Shadow Spell

by Caro King

  Ahead of the flood, people snatched up their children and ran, screaming. Goats and chickens were devoured in a heartbeat, their tiny lives extinguished as the flock ate everything Quick in its path. Even the Grimm weren’t safe. The birds just ate around the Fabulous parts and left the remains. Only the Fabulous would survive this attack and there was nothing they could do to help the others.

  In the town hall, Hilary leaned to pull open the trap door.

  ’Great Galig help us,’ whispered Senta’s spell in her head and she looked up to see Death birds pour in through the door. Around her, people screamed, trying to bat away the swarm of tiny, icy bodies and sharp beaks.

  ‘Galig can’t do anything now,’ said Hilary as the flock raced towards her. She shut her eyes, feeling cold surround her. She held out her arms to let the birds feed. If she was going to die, it might as well be quick. The chill cut into her like knives as a hundred tiny beaks dipped into her skin. She felt their darkness surging through her veins, exchanging life for death.

  Suddenly, a ripple ran through the flock. Not a sound so much as a vibration echoed from every beak. For a moment, the birds swirled in confusion and Hilary could feel their icy bodies buffeting against her. And then the pain and the cold lifted. Opening her eyes, Hilary saw the flock rising again, pouring upwards into the sky and gathering into a dark mass over the town. Around her, people began to stir and groan. Most people. One or two lay still.

  Overhead the Death Flock circled and began to move, heading back in the direction it had come from as if in answer to a summons. As they went, the birds began to pick up speed. Bewildered, Hilary watched them go.

  In the Dancing Circle, the air shimmered and something in the light changed and then was gone. Nin glanced up at Dark. He was frowning.

  ‘That felt like magic,’ she said.

  ‘No magic,’ snapped Strood. ‘I summoned the Maug. Change of plan, Hilfian can wait. My Death Flock can feed on you first, all of you, Quick and Grimm!’ He glared at Dark and Taggit. But especially Dark. ‘The Fabulous I’ll deal with later.’

  Jonas ran across the clearing to Nin. Already a streak had appeared on the skyline, a slash of inky darkness that grew, racing back from Hilfian. As it tore across the sky, the Maug flock had changed, the thousands of bodies losing their form and running together, merging into a single mass. Now it was no longer a flock, it was just one great Death, answering its master’s call with horrifying speed.

  ‘You won’t escape this time,’ sneered Strood, ‘even your Fabulous friends can’t help you now.’

  A look flickered across Dark’s face. It was the same look that had crossed Ava Vispilio’s earlier that day – sudden realisation as the penny dropped and after all these terrible years he finally understood how the Deathweave worked.

  ‘They won’t have to,’ he said sadly. ‘What just happened, it wasn’t magic, it was the breaking of magic.’

  Nin shivered as the cloud of darkness flowed swiftly across the sky. The Death swirled, dipping towards the Dancing Circle. Trees dropped leaves suddenly heavy with ice, and frost ran over the fields, spreading in a crisp coat. Skinkin felt it coming and howled a howl of longing to be part of that death.

  ‘You see, the terrible thing is,’ Dark went on softly, ‘the Deathweave did precisely what we said, we were just too scared to trust it. The potion would have let us live for exactly as long as we wanted to. When we had had enough of life, all we needed to do was …’

  ‘… call it back!’ whispered Nin.

  Strood went white as he understood. The summons he had just sent to the Maug had ended the spell that kept them apart. He had called his Death home and it was coming. Fast.

  ‘Help me!’ he said. His eyes had gone wide and dark and for a second Nin saw the face of the man he used to be, a long time ago before it had all gone so horribly wrong.

  Inky shadow poured from the sky in a whirlpool of darkness, funnelling down towards its master. It poured right into Strood and for a moment there was silence.

  In all the years that had passed, Arafin Strood had been through many deaths. They all scrambled to kill him at once.

  He screamed as the faerie pox, which had been raging uselessly in his body for the last day or so, worked out that it could finally get him and moved in, determined to be the first. Boils erupted all over his skin, appearing, swelling and bursting in one very fluid moment. They had to travel fast because his flesh began to fall off almost at once, the old scars where the wolves had pulled him apart opening up like fault lines all over his body. And then there was the faerie venom, racing to turn him into mush before his skin was eaten away by the pox. It all happened in the space of one terrible scream.

  And there was Dark’s blast of firebreath, too. Just as Strood’s soft bits were dissolving to reveal a shocked-looking skeleton, he burst into flames.

  Everyone leapt back as the skeleton burned fiercely before it exploded, showering red-hot bones and steaming dribble everywhere.

  The echo of Strood’s last scream died away and silence settled, broken only by the soft crackle and spit of flames. Then the smell of barbecue and acid caught up with the watching group’s noses and everyone began to cough and splutter.

  ‘Well,’ croaked Dark through streaming eyes and a sore throat, ‘I guess that’s the end of Arafin Strood.’

  But they watched the remains sizzle for a little while longer, just to make absolutely sure.

  37

  Wednesday

  ‘D’you think,’ Nin said thoughtfully, ‘that I might’ve got it wrong about Wednesday? I mean, even if bad things did happen on a Wednesday – Toby ceasing to exist, being stolen by Skerridge and all that – the fact is that I survived them all against the odds. Like, it’s Wednesday today and we’ve finally managed to beat Strood. He won’t be killing off the Seven and weakening the Land, which means the Raw will stop spreading so fast and the Drift will go on for a few more years at least.’

  ‘So, you mean that really Wednesday is your lucky day,’ said Jonas. ‘The day you succeed against the odds?’

  ‘Yeah!’

  She nodded firmly. She, Jonas and Jik were back in Hilfian, sitting on the grass outside the ruins of the town hall, waiting for Simeon Dark. He had promised to take them back to the Quickmare at No 27. From there they would get through to Dunforth Hill and then Nin would go home. She was still hoping to persuade Jonas to take his memory pearl too, though he had always said he wouldn’t.

  She flopped on to her back and stretched out, amazed at how nice it felt not to be running away or fighting for her life for a change. Around them, people were busy mending huts, setting things to rights, and generally being happy to be alive. The sun was shining and the sky was a glorious clear blue and right now Nin felt wonderfully free.

  ‘In a lot of ways, I’ll be sorry to leave it all,’ she said softly, ‘and really sorry to leave Jik, but he’s … well, he’s growing up now and it’s time he went off to be his own Fabulous. Besides, we know where the gateways are.’ She took a sidelong glance at Jonas. ‘I suppose I should say I know, since you think too much time’s passed for you to go back to the Widdern. Not that I agree. I mean, you must have a family who would want you back even after four years. And we’d still be friends …’

  ‘It’s more than that,’ said Jonas slowly. ‘It’s all I’ve seen and done. I don’t know if I could fit in again.’ There was a thoughtful look in his eyes. ‘I’d be expected to be normal. School and everything.’

  Nin scrunched up her face, thinking about it. ‘Yeah, true, it would take time. But you’ve got me. And what would you do here anyway? Hilary is going to stay and help Hen, Taggit and the others put Hilfian back together. Skerridge … sorry, Dark … is going to open up his Mansion again, and wants to free all the people held prisoner in Strood’s Terrible House, and help all the servants too – after all, he knows what Strood was like to work for!’ She sent an affectionate glance at the mudman standing in the sun, soaking up the heat. ‘Jik
wants to go travelling and see what’s left of the Drift. So, would you stay in Hilfian too?’

  Jonas shrugged.

  ‘Ready then?’ asked a cheerful voice right behind Nin, making her jump.

  ‘Do you have to do that? You’ll give someone a heart attack!’

  Dark chuckled. ‘No, but it’s fun.’

  He was no longer wearing his old tattered trousers, but had replaced them with a suit of dark silver. He still had his waistcoat though. It looked a lot tidier and all the bloodstains had gone.

  ‘You’re getting used to being a sorcerer again then?’

  ‘It’s not been easy.’ Dark blew out his cheeks thoughtfully. ‘I mean, one minute there I was casting a spell to keep me safe and then all of a sudden it had rearranged my memory, changed my shape and given me a whole new identity! I spend the next few decades stealing kids for Mr Strood without a clue who I really am until suddenly I’m back as a sorcerer, battling a complete madman. Not to mention being the only one of my kind left.’ He looked sad for a moment, then smiled again.

  ‘Sorry,’ said Nin.

  Dark waved a hand airily. ‘You’ve got nothing to be sorry about. You only saved my life! Well, are you ready? Said all your goodbyes?’

  Nin got to her feet, thinking of Hen and Hilary and Taggit and Floyd. And even Stanley. The goodbyes had been difficult, but not too difficult. She knew where the gateways were. It wasn’t the last time she would see them, she was sure of that.

  ‘Come on then,’ said Dark. ‘Can’t hang about all day. I’m a very busy sorcerer, you know.’

  And then they weren’t standing outside the town hall in Hilfian any more. They were on a hillside in the warm morning sun looking up at the blank windows of No. 27 Dunforth Hill, Driftside.

  ‘It’s that easy is it?’ said Jonas with a laugh.

  ‘It’s magic,’ said Dark cheerfully. ‘We sorcerers can do that.’

  Nin laughed. ‘Don’t get too big-headed now, I remember you when you were just a bogeyman.’

  ‘Yik!’

  Dark chuckled. ‘We had some times, eh! Not all of them good, I’ll grant you. But definitely exciting. Oh, and bear in mind, I’ll be offended if you don’t drop by now and then for a chat. And you really shouldn’t offend sorcerers.’ He smiled. ‘Just give me a shout when you come Driftside. I’ll hear you.’

  ‘You could come and see me?’

  ‘I know I used to go Widdernside for days at a time, but that was when I thought I was a bogeyman.’ Dark looked up at the towering walls of No. 27 and sighed. ‘I think my Widdern days might be over.’

  Nin nodded, and turned to Jik. ‘When you’re back from travelling and that, well, you know where to find me don’t you?’

  ‘Yik. Alwik.’ He reached over and took her pink hand in his dusty, crystal-studded one for just a moment.

  Jonas put a hand on her shoulder. ‘Come on, kid. Time to go.’

  When they reached the gate of No. 27, Nin looked back. Jik and Dark were still there. She followed Jonas down the side of the house, trying not to hear the Quickmares scratching at them through the walls. And then they were through.

  Watching them go, Dark said, ‘I suppose I could try it. Maybe if I do Skerridge shape, I won’t feel it so much?’

  ‘Yik!’

  ‘Let’s see, how does it go?’ He flexed his fingers. ‘Red eyes and kind of horrible …’

  Dunforth Hill looked exactly the way it always had. Jonas led the way up the hill until they were just across the road from Nin’s house. She glanced over her shoulder and saw a bogeyman perched on a nearby wall, next to an odd-looking mud statue. The bogeyman was wearing a tattered pair of trousers and a (still clean) fancy waistcoat, so she waved. It waved back and the mud statue raised a hand in farewell. She felt pleased that they had come to see her safely home.

  The house sat in the sun, the pine tree casting its cool darkness over the garden, looking peaceful and untroubled. It was going to be troubled pretty soon, but there was nothing Nin could do about that. She wondered what on earth she was going to tell her mother. She wondered if Toby had remembered what she had told him. If he would be waiting.

  ‘She’s going to remember me again, which is nice. But she’s also going to realise that I’m the second of her kids who’s been missing for ages and she hasn’t even noticed. What’s that going to do to her?’

  ‘You have to tell her the truth,’ said Jonas firmly. ‘It’s the only way she will ever be able to forgive herself.’ He took a deep breath. ‘Thing is, Nin,’ he went on nervously, ‘I know I said I wouldn’t, but …’

  ‘You’re gonna take yours too? That’s great!’ Nin gave him a big smile. ‘And don’t worry about school. It’ll be weird for a bit and they’ll have to give you extra classes, but you’ll catch up really fast. And I’ll be right here … or at least … where does your family live?’

  ‘Both together, right?’ said Jonas, ignoring the question.

  Nin nodded. They dug in their pockets for their memory pearls. Copying Jonas, Nin threw hers quickly into her mouth and swallowed. For a moment, silvery strands spun in the air above their heads making a halo around them both.

  Nin didn’t feel the memory of her that spun out, back to her mother and her grandparents and all those who loved her most or knew her best. But she did feel the memories of Jonas as they glimmered in the air, some of them spiralling straight into her head.

  She gasped as it all came rushing back. Jonas teaching her to do handstands in the garden. Jonas stealing her ice cream. Jonas helping her build sandcastles and laughing when she was scared of the sea. Jonas helping her with maths when she first started school …

  When her head was refilled with the memories that should have been there for years, except that some bogeyman had stolen them, she stared at her brother, speechless.

  Who grinned and said, ‘In answer to your question, little sis, I live right here.’

  He came and put his arms around her and she hugged him back as hard as she could.

  ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you,’ he said, his breath tickling her ear. ‘It wouldn’t have made you remember. I would just have been some stranger claiming to be your brother. Better that you think I was just your friend.’

  There was a crash of broken china and a cry from the house as the memories of two more missing children rushed back into Lena’s Redstone’s head. It was a terrible cry and it made Nin feel weak.

  She left Jonas and ran. There was no need to ring the doorbell. The door was already open and Lena was there, with Toby pulling her along, hurrying her towards the rest of her family.

  Nin got there first, beating Jonas up the path and running straight into her mother’s arms.

  ‘Well, that’s it then,’ said Skerridge, as the door closed on Nin and her family. ‘Though what their muvver’s gonna make of it, Galig knows!’

  Jik sent him a look.

  ‘Come on,’ said Skerridge with a chuckle, ‘a disguise ain’t complete unless ya do the voice as well. Don’t suppose it’s quite right, but at least I’ll ‘ave a go.’

  Jik shrugged.

  The bogeyman heaved a sigh. ‘Truth is, I feel kind of guilty for puttin’ the kid through all that. My spell needed to break, an’ as soon as it laid eyes on Nin – not that it’s got eyes as such bein’ a spell but ya get the idea – it saw she was lucky. So it knew that out of everyone she ‘ad the best chance to work out who I really was, see? My spell is the reason I lost ‘er when I’d never lost a kid before. It was workin’ inside me, even though I didn’t know it!’

  Jik nodded. He’d been wondering.

  Skerridge mopped his brow with a corner of waistcoat. ‘Bit hairy, this Widdern lark, even in disguise. Still, ya never know till ya try and I feel kind of OK. Feet’re a bit tingly, mind.’

  They started back down the side of number 27, Skerridge still looking like Skerridge.

  ‘Y’know I kinda like this shape. I might use it now an’ again. Specially if I decide to take t
he odd trip Widdernside. It was fun, scarin’ the socks off all them kiddies.’

  Jik gave him a stern look, then went back to studying the Drift horizon, checking for new patches of Raw. It was a habit he’d got into. There were none.

  ‘It’s slowed down already,’ said Skerridge, seeing his look. ‘We’ve gotta few more years yet, an’ who knows, maybe that prophecy of Crow’s’ll come true. Then the Raw might even start to recede and the Land’ll come back! Slowly, of course, but wouldn’t that be somethin’!’

  He glanced at Jik. ‘Ya remember the one I mean? About somethin’ livin’ in the Heart an’ makin’ everythin’ all right again.’

  ‘Nik Crik, Akik.’

  ‘Oh yeah, right. Azork’s prophecy then. No wonder it was so dumb.’ Skerridge sniggered, then sighed. ‘Shame really.’

  Jibbit still hadn’t reached the top of the high thing. His gargoyle heart was pounding with happiness, because of all the cathedrals that he had ever dreamed about, this cathedral was the greatest and best. It didn’t just tower against the sky, it soared, its spires rising in tier after tier of pale stone. And there was only him to enjoy it. It was a relief after all the excitement to have his own space again.

  At last he scurried nimbly up to the tallest spire on the highest roof. It was so high that it reached above the Raw, piercing the mist to break into open air. Wrapping his paws around the stem, just above the words that said, ‘King Galig of Beorht Eardgeard built this,’ Jibbit settled on the tip.

  Here the sun was warm on his stone head and back and even if the Raw still swirled below him, Jibbit could sense the giddying drop at his feet. It made him happy.

  And he knew that if there was anywhere in the Drift that a gargoyle was born to live, it was right here.