Royal Institute of Magic: Elizabeth's Legacy (22 page)

“I think you should go with
the chequered one,” Charlie said, examining them carefully.
“This red one looks like it will fall apart in a week.”

Natalie nodded and smiled at
Charlie. “We should go shopping more often,” she said,
putting the other pouches back and taking two chequered ones.

Ben was relieved when Natalie
directed them away from the pouches back to the shelves full of
coloured spell pellets. They headed towards an overhead sign that
said “Fire/Air”.

“These two elements are the
best combination for spells that stun and paralyse. They also have
some good basic attacking spells.”

Each box on the shelf had a label
of the spell, its strength, numbered from One to Five, and its
elements. Ben cast his eyes over the spells and felt like dancing
with childish delight. There were fireballs, air blasts, stun (both
fire- and air-based), levitate, and dozens of others. The weakest
spells (grade One) ranged from as little as five pounds up to twenty
pounds. The grade Four spells were hundreds of pounds each and the
grade Five ones were padlocked; they simply said “Price on
application”.

“We have about two hundred
and fifty pounds left. We still need to get a few other things so
let’s try to spend less than a hundred pounds. Pick what you
want, but don’t take anything stronger than a Two as the
chances of successfully casting it are too slim.”

Ben rubbed his hands – he
hadn’t felt this excited since his tenth birthday when his
parents took him to Toys R Us. First, he picked out everything that
looked interesting, but before he knew it he had a dozen spells in
his hands totalling more than three hundred pounds. He examined each
one thoroughly and after much deliberation ended up with six of the
finest spells he could afford.

“Are we ready?”

Natalie and Charlie were watching
him impatiently. Charlie had his spells in his pouch.

“How did you go so
quickly?”

“He didn’t. You were
just incredibly slow,” Natalie said.

By the time they had paid, Ben’s
stomach was growling and he was pleased when their next stop took
them to a bakery where they stocked up on sandwiches and bottles of
water. Back on the street, they found a free table in the open
seating area and sat down. Ben tore into his baguette and for a few
minutes they were too busy chewing to do any talking.

“This seems like some
trip,” Charlie said eventually, having downed his food the
fastest. “Will we be gone long?”

“I hope not, but I don’t
want to take any chances,” Natalie replied.

“Aren’t there any
hotels or places to stay?”

“There are, but we can’t
afford them. Anyway, this food is for the forest. We might be in
there for a while searching for the elves and there are certainly no
hotels there.”

Ben had never considered the
ramifications of their journey and he was now doubly glad they had
Natalie.

“So what's your plan for
getting past the guards and onto the Dragonway?” Ben said.

“We will need to be
invisible so we can get on unnoticed.”

“Great idea,” Ben
said. “Will you use your Spellshooter to hide us?”

To his surprise, Natalie shook
her head. “The only invisibility spell I have isn’t
strong enough to deceive the Wardens. Even if I had the right spell,
I’m not competent enough to cast it.”

“So what do we do?”
Charlie asked.

“There are people who will
cast the spell we need, for a fee. It’s called 'Spell
Service’ and it’s a big industry.”

Ben didn’t like the way her
voice went soft as she spoke, as if she were scared of being
overheard.

“Is there a catch?”

Natalie checked over her shoulder
to make sure nobody was listening and leant across the table. “It’s
not the most respected business in the world. You don’t always
get what you pay for.”

Ben had a vision of someone
asking for super human strength and being turned into a baboon.

“Is there another option?”
Charlie asked, massaging his forehead with concern.

“This is our best chance of
evading the Wardens, unless you want to risk charging onto the train
before they can stop us,” Natalie replied.

With the crowd in the station to
hide amongst, Ben would have given that option a go, but not with
Charlie and Natalie. Thankfully, Charlie didn’t seem keen on
this option either, tapping his little belly subconsciously.

“What will the Wardens do
if they catch us?” Charlie asked.

“Let’s not worry
about that,” Natalie said.

Ben slapped his hand down on the
table. “I agree. Let’s go and get some spells cast. I
want to get out of here.”

“Is that horse manure?” Charlie asked.

“Not just horse,”
Natalie said. “There are some disgusting animals around here.”

“Just what I need after a
big lunch,” Charlie mumbled.

They had left Taecia Square some
time ago and travelled east, keeping an eye out for anyone following
them. The further they went, the worse the place became. The streets
were narrow and felt cramped. Many of the houses were in disrepair,
some with broken windows, others missing doors. The pavement had
turned to dirt and Ben was constantly watching his step to avoid
walking in crap. The people seemed to reflect their environment; they
looked run-down and some eyed him suspiciously.

“Where are we?” Ben
asked.

“It's called the East End,”
Natalie said. “We’re almost there.”

The road split and they took a
right turn.

“Oh wow.”

Ben raised a hand to block the
glare. Every house was painted in bright colours. Many of them looked
like a child had attempted his first work of art, doused in every
colour of the rainbow. The vibrancy was in stark contrast to the
dereliction they had walked through just moments before. Colour
didn’t seem to be the only subject of competition; size also
seemed to matter, though not in the traditional sense. It was all
about who could best defy gravity. The houses were misshapen, with
extensions sprouting out at all angles. Ben saw one that resembled a
mushroom, a sprawling upper level built on a tiny ground floor. Other
houses sprouted upwards like a tree, constantly twisting and turning
to catch the sunlight.

“Clearly they are in need
of some decent architects here.”

There were plenty of people
about, but the more Ben looked, the more he realised the three of
them stood out like a sore thumb. They were the only humans.

“Ben, look,” Charlie
said.

He was pointing at a dirty road
sign, partially covered by green moss. The sign read “Goblin
Avenue”.

It was like stepping into a
fairytale; there were goblins everywhere. It hadn’t been
immediately obvious because they wore normal clothes – shirts
and trousers, some even in jeans. They had green skin, large ears and
a pointy nose. Most of them were wiry and no taller than Ben’s
shoulder. Ben spotted a few carrying their shopping, with small
goblin children running by their sides.

“I’ve always wanted
to come here, but the Institute discourages it,” Natalie said,
staring in delight at the houses.

Ben masked his surprise; the old
Natalie would never have dreamed of going against the Institute’s
wishes.

“Why do they discourage
it?” Charlie asked.

“Goblins are great thieves.
I know someone who came here during the winter markets. It wasn’t
until he felt the cold that he realised they had stolen everything
but his underpants.”

Charlie gave a furtive glance
left and right and patted his pockets.

“Don’t worry, they
normally prey on individuals. As long as we stick together, we’ll
be fine. Follow me. It’s not far from here.”

They had been walking only a few
minutes when Ben pointed at one of the more ordinary-looking
houses. It was painted in red and green stripes, and there was a big
wooden sign out front that read “Precious Spell Services Inc.”.

“No, that one is too
expensive,” Natalie said.

They kept walking and Ben soon
realised every second building, big or small, offered some form of
spell services. Some specialised in a certain element (Blazing Spell
Services, For all your fiery needs) while others were family run
(Grynchek’s High Quality Spell Services).

They passed several that looked
promising, but Natalie kept walking. The shops were becoming less
frequent, when Natalie finally stopped.

“You’re joking,”
Charlie said, giving Natalie a disbelieving look.

Ben had to agree. They had passed
some strange stores, but this topped the lot. It was a red circus
tent complete with stakes in the ground and a flag at the top that
read “Sognar’s Spell Services”.

“This one was recommended,
which is important when you’ve heard as many stories as I
have.”

They approached the tent flap,
but Natalie stopped just before they entered. There was an
unmistakable look of excitement on her pretty face, which caught Ben
by surprise. Was she actually enjoying herself?

“Goblins like to bargain,”
she said softly. “In fact, they love it and they tend to be
quite good.”

“I’ll keep my mouth
shut then. I’m hopeless at negotiating,” Charlie said.

Ben said nothing, but there was a
little smile on his lips as they pushed the flap aside and walked
through.

He wasn’t sure what to
expect upon entering, but he had certainly not expected an office.
There was a large desk in the centre piled high with papers and
several empty bottles.

A goblin wearing a suit several
sizes too big slept in a reclining leather chair, his feet up on the
desk next to the empty bottles. He was snoring so loudly the tent
walls rippled.

“It’s not too late to
sneak out,” Charlie whispered, staring at the little goblin
like he was rabid.

“Mr. Sognar,” Natalie
said in a firm voice.

The little goblin jumped, his
backside getting a good few inches of air. The chair, already
unbalanced, promptly fell backwards, but the goblin displayed
remarkable dexterity in landing, rolling and jumping up in one smooth
motion.

“I paid me bills! Whaddya
want?” the goblin asked. His eyes had a dazed look and his
voice was croaky with sleep.

Charlie took an involuntary step
back and even Ben felt startled.

“We require your services,
Mr. Sognar,” Natalie said with a smile.

Sognar blinked and rubbed his
bald, green head. He seemed to see the three of them for the first
time and gave a little sigh of relief.

“Just a bad dream,”
he muttered. “Must cut down on the chocolate.”

The goblin gave Natalie a
salesman’s welcome, flashing his uneven, yellow teeth.

“Certainly!” he said,
surprising Ben with his sudden enthusiasm.

Sognar sat back down at the desk
and attempted to tidy it up by sweeping folders and bottles onto the
floor. There were no chairs for them to sit down on, but he beckoned
them forward with a spidery finger.

“What can I help you with?
I have a very good deal on grade Three Levitation this week –
cheapest in Goblin Avenue, guaranteed.”

“No, thank you,”
Natalie said. “We need a grade Three Shroud.”

“A Shroud, eh?”
Sognar said, rubbing his hands. “Not the easiest, nor the
cheapest spell. Is this for all three of you?”

“Yes.”

Sognar opened a drawer, pulled
out a pencil and paper and started scribbling down some figures.

“I have some good news,”
the goblin said. “Ordinarily a grade Three Shroud retails at
£149.99, but I can offer you a bulk discount and give it to you
for £99.99.”

Natalie was clearly a little
taken aback by the price, but Charlie dug his hand into his pocket, a
triumphant smile on his face. Charlie had money, Ben realised, and he
was planning to come to Natalie’s aid to make up the
difference. Sognar had noticed it and he licked his lips, sensing the
sale.

Ben cleared his throat and in a
loud, clear voice said, “We’ll give you £25, no
more.”

Sognar turned towards Ben,
noticing him for the first time.

“£25? Are you trying
to insult me?”

Charlie’s hand froze in his
pocket.

“You came recommended,”
Ben said, “and we would like to use you, but we have already
had several offers below yours.”

Sognar narrowed his eyes and Ben
thought he saw a flicker of a smile. “£85,” he
said.

“Oh please,” Ben
replied, rolling his eyes theatrically. “Let’s get out of
here.”

He turned to leave. Charlie
followed, as did Natalie a moment later. They were almost at the tent
flap when the goblin called to them.

“£65,” he said,
with the slightest trace of desperation in his voice. “You will
not get a better offer than that.”

Ben paused, counted to five and
then turned around.

“I’ll give you £40,”
he said. “Not a penny more.”

Sognar’s eyes were
glittering. “£60,” he said, leaning forward.

“£45.”

“£50.” Sognar
was practically salivating.

Ben clapped his hands. “Done!”

Natalie produced the money and
Sognar leapt off his chair to grab and count it, before pocketing it
in one of his saggy jacket pockets. He was so eager Ben wondered if
he should have held out longer.

Sognar rubbed his green hands
together. “Good, good. Do you want the spell now? Remember, it
will only last one hour.”

“Yes, please,”
Natalie said.

Sognar took a deep breath and
instructed them to stand together. His green eyes, which had been
wild with glee moments earlier, suddenly focused on a spot on the
floor. A green glow materialised and started swirling round him,
accompanied by a faint humming noise. The glow intensified until it
was difficult to see the goblin.

“Don’t move,”
Natalie said, stopping Charlie from shuffling backwards.