Raff stood and hugged Leah. “I’m so sorry I’ve been such a jerk. I didn’t mean to shut you out, I just needed time to work through it all on my own.”
“It’s okay. I was just so frustrated when I couldn’t do anything to help you. And then when we found you gone this morning… I was terrified you were going to do something stupid, like take on Serbus on your own.”
Raff chuckled. “Even I’m not that stupid! Although I have come up with an idea for how we might be able to bring him down. First I need breakfast though; I can’t even remember the last time I ate.”
Belle smiled as she watched them walk away arm in arm. She’d hated seeing her friends so miserable. Maybe things were finally looking up.
She looked down at Aracus’ wounds and frowned. “How long ago did the attack happen? These wounds should have been healed by now.”
Aracus shrugged. “We were attacked two days ago. We only had two healers with us, and there were others with injuries who needed their help. So I told the healers to concentrate on the others, knowing how quickly their energy was drained, and how long it took for them to recover.”
Belle smiled and shook her head. “Well, it’s nothing I can’t fix now, but you must have been in a lot of pain.”
“I’d just found out I’d lost Melinda. At the time, the pain was a good distraction, and I wasn’t real fussed about whether I lived or died.” Aracus’ voice wavered as the tears welling in his eyes threatened to spill out. He sucked in a deep breath and gave Belle a watery smile. “When I finally started thinking straight again, I remembered Raff, and decided I wanted to live after all. Then I convinced the others that we should head towards the school. I figured that if you came back, you’d head to the Haven first. Once you found that destroyed, I knew the school would be your next stop. You were pretty adamant about getting those kids out!”
Belle chuckled. “Well, you were right about that. Those children will be coming home with us. Anyway, I’m glad you decided to survive. I don’t think Raff would ever have been the same again if you hadn’t.”
They looked over to where Raff sat shovelling food into his mouth and both laughed. “He’s so much like his father, it’s like looking at a ghost. At least Melinda got to meet him before….”
Belle rubbed his arm. “I’m so sorry Aracus. But the good news is… I’m done! Feeling better?”
A look of wonder crossed his face. “You are amazing! The pain is almost gone.”
Belle smiled, and helped him to his feet. “And now, you need to eat and get your strength back. Let’s just hope Raff hasn’t eaten everything yet.”
* * *
At Raff’s request, Belle had invited Dominic, Dewar and Dub to join them. He wanted them all together to discuss what to do next. They now sat in a circle, waiting for him to tell them about his plan.
“Okay, so something good came out of the hours I spent wallowing in self-pity and grief.” He smiled at Aracus and shrugged. “I think I have an idea that may trick Serbus into coming to us, rather than having to deal with him on his home turf.”
Aracus shook his head sadly. “I doubt it, my boy. Serbus always gets others to do his dirty work, while he remains safely tucked away at home.”
Raff looked at them with a gleam in his eye. “Yeah, I thought about that. Tyranius was pretty much the same. But, when he thought he could get his hands on the amulet, greed overcame his caution. What if we could lure Serbus here with the idea that he may get his hands on the legendary amulet? I doubt he even knows it’s been restored. Tyranius was killed before he could pass that news on.”
Lyricus leaned forward. “But how would he know the amulet was here?”
Raff grinned. “He’d know, because I’d tell Jonah, and he’d tell Serbus!”
Leah jumped in, frowning. “Raff, I think I know where this is heading, and there’s no way we’re going to let you put yourself in that kind of danger!”
Raff frowned at her. “Listen Leah, it’s the only way. I’ve racked my brain for another way, and there isn’t one! If I were to get ‘caught’ by Jonah, I could say that we’d had a falling out and you guys abandoned me. Then I’d tell him about the amulet being with one of you, and that I could lead them to you. But only if Serbus came to the school to talk, and guaranteed to let me go!”
His excitement was growing. “Then, when Serbus gets here, he finds I’m not quite as alone as I made out, and we deal with him, and whoever he brings with him. What do you all think?”
Aracus scratched his head. “I have to admit; it sounds like it might work. Serbus is no fool, but he is definitely greedy. But I don’t like the idea of you putting yourself in the hands of this kitsune, Jonah. What’ll you do if Serbus insists they bring you to him? Why would he come to you?”
Raff grinned. “I know you said he always gets others to do his dirty work, but surely he wouldn’t risk anyone else getting their hands on the amulet? And if they do decide to send me to Serbus, we’ll have to come up with another plan.” He looked around at them all. “Come on, you’ve gotta admit it’s worth a shot. What’ve we got to lose?”
Leah frowned. “Ummm… you! What if Serbus doesn’t buy the whole story and tells Jonah to just kill you?”
“That’s where I’ll have to rely on my friends to keep me up-to-date with what’s going on! Both Lyricus and Belle are able to come and go as they please when they erect a shield. I’m sure it won’t be that hard for them to be in the right place at the right time.”
He winked, and Leah finally smiled. “Oh yeah, I never thought of that. So you won’t be in there alone… now I’m starting to like this plan!”
Aracus chuckled. “That makes two of us. I hadn’t thought of the shielding thing either Leah. In that case… you have my undivided attention, oh clever grandson of mine!”
Raff grinned. “Okay, so the first thing we need to do is get a message to Professor Goon as soon as possible. We need him to know what’s going on before we ask for his help. Any volunteers?”
Chapter Twenty-Two
-Professor Goon’s Tale-
Hidden inside a shield, Belle and Lyricus had slipped in the back door of the administration building, and were now sitting at the table in Professor Goon’s office. They knew the old man would return there after dinner, and hoped Jonah wouldn’t be with him.
Belle frowned as she watched the door. “I hope Raff’s right, and the Professor agrees to help us. It would make the plan go a lot smoother.”
Lyricus squeezed her hand. “I’m sure he will. He took a big risk helping us last time, and he’s helped lots of other kids. Not only that, I’m sure he’d be ecstatic not to have to deal with Serbus anymore.”
The door opened, and Professor Goon entered alone. He strolled to the end of the table and dropped into a chair. Belle and Lyricus waited a few minutes until they were sure Jonah wasn’t following him, and then let the shield drop.
Professor Goon’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “You! How did...? Where…?”
Lyricus smiled, and put his finger to his lips. “I’m sorry we startled you Professor, but we need your help.”
“Help? I already helped you once, and you were stupid enough to come back. Did you not find the rebel base?”
“Yes we did, thanks to you. I must apologise for not telling you before who we really were, but I’m afraid much has changed since we last saw you.” Lyricus told him the truth about who they were and where they’d come from, and then everything that had happened since they’d left the school. When he’d finished they sat in silence, a look of devastation on the Professor’s face.
“The rebel community was completely destroyed?”
Belle leaned forward, and rubbed the Professor’s arm. “There were a few survivors, maybe twenty or so, but the entire community was burned to the ground.”
“So that’s it then…Serbus has no more opposition. I’d always held onto the hope they’d band together one day and rise up against the tyrant.”
Bel
le smiled. “Actually, that’s why we’re here. We have a plan to destroy Serbus and free the people of Valleron. But we need your help.”
Professor Goon shook his head sadly. “I’m afraid you’re wasting your time. I’ve recently learned Serbus is building a device that will render all Gifts useless. It works the same as the binding portal, which as you know is used to bind a child’s Gifts when they are sent to Naissance. This is how he plans to invade Florisia.”
Belle felt as if she’d been punched in the stomach. Even though she’d only been aware of her Gift for such a short time, the thought of losing it made her blood run cold. It would be like losing a part of herself.
Lyricus leaned towards the Professor. “Do you know where he keeps this device? Can we get to it?”
The Professor’s eyes widened. “I believe it is stored at the army barracks, awaiting completion of the structure being built to carry it. But I’m told it’s heavily guarded, there’s no way you’d be able to get to it.”
Lyricus frowned. “Tell me everything you know about the barracks, and what we’d be up against.”
The Professor proceeded to explain how the carts that picked up the children from the college every day took them to the barracks, which were about an hour west of the school. He’d only been there a few times, and had overheard a discussion among some of the soldiers about the device. Last he’d heard, the numbers joining the army had swelled, since Serbus had circulated a rumour that the Florisians were planning to invade Valleron. Apparently, Serbus had also secured the services of some mages keen to do his bidding.
Belle jumped up from her chair. “Lyricus, we have to get back and tell the others what’s going on. We need to work out how to destroy this device!”
Lyricus turned to the Professor. “Thank you so much for the warning, Professor. Hopefully, when this is all over, you’ll be able to go back to being who you really are.” He stood, and linked arms with Belle. “Goodbye for now.”
Belle felt the shield settle around them, and almost laughed at the look on the Professor’s face as they vanished.
“Ummm… good luck!” the Professor called, as they opened the door and left his office.
* * *
Belle watched the stunned faces of their friends, as Lyricus finished relating what Professor Goon had told them.
Raff shrugged. “Okay, so change of plans. Obviously we need to destroy this device first. We’ll have to get to the army barracks and see what’s going on. At least we found out about this before we tried to take on Serbus. Something tells me it would have turned out rather messy.” He chuckled, relieving the tension in the air.
A soft, squeaky voice popped into Belle’s head. Oh dear, oh dear, very bad idea! No, no, no… mustn’t go where the bad men are!
Belle looked around in confusion. “Who said that?”
“Who said what?” Leah asked.
“Something about the plan being a very bad idea. Didn’t you hear it?”
“Nope. I didn’t hear anything. One of the horses maybe, or Vulk?”
“No, it wasn’t a voice I’ve heard before.” Belle grabbed her backpack and pulled out her little book. “It was like when this first spoke to me, just a random voice out of nowhere.” She rubbed the little book nervously, a habit she’d stopped long ago.
“Can you still hear it?” Leah’s eyes were full of concern.
Belle shook her head. “Maybe I just imagined it. Ignore me; we need to be listening to Raff about the new plan.” She rubbed Leah’s shoulder, and pasted a smile on her face. She knew she hadn’t imagined the voice, but there was no point worrying Leah.
Leah smiled, and turned to Raff. “How come you always manage to turn a serious situation into ‘just another adventure’? You make the idea of breaking into a heavily guarded army barracks, and destroying this device, sound like a walk in the forest.”
“Well, we won’t exactly have to break in. We’ll just stroll in with the other kids when they arrive for work. Destroying the device, and getting out again, may prove a little tricky though.” Raff winked, and nudged her.
Leah shook her head. “I’m assuming you plan to try and use the amulet to destroy the device? Which means the three of us have to go into the barracks?”
No, no… listen to Wort… mustn’t do this. This one needs to stop talking… go to sleep boy!
“Well, I think it’s…” Belle watched in awe as Raff yawned and went to sleep mid-sentence.
Leah reached out to Raff. “What the…?”
Belle smiled. “Hang on. I think I may know what’s going on here. Just give me a minute.”
Belle reached out with her mind, trying to locate the source of the little voice. Wort, why did you do that?
Who said that? How can you hear me? came the squeaky voice.
My name’s Belle. And I have a Gift that lets me hear all creatures talk. But I can’t see you. Where are you?
Which one are you, first?
I’m the one holding the little book. Would you like to see it?
She laid the book on the ground in front of her, grinning as she saw the look on her friends’ faces. They probably thought she’d lost the plot!
A tiny, stick-like, creature landed on the little book, tilting his head from side to side, as his soft brown eyes looked up at her. Wow, I can’t believe someone can actually hear me.
Why did you put my friend to sleep?
So he’d stop talking about going to the bad place. Bad men will hurt you. Nobody ever listens to Wort’s warnings, so I have to do something!
Belle smiled at the little creature. I need you to wake him up now Wort, so I can tell him about your warnings. And then you can meet all my friends.
Okay, fine. But he’d better listen! Wake now boy!
Belle held out her hand, and Wort jumped onto her palm. Raff had woken up, and was scratching his head looking totally confused. “Ummm… what just happened? Did I seriously fall asleep mid-sentence?”
Belle grinned, and lifted her hand up in front of her. “Ummm… everyone, I’d like you to meet my new friend, Wort. He’s been trying to warn us about the dangers of going to the barracks, but because no one could hear him, he put Raff to sleep so he’d stop talking about it.”
Everyone stared at the tiny creature in Belle’s hand gobsmacked.
Raff finally chuckled. “Good thinking Wort. I can think of lots of times I’ve wished I could put someone to sleep so they’d stop talking!”
Wort tilted his head from side to side again, and looked back at Belle. This one says I did the right thing… Wort likes this one!
Belle laughed. “Wort, ‘this one’ is Raff, and I’m glad you’ve decided you like him.” Belle introduced everyone in the circle, and then turned back to Raff. “I promised Wort we’d listen to his warnings about going to the barracks. It seems he knows a bit about the place, so I’ll relate what he tells me.”
Belle listened as Wort told her about the ‘bad men’ at the barracks, who were cruel to the children who went there to work every day. He said there were some who could use magic, and he’d seen them kill a man by throwing fire at him. These men guarded something very important, that was locked away under the ground. If anyone came too close, or asked questions about it, he or she was beaten or killed.
Belle repeated everything the little creature told her to the rest of the company. When she was finished, Wort stood with his spindly little hands on his hips, and looked around the group expectantly.
Aracus looked at Wort sadly. “Thank you, my friend, for warning us about this place. But you need to know that these bad men came to my community, and killed all of the men, women and children who lived there. Then they burned our homes and everything in the community to the ground. My wife, Raff’s grandmother, was one of those killed. So now do you see why we need to stop these bad men from hurting any more people?”
Wort turned his soft brown eyes towards Belle, and she could see the tears in them. Wort understands why you must go now. I
will do what I can to help you.
Chapter Twenty-Three
-Inside the Army Barracks-
Leah laughed as she watched Wort trying to steady himself using Midnight’s forelock. He was propped up between the horse’s ears, determined to appear fearless as they followed the carts full of children heading towards the barracks.
They had nutted out a plan last night before going to bed. Raff, Leah and Belle, with Wort safely tucked inside her pocket, would enter the barracks with the other children. They would spend the day studying the routines and layout of the place, then hide inside a shield until after dark. After that the plan got a bit hazy, but somehow they’d get inside the underground vault and destroy the device. Wort, of course, would put the guards at the vault to sleep.
Belle slowed Midnight and waited for Leah to catch up, nudging her with her knee. “How ya doing Leah? You haven’t said much about how you’re feeling over this latest ‘adventure’?”
Leah smiled. “Ya know what? I feel great! I know, unbelievable right? It’s like my brain has finally decided to get over itself. Maybe it was the thought of actually losing my Gift that finally made me realise how lucky I am to have it. Who knows? But whatever it was, I feel like the weight of the world has fallen off my shoulders. It’s an awesome feeling!”
Belle’s face split into a wide grin. “Go you! I knew you’d get there eventually!”
“Took me long enough, eh? Thanks for hanging in there while I sorted through it all. I couldn’t have done it without my awesome friends.”
“Speaking of friends, have you told Raff how you’re feeling? Somehow I think it might make his day.”
Raff rode ahead of them, deep in conversation with his grandfather. “He’s a bit pre-occupied at the moment. I’m so glad Aracus survived, I don’t think Raff would have ever been the same if he’d lost him.”
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