Healer's Alcove, Gummadoon
While Lucki held his sister, ignoring the spread of bruising on his leg where she lay her head, he felt both calm with relief and a measure of alert caution for there was no way to predict why Lady Bane was allowing him this moment nor when it would abruptly cease and she'd rend control from him again.
And yet, the moment he'd always wanted continued - to be holding his sister, both of them alive, safe, able to revel in his return. Suspicious, Lucki took a calm breath, closed his eyes, and dared to sift through his own mind and body for any sign of her.
Oh, her clinging aura was present, stretched thin but over him like a transparent icky sheen of oil. That's how he knew she wasn't gone. Everything else about Lady Bane - her ever-present conceit, disdain, cruelty, and hatred which surrounded every act of power exerted over his dominated form - all of that had gone... somewhere else. And how he hated to do it now and break the moment but with her absent, could he finally speak out? Yes! Do it before she stops him again, as she had at even the whiff of a thought of defying her!
"Tavi... Sis, I have to tell you something." Lucki started, his urgency clear. But he had to keep calm, to try and block his thoughts, lest the witch sense his attempts.
Tavi sat up, then gasped at the bruising left by her gentle weight. "Lucki! Your leg!"
"No, don't worry about that. Just listen! Lady Bane is-"
Ah-ah...
A voice, terribly cold and black and echoing painfully in his head! Lucki clutched at his ears, though that wasn't where the sound entered. It was quiet, far off, but still agony from within! And that is when Lady Bane's presence filtered into his awareness, inky and tentacly and clingy, possessive of him.
You see? How powerful are you pretending to be if you can't even command the pup to obey when you are away? If you had even half my level of control, you'd have known what he was up to while you sought me out. And, believe me, Little Bane, you are not ready for me.
In response, Lady Bane pushed outward, toward the voice in the distant dark outside his mind, and told it, This is mymeat suit!
Oh really? Humored, the voice was.
Without warning, Lucki found his arms flailing about... No, not flailing but executing precise and hard slaps to his terrified sister!
He wasn't sure how but the shock and anger inside him bubbled up and over and covered even Lady Bane's inky hold of him. He found he could force his arms to his body, clench them there, but the great effort required to cease harm to his sister cost him the command of his legs, eyes, mouth. He fell, Tavi shrieking his name, but the sound fell into a void where normally unconsciousness would follow.
And yet, when he lost control of his body and the outside world became black, Lucki still sat very much aware in his mind. Aware, but not alone. He felt it terribly; Lady Bane's grasp on him - on body and mind. And, somewhere far away, he could almost feel that evil black voice stinging him from beyond.
You see?
Get out, Emi! This one is mine! Lady Bane yelled bravely at it, hiding her fear. Go play your games elsewhere in bigger ponds.
Emi?!... Lucki shrank inward at the automatic fear generated upon hearing such a dreaded name. The thing talking from afar was that horrible creature?!
Oh, our games are all connected, Little Bane.
At the second use of the nickname, Lady Bane mentally shouted in the void, Shut up!
Emi continued, unfazed. And whatever you think is yours? It already belongs to me. You saw how it bent to my will.
And how he pushed back! the witch countered. You may have bested my mother but you'll not have me, ormy prize!
He felt a surge of intoxicating, crazy brashness from Lady Bane, and then she... she sort of melded their control, somehow, which as far as he could tell allowed them both joint agreeable control of his body. It was like how an adult takes a cub's hands and guides them in an action both desire but requires each strength to lend aid... or something. It was hard to describe, even years later. Maybe it was more like she was literally draped over him and commanding his actions, but not wrestling him for them like before. One thing was for sure and that was both he and Lady Bane wanted Emi OUT. Again, kinda hard to describe... Hate to say it, but with Lady Bane's help, they were able to sorta shut the voice out - the entire intruding presence. It was a bit like shutting a really heavy iron door or bringing down a drawbridge.
Before he'd a moment of relief over their success, Lady Bane's overbearing presence pressed him hard into a tiny mental corner. Don't get any more ideas or I'll gleefully make you choke the life from your sister the next time you try to defy me.
She was angry. She wasn't joking or exaggerating. He was taxed enough and still fearful of her threats to remain complaisant. There may be other opportunities, better ones, in the future, he thought as quietly as he could to himself. Opportunities to tell the others of Emi, of Lady Bane still possessing him, of... of everything! Now... Now he could only wait, unable to see outside of the blackness of his unconscious mind, wait until Lady Bane messed up again.
And outside Lucki, as Tavi screamed for a healer, her tears fell like rain on her unaware brother. The bruising from his fall had spread across half his body. She hadn't been able to catch him. He may have a concussion, or broken bones! Why wasn't he waking up? Why couldn't she help him?!
Inner Council Chambers, Gummadoon
Cubbi could only stare as Grammi and Plucki took charge of calming Corvi down. Shock, that's what it was. He knew it, even as he sat in it. Sure, he and Tavi had been through a lot of stuff - a lot of bad stuff. Heck, he just found out his Glen family knew all about his mom and dad and never told him a thing about how they died, or even their names! And here's Corv, doing his best to hold it all together when he'd actually seen Emi with his own eyes, and saw her kill his dad, and then the memory got blocked out... Gum, Corv... Cubbi started to count himself lucky that, despite just now learning of his mother and father, at least he hadn't seen them killed.
Blastus was still clutching his squire tightly, still saying things in French to him, over and over. It seemed to be working and Plucki had knelt to one knee so he was in front of the boy, seemingly casting out all the rest of the room, speaking gently to him, a tone that Cubbi had heard from him after the war so many months ago. It was a delicate tone but there was no denying the strength behind it. Cubbi had to admit that seeing Corvi hurting…so much. And he had done all that work for them! Yet, he was hurt the most by Emi...out of all of them!
Pushing himself out of his seat, he crossed around the table and without waiting, threw his arms around the sobbing teen. He wanted to make him feel better! It wasn't fair! This wasn't fair to poor Corvi! All he had done…seeing the teen in such pain made Cubbi's own heart hurt. He wanted to make it stop! Make it stop anyway that he could! Couldn't he do anything?! The desire to do anything, absolutely anything at all, was nearly overpowering. When Cubbi flung his arms around Corvi, he wanted it even more because he felt the boy's trembling through his embrace.
Cubbi had to admit, he was not even listening to what Blastus, to what Plucki and to what Grammi were saying though he could hear them talking. He couldn't really understand Blastus anyway. The knight was still speaking French but at least now, Corvi was starting to gather his strength to respond. He seemed to be responding to where he was instead of lost in that awful, most horrible memory! Cubbi felt like he was going to cry himself, simply because Corvi was hurting so much! So, he decided to just do what the others were doing—talk.
"I'm so sorry, Corv! That isn't right, that isn't fair. But you're not gonna lose no one else, okay? No one else!" On this, Cubbi was adamant, digging his hands into tiny fists that he dug into Corvi's tunic. "I promise you, Corvi! No one else!"
That got a reaction, though not exactly what he expected. It wasn't a bad reaction but just…odd. Corvi looked right at him, locked eyes with him. He looked like he was going to start crying again, his eyes even filled up but then he just pulled Cubbi into a strong embrace, burying his face into Cubbi's shoulder. It was super uncomfortable as Corvi had yanked him nearly off the ground and the teen was clutching him like a vice but Cubbi could hardly think it to be appropriate to pull away, no matter how much it was hurting the muscles in his chest and legs.
Thankfully, Blastus cut in before too long, stating, "Captain, permission to excuse ourselves?"
"Granted."
Blastus stood, still clutching Corvi close and when he forced the teen to his feet, he did finally release Cubbi who nearly tumbled onto his backside, save for Plucki's saving steadying hand. Grammi pursued the two of them out of the council chamber and no one dared try to stop her. A female hand might be useful for the boy, and Cubbi knew that despite how irritating she could be at times, there was no one else he knew of that was as talented at making you feel better than she was. So long as she didn't try to offer any food, she could do a lot of good.
The soft closing the room doors seemed to make a horrific slam. There was no talking, save from the occasion mutter from one to the other. Cubbi turned and eyed his mentor who was slowly climbing to his feet, having still been in his crouched position from earlier. Biting his lower lip, the young cub stated, "Sir Plucki…so…if Emi was going to Lady Bane's palace a lot, could we find some answers there? Doesn't sound like Lady Bane knows, least she never seemed to brag about it and she's vain as they get. Her palace is big. Maybe there are some things there that we could use?"
A gentle smile crossed the captain's face though there was still signs of pain there, having taken Corvi's story to heart. The poor lad! Gustav had been one of his stronger knights and quite the kind fellow. Always one to offer a helping hand and he always returned to help others, even if he was hurting himself. Plucki remembered all too well when Corvi's older brother Tori had passed away from illness. Though the loss of his first child had crumbled him and his wife, he still found the strength to press onward. It was an admirable trait. It made sense to the Captain that he had met his end defending his son.
All the same though, for him to die in front of his son, Plucki could not even begin to imagine. It made him sick right down to his bones. However, it also served as a motivator, as a reminder that Emi had to be stopped, that she could not be allowed to escape her prison, that they could not allow these tragedies to pile up again. Despite the horrific images that Corvi's story had brought up, it had also given them vital information. It appeared that the information they had possessed before and had begun to recollect now, was far from complete.
Turning to his squire, the Captain gave a small smile, despite the situation, "Right, lad. Brave Corvi has given us an advantage."
Shifting his eyes up to Councilor Wooddale and Berrybottom, he cleared his throat, "Cubbi is right," the Captain insisted. "Corvi has given us a gift. Surely, we should continue to investigate what her prison is, how it was created and potentially how to strengthen it but there also the need for simply getting as much information as can. Right now, we are far too blind. If there is the potential for information at Lady Bane's…we must look into it."
Berrybottom gave a nod, "Agreed. If she was venturing to that witch's palace as Corvi reported to have overheard, there may be hidden alliances that we need to prepare ourselves for. We suspected that Lady Bane's attacks were separate. However, it seems that we may have been grievously misinformed."
Wooddale raised a hand to still the shouts that began to emerge. "We will need to continue to investigate the issue of Emi's prison as well. Dear Glen Cousins," she directed her comments to the remaining Glen gummies, "Have you any ideas where we can get more information? Zummi, you and Grammi mentioned a memorial that was being created by of your children's ancestors?"
Zummi nodded, "Yes, Tummi's grandmother. Not a whole lot of information on it, I'm afraid, though I know I am not mistaken that it was piven as a gresent—er, given as a present, to Gummadoon." He sighed deeply. "All I know is that it was some sort of tapestry or quilt. Meant to show remorse for all the lives lost. Grammi was more interested in that sort of thing, though I'm sure they wrote some on it." He frowned, rubbed his chin. "Perhaps some journals in the Great Book back home have some insight."
Cubbi was trying to focus on the conversation but suddenly his mind jerked to the library, from several days ago. Or was it a week or…he had truly lost track of when it had been. But suddenly, he found himself revisiting those days talking with Tavi in the library before they even summoned Destini's ghost. Like something out of a dream, he remembered passing by a tapestry. A bunch of knights in a circle, heads bowed, holding flowers. It had been so odd, so weird yet he had never bothered to inquire about it. Yet something about it kept sticking out to him. Maybe it was the background which was patchy yet he had never bothered to look at in full. He did remember a tree and some kind of water behind them.
Just like Gummi Glen.
That was the tapestry that Zummi was talking about! Cubbi was almost certain of it! But...he still didn't know anything else! There had to be information about it, right? Didn't the library have information on all the artworks and stuff in it? He knew that Zummi always said that if he was really interested, there were stories about all the portraits in the Glen, he just never bothered to look. Surely, Gummadoon was the same? When he had first entered into training, Plucki had told him all about all these portraits that lined the halls, but then had taken him into the library and shown him where he could find books on their histories. Cubbi had avoided them because, frankly, reading was still intimidating for him. Plucki's old mantra "Reading is important, always remember that" shot through his mind like a burst of light. Yes, there had to be some info on the tapestry, on where it came from, maybe some additional interpretation, what secrets it held! He just had to seek it out!
Maybe it was the sudden realization.
Maybe it was knowing how much more dangerous things had become.
Maybe it was still hearing Corvi's sobs in his mind.
But whatever the reason, Cubbi seemed to forget where he was, what they were doing as he tore from Plucki's side, past Sir Horli's surprised gasp, out the door and down the hall, right for the library without so much as another word to anyone.
Gummadoon Healer Alcove
Sarrika had been on her way back, disheartened by what little information she could find (and carrying a hefty stack of more research) when she heard the young girl screaming. That in itself broke her into a run. Dear Gum, had Lucki's time run out already? Was that poor child being subjected to watching her poor brother's very soul crumble in front of her? Please, Gum, be merciful. Do not subject a child so young to such a horror! She could heal a great many things but not a broken heart!
Entering the door, she threw down her books in a pile, wincing slightly and hoping that the pages would survive such harsh treatment as she rushed the poor sobbing girl who was kneeled next to her unconscious brother. She didn't even have to ask as when she approached, she gasped in horror. The boy's left side was completely black and blue, from his toes to his head, including a deeper bruise on his leg. There was a small trickle of blood on the boy's bruised arm, from a cut. He must have gotten it when he fell. The healer knelt, trying to ignore the poor girl's crying and sobbing and pleading.
Her stomach sank as she checked the boy over. He made no response to any of his reflexes and yet there did not seem to be any concussion. She called his name, pinched his nerve points and yet got no response. Oddly enough, after learning what she had, her previous revulsion, while not gone, had reduced dramatically. The poor boy was a victim, in all senses of the word. Of an evil sorceress' whims and he had no defense against it. Great Gum, it was worsening, it must have been! If the journals were to be believed…
Sarrika gently lifted the boy from the group, taking care not to tousle his head too much, as much as she could avoid it in any event. As much as she didn't believe there had been damage done, head injuries were not minor problems. She did not want to make things worse. Inwardly though, this only confirmed her deepest fears. As much information as she had managed to obtain, any information on Concordia would most likely be with the council. The thought of addressing it with Wooddale made her near ill with anxiety. The worst part of a healer was telling loved ones that their dear one most likely would not make it. She had grown accustomed to it over the years but that did not mean it got any easier. Nay, if anything, it became harder! When children were involved, it always became harder and this ran much deeper than telling someone that their loved one was going to breathe their last. As it currently stood, she would have to tell Wooddale, tell Sir Gumlittle, tell poor little Tavi that little Lucki was going to die, eternally. With no salvation, no second chance, just fade away painfully into oblivion with no hope of reunion.
No! There had to be some information on Concordia, something that Wooddale knew or could find out before poor Lucki's time was up. Yet, as it appeared, his time was running thin. If this condition continued to worsen…
She had to act now. They had no time for uncomfortable feelings!
"Tavi, listen to me." She strengthened her voice, making it take on a dark and firm tone, something she usually reserved for the most dire of circumstances. However, she supposed that such a descriptor of their current predicament would not be considered inaccurate. In any event, it did shut off the girl's waterworks and made her gulp heavily, looking the healer firmly in the face. "Good." She gave the fast praise and kept her sentences short, concise. "I know you desire to be with your brother but I need your aunt and Sir Gumlittle here. It is…vital."
"Is my brother going to die?" Tavi's voice shook and trembled and it took all of Sarrika's willpower not to cave under it, not to say that of course he would not. As much as she did not believe in lying to patients or family, there was such horror, such desperation in that face that she almost desired to. No, she could not. If she caved now, if she delayed even the slightest then poor Tavi would have much worse than a brother's death to deal with. There was a way to save Lucki, there had to be!
"I need your aunt and Gumlittle here, child." She repeated, without addressing her question. That in itself was enough to spur the child to movement. Tears blurring her vision, the young girl tore down the hall, her feet pounding the stones as she raced for the council chamber, calling her aunt and Gumlittle's name in rapid succession. With her gone on her mission, Sarrika turned her attention back to Lucki. She would do what she could for him now. At least the research told her that strengthening the body would delay the death of the soul. That she did have control over!
The bruises were easily dealt with and luckily, there did not seem to be any broken bones though how that was possible, she truly did not know. Managing a light hearted chuckle, she stroked the boy's green hair back, "Seems you are still holding up to your namesake, dear one." She closed her eyes tightly, "Gum let that luck come through for you again."
Blastus' Chambers
Grammi stroked the boy's blond hair again, pushing it behind his ears as Blastus stood. "Corvi, I don't like this."
The teen shook his head, "I'll be okay, Blastus." He insisted, tears in his eyes still which he fought down. "I...appreciate all you've done but…well, we have to move fast." He eyed the knight. "Plucki and the others will need your help. I'll come join you in a minute." He meant that. As much as he wanted to curl into a ball and just bawl forever, he could not afford that. There was not time for that, either for Blastus, for Gummadoon or his little brothers. Gum protect them from the onslaught coming…
Blastus knelt, looking his squire directly in the eyes, "Your eyes and your words don't match, mon ami." He told the young boy, with a gentle smile. "You've had quite the shock, little lamb." He said softly, "Take your time."
Corvi shook his head, "Can't." he meant that, "Too much danger coming, Blastus. We have to act now and—"
"—And what good is it gonna do ya to make yourself sick in the process?" Grammi countered. She didn't know this boy that well but something was up. Not just in the horror that he had just told, not in the horrific detail that he had babbled over and over to his mentor in a weird mix of French and English. Not even in the shaking of his body. They were all signs of something deeper. Grammi could practically smell it and she knew Sir Blastus was no fool. The way he was looking at Corvi right now told her that the good knight was well aware something else was amiss. The way he kept looking the boy right in the eyes only for him to divert his eyes away. Something was going on, something that went beyond the memory of the loss of his father, even as horrific as that had been.
But to get a teenager to confess was a task!
"I…I'll be okay, I promise." He locked eyes with Blastus, seeing all too well that he had no intention of cracking. "Blastus, it would make me feel better if you'd figure out a plan with Plucki then…then I promise I'll talk to you until you're satisfied." He locked eyes with his mentor and swore, "I promise." Corvi regretted the words almost as soon as he had said them but he knew all too well that with the look Blastus was giving him that he would not relent. So…so all he was doing was delaying it! What was he doing?! If Blastus found out…
Well, what was going to happen if Blastus found out about his mother's death because of his big mouth?
Corvi felt disturbed in that he suddenly didn't know. Well, no, maybe that was not quite right. He…Blastus had never failed him before. Ever. The realization of it was clear to him as a morning sunrise but all the same, his stomach twisted into knots. What if he was wrong? But...wait, he knew Blastus. He knew him so well. The knight had never failed him, never faltered in sticking to his word, in looking out for him, in caring for him. He had known him since he could first recall memories. Blastus would not..
So why was he still so afraid?
Well, maybe the shock of the memory of his father…Corvi was finding it hard to focus on anything! He felt sick to his stomach, his head throbbed and he just wanted to collapse into a ball and just scream and cry. He was afraid, yes, deeply and on more than one level. But...he could not break. He could not. The others needed him. His brothers needed him to be strong and..
"Corvi. Why not tell me now?" Blastus' tone was gentle, as it always was. "I know something is bothering you. Something beyond your pere's death. Ecri came and spoke to me about your brothers. Something has happened to you, little lamb. Please. Talk to me. It is not right for either knights nor squires to take such heavy burdens on their shoulders. We are a family for a reason, Corvi. We support one another, and that means alleviating burdens be they emotional or physical." He stroked the boy's loose golden hairs, asking, "Do you understand me, little lamb?"
Corvi nodded, head down and fighting to keep from blurting all the horrific things that had happened right there! "I…do. Blastus, I'm gonna worry about…what our plan is…though. Please. Find out what the plan is…and then…we'll talk."
Sighing deeply, the knight withdrew, "Am I able to hold you to that, Corvus?" he inquired. "If I come back and tell you what we have planned, we will talk."
The squire nodded, head down, "Until you—"
"Look me in the eye and swear it, Corvus and I'll believe you." Blastus' tone was firm, hard and beyond any argument. One rarely heard it but Corvi had heard it a couple of times. Knowing when he was beat; he lifted his eyes up and locked them with his mentor, even as he struggled to keep his tears in. Seeing Blastus looking at him with such concern, such worry and yes, such love almost made him start bawling again but he forced himself to remain firm. He could not give into emotions, not now.
"I swear, Sir Blastus."
Satisfied, the knight squeezed his shoulder, "I will be swift and then we'll speak in my chambers, okay, mon ami?"
Corvi nodded as the knight left and collapsed into the nearby chair. He sat there, his hair draping into his eyes for a time before he felt two gentle hands on his shoulders. Turning, he was met with the orange furred gummi woman's gentle smile, "Land sakes, child." She spoke gently and wiped his eyes with the edge of her apron. "You're just a child. Let us adults handle some things, huh?"
Corvi shook his head, "I can't. I'm involved, so is Cubbi. So are ALL of us. I have to help, in any way I can."
Grammi grasped his hand gently, "Then, let Blastus help you! I can see it and so can he. What's going on with your poor heart?"
Biting his lower lip, he shook his head. Grammi was quiet a moment and then said, "Do you trust Blastus, Corvi?"
Without missing a beat, he nodded, "I always have."
"He's always been there for you, hasn't he?" she asked again, sweetly, never taking her hand off his. "I can see it by the way he looks at ya."
Corvi was silent a moment then said, "Since I was three. Started my training and he was always there. When Papa was gone…he was there." He closed his eyes tightly but the images would not die. Him, as little as three crawling up onto Blastus' lap and playing with his longer hair, when he was five and running circles around Blastus' legs, when he was eight and presenting Blastus with a sloppy and half-baked cake for his birthday with batter still clinging to his hair. He could not recall a single instance where Blastus failed him, where he had not been there.
Grammi smiled, "And he'll be there now. But ya gotta talk! No matter what you cubs believe, we aren't mind readers."
Corvi stood, pushing her hand off. He heard what she said, believed it. But…he needed to think, he needed to get away. He needed to...
"I appreciate your help milady." He told her politely "And I'll keep my word to Blastus. But I need some…time."
Without waiting, he vanished into the hall and out of sight.
Gummadoon Healer's Alcove
"No! No!" Tavi's cries were horrific, painful but unstoppable. "No, you're lyin!" She clutched her unconscious brother tightly, sobbing openly, begging silently for Lucki to open his eyes and look at her, for those bruises to go away and for Sarrika to tell her that no, no, she was mistaken. That her brother was back and he was going to be fine. It was wishful thinking but she clung to it. Please, Gum, let it be that she had misheard. Yet, when she glanced at her aunt and then at Sir Gumlittle, she saw the same horrific looks, the same sickened expressions of broken hearts.
This was not fair!
Sarrika gave a hefty sigh. Tavi had returned quickly and with the two requested gummies in tow. It had taken her a moment to assure them that Lucki was fine, if unconscious. She had wanted to take them to a private room to give her news, as she did not want to take the chance that Lucki could hear them but given his fragile state, she was loathe to leave him alone. However, it was looking like she might have made an error in that. The sadness, horror and disbelief had been expected but to hear such desperate pleading from a small child, with tears staining her face was too much!
"I wish I could say I was child but—" Sarrika trailed off, spying someone just outside the door, barely visible through the crack of the door. "Wait." She pushed her way to the door and opened it, spying young Corvi. "Corvi!" The teen paused at her call and entered though it looked like he would rather be anywhere else. She had no time for that though. She needed to be able to get information as quickly as possible and she needed them away from Lucki to do it. As it was, Tavi kept rushing back to his side, pleading and begging. Corvi would suffice for a few moments.
"Yes, Healer Sarrika?"
"Could you please keep an eye on Lucki, please?" she asked softly, "I know you have not had a chance to reconnect with him and I'm aware the council meeting was disturbing but—"
Sir Gumlittle cut in, "Healer, Corvi was—"
"It's okay," Corvi interrupted. "I...I'm okay, Gumlittle. I can…" he swallowed, gave a small smile despite his tear stained face, "Besides, maybe Luck will wake up and talk to me."
The room did not seem any less tense at his statement but Gumlittle relented (and Corvi was pretty sure if the room was even a fraction less tense, he would have refused) and Corvi took a chair by Lucki's side. Wooddale steered her niece away and the group followed Sarrika into her nearby office, closing the door tightly. Corvi had to admit he was more than a little baffled. He did not know much of what was going on with Lucki aside from they didn't know what was going to be the consequences of his resurrection. If Tavi's tears were any indication, it was not good news.
Corvi's heart sank as he set his eyes on his best friend. It certainly looked like Lucki, even "felt" like him if he was to be honest. Well, maybe that sounded odd but they had been friends ever since they could walk! It "felt" like Lucki! But the Lucki he knew was not so bruised and broken. Not so silent, not so still. He never had been. He had always been quiet but never silent. He was soft spoken but never silent. Silent, like his father had been. Like Tori had been. Like his mother...
"You're not allowed to die, Luck." He said softly, head down. "Not again. Not another death. I can't...take it."
He lowered his voice but after everything. After the memory, after being grilled about his brothers, about his behavior...after all of it, he pulled his knees to his chest, tears staining the bottom of his eyes, "You remember Tori, right, Luck? I mean, I know we were both shrimps but…" he shook his head, "You remember him. Took me a good ten minutes to realize he was gone. And Papa…I think I sat there a good five minutes before I ran back for the palace. Didn't want to remember. Still don't. But then…you died." He looked at his quiet friend, not saying anything. "You can't die again." He repeated. "Not like Tori, not like Papa…not like…Mama." He bit his lip. He had yet to say it aloud, except to his brothers the night it had happened. Saying it aloud, finally, seemed to make it all come crashing down and he buried his face into his knees, though he took one of Lucki's hands in his. "You can't go away again, Luck. You're not allowed. I don't care if it's stupid. I don't care if it's childish. I say you're not allowed to!"
A small squeeze on his hand made his eyes fly open and he jerked to the boy lying on the bed next to him, "Luck?"
"Tell Blastus, Corv." The boy said softly, slowly. It was almost like he was struggling to speak and yet there was no strain on his breathing. The green furred boy locked eyed eyes with him and Corvi stared, just stared for the longest time. "I…I won't die again, Corv." He smiled lightly at his friend, "But you're gonna kill yourself." He didn't say anything for a moment, leaving Corvi wondering how long he had been awake and if this was really happening, if his friend was truly talking to him, if it wasn't some crazy hallucination brought on by too little sleep and too much stress. "I promise Corv." Lucki said again, softly, "If you promise to tell Blastus, I'll promise not to die." He took a deep breath and then went quiet again.
"Luck…"
"You take on too much." Lucki said softly. "Always have. Maybe that's why Gum let me come back." He gave his friend a smile again but didn't open his eyes, "Maybe it was to talk some sense into your stubborn self. Admit it, Corv. Saying it right now…it felt good."
Corvi didn't reply. He couldn't. It still felt so surreal, to be sitting here, talking to his now not so dead friend. His friend who had been like a brother to him. Not dead like the rest of his family. Like, like what might happen to his brothers? No, no. He could not think that way but how could he not? He was trying but what could he do? This Emi had killed Papa! She seemed beyond measure in her power! What was he supposed to do? HOW was he supposed to protect them? And help and protect the others? And cope with all this sadness? And deal with—
Lucki added, "Tell him, Corvi."
"Lucki, my broth—"
"Blastus'll take care of you, just like Gumlittle's taking care of me." He took a breath again, "Why are you even worrying about that?" his tone was a bit irritated. "Stop trying to be the hero to everyone and let someone else take the burden on." There it was again, people talking about burdens and relief and family. "After everything we've been through, you really think someone is going to let them go away? Seriously, Corv. Seriously, stop thinking with your emotions and think with your head."
"I.."
"You're stressed. You always get that weirdo look in your eyes when you're stressed and the way you're talkin'…Corvi if you keep anymore inside you're going to blow up. You're going to crack. I need you NOT to crack just like you need me NOT to die." He eyed the teen again "So, fair trade off, right? You don't break emotionally and I won't break physically. We need each other. More than…I can tell you."
Lucki inwardly pushed Lady Bane's horrible threats and attempts aside. It was becoming easier to do but still hard to connect with a lot of his body. His mouth was something he could control if he focused hard enough. When Corvi had said that, just said "not like…Mama," oh that evil sorceress was quick to start to plan all kinds of horrible things. Things that made Lucki sick. But that was when he fought back. It was hard and she cursed and threatened the whole time but no, no, he would not sit back and let her attack someone ELSE he loved. He still sobbed at the memory of what she had made him do to his sister! He had failed there. Now, Corvi, his oldest friend, was so vulnerable and she was going to utilize it. NO! He would not let her!
He told her as much even as she tried to wrench back control from his mouth. He would not relent.
If he could not warn them about Lady Bane, he could make sure Corvi wasn't an easy target.
"So…promise me, okay?" that statement was hard to say, Lady Bane was going to win back control any moment and make him go silent! Please, Corvi, please!
"..Promise, Luck."
The spirit of Lucki gave a deep sigh of relief and allowed himself to be rendered silent. He cast out all Lady Bane's threats and screams and horrible curses. This victory, though small, was his.
Gummadoon Library
Cubbi sighed and frowned, staring at the book in front of him. He had been right in that there was information about the tapestry and it was starting to look like he guessed right. It had been from the Glen but there was lots of information on it! Stuff that he didn't understand about how it was made, about the maker, about the time it was made but he wanted information on its meaning! The book he had found on some of the artwork (thanks to Librarian Jenni!) was helpful but it was so big! It had been a pain to even get it off the shelf.
Now, sitting here, he had lost track of how long he had been staring at the pages. His head was starting to throb. His eyes hurt. Stupid reading. Stupid. Maybe it was also the fact that he had not gotten much sleep, despite Plucki's suggestion, but he couldn't sleep. Not with something so dark literally right at the door and sitting somewhere in the depths of his home! He had to get somewhere before he could sleep. Even if it was just finding out something about this tapestry, then he would be satisfied.
Maybe he should have stopped to grab Toni. He was sure him or Martinni were going nuts unless someone had started to catch them up to date. And he could use the help with these stupid books. Why did it have to be reading? Why couldn't someone old just KNOW this stuff? The reading was getting to him and he was sure he was getting a lot of it wrong. He had started to sound it out, out loud, like Plucki had taught him. While it helped, it made him look like he was five or something! Despite the seriousness of the situation, that was embarrassing!
So was going to any of the adults and asking if they could help him read. Gum, he was a squire-
And he had just run out of a meeting! Gum, he probably looked like a frightened stupid kid. But…he had just figured they had to act quick. If it turned out he was wrong, fine but so far, that was not looking to be the case. He considered running back and telling Plucki that he had a potential lead but that would mean having everyone confront him on his very rude exit. He had faintly heard Plucki and Gruffi calling after him. Great. Now, they were probably looking for him and he probably had embarrassed them but-
He was close. He could feel it. If he could find something, just a little something, then he could say he had found something substantial, something they could use, something they could investigate further. If he could get some of that fear, some of that anxiety that you could practically taste in the air, to go away, he would consider it time well spent. He didn't want to hear any more sad tales. He didn't want this…Emi loose if she had done such horrible things. He shuddered, thinking, just thinking! Of what Corvi had told them.
Corvi had been really mechanical when he told them, telling it like he wasn't even there. In fact, he'd even referred to himself by name a few times, like he was talking about someone else. It was weird and disturbing. Cubbi had caught Blastus in particular turn a little pale and look at Corvi oddly, like he wanted to pull him into his arms. He had seen a look similar on most of the adults' faces, especially the knights. Like they had seen that kind of behavior before. Cubbi certainly hadn't and that bugged him. That wasn't right.
Turning his attention back to the large volume in front of him, he turned another page, finding himself staring at words that were, well, intimidating to be frank. It was talking about the tapestry, he supposed but there were things like "equivocal" and "exodus." Or a little further down, "pivotal" and "fervor," "empathy, "piety," and something like "robust." Great Gum, what did these even mean?! He could pronounce them, he guessed (though he was probably saying them wrong) but as to what they actually meant, he had no clue. There was a small picture but it was focusing on the background of the tapestry. They seemed to be pointing to details that Cubbi could not even see anymore in the threads! Lost to old age probably but Gum, they needed answers!
This…was where the answers were, where some of them were anyway. Of that, he was positive.
And if there was any doubt…
As he turned the page again, the print underneath his fingers turned a dark black and the entire page went dark, like it was suddenly covered in paint. Then, a sharp wind, a dark black feeling settled over his heart and he swore he heard a hiss in his ear, cold as ice. "Too close, little one." Then, he swore, in that black ink, he saw her face—black eyes, black fur and a twisted smile that made him weak in the knees-
Cubbi threw the book as far from him as he could, narrowly missing Sir Plucki as it crashed into the doorframe.