by E. M. Cooper
Marnie took paper and a pen from her bag and wrote: Be at the library tomorrow at lunch. ‘I’m not going to write our names on the note in case someone finds it before Theo.’
‘That’s smart,’ Seb said.
After Lissa poked the note under a band around the bird’s leg, she relayed Marnie’s directions to go to the teachers’ quarters and look for a very tall, dark-haired mage called Theodore Mystilic.
* * *
The Fanglewick library sat between Lyra and Gemini House. Inside, the stacks were crowded with elves already rushing to get research books for the latest arithmancy assignment set by Aurora Bright that morning.
‘They’ll burn their pointy heads out at this rate,’ Seb whispered to Marnie. ‘Tripping over each other to please Aurora. It’s sad.’
Lissa glared at him. ‘I heard that.’
‘You’re not like them, um, I mean, you’re more like us, you know, not so Aurora-needy,’ said Seb blushing and stumbling over his words.
Lissa winked at Marnie when Seb wasn’t looking.
Marnie drifted over to the visual magic section and trawled the books. She picked one off the shelf: Matilda Winterbottom’s Art of Glass and flicked through the pages. Giddy with excitement, she casually tucked the fat little book under her arm.
‘That’s a good idea,’ Lissa whispered behind Marnie suddenly, making her jump. ‘They’ll think we’re just browsing.’
In the next aisle, two elfin girls were fighting over a large leather volume. An elderly woman with wispy white hair drawn in sparse strands over her startling skull approached them and held out her hand.
One girl gave it to her and the pair then stood meekly gazing at the floor as the old woman chastised them in a barely audible tone.
‘The scary one is Bertha Balthazar, the wizard librarian,’ Lissa whispered as she took a book from the shelf and pretended to examine the cover. ‘Try not to look obvious.’
The entrance door swung open and Theodore Mystilic strode to the librarian’s central desk, where he flung his cloak back and tapped the bell while scanning the room.
Bertha forgot the elfin girls and made a beeline for Theodore.
‘Ah, you must be the librarian, Madam Balthazar.’
She peered at him with her grey eyes. ‘Yes, how may I help you Mage Mystilic?’
‘So, you know me?’
‘Of course—we all do.’ Her tone was cool and crusty.
‘Yes, well, I’m doing some research on disagreeable beasts native to the Old World.’
‘I’m not surprised.’ She leant across the counter and fixed him with a penetrating gaze and in a gravelly voice said, ‘But who’s to say it came from here?’
‘Yes, you’re quite right, but I have to start somewhere.’
‘Very well, I’ll leave you to it.’ She pointed with one long yellow fingernail. ‘I suggest you begin your reading in that aisle. You’ve only to ask, if you need help.’
Mystilic waited for Bertha to leave before glancing towards Marnie. ‘You three over there, would you come here, please?’
Marnie, Lissa and Seb stepped up quickly.
‘Can you help me carry a few books to the teachers’ quarters?’ He spoke loudly enough for Bertha to hear.
‘Yes, sir,’ Marnie said quickly.
‘Excellent, come along.’
‘I’m guessing it was one of you who sent the note?’ Mystilic whispered as he pretended to focus on the shelf of books in front of him.
‘Yes,’ Marnie said before introducing him to Lissa.
‘Follow my lead.’ He gathered a pile of books for Bertha to check out at the counter and while he was talking to Seb, Marnie slipped her glass book in the pile.
‘You can return them here or there’s a trolley in the teachers’ quarters,’ said Bertha as she curiously examined one of the books about demons.
‘Thank you, Madam Balthazar.’ Mystilic turned to the children. ‘Now if you would be so kind as to help me transport these books to the teachers’ quarters.’ They then left the library together and wove their way along the path to the teachers’ house.
‘It’s so good to see you,’ Mystilic said. ‘Tell me your news.’
‘I was there—at the Imporium election, I mean,’ Marnie said.
Mystilic nodded. ‘I see.’
‘We know something that might help you win the election.’
Mystilic glanced down the path behind them. ‘Go on, Marnie, but don’t speak too loudly.’
‘We think we know what happened to Professor Crabwinkle.’
‘Quickly, tell me.’
‘Charlie summoned a red creature a few nights ago in Fanglewick.’
‘Can you describe it to me?’
‘Huge and red,’ Seb said. ‘It came through a scrying table in Fanglewick after Charlie used his wand.’
‘Silly boy. Was the beast horned?’
‘Yes, with a dark, blotchy discolouration between its ears, sharp teeth and lots of claws,’ Seb said.
‘How tall?’
‘At its largest, about the height of one and a half men, I guess.’ Marnie shivered at the memory. ‘It shrank and turned into a red cloud before entering Jax.’
Mystilic frowned. ‘Jax? The name’s familiar.’
‘A goblin,’ Lissa said. ‘He was Professor Crabwinkle’s assistant.’
‘Of course, he’s missing, isn’t he? Thigimus mentioned he might have been killed too.’
‘We believe he murdered Professor Crabwinkle,’ Marnie said.
‘Give me the books and return to your house,’ Mystilic said. ‘I think what you’ve described to me is a red djinn, a nasty and particularly evil creature from the demonic halo.’
‘Yes, I’m sure Charlie used that word—djinn,’ Marnie said.
‘Please be careful,’ Mystilic said. ‘Thank you, you’ve been brilliant, but I’ll take it from here.’
‘You don’t want us to help?’ Marnie suddenly felt deflated as though they were being excluded from the excitement.
‘I’ll let you know if I need you.’ He reached into his pocket and withdrew a small ceramic frog painted in an aqua glaze with brilliant yellow spots. ‘There’s a hole underneath it for putting rolled notes. Once you put something in it, the frog will come to life and go straight to me.’
Seb frowned. ‘It’s a bit obvious, the colours, I mean.’
‘It can blend with the surrounds better than any elfin bird. The elves look out for those birds, but no one would suspect a simple dull-looking frog.’
Marnie took the painted frog and slipped it in her pocket, glad to have a means to call Theo if they should need him. It was the perfect backup plan.
‘Promise me you won’t try to find Jax,’ Mystilic said, ‘or try to take him on?’
‘Of course not,’ said Lissa glaring at Seb and Marnie. ‘We’re not stupid, are we?’
* * *
CHAPTER 16
A lesson in magic
Not in the mood to speak, Marnie stomped back along the path to Andromeda House with Seb.
‘What’s eating you?’
‘Mage Mystilic to be precise.’
Seb raised his eyebrows.
‘I don’t want to shrivel and hide in Andromeda while he’s out tracking Jax. I want to help.’
‘Is that why you didn’t tell him about the spying mirror?’
‘Astra told me not to tell anyone.’
‘You told Lissa and me.’
‘That’s different. You’re my best friends.’
Seb half laughed. ‘Theo’s a high mage and far better equipped to trap Jax.’
‘I didn’t say he wasn’t, but how are we to learn about the dark side of magic if we hide under our beds while the exciting stuff happens outside?’
‘Do you expect us to take on a djinn? You’ve no magic skills and Lissa and I have just begun learning.’
Knowing she was being shut out from everything magic only infuriated Marnie.
‘Sorry, I didn
’t mean to throw it in your face. If it makes you feel any better, I’d say I’m one of the worst students at practical magic and although Lissa’s an elf, she’s struggling too.’
‘I’d give everything to know any magic.’
‘I know you would.’ Seb grinned.
‘What?’
‘Wait and see.’
They walked through Andromeda’s common room and spotted Oliver sprawled on one of the sofas reading a book.
Oliver dropped his book in his lap. ‘There you are. I’ve been looking for you both since lunch.’
‘What’s up?’ Marnie asked.
‘I’m planning something. I want you both to come with me on a special walk ... for Crawfoot credits.’
‘Huh?’ Marnie said.
‘For restoration and relaxation to negate the perils of practising magic,’ he said in a high pitch, mimicking Muriel Crawfoot’s voice. ‘We’ll go early on Saturday. It’ll be loads of fun. You’ll be able to come, won’t you?’
Marnie frowned. ‘Sure, I guess.’
‘You can ask your friend, the blonde elfin girl too.’
‘Lissa,’ Seb said.
‘She won’t be able to come,’ Marnie said. ‘The Gemini kids are having morning practice on the weekends for some inter-house game we’re having soon.’
‘Fangleball?’ Oliver said. ‘You’re kidding. Who practises for Fangleball, especially try-outs?’
Marnie shrugged. ‘Elves, I guess.’
‘Geminis are so competitive.’ Oliver grinned. ‘But you’ll both come, won’t you?’
‘Sure. I’ll check with Astra this evening. I’m sure they’ll be able to spare me in the kitchen,’ Marnie said. ‘It does sounds like fun. Where are we going?’
‘It’s a surprise. You’ll see.’
* * *
After an early breakfast the next morning, Seb and Lissa followed Oliver through the back doors of Andromeda’s common room and away from Fanglewick.
‘We haven’t been on this side of the school grounds before,’ Marnie said as they walked downhill on a meandering path through wet grass and passed pools of dark water with croaking frogs floating between reeds.
They rounded a bend and stopped to admire a brilliant aqua lake with a steep pine-covered hill behind it.
‘Shining Lake,’ Oliver said. ‘It’s beautiful, isn’t it?’
‘Wow, that’s it?’ Marnie said. ‘Hang on, isn’t this place out of bounds?’
‘No, only at night. On weekends, a lot of kids come down here to fish or swim, especially in summer.’
They walked to the water’s edge, crunching over round, white pebbles and listening for birds and animals in the silence.
Marnie skipped a stone over the water, breaking the stillness. ‘It’s so beautiful. So why can’t we come here at night?’
‘I’ve heard it gets pretty weird down here,’ Seb said.
Oliver nodded. ‘It’s haunted. For some reason, spirits are attracted to the lake. They reckon there’s a vein of magic that seeps downhill from Fanglewick into the lake. I’ve heard all sorts of stories, grim ones about spirits luring kids into the lake and not coming out and good ones about it being eerie and beautiful when the moon’s full.’
‘Have you been here at night?’ Marnie asked.
Oliver laughed. ‘I’m not that brave, although I’m definitely curious.’ He walked further along the edge of the lake. ‘If you could, what magic would like to try first, Marnie?’
Marnie leaped from one large rock to another. ‘That’s easy. I want to fly.’
Oliver and Seb laughed.
‘That’s what everyone says,’ Seb said.
‘When I was seven, soon after my mum died, my dad took me on holiday to a remote farm in the far south and taught me to fly on a broomstick,’ Oliver said. ‘It was the best thing ever.’
‘But didn’t they find out you were practising feral magic?’ Marnie asked.
‘Nope, by the time the New Zealand wizarding elite detected us and came to investigate, we’d cleared out.’
They reached a stretch of clean sand and Oliver disappeared for a few moments.
‘Where did he go?’ Marnie asked, looking around.
‘Here.’ Oliver emerged from a small cave carrying a broomstick. ‘Do you want to learn to fly, Marnie?’
Marnie stopped still on the sandy stretch, her stomach churning with excitement. ‘But—’
‘Yes, I know, it’s not allowed,’ Oliver rolled the broom in his hands with a mischievous grin, ‘but lots of kids come down here on weekends for the same reason.’
‘Since you’re not a student, you haven’t officially been told, so ...,’ Seb said.
‘So it’s okay,’ Oliver said, ‘especially as the teachers never come down here.’
Marnie laughed as she looked back and forwards between the two boys. ‘The two of you are in on this together.’
Seb grinned. ‘Maybe.’
‘Partners in crime,’ Oliver said.
‘You said you wanted to try magic,’ Seb said. ‘Anyway, I think it’s unfair you’re being made to work in the kitchens for just your board.’
‘It’s what I asked for,’ Marnie said. ‘Anyway, it isn’t so bad. I like Astra and the goblins. They’re my friends and they treat me like one of their own.’
‘Still, it isn’t right,’ Seb said. ‘I’m sure they knew you were a scatterling when they agreed to let you work in the kitchen. Do you think they would treat the Imporium wizards’ children the same way?’
‘He’s right,’ Oliver said.
‘Would you show me how to fly the broom?’ Marnie said.
Oliver took the broom and stepped over it with one leg. ‘It’s all about confidence and attitude. The broom knows if you’re not in charge and can spin in the air, drop suddenly or throw you off if you’re afraid. But you’re not the scared type, are you Marnie?’
Ignoring a flutter of nerves, Marnie shook her head.
Oliver lifted his chin and held the broom firmly. ‘Risio!’ He rose slowly. ‘See it’s easy.’ Leaning over with his body close to the broom, he darted forwards and by straightening he glided backwards. ‘You just need to tilt to the side if you want to turn.’ With a flick of his heel, he propelled forwards again and skimmed gracefully over the lake in a wide arc with his dark ponytail flying behind him before returning to the beach.
‘Can I try?’ said Marnie stifling the urge to jump up and down like a small child.
Oliver handed her the broom.
‘Take it easy the first time,’ Seb said.
Trembling, she stood over the broom and took a steadying breath. ‘Risio.’ Nothing happened. Frustrated, she looked towards the boys for guidance.
‘Try again,’ Seb said. ‘A bit louder.’
‘Risio!’ She said loudly and firmly, but it didn’t budge. ‘What am I doing wrong?’
‘I’m not sure,’ Oliver said. ‘Here, move back along the broom and we’ll try it in tandem.’
Disappointed not to ride alone, she waited for Oliver to get into position.
‘Put your arms around my waist and hold tight. Ready? Risio.’
Marnie held onto Oliver and waited. Suddenly the broom jerked and rose, so her feet left the ground. It shook before bursting higher into the air.’
‘It’s acting a bit strangely,’ Oliver said.
Marnie yelled in delight and excitement as they flew in a wide circle over the water. The wind swept Marnie’s hair and blew in her face, even though she was tucked in behind Oliver holding him tightly.
‘Down,’ Oliver said.
The broom glided smoothly back to where Seb stood waiting on the beach. Just before they reached the sand, the broom jerked and rolled. Oliver managed to cling to the broom, but Marnie’s grip slipped and she was thrown into the air. She landed with a splash into the lake and fell through the water into a tangle of swirling weed. Disoriented for a few moments with the shock of falling and the chill of the icy water, she tried to make sen
se of where she was. When she hit the sandy bottom, she pushed off hard and emerged choking and spluttering.
Oliver had managed to hang on to the broom and land on the beach, but both boys were now wading to her.
‘Are you okay?’ Seb asked when they reached her.
‘I’m fine ... it’s not that deep. I’m just wet and cold.’ Marnie crossed her arms over her body as she shivered in the morning air.
‘Can you swim?’ asked Seb helping her back to the shallows.
Marnie shook her head, knowing she was lucky not to have fallen in the middle of the lake or for that matter, over hard ground. ‘We were never taught. I went to the beach once but only waded to my waist.’
‘I didn’t think so,’ Seb said.
‘What went wrong?’ Marnie asked.
‘I-I don’t know,’ Oliver said. ‘I’m sorry. I’ve never seen anything like it before. I was only kidding about a broom throwing you off and I didn’t think to ask if you could swim.’
‘Come on, we have to get you back to Andromeda before you freeze to death,’ Seb said.
‘Wait,’ Oliver said. ‘I can make a fire and do a warming spell. See that pale yellow grass on the bank? It’s called crackleweed and grows everywhere around Fanglewick. If we gather it, we can make a fire.’
They gathered armfuls of the weed and made a circle of stones to contain it. Oliver reached into his sleeve and took out a wand. ‘Here, you try, Marnie.’
‘Feral magic?’ she said though chattering teeth.
‘You bet. Just like my dad taught me, although we used different weeds in New Zealand,’ Oliver said. ‘Wave the wand in an s shape and say crackuli flambulay.’
Trembling with cold and excitement, Marnie took the wand. She stroked the air and repeated the words, but once again was disappointed.
‘I think you’re shaking too much with the cold,’ Seb said. ‘It’s interfering with the spell.’
After trying a couple more times, Marnie handed the wand back to Oliver, who immediately lit the fire. He continued to wave the wand in other formations and mumble more spells over Marnie until she relaxed as she felt the heat from her clothes and hair drying. ‘Thanks, Oliver, that’s much better.’