Zak Turner - A Twist In Time (12 page)

The wizard needn’t have worried about the remnants of the Revertur though, because moments after the two spells collided, Zak’s full power Firmus hit him at incredible speed and turned him to stone, and bowling him over backwards in the process.

* * *

The explosions of the two Libra Mortis curses, the first against the goalpost, and the second against Zak’s Revertur, caused chaos on the football pitch!  The flying goal posts, that appeared to have missed Tallion by millimetres, ended up in a twisted heap, one of them blackened and almost blasted through by the curse!

Tallion was watching Zak, and saw him thrown backwards and fall to the ground after the second explosion. 

“NOOOO!” he cried out, as he jumped up and ran towards him, determined to defend his friend at any cost if another spell came his way.  He’d seen the red light of the Libra Mortis and wasn’t sure if it had hit Zak or not, and he had a terrible gnawing fear inside that the curse had killed his companion!  He still had his own wand in his hand as he dashed through the shocked first years, many of whom were cowering on the ground trying to understand what had just happened.  He heard the games teacher’s voice calling to them all.

“EVERYONE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE SCHOOL, QUICKLY!”

In the confusion, he got to Zak before anyone realised that the second blast had knocked him over.  As he dropped to his knees next to his soul mate, he spotted the unknown wizard lying unconscious outside the school fence too.

“Tallion!  Are you alright?” came Barty’s voice right behind him.  The wizard had ported across the school playing field right next to the two boys.  “For Merlin’s sake, they’re MAD!”

Zak was now stirring on the ground, and started to sit up looking dazed.

“Thank heavens!” exclaimed Barty, who’d been as worried as Tallion that Zak had been hit. 

“Wands away boys, quickly please, the danger’s passed and I’ve still got mine handy anyway, but no-one must see yours!”

The two wizards quickly and reluctantly pushed their wands back into their invisible pouches where they faded from view, just as their sports teacher rushed up to them.

“What happened boys?  What the dickens were those two explosions!” he called out and then he saw Zak sitting on the floor still looking dazed.

“It looked like some kind of lightning strike, I’ve never seen anything like it!” exclaimed Barty innocently, instantly starting the rumour that would become the final version of the strange events that had overtaken the first year football matches at Netherdale Academy.  He winked surreptitiously at Zak and Tallion, and continued to address the sport’s teacher.

“I was just walking round the path here, and saw the first fork come straight out of the sky and hit the goalposts over there.  Missed this lad here by inches!” he added, pointing to Tallion.

“Then a second bolt came down and hit the ground right here!  I felt the hair stand up on me head!  This other young lad were right underneath it, I’m not surprised he’s looking a bit shocked, he’s lucky to be alive!”

The curious blend of truth and fiction made it difficult for both Zak and Tallion to keep straight faces, as did Barty’s pretty useless Yorkshire accent!  However, it did the trick for the moment, and the seeds of an innocent explanation were well and truly sown.

“Well, thanks for coming over to help Mr..?” said the sports teacher.

“Fred Grimes, just up ‘ere on holiday.  Never thought I’d see such a thing in me whole life!”

“Thanks Mr Grimes.  Will you help me get Zak and Tallion back into the school?”

“I’m okay, Mr Grimes, thanks for coming to help,” said Zak joining in the subterfuge.  “Maybe you want to look at that man over there?  Tallion and Mr Gardner can take me back into the school.”

“If yer sure young man, I think yer right.  I’ll maybe need to call an ambulance fer him too!”

* * *

Zak’s mind still felt razor sharp, as it had been during the brief battle.  He made sure that he needed Mr Gardner’s help to stand and be taken across the field, knowing that it would distract everyone from watching whatever Barty did with the disabled wizard who’d just tried to kill them!

As they made it into the changing rooms, he appeared to make a remarkable and very sudden recovery!  He stretched a few times, and then did a few cool down exercises for good measure.

“Zak, we need to get you checked over son.  If you were just missed by a lightning strike then I want a doctor to look at yer!”

“Okay Mr Gardner.  Shall I get changed, or shall I just stay in my football kit?”

“Stay in yer kit fer now son, alright?”

“Okay.  Umm, can Tallion stay with me?  He’s my best friend, and I’d like someone around that I know, if that’s okay.”

“Sure no problem, in fact I want him checked over too because that first bolt of lightning hit the goalpost right next to him!  I think it’ll be best if you both come up to the medical room in the school and wait there with Matron.  I’ll make sure yer uniforms and bags are all brought up to yer.”

Zak and Tallion obediently followed the sports teacher up to the main school, and waited in the small medical room for one of the local doctors to arrive and check them over.  They therefore missed their library period before lunch, although they weren’t exactly bothered!

Steven and Sam turned up with their school bags on their way to the library, and Steven hung back as Sam went on to the library lesson to explain why Zak and Tallion were missing the class.

“Mr Gardner said yer were both nearly struck by lightning, but I don’t believe a word of it!  I missed the first blast as I were concentratin’ on t’ game, but I saw t’ second un, and it looked very much like magic ter me, and it came from your wand Zak Turner!  What the chuff were yer doing?!”

“SSHHH!” frowned Zak at his friend urgently.

Steven looked suddenly worried.  “Sorry!” he whispered looking round to see if anyone had overheard.  Fortunately the matron had gone to the school office.

“It
was
magic, and we’re both lucky to be alive and sitting here talking!” retorted Zak, deliberately not understating the situation.  As the adrenalin of the confrontation had drained away, he’d ended up very frightened, and his pleasant day, along with his immediate future, had turned to ashes!

“Are you sure you can absolutely keep a secret Steven, and I mean absolutely, life and death standard.”

Steven, who was already looking worried, blanched, seeing that his friend was deadly serious and scared.

“Yeah, course, yeh know I can Zak, and yeh know I’ll do owt t’ help an’ all!”

“Well, some wizard just tried to kill us while we were playing footy!  That’s the second time this week!  We escaped on Tuesday afternoon by a bit of good luck, and it looks like we just did the same again today!”

“What?!  Someone just tried ter kill you?!  Why?!” squeaked Steven, struggling to keep his voice down, and failing to stop a look of horror cross his face.

“Yes,” said Tallion, sounding much calmer than Zak, “and if we hadn’t had our wands with us just now, then we’d definitely be dead this time!”

“Ruddy Nora!” exclaimed the farmer’s son in a hoarse whisper, looking totally stunned.

“That just about covers it,” replied Zak rather tightly, a worried frown on his face.

“So what’re yer gonna do?!” whispered Steven urgently.

“I have no idea!  We’ve already got one bodyguard, but somehow this wizard managed to slip past him, even though he was right by the football pitch all the time we were playing!  Maybe we’ll just have to get some more!  At the moment all I want to do is hide up at the…” 

Zak managed to stop himself as he glanced at Tallion, unsure if it was okay to mention the castle. 

“…up at Tallion’s house.  But we can’t stay there for ever…”

Tallion took hold of Zak’s hand, and the gesture helped to calm his friend, even though he was himself still feeling shaken by what had happened.  The frightened young wizard closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the wall.

What
are
we going to do Tallion?  I never thought it would be dangerous coming to school here!

Me neither, and I don’t know Zak, we need to talk with father and Barty, and we need to involve Steven too.  He’s part of this now, and as soon as they find out that he’s magical, they’ll probably kill him just to get at us!

Thanks for that comforting thought!

Sorry, but we need to be realistic about this!

I know, I know, you’re right…

7.  Taking Stock…

Antares Malchus was pacing his study waiting for news from one of his loyal followers.  Niall Donoghue had been one of his original fighters, and his ability to sneak up on people and kill them unawares was extraordinary.  He was on a special, covert mission, to finish a task others had failed to complete.

Pure chance, or as Malchus preferred to believe, mystical intervention, had given one of his spies some priceless information which he’d acted on instantly.

Several months before, this spy, in a fit of pique at someone else, had allowed Malchus to enter her mind to help her gain revenge on someone.  The foolish witch was now totally under his control, although she wasn’t fully aware of it.  He only used this most valuable person to gather information, and would never risk her in combat.  He also never told her that he was using her, for that would make her vulnerable to his enemies.

The spy had been walking home the previous evening and had stumbled across the boy who he’d thought was beyond his reach in Mhonarr Castle.  Tallion Middleham, the child heir of the anti-purist Philip Middleham, had apparently returned to Netherdale for some reason!  The boy, who’d unbelievably escaped his assassins two days before, had been playing some stupid non-magical sport with his mule friend in the field next to the track to Upper Nettleton.

Using a concealment charm, his spy had moved close enough to listen to their conversation, and had discovered that they were both attending the local school in the dale in preference to going to Mhonarr Castle!  Much as he despised Mhonarr, and all it stood for, it was infinitely preferable to attending non-magical school!  The Middlehams could, in his eyes, stoop no lower! 

He had to act fast if he was to take advantage of the situation.  He considered undertaking the mission himself, but decided that killing two unprotected children was beneath him.  However, he wouldn’t risk failure a second time.  Fate had granted him a second chance, and he was going to seize it!

The foolish mule had even spoken about what they were doing the following morning at their school, and revealed that they would be outside playing ‘sport’. 

The gods were smiling on him, and he briefed his prized assassin, Niall Donoghue, and watched with pleasure as the prospect of another kill caused the murderer’s eyes to glint in anticipation.  Donoghue loved to deal out death, and Malchus ensured he got to chance indulge his pleasure often in his master’s service.

Now the evil wizard was pacing to-and-fro, glancing at the clock.  According to his spy, Donoghue would have two hours, between nine and eleven, in which to carry out the attack.  It was now approaching eleven and he’d heard nothing.

He went over to his throne-like chair opposite the fireplace, and sat down, his elbows on the chair arms, and his gloved hands steepled in front of his face.  It wasn’t possible that Donoghue’s attack had failed; the delay could only mean that he was still awaiting his opportunity to strike.  He was totally confident in his servant’s ability. 

And yet… 

A small doubt was growing in his mind.  He closed his eyes, and muttered a non-verbal incantation, which required no wand.  He wanted to connect with Donoghue’s mind to hear what was happening…

The eerie calm of Shrone Birrane Castle was shattered by a howl of indignation as Antares Malchus broke the mind-link to his assassin and leapt from his throne in fury!

“AAARRRGGGHHHHH!”  His angry cries reverberated round the building!  HOW HAD THIS HAPPENED?!

His prize assassin had not only failed to kill the Middleham whelp, but had been captured!

Unstable at the best of times, the livid and irrational tyrant cast a string of blasting curses round the room, destroying everything his eyes fell upon.  He finally blasted the large window to smithereens and soared out of it, leaving a sooty black trail behind him.

* * *

After a quick examination, the Horton Bridge doctor pronounced Zak and Tallion to be fit and healthy, but suffering from shock. 

“I think you should both go home for the rest of the day if possible, to be in a familiar environment, and visit your own doctors in the morning for a check-up.”

Dr Simpson didn’t really know what to make of the situation.  Both boys were clearly in some emotional distress, but apart from being knocked over by the blasts, they showed none of the other physical signs that were often present in someone who’d narrowly missed being struck by lightning.  If someone was close enough to have been sent flying, they would have superficial flash burns, or even short term disruption to their eyesight or hearing.  It was a bit of a mystery, but it was the only plausible explanation of the incident as described by the sports teacher. 

The school rang both sets of parents, and spoke with Zak’s mum, and Tallion’s father.  Sir Philip already knew what had happened of course, having received a messenger from Barty requesting that he accompany him to London with Niall Donoghue, one of the most wanted wizards in the entire country! 

He deliberately hadn’t contacted the school before they contacted him in order not to arouse suspicion, but when they finally got in touch, he agreed to come and pick up his son at lunchtime.

Jenny Turner also agreed to come and collect Zak, although she was upset that she couldn’t get there for more than an hour because she was on a shopping trip in Broughton.  She was very worried by the report of a lightning strike, but the news that they’d been seen by a doctor and hadn’t actually been hit, calmed her fears a little.  She also had a niggly doubt that lightning had anything to do with it; something magical was a much more likely explanation!

* * *

“They’re no safer at Mhonarr Castle, Philip,” cautioned the headmaster to the baronet, who was sitting before him in his impressive study at Mhonarr Castle. 

“In fact they would probably be at even greater risk if they were here!  I’m reasonably certain that Sargas Malchus was waiting for them in the portal room on Tuesday.  If the portal hadn’t exploded and knocked him unconscious, I think he’d have bewitched another student to finish them off.  If he hasn’t subsequently done just that then I will be most surprised!” 

The headmaster paused, looking into the eyes of both his listeners very seriously.  Both of them looked deeply perturbed by his words.

“Whilst we have charms in place to alert us immediately if a student uses a restricted or forbidden curse, the Malchus children are taught much non-standard magic by their parents, as are their sympathisers.  I’m sure Lesath has used her brilliant mind to invent ways of bewitching students that we cannot detect.  The first we would know of it would be a body on the floor!”

“You must exclude them from the school Orion!  It’s not just Tallion that’s at risk, it’s everyone!”

“Ahhh.  While I share your sentiments Cleo, I cannot exclude them without some evidence that they are breaking the rules.  Un-arguable evidence.  So far they and their parents have been scrupulous to hide it, and the noise that they would make if I acted without proof would do our cause much damage.  As soon as I have a legitimate reason, then I will act.  Until then, we have to cope with them.”

Sir Philip had returned to Mhonarr briefly to talk with the headmaster before collecting Tallion from Netherdale Academy, and was wearing a worried frown. 

“So you think that the boys are safer at Netherdale after all, where anyone can get to them?”

“At least in Netherdale they can attend classes without the risk that their fellow students are going to murder them!  Granted there is still a risk, particularly when they’re outside the school buildings, but I’m sure we can organise some enhanced protection around the place, and around the boys.”

The baronet studied the headmaster’s eyes, looking for something but unsure what it was.  Following the attack at Netherdale Academy, he had begun to doubt the wisdom of keeping the two boys in the dale, but now it sounded like it was the safer option after all.  The only truly safe option of course was to keep the boys inside Lofthouse Castle! 

However, he was no coward, and he was sure Tallion and Zak felt the same.  So be it.  School would continue unchanged, but he and Barty would be putting some very robust charms all over the place!  He even considered installing a portal somewhere close to the school to avoid the journey along the dale at the beginning and end of each day.  That required a bit more thought, but it might become essential if there were any more attacks.

“Very well.  Orion, we also need some shadow-wizards to look after Zak when he’s playing football at the weekends, and to watch his parent’s house.  Barty will be at the football, but there will be lots of non-magical parents there too, and we need more eyes.  I assume you’ll support my request to the council?”

“Of course, Philip.”

The baronet nodded, and excused himself so that he could return to Netherdale to collect his son.

* * *

Antares Malchus had exhausted his anger and frustration by flying rapidly to his brother at Caherconree Keep.  He needed to consult the evil seer to find out why his plans were suddenly being thwarted. 

Anguilas Malchus was as slippery as his name suggested, and even his brother was frightened of him.  Magically powerful in his own right, the black mystic had tapped deep into the power of the ancient world, and was certainly the more sinister of the two evil brothers.  He was awaiting Antares’ arrival, as always, with a sneeringly understanding expression.

“You wish for guidance, brother?”

“Yes Anguilas, our plans are being withstood, and the great leap forward has failed.”

“
Our
plans, brother?” came the oily voice of the seer.  “I don’t recall having any part in the planning of your current misadventure…”

Antares might have been the elder brother, but he knew better than to show anything other than deference to his dangerous sibling.  He took a slow breath before he continued.

“Brother, we agreed a grand gesture was required, an act which would cause anxiety and fear amongst the wizards on the mainland.  While you did not assist in choosing the target, you approved the method.”

Anguilas studied his elder brother for a minute, and was again relieved that he hadn’t inherited the title and the castle where his father had lived.  He much preferred his reclusive life hidden away from everyone, except the evil powers whom he courted daily.  He felt that his brother was weak, clinging too much to the present world and its comforts, rather than plunging wholly into the paganism which was their past.

“I have not seen any organised force opposing us brother, and I believe that these happenings are coincidence.  I’m sure you have investigated who was present on each occasion and taken steps to eliminate the boy’s protectors?”

“The wizards of the council have broken the enchantments that I used to control the members of the Black Coven whom they’ve captured.  I can no longer read their minds or discover what happened.  From what little I know of both attacks, there were no protection wizards accompanying them, certainly none who could withstand members of the Coven!”

“Maybe the boys themselves?”

Antares couldn’t stop himself looking disdainfully at his brother.

“While I don’t doubt that the Middleham whelp will grow-up to be as powerful as his father, he is still a child and cannot possibly have enough power to withstand anyone in the Coven!  As for the mule...!”

Anguilas nodded.  While he was not one to discount any option out of hand, it did seem inconceivable, even to him, that children could resist the Coven.

“Very well, I will make enquiry for you amongst the gods, for they know all.  It will require some gift from yourself to appease them in exchange for my enquiry.  You will bring the gift, and attend the ritual yourself here at The Keep tomorrow midnight.  The gods will be waiting, do not disappoint them.”

Antares Malchus felt the thrill and fear of being summoned to the pagan ritual, which would entreat the ancient spirits they served.  Tomorrow a god would visit them from the world of the dead – in exchange for a human soul.

* * *

Jack Smith was headmaster at Netherdale Academy.  He was a no-nonsense type of person who did not suffer fools, was highly efficient, and tended to have a rather overbearing manner as a result.  He’d been to see Zak and Tallion in the medical room, and had shooed Steven off to the library when he realised that he’d not been close to the incident.  His assessment of the situation was that no harm appeared to have been done, although he was as much at a loss as everyone else to explain the ‘lightning’!

When Sir Philip Middleham arrived to collect Tallion, the headmaster met the baronet at the school doors.  He was very much aware, like everyone else in the dale, just how much all their lives revolved around this man, and he wanted to make ensure things went smoothly.

After providing a brief account of the incident as they walked to the medical room, he showed the baronet inside himself, politely brushing aside the very homely matron who was hovering nearby.  He was about to tell Tallion that his father was here to take him home when Sir Philip spoke first.  The headmaster closed his open mouth.

“Boys, I gather you were both nearly hit by lightning, and that we’re very fortunate you’re still with us!  You’ve both been checked over by a doctor?”