“So who is in charge of the Council?? asked Helen curiously.
“Technically, you are,” replied Jaucal, “As our queen.”
“I’VE FOUND IT AT LAST!” shouted Delsani, unaware that the members of the Council were even there. He turned and saw them all. “Oh, sorry, I was looking for the spell to suppress the King’s abilities. I should also tell you that Queen Helen has ordered me to leave with the abilities of an ordinary Wizard.”
“NO!” shouted Peter, “I DON’T WANT IT!”
Just as Peter finished the sentence, Delsani was thrown across the room by some invisible force. He hit the bookcase with a bang and fell to the wooden floor.
Saren and Henkot jumped from their seats, but before they knew what was going on. Their talismans were in Peter’s hand. He crushed them with no effort whatsoever and threw out his other hand, which pushed the Witches across the room in the opposite direction. All three were knocked unconscious.
Dorana hid in a corner, and the Council members reached for their wands and talismans, all except the Grand Wizard.
“No,” he said to his companions. “What would you do? You’ve already seen him face a Wizard and two Witches. Put those away unless you wish to join them on the floor.”
Then the Grand Wizard turned to Peter, “Please, King Drago, no more. We have seen enough and we dare not try to force anything upon you.”
Peter stood and faced the Wizard. The irises of his eyes had changed from emerald green to light blue and stretched the full length of his eyes.
This, to the Wizards and Witches, was strange, for this had never been reported to happen to any other Wizard-Elf. Though it was not just Peter’s eyes, for four of his canine teeth had grown into fangs. The top two were at least two inches long; the bottom two were each an inch. There were also small black claws sticking out of the tips of his fingers and thumbs. The claws were each an inch in length.
Peter was still standing in the exact same spot, unmoved.
“Why do this?” asked Jaucal. “Surely you know Delsani, Saren, and Henkot all have your best interests at heart and would never try to hurt you even if they could. So why?”
Peter said nothing. He was confused by everything that had happened. He now looked very scared. He was afraid that he would get into trouble again and perhaps even get shouted at. He looked over at Helen, but she did not look angry. Instead, she, too, looked confused and maybe even a little scared.
Very slowly, Jaucal reached into his pocket for his wand, but Peter had seen it at the side of his eye and swiftly turned his gaze back to the Wizard.
“Wait!” said Jaucal. Peter had moved his hand slightly, and the Wizard did not want to take a chance. Jaucal then took out his wand by the tip between his finger and thumb and dropped it onto the floor. It hit the wooden floor with a clatter. Peter did not remove his stare, and still he stood unmoved. Then his eyes returned to normal, and his fangs retracted to leave what looked like normal teeth, and his claws also retracted back under his skin. However, the Wizard could see faint little slits where the claws once were and could be again if needed.
“You see, he is dangerous just as I said,” said Galfead loudly. “Something should be done to show these things their place. For if we’re not careful in years to come, we may have yet another Dark Lord to fight on top of the two that are threatening our world at the moment.”
“And are you going to be the one to do something?” asked Jaucal. “And if so, what exactly would you do to this child?”
For a moment, Galfead looked both surprised and baffled.
“And you are also forgetting the Second Prophecy,” added Jaucal, “and that to even threaten the King is treason.”
“I don’t accept this thing as my King. I’ll show you what should be done,” said Galfead, “Oh, great Grand Wizard,” he said sarcastically.
“You speak of Wizard-Elves not knowing their places, and yet you yourself are forgetting your own,” said Jaucal calmly.
“I am forgetting nothing, for I’m doing my duty to protect our world from freaks like that,” said Galfead, pointing at Peter.
Peter looked at Helen, for he did not know what else to do.
Helen’s face was red with rage, and to Peter it looked as though she was about to explode. He knew that look, only now it looked as though it were multiplied by a hundred times more. He covered his ears, bracing himself. “He knew that Helen’s lungs were about to be tested to their limits. But before she could open her mouth, Jaucal said, “Helen, now that Peter has calmed, would you please see if Delsani and Saren and Henkot are all right and look in on Dorana, if you wouldn’t mind?”
Helen did exactly that. She thought if she did not do something to take her mind off the insult, she would explode.
“Please think about what you are saying, Galfead,” said Jaucal. “Do you have any idea what you sound like?”
“I do,” replied Galfead, “and I would’ve said something sooner. However, I knew that you would have demanded some proof. Well. The boy has provided the proof I needed to show you that he is a danger to everyone around him, and he should be –” the Wizard broke off as though he had not thought of what would happen to Peter if he won the argument.
“He should be what?” asked Berlanin angrily joining the debate.
Galfead now looked furious, for he believed that Jaucal should have listened to him with a keen ear. He was, after all, the deputy Grand Wizard.
“I ask you again, Galfead, what would you do to this child?” asked Jaucal.
“DO YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW?” shouted Galfead, enraged that things were not going the way that he thought they should. “Very well.” And the Wizard saw that Peter’s back was turned, for he was helping his mother.
Galfead suddenly and swiftly took his wand in his hand pointed it at Peter and shouted, “THREPOREEN!” Out of his wand shot different streams of blue light.
Helen had seen this, and she grabbed Peter and held him as close as she could as the blue light got close to them. To Galfead’s own surprise and dismay Delsani, was awake. Delsani’s wand was pointing directly at the blue light, and he shouted, “DEFECTA!” Yellow light flew and collided with the blue. The yellow light disappeared, and the blue flew back and hit Galfead in the stomach. He was thrown against the back wall, and like Delsani, he hit the floor with a thump. He lay there clutching his stomach in pain, for no one was in any hurry to see how he was. They were all too concerned with Peter and Helen.
However, Jaucal had seen the look Galfead’s face before; it was the same look that Noesod had on the night that he attacked Helen.
Jaucal went to pick up his wand from the floor when suddenly it jumped into his hand. The old Wizard looked round and saw that it was Peter. He smiled at him. “Thank you,” said the Wizard. “I’m not as young as I use to be.” the Wizard went over to Galfead, and he saw that he was correct, for as he turned him over, he saw that a little stream of purple vapor had began to rise from out of Galfead’s mouth and nose, just as it did with Noesod.
“I must take Galfead back to the infirmary,” Jaucal said to Delsani. “It seems that he has fallen for the same Wizardry as poor Noesod.”
“Then go,” said Delsani. “We shall finish here.”
With that, Jaucal Phazed back to Dorminya with Galfead, and the rest all stayed to help Delsani perform the spells to suppress Peter’s powers. After they did those spells, he also did two more. The first was to change the color of Peter’s hair, and the other to change the color of his eyes, for the Council had a spy in the service of Ulicoth’s lower ranks. She had gathered information that Ulicoth had hired the services of a Pilasier-knight created from the cleanest salts of Gecholter, a land well known for the making of perfect assassins. That was why the Council members had shown up at the last minute, to be sure that they could make it so if this assassin were to find its way to Weston Road, he would not be able to see the likeness between Peter and Dragdani, and perhaps that could help keep the child alive.
After they had finished, the Wizards and Witches left for home, all except Saren, Henkot, and Dorana, who was well warned that if she said anything about Peter’s true identity, they would confiscate her talisman while she stayed in the Normal World.
It was decide that if Peter was to lead an ordinary Wizard life in the Normal World, it was best that he have no knowledge of Dorminya and no contact with Wizards and Witches who were not wearing Normal clothing.
“All the spells worked,” said Henkot.
“Of course the spells worked,” said Delsani defensively.
“So I guess this means he’s not the one anymore. Now he’s the Normal One,” said Henkot.
“Let’s hope so,” said Delsani, “for now anyway.”
Helen then came through the kitchen door. “So that’s it? I mean, he won’t be able to use Wizard-Elf magic until he’s the right age?”
“Yes,” said Delsani.
Chapter Eight
Godfather, Daniel
Only a day had past, and Helen had just got back from a meeting at the school she wanted Peter to attend. As she walked toward the living room, she couldn’t help thinking how the house felt so empty compared to the previous day. Peter was sitting on the floor glued to the television watching cartoons. She thanked Saren for babysitting him while she was gone.
“It’s no problem,” said the Wicca. “I told you before, I like spending time with him.”
“Have time for a cuppa?” asked Helen.
“No, I’ve got to go. I have to pick up Donna from Hadfold’s. Henkot’s working late again at the hospital,” replied Saren. “Good bye, Peter,” she said as they walked through into the kitchen, but there was no answer; the boy was still clued to the T.V.
“We could stop by tomorrow if you want,” said the Wicca, just as the Kitchen door gently closed.
“That would be great,” said Helen happily, for now she had something to look forward to. She noticed that Saren looked a little run down. “Are you okay?” she asked as the Witch took her talisman out of her pocket.
“I’m just a little tired. I’ve been running around a bit more lately and haven’t had that much sleep since getting the position on the Council,” replied the Witch, a smile now stretching across her face.
“You’re on the Council?” said Helen excitedly.
“Yeah, I got the news at the start of the week,” said Saren equally excited.
“Why didn’t you say something sooner?”
“You know me. I don’t like to brag.”
“Who are you trying to kid? You love to brag!” said Helen.
“Yeah, you’re right, but I thought that if I looked tired, you might say something about it. Then it wouldn’t sound like bragging,” laughed Saren. “But don’t say anything to Henkot. He’s been working so much I haven’t had a chance to tell him yet. It would hurt his feelings if he found out that I told you first. You know what they’re like; they like to know everything before everybody else.”
“Don’t worry, my lips are sealed,” said Helen, putting her finger and thumb to her lips and gesturing as though she were turning a key. “So when are you planning on telling him? Just so I know when it’s safe to talk about it.”
“Tomorrow, just before we come round, so act surprised when he tells you,” said Saren with a wink.
Helen laughed. “So it’ll be a double celebration. It sounds like a champagne event,” said Helen. “I’ll have to see what I have in my wine cellar,” she said in a sarcastic posh voice.
“Oh, no I didn’t want to make a big thing out of it. I hope you don’t think that I was hinting for you to use your money,” said Saren lowly.
“Well, what else is there for me to do? Henkot has a new job in the Wiz-Wit hospital. You have a seat on the Council of Wiz-Wit. Of course I’m going to splash out and celebrate with you. That’s what family is for,” said Helen happily.
“Well, if you’re absolutely sure,” said Saren.
“Are you kidding? I insist! I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“See you tomorrow,” said Saren. “And I wasn’t hinting at you.”
“I know,” said Helen. “You’d better go or soon it will be tomorrow.”
Now that her friend was gone, Helen felt alone, for apart from Peter, she had no one to talk to. And Peter was hardly going to strike up a conversion; he was too busy watching cartoons. Helen sat down on the floor beside him for a while and watched with him. But to her surprise, the time flew, and she renewed her love for cartoons.
She got up and went into the kitchen. “Time for dinner,” she thought.
She was halfway though making dinner when there came a knock on the back door that made her jump. She went and opened it to find Delsani in his younger look.
“Don’t do that! You nearly gave me a heart attack,” she said.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” said the Wizard.
“What are you doing out there?” Helen asked him.
“The council has decided not to allow anyone to Phaze in or out of your house, as a safety precaution. So I Phazed in behind a shop down the road.”
“Oh, well aren’t you a little early for your yearly visit?” Helen joked.
“Yes I suppose I am,” said the Wizard.
“There’s something wrong, is that it? Something wrong with the protection you put on Peter?” asked Helen fretfully.
“No, no. There’s nothing wrong with the spells. I just thought that you might want to know what was going on with Galfead,” said Delsani cautiously.
“I don’t care about him after what did and said.”
The Wizard waited for a moment. “Helen, what Galfead did and said was not his fault. And if you would sit down I’ll explain everything to you.”
Just then, there was a small creak. It was the kitchen door. It seemed that Peter had heard Delsani’s voice and had decided to investigate. When he appeared, he looked at Helen.
Helen did not know what to say, as she knew that the Council had said it would be best if Peter was to have no contact with any Witch or Wizard who wasn’t wearing normal clothing. She turned to Delsani to ask what to do and gasped, for standing there was a younger man who was tall, with no beard, short black hair and a clean pressed suit, just as he had looked the first time he was introduced to Peter only the day before.
“Hi,” the Wizard said to Peter. He took a step forward and held out his hand, “Surely you remember me.”
The boy simply nodded and put his hand in Delsani’s and they shook lightly.
Helen could not help thinking that Peter’s hands looked tiny next to Delsani’s large hands.
“Are you my daddy?” asked Peter.
Delsani was taken aback by this question, for the thought that Helen had never told the boy about John had never crossed his mind.
“Peter dear, I told you that your daddy is with the angels,” said Helen trying to fight back tears that had crept up on her.
“I’m not your father, but I am your Godfather, Daniel,” said Delsani.
Peter looked at his mother confused by this.
“That means that Daniel can be like a father to you if you like, don’t you remember?” said Helen. But Peter had forgotten and now seemed more confused than ever. “Peter, how about you and Daniel watch cartoons while I cook something for the tea. Would you like that?”
“Cartoons?” said Delsani with a lost expression on his face.
“Yes cartoons. Peter will show you.”
Peter was pulling Delsani’s arm. “Come on,” he said, “hurry up.” Peter did not care who he watched cartoons with, just as long as he had company. He did not talk. He would just sit and watch, but he would know if you made the slightest movement. Then the twenty questions would start. Most of the time he only did it so whoever was there would just get sick of all the questions and sit down again.
Not long after the boy and the old Wizard sat down in front of the television, Helen poked her head out from behind the kitchen doo
r. “Could I drag you away from the T.V. for a few minutes to help me?” she said to the Wizard.
“Of course,” said Delsani.
“Why?” Peter asked, disappointed at the idea of watching the cartoons alone.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon,” said Delsani. “Tell me what happens to the roadrunner when I get back.”
“Don’t worry. The runner always gets away,” said Peter, patting Delsani’s leg as if to reassure him of this fact.
Helen had to put her hand up to her mouth to stop herself from laughing.
Delsani also laughed silently. Then he and Helen disappeared into the kitchen and left Peter alone.
“Right, what were you saying before?” asked Helen. “And you better hurry before your new best friend comes looking for you.”
The Wizard said nothing to this; he stood thinking trying to recall what he had already said.
“Galfead had confessed to smuggling an un-cleansed letter out of the P.O.N.G. office in the City Hall. Then taking it into the streets of the city, endangering the magical community and the population of the whole Wiz-Wit world, as it is now called.”
“Pong?” laughed Helen, “What’s P.O.N.G.?”
“Postage of the office of the Neutralizing Governors,” replied the Wizard. “The neutralizing governors sort out the post going out and into the city in case they’re cursed, or hexed, in any way.”
“Ah, now I get it,” said Helen still smiling.
“Oh, and you should know Saren was not the only one to get a new position on the newly formed Council of Wiz-Wit,” said Delsani. “Berlanin is now the deputy Grand Wizard, as Galfead was demoted for his part in what had occurred. The Council had ordered it purely because Galfead’s crime is seen as very serious. Though he was only suspended for two months from the Order, for he insisted and still insists that he had no choice. He told us that the letter called to him. And I quote: ‘Not in the sense of a voice calling, it was more like a feeling telling me that I had to have the letter, as though it were the most important thing in the world. And at that time that’s how it felt to me. I felt as though the letter was sent by a friend or loved one, and I had to have it, and nothing else mattered.’ That was the way he explained it. And although I hate to admit it I think that he’s telling the truth, for how else could Ulicoth have gotten to Noesod one of John’s best friends?” said Delsani.
The Second Prophecy (Part 1 of the Dragdani Prophecies) Page 13
