The Magykal Papers (6 page)

Letter from Alther Mella

Found in the Heap Home

Alther Mella,
ExtraOrdinary Wizard
Wizard Tower
Wizard Way
The Castle

Dear Silas,

Thank you for your hospitality yesterday evening. It was a lovely meal. I never thought I would actually enjoy sautéed frogs; please give Sarah my thanks. I trust that little Sam has now gotten over his stomachache. It was a dramatic moment, wasn’t it?

I am writing to let you know that I have reached a decision about the matters we discussed over Sarah’s wonderful cream sludge pie. I have decided to agree—with some regret—to release you from your Apprenticeship.

I am extremely sad to be losing you as an Apprentice. I have enjoyed your company very much indeed, but I do understand your desire to give up your Apprenticeship and spend more time at home with your delightful—and rapidly growing—family. I do also totally understand your concerns over the DRAW at the end of the Apprenticeship. I had not meant you to find out about that quite so soon. Of course, the odds are very much against DRAWING for the QUESTE, as there is, I understand, only one stone left. But, as you say, you never know. And to leave the children without a father would be a terrible thing.

My dear Silas, please know that there will always be a seat for you at the monthly banquets, and I shall look forward to your company there. Of course, as a former Apprentice, you will receive an automatic invitation to all official functions at the Wizard Tower.

I shall be interviewing for Apprentices in a few weeks’ time. There are quite a few Hopefuls to choose from. I am very impressed with that young woman Marcia, although I can see she may not be as easy to work with as you were. Good-bye to those long lunches at the Grateful Turbot, I suspect!

Thank you again for a most delightful and lively evening. With this letter you are officially Released from your Apprenticeship.

With all best wishes for the future,
ExtraOrdinary Wizard

P.S. I believe I left my knife, fork and spoon with you, but don’t worry, you are welcome to keep them.

Found in the Heap Home

Sarah Heap’s Recipe for SAUTÉED FROGS

PREPARATION TIME: thirty minutes; more than four hours if you have to catch the frogs first; a few days if you ask Silas to catch them

COOKING TIME: 10 to 15 minutes

One brace of frogs per person (1 brace = 2 frogs)

INGREDIENTS FOR SIX:

6 brace of frogs

1 chunk of butter

1 glug of cooking oil

1 large onion

1 bulb of fennel

1 cup of flour

Herbs

Salt and pepper to taste

SARAH SAYS: Frogs are at their best in early summer before they grow too large. You can either cultivate your own from frogspawn (see also recipe for Tadpole Soup) or find a nearby pond. I buy mine from Bertie Hatcher, who keeps the Ramblings’ frog pond. His frogs are always succulent. I prepare my own, but the more squeamish can buy them ready-prepared from Bertie’s stall in the Ramblings market on Saturdays.

PREPARATION:

Prepare your frogs if not already done. I recommend the method used in the
Frog-Pickers Almanac
. It is humane and not too messy.

Set prepared frogs aside.

Finely slice the onion and fennel.

Place flour in large bowl, chop the herbs and add to flour with seasoning. Mix together.

TO COOK:

Over a low fire, melt butter in heavy frying pan. Add the onion and fennel. Cook gently until the onion and fennel are soft. Remove pan from heat. Set aside the onions and fennel.

Now take the prepared frogs one by one and roll in the mixture of herbs and flour until they are coated. Set aside.

Bank up the fire. Place the frying pan over the fire; add vegetable oil and butter. When hot, add the frogs. Sauté. This will take between five and seven minutes depending on the size of the frog. Avoid overcooking, as this will lead to tough and chewy frogs.

When frogs are lightly browned, add the cooked onions and fennel, mix together for about thirty seconds, then remove from heat. Season to taste.

For a main meal, serve with fresh green beans and rice.

For an appetizer, use very small frogs and serve with a herby yogurt dip.

A great favorite in the Heap household!

Letter from Miss Match

Found in the Heap Home

Miss Match

The Purple Elementary School

The Ramblings

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Heap,

Further to your visit last week I enclose Nicko’s most recent progress report.

Nicko is a very able and intelligent boy. He shows MAGYKAL potential, but, as you see, he is not making much progress. As I explained at our meeting, I do not feel that his heart is in it. He has not moved beyond the very basics and does not, as you now realize, stay behind for the MAGYKAL hour after school. I am sorry that you assumed he did. I understand he goes home via the boatyard; it appears they know him well there.

You will see from the report that Nicko excels in practical subjects. His grades for woodwork and technical design are superb.

I do understand that, as such an ancient Wizard family, you both are disappointed at Nicko’s lack of interest in MAGYK, but as I said at our meeting, I think you should seriously consider allowing Nicko to take up an Apprenticeship with Jannit Maarten. I have spoken to Jannit informally about this and she would be willing to take him sometime next year.

Nicko is a very popular and valued member of this school and I would not hesitate to highly recommend him to Miss Maarten.

Yours sincerely,

Emily Match

Headmistress

WANTED B
Y
O
RDER OF THE
S
UPREME
C
USTODIAN

SILAS HEAP

DESCRIPTION:
Wizard. Green eyes and blond curly hair. Often disheveled. Worn robes.

LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS:
Seen at the North Gate by Gringe the Gatekeeper. Did not pay toll.

KNOWN ASSOCIATES:

Sarah Heap

Marcia Overstrand

Alther Mella (ghost)

SARAH HEAP

DESCRIPTION:
Blue eyes and blond curly hair. Often seen picking herbs, followed by many children. Grubby appearance.

LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS:
Rumored to be in the Forest.

KNOWN ASSOCIATES:

Silas Heap

Galen the Physik Woman

Sally Mullin

SIMON HEAP

DESCRIPTION:
Young man with green eyes and blond curly hair.

LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS:

Room 16

Corridor 223

East Side

KNOWN ASSOCIATES:

Lucy Gringe

NICKO HEAP

DESCRIPTION:
Age twelve. Green eyes with blond curly hair. Dirty-looking.

LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS:
Seen on a boat heading downriver.

KNOWN ASSOCIATES:

Rupert Gringe

Jannit Maarten

JENNA HEAP

DESCRIPTION:
Age ten. Small for her age. Long, dark hair and violet eyes.

LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS:
Seen on a boat heading downriver.

KNOWN ASSOCIATES:

Bo Tenderfoot

Alther Mella (ghost)

YOUNG ARMY EXPENDABLE
BOY 412

DESCRIPTION:

Green eyes.

Pinched face.

LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS:
Seen on a boat headed downriver. Presumed abducted.

KNOWN ASSOCIATES:

None

SAM, EDD, ERIK
AND
JO-JO HEAP

DESCRIPTION:
Teenage boys. Jo-Jo Heap age fourteen. Edd and Erik Heap, identical twins age fifteen. Sam Heap age seventeen. All have green eyes and blond curly hair. Generally scruffy.

LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS:

Room 16

Corridor 223

East Side

KNOWN ASSOCIATES:

Silas Heap

MAXIE HEAP

DESCRIPTION:
Wolfhound. Moth-eaten.

LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS:
Seen on a boat heading downriver.

KNOWN ASSOCIATES:

Silas Heap

Nicko Heap