“What a terrible, terrible man,” said Bolgobin, with tears in his eyes.
Chapter 22
Aerial Combat
“Now that you have the whole picture, we can fly back home,” said Thor with a sigh. “I hope you understand how dangerous things are and will be careful in everything you say and do.”
“Yes,” said Matilda. “We all have to pretend things haven’t changed. We mustn’t let the Wizard think that we know anything about his plans until we can either change what’s happening or get away from him. Agreed?” The three passengers gave each other a high five.
Matilda had hardly finished her speech when they heard a loud thud and the basket tipped sideways. They all looked up to see another great white eagle grabbing at Thor’s back with its vicious talons.
“It’s Bacchus,” screamed Thor. “I didn’t see him coming.” Droplets of blood fell from his back, into the basket. “Hang on while I try to get rid of him.” He twisted his body and the basket rocked so much that the passengers had to grab for the ropes to stay inside.
“Traitor,” screeched Bacchus as he broke free, flew up into the sky, and prepared for another attack.
“I’ll have to drop you onto the water,” shouted Thor. “You’ll be safe in the basket. I’m sorry but it’s the only way.” With that he dived down towards the sea, skimmed the surface and let go of the ropes.
Suddenly Matilda, Bolgobin and Peri were bobbing about on the water. The basket was water-proof so they were in no immediate danger – unless Zeus won the battle that was taking place in the sky above.
They watched the two giant eagles dive, roll and swerve as they tried to get an advantage. Thor was bleeding heavily and had obviously lost some of his speed. Several times Bacchus hit him with his claws, and feathers flew through the air. Still Thor managed to avoid most of the other bird’s attacks. The fight was accompanied by wild screeches as the eagles vented their hatred for each other.
The air battle went on for at least a quarter of an hour and Matilda could see that Thor was tiring from his wounds. Bacchus was definitely gaining the upper hand. When she thought that the end was near for Thor, as he suffered another blow to his wing, her friend did a strange thing. He seemed to pause in mid-air and then started to fall out of the sky. Bacchus flew high into the air to gain maximum speed for the kill. But, when Thor was several metres above the water, he began to flap his huge wings again and levelled out. Bacchus was descending at enormous speed to give the killer blow and had to swerve at the last minute to make contact with Thor. However, instead of hitting his prey, he went full-tilt into the invisible shield. He was knocked out, slid down the glass shield, and disappeared below the water.
Thor had headed for the shield, suspecting that Bacchus was not aware of it. He had flown behind the glass so that it separated him from his enemy. It was a do-or-die decision as he knew that he was almost done for. And it had worked. Thor’s friends in the basket, still bobbing about on the sea, were cheering wildly.
Although he was exhausted, Thor flew over and picked up the ropes. “I think we can resume our journey home now,” he said wearily. “I apologise for the delay.”
His passengers burst into more cheering and laughing.
Chapter 23
Mind Games
There was another shock waiting for them when they arrived back at the airport. As Thor rounded the volcano and lined himself up for a landing, they saw that the airfield was crawling with Reptors. There were hundreds of them looking up into the sky.
“There seems to be a problem and I think I’ll have to abort this landing,” Thor reported in his droll fashion. “It looks like I’ll have to push forward my plan to escape to Bivia. You can come with me or I can drop you somewhere else. What do you think?”
The eagle flew past the airport and turned back out to sea. The Reptors ran to their vehicles as if to follow.
Matilda made her decision. “No, you go on without us. We can’t leave Laboria without Peri’s magic wand. We’ll have to find out how much the Wizard knows and try to bluff our way through this. Drop us near the cave if you can.”
“Roger that,” replied Thor then added, “You’re either very brave or very silly.”
“I’ve already told her that,” said Peri. “We’ll just have to see which it is – if we all live long enough.”
Thor flew past the city and landed gently on a road about a kilometre from the Wizard’s cave.
“Well, this is goodbye, then,” he said, patting Matilda on the head with his huge wing. “It has been a privilege meeting you. Hermalkin spoke highly of you and I can only agree. I’m sure he will help you get through this. Good luck – but, once again, be very careful.”
“Thank you for your courage and honesty,” said Matilda, with tears in her eyes, as she saw the gaping wounds on Thor’s body. “Travel well and I hope the Witch can patch you up. We really admire what you have done, and I hope that we will see you again soon.” As Thor lowered his head, she went on tiptoes and kissed the eagle’s cheek.
“I’ll take this basket out to sea and dump it,” Thor said and, with a few slow beats of his wings, he lifted off the ground and flew towards Bivia.
As soon as he had disappeared, sirens blared and several vehicles full of Reptors came careering down the road. The guards jumped out and surrounded the little party, pointing their spears at them. Their leader stepped forward.
“The Wizard demands your presence at the cave immediately,” he growled in a surly voice.
“Isn’t that odd?” replied Matilda. “That’s exactly where we were going until you interrupted our journey. Would you mind not pointing those nasty spears at us? Are you frightened of two small girls and an old man?”
The Reptor was shocked. “Er . . . ah . . . put up your weapons, men,” he ordered.
Matilda, followed by Bolgobin, walked slowly over to one of the carts and hopped in.
“Chauffeur,” she said with a wave of her hand. “When you’re ready.” A Reptor meekly climbed behind the wheel and they set off for the cave.
The Wizard was waiting for them in the Throne Room with his Familiars. He had a fiery look on his face.
“You have abused my hospitality and been disloyal. I will not stand for it!” he shouted. Bolgobin began to shake but Matilda and Peri stared him out.
“What do you mean?” asked Matilda, innocently.
The Wizard held up a piece of paper. Matilda recognised it as the piece of paper Hermalkin had given her with the decoded message. Then she remembered that she had stupidly left it under her pillow. Uh, oh!
“One of the cleaners found this under your pillow when he was cleaning your room this morning. It’s a very damaging message. What have you to say about that?” demanded the Wizard.
“Oh, that,” replied Matilda casually, as if it was of no importance. “I found it shoved under my door when we came back from dinner. I assumed it was from somebody trying to cause trouble so I just pushed it under my pillow. I forgot all about it.”
“You mean you don’t own up to it?” queried the Wizard.
“Own up to what, Sire?” rejoined Matilda. “It has nothing to do with me. Obviously you have a trouble-maker in the cave. I think you’d be better spending your time finding who it is, rather than getting angry with me.” She made sure she didn’t make eye contact with Hermalkin while this was going on.
“Harumph,” muttered the Wizard, obviously confused by this confident-sounding girl. “As long as you don’t believe what the note says.”
“Of course not. Our stay so far has been an extremely happy one,” said Matilda. “Up until now.”
“On another matter,” continued the Wizard, ignoring the last comment, “My Reptors reported that your eagle from this morning’s flight, Aquila Thor, did not land at the airport as he was supposed to do but flew away as soon as he saw my guards at the airfield. And he had blood on his body. Why did he drop you where he did?
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br /> “I was going to tell you all about that when we arrived,” said Matilda. “I really thought that was why the Reptors brought us here.”
“Well?” said the Wizard impatiently.
“The flight itself was wonderful and thank you for arranging it for us. We saw how well everything is organised on Laboria. However, our return journey was not so enjoyable. Thor seemed to want to give us some extra excitement and started to do silly and dangerous things like spinning our basket around and diving down low. I pleaded with him to stop but he just laughed and kept doing it. Anyway, just before we were preparing to land, he flew too close to the volcano and almost crashed. He ran into a cliff and nearly killed us. Luckily we were only tossed about but Thor cut his back rather nastily on the rocks. I told him that I was going to tell you, so when he saw the Reptors on the airfield he thought that somebody had seen us and already told you about his dangerous behaviour. He said you would vaporise him for endangering the lives of your guests so he dumped us near the cave and flew off.” Matilda sighed with relief. She had never had to think so quickly on her feet before.
“And where is he now?” asked the Wizard.
Matilda gave a little shrug. “Who knows? If I was in his position I’d keep flying as far away as possible. I don’t think we’ll see him here again. And good riddance.” She crossed her fingers behind her back.
“Mm-m-m,” said the Wizard thoughtfully. It all sounded reasonable. Time to repair the damage. “I apologise for being so angry but I also hope you can appreciate how hurt I was when I saw that note.”
“Apology accepted,” Matilda quickly replied.
“I also apologise for the danger you faced with one of our eagles and promise you that he will be dealt with. I would like you to stay and enjoy our riches for a while longer.” With that the Wizard walked behind the throne followed, as usual, by his Familiars.
Two important conversations took place after this heated encounter. The first was between the Wizard and his Familiars.
“She doesn’t seem to know anything,” said the Wizard.
“I think sh-sh-she is-s-s very naïve and eas-s-sily fooled, S-S-Sire. We have nothing to worry about,” commented Hermalkin.
“We need to find out who the trouble-maker is. Our plan could have been ruined if she’d taken that note seriously,” rumbled the tiger.
“Yes,” agreed the Wizard. “I’ll put somebody onto that straight away.”
“I could do it ,S-S-Sire, if you wish-sh-sh,” offered Hermalkin.
“Very well, my loyal one,” said the Wizard, patting his hood. “And don’t be gentle.”
The second conversation took place as soon as Matilda, Bolgobin and Peri stepped out of the Throne Room.
“YES!” said Matilda, thumping the air with her fist. “He believed it – all of it.”
“You are wonderful,” commented Peri. “You saved our lives in there.”
“I couldn’t stop shaking,” said Bolgobin. “He terrifies me. Particularly when I know what he’s done. You were terrific, Matilda.”
“I don’t like telling lies any time but, with that horrible man, I enjoyed it. Although I must say it was exhausting. And I can’t forgive myself for leaving that note under my pillow.””
Peri piped up. “That’s the least of it. I thought he knew that we knew everything, if that makes sense. And he had no idea.” She giggled.
“It’s a pity that poor old Thor had to take all the blame,” lamented Matilda.
“I’m sure he’d understand,” said Bolgobin, “and agree with what you did.”
“I couldn’t look at Hermalkin while we were talking. I hope he can look after himself,” said Matilda.
“Don’t worry about him,” said Peri. “He knows what’s going on.”
“We’d better go back to our room,” said Matilda and then turned to Bolgobin. “We need to meet you tonight. I have something to ask you. How about the entertainment room? You can beat me at pool. I’ll line it up with the Wizard at dinner.”
“I’ll do anything you want,” said Bolgobin, giving Matilda a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Until tonight then,” said Matilda, and they went their separate ways.
Chapter 24
Another Rooftop Visit
Matilda and Peri continued their act when they returned to their room. They were sure that the Wizard would be watching them very carefully now.
“Can you believe that Thor?!” said Matilda, throwing herself down on the bed. “He could have killed us. I wish the Reptors had caught him and given him some of his own medicine.”
“I was really frightened when we hit that cliff face,” agreed Peri. “I thought we were goners.”
“I have to say I was disappointed that the Wizard thought we had done the wrong thing,” Matilda complained. “We’ve been having such a great time since we arrived, I wouldn’t want it to be ruined. What do you think about Bolgobin’s idea to go up to the entertainment room tonight?”
“Great,” said Peri. “I’d enjoy that.”
Looking at her watch, Matilda said, “We’d better get ready for dinner. I’ll ask the Wizard if it’s okay to go with Bolgobin.” They cleaned themselves up and headed for the dining room.
When they arrived, the Wizard greeted them warmly. ‘I hope you have forgiven me for accusing you wrongly. We Wizards have bad days too, you know.”
“I can understand, Sire. It did come as a shock, though. We’ve been having such a great time.”
“No more to be said,” stated the Wizard. “You shall continue to have a marvellous time and I shall make certain of it.”
Matilda decided that now was the time to make her request. “Sire, I have a confession to make.”
“Oh?” said the Wizard, looking up sharply.
“Yes. Last night I couldn’t sleep so I went up to the entertainment room and had a game of pool. I’m afraid I lost a wager with one of the Reptors and had to give him an I.O.U. in your name. I hope that wasn’t rude of me.”
“No, no, it’s quite acceptable. As a matter of fact I’m glad you told me. I was wondering what was going on when my Treasurer brought me the I.O.U. this morning,” smiled the Wizard.
“Whew,” thought Matilda. In this case honesty was the best policy. “Thank you for your generosity once again, Sire,” she said. “I really enjoyed it last night and Bolgobin suggested that we go there again tonight – with him of course. Would that be all right?” She managed to glance quickly at Hermalkin. “We’d be back in our room by ten o’clock or shortly after,” she added.
“I think that’s a grand idea,” agreed the Wizard. “We all need some activity before bed, and I’m sure you enjoy seeing how happy my staff is.”
“Yes, they certainly know how to enjoy themselves,” said Matilda.
They finished dinner and Matilda and Peri went down into the hall to see Bolgobin, who was working his way through another huge plate of food.
“The Wizard has agreed to us visiting the entertainment room, my friend,” Matilda informed him. “We’ll meet you there at nine thirty.” She kissed him on top of his shiny head.
The hours passed slowly once again as they watched more television but at last they were ready to go. It was helpful that they didn’t have to sneak out this time. When the doors to the lift opened to the entertainment room they saw Bolgobin playing pool with a Reptor. They watched as he beat the guard easily and pocketed some money.
“You’re very good,” said Matilda.
“Plenty of practice,” laughed Bolgobin. “And it’s nice to be good at something,” he added.
“You’re very good at the most important thing,” Matilda whispered into his ear. “Being a lovely person. Now I want your help. We need a distraction so that we can get up to the roof again without anybody seeing us. Can you arrange something?”
“With all of these Reptors drinking so much? No problem,” said Bolgobin. “Watch this.” He went over to a group of Reptors who w
ere drinking heavily and being loud, as they laughed and joked. As he walked past, he kicked one of them on the bottom and kept walking. The Reptor swung around, couldn’t see anybody, then accused the Reptor next to him of kicking him. His neighbour was insulted and started to make rude remarks about him. The first punch was thrown and a brawl erupted with all of the Reptors in the group taking sides whether or not they knew what was going on. Soon there were Reptors rolling all over the floor on top of each other, with the other people in the room cheering them on.
Bolgobin circled back to Matilda and Peri, whistling innocently into the air.
“Well done,” said Matilda, patting him on the back. “You have many hidden talents.”
They slipped down the corridor and Bolgobin opened the door with his key. Climbing the stairway, they stepped through the second door, onto the roof.
“Over here,” came Hermalkin’s voice from the darkness. They moved into the shadows.
Even though he had been prepared, Bolgobin still began to shake when he saw the cobra. Hermalkin sensed his fear and said, “Please don’t worry, my little friend. You shall come to no harm. I’m on your side and I require your help.”
“O-o-okay,” stammered Bolgobin. “It’s just such a . . . surprise!”
“I’m sure it is, but you must listen carefully to everything I say. I don’t have long,” said Hermalkin. “At the moment the Wizard suspects nothing. You were brilliant this afternoon, Matilda. However things are moving quickly and we have to do the same. The Wizard is already preparing for war with Bivia. And he will win unless we have Peri’s wand returned. It’s the only way we will defeat the Wizard. Maximilian’s magic is in the wand and it is all-powerful. The Wizard will be helpless against it. Bolgobin, you must take Matilda and Peri to the Wizard’s workshop. The wand is hidden in a box near the cauldron. When you have it, Peri, please don’t use it unless you have to. You will need every bit of its power later on. Go to the city wharf. A boat will be waiting there to take you to Bivia and safety. Good luck my friends.” The snake disappeared back into the shadows.