Hand Me Down Dreams
By: Sabella Sykes

Several months after the fall of Drekmore and the near destruction of Gummi Glen the bears are trying recover and rebuilt, as is the evil duke. All of his failures and the loss of his castle hasn't put a damper on Igthorn's lust for the secret juice made by the Gummies. Meanwhile the message sent forth by Zummi Gummi has sparked an interest and old traditions practiced by the 'ancient' Gummies. The bears of New Gumbrea, Great Bearton and the new land of Gummerland put forth their best effort to rekindle a long broken bond. :Set after 'King Igthron 1 & 2:


Chapter 1

"What's kept you?" A tall and broad shouldered Gummi asked curtly. He was a no-nonsense sort of character that would allow for little to no room for error, that's why he kept the bear who was standing at his side with him at all times. She was usually two steps ahead of all other Gummies in their deductions. Aptly named Summi Gummi she was cool in nature, calculating, introspective and thoughtful. As a result she often seemed stand-offish or unapproachable, another reason for the broad shouldered Gummi to like her – the less interaction with the dregs of day to day life the better. It weeded out those who were seeking his company for business and that alone. After all, Chancellor Brambleberry was a bear of business.

"Forgive our tardiness, but it is a vast ocean Chancellor. Though it's good to see you again." The bear who scurried to meet the Chancellor was a robust sort. He was skittish and plump, with an equally robust and plump personality. Perhaps he laughed too much or indulged in the mug too often; but over all his boisterous personality is what made him so well liked and so equally good at his duties. He was an ambassador and a counselor himself.

"Indeed." Chancellor Brambleberry's stoic voice chirped tersely. He hesitated a moment as if for inflection before he waved a paw, "Please be seated Counselor Brashi."

"Oh, right – right." The counselor's fat face broke in a smile as he pulled up a chair at the long table in the Great Hall. "You'll remember my personal advisor Witti then, won't you?" Brashi reached over one of his thick hands and slapped the younger, lithe Gummi on the shoulder so vivaciously that she stumbled forward slightly. She managed a weak cough but waved at them all the same. She served a similar purpose to Counselor Brashi that Summi served to Chancellor Brambleberry – however, on the converse, she was more of a wrangler of his unruly and sometimes avant-garde mannerisms. She too was a little wiry and wild, a side effect of being in Brashi's presence so regularly; or perhaps she was chosen for the role by the court because she was compatible with his ways. Either way she pulled up a chair of her own and began setting the rolled parchments she had in her hand aside.

"As you know Summi." The Chancellor nodded briefly. He gave a sharp single clap and beckoned forth a servant of the court. "Jimmi, see that refreshments are brought for our guests." Brambleberry narrowed his eyes and straightened stiffly in his spot.

"Right away sir, right away." Jimmi said cheerfully, happy to oblige. He appeared quickly and disappeared just as quickly to collect the requested items for the meeting at hand. He paid close attention to the goings on despite his lowly nature on the royal food chain. Annually the Gummies of Great Bearton sent forth an ambassador to Gummerland for a yearly matching of current events. Similar mindsets were done with New Gumbrea; however that summit was still months away. In his short years of serving the court it had always been Counselor Brashi and Witti that Great Bearton sent – as it was always Chancellor Brambleberry and Summi from Gummerland that met with them. From Jimmi's perspective they had a rapport and good working relationship even if it didn't seem like it on the surface.

He had heard of the attack, of the message, the Gummi Scope and the New Gumbreans who had sent ships across the sea to the home of the Ancient Gummies of the Glen. To him it has been all second class rumors, but now – more than ever – he had the chance to find out the truth. It was with that knowledge fueling his curiosity that he grabbed goblets and warm fresh Gummi berry juice and newly cooked pastries in a hurry and bustled back to the conference room. He was in his late adolescence on the cusp of adulthood and with that came enormous amounts of curiosity and interest in all things. He had the desire to soak up information like a sponge.

"Well I thought you'd been sending Gummies! HA!" Brashi's booming voice echoed through the door before Jimmi even returned. "The irony of this is too rich to be ignored."

Brambleberry was stroking his chin in thought. "Indeed." He snapped sharply. If his tone was received by an outsider it would have likely come off as scathing if not scolding; but Brashi knew the Chancellor too well and saw none of that.

"Forgive me," Summi had been holding the bridge of her nose in silent contemplation while the other two went back and forth over the same issue. "Are we to understand that the entire project has been abandoned by both parties because was assumed the other was handling it?"

"Yes, I think that's exactly what can be assumed." Witti added, pulling one of the scrolls in her direction. "The only evidence that any Gummies still live in the Glen is the message received by the New Gumbreans last summer. Our Gummi Scope was damaged in a hurricane years ago; as we've been having these meetings we never saw it necessary to repair it. However, with new light of the actual existence of Gummies in the Ursalia and the Glen we've found the need for it. Our engineers are repairing it as we speak. I'm under the impression with this being an expansion of the other realms you haven't one at all?"

Summi nodded. "That's correct, however I petition that we obtain one as soon as possible as well. I'd also like to note for the record, the Gummies live in the Glen not Ursalia. The New Gumbreans received a message stating that the Glen Scope was damaged in an attack with humans and that there were still Gummies there and it was peaceful now. It also said that the New Gumbreans could return. When they tried they were attacked."

Jimmi's mind was running quickly over the facts. He understood what had happened now and that the rumors were true. He was blinking fast taking in every ounce of information. However, he'd never actually seen a human – he'd rarely heard of them only but in legend.

"That will do." Brambleberry cut in. "The point is that for generations we sent kin to the Glen, to keep it populated for our return when it was safe. It was necessary to do so as the Glen requires constant upkeep. If it's been generations since we've sent anyone the numbers must be dwindling; if not to one or two bears at this point. You're certain you've sent no one?" Brambleberry arched an eyebrow on his head so high it disappeared beneath his hat.

"Positive my friend, very very positive. Tell them Witti."

Witti unrolled one of the rolled parchments. "We kept a log of all the bears that went, from Great Bearton that is. The last to go was a small group of 20 a little over sixty years ago. The oldest was a Gummi of nearly 100 called Cammi and the youngest was an infant bearing the name Zummi. We've sent no parties since then. I think it's fair to say it's time we did. Even if there is danger we owe it to any surviving Gummies there our support. It would be fantastic to set up a travel route, here like this – how we used to…" she unrolled another of the objects. This was a map with little dotted lines linking various Gummi cities around the world. "It's clearly long outdated, look Gummerland isn't even present on this document. That's beside the point, the point is that it shouldn't be outdated. It's our responsibility to keep all Gummi warrens occupied. We've long abandoned our responsibility. Too long I'm afraid." There was a silent wonderment in Witti if the Glen and Ursalian Gummies resented their kin for their blatant neglect. It troubled her that things so important could have gone unnoticed for so long.

Summi had long since deduced what Witti, Brashi and even Brambleberry might say; she was calculating different responses and different arguments (as well as counter-arguments) as each word was spoken. "I don't think it's an unreasonable request. However the Gummies set forth must be prepared for the hardships, difficulties – troubles. We'll need leaders and warriors, wizards and peasants – all sorts to see this through properly."

"I concur!" Brashi howled in merry agreement. "S'why I'm going to send Witti. She might be young yet, and experience doesn't follow her too closely – but I'll be darned if she isn't one of the best spell casters this side of the Great Gummi Mountains."

"Likewise I volunteer Summi," Brambleberry said casting her a sideways glance. "She will serve this expedition well, I promise you that." He added confidently.

Both females went rigid in their chairs exchanging shocked, if not concerned, expressions. Both opened their mouths to retort, but neither was able to bring forth an argument of worthy stature. They were both honored by their superior's zeal and support, however there was a hint of fear if not dismissal in each.

"We can't go alone, we'll need others. A knight or warrior at least." Witti had already resigned herself to this task and was trying to compose the best plan of action. The idea of leaving that which she knew concerned her, it made her uncomfortable. However she had hope that she would return, afterall it had been she who discovered the old documentation stating that families and such were sent to the Glen in an attempt to keep it active; even if only mildly. "A small group to start with, a scouting mission as it were; to better deduce what we're in for."

Summi nodded. She too wasn't keen on abandoning her life, however her reason for avoiding arguments on the subject was by the sheer fact that she figured she could be of use on the journey. Her deductive reasoning and attention to detail would suit an expedition well. She'd leave the rebonding or diplomacy to another more charismatic or likable Gummi. She assumed that Witti with her word-play and subtle charm might be an ideal candidate for it. It also helped that the young adviser to Brashi was versed in the ways of magic; though she was no expert - as that took years of study and skill - she was talented enough in the trade to be useful. Summi figured that some day Witti could be a true scholar, if she opted for the dedication it would take. "I suggest we take one or two volunteers as well, perhaps Gummies who wouldn't mind moving to the Glen permanently. As our ancestors used to do."

"Excuse me." Jimmi's was so timid about approaching the four at the table he was surprised he was able to speak at all. Despite the softness in his voice his spirit was bouncing around excitedly beneath his chest. He was eager and excited for the prospect of what they were suggesting. "I'd be glad to go. Please, let me. I'm young and healthy, I can carry a weighty load. I can serve you well. Take me with you." His hopes rose, as did his fear, when they all turned to look at him.


Thank you for reading. I would appreciate any feed back you might have.