Lady Bane's Castle

Lady Bane thought on what her Mother had told her, on what she may have to do to attack the gummies. She still thought of them as walking throw rugs, rodents that the world be best to be rid of. This opinion of them had not changed since the war and with the loss of her own medallion to Tavi, she knew she had to get one back to unlock the secrets of gummi magic. Her thoughts as she slept went back to what her mother told her on how to attack the very soul of a gummi bear, to strike their ties to the earth, but how would she accomplish this? She had tried many times to both attack as well as use gummi bears for her own use, but it failed many times. She thought, shed test this new knowledge with the soul of Lucki. She thought if she could use Lucki as her test subject, and was successful at her task, she may have found that weapon to use against Gummadoon and the gummies.

Gummies in general were a difficult bunch to deal with, magical wise. All creatures generally had some kind of natural magical ability. How much would determine how easily they could learn or manipulate other magics. Humans fell in-between, about middle scale. Gummies almost dripped with natural magic, enough so that they, of all creatures in the world, had learned to combine magic and technology with no malevolent effects. Used correctly, that same kind of power and technology she could use to her own needs.

Still, gummi spirits were a complex thing as she was starting to see. Luckis will and spirit did not falter or die. Most spirits would fade from existence entirely or at the very least return to the Afterlife. He didnt. He was contained, which was something but it did not satisfy her. Not in the least! Such a solution was not a permanent one. However, Mother was not being very helpful. Studying spirits and souls was something Mother was known for but she was not the type to share her knowledge. Oh, no. She could surmise that Mother was laughing hysterically at her from wherever she was, chortling at her lack of knowledge while keeping the answers to herself.

Still, she had a gummi body and soul to work with. It wouldnt displeasure her one ounce to experiment to her full malicious content on it.

Gummadoon Halls

Corvi, unlike Cubbi, knew full well that a key, let alone a master key, would not be left lying about. Perhaps that had been the case where Cubbi had grown up but among Gummadoon, they were well accustomed to probable attacks and not immune to spy attempts. If there were any keys lying about Pluckis quarters, they certainly werent any master key. Probably a key to one of the older rooms sure but not a master key. In fact, if he knew Plucki well enough or heck, any of the mentors well enough, any major keys they had were always in one place and that was hanging from their belts.

That certainly would complicate things. Corvi had no clue where they put them when they slept, hed never really bothered to pay attention and he didnt even know if Blastus would have such keys. Gumlittle and Plucki would for sure or the council but Blastus..well, that could go either way. It wouldnt surprise Corvi if he did but at the same time, it wouldnt surprise him if he didnt. The master keys of Gummadoon werent just given to anyone.

Corvi was known for his love of studying and he knew about the master keys creation, back when Gummadoon was first built. They had made, according to the stories, eight keys, five for the council and three for their top defenders or the top three knights. So, that meant the council had five still so..well, that would mean Blastus had one too, right? Corvi shook his head, trying to focus as they made their way outside. Gumlittle was saying something along the lines that the others were already outside.

Corvi tried to focus his attention but now his thoughts were one a bagillion other things: Emi, master keys, trial notes, secrecy, and dozens of other things he couldnt sort out at the moment. If he was right, that didnt make things any easier, regardless of what the others may have thought. Blastus may have been the most carefree of the knights, the most playful. However, Corvi knew more than any of the other squires and pages that if it was something serious, something dangerous, then he could be just as lethal and unyielding as Plucki or Gumlittle.

In short, he couldnt just waltz up and ask Blastus to borrow a master key.

There were other options but neither was really acceptable to him.

First and foremost, taking the key, regardless of if it was for a short period of time or not, was still stealing. Knights did not steal. The mere thought of stealing from anyone let alone any of the adults knights, gummies he and the other squires had come to see as second fathers, was enough to make him sick to his stomach.

Secondly, even if it came down to it, there was not one cub among all of Gummadoon, even among the squires whom were the most trained of the citys children, that could slip anything from the knights without them noticing. Done in a game or in training was one thing and the taken item was expected to be returned as soon as the session was completed. Taking off without doing such a thing would result in punishment, questions and inevitably being caught. There wasnt a cub yet born that could outmaneuver the Gummadoon knights.

So, essentially, they were still at square one.

And on top of all of this, as if it werent enough, Corvi still needed to slip away and check on his siblings. At least that was ONE thing he could manage. A rest week meant more time to venture away without being noticed. He could spend a little more time with them, give Morri a breather, maybe get some head way with another plan. He knew that as it was now, he couldnt keep this up forever. Once he was knighted, it would be easy to take his siblings in but he was only twelve. He wouldnt be knighted for six more years. There were stories of people being knighted before their eighteenth year but they were rare even among rarities. And even then, the youngest Corvi remembered reading about was sixteen.

He was almost glad to see the group appear in the courtyard. Maybe all he needed was to give his brain a break from all this thinking. Did that work the same way as watching a pot or a clock? If you focused on it too much then you got nothing. He pushed his long blond hair out of his eyes and ran out to meet the other squires.

Cubbi watched Corvi go to meet up with Flynn and Blastus. Gumlittle smiled and greeted Martinni. Plucki was in the midst of the group and Cubbi looked up at Gumlittle who motioned him forward. He headed forward to meet up with his own mentor. He wasnt sure what was going on but well, whatever it was, it looked like everyone was happy and that was a welcomed sight!

Plucki took a seat on one of the courtyards stone walls, by the center fountain. The other squires found their own seats, some perching on some of the walls around the flower gardens, some standing. Cubbi, while being older than Flynn was still smaller. He scrambled to sit on the stone beside his mentor, pushing to pull himself up. Plucki gave a low chuckle and pulled the boy up by the arm, letting him settle. Cubbi, of all of them, didnt know what to expect. This was brand new to him. This was Flynns first time getting to participate in a rest week but as a page he had heard of them.

We apologize for making you wait a bit more, boys. Plucki started out. But we havent forgotten our promise.

Plucki eyed the other squires, each in turn: Corvi, Martinni, Cubbi, Flynn. It was Martinni that spoke out. Toni isnt here. Is he gonna miss the week because hes hurt?

Gumlittle ruffled the boys hair. No Martin. He assured him. Ill be doing some things with him in sick bay for the first day or so but after that, he should be well enough to join you all.

Martinni nodded, relieved at that. Flynn eyed Gumlittle Hes okay, right?

Gumlittle gave the child an understanding smile. Hell be fine, Flynn. Hes a tough one, just like the rest of you. His injuries are healing nicely and his fever should break sometime in the next twenty four hours.

Cubbi listened to all of this was intent and interest. Plucki spoke out again, addressing Corvi, Corvi, youve had more of these rest weeks than the others, why dont you explain to Cubbi and Flynn.

Corvi hated being put on the spot like that but he had grown accustomed to it. Plucki and the knights did it on occasion, not to embarrass or intimidate but to get them used to communicating ideas. Communication was essential as a knight, vital at times. Miscommunication sometimes may just result in a faux pas but at other times it could mean countless deaths.

Well, Corvi leaned back, twisting his hair around one of his fingers and rubbing the ends, a habit, a tic he had when he was a bit nervous. Blastus reached out and slapped the boys fingers lightly.

Arrete.

Corvi let go and snorted lightly. Laisse-moi tranquille! He spat at his mentor. Usually, he would use the formal and polite speech but given he spoke French almost as good as he did common (a side effect of having a mentor who was fluent) when irritated, he switched to the familiar usage. Blastus gave him a small look but Corvi shrugged it off though he did drop his hands from his hair.

He didnt think that was such a big deal but Blastus always preached to him that it was a bad habit because it gave away that he was unsure and that could be dangerous. Didnt see the point in that when he was among the others but well, sometimes it didnt do any good to argue with Blastus. All it usually did was give you a headache.

Well, it lasts a week. The first four days we do things around the palace. Last three, the entire group goes on a trip together.

Cubbi cocked his head, intrigued. A trip? The only time he took trips usually was if they needed something or were delivering supplies. What kind of trip would this be? Where would they go? What would they do? He was bursting with questions but he reminded himself that only LITTLE kids started jabbering on. He wasnt little anymore!

The first four days the mentors will do specific things with each of us, sometimes together, sometimes separate. We eat all our meals together, for each of the meals one of the squires and one of the knightsll cook. Corvi took a breath and elaborated, Like, Blastus and I might do breakfast, Martin, you and Gumlittle might do lunchwe just decide together.

Cubbi blinked. So..what kind of stuff do you guys do with us?

Plucki chuckled and ruffled the boys hair. All kinds of things, lad. Its a week we take specifically to get to know each of you better, to get a closer relationship with you. He eyed Cubbi. So, you and I will do a lot of different things. Perhaps Ill take you to some secret spots I know of. Youre my little explorer, are you not?

Cubbi couldnt argue that. He loved to explore and he really couldnt even begin to imagine all the cool places Plucki probably knew of!

Martinni spoke up And they surprise us the first day. He said beaming at Gumlittle.

Blastus laughed out loud Qui, qui. First trip out we choose then we let you boys led us in what you want. Remember this is a week to learn but learn what cant be taught by books.

Cubbi frowned. That was an odd thing to say. Learn but learn what cannot be taught by books. Well, he knew that not all things were written down. But well, couldnt everything be written down? So, technically, couldnt anything be learned by books? He knew Zummi always taught about how gummi lore, history and magic were preserved that way.

But, then on the other hand, the Barbic gummies had no Great Book. Yet, they knew a whole bunch. They knew lots about gummi history, sometimes more than the Glen, sometimes less but if they knew less on one thing, they knew more on another. They communicated mainly through word of mouth and they passed their legends down that way, or Buddi said that sometimes that what their traditions were for, passing on history.

Still, that didnt explain this. Learn what isnt taught in books. Well, that sounded intriguing to him at least. He was sure anything the knights could teach would be well worth it!

Plucki smiled and turned to Corvi You cover things well Corvi. He gave his gentle praise and the boy smiled. Can you tell them about the nightly routine then?

Corvi blinked, how could he have not mentioned that? That had always been his favorite part. Rightevery night after dinner, we all gather in the sitting room and we do a few games, games where we get to know other another and test our memory of each other. Then, when those are over and done, we get to ask the knights to tell us any story we want but we have ot share some of our own in return.

Cubbi was both intrigued and troubled by this bit of news. He would love to hear any of the knights tales but what tales would he have that would be of equal stature?

Plucki looked at each of the boys in turn. Do you all understand whatll be happening?

Slowly, a nod from each of them, excitement washed over all their faces.

Gumlittle eyed the group Sowho wants to cook the first meal?

Gummadoon Library

So far, nothing seemed to be going her way. Sure, now she knew where they needed to go but she as no closer to knowing how. She knew her Auntie would never loan out her key, that was just her way. It wasnt out of mistrust or anything like that but given she was councilmember, she needed the key far too much to let it out of her grip for too long. The only ones who could afford to loan out keys would be the knights and well, that always led to all kinds of questions and that would lead to a whole bunch of reasons to why children shouldnt worry about such things.

So, she had taken to studying the blueprints again, seeing if there was any possible around the locks but thus far, she saw no such thing. Not even a transportation spell could get through a sealed door like the one they needed into. If a room had more than one exit, then transportation spells could surpass locks but if only one door was present, then there was no way around a lock.

She laid her head down on a folded book. This was just making her head hurt and it was hard enough to study as it was early in the day, especially after so much that had gone on recently. She reasoned to herselfa brief rest, if it was indeed brief, would be fine.

And the couches in the library were really comfortable.

Gummadoon Sitting Room

Theyd discussed several different pairs. The boys had stated their favorites for who to make dinner and lunch and breakfast for the next day. Still, the decision to who would cook for their first meal upon this first rest day was still up in the air. Cubbi sat, looking about, thinking. He was hungry, not just for food but with anxious attention for what trips and treats and surprises the knights had in store.

Alright, boys.

Cubbi looked up as did Flynn. Well, we figure we might as well pick someone before you all wither up and blow away.

Cubbi laughed. That sounded like Grammi. His eyes focused ahead and Plucki gave him a gentle smile then a gesture forward Come on, Cubbi. You and I are up.