Turtle and Lynx Fetch Medicine for Badger

Badger was gravely ill. For four days, he had lain motionless in his bed. The only indication of life being that he would occasionally cough and then groan which would bring a pained expression to his otherwise still face.
Turtle and Lynx had been by his side since they’d found him like this. They both new that Badger needed a doctor, but Badger himself was the only doctor in the Woods.
Lynx was very scared and would sit by Badger’s side and whisper, “Badger, Badger please wake up, please tell me what to do”
Turtle had looked through all of Badger’s books and medicines, but had not yet found any hope of a cure.
All was quiet in the house Turtle was pacing again, while Lynx sat quietly by Badger. Suddenly the front door crashed open. Turtle and Lynx both jumped in fright and turned to the source of the noise.
Duck stood in the doorway breathing heavily, she took a second to steady her breath and then very excitedly yelled “I know what we need to do!!”
Duck ran to Turtle and grabbed his hand, jumping up and down she said “We have to go! We have to go!”
Turtle looked at her calmly and said, “And where too?”
Turtle gave Duck a stern look which had just about calmed her down, and Duck was about to explain when Lynx pounced.
They crashed to the floor, knocking over an end table, Lynx bearing his teeth on top of duck with a slight growl said “If this is one of your jokes duck, I’ll-“
Turtle leaned down and put a hand on his firm hand on his shoulder interrupting him, “Let Duck speak at least before we threaten her Lynx” he said firmly.
Lynx got up with just a little hesitation, Duck stood up too and watched Lynx nervously as he walked a crossed the room. Badger’s house was silent again. It stayed this way for a long moment; Duck was still looking silently at Lynx with feelings of hurt showing on her face when Lynx growled, “Start talking already!”
And Duck did, “Owl once told me of a tree… with a fruit...”
“Yes Duck, many trees have fruit” Turtle said patiently, worried that Lynx might be right, this might be another of Ducks jokes.
“I’m explaining it wrong” Duck said sitting down hard in Badger’s big chair, “this is a very special tree and a very special fruit, Owl called it the ‘living tree’, and said that the fruit can cure any illness… or at least that’s what he told me,” Duck said “But Owl is always right!”
“Owl may be wise, but that sounds like a silly story he made up to amuse you. Don’t waste our time” Lynx said angrily, turning away from Duck heading back into Badger’s room.
“I’m not!” Duck insisted, “Owl tells me things…”
“Why would Owl tell you anything, you’re useless Duck,” Said Lynx turning quickly and taking a step towards Duck.
Duck pressed herself deeply into the chair afraid that Lynx might pounce again.
“Now calm down Lynx, we’re not getting anywhere here. We need to help Badger, if Duck has an idea and there is a chance, no matter how slim, we must take it.” Turtle said to Lynx, then turning to Duck “Did Owl say where this tree was?”
“No…” Duck said meekly.
“So I was right, you have nothing,” Lynx snarled.
“BUT!! Owl did say that King Beaver knew!”
“And you think the King will just tell us? Even if he knew…” Lynx asked.
“If King Beaver knew that Badger was sick, short sighted he may be, he would tell us anything to help” Turtle said.
“I was thinking the same thing, but after the grand ball…” Duck stopped for a second “You know I’m not allowed back in the great Dam”
Lynx chuckled and said, “How do you start a fire on a river anyway? You’re lucky he just banned you from the Dam, I’d have exiled you.”
“Good thing you’re not in charge then,” Duck said sticking her tongue out.
“Indeed” Said Turtle stepping in Lynx’s path to Duck. “This bit of information is the only thing we have to go on,” Turtle said looking at Lynx. Turtle turned around to look at Duck and said, “You stay here and take care of Badger,” Turtle turned back to Lynx and say “you go and gather supplies for a trip deep into the Woods.”
“And you’ll see the King?” Duck asked nervously.
“Yes,” Turtle said.
“And I stay here and…” Duck said.
“Keep Badger comfortable and don’t mess this up or I’ll eat you,” Lynx said showing his teeth.
“Don’t worry her Lynx,” Turtle said, then putting a hand on Ducks shoulder “You’ll do fine, besides with any luck the tree is not too far”
“Humph!”” Lynx expelled “Duck will mess this up, Duck messes everything up”
Turtle looked at Lynx and harshly said, “Be nice,”
Lynx and Turtle headed into Badger’s room again, Lynx looked at the very still Badger thoughtfully then slowly turned around, glared at Duck and headed out the front door.
After Lynx had left Duck said to Turtle, “You don’t have to worry, I won’t mess this up”
“I know,” Turtle said, “Be careful though,” then Turtle left too.
The entire walk to the Great Dam Turtle didn’t see another animal, Turtle thought to himself about how odd that was. When he arrived at the Dam not a single guard stood at the entrance as he walked in.
The Great Dam was never very crowded anyway, King Beaver liked solitude, but there were always a few guards and attendants, this lack of anyone began to worry Turtle.
As he approached the great hall in the Dam, Turtle began hearing faint voices. Turtle slowed his pace and tried to listen. The voices grew louder as he approached the door. Turtle was halfway there when a booming voice from inside the hall declared, “I don’t care just get it done!”
A chorus of “Yes sir!” was the reply.
A quiet moment passed and then the doors to the great hall slammed open and Hound, Snake, and Pigeon, the King’s personal guard, began filing out of the chamber.
“Hello my dearest friends” Turtle called out as he got closer “Might I be able to humbly request an audience with King Beaver, on a very grave matter” he finished with a bow.
“No you may not,” Pigeon said as Hound moved to block the door. Snake took a left and disappeared down a corridor.
Turtle frowned deeply and said, “Most sorry, but I must insist. The King has called for my council many times and now I must request his”
“Not much to be done about it I’m afraid, the King was very specific about not being bothered.” Pigeon said with finality on the subject.
“That won’t due at all…” Turtle said slowly, Turtle and Pigeon stared at each other for a second then,
“Pigeon come to me!” a voice cried from through the door to the great hall. Hound moved out of Pigeon’s way, Pigeon turned and disappeared into the room without another look at Turtle.
Hound watched Turtle suspiciously. Hushed whispers escaped through the door for several minutes, Turtle did what he knew best he stood and waited. As it usually did patients paid off, Pigeon stuck his head out of the door and said, “Turtle, you may speak with the King”
“Most honored,” Turtle said with a bow.
In the throne room, it was dark, as Turtle except a small circle of light that surrounded King Beaver on his thrown, the King whispered, “Things are going badly… I know why you have come and I am sorry to say that Dr. Badger is not the only one who has fallen ill. My castle as you may have noticed is empty, soon I fear my river will run dry and the woods will be lost forever.”
“It can’t be that bad,” Turtle said slowly with worry building in his stomach,
“But it is Turtle, it is… As King of the River and protector of the Woods I have reined over many good years,” He paused, “It has all started to come to an end though, it has all begun to change. General Salmon reported to me a week ago of a dark movement headed from the east, from the Great Desert, now Salmon is missing and half my kingdom is ill.”
“Oh my,” Turtle said “I had no idea things where so bad, I’ve been with Badger this whole time, but I did come here because you may have the answer to our problem and not even know it.”
“And what answer might that be?” The King asked, with an odd look on his face.
“What have you heard about the ‘living tree’?” Turtle asked
“All trees are living, as far as I know my dear Turtle,” said King Beaver with a frown.
“This is a very special tree from what I hear, with healing fruit,”
“Ahh!” said the King, “I may know what you are talking about… it’s just a legend though, it’s not real”
“Legend or not, I fear it’s the only hope we have,” Turtle said, “Do you know where it is?”
“Well if the legend is correct, it is deep in the heart of the Woods, past the Dank Swamp, but before the Endless Mountains. Go to the library the archivist should have a map.”
“It is not as close as I’d hoped, but it is closer than I feared. I will get the map and I will go and bring fruit back, Lynx will accompany me,” Turtle said.
“This is most excellent,” The King said excitedly “Well I do not mean to rush you my dear Turtle, but I fear we do not have much time, you should be off,” the King said.
Turtle said “Indeed,” then he turned around to leave.
“Good luck,” said the King after him.
Turtle made his way down the long hallway leading from the great hall, he turn left and then right, Turtle stood in an oddly decorated, half abandoned part of the Great Dam a weird sort of entry way shaped like a tree, Turtle opened the little door on the front and walked in, a flight of stairs led up. At the top Turtle stood the landing of a magnificent library, which looked like it had been carved inside a hollow tree.
Outside the Great Dam Lynx was waiting for Turtle.