Though the scene humored him, Sir Ramsei never let laughter ruin a
good disciplinary action. Unlike his fellows. They often laughed too
often, too quick. The thought of being so lax often put a sour peel
on his face. And yet, often times, they were right in doing so. Just
as Cubbi was right to work. Unlike the others worrying and crying,
the lad was showing a maturity he didn't think existed in the cub,
or any cub. Except Aldi…
Berating himself mentally for making any such comparison, Ramsei
sighed. "Plucki has much to teach you, squire. About stallions,"
And he grabbed the lead rope to lower Cubbi to the ground. He patted
the unicorn's neck and it calmed. "and other things. Do you know
his name?"
"Sure. Plucki's steed's named after his dad's. He told me."
Defiant, Cubbi's chin stuck out. Still hadn't forgiven Sir Ramsei
for trying to keep him out of the fight against Zorlock. "His
name's Sharpsight."
"Then use it. And maybe then he won't be so disagreeable to you."
Handing Cubbi the stable brush, Sir Ramsei turned about and hid a
silent smirk.
Corvi crept just near to the clinic to hear the awful bustle of
nervous physicians and knights. It made him feel sick, and wanting to
hate the world. What if Sir Blastus didn't make it? What if it was
happening all over again?
"Stop it!" he hissed at himself. "Yer not helping anything! Get
a grip. You gotta do what Ramsei said. Look after the others. Just…
just be okay, Blastie. We need you back soon." Wiping at an errant
tear in angry frustration, Corvi turned and ran, seeking something to
do.
Meanwhile, Lady Bane plotted. Lady Bane stirred and stewed. Lady Bane
made herself some dinner.
Sighing pleasantly at her reflection, her beautiful young face, the
evil sorceress magically whipped up a small feast in anticipated
celebration. Soon the Gummadoon's child-knight would be dead, after
a lengthy and much deserved painful and agonies wait. Especially for
his pitiful meddling comrades in arms!
Cackling, the young-looking witch threw in a handful of garlic and
smelled her brewing banquet. Soon, those wretched gummies would be
bowing in mercy to her, and she would give none.
Councilors Flurryfeather, Spinwillow, Berrybottom, Wooddale, and
Tosslewind convened in the quiet of the council chambers after
Spinwillow guaranteed complete privacy by a special locking
spell.
"You've all heard from Sarrika." Wooddale said. "You know her
opinion, and the only conclusion we may reach."
"Sir Blastus wasn't out, wasn't around anyone with Cub's
Fever. You can't catch it just out of nowhere." Tosslewind put
in, making the point of what they had all come to realize. "It's
magic. Devious magic."
Berrybottom nodded. "Agreed."
They did not speak of who or what could have done this. They all had
a pretty fair idea. What mattered now, and what became the only topic
of discussion, was how to combat Cubs' Fever now that it was
decidedly magic-born. Little could be concluded, however. It was just
so unheard of. Such disregard for life. Such malicious intent! Much
shaking of heads ensued, as well as mutterings of the
unknown.
"There must be something. The Spell of Argus the Great?"
Flurryfeather asked.
"Only for children, and it requires six wizards, not
five."
"Couldn't we revert him to child form first and get it to
work?"
"No, no. It says clearly here that…"
Tavi, listening in secret, was getting very frustrated. She could
help. She KNEW she could. If they'd let her. But she didn't want
to tell them her secret just yet. She didn't want anyone to know.
Not yet. But… if it meant helping Sir Blastus, and they needed six
wizards…
She crept toward the group and touched the spell of locking, willing
it away. She took a deep breath and went to her aunt's side. Amid
the shocked faces of the council elders, Tavi focused only on
Wooddale, her Aunt Toffi. She'd listen, right? She'd understand?
She had to!
"I heard you talking about helping Sir Blastus, and--"
"Child, how did you get IN here? Why, this is.. It's…"
Berrybottom sputtered.
Wooddale calmed him with a raised hand. She silenced the others
starting to speak with a mere look. To Tavi, her little niece, she
kneeled. Yes, she knew. Hard not to. If the others weren't so
absorbed in other things of late, they'd have known, too. The power
reeked off the cub like the smell of a rejuvenating bath. But
Wooddale knew it was best to let the child speak her peace, be brave
about bringing it up herself. To handle this budding force correctly
may be the key in saving them all one day. "Yes, Tavi? What have
you to say for yourself?" Quirking a brow at the cub in warning,
Wooddale knew this was exactly the way to handle Tavi. For now.
