She undid the leather strap securely fastened round the box and carefully opened the lid.
“One by one, please, no pushing!”
Oksa and Gus leant over and saw the same creatures as the ones in front of them but tiny, as if they’d been reduced to miniature versions.
They stared wide-eyed and gaping.
“This is a Boximinus, children,” explained Dragomira, seeing their intrigued expressions. “When we had to flee Edefia, Abakum—who must have more foresight than any man I know—collected various specimens which he reduced in size using this amazing invention. The main purpose of the Boximinus was to save space and we used it to store foodstuffs or bulky archives. But only Abakum knew it could be used for living things. Which was lucky, because this way we were able to bring a large number of plants and creatures from Edefia with us to the Outside. Certain varieties of plant didn’t survive the journey through the Portal or the shock caused by the drop in temperature when we arrived in Siberia. But, in the main, they’re all here.”
One by one she brought out the small-scale creatures, which resumed their original size as soon as they were out of the box.
“What a revolutionary invention,” Gus murmured to Oksa.
“You’re telling me!”
Dragomira’s Lunatrixes bumped their prominent stomachs with Leomido’s Lunatrixes, a clear sign they were glad to see each other again. The Getorixes raced over to the grass, where they rolled around happily, until they looked like a great ball of tangled hair. As for Leomido’s Incompetent, it nonchalantly made its way over to Dragomira’s one.
“You look like someone I know,” it said feebly, looking at its mirror image.
“I think I’ve seen you somewhere before,” replied its alter ego, its funny-looking eyes rolling languidly in their sockets.
A Squoracle fluttered out of the Boximinus and immediately joined the one keeping warm inside its master’s jacket, while some octopus-like creatures with flies’ heads intertwined their many legs.
“Hey, I’ve seen one of those things before,” exclaimed Oksa.
“They’re Polypharuses, children, phosphorescent Polypharuses, brighter than a flashlight,” explained Leomido. “We used them frequently for public lighting or as interior lamps. Would you believe that, when they reach adulthood, the light they produce is so intense that you can go blind if you look at it for more than a few seconds.”
“That’s so cool! And what’s that?” Oksa pointed to the last specimen, a completely hideous skeletal cockroach-like creature. Bound and gagged, it was writhing at the bottom of the Boximinus.
“That’s an Abominari,” said Dragomira, sounding upset.
“Strange name,” remarked Gus. “And why is it tied up?”
By way of an answer, Dragomira took it from the box and removed the rope tightly binding it. As soon as it was free, it leapt to its feet and stood there, yelling.
“You’ll pay dearly for this, you old bag! If you come near me again, I’ll tear your rotting body to shreds after I’ve drained its antiquated blood and ripped out its mouldering guts, which will be no more than you deserve!”
Beside itself with rage, the Abominari threatened Dragomira with its long, dirty, razor-sharp claws as it delivered this unpleasant verbal attack.
“What’s the matter with it?” asked Oksa.
“What’s the matter with me?” hissed the Abominari. “WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH ME? That decrepit, disgusting old shrew has no respect for what I am.”
“And what are you?” ventured Oksa, frowning.
“WHAT AM I? You ask what I am? You’re as stupid as that washed-out old hag! You deserve to be disembowelled on the spot. I’m the faithful Abominari of Ocious, the one true master of Edefia.”
36
AN UNCONTROLLABLE REBEL
ALL THE CREATURES, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, SHUDDERED and cast scandalized looks at the vile Abominari, who was furiously belching out insults in the middle of the vegetable plot.
“Has it been like this for a long time?” asked Leomido, looking concerned.
“A few weeks,” replied Dragomira. “Since we’ve been in England, I’d say. It doesn’t seem to respond to any kind of treatment any more.”
“Not even the Psychosfortis?”
“No, not even the Psychosfortis. I’ve run out of ideas. It attacks the other creatures, it scratches or bites me as soon as I go near it, forcing me to use an immobilizing Granok or a Knock-Bong on it so that I can handle it.”
Leomido looked at Dragomira with a worried expression, then at the Abominari, which was growling through its pointed teeth, ready to do battle with anyone who came near it.
“But why is it talking about Ocious, Baba?” asked Oksa.
“The Abominaris are to the Firmhands what the Lunatrixes are to the Gracious’s family,” replied Dragomira, tight-lipped with annoyance. “Ocious was actually the Abominari’s master. Just before being ejected from Edefia, we were chased by that Felon’s son. He was hard on our heels and the Abominari clung on to my dress, seconds before we passed through the Portal. We were in such a panic that I didn’t notice. Once we were on the Outside, we took it in and cared for it like any other creature, although it has always made life difficult for us. It has never accepted me and only acknowledges its master’s supremacy, even after all these years. Staunch loyalty, wouldn’t you say? For years it was no trouble, particularly thanks to the Psychosfortis, a treatment developed by Abakum to mellow… how shall I put it… its malevolent tendencies. But for some time it has become uncontrollable, and I have to confess that I’m at my wits’ end.”
“My Master is coming to get me, old lady,” said the Abominari, slyly edging nearer to her with its claws unsheathed. “And before I see him again, I’m going to gouge out your eyes and crack open your rancid head!”
“Oh! You’re beginning to annoy me with all your threats,” snapped Dragomira in irritation.
She turned the palm of her hand towards the spiteful Abominari, which was instantly hurled backwards a good twenty yards. With a dull smack, its slimy body hit the low stone wall bordering the cemetery.
Oksa gave a cry and murmured proudly to Gus:
“That’s exactly what I did to that idiot Neanderthal.”
Leomido went over to the unconscious Abominari, picked it up and carried it inside the house. A few seconds later, he came back on his own.
“I’ve put it in solitary confinement,” he explained gravely. “It’s in a locked room, from which it can’t escape. It’s really out of control, it’s very strange. But let’s go on with our introductions, shall we?” he continued, more cheerfully. “Where were we?”
“Have you got many creatures like that?” asked Oksa, a little shaken by the obnoxious creature’s performance.
“Like the Abominari? No, luckily it’s one of a kind. But as far as the others go, there are about ten species, accounting for around twenty creatures in total. You see, Gus, I’m far from living alone,” remarked Leomido with a wink.
“That’s for sure. You certainly can’t be bored! What about the plants? Are they just as unusual?” asked Gus, seeing Dragomira take some tiny plants from the Boximinus.
As soon as they had resumed their original size Baba Pollock placed them beside their fellow species, where they celebrated their reunion with a great deal of rustling leaves and joyful sighs.
“Yes, more or less,” replied Leomido. “Every plant has its significance, but that’s nothing new. In that respect, it’s the same on the Outside as it is on the Inside. The only difference is that plants from Edefia have distinctive personalities, as well as a language and a mode of communication which humans can understand. And vice versa. Oh, Dragomira! Did you manage to bring your Goranov with you? Well done, you’re so good with them. I find it hard to put mine in the vegetable plot sometimes, you know? It gets so stressed.”
“I’ve brought you some Incompetent crest salve which should help. Apply it to its leaves and let me know how you get
on.”
For the benefit of the young guests, she added:
“The Goranov is the plant of the Ageless Fairies. Its sap is like mercury. Mixed with a person’s DNA, it can produce a unique substance which we use in the manufacture of Granok-Shooters. This is a very tricky and extremely complex process, and Abakum was the only person authorized to carry it out in Edefia. Your Granok-Shooter, Oksa, contains some drops of this sap mixed with a few of your hairs which I got from your comb. But the Goranov has two weak points: it’s terribly fearful and prone to stress.”
The two friends went over to the plants, weaving their way between the creatures which were enjoying some noisy reunions. The Goranovs were in mid-discussion:
“Such a frightening journey! I thought I was going to die… by plane, can you believe it! By PLANE! They don’t spare me anything…”
“I know what you mean. I was on one once and I had an attack of chlorophyllic hypertension. I thought I was going to burst my veins! Just thinking about it…”
All the plant’s leaves began to shake in a worrying manner, as if a very strong wind had just got up. Then, suddenly, it crumpled in a heap. Oksa exclaimed and put her hand over her mouth. She’d seen this happen before, but it still surprised her.
“Help!” shouted the other Goranov. “Help us!”
And all its foliage collapsed down the length of its stem too. Gus and Oksa were amazed.
“It’s autumn!” cried the Squoracles immediately, poking their little heads out of Leomido’s jacket. “Watch out, the leaves are falling, it’s autumn! Everyone run for shelter!”
“What now? What’s all this about autumn?” interrupted the Incompetents. “Every day there’s something new, how are we supposed to keep up with it all?”
Oksa snorted with such infectious laughter that Gus, Dragomira and Leomido couldn’t help laughing too.
“They’re totally irresistible. I adore them, Baba, I AD-ORE them!”
“This is unreal… totally unreal,” added Gus, unable to tear his eyes away from the two unconscious plants.
“Ahem, ahem.”
“I think the Lunatrixes are trying to tell us something,” remarked Leomido, pointing to the plump creatures.
“The meal has successfully concluded preparation. The invitation to sit down on the table is one of immediate promptitude, if your will be in favour,” the Lunatrixes explained to Leomido.
“They speak exactly the same as your Lunatrixes, Dragomira,” noted Gus.
“They do, don’t they?” she said, smiling. “Let’s go back inside and have something to eat.”
“That was the most fantastic day of my life,” said Oksa with a yawn.
Stretched out on a sofa opposite a roaring fire in the huge hearth, Oksa ran over the events of the day with Gus, who was yawning as much as she. The meal had been delicious—apart from the leek dish, a Welsh speciality which Oksa hated—and everyone had remained in a fine mood. Mesmerized by the dancing flames, the two friends were struggling to stay awake.
“All the same,” murmured Gus drowsily, “a salve made from Incompetent crest—yuck.”
“That’s not the strangest thing we’ve seen today, you must admit,” remarked Oksa, just as sleepily.
“Incompetent crest…”
Gus’s sentence petered out in a succession of low snores, which Oksa soon echoed. In the small room at the back of Leomido’s house, the weird and wonderful creatures had also fallen asleep in their padded compartments after discussing the exciting events of the day.
37
VERTIFLYING ON THE AGENDA
THE PALE SUN FILTERED THROUGH THE WINDOW. OKSA opened her eyes and gave a long stretch. Where was she? Oh yes… at Leomido’s house, in the sweet little room that she’d stumbled back to last night, more asleep than awake. The soft crackling of a log burning to nothing in the hearth roused her properly. She got up, drew the curtains and opened the window. The view was stunning—nothing like the one from her city bedroom. All she could see here was lush greenery stretching into the distance. She could hear birds singing and the sound of the sea a little further away, like background music. It was so beautiful.
“Hello, Young Gracious! Has sleep made its refreshment?”
Oksa leant over and saw Leomido’s and Dragomira’s Lunatrixas in the vegetable plot, a lettuce in each hand.
“Fantastic, thanks,” she replied, waving to them.
She felt great, actually, so she decided to pay Gus a visit. If she could trust her hazy memories of the night before, he was in the room next door to hers. She pressed her ear against the door and knocked.
“Er… it’s open,” rang out her friend’s voice.
She pushed open the door in exuberant high spirits. Gus was awake and rubbing his eyes.
“Were your dreams filled with Incompetent crests then?” she said, jumping on his bed like a cat.
“Hiya, Oksa. I slept like a log.”
“A log which snored like a bear,” said Oksa. “Even with stone walls three feet thick, I could hear you.”
“Huh, whatever,” muttered Gus, suppressing a smile.
They got up, put on thick bathrobes and went down to the kitchen. The Lunatrixes were making breakfast and bickering, it appeared, over the best way to make good toast. Leomido and Dragomira, looking very aristocratic in long silk damask housecoats, were drinking cups of steaming tea.
“Wow, the height of class!” exclaimed Oksa, pretending to curtsey. “My humble respects of the morning to you, my Lord and Lady.”
“Hello, youngsters! Did you sleep well?” asked Dragomira.
“Really well,” replied Gus with another yawn. “It’s amazing here. Thanks for inviting me.”
The two friends set about their breakfast with ravenous appetites.
“Shall we talk about our timetable for today?” suggested Leomido. “That is, if our dear Lunatrixes would be so kind as to lower their voices…”
The creatures didn’t need telling twice. There was an immediate silence and Leomido continued speaking.
“My dear Oksa, you’re here to learn certain things. You’ve had an overview of the world of the Runaways from Edefia, which is also your land, by heritage and by birthright. You must now hone your skills so that you can control them all the time, without being governed or led astray by impulses like anger, fear and so on. You have to realize that control and mastery are the keys to power.”
While speaking, Leomido was carefully buttering a slice of toast and Oksa’s attention was suddenly caught by the huge ring her great-uncle wore on his right hand. A superb silver ring set with a strange grey stone, which intrigued her. “I’ve seen that stone before,” she thought. But her train of thought was interrupted by Dragomira, who carried on where Leomido had left off.
“My dear granddaughter, you should know that Leomido is extremely talented. In Edefia, he was a respected teacher, an expert. No Leomido, don’t blush, it’s true! He’ll take the lion’s share in helping you with your powers.”
“I suggest we compile a short list, so I can see what you can already do,” said her teacher. “Gus, you’ll be coming with us, won’t you?”
“Just try to stop me, Mr Fortensky!” exclaimed Gus, immediately jumping up from the table.
“Oh, please, we’re one big family now, so for pity’s sake call me Leomido, not Mr Fortensky.”
Half an hour later, the four of them were at the bottom of a small valley, not far from Leomido’s house. Gus and Dragomira were sitting on the ground on a car rug, watching Oksa float vertically above Leomido’s head. Gus particularly liked her kung-fu attack position, right leg outstretched and hands pressed together, while Dragomira had a slight preference for the horizontal position, the so-called “heavenly board”.
“Not bad, Oksa, not bad. But do you think you could go a bit higher?”
“I’ve never done that,” replied Oksa nervously, landing back on the ground. “This is the first time I’ve done this outside. I’ve only ever done it in
my bedroom before and I never went higher than the ceiling.”
Gus rolled his eyes at that barefaced lie, as if to say: “You wouldn’t by any chance be forgetting a certain descent from the first floor of St Proximus, would you?”
“I don’t want to die,” she murmured, avoiding her friend’s scandalized gaze.
“My dear girl,” retorted Leomido calmly, “just remember that it’s mind over matter: if you think about falling, you’ll fall. If you think about flying, you’ll fly. That’s the first rule of Vertiflying.”
“Vertiflying… I know how to Vertifly, that sounds so cool! But I’m still scared,” remarked Oksa, scuffing the ground with her heel.
“If it’ll make you feel any better, I’ll go with you, but I’m sure you don’t need me to. Come on, let’s get cracking! Concentrate.”
Leomido smiled and held her two hands. Oksa gripped them, closed her eyes, the tension showing in her face. Then, reopening her eyes, she locked her gaze on her guide and began to rise. Leomido kept pace with her without letting go and they both continued to rise vertically through the air. When they were the equivalent of five floors up, by Gus’s reckoning—five floors!—Oksa stopped, and Leomido let go of first one hand, then the other. Oksa shuddered. Her body wobbled slightly, worried by all that empty space beneath her.
“Don’t let your concentration waver, Oksa, I’m here,” whispered Leomido. “Nothing can happen to you. I’m going to take your hands again and you can bring us back down.”
A few seconds later they were back safely on the ground.
“Did you see that, Gus?” whispered Oksa, her eyes shining with exhilaration. “Didn’t I go high?”
“Ever so high!”
“Do you want try on your own?” asked Leomido.
Oksa hesitated for a fraction of a second, then set off. She started by rising about six feet, her legs shaky and her breath coming in short gasps.
Oksa Pollock: The Last Hope Page 21
