Jake's War, Book Two of Wizards (10 page)

She gave me another hug and dragged me downstairs to the kitchen where she immediately started making sandwiches.

“I don't know what your Auntie May is going to say. First you'll whisk her off to some land nobody's heard of and then she'll find out you're getting married to two women at the same time. It'll be a miracle if nobody in the family has a heart attack. May is very Chapel, you know. Goes to church every Sunday regular as clockwork, unless it's raining.”

“Can't do anything about it, Mam. How's Dad taking it?”

“Well, we've got used to it by now, boy. When Jenny showed us your dragon you could have knocked me over with a feather. And when I think of all the time and trouble we took sending you to counselors thinking you were growing up to be a pyromaniac. And all the time it was that dragon of yours setting fire to things.”

A sandwich that looked as though it could feed a small army was placed in front of me on a dinner plate. The plate was only just big enough.

“Eat up now. I'll make you a nice mug of tea to go with it.”

“Mam, there could be trouble at the wedding.”

“Then you better make sure there isn't, hadn't you? I've met the Matthews, such a nice couple, and I can't believe their daughter would do such a thing. You have to fix it, Jake. And her. Her parents don't deserve what she's done to them. You have to make it right.”

I swallowed hard. I had taken much too big a bite from the sandwich and it took some effort to avoid choking.

“No pressure on me then, Mam?”

Chapter Fifteen: Urda's Party

Mam and Dad kept me longer in Wales than I expected and it was nearly nine in the evening when I hopped back to my room in the Palace. I hoped to find Jenny there, but all I found was a note on our bed saying
'You'd better come'
. I changed into my wizard's costume, as I might as well look the part if I was going to a party.

I didn't want to get the kind of reaction that hopping into the room would cause, especially as I hoped to pretend I'd been there for some time. I hopped to a corridor close to the ballroom, certain it would be the location for the party. Mam gift-wrapped a box of chocolates for me, so I even had a present.

Two guards saluted me as I cracked open the doors and slid through the smallest gap I could, pressing the doors closed behind me as though I had been leaning on them for ages. The royal orchestra was playing Strauss, courtesy of a CD Jenny once played to them and the room was packed with guests. How Thom managed to arrange such a major event on such short notice was beyond me.

The room was crowded with more children and teenagers than I'd seen before in Salice. The youngsters dominated the dance floor while the adults stood at the tables laden with food at the edges of the room. The thrones had gone from the stage to be replaced by the orchestra. I recognized absolutely nobody as I scanned the room for Jenny or Urda.

A hand tapping on my back spun me around to find Urda in a pretty party dress. She looked angry with me.

“Did you organize this?” she hissed angrily.

“Err… I only suggested it. Thom did it.” Okay, that was a dirty trick, trying to blame Thom, but a man has to try to deflect an angry woman any way he can.

Urda's face transformed to a wonderful smile and she put her arms around my neck, dragging me down so she could kiss me.

“Thank you, Jake. It's the best thing ever.”

I seem to spend a lot of my time disentangling myself from Urda. She didn't want to let go and I ended up lifting her off the ground as I straightened up.

“I have a present for you. It's not much.”

Urda slid down my chest bringing her hands down to hold onto my hips.

“Give it to me,” she commanded and I handed over Mum's box.

“It's only chocolates,” I said quickly, not wanting to get her hopes up.

Chocolate is not one of the words that translates into the local tongue as they don't have it in Salice and she gave me a puzzled look.

“Sweets,” I said, which did translate.

Urda showed no signs of disappointment as she tore off the fancy wrappings and I helped her get the cellophane off beneath it. She looked dubiously at the dark delights in front of her.

“Go on, try one of those, they're my favorites,” Jenny said, reaching from behind me to point at a hazelnut with toffee confection. I looked around to see an audience of important people gathering around us.

Urda took the chocolate and bit into it. She chewed it slowly before grinning with delight. From the looks on the faces around us, Urda was going to be sharing her present with them whether she wanted to or not.

Jenny dragged me away from the mob as they crowded around Urda.

“You could have bought a bigger box. I have this sudden craving for strawberry creams.”

“I didn't think.”

Jenny pulled me further from the crowd muttering, “You never do,” under her breath. When we were far enough away to not be overheard she pinned me against the wall.

“Did you talk to Urda about her world's sixteenth birthday traditions?”

Her tone was accusatory though I couldn't see what she was bothered about.

“Yeah, she explained it all to me. It's a bit strange but it sounds pretty harmless. I don't see why she shouldn't.”

Jenny's jaw dropped open in surprise.

“Harmless! Did you agree to it?”

Sensing that I might not fully understand what Jenny was going on about I chose caution and phrased my next words accordingly.

“Urda says that on her world a girl can choose the first man to do it with her on her sixteenth birthday. I don't know who the boy is, but it's none of our business anyway. I don't even know why she told me.”

Jenny's face went through a series of expressions before settling on relief, or maybe exasperation. She seemed to switch between them. She punched me lightly on the shoulder and laughed.

“Of course you don't know. Even though it would have been obvious to a two year old.”

I'm supposed to be the super powerful wizard that saves everybody, but half the time I have no idea what Jenny or Esmeralda are going on about. I've often thought that boys should be given a manual on how girls think. Maybe they could set an exam on it. I would have studied for one of those, though I doubt I would have passed it.

“So what's all the fuss about?”

Jenny started to say something and then changed her mind.

“Nothing, Jake. Nothing at all. It was nice of you to arrange a party for Urda. Urda's very important to Salice as she's the wizard they hope might actually stick around to protect them. Esmeralda ran around like a scolded cat, getting the guests together and finding party dresses for the girls from Urda's world. Urda told nobody but you.”

“I can understand that. The girl doesn't like to make a fuss. I try and ignore my birthday most years.”

Jenny gave me an exasperated look. “Urda did want a fuss, but she was scared nobody would care. Do you have any idea what those girls went through? Wenna's younger brother was tortured to death in front of her, simply because he tried to help her escape. Esmeralda has tried to make this a birthday party for all the children we rescued, because we are bound to have missed a few of their birthdays.”

I flinched. I must be a bit soft because I always get upset when any of these things come up. Men are supposed to be tough, but I cry during the sad bits in Disney films. I know those kids went through hell, but I still didn't want to think about it.

We rejoined the others. Jenny ran off after Esmeralda when she spotted her in the crowd. I went back to Urda, who was looking at her empty box of chocolates with a look of deep regret.

“I'll get you some more,” I promised. “There's some stuff I need to teach you. It shouldn't take us more than a couple of minutes.”

Urda looked at me with eyes that looked unnaturally bright.

“I hope it takes a lot longer than a few minutes.”

I could tell we were talking but no information was flowing between us. I tried again.

“There's some magic and stuff I want you to know how to do.”

“Fine.”

Urda stalked towards the main doors and I followed her, catching up as she went through them.

“Put your hand against mine.” I reached for her hand but she pulled away. Then she changed her mind and thrust her hand at my face.

I stepped back, girls are peculiarly moody I've noticed. I put my hand flat against hers and taught her how to hop between worlds without using a hopscotch court. Then, before she could argue, I grabbed her wrist and hopped us to Wales. I took us to outside my home, then to outside Jenny's house and finally to the Bat Cave and Fluffy.

“Now you know where we live and how to get there.”

“Meep.” [You bring guests and the cave is a complete mess.]

Urda waved at Fluffy before turning to smile at me.

“Thank you, Jake. For teaching me and for trusting me with where you live. I'm sorry about … the other.”

“Forgotten already.” Which seemed like a wiser thing to say than
'I haven't a clue what you're talking about'.
And when you think about the two statements, they amount to much the same thing.

“Meep, meep meep.” [Happy Birthday, Urda. Remember that Jake only sees what he wants to see. It's not a massive character flaw in his case.]

“Hey! Remember whose dragon you are.” Everybody insults me these days, even my dragon.

“Meep.” [I am my own dragon.] Fluffy telepathed at me with ruffled dignity.

“I have to get back to the party, Jake.”

“So go then.”

Urda vanished. I patted Fluffy on the flank and hopped to outside the ballroom door just in time to see Urda close it on me.

“Wizard Morrissey.”

The voice came from behind and I turned to see Wizard Lagan.

“Can we talk for a few minutes … in private?” He turned and began walking down the corridor. I ran to catch him up.

“We are here under false pretences,” he said in a low voice. “We all know the charges you made against our wizards are true, but better they hurt people outside Valhalla than bring their powers home and disturb the peace.”

“What do you really want?”

“To see if you threaten Valhalla. You have already disabled one wizard and killed another.”

I started to protest and he raised a hand to silence me.

“Let us not play games.”

“I have no intention of threatening Valhalla,” I said with sincerity.

“I believe you believe that. However, you have already changed the status quo and some on Valhalla seek to restrain our wizards in their actions off-world. That alone could lead to civil war. It is what you represent that causes us most concern.”

“What exactly do I represent?”

“The ideal of an incorruptible wizard. Who knows where an idea like that might lead?”

I stopped in surprise and Lagan walked on, finally turning to look back at me.

“Goodnight, Wizard Morrissey.”

Wizard Lagan hopped leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Chapter Sixteen: Cathedral

It was well past noon when I woke. Urda's party had continued into the early hours and dawn was breaking when I finally crashed out. Jenny was sleeping next door, which still felt strange. I wondered how the three of us were going to manage after we were married, but quickly decided there was no point in worrying about it. Undoubtedly the ladies in the relationship had already made up my mind and would tell me what I had decided … eventually.

The number of jibes I'd been receiving about not thinking ahead was getting to me. It was time to be pro-active, whatever that meant. One of the teachers at school had used that word a lot. Anyway, I knew the perfect place to start.

A quick search of the room revealed that the clothes I changed out of last night were gone. No doubt the ever efficient staff of the Palace had decided they needed cleaning. I could hop back home, but if Mam heard me I'd have to stay for a while and I needed to get on with things. My wizard clothes would have to do. If I met anybody important I'd stand downwind of them.

I left the room and headed for the Palace gates. I could have hopped but I craved the exercise. Walking can be incredibly invigorating and I was bouncing with nervous energy. I turned a corner and ran straight into Urda. She was lurking in the corridor as if she had been waiting for me.

“Urda, chocolates, I know. Later today if I can.” I tried to step past her but she moved to block me.

“Jake, Jenny's explained to me why you can't... I thought if you already had Esmeralda and Jenny, one more wouldn't make any difference. But I understand now, I'm sorry.”

My blank look must have got through to her. But instead of explaining, she sighed and took the conversation in an unexpected direction.

“I need a favor of you. I want you to show me where my world is.”

That set off a whole string of alarm bells in my mind. I could think of only one reason why Urda would want to go back there. She was a fully fledged wizard now. She could kill all those who had tortured her.

“Revenge isn't all it's cracked up to be, Urda.” The image of Talder Plath's neck snapping rose unbidden and unwanted in my mind. That had been
different
and I pushed the image away.

She looked down at her hands for a second and then lifted her gaze and locked her eyes with mine. They were glistening; she was near to tears again. I really don't need all these diversions, especially with Bronwyn to worry about.

“I want to see my mother. This isn't about revenge.” She was telling me the truth, I could tell. But not the whole truth, women never did. I sighed.

“We'll go together and if you're lying I'll block you from ever going there again. You know I can do it.”

Urda nodded reluctantly. “When?”

“I've got something to do first. Later, after I've finished. I'll collect you from your room.”

She nodded again and I walked away from her even more briskly than I'd been walking before. I'd let myself in for something bad, I could feel it. It was a relief to get out of the Palace and into the city. Flowers were in bloom in hundreds of window boxes and flower beds in the streets. The air was heady with a thousand scents. It felt like leaving prison and I'm speaking from experience when I say that.