Gummi Venture
Part 6: Childhood Friends

The human knights escorted us up a flight of wooden stairs with red satin carpeting over them into the posh stands where the royal family had watched the final matches. My heart was beating a mile a minute, at least until I saw Maddi. She was smiling from ear to ear, smug, and clearly loving the attention she was getting. She stood off to one side with Sir Osric and Talwyn the mage, the other winners of the contest. Ahead of them was King Josef, his wife Queen Seria and their son Prince Ailys. The royal family were even more regal up close. They were busy speaking with the small group of gummi elders. There was also a handful of Serenade knights lingering about, I supposed for the royal family’s protection.
“Venture!” Called Maddi with a wave when she saw Grandpa and me.
“Hi Maddi, great fight!” I told her when we walked over.
“You like that? I had to improvise a little. Luckily humans are so slow. Well, not that he was that slow, but anyway, it was fun.” She said with a smirk.
“You’re the only gummi I know who likes to fight so much.” I told her honestly.
“It was a good match. Well done.” Grandpa said, nodding to the burgundy gummi.
She looked a bit sheepish then, but only for a moment. “I asked Venture to come and watch me, hope he doesn’t get too many chores because of it.”
“Maybe the excitement of the day made me forget to punish the cub.” Said Grandpa, tipping his head to give me a mock-serious look from the corner of his eye.
“I’m not a cub.” I grumbled.
Grandpa reached down and patted my head with a paw affectionately.
“Hey, so what’s this I’m hearing about you using your bag on someone?” Maddi asked.
“That’s also what I’m curious about.” Said a new voice that I vaguely recognized.
I turned around and felt my mouth drop open. King Josef himself had walked over and knelt down next to us. He was wearing a long violet robe with soft white fur at the collar and cuffs. A silver crown inlaid with amethyst panels sat atop his noble brow above a head of brown and slightly greying hair. As close as he was, I felt positively overwhelmed in his presence.
“Your Highness.” Said Maddi and Grandpa in unison, bowing before him. I was too stunned to do the same.
King Josef shook his head. “Please, there is no need to stand on such ceremony, you are here as my esteemed guests.”
They rose back to their feet. Grandpa glowered at me for not at least attempting to bow.
“I’ve met Maddi here already, may I ask your names?” Said the King.
“I’m Lummi, and this here is my grandson, Venture.” My grandfather told him.
“Wonderful to meet you both.” The regal man told us and gently shook our hands. “Come, let me introduce you to my family.”
And so we met Queen Seria, a beautiful, poised woman wearing purple and lavender robes with a strange conical hat. Their young son the prince didn’t seem overly eager to meet us, more interested in some sort of carved wooden puzzle he was toying with in his hands. King Josef also introduced us to a few members of the Gummi Council, elders from our tribe who made decisions on behalf of the gummi residents of Gummiton. I had seen them around before, in our shopping district, if not the shop itself. Gummiton wasn’t so large that there were many strangers.
When the introductions were out of the way my grandfather cleared his throat. “Now why was Venture called up here? I mean no disrespect mind you, but he wasn’t involved in the games today.”
“Perhaps not officially.” Said one of the gummi elders. “But what he did to rout Bernard the sailor caused quite a stir.”
“I didn’t hurt him or anything!” I explained, though it was only my best guess, having never put anyone into the bag before. He seemed fine when he came back out though, albeit confused.
“So tell us, what was that amazing little pouch you used?” The King asked.
“It’s my bag of holding, passed down through my family.” I explained.
“It’s quite a fascinating item.” Said King Josef. “Can you tell us a bit more about it?”
And so I did. What I didn’t know, Grandpa filled in for me.
“And can it hold, more than one person?”
My grandfather piped up to answer him. “When I was younger, I carried a group of my friends around sometimes. It was sort of like a clubhouse for them. However, when more than about four or five stayed in the bag, they would come back out feeling sick to their stomachs for a couple hours. The bagworld is really meant for nonliving things. Humans and gummis can only stay inside in small numbers, I’m not entirely sure why though.”
“Interesting.” Mused a council member.
“This could be exactly what we’ve been looking for.” Said another.
The more important people talked excitedly amongst themselves while my grandfather, Maddi, and I exchanged glances.
“Venture?” Asked the King.
“Y-yes?”
“What would you say about lending me that pouch of yours for a time?”
My grandfather shook his head. “Doesn’t work that way. It was created as a gift for one of my ancestors many, many years ago. The magic will only work for members of my direct line.”
“I see.”
“And I’ve given it to Venture here, so now it’s his alone.”
The people of significance chatted with one another again.
“In that case, would you mind helping us with something important, Venture?” The King asked, amending his initial request.
“Of course I will.”
“It will likely be dangerous, but we believe you’re the only one who can help us.” The regal man explained.
“Then the answer is no.” Said my grandfather.
“Grandpa!” I protested. “We should at least hear him out!”
“He’s a boy of barely fifteen!” Said Grandpa, ignoring me completely. “I’m very sorry Your Highness, but that is unacceptable. Whatever you need, you can find another way.” The old bear said and crossed his arms. I knew what that meant: the conversation was over.
King Josef’s expression changed. He didn’t appear upset, he looked sad. “I understand Lummi, and I respect your view. Under normal circumstances, I would never ask such a thing of one so young. But reality and idealism don’t always intersect in the place where it needs to.”
The man wearing the crown knelt down again to look me in the eyes. I gulped. “Venture, no doubt you can appreciate where your grandfather is coming from, as do I. Unfortunately, I need to hear you say it.”
“What exactly should I say?” I asked.
The King took a breath and studied me. “The reason that the others were chosen today was because of their fighting prowess, and ability to adapt. We needed to find a small group of the best among us for a very important mission. Today, we were able to find those individuals. And the mission I speak of, is to infiltrate the Sorceress’ tower and stop her. We’ve had plans in place to reach her for some time, but none of them felt quite right. We want to make sure our people are safe, and can return safely to us after the task is done. I won’t send my people to their deaths if I can avoid it.”
“I see.” I said and nodded. My throat felt suddenly dry. I wondered if Maddi would have been so keen on participating in the contest if she knew the reason for it beforehand.
“Until today, my advisors and I weren’t sure what our way in or out would be to avoid the enemy’s detection.”
“You want me to put them in my bag?” I asked.
“Very astute of you Venture, yes, but only if you’ll agree to help us.”
I looked over the King’s face. He was earnest, and determined. I understood what was at stake, not just for me if I agreed, but for him and his people. He wanted to win back his homeland, to take his displaced citizens back to their cottages, farms, and schools.
“So take your time young man, really think about it, and know that whatever you decide, I’ll respect that—”
“I’ll do it.” I said.
“Venture, don’t be so impulsive! Think about your answer first!” My grandfather growled.
“This is not a decision to make lightly.” Said the King.
“I know, and I’m not treating it like it is.” I said. “I only want to help.”
The King’s eyes became glassy. “You are a brave boy.” He said, before standing. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I said.
“I want you and your Grandfather to come to the awards ceremony tomorrow at noon.” Said King Josef. “And Venture, I want you onstage with the other champions.”
“But I don’t, I didn’t compete.” I said anxiously.
“You will be just as important to the cause as they, and besides, I’m the King, so what I say goes.” He told me with a smile.
I nodded my head slowly. “We’ll be there, right Grandpa?”
“Sure. Another day of poor sales I suppose.” The olive-colored bear grumbled.
The King reached into a pocket of his fine coat and pulled out a large gold coin. He handed it to Grandpa. “For your troubles, Lummi.” He said.
“Uh, er, thank you very much.” Grandpa sputtered. We both knew the worth of that coin. It was more than we could make if we sold through our entire shop’s inventory in a day.
“And if you two wouldn’t mind, please keep talk of the mission to yourselves and the contest winners.” Said King Josef. “As far as our peoples know, these were games held merely to improve everyone’s morale, and I think that’s for the best.”
“We understand.” Said Grandpa.

*****

Never before had my life felt so exciting, or important. The tournament, an audience with the King, and now finding out I was to be part of a secret mission! It was all nearly too much to fathom. My mind raced with childish fantasies of my future heroism.
King Josef moved to the railing next to us and raised his hands, getting the crowd’s attention down below. He thanked the townspeople for attending and announced to them that the contest winners would be celebrated the following day at noon, and when he was finished with his address they began to disperse. The royal family also took their leave, escorted by their private guard and attendants. The sun was going down by then and Grandpa also bid us farewell, asking me, as well as Maddi to make sure I was home in time for supper. Soon it was only a handful of us left: The contest winners, a pair of attendants the King asked to stay behind to keep us happy as long as we remained, and a few knights who appeared to be off-duty.
“It seems you will be joining the cause.” Said the thin mage Talwyn, as he walked over from where he had been standing just out of sight against the back wall.
“Oh, you heard?” I asked.
“I told them you were.” Maddi said.
“It’s a great responsibility, are you up to it, little Venture?” Asked Osric in a booming, but cheerful voice. He was the giant knight I had watched win his match only a couple hours earlier.
“Of course I am!” I told him, rolling my shoulders back and putting my hands on my hips.
The big man tipped his head back and laughed. The sound of it shook the platform where we were gathered. “Seems you could use a little extra muscle weight! Will you be training with us beforehand? We could start tonight!” He added enthusiastically.
“Training?”
“Two weeks of intensive combat training to hone our skills for the mission. King Josef did not mention this to you? Asked Talwyn, raising an eyebrow.
“No.” I said, feeling left out.
“Venture’s role isn’t really, uh, physical.” Said Maddi. “He’s going to smuggle us in with his bag, and then get us out after.”
My posture slumped a little. Suddenly my very important part in all this had been reduced to delivery boy.
Sir Osric beamed down at me and stroked his thick, curled moustache. “Even more important than fighting is getting us in safely and undetected. Your role is of the utmost significance! We’ll be depending on you, my friend.” He said.
“I won’t let you down.” I told him. I decided right then and there that I liked the large friendly knight very much.
Maddi smiled as she looked at me. “Never thought I’d be doing this with my little brother beside me.”
“The bag of holding will certainly increase our chances for success.” Talwyn said as he tapped the top of his gnarled staff with a finger. “The King was wise to seek your aid.”
“He’s a good king isn’t he?” I asked.
“The very best.” Said Osric. “He cares more about his people than he does about politics, or public opinion. He is wise, intelligent…”
As we looked at the imposing man, his face appeared to turn quite red.
“Anyway, tonight is a celebration! Boy, bring wine for my new friends!” He said, calling to one of the stewards, suddenly changing the subject.
The attendants moved around a table behind the seating area, setting about filling glasses from a barrel.
“Just grape juice for me, please!” I called to them. Grandpa had let me have sips of wine at special occasions in the past, but I had no taste for it.

Osric and Talwyn seemed to have gotten into some sort of heated discussion regarding the state of New Serenade that I couldn’t follow, so I took the opportunity to speak to Maddi a bit privately on our side of the table.
“Hey Maddi?”
“Hm?”
“What did you think about, when King Josef told you what he wanted you to do?”
She thought it over. “That I’m part of this secret team to take down that witch?”
“Yeah.”
She gave a half-hearted shrug. “Honestly, I was already thinking it might be something like that.”
“R-really?” I could barely believe my ears.
“Sure. You remember I’m part of the Gummi Guard right? There’s been talk about teaming with the humans and mounting an offensive of some kind for months now. We don’t have the numbers to go to war with an army of ogres and the Sorceress, so a smaller, concentrated strike makes the most sense.” She explained.
“Wow. I had no idea.” I said.
“Well, you have the luxury of still being a kid. You shouldn’t be thinking about this stuff for a couple years yet.” She told me.
“You never mentioned anything like this before.” I said.
“Why would I? Besides, when we’re hanging out, I don’t wanna think about stuff like this. It’s… nice just to hang out with my little brother, ya know?”
I smiled to myself and nodded. “Yeah.”
“And when all this goes down, I’m gonna be there to protect you, so don’t worry about it.”
We were both silent for a time.
“One day, when I’m older, I’ll be the one protecting you.” I said at last.
She laughed.
“Why is that funny?!” I demanded.
“You’re just so… gentle, Venture. This is the first time I’ve even heard you say something so serious.” She said.
“Well I mean it.” I said defensively.
“I know you do, but hey, don’t get so worked up. You won’t need to think about protecting me for a long, long time. Until then, it’s my job.” Maddi said.

*****

The night wore on as the four of us talked, laughed, and got to know each other a bit better. Even the quiet Talwyn seemed to loosen up a little as he drank. He didn’t reveal much about himself, other than that he was a scholar formerly of Serenade’s mage academy. Nowadays he worked with the other magic-adept human refugees as well as the gummi mystics to practice his spells and learn more. He had grand hopes of becoming a powerful wizard one day. There weren’t many magic-users around as the skills required to cast spells were very rare, in gummis and humans both. So I was fascinated by anything he had to share with us.
“You already looked really strong in your fights earlier.” I told him. “Your last opponent just gave up ‘cause they were so scared!”
He managed a dry smile. “That fireball spell was actually just an illusion. It wouldn’t have been safe to cast the real thing, not with so many people around.”
“Nice bluff.” Said Maddi. “I sure wouldn’t have known the difference.”
“Yeah, I could feel the heat from it!” I told him.
Osric adjusted himself in his chair. “Hmph. Magic is all well and good, but I’d rather have a sturdy bit of steel at my side.” He said, and with that he pulled the massive sword he had used in his matches from where it rested against the side of his chair and laid it across the table. The wood groaned in protest under the weapon’s weight. It was enormous.
“I’m surprised you can even lift it.” Said the mage, as he took a sip of his drink.
The blade shone brightly, reflecting my face on the surface as I peered more closely. Despite its good condition, there were still a number of nicks and pits across the steel length.
“Have you fought in many battles?” I asked, looking over the mighty sword.
“Ha!” Laughed the knight. “More than most soldiers twice my age! Look here.” He said, directing our attention to the blue leather bound hilt. He showed us a number of dashes scored into the underside of the pommel. “One mark for each successful battle.” He told us proudly.
“I thought Serenade was a peaceful kingdom?” I said.
Osric nodded. “Serenade was a peaceful place before the Sorceress brought her army, this is true, but I was not from there. My homeland is far away over the sea, where we lived in a constant state of strife.” He sighed and took a drink.
“Explains the yellow hair and blue eyes.” Said Talwyn. “You are Essethian.”
“I was.” Osric corrected him. “I am now and forever a citizen of Serenade, my life pledged to King Josef and Queen Seria.”
“Well said.” Talwyn responded.
Maddi piped up then, as she looked to our human companions. “I propose a toast. To Serenade, and success on our mission.” She said, lifting her cup. The rest of us lifted our glasses too.
“To Serenade, that we will restore her former glory!” Said Osric.
“To Serenade, and her wonderful libraries.” Said Talwyn.
“To Serenade, that all of my human friends can have their true homes back.” I said.
When everyone had said their piece, we clinked the glasses together and each took a swig.
The three of us conversed long into the evening. After some hours had passed, Osric bade the attendants to take their leave but let the wine barrel remain. The knights from earlier had left at some point without our notice. It really began to feel like we were becoming closer: the powerful knight, the wise mage, my intrepid sister and the naïve cub, who just remembered he was now hours late for supper and whose Grandpa’s patience was not without limit.

*****

“I feel for your grandfather you know.” Said Zummi, taking a break from his writing to pour some more tea for himself and his guest.
“Oh?” Asked Venture.
“He asks you to open the store, you go off to the tournament. He asks you to come home for dinner, you forget and stay out all night.”
“I was a kid! It was an exciting day! It’s not like I meant to.”
“I’m just saying, I can relate. I know just how he must have felt with you gone all the time.”
“Hey now, I’m not gone all the time. I’m here now aren’t I?” Venture asked.
The magician smirked. “I’m just pulling your leg. I’m very glad to be able to spend this time with you. Besides, I wasn’t so different in my youth either, hard as it may be to believe.”
“I have little doubt that you got into your fair share of predicaments.” Said the green gummi. “In fact I expect you still do!”
Zummi allowed himself a chuckle but shook his head. “Well, you’d know metter than bost about that. Better than most. More tea?” He asked.
“Certainly.”
Zummi poured his friend another cup, and one for himself before he settled back into his armchair with his notebook. “Would you like to continue?”
“You know I hate to stop when I’m on a roll. Let’s see, where was I? Oh yes.” Said Venture.

*****

I got home late, and of course Grandpa was still up, waiting for me. I got a bit of a scolding, though I’m sure it was mostly deserved. There was still barley and potato stew for dinner, which I was reminded would have been hot if I had come home on time. I ate a bowl, said goodnight and we both went to bed, though I don’t remember being able to sleep much. I was too excited, thinking about what the next day might bring.

The sun was barely up when I could no longer lie still, trying to keep my eyes closed. I got up, washed my face and hands, then pulled my best tunic over my head. It was still quite plain by most anyone’s standard, brown and a little uncomfortable. There weren’t any rips in the fabric though, and it had a little embellishment at the collar. Still, I wished I had something nicer to wear before King Josef, the royal family, and the entire population of our two towns. I tied a rope belt around my middle and fastened the bag of holding on the left side.
While I was heating up some oatmeal in a pot on the stove, Grandpa came down the steps from the loft where our rooms were located.
“You’re up early, considering how late you got in.” He said through a yawn.
“I just couldn’t sleep. It’s not every day you get to stand up in front of both nations!” I said.
“Hmph, I guess not.” Grandpa said, pulling out a stool for himself and sitting at the breakfast table.
“Oatmeal okay?” I asked.
“Sounds fine.”
I finished cooking and then served up a bowl for each of us. The old bear picked up his spoon and looked at me carefully across the table.
“What?” I asked, taking a bite.
“I’d, like to talk with you about yesterday.” He said.
“Okay.”
“This whole thing the humans want you doing, it doesn’t really concern us, you understand?” Grandpa said warily.
In all honesty I didn’t really understand, so I shook my head.
“When was the last time we went fishing, hm? Just the two of us? Why don’t we do that today?” He asked, abruptly changing the subject.
“We can go fishing after the ceremony.” I suggested.
“You sure you wouldn’t rather make a day of it?” He asked. “I checked out that old tree that fell into the river the other day, I bet there’s a whole school of glimmer perch under there by now. Maybe we’ll find some frogs for you to chase, you used to love to do that.”
“Grandpa, what is this about?”
He let out an exasperated sigh. “It’s a fool’s errand, going after that sorceress. We all know that, it’s why we keep to ourselves out here in the forest these days. It’s very human to think they can just go stop something so powerful and, evil, like that. It’s humankind’s downfall, their arrogance. I don’t think you should be going, Venture. Gummi folk don’t poke their noses into things like this, it’s what keeps us safe.” Grandpa said. He took a mouthful of oatmeal.
I looked at the bearded fellow across from me and blinked. “Maddi’s going.” I said.
“Well, she’s always been that way, has something to prove to everyone. It drives her mother crazy. She’s what we call ‘the exception to the rule.’”
“She’s being brave!”
“Some might call it foolhardy.” He countered.
I started to feel my face grow hot. “The humans are our friends Grandpa. They had their homes taken away from them!”
“That’s true Grandson, and my heart goes out to them, honestly it does. But haven’t we helped them enough already? Shared our woods and way of life? Helped them make a home for themselves here?”
“It doesn’t… doesn’t mean we should stop helping them now!” I said, pushing up from my stool and getting to my feet.
Grandpa frowned. “Calm down boy. I’m not trying to get ya sore at me. I just want you to consider everything before you make such a big decision. I know you’re a bit starstruck by the King asking for your help, but—”
“There’s no ‘but’, Grandpa! If I can do something, anything at all, then I have an obligation!” I shouted. I felt strange inside, immediately guilty over my outburst. I can’t remember ever raising my voice to him before. He looked more than a little surprised.
“Venture, you’re fifteen, not quite an adult, but too old to be acting so childish.” He said.
“Old enough to make my own decisions then.” I said wryly and turned to leave.
The old gummi startled me when he stood up from his own seat and grabbed my wrist, halting me in my tracks. “Venture, I’m not letting you go!” He said sternly.
“This isn’t something I can just walk away from, Grandpa. I told the King I would do whatever I could, and that’s what I’m going to do. You can’t tell me what to do, not about this.” I told him, feeling my heart beat faster.
He gave me a long, measured look, and I could see sorrow in his dark grey eyes, but something else too. He released his grip on my arm, and then sat back down, but I remained standing.
“You remind me so much of your father at times.” He said.
“Y-yeah?” I asked.
In truth we didn’t talk about either of my parents very often, it was difficult for him, and I couldn’t remember much about them on my own. I had been so young when they died.
“When he got it in his mind to do something…” Grandpa said and shook his head but showed a tiny smile under his bushy facial hair. “Anyway, you haven’t even finished your breakfast. Sit back down, I, I won’t say anything else on the subject.”
“I’m sorry for yelling.” I said. My frustration from moments before was steadily ebbing away. “That’s alright.” He said.
We didn’t talk much for the rest of the meal. I wasn’t really sure what to say anyway. I had thought the old bear would be proud of me, but it sure didn’t seem that way.

There was still work to be done around the shop, even if we weren’t opening the store that day, and it took us a couple of hours to get it done. It worked out well because by the time we finished it was nearly time to head off to the event. We stopped by Maddi’s house on the way. She lived just a couple streets down from the shop. She was still at home with her mother, Clover, getting ready.
“Mom, you look fine, nobody’s going to care what you’re wearing.” Maddi was griping as my grandfather and I walked up to their front garden of pretty white tulips.
From inside the house we could hear her mom protesting. “Well you might not care, but I certainly do, and maybe a certain handsome shopkeeper will too!”
“Speaking of.” Said Maddi through the open door, loudly enough for her mother to hear.
Clover appeared a few moments later, wearing bright spring colors of yellow and pink. She had on a nice dress and a sort of wreath made with brightly-colored cloth which encircled one ear. I suspected she sewed them herself as she made her living as a capable tailor. Standing next to Maddi as she was, she may have been a little shorter, a tad rounder, but still, it was easy to tell that they were closely related.
“Hello Lummi.” She said to my grandfather with a smile. She batted her eyelashes at him. Maddi and I rolled our eyes in unison. “And Venture, hello to you too.”
“Hi Clover.” I said.
“Did you boys come over to escort us? How chivalrous.” She said.
“We’re just going that way.” Said Grandpa. “But we’d be happy for the company, if you’re all set to go of course.”
“Oh I think so, are you ready Maddi?” Her mother asked her.
“I’ve been ready for half an hour!” Maddi said crossly.
“Oh all right, so impatient.” Said Clover with a sigh. She moved to walk next to Grandpa who offered her his arm to hold. “Such a gentlebear.” She remarked.
To anyone who saw the two of them together, they might have guessed they were already a couple, though for reasons I never fully understood, they only ever remained close friends. Perhaps neither wanted to marry again, or they thought it might be strange for Maddi and me if they got together. In any case, I never pressed for information and they never felt the need to explain their relationship.
The four of us walked the short distance down the dirt path that led us West out of Gummiton and into the forested grove between our town and the human settlement of New Serenade. In this place, built amongst some of the oldest trees in our wood was a communal gathering place that King Josef had constructed soon after he and his people had been forced to flee here. It was something like an outdoor throne room, where humans and gummis alike would gather for important events. Sometimes there would be weddings, or royal proclamations, and occasionally there might be a large-scale play, which was always my favorite reason to gather. It was somewhat secluded with the forest reaching up on all sides, but on sunny afternoons like this it offered nice shaded areas to come together and watch the spectacle. Already today, people from both towns were filling the viewing areas, finding comfortable places to stand on the grass or even perch on some of the lower tree branches. More prepared folks brought their own chairs and picnics from home.
There were large, flat, carved and polished stones leading up to a wide stage, and that would be where Maddi, myself, and the others would end up shortly. The trees directly bordering the stage were decorated with colorful cloth ties around the trunks: violet and sky blue were the colors of Serenade, while bright red and leaf green showed the colors of Gummiton, or more accurately, the wild gummiberry bushes that grew all over these hills that we had adopted into a flag.

Two knights, the same men who had escorted me to the King yesterday appeared before us.
“Maddi and Venture, we’ve been expecting you!” Said the mustached one.
“If you’d care to follow us, and of course your family is welcome to tag along.” Said the other with the dark goatee and I also noticed a scar over one eye.
We were shown to a seating area just to the side of the main stone stage where Queen Seria and Prince Ailys were seated. The Queen’s attendants, who wore long purple robes that covered most of their bodies and faces made room for us as we approached. Queen Seria greeted us warmly and explained that she would all go over the ceremony once Sir Osric and Talwyn joined us. As good fortune would have it, we only needed to wait a few minutes for them to arrive.
We made small talk, or at least the adults did, I mostly listened. We exchanged pleasantries, and then Queen Seria began to talk us through the event, where we would walk, when to kneel, the order we would take the steps, etcetera. King Josef made his appearance shortly thereafter, escorted by a pair of guards.
“You’re all here, I’m so glad.” Said the King.
“Wouldn’t miss it, Your Majesty.” Said Osric.
“My better half has talked you all through the process?” King Josef asked. We assured him that she had. “Very good, then I shall take my place on the stage once the council members have laid out the rewards. I’ll see you all again shortly.”
I looked to the platform next to us where several members of the human council were setting up a table with a large crimson cloth draped over the top. I wondered what gifts the King was speaking about. I couldn’t recall anything on the paper Maddi had shown me some days ago.
“You’re getting a reward?” I whispered to Maddi.
“I guess so. Being one of the winners was enough for me, so this is a nice surprise.”
“It’s likely for the sake of the crowd.” Said Talwyn the mage, gesturing to the throngs of people bustling around the outdoor stage.
“It seems we should go get ready now.” Said Osric, nodding that King Josef had just been escorted to the start of the stone road leading up to the steps by this point.

Minstrels began playing their lutes and horns, and the people watching grew quiet. The human king strode up polished stone steps to the empty stage with confidence and grace. He truly was the personification of regalness. It was always interesting to see human royalty, especially at a function like this. The gummi folk had nothing like it, we didn’t believe in separation of status due to the happenstance of one’s birth. Still, almost everything I had ever heard regarding Serenade’s royal family sounded positive. If their system worked and kept the people happy, that was of the most importance.
The two knights from earlier who had become our coordinators for the day escorted the four of us down a side path to the stone pathway that King Josef had walked only moments ago. The music changed for us as we began to climb the large steps, it was triumphant and loud, causing the crowd to erupt into applause. I felt very uncomfortable, knowing I didn’t really belong there, despite being asked to attend. On either side of the stage, gummis and humans alike clapped their hands and waved. I tried to focus on my feet so I didn’t trip.
Maddi gave me a toothy grin. “This’ll be fun, try to relax.” She said.
I nodded in return as we walked past the smiling faces on either side of the stage to face the King. He was beaming down at us, and we knelt before him, as the Queen had instructed. I found out later that I had actually bent the wrong knee, but no one made mention of it at the time.
“A hearty welcome to our champions!” Called King Josef, causing riotous applause from all in attendance.
“On behalf of myself, and my family, I hope you all enjoyed the events held yesterday at the tournament grounds! For today, we honor our victors!”
As people cheered from all sides, I allowed myself a moment to take another look around. Immediately next to us were the private booths for the royal family, watched over by knights and personal attendants. Just behind them stood Clover and Grandpa. Clover looked like she might cry at any moment, and knowing her for as long as I had, knew it was a distinct possibility. Grandpa on the other hand had his arms crossed tightly over his chest, his expression unreadable. I guess he still didn’t want me up there.
“My council and I, with aid from the gummi elders have selected special gifts, hand-picked for each of our champions.” Said King Josef. “Please take these as simple tokens of our gratitude and esteem for performing so admirably in combat!”
The crowned man in the flowing purple robes turned to the large table beside him and pulled back the heavy cloth covering the top. Being as small as I was, I couldn’t really make out the items from my low vantage point.
“Before I hand out these remarkable gifts, I wanted to recognize our special guest here. Everyone, this is Venture, a brave young gummi bear who has agreed to help with an important royal task. You may remember him as a surprise addition at the tail end of yesterday’s games!” Said the King.
There was some laughter from the audience. Perhaps word had gotten around about Bernard and the incident with my pouch. “For Venture, the prize is a royal favor, that is, a request of me, at any time, and I shall see it done.” King Josef said.
There were murmurings around us, and I was shocked. Did he really mean it? Of course he did, he was a man of his word. What would I even ask for? Was it even proper manners to ask a king for something?
The King knelt down to tell me something that he didn’t want anyone else to hear.
“Venture, thank you again for coming today, and agreeing to help us. I’m sorry that you will not be getting a physical gift like the others, but, in a way, I think a personal request from me could be even better! For now I offer you my gratitude, and the assurance that you and your grandfather shall want for nothing when this is all done.” He said, and put his hand on my shoulder.
“Th-thank you very much.” I managed to say.
He stood up again, his voice returning to full volume. “Maddi here is a strong-willed, remarkable athlete and combatant. Perhaps many of us dismissed her prowess because of her small stature, but her skills have spoken for themselves and hopefully taught us all a valuable lesson! Of course to our gummi neighbors, I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know well enough. To her, I present this,” He held a glowing armband up, that seemed to be made of stone, with flickering orange trenches scarring its surface. “A golem blood bangle, a magical artifact given to gummi mystics many years ago as a talisman to ward off magical attacks.”
The audience murmured excitedly as Maddi was given the bangle which appeared to shrink in size to fit her as the king placed it into her palm.
King Josef looked next to Talwyn, who pushed some strands of long black hair out of his face.
The King continued. “Talywn here is the most promising new wizard to have come through the mage’s academy in many a year, easily earning his place up here today using his understanding and mastery of the elemental arts! For him, a special relic created, they say, by an advanced clan of magic users living high atop the Arkathid Mountains. A stone which channels wind gales as powerful as those in a storm, fastened to a cloak which protects the wearer from the force of the magic.”
He handed the stone and cloak to the lanky magician who bowed, and thanked him graciously.
“Lastly, and I won’t be trying to pick this one up,” The crowd laughed. “A double-sided axe, its strength and craftsmanship are legendary, forged with gold and truesteel, capable of sundering stone. I am told by the historians of our kingdom that it may have been created by an extinct race of stout people who lived underground! This mighty weapon I give to Sir Osric, my good and loyal friend, whom many of you know as a knight in my royal guard!”
Osric was asked to stand and retrieve the great weapon. The huge man lifted it with one massive hand, to the cheers of spectators. He had his sword fastened at his back, so he merely knelt again with the axe next to him. I was amazed that he could carry both and still move around in his heavy metal chain and plate armor. His strength was truly something to behold.
King Josef smiled down at us, giving a nod to each in turn. “These four are your champions! Celebrate their feats today and look forward with anticipation to hearing tales of the great things they are yet to achieve!”
The crowd cheered and applauded, causing quite the commotion. I could feel my face flush, not for the first time that day, but it couldn’t be helped, I was so happy. I looked to my right at the others who shared the stage with me, so proud to be next to them. My heart felt so full, I thought it in danger of bursting.

*****

The rest of the celebration went by in sort of a blur for me. So many people wanted to stop by to offer their congratulations, tell me they had seen my, er, fight, or beg me to tell them what favor I would ask of the King. Of course I had no idea on that front. Osric was great about all the attention he got, telling everyone how he planned to use his new axe in defense of New Serenade and Gummiton both, and would start training with it immediately. Talwyn was immensely bothered by all the fanfare, seeming to just want to disappear until the commotion died down while Maddi couldn’t seem to make up her mind. She was personable one moment, then tense and elusive the next. The sudden fame we were all receiving was… well it was a lot to take in, but we did the best we could to remain amiable. After a feast in our honor later that evening, we all made our separate ways back to our homes. When I finally arrived back at the shop, it was just Grandpa and me. I was grateful for the peace and quiet.
“Quite a show.” He said as he unlocked the front door of the store before pushing it open.
“Yeah, I, don’t even know what to think about everything that’s going on.” I admitted. “I want to lie down and just forget that I ate enough food for a horse!”
Grandpa chuckled. “You ate so many of those desserts I thought my grandson had been replaced with an ogre!”
“Haha! Ouch, don’t make me laugh, it hurts my tummy.” I groaned.
We moved through the doorway at the back of the shop into our small cottage. Grandpa lit a couple of candles in the darkened den to brighten the room before settling into his favorite chair with a contented sigh. I collapsed onto the couch across from him. I was utterly drained emotionally, in addition to being grossly overfed. Who knew it was so exhausting to just talk with people? Grandpa added some crushed, dried gummiberry leaves into the bowl of his pipe and lit it with a match. Within a few moments he had puffed the instrument to life, red embers softly illuminating his nose and mustache and grey smoke trails leaving his nostrils as he sat back for the evening.
“You know,” He began. “It’s not too late to, well, excuse yourself from all this foolishness.” He said, eyeing me carefully.
I was lying on my side but I propped up onto my elbows and looked at him. “Grandpa, not again, I don’t have the energy for another argument.”
“I know.” He said. “I just, needed to be able to say to myself that I tried.”
He became quiet, and I shifted, with some difficulty to a sitting position.
My mouth opened to speak, but then became still while I thought of exactly what I wanted to say.
“I actually, well, I thought you’d be proud of me today.” I said softly.
“What?” His eyes opened wide.
“I just thought, maybe you’d understand why, and think I was being brave.” I said, and felt my voice quiver.
“Son, you’re the bravest gummi I know.” He said.
“R-really?” I asked, and could feel my eyes welling over.
The old bear set his pipe down and climbed out of his chair so he could walk over and grab me in a crushing embrace.
“Don’t you dare think, for an instant, I’m not proud of ya, of the man you’re becoming.” He whispered into my ear fiercely.
“But you keep trying to—” I started to say.
“Venture, you’re the last family I got, and I would do anything to keep you safe. If something happened to you… I don’t think, I could bear it.” He finished.
“I didn’t realize.” I said softly.
He relaxed his surprisingly strong hold and moved to sit on the cushion next to me. With a paw he tenderly wiped my tears away. “You’re going to do great things Venture, I know it in my bones. I suppose, I just hoped you could stay a cub for a little while longer. You seem to be in such a hurry to grow up.”
I smiled. “We all have to grow up sometime, Grandpa. And this, this is all bigger than just me. Can you understand that?”
He nodded slowly. “I guess I do.”
He hugged me again, and sniffed before rubbing his eyes. He got up then, recollected his pipe and then located a book to read. I found a book of my own and we sat quietly until it was time for bed. This had been our routine for almost as long as I could remember. Often I would fall asleep on the couch and Grandpa would carry me up to bed. Of course he did this less and less as I got bigger. I sure do miss those days.
In the weeks that followed, even though it wasn’t asked of me, I insisted on training with the others leading up to the mission. It was rigorous, and I wasn’t exactly what you’d call a quick study, but I like to think I retained some of it at least. I was learning from the best after all, even if it was only for a short time, and I absolutely loved it. The best parts of those days though were the times spent with Maddi and Grandpa, but also Osric and Talwyn, getting to know them all better and becoming closer friends.