Then the warlock turned his attention to the others. “One of you has my wand,” he sneered, “but I can’t be bothered to search you all. I’m very busy. So I shall simply make you all disappear, leaving the wand behind when you are no more.” This time a bolt of blue light shot out from his fingers and buzzed round the remaining line of prisoners like electricity. Everyone’s feet began to fade in and out of view, then their lower legs. The spell would soon work its way up their bodies and dissolve them away to nothing.
Edsel sat down on a tree-stump to watch the slow demise of his enemies. But he had forgotten what time it was. A sudden thunderclap overhead signalled the arrival of the daily downpour. The rain lashed down onto the flames surrounding Larna and Aron, putting them out with a sizzle. And the water also reversed the other spell so that everyone’s legs became visible again and their faces unfroze enough to register a hint of relief from the pain.
Cursing furiously because he had no more spells at his disposal, the Boggret warlock strode over to Tiblou and snatched his wand out of his hand.
“This’ll do instead!” he chuckled. “I’ll dispose of you all with one of your own spells and take possession of both the wands. Then I will have won this tiresome battle.”
Larna, Aron and their friends waited for the end as Edsel waved Tibs’ wand in the air and chanted some strange words. Then something amazing happened. Instead of the flames rekindling round Larna and Aron’s legs, they found themselves freed! The two of them were still trying to rub some movement back into their stiff limbs when Edsel tried another spell. This time, their grandmother and all the others were released. They lumbered towards their enemy as fast as their stiff bodies would allow and, in desperation, he launched a third and final spell at them, The result of this one was astounding. Edsel shrank down into a large black rat with a long tail and evil red eyes. Squeaking shrilly, he scurried off into the shadowy undergrowth.
In the stunned silence that followed, Aron was the first to find his voice. “What happened there?”
“A miracle,” replied Tiblou, picking up his wand from the ground. “This beautiful thing is incapable of casting an evil spell. It can only work for good. Edsel made a big mistake when he thought he could use it for his cruel purposes.”
* * *
It was Violet who remembered Clementine’s plight. She flew over to the small mound of black feathers on the path ahead of them, waving furiously. The bird was still alive – but only just.
“Is there anything you can do?” Larna asked her grandmother.
“I’m not sure, love,” she replied. “Tiblou?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know.” He raised his head. “I need help.”
Almost immediately a jumbled pattern formed overhead, then a sunbeam shone transforming it into a hologram of Balgaire. He kept fading to almost nothing then back again, as if an intermittent surge of power strengthened him.
“I haven’… much time, so list… carefully. Just… yond the Forest of Darkness… ere are three trees which you wi… recognise as… oon as you see th.m… ” The air crackled and the picture broke up.
“Then what?” Larna asked the air.
Balgaire reappeared and continued, “Place Clemen… in the mid… and circle… em. Tiblou and Neve must chant the Enduesa… ”
“But, I thought that spell was a myth.” Tiblou said.
“No. It’s existence h… to be protected from… e likes… Mordrog… Eds… ”
Tiblou was beginning to panic. “I don’t know it, Balgaire.”
Another surge of power. “Repeat… , CLEMENTINE VITA REVERTO TORA.”
He did.
“Do NOT f… get. What happens afterwards will take care of… self th… s no guarantee ” He was breaking up and fading rapidly. “best hope for Clem… tine. Last time… here. Farewell friends … ” With that he was gone.
The very nature of the situation put them on automatic pilot. Tiblou held Clementine to his chest and started running towards the edge of the forest and the light. Chet bundled Larna onto his back like a sack of potatoes and as best he could hurried after him. The others followed suit. Balgaire had been correct. They did recognise the three trees as soon as they saw them. They were half the size of any of the others and the most startling shade of plum they’d ever seen. They were swaying in a warm gentle breeze and looked breath-taking.
Neve held out her arms saying urgently, “Give her to me.” She ran to the middle of the trees and placed the small body on the ground in the middle of a dip. She tapped Clementine’s head with her right hand finger tips and her chest with the left. She bent her head for a fraction of a second then re-joining the others. Slightly out of breath she ordered, “Quickly, circle the trees.” They took it for granted that she knew what she was doing and did as bid. Tiblou tried to remember the spell, but in his haste he must have got it wrong. Nothing happened. Neve prompted, and then repeated it with him. Nothing. In sheer frustration, Larna silently said the spell with her and Tibs, “CLEMENTINE VITA REVERTO TORA!”
The soil under the crow changed colour, went darker. Seconds later the dip filled with royal blue water completely submerging the little body. Everyone held their breath as the rays of the setting sun played on the gently moving fluid like thousands of tiny diamonds. They had just about given up hope when a spout of water shot up from the middle of the pool. They burst into nervous laughter when a very cross bird was balanced on top, making noises like squawking coughs and struggling to get off.
“Well, isn’t anybody going to help me?” Clementine complained as the water spout lowered their friend. At the same time the pool evaporated, leaving her in the middle of a dry dip. She examined her feathers and claws. “You all took your time!”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Chet was the first to react to Clementine’s miraculous recovery. “You gave us one heck of a scare, Clementine. We thought the worst.”
“So did I, my boy!”
“What happened to you?” asked Annie.
“Edsel,” answered the bird. “I made the mistake of perching in his tree and he hypnotised me. I had no choice but to obey his will and peck away his prison and his bindings.”
“So that’s how he escaped!” said Larna.
“When he was free, he threw me to the ground like an old rag. Talk about ungrateful!”
“Boggrets are never grateful for anything kind,” commented Tibs.
“Where is the ghastly creature now?” asked Clementine, shakily standing upright and returned to human form, visibly regaining her strength.
“He’s where he belongs and won’t harm us – or anybody else – ever again.”
“Famous last words,” commented Clementine, waggling a long slender finger.
To prove her point, Neve produced Edsel’s evil black wand and showed it to her friend.
“You’d better get rid of that,” she advised. Then added, “And never say never!”
With that, Clementine turned and sauntered off, heading to the portal she guarded with her twin. Just before she vanished into the trees, she swivelled her head and a faint “Thank you” was heard wafting on the breeze.
* * *
“Right, then,” said Neve. “My job here is done. Time to head back to Tiblou’s and finish what you started, don’t you think? Unless after all you’ve been through you two have changed your minds?”
“Of course not,” answered Aron, sidling up to Larna. “I gave my word. We both did.”
Laughing with relief and expectation, everyone made their way back to Tiblou’s new home. The return journey from the Forest of Darkness was much slower than the outward one. Aron was flagging with tiredness and Larna’s sore legs meant she needed to be helped again. But eventually they reached the quirky house and Tibs ordered the front door to open to allow everyone into the entrance hall.
To the right of the front door stood a tall, slim pine bookcase stacked with books of all shapes and sizes. The covers were mostly red and neatly filed in
alphabetical order by author. Looking up, the ceiling resembled a summer sky in the early evening. It looked so realistic that for a second Larna was fooled into thinking she was still outside. There were three windows, one on the right and two on the left which looked out onto the gardens. Two internal doors, apart from the front entrance, became visible. One was at the far end of the room and the other to Larna’s right, almost hidden by the end of the bookcase.
They all jumped when the huge grandfather clock struck. It reminded Larna and Aron of their grandmother’s cottage and they both felt a yearning to be back there. “Surely it’s not that time already. I’d quite lost track.” Annie said.
“And we haven’t even had a drink yet.” moaned Aron.
Tiblou shot forward and told them to follow. “I’m afraid you can’t afford to relax yet. We’re running out of time. Some of my friends have changed almost to the point of no return, so it might be too late for them.” He went to the fireplace, stepped onto the hearth and prepared to walk into the flames. Horrified, Larna grabbed the wizard’s sleeve and pulled him back. “Tibs, what on earth are you doing?”
He shook Larna off. “Have a little faith,” he sighed, tapping his temple. “Haven’t you learned anything since you’ve been here? You know, mind over matter and all that! ” He took Larna’s arm and dragged her toward the flames. To her astonishment, the flames parted like the Dead Sea for Moses, allowing them to pass through. The others followed, walking in single file, before the flames joined up again. They faced a bright orange door which creaked as it began to open. Then they all crowded together until a light came on and they found they were able to spread out, allowing Tiblou some breathing space. Neve was the last one in and remained with her back to the door, watching.
At the far end stood two armchairs, a side table and a bookshelf against the wall to the left. The rest of the room was bare. It seemed familiar and felt strangely comforting.
“Aren’t those Balgaire’s chairs?” Aron asked.
Tiblou took their elbows and guided them towards the chairs. “No more questions. It’s time. Sit down please and leave the rest to me. Okay?”
Larna and Aron looked sideways at each other, lost in the deep cushions. Aron made a funny face in an attempt to make his sister laugh, but she didn’t. This was serious stuff, not a laughing matter, and he quickly sobered up.
“Remember the drill? Elbows resting on chair arms?” Tibs reminded them.
They nodded, swallowing hard. Now it had finally come to it, they both felt a bit nervous. But they had given their word and the burning desire to help their friends overrode their fear.
Tibs looked at his mother. “Do you know where the serum is?”
Annie nodded and marched to the bookcase. On tiptoe, and after a couple of attempts, she managed to pull out a tome which balanced precariously on the edge of the shelf. It was large and heavy and her knees gave a fraction as it fell off the shelf into her arms. Larna attempted to go and help but was unable to leave the chair. Annie staggered over to Tibs who took the huge book from her as if it were as light as a feather and placed it on the floor between their chairs. Larna and Aron looked down and recognised it from before at Balgaire’s. Tibs tapped the hard front cover with his wand and muttered a few unintelligible words. The book opened up to reveal the two crystal vials still securely held in place by a tiny pair of hands with long red curved finger nails. As Tiblou bent to remove the vials, the hands released their grip and crossed themselves on top of a cloud of silky substance. Slowly the book closed and returned to its rightful place on the shelf unaided. Nobody would ever guess that it had been moved.
Tibs magically stood the vials on the side table. They began to wobble, causing everyone to gasp. With one look from Tiblou, the vials immediately stopped in an upright position. An audible sigh of relief echoed round the room. Then he produced an unusual pen-like object from under the table top. Holding it up in his right hand, he approached Larna and Aron.
“This is it.” Tibs said. “What you’ve been brought here for. Are you ready?”
They both leaned over the side of their chairs, touching shoulders, and turned to their grandmother. Still with her back against the door, she gave them a reassuring smile and nod of consent. That was all the encouragement they needed and they exclaimed in unison, “YES!” Removing their jackets, they rolled their sleeves as far as they would. “Relax.” said Tibs. “Close your eyes and count to three.”
With her eyes tightly shut, Larna listened to Tibs’ voice. It had a hypnotic effect and she felt herself sinking into the chair. It felt sssoo comfortable, she didn’t want to move. They both began to count, their words sounding slurred and distant as if they were falling asleep. “Onnne … Twooo … Threee… ”
“Open your eyes, it’s all over. Well done!”
Instantly wide awake, Larna turned to see if her brother was okay. He was giving her the once-over as well. Studying each other’s arms, still resting on the chair, Larna found the faintest red suction ring with a little dot right in the middle.
Grinning, Aron said, “I never felt a thing. I’m impressed.”
“And I’m relieved it’s over,” added Larna. “It is all over, isn’t it?”
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
With his left hand Tiblou picked up the nearest vial and gently blew on it. The lid immediately began to unfurl. With his right he attached the business-end of the pen to it, slowly depressing the top and sending some of the blood cascading into the crystal. Then he repeated the whole process into the second one before shaking both gently from side to side. Everyone watched, mesmerised, as Larna and Aron’s blood mixed with the serum. It began very slowly, circling, and then separating again. Suddenly, strands of the donated blood broke away and began to dart around, seemingly targeting something live inside the tubes before absorbing it and looking for the next. It was like a miniature fireworks display in each vial.
Larna broke the suspense by asking, “What happens now?”
Tiblou held up the two crystal vials letting the light catch the contents. They shone, but when he ordered the room lights off, they emitted an incandescent glow. Satisfied the process was working, he ordered the lights on again. “I will use one of these for our own purposes and hand the other over for duplication.”
“What’ll happen if you run out?” Aron asked concerned.
“We won’t let that happen,” said Annie, pulling Aron out of the chair and put her arms round him. He squirmed with embarrassment. “Oh no, dear. We have been preparing for this for over a century. Some of the antidote will be stored, just in case… ” she patted the top of his head. Aron pulled one of his funny pained faces. “We’ve waited a long time for you two, haven’t we, Neve?”
Larna and Aron looked at their grandmother, shocked. She must have known about this all the time and never let on. Making them promise not to wander too far into the forest was a clever piece of psychology on her part, knowing it would only make them want to do it all the more. And the repeated advice to stick together at all times made sense now, too. Yaya had known exactly what she was doing and, with a great deal of luck and her secret role as The White Witch of Sherwood, it had paid off.
“It’s time,” was all Tiblou said and made for the exit. They followed in single file, back through the fire, into the sitting room and out of the front door into the garden.
“Time?” Aron whispered. “To go home?”
“Not quite yet,” Neve answered. “Have patience. Won’t be long now.”
Outside, Neve instructed everyone to form a protective circle round Tiblou. With a new lease of life, Violet flew onto the scene and perched herself on his shoulder. Larna placed herself to the wizard’s left and Aron to the right, peeping at each other out of the corner of their eyes and waiting with bated breath. Tibs drew his wand out of one of the pockets of his robe and pointed it upwards to the sky. “As this spell directly concerns you both,” he explained, looking at them each in turn, “it is in your tongue. You
need to focus on the words and will them into being if it’s to work properly.” Then everyone bowed their heads as he chanted,
“Bring the sky alight
And with all my might
Bring forth much joy
To all in sight.”
He paused for breath and to think how to continue. Then he thrust the wand as high as he could, the other arm stretched upwards too.
“With this gift so freely given
Lift this curse so we be shriven.
And as this serum now is pure,
Let everyone enjoy the cure!”
A magnificent bolt of light shot from the wand and spread out above them, leaving a star in its wake. It hovered high in the sky, directly above Tiblou, a beacon letting everyone know Tibs had the antidote and it was time to gather for their first taste of the miracle cure. Annie noticed that Tiblou had grown in stature and had lost most of his boyishness. He had grown up. She felt a pang of regret for the loss of her child, but proud that he was doing what he was always meant to do in order to walk in Balgaire’s shoes and fulfil his destiny. She had no doubt that in time Tiblou the man would be a terrific wizard. One of the best.
The ground began to shake and birds fluttered from the trees. An air of expectancy hovered all around them. There was movement and noise in the forest. The first to emerge was Uncle Roger, bringing with him a steady stream of customers from his café. It had begun! They were the first wave of part mutants all desperately sharing the same dream – to be complete humans again before it was too late and they changed beyond the point of no return. More and more came out of the forest, all shapes and sizes.
The plight of one particular family touched Larna more than any of the others. Each one of them was neither one animal nor another, but a hotchpotch of several. The mother had patchy black and white fur from various long and short-haired cats. The father had large donkey ears and the big brown eyes of a cow. And the children were a mixture of dog and bird. They all looked comical and repulsive at the same time and Larna longed for them to be cured.
Spellbound Chronicles – Blood Line Page 16
