Korox in the Box: An Icetide Tale

The ice flowers are oozing, snow blows in your ear;

Now javelins are racing—look! Icetide is here!

The time for Frost Fellow to bring gifts draws near.

So it’s time to assess: have you been good this year?

Now, don’t try to fudge it, for as you all know

Frost Fellow has got a small army in tow;

A veritable herd of small korox in boxes,

Observing from mantles and peeking through locks-es.

“Why korox? Why boxes?” you’ve come here to ask;

this story is here to accomplish that task.

The tale, it begins several Icetides ago,

when a small anrisaur took a fall in the snow…

Young Kogin the korox sat next to her friend

the also-young Ardek, in bed, on the mend.

“My leg hurts. I’m frightened and feeling so blue,”

the anrisaur said. “And now what will I do?”

“My leg is all broken and I cannot walk

to go see Frost Fellow and have a good talk

about Icetide presents. I’ve been good all year!

But now I won’t get that toy javelin, I fear.”

“You HAVE been so good this year,” Kogin replied

“You listened at school, and I don’t think you’ve lied.

When I played with that human called Sayrna who came

and Mama got mad—why, you took half the blame!”

“You’re a very good friend, helped me keep out of trouble

I’ll go find Frost Fellow for you on the double!”

Then Kogin went home, packed a bag, told her mum:

“I’m off to find Frost Fellow.” “Right, dear. Have fun.”

Kogin picked a direction and set off to find

the Frost-man she could talk with to ease her friend’s mind.

Through the valleys and fields, she roamed in light snow

Until things looked familiar. She thought, Oh, I know!

This town is called Pontiex; I am no fool—

that sentry post was in a book at my school.

Some cheery bright spots of pink peeked through the snow.

Oh, look at those flowers! They taste good, I know.

She then saw a lady who picked the blooms there.

Are these flowers hers? I will ask if she’ll share.

“Great gazicks! A korox!” the tall woman cried.

“Don’t eat me! I promise I’ll go back inside!”

“How silly,” said Kogin “I only eat plants”

“like those flowers you hold; may I have some, perchance?”

“Of course," said the lady, “I’ve always got more.

At the end of the day when I close up my store

"I take any extras, like these blooms right here

and give them to elders who might need some cheer.”

“How lovely,” said Kogin, “I’ll only take one

so you’ll have enough when your workday is done.

"By the way, do you know—does Frost Fellow live near?”

The lady said, “No, haven’t seen him ’round here.”

“Well, thanks for the flower! I’ll be on my way.

When I find Frost Fellow, I’ll be sure to say

how you give away flowers—I hope you don’t mind.

He really should give gifts to someone so kind.”

Kogin trotted away with the bloom in her mouth

back out to the trail: should she go north or south?

She roamed and she roamed till she heard a voice call:

“Oy, what are you doin’ outside of the wall?”

A Freelancer glared at a frightened young child

outside of the Fort Tarsis walls, in the wild.

This made Kogin worried.  He really sounds mad.

And, oh! There’s a wolven—that’s probably bad.

“Hey, wolven!” she called, “What are you doing here?”

The wolven looked at her, then raced off in fear.

“Oh, crap! It’s a korox!” the Freelancer cried.

“Much worse than a wolven. Let’s get back inside!”

With a sigh, Kogin said, “I am nothing to fear;

I just want to know if Frost Fellow lives near?”

“You’re safe!" said the Freelancer, grabbing the child.

“This beast shall not hurt you, this creature so wild!”

As the Freelancer flung the child over his shoulder,

she yelled, “I think Frost Fellow lives where it’s colder!”

Makes sense, Kogin mused as they hurried away.

But I hoped I’d find Frost Fellow sometime today.

Well, when I do see him, I’ll sure let him know,

Kogin thought as she headed back out through the snow,

that girl tried to help me, although she felt scared.

The lancer helped her, though he seemed unprepared

to chase out the wolven (good thing I was swift!).

Frost Fellow should know that they each need a gift.

Kogin set off again, and soon walked in deep snow.

Cold wind began howling and started to blow.

She plodded along and was starting to mope

when she spotted a trail sign that read “To Third Hope”

“How hopeful,” she said with a sigh of relief

that was short-lived as she heard a man yell, “Stop! Thief!”

What now? Kogin thought as she felt the ground shake.

Explosions lit up as men ran in their wake.

“Be careful, you!” snarled one, “That stuff will explode!

If we let that coolant blow up on the road,

we stole it for nothing. Some outlaw you are.”

Stealing! thought Kogin, Well, you won’t get far!

“You give that right back!” Kogin yelled as she ran.

The first outlaw saw her and shrieked, “Screw the plan!”

“That korox is charging! Just run—get away!”

“Good, go!” Kogin snorted. “No stealing today!”

She heard a new voice drifting through the tall trees,

and held still and listened, despite the cold breeze.

“Hey, look—there’s the coolant. Where’s the gang, do you know?”

“Who cares?” said a man. “Let’s just get it and go.”

 The others were scared, Kogin thought, feeling blue.

So she snuck off, not wanting to scare these folks, too.

But she’d tell Frost Fellow those outlaws weren’t nice;

no presents for them—shouldn’t even think twice.

But what if she never found Frost Fellow’s home?

 Kogin frowned as she once again started to roam.

I might have been looking for nothing, she sighed.

 A single tear froze to her cheek as she cried.

Kogin wandered and searched for more hours and days,

when she finally spotted a light in the haze!

She could smell peppermint and some tasty warm stew.

She then spotted a cabin, and closer she drew.

She peeked through the window, and what did she see?

Frost Fellow himself, as he sat sipping tea!

“Hello!” called out Kogin, “And please don’t be scared!

I’m just a small korox with news to be shared!”

Frost Fellow appeared at the door with a smile.

“Of course, you’re young Kogin—I’ve known you a while.

Your tusks and your toesies, so cold, they must be.

Would you like to come in for some hot flower tea?”

“Yes, thank you!” she said “I’m so happy you’re here!

Young Ardek, my friend, can’t come see you this year,

for he’s broken his leg—but he’s still been so good.

And so have the people I met in the wood!"

So she sipped and she told him of all that she’d seen,

the folks who were good and the folks who were mean.

Frost Fellow heard everything she had to say,

but something seemed wrong. “Sir, do you feel okay?”

“Well,” Frost Fellow said, “I’ll just cut to the chase.

My doc says I’m working at too fast a pace.

I do have a relic from long, long ago

that helps me deliver my gifts through the snow.

For one night a year, I can handle that mess.

It’s the rest of the year that has got me all stressed.

Tracking who’s bad and who’s good, do you see?

I’m not near as young now as I used to be.

But you, my dear korox, are helpful and strong!

Just look at the info that you’ve brought along

on the people of Mirrus you’ve met on your way.

Just think! You could do that all night and all day!”

“So I’d just sit and watch till the people get sleepy?”

Kogin said with a frown, “Isn’t that a bit creepy?

Frost Fellow looked shocked. “That’s a harsh allegation.

They know I won’t sell or share their information.”

“That isn’t the point," Kogin said. “I should go.

My mum might be worried I’m lost in the snow.

And I’m only a kid, just one korox, you see.

It’s too bad that there aren’t several million of me.”

“THAT’S IT!” yelled Frost Fellow. “My dear, you’re a star!

If my special relic gets me near and far,

why can’t it make millions and millions of you?

One korox per household—yes, yes! That will do!”

He let out a breath and he smiled. “Now let’s see…

You’ve already done some of my job for me!

I’ll give special presents to those that you met—

except for those outlaws. No gifts for them yet.

Ah, here’s a new javelin toy—will it do?”

“Oh, yes!” Kogin said, “Ardek really likes blue.

You already knew that!” “Yes, I have my ways,

but you had to be sure, so you traveled for days.

Your heart is so big, and your friendship is true.

So I’m making a gift that is special like you.”

Frost Fellow walked into a room in the back;

there were some low rumbles, and then a loud CRACK.

He soon strolled back in (some hair burned off his hand)

and held out a globe of clear glass on a stand.

Inside, snowflakes danced around one tiny row

 of blooms in a meadow all covered with snow.

“With help from my relic, it’s Icetide in here;

to make you ice flowers to snack on all year”

“Oh, thank you!” said Kogin as she smacked her lip.

“A delicious reminder of you and my trip!”

Frost Fellow helped Kogin to pack up her load

and brand-new ice flowers to munch on the road.

“I’m so glad you found me, when I was so blue.

If I’m spared an ulcer, I owe that to you!”

Kogin made her way home, and her mum kissed her cheeks,

while Frost Fellow worked with his relic for weeks.

After trial and error (and a few nasty shock-ses),

he’d made lots of korox and packed them in boxes.

Now one of these korox is home safe with you,

watching and listening to all that you do.

So stay in the walls, do your chores; if you blow it,

your very own korox will certainly know it.

Special thanks to the Anthem writers, for your support; Derek Watts, for adorable wee korox art; Carlo Lynch, for your patience; Ryan Cormier, for your eagle editing eyes; and Patrick Weekes, for shared nitpickiness about rhyme schemes