by Noel Pogson
Travelling to and from school each day had turned into a real trial, and even John Turner, who’d been ferrying them about that week, noticed that things weren’t right between them all.
* * *
“Zak, if he’s gonna be such a plonker just because Sartrina’s me girlfriend, then there’s now’t I can do about it. It’s not as though I’m even seeing her, all we manage ter do is swap letters!”
The boys were walking slowly back to their form room after Steven had finished his final detention. Zak had been in the library with him for the second half of his lunch break that day.
“I know mate, but you could stop showing off about it in front of him! I’ve already explained to you that they grew up together, and until her dad died everyone just assumed they’d end up getting married, and he still thinks that way, well, thought that way. You’ve sort of stolen her from him, and he’s struggling with it a bit.”
“She chose me Zak, I didn’t do any stealing! I’m very pleased she did too, an’ I want her as me girlfriend, an’ he’s just gonna have ter get used to it!”
“Yes, I know, but please try not to mention it when he’s around will you?”
“He stole you from me too Zak! You were me best friend then he suddenly bewitched yer and turned yer into a wizard and left me wi’ no-one fer weeks, wondering why yer suddenly liked him more ‘n me!”
“He did not steal me from you,” retorted Zak rather hotly, “and he did not turn me into a wizard! Steven, please, come on you’re still my best mate, let’s not start arguing between ourselves…”
“Okay, I’m sorry, but he did take yer away from me Zak, we did everything together, and suddenly yer weren’t there no more. Now I’ve got someone special of me own, and he’s all upset about it. I like having friends too…”
The two friends had stopped walking, and were staring silently at the floor between them. Zak could hear Steven’s thoughts and knew his friend was struggling with his annoyance about losing Zak as his special friend, and was now feeling as though Tallion wanted to take Sartrina away from him too! He could understand why he felt threatened and annoyed about it, anyone would.
He was also getting more and more worried about listening to Steven’s thoughts. At times like this it made it very easy for him to understand his friends way of thinking, but it was horrible to feel as though he was eavesdropping on him all the time. He decided that he had to tell him and apologise from not saying anything earlier. He half-expected Steven would storm off in huff! He took a deep breath and looked up at his friend.
Steven looked up too, still feeling annoyed with Tallion, and as a result annoyed with Zak. He could see Zak wanted to say something else.
“What?”
“Please don’t get mad Steven, I should have told you this before, but I just never got chance. One of my magical gifts is being able to hear other people’s thoughts. When I’m close to someone their thoughts just come into my head as though they were talking to me.”
For a moment Steven didn’t get it, but then the understanding swelled up inside him like a huge wave.
“You – can – hear – my – thoughts?” he asked, quietly and deliberately.
“Yeah. I’m sorry Steven, I can’t help it! It’s horrible listening to what everyone else is thinking.”
“So yer know what I’m thinking and what I’m feeling right now?”
“Yeah. You’re getting crosser and crosser, and you’re trying to find the right words to say that you hate me and ask me how I could treat you like this!”
“Yeah! Got it in one! It now feels like yeh’ve been spying on me as well as everythin’ else!”
“Steven, it’s not like that, really it isn’t. Please, believe me.”
“An’ I suppose Tallion knows everything that’s been going on in me mind too? All them thoughts about me an’ Sartrina in t’ library, and every time I read a letter? Ruddy Nora, Zak! How could you do this ter me? Why didn’t you tell me before?!”
Steven’s mind was racing with thoughts and memories of memories and thoughts, wondering what Zak had heard, well, he wasn't too bothered about what Zak had heard, but he was very annoyed that Tallion had heard his most private thoughts!
“Zak… I… No… I can’t believe you did this ter me, ter yer friend…!”
“Steven, I made a mistake not telling you, I’m sorry, really sorry, but please, no harm’s come from it. Really. We’re very careful mate, and we really do try not to listen…”
Steven was exasperated to say the least, and hurt, and disappointed. He turned away from Zak and closed his eyes. He knew inside that Zak hadn’t meant to hurt him, but then he realised that Zak could hear those thoughts too, and that annoyed him all over again. He glanced at his watch. There was still five minutes before they had afternoon registration.
“I need some time ter meself Zak, I’m sure y’ already know why, seein’ as yer can hear me thoughts! See you in class.”
“Okay mate, I understand. I really am sorry.”
“I know.”
Steven walked quickly in the other direction, wanting to put as much distance between them as possible. He needed to think in private.
“The dinner hall should be far enough!” called out Zak after him, hoping that by answering his friend’s thoughts he wouldn’t make it worse. He’d guessed right, and Steven stopped, took a deep breath, and then turned round with a resigned look on his face.
“Thanks,” was all he said before he turned away and hurried on.
* * *
Tallion didn’t mention Steven at all on Friday evening at the castle. He was polite enough towards Zak, and although they shared their minds and thoughts during their magic lessons, it all felt a bit strained. Barty noticed, but didn’t say anything, assuming that they’d had some kind of schoolboy argument that would sort itself out in time.
He also noticed that Tallion seemed to be putting quite a lot more effort into their physical self-defence lessons than normal too. He definitely didn’t take it easy on Zak when he threw him to the ground as they practised disabling an opponent. There were even tears in Zak’s eyes as he endured the pain of a bad fall, but Tallion didn’t say anything and just turned away whereas previously he’d always have apologised and checked that his companion was okay. Barty also noticed that Zak didn’t retaliate though; behaving the same way he always had done despite getting the cold shoulder.
Zak, for his part, was just biding his time, hearing Tallion’s thoughts, and understanding that he was slowly coming to terms with the situation. The future baronet was learning a painful lesson that some things in life were beyond his control, despite who he was. It was not an easy lesson, and to start with Zak’s patience just annoyed him even more. All the time he could hear Zak’s friendly, normal thoughts, and it irritated him no end.
Zak got some relief from the frost coming off his soul mate when he went to football on Sunday morning, and his mind was finally alone again, albeit still hearing the thoughts of those around him! At least at football it was all just his team-mates thoughts about tactics and the game.
He actually found it very useful to hear what his team-mates were thinking, and realised that he could turn this to his advantage during a game, knowing just when they were going to pass to him, and being able to apparently miraculously anticipate other people’s moves perfectly.
He was also finding it easier to play the full thirty five minutes each way, mainly because of his morning and evening running, but also because he was doing sport at school again too. The football coach was pleased too, and his gamble of putting a much younger player into the side was paying off. They had a match the following Sunday, and he was hoping that Zak would be able to repeat his performances from the previous year in the under elevens. So far, he’d managed to display a cool head and an accurate foot. The last bit was a gift, but the rest wasn’t, and the boy was putting in a lot of hard work, getting fit, and understanding how to work with his new team.
* *
*
The third week of term went down as one of the worst weeks of Zak’s life. True, it wasn't as bad as when he’d injured his leg, or when he got crushed by the kelpie, or when he was almost killed on the way to Mhonarr Castle, but at least during those experiences he’d had friends. Now his best friend Steven was avoiding him like he had some kind of disease, and Tallion was just being artificial all the time! He could often hear annoyance against himself in their thoughts because he was still being friends with the other one too!
He repeatedly tried to make peace with both of them, but he was repeatedly rebuffed each time he brought the subject up. Having endured another week of antagonism from them both, he felt exhausted and deflated, and when they’d finished their magic lessons with Barty on the last Saturday in September, he stared after his departing soul mate in despair as he walked quickly out of the classroom by himself.
“Zak,” asked Barty quietly, “what’s happened between you.”
Zak’s heart sank even further. He’d wanted to tell Barty and Sir Philip about their ability to hear other people’s thoughts for weeks, but he wanted to do it with Tallion, so he’d kept putting it off until things were right again between them. However, he couldn’t explain the problem between them without telling Barty about the thought hearing. He took a deep breath, and was about to speak when Tallion’s voice came into his head.
Don’t tell him!
I have to tell him Tallion. What’s happened to you? You never used to be like this.
I’ve been betrayed, that’s what’s happened to me, and now you’re going to do it again!
What? I haven’t betrayed you…
You told Sam that I had a crush on Sartrina, that’s how you betrayed me. That was private.
All this is because of that?
Yes. It hurt. It still hurts.
Tallion, I’ve already said sorry, and I meant it and I still mean it. What more can I do?
How can you be sorry if you’re going to do it again now by talking to Barty!
This is totally different, and we have to tell them, I’m not eavesdropping on them any longer. I’m not a spy. I’m human too Tallion, I have feelings and wishes that are part of ‘us’.
Go on then, betray me again, I don’t care.
Tallion, please…
There was no response from the future nineteenth Baronet Middleham, although Zak could clearly feel his annoyance and hear his jumble of thoughts getting fainter as he moved away through the castle. He was brought back to the potions classroom by Barty clearing his throat.
“Sorry, we were talking…”
“No problem, I realised. So, do you want to share your problem with me?”
“Yes. I need to, well, we need to…”
Zak paused, struggling inside about what to do. He desperately didn’t want to betray Tallion, it was almost painful thinking about it! He decided another few days waiting wouldn’t harm. His soul mate had to come first, not himself, and not Barty or Sir Philip.
“…but not yet…”
“I understand, Zak, and don’t worry. It’ll sort itself out. Things like this always do in the end. Keep strong, for both of you.”
Zak took a deep breath, sighed with a resigned smile and nodded. He knew Barty was right.
Zak headed off to try and find Tallion, but he wasn't in his room, or Zak’s room, or any of the other main rooms, so he went out to the courtyard by himself. He absent mindedly wandered into the broom cupboard thinking about having a fly around on his broom, but it wasn't very appealing when his head was full of Tallion’s grumpy thoughts.
He sat down heavily on the bench, closed his eyes, and put his head in his hands. He just wanted to talk to someone about it all, but there was no-one he could talk to!
* * *
NICE GOAL ZAK!
Tallion’s thoughts cut clearly through all the cheering and yelling on the football pitch as the Netherdale under-thirteens went 2-0 up against Broughton Grammar School in the North Yorkshire Schools league match.
For a moment the tousle-haired eleven-year-old looked perplexed, how could Tallion have seen his goal?
Where are you? How did you know I’d scored?
I came to watch the match; Father brought me. I wanted to say sorry for being an idiot.
Blimey, you goon, you could have picked a better time! Right in the middle of a football match?! But thanks all the same!
Zak’s spirits soared, it was like finding out that he was a wizard all over again! He couldn’t dwell on it though, as the ball was already back in play, and the game was rushing on at a furious pace. He blocked out Tallion’s voice and all the other thoughts crowding into his head, and tried to listen out for the mid fielders voices, both in his mind and with his ears.
Whilst hearing the other player’s thoughts could give him an advantage, the noise of everyone else’s thoughts in his head was a terrible distraction!
* * *
Tallion and Sir Philip weren’t the only wizards watching the football match of course. Barty was visible and mingling amongst the parents on the touchline, and the two shadow-wizard guards weren’t far away either. One was apparently walking his dog round the outside of the park, and the other was invisible near the school entrance.
The three ‘minders’ were nervous. Looking after Zak alone wasn’t really a worry, but now that Tallion and Sir Philip had turned up it was a different matter. It was the first time the wizard lord and his son had been properly out in public together since the attacks at the start of term, and a number of parents had recognised the man who’d got out of the Range Rover and was now cheering on the Netherdale football team.
A good number of non-footballing Netherdale Academy students there too, having been encouraged to come to the game because it was the home fixture against the winners of the league from the previous year. Broughton Grammar were very good at getting supporters out for their home matches, and it always made a difference, so Netherdale were determined not to let them have any advantage when they were playing away. Hidden amongst the group of mainly second and third years was Steven who, like Tallion, was feeling guilty about the way he’d been treating Zak.
A final, unexpected attendee at what should have been an innocuous local junior league football match, was a shadowy figure in a hooded cloak, an invisibility cloak no less, imbued with many magical protections which turned it into a veritable coat of magical armour! Alerted to the presence of Tallion at the match by his own unique charms stealthily placed around the school grounds, he’d sent his spy to see if it would be possible to launch an attack and finish the job he’d started many weeks before.
His spy had her own detection charms around the dale so that she could keep track of the people her master was interested in, and she was quickly able to report that not only was Tallion at the football match, but Lord Middleham was there too!
It was an opportunity too good for Antares Malchus to miss, and despite the risks, he decided to go in person and see whether the powerful Yorkshire sorcerer was any match for him, if the opportunity arose.
* * *
Broughton Grammar were no pushover. The 2-0 lead was more a testimony to Zak’s right foot than the quality of the Netherdale team as a whole. It wasn’t long before the hosts conceded a goal, followed by much groaning from the home crowd. Plenty of Broughton parents were cheering though. Half time arrived and the score remained 2-1 to Netherdale. However, a good number of extra Broughton parents and families had showed up, and the home crowd was no longer as overwhelming as it had been.
As the second half started, the Netherdale players performed their set piece opening to perfection, and thanks to Zak’s magical abilities, he was in exactly the right place and moving in the right direction just as the ball landed at his feet. He walloped it straight into the top corner of the net, and the referee’s whistle blew to signal the goal as the Netherdale parents and students cheered loudly.
A 3-1 lead was a good margin, and would take some overtu
rning, but the game was far from over. Within ten minutes, Broughton had gathered themselves, and following some pretty special passing play, which had left the Netherdale midfield and defence breathless from constantly running to mark the opposition, they performed their own neat set piece which delivered the goods.
With the score now 3-2, the away supporters found their voices again, and it was clear that their team appreciated the cheering!
* * *
Antares Malchus was surprised to catch himself watching the game of football, and instantly despised his actions, cursing himself for losing focus on his own opponents. He was in a dangerous situation. Arrayed against him were Lord Middleham himself, Barty Greatheart, who’d sprung out of nowhere earlier in the year to be a formidable opponent, and two shadow-wizards. The shadow wizards were both a bit too distant from the football pitch to actually intervene at short notice, although they’d be able to trap him quickly once they were alerted to any magical action. The two boys he dismissed, although he expected that one day Tallion would be as powerful as his father.
His cloak was his best weapon, for it gave him the element of surprise. His daughter, Lesath, had added the final Dissemblement charm, which concealed the magic of all the other charms on the garment. No trace of magic would now show up on any listening charms which he was sure were in place all over the dale. It was a unique piece of magic, and immensely complex, and a tribute to his daughter’s intellect. To his mild annoyance, she’d refused to share all the steps in the preparation of the charm, having been taught by her very own parents that a person’s usefulness, and therefore their safety, lay in their unique knowledge and abilities.
* * *
With about five minutes to go, the harassed Netherdale defence cracked again, and Broughton landed the equaliser to a huge cheer from the away supporters. To buy a bit of time for his team to get in position, the Netherdale goalie deliberately hung back on returning the ball to the centre of the pitch.