Matilda, Peri, Bolgobin and Clementine stood with Thor by the dock and watched the mist swirl about over the sea. Suddenly the fog lifted and there, in front of them, arranged in a semi-circle, were the longboats of the Laborian fleet. The Reptors on board let out a spine-chilling shout and shook their spears at the people on the shore. Many of the citizens stepped backwards.
Nothing could be done but wait and see what the invaders were going to do. They didn’t have to wait long. The archers in each boat stood up and dipped their arrows in pots of tar. When a torch had been put to the tar, the fiery missiles flew towards the shore in their hundreds. Spot fires broke out everywhere. Some houses burst into flames. People ran everywhere, filling buckets with water, running out hoses and grabbing extinguishers as they tried to douse the flames. No sooner had they controlled one fire than another volley of flaming arrows landed and started others. Panic spread through the people.
Clementine and Peri took out their magic wands and attempted to capsize the longboats without success. It seemed that the Wizard had thought of everything.
As soon as the archers had the terror-stricken Bivians running around in circles, the soldier Reptors slid overboard and swam towards the dock, their spears pointing into the air. They swarmed ashore and hand-to-hand fighting began.
The Reptors concentrated on Peri. She was kept busy pointing her wand at the soldiers as they rushed towards her, freezing them on the spot. The troops didn’t appear to care if they were stopped in their tracks as they kept coming in waves. They were doing exactly as the Wizard had ordered.
Some brave citizens took to the Reptors with their hopeless weapons but they were quickly subdued. Clementine stood side by side with Peri and wielded her wand to freeze the soldiers as well. But still the enemy kept coming. Matilda and Bolgobin were busy organising people to put out the fires as the arrows continued to rain down. Thor flew overhead with large buckets of water in his claws, tipping them onto the flames below.
When Clementine had the chance to look around and see how many of her people were lying on the ground wounded, she decided enough was enough. She couldn’t stand to see her subjects suffer. Reaching into her robe, she pulled out a large white cloth, put it on the end of her wand and shouted out, “Surrender!”
Everything came to a standstill. The Reptors paused in their attack and the Bivians dropped their make-shift weapons. A loud roar went up from the longboats. Victory was theirs. Clementine and Peri dropped their wands to the ground and two Reptors rushed forward to pick them up.
On one of the longboats, a General communicated news of the triumph to the Wizard, who had been hovering in a basket behind the spell shield. The General informed him that the Reptors had concentrated on making Peri use her magic but there was no need to worry as they had taken her wand from her.
The Wizard cheered. “You shall all be well rewarded for your bravery today. Hold the beach until I arrive. We should be there in ten minutes.”
Triton flapped his huge wings and flew faster than he had ever done before towards Bivia.
Chapter 37
The Tables Are Turned
People rushed around to tend to the wounded. Others continued to douse the flames. The Reptors who had not been frozen pointed their spears at the survivors. Peri stepped behind Clementine.
Everybody looked up as Triton, carrying his victorious leader, appeared in the sky above. The eagle flew down to the dock and gently dropped the basket to the ground. Several Reptors ran over to help the Wizard climb out. He had a wide smile on his face as he walked over to where Clementine was standing. He pulled a wand out of his cloak and smiled at her.
“Well I’m afraid the time has come, my dear. I shall be rid of you forever and your empire shall be mine. Brace yourself. This won’t hurt very much.” And he lifted his wand.
Just as he was about to point the wand at Clementine, Peri stepped out from behind her holding her own wand.
“You call that a wand?” she shouted. “This is a wand.” And she pointed her magic wand at him.
The Wizard was too shocked to react. Peri’s spell hit him in the chest and threw him backwards. His wand flew out of his hand and fell into the water. The Reptors dropped their spears and stood back. Stunned by the blow, he could just manage to squeeze out a few words from his position on the ground. “But . . . you . . . used up . . .all your . . . power . . . and the . . . Reptors . . .took your . . . wand.”
“You shouldn’t believe everything you are told,” said Peri with a grin. “Clementine gave me one of her spare wands for the battle and I infused the freezepell. I still have enough power in my own wand to deal with you. Now, what would you like to be? A fish?” She pointed her wand again and the Wizard turned into a fish, flopping about on the dock.
“No, I don’t think so. Too nice. A lobster?” The fish turned into a lobster that went scurrying around in circles.
“Nope,” said Peri. “I know – an eel. You’ve always been a slippery individual.” With that she pointed her wand at the lobster and it turned into a slimy eel wriggling about on the edge of the dock.
Matilda walked over to it and kicked it into the water. “Go and join all of those other poor sea-animals you’ve condemned to death with your Zithium.”
The Bivians, who had been watching this breath-taking performance, burst into an almighty cheer. Matilda, Bolgobin and Clementine rushed over and gave Peri a hug.
“To use your words,” said Matilda, “you were so brave.”
“The plan worked perfectly,” added Clementine. “Although I wish we had put up the white flag before anybody was hurt.”
“We had no choice,” Peri reminded her. “We had to take our time and make them think I was using up all of my power, as you suggested. I’m certain the people who were hurt won’t mind their sacrifice now that the Wizard is gone.” Then she added with a wink, “And I’m sure they will appreciate the bravery medal you will present to them at a special ceremony in their honour.”
Clementine laughed, “You’re full of good ideas.”
Bolgobin interrupted. “What do we do with all of these Reptors – frozen and live? And that eagle?”
The soldiers hadn’t moved since they saw what had happened to the Wizard and Triton had his eyes on Peri’s wand.
Peri wasn’t fazed. “What is created by magic can be removed by magic.” She pointed her wand and swung it around at the Reptors and the longboats. “Be gone forever!” she cried and, now that the Wizard's powers had been destroyed, they all gradually faded and disappeared. Then she turned to the eagle.
“Good or bad?” she asked Thor, who was standing nearby.
“A friend of the Wizard,” replied Thor.
“Well, that settles it,” said Peri and, with a wave of her wand, the eagle turned into a pigeon.
“I don’t think he’ll be doing any harm in the future,” commented Peri.
Her audience broke out into cheering again. The people rushed over and hoisted Matilda, Peri, Bolgobin and Clementine onto their shoulders. They began a march towards the city where everybody applauded and hailed them as they passed.
Chapter 38
Life In Laboria
“I wonder what’s happening in Laboria?” said Matilda as the group sat in Clementine’s lounge room sipping tea after the victory parade.
“It’s strange that I haven’t heard from Hermalkin,” said Clementine with a frown. “I think we should travel over there and check things out.”
“Good idea,” agreed Matilda. “Let’s do it now.”
Peri wanted to transport them with her magic wand but, when they mentioned this to Thor, he insisted that he fly them over in a basket.
“It will only take half an hour,” he stated, “and it will give you a chance to think about what you are going to say to the Laborians.”
They admitted that it made common sense so Thor brought the basket up from the dock and they all climbed aboard. The flight was restful and they discussed what the
y needed to tell the citizens of Laboria about the battle and their future. It was decided that Clementine should be the one to speak to them.
The island finally came into sight and Thor circled the city so that they could assess the situation. They saw thousands of people on the streets and, as they flew over the forecourt, they observed many more ramming the glass front of the cave with a long log, to no effect. Clementine told Thor to go down and hover above the crowd.
When the people saw the basket they stood still and watched it descend. Clementine stood at the front of the basket, held up her arms, and shouted, “The Wizard is gone. He has been defeated. You are free!”
The crowd roared and people scattered to spread the news. Thor landed the basket and everybody climbed out.
“Have you noticed that there are no Reptors around?” commented Peri. “My spell must have gone farther than I intended.” And she kissed her wand.
They walked up to the glass front of the cave and Peri waved her wand. The dissolving door opened. Clementine turned to face the crowd on the forecourt.
“I am Clementine, the Witch of Bivia. Everything you have heard about me from the Wizard is false. You have nothing to fear. I want us all to live together in peace and prosperity. There is much still to be done but now is a time for common sense. I ask you all to return to your homes. I will speak to the nation tonight and explain everything to you.” The crowd cheered.
Bolgobin led the way into the cave. He pressed his hands against the glass in the corridor and the door to the maze opened. The group followed him through the maze to the golden door. When Bolgobin opened it they saw Hermalkin. He was a stone statue beside the cauldron.
Tears trickled down Clementine’s face. “Oh, my dear Hermalkin,” she cried, “what has he done to you? I’m so, so sorry. I didn’t mean for you to suffer.”
Peri flew over from Matilda’s shoulder. “No need for tears,” she said. “This is easily fixed.” And she tapped the statue with her wand.
Beginning at the head and moving slowly down the body, the statue began to soften. Hermalkin shook his hooded head and smiled at them. “What happened?” he asked. “I felt a bit stiff there for a while. When did you all get here?” Everybody broke into relieved laughter.
Clementine rushed over and cuddled the snake. “It’s over,” she told him. “The Wizard has been defeated. The people are free. And you almost gave up your life to make it happen.”
“Well, that’s nice to hear,” said a stunned Hermalkin. “You might like to fill in the details later. I have no idea what’s happened.”
“You shall know it all,” said Clementine and kissed him on his hood.
That night Clementine sat in front of a television camera and spoke to the people of both Laboria and Bivia. She again explained the evil plans of the Wizard and described the battle, and the way victory was achieved. Most importantly she spoke about the bravery of those who had put their lives at risk to defeat the Wizard – Matilda, Peri, Bolgobin, Thor and Hermalkin. At last she told them that their friends and family, who had been transported to Bivia, would return in the morning.
Then she added the most important message:
“The empires of Laboria and Bivia will live together in harmony. No longer will Zithium be used as a source of power and we will share our knowledge to make our islands healthier and richer. In the coming days you will have to elect a new leader who will share this dream with you.”
As the broadcast finished, the streets of Laboria were filled with people chanting, “Clementine for Laboria, Clementine for Laboria.”
And so it was. Clementine ruled over both islands. Her friend, Hermalkin, became Governor of Bivia and the Empire prospered.
Chapter 39
Farewell
The day after their arrival in Laboria, Matilda told Clementine that the time had come for her and Peri to return home.
“Oh, you can’t go before the celebrations,” insisted Clementine.
“What celebrations?” asked Matilda.
“I should have told you earlier but we wanted it to be a surprise. The people of Bivia and Laboria want to thank you. If you hadn’t come here, the worst would have happened. The Wizard would be in control of both islands and the environment would have been destroyed. You have to stay, at least until tomorrow.”
Matilda looked at Peri. The little fairy nodded.
“We’d love to stay,” said Matilda.
The celebration was to be held by the sea on Laboria. The people from Bivia, including those returning to their homeland, travelled across the sea by any means available – boat, dinghy, Aquila Airlines, and Peri even worked her magic to transport some of them. By the time the sun had begun to sink on the horizon, the shores were awash with people, all in a party mood.
The crowd roared as Clementine arrived in a cart driven by Bolgobin. They were followed by another vehicle carrying Matilda, Peri and Hermalkin. Thor circled in the sky above the crowd.
The procession made its way to a stage set up on the dock. The speedboat was moored there and gave a whistle as it flashed its lights. As soon as the official party had seated itself behind a table, food was served and a band began playing music. People started dancing and singing, eating and drinking. After she had eaten some of the delicious food, Matilda and Bolgobin walked down from the stage and joined in the dancing. It wasn’t long before Clementine and Hermalkin came down as well. Appropriately, the cobra started a conga that snaked its way through the streets.
The night of celebration ended with a brilliant fireworks display over the sea and three cheers for the official guests. The applause was deafening. Although Clementine, Matilda, Peri and Hermalkin retired to the cave for the night, Bolgobin stayed on as the people partied until dawn. He was a hero and he wanted to soak up every moment of his new image.
The next morning they all met for breakfast. Bolgobin looked bleary-eyed, having had no sleep. When they had finished their meal, Matilda announced that it was time for them to leave. She walked around the table and gave Clementine, Bolgobin and Hermalkin a kiss and a cuddle. Peri flew along behind to do the same.
‘Please try to return soon,” said Clementine, with tears in her eyes. “We’ll miss you.”
“Likewise,” said Peri.
Matilda nodded to the fairy and she waved her wand. The Story Mat, with the map still in its centre, appeared and settled on the ground. The little fairy, standing on Matilda’s shoulder, blew a kiss and then disappeared. Matilda gave a wave as she sat on the carpet. She folded her arms and closed her eyes and the carpet lifted off the floor.
“WHOOSH!”
They were on their way home.
Chapter 40
A Report For Maximilian
Matilda felt the Story Mat land. She opened her eyes to see the familiar surroundings of her bedroom. She stood, stretched her arms, yawned and stepped off the carpet. She walked across to her bed and nervously checked to see that Peekee was under her pillow. The little stuffed animal was still lying there and she couldn’t see any stains on the bed.
Time to report to Maximilian. She rolled up the Story Mat, put it under her arm and began the climb to the attic with Peri. When she reached the door she lifted the latch and crawled inside, pushing the Story Mat in front of her. Reaching for the cord she pulled on the light. Everything looked the same as when she had last been there.
As she lifted the Story Mat off the floor there was a burst of light followed by a cloud of smoke and Maximilian appeared.
“Welcome home my little ones,” he smiled. “You have certainly shown your bravery and intelligence in solving the problems of Laboria and Bivia and you, Matilda, are a worthy holder of the Story Mat.”
“Thank you,” answered Matilda. “It was certainly hair-raising, particularly when we couldn’t use Peri’s magic.”
“Yes, the Wizard gave you a difficult time but you survived. Not only that but you helped change an empire. Well done my little dove. Now yo
ur report. What did you learn from your adventures?”
Peri flew across to Maximilian’s shoulder.
“W-e-e-ell,” began Matilda, “I learnt from Clementine that bad leaders start wars for their own power and greed; that the innocent are the ones who suffer; and most people want a peaceful life and don’t want war as the first, or even the last choice.”
“True,” agreed Maximilian, nodding his head. “The ordinary person is generally fair and will accept others’ beliefs unless they have their minds poisoned by those hungry for power. Unfortunate but true.”
“Clementine also explained that everybody has two choices – the good path or the bad one. It is up to each individual to make that choice,” continued Matilda. “She taught me so much – the way we must look after the environment or pay the price; the need to use nature properly to provide our energy; but, most important of all, she taught me to always care about others.”
“You met a wonderful person,” said Maximilian. “You are a very lucky girl.”
“But others taught me things too,” insisted Matilda. “Bolgobin showed me how important human dignity is to everybody and how easily it can be crushed. He was teased, bullied and humiliated but, when he was shown some affection, he showed that he was very brave.”
“Excellent, my clever little treasure,” said Maximilian with pride.
“But everything would have been much easier if I had learnt the lesson in the coded message you put on the map,” said Matilda with a pretend-frown. “You don’t accept everything you see and are told. Some people lie for their own profit. You should always take the time to try to find the truth. The Wizard was very good at lying and making you feel good, to hide his evil.”
“Anything else, my pet?” asked Maximilian.
“Well . . . ,” Matilda paused. “I could not have done it without Peri. She was terrific and the way she dealt with the Wizard was amazing.”
“Yes,” agreed Maximilian, smiling at the little fairy, “she carried out her role perfectly.”