by Victor Kloss
“I don’t know,” Josh said. He was looking down the barrel as if there were a snake inside. Ben made a show of readying his trigger finger on the Spellshooter and Josh let out an involuntary moan.
“I swear it!” Josh said. “The only thing I know was that your parents pleaded guilty and spent a year in jail. It happened many years ago, before you were born.”
“They pleaded guilty?”
Josh nodded, slightly frantically. “Yes, that’s what made the court case so strange. The Institute was prepared to defend them, but they declared their guilt and were offered a lenient penalty in return.”
Ben’s head started to swim, but he forced his questions aside and inched the Spellshooter forward until Josh was looking at the barrel cross-eyed beneath his nose.
“It’s the truth,” Josh said. “You can look at the records in the Justice section for proof.”
Ben glanced at Natalie who nodded. He hesitated for a moment. He desperately wanted to look up his parents’ court case, but it would mean missing the meeting between Colin, Draven and Elessar. Even now they might be too late.
“Get out of here,” Ben said.
Josh looked like such a pathetic wreck that Ben lowered his Spellshooter. The instant he did so, Josh’s face transformed. The fear vanished and he raised his own Spellshooter with a look of triumph.
But Ben was quicker.
He aimed his Spellshooter like a seasoned cowboy. The instant he touched the trigger time seemed to blur. In his mind he could see with crystal clarity, down to the finest tone of colour, the coloured pellets floating in the orb. He could see the elements they were made of, their strengths and exactly what each one did. The advice from the Spellshooter teacher came back to him. If you concentrate and command it well enough, the spell will obey. Ben focused on a tiny yellow pellet with every ounce of willpower he had, casting aside any doubts it might not work.
He pressed the trigger and fired, a fraction of a second before Josh.
Ben had visions of a ball of energy hurling towards Josh and knocking him off his feet. What he got was a tiny yellow ball so insubstantial it looked like it might splutter into nothing. It curved erratically and hit him on the arm.
Josh’s face glazed over and he fell to the floor, breathing but unconscious. Ben nudged him with his foot; he didn’t move.
“Not quite what I envisioned,” Ben said, inspecting the Spellshooter.
“Did the job though,” Charlie said.
He handed the Spellshooter back to Natalie, but she made no move to retrieve it. She was staring at him with such astonishment her green eyes seemed to take up half her face.
“You fired the Spellshooter,” she said.
“It was pathetic,” Ben said, Natalie’s astonishment making him slightly uncomfortable. “It almost disintegrated before it reached Josh and he was only standing about a foot away.”
Natalie shook her head. “Most people can’t fire anything for at least a month and it takes double that for the spell to do anything effective.”
“I’m a fast learner,” Ben said. He was looking at the doorway, eager to get going. Natalie finally took back the Spellshooter. She looked down at the unconscious Josh and aimed her Spellshooter at him. Before Ben could ask what she was doing, she fired. A small silver bullet hit him with a soft pop and Josh disappeared.
“We don’t want anyone seeing him lying there,” Natalie said. “Both those spells should last about half an hour.”
Ben led them though the doorway back into a maze of bookshelves. It was dark and musty, but it was his ears, not his eyes, Ben was relying on. After a moment of walking as quickly as he dared through the shelves, Ben picked up the sound of familiar voices. He slowed to a crawl, the voices slowly getting louder until he had to stop for fear of turning a corner and running right into the meeting.
All three of them strained their ears to listen. Colin was speaking, an edge of concern in his voice.
“…to more important matters: who will pick up Ben Greenwood tonight? This procedure must be carried out as quietly as possible.”
“I will,” Draven said. “He’s a slippery one, but I know how to deal with him.”
“Unharmed,” Elessar said. “We need him in perfect condition for the Memory Search.”
Ben bit his lip to stop from crying out.
“How will he cope with the stress of the spell?” Draven asked.
“There are many variables. We delve much deeper into his subconscious than you, but every effort will be made to retain his sanity.”
There was a moment’s silence. Ben prayed that Colin and Draven were having second thoughts.
“I want a full and immediate withdrawal from Burnstad,” Colin said. “I also want an official cessation of hostilities towards the Institute.”
“We will withdraw from Burnstad. I am not authorised by my king to grant your other request.”
“I suggest you obtain authorisation,” Colin said. “Otherwise we do not have an agreement.”
There was a faint hiss. “You ask a lot for a boy my king feels is owed to us anyway.”
“I could never explain this to the Council for anything less,” Colin said.
“I agree. Those are the terms,” Draven said, his rough voice cutting through the book shelves. “King Suktar can take them or leave them.”
“I will speak to my king,” Elessar said. “I hope, for your sake, he does not take offence.”
There was a sudden shuffling of feet and the sound of footsteps approaching.
Ben, Charlie and Natalie retreated as quickly and silently as possible, past the small room where an invisible Josh lay and back into the relative comfort of the main library.
Ben needed to get outside. His heart was racing. He knew he was in no immediate danger, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that Draven was just around the corner, ready to spring out and catch him. Ignoring questions from Charlie and Natalie as they hurried behind, Ben kept walking, leaving the library and hurrying down the grand staircase and through the main lobby.
The sun on his face and blue sky above gave him a feeling of freedom he had never really appreciated before. He hurried along the Institute’s grounds and only stopped when they had exited the gate.
There was no going back to the Institute now, with the plans that had been instigated in Wren’s absence. Part of him wanted to scream at everything they had just witnessed. Someone should be able to help them, someone who could expose the obvious wrongs being perpetrated.
He took a deep breath and turned around to face a perplexed Natalie and a huffing and puffing Charlie. The time had come to lose Natalie, unless he could persuade her to help. Would she agree to his plan? Last night he would have said no, but everything had changed. Would she still side with the Institute or could he make her see reason? The prospect of finding the wood elves without her knowledge of the Unseen Kingdoms was daunting.
“Is there somewhere safe we can talk?” Ben asked. “I have a plan. It will take some explaining.”
— Chapter Eighteen —
Natalie's Surprise
Natalie led them back to the hotel. Ben wasn’t happy about the proximity to the dark elves, but he reluctantly agreed this was the best place for a bit of peace and quiet.
This time they went to Natalie’s room. It was just as welcoming with one king-size bed instead of the two twins. Ben, Natalie and Charlie sat on the chairs surrounding the fireplace, nibbling on biscuits that had been placed on the table for them.
“So, what’s this plan?” Natalie asked.
This was it – the moment of truth. To include her in his mad plan or to blow her off? He had agonised over the decision the moment they fled the library, but he was no closer to an answer. Natalie was looking at him with inquisitive green eyes and a strange smile. Ben had no idea what she found funny, but it highlighted one of her assets – she was beautiful. A pretty girl was always useful, especially one as chatty as Natalie. More importantly, she also knew her way
round the Unseen Kingdoms; she was born there. But her blind allegiance to the Institute meant if he did reveal his plan, she might just report them to the Institute; after all, the Executive Council had ordered him not to leave Taecia. Additionally, she didn’t seem to be the brightest lamp on the street; given the obstacles they might encounter, this was another strike against her.
“Hello?” Natalie said. “You mentioned something about a plan?”
Why was she smiling at him? He was trying to concentrate and it was distracting. Charlie was looking at him anxiously, but offered no words of encouragement. Ben wished he could have gotten Charlie’s advice, but there had been no time.
Ben grit his teeth. He knew what he had to do.
“I bet I can guess your plan.”
Ben looked at Natalie in surprise. Her eyes sparkled with mirth.
“You want to track down the wood elves that put the spell on you.”
Ben’s jaw dropped. He cast an accusing look at Charlie. “You told her!”
“No, I didn’t,” Charlie said. He too was staring at Natalie, mouth agape.
“Nobody told me. I figured it out. It wasn’t difficult really, with your constant questions about the wood elves and where to find them.”
Ben was speechless, which only seemed to delight Natalie further.
She pointed a finger at him. “You thought I was an airhead, didn’t you? You assumed I was too dim to work out what you were up to.”
“What? No, I—”
“I’m not insulted,” she said. “I have to admit, I did play along a little. By dismissing me as an idiot you seemed less cautious about what you said.”
Ben stood up and paced the small hotel room. His head was a whirl with emotions. He couldn’t work out whether to be angry that she had duped them or ashamed that he had dismissed her so easily.
“It was Wren who tipped me off,” Natalie continued. “She said you might take matters into your own hands. But it was only after that conversation we overheard with Colin, Draven and Elessar that I realised you would want to act now.”
Ben spread his arms in a helpless shrug. “Well, now that you know our plan, what do you think?”
“I think you’re brave, but completely mad,” she said matter-of-factly with a sweet smile to soften the blow.
“Those are the hallmarks of all Ben’s plans,” Charlie said.
Ben wasn’t sure whether to be encouraged by Natalie’s calm demeanour or put off by her sentiments. He was still confused by this new Natalie.
“The dark elf will get permission to cast his own Memory Search spell today,” Ben said. “Given that it will probably make me go crazy, I cannot return to the Institute.”
Natalie’s humour subsided. “Wren will stop it.”
“Wren isn’t here.”
“No, but she is due back this evening.”
“I can’t risk that. I know you said she was reliable, but the moment King Suktar agrees to the Institute’s terms, Draven will come for me. This hotel isn’t even safe; the Institute knows we are here. Wren might be able to help me, but unless she is constantly by my side, I can’t rely on her.”
“What about the other members of the Council?” Natalie asked. “Victoria or Alex are both as senior as Colin and Draven.”
“Alex would help me, I think. But I don’t know where he is and Wren said he carries little authority outside his own department. I don’t know about Victoria, I haven’t worked out which side she's on, but I wouldn’t gamble on her.”
“What about the Commander?” Charlie asked. “He has more power than any of the Council members and he of all people might know something about Elizabeth's Legacy.”
“That's not a good idea.”
Natalie's firm voice caught Ben and Charlie by surprise.
“Nobody but the Executive Council is allowed to address the Commander of the Institute.”
Ben gave a dismissive wave. “I don't care about rules.”
“It's not just that,” Natalie said. “There's something peculiar about him. Instead of leading the Institute, he spends his time travelling to the most obscure places in the Unseen Kingdoms. It was the same with his father; in fact, the last three commanders have all died while travelling."
"They must have a reason for travelling so much."
"Maybe, but no one knows why. It gets worse as they get older, until they are so obsessed they barely have time for the Institute."
"That is a little odd," Charlie admitted.
Ben wasn't convinced. "Are you saying he's crazy?"
"Not yet, but I would say he's irresponsible, uncaring and the last person I would go to for help. Even Wren thinks he's strange and she knows the Commander as well as anyone. Trust me, asking him is a bad idea.”
Ben recalled those dark, gold-flecked eyes. There was no doubt there was something peculiar about the Commander. He seemed sensible enough at the meeting, but there was an intensity about him that even Ben found a little daunting.
“If the Commander is out of the question, then it has to be the wood elves. I know it’s a long shot, but we have no other lead. My parents trusted them. They will know something, I’m sure of it,” Ben said.
Natalie didn’t say anything for a moment. She appeared to be composing her own line of defence, playing with her hair as she did so. There was an intelligence in her eyes Ben hadn’t noticed before.
“I know you are aware of the dangers of the wood elves,” Natalie said, “but I don’t think you get how scary they are. The diplomats we sent knew their culture, customs, habits and even their language. Despite all that they didn’t return.”
“I know,” Ben said, seeing Charlie’s growing look of unease. “But my parents made it, didn’t they?”
“Yes, your parents made it. But assuming some of them are friendly towards your family, we have absolutely no idea which colony of elves that is. There are half a dozen possibilities, most of them I can’t even remember.”
Ben pulled out the small library book he had taken and placed it on the table. “We will have to make an educated guess.”
Natalie stared at the book for a moment and then looked up at Ben, her eyes serious. “Would you really take such a risk?”
“I don’t have a choice,” Ben said. “It’s that or go back home. But what do I have there? A step-grandma who likes her TV more than me.”
Natalie chewed her lower lip, doubt playing across her face for the first time.“I’m supposed to be watching over you, not sending you on crazy missions.”
Ben leant forward, putting every ounce of conviction into his voice. “That’s why we need you to come with us. Our chances of success go from impossible to unlikely with you guiding us.”
Natalie turned to Charlie. “You are willing to go with Ben?”
Ben was impressed with the way Charlie held Natalie’s green-eyed stare.
“I don’t think we have a choice. It might be risky, but it’s less dangerous than heading back to the Institute into the hands of the dark elves or waiting for them to kidnap Ben back at his grandma’s.”
“What about your parents, Charlie? You’ve been gone a day already. Aren’t they going to get worried? If we leave, we won’t be back for a while.”
Ben cursed. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
Charlie, however, was unconcerned. He pulled out a folded note from his pocket and handed it to Ben.
“Dear Charlie,
“I am sure your parents will soon be wondering where you have got to, especially as you will obviously not be answering your phone. However, Ben may be stuck here for a while and I am sure he would benefit from your company. There is a Warden working near your area and I have taken the liberty of instructing him to cast a very mild Forgetfulness Spell on your parents, should you not return home. There is no harm in the spell; it only lasts a short period of time. The Warden can re-cast it until you are back.
“I hope we will speak soon.
“Best,
“Wren”
> “I would like to return home soon, but this is more important,” Charlie said.
Natalie sat with her hands on her lap, staring into space. Ben wished there were something else he could say to convince her, but he was out of ideas.
“I will go on one condition,” she said.
“Whatever it is, we’ll do it.”
“Ignore Charlie,” Ben said. “What condition?”
“I want you to trust me,” Natalie said. Ben started to protest, but she raised a hand. “I know you think I trust the Institute too much, and maybe I do, but this crazy plan is only going to work if we can rely on each other. I’m the only one who knows anything about the Unseen Kingdoms.”
Charlie agreed even before Natalie had finished speaking, but it was Ben she focused on. An hour ago he would have fobbed her off with false assurances. Now he wasn’t even sure that would work. Could he trust her? Not if she was asking for the type of trust he had in Charlie, that was borne of a lifetime of friendship. But he could certainly stand to open up a little.
“It’s a deal,” Ben said.
Natalie looked far happier than he expected, given their crazy mission.
“Let’s see the library book,” she said, extending her hand.
Ben grinned and handed over the book; Natalie put it on her lap.
“There are six countries that have wood elf colonies, but only two of them are realistic options,” she said, after studying the book for a while. “There is no way your parents would have travelled to the others. They are either against the Institute or located on the other side of the world.”
“What are the two?”
“Borgen and Algete. Algete is just off the coast of Spain. My family has been there a couple of times on holiday; it’s really beautiful. Unfortunately, there aren’t a huge number of wood elves there and the book isn’t very precise as to their location. The other option is Borgen, which is located close to Norway. It has the largest population of wood elves in Europe and the book gives several detailed locations of them. It’s also a shorter journey and easier to get to.”
“Seems like an obvious choice,” Ben said.
Natalie cringed. “There is a small catch: they have recently been conquered by King Suktar.”