by L. EE
“Sowwy about that Max. Just wanted Andy, here, to meet our finest gold spinner.”
Max smiled. “Good to meet you.” He stood, walked over to a bucket of water, and plunged his finger in. “Ahh. That’s better.”
Andy wiped the sweat cascading down his face on the sleeve of his T-shirt. It was hard to stand such intense heat. He understood why these men were so thin.
“And that’s Oscar,” Mermin said, nodding to a short man working next to the machine.
Oscar wound the gold thread coming out of the device around a spindle. When a spindle was full, he stacked it neatly with the others in the corner. The towering stack was impressive.
“When there are enough full spindles, they melt down all the gold thwead and form gold coins, which are then stored in the tweasury,” Mermin explained.
“This is awesome!”
Max, Oscar, and Henry smiled proudly.
“It takes years of wigowous study to do what they do and make it look so easy.”
“Can they show me how to spin gold?”
“We’ll see,” replied Mermin, stroking his beard. Andy speculated that was code for “no,” just like his parents always said when they didn’t want to do something.
But Max put up a hand and waved him over. “Not many folks care to learn, but since you’re interested, come have a closer look.”
Andy’s eyes sparkled as he approached the goldweaver’s bench.
“Stand right here,” Max instructed. “There’s lots of really complicated theory behind it, but the short version is this: to convert straw into gold, or anything else for that matter, you must understand the flow of energy within the straw.”
“Flow of energy?”
“That’s right. The energy is harnessed to break down the straw into a shape that’s easier to use.”
“I see…” Andy covered.
“From this, then, I can reshape it into what I want.”
“Uh-huh.”
“This machine harnesses the flow of energy that already exists in the straw. When I add fire and a spritz of water, I can then shape it into gold thread.”
“Oscar can you refill the water reservoir for me?” Max requested. His fellow poured clear liquid into a circular opening on the top of the contraption.
“Okay, ready to watch it happen?” the would-be professor asked.
Andy bobbed his head, eyes wide.
The machine whirred to life as the man pumped a pedal beneath. He fed a handful of straw into the flame. “As soon as that mist of water touches it, you’ll see it turn into a golden liquid.” The instructor pointed. “See that?”
Andy’s eyebrows shot up. “Awesome!”
“Now watch what happens. It’s not hot, so now I just twist it between my fingers like this and—”
“I wind it onto this spool,” Oscar chimed in. A big grin bloomed across his face as he demonstrated.
“That’s so cool!”
The goldweavers ricocheted winks. “Glad you like it,” Max intoned.
“We need to be on our way,” Mermin interrupted.
“By all means. Hey, by the way, Mermin.” Max raised a hand. “That boggart got into the treasury this morning and made a horrible mess of things. We haven’t begun straightening it up. Not sure if it ate anything or not.”
Andy’s mouth dropped open. A boggart in the treasury?
“I figured the King should know.”
Mermin frowned then cleared his throat. “Thank you. I’ll pass that on. Do you need help cleaning up?”
“That would be great, thank you. It’ll take us at least a month to reorganize everything at this rate.”
The wizard nodded. “I’ll get back to you with who can assist. Let me know when you want another book.”
“Thanks for showing me that!” Andy waved.
“Nice to meet you!” the trio called after him.
Ah, cool air at last! Andy wiped his brow on the sleeve of his T-shirt. “Does that happen often?”
“What? The boggart?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s a wecent pwoblem—the horseshoe fell and now we can’t get it back outside.”
Andy cocked his head, but the wizard said no more.
On their way back to Mermin’s library, the boy Andy had seen earlier dashed up. Contrasting with the royal-blue livery, the servant’s neon-green hair puffed about his head as if he’d stuck his finger in a light socket. The lad cleared his throat and announced, “I was told to tell you dinner is nearly ready and remind you that today is Curse Day.”
“Thank you, Alden.” The wizard lowered his head and muttered, “As if anyone could forget.” Lifting his head he asked, “Did you manage to capture that boggart?”
The boy frowned and kicked an invisible pebble. “No…”
“That’s all right. We’ll eventually outsmart it. We’ll be along shortly. I need to change my wobes.”
The servant bowed then turned.
“Did he just say Curse Day?”
Mermin nodded but didn’t elaborate. They turned and meandered to the end of the corridor. A set of winding stone stairs led upstairs and downstairs. The wizard headed up.
“My chambers are on the sixth floor.”
Scaling one flight of stairs and reaching the landing, they headed down the corridor and stopped next to a black door with a shiny silver crescent moon. Mermin waved his hands.
Is he going to say “abracadabra”?
“Secwet passcode. Can never be too careful.” The mage opened the door and they entered a modest-sized room with a large stone fireplace and bed to the left. A dressing area took up the space to the right.
“Please wait here while I change.”
Andy looked around the room. Something twinkled and caught his eye. He looked up and saw the black ceiling decorated with thousands of stars. They seemed almost alive. He could make out the Big Dipper and Orion. He couldn’t remember any of the other constellations he was supposed to have memorized in science class and regretted it briefly.
He walked over to the large bed to examine the intricate carvings on the headboard: a unicorn stood proudly next to a pegasus. Above them the sun and moon walked hand in hand across the sky. Fairies danced with a troll, all smiling and laughing. There was also the carving of a creature Andy had never seen before. It looked almost like a wolf, but its paws were huge, clown-like, and its snout was pushed in like a pug’s.
“That’s a herewolf,” informed the wizard, stepping out from behind the screen. He had changed into a black robe that looked older and more worn than he did. At one time it had been soft and velvety, but was now threadbare and had a small tear near the bottom of the right sleeve. A royal-blue coat of arms emblazoned the shoulder of the left sleeve. He had discarded his hat and his long silver locks flowed freely, a sharp contrast with the mysteries he seemed to be guarding.
Mermin pushed his glasses back up his nose. “Herewolves are descended fwom werewolves, but they don’t change form with the cycles of the moon. They can still be vicious cweatures though. This was carved before the curse…” His voice trailed off.
“Curse?”
“We best get ourselves down to dinner,” Mermin instructed, ignoring Andy’s question.
The pair headed back down the steps, passing the fifth floor and continuing on down two more winding flights. They emerged into an expansive room the wizard said was the dining hall. Several servants wearing royal-blue livery hurried about finishing last-minute preparations. Plain black banners trimmed with gold hung about the perimeter of the room, hiding ornate tapestries that lined the walls.
A head table at the far end stood perpendicular to three tables that stretched almost the length of the room with benches on either side of them. Above the rightmost table hung a crimson banner with a gold chevron separating a lion at the top from a pair of wings at the bottom. Over the middle table hung an aqua banner with a beaver on the top and a snail on the bottom.
Who’d want to be known as a
snail? Andy shook his head.
Above the third table hung a mustard-colored banner. The head of a long-horned bull adorned the top, and a bird nested on the bottom.
Andy’s thoughts flashed back to the crest on the sheath in the trunk in his attic, and his eyes grew large. Before this, the only coats of arms he had ever seen were in books. Now, to see so many in use… What is this place?
“Something wong?”
“Uh, no…nothing.”
Several minutes later, guests began arriving, pulling Mermin to his duties. The wizard hastened toward a doorway at the far left end of the hall and greeted a contingent of about thirty men and women dressed in black robes with an aqua coat of arms on their left sleeves. After exchanging somber nods and hushed tones, they processed toward the middle table. Next came several more men and women also wearing black robes but sporting a mustard-yellow crest on their left sleeves. One more group arrived shortly thereafter bearing a crimson coat of arms on their black robes. They blended into the whirling mass of uniformed humanity. I’m not dressed for this, Andy worried, still clad in a T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers.
Andy narrowly avoided being trodden underfoot by a burly man wrestling a bulky cask into place. “Watch yourself, son,” the man warned with a heavy hand to Andy’s shoulder once he had unburdened himself. A woman with bright purple hair clucked orders to several servants while white-gloved attendants offered drinks to their guests from silver trays.
Several minutes passed before King Hercalon entered the hall. He, too, wore a black robe, but distinguished himself with a royal-blue coat of arms on his left sleeve. Conversation ceased and everyone bowed as he strode to the head table. The King invited everyone to be seated, and Mermin joined him at the head table, sitting to his left. Several uniformed officers seated themselves to his right.
Andy stood watching the scene unfold from a back corner of the hall where he had taken refuge from the bustle of preparations. He scanned the lengths of the three tables but found no gaps among the myriad of servants and guests. What am I supposed to do? Where should I sit? The familiar angst of being picked last in gym class stalked his thoughts, and he prayed no one would notice him.
The King scanned the room, his gaze landing on Andy where he cowered. “Andy! Join me.” Dread pounced as everyone turned.
I feel like a turtle without a shell. Determined to preserve a shred of his dignity, he hurried to the front, eyes fixed on the floor, wishing he had jet packs on his feet. He ignored the traitorous warmth rising in his cheeks. Hushed whispers dogged each step.
Before he reached safety, the King intoned, “I’d like to introduce you all to Andy, son of Smith, Sea Eee Ohhh. He arrived this afternoon, quite unexpectedly.” The monarch paused for emphasis. “Mermin and I were working on our most recent experiment to break the curse when Andy suddenly appeared.”
A murmur went up from servants and guests alike. As the king paused and waited for Andy, Mermin shuffled everyone down one seat on his right. Andy splashed down into his chair, never happier to be out of the limelight.
But the King was not done. He raised a hand for silence and continued, “I know what you may be thinking. The same thought occurred to me. Time will tell… Please make Andy feel welcome.”
The dining hall erupted in loud applause and Andy wished he could disappear. What’s he talking about? What ‘occurred’ to him?
The King called for silence and everyone rose. Andy conformed, not wanting to stand out.
“Today we commemorate Curse Day,” the sovereign began. “Over five hundred years ago, the darkest period of our history began. I take full responsibility.” The King drew a hand to his chest. “I was young, jealous, and impulsive. My pride was unchecked by the wisdom and humility only age brings. We cannot change the past but must look to the future. I continue to diligently seek for a solution to break the curse, but I am also aware the solution may come from beyond ourselves.”
Andy felt the weight of innumerable eyes bounce on him then ricochet back to their sovereign as the King continued, “Know that I will not rest until the curse is broken. As you know, I wish more than anything to see our land restored to its former glory and technological superiority. Please join me in a toast.” The ruler raised his goblet and bellowed, “To breaking the curse!”
“To breaking the curse!” The echo rose along with everyone’s glasses.
“Please partake of the meal before you, and we will complete our remembrance after,” the King invited, then took his seat.
The hum of conversation and clinking dishes overwhelmed the silence. Andy’s brain whirred. Both the King and Mermin have talked about a curse. I don’t get it, but everybody else seems to.
Mermin interrupted Andy’s thoughts as he passed him what looked like mashed potatoes, except they were dark purple. Next came what the wizard said was roast duck and wild boar. They smelled okay but were blackened and did not look appetizing. As he scanned the rest of the table, all of the dishes seemed to be black or some dark color. Seeming to read his thoughts, Mermin leaned over and whispered, “Our twaditional Curse Day fare.”
“Oh,” was all Andy could muster, picking at his food.
A shriek pierced the din, then two more. Protests rose from the middle of the room and everyone gawked as maniacal laughter overwhelmed the hall. The scene looked like an out-of-control popcorn popper. Mashed potatoes leapt from bowls. A platter of wild boar launched, distributing its abundance on guests. Dinner plates flew skyward, then smashed against the stone floor. A bowl of gravy catapulted toward the aqua banner, soiling it before raining on the unfortunate souls beneath.
A bevy of servants converged in a scrum, arms grasping and flailing at the epicenter of the storm, eliciting more high-pitched laughter from the villain whose small, brown-haired body bounced just out of reach.
The path of carnage spread toward the back of the hall, then circled and headed forward. No food was sacred and no one immune. Servants and guests cowered under tables.
The officers at the head table bolted up and surrounded the King, swords drawn, as chaos reigned. At length, the high-pitched shrieks retreated out the doorway through which many of the guests had arrived. Servants and guests peeked out from under tables, wiping rubbish from their clothing and hair. Several slipped on the slick floor.
The King called for order. When quiet resumed, he wiped purple potato from an eyebrow, pulled a hand to his chest, and declared, “My people, I apologize. A boggart has beset the castle for the past moon, since the horseshoe fell from the drawbridge.”
Murmurs rose and he raised his arms. “It seems this furry menace has accurately depicted how I view our situation.”
A host of nods acknowledged.
“Seeing as our dinner has been concluded prematurely, please join me on the porch to complete our remembrance of Curse Day.”
Andy continued wiping food from his hair, T-shirt, and jeans as he meandered along with the crowd out to a porch. It was the first time Andy had been outside since he’d arrived, and the dark night air felt crisp. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, shaking his head. What a day.
A dense fog blanketed the area, restraining the light of the moon to a dim glow and obscuring everything beyond the railing.
“Governors, please join me,” requested the King.
Three men squeezed through the maze of the guests.
“Is all in readiness?” the monarch inquired once they had joined him.
“Yes, Majesty,” each replied in turn.
Three servants handed a long trumpet to each governor.
“Very well. Then on my count.” The King counted down, “Three…two…one. Begin.” Each governor raised his trumpet and, one by one, sounded a distinct call.
What Andy heard next more than puzzled him. It sounded like a huge herd of cows mooing. A second later he heard loud popping noises and then—he hated to think it. His mom would tell him to grow up. It smelled like…farts! Whewww! What a stench! This is crazy!
Andy couldn’t help himself. His imagination started running wild. He pictured the scene. He tried to cover his mouth but a snicker snuck out. Mermin furrowed his brow beside Andy.
“Sorry,” he whispered, desperately trying to contain his amusement. Andy finally resorted to pretending to cough in order to squelch his bursts of laughter, but a snort escaped. People around him glanced over and frowned.
It was all so strange. Everyone around him acted like they had expected the smell, casually pulling their sleeves over their noses. Andy covered his nose with his sleeve as best he could. Oh, this smell is awful!
Slowly, the dense clouds thinned and then disappeared, leaving a long trail of flickering lights clearly visible. Okay, this is REALLY weird!
Mermin moved closer to Andy and explained in a voice muffled from beneath his sleeve, “That’s the city of Oops.” He pointed downward at flickering crimson lights.
The wizard moved his arm to the right and pointed. “And that’s the town of Ooggy.” Andy could make out aqua-blue lights off in the distance.
“Over there,” he said, pointing further to the right, “is the village of Oohhh.” Andy could clearly see bright yellow lights.
A couple minutes later everyone heard a return trumpet blast from each of the communities.
“Please join me in a moment of silence,” the King requested.
When the minute had elapsed, the sovereign concluded, “Thank you all for your continued support. We will break this curse.” Determination laced his words.
At this, the attendees began conversing in hushed tones. Most greeted Andy pleasantly yet solemnly. Once everyone had left, Mermin rejoined Andy.
“We best find you your woom. It’s late.”
Andy turned to follow the wizard back inside but glanced over his shoulder and saw dense clouds again blotting out the scene. Thankfully, that horrible stench had nearly gone. How strange…what just happened?
They retraced steps back up a flight of stairs and turned down the hall to the left. Stopping outside a door, Mermin extended an arm and quipped, “For our unexpected guest.” Hinges groaned. “This will be your chambers. You should have everything you need. Sleep well.”