The Ring and The Dagger: Memories of Ursalia

Anthem Three: Storms and Sailboats

Grammi Gummi was in the kitchen when Gusto came in carrying his precious cargo.

"He's hurt, badly..." Gusto stated, fear and panic covering his face. "I think his wing might be broken!"

Grammi took the bundle of tattered feathers that was Arte Deco and carried him to the newly dubbed "Infirmary" where she kept all the medicines and healing herbs for the whole glen. The other Gummis followed her, all of them, to see how the poor bird would make out. She laid the poor creature on the single bed that occupied the room and looked over his injuries.

"Poor dear, other than this broken wing, he's exhausted from flying."

"Will he be okay?" Gusto asked in a panic.

"Yes, Gusto, but you and the others just get on out of here while I splint up this wing, he needs some air!"

Everyone backed up until they were all, for the most part, out of the Infirmary. Gusto barely moved a foot.

"Hey, Gusto, you might want to leave the room for a bit..." That was Gruffi, who grabbed the frightened bear by the arm and gently pulled him out of the room.

When Grammi finally was alone she looked down on Arte with a frown.

"Now I just gotta put that bone in place, and it might hurt a tad..."

Arte nodded. "Let 'er rip," he said bravely.

A small shout from the Infirmary sent Gusto flying down the hall with Gruffi dragging along behind him, sending up dust and skid marks in their wake.

"Gustoooooooo!!" he yowled. "Stoooooppppp!"

Which the bear did, turning. Causing Gruffi to bash himself face first into Gusto's front. He fell onto his back and glared up at Gusto with a scowl.

"A, heh heh, sorry Gruffamundo..." Gusto apologized.

"Will you just help me up?" Gruffi griped, holding up a hand for Gusto to grab.

Unfortunately, Gusto pulled a bit too hard and the two of them went flying into the laundry room with a thud. Gruffi grumbled and pulled himself up out of the laundry pile, pulling off the mismatched socks and ladies slip that had somehow made their way onto his head.

"Yich," he griped. "Do I hate laundry, how many times have I said it, and now you know why. That darn Grammi never has it done and its always piled up to the roof and..."

Gusto stopped Gruffi's remarks by laughing at him under muffled hands.

"What's so funny???" Gruffi wailed. "What?"

Gusto just shook his head.

"It's just nice to have the old, grumpy Gruffi back again..." Gusto said.

Gruffi blushed. "Yah, well," then sighed. "Lets go see how Arte's doing okay?"

Gusto suppressed a laugh. "Sure Gruff, lets go see Arty.."

And with that in mind Gusto flew out of the laundry pile towards the door, leaving a trail of dirty socks and pants in his wake.

"Why do I even bother," Gruffi grouched as he soon followed.

-seperator-


"Now, tell us what happened again," Zummi said. "This time, so I can get this all worked out in my head."

Of course Zummi would be the one who can't remember anything the darn bird said, Gruffi thought.

However, Arty was more than willing to relate his tale, in much more focused details.

"Well, I was headed far south when I saw this beautiful ring of Islands with a city, and a harbor, and when I got closer, I noticed the people were all Gummis. They were happy to hear about other Gummis and gave me food and bedding and..."

"Skip that part," Gruffi said. "Get to the part where trouble starts..."

Arte nodded. "Well, you see, a big storm just starts a brewing in, and soon there's rain everywhere, and the Gummis told me to come get help, seeing as they've never had hurricanes before, they said something awful must have happened..." he finished with a little gasp.

Everyone looked around, then Gusto sighed.

"Something aweful HAS happened..." he murmured with a high pitched whimper. "Me," and he buried his face in his hands.

"So what happens now?"

Gruffi looked up and shrugged. Why was Ursa asking him? This wasn't his meeting it was Zummi's.

"We've got to do something," Gusto said. "We can't just carry on as if those Gummi's aren't our problem."

"We have more things to worry about at home," Ursa stated. "Right Gruffi..."

Usually he was her firmest supporter in situations like this. Gummi Glen and the Clan should come first. But something was calling him to disagree, some force stronger than his friendship with Ursa.

"It wouldn't be too much of us to go and see what's up," Gruffi stated. "All we need is a ship and someone to captain it. You're the nautical expert, Tummi, think we can build a seaworthy ship?"

Tummi gleeped and everyone stared at Gruffi.

"Me?"

Gruffi gave him an affirmative smile. Several sea adventures and building projects had given Gruffi a firm trust in Tummi's abilities on the ocean. He may be a walking stomach on land, but he positively floated in the water.

"Whatta ya say?" he said with a wink.

Tummi nodded and jumped in the air with a "We can do it!"

"But what about those storms?" Grammi put in. "How will you get around them?"

Denni was about to talk but Delphi interrupted him.

"According to ancient myth, the holder of the Dagger should be safe from all dangers related to the curse," she stated. "Should that old legend prove false, Denni and I have magical ability enough that we can safely help guide Tummi's steering through the storm."

She used Tummi's name to reinforce the point that Tummi would be the captain. She gave him a quick wink which made him blush.

"But that would mean that when Gusto leaves the storms will come here," Ursa protested.

"Not likely," Zummi said, wiping his glasses on his cape. "Gummi Glen is protected, or so Tanni tells me."

At this moment, Tanni was with the cubs in the woods keeping them busy while the "adults" talked. Sunni had protested at being left out of the conversation, but Tanni had ensured her that she would be kept up to date, so long as she helped Tanni with the babysitting.

Cubbi had protested that the word "babysitting," shouldn't include him, and that started another argument all together.

"I still don't think this is a wise decision," Ursa griped.

"Look," Gruffi said. "You don't have to go, better to keep as few people on that darned boat as possible, room enough for others if we have to evacuate anyone..."

"I agree," Denni said. "Just me, Delphi, Gusto, Tummi, Gruffi and the bird Arte should go, as Gruffi stated, as few people as possible, no need to risk too many lives on this trip."

Gruffi nodded and got up.

"I'll go start digging out those old Gummi ship blueprints in my workshop Tummi, and you start gathering the necessary supplies to the building shop..."

Soon everyone was a buzz with preparation plans. Grammi and Delphi would pack the food and clothes for the adventurers and Zummi and Denni would gather any magic spells and potions they would need. As soon as Tanni came back with the cubs she followed after them to the library to gather books and anything else that might be needed. Grammi immediately set Sunni to the task of making Gummi Berry juice.

"Oh boy!" the blond Gummi girl squealed excitedly. "A grown up job!"

The rest of the bears were employed in some type of construction, either gathering materials for the ship or fixing up the Glen in case the severe storms should hit them.

-seperator-


"It's a matter of the magic spells that protected Gummi kind for so long being unbalanced, the human world hasn't been affected," Tanni said at lunch. "According to the Great Book, the magical laylines which tie the different Gummi cities together can become unbalanced sometimes. Ancient Gummis used to place the lines in areas that wouldn't conversely effect human beings.

Indeed, Calvin and the Princess had both been shocked to hear what happened to Ursalia. The human world seemed to be normal.

"Except the ship ports," Cala said. "It seems the storms are too rough for anyone to sail out in...Which is odd for this time of year,"

That didn't sound right to Delphi, who mused over this in her head.

Why would these storms affect the humans unless they were natural occurrences? She thought idly.

Don't worry, sister, said a voice in her head. We will be with Gusto as he travels to the Island, it must be Vorallia, it's the only Island City still in existence today.

Delphi pondered this.

Yes you're right, but still...

We will guide him to what he has to do. That is why we came seeking the Dagger.

You're right, Denni, I'm making a mountain where no mountain exists. Any thoughts on the Ring?

None, you're guess is as good as mine...

Delphi looked up, and realized that everyone seemed to be getting up to leave. She saw Gusto take off towards the Exit and wondered if she should follow.

No sis, Denni said in her mind. You find out what Gruffi did with those old artifacts from Ursalia, they may be useful...

Delphi nodded at her brother and went to find the gruff bear. She found him in his workroom, pouring over a blueprint with Ursa, Gritti and Tummi.

"Now we need a crosspiece here, but the trees around here are too thick, you may have to travel a bit to get the thinner trees..."

Delphi coughed.

"Uh, Gruffi," she said sweetly. "I know you're busy and all, but do you happen to have anything left of those things Ursa brought back from Ursalia?"

Gruffi huffed.

"Nothing but junk," he stated drawing some lines. "The rats stole the most of it at any rate." And he dismissed her with a wave of his hand.

And that's when she saw it. Gold, thin, sparkling with a faint luminescence of magic that only she and her brother would be able to detect, and situated on his fourth finger, was a ring.

Denni the RING!!! It is being worn!

Do nothing! You hear? You cannot interfere with it now, its been chosen...

But...

You know the Law as much as I do, sis. Ursalian Royalty is chosen by the Dagger, but the girl who wears the Ring and becomes his Wife chooses that priviledge. Say and do, nothing. It would only make things worse.

Delphi nodded, but smiled slightly. He hadn't asked her "who" chose to wore the ring, only assumed who it might be...And she wouldn't tell him. Let Denni the Great figure things out for himself once and awhile. When he realized the error, he would curse himself for keeping her from interfering. She nodded absently and left the workroom, Tummi staring curiously after her.

-seperator-


"It's a really nice ship, Gruff," Gusto said appreciatively as he, Gruffi and Tummi walked around it checking for loose nails. "Do you think she'll float?"

"Why do men always have to call their vehicles by female terms," Delphi asked insulted.

"It'll float," Tummi said to sooth her. "We reinforced the insides so it should stand up to a hard storm too."

Gruffi nodded. "Well, lets get her...I mean, IT...into the water and test it out."

Delphi smiled appreciatively at Gruffi and Tummi, and they both blushed. Grammi noticed this and chuckled.

"That girl sure has spirit," she said to herself absently as she oversaw the task of filling sacks of food and supplies. "Reminds me of me at that age..."

Soon several strong bears were set to the task of pushing the boat down the ramp into the river that would lead it out to the ocean. Once satisfied that it would float, Tummi let down the anchor and set up a gangplank so it could be loaded. He made sure the sails were tied back and everything was in order, and Denni congratulated him.

"You make a worthy ship's captain," he said slapping the round bear on the back appreciatively. "Lets see how she sails."

Gruffi and Gusto stood on shore talking to Tanni, Zummi and Grammi as the preparations to leave were made. Ursa came up to them.

"Hey be careful you two," she said to them. "Its dangerous out there..."

Gusto nodded.

"We will, I caused these problems, so I'll make sure everyone gets back safely."

Then Ursa did something totally uncharacteristic and hugged him. Gusto blushed at the unfamiliar affection and she whispered harshly in his ear.

"Take care of him, he's the only real friend I have and too stubborn for his own good..."

He nodded and Ursa turned to repeat the hug with Gruffi. She waved then went off towards the Glen.

"I've never seen her so...moody..." Gruffi stated.

Grammi laughed.

"Thats what comes with having a cub..." she said.

Both Gruffi and Gusto blinked in shock. Sure enough, they had attended Ursa and Gritty's small, quiet marriage ceremony in the forest, but it seemed a little too soon for her to be having cubs unless.

"I've never understood Barbics, but they told me their "true" marriage was that last night in Ursalia..." Gruffi said with a smile.

Gusto blushed slightly. He hadn't known that.

"You just go to that Island City now," Grammi said. "Let me and Gritty take care of Ursa."

Gruffi nodded and hugged her goodbye.

"Hey, make sure Cubbi doesn't grow up too fast while I'm gone okay?" he said.

Gusto was meanwhile hugging the cubs goodbye. Soon all the goodbyes were said, and Zummi handed Gruffi a rough map of the known world.

"Be careful," he said. "There are other factors here we may have overlooked."

"We" meaning him and the other Magic users in the Glen.

"All right," Gruffi said. "Goodbye everyone!"

"Bye!"

"Goodbye!" "Take care," "Hurry back!"

"Don't forget to change your socks," Grammi said to Tummi.

"I won't!" Tummi said with a blush.

The group all got on the ship and Tummi hastily pulled up the gangplank so that none of his other clothing items would be mentioned by Grammi. Denni chuckled and found himself a nice place on top of the cabin to sit as he waved goodbye. Gruffi went around checking supplied and equipment. Tummi stood at the steering wheel, with Delphi and Arte discussing the direction they would take once they got out to sea.

Gusto just stood at the front of ship, looking out towards the ocean. There were dark clouds there, black as night. He watched them on their horizon until the ship was out to sea and floating on the pristine waters. Thats when Gusto and the others noticed it.

"The storm," Gruffi said. "Is moving away from us..." He choked a little.

"And moving where we are not," Delphi confirmed, pointing to the storm clouds that seemed to surround their retreat. "The myths are true then, the storms occur where the Dagger is not."

Gusto felt like sinking into those placid waters right now. Anything to wash away the guilty pain that had returned to his heart.

"I don't get it," Denni sighed, leaning forward to look at Delphi and Tummi near the steering wheel gently to his ear. "He's fat, he's a bottomless pit with feet...I just don't get what she sees in him!" he threw up his hands and began to climb up to make minor repairs to the mainsail.

As Denni climbed, Gusto poked his nose out from the cabin.

Guy's got some serious problems...Tummers is all right! I think they'll make a cute couple!


With a chuckle, Gusto stalked along the portside, nearly running into Gruffi lazing flat on his back in a hammock made of one of Grammi's sheets.

"Hey! Thats a great idea!" Gusto said, making the sleepy Gruffi raise an eyebrow.

"It was Tummi's idea. Delphi said that its going to get so hot that you HAVE to sleep during the day...I don't like the sound of that."

Gusto pondered this.

"Makes sense, wherever the storms are not, the sun is, right? So the sun basically follows us..."

"Not quite," Denni said from his place on the mainsail. "The sun is much bigger than it appears in the sky. When the clouds cover an area they merely block out the sun. In our area, since there is no cloud cover there is constant sun, and the lack of clouds means no wind. Thats why we have to use a rudder most of the time as opposed to the sails. No breeze."

It had been slow going since leaving the Glen. Gusto looked up to the sail which Denni was tying back act as shade for them and frowned.

This is not going to be good.

-seperator-


Gruffi checked the food barrels, sweat streaming down his forehead.

"Blasted heat..."

It was pretty bad. Even Arte had been forced to molt his heavier feathers in lieu of something lighter, and Gruffi felt very different topless with his swim pants rolled up as far as they would go. Delphi had dug through her packs, thankful of the skimpy bathing suit as she soon revealed.

"Hey, if you looked like me, you'd do the same thing. If you got it, flaunt it!"

That about as much sense as Tummi feeling absolutely no heat at all, merely sweating like a, well, sweating, fully clothed, at the steering wheel.

"Hey, Tummers!" Gusto called. "Aren't you hot?"

Tummi chuckled.

"Yeah, but I'll lose a little weight this way. I'll go swimming later to cool off a bit."

Swimming. Now that was a good idea, too bad he had so much work to do. Gruffi leaned over the side of their nearly motionless sailboat looking into the bright waters languidly. Si-igh.

Hmm, Delphi wondered. He's wearing the ring...Why won't he...

Silently, Gusto, topless, in his swim shorts, raced across the deck with a bright look on his face. Gruffi only had time for a muffled cry before he was lifted around the waist and both bears went head first into the bright blue waters.

"BANZAIIIIII!!"

Delphi, Tummi, and Denni, who had finally climbed down from the crow's nest, raced to the edge of the boat to look over the side. Gruffi came up with an angry splutter, but soon was laughing his tail off as Gusto splashed him and tried to drag him under the water.

Delphi giggled.

"Looks like fun, Denni, let down the anchor..."

Grumbling, her brother went to do that, but Tummi protested.

"I can do th..."

He was cut off by Delphi wrapping both arms around him and pulling him over the side of the boat with her into the water.

"Waaaaah!!!!!!!!!!"

Much splashing ensued. Tummi laid bobbing on his back as Delphi used him for a sort of raft. He blushed but allowed her to climb onto his ponderous bellly and allow her to lie down flat.

"You float like a swan," she giggled at him.

"More like a whale," Tummi murmured with a sigh, touching her hair gently. "I can't help my weight, though, I like to eat."

Delphi smiled.

"I like your weight, you're comfy," she giggled, pillowing her head on his tummy. "You would not believe how bored I am of brawny bears proposing to me..." she murmured, dozing gently.

Tummi blushed.

"Well, they have good reason, you're pretty..."

Delphi blushed herself, and sighed.

"Yes, pretty," and closed her eyes contemplatively.

-seperator-


Gruffi listened to all this from his place afloat on his back in the water. Gusto was splashing Arte some way off and Denni had declined to come in the water complaining about needing sleep. Hm, Denni was grumpier than he was sometimes. Still, as the sounds of splashing disappeared, Gruffi raised a curious brow.

"Hm?"

Suddenly, he felt arms around his waist, pulling him into the water.

"Gyaaaaa"

With much splashing, Gusto dragged his prey under the water. For a moment, wrapped together under the water, furry chest pressed to Gruffi's struggling back, Gusto felt a peace, a calm he hadn't felt since seeing the ruin of Ursalia. Something had changed about the way he felt for his friend, and he could put a name on it, only that Gruffi had finally dragged them both to the surface gasping for air. Laughter erupted from Delphi and Gusto laughed through his trying to breath.

"Are you trying to drown me?" Gruffi said, laughing, yelling and blushing all at once.

"Hm, drown you in happiness? Mmmmmm...Of course..."

That made Gruffi blush himself and everyone else stare at Gusto.

"Uh, scratch that..." Gusto said with a blush and swam back to the boat.

Now where did THAT come from, Gruffi thought, trying hard not to seem too embarrassed and flattered at the same time.

-seperator-


Gruffi actually found himself enjoying the hammock more than anything after that. Tummi and Delphi set up their own separate hammock near the steering wheel so that one or the other could steer the ship and still be able to talk to the other while he or she napped. Denni spent most of his time below deck grumbling or sleeping on top of the cabin under his sail shade. Gusto was nowhere to be seen at this point.

Gruffi sighed, rolling over onto his side. He had barrels to check and water stores to gauge and who knows what else...Why was he sleeping so much?

"It can wait until night," Gusto said as if reading his mind has he appeared from below deck.

Gruffi nearly flipped over in his hammock with fright.

"Don't startle me like that!!"

Gusto blushed.

"Sorry Gruffi, Denni was just telling me the responsibilities of being the holder of the Dagger. Technically, I'm not King of Ursalia until I get married..." he blushed a bit. "Until then, I'm sort of a Crown Prince..."

Gruffi nodded at that, relaxing a bit in his hammock under the shade of the mainsail. Until Gusto climbed in beside him.

"Hey!"

"Easy Gruff, its not too hot for us to share, besides, we're out of sheets to make more hammocks," and with that, Gusto snuggled up against the shocked bear dreamily.

Blink.

"Gusto?"

The blue bear was already sleeping.

You could drop a hat and Gusto would fall into slumberland.

Rather than waking him, however, Gruffi wrapped an appreciative arm around him.

He works so hard...He struggles with his responsibilities, he needs rest.

Still, it kind of felt nice, having that soft furry warm body next to him, and soon, Gruffi was also off into dreamland. They slept like this, quite comfortably, wrapped together in soft slumber, until Tummi's bass rang out.

"Land HO!!"

Even Gusto woke up at that cry, much embarrassed by the way he and the gruff brown bear were wrapped together, and made a mad dash to join the others at the front of the ship, the other Gummi following him perplezed.

They all stared out at the island that Arte pointed out to them, and blinked.

The island looked broken. The shoreline was damaged, the docks like splinters and barely holding onto the pier, the buildings crumbling and old, and part of the island had been engulfed in water, leaving a lont hill top with a dead cherry tree sticking up in the center of the newly created circular bay.

"Vorallia," Denni murmured with a growl.

Gusto looked at the island, and to their shock, his hands were trembling, his face was hollow, and one word was breathed from his lips.

"Home."