The Wand & the Sea Read online

  “But how else are we going to get onto this Sorcerer guy’s boat?” Ben asked. He had been quiet since Holly had disappeared, and his voice sounded small. “He kicked our butts before. We can’t just meet him in open battle.”

  Everett eyed the muskets, which were stacked in a corner. “If we could just get a good shot at him—”

  “No,” several voices chorused at once.

  “The firewands are even less reliable than His Highness’s stolen magic,” Jade said. The fur along his spine bristled, and it took him a moment to smooth it down. “They were designed to use against mortals, not magicfolk.”

  “We must use stealth,” said Ranulf. “If we stay submerged until just the right moment, Raethius will not know of our presence. Then may we storm the bridge.”

  “His control of the Elements is formidable,” Almaric said. He twisted the hem of his long tunic. “I have not seen the like since the days of the Adepts themselves.”

  “Perhaps there is another spell the wand could be used for,” Avery said. “If the Lord Magician would aid me—”

  “Perhaps, Your Highness,” Almaric said wearily. “But for now I suggest we all get some rest. Let me think on it. We cannot do a thing until we are in sight of the Black Dragon in any case. That will be a few hours, according to the captain.”

  Everett lay in his hammock, swaying with the steady chugging of the ship. Morgan and the exhausted crew took shifts to augment the becalmed sea with their own water power. At least his compass could be of some use now. So far Ben hadn’t mentioned how Everett oughtn’t have kept the wand a secret; in fact, Ben was hardly speaking to him.

  And then Everett had gone and fired the muskets, which had seemed like such a good idea at the time, though only Avery had been able to do anything to help Holly. He still couldn’t quite believe it, but they had all seen it: Avery standing alone on deck, making complicated patterns in the air with the raised wand. How had he even known to do that? Ben didn’t blame him, Everett noticed; in fact, Ben had patted him on the back and said, “That was a really good try.” No one had patted Everett for coming up with the idea of using real guns.

  “You’re turning over every ten seconds,” came Ben’s voice from below, sounding flat and annoyed.

  “Sorry. I can’t sleep.”

  “Me either.”

  Everett hung his head over the upper hammock to look at Ben. “How do you reckon Avery does it? How’s he working that wand so ruddy well?”

  Ben lay on his back, looking morose. “Maybe he didn’t steal it.”

  Everett rolled back into his hammock with a huff. Avery did steal the wand, he started to say; he’d stolen it from Everett himself. But that wasn’t what Ben was talking about. That voice that had been niggling him for days, even weeks, nudged at him again. Finally he climbed out of the hammock and knelt next to Ben.

  “All right, listen. If I tell you something, can you swear not to tell Holly? Or Avery either?”

  “And when do you think I’ll be seeing Holly again?” Ben shot back.

  “Okay, fair do’s.” Everett took a deep breath and gritted his teeth. “I . . . I did nick that wand from Gallaway’s house last year.”

  Ben rolled over and faced him. “No kidding.”

  “I know what I kept saying. I’m sorry, I was younger, all right? I just couldn’t see why Gallaway straightaway gave Holly the coolest present ever. And those keys were just sitting there—”

  “You don’t have to explain it,” Ben said. “I might’ve taken one too if I’d had the chance. I mean, I doubt it. But I can see how someone could.”

  “There’s more,” Everett said. “That red scarf wrapped round the wand? I didn’t just find it. One of those Elemental fairy things gave it to me to boost the wand’s magic, but she was evil. I know that now. Maybe—I don’t know—maybe us having the red scarf is helping that Raethius git.” He hung his head miserably.

  Ben lay there, quiet, making it worse. His big eyes blinked. Finally he said, “Geez, Everett, I don’t think so. Unless Raethius found it in the castle and put the whammy on it. Unless you think Avery’s working for him—”

  “I really don’t think he is. He tried to get Holly back and all.”

  “So what if you got a magic doohickey from some wicked fairy?” Ben went on. “We’re all new here. It’s easy to make mistakes. Holly isn’t perfect either, even though she acts like she is.”

  Everett laughed. It wasn’t much of a joke, but it made him feel better. The knot in his stomach dissolved like honey. He’d finally said it. And Ben understood.

  “I feel ruddy awful about what happened to Holly. I know you think I don’t care. But I want to get her back.”

  Ben struggled out of his hammock to a sitting position. “Then maybe we should just do it instead of waiting for the grown-ups to make a move. We’re not worthless, are we?”

  Before Everett could answer, Avery appeared from around the corner. He twirled the wand in his hand. “Exactly as I say.”

  Everett picked up a lantern, and the three of them slipped out past Cook and Oggler, then through to the little room just astern of the brig. The prince shifted some barrels of pickled meats aside to give them space.

  “I am quite sure I can do this Vanishment, whatever the magician may say,” Avery began. “I recall the Adept’s words—”

  “Incantation,” Ben corrected him.

  “Aye. With the magic imbued by this lady’s favor, I believe we can transport ourselves to the blackguard’s vessel.”

  Everett thought Avery was assuming quite a bit, but he kept quiet for the moment.

  “But Almaric said you could send our elbows and kneecaps to different places,” Ben said. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

  “I thought we weren’t going to bother with Almaric and the others,” Everett said.

  “Everett speaks true. If we wait, the Adept could disappear forever. Or die.” Avery drew himself up in his cross-legged position. “ ’Tis a matter of honor.”

  “But we can’t even see the Black Dragon yet,” Ben pointed out. “Holly said that to do the Vanishment, you’ve got to at least know where you’re pointing us.”

  Avery waved away his comment. “That is the Adept’s way, perhaps. But I am able to do things with this wand that even she cannot do.”

  Ben raised his eyebrows as if he’d not seen evidence of this. Avery had done a few things right, but Holly could’ve done as well, or better. Before he could say as much, a silky voice interrupted them.

  “And what,” said Jade, stepping into the lantern light, “are three lads like yourselves planning to do at this hour of the night?”

  Chapter 46

  * * *

  The Crystal

  The air was utterly still as night fell. None of the windows were open, but it seemed the chapel and her cell got damper and more cold the longer Holly sat there. Even the motion of the ship ceased.

  Not that she cared much. The Black Dragon could go nowhere or sail away into the darkness; it wouldn’t matter. The blow of losing Áedán had left a hollow pit in her stomach that might never heal. He had protected her, guided her, and she had let him down. A sacred creature of Anglielle was dead because of her. And, she thought bitterly, he had been her last chance, her secret weapon.

  The only light came from a glint of moonlight and two torches set between the tall leaded windows. Though quite round, the moon was not yet full. Something about the moon’s phase would strengthen Raethius’s magic. But no matter what he wanted, she couldn’t guide him to the Adepts’ island any more than she could take the Sea Witch there. What would he do when he realized this?

  Her only hope was that the Sea Witch would stay hidden far from here. At least no one else would get hurt. Holly wished she could get a message to Almaric and Ranulf somehow, tell them to send the boys home. She wasn’t going to make it herself, and she was afraid they wouldn’t leave without her. If only she could talk to them, just for a moment. But she could
do nothing.

  Her ankle throbbed. It was twice its normal size, and in the dim light she could see it had turned a dark purple. Her stomach turned as she recalled the Sorcerer’s spindly neck shooting out to look her in the eye. He was almost like a changeling.

  The changeling.

  A hot blush suffused her cheeks. The time stones! She thrust her hand into the pocket of her jeans, praying the stones hadn’t been washed away during her journey to the Black Dragon. If only she still had them . . .

  She did.

  She pulled them out one at a time: the fluorite, the crystal, and the obsidian. She had no wand, but she didn’t need one. She could call on Ailith to perform a spell, to Vanish her back to the Sea Witch! Or Ailith would have another idea, surely she would.

  Holly laid out the stones in order, the fluorite on her left, the crystal in the center, the obsidian at her right hand. She cupped the fluorite lightly in her palm. “Ailith of the Adepts,” she chanted, picturing her, “come to me in this hour of need. Ailith of the Adepts, come to me in this hour of need. . . .”

  She waited for the stone to grow cold in her hand.

  Nothing happened.

  Holly winced as a sudden knife-pain shot through her ankle. Of course she couldn’t conjure Ailith. Almaric had told her: No one from the past could be brought into peril. Raethius had gone somewhere, but it was still dangerous here. Ailith could die, and then disappear from her own past.

  Holly could call Almaric himself, she thought next, or Jade or Ranulf. But what would be the point? They couldn’t fight Raethius. He would just kill them as he had Áedán. She didn’t dare call the Sea Witch, even if it was possible to call an entire ship. If they weren’t ready, she would put them all in danger.

  She rubbed the tears off her cheeks. There was nothing for it: She would need to call Ben and tell him to leave her and go home. He would be stubborn and refuse, but she would have to convince him.

  The chapel was empty. Ben would be safe for the few moments she would speak to him, and even if Raethius appeared, she could just send Ben back. She put down the fluorite and picked up the clouded crystal. She pictured Ben on board the Sea Witch. She had never called someone from the present, but how different could it be?

  “Benjamin Shepard of the brigantine Sea Witch, come to me in this hour of need. Benjamin Shepard of the brigantine Sea Witch, come to me in this hour of need. . . .”

  Holly kept her eyes closed, the tears running down her face. Please come, Ben, she thought as she chanted. Please come to say good-bye.

  Chapter 47

  * * *

  Vanishing

  “Do not attempt to waylay us,” Avery said to Jade in his most imperious voice. “ ’Tis a mission of honor we seek.”

  The cat sat down in the midst of their circle and curled his paws around Holly’s wand, which he had brought with him. “Why would I waylay you? I am Lady Holly’s familiar. I wish to accompany you.” He eyed the prince’s wand, which Avery held up as if ready to cast a spell. “You have not the mastery of that instrument.”

  “Of course I do,” Avery snapped. “Now, cat, you will verify that I have the Vanishment incantation correct.”

  “I did not say that the Vanishment was the correct way to proceed,” Jade said, “and certainly not without the Black Dragon in our sights.”

  “Nonsense! I can see it in my mind’s eye; that is all that is required.”

  “And you say this considering your vast knowledge of Adept magic?”

  “I feel funny,” Ben said. His face was screwed up in a wince, and he shifted uncomfortably. One knee was touching Everett’s.

  “I believe I raise the wand and cry the word,” said Avery, but before he could do anything, Everett grabbed hold of his wrist. “Unhand our royal person,” Avery said, sounding very much like the prince Everett had first met a year before.

  “Just wait,” said Everett. “We’ve all got to agree.”

  Jade’s tail twitched, flicking against the prince’s other side.

  “Really not good at all,” Ben said, holding his stomach with one hand.

  “Are you seasick?” Everett started to back away, but Ben grabbed him with one hand.

  “No, it’s—like a pulling. It’s—it’s—”

  For that one moment, all four of them were touching one another.

  Ben’s words were lost in a loud, baffled sound like an enormous turbine, and the planks beneath them began to fade.

  “Avery!” Everett shouted. “What’re you doing? Stop it!”

  “ ’Tis not I! I have not even used the wand!”

  Everything around them began to turn. Everett felt what Ben had described—a tugging. All four of them began to whirl like one huge top. The brig, the pickle barrel, the lantern, all of it turned faster and faster until they were a colorful blur. It lasted nearly a minute, and then, abruptly, Everett felt a hard bump as he landed on his backside in the middle of what looked like a cold, dark, empty church.

  Chapter 48

  * * *

  On Board the Black Dragon

  “Benjamin Shepard of the brigantine Sea Witch, come to me in my hour of need,” Holly whispered for the fifth time.

  That’s when she heard the oof and the get off me and the what’s this ruddy place and the you shouldn’t have done that. Her eyes flew open. Right in the center of the chapel was a tangle of arms and legs and one black tail. Holly was both overjoyed and horrified.

  “What—how did you all get here?” she cried, and then lowered her voice at once. “You’ve got to get out! He might be back any second.”

  Jade extricated himself from the mess of boys and darted to her side. “Lady Holly, we are here to aid you. Has the Sorcerer done this?”

  “This, and a lot more.”

  Jade eyed the stones spread out in front of her. “It was you, not the prince,” he mused, then raised his glittery green eyes to her with pride. “You called us. And without this.” He dropped the wand through the bars of her cell.

  “I tried to call Ben, that’s all. I wanted . . . wanted to say good-bye. To tell him to get home as quick as he can. All of you. Stay out of Raethius’s way. He wants me to take him to the Adepts’ island, and I won’t be able to. He’ll punish you all.”

  “But we’re here now,” said Ben, running over, with Everett and Avery behind him. “We can get you out.”

  Holly shook her head, but Ben wasn’t listening. “Avery, get over here with the wand.”

  “Where did you get a wand?” Holly asked.

  “Never mind,” said Ben. “First we need to spring this lock. What’s that spell? Oh-says-me?”

  “Osclaígí,” said Holly and Avery together.

  The iron bars of the cell fell apart in a clattering heap. Holly gaped at the prince.

  “Geez, you guys,” Ben whispered. “You want to wake up everyone in this place? Where are we, anyway?”

  “On board the Black Dragon. I know it doesn’t look like a ship, but it is.” Holly turned to the cat. “Jade, he took Áedán. He—he killed him.” Somehow she thought Jade would be the only one to understand how awful this was, but all of them stared wordlessly back at her.

  Jade recovered first. “Are you certain, Lady Holly? It seems unlikely.”

  “He gave him to his—his birds.” She started to cry again.

  “Stop that now,” said Jade sharply. “Did you see Áedán harmed? Because Raethius has at least some Elemental blood himself. He would much sooner use Áedán than kill him. Where was he taken?”

  “Jade, he’s gone,” Holly said, trying to calm her hitching sobs. “Raethius threw him against that wall, and the birds flew down. . . . I don’t know. . . .”

  “Show me the door.” Jade darted to the far end of the chapel.

  Holly limped after him, dragging the broken ankle. “I can’t run. . . .” She gained the far wall and looked up at the yawning stone pedestals. “The birds kind of melted through here somehow.”

  “Then unlock it.�
�

  “But—”

  “I shall do it,” Avery said, at her heels. “Osclaígí.”

  The wall shimmered, then became gauzy, like a thin curtain. Through it Holly could see the deck of the schooner, where the thin, smokelike figures darted here and there.

  “No, Jade, you’ll get caught. I’ll lose you, too,” Holly whispered, her voice catching.

  “I will return, Lady Holly. I promise.” The cat darted through the veil. It closed over him.

  “What’s he doing?” Holly cried as the stone wall materialized again. Her tears dried on her hot cheeks. “How will we get him back?”

  “One thing at a time,” said Everett. “We need to figure a way off the ship. Maybe there’s a longboat?”

  “I . . . I saw one lashed to the starboard side.” Holly started toward the leaded windows, then stumbled. Avery caught her.

  “What has Raethius done to you, my lady?” he asked, wincing at the sight of her ankle.

  “It doesn’t matter. Just help me.” Leaning on him like a crutch, Holly pulled up the painful foot and made her way to the window.

  “He has always been so kind to me,” Avery murmured. “I never knew he could be such a brute. Perhaps he is under a spell.”

  “He’s the one casting the spells, you dimwit,” said Ben.

  Holly was aware of how quiet Avery was, what he must be thinking, turning events over in his mind. Was it possible Raethius had ever shown anyone kindness? She thought of Áedán and Jade; the grief dug at her insides, but she fought it down. “Careful, don’t let them see you.” She edged around the windowpane and spied the longboat. “Maybe I can Vanish the longboat into the water without anyone noticing, but we can’t leave without Jade. And I can’t Vanish us to the Sea Witch unless I can see it.”

  “Never fear,” said Avery confidently. “I am convinced that is all myth. It be simply a matter of reciting the spell, and—”