A New Hope (Tales From a Second-Hand Wand Shop Book 4)

by Robert P. Wills

  The fact of the matter was that any spell that didn’t directly counter Rat’s original enchantment as a familiar would work on him as it would any other creature. He couldn’t be made bigger or smaller, or any other creature for that matter. But quieter? Definitely. Slower or faster? That too.

  Stinking Rolton Chips! Thought Rat as he realized it was his discouraging of Drimblerod that had caused them to be caught by the magically-fast invading Halfling horde at the battle at Littlehorn. With cherries on top even.

  Rat spent the rest of the day alternating between sleeping, dozing, and napping in the box. At one point, he relieved himself. He wasn’t happy about it, but there was not much one could do when nature called. Or, as was his case, continued to call until Rat was forced to answer.

  Rat startled awake to the sound of more squeaking wheels. What are those wheels? And why doesn’t someone oil them? Folks are trying to sleep around here! Rat tried moving his limbs, hoping that the enchantment had worn off during the night. No such luck. Rat rotated his eyes to the bent up flap. The flickering light was still there. He could also see the top of a shelf. Stuck on a shelf; disgraceful. And he wasn’t alone if the rusted wheels were any indication. Rat’s stomach growled. Panic took him as he realized he might actually starve to death stuck in the box. He tried in vain to move.

  It’s no use, Rat; you’re going to starve to death here in the dark alone.

  A twitching of his insides told him something was wrong. Perhaps ‘wrong’ was the incorrect word. ‘Happening’ was more like it. It was a familiar sinking feeling that happened to him when he fell a great distance. It was as if his stomach was moving into his throat. But I’m not falling! He thought. That’s not the only time you feel like that, though. It happens when you’re becoming you again. Or... turning into a Shambler!

  The box tore open as Rat grew into the size of a Shambler. Or, more precisely, a ShetlandShambler. Either way, the box no longer could contain him. Or the shelf it was presently occupying. RatShetlandShambler kicked his legs as the shelf teetered since he was making it top-heavy. He inadvertently kicked against the wall and the shelf began to fall away from it in what seemed to be slow motion. You idiot! You just kicked over the shelf! Kicked over! KICKED OVER?! He tried twisting as he fell but was too large and caught between two shelves. As he hit the ground on his back, the top shelf broke off and he rolled free. He thrashed as he got to his feet.

  RatShambler looked around the room. It was more a cave than anything else, and not a big one. There were two small tunnels leading out of it- one had an upward angle, then other went deeper into the ground. The room seemed to have been carved out where the two tunnels met - the one going up doubled back to the other going deeper, creating a blind spot. There were several boxes stacked against the wall and another shelf like the one he had just occupied. It was full of boxes as well. He looked at the boxes that had occupied his shelf; several were open and wands had fallen out of them. “What’s going on in there?” He heard a voice call.

  RatShambler looked at both the tunnels. He wasn’t sure which one the voice had come from. Hoping that the upward sloping tunnel led to the surface, he bolted up it, hooves clattering on the hardpan as he went. Darkness enveloped him as he moved out of the lamplight and into the tunnel. As he rounded a gentle bend, he saw a dim light ahead. Daylight? Freedom!

  He moved to one side of the tunnel. He was trying to avoid the iron rails that ran down the middle of it, making him guard his steps lest he break a leg. Thanks to his size, he was still able to gallop in the confined space. The light at the end of the tunnel grew in size as he approached the entrance. Suddenly, it went out as a figure stepped between him and the exit. RatShambler lowered his head and moved to a full gallop.

  “Stop, you!” said a voice from the black form.

  RatShambler collided with the dark shape, his hard Shambler skull saving him from the dizzying flashes of light and following unconsciousness the figure experienced as their heads connected.

  After only a minute, he burst into sunlight. Squinting his eyes to the morning glare, he continued to run blindly away from the tunnel entrance for another hundred yards into the shade of some trees.

  RatShambler stopped to catch his breath- the uphill run had taxed him. He looked around to get his bearings; he seemed to be past the outskirts of Julesville, on the west side of town where a forest began. It was a large forest that he had never really explored. He knew that past it lay a large plain that ultimately led to another range of mountains. “The Freelands,” he said aloud. Surprised to hear his own voice. “That’s much better.” He shifted his gaze eastward. He could see several familiar buildings in the distance as well as the very top of the windmill, blades turning peacefully in the morning breeze. Not that they needed it.

  He glanced at the tunnel entrance and was startled back to his present predicament, RatShambler bolted towards the windmill. I’ll get back and let Grimbledung know where all those wands are! He thought. In that underground lair. Or cave. Or whatever it is.

  Within the hour, RatShambler trotted (he had long since switched to a trot since he was running on an empty stomach) to the large double doors of the windmill. The right one was open, so without stopping, he pushed past students and made for Big Julie’s office. When he got there, he turned and kicked the door. Having learned his lesson with Grimbledung, only once. “Open up Julie!” He shouted. “Open up!”

  Big Julie opened the door just as RatShambler turned around. “We were just talking about where to look for you next”

  RatShambler nodded. “I’ll bet.” He looked around conspiratorially. “I need to come in. I’ve got news. Big news!”

  Julie moved to the side to allow RatShambler to enter her office.

  Grimbledung, Drimblerod, Akita, and Amaryllis were sitting around her desk.

  “Rat!” Said Grimbledung as he stood and hugged his friend around the neck. “I found you!”

  “What a wee little Shambler you are,” remarked Julie.

  “There’ll be time for teasing later Julie,” said Akita. “So where’ve you been?”

  “Captured!” Said RatShambler. “I was captured and put in a box to starve.” He sat on his haunches. “I’m starving at this very minute, in fact.”

  “We’ll take you to the cafeteria just as soon as you tell us what happened, Rat,” assured Julie.

  “Well, I was captured and put in a box to starve...” Began RatShambler.

  “You said that part,” interrupted Grimbledung. “Where were you?”

  “In a box, in a cave.” Rat looked at Akita. “At the western outskirts of town near where the forest starts.”

  Akita nodded. “I can go out there and check to see who’s camping out there.” He stood up. “Did you get a look at who grabbed you?”

  RatShambler shook his head. “I was busy trying to get away at the beginning, then later on it was dark. And I was in a box.”

  “That’s it?”

  He nodded at the Constable. “Wait! Now that I think about it, you know, I did run into him.”

  “Yeah?” Akita leaned forward.

  “And we butted heads.”

  “Well with your attitude, that’s not surprising,” said Grimbledung. “Honestly.”

  “No, no,” said RatShambler. “We literally hit heads. Caught him square on at a dead run.” He nodded. “There’s no way he got out of that without a huge bruise or a black eye. Or both.”

  Akita patted RatShambler’s shoulder. “I’ll head out there and see what I can see.”

  “Good luck, Constable,” RatShambler said. He looked at Grimbledung. “Can you change me back to a Rat so I can eat?”

  “So it will take less food?”

  RatShambler shook his head at Grimbledung. “So it will taste better; rats have a better sense of taste. Shamblers smell better though.”

  “I find that hard to believe,” offered Grimbledung

  “Well, that’s as good a reason as I’ve ever heard. Food’s
only worth eating if it tastes good,” said Drimblerod.

  Grimbledung pointed at his friend. “I’ve seen you eat moldy bread.”

  “Well, that was an exceptional circumstance.”

  “You said you didn’t want to get up to get another piece of bread...”

  “So am I going to get my wand back then?” Interrupted Amaryllis. “It was a gift for my last birthday. Mother would be really upset if I lost it.” She poked out her lower lip- this time for real. Tears welled up in her eyes.

  Grimbledung stood...

  Chapter 46

  Grim Noir – The Case of the Missing Wands

  (Day 5) - The Windup

  I’d been betting Rat would flush out the thief. And it looked like my bet was going to pay off. Three to one. Or maybe one to three. Either way, I was coming out ahead. I looked over at my Moll. Sweet kid. Gropey, but sweet.

  “Sure you will, Amaryllis. I told you you’d get your wand back and I meant it.” I gave her a wink. “That’s cause I’m...”

  “A professional?” Akita interrupted me.

  I gave him a look. “I thought you were going to check out the hideout.” I reminded the Werewolf. Like most flatfeet, he sometimes gets off track. “Out west.”

  Akita gave me a stare. He does that a lot. Making a copper when that happened would be nice for my wallet as well. “I’ll be back,” he said as he loped out.

  “Anyone have a wand I can borrow?” I asked.

  Drimblerod held his wand out to me. “Just for the moment, right?’

  I passed him the stare Akita gave to me. “Sure, sure. I’m just changing him back is all.”

  I took my partner’s wand and with a flourish (for Amaryllis since I’m still hoping to take her mother to the Jubilee) pointed it at Rat.

  Shambler Verdes!

  Transmutis Completes!

  Rodentus Grigo!

  My trusty Rat flashed back into existence. Or actually, the smaller version of himself.

  “Thank Nari Bai!” Rat ran his claws down his fur. “Back again.” He clutched his belly. “And starving.”

  I gave him a nod. “How about you go get something to eat while I work out a plan?”

  Rat scampered off without so much as a ‘how’s your birthday?’.

  “Well, I’m glad this is over with,” said Big Julie.

  I gave her a look that started on one side, went across the top, then down the other. “Not yet, Doll. Not yet.” I struck a pose. “First I need to reveal the devious thief.”

  She rolled her eyes at me. Mostly, I take that as a signal that she was interested in me. Because it happened a lot. “And second?”

  I give her the once over again. “We work out my fee.”

  There’s that eye roll again.

  Oh yeah.

  Drimblerod’s got his hand out. “So how’re you going to reveal the thief, Grim?” Now he’s waggling his hand at me.

  Some folk.

  “Call a school-wide meeting tomorrow morning.”

  “An assembly?”

  I give Drimblerod what I had left of the stare I gave Julie. There wasn’t much left, but I think it was enough. “Of course assemble the students. How can you have a meeting if they’re not all there?” Now I give him Julie’s eye roll for no extra charge.

  “I’ve got one more loose end to take care of. Got a few copper, partner?”

  Drimblerod still has his hand out. Not sure what that’s about. But with the other, he reached into his pocket and fishes out four copper.

  “That’ll do,” I tell him as I take the coins. He’s still waggling his hand. So I shake it. “See you back at the shop.” Then I march out of the office.

  I ease myself into a stool. “Dirty cider fizz, Maurice,” I say as I slide two copper across the bar.

  Maurice gives me a nod.

  “Been a rough week.” I toss at him. I’m still hoping a shot of something makes its way into my fizz.

  Maurice looks over his shoulder at me.

  I slide another copper across the bar. “Real rough.”

  He turns back around.

  Here’s hoping.

  After just a few moments- Maurice is a professional in his own right- he turns around. He’s not holding a cider fizz. It’s a tall glass with what looks like three different colored liquors in it.

  “Bottom-shelf triple,” he says as he slides it gently across to me. “Back coming up.”

  “What?” I give him.

  He turns back around, a tumbler of water in his hand. “Akita stopped by yesterday. Filled me in.” He puts the glass down. “Enjoy, Grimbledung.”

  I slide the last copper across the bar. “Maurice, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” I take a careful sip of my drink to not disturb the layers. Oh yeah. Beee-utiful.

  Chapter 47

  Grim Noir – The Case of the Missing Wands

  (Day 6) - The Finale

  I hopped out of bed, ready for the day. As I was tying my shoes, Drimblerod knocked on my door.

  “You up Grim?” He called.

  Oh yeah. I’m up. Up and ready to close this case. This has been the toughest case of my investigative career. I am ready. Ready to collect my hefty fee for all my prep-work. Ready to be paid for my deep investigative digging. Ready to be reimbursed for establishing a wide network of trustworthy informants. Ready to be remunerated for the supplies and my time in using them. Ready to be compensated for the bonkings on the head I endured (on purpose of course) as part of my investigation. So I told him so: “Yeah.”

  “Well good, because the assembly will be taking place in half an hour so we need to get going!”

  I gave the closed door a nod. “Got it.” I moved to the door and opened it. “Half an hour to glory.”

  “Well, let’s eat quick-like so we’re not late for the glory.” Drimblerod pointed at a plate of eggs and bacon sitting in front of the barstool he had borrowed from Nulu a few days ago. It had a back and arm rests. Ours didn’t have those. I was considering keeping it as part of my fee.[35] I climbed onto it and dug in. “Is Rat around to give us a ride?”

  As if on cue, Rat cleared the top of the stairs. “Oh, I’m ready to have justice dealt to this person that thinks he can put me in a box! On a shelf. In a corner.”

  I give him a nod. “Nobody puts Rat in a corner!”

  Rat hops up onto the chair then the table. At his current size, he can’t make it in one leap. He picks up a slice of bacon. “That’s what I said.”

  “No, I just said it.” Rats. They’re alright in general, but not the best conversation partners. Still as far as a sidekick, a Private Dick could do worse than Rat. “But I’ll let you have it.”

  Rat gives me a nod. His mouth is too full of bacon to say anything.

  Which is fine because now mine is too full to answer him. So I push the eggs to one side of my mouth and say to Drimblerod, “So I’m glad this case was resolved before this spell wore off.” I use my fingers to pick up the pieces of egg that made it out of my mouth as I said it.

  Drimblerod’s not making eye contact with me. Sure they are some good eggs, but not that good. Something’s not right. I swallow hard. “What?”

  “Nothing, nothing,” he said as he crams an entire muffin in his mouth. Stalling.

  I keep my eyes slapped up against him. “What?”

  Now he puts the muffin on the side of his mouth. “Well, remember when they made you...”

  ‘Tiny” tossed in Rat.

  Drimblerod nods. “Tiny?”

  “Yeah. Maca did it.”

  “Remember dying?”

  “Which time?” It’s a valid question. I think I’ve made a record this week for meetings with that gondolier. Soon we’ll be on a first name basis. Right now he just calls me ‘You again!’. I think that’s spelled kind of like Grimbledung. He’s added a bench so I’ve got a place to sit. Nice fellow, that gondolier.

  “When you were made tiny.” Drimblerod says.

  Nope. Not at all
. That one must have slipped by my somehow. “Sure.”

  “Well, that was because it seems you are allergic to jointed charlock.”

  No kidding. “Well, that’s not a surprise; everyone’s allergic to it; it’s highly poisonous.”

  Now my partner’s shaking his head at me in that way that he does. “No, Grim. It’s only poisonous to Dwarves.”

  “That can’t be. Everyone in my family is deathly allergic to the stuff. Mom said it was deadly poison. To everyone.”

  “Only if you’re a...” Starts my partner. Then he gives me a sigh. He does that a lot too. “Well, the potion that made you young ended up killing you, so Maca had to bring you back.”

  “Mighty neighborly of her.” I pick up a piece of bacon and begin to gnaw on it.

  “Well the effect of bringing you back made it so the youth potion lasts...” He looks at Rat. Rat gives him a shrug. “Longer.”

  He needed Rat for that last word? That seems... Wait a grain of sand! “Wait a grain of sand!” I drop my bacon. “When you say longer, what exactly do you mean?”

  “A month.” Rat says. He seems to be enjoying this all of a sudden.

  A month? What kind of... Then a thought occurs to me. A wonderfully wonderful thought. “So Rat’s stuck at his current size until then as well?”

  Drimblerod gives me a nod. “I suppose so. Until you regain your regular size and then transmogrify him.”

  Wheels are turning in my head. Oh yes, wheels. “So even after I’m large, until I swap him back to a Shambler, he’s going to stay a tiny little rat-lette?”