Saramack

*You are right here in your story. Don't skip ahead.*
Massie Burnson, *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*, p. 32
**WARNING: SPOILERS FOR *PRINCE LANDER & THE DRAGON WAR* ARE AHEAD; CAUTION IS ADVISED.**

## Saramack

Mother Saramack, as depicted in The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner.

## Association information

### Also known as

Mother Saramack
Mother

## Book information

### Appears

*The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*
*Prince Lander & the Dragon War*

### Role

Medium

**M****other Saramack** was a doe who resided in Natalia during the time of King Whitson Mariner. She was a valued member of the king's council.

## Biography

### Backstory

It is presumed that Mother Saramack was aboard the ships that sailed from Golden Coast to the new land of Natalia under the command of King Whitson Mariner.

### *The Black Star of Kingston*

When Walters told King Whitson Mariner of Lord Grimble, who wanted to go against the king's orders and cut into the northeastern glade for fuel stocks, Whitson asked if there were any who opposed him. Walters said that Mother Saramack had spoken out quite boldly against Grimble. Hearing this, the king regretted complaining about the Widows List, and Queen Lillie jokingly remarked that Saramack would agree with him.

### *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*

Mother Saramack was among the rabbits who, when a sinking *Vanguard* is being evacuated, refused to abandon ship until all the rest had gone. When *Vanguard* sank, Saramack was believed to be lost.

Some time later, King Whitson Mariner took *Steadfast* upriver from the island on which the survivors of *Vanguard* took shelter. Massie Burnson spotted movement on a faraway shore, which was revealed to be Mother Saramack and the other rabbits who were presumed dead.

While a battle raged between the crews of *Steadfast* and *Desolation*, many of Captain Grimble's allies, all of whom had previously abandoned ship, prepared to head back into the fray. Queen Lillie ordered them to surrender, but the bucks merely laughed. Luckily, more of Lillie's allies arrived, and Commander Usher himself took an arrow from a seething Mother Saramack, forcing him and his allies to remain on shore.

After the battle, Whitson was approached by Mother Saramack, who directed him, Lillie, and Lander to the wreckage of *Vanguard*, where a crate had been found with King Gerrard's seal on it. Inside, much to their awe and relief, they found the Stone Sword of Flint.

### *Prince Lander & the Dragon War*

Mother Saramack was mentioned by Queen Lillie as thinking that the fall of Flint Firstking was connected with using his stone sword. Lillie said that Mother Saramack had been studying the starsword for a long time.

Later, Prince Lander and Prince Lemual visited Mother Saramack to seek advice about the Division of Lener's Crossroads. When they enter, Prince Lander sees that Mother Saramack's guest is Hollie Grimble. He blurts out a question, asking rudely what Hollie is doing there. Mother Saramack bowed to Lander, and he objected, saying he would rather bow to Mother Saramack than Mother Saramack bow to him. She declined, telling him that she must be who he is and let her be who she is. Lander replies that who she is, is one of their community's greatest treasures, and he begs forgiveness for snapping at her. She accepts, saying that it is not odd that he should question the presence of his enemy's oldest child. Hollie, who had been seething since Lander's comment, stood up and told him that she did not need Lander's permission to go where she wanted to. Mother Saramack laughed, and told her that actually, Hollie does, if she is one of them. She tells Hollie that she would be wise to listen to Lander, and Hollie bows her head, saying that Mother Saramack is right. Both Hollie and Lander apologize to each other, and then Mother Saramack introduces Holie to Lemual as his enemy's oldest child. Lemual says that he is very pleased to meet her, and smiles while Lander frowns. Then they notice each other, and quickly switch expressions. One of Hollie's feet steps on the other, Lander coughs, and Lemual smooths his tunic. Mother Saramack, grinning, tells them that she loves an awkward moment, and that she hopes that they savored it as much as she did. Lander grinned, saying she never disappointed him. Mother Saramack then sent Hollie off, calling her 'my precious doe' and telling her to remember that she has value beyond saving and serving others, and that what is in her blood does not determine her future. Hollie hugged Mother Saramack before leaving, and when Prince Lander looked back at Mother Saramack he saw that there were tears in her eyes. Lander asked why the tears, and she says that Hollie has a very long, very hard road ahead of her, but that in the end, Hollie will have a golden home. Lander bows his head, as he has heard Mother Saramack say many odd things, and he could identify with it, as sometimes he too would seem to see beyond the present, but about these episodes he usually remained silent. Lander had learned not to ask Mother Saramack too many questions, as she usually didn't know the answers and seemed annoyed that he'd ask. So Lander let this comment be, and instead asked if Mother Saramack was feeling well.

She tells him that her health is declining, and that she has trained her replacements. Prince Lemual says reverently that it would take an army of wise, generous rabbits to try and replace Mother Saramack. She thanks him for the comment, and complements his manners. She then says that they have not come to speak of her but of their own troubles, and that they must have questions. Lemual speaks up, inquiring about the stone sword on the wall, which she says is not Flint's, and while it has its own history it now serves as a sort of decoy for the real one. Prince Lander says that he does want to ask her about the real sword, but has more to discuss. He says that he knows she has been busy with her apprentices and studying the sword, so she wouldn't know about the problems in the camp. Mother Saramack laughs, asking if he means the problem that half of the soldiers are young, foolish, and against King Whitson. Lander, holding up his hands in surrender, says that it is not possible for her to miss something so significant. She says that she has her ears turned to trouble, and goes on to ask if the amount rabbits loyal to King Whitson is about the same as those against. Prince Lander says that he thinks that is so, although there are more loyal to Whitson if they include wives and families, as most of the members of the Frustrated Band of Hot Youngbloods were unmarried. Mother Saramack asked them who was in the middle. Prince Lemual admitted that he did not understand, and she gave an example, asking where the Drekkers stand. Lander frowned, realizing that he did not know, asking who ever knew what the Drekkers were thinking. Mother Saramack said that was the key; if they knew, they might be able to tip the scales against the young fools. Lander understood, but then stated that it was impossible to know what the Drekkers were thinking. Mother Saramack inquired if he had tried, and Lander said he had not, and Mother Saramack asked if Whitson had tried, and Lander said he had not. Lander asked if he had time, and Mother Saramack asked if he had time to do anything else. Lemual named other, smaller outsider groups, saying they could go to them all. Mother Saramack said that yes, that would help, but they are short on time, and so they should go for the Drekkers, telling them that if they carry the Drekkers they carry the camp.

Lander thanked her for giving them the gift of her wisdom, and she smiled at the compliment, but then frowned. She told Lander that she wished that she could figure out the starsword's secrets. Mother Saramack expressed anger at the previous kings and sages for burying the sword's secrets with the sword itself, and then asks them to excuse her while she resumes hunting for clues. Lander says that he wishes she will find what she seeks, for the sake of them all. She says that the sword is wrapped up in their destinies in ways she can only begin to see. She says that the sword must be buried, and must be used. The sword must not be kept, and it must be broken. Mother Saramack says that she knows these things are all true, but she cannot figure out how, because they contradict each other. Lander says that it is a paradox, and she agrees, adding that it is a conundrum with the weight of destiny on it. Lander and Lemual then leave for the Drekker camp, and after Lemual beats Haldorn in a match of fling-a-ding, they win the loyalty of the Drekkers and problems with the Frustrated Band of Hot Youngbloods are dispelled.

Just before the peace summit with Grimble, Mother Saramack is a member of the party seeing Whitson and Lander off. Lander is surprised, as she hadn't left her secret cave for several years. King Whitson takes her hand and tells her how honored he is that she has come. Mother Saramack tells him he is very welcome, and goes on to say that she remembers him from when he was young, and that he has done more than the heroes of Golden Coast, as he has lived and led. She tells him that she owes him everything and is so grateful to him. Mother Saramack hugs king Whitson, and Whitson's eyes fill with tears. Then he knelt and kissed her hand, and blessed her. Lander knelt and kissed her hand too, and waiting for her to say something sacred and wise, he stood and looked her in the eyes. But the thing she said was that he had missed a button on his shirt.

After the peace summit, where Grimble kills King Whitson, the Battle of Barren Point begins. Lander rallies the soldiers, telling them to fight for King Whitson. As the battle begins, Lander shouts to fight for the king, and they all shout that they will fight for King Lander. Lander is unsettled, as he had meant his father, but then he remembered Mother Saramack telling him that he must be who he is. So he calls the bucks to him, and they come.

After the battle, King Lander calls a council, with Mother Saramack among them. King Lander tells them all that he needs their advice. Captain Walters puts in that they should emphasize the west gate, and the north, and the south also. Chief Heckle says that they should look for surprises at the north gate, as they might strike there as a trick. Captain Walters stood up, saying that they should put most of their defense west, as Whitson emphasized the west gate and they shouldn't throw that away. The two begin to argue again, until Mother Saramack shouts that that is enough. She glared at the two until they sat down. Then she tells Lander that though he is wise to seek the wisdom of others more experienced than him, she thinks this is not the time for him to be humble. She tells him that when he speaks of the king's will he means Whitson's, and she says that though he was like a son to her and she doesn't mean to disrespect him, but it doesn't matter what Whitson thinks. She told Lander that it matters what Lander thinks, as he knows the layout and tactics of the war better than any of them. Captain Walters puts in that she is right, and asks Lander's forgiveness. Mother Saramack then asked what Lander thought they should do, as she is convinced that what he believes is best. Lander is not sure, feeling that there is something he could understand if only he could grasp it. Mother Saramack continued that she was told by Hollie, her new student, that during the Battle of Barren Point she watched King Lander. Hollie saw Lander leap forward and attack the first dragon. She asks Lander if that is indeed what happened, and Lander nods, and realizes what he must do. King Lander then dismissed the council, and went to speak with the army.

Hollie approached him after that, saying that she is so sorry about Lander's father. She says that Mother Saramack told her to honor Whitson's sacrifice by living a full life. Hollie asks how she can repay such a kindness, and Lander tells her that right now her job is to help secure Mother Saramack's secret chamber, because the dragons must not get access to their secret lore. Hollie told Lander that she would die to protect the room and her dear Mother Saramack. Lander tells her not to forget that she is alive now, and that she must not forget to live. Hollie laughed, saying that Lander sounded like Mother Saramack. Lander thanks her, saying that she just gave him the kindest word he had recieved in a long while.

After the Battle of Dragon Mountain (where Lander, according to Mother Saramack's advice, attacked the dragons to have the advantage of surprise) was won, King Lander decided to bury the starsword with the dragon eggs. He felt that there must be a secret way to unbury the sword when they needed it, though, and said that they would have to ask Mother Saramack's council on the matter.

## Physical appearance

Mother Saramack was a dark-furred doe with bright eyes and ears that tended to lay against the back of her head. She wore a simple dress.

## Personality and traits

Mother Saramack is bold, loyal, and somewhat feisty, with a good sense of humor. She will gladly speak up for a cause she believes in, and is a strong supporter of King Whitson Mariner. She is also not afraid to use a weapon, as seen when she shoots Commander Usher with a bow, nor to express disgust with the actions of traitors.

## Skills and abilities

Mother Saramack was extremely wise, and many sought her wisdom. She was also fairly knowledgeable in archery.

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