Gummadoon Sitting Room
Cubbi was entranced, much like when Zummi would go on and on about his stories of ancient gummi quests. But this was different in its own way too. The stories Zummi told were passed down from at least one generation, at least. Zummi and Grammi were old but not enough to recall all those stories from memory. And well, they certainly hadnt been there on all the gummi knights missions!
Thats what made these stories so cool! These werent just stories. They were memories! Things that the knights recalled because they had lived and breathed them! They remembered because they had fought through them. Cubbi couldnt even begin to imagine all the wonderful things they had been able to go through. He was sure that all the battles he had heard from their old story books were merely scratching the tip of what plethora the knights had to bestow upon them.
Sir Blastus purposely waited a moment, letting the cub resituate themselves and get comfortable. He took a seat himself, up on the hearth of the fire. The stories they told on each rest week were not merely to enlighten but to drive home a common ideal among the Gummadoon knights: every story in one;s life is a lesson. Often times, the lesson was not uncovered until long after the adventure was completed. They found the boys tended to remember things much better if they had situations to relate them to and not just given situations but actual memories from another. It was the best teachere they had found.
Blastus also knew the boys love for action and adventure so he tried to give them a taste of that. He considered a great many stories but then settled on one in particular. Have you boys ever heard of a Caorthannach?
A few boys nodded, namely Corvi and Martinni, but the others, Cubbi included, shook their heads. Cubbi had heard of a lot of different creatures: centaur, minotaur, unicorn, dragon, cherub but well, this one was new. And complicated!
A Cao-whatis? he asked, trying to get his tongue to cooperate but it refused.
Blastus gave a gentle chuckle and smiled, repeating it No mon enfant, a Caor-than-nach. He stressed the pronunciation. Cubbi nodded and repeated in the same manner Blastus had, surprising even himself when that long complicated word flowed out of his lips. Blastus gave him a nod and praise of accomplishment Qui, mon enfant, a Caorthannach.
Corvi eyed Cubbi. You never heard of one? This shouldnt have surprised Corvi. That kind of creature was pretty rare to hear of, even in myths. But hed supposed with all the adventures and such that said pink cub loved to learn about, that he would have come across it. It seemed such an assumption was ill-conceived.
Cubbi shook his head fiercely Nu uh. What is it?
At this, Blastus chimed in An old creature of Ancient Times. World was thankfully not blessed with many. Most of them were slain by many a brave soldier mais in years before our battles with the humans, when our alliances were still firm and strong, we received word of one that was troubling the villages of human and gummi alike.
Cubbi nodded to this. The notion that humans and gummies had lived together in peace before was not as alien to him as it may have been to others. He was one of the portions of the population that believed firmly in said alliances. After all, if he and Cavin could become friends, why couldnt their kind? In any event, he nodded in acknowledgement that this was many years ago, before a lot of the stories he knew of.
As for what a Caorthannach is? Blastus asked. As if chiming in with his tale, the fire behind him brightened and illuminated the large room, provoking a choice few shadows on the walls but the boys eyes were firmly focused on the French knight. Even Toni, who was still pretty melancholy was entranced and had shifted his position on Gumlittles lap so he was on all fours and leaning in closer. Blastus let them wonder a moment before he stated Caorthannach is a race, mes amis. A race of creatures that are neither serpent nor dragon. Legend says that they were born fro mthe bowels of the earth, in fire and smoke.
Sir Plucki chimed in with this, saying hence, their meaning: Fire Spitter.
Qui, Qui, mon frre ain. Blastus smiled And not an easy one to catch
Approximately 10 Years Before the First Gummi-Human War
Close.
Blastus and Gumlittle stayed their stallions at Pluckis command. He paused and eyed them. Shes close. The grounds still warm from her feet.
Qui and shes charring everything she comes across.
No argument there. So far, they had passed quite a few forests, or what used to be forests, and found them more likely to resemble ash remains of a good bonfire. They had seen signs of animals fleeing which was some reassurance. The less causalities, the better. Thus far, there had been far too many deaths because of this creature and not just gummi: human, sprites of the woods, nymphs, all fallen victim to her senseless plague. There was no reasoning behind it. To gummies, there was never any reasoning for such mindless destruction but even an ill-fitting excuse would have been better than no excuse at all! This there was no rationalization behind it, it was just senseless mayhem.
Gumlittle worried him too.
They had been traveling for days. Gumlittle had stopped to gather them some water. Since then, he had been oddly quiet, even for him. He was never one for a ton of conversation, at least not on a mission. He was all talk once they werent concentrating on a serious task but on a mission, especially one of such great importance, he was all business.
As for Gumlittle, he was focused but he knew all too well that this fire spitter had done something to the water. He had not thought ahead before gathering the water, had no considered the possibility of her fire containing poison. It was slowly taking affect. He was in quite the pickle of a situation. If the pain became much worse, he would not be of any use to his brothers but at the same time, he could not afford to leave them.
These thoughts couldnt ponder long though because it seemed that the Fire Spitter was done playing around. The ground rumbled underneath their feet as the long, red, snake like creature erupted from beneath the stones in a surge of dark orange magma. She was large, at least the size of an average dragon, minus the wings. Her mouth dripped with liquid fire that melted anything it touched and eyes the color of dark black coal peered out from an emotionless face. A large forked tongue slinked out of her mouth, tasting the air as she selected her means of attack.
And attack, she did.
It was a frantic battle: swords and shields out, darting to and fro. The Fire Spitter was a quick one and one that could use the environment to her advantage. Into the earth and back out again, spewing lava and spitting her fire with each second. One such attack, caught the dazed Gumlittle off guard, knocking him from his unicorn and to the earth.
Blastus turned from his battle and ran to his fallen comrade mon ami!
Go Blastus. He told him Im in your way..
Non! I refuse to leave you mon ami!
Blastus grasped his arm, muscling his way up so he supported his brothers full weight. Gumlittle was tall and quite heavy compared to Blastus small form. However, the stubborn smaller gummi knight refused to relinquish his brother. Despite Gumlittles frantic and repeated cries to do so. As it was, his weight slowed Blastus enough that a second blast had charred one of his legs.
I said leave Sir Blastus. Thats an order from your Second in Command!
And I said NON! he repeated Call it defiance and have me reprimanded later for it but I will not abandon you, Mon Frere! I will not!
Gummadoon Sitting Room
You directly disobeyed an order? Toni broke his silence to ask.
Blastus laughed out loud Qui, and it would not be the last time I did either.
The cubs stared. This did not make any sense. Wasnt a knight supposed to obey orders? That was how things stayed in sync right? That was how battles were won right? Plucki chuckled light-heartedly at their baffled looks and offered his own input. The goal of a knight, my boys, is to protect and serve, is it not?
Several nods and surprisingly, it was Cubbi, the newest of them that asked, And that means protecting each other, right?
Plucki smiled at the young child. So young and yet so wise beyond his years at times. Wisely said, my lad. A knights mission is to serve his people and his people always include his comrades.
But.. Martinni chimed in HowI mean, isnt that how you stay focused and win battles? By following orders and stuff?
Qui, Qui. Blastus admitted. But one thing you will learn mon enfant, as you train is when it is alright to disobey an order. He set his sights on each of the boys in turn it is a rare occasion but that is how we survive together as a unit. We are a constant check for each other. If need be, Gumlittle and myself can overturn one of Pluckis commands, should we feel it is given in misjudgment.
Corvi understood that, somewhat. Let me guess, if its given in an emotional fit or something, right?
Plucki smiled That would be the most common reason, yes. Emotions can be a fuel or they can be a hindrance, depending on how theyre used. Plucki eyed his middle brother, Gumlittles a real good example of that in this particular story.
No shame in his eyes, Gumlittle instead let out a deep-throated laugh, Ah, Ill give you that one Plucki. I chock it up to old fashioned pride.
Plucki smiled and Blastus cut in, again addressing the boys, And I know you all know the overall story of that, right? he inquired. He got a few nods of the head and Corvi laughed a little,
You mean that fact that hubris never gets you anywhere but in big trouble but it seems to be something you acquire when you become a knight?
Plucki cut in here, the Gummadoon captain giving Corvi a raised eyebrow Oh, hardly just a trait shared by knights, young Corvi. I have seen signs of it in all of you.
Cubbi blinked. Hubriswell, that had to mean pride right? He was a bit baffled. Uhisnt pride in yourself and what you can do agood thing?
Plucki grinned down at his young squire and patted the hearth next to him, inviting the child up. Though a bit nervous, he got to his feet and sat by his mentors side. Plucki rested a hand on the boys shoulder. Indeed, and you should feel proud of yourself for the things you accomplish. But answer me this, young squirewhen Gumlittle attempted to refuse aid as you just heard, was that a wise decision or not?
Cubbi felt a bit put on the spot but he felt he knew the answer to this pretty easily. Uh uh.
Plucki gave a shrug, never taking his eyes off his charge and why not?
Cubbi eyed Plucki, what kind of question was that? Well, he couldnt really move very well and he woulda gotten killed.
Gumlittle, not feeling shame in calling attention to his own failings, addressed Cubbi directly And answer me this, lad, was keeping the weakness the water had put on me a good move or a bad move?
Toni squirmed a bit but decided he didnt want to leave Gumlittles lap. He liked it there. It made him feel safe and protected. He still felt like a little fool but hearing this, it eased his soul a little bit. The fact that even a knight like his mentor could fall victim to something, to need to aid of another, and that it was given so easily that he could have it addressed right here and now without shamethat was more aid to him than anything else. It didnt completely convince him nor did it get rid of all the embarrassment he carried but it was great help.
Toni eyed Cubbi, interested just as much as the others in what their newest partner had to say on Gumlittles little inquiry.
Well, now on that one, Cubbi was stumped. He could pretty much see both sides to that! If Gumlittle had told, they may have fallen behind and not caught the crrature at all! Yet, because he didnt tell when they did encounter it, he was a liability. That was kind of a double-edged sword, wasnt it? He really didnt know how to answer that question!
Caught in the center of attention, yet with no answer he truly felt was reasonable, the cub felt the very edges of his cheek bones start to burn. He was blushing!
Embarrassed by the fact that the others could see he was embarrassed, he covered his cheeks.
A large arm jostled him a bit as Plucki pulled him into his side and gave his hair a gentle ruffle Hey, there isnt any judgment here, Cubbi. We ask you so we can both teach _AND_ learn. You boys often wind up teaching us a thing or two as well.
Cocking his head like a bird, he was taken aback. Him? What could he possibly have to teach? He didnt have any huge adventures against terrible demons or anything like that. He hadnt learned anything really...note-worthy that he was aware of.
Well, tell us one, mon ami. Blastus chimed in o mnthe boys thoughts. Cubbi turned, facing him, almost turning so quickly his head throbbed. Qui, tell us one of your stories.
Him? What stories could he possibly have to tell that could match THAT? Actually, wait a minute
He gave his captain a coy grin You guys never told us if you won or not. He said with a low laugh.
Plucki laughed aloud and looked at Blastus, saying Well, its a pretty anti-climatic ending to be perfectly honest. But, since cubs curiosity will not rest until its said, go ahead Blastus.
Sitting back, Blastus took a sip of tea and replied Quinot much to say, mon ami. We got Gumlittle to a safe place and he commented that fire and water didnt seem a good combination. We chased her a short ways, ambushed her around the edge of a cliff and she drowned in the sea.
There was a round of awww from their audience of cubs and Plucki and his brothers couldnt help another deep hearty laugh. Boys, we LIKE anti-climatic. Less danger that way.
But doesnt sound nearly as neat. Cubbi informed his mentor.
Corvi joined the other boys in a small laugh in agreement but then asked So, Cubbi, what about what Blastus asked? You have stories too, right?
Nothin THAt good! he protested and Corvi smirked.
We ALL tell stories here, Cubbi. Weve heard each others for a few years. Weve never heard one of yours.
yeah! Martinni spoke out, sitting up right. Tell us one of yours, Cubbi.
His? Well, what did he have that could be interesting. Most of his adventurous ones were either A) too childish or B) too embarrassing. What was one that wouldnt make him look stupid or babyish? He thought a moment then looked at his mentor, wincing. Plucki just gave him a smile, lad, come now. Part of this night is to build our bonds with one another, through each others tales. Each of your comrades will have their own to tell before the night is over and done.
Swelluh Can I think for a minute then?
Now to that, Plucki would cave. He nodded Now that is a reasonable request. Boys, why dont you take this time to take your dishes to the kitchen and grab a sweet if you so desire.
With the clatter of plates and pattering of feet, the cubs jostled about, talking to each other as they went. Amid the commotion, Toni reached up and tapped his mentors shoulder. Ithink Im ready now.
Lady Banes Castle
Impossible!
This blasted body was nearly impossible to move! It was like moving through some sort of sticky molasses to get it to do anything beyond the basic functions! It was a puppet that did not obey its master!
Frustrated, she had returned to her own body and swiftly let out her frustrations on her nearest troggel. She refused to be defeated by the reanimated corpse of a blasted child.
Slamming her fist against her mirror in frustration and anger, she paused. The clean smooth glass was cold.
Now, not that such a thing was unusual in most palaces but hers was always kept in the utmost condition. She would tolerate no drafts amid her walls. Such trivial things were easily repaired by the proper spells and incantations. However, it was not the room itself that was cold. No, it was simply the glass itself.
Then, she heard it.
A sound that sent chills down her spine. She shuddered involuntarily at it. It whistled and whisked through her ears like the distant mourning call of a phantasm. It crunched like frozen leaves would crumble under a heavy toed boot. It echoed like a lost childs wail through a thunderous sea.
And it laughed at her.