Chapter 8

“No secret, Professor Shade Quist is your favorite teacher isn’t he?” Caulin demanded. Ariadne thought for a while and said;

“Not particularly, he is just a great friend of mine. He gives me help when I need it.”

“He really helps you, what kind of help, tell me?” Caulin asked, quick-wittedly.

“Well in the field of algebra, he does a great job. And with Chemistry, he is excellent.”

“Well then, what of things outside academic activities. Does he render help too?”

Terribly, he tells me a lot about his life from which I pick morally upright traits. I never lack his advice.” It seemed like Caulin was not satisfied.

“I get it. I strongly believe as good friends, you ought to have a favorable volume of commonalities. Do you agree with me?”

He asked. Casting a quick glance at Jesi who was busy taking notices of her facial expressions. He heaved an assuring smile. Jesi nodded twice…concertedly.

“We have a lot of things in common greater than you can even begin to imagine.”

“Telling me a couple of them won’t do any bad don’t you think so?”

“Aha.”

Caulin nodded approvingly; he was expecting something weird and had to prepare himself for the news. Jesi looked like cowardice had absconded with his mother wits.  An expression played on his face that obviously spelt shock or something.

“I’m listening, will you?” Ariadne smiled concurrently and changed her posture.

“We both love to unearth horrid secrets and…”

She said; Caulin, son of the man who lived, did not look the least shocked at what she was trying to say. Jesi wondered why Caulin acted so and felt it could be because he has magic and does not find that enthusing enough. Conjecture!

“What! Secrets,”

Jesi gave away. Ariadne’s phone rang. She excused herself and answered the call as briefly as she could.

“Dude, what was that? Tell me, you don’t have to look so shocked otherwise she will be suspicious already. Can’t you be unrealistic for even a second?” Caulin scorned.

Jesi sighed understandably. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be so rude,” Ariadne apologized and almost immediately, went ahead as Caulin looked her straight in the eyes, gripped with curiosity.

“As I said, we love to put out long hidden secrets and sporadically, we love to make potions for several purposes,” she detailedly expatiated.

“Alright, Potions, I see that.” “You mean to say Professor Quist has magic right?” Jesi chimed in.

“Yes, he has. Why?”

“And he is a wizard too?” Jesi pushed. “Obviously, I just admitted he has magic.”

She said flatly.

            Caulin licked his lips tightly and reclined in his seat as if he had gotten the answer to the mystery talks of Professor Shade Quist. He even wondered why Ariadne was been so outspoken on the issue well, his chance was up. Why would she even know? Why would Quist tell her he is a wizard knowing the risks discovery could birth in Zaccrota?

“Alright Adne…I can call you that, right?”

“Not a chance, Caulin, only my mom can,” affably, she said.

“Fine, Adne, we came for a particular purpose. I scarcely have any idea how stupid it will sound to you but it will be a great pleasure to us if you give it all a bit of thought.”

He started. Jesi relapsed and became alert.

“Pease talk fast, my curiosity is on heat. I can’t wait to hear from you. I’m still asking myself the real reason you two puppies came here,” She joked.

“What? Your father called us puppies too…” Jesi said.

“It’s what we both call boys like you.” All three laughed with Caulin laughing the tiniest and then hit the point with very little holding back.

“We need your help to uncover a huge secret of some sort,” he spoke, “You personally enjoy doing that so I presume it will sync well with you. Anyway, Jesi and I made critical observations lately and trust me, we believe there is something sinister going on in Gramway School. Contingent on a blissful precision, it’s all about Professor Quist and certain things he does.”

Pausing, he inhaled deeply.

“It is therefore imperative that you partner with us so we could find things out for ourselves. Will you?”

“Golly, you haven’t told me the deal yet, my answer will certainly not be definite until you let me know all I need to know,” She replied cleverly.

“Sure then, Have you ever learnt of Drakeizar?” Caulin dropped it and blinked at Jesi.  Ariadne kept silent for a while, definitely, she least expected to get that name from these boys.

“Drakeizar, The Escapee Magrid, where did you learn that name from?” Ariadne requested, shocked. A wave of confidence washed over the boys due to the fact that it was evident she knew something about The Escapee Magrid.

“Firstly, do you know who he is?”

“The wizard that broke away from Magridinol,” Ariadne Answered tactfully.

“Exactly,” Caulin sighed warmly. Promising.

***

Mrs. Hudith Borden, the mom of Jesi paced toward her bedroom in extreme disillusion apparently because of the horrible thing she saw of Jesi that morning.  She had never dreamt that her only son would be a wizard as of that time in his life. As she sat on her bed she circumspectly wondered how she would tell his dad, Jade McHale Borden.

            McHale Borden’s mind was occupied, but he heard the tooting of the vehicle somewhere on his right side and quickly looked through the driving mirror. It was either there was a vehicle coming or at the blind spot for he could see nothing.

            Suddenly, however, a Ford with hardly a number plate in view came trying to wedge between him and a van a little ahead of him.

            He quickly caused a depression in his breaks and managed to avert running into the Ford. But whew! That was close. Mr. McHale hated that sort of recklessness. He wanted to release his harshest of words onto the driver of the Ford but reclined upon noticing, to his chagrin, that it was a lady driver. He had a distinct affinity for women and respected them for something personal to him.

“So sorry, gentleman,” the lady said courteously.

Eventually he allowed the lady to get into his lane with hardly any hindrance. He was sure in a hurry but he had too much on his mind to give in to the rude cutting of the queer woman.

            At the agency where he worked, The Blarders, to be precise had had numerous reports of involvement in witchcraft and wizardry. This was a government institution established with some special composition to eliminate magic in the country. Little did he know what awaited him at home?

            Mr. McHale pulled in front of his house and scooted inside already before Carthia, his daughter could utter a shade of welcome.

“It has been all messy today, can you believe I caught a wizard right in my office. It has never happened before and I wonder how he managed to,” he said to Mrs. Borden, removing his coat.

“What did you do?”

“What can I do? I killed him of course and later reported to the agency. I love you Hudith,” he said, regretting his little girl had heard him mention the killing.

“Oh not again; you are so fond of changing topics so quickly,” Hudith ranted. “Where is Jesi? I have news for him. Good news.”

McHale said. “Dad, you said nothing to me as you walked in.” That was Carthia.

“I love you sweetheart,” McHale laughed.

***

Caulin stared at Ariadne closely searching for clues of trust and discretion. For a few minutes none of the three said a word.

“I’m getting nervous and impatient guys; tell me what’s going on,” Adne said awkwardly, feeling her hair.

“I’m impressed you know of Drakeizar. Undoubtedly it was our sole suspicion about Professor Shade’s possible affiliation with him that drove us here. We need to find out how true that is. That’s basically all.”

“If you would render some help since you are almost always at Professor Shade’s apron string, we would love you for the rest of our lives!” Jesi interjected, buttressing Caulin’s words. He felt at ease and smiled gently.

“Is that all?” She asked, uncertainly.

            She stood up and strolled to the window thoughtfully. Pulling the curtain to the left, she rolled the window opened and glared at the street.

“Do you really think he has got a hand with The Escapee Magrid?”

“We are certain about that…but still have questions and it’s why we need ya,” Jesi said answered.

“There had been a time I felt likewise but just that I had my reservations. I shall not punk out now. Why not? Let’s find out as one.” She said, concurrently. Jesi smiled.

“And what if our suspicion turns out to be true? What will happen next?” Caulin demanded, exhilarated. Without thinking, “We will just kill him,” Jesi spat.

“Are you nuts? You don’t get to make precipitate decisions. It irks me a lot,” Adne said and looked away.

“Sorry, pretty one. I’m awfully sorry.” “Not again, don’t start,” She warned.

“Shall we solemnly swear an oath of secrecy? No one has to know about this, otherwise we suffer unnecessary interferences.”

Jesi proposed.

“I agree.”

“I too agree.”

            Jesi pulled out his penknife and pricked his finger without warning. A gracious amount of blood oozed. Ariadne frowned. By the time she realized, Caulin had pricked his too.

“I can’t do that?”

“It’s better, young beautiful,” Caulin counseled, “Come, I will help you, I promise it won’t be painful.”

Ariadne walked to Caulin, her right hand rubbing against her tender hip.

“Your hand,” she withdrew.

“Hey, don’t be a scared cat. It takes a lot of courage to sail through our seemingly adventurous feat. Understand?” Caulin pricked it quickly and pressed it hard.

“Not painful, right?” She smiled. They had a covenant. It was quite funny feeling blood in the mouth but the best they could think of was what they just did.

“Do you find it appropriate if we called ourselves the Gore Trio? It will be a slang known to us only and it will even strengthen our cult in one way or the other,” Jesi suggested.

“A cult…” Adne breathed.

“Not what you think; a cult is just another name for a group or something,” Jesi said in glee.

“Okay, we’ve got to leave now. Right, Jesi?” Caulin said. They stood up and moved to the door. Adne jumped onto her bed and got her legs and arms splayed.

“I’m honestly going to miss you two. You’ve been such a great company,” Ariadne confessed.

            When both boys had gotten passed Ariadne’s father with more thanks and blah, they moved out and headed for the train station.

“I’m elated we got her.”

“Yes dude, it wasn’t difficult was it?” Not slightly.

“Wait, that means she is personally going to investigate him.”

“Most definitely, it looks like it,” Caulin said. “Why don’t we meet tomorrow then? Maybe the riverside will be great.” “I will see you tomorrow in your house. I will come over.” Caulin said and parted after giving a reason he wouldn’t board the train with him. Finding a solitary place far away from the train station and Adne’s home, Caulin rushed up hilly scape in his bid to get home on time before he lands at the wrong side of Paige Granger. He hoicked his cap off and run his hand through his think black hair.

“Blow,”

He said, casting around hysterically. Realizing no one in observable view, he transformed into and owl and flew home. Fortuitously he had left the window open that morning. He screwed the window with his presence and fell directly on his bed.

“How jolly it is to use magic…”

He mused drily.

Paige Granger was in the kitchen then and she came rushing towards Caulin’s room, having heard and sensed the sounds of his presence. Caulin turned when his door flung open, thanks to Paige Granger.

“You did miss your class,” she stated. “Sorry mom, but I told you I wouldn’t be able to meet Professor Gael.”

“No, you didn’t.”

“Yes, I did.”

“You mean to tell me that I am crazy and I forget things so easily, son? Do you think I am really gullible?”

“Oh dear mother, you get yourself worried sick over nothing. Anyway, I thought I did tell you I will be missing the class of Professor Gael today. Worry no further, I am fine.”

Caulin said, obviously trying to assuage her hurt.

“But I always warn you against it, don’t I do that?”

“Yes, mother. But… Look at me; does it look like I am in danger?”

Caulin said knowing very well she will be talking about his protection from normal humans...

“Tell me then, what have you been doing all this time that you found it imperative to miss your classes.”

“Having a quality company with my friends,” “Your friends? The kind I like?”

“Mom, you really need to stop being very selective when it comes to choosing friends. I don’t want you to interfere in my friendships again. The first time you did, you destroyed what Aldo and I had. He has turned against me consequently and he no longer exists; I’m not going to take that from you any longer,” Caulin said objectively.

“Son, the best is what I want for you definitely.”

“Don’t start philosophizing now, please, I had a great day. You won’t annul my bliss.”

“Fine, but promise missing your classes will never manifest again.”

“That, what was the lesson he had today.”

“He taught the others how to effect invisibility without the use of spells.”

“It’s a pity I missed. I shall see how I will recover. Mom, can I go out with Borden tomorrow?”

“Who is that?”

“Jesi,”

“Why not… But you haven’t made the promise yet.”

Paige said, sternly.

“I love you mom, I will never miss my lessons with Professor Gael. I will take my launch along with me tomorrow so that I wouldn’t have to miss it too.”

“I love you too, silly!” Paige said, diffidently.

She exited the bedroom afterwards to the kitchen where she made some good meals. Caulin felt like phoning Jesi to bring along a packed launch as well. He dialed the Borden number but no one would answer. He saw a spider speed away from his shoes but missed it when it maturely invaded the space beneath the bed.

            Caulin was thrilled when he checked for the ant but could not find it. He felt creepy having insects around him.

After dinner that same night, Caulin made his way to his mom’s bedroom feeling doleful and stupid. He walked fast as if to avoid people seeing him when there were only the servants and some guards outside. Flanging the door open he sat on the bed and gazed at Paige who looked back at him like she has never seen him before.

“Mom, we need to talk. I have been thinking critically for years now and asking myself numerous questions all over again. It’s about time I found answers and you will do that job,” Caulin said.

“Hey Caulin dear, did you take some alcohol? You sound weird tonight.” That was Paige, of course.

“Right now I need you to be real and genuine with me. I feel like I’ve been fooled all my life but not anymore, mom, the truth must be told tonight,” Caulin said, getting unusually emotional.

“What’re you talking about son, you are getting me anxious.”

“Definitely, mom, you ought to feel anxious. I have not been feeling anxious but strange and bashful all my life. I’ve hardly met anyone without a surname. What is my surname because I know I am not a Granger? That is your father’s name.”

“Boy, I thought we talked about this earlier six years ago?”

“Six years ago when I was six years old? Come on mom, not again. It’s a simple question that needs a simple answer to satisfy it. Who is my dad? I am supposed to be bearing his name and you know that perfectly well. Where is he? Is he dead or what? Who or what killed him…tell me, mom, you’ve kept the truth from me all these years but not anymore,” Caulin said desperately.

“Listen, there are a lot of stuff you need to know but for the best you have to be kept in the dark. You will be in danger if I tell you now. I don’t want to lose you.”

Paige said and dropped a few tears. Caulin rather thought she was feigning it but realized her tears were a bit realistic. You could almost never trust a witch…her…she could just have produces those tears with magic and not with true emotions, Caulin suspected but shut the hell up about it.

“I do comprehend what you wish to communicate but you ought to realize that spending too much time in the skin of darkness is dangerous. It will be in your best of wishes to stop crying; you know I hate to see mothers in pain. You said I needed to know quite a lot of things. Start, I’m listening and I am ready to be in whatsoever danger just to know the truth that has lurked behind my back all these years,” Caulin said.

“You still don’t get it Caulin dear; I had to bet on my life not to tell you this. It will be at your own peril.”

“Is it such a big secret that you can’t tell me what my surname is? My best friend thinks I’m not trustworthy because I failed to tell him what my surname was on countless occasions. Mom, tell me the truth and I will personally protect you from anyone who would want to terminate your life for that secret break,” Caulin said. 

“Why are you so much perturbed about the things your friends think about you. A lion does not in any way concern himself with the opinions of a sheep. You still think like a child,”

“I’m a child, mom”

“You should leave, son, I have to go to bed now.” Caulin heaved exasperatedly.

“Wow, that’s excellent and impressive. I should get out of your room. Mom, you tell me to go away when I need you most; you are completely oblivious to the stress and humiliation I have to go through in school and in town because I seem to have no identity. You are not the one that is almost always called Caulin Ghost simply due to your stupid secret. Mom…”

“I’m sorry. Your father is dead and gone,”

She said. Caulin glanced at her with eyes full of anger and detestation. He scarcely wanted to believe that. Standing to his feet, he groped to his moms mirror and took a quick look at his reflection.

“Mom, another lie isn’t it? Anyway who killed him and why? Was it deliberate, anyway?” Caulin demanded hastily.

“He was killed by the deathly wizard, Drakeizar. Satisfied?”  Caulin drowned in a great disillusionment.

***

                                         

            Mr. McHale got pissed off immediately Jesi entered the living room.

“Your mom told me…”

“Father, I can explain, I’m terribly sorry about that.”

Jesi said cuttingly when it seemed apparent to him that his mom had already reported his treachery to his father.

“What, what is it that you want to explain? At least you should have told your mom you will miss your launch. You never thought she had the right to get perturbed?”

Mr. McHale said and left for his study. Jesi sailed his sight to his mom who uttered not even a single word about his earlier doings.

“Mom, we need to talk.”

Jesi said.

“I’m busy with your dad.”

“No, right away mom, please.”

He spoke dolefully.

“How could you betray my trust this way dear? I trusted you.”

“Mom, you simply will not be able to understand. I’ll tell you bit by bit so you don’t get confused.”

“But there is no explanation for this, boy, I get it clearly that you are a wizard.”

“My word; you don’t get it mom!”

“Get what, Jesi?”

Mr. McHale interrupted. Jesi meticulously affected a weird smile and signaled his mom to do same.”

“We were talking about Uncle Lidenbrock. You said he will spend the holidays with us right?”

Jesi said pretentiously.

“That wasn’t what you were talking about, my boy; I am not five years old.”

He analyzed.

“Well forget about that for now.”

Jesi breathed out deeply.

“I’ve got good news. I have been elevated in my agency. That means I hold custody of the goblet of the gnome blood.”

“It is great isn’t it? Yes it is, definitely. With that I can give the wizards of zaccrota a pretty hard time.”

Jesi fed a gaze at his mom. She ignored him.

“You seem to love your job mighty well, dad,”

Jesi remarked.

“Aha, it puts food on the table and I am able to ensure that you live life the very best. You guys are used to a certain high class living. If I don’t work to maintain it I shall be killed by your mom. She cannot stand you in pain, you know?”

He said with determination.

“You don’t love your job then? Why don’t you quit and find a better one?”

Jesi said. His mom cast him a sideways glance that made him cower a bit.

“You are right about that. All the same I like it. In effect I will be bringing sanctity back into my beloved Zaccrota by eliminating the possessors of magic. I will just kill them one time.”

He said elatedly.

“But dad, don’t you think you are working against yourselves? Your agency has some magic as well used to fight against other magic possessors. What makes the difference? I don’t get it.”

“My brother is right after all. How bad is wizardry when you do not go about destroying lives of Lermils who are oblivious of the things going on?”

Carthia said.  

“You have no idea what is going on. It’s because you not a witch. There is a wizarding world in Zaccrota called Deruthe. Millions of witches and wizards function in that evil world and they are the ones my agency is urgently after.”

“What strange news this is! Is there some kind of leadership over there or what?”

Carthia asked softly.

“Yes, what do think? There is a goddess called Vol Hox; she rules the whole of Deruthe and she kills wizards that are unfaithful. But there is another deathly wizard whose name cannot be mentioned. He managed to break away from the Wizarding prison, Magridinol and is now living among the living ones.”

“How then do they call him dad?”

Carthia asked. She was so curious that she could not stop making great demands of her dad.

“It’s simple; they call him The Escapee Magrid or Drakeizar. A few others call him ‘The Worlg runner’, because he hit the chamber of Worlg and run with things not his own. But my agency calls him ‘The Horge’, the same name given centuries ago to a Pilaorian whore who killed 18 witches of her kind for their special glands, trying to create a fantastic creature after her image. The Government drag hunted her with hellhounds, caught her and sentenced her to die.”

Mr. McHale elaborated.

“Is ‘the Worlg runner’ extremely powerful that goddess Vol Hox cannot kill him? Why is he still alive when he is deathly and evil?”

Carthia stated. Jesi swallowed coldly, he was aware of all that unknown to his strict dad. He prayed his mom would not give him away.

“Well Carthia, it’s a mystery my agency is trying to fathom and puzzle out. For now we know that Drakeizar, the Horge, is immortal because he accessed a horrid chamber, the chamber of Worlg where he became immortal. It will take great time and energy to be able to kill him. It looks impossible though…”

Mr. McHale offered.

“Father, I have an idea. You can also visit the chamber of…what’s it called?”

“Worlg,”

Jesi helped.

“Yes, so that you become immortal as well. By that you can face him and lick him to death. I would want to enter that chamber too. It won’t be bad to be immortal?”

“You are kidding! Don’t let your stupid curiosity take your life away from you.”

Mrs. Borden retorted gloomily.

“Oh mom, don’t start.”

“Jesi, your food will freeze if you don’t eat it down now,”

She admonished.

Jesi left for the kitchen.

“The truth is that we only know about that secret chamber theoretically. It hasn’t been proven solidly if there is truly a place like that.”

Mr. Jade continued.

“I am sure it will be horrid and very perilous.”

“Definitely, my dear princess Carthia, very dangerous; you will go to school tomorrow, you really need to rest. Besides, my day was strenuous big…I need my rest too.

“There is no school tomorrow. We can talk throughout the night. How does ‘the Worlg runner’ look like; ugly, cute, handsome or very beastly?”

“Oh girl, I have work to do in my study, I can scarcely afford the luxury of a restful night with a talk. Go to bed now, we shall talk tomorrow.”

“Good night then,”

She said, kissed him on the cheek and scorched to her room where she wrote certain things down in her journal.

Mr. McHale sneezed.