“How did you get there?” Olivia looked over her shoulder, arched her neck, and glanced up at the balcony. “I thought you were still behind me?” Olivia had been fully engrossed in the Spell Keeper’s long-lost toys, namely the Book of Spells and the Ring of Power and had not noticed that her two friends had sneaked off. Not that it really mattered; the main thing was Zorax and Helena had been found, safe and well.
“I’ll tell you what—” began the Spell Keeper, “—I can probably complete the enlargement spell from here. It’ll save you having to bring the birdcage down, or myself having to walk all the way up there.”
“Okay,” replied Macy, as she sat the birdcage and its occupants on Kraken’s chair, in full view of the Spell Keeper below. “It was getting a bit heavy anyway.”
Romulus rushed over to the Spell Keeper. “No, no, wait a minute!” he cried frantically. “Didn’t you just say … you could probably carry out the enlargement spell from here?”
“Yes, that’s correct,” said the Spell Keeper, brimming with confidence.
“Well, it’s not good enough … the probably bit, I mean. They are my mother and father, and certainly is what I want, not probably.” Romulus had worked himself up into a quite a state.
“Hang on, just calm yourself,” interrupted the Spell Keeper. “I think somewhere along the line we’ve got our wires crossed. Let me put it another way. I will definitely be able to carry out the enlargement spell from here.”
Romulus calmed himself down. “That’s more like it.”
Olivia shook her head. “Seriously? With the amount of time you’ve wasted arguing over where to apply the enlargement spell, you could have walked up to the balcony and sorted Zorax and Helena out by now.”
Macy opened the birdcage. “Don’t be scared, no one is going to hurt you. I’m a friend of your son and daughter, Romulus and Hangaku.” Zorax, and then Helena, edged forward and climbed out.
In a shocked and faint voice, Zorax gazed at Macy. “You say you’re a friend of my son and daughter, but I don’t see them anywhere?”
“We’re right here, father.” Romulus and Hangaku could hold in their happiness at being reunited with their parents no-longer and dashed over to the balcony.
— CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN —
Good Friends, Good Food, Goodbye
A moment of emotion took over as the family reunion began, but it was abruptly halted at the request of the Spell Keeper. “You’ll have plenty of time to hug each other, and it will be a lot easier once I have changed your parents back to their normal size.” He lifted an arm into the air and pointed the finger with the Ring of Power on it directly at Zorax and Helena. “Now, I don’t want anyone to feel scared, this isn’t going to hurt, I promise. But I would ask that everyone on the balcony — and I do mean everyone — makes sure they close their eyes.”
“This had better not be dangerous?” said Romulus anxiously.
“Have a little faith, will you,” said the Spell Keeper. “Though I will admit, the intense light made by the Ring of Power can sometimes cause temporally blindness … and we don’t want that, now do we? Especially when it can be avoided by doing as I’ve asked and closing your eyes.”
“Oh, I’ll have a little faith, once it’s all over,” replied Romulus, less than enthusiastic about what was to come.
The Spell Keeper thumbed through the Book of Spells, until he found the words he needed to make the enlargement spell work. And after several false starts and a couple of throat clearing coughs, he read the enlargement spell out loud. “Spirits and dust … listen you must. Gracious and small become larger once more.”
A thunderbolt of blue and green intertwined lightning exploded from the Ring of Power and chased a jagged course towards Zorax and Helena. The ensuing contact and huge circular spread of burning light caused Romulus, standing close by, to miss a few heartbeats. He hadn’t fully closed his eyes; instead he’d peered through squinted slits as his parents were engulfed in a fizzing fireball.
“Perfect,” shouted the Spell Keeper. “Just perfect.”
“I don’t believe it,” Romulus was overcome with joy, and could hardly speak above a whisper. His fears for his parents’ safety proved unfounded, as the glowing fireball dimmed to a flicker, and finally fading away, leaving Zorax and Helena standing on Kraken’s chair. But not as before … with plenty of space — this time with their dramatic size increase it took a precarious balancing act by Zorax, clinging to his wife, to keep them from falling off.
“It worked,” shouted Macy from behind the chair.
“Why do you look surprised? Of course it worked,” yelled the Spell Keeper up at them. “I always knew it would.”
“It’s good to have you both back,” spoke an emotional Romulus as he helped Zorax and Helena down from the chair.
“It’s good to be back, son,” smiled Zorax, thankfully. “For a while both myself and your mother feared the worst for you and your sister when Kraken first arrived. But I can see that with the help of your friends — both old and new — you are safe and sound.” Zorax glanced over towards Macy and Jack, then he peered over the edge of the balcony and looked down at the Spell Keeper and Olivia. “You have all done the land of Tormencer a great service.”
An approving roar, followed by a bout of clapping greeted Zorax’s speech, from the amassed crowd. This was swelled considerably by the hundreds of soldiers, guards and Tormencer inhabitants loyal to Zorax and Helena who had now been freed from captivity.
With Zorax and Helena transformed back to normal and Tormencer back in the hands of its rightful rulers, Macy, Olivia and Jack’s adventure was nearly at an end. Though not before Romulus and his family had thrown a huge banquet in their honour, the following day, to acknowledge the vital part all of them had played in bringing Kraken’s ill-fated rein to an end.
The Great Hall had taken on a vastly different appearance from the day before and looked spectacular. The imposing grandstands had been cleared away, as had the Chandrapaul battle arena, and massive colourful rugs had been laid all over the floor.
A dozen large wooden tables and accompanying benches, each big enough to seat fifty hungry guests, dominated the centre of the Great Hall.
The tables were dressed in red and white cloths down the centre and filled with silver plates, goblets, and cutlery. And hundreds of red and white candles and fire torches lit-up the Great Hall in all its glory.
A vast array of food and drink, the like of which Macy, Olivia and Jack had never seen before had been put on display for the assembled guests to consume, and droves of servants moved between the tables serving it out.
And to cap it all off, Zorax and Helena’s colours, in the form of banners, standards and flags hung and flew from every vantage point, both inside the Great Hall and throughout Tormencer Castle.
The banquet was a lavish affair with music and entertainment from acrobats, fire-eaters, magicians, dancers, singers and many comical elves, dressed up like medieval jesters. Macy, Olivia and Jack were starving and filled their plates with what they though looked vaguely familiar and hoped for the best. Some of what was on offer did resemble, fish, chicken, pig, beef, potatoes and carrots, but Macy, Olivia and Jack hadn’t a clue whether it was what they thought it was.
Some of the food Macy could put a name to … as she had seen it before at the home of Spell Keeper. Mushroom soup in huge serving tureens, vast quantities of stewed worms served with turnips, and frighteningly large fried bats wings on wooden chopping boards.
There was even a large cauldron filled with hot snail and slug curry, perched at the end of each table. But to her surprise, one of the things she had tasted whilst in Tormencer, and had liked, was nowhere to be seen. Mogatron’s delightful drink, Caltor. Though it was probably a blessing in disguise as Macy shuddered to think of the noise that would be made from all the belching the guests assembled would undoubtedly make.
Macy pointed to a platter of what she took to be delicious looking prawns, and nudged Romulus, seated next to
her. “What are they?”
“Roasted fire ants,” replied Romulus, and he grabbed a handful for himself.
“Really!!” she baulked. “I think I’ll pass.”
Jack had overheard the conversation between Macy and Romulus and didn’t seem too bothered by what had been said.
“I’ll have some of them, if you don’t mind.” He leaned over Macy’s head and piled his plate high, and swiftly dispatched several handful’s down his throat. “Now, they are nice.” His muffled voice was barely audible over the amount of fire ants swilling around in his mouth.
“You gannet,” cried Macy in disgust at Jack’s eating habits. But Jack was oblivious to Macy’s less than flattering comment. He had got the taste for Tormencer food and was busy filling his plate again, with whatever he could lay his hands on.
Olivia didn’t seem too concerned either at the identity of the food before her and picked and chewed her way through anything and everything.
Macy, on the other hand sniffed, poked and prodded several communal plates of food and questioned Romulus as to what they were.
“What’s that?”
“Baked Zynador,” replied Romulus.
“Not eating that!” squealed Macy.
“Please yourself,” laughed Romulus.
Macy pointed to another tray. “What’s that, then? It looks like roast beef to me.”
“Nope. Never heard of roast beef, but what you’re looking at is boiled Loomanator,” said Romulus filling his plate.
“Macy scrunched her face up. “Not eating that either!”
Romulus wasn’t bothered and tucked into his Loomanator. “Suit yourself.”
Macy pointed to yet another tray, and this time she thought she was certain she knew what it was. But not wanting to take a chance, she asked Romulus anyway. “So, what’s that then?”
“Roast chicken.” Romulus tore a piece for himself and chomped on it heartedly.
“Chicken?” cried Macy. “Now we’re talking.”
“Ah, finally. Something you do like,” again Romulus laughed, but this time even louder.
Macy picked the whole roast chicken up and placed it on her plate. “Who would have thought it? Of all the places, Tormencer actually has chickens.” Even though she had taken it from the centre of the table and it was meant for everyone, there were dozens of other trays containing roast chicken running the length of each table, so none of the other guests even butted an eyelid at Macy’s greed. All that was except for Olivia and Jack.
“And you call me a gannet,” barked Jack.
“Yeah, who’s the gannet, now?” added Olivia.
Macy smirked and stuffed her face with some of the roast chicken she’s hastily plonked on her plate.
Macy, Jack and Olivia might have thought that the food on the tables was all that was going to be served that evening, but they couldn’t have been more wrong. Once the main meal had been consumed by all the guests, the servants cleared the tables and refilled them with dessert. Colourful fruit jellies, cakes and biscuits of all shapes and sizes were piled up high on large trays in the centre of each of the huge tables.
The lavish, thank you, and farewell banquet lasted late into the night and drifted slowly into the early hours of the morning. But soon a sleepy-eyed Jack decided he’d had enough of the festivities and what he needed more than anything now, was a nice warm comfy bed. Olivia though was not exactly sympathetic to his well-deserved requirements.
“This is a party, for you, as much as anyone!” she moaned. “You could at least show a bit more appreciation for what has been done in our honour.”
“Ah, shut up,” snapped Jack as he turned away from her. “I can’t help it if I need to sleep. We’re not all night owls, you know.”
“Charming!” replied Olivia, less than impressed by Jack’s tone. “Anyway, what do you mean, we’re not all night owls?”
“Oh, leave him alone, Olivia,” chipped in Macy. “This past week has taken a lot out of everyone. I’m sure Jack appreciates the party just as much as we do.”
“Well, he’s got a funny way of showing it.” Olivia looked on as Jack slipped off and made his way through the imposing doors of the Great Hall. Accompanying him was one of Zorax servants, who would show him where he was to sleep. “Did you see that? baulked Olivia. He never even said thank you, or anything... He just upped and left.” Olivia still had a bee in her bonnet about what she saw as rude behaviour by Jack.
Romulus had overheard the heated conversation between the bickering children and stepped in. “Don’t worry. Jack doesn’t have to thank anyone. It should be myself and the rest of the people of Tormencer who should be thanking all of you.”
“You certainly couldn’t have said it any better than with this party,” said Macy as she raised a hand to her mouth in a last-ditch attempt to try and stem the onset of an inevitable yawn. But with tiredness kicking in she failed to mask its exit.
“I think it’s time we all followed Jack’s lead,” laughed Romulus. “If you wish, you may sleep in the grand bedroom reserved only for the most distinguished of guests?”
“That will do me,” said Macy, slurring her words. “It feels like ages since I’ve slept in a proper bed.”
Macy and Olivia thanked Romulus and the rest of his family, and the Spell Keeper of course, for a wonderful night, then set off … under the guidance of two servants, to the grand bedroom.
It took what seemed an age before they finally arrived outside the doors to the grand bedroom, but neither of them complained. Especially once the rosewood double doors had been opened to reveal the bedroom in all its lavish glory.
Olivia marvelled at the site before her as she walked over the threshold. “Wow, I could get use to this.”
Macy drifted further inside and noticed a red canvas floor to ceiling dividing curtain, sectioning off a small part of the grand bedroom. She peered around it inquisitively, and swiftly pulled her head back out. “Keep the noise down,” she whispered, whilst at the same time pointing to the dividing curtain. “Jack is fast asleep behind it.”
“Sorry—” replied Olivia lowering her voice, “—but you’ve got to admit, this is what you call a bedroom.”
Olivia’s reaction on seeing the grand bedroom for the first time was very much understandable. It was an enormous room, almost the size of her back garden, and three of the four walls were filled with beautiful wooden wardrobes and cabinets of every size and description. And on the fourth wall hung a magnificent smoke glass bay window, half open, with more than a dozen exquisite paintings of Tormencer Castle and the surrounding area hung all around.
The lighting system was another thing that caught Olivia’s attention. Fire torches contained within multi coloured glass collars lit the whole bedroom up in a soothing kaleidoscope display of orange, red, yellow, green and purple light. However, the most pleasant sight of all to catch both girls’ attention were two four-posted beds, covered with fluffed up duvets the size and thickness of a pair of sleeping elephants.
Macy didn’t waste any time and readied herself for bed. And as quick as ever she had changed into a pair of white pyjamas and matching dressing gown, which had been conveniently left out on the nearest of the two four-poster beds.
“Come on, Olivia. I know you’re just as tired as me… There’s a pair of pyjamas and dressing gown for you, as well.” Macy flicked a finger over at the other four poster bed.
A gust of wind blew through the open window, like a mini tornado. It swirled around the grand bedroom … and was strong enough to blow both girls’ hair about their faces … before leaving through the same window just as quickly as it had entered.
“What’s that all about?” muttered Olivia, now fully changed into her night attire.
“What?” grunted Macy from her bed.
“That tornado!”
“What are you on about, tornado?” Macy sat up and puffed her pillow. “It’s a bit of wind, that’s all.” She lay back down and made herself comfortable.
>
“A bit of wind!” coughed Olivia. “I think it was a bit more than that.” She ran her fingers through her hair and shrugged. “Doesn’t matter, anyway. It’s gone now.”
“Good,” replied Macy wearily. “Now, if you don’t mind. I’m completely knackered and could do with a good night’s sleep.”
Macy’s words were the last to be spoken, and Olivia climbed into her bed and was asleep before her head had even touched the pillow.
— CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT —
Back in the Room
It seemed only a matter of minutes had gone by, but, in fact was several hours later. And then and almighty crash, as several doors slammed shut out in the hallway. Followed straight after by a hysterical yell. Both girls woke, unsure of what had just happened. The fire torches in the bedroom had blown out and had plunged the room into total darkness.
“What’s going on?” Macy vaulted out of bed and landed on her knees.
“I don’t know,” Olivia whimpered. “But I’m not sticking around to find out.” She sprang out of bed … helped Macy to her feet and bolted to the far side of the bedroom.
But the understandable fear felt by them both was soon put onto the back burner as the source of all the commotion became clear. The lights in the bedroom flickered and sprang into life, and the bedroom door flew open. The ghostly outline of Jack appeared in the doorway. In his hand was the torch he’d taken to Tormencer.
“It can’t be?” spouted Macy. She rubbed her eyes vigorously and looked all around.
Jack wore a broad smile. “We’re back at your aunt and uncle’s house. And look — we’re all back in our black pyjamas.”
Olivia uncoiled her arms from around Macy’s waist and trudged over to Jack. “What’s happened? One minute we’re in four-poster bed in a castle, and the next we’re back here! It better not have been a dream!”
Macy regained her composure. “I doubt it. What are the chances of all of us having the same dream? And Jack’s right — we’re still wearing the same pyjamas we wore on the very first night we stayed at Chandler House.”
Macy Vickers and the Book of Spells Page 23