Zak Turner - A Twist In Time

by Noel Pogson

  The school rang both sets of parents, and spoke with Zak’s mum, and Tallion’s father. Sir Philip already knew what had happened of course, having received a messenger from Barty requesting that he accompany him to London with Niall Donoghue, one of the most wanted wizards in the entire country!

  He deliberately hadn’t contacted the school before they contacted him in order not to arouse suspicion, but when they finally got in touch, he agreed to come and pick up his son at lunchtime.

  Jenny Turner also agreed to come and collect Zak, although she was upset that she couldn’t get there for more than an hour because she was on a shopping trip in Broughton. She was very worried by the report of a lightning strike, but the news that they’d been seen by a doctor and hadn’t actually been hit, calmed her fears a little. She also had a niggly doubt that lightning had anything to do with it; something magical was a much more likely explanation!

  * * *

  “They’re no safer at Mhonarr Castle, Philip,” cautioned the headmaster to the baronet, who was sitting before him in his impressive study at Mhonarr Castle.

  “In fact they would probably be at even greater risk if they were here! I’m reasonably certain that Sargas Malchus was waiting for them in the portal room on Tuesday. If the portal hadn’t exploded and knocked him unconscious, I think he’d have bewitched another student to finish them off. If he hasn’t subsequently done just that then I will be most surprised!”

  The headmaster paused, looking into the eyes of both his listeners very seriously. Both of them looked deeply perturbed by his words.

  “Whilst we have charms in place to alert us immediately if a student uses a restricted or forbidden curse, the Malchus children are taught much non-standard magic by their parents, as are their sympathisers. I’m sure Lesath has used her brilliant mind to invent ways of bewitching students that we cannot detect. The first we would know of it would be a body on the floor!”

  “You must exclude them from the school Orion! It’s not just Tallion that’s at risk, it’s everyone!”

  “Ahhh. While I share your sentiments Cleo, I cannot exclude them without some evidence that they are breaking the rules. Un-arguable evidence. So far they and their parents have been scrupulous to hide it, and the noise that they would make if I acted without proof would do our cause much damage. As soon as I have a legitimate reason, then I will act. Until then, we have to cope with them.”

  Sir Philip had returned to Mhonarr briefly to talk with the headmaster before collecting Tallion from Netherdale Academy, and was wearing a worried frown.

  “So you think that the boys are safer at Netherdale after all, where anyone can get to them?”

  “At least in Netherdale they can attend classes without the risk that their fellow students are going to murder them! Granted there is still a risk, particularly when they’re outside the school buildings, but I’m sure we can organise some enhanced protection around the place, and around the boys.”

  The baronet studied the headmaster’s eyes, looking for something but unsure what it was. Following the attack at Netherdale Academy, he had begun to doubt the wisdom of keeping the two boys in the dale, but now it sounded like it was the safer option after all. The only truly safe option of course was to keep the boys inside Lofthouse Castle!

  However, he was no coward, and he was sure Tallion and Zak felt the same. So be it. School would continue unchanged, but he and Barty would be putting some very robust charms all over the place! He even considered installing a portal somewhere close to the school to avoid the journey along the dale at the beginning and end of each day. That required a bit more thought, but it might become essential if there were any more attacks.

  “Very well. Orion, we also need some shadow-wizards to look after Zak when he’s playing football at the weekends, and to watch his parent’s house. Barty will be at the football, but there will be lots of non-magical parents there too, and we need more eyes. I assume you’ll support my request to the council?”

  “Of course, Philip.”

  The baronet nodded, and excused himself so that he could return to Netherdale to collect his son.

  * * *

  Antares Malchus had exhausted his anger and frustration by flying rapidly to his brother at Caherconree Keep. He needed to consult the evil seer to find out why his plans were suddenly being thwarted.

  Anguilas Malchus was as slippery as his name suggested, and even his brother was frightened of him. Magically powerful in his own right, the black mystic had tapped deep into the power of the ancient world, and was certainly the more sinister of the two evil brothers. He was awaiting Antares’ arrival, as always, with a sneeringly understanding expression.

  “You wish for guidance, brother?”

  “Yes Anguilas, our plans are being withstood, and the great leap forward has failed.”

  “Our plans, brother?” came the oily voice of the seer. “I don’t recall having any part in the planning of your current misadventure…”

  Antares might have been the elder brother, but he knew better than to show anything other than deference to his dangerous sibling. He took a slow breath before he continued.

  “Brother, we agreed a grand gesture was required, an act which would cause anxiety and fear amongst the wizards on the mainland. While you did not assist in choosing the target, you approved the method.”

  Anguilas studied his elder brother for a minute, and was again relieved that he hadn’t inherited the title and the castle where his father had lived. He much preferred his reclusive life hidden away from everyone, except the evil powers whom he courted daily. He felt that his brother was weak, clinging too much to the present world and its comforts, rather than plunging wholly into the paganism which was their past.

  “I have not seen any organised force opposing us brother, and I believe that these happenings are coincidence. I’m sure you have investigated who was present on each occasion and taken steps to eliminate the boy’s protectors?”

  “The wizards of the council have broken the enchantments that I used to control the members of the Black Coven whom they’ve captured. I can no longer read their minds or discover what happened. From what little I know of both attacks, there were no protection wizards accompanying them, certainly none who could withstand members of the Coven!”

  “Maybe the boys themselves?”

  Antares couldn’t stop himself looking disdainfully at his brother.

  “While I don’t doubt that the Middleham whelp will grow-up to be as powerful as his father, he is still a child and cannot possibly have enough power to withstand anyone in the Coven! As for the mule...!”

  Anguilas nodded. While he was not one to discount any option out of hand, it did seem inconceivable, even to him, that children could resist the Coven.

  “Very well, I will make enquiry for you amongst the gods, for they know all. It will require some gift from yourself to appease them in exchange for my enquiry. You will bring the gift, and attend the ritual yourself here at The Keep tomorrow midnight. The gods will be waiting, do not disappoint them.”

  Antares Malchus felt the thrill and fear of being summoned to the pagan ritual, which would entreat the ancient spirits they served. Tomorrow a god would visit them from the world of the dead – in exchange for a human soul.

  * * *

  Jack Smith was headmaster at Netherdale Academy. He was a no-nonsense type of person who did not suffer fools, was highly efficient, and tended to have a rather overbearing manner as a result. He’d been to see Zak and Tallion in the medical room, and had shooed Steven off to the library when he realised that he’d not been close to the incident. His assessment of the situation was that no harm appeared to have been done, although he was as much at a loss as everyone else to explain the ‘lightning’!

  When Sir Philip Middleham arrived to collect Tallion, the headmaster met the baronet at the school doors. He was very much aware, like everyone else in the dale, just how much all their lives revolved around this man, and
he wanted to make ensure things went smoothly.

  After providing a brief account of the incident as they walked to the medical room, he showed the baronet inside himself, politely brushing aside the very homely matron who was hovering nearby. He was about to tell Tallion that his father was here to take him home when Sir Philip spoke first. The headmaster closed his open mouth.

  “Boys, I gather you were both nearly hit by lightning, and that we’re very fortunate you’re still with us! You’ve both been checked over by a doctor?”

  It was all Zak could do to stop himself saying, “Yes Father,” at the same time as Tallion, but he managed to change it into a “Yes F-sir,” at the last moment. He saw the corner of Sir Philip’s mouth twitch as he realised what had happened.

  “Very well. Your headmaster would like you both to spend the afternoon away from school, recovering at home, so I guess that’s the end of your first week at Netherdale Academy! Zak, I’ve spoken with your mum, and because she’s on her way back from Broughton at the moment, and you’re going to be staying with us this weekend anyway, she accepted my offer to bring you home rather than come and collect you herself. We’ll call in at your house on the way past.”

  The headmaster raised his eyebrows. Strictly speaking he shouldn’t allow the baronet to take Zak without his parents’ written permission, but Sir Philip was Sir Philip!

  Regardless, he was determined to ring Mrs Turner before they left just to confirm it. He turned round to catch the attention of the school secretary who was hovering behind them in the corridor. She’d already guessed his intention, and was holding her hand to the side of her head, mimicking the shape of a telephone with her little finger and thumb, and looking at him with a questioning expression. He nodded and smiled his thanks. She was an excellent school secretary!

  He was also very surprised that Zak appeared to be such a close friend that he was staying at the Middlehams! The apparent reclusiveness of the family was well known, and this was the first time he’d ever heard of anyone else knowing anything about them, let alone visiting their house!

  Sir Philip, who’d deliberately let the information slip so that Zak would be treated in the same way as Tallion, was also smart enough to realise that the school secretary had been despatched to phone Mrs Turner. He therefore took his time ensuring that the boys had gathered all their things before walking slowly to the front of the school. They were just heading outside when the secretary reappeared and nodded to the relieved headmaster, who apologised for what had happened all over again, on behalf of God it seemed!

  A minute later Zak and Tallion were safely in the car and with a final wave of thanks to the headmaster, Sir Philip drove out of the car park.

  * * *

  “Zak, thanks to you, we managed to capture your attacker,” said Sir Philip the moment the car started moving. “It was a Firmus followed by a Revertur wasn’t it?”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Well done! You manage to defeat a well-known and wanted murderer called Niall Donoghue. We know he’s one of Antares Malchus’ closest associates, although no-one has ever seen them together! Malchus is adept at keeping his nose clean.”

  “I hadn’t told you this, but on Tuesday afternoon when you were attacked at Kirkstall Abbey, I was also attacked as I went to a Wizard Council meeting in London. By rights, all three of us should be dead, but we’re not. Fate stepped in. The appearance of Niall Donoghue today strengthens our view that Antares Malchus is behind the attacks, and we need to think very carefully about the future for both of you.”

  “As you already know, Barty was with you today during football, but Niall Donoghue still managed to get a shot at you! I don’t blame Barty for that, Donoghue’s an assassin and knows how to hide himself. I’m surprised he revealed himself at all, and that either of you saw him before he fired his curses. Barty didn’t!”

  There was a pause in the conversation as Sir Philip piloted the Range Rover through some traffic, and then he continued.

  “Did you tell your parents about the attack on Tuesday Zak?”

  “No sir, nothing.”

  “Okay. I know I advised you not to, but in some ways it would now make things easier. I think we need to explain the truth to them about today too. They’re in danger themselves and, as from now, the Wizard Council will be providing twenty-four hour protection for them. We’ve thwarted Malchus three times, and he will be furious. He won’t rest until he kills someone.”

  “Tallion, I don’t know if you’ve worked it out, but we were most likely the chosen targets because of our close association with the non-magical folk here in the dale. That situation hasn’t changed so I expect we’re still top of his list. You going to Netherdale Academy will be like red rag to a bull in his eyes; he’ll see it as a betrayal.”

  There was another pause in the conversation as Sir Philip cautiously negotiated the sharp corner and narrow bridge by the old water mill on the road up the dale.

  “This evening we need to spend some time together going over both events, so that I can get a clear picture of what happened.”

  “Yes Father,” replied the boys simultaneously.

  “I’d like you to stay at The Copse this afternoon to do your homework and finish off your non-magical week, and then I’ll come to collect you about five o’clock as planned. We’ll have a talk after dinner, but for most of this evening I want you to have a rest.”

  Sir Philip glanced at Tallion in the rear view mirror and saw that he was looking intently at Zak. He realised that he’d have to wait a few seconds for an answer because they boys were clearly talking to each other telepathically!

  Tallion, if they’re putting in protection for my family, maybe they should put in protection for Steven’s family too?

  Let’s ask. You or me?

  You ask.

  Okay.

  “Father, Steven saw what happened today, and knows that someone tried to kill us. I’m sure he’ll keep it secret, but I expect he’s a bit scared. I know I would be if my two best friends had just survived a murder attempt!”

  That bit of news caught Sir Philip by surprise, and he glanced quickly in the rear view mirror again at the two wizards sitting in the back of his Range Rover.

  “Does he know about Tuesday too?” he asked in a tone that clearly indicated he was not going to be impressed if the answer was ‘yes’. Zak answered quickly before Tallion got chance.

  “Yes sir. Sorry. We only told him today while we were sitting in the medical room in the academy. It just sort of came out. He was a bit horrified. I’m a bit horrified,” he finished quietly.

  The baronet looked carefully at Zak in the mirror and could see that the boy’s ever-cheerful expression was missing, hidden behind a worried frown. He sighed. He couldn’t expect children to be as rigorous as he was at knowing when to talk and when to be silent, especially Zak.

  “Well, I’m not surprised you told him, and even though it makes life even more complicated, you probably had no choice. I’ll see if we can get some protection for them too, and I’ll put more alerting charms around their farm. I think it’s very unlikely that they’ll be targeted though, because hardly anyone knows that Steven is magical!”

  “They know he’s our friend father, and they might think getting him is an easy way of getting at us?”

  “I understand what you’re saying Tallion, but I don’t think that Malchus’ primary purpose is getting at us. He’s trying to terrorise everyone, either to make them support him, or to make them leave him alone. We are a very good high profile target, and killing us would have sent a very strong message. However, he’s failed three times now, so he may decide to look elsewhere. It will most likely be other wizards though, not non-magical folk. He wants to cause maximum fear in our world. Wiping out a non- magical family will not help his cause. Only when he has all the witches and wizards scared will he make his next move to grab more power.”

  There was silence in the car for the rest of the short journey to The Copse.
Sir Philip’s mind was working hard about how to keep his two sons - natural and adopted - safe. Zak and Tallion were simply sharing each other’s thoughts. Zak was worried about his family, the fear of losing any of them was very real for him, and Tallion felt it very keenly over their bond.

  I can’t say don’t worry Zak, because we’re all worried, but remember that Father and the shadow-wizards have been here before. They know what they’re doing.

  I know, but Mum and Dad can’t defend themselves against magic, they wouldn’t even sense it or see it until they were hit by it. If he nearly got us, then getting them would be so easy.

  He doesn’t want to kill non-magical folk Zak, and you probably still don’t even figure in his thoughts! It’s me he was after…

  Is that supposed to cheer me up? I’m just as worried about losing you as I am about losing my family!

  It worries me too Zak, terribly, but we can’t let it take over our lives. We have to keep it in the background and just get on with it!

  After a few seconds thought, Zak turned and smiled at Tallion.

  I know. Only a Middleham could talk like that. I’m glad we have this bond though, because I can feel your calmness like it’s my own emotion. It’s helping me a lot.

  You need me, but I need you too, because I’m way too serious by myself.

  * * *

  When the trio arrived at Zak’s house, his mum was at the door waiting for them, and she ran down the drive as they climbed out. She threw her arms round Tallion first, because he was closest, and gave him a hug before repeating it with Zak as he came round the back of the car.

  “I was so worried about you both! I’m so relieved that you’re alright!”

  Jenny Turner was so pleased to see the boys that she didn’t notice Sir Philip’s surprise when she hugged Tallion as though he were her own son. Her act confirmed the baronet’s own suspicions that the bond between the boys was affecting those around them too. Anyone who felt any emotion towards either of them felt the same emotion towards both of them. He suddenly understood his own fatherly feelings towards Zak much better, but couldn’t recall reading about anything like it ever before.