Chapter 2

Tessi set the point of the drill against another narrow log and set to work. After dropping Hunni off with her parents, she had immediately headed down to her work room, itching to do something with her paws. Completed wooden pipes were scattered around her feet and her arm was aching, but she still had a lot to make before she'd have enough to connect the Glen's plumbing to the underground river.

She had almost completed another pipe when the drill caught on a knot of wood and the handle split in two. Pieces of bark and splinters scattered everywhere as the unfinished pipe fell to the floor.

"Sprites bites!" Tessi threw the drill onto the wreckage and pushed her damp hair out of her face. It would take an entire afternoon to fashion a new drill. She would need to start immediately if she planned on finishing by the end of the day, and the supplies she needed were buried somewhere in the storage room, all the way in the eastern tunnels. She groaned. Fixing the drill was going to take forever. Unless….

She smiled. Daddi might not like it, but Tessi didn't have anything against shortcuts.

Wiping her paws on her work apron, she opened the door and stepped into the hall. She had just jogged around the first corner when she collided with Gawain, who was heading in the opposite direction. She nearly fell over from the force of their impact.

"Watch it!" She snapped. "Great gallopin' gummis, can't you look where you're going?!"

"Sorry," he muttered. His voice was muffled and he wiped a paw across his face as he tried to push past her.

"Wait a minute…" Tessi grabbed him by the shoulder, regretting her harshness. "Where are you headed?"

"I don't know." He tried to pull away, but Tessi's paw remained firm. "Out."

"Gawain, this isn't like Ursalia. Humans and ogres wander through these woods all the time. You can't just wander around whenever you want."

Gawain broke free of her paw with a growl of frustration. "Fine! Just take me to the quick tunnels and I'll ride down the first one I see!"

"Whoa." Tessi held up her paws. "What's the matter with you?"

Gawain opened his mouth as if to say something but stopped. He took a breath before answering. "I just need to get out, okay? No offense, but I've had enough of this place."

"You just got here, Gawain." Tessi's fur was bristling, but she tried hard to keep the annoyance out of her voice. "Look, I'm sorry you feel that way. I know the Glen isn't Ursalia, but it is your home now, and as far as I know that's not going to change anytime soon. If you want things to get better, maybe you should start by getting used to that idea."

Gawain crossed his arms over his chest, not meeting her gaze. Now that she was able to get a better look at his face, she could see that the fur around his eyes was damp and mussed from crying. She sighed. She was already swamped with work.

"Listen…" she said. "I have an errand I need to run anyway. If you really need to get out of here that bad, you can come with me. It'll take a couple hours at least."

Gawain shrugged, "Better than staying here." He sniffed.

It wasn't exactly an enthusiastic response, but Tessi didn't want to leave him alone. If he was planning on leaving the Glen, he could get them all in trouble. "Alright. Give me a minute to get my things."

"Where are we going?" Gawain asked.

"Dunwyn Castle," Tessi couldn't help but smile. "You still haven't met your godparents, have you?"

"Fight back, Siegfried! You're letting Tristan stay on the offensive."

Siegfried gripped the long staff in his sweaty palms. He could feel it slipping as Tristan dealt yet another heavy blow that he was barely able to block.

Tristan leaned in against their crossed staffs, his voice low so that Sir Cavin couldn't hear. "Give it up, Ried. You're a puny, pipsqueak page, and that's all you'll ever be."

Siegfried gritted his teeth and pushed back as hard as he could, forcing the older boy to stumble a step back. Panting, he glanced toward the throne. Calla and Millicent were watching the demonstration. Millicent smiled, but he could see the concern in her eyes.

"Siegfried, push your advantage!" Sir Cavin barked. "Don't just stand there!"

Snapping his attention back to the fight, Siegfried took a broad swing at Tristan's ribs, but it was too late. Tristan had already recovered. Easily dodging Siegfried's blow, he aimed a sharp thrust directly into his gut.

The staff fell from Siegfried's hands as he collapsed to the ground, clutching his midsection and trying desperately to breathe.

"Enough!" Cavin approached the two pages, arms raised.

Tristan twirled the long staff in his hands, smiling smugly. "Maybe you'd do better in the kitchens, Ried. After all, that's dishwater in your veins, isn't it?"

Cavin cuffed Tristan hard on the side of the head. "Watch your mouth, Tristan. If you ever want to become a knight like your father, you'd better learn to act like one." He knelt down beside Siegfried. "Can you stand?"

Siegfried nodded, still choking for breath. "Yeah."

"Then let's try this one more time," Sir Cavin backed away towards the Queen. "This time don't let him corner you, Siegfried. Push him hard and look for an opening. You can do it!"

Siegfried retrieved his staff and fixed his gaze on Tristan as they each took the opening stance, staffs crossed.

"Scared, Sig-fraidy-cat?"

Siegfried didn't answer, but he held Tristan's gaze. He could feel Millicent's eyes on his back.

"Begin!" Cavin shouted.

This time Siegfried made the first move, cutting his staff sharply downward in a swing that nearly clipped Tristan on the thigh. Tristan took a step back and Siegfried pressed harder with another thrust at his opponent's chest.

"That's it, Siegfried! Excellent!"

Tristan's expression soured. Ducking nimbly to the side, he brought his staff down hard on Siegfried's shoulder. The loud crack from the blow echoed through the throne room, and Siegfried gritted his teeth as the pain radiated down his arm. In a flash, Tristan followed up with a strike toward Siegfried's knee that he only managed to avoid by stumbling hastily backward.

"Watch where you're aiming, Tristan!" Cavin sounded really angry now. "If I see you go for the knees again, you'll do nothing but polish armor for the rest of the year!"

"Sorry, sir!" Tristan answered. His voice was contrite, but he was smiling again. In a matter of moments, he had pushed Siegfried even further back with a series of quick, powerful strikes. Siegfried felt his own arms weaken and his shoulder throb each time he parried. He was going to lose again.

"Say goodnight, Ried." Tristan smirked, raising his staff for the final blow. Suddenly his expression changed into one of confused disbelief as his arms froze in midair, muscles straining as if his staff were caught in invisible stone. "What the…"

Without a moment's hesitation, Siegfried raised his own staff and smashed it into the side of Tristan's helmet, knocking him to the ground.

"Goodnight," he muttered, breathing hard.

He glanced over at Millicent with a conspiratorial grin. She had composed her expression into one of perfect innocence, but when he caught her eye, her mouth quirked into a guilty smile and she shrugged her shoulders.

Sir Cavin was watching him and Millicent both, a disappointed scowl on his face. He crossed over to where Tristan was lying on the ground, dazed but conscious. There was blood seeping past the leather earpiece of his helmet and down across one cheek. "Can you sit up?"

Tristan grunted, pushing himself onto his elbows. He locked eyes with Siegfried, his face twisted with fury. "That witch can't watch your back forever, Ried," he hissed. "I'll make you regret this."

"Upset that you got your ass handed to you by a scullery maid's son?" Siegfried's smile was unconcerned as he tossed his staff from hand to hand. "Must be hard."

"We'll discuss this later," Cavin murmured in Siegfried's ear. "Now, both of you get back to the training grounds." Siegfried felt his stomach sink, but only for a moment. Bashing Tristan in the head had been worth anything Sir Cavin could do to punish him.

Both he and Tristan bowed to the Queen and Millicent before leaving. As Siegfried raised his head, he caught Millicent's eye and quickly ran a hand over the back of his neck, the secret sign they'd agreed on if either of them wanted to meet later. Raising a hand to her mouth, she coughed. Message received. She'd meet him in the usual place.

Despite the bruises blossoming on his shoulder and ribs, Siegfried couldn't keep the grin off his face as he headed back to training.

"Both of them have great potential," Cavin finished, setting his cup of tea back on the table. He and Queen Calla had retired to a small, comfortable antechamber to discuss the two pages. Millicent had joined them. Although she was sure Sir Cavin didn't want her there for the evaluation, he'd raised no objections. He probably knew she'd find a way of listening in anyway. "Tristan is strong and skilled, and Siegfried is smart— always quick on his feet." He paused, casting a pointed glance in Millicent's direction. "And extraordinarily lucky during practice."

Both he and Calla waited for her to respond. She took a long sip of tea before answering. "Maybe he's just better than you think he is."

Calla sighed. "Millicent…"

"I didn't do anything!" She waited too long before adding, "…much."

"Millicent…" Calla's gaze was stern. "That's not what your magic is for! You promised me you'd be careful about how you used it."

Millicent crossed her arms and huffed. "The fight wasn't fair! Tristan's bigger than Ried, and he's a bully."

"That's true enough," Cavin agreed, before Calla could say anything. "And Siegfried's too eager to look for an easy way out. He doesn't understand what it takes to be a knight." He ran a weary hand across his eyes. "I don't know if either of them are ready to become squires."

Calla set her teacup down on her saucer with a loud clink. "At this point it may not matter whether they're ready. Duke Igthorne is growing bolder every day. We lost nearly ten knights in Drekmore's last attack."

"It's true, our forces are growing thin." Cavin agreed. "We may not be able to withstand another assault like the last one. Have you received any word from our allies in Rouen?"

"Yes, but they won't be able to help us. Queen Marie is dealing with her own hardships. Apparently she's struggling to put down a rebellion." Calla closed her eyes wearily and placed a hand against her temple. "In a few weeks we'll be able to recruit more knights at the tournament. Siegfried and Tristan can be reevaluated then. Right now we'll have to make do."

At the mention of the tournament, Millicent perked up. "Your Majesty," she said carefully, trying not to sound too eager. "Can I present my magic at the tournament? I've gained a lot of skill since last year."

Calla hesitated, and Millicent's stomach twisted. When the Gummis brought her to Dunwyn four years ago, the Queen had graciously agreed to care for her as a ward, but she'd never seemed to fully embrace Millicent's powers, especially when it came to showing them off in public. Finally, she answered, "Show us what you've learned… And we'll talk about it."

Millicent didn't need to be told twice. She jumped up out of her chair and moved to the center of the room. She was always looking for a chance to prove herself, and Calla didn't give her many opportunities. After a few seconds of careful focus, a small fireball sprouted between her palms.

Cavin and Calla both gasped. But Millicent wasn't done.

Brows furrowing in concentration, she manipulated the threads of magic through her fingertips, gently pulling and prodding the fireball until it began taking a new shape. It was complicated magic, but within a few minutes, she had managed to form a pair of lopsided wings that extended out from the ball at an uneven angle. Gasping, she finally let the magic go. The fire disappeared in a burst of heat.

"That was lovely, Millicent." Calla looked extremely impressed.

Millicent frowned. "I was trying to make a heron, not…. that. It looked like a mutilated pigeon corpse."

Calla stifled a laugh behind her hand. "You're too hard on yourself. You've come so far since you first started trying. It was only last year that you were first able to conjure fire."

Millicent shrugged, still dissatisfied. While her studies of low level magic had been straightforward and fast-paced, learning to conjure and control the elements had been a painfully slow process. She was sure things would have been different if she'd been able to find a tutor, but as far as she knew she was the only sorceress anywhere near Dunwyn. The only way she was able to learn was by teaching herself, gathering whatever knowledge she could glean through the dusty tomes of Dunwyn castle's library.

Milicent raised her hands to try the spell again. "I can do better."

Ignoring Calla's protests, she hastily summoned a second fireball. She knew from experience that the spell would be even harder after she'd expended so much energy on her first attempt. The heron had been too ambitious, but she might be able to create an easier shape.

Coaxing the fire gently with her magic, she extended two small flames from the top of the ball to resemble ears and pushed a small ember out from the center to become a snout.

Calla clapped her hands as she recognized what Millicent was doing. "A gummi bear! Well done!"

"Nice!" A voice came from behind her back. "Whose face is that? I hope it's not supposed to be mine…"

If she was being honest, Millicent's attempt at fire manipulation had advanced significantly since the last time she'd seen it, but Tessi wasn't in the mood to hand out compliments. After taking Gawain with her in the quick tunnels, her nerves were frayed to the edge. Apparently, Gawain's "need" to leave the Glen hadn't been enough to keep him from getting nauseous after only about ten yards, or from whining about it for the rest of the trip. She couldn't imagine how Buddi and Sunni had managed to get him all the way here from Ursalia without going insane.

She tried to smile as Millicent spun around, letting the fire disappear from between her hands. "Rude!"

"Just kidding!" Tessi stepped out from behind a pillar. Gawain had fallen behind and was still a few paces back, out of sight. He was probably nervous, but Tessi wasn't about to hold his paw. "It's amazing! How long have you been able to get it working?"

"'Bout a week." Millicent tried to conjure a third ball, but all she could manage this time was a tiny spark, which she tossed from hand to hand. "Where have you been? I thought you were going to help me practice!"

"How are you, Tessi?" Cavin interrupted, kneeling down to give her a hug. "I haven't seen you or your father for a while."

"We've been fine, just a little busier than usual. Daddi's been pushing us to finish all the major repairs before gummi berry season really starts to kick in. The Glen's almost livable again. You should see it."

"I'd love to, Tessi. I know it's been a lot of work for you and Gruffi over the past few years. You should be very proud." Cavin pulled up a chair for Tessi as Calla prepared another place setting. "Does that mean you'll be expecting Sunni and Buddi soon?"

"Yup, they just arrived a few hours ago."

"You're joking! Sunni's back?" Calla's face broke into a wide smile. "When can I see her? It's been so long!"

Tessi grinned. "I'm sure she'll want to have you both over as soon as possible! Everyone will! Actually…" She glanced back toward the pillar and frowned. "Um… I brought Gawain with me today. He's, uh, really eager to meet everyone."

"Gawain? Really? Where is he?"

"Gawain?" Tessi called back, trying not to sound impatient. "Gawain, come on out and say hello to your godparents."

It took several long seconds before Gawain finally poked his head out from behind the pillar. His face was sweaty and for some reason he seemed to be breathing hard. Was it because he was scared? Of course, meeting humans for the first time was kind of a big deal, especially for a gummi who'd grown up in the Barbic community, but she hadn't expected this level of skittishness from a cub who'd heard stories about the Dunwyn humans since before he could walk.

Cavin and Calla both stood up to greet him, but Millicent was the first to run up and try to take his paw. "You must be Gawain. I'm Millicent… Dunwyn's one and only court mage," she added with a flourish.

Gawain stared at her for a moment, swallowed audibly, then, without a word, he turned toward the pillar and vomited.

Tessi clapped a paw to her face, mortified. By the Great Book…

Cavin gasped. "Oh dear…"

"It's the quick cars." Tessi jumped up to help. "They make him sick. I'm so sorry."

"That's perfectly fine!" Calla dismissed Tessi's apology with a wave of her hand. "Poor thing. Bring him over here." She hurried to prepare a seat for Gawain as Cavin poured another cup of tea.

Tessi guided the younger bear to a chair and sat him down, patting him awkwardly on the back, but as soon as he was seated he pushed her hand away. "I'm fine," he snapped, obviously embarrassed. When Tessi took the seat next to him he actually turned and glared at her.

As if it's my fault you puked... Tessi thought, taking a deep breath. What a brat.

"Here," Calla pushed the tea towards Gawain. "This'll help settle your stomach."

"Thanks…" He held the cup but didn't take a sip. "Sorry about that…" he muttered.

"Don't worry about it," Cavin said. "To be honest, the quick cars still make me nauseous and I've used them dozens of times now. It's nothing to be ashamed of."

"It doesn't happen all the time." Gawain answered hastily. "I'm just not feeling great today, that's all."

"You've had a long trip and I'm sure you're exhausted," Calla nodded. "But I'm so glad you decided to come by with Tessi anyway! The last time Cavin and I saw you, you were just a baby. Time certainly has flown.…" She rested her chin on her hand. "We always wanted to visit, but after I became Queen it was so hard to get away. I can't believe you're already grown up."

"You look a lot like your father when I first met him," Cavin added. "You know, Buddi and I passed the Barbic test of bearhood together. Did he ever tell you that?"

"Yes." Gawain's answer was abrupt and sullen. He started picking at a speck of lint on the tablecloth. "I already know the story."

What's he pouting about? Tessi wanted to strangle him.

Cavin and Calla exchanged a glance before Cavin amended, "Well, I guess I shouldn't say we passed. We both quit the test halfway through… although I've heard Ursa tells the story differently nowadays."

"You quit?" Gawain looked up, incredulous. "Why?"

"Your father wasn't very interested in Barbic rituals, even back then. He decided he didn't want to risk his life for something he didn't care about."

"But…" Gawain's expression remained suspicious, like he wasn't sure Cavin was telling the truth. "Ursa said that your test of bearhood was interrupted by gobbas. You and my dad saved everyone by fighting them off. That's how you passed."

"I suppose…" Cavin shrugged. "But we weren't thinking in terms of passing or failing at the time. Your dad and I did what we could to protect our friends. It had nothing to do with any contest." He leaned back in his chair. "Your father was always one to make his own choices, even when they didn't fall in line with what other people wanted or expected. Some people never learn how to do that."

"Sure." Gawain snorted, like the whole story had been some kind of ruse. "He's good at making choices nobody wants him to make. Great."

After a moment, Calla gave Cavin a playful nudge. "Remember when he asked Sunni to marry him?'

Cavin groaned. "How could I possibly forget?"

"Just imagine if you had actually been there." Tessi interjected. "Even I remember, and I was only three. I thought my mom was literally going to kill Buddi and I cried all night." She felt herself gripping the teacup too tightly and set it down on its saucer, fist clenching beside it. "Because a Glen and a Barbic starting a family together would truly mark the end of the world… Ursa didn't even admit that Gruffi was my father until I was five. She's such a hypocrite."

Calla grimaced. "But she's softened up over the years, hasn't she?"

"I guess… We don't really talk anymore."

"She's a great Grandma," Gawain said, a slight edge in his voice. "I've learned a ton from her."

Tessi laughed humorlessly. "I can just imagine."

There was an uncomfortable pause in the conversation.

Tessi shoved her chair back and stood up, turning towards the vomit in the corner. "I'll clean up the mess."

"I got it!" Millicent snapped her fingers. Instantly, the puddle of sick disappeared.

"Whoa," Gawain's eyes snapped to her. "That's… uh…"

Millicent looked smug. "Puke cleaning powers is just one of my many talents."

"And so is showing off…" Tessi said under her breath, loud enough so that Millicent could hear.

Millicent snorted. "I never hear you complaining when you need my help at the Glen!"

"Which reminds me…" Tessi pulled the broken drill out of her pack without missing a beat. "Would you mind fixing this? It broke on me this morning."

Millicent rolled her eyes. "Yet more proof that magic is superior to mechanics."

"This coming from someone who can't use a hammer without injuring herself…"

"The point is that I don't have to!" Millicent snatched the pieces of the drill and pushed them together, muttering a quick incantation. "There you go. Good as new."

Gawain continued to watch Millicent with an equal blend of curiosity and wariness. "I saw your fireball too. Where did you learn that stuff?"

"Watch out," Cavin mock whispered, giving a wry smile. "If you get Millicent started on her magic then she'll never stop talking."

"That's not true!" Millicent crossed her arms before turning back to Gawain. "I started training my powers about five years ago, but a big part of it is natural gift— Is that a brief enough answer for you, Sir Cavin?"

Cavin laughed. "Consider me corrected."

"So…" Gawain's mouth twisted downward. "You were born with magic."

"Yes. For humans, it's usually hereditary, and if you don't have the gift, then it's not something you can learn." She turned questioningly to Tessi. "Isn't it that way for gummis too?"

Tessi raised her paws in the air. "Don't look at me. I don't know a thing about gummi magic. None of us have even seen it used since Uncle Zummi disappeared."

"Really?" Calla raised an eyebrow. "But surely the Barbics—"

Tessi stopped her. "Not at all. Barbics aren't into that kind of thing, and even if they were, Zummi had the only gummi medallion."

Gawain cocked his head. "What does a gummi medallion have to do with anything?"

Calla almost choked on her tea. "Gawain, didn't Sunni ever tell you about the gummi medallion?"

"Of course she did! It, well… it had something to do with the Great Book, right?"

Calla and Cavin both looked at him like he'd just sprouted tree branches out of his ears.

"Zummi left when he was still really young," Tessi said, feeling a little defensive on Gawain's behalf. "Apart from a few stories, the younger gummis weren't really taught much about Glen culture. And with the medallion in particular... I know it was hard on everyone when Uncle Zummi took it with him. Daddi never wants to talk about it."

In the silence, she turned to Gawain. "You need a gummi medallion to work gummi magic," she explained quickly. "Even if you have magical ability."

"Oh," Gawain said, shifting under everyone's gaze. "Okay…"

"Anyway," Tessi took a giant gulp of tea, trying to break the mood that had settled over the table. "Daddi and I thought it would be nice to have a Glen-warming party now that Aunt Sunni and Uncle Buddi have moved in. Part of the reason I came was to see when you all would be able to visit."

"That sounds wonderful Tessi. I can't wait!" Calla looked thrilled by the idea. "Would tomorrow evening work?"

"I think so."

"Perfect! I'll bring plenty of food. Tell Sunni not to bother cooking." Calla's hand rested absently on Cavin's wrist as she railed off a list of possible dishes, already making plans. "It'll be so good to see everyone again! And to get some time away from the castle…"

"Six bears back in the Glen…" Cavin was smiling, but his eyes were distant, thoughtful. It'll be almost like the old days, won't it?"

"That's what Daddi wants: To pick up from where we left off before the Glen was destroyed. It might be a rough start but—"

"We'll help you any way we can, Tessi." Cavin interjected. "Always."

"We know." Tessi smiled as she got up from her chair. "Anyway, I should probably take Gawain home now. I didn't let his parents know I was taking him out, and they might be getting worried."

"Of course." Calla stood up. "It was wonderful meeting you Gawain." He stiffened in surprise as the Queen placed a hand on his shoulder. "Please visit as often as you like."

"Sure…" Gawain dipped his head awkwardly.

Tessi rolled her eyes and grabbed him by the arm. "Come on," she said, steering him towards the door as she waved goodbye to Milli. "Now how about we try walking home?"

AN: Thanks for reading! I know it's been a long time since we posted the first chapter... :P Dunwynner was out of the country for quite a while so it was harder to make time to write together. We're excited to keep going with this though, and I hope you enjoy what we came up with for chapter two.

Feedback is very much appreciated! :)