The Wizard

By

Jon Sherwood

Other books by this author:

Crop circles – Unlocked

Andrea one – Assignment

Zarlen Channelling Volume one.

coming soon:

Andrea one - Earthbound - due for release late 2008.

The Wizard - due for release Winter 2008.

© Copyright 2008 Rajon Publishing

No part of this book may be copied, lent resold hired or duplicated in any way either by binding or other type. Names in the story are purely ficticious and have no resemblance to any living being. The authors rights have been asserted. Any similarity to any building or any  person living or dead is purely coincidental.

Artwork is supplied by numerous artists most are free on the web. As this is a freeview story and no charge to read the first part no fees have been entered into or agreements. If you wish to have your name listed here regarding any graphic appearing please let us now by return email here..

Characters.

Albert Brinsdale – The Wizard

Gilbert Wall-stranger-the willow man.

Rabbits  Whitetail & Bubblytail

Big eye- The wise Owl

Grobby-The frog

Zebby-The Badger

Flare - Magical fairy

Sprill - Wizards apprentice.

Dedicated to two of the best boys I know. JJ & Sam, they really take care of each other. And to Rachel the best partner a man could have.

Chapters

The Hut on the hill

An Encounter with Rabbits

The wet wood

The Sacred Stone

Who Dunnit

Hut On The Hill

The woody smell permeated the air as the wind slowly gained strength from the south. Albert knew the weather was getting worse as he gathered wood for the fire to stay warm during the coming night. It could get bitter on the hill in a storm he thought as he carried an armload of wood back to the hut from the pile by the large tree near the path. He had not seen anyone travel along the path now for quite a few weeks but he did not mind as he preferred to be alone anyway especially after his wife’s mysterious death a few months ago.

Albert was tall with a gangly frame and mainly all trim and taught. “Not bad!” he thought to himself as he entered the doorway and crossed to the fireplace where a fire was already starting to come to life.

Dropping the arm load of wood on what  remained in a small pile next to the fire he turned and headed for the kitchen to put the kettle on for a warm tea. While the kettle was warming up he closed the door and went to the chest of drawers in the lounge

The room was simply decorated as Albert like it that way, less to think about, he often thought as he looked about the room. Two chairs near the fire with a small table inbetween and some small ornaments on the mantleof the fireplace. An old picture of a sailing cutter hung in place of honour over the mantle this was a reminder to him of his earlier days of sailing but which he had given up after his wifes dissappearance that fateful day three months ago. He paused and ran his hand through his brown hair and looked at himself in the mirror on the wall above the drawers. He saw eyes of hazel looking back on a face that was starting to show signs of aging, tiny lines appearing by his eyes and on his forehead. “I’ve aged in the last few months”, he stated to himself. Then he looked down at a photograph of his wife on the sideboard and wondered what had happened to her, he paused in thought his mind drifting off to past thoughts of them both doing things together, after a moment he gave a sigh and collecting his thoughts once again  he moved his gaze back to the drawer and opened the second drawer of three. After rummaging about in it for a few seconds he found what he was looking for and extracted it from the drawer and held it up for inspection.

The round object he had received in the mail one day, and he had placed it in an old cupboard and he still had not figured out what it was. In the fading light he again turned it around in his hand. It was about nine inches across with a dull bluish hue and had a pedestal type of stand with legs o its base. Albert always thought it felt alive but he could not be sure. Slowly he replaced it in the drawer and closed the drawer as he heard the whistle start to blow on the kettle in the kitchen.

Crossing to the fireplace he picked up a log and placed it on the diminishing flames. Then turned and began heading for the kitchen when he heard a crunching sound from outside. Someone was on the path and the sound was getting closer so that meant they were heading for his front door. Albert could see that it was already getting dark outside and he thought it strange that anyone would venture out this late, he began crossing to the front door just as a knocking sound filled the room.

“Just a minute” Albert called as he continued his journey across the lounge room to the door.

He opened the door to find a smallish man only about 5 feet tall in a greenish outfit over which he wore a large overcoat, he carried a long staff with a sort of ornamental looking crystal on its end, he had a hood over his head to protect him from the chill wind now blowing outside and  he also had a broad moustache and eyes that just seemed to swallow you up as he looking back.

“Sorry to disturb you! Said the stranger with a broad Irish accent. “But can I come in as I need to talk with you. You are Albert Brinsdale are you not?” the stranger asked as Albert indicated for him to enter.

“Yes!” replied Albert as he closed the door and followed the stranger into the front room. Albert indicated a chair for the stranger to sit in as he stopped by the fire. “You may take a seat. Can I take your coat?” he asked.

“That’s very kind yes thank you”, replied the stranger and with that he removed the enormous coat and handed it to Albert. He then sat down while Albert crossed to a coat hook near the front door. He then turned and went back to stand by the fire.

“My name is Gilbert Wall” stated the stranger. And I have been searching for you for some time. I think I got very lucky yesterday when I stopped at the pub at Dunst Moor and heard someone mention your name. Something to do with the death of your wife I believe they were discussing!”

“Yes! My wife died in an accident a year ago by the dead mans cliff a few miles from here.” Replied Albert stonily. “I wish people would leave it alone!”

“They were saying that the whole thing was very strange, no reason for your wife to go there, no reason at all!” Gilbert shuffled about in the chair trying to get more comfortable. “No matter anyway that’s not why I am here!”

“Oh!” said Albert. He was about to ask what brought the stranger here but changed his mind. He knew somehow he was going to find out anyway. Changing tactics he asked. “Would you like a cup of tea I was just about to make one for myself?”

“Lovely just the ticket! Thank you!” replied Gilbert still shuffling in the chair.

Albert headed for the kitchen to make the tea. He would have to boil the kettle again as it was now off the boil.

“So you were saying what brought you here!” Albert called out from the kitchen.

“Yes it has to do with you when you were younger. Do you remember anything of your parents?”

Albert paused in the kitchen from making the tea and thought to himself “What a strange question!”

He remained silent for the next few minutes as he made the tea and placed two cups and milk and a small bowl of sugar on the tray as well as the pot of tea, and as an after thought some cookies, on a small plate.

He then headed back to the lounge carrying the tray. Gilbert saw him and rose to move a small table in-between the chairs for ease of access for both of them.

Then he sat back down seeming more comfortable than before.

While Gilbert reached for a cup and sorted out his own tea Albert sat in the chair opposite and watched him closely thinking to himself how appearances can be deceiving sometimes.

After getting his own tea and a cookie he sat back and relaxed watching the fire.

Gilbert coughed on a cookie and after clearing his throat commented. “ The reason I asked about your parents is that I have something for you that was left by your grandparents a year ago after they passed on.” Reaching into his pocket he extracted a small box about the size of a golf ball. He passed it to Albert who reached across to collect it.

He sat still for a moment looking at the small box.

“What is it?” he asked.

“I do not know. All I was instructed to do was find you and make sure you received it. So now my job is done!” replied Gilbert with a sigh and took another sip of his tea.

They both sat quietly for a moment and the wind could be heard outside as it blew past the eaves of the house with a gentle moan which gradually seemed to increase every now and then. The weather was turning bad and it would get worse before the night was through.

Gilbert shivered at the thought of having to go out in that again and in the dark.

As if reading his thoughts, Albert slowly opened the box and said. “You can stay the night if you like I cannot expect you to travel out at night in this.” He looked inside the box and exclaimed “Good heavens!”

“What is it?” asked Gilbert looking across and trying to see inside the box.

“I have one of these already but larger and now it seems I have two!” he exclaimed lifting the round ball out of the box for Gilbert to see.

“ I don’t know what they are but I seem to attract them!” remarked Albert as he passed the ball to Gilbert.

“I know what these are!” he stated with a gasp of excitement.

 “They are a Wizards tool for moving through time and all sorts of other magic!” he moved the ball around in his hand. “ I read about them once in an old book in the village. Seems they were supposed to be lost. According to the book there should be three of them!” he handed the ball back to Albert.

As Albert took the ball he realized that there was a note in the bottom of the box. Reaching in he took out the note, unfolded it and began to read.

“What does it say?” asked Gilbert as he placed the cup of tea on the table.

“It says. Dear Albert as you can see you have one of these already. We sent the other one to you a few months back and we hope you received it ok. The last of the three is in a lock box at the old railway station at Dunst Moor. The key inside will allow you to get the third. We could not send all three together as it would have been too dangerous. We hired Gilbert to find you as we knew from information we had that he would know what they were for. He is also one of the fabled ones. I am sure after you have read this letter to him he will understand and explain. Good luck and make sure you collect the last ball at the station no later than Friday the 22nd May. Love Grandma and Granddad Russell.” He looked inside and picked up the key that was stuck to the bottom of the box.

“Looking across at Gilbert he asked, “What does all this mean?” with a look of wonder on his face.

Gilbert began shuffling in the chair again and then decided it was time to let the cat out of the bag as it were, he stood up and removed the mask and clothes he was wearing to reveal a Willow Man. Completely made of wood and leaves much like a willow tree.

Albert could not believe his eyes.

“Oh! That is so much better. Am I glad to be rid of that!” he said as he sat back down and took another sip of tea.

“I should be surprised but I seem to be ok with this, which is truly amazing!” said Albert.

“Oh! I knew you would be ok with it. But we need to cover a bit of ground to find out where you are in the scheme of things. You know, beliefs, abilities that sort of thing.” Replies Gilbert waving his branch like arms about and nearly dropping the teacup in the process. “Oops! That was close!” he puts the cup back on the table.

“What is this all about?” asks Albert in a state of bewilderment.

“It’s about you and what you learned when you were younger. It is also about going on one of the most amazing adventures and being you!” said Gilbert.

“Albert rises and crosses to the fireplace and places one hand on the mantle. ”So what you are saying is I can use these orbs is that it?” He looks at Gilbert intensely.

“Yes!” replies Gilbert. “And you can do lots more! You probably do not remember this but when you were younger. What are you know 34?” Suddenly asking the question as an afterthought.

“35 actually! Why?” said Albert as he places another log of wood on the fire? This was starting to look like a rather long night.

“Oh! Its not that important its just that your powers would not be at there peak until you were around 34 or 35. So that’s ok as you are. However! You do need to know more as to what this is about!”

Albert sat down and waited for Gilbert to continue.

“About a month ago some friends of mine encountered a group that swore they were involved in a takeover of the underground city of Altronia. It’s not a big place about the size of London! They plan to create magic mischief before the month is out, and then there is the dark witch up to her old tricks again but this time she is in league with the nevr world, and that’s where you come in. They reckon that because you are not around anymore they can push people about but that is not the way it works. We need to get the last orb and enter the underground country to save the city and more.” He looks up and across at Albert, “What say you then?”

Albert thought about the comments that Gilbert had made and something inside him said do it, as he always listened to his instincts. “Ok! First thing in the morning we will go to the railway station and collect the last orb. But I do not know how to get to the underground country!”

“Not a problem!” Gilbert said as he rose to flex his limbs, literally. “I know the way in and it’s not far from here.” Looking across at the corner of the room and commenting as he went, “I shall sleep here for the night I can lean against the wall which will do nicely! We need to get some rest as we have a long trip ahead!”

Albert rose and picked up the tray, on the way to the kitchen he said “Right then I shall see you early in the morning!” and with that he exited the lounge and heading for bed after placing the tray on the bench in the kitchen.

An Encounter with Rabbits

The following morning they both headed down the pathway to the station to collect the orb from the locker. The day had improved from the night before and was clear and warm with only a slight breeze. The walk to the village took them over 2 hours to do as they wanted to walk instead of taking the car that way Albert could be brought up to date on what was going on and also to fill him in on the events of the past that he still did not remember.

As they traveled their way around a small hill about half way to the village Albert asked.

“So what you are saying is that I was a Wizards apprentice unbeknown to me. And that when the Wizard died all the powers were passed on to me?” he stops by an old tree for a moment to wait for the response from Gilbert and he did not have to wait long.

“Yes!” was the simple response as Gilbert carried on walking along the path past the tree.

He watched a couple of rabbits prancing about by the stream on their left a little further along the path as he walked and listened to Alberts comments.

“Hm! Well I don’t know!” Albert exclaimed as he moved away from the tree and followed Gilbert along the path.

Gilbert stopped and turned to Albert.

“I see the only way to convince you is to show you something. Take the small orb out of your pocket and hold it in your right hand.”

Albert obeyed and placed the small orb in his right hand.

“Ok! Now what?” he asked stopping by Gilbert.

“You see those two rabbits playing in the grass over there?” he pointed in the direction of the rabbits by the stream.

“Yes”, replied Albert.

“Think English language in order to hear what they are saying and hold the orb out towards where they are and focus on them and say Holtenbryling.” Said Gilbert as he stepped away from where Albert was standing to give him room. After all he knew what was coming next!

Albert held his right hand out with the orb in the direction of the rabbits and did as Gilbert said

‘Holtenbryling!’ said Albert. After a second or two the orb began to glow and a stream of light leapt from it to the rabbits who where frozen where they played for a few seconds then just as suddenly it was all over.

Albert just stood in amazement at what had just taken place. Meanwhile the rabbits shook their heads and looked around spotting the two on the path they bound across to them.

The first rabbit said ”So what’s the idea of zapping up one then. We were having a good time until you came along!”

Gilbert moved forward and said, “If I were you I would be careful what I said my friend. The Wizard may not appreciate your comments!”

The rabbit looked at Albert and then burst out laughing. “That’s the Wizard!” laughing so hard he fell over backwards.

The second rabbit meantime stopped by Albert. “My name is Whitetail and this laughing Hyena is Bubblytail for obvious reasons. I must say that’s a fine trick making us talk like you though it might be hard to chat with our own kind again but I suppose time will tell. Sorry about him though! He has a weird sense of humor. Cut it out will you”, shouts White tail looking across at Bubblytail.

Albert could not believe his ears. “So you can understand what I am saying?” he asks cautiously.

“Of course but only after you did what you did, whatever it was you did that is!” exclaimed Bubblytail.

“Oh! I see!” Albert replied sounding rather confused.

“We had better keep going we have to get to the station as soon as possible to collect the third orb so let’s get going!” said Gilbert as he continued up the pathway.

“We will hop along behind you, after all looks like we are part of your group now anyway after what you did!” exclaimed Bubblytail.” I will explain later” he continued after noticing that Albert was about to ask what he meant.

They all continued along the path in silence for the next hour as they all contemplated what had transpired but most of all Albert who was still getting to grips with the whole thing.

They reached a small rise and the little village of Dunst Moor could be seen in the hollow ahead. They sighted the railway station and headed straight for it.

After collecting the orb from the locker Albert returned to the hill where the others were waiting.

“Now what?” he asked of no one in specific.

“Now!” exclaimed Gilbert. “We need to get to the trail in the woods that leads us to the hollow oak.” Turning to the rabbits he asks. “I don’t suppose you two know the way?”

“Of course we know the way” They scamper off with the others in tow.

Over hills and down valleys they eventually end up on the edge of a small forest not too far away from Albert’s house.

“I know this place”, said Albert. “I used to play here as a boy!”

“Not surprising “ Gilbert replied.

“Not surprising at all”, said the rabbits in unison.

“So where to from here then?” Albert asked.

Then as if suddenly remembering the way he said. “No wait I remember an old oak tree not too far from here let’s start there!” and off he went ahead of the rest.

They all hurried after Albert as he scampered through the undergrowth. Suddenly they all came upon an open grassy area with a very old looking oak tree in the center.

Albert walked over to the tree and slowly walked around it. He disappeared on the other side of the tree and when he did not reappear the rabbits and Gilbert ran and hopped around to see where Albert had got to. They found him with his head down a hole in the tree.

“What are you doing?” asked Gilbert.

Alberts muffled voice replied, “I found this hole and it seems to go down but I can’t see beyond about ten feet.”

The rabbits moved closer and suddenly gave Albert a big push and he disappeared down the hole with a yell.

“Hey!” Albert yelled as his voice disappeared as if moving off into the distance.

The rabbits meanwhile, hopped and jumped about with joy, as they thought it very funny.

“Now that’s the funniest thing we have done in a long time” said Bubblytail popping his head down the hole.

“Not as funny as this said Gilbert as he pushed Bubblytail into the hole and down after Albert.

Before Gilbert could grab the other rabbit Whitetail jumped into the hole after his friend. Gilbert then decided he might as well join them so he jumped into the hole and found himself descending down a very damp moist tunnel.

After about a minute the walls started to glow and he could see glow worms everywhere.

Then suddenly he landed at the bottom to find the others standing about in a largish cavern that was filled with glowworms and the sight was breathtaking.

Once underground Gilbert reverted back to his usual Willow tree form. The rabbits looked at each other and commented “Well now why do this look familiar” they stated looking at Gilbert.

He just looked back and then smiled. “ You guys need to work on the grammar I think!” He then turned to Albert who was transfixed at the amazing view. “We need to follow that path over there” pointing to the path that they could just see in the distance.

“Ok!” replied Albert and off he went with the others in tow.

It wasn’t long before they came upon a small opening in the wall of the cavern and light could be seen at the end that was not that far off. Stepping through they walked along a small tunnel and emerged to an even more amazing view.

The Wet Wood.

“What is this place?” asked Albert. “It seems familiar and yet I cannot seem to quite place it!” he observed the landscape of trees and dripping water everywhere.

“This is Altronia for those not in the know!” exclaimed a voice that seemed to come out of nowhere.

They looked about and found an owl sitting on a log just to the right of where they stood. Albert looked at the owl suspiciously and moved over to where the owl sat on the log.

The owl just looked back!

“Hm!” thought Albert out loud.

“Hm!” came a reply.

Albert was sure it was from the owl but somehow he was not sure so he stepped closer to the owl and bent down to have a closer look.

The owl leaned forward as if having a closer look at Albert then suddenly “Boo!” said the owl and Albert leapt back with a start while the owl laughed and laughed.

“I suppose you think that’s funny,” said Albert getting to his feet after falling over backwards from the surprise.

Gilbert came across and said “Hello Big Eye! How are things? Still up to the usual I see!”

“Not bad just keeping in practice.” The not bad part sounded like hoot but was noot instead. This made the conversation quite interesting sometimes.

The two rabbits came across and said hello.

The owl looked at them both and then said, “So whose been playing with them then?” looking at Albert suspiciously.

“I really don’t want to get into this conversation!” Albert exclaimed and with that wandered of down the path a short way and sat down on another log.

Big eye turned and looked at Gilbert. “Is that who I think it is?” he asked.

“Afraid so! But he is not too happy I think at the moment. Maybe you could tell him why he is needed and then maybe he will feel better.” Gilbert replied as he moved off to join Albert.

The others followed and Big eye flew down and landed by the log where Albert and the others were.

“So! You don’t remember a thing. Not a smidgen of who you are or what you can do! Well there is a cure for that!” he turns to Bubblytail.

“Pass me that rock there would you?” he asks with a tweet and a pop after his words. Albert was suddenly fascinated.

“Why the weird sounds?” he asked, “And what do you intend doing with that rock” he asked as he watched Bubblytail pass the rock to Big eye.

“My weird sounds as you call them is me, and I would watch your manners or I will hit you with this rock!” he raises the rock threateningly.

Albert ducks and rises to move away but is stopped by a large limb of a tree that appears from nowhere and wraps him up nice and firm.

“What the..” But before he could continue big eye just drops the rock and a weird blue light emits from it. Albert watches fascinated and the tree limb lets him go!

Alberts world suddenly starts to spin and after a moment he blacks out!

A short time later Albert opens his eyes and finds himself in a large room, very old with a huge four-poster bed which he was lying on. As he sits up rubbing his now aching head he scans the room.

In one corner is a small table with a little oval mirror on it. A large window faces him that is surrounded by the most magnificent curtains he had ever seen and they ran from the ceiling to the floor. A door to the right, which was slightly ajar, showed signs of a bathroom. A tall sideboard was to the right of the door, which had a variety of small ornamental figures on the top shelf.

Albert started to sit up and swung his legs over the side of the bed and was about to stand up when a shout rang out across the bedroom.

“Don’t stand up its to soon, its too soon!”

Albert could not see where the voice was coming from but he seemed to know.

“It’s all right mirror I am fine!” he found himself replying.

“” Oh no it’s not, he will fall over!” came another voice this time from the other side of the room!”.

“Honestly you lot anyone would think I have been seriously ill. I just passed out that’s all!” Suddenly Albert stopped himself and realized that his memories came flooding back into his head with a whoosh!

“Then again maybe it would be a good idea to rest a little longer!” he said as he sat back down on the edge of the bed.

He looked up to see the main bedroom door open and a small girl entered and he immediately recognized her.

“Why Flare! It is so nice to see you again!” he exclaimed holding out his hand.

She crossed and held it for a short moment and then let go. Flare was what one would term a spell fairy with such amazing eyes that if you looked into them for too long you would be lost in the beauty and forget all else.

“It is nice to have you back ‘Wizard!” she replied, she paused for a moment then went on. Something terrible has happened and we need you more than ever! She began to cry!

The ornaments on the bookshelf began to stir as they heard the cry and it was like the whole room became alive with movement.

Albert looked across at her.

“What has happened that makes you cry so!” he asked with gentleness in his voice.

And so Albert listened to the story of how one day three months or so ago a darkness fell upon the world they lived in and strange forms began to roam the woods and hills and valleys of this magical land, and these weird shapes challenged any and all to a match of wits. The sacred lodge of fortitude had disappeared and no one knew who had done it or how.

Albert rose from the bed and looked down at Flare. Do not worry I will find out what is behind all this and we shall correct it with all the power we can bring.

“Now firstly though I need to find Sprill. Where has he got to these days?”

“He is at the magical rock where he stayed after you left! He will be glad to see you again I am sure” Flare replied as she led Albert out the door and along the corridor.

He remembered this place of sacred knights and noble steeds. Each corridor was filled with knights armour from times long past. The entire mansion he was in looked like the grand inside of an ancient castle but everywhere there was a greenish glow from luminescent moss and glowworms. It was obviously evening thought Albert as they descended the grand round staircase, which was a marvel in itself. It was not really attached to anything but just seemed to float there slowly turning it was when Albert stopped at a full-length mirror on the third landing that he gasped with amazement at the figure staring back at him. There was a young man of no more than 25 with firm shoulders and dark hair.

It took him a moment to remember who he was and what had happened. He suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to face a ghostly apparition of a knight on horseback.

“Well! The black knight! Long time no see I see!” laughed Albert with a personal joke he remembered from when he last was confronted with the knight.

“Well at least you have not lost your sense of humour in these dire times.!” replied the knight sternly. Maybe a joust sometime in the night would shake your head and sharpen your wits eh!” he stated waving his long lance around and letting it pass through Albert who just watched with a grin.

“Oh do come on you two we have important work to do!” said Flare who walked of down the stairs to the first landing. Albert waved a farewell to the knight and followed with a parting comment. “Maybe another night!” hahaha! His laughter echoed around the stairwell.

On the first landing they walked up to a doorway.

“Here we are!” said Flare. “Now remember if you need anything just call!” and with that she flew of over the balcony staircase and disappeared upwards.

Albert stared at the doorknob for a second and then after glancing at the round staircase with its collection of knights and noble steeds he turned the knob and entered the room closing the door behind him.

The Sacred Stone.

The room was large and the only item in the room was a small rock in the centre which gave off a slight blue glow in the dim light. There we no windows and only strange looking portrates of what looked like a variety of trees hung on the walls. The floor was covered in a strange green mist that wrapped around Albert’s ankles and made him shiver.

As he stepped further into the room a voice said.

“So your back! And about time too! But be careful because you cannot fool us, if you are not the true wizard and clear of mind you shall see through the floor and be no more!”

Albert tried to remember what to do but his mind was still cloudy. He needed more time to get over the transition he had made. Looking about the room he was sure he saw the trees in the portraits move.

As he returned his gaze to the floor it just disappeared and instead all he saw was a huge cavern beneath and in front of him, the only solid ground as far as he could tell was where he was standing.

He froze and thought to himself. “I had better get my wits about me and fast!” he wished his memory would get itself together.

The room was just beginning to spin when a figure appeared near the rock. It was Sprill.

“Wizard!” he called out, “Wizard griffin, move forward and your memory will clear, you are standing in the line of the portraits of mystic trees and they will fog your mind and stop you from remembering, quickly this way!” he gestured wildly for Albert to move forward.

So with all the effort he could muster he took another step forward, which looked like he was stepping into a huge void. His mind fogged so much now he could not tell whether he was hallucinating Sprill being there or not, so holding his breath his foot slowly descended to eventually a solid floor.

Slowly as his foot touched the ground again his mind began to clear and the floor became more solid. Sprill gestured for him to keep moving and so he did. Eventually he reached the rock where Sprill was standing.

A strange creature that looked like a cross between a frog and a snail he only stood about 2 feet tall with a blue jacket and pink trousers and a funny round hat. Well that’s the way Wizard Griffin saw him at the moment. And hey after that anything was possible he thought.

“Come quickly we need to pass through the gate and get to your secret place.

Wizard Griffin looked at Sprill. “Why can’t you just say magic library its much easier!”

“Whatever!” said Sprill.

They both touched the rock and immediately vanished from the room and reappeared many miles away in a different place.

They were standing in a forest outside a very large round building that resembled a giant ball with windows that also were round, even the door was round.

“Well I see the magical source rock is still working. Had any visitors lately?” asked Wizard Griffin as they entered.

“You know no one else can use the rock except you and I Wizard! And as for this place well you dont see it if you dont use the rock” replied Sprill. Every time he said wizard it seemed to always sound like blizzard. Wizard Griffin always thought it amusing and grinned at the thought of being with his old friend once again.

Inside the décor was chaotic and messy but both Sprill and wizard Griffin knew where everything was without question. It was sort of an orderly chaos. The left side of the room was completely taken up with books of all shapes and sizes and some looked very old, while to the rear was a sort of kitchen. Then to the right was a staircase that went around in circles and the steps just kept appearing at the bottom and rose to the top in a circle.

“So what seems to be the problem, why the sudden return and what’s this about a darkness?” asked wizard Griffin as he sat on a small stool by a tiny round table with a goblin jug in the middle that had eyes that moved and blinked.

“Morning Thomas!” wizard Griffin said to the jug. His remark brought a smile to the little goblin jug, which made it change colour.

Sprill sat down on another small stool and began to bring wizard Griffin up to date on the happenings in Altronia.

“It’s the dark witch in the cavern she started it all about three months ago. Coming here bossing everybody about, she said she had made sure you would never come back. I did not know what that meant. Honest. Not until she explained about your missing wife!” said Sprill.

“What about my wife?”

“She took her away someplace. Don’t know where exactly. Said she would be lost in the land of never. I been there I have, not a nice place, not a nice place at all!” said Sprill shaking his head from side to side and drooped his head and looked at the floor.

“I know about the land of never. Dark and dangerous place! Is this why this darkness is spreading across Altronia then?”

“I don’t know maybe!” said Sprill rising from his stool and crossing to the kitchen “Do you want some tea its green!”

“Yes thank you!” said wizard Griffin.

“So where is the witch now?” wizard Griffin asked as he crossed to the immense bookshelf. He stopped in front of the shelf and looked at it for a moment muttering as if trying to remember something.

“Now let me see, ah yes that’s it! Streltimouse!” said wizard Griffin to the bookshelf and waving his hand at the same time a mouse about the size of a dinner plate appeared. This was no ordinary mouse though; he had two big hands instead of two front paws.

“Ah yes! Marvellous. Would you get me the book on magic in the land of never please!” said wizard Griffin.

The mouse quickly scampered up the bookshelf and in a flash was back with the book he had requested. After handing the book to wizard Griffin the mouse promptly disappeared again.

“Glad he works for you. I tried numerous times but no not him. Would not shift a finger to help me he would!” said Sprill glaring at the bookshelf as he set the tea down on the small table and sat down on a stool again.

Wizard Griffin walked back to the table while flicking through the pages of the book and sat down again on the stool.