could arise. Just focus on the obvious ones. Coda will likely accompany you on later expeditions, and that is when the two of you will focus on the details. For now, just try to learn. I can forgive mistakes, but I will not forgive refusing to learn from them.”

    “But... what if I make a lot of mistakes? A lot of big mistakes?”

    Poe tilts his head in a smile, laying a wing over the smaller scion. “Then you simply have a lot to learn. We all started knowing nothing of our purpose, Zorro. Before you know it, you’ll be helping a different new scion, wondering what you did to make it seem like you may have any answers, let alone all of them. You’ll do fine, Zorro. And if this isn’t your purpose, you’ll simply have to keep looking. You’ll find it eventually.”

    Zorro looks at the map, wondering if it’s his purpose. There’s pressure to do well, of course, but Poe’s encouragement strikes a chord in him. Exploring may or may not be his purpose, but sitting around doing nothing definitely is not it. He’ll take those risks, make those mistakes, and learn those lessons.

    “When do we start?”