Bumblestook: Book 1, The Accidental Wizard (37 page)

“My Mistress has discovered the whereabouts of your parents,” Mubglub said.

“
What?
Omigosh, that’s-that’s
fantastic
! This is the greatest! Where are they? Are they ok? Can she take us there now?” Farley asked excitedly.

“They were hidden at the bottom of the lake while my Mistress was held captive. They are alive and seem to be well. She will take you to them, but there is great danger. That is why she wished to speak with you first and reaffirm The Blessing.”

“Uh—ok. Can we go now?” Farley asked impatiently.

“I’d like to know more about the danger first,” Fiona said. “It would be good to know what we’re up against.”

Mubglub spoke briefly with the Water Spirit. “My Mistress did not see those who took your parents, but she believes them to be the Great Enemy of The People.”

“Who, or what, is that?” Fiona asked.

The Vish eyed her curiously, as if he found her ignorance a puzzlement. “Why, the Overlords, of course,” he replied.

“I would like to know more about these Overlords,” Fiona said.

“We don’t have time for stories,” Farley protested. “Why doesn’t Mubglub just come with us. He can tell us about the bad guys on the way.”

Mubglub put his finned hands together and bowed. “I would be honored to accompany you on your Quest,” he said, then spoke again with Osheanna in the language of the water.

The Water Spirit’s womanly form devolved into that of a simple fountain, which in turn devolved further into mere bubbles on the dark surface of the water. Then, the water was pushed away as the giant bubble once again emerged. Mubglub stepped right up, easily passing through its shimmering, rainbow surface. Kneeling down upon it’s curved bottom, he beckoned to the two children.

Farley and Fiona took deep breaths and stepped forward. The bubble’s skin allowed their passage within, then closed up tight behind them. Farley wobbled this way and that, falling back against the rounded side and sliding down into an awkward seated position. Fiona sat with her usual poise and grace, despite the bubble’s bouncing and rocking.

Once they were settled, the strange vehicle descended, as the dark green waters of the lake closed overhead.

Beneath its hard granite surface, Big Grey’s silicon pathways once again hummed with the constant flow of data. Information, relayed by a network of rocks and boulders some distance away, had finally led to the discovery of Farley’s whereabouts. Having also discovered the beneficial nature of the Water Spirit, Big Grey had arranged for Osheanna’s release; channeling her along a tunnel of rock, until she reached the lake where the boy rested nearby.

Now, secure in the knowledge that its soft-bodied friend was back under Osheanna’s protection, it was able to turn some units of attention to other pursuits. It wasn’t long before it located the Wizard, Bartholeumous, and one other of his ilk. They traveled along a rocky corridor in the depths of a mountain, making them all that much easier to monitor.

The rock being sampled recordings of their electromagnetic signatures, but found no trace of the Humans it was looking for. Undeterred and patient (as only a being with little regard for the passage of time can be) Big Grey cast its search further out; attempting to locate the parents of its friend, Farley Bumblestook.

*****************************************

Kondor Dal led the way, down through a twisting network of tunnels, carved into the bowels of an ancient mountain; Bartholeumous following in his footsteps. Kondor carried a smooth ebony staff, topped by a golden cage. Within the cage, a large, faceted, yellow topaz emitted a soft golden glow; casting their shadows as deformed giants, upon the rough-hewn walls.

The two traveled in silence, as they walked the pathways leading into the (heretofore-hidden) Overlord stronghold. Kondor had passed this way before, posing as Malador’s minion, even as he searched for the means to free his wife’s spirit. Now, he retraced his steps in an attempt to aid a Quest, which sought to pit two (seemingly-helpless) children against the Great Enemy of The People.

After awhile, the tunnel leveled out. Kondor hesitated as he came to a three-way branch in the corridor. The polished dome of his head glistened with beads of sweat, as he paused; shining the light from his staff, down one corridor after the other.

“Have you recollection of this junction?” Bartholeumous asked, his voice pitched low.

Kondor shook his head. “It was dark when first I came this way. Those who led me were creatures of darkness, able to see without benefit of light.”

Then, a faint sound, like that of many voices desperately whispering, issued forth from the mouth of the tunnel to the left. Kondor’s head swung toward the sound, which faded as swiftly as it had arisen.

“I have heard that sound before,” he said.

“It was a mournful sound,” Bartholeumous remarked. “What manner of creature makes such a noise?”

“I believe it is the sound of Lost Spirits,” Kondor said grimly. He headed for the tunnel with Bartholeumous close behind.

Unseen by either man, a shadow, within the shadows, detached itself from the wall as the hateful light receded. The shadow creature felt strangely drawn to the tallest figure. It felt a curious longing to draw near, despite its fear of the light he carried. It struggled with the odd sensation, similar to that experienced when the master called, but without the feeling of hopeless dread that accompanied Malador’s summonings.

Images of another time, another life, flickered in disjointed fashion across it’s inner vision. The creature did not understand the meaning of the images, nor their connection to itself. Mesmerized, it pressed forward; forgetting its master’s orders to patrol the tunnels and report all trespassers; following, instead, the mysterious lure of the tall man with the light.

***********************************

“Now, tell us about these Overlords,” Fiona commanded the Vish, as they rode together in the bubble, to a destination unknown.

“They are the Great Enemy of The People,” Mubglub replied. “They wish the overthrow of the Rightful Rulers and the enslavement of all Humankind.”

“But, why?” Farley asked. “We never did anything to
them
. We don’t even know who they are!”

“It is their nature,” the Vish explained. “They believe that their Magic makes them superior to Humans.”

“Then they must be Wizards,” Fiona said.

“That is correct.”

“But Uncle Bartholeumous and Ranger Gary are Wizards and they don’t want to make Humans into slaves,” Fiona pointed out.

“There is such a thing as Evil,” Mubglub said solemnly. “Every race—Wizard, Hero, even Amorphae—have some who fall victim to its spell.”

“Humans too?” Farley asked.

“So I’ve been told.” Mubglub replied.

“What do they look like?” Farley asked. “Do they have sharp fangs and claws?”

“They look every bit as normal as you and I.”

“Uh—okay” said Farley (much too polite to point out that the Vish hardly looked normal). “So how can we tell the good guys from the bad guys?”

“It is difficult. You must know in your heart what is right and trust your instincts, to detect what is wrong.”

Farley pondered this, as Fiona (feeling sure
she
would know such Evil Ones on sight) brushed this difficulty aside.

“What
I
need to know is, how many of them are there,” she said, eager to assess the danger.

“I cannot say, except that, compared to the good, they are few, “ Mubglub replied.

“Then we should be able to defeat them easily,” Fiona declared.

“Unfortunately, they add to their number, by tricking others into joining them. And they are capable of creating a great deal of trouble and confusion,” the Vish added.

“They won’t trick
me
,” Fiona said coldly, eyes narrowing.

“Or
me
!” Farley chimed in.

“I certainly hope that is so,” Mubglub replied. Rising, he stood easily, though the bubble rocked with his movement. Putting his webbed hands together, he performed his formal little bow. “I must now return to water, as I have been too long without. But I will stay nearby until you reach your destination. So I have promised, and so shall I do.”

With that, the funny little creature leapt quickly through the bubble’s wall. The children watched, as he took to the water like, well, like a fish; swimming freely, around, above and below them, as they continued to descend to the bottom of the lake.

************************************

Ranger Gary skipped another pebble across the dark, still surface of the lake. A small shower of orange sparks flew into the air each time the stone hit the water; evidence of the magic spell the Wizard had placed upon it.

Heloise (in two-legged form) perched on a low, hanging branch, looking on with detached amusement.

“Pu-r-r-haps you should try something else. Something a tad more entertaining would be nice,” she purred.

“It helps me concentrate,” Ranger Gary explained, searching the ground for another stone. His eyes fell on the two small creatures standing nearby. Their ears lay back, flat against their skulls, their furry brows were furrowed and their tails hung down limply behind them.

“Tell you what, boys,” he said kindly. “Whataya say we do this next one together.”

“But I don’t know how ta spell,” Yap said forlornly.

“I will teach you just this once.”

Yap ears perked up at this. “A
real
spell? I’m gonna do a
real
spell?”

Tom shot the Wizard a surprised look. “A Wizard’s spell is good as gold! What do you ask in trade, if I may be so bold?”

“This one’s on me,” Ranger Gary said, causing the Bungaree’s whiskers to twitch wildly and his eyes to glow. “But first, you must find the right kind of stone. Ah-h-h, here we are. You see? This one is perfect.” He showed them the small flat rock and set them to searching for their own.

Heloise slipped off the branch to join the Wizard at the water’s edge.

“I’d be careful, if I were you. One might suspect you have a kind heart. That can be dangerous out here in the Wild.”

“Are you going to stand around blathering, or are you going to help?” Ranger Gary asked blandly.

Heloise stared at him for a moment, then slowly winked one golden eye. “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me,” she said in a husky whisper. She spun away swiftly, the tip of her long tail flicking the Wizards nose.

“As is
yours
with me,” Ranger Gary said wryly, watching her search for a small flat rock.

*************************************

For most of the descent, the water was so dark, the children could barely make out the shapes of the denizens of the lake, before they darted away, startled by the intrusion into their territory. Then, the water beneath them began to take on a slightly lighter tone.

“That’s weird,” said Fiona. “The deeper we go, the darker it should be.”

“Looks like someone left the light on for us,” Farley remarked brightly.

Soon, the children could clearly see the lake bed below, as well as the creatures that called this place home. A forest of water plants appeared, waving lazily in the currents, their tops brushing against the bottom of the bubble. An aged turtle eyed them indifferently, as it passed them by. A curious otter swam circles around them, going so far as to bump the bubble playfully with its nose, before shooting back up to the surface.

“Look! Over there!” Farley shouted, pointing toward the bottom of the lake. Off in the distance, a large, glowing, dome shape came into view.

“So
that’s
where the light is coming from,” Fiona observed.

The children pressed their faces against the side of the bubble, in an effort to see more clearly. As they did so, they became aware of something or some
one
swimming alongside of them. Osheanna, herself being made entirely of water, was nearly invisible through the liquid medium. Only the small bubbles coursing through her body and the bubbling froth of her hair, distinguished her from the water of the lake. As she guided the bubble into the underwater forest, Mubglub, along with a small group of Vish, reappeared to help. They pushed the bubble through the thick plants, their progress hampered by the large, flat leaves slapping against its sides and the long, flowing branches tangling together to obstruct their path.

“Why don’t we just float up above all this stuff?” Farley wondered aloud; watching as Mubglub and his crew used little stone knives to slash away at a particularly stubborn knot of slimy, plant life.

“Only one reason I can think of,” Fiona said ominously. “There’s something dangerous up ahead and we need to stay hidden.”

The children shared a solemn look. Then, simultaneously, they pulled out their fathers’ pocket knives, grim determination settling over their young, innocent faces.

**********************************

“There’s a little bit of Magic inside of everyone,” Ranger Gary told the Amorphae, standing at the water’s edge. “Most of the time it lies dormant—”

“That’s a sleeping state, like when you hibernate,” Tom informed Yap.

“In a sense, yes,” the Wizard continued. “It sleeps because it’s not put to use. You see, most folks don’t know the Magic is there, so they never even
try
to use it. Some use it accidentally, without
knowing
what they’re doing, then blame it all on good or bad luck. Others try to harness it, but without much success, as they lack training. Of course, we Wizards have the greatest concentration of Magic
and
we’re trained from birth to use it. What I propose to do, is combine my own considerable powers, with the bit of Magic each of you possess.”

“You’re gonna teach us ta Spell, right?” Yap asked, quivering with excitement.

“Yes, I will teach you a Spell.”

Yap wagged his tail enthusiastically.

“I suppose you’re going to tell us there’s Magic in these little ol’ rocks, as well,” Heloise drawled, tossing her stone up high and deftly snatching it out of the air, without looking.