Hidden Magic (18 page)

“Okay, okay, keep your wig on,” Grace said and she went straight to find her mum.

The cloning enchantment had not only cloned their physical bodies, it had also cloned their spirits and minds. Nobody would ever know that the real Grace and Christian were on their way to Liberty, for the cloned Grace and Christian would act exactly the same as the real Grace and Christian would do if they were there. The only thing distinguishing them from their true selves, were the small regeneration marks, a tiny baptismal cross symbol that was on the nape of their necks, partially covered by their hair lines, the sign of a clone.

Harry, still gawping, looked at Grace and Chris, shook his head in disbelief as if trying to shake away the fuzziness and then he looked at the beer can in his hand and promptly tipped its remaining contents down the sink.

“No more beer for me tonight,” he muttered. Then he drunkenly danced his way into the lounge and, now that he was well and truly wearing his beer goggles, he quite happily joined the plump Dalmatian for a dance. Harry was one hundred percent convinced that it had all been alcohol-induced and that he had not met a talking horse after all.

The cloned Grace and Christian said their goodnights, which took a lot longer than it should have done. For some reason, drunk people like to kiss and hug and tell you how much they love you, so by the time that Grace had managed to get away from Grandad Arthur, it was almost 3 am on New Year's Day.

* * *

Meanwhile, the real Grace and Christian were well on their way through the snow-covered woodland. It was safer for them to be in the Human world at night, so Zavier was deliberately taking his time to get them back to the gate. Grace and Christian were extremely tired, so Zavier had told them to climb a small tree and then clamber upon his back, where they could sleep. Grace climbed on first and sat astride Zavier's huge back and then she snuggled herself up against his thick neck and mane, taking care not to squash little Benjamin, who was nestled safely within it. Christian sat behind Grace and wrapped his arms around her waist and fell asleep with his cheek resting on her back and drool dribbling from the corner of his mouth.

Ice and Chester flew above them, travelling from tree to tree, keeping their eyes peeled for any sign of Adramalech and the juvenile Nomed that Zavier had earlier seen off. Unbeknown to them, they had scared the evil pair well and truly out of the area and they were nowhere to be seen. It was still dark and cold in the Human world. The snow had stopped falling now but it had left behind a thick blanket that covered the whole of the woodland, disguising its paths, trees and bushes almost beyond the point of recognition. It was, however, breaking dawn in Liberty. The gentle rocking movement of Zavier's walking had soothed Grace and Christian off into a deep sleep, but as soon as this rocking movement stopped, they both awoke. They sat upright and rubbed their weary eyes. It had been a very long and eventful night for the two children.

There before them was a dense, snow-covered holly bush.

“Is this Liberty?” Grace asked.

“No Grace, this is not Liberty,” Zavier replied.

The bush rustled and shook, causing the snow to fall away from it, then its prickly maze of leaves and branches began to twist and turn, pulling and parting until eventually the ancient wooden gate that lay behind it was revealed. Francis was perched on top of one of the stone pillars that supported the gate.

“About time! Two more minutes alone with this arrogant arse… excuse my language… and I might have had to abandon my post.”

“He loves me really, don't you, Boogles?” Aaron's voice could be heard saying from the other side of the gate.

Then the wrought-iron handle turned, the iron latch lifted and the gate creaked open on its own.

Zavier walked through the gate.

“Wowzers!” said Grace.

“Whoa!” agreed Christian.

They looked around in awe at their surroundings. The sun shone brightly, illuminating patches of the dazzling bluebells that had started ever so faintly chiming in honour of their arrival. Among the bluebells stood a magnificent black stallion, his shiny black coat gleaming in the sunlight. Above him flew a beautiful, striking tawny owl. The woodland birds were singing enchantingly. Grace and Christian had never been to such a beautiful place. They were filled with an indescribable warm and cosy feeling… a truly euphoric and magical sensation that neither of them had ever felt before.

“NOW THIS, MY DEAR CHILDREN… THIS… IS LIBERTY!” Zavier said proudly.