Horrified, Jules pulled away from him.
“That really won’t be necessary. I’m finished with what I wanted to do here. For the moment, at least. We’re on our way out.”
“OK, OK. But before—”
He came up to him again, but Jules moved away before he could hug him.
“Whenever you want to stop by, just let me know. We could go have a cup of coffee together one evening and talk up a storm. But stay away from this scary tall dude. Do it for me. I can tell he’s no good. I’m a real good judge of character, you know. Hey, I know a writer. He’s really famous and nice as can be, and gentle as a lamb[1]. You should see him when—”
“That’s nice, Rene, but it’s getting late. Another time, OK.”
They quickly dismantled and boxed up the equipment. René watched them and shook his head, not offering to help. He didn’t like seeing the two of them together and was sure that grief had led his old friend, Jules, astray. As he accompanied them to the door, he told old stories about the school that they barely paid attention to. Jules uttered something whenever he thought it was expected of him, though René hardly needed the encouragement.
Jules dropped Merlin off at his house and then drove around the town alone. He wasn’t in any hurry.
Their nocturnal experiment had been cut short. He was on the wrong trail. Some elements were missing, but he couldn’t figure out which ones. Why was it that Merlin could no longer cross over or even open the passageway? What was the most important part of alchemy, the place or the people? And Merlin who seemed so old.
Suddenly, Jules came to a halt, bumping and almost knocking over stray metal garbage cans next to the sidewalk. Youth was the missing element. His sons, his friends, even though they were handicapped, had something adults considered a virtue: the blessing of youth.
He headed back home feeling a bit uplifted. They would return to the classroom, but they wouldn’t be alone.
Meanwhile, Merlin had come home to find an unexpected visitor ensconced in the floral armchair in his study. (Merlin had rented the furnished home from a charming blue-haired lady who confided she’d met her young lover thanks to reupholstering this particular chair.) Cleverly hidden in the darkness and with his legs too short to touch the floor, the Duc sat waiting for Merlin’s return.
CHAPTER 24 STILL NO DOOR
After several heartfelt embraces—with Finlay jumping from one to the other to get his share of the hugs—they felt ready to plan their escape. The room, like many in Scarface’s strange abode, didn’t have any doors. Aidan arched an eyebrow.
“I’d give anything to see an emergency exit sign. What do they do in this country if there’s a fire?”
“They let it burn. Prisoners make excellent firewood.”
“Boys, your sense of humor really cracks me up. As soon as we’re back, I promise to book you a venue for your blockbuster show. But for now, don’t we have more pressing matters at hand?
“Don’t worry, Sara. Cosmo explained it all to me. All we need to do is nibble on a walnut, express our desire to get out of here, and then we’ll be safe and sound. We have our very own magic lanterns.”
Titiana responded in a soft voice, “I don’t think that will be enough, Arthur. Not here. The only one who can get us out is the one who put us here.”
Albin was getting increasingly exasperated.
“How can you be so sure? And by the way, why were we locked up separately?”
Arthur came over and tapped his shoulder.
“She’s the princess, don’t you remember?”
“Oh sure, Artie. For you everything’s so clear, but I’d to hear what she has to say.”
“Arthur’s right. But you deserve a more detailed answer, I agree. There’s so much to tell, and until recently I knew so little about it. I’m curious about, well, those walnuts you mentioned. The person who gave them to you, is he tall, with a voice that could charm honey from the bees, with a patched hat worn low on his forehead? Does he have a big sack that looks as if it could hold all sorts of treats?”
“Come on, Titiana, that would be Santa Claus you’re describing.”
“No, Aidan. He visited me often when I was a child. I believe he holds the key to the mystery, everything, Lalea’s secrets. But...he’s not here. And—”
“I’M HERE.”
The booming voice came from Scarface who had finally caught up with them. In an instant he was in the room without their seeing how he’d gotten in.
“Oh yes, my children, you weren’t expecting to see me so soon I suppose. Sorry to ruin your family reunion. Perhaps you’d prefer I stop by a little later?”
“Good idea. We’ll give you a call.”
As fast as lightning, Scarface had grabbed Aidan and sent him flying against the wall. He sunk to the ground, his head bent to his chest at an awkward angle as if he’d suddenly tried to hear the beating of his heart. Down below, the scenery was moving in fast forward, engulfed with smoke and dark, stormy clouds.
No one dared move. There was no longer any way out, no magic wand. Scarface towered over them looking angrier than they had ever seen him. He reached for Titiana. So much for the carefully planned ritual, the sacrifice of the princess in front of her disciples. Not having the opportunity to begin his reign with such a ceremony put a damper on his mood. Once the princess died, every last bit of power would be invested in him. He was reaching the end of his patience.
His hand brushed Titiana’s shoulder, but no farther. In one leap, Finlay had grabbed hold of Scarface’s cheek and began tearing up what had remained unblemished. Scarface didn’t have enough hands to swat him away. Blood didn’t hesitate to flow from the wounds Finlay was inflicting on him, first in narrow rows, then in gushing streams. Finlay’s placidity had turned into fury as he bit and punctured the eye above the first scar. Scarface gave up using his hands to push him away, so he closed what remained of his eyelid. At that moment, a powerful vermillion aura enveloped him. He loosened Finlay’s grasp and flung him against the same wall where Aidan lay. In scarcely a few minutes he had transformed two of his assailants into inert bodies. Nothing seemed capable of stopping him, his anger fueling his strength. Total slaughter would soon be underway.
He burst into a sick laughter. He had been caught off guard by Finlay’s attack, but judging from the pale faces of his enemies, there was no more resistant left in them. Thinking about the power within his grasp intoxicated him. Soon, his wounds would be nothing more than a pleasant memory. His anger was now replaced by contentment. Nothing could stop him now. He would savor the experience of squeezing the princess’s neck until it broke. So sure he was of it, that he gave himself a moment to contemplate the scene.
CHAPTER 25 A FRIENDLY VISIT
Merlin had jumped when he found himself face to face with the Duc. Then, he regained his composure to present a more stoic expression that belied his true feelings. The Duc had fallen under the sway of Scarface right before Merlin had left Lalea for good, and their last meeting hadn’t been very pleasant. Merlin didn’t trust him at all, and as for the Duc, well, by then he seemed to taunt and scorn everyone. Merlin had been the one to give him his nickname. One evening, the one who wasn’t yet the Duc had told stories of tortures he had endured during his difficult childhood. Tough experiences that he had somehow survived. Merlin, proud of his research on plasma ducts that would soon force him to leave paradise, had proposed the odd name of “ductile.” The one who bends but never breaks. The “Duc” had liked his new name. And so it had stuck.
Obviously the Duc hadn’t stopped by for a friendly visit. One rarely travels across the space between two universes for the pleasure of having tea. Though the journey had made him thirsty, so he did accept a cup of it with milk.
Since being blacklisted, Merlin no longer turned on more than a couple of lights. The Duc, however, seemed perfectly at home in the half darkness. He studied Merlin with his elongated eyes, his face free of the funny faces that usually animated it. When he fi
nally chose to speak, his intentions would have surprised the six stray travelers. He was sparing with the gestures that normally punctuated his conversation and instead spoke in a concise and restrained manner.
“You’re not going about it in the right way.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“You. And the smart kid’s father. Your actions are useless if your mind isn’t into it.”
Interested, Merlin leaned forward in his chair and almost spilled the cup of tea he’d forgotten about.
“Explain yourself.”
“It’s quite simple; your equipment is inept. You’re using an artificial method to open a passageway that only exists in the mind. It’s impossible.”
“Are you sure of it?”
The Duc nodded, and Merlin set down his cup to run his hands through his hair.
“But there must be a solution. We can’t just abandon them like that. They need us. I would never have—”
The Duc interrupted him.
“—Stop yapping for a second and I’ll tell you how to go about it.”
Merlin gasped.
“I’m listening.”
“Good. What makes this kind of travel possible has nothing to do with some wacky exchange of molecules. It’s about having the opportunity to believe in a better world. And having the ability to improve one’s world. Apparently in your world, there are only a few young people who still have these capabilities. And just a handful of adults, but they don’t know the way. When I think about how we spent our entire lives trying to make it better. It’s practically the sole purpose of our education. Teaching uplifting songs, comforting subjects, which flowers make the most beautiful bouquets, and so on. Perhaps it’s better like that. I wouldn’t want Lalea to become a spring break destination for teenagers. No thank you.”
“OK, OK, I understand. So, I lost the ability when I became resigned and gave up on life. And I can’t get it back?
The Duc responded in a sarcastic tone.
“It’s possible, but difficult. Sincerity goes a long way. And you’re a little behind on that one.”
“Yes, that’s true. So what’s your suggestion? Place an announcement in the school paper that I’m seeking idealistic volunteers to help find my students? So that’s your plan?”
Appalled, the Duc jumped up and started pacing the carpet, hammering it with his bare feet. And feet that weren’t particularly clean.
“You’re so obtuse, Merlin. No surprise that you can’t travel anymore. It would be pointless, and even dangerous to make anyone else cross over. You’d surely lose them, too. The passageway is risky, and...”
The Duc lowered his voice.
“Sometimes it deviates.”
“But how could—”
“—I’m going to help you. That’s what I’m here for, right? Normally, you should be able to figure this out yourself, but since you seem slow to catch on—”
“—You’re being a little too critical.”
“OK, your friend there, Mr. Brainiac, I don’t suppose he’s invented some sort of...rejuvenation machine?”
“Uh...no. Why?”
“You and your idiotic technology. This confirms the matter goes back ages and has never found any of that stuff useful. That’s right, I’m keeping up with what’s going on here, too. If no one were here to help you...So anyhow. Call him. Go ahead. What are waiting for?”
“But it’s after midnight. Can’t we wait until tomorrow morning?”
“Why yes, of course. After all, your friends are in a very bad situation right now, and Lalea is in danger. Did I forget to tell you that your world was about to be destroyed by the same forces? Now if you prefer to get some rest before watching its destruction, I can understand. Don’t worry about it.”
“All right, I’ll call him. But what are you planning on doing?”
“I’ll tell you when it’s the right moment. I don’t want to have to repeat myself.”
As he was going to make the call, Merlin turned around.
“Duc, I know you don’t like me very much, so why are you helping me?”
“You moron. Is this really the moment to question your conscience? OK, so you’ll feel better, I have absolutely nothing against you.”
“But I—”
“—Yes, I know you didn’t hold me dear to your heart, and you were sure the feeling was mutual. Sorry to disappoint you, however, you were the evil villain in the story.”
“I should let you know...the students told me about you, and—”
“—And they said that I was strange. Yes, many people find my appearance off-putting. They simply misjudged me. Which will be Scarface’s undoing, by the way.”
“Scar...Wait, I don’t understand.”
“I’m not surprised. But we have some friends in common who are probably getting a little impatient by now. Go make your call. Vámonos, mi señor.”
“You speak other languages?”
“Oh, good grief. Would you stop with all the questions? We have plenty to do here. In my opinion, we should head back to the school.”
“But—”
“—You’ve just gotten back from there. Yes, I know about that, too. You’re not going to tell me it’s too far away, are you?”
“No, but—”
“You never stop, do you? Go to the phone and call him now. We’ll talk about it later if you wish.”
Merlin finally decided to take action. He reached the professor just as he gotten home (his encounter with trash cans and his detour around town had delayed him quite a bit). However, he seemed surprised to get the call and offered to drive them to the school.
CHAPTER 26 SOME EXPLAINING TO DO
Arthur spoke up, hoping to delay their demise by a few more seconds.
“Before you...go through with it, would you please explain why it’s so important to you?”
Albin went even further, having seen enough movies where the good guys get saved at the last minute when the bad guy gets carried away talking.
“Yes, that’s right. It’s seems a bit stupid to get eliminated without even knowing why.”
“I would be happy to answer your questions, future crushed maggots. But don’t expect a dramatic rescue during my lecture. No one can find you here.”
Sara thought he might be overly confident in his special security systems.
“And I’m not overly confident. And yes, pretty young lady, I also read minds. It’s crazy, isn’t it? No, don’t answer, it’s useless. This, this...trick comes in handy, don’t you think. But since you’d like to hear the story, make yourself comfortable.”
Scarface snapped his fingers, and they found themselves sitting on padded chairs that looked frighteningly like electric chairs in their world. Cosmo felt relieved that this type of energy didn’t exist on Lalea. Scarface raised his eyebrows, and they felt the straps tighten as the belts locked them into their seats.
“I could skip the finger snapping part, but I find it creates more...drama. I hope those straps aren’t too tight. They are? I’m so sorry.”
He erupted into laughter devoid of any sorrow.
“That’s to teach you to stop trying to trap me. So now, where were we? Oh yes, you wanted to know why you had to die. Soon this information will be meaningless, unfortunately. When I say unfortunately...you understand me, right? Hum. Me, too, I should be able to sit down, don’t you think? Of course you do. So here we go.”
After a black cloud of smoke appeared and evaporated, Scarface was sitting on a replica of the armchair that had started their very first discussion. Or had at least accelerated it. Without knowing why, Cosmo was sure it was a copy instead of the original. In any case, as soon as he was comfortably seated, Scarface began to rattle off his story.
“In our lovely world, so peaceful and warm, power is passed down generation after generation to members of the same family. Charming people, really, who only want to be surrounded by goodness. They possess the greatest magic, more powers than there are names. Th
ey control everything on Lalea. At least...at least that’s what they believed. You see, there is an immutable element in every single world. Where there is good, there must also be evil. The opposite hasn’t been verified. I represent evil. Supernatural forces that had been welling up for years joined together to create me. I didn’t realize it at first, even though I sensed something was different about me. They made me appear innocent enough to infiltrate into the heart of the royal family, and thereby discover a few interesting details. Some useful little magic tricks, but the best one being that whosoever should succeed in killing them, wiping them off the face of the map, would be granted all their powers. It became obvious that the person must be me. It took me years, but during that time, I assembled enough people and changed the landscape, adding special little features, in the countryside far away from the castle. Nothing too noticeable at first. I almost learned much more from them, but they, aware and still more powerful, unraveled my spells. I had to get rid of them. It wasn’t so difficult. But a daughter was born on the night of the murders, and she received every gift of power that should have been mine. She disappeared, kidnapped by my most dreaded enemy. I wasn’t the most powerful, but no one could thwart me anymore. I was powerful enough. For a while. Then, I finally tracked her down. And you know the rest. From now on, nothing can intervene between me and total control of all the worlds of every universe. You didn’t travel far enough away, Princess.”
Scarface was smiling, visibly pleased with himself and his story. Arthur interrupted his victorious little moment when he whistled.
“How can you be so sure that Titiana is the princess?”
Albin looked at him, aware that Arthur was even more convinced than he was of the fact. It was a pathetic attempt to stall for time.
“It’s true that she didn’t seem like it at first. A miserable little thing who didn’t know a whiff of magic. The passageway had narrowed, and so the old fool didn’t dare visit her to teach her even the basics. I find this situation particularly ironic. But she does bear the mark, and the birthmark never lies. Furthermore, she’s radiating...she’s radiating ...something I’m not sure of, but it won’t last long. Now, I’m the one in charge, and the old man can’t do anything against me. I’m the most powerful.”
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