The Serpent of Eridor Read online

  After a few seconds the flames extinguished, leaving the room filled with dense red smoke. The black panther yawned and rose, trotting over to sit at Zorrin’s feet.

  Zorrin scratched the cat behind his ears. ‘Good to see you awake, Myth.’

  ‘And you,’ came a deep and resonant voice. Myth stretched his front legs out and settled down to lie at Zorrin’s feet.

  ‘What happened?’ asked Skoodle.

  ‘The Chi Llang spell combusted. Spectacular, but – as you see – the victims remain unharmed. Quick, stand back.’

  There was a loud crack. Gale-force wind whipped up from the floor below Zorrin, slamming Alex, Keeko and Skoodle against the wall. Alex forced his eyes to stay open despite the stinging wind, determined to see what was happening. Zorrin’s hair swirled wildly above his head as if he were standing in a tornado. Myth’s fur, tail and ears were blowing straight up.

  The roof yawned open. Through the chasm Alex could see swirling blue and gold mist. The thick red smoke whirled up through the gap. With a crash, the fissure in the ceiling closed.

  As the wind died, Skoodle slid towards the floor. Keeko caught him inches above the hard tiles.

  ‘That was a blast,’ said Skoodle.

  ‘Totally,’ replied a field mouse from nearby. It staggered across the room to hide near the fireplace. A whole family of cockroaches had been peppered against the walls: dead on contact, they were now like black ink blots.

  Brushing the last traces of smoking yellow powder from his robes, Zorrin stretched stiffly. ‘Tell me, why have you come?’

  Alex told him about his parents’ email, then Keeko related the story of Virida and the sapphire. Meanwhile Skoodle was muttering to himself at the speed of machine gun fire. Alex caught the words ‘Uncle Toomba’, ‘disaster’ and ‘hurricane’.

  Zorrin shook his head as he stood up. ‘There’ll be bad times up ahead: possibly wholesale death and destruction. Heroes will emerge: undoubtedly we’ll need them. But for the moment we must deal with Karlan. Let’s go down to Ikara.’

  Alex handed the brown pouch to Zorrin. ‘What are you going to do with him?’

  Zorrin’s face became serious. ‘He must be permanently imprisoned. Undoubtedly he’d have killed me if he could.’

  In silence they followed Zorrin and Myth down the stairs. Wizard and panther stepped over a sleeping crocodile as if it were a low scaly wall. Zorrin opened the oak door and froze. Before them Ikara lay motionless, loosely coiled on the rug. The wizard had gone.

  ‘See to Ikara,’ Zorrin shouted. Sprinting across the room, he wrenched aside the heavy curtains and flung the sofa aside. ‘No one’s here. It’s not a trap.’

  Alex dropped to his knees beside Ikara. Her eyes were staring lifelessly at the ceiling. Keeko covered her face with her hands and began to sob.

  ‘Is she dead?’ Alex asked as Zorrin knelt beside him. Skoodle scrambled down to sit hunched next to the still head.

  Zorrin ran his hand over the green and gold scales. ‘No. She’s deeply unconscious, but alive.’ He jerked the brown leather pouch out of his pocket and sprinkled a line of Chi Llang powder down Ikara’s back.

  Flames ignited, travelling down her full length, vanishing in an instant. As the smoke cleared, a faint rhythmical movement started in her upper body.

  ‘She’s breathing,’ Alex shouted.

  Keeko stopped sobbing and flung her arms around the glistening green neck.

  A befuddled voice floated up from the floor. ‘I’m very, very sorry.’

  ‘What happened?’ Keeko asked, stroking her scales.

  ‘I ate something from the table. After you left. So hungry. Must have been enchanted. Probably why he wanted us to eat. Such a stupid snake.’

  Pearly white tears fell from her eyes. Sobs sent waves down her body, like ripples down a whip.

  ‘Not really. You couldn’t have known,’ said Zorrin. ‘Not all food offered by wizards is enchanted.’ He rose. ‘Karlan will be far away by now but we’d better leave for my home, Ravenscraig, immediately. He or one of the others may return.’

  He turned towards the door and snapped his fingers, the sound reverberating unnaturally loudly like a small thunderclap in the still air. The crocodiles woke and started lumbering forward.

  ‘Slam the door,’ Keeko screamed at Alex.

  ‘Please don’t,’ said Zorrin. ‘I need them.’

  As he spoke three crocodiles trundled in, all aggression gone. Zorrin held up his hand. They halted, heavy heads swaying from side to side, teeth sheathed.

  Zorrin looked at them as if he were a conjuror with a newly de-hatted rabbit. ‘The crocodiles will get us home.’

  ‘Blast,’ said Skoodle. ‘How about a horse or two instead?’

  ‘These will be quicker.’

  Zorrin held his hand over the head of the closest crocodile and murmured, ‘Argentaro volam.’

  The tip of the crocodile’s nose turned metallic grey. The wave of colour travelled down his body until an entirely silver reptile shimmered at Zorrin’s feet.

  ‘Like it?’ he asked Ikara, who was wiping snake snot on to the corner of the tablecloth.

  ‘Impressive.’ She dropped the glistening cloth. ‘But is it useful?’

  Zorrin nodded, then repeated the spell with the other two crocodiles. ‘Next… something to ride in.’ Holding his hand over the middle of a crocodile he said, ‘Galeni contrapsione.’

  A mist rose from the centre of each of the three beasts’ backs, gradually forming into padded armchairs balanced on small wooden platforms, covered by glass domes.

  Zorrin looked at Alex. ‘Want your chair a little bigger?’

  ‘No, thanks. It’s great as it is,’ said Alex, so stunned at the transformation that he would have absent-mindedly refused anything, even chocolate.

  ‘Ever travelled by crocodile before?’ Zorrin asked.

  ‘Never,’ Alex replied. ‘Should be pretty cool.’

  ‘It’s a little bumpy when we’re on the land, but fabulous in the air.’

  ‘Sorry. I must have misheard,’ said Skoodle. ‘I could’ve sworn you said “The air.”’

  ‘I did.’

  ‘Wouldn’t a crocodile fly like a rock?’ Alex asked.

  ‘Good theory. Wickedly inaccurate.’

  ‘This must be a Cinderella-pumpkin sort of spell,’ said Skoodle. ‘Although enchanted coaches generally don’t have teeth, if I remember the story correctly.’

  Alex threw a glance of regret at his wedged hunting knife. ‘Any chance you could release that for me, Zorrin?’

  ‘Of course.’

  A small circle of the table melted back into bloodstained fur. Alex ran and pulled his knife out. In seconds the circle became wood once more, the blood on the knife floating to the floor as sawdust.

  ‘Please unblock your minds. We’ll use thought transference on the journey.’

  A door opened in the glass cubicle nearest Zorrin. He climbed into the navy velvet chair and settled down as Myth padded in to lie at his feet.

  As Alex moved towards the next cabin the door opened automatically. He got in, reaching down to stroke Skoodle’s shaking head. Keeko climbed in the last one, perching herself on the edge of her seat like a constipated parrot, Ikara sliding in after her.

  ‘Portus ferme,’ called out Zorrin.

  With not a whisper of sound, the doors shut.

  ‘Levator reptilia superioris,’ Zorrin shouted, his voice clear despite the barrier of glass.

  Clutching the edge of his chair, Alex waited for something amazing to happen. Unspectacularly the crocodiles lumbered heavily across the room, away from the door.

  They’ve gone the wrong way, transferred Alex.

  No, they haven’t, came back Zorrin’s voice. Trust me. I’m a wizard. And a lizard pilot.

  So they’ll circle back?

  Not exactly.

  Alex realised with horror that the crocodiles were picking up speed, still aiming for the solid wall. Helpless to do anyth
ing, Alex clutched his seat, waiting for the impact.

  ‘Worse than I thought,’ wailed Skoodle. ‘Uncle Toomba, I’ll be with you any second.’

  Alex could see Zorrin’s crocodile passing through the wall ahead of him. The snout of Alex’s own crocodile entered wood. He himself must follow shortly. He braced himself for the unknown, unnerving experience of passing through something solid.

  Silence and misty blackness closed in. Freezing wind ruffled his hair, as if he was flying through a freezer. He felt weightless. After a few seconds the darkness evaporated. The front of his reptile had emerged from the tree, the back still passing through wood.

  A pair of long scaly wings swung smoothly out of each side of his crocodile. Glittering in the sunlight they rose and fell gracefully even before they finished unfolding, propelling them upwards.

  He could hear Keeko transferring to Ikara, Help, we’re going to crash. Why has it gone dark? I feel really odd. Cool, look at that.

  Alex turned to watch their crocodile emerge from the tree. He waved at Keeko, grinning as he saw Ikara wound tightly round the chair leg – the tip of her tail across her eyes. Keeko scrambled on to the back of the chair, peering down at the jungle below.

  Gathering speed the trio of reptiles rose into the sky, heading for the wispy clouds above. As the jungle fell away from them the massive redwood soon became the size of a tallish ant. The crocodiles levelled out, glittering silver wings rhythmically beating.

  Are you all OK? transferred Zorrin.

  Fine. I was right. This is cool, Alex replied.

  Magic is. We’ll be at Ravenscraig in a couple of hours. There you’ll meet my sister, Flick. Relax. Enjoy the scenery. Soon we’ll fly over the living Mountain of Makusha.

  Skoodle frowned. Sounds scary.

  Not really. He’s a friend.

  This is fantastic, returned Keeko. I’m hungry, but otherwise… Wow. Doughnuts. Thanks, Zorrin.

  Are they enchanted? asked Ikara.

  Not even slightly. Enjoy.

  The slight swing of the crocodile and the soft rush of the wind whistling past made Alex feel sleepy. He curled up, laid his head on the cushions and drifted into a dreamless vacuum.

  CHAPTER 11

  A few hours later Alex was woken by Zorrin’s voice. We’re nearly there. Down to your right is Ravenscraig.

  Through the glass dome Alex could see a few ruins: blocks of white marble breaking through the tangled emerald jungle, as if randomly tossed around by a giant.

  Where? I can’t see anything, Alex transferred back.

  I know. It’s a great piece of magic, replied Zorrin. I’m really pleased with it. We’ll go in round the side by the stables.

  The crocodiles circled down towards a lake. Banking sharply, they flew straight at the water. Their silver noses broke the surface as they plunged into the turquoise lagoon.

  Wings working like gigantic flippers, the crocodiles spiralled downwards past shoals of tiny blue fish, electric eels, orange-striped starfish and golden seahorses. Lobsters scuttled for cover under coral banks as the crocodiles ploughed past. The surroundings lightened and they popped through the water into clear air. Looking back, Alex could see the bottom of the lake.

  It’s like a floating slice of water. A liquid door, transferred Alex.

  Sooo pretty, said Keeko.

  Below them lay a huge old-fashioned farmhouse made from blocks of pale stone, covered with a black grey slate roof. The crocodiles touched down in a courtyard which was surrounded on three sides by the house. The fourth side was made up of a row of stables.

  As soon as the dome doors opened Alex climbed out, grinning at Keeko and Ikara as they got down from their crocodiles. ‘So this is where we were aiming for. The place on my map.’

  Zorrin nodded. ‘Yes, but you would never have got past the magical defences. Come on in.’

  He strode through a doorway into a vast kitchen, which was warmed by a crackling fire. In the centre stood a long oak table, beyond which sat a cluster of navy sofas and squashy chairs.

  A beautiful young woman was hanging upside down from the ceiling by her toes like a bat, eyes closed. Bunches of long candy-pink hair cascaded upwards over her black cotton trousers and shirt. Everything hung neatly, as if she were the right way up. As they entered she somersaulted down, landing lightly on her feet, running across to hug Zorrin.

  ‘Welcome to Ravenscraig. I’m Flick. His sister,’ she said, her voice bubbling with laughter. ‘Zorrin, it’s good to get you home. The crystal picked you up once the spell began to shatter.’

  She swept a hand over her hair. It changed into a mass of red smoke and silver sparks, as if the Chi Llang spell was combusting round her head.

  ‘No concern, tears, pleas not to get captured again or wild hysteria?’ replied Zorrin.

  ‘Not my style. Although I was worried when you vanished from the crystal. At least the Live Wizards List confirmed that you weren’t dead.’

  Flick waved her hand over her head again. Her hair became a short dark green bob. ‘Why don’t you ever change the resting colour of your mood streak? Blue could be nice.’

  The streak on Zorrin’s hair changed to brilliant blue then white, followed by blue with white stripes, as the wizards fought for supremacy. Myth pricked up his ears as he watched, growling softly.

  ‘Don’t worry, Myth. She’s only teasing,’ said Zorrin as he held Flick’s gaze, while turning his locks back into pure white.

  For a moment the hair became pale blue, then sparkling white with blue blotches. A few blue sparks spat from Zorrin’s hair, then it changed back to pure white and stayed that way.

  ‘You win,’ said Flick, bowing to Zorrin. ‘Park your posteriors,’ she said to the visitors. ‘I’ll dig out something to tide you over till supper.’

  Alex gazed around the kitchen, fascinated. High up, on the wall to the left of the fireplace, was a shelf filled with rows of weird containers. A bright blue glass one contained gnarled black mushrooms; a yellow one held snail shells; the one next to it held dried lizards. Assorted plants suspended on invisible shelves grew in rows along the walls, tangled roots free in the air. Though revolted, Alex couldn’t take his eyes off the bottles. Flick intercepted the look.

  ‘Don’t worry,’ she said, placing a plate of biscuits and a large sticky chocolate cake on the table. ‘Those ingredients are for my medicines – they don’t go into the food.’

  ‘She’s a very talented healer,’ said Zorrin, picking up a bright yellow biscuit. ‘Can fix almost anything. Only death is beyond her. You’ll be safe while she’s around, other than if her cooking poisons you.’

  Flick aimed a blow at Zorrin’s head, which he ducked. ‘I’ve saved him from the verge of death several times. Now I wonder why I bothered. I’ll take you round the ingredient garden sometime. But touch nothing or… ’ Flick grasped her neck, rolling her eyes up to the ceiling.

  ‘You’re on,’ said Skoodle.

  ‘Interested by something that’s not food? That’s odd,’ hissed Ikara.

  Keeko grabbed a bunch of grapes and started tossing them in the air, catching them in her mouth.

  ‘Come on, the rest of you. Eat. I’ll be offended if you don’t clear the table,’ said Flick.

  ‘Love a challenge,’ said Alex, reaching for a blueberry muffin.

  ‘Tell Flick your story. Also, I want to know how you found me,’ said Zorrin, pouring juice for everyone.

  Interrupting each other often the four related their tale, starting from Alex’s email and his decision to find out what had happened to his parents. Keeko’s eyes filled with tears as they got to the river battle.

  ‘Then Tariq disappeared over the waterfall, still wrestling with the crocodile,’ said Ikara in a strange, brittle voice.

  Alex’s chest felt heavy and strange. ‘Tariq warned us that the fall would be fatal.’

  ‘Maybe he was wrong. I’ll check if he’s OK on the crystal.’ Flick vanished, leaving behind a faint waft of perfume.
>
  ‘Where did she go?’ asked Skoodle.

  ‘Disparticulated. Dematerialised to become solid somewhere else. Sort of instant transport.’

  ‘Amazing,’ said Keeko. ‘Which crystal?’

  ‘An entire wall in Flick’s bedroom, which shows where anyone is. Only the more powerful of the evil ones don’t show up, nor does anyone who’s in their power. So, alive or— ’ Zorrin stopped and coughed, ‘… otherwise, she’ll find him.’

  They heard Flick’s voice even before she reparticulated. ‘I’ve found Tariq. He’s alive.’ A hazy shadow appeared and began to turn into the solid body of Flick.

  ‘Fantastic,’ shouted Keeko, cartwheeling across the kitchen.

  ‘Alive’s good, but is he OK?’ asked Ikara.

  ‘Seems so. He’s making his way through the jungle towards us.’

  ‘This news is ice,’ said Alex, punching the air.

  Zorrin frowned slightly. ‘Pardon? I thought you said ‘Ice’.’

  ‘I did. It means fantastic. You know: if cool is very good, then ice is the best it can get.’

  There was a strangled sound behind them as Flick choked on her coffee then started laughing.

  ‘Ordinary words don’t need new meanings,’ said Zorrin. ‘Ice is frozen water. That’s all. There are many other words for the best – like superb, overwhelming, fantastic.’

  ‘Or make up your own,’ said Flick, grinning. ‘Like squasjig, galumphen or rapti.’

  Zorrin looked at his sister sternly. ‘Don’t you start. This conversation is getting beyond ridiculous.’ He rose swiftly to his feet, brushing yellow biscuit crumbs off his trousers. ‘Would you send Viskar on a carpet to get Tariq? While we wait for him I’ll show the others round Ravenscraig, starting in the gloomy bits.’

  ‘Of course.’ Flick took a sheet of thick cream paper from beside a copper cauldron and wrote in lavender ink: Please collect Tariq. Large golden bear. For whereabouts see crystal. She picked up a small silver bell, shook it and put it down on the note.

  ‘No sound?’ asked Alex.

  ‘No need. You go on. I’ve got to pop out to the garden for a minute.’