The other cubs, squires and pages alike, were relieved to hear the last of their group would not be missing out on this fantastic time. Cubbi snuck a look at Toni. He didn't necessarily look happy but he looked relieved and maybe even able to unwind. Something wound him up real good to make him wanna hurt himself, and that something was his mother and her being possessed. But by who? Was it Zorlock? Lady Bane? Emi Gummi? He'd heard all of them could do that. First hand experience from the great battle last season and now Tavi telling him that Emi might be able to do it too cuz she was more powerful than BOTH those dumb magicians.

Cubbi's glance was brief and went un-noticed by Toni. The cub definitely felt a huge weight had been lifted from him but any thought of his mother made him very uneasy. It was all because she'd been possessed. Gummie said so, so that had to be true, right? Why then did he feel so... so never-wanna-see-her-again? He was still terrified of her, that's why. Even hearing her crying like a lost cub in the next room, he was affected only by his fear and no ounce of sympathy. How had they both gotten so wrong? How-

"How're yer hands, Sport? Can you grip?" Gummlittle asked his charge as quiet as he could, trying not to draw attention from the others.

Grateful for the interruption from such destructive thoughts, Toni replied, "Oh, uh..." He tried to make a fist but it hurt too bad, the strength cut away by his maiming. A great sense of hatred came over him. Hatred of himself.

"Don't worry about it." Gumlittle hugged him but in such a way that he didn't really show the act to the others, who might take it as a sign of weakness in Toni's eyes. The cub was so sensitive right now. Fragile. Great care had to be taken. Gumlittle whispered, "When you get hungry just tap me and we'll step out so I can feed you."

Embarrassment overwhelmed him. He couldn't even feed himself! What about bathing, dressing, relieving himself? Argh!

Gumlittle felt the cub tense and got a more secure hold of him in his lap, adding a strong hug in the process. He hadn't voiced his concerns to his fellow knights yet but Toni had him worried. He really needed this rest week. If only he could get the cub to unwind more. He whispered again, "Don't worry. Tomorrow your hands will be better, and even more the day after."

Plucki stood up and moved closer to the fire, gaining everyone's attention. "With every rest week, it's a chance to remember things that are important, to strengthen our bonds, and one way we do that is through story." Sir Plucki looked pointedly at Sir Blastus and opened a hand toward him, inviting him up to speak.

Lady Bane's Castle

Lady Bane watched the soul-less, green-furred body slowly choking the life out of the old Troggle.

"Release him."

Her dead gummi slave immediately stopped.

The sorceress smirked. "Now to get inside and control you myself. A simple zombie won't do. I started this little project to make a possessed ghoul and that's exactly what I'm going to achieve. Lay on that table there."

The dead gummi obeyed her every command.

That's what she's always wanted. Everyone about her to do exactly as she commands. Was that so much to ask for? That and absolute power. Yes. Definitely one in need of power. It was the sacrifice one had to give up that rankled her. Like this. She couldn't control the gummi's body without possessing it fully. To do so, she would be fairly unaware in her own body. That would mean she'd be more vulnerable. She'd set up every magical ward she could think of and have her Troggles to defend her beautiful body, but that may not be enough to defend herself against Emi, if indeed she was to awaken. Possessing the gummi to destroy his kin and castle was the main end goal but another goal arose from her possessive snooping: the disturbing notion that Emi Gummi might break out of her prison. The most dangerous thing ever to be created. Despite herself, Lady Bane shuddered again at the thought of her.