by Noel Pogson
It was three thirty when Steven finally shoved all his books back into his bag. He’d debated skipping through it as quickly as he could, doing the bare minimum, but then he remembered his promise to Sir Philip, to study hard as well as farm hard. That was a promise he fully intended to keep!
“Mum, I’m finished; can I go down to Zak’s?”
“Well done lad, it’s important to do yer studies. Yes, yer can go, but don’t distract him if he’s still doin’ ‘is ‘omework please! Come back if he is, and arrange to go after tea.”
“Aye Mum, no problem, thanks!”
Steven took his schoolbag upstairs to his room, and carefully pocketed the letter to his girlfriend, a big grin on his face. Then he raced back downstairs, grabbed his bike from the barn, and set off as fast as he could.
* * *
“Hi Sophie,” grinned Steven as she opened the front door when he rang the bell. “Is Zak in?”
“ZAK!” yelled Sophie up the stairs, but the young wizard had heard the doorbell, and the recognising his best friend’s voice, was already heading for the stairs.
“Come up Steven!”
The farmer kicked off his shoes by the door, and ran upstairs in his socks, meeting his friend at the top.
“What yer doin’ here! I didn’t expect to see yer till tomorrow.”
“I… Well, err,” Steven looked shifty which made Zak grin. His best mate had been up to something and needed to tell Zak about it. He’d seen the signs plenty of times before. He quickly pushed him into the bedroom, and closed the door.
“What’s up, what yer been doing!”
“Nowt’s up! I ain’t being doin’ anything. Well, only feeding t’ animals and working all weekend on t’ farm, and doin’ me ‘omework. Have yer done yours?”
“Aye, we did it on Friday. Come on, I can see yer need to tell me summat, spit it out!” encouraged Zak with a knowing grin.
“Alright, alright. Err, after I read yer letter from Sartrina, I decided I wanted ter write a letter back to ‘er. Just being friendly like, but I’m magical too an’ I remember seein’ her in t’ village so I thought I’d write. I’m sure she’d be pleased ter get a letter. Can you send it on to ‘er somehow?”
Steven had planned carefully how to ask Zak to send the letter, and how he’d answer all the questions that Zak would then ask, but the conversation wasn't going anything like he’d hoped!
“Yer fancy her don’t yer? Come on, admit it!”
“No!” said Steven far too quickly to be convincing, besides, he gone red. Zak just looked disbelievingly at him, his amethyst eyes twinkling, and the corners of his mouth twitching with a supressed smile.
“Alright, yes! She’s right nice, but I don’t think she’ll see much in me!”
“Haha! I knew it!” gloated Zak. “Blimey mate, you don’t aim low do yer!”
“What d’ yer mean?” asked Steven sheepishly.
“Well, if yer wanted a girlfriend, yer coulda picked one o’ t’ girls from t’ academy. You ain’t gonna see Sartrina for months at a time while she’s at wizard school!”
Steven looked a bit put out. He was very tempted to say that they were already boyfriend and girlfriend, but he didn’t, because he didn’t feel it was fair to Sartrina to tell anyone without asking her. She was obviously worried about people finding out. Without him realising it, his determination to hide it from Zak had combined with his own developing magic and somehow masked those particular thoughts from his best friend. Zak could hear all his other thoughts quite clearly though, and was feeling very uncomfortable about it!
“Well, maybe I’m not interested in ‘em! Anyway, it’s only a friend’s letter, cos she’s the same age as us and will probably be feeling a bit lonely. Will yer take it fer me?”
“Aye, course. Give it here mate, I’ll give it to Father, I mean Sir Philip, to send with my own reply when he brings Tallion down here this evening.”
“Don’t make a fuss Zak, please, I don’t want everyone to know.”
“No problem mate,” grinned Zak, “yer secret’s safe with me.”
“Thanks. Do you two spend all yer time together now then?” said Steven quickly changing the subject. “It seems like you’re always at t’ castle or Tal’s always here!”
Zak looked closely at his best friend. It was strange, but he still regarded Steven as his best friend, even though he was much closer to Tallion.
“Well, yes. Umm…” suddenly it was Zak’s turn to look a bit sheepish! How much could he say?
“It’s a different kind of friendship to ours mate. You’ll always be my best mate, always, but me’ n’ Tallion are magically linked somehow. We’re sort of merging together. It’s weird…”
“Merging together?”
“Yeah, it’s hard to explain, but even though there’s two of us, it sometimes feels like we’re just one person… That doesn’t make sense does it?”
“Not really, but then nothing makes much sense in t’ magical world! I guess that means I get to have two best mates though!” grinned the young farmer after a pause, taking the illogical situation to its confusingly logical conclusion.
“Aye! And we get to have a friend who’ll keep us sane in the mad world we live in! So, did you finish yer ‘omework then?”
“Aye, it weren’t difficult, although there were lots of it! What’re we doing tomorrow? Are we going on t’ bus? It’ll pick me up from the farm gate if I’m standing there, or are you going in t’ car again?”
“Car this week. Father’s worried… I mean Sir Philip’s worried about another attack on us, and it’s easier to protect a car than a school bus. He told us this morning that he’s even going to take us, not Dad. I bet you’d rather come with us than go on t’ bus?”
Steven was smirking at the way Zak kept calling Sir Philip Father, but his eyes lit up at the thought of their new ride to school.
“Aye! Not half! Turnin’ up in Sir Philip’s Range Rover’s a pretty good way ter arrive at school!”
“Well you can either come ‘ere, or we can ask Father… Sir Philip, to come to t’ farm?”
“I’ll come ‘ere,” sniggered Steven, “then I can leave me bike ‘ere and ride home after. Quarter past eight okay?”
“Yeah, should be fine. He’s picking us up about half past. So what do yer want to do now?”
“Can we just muck about on t’ computer or summat? Like we used ter do? It’s ages since we had some time together, just t’ two of us. How about playing that wizard game online, like we did before you ‘urt yer leg? Mind, seems a bit different now that you actually are a wizard!”
“You’re a wizard too Steven, even though you don’t seem to want to be!”
“I want ter be a farmer Zak, it’s all I’ve ever wanted ter be, an’ I ain’t changing me mind! Besides,” he added with a grin, “being a little bit magical might just help me out from time to time, if I can ever work out how ter use a wand!”
“We need to see if we can get you one from Findlay MacElver in Upper Nettleton. I’m sure you could do some magic, you must have enough power if you can see everything!”
“Maybe. Anyway, where’s t’ computer? I’ve only got an hour or so and I want t’ have a shot at that game.”
* * *
Bella Middleham took Tallion to The Copse that evening because Sir Philip had to go to the Wizard Council at short notice. Just before she left the castle, she sent a note via portal post saying they were coming by using the new portal. Zak and Tallion had both forgotten about the portal in Tallion’s wardrobe because Zak had met his dad at the Lofthouse Estate office on Sunday morning. However, Bella arrived in Tallion’s wardrobe, and announced her presence by calling down to Jenny.
“Come straight down Bella, we got your note. Thanks for the warning.”
As Tallion came through the portal, both he and Zak were suddenly overwhelmed with each other’s thoughts and emotions again, like someone throwing a switch. It was quite disorientating for a few seconds as they bo
th came to terms with being two people instead of one!
Lady Middleham and her son duly walked down the Turner’s stairs and greeted John and Jenny properly. After the usual pleasantries, Bella went to the kitchen and ported directly back to the castle rather than going through the wardrobe. Five minutes later the boys were back upstairs again, and Zak spotted Steven’s letter on his desk.
“Oh no! I was supposed to give this to Mother to post for Steven.”
“For Steven? Who’s he sending letters to?”
“Sartrina. He read that letter she sent to us, and decided she was lonely, so he wanted to send one back. Not very much like Steven I admit, but hey.”
“I can hear all your thoughts Zak, you forgot! Well, I suppose loads of people like her, she’s very nice.”
“I don’t think you’ve got much to worry about mate, he’s only going to see her during the holidays, so he’s hardly going to end up as her boyfriend!”
Tallion frowned. “I don’t think I will either Zak, at least not for ages. We’re going to be way too busy to have girlfriends!”
“True enough. So what shall I do with this letter?”
“Send it through Portal Post, silly! So long as it’s got her name on it, when it gets to the post office Fred will send it on to her.”
“Never thought of that!” grinned Zak. “Give us a minute, I’ll be right back!”
He ran downstairs to the kitchen and dropped Steven’s letter into the portal post box, which then hooted like an owl to confirm that the letter had been whisked away to the wizard post office.
14. Truth Will Out
School that week was best described as ‘normal’ for everyone, both magical and non-magical. Netherdale Academy was dropping into its normal rhythm, with the trials of first year life starting to be realised by the former P7 students. Being a P7 was child’s play, literally, compared to being an S1. Suddenly they were surrounded by bigger and older students, some of whom seemed to be almost adults, and certainly didn’t want anything to do with the little first years!
A significant number of fourth and fifth years also seemed to regard the first years as a source of food or money too. By the end of the week, there were stories circulating about a few unfortunate first years who’d been relieved of their lunch money, or in one case their packed lunch. So far, the Lower Nettleton students had escaped, but for how much longer was anyone’s guess.
Steven enjoyed riding to school in Sir Philip’s Range Rover too, and he’d been brave enough to ask the baronet if he could sit in the front seat for Wednesday and Thursday. It was obvious to everyone, except Steven himself, that he was showing off when he got out of the car at school, but Sir Philip kept quiet, knowing that sooner or later someone would take him down a peg or two.
It didn’t take long, and on Thursday morning when he turned to wave at Sir Philip as he carried on walking backwards, a third year surreptitiously stuck out his foot. Steven went flying, his PE kit going in one direction, his schoolbag scattering books in another, and the young farmer himself ending up painfully flat on his back, cracking his head hard on the paving stones.
“Not so bloody grand now are yer, yer toffee-nosed prat!” called out an unidentified student, and there was general laughter at the first year’s misfortune as he struggled to his feet.
Zak and Tallion were a bit red-faced as they helped him gather his stuff, ignoring the jibes and laughter of the older boys, and the three of them quickly scuttled out of sight towards the first year block.
“Are you okay?” asked Tallion, inspecting the back of Steven’s head. He could hear Steven’s thoughts and knew he was in a lot of pain.
“Aye, well, nearly. I banged me head and me backside really bad.”
“It’s bleeding actually, yer head, you’ve got a nasty gash on it,” said Tallion as he carefully lifted Steven’s long wavy hair making his friend wince in pain. “I need to heal it for yer mate. Let’s get into the first year toilets. No-one will be in there so early.”
“How can you heal it Tal? I need to go ter t’ nurse!”
“I’m a wizard you wally, and I know plenty first aid spells, now come in here!”
The three wizards sauntered nonchalantly into the boy’s toilets just inside the first year block entrance, and sure enough they were empty. Tallion quickly took out his wand while Zak stood by the door to make sure no-one came in and surprised them.
“Stand still and just look in the mirror,” commanded the blond-haired wizard in a quiet but firm voice. Steven stared at his reflection as Tallion waved his wand over his head and muttered an incantation. Steven felt a curious stretching sensation, followed by a gentle tingling as the stinging pain faded away.
“Wow! Is that it all fixed then?”
“Yes, but I need to clean up the blood, hang on.”
More wand waving, another incantation, and Steven’s blood soaked hair was clean and tidy, and all trace of the head injury was gone.
“Blimey mate! Thanks very much! That’s incredible!”
“No problem, but the hard part is not letting on to anyone okay? You’ll just have to pretend that you never banged yer head at all!”
“That’s easy enough.”
“And you also need to stop showing off…”
“Aye, I know. I’ve been a right plonker haven’t I?”
“Nope, you’ve been a toffee nosed prat,” said Zak to his best friend with a grin. “Now wash yer ‘ands an’ face and tidy t’ rest of yerself up.”
* * *
The bullies had also been at work in Mhonarr Castle, and it was the same jealousy of class too. Alfie Harwood, the son of Sir Jackson Harwood, was just a bit too self-confident, and his penetrating, plummy, home-counties voice was too much for some people to bear.
As a result, he and Alfie Beech found themselves the victims of a couple of pranks during their first week in school, the second of which left them both in the infirmary with broken limbs. Someone cast a trip jinx in front of them as they got to the top of the stairs heading down to the Banqueting Hall for lunch on Thursday, and both boys fell badly.
By the time the teachers got there the trip jinx had long gone, and no-one owned up to it of course. Because the boys were close to the infirmary, Nurse Salve was quickly on the scene and fixed the broken arms and legs on the spot before putting the two first years onto stretchers which she conjured out of thin air.
After patching up the rest of their injuries in the infirmary, she let them eat there because they’d missed lunch in the Banqueting Hall, and then she shooed them out in time for their numerology lesson at one o’clock.
* * *
Despite their best intentions of intending to write more than once a week to each other, the witches and wizards were all simply too busy. Well, Sartrina could probably have found time to write, but she was too occupied by reading as much of Mhonarr Castle library as possible!
Her letter writing time was also taken up with writing to Steven, as well as Zak and Tallion. She’d been delighted to receive his reply on Sunday evening, and Fred Bocks had helpfully written on the back of the envelope:
Return to:
Zak Turner
The Copse
Lower Nettleton
She was relieved that she wouldn’t have to send any more of Steven’s letters to Lofthouse Castle. At quarter past eight on Friday morning therefore, she dropped the reply to her boyfriend into the portal post box in the main entrance of the school. It was conveniently but discreetly situated at the bottom of the stairs so that anyone rushing to a meal could drop their letters in on the way past. No-one really noticed anyone else using it, but if anyone had stopped to watch, they’d have counted about a hundred letters a day leaving the school!
* * *
Fate stepped in yet again on Sartrina’s behalf, and the portal post box in the Turner’s kitchen hooted to announce the arrival of her letter just as Zak and Tallion were back upstairs cleaning their teeth after breakfast. Steven was just sitting dow
n at the kitchen table as Jenny Turner opened the box expecting a note from Sir Philip saying that he wouldn’t be able to take them to school. She was surprised and relieved to find it was from someone else.
Steven Robson
c/o Zak Turner
The Copse
Lower Nettleton
“Steven, it’s for you! Perfect timing I’d say!” said Jenny with a surprised smile. “Someone must know you’re here.”
Steven was also surprised, but recognised the handwriting the moment Jenny passed him the letter. His heart skipped a beat, and then a warm happy feeling came over him.
“Thanks Mrs Turner, it’s from one of our friends at magic school. I’ll read it at break time.”
He was about to ask what the box was, when the doorbell rang again at the rather busy house, and Sir Philip popped his head round the front door without waiting for anyone to open it.
“It’s just me, Jenny, send the boys out when they’re ready.”
Jenny was amazed how Sir Philip could seem totally ordinary one minute, and totally unapproachable the next. There couldn’t be many men in his position who’d be happy to do the school run, and pop into a neighbour’s house to play taxi driver!
She had, of course, never seen the high wizard lord side of his personality, but those who had knew that the highly accomplished sorcerer could be downright terrifying to be in the same room with, if the mood took him!
She opened her mouth to reply, but he’d already stepped back out to the car. She walked to the bottom of the stairs to call the boys down, but they were already on their way.
“Have a good day both of you, and you too Steven,” she added as he appeared behind her from the kitchen. “We’ll see you on Sunday morning Zak.”