[You have decided to alter the story]

With the Hostess' information fresh in your head, you convince Static to go back to the Card Knight which is not difficult. He sees your reasoning and realizes that if you all have her Maiden on your side, earning the Knight's trust is surely made possible.

"Hm? I thought you left already," the Knight eyes Static carefully.

He smiled gently, "We were going to, but we spoke with the Hostess and... she told us about her curse."

"So you know," she said quietly. "In truth, you weren't wrong. The Rabbit and I worked together on this - taking the scepter, I mean. It was my only option to help her. But I wanted to get you home, too, and I was going to wait until the gem's magic transported you back to take it. There's no telling how many charges it has, after all, and you getting home is important. Plus, you helped many of my friends enough on your journey. I saw it through my eye." She pointed to her eyes and the symbols in each flashed.

"That's... wow," Static gasped. "But then... there's no reason you can't just take it now and use it, right? If it breaks, we'll figure something out, and if it doesn't, we can still get out."

The Knight chuckled, "I... yeah, you're right. I made it more complicated, or maybe you're just too soft. Well, lay it on me then. We have to break mine first." She held out her hand with a grin.

"Right!" Static handed her the gem and she called upon its power to break her servitude.