ABACUS (7 page)

AP began to blush. Kate nudged him beneath the table and grinned.

“Young Arthur has been with us such a short time, yet has astounded us all with his powers. He can swim like a fish, fly like a hawk, and summon phantoms from the air. And, as our learned scribe discovered this afternoon, he can restore sight to aging eyes.”

The longhouse buzzed with excitement at this latest news.

AP was mortally embarrassed.

Kate turned around to check Medoc's reaction. He was beaming. And when Arthur announced that her brother could become the greatest sorcerer of all time, Medoc nodded enthusiastically. “That slippery snake's up to something,” she said to herself.

“Nobody knows how long young Arthur and his sister will be with us,” Arthur continued. “But if they do stay, our young sorcerer has pledged to become Medoc's successor.”

A thunderous roar of approval followed and Arthur had to raise his hand for silence.

“To that end, Medoc has graciously agreed to help young Arthur complete his studies. Our oracle is journeying to Fordon Forest to replenish his stock of herbs. He has invited young

Arthur to accompany him, so he may benefit from his vast knowledge of plants.”

AP was stunned. Kate was livid. Medoc was elated.

Then Arthur, changing the subject, announced that Gwendolyn was expecting a child. At this, the audience exploded into a cheering, table-banging display of jubilation.

“How can I get out of the trip?” AP asked Kate later that night.

“You can't,” his sister conceded. “Not when it's been announced to the whole world. That was Medoc's intention. He wants you all alone, so he can take care of you—once and for all. But I'm going to upset his plans. I'm going with you.”

Chapter 9: A Poisonous Plot

For all his powers, Medoc was unable to stop Kate from accompanying her brother. Her last-minute inclusion disrupted his planning, but he never let it show. Indeed, the old sorcerer went out of his way to be kind and considerate to them both.

Medoc spent the day following the feast preparing for the week-long journey. He harnessed a packhorse to carry their supplies, declining Kate and AP's offer to help with the food. “That is most generous,” he beamed, “but I know exactly what we need. I'll take care of everything.”

Kate and AP exchanged suspicious looks. “He's going to poison us,” she whispered, when Medoc was out of earshot. AP agreed this was likely, especially given his knowledge of potions. They must be vigilant—they would refuse anything Medoc didn't try first. As an added precaution, they packed a secret supply of food and water. They even devised a way of pretending to drink without swallowing—just in case he slipped them something. If Medoc thought he was dealing with gullible kids, he was in for a surprise!

The trio departed the following morning, as the sun peeked over the hills. “I'll take care of them!” assured Medoc as Arthur and Gwendolyn waved goodbye.

* * *

Hours later, a tall thin man arrived at the fortress. After enduring weeks of strife, he had finally reached his destination. During that time he'd been tricked by a guide, chased by a bear, hunted by raiders, and lost more times than he cared to remember. But none of that mattered any more. Soon he would have his hands on those children, whoever they were. They had no right to be time-traveling, and he would make sure they never did so again.

* * *

The first day of the journey was uneventful. Medoc was the perfect guide, pointing out interesting things along the way and showing AP and Kate every consideration.

Before they went to bed that night, he stressed the importance of rising early. “We'll leave before dawn,” he told them. Noticing their puzzled looks, he explained how they must reach the forest before dark.

“Look,” said AP pointing skyward, “a full moon.”

“Right now I'm more interested in sleep,” said Kate. “I'll never get up tomorrow.”

“He's in a big hurry,” whispered AP the following morning. The sky was just getting light and Medoc was striding along as if late for an appointment.

They were traveling in chalk country, with rolling hills of short tough grass and few trees in sight. The sun had yet to show its face but the sky was already bright. Soon they began climbing, following a footpath worn into the chalk by generations of travelers. Because of its narrowness, they had to walk single file.

Medoc glanced up at the eastern sky expectantly. Kate noticed this, and the route they were taking. If necessary, her navigational skills would get them back to the fortress without his help.

Suddenly Medoc came to a halt and began adjusting the horse's harness.

“What is he up to?” whispered Kate.

“Haven't a clue.”

“It's no good,” called Medoc, fiddling some more and checking the sky. “The mare keeps slipping her bit—she doesn't like being followed. You'll have to take the lead, young Arthur. I'll take the rear.”

They set off again, with Kate close on her brother's heels. Medoc let them get well ahead before he started, explaining the horse was better behaved that way.

The hill had become steeper, and they began rounding a long bend. Glancing to her left, Kate noticed the sheer drop. The near-vertical hillside, with large boulders at the bottom, made

her nervous. Moving as far from the edge as possible, she focused her attention on the way ahead. “Good job Medoc's a long way back,” she muttered.

Without warning, the sun exploded in their faces. AP lost his footing and disappeared over the top.

Kate screamed, convinced her brother had fallen to his death. Heart racing, she peered over the edge, expecting to see him lying at the bottom. Instead, she saw him sprawled against the hillside just beneath the precipice, clinging to a clump of grass.

Kate had the presence of mind to throw herself flat on the ground. Then, legs splayed for stability, she grabbed both of AP's arms. Her fingers dug into his flesh like fishhooks, anchoring his arms to the spot. Feet scrabbling, hands grappling, AP clawed his way to the top. Medoc, meanwhile, was still out of sight.

“I thought that was it,” stammered AP. “And it would have been if not for you.”

“No big deal,” she said, smiling, her heart still pounding, “that's what big sisters are for.”

When AP went to see where he'd slipped, he found that part of the footpath was broken away. Looking more closely he saw marks on the chalk, as if someone had been digging with a pick. Then Medoc came hurrying around the bend, asking what had happened.

“How terrible,” he gasped when they told him. “You could have been killed!”

“I bet he sabotaged the footpath, during his disappearing act from the fortress after the battle,” said Kate when they were underway again.

“That's a bit far-fetched.”

“Okay—why else would he make you take the lead just before we came to the dangerous part? And why did he keep looking up at the sky? Is it just coincidence that the sun happened to blind us as we reached the break in the path?”

AP admitted she had a good point.

The rest of the day was uneventful and they reached the forest late in the afternoon. Kate took a fix on their position by checking the direction of the sun and noting landmarks.

Delighted with their progress, Medoc suggested they continue for another two hours, “Then I'll cook us a splendid supper.”

“Look at the size of those trees,” murmured Kate. “Even if we joined hands we'd still be unable to hug one of them.”

“They're beeches,” said AP. “See how they spread out at the top.” Both peered up at the dense forest canopy, high above their heads. “No wonder it's so dark.”

“Quiet too,” added Kate. Aside from the rustle of dead leaves underfoot, everything was as silent as the grave. Not even birds sang.

“See over here young Arthur,” called Medoc, crouching beside a knee-high clump of vegetation. “This is Enchanter's nightshade. I use it to treat wounds, so we must collect some.” [5]

AP, kneeling beside the sorcerer, examined the large-leafed plant with its small white flowers.

Kate watched uneasily. She couldn't say why, but there was something ominous about Fordon Forest.

Medoc called a halt before sundown and they began setting up camp. Their tents were simply rectangles of goat hide sewn together. Without backs or fronts, all they provided was a roof over their heads. AP built a fire while Medoc, under Kate's watchful eye, prepared a leg of pork for roasting. This seemed too much meat for three people, but Medoc explained they would finish the leftovers the following day.

“Your vegetarian phase didn't last long,” AP commented to Kate as they feasted in the firelight.

“After what we've been through,” she said between mouthfuls, “I'm ready for anything.”

After supper, Medoc announced he would make them something special. “It's been a hard day,” he declared, wiping greasy hands down his front. “And you've both had such a terrible ordeal.”

“Thanks to you,” thought Kate.

“I've got the very thing to help,” he continued, “one of my elixirs.”

“Poison for sure,” whispered Kate when he left to prepare the potion.

Medoc returned with three goblets. After handing over theirs, he took a long draft from his own. “A little bitter,” he said, pursing his lips, “but it'll do us the power of good.” Then, gesturing with his free hand, he encouraged them to drink up.

Each took a swig, making loud swallowing sounds, but no liquid passed their lips. Lowering their goblets, they commented on the unusual taste.

“It's a mixture of rosehip, camomile and burdock, with a pinch of yarrow.”

“And a generous slug of rat poison,” Kate said to herself.

Medoc, closing his eyes in ecstasy, drained his goblet. Seizing the opportunity, AP and Kate tipped their drinks away.

Kate noticed how Medoc's eyes kept flitting between her and AP like a snake's. “He's watching for the potion to take effect,” she thought. “Let's give him something to think about.”

“I feel so tired,” she yawned, rubbing her eyes.

“Me too,” agreed AP, taking the hint. “I'm almost asleep.”

Excusing th
emselves, they staggered from the fire and collapsed onto the fern mattress inside their tent.

“I can't see him,” said Kate, staring toward the glow of the fire. “Can you?”

“No,” said AP, focusing on the other tent.

“So where's he gone and what's he up to?”

“Maybe he's getting ready for bed,” AP replied hopefully.

Soon they were fighting real tiredness.

“Stay awake!” Kate whispered into the dark, but AP had already drifted off.

Alone in the dark, Kate was determined to fight sleep. She failed.

AP awoke with a start. Something large was moving through the forest. “Wake up!” he hissed into Kate's ear.

Peering cautiously through the front of the tent, AP was surprised at how light it was. Then he realized the moon had risen. The rustling of leaves was growing louder, but all he saw was the silhouettes of trees.

Kate, now crouching beside him, could see nothing either. “Maybe it's Medo—”

They both froze. Lumbering toward them was an enormous bear.

“What shall we do?” squealed Kate.

“Out the back,” whispered AP. “But move slowly and quietly.”

The bear, now dangerously close, kept stopping to sniff the air. Kate was convinced it had picked up their scent and would charge any second. Regardless, she kept backing out. Then they were clear of the tent.

The temptation to run was irresistible, though both knew this could trigger an attack. So they crept away, disappearing behind the nearest tree.

AP peeked around the trunk.

“What's it doing now?” whispered Kate.

“Going into the tent.”

Grunting and snorting like a pig, the bear poked its nose into the fern mattress. Mom
ents later AP saw it had something in its mouth: the remains of their pork roast. Medoc must have tucked it under their mattress while they were asleep.

After eating the meat and crunching the bone, the bear rooted around for more. Finding nothing, it lost interest and ambled away.

“Let's get back to the fort and tell Arthur everything,” said AP. “He should know the truth about Medoc.”

“You think Arthur will take your word against Medoc's? He's known him all his life and you've been here only a month!”

Still believing he might persuade Arthur, AP asked Kate if she could find the way—to get a head start on Medoc.

“We've been traveling east since noon, so we just have to head west. Simple enough in daylight, but at night…”

“Look,” said AP pointing to the sky. “That's Polaris, the North Star. We can use that as our compass.” [6]

Kate stared at the small star intently. “Okay,” she said after a long pause, “we can try.”

“I'll grab our stuff,” he said, heading for their tent.

Minutes later, they were underway.

The eerie shadows cast by the moon added to their fear of meeting another bear. But as they continued walking they began to relax. AP even cracked a few jokes.

“My feet hurt,” complained Kate after a couple of hours. “Let's take a rest.”

Slumping to the forest floor, they leaned their backs against a tree. Neither of them noticed the black shape flitting between the trees.

“It's like when we first arrived in medieval times,” said AP, staring up at the heavens, “a full moon and we're in a forest. We've been here exactly one month.”

“Maybe the abacus will work.” She slipped her arm through his. “Let's give it a try.”

“Ready?” asked AP, his face glowing in the light from the map.

Instead of replying, Kate let out a piercing scream. “There's Medoc!”

A dark shape, wearing a hooded cloak, slipped into view. “You have something that belongs to me,” he said ominously. He started moving toward them, hand outstretched.

“That's not Medoc!” shouted AP, staring at the tall thin stranger. Then AP pressed the button and the forest lit up in a blaze of blue light.

The next instant they were sitting on the floor in the antique shop. “High Water” was still blaring from the radio. They'd been gone for precisely one second.