Chapter 9

Artifact

A broom pushed dirt along a narrow hall underneath the grand old oak. The dust filled the air. No matter how hard she tried the place never seemed to stay clean. But that was what being a Grammi was all about she guessed. "Same old routine, cooking and cleaning and actually getting some work done around here!" she thought smugly as she looked over at Gruffi who was busy fighting to fix a broken clock… and loosing, "Humph!...unlike some of us!" she said loudly startling Gruffi and making one of the clock hands go flying through the air.

"Thanks a lot!" he replied Now I have to start all over again." He shouted at her as he walked over to pick up the piece. "I'm working on this because I was going to give this as a gift to Calla."

"Then take it to your work bench, I'm trying to clean up for her party tonight." she shouted angrily smashing the tip of the boom on the floor; "and you're in the way."

"All right, all right, sheash!" he grumbled as he grabbed the clock and wandered off down the hall mumbling under his breath.

She had been planning this party for after the Ball at Dunwin for months now and she wasn't about to let anything get in her way.

Grammi stopped at the door of the library and swept up the pile of dirt. She rolled her eyes and hesitated for a moment knowing what was in store for her behind the door.

Out of all the places in the glen this room always seemed to be the messiest. Even though the party was going to be in the main hall it was high time to get even this place organized. She opened the door and saw mounds of books and papers scattered everywhere.

"Cubbi," shouting once again, "I'm going to need yours and Tummies help in the library."

"I'll be there in a minute Grammi!" Cubbi shouted back then continued his count. "48, 49, 50!" Cubbi counted as he sat the weight bar down upon its rest. Sitting up from the bench he grabbed a towel and wiped the sweat from his forehead. For the last couple of years he and Cavin had been working out together ever since Gritti taught them about how important it was for being in shape. They even carved these stone weights in order to get a better workout at home. Now that he was 14 he could really see and feel the difference. His fur has changed colors over the past few years and has gone from being this bright pinkish color as a cub, to a softer, golden orange with a few red and pink streaks and highlights and he was now as tall as Sunni and Gusto.

He stood up in front of the mirror flexing his muscles. "Almost as good as Cavin." he thought. Cavin was pressing nearly 20 pounds more than he was but even that, was pretty good for a Gummi Bear; and he couldn't wait for the day he could our lift Gritti. Cavin was stronger but he was faster, he said to himself as he made several more poses in front of the mirror, "I guess that's the difference between humans and Gummies." He said. But he also understood the fact that now that Cavin has become a full fledge squire he has had to dedicate himself to getting in shape and stop relying on the Gummiberry juice for the extra strength. Besides, he had to cut back on the stuff last year as it had started to turn his skin blue. Cubbi laughed.

Cubbi put down the towel, grabbed a shirt and headed for the door. I had better get Tummi before he gets down to the boat docks if he gets there first it will be hard to drag him away.

….

"Land sakes, I don't understand why Zummi never puts his books away." Grammi scowled as she blew a pile of dust off one of the books.

Tummi sneezed and wiped his nose. "Maybe he's not finished with them."

"Most likely he forgot" Grammi said angrily. "He's been forgetful most of his life."

Grammi brushed a big pile of dust into the air and Tummi sneezed again only harder, losing his balance. Cubbi tried to reach out to steady him but it didn't work and the whole book case came crashing down on top of them.

"Oh my stars are you two all right?" Grammi shouted picking books off the pile.

"I think I'm allergic to dust." said Tummi.

"Ya, I'm ok too." said Cubbi as he reached a paw out from under another pile of books.

"Now we're going to have to pick them all up again after Gruffi fixes this shelf" Grammi said sternly

"Maybe we can put them in there for a while" Tummi said as he pointed at an old door that was hidden by the bookshelf.

After clearing away some of the books, Cubbi was able to open the hidden door. The room was small and it still had furnishings hand made by master craftsman long ago. The room was cold dusty and silent as the three entered the room. There was a small bed, a cub's crib, and a desk with a stool next to a set of bookshelves filled with old books and papers. Cubbi sat at the desk and on its top neatly sitting between two book stops was an old carrying bag with a small leather bound book still neatly packed inside.

"This place is neat. I bet there hasn't been anyone in here since the ancient gummies." Cubbi took hold of the book and dusted off the top and began to read.

"Seems to be a diary of some sort he said Cubbi. "According to these dates these are log entries are over 500 years old.

Sounds interesting Cubbi dear but right now we have to get back to our cleaning said Grammi. Well close this room up and I'll spruce it up later and maybe we'll get some use out of it.

Ok Grammi Cubbi said disappointedly and placed the book back into the carrier and slung it over his shoulder.

After were done here, you two go and find Gusto; He's been all moody lately and I need him to get ready as well.

Zummi started packing his supplies into the quick car with the thoughts and anxieties of all the preparations that needed to take place. He knew that Calla's party was tonight and everyone was going to be there and how this will have to be a send off party as well. Thankfully everyone decided that this will only be for a few days.

"Not that I blame the counsel" Zummi thought. "After all with the disaster that happened last time they came, they're not taking any chances."

"So now you're just going to take off without telling anyone you're leaving!" Another voice echoed through the cavern making Zummi jump dropping some of his things on the floor.

"I'm sorry" he stuttered as he turned to the voice and saw Ursa walking down the stairs. "I wanted to tell you but I was in a hurry to get back to the others as quickly as I could. The arrangements for the ships will be coming tonight and…

"That's just like you Glen Gummies! You're always sorry. You would think that a bear your age would be able to handle some responsibility, or at the very least some respect" she scolded "We didn't even know you were leaving till someone saw you packing your things.

"Well it's only going to be for a few days. It's not like we're leaving forever."

"That's not the point!" she started in on him. "The point is that you Glen Gummies just do what you damn well please. You don't think about what you do or how it affects others where as we Barbic's have to rely on each other as a tribe. As warriors," She emphasized "each one of us must be able to depend on the bear standing next to him in battle. And when even one of us fails trying to do something as an individual then we all fail."

Zummi knew that this wasn't just about him leaving without telling her, this was about Buddi.

"But…but… it's our individuality that makes us who we are" he retorted. Without individuality the Gummi culture would have never have flourished. Art, invention, and magic; these have always been the hall mark of the Gummi way of life.

"And look at where its lead you, your precious ancient Gummies fled like cowards! They trusted the humans and drove you underground, hiding like rats in a cave. Maybe had they been true warriors then it would have been the other way around and Gummi Bears like you!" She emphasized again and the pointed directly at him, "wouldn't be on verge of extinction."

Zummi was stung and taken aback at her words but remained silent!

"It's bad enough the influences that you Glen Gummies have had on us but these are my bears and they are my responsibility as leader of the Barbics. Buddi is a Barbic warrior and will grow up as a Barbic warrior and I will do whatever it takes to defend what is left of your mistakes. If I ever catch you trying to teach one of my bear's magic, I'll…. Oh, just go back to your hole in the ground and just get out of my sight. She growled as she waved a paw in the air, turned and stormed off.

Zummi was both hurt speechless; he had never in his life been the victim of such outrage, not even Gruffi had ever scolded him like that before. He knew she was upset but had no clue it was this bad. And silently he gathered his things and placed them in the quick car.