Zmay-Despot Vook

Also known as: Vook · Role: Zmay-Despot · First appears: Chapter VI · The Tsarina Militza and the Zmay of Yastrebatz · Part 1

In Chapter VI · The Tsarina Militza and the Zmay of Yastrebatz, the Zmay of Yastrebatz says that Zmay-Despot Vook is the champion Zmay he fears most, though they had been childhood companions and Vook’s superior in contests. At Kroushevatz, Tsar Lazarus asks Vook to kill his enemy, offering payment and Sirmia for life. Vook cannot condone his old friend’s conduct and decides to fight him.

That night, Vook reaches Kroushevo and camps in Lazar’s wheat-fields. He asks Tsarina Militza to leave her apartment doors open and await the Zmay, promising to protect her; when the Zmay enters her chamber, Vook confronts him, breaks both his wings with a club, and strikes off his head. Lazar gives Vook the promised gold and an imperial decree granting him independent rule over Sirmia for life; the two live happily, helping one another as fellow-countrymen.

Relationship record

Life events

• The Zmay of Yastrebatz reveals that he fears Vook, his childhood companion and superior in contests.(Chapter VI · The Tsarina Militza and the Zmay of Yastrebatz · Part 1 · 📍 Koopinovo)
  • With: Zmay of Yastrebatz
  • “It is Vook only whom I dread, for he is the champion Zmay on this earth.”
• Lazar sends Vook a message asking him to kill the Zmay of Yastrebatz, offering payment and Sirmia for life.(Chapter VI · The Tsarina Militza and the Zmay of Yastrebatz · Part 1 · 📍 Kroushevatz)
  • With: Tsar Lazarus Zmay of Yastrebatz
  • “The Tsar decided to write in 'slender characters' a message to Zmay-Despot Vook telling what he had learned beseeching him to come to Kroushevatz and kill his detested enemy the Zmay of Yastrebatz.”
• Vook decides to battle the Zmay of Yastrebatz despite their childhood friendship.(Chapter VI · The Tsarina Militza and the Zmay of Yastrebatz · Part 1)
  • With: Zmay of Yastrebatz
  • “Finally he decided to battle with the Zmay of Yastrebatz,”
• Vook arrives at Kroushevo and makes camp in Lazar's wheat-fields.(Chapter VI · The Tsarina Militza and the Zmay of Yastrebatz · Part 1 · 📍 the plain of Kroushevo)
  • “that very night he reached the plain of Kroushevo; there he alighted; spread his tent in the wheat-fields of Lazar and drank cool wine.”
• Vook asks Militza to leave her apartment doors open and await the Zmay, promising protection.(Chapter VI · The Tsarina Militza and the Zmay of Yastrebatz · Part 1 · 📍 her apartments)
  • With: Tsarina Militza
  • “he requested that the Tsarina should not close fast the doors of her apartments that night but should quietly await the coming of the Zmay of Yastrebatz and leave the issue to her new protector.”
• Vook confronts the Zmay of Yastrebatz as he enters Militza's chamber.(Chapter VI · The Tsarina Militza and the Zmay of Yastrebatz · Part 1 · 📍 the white tower)
  • With: Zmay of Yastrebatz
  • “Suddenly he heard the voice of Zmay-Despot Vook saying: ‘Thou who hath presumed to embrace the Serbian Tsarina, come forth this instant from the white tower!’”
• Vook broke both wings of the Zmay of Yastrebatz with his club.(Chapter VI · The Tsarina Militza and the Zmay of Yastrebatz · Part 2)
  • With: Zmay of Yastrebatz
  • “he struck him violently with his heavy club and broke both his wings.”
• Vook struck off the Zmay of Yastrebatz’s head.(Chapter VI · The Tsarina Militza and the Zmay of Yastrebatz · Part 2)
  • With: Zmay of Yastrebatz
  • “the instant he alighted he struck off the head of the Zmay.”
• Lazar granted Vook authority to rule independently over Sirmia for life.(Chapter VI · The Tsarina Militza and the Zmay of Yastrebatz · Part 2 · 📍 Sirmia)
  • With: Tsar Lazarus
  • “he gave the promised gold to Vook as well as an imperial decree empowering him to rule independently over Sirmia for the remainder of his life.”
• Lazar gave Vook the promised gold.(Chapter VI · The Tsarina Militza and the Zmay of Yastrebatz · Part 2)
  • With: Tsar Lazarus
  • “he gave the promised gold to Vook as well as an imperial decree empowering him to rule independently over Sirmia for the remainder of his life.”

Chapter VI · The Tsarina Militza and the Zmay of Yastrebatz · Part 1

• friends with Zmay of Yastrebatz “He loved the friend of his childhood, but he could not condone his shameful conduct.”
• enemies with Zmay of Yastrebatz “Finally he decided to battle with the Zmay of Yastrebatz”
• benefactor: Tsar Lazarus “Upon receiving Vook's reply the Tsar ordered a fine repast to be prepared and taken to his tent, not omitting a large quantity of red wine.”

Chapter VI · The Tsarina Militza and the Zmay of Yastrebatz · Part 2

• enemies with Zmay of Yastrebatz “Vook pursued him very closely and coming up with him at an extreme height, he struck him violently with his heavy club and broke both his wings.”
• benefactor: Tsar Lazarus “But he gave the promised gold to Vook as well as an imperial decree empowering him to rule independently over Sirmia for the remainder of his life.”
• friends with Tsar Lazarus “And they long lived happily, always helping each other, as fellow-countrymen should do;”

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Extracted from the original text of Hero Tales and Legends of the Serbians (Chapters IV–XIII). Made with Rho MD.