“Alkamire Aqual. It has been a very long time since you graced us with your presence.” Sammuel nodded toward the other three in turn. “Shannon, Liza...” Sammuel paused ever so slightly as if the words started to sour on his tongue, “...Ganton.”
Thomas started when he heard Ganton's name. This was 'the' Ganton? Gatsby's father? Thomas realized now that the sour look on Ganton's face hadn't been directed at Sammuel. In fact, it seemed that Ganton was focused solely on Thomas.
“Thomas has already briefed me on the situation. I have called the academy into attendance to make an announcement regarding the threat and how we should proceed to handle the situation.” Sammuel motioned to the party of four Dragons. “If you will follow me...”
Sammuel lead them all to a small room just off the main corridor. As soon as Thomas, Sammuel, and the four dragon rulers entered the room, Sammuel threw his hand toward the door and it slammed shut.
Thomas was dazed by the quick action by Sammuel.
While the four dragon lords were still stunned, Sammuel thrust his hands toward Alkamire. Green Lightening arced forth and slammed Alkamire against the far wall. The weaves of energy worked their way around Alkamire, rooting him to the spot.
Thomas' mouth dropped.
“Edric! What is the meaning of this!” demanded Alkamire. The other three dragons were clearly shocked, and had no time to react yet, but Thomas could see the look in Ganton's eyes. He wanted blood.
“Mystic powers, hear my plea,
Wrapped in energy, hold these three.”
Ganton was already reaching for something, the other two seemed to be trying to decide what was going on. An explosion of blue energy flew from Thomas' hands, sending out cords of lightening as thick as tree trunks. The three Dragons exchanged horrified looks. Ganton seethed.
“A better questions, King Alkamire Aqual, would be, what exactly have you done to my nephew?!”
Alkamire looked a little uncertain. “What have I done to Thomas?!”
Edric threw his arms to the opposite side of the room, and Alkamire went flying through the air, slamming against the opposite wall with an earth shattering crack. “Do NOT play with me Alkamire. The Dragon Seal.”
Alkamire's composure faltered. Thomas thought he caught Ganton grinning momentarily, but as quickly as he had caught the break in composure, it was gone again.
“He chose the seal Edric.”
Thomas couldn't believe what he was hearing. “I chose it?!”
“You were given the choice. You didn't have to marry my daughter.”
“You didn't tell me that the seal would kill me Alkamire.”
The king of the blue dragons shifted uncomfortably in his electrical bonds.
“The responsibility of being Alanna's husband, of protecting her and being a prince to the Throne of BlueShift, those were the responsibilities you preached about. The tattoo was just a part of a ceremony. A ceremony that you made sound routine.”
The green and yellow dragon's seemed to be analyzing the situation. Ganton still looked angry, but his anger was still directly aimed at Thomas.
“Edric, I think you are making a bigger deal of this than...”
“Big deal?! You DARE to touch the nephew of the high wizard of Westminster with magic designed to kill? And you call this a small matter?”
Sammuel shook with rage. Thomas couldn't tell how much of this was an act, and how much was honest anger.
Alkamire considered these words silently for a time. Finally he spoke, not to Sammuel, but to Thomas. “I may have overstepped my bounds Thomas, and for that I am truly sorry. But you have to know that I wouldn't have done this if I wasn't sure that you would be safe.”
“How can you say that? I have learned a few things about this tattoo since receiving it, and one of those things is the mortality rate of those who have received this in the past.”
“You don't understand Thomas. It wasn't my decision that you should get the Dragon Seal. The message that the oracle sent, part of the requirements of our survival pertained to you having the Dragon Tattoo.”
Thomas was confused. “What does the Dragon Tattoo have to do with anything?”
“I don't know.” admitted Alkamire. “But he was quite clear that if you didn't receive that seal, we were all doomed.”
“Are you kidding?! The oracle? That old fool is wrong more often than he's right. Why ever would you trust him?!” Ganton had finally broken his silence.
“The Oracle is more trustworthy than you Ganton.” Sammuel's dislike of the red dragon leader was evident in his voice. Sammuel turned his attention back to Alkamire.
“It's too late to change what has been done. Whether or not Thomas needed this seal was something that should have been discussed with Thomas, and honestly, what really worries me is that you are moving on your own, at your own whim...”
“It was NOT a whim!” Alkamire's eyes narrowed in anger.
Sammuel considered his words for a moment and continued. “Whim or not, this is something that, if it involves the world, needs to be discussed amongst everyone before a decision is made. It's not your place to make decisions that will affect the world.”
“I don't believe you understand the urgency Edric! The Storm Dragons are forming armies. Victor is on the move, and has kidnapped my daughter, and that is only what we know of. We don't have time to discuss things in committee, things need to be done now!”
“And if we move independently, do you really believe that we will stand a chance?”
Alkamire grunted. “No. That is why we are here.”
Sammuel nodded. “I believe an alliance is in the best interest of everyone, but we need to make decisions as a group. If I agree to this, it must be that everything is run through the group and we come to a consensus before acting. Any act that is done outside of group consensus would be considered an act of treachery and would result in the expulsion of that member. Would you be willing to accept this?”
Alkamire's features were like rock, his expression unreadable until he finally let out a long breath and relaxed. The green and yellow dragon lord both bowed their heads in agreement while Ganton remained frozen.
“Now, can I let you go?” Sammuel nodded toward Thomas. Thomas relaxed and the energy dissipated between himself and the dragons.
Ganton sprung the instant that he was let go. Thomas was still dazed by the release of energy and moved sluggishly. Ganton charged across the room, drawing a knife as he did. Thomas tried to stumble out of the path of Ganton, but his legs weren't working too well after the spell that nearly knocked him out earlier in the morning. Ganton was just about upon Thomas, the knife angled wickedly down toward Thomas' chest like a snake about to strike when the thick arm of Alkamire shot out and grabbed Ganton from behind, preventing him from burying the knife in Thomas.
“Ganton!” Alkamire looked furious. “We came to initiate a treaty, not a war!”
“You're weak Alkamire! We don't need these wizards.” Ganton spat as he said the word.
“If you are going to remain as part of the dragon collective, you are going to have to listen!” Alkamire wrenched on the arm holding the knife, twisting it so hard that you could almost hear the sinew being stretched to its snapping point.” Ganton's face was one of pure rage, but as quickly as he had attacked Thomas, he regained some composure.
“As you wish, Alkamire.”
Suddenly Thomas wasn't entirely sure how useful their dragon allies were going to be.
CHAPTER 37
JUDY
The day wore on into evening and a chill entered the air. Sammuel and the dragons were still in a committee with the rest of the Academy discussing the upcoming battle with Victor. Thomas had long ago sneaked out when it was apparent that the talk of battle tactics was going to linger well on into the evening. He sat alone in the cold on the steps of the wizard's school, dreamily staring at the Christmas lights in the blue hue of the evening glow. Snow had began to fall, and despite all that was
going on around him, he was experiencing his first real feeling of calm.
“Hiya!”
Thomas looked up to see a girl standing just above him on the steps.
“You looked kinda lonely out here so I thought I would come and see if there was anything I could do for you!”
The girl had blonde hair that almost reached her shoulder, but curled away as if avoiding contact with her clothes. She wore a grey hat that matched her coat and a red scarf that spilled out of the collar of her jacket. Her smile was sweet and sincere. Thomas thought she couldn't be all that much younger than him.
“Hi...” Thomas suddenly felt awkward. He was never very good at talking with girls.
“My name's Judy.” The girl spoke with confidence and held her hand out vigorously, in a manner that almost insisted that Thomas shake it.
“Thomas.” said Thomas clumsily taking her hand and giving it a shake.
Judy's eyes went wide. “THE Thomas?” Judy hopped down to the step beside Thomas and sat down right next to Thomas faster than Thomas could blink.
“The Thomas that is responsible for this?!” she waved emphatically toward the twinkling Christmas lights. Apparently news travelled fast in the Academy.
“Um. Yes?”
“WOW!” Judy's eyes bulged from her sockets and she clenched her hands into fists. Thomas thought if she put any more energy into her exclamation, her eyes might completely pop out of her head.
“I can't believe that I found you! My friends are simply not going to believe this.”
Thomas really didn't know what to make of the situation. What was the big deal about a few Christmas lights. He supposed there were quite a few of them, but still... it was just lights.
“It was just a few lights....” A few hundred thousand maybe? Thomas started to think of his view of the city earlier and started to try to estimate how many lights it might have been.
“Just a few?! JUST a FEW?!” Judy must have been part of a drama club at some point in her life, because every gesture she made seemed to be exaggerated to the point where it bordered on comical.
“I would pass out if I tried to do a single block like you did. You did the entire city! I don't think there has been a wizard in thousands of years that could do what you did!”
Thomas was taken a little aback. Was it really that significant?
Judy jumped back as if lightning had struck her.
“Oh! We have to battle!”
Thomas was caught off guard. Fight? “What do you mean?”
“A wizard's duel!” Judy leaped up and yanked Thomas roughly to his feet.
Thomas rubbed his arm where Judy had yanked. “I've never been in a wizard's duel before.”
“It's easy!” Judy beamed. Thomas wondered what this girl ate.
“What are the rules?”
“Don't kill each other.” Judy smiled and started to pull him back toward The Academy. “I'll tell you more when we get inside.”
“Hey wait! I'm not sure I want to...” But Thomas didn't have a chance against a bounding Judy who was already pulling Thomas through the large glass double doors.
The room that Judy took Thomas to reminded him of a gymnasium. There was bleachers on opposite walls that looked every bit as uncomfortable as the ones back home. The floor was of highly polished wood planks, but the markings were completely different. Instead of what you would expect for basketball courts, there was one huge circle in the centre with three successively smaller circles inside.
“That's the wizard's circle. We both start in the outer circle. We get the entire circle to use and move around in. Should one of us get knocked out of the circle, we move in a ring. You then have to stay within the next innermost ring for the next round. This gives you less space to move around in, and less time to think of counters. If you end up in the inner most ring and get knocked out, you loose. Simple!”
“That's it?”
Judy rolled her eyes up to the ceiling and uttered an exaggerated 'hmm'.
“Oh yeah, no flying, and nothing that will hurt the other person, at least not seriously.” Judy skipped across the wooden floor and stood on a dot opposite Thomas.
“'Kay! Now you stand over there.”
Thomas stood on the opposing dot and waited for further instructions. Judy bowed deeply, came upright, took a deep breath and, without warning flung her arms out toward Thomas. Thomas totally unprepared was hit by a bolt of energy that sent him hurtling backwards out of the circle.
“HEY! I wasn't ready!”
Judy smiled wickedly. “Too bad for you. One point for me!” She almost squealed with delight with each word. Thomas, more shaken really than hurt pulled himself up and walked over to the dot in the next circle in. This time he would be prepared.
Judy bowed again and came up ready, but Thomas already had something in mind.
“Waves of wood, hear my cry
Send this girl into the ....”
Thomas didn't have a chance to finish his sentence as something hit him behind the knees, knocking him backwards while some other force started to roll him like a log in water, out of the circle.
“Round two is mine!” Judy jumped up and down with glee.
Thomas woozily picked himself up and weaved his way back to the next circle. Two down, two to go.
It seemed quite likely that Judy would attack again with some sort of force, so Thomas prepared himself for the first wave of the attack, hoping to get a chance to counter.
As predicted, Judy threw her arms toward Thomas and a giant net appeared, flying through the air. Thomas leaped to the side and onto the floor as the net sailed through the air where Thomas had stood.
“That girl there!
Light as air!”
Judy started to walk toward Thomas, but was having problem finding traction.
“Dog team stampeding like a bull...”
Judy lifted her arm and a bolt seared across the ring toward Thomas. He was ready for this and jumped forward and tumbled. He silently thanked his third grade gym teacher.
“From this ring Judy pull!”
Thomas finished his spell and in a flash of light, a full team of huskies appeared, barking, and charging toward Judy.
Judy screamed.
The dogs in pairs veered to either side of Judy, unfortunately, the harness between the dogs came straight down the middle. Judy, light as air, was tumbled off her feet like dandelion fluff and swept along with the dogs out of the ring.
“Aaaaaaaiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!” Judy screamed at the top of her lungs.
“HELP MEEEEEEEE!”
Thomas felt bad for fetching yet another life form to this world. This started to raise questions in his mind about the origins of these creatures. Was he bringing them into existence, or was he stealing them away from somewhere else.
“Fluffy white, grey and brown,
It's time these huskies lie down.”
One by one, the dogs slowed to a trot, then came to a stop and lay down on the spot. Thomas walked over to Judy.
Judy lay sprawled between the dogs, tied up in the cords between the harnesses. She glared at Thomas as he approached. “Well. That was a little... unorthodox.”
Thomas smiled nervously and reached back behind his neck and scratched nervously. “Sorry, it was all I could think of.”
Judy offered her hand to Thomas. Thomas took it, and yanked hard to help her up. He had been calculating that she would weigh a fair amount more than she did, and instead of helping her to her feet, he helped her sail high into the air and across the room. Had this been a normal gymnasium, like the ones back home, she probably could have caught onto a banner, or a passing basketball hoop. However, since this was not a gymnasium, there was nothing to grab onto, and Judy slammed against the opposing wall with a resounding slap. Thomas winced.
It took a few moments for Judy to return to the ground, and when she did, she turned, carefully, to face Thomas. Gone was Judy's perky disposition. A deep, angry fr
own had creased her face in ways that made her nearly unrecognizable from the girl he had met on the steps.
“I don't know if you are doing this on purpose or not, but it's not funny.” Judy tried to take a step toward Thomas, but was still having issue finding enough traction to make any headway.
“Let me help you with that.” Thomas was about to cast a spell, when Judy shot her hand out to stop him, sending her skipping a few steps back.
“I think it would be safer if I handled this. With my luck I will end up a thousand stone weight on the floor.”
Judy closed her eyes and waved her arms around, and a magical blue shower of sparks rained down on her. She opened her eyes and smiled.
“So you are back to your normal weight?”
“Give or take.” Judy smiled. Then she took on a thoughtful poise, “Maybe take more than give.” She giggled a little, completely losing her momentary air of irritation.
Judy walked over to the bleachers and sat down. Thomas decided that the match was over. Although there was no declared winner, he couldn't help to think that he had lost it somehow. Thomas took a seat beside Judy and the two of them just sat there in silence for several moments.
“Do you always do that?”
“Hm?”
Judy turned toward Thomas. “Do you always need to make a rhyme whenever casting a spell?”
Thomas nodded. “I think so. I can't do what you do. Just point at something and it happens.”
“That puts you at a bit of a disadvantage. I could have finished three spells while you are just finishing one.”
Thomas just nodded. What could he say? It was true.
“And if you can't find the words?”
“Then nothing happens.”
Judy whistled through her teeth. “I wouldn't want to be you.”
Thomas frowned. “What do you mean?”
Judy shrugged in her usual theatrical manner. “With all the wizards going to war, and you the only wizard who needs to create poems in order to cast, you better find someone to hide behind.”
Thomas felt sick all of a sudden. To this point he had been fighting mostly creatures who, while magical, didn't have the ability to cast spells. If he were to go up against a real wizard... Thomas shivered.
“Although, your spells are cool.” Judy looked over toward the sleeping husky team. “They don't dissipate.”
“What do you mean?” Thomas gave Judy a curious look.
Thomas Kindercook and the Pink Pyjamas Page 32