Bumblestook: Book 1, The Accidental Wizard (46 page)

Farley blanched. “But, Mom and Dad were sleeping in there!”

“No need to be upset, they hardly got wet!” Tom rushed to explain. “Ranger Gary planned it out just right. The Magic Field was completely airtight!”

“Are you sure Mom and Dad got inside the Field?” Farley asked.

“Most assuredly! Ranger Gary and Heloise, tied them up securedly,” Tom said.

“Tied them up?” Farley queried.

“Who is this Heloise?” Fiona interjected.

“She-za
Leonin
! She’s
super
strong!” Yap said, making a fierce face and flexing his non-existent pecs. (He would have been crushed, if he knew it only made him look more adorable.)

“Looks like a mountain lion, but actually an Amorphae ” Tom explained, seeing the children’s puzzled faces. “In fact, the very same one we saw, earlier today!”

“You mean the one that chased us into the tree?” Farley asked.

“One and the same, Heloise by name!” Tom said.

Farley was feeling less and less reassured by the minute. “Let me get this straight. The snowglobe has a hole in it, it’s filling up with water, my parents are tied up,
and
there’s a
mountain
lion
?”

Tom held up his index finger to correct him. “A
Leonin
.”

““Where’s that Doorway? I’m goin’ in!” Farley declared. He turned to the rock wall at the tunnel’s end, pushing it experimentally, looking for the door.

“It doesn’t work that way—” Tom started to explain, when they all heard a noise behind them.

They whirled about to face whatever was coming, then shouted in surprise when a large rat-like creature rounded the bend! The creature shrieked in alarm as well, its long toenails scrambling to find a purchase on the slimy, as it skidded to a halt.

The children and Amorphae went into their individual defensive modes. Fiona, although never schooled in the martial arts, adopted an Eastern fighting stance; instinctively turning her torso to the side (leaving less of her body open to attack). Farley raised his clenched fists uncertainly, never having had to defend himself even once, despite the number of bullies at school that were oddly drawn to attack him. Tom’s fur stood on end as bared his fangs, displayed his sharp claws and hissed; while Yap growled menacingly, crouching in front of Farley, ready to spring on the intruder. Then—

“Freeze!” Bartholeumous boomed in a Compelling Voice, as he rounded the bend and quickly took in the scene.

Kondor Dal came up swiftly behind him. Both of the Wizards had chosen to “float” along the tunnel; a magical method of transportation which (with some practice, mind you) allowed them to glide above the ground, saving both time and shoe leather. It also allowed them to approach soundlessly, a practical benefit when one has reason to be wary of what lies ahead. The Wizards had a moment to take stock, as the others were momentarily frozen by Bartholeumous’ use of the Voice.

“Well now, this is a most serendipitous turn of events,” Bartholeumous said with satisfaction.

“Indeed. I assume that these are the missing children and their so-called pets?” Kondor asked.

“You assume correctly.”

“And that must be the boy, about whom all the fuss is being made.”

“Once again, a correct assumption.”

Kondor and Bartholeumous walked around the frozen Skurrier, to stand directly in front of Farley. Kondor crossed his arms, subjecting the boy to intense scrutiny. His eyes took in the wild, unmanageable hair, the rumpled, muddy clothes and thin frame. Looking into Farley’s large, brown eyes, he saw an odd mixture of innocence and determination, and
perhaps
, something else…

“I see what you mean,” he said simply.

“Yes, as unlikely as it seems, there can no longer be any doubt, this is the boy of whom the Book foretold,” Bartholeumous said, heaving a sigh. “We certainly have our work cut out for us.”

At that moment, the “frozen” ones staggered slightly, as the effect of the Voice wore off. The children’s faces reflected startled recognition, then flooded with relief.

“Uncle Bartholeumous! Am I glad to see you!” Fiona said, voice ringing with True Joy, as she rushed forward to give him a hug.

Bartholeumous chuckled and patted her head. “As am I, to set eyes upon you, dear niece.”

Niblix tugged at the Wizard’s arm. “This-s-s-s is the place,” he said, gesturing toward the rock wall at the tunnels end. “The D-d-d-doorway is right-t-t-t there.”

The children looked at the giant “rat” curiously.

“Another Amorphae?” Fiona asked.

“Yes, this is Niblix, a Skurrier,” Bartholeumous told them.

“A bit large for his kind, to
my
mind,” Tom said, eying the creature skeptically.

“A victim of a bit of magical trickery, which shall be remedied shortly. He is an ally, as is my other companion, the Wizard, Kondor Dal.” Bartholeumous gestured to Kondor who bowed his head in greeting.

“Nice ta meetcha, Mr. Dal. You too, Mr. Niblix,” Farley said, enthusiastically shaking each of their hands in turn, while Yap sniffed at their robes.

The Skurrier bobbed his head and pulled at his whiskers anxiously. “G-g-g-good sirs, I have d-d-d-done as you asked. I have led you to the D-d-d-doorway, beyond which lie th-th-th-those you seek. Will you now perform the c-c-c-counter spell and return m-m-m-me to my proper size?”

“What about the key?” Kondor asked.

“Th-th-th-that I know-not,” said the Skurrier. “The G-g-golem was sent ahead to open the D-d-d-doorway.”

“We know the key!” Farley said eagerly. “It’s—”

Bartholeumous quickly raised a hand to stop him from blurting it out. The gesture was quite effective, as Farley’s lips continued to move, but no sound issued forth. The boy looked bemused, trying several times to speak out, before looking questioningly at the Wizard.

“It would be wise to take a moment to plan our next move,” the Wizard cautioned. “If our enemies lie in wait beyond, we shall have little time to prepare before they attack. You may speak, but you must promise, all of you, that you will not use the Key until we are ready to enter the Doorway.” With a gesture he released Farley’s voice and a chorus of promises poured forth from the children and their companions.

“Now, Mr. Niblix, if you would be so kind as to tell us what lies beyond this wall,” Bar-tholeumous said, “we shall release you from the Sizing spell, forthwith.”

“The D-d-d-d-doorway opens up, into an underwater d-d-d-dome,” Niblix explained, rubbing his hand together eagerly in anticipation. “It’s s-s-s-something called a S-s-s-snowglobe—a little t-t-toy made of p-p-plastic. M-m-malador Resized it and p-p-put the B—b-bumblestooks inside. They s-s-sit at a table, s-s-s-sound asleep. I know n-n-n-not if the G-g-g-golem is there. He comes and goes, he d-d-does, as M-m-m-malador commands.”

“Farley took care of that ol’ Glolem!” Yap said proudly. “He turned ‘im inta
stone
!”

“Did he, now?” Bartholeumous said, eyeing the boy speculatively.

“I didn’t do it on purpose,” Farley said sheepishly. “All I did was touch him and talk to him in Earthspeak and he turned into a statue. Even his clothes disappeared.”

“Interesting,” Bartholeumous said, glancing significantly at Kondor. “So, we will emerge under a lake, but be protected by a domed structure which holds the water at bay.”

Niblix nodded eagerly.

Tom raised a furry digit to interject. “Tis true the plastic dome kept the water in its place. However, I must inform you, that no longer is the case—”

“We were onna Quest, ta find Farley’s parents, an’ a Ranger Wizard wuz gonna help us, but then Farley an’ Fyona got swallered up by the lake, so’s we all had ta go under the water ta find
them
!” Yap interrupted.

“We got put inside a giant bubble, by this lady called Osheanna. She’s completely made of water!” Farley explained. “And then we met a
Vish,
kinda like a fish, but with arms and legs. Anyway, they took us down to the bottom of the lake, which is where we saw my parents, trapped inside the snowglobe. Then, this Golem thing showed up and it looked just like me! Mom and Dad were under a spell, so they thought it
was
me…” Farley’s voice faltered, at the memory of seeing his parents interacting with the Fake.

Fiona, placing a hand on his arm, took up the tale. “We couldn’t get in, but we saw the Doorway. Osheanna took us to a cave, so we could find the Golem and get the Key. We were tracking it, when we ran into Tom and Yap.”

“I see. And how did
you
come to arrive here?” Bartholeumous asked the Amorphae.

Yap wiggled and waggled, eager to tell their side of the tale. “Ranger Gary put us all inside a
Field-a-Force
so’s we wouldn’ drown, an’ the Magic Hose bringed us air so’s we wouldn’ suffercate, an’ then Ranger Gary blasted a hole in the dome, so’s we could get in!”

“I assume this Ranger Gary extended the Field to include Farley’s parents,” Bartholeumous said quickly, seeing the worry spring up in Farley’s eyes.

“Yes, but of course! We were all going to walk out, safe inside the Field of Force,” said Tom. “But then the Doorway opened up, and the Golem walked in. Yap followed the Golem, and
I
followed
him
.”

“Well, you certainly have had yourselves quite an adventure!” Bartholeumous said. “And, more importantly, it sounds as if the rescue of Farley’s parents is nicely underway. All that remains to be done, is re-unite with the fellow members of your Quest and head home. However, as the dome beyond is filled with water, I suggest we take a drier route.” He was about to elaborate, when he noticed Yap’s nose twitching wildly as the pup sniffed the air.

“What is it, Yap?”

“Someone’s coming,” the Gr-r-r-rog replied, eyeing the open tunnel behind them.

Suddenly, two shadows sprang up on the curve of the tunnel wall, betraying the arrival of those who approached. The members of the Quest barely had time to register this, when two Wizards, in flowing black robes and cloaks, floated around the bend; holding their staffs before them like lances!

“Deflect!” Bartholeumous boomed, throwing up an invisible Shield, with a sharp wave of his hand.

Fiery beams of light from the opposing Wizards’ staffs struck the shield, crackling with energy as showers of sparks hissed and spat, like a barrelful of cats.

Kondor Dal whipped his own staff forward; firing a stream of hot-yellow light at a dark-skinned Wizard, whose long, black braids (in hair and beard) writhed and coiled like snakes. The attacker countered with a red beam of his own. The two light forces collided; forming a ball of fire, which hung in mid-air between them, as neither gave an inch.

Bartholeumous quickly brought his staff to bear on the second attacker; a tall, thin woman with short, spiky, purple hair and coal-black eyes. As she whirled about to avoid the stream of electric-blue light, the beam struck her swirling cloak; rending it, but leaving her unscathed. In a smooth continuation of movement, she aimed her staff at Bartholeumous; sending a scorching, hot-fuchsia beam toward the Wizard! Fortunately, Bartholeumous’ quick re-flexes sent another blue stream to intercept it.

The four Wizards continued to clash, adding dimension to their attacks by rising above the floor. Beams of power from their staffs lanced out, scorching the rock walls and ceiling. The battle took them back against the tunnel’s end, near the children and Amorphae. Yap darted forward bravely, nipping at the heels of the attackers, while Tom swiped at their cloaks with upraised claws.

Farley reached into his pocket and pulled out his little knife. Unfolding its small blade, he held it before him, uncertain as to what exactly he should do with it. A hand descended upon his shoulder and he turned his head to look into the face of his friend. Fiona’s eyes, focused on a spot over his shoulder, held that now-familiar glazed look.

“Magic to Magic and Sword to Sword, if deadly blows you wish to ward,” she said in that spooky other-voice. Having delivered this message, she tossed her head as if to clear her thoughts and her eyes became clear and bright as they sought Farley’s.

The boy frowned as he considered the Hero’s words. “I guess that means plain ol’ weapons won’t work against magic,” he said, biting his lip in frustration as he put the little knife away. Then, his face lit up. Quickly, he slung his backpack to the ground and knelt down to rummage inside.

“Here it is!” He exclaimed triumphantly, withdrawing a crumpled bundle from its depths.

Fiona arched a delicate brow, as the boy carefully unrolled his father’s black cape. There, amongst the folds, lay a black, plastic wand with a white plastic tip. Snatching up the wand, Farley waved it, experimentally. Nothing occurred.

“Alakazam!” Farley said, mimicking his father. Again, nothing. “Maybe I need to put the cape on too.”

Tom looked around to check on his charges. His eyes popped and his jaw dropped in disbelief, as he watched Farley solemnly place the cape about his shoulders and tie the ribbons about his neck.

“Look here, boy, that wand’s just a toy! A real Wizard’s staff could split you in half!” Tom spluttered.

“P-p-p-please listen t-t-t-to your friend, young B-b-b-bumblestook,” Niblix pleaded, wringing his hands. “When Wizards war it’s b-b-b-best to just st-t-t-t-stay out of the way!”

Fiona, sensing in Farley a growing resolve (and perhaps encouraged by her own peculiar intuition) remained silent.

Just then, Kondor and his opponent swung near, battling staff to staff; releasing terrible bolts of energy and causing showers of blasted rock to fall from the ceiling. The children and Amorphae raised their arms to shield their heads.

“Move out!” Fiona ordered.

The group followed her lead, moving swiftly along the left side of the tunnel to avoid being trampled. They all dashed across the opening to put their backs against the wall on the other side, leaving the tunnel’s end to the combatants.

All that is, except for Farley. He had fallen behind, as he stopped to scoop up his backpack. He hurried to join them, but was hampered by the cape, which swept the floor around him. Unfortunately, his feet became entangled in the folds; causing him to trip and fall in the middle of the open corridor, several yards from his friends.