Behind the Sorcerer's Cloak (14 page)

He didn't notice a strange dark shadow following him.

The Shade sent out a cry to other shades. “Humans sspeak of magic. I will sstay sstay, and lissten lissten.”

It shadowed Mr. Cubbon, puddling beneath his feet as he climbed into the driver's seat of the van.

Mr. Cubbon shivered and pulled down the sleeves of his sweater as the temperature around him plummeted.

CHAPTER SIX

________________________________
M
AGICAL
S
ECRETS

It was a short drive to the Castleview Inn, one of the old buildings Owen had spotted on the other side of the harbor.

Built from stone like the castle, but whitewashed and brightly painted with red trim, the inn rambled unevenly alongside the estuary of the river Nebb.

Despite the foggy gloom, flower baskets on either side of the door made for a cheery mood.

Holly entered the room she was sharing with Chantel, dumped her backpack on the bed and ran to the windows. She gave a sigh of relief. She could just see the castle across the estuary. The walls floated fairy-like through the mist. She pushed open the window and listened. The magical singing had ceased.

“Brrr,” said Chantel pointedly and pulled on a sweater.

Holly shut the window. “Chantel,” she said, “this place oozes magic. I think we should try to use it.”

Chantel stopped unpacking. She stared at Holly. “How?”

“Well, we all mindspeak with the Wise Ones, but have you ever tried to mindspeak with one of us when we are not doing magic?” Holly asked.

Chantel shook her head. Her eyes widened. “No. I never thought of it.”

“Me neither,” said Holly. “But I've been thinking—what if we can? We're Magic Children in the most magical place on earth. We are challenging the Dark Being, and it would be really useful to mindspeak or mind read among ourselves.”

Chantel nodded and sat crosslegged on the bed. “Okay, let's try.”

Holly perched on the radiator. “I'll think about an object, and you tell me what it is.” She closed her eyes.

Chantel closed hers and concentrated, frowning with the effort.

“Err…a ball…a bead. Are you thinking about the black bead?” she asked, bouncing in her excitement.

Holly grinned and nodded. “Your turn.”

Both girls closed their eyes.

Holly was quicker. “You're thinking about the cat,” she said.

Chantel's eyes shone. “Wow! Let's try mindspeak.”

They both took deep breaths and closed their eyes.

Are you there, Chantel?

I'm here.

What's black and white and read all over?

Chantel giggled.
That's an old one. A newspaper.
She opened her eyes. “Brilliant, Holly. Let's see if we can do it with Owen.”

“And Adam,” said Holly quietly.

Chantel gasped.

“But don't get your hopes up. We need to check it out. Maybe we can only do it when we're both concentrating.” Holly laughed. “And we should find out how to block it. I don't want you knowing my innermost secrets.”

Chantel shot her a wicked look. “Me neither.”

“We'll check with Myrddin before trying to reach Adam. I don't fancy talking to the Dark Being!” Holly slid off the radiator. “But I need to sort out Mr. Smythe first.”

Chantel frowned.

“I don't care what he thinks, he can't stop us talking to Myrddin, and I can't mess around going to Barrule. It's daft.” She rummaged in her backpack, found her fanny pack, checked for money and clipped the pack around her waist. “I'm going to the castle. Coming, Chantel?”

Without waiting for an answer Holly strode out to tackle Mr. Smythe.

Chantel stayed on the bed, staring at the door. “Please don't fight with Mr. Smythe, Holly,” she murmured. “I hate it when people fight.”

Mr. Smythe and Myrddin stood beside the table, looking down at a map of the Isle of Man. They were arguing.

“There is the mountain Barrule.” Myrddin tapped his finger on the map. “It's Manannan's home and where we'll find Equus and Ava. Of course I'll use magic.”

“No magic. It's unnecessary,” insisted Mr. Smythe. “I'll hire a car and drive you.”

Holly marched up to them.

Mr. Smythe looked up. “Ah, Holly, you're ready.”

Holly shook her head.

“Not me. Sorry Mr. Smythe, I'm going to the castle,” she said firmly. “And I need to talk to Myrddin first.”

Mr. Smythe's face froze.

Holly tried to soften her tone. “I know you're trying to protect us, but it's impossible.”

“That's what I said,” snorted Myrddin.

“I did magic while you were on the phone this morning, Mr. Smythe,” continued Holly. “Now I need to talk to Myrddin about it, because if I don't ask his advice I might do something dangerous. We all need to talk. We mustn't keep any more secrets from each other.”

She turned to Myrddin while Mr. Smythe struggled for words.

“I had a vision, Myrddin,” said Holly urgently. “I saw someone being buried, and her grave is calling to me. It's in the castle. I need to find it.”

Myrddin was transfixed. “You witnessed a burial on Pheric's Isle?”

Holly nodded. “Yes, a woman called Breesha.” She pulled the black bead out of her pocket. “This belongs to her.”

Myrddin paled. He put his hands behind his back and retreated. “You're right, Holly. We should have discussed this earlier…If that is what I think it is…” Myrddin seemed lost for words. “Put it away. Handle it as little as possible.” He waited until Holly had tucked the bead back in her pocket. “How is it in your possession?”

“Breesha had a necklace…it was fabulous…with all different beads, turquoise, and amber…”

“And jet,” said Myrddin. His voice was strained.

“Yes. This jet bead was on it. The necklace was broken by accident at the burial, and the beads scattered…”

Myrddin grew even paler and sat down with a bump at the table. “This explains everything. Go on, child. What happened to the beads?”

“The women gathered them up and replaced them, propping them back around Breesha's neck. They tried to put them in the right order, but this one had rolled and they missed it. I found it after the burial was complete and everyone had left.”

“One little bead. That was all it took. One little bead of immense importance. It is the Dark Being's bead. This is how she has grown so powerful. She is no longer influenced by the necklace. And the broken string no longer binds the magic of the worlds together.” Myrddin's head sank into his hands. His muffled voice was full of sadness.

“Was…was Breesha the Lady?” asked Holly fearfully.

“That was a name given to her when she last visited Gaia clothed in an earthly body,” said Myrddin heavily. “Just as I have taken a human form and go by the name Mervin Green in my current life on Gaia.”

“Bu…but, then is the Lady…really dead?” whispered Holly.

Myrddin roused himself. “No…no, she isn't dead,” he said. “Her earthly body died, but instead of becoming a Wise One again, she chose to become the Sleeper, ready to wake when needed. But she didn't know her necklace would break. She cannot wake while the necklace is broken and incomplete.”

Holly stared at him in horror, her hand clamped over her pocket. “We must fix it! Can you do it?”

Myrddin shook his head. He was still slumped at the table. “Everything is in jeopardy because that tiny bead was lost…,” he whispered. A long moment passed before he straightened, his jaw set. “Holly, once again Earth Magic is seeking you out. You are right. You
must
go to the castle and follow your instincts. Keep the bead safe, my child. Repair the necklace.”

“How?” cried Holly. “It was buried with Breesha.”

“Trust in Earth Magic. One bead has already come your way.” Myrddin turned to Mr. Smythe.

“Let her go, Smythe. Earth Magic has chosen. Without the Lady's necklace the entire universe is lost.”

Mr. Smythe fidgeted. He ignored Myrddin. “It's dangerous,” he said to Holly. “I'll accompany you.”

Myrddin's eyes flashed.

Holly drew herself up. “Mr. Smythe, I'm not a kid. I'm nearly twelve years old. I do lots of things on my own, and right now I have to go to that castle. Even if you were with me, you couldn't do anything. You're not a Magic Child, and you can't stop the magic! And I'm sorry, because this sounds rude…but you might get in the way.”

“That's what I've told him,” said Myrddin.

Mr. Smythe's voice was desperate. “I must look after you. I have to answer to your parents. I'm responsible for you.”

His words hung in the air. Both Myrddin and Holly knew the unspoken words were, “You must not disappear like Adam.”

Holly's back softened. Her anger left her. “It's not your fault. You can't stop the magic,” she repeated softly. “No one can stop it now.”

“She's right,” said Myrddin.

Mr. Smythe glared.

Holly smiled patiently, suddenly seeming older and wiser than her years. “Mr. Smythe, please understand. We're not disobeying you. We're compelled to follow the magic. Ask Myrddin. He'll tell you.”

“I've told him, a dozen times,” muttered Myrddin.

Holly touched Mr. Smythe's arm. “I think there's a reason why you're with us, Mr. Smythe. I think Earth Magic has a job for you. You helped us find the Red Mare in the first adventure, and you taught us about the Spiral Labyrinth at Glastonbury in the last adventure. I think we'll need your skills again.”

Mr. Smythe gave a small smile. His eyes were tired. “Thank you, Holly. You know I'll help with anything I can.” He ran his hands through his hair.

“Then help us now by accepting Myrddin's magic. You've been afraid to let us alone with him. But we need him, his magic and his advice,” Holly said urgently.

There was a long silence.

“Myrddin, will Holly be safe in the castle on her own?” said Mr. Smythe.

Myrddin's eyebrows shot together. “She'll be safe going to the castle. She'll be safe looking around. But you're asking me if she will be safe from magic…Of course not. None of them will. They're Magic Children,” he roared.

Holly chuckled.

Mr. Smythe gave in. “Holly, I apologize. I can't stop the magic, and of course you need Myrddin's advice.”

Holly and Myrddin exchanged smiles.

“Thank you, Mr. Smythe,” said Holly.

Mr. Smythe stretched wearily and looked around. “Where are Chantel and Owen?”

“Chantel's in the bedroom, and Owen's in the cellar,” said Holly. “While you were registering, the landlord and Mr. Cubbon told him about smugglers' passages that run under Peel. There's supposed to be one hidden in the Castleview Inn's cellar. Owen's trying to find it.”

Mr. Smythe threw up his hands. “I give up. There's always something. I'll go and find him while you talk with Myrddin.”