The Magician's lecture 1/7

"Well done," said Abigail, "that's the lot. Now if you'd like to go upstairs to the Refectory and get us both a cup of tea and something to eat, I'll tidy up down here."

Jennifer Jane left Abigail's spell room and walked slowly along the corridor in the basement of the Witches' Home. She'd been making travel spells for use in the Wish Warehouse all morning and had been allowed to work by herself. Now she was feeling rather tired.

Abigail had been with her all the time in case of accidents but hadn't needed to help her at all, so although she was tired she felt rather proud of herself as well. At the end of the corridor she trudged wearily up the stairs that lead to the ground floor, then stopped as she reached the notice board outside the Assembly Hall. A new notice had been posted and several witches were clustered round in excitement.

'The Magician 'Artie' will be giving a lecture on the evolution and development of magic in the Assembly Hall on Saturday and at midday will register his two thousandth spell by demonstration in the field beyond the castle drawbridge.'

Jennifer Jane went into the Refectory and got two cups of tea, two shepherd's pies and two marmalade sponge puddings for dessert. Abigail joined her almost as soon as she sat down.

"That looks good," she said and they both tucked hungrily into their lunch.

They had finished their meal and were relaxing with their cups of tea, when Jennifer Jane put the question she'd been itching to ask ever since she'd seen the new notice.

"Whatever is a Magician? I thought the men are all wizards and all the ladies witches and that all magic is produced by one or the other. I know there are different grades of magic but I've never heard of a Magician before. Except at children's parties," she added.

"Magicians are very special people," replied Abigail, "we all work the magic as you say but they're the ones who actually think up new spells. They are so special that there are only ten of them, all known by their speciality names. For example 'Artie' is really an abbreviation for 'Right Thumb'. All his spells are based on the first use of the right thumb and the permutations and combinations of the other fingers after that. Each of the other nine magicians have different fingers for their first use and have their own suitably abbreviated names. When a spell has been demonstrated for the first time, the effects and method of producing it are entered in our book of spells so that we can practice and use them in the future."

Jennifer Jane went home that evening and told her parents the news. She had imagined that they'd be as excited as she was about the chance to see a new spell being produced for the first time but she was a bit disappointed by their attitude.

"That sounds interesting," said Dad "but I really must catch up on some gardening. You don't happen to know of a goblin like Jumping Jim who does gardening I suppose?"

Her Mother wasn't any more enthusiastic. "Too much shopping to do," she replied to Jennifer Jane's question. "I enjoy meeting all your friends at the Witches' Home but life in this world has to go on. You go if you want to and then you can come and tell us all about it."

So it was that Jennifer Jane was on her own the next Saturday morning. She hadn't been to see Barnacle Bill for a long time, so she pulled 'Drawrof' on its trolley down to the giant's pool and paddled through the magic fog to the Therdle estuary. The lecture itself hadn't sounded all that interesting. She had plenty of time to see her friend, return through the fog to the Witches' Home and still be able to see the demonstration of the new spell. To her disappointment Barnacle Bill wasn't in his harbour.

Looking down the Therdle she could just see the smoke from his paddle steamer as he headed off towards the sea. He was already near the coastguard cottage on the North shore and she didn't stand a chance of letting him know that she'd come to visit him. However, it was a nice day and it seemed a pity to waste it listening to a dull old lecture, so she decided to paddle back to the fog and go to Timber Creek in the alternate world. She could have a word with her friends at the woodyard and village and then tow her canoe on it's trolley overland. There would still be time to arrive for the demonstration at midday.

All went well until she passed through the fog and arrived in Timber Creek. It suddenly became very hard work to make any progress paddling her canoe.. Phil had seen her problem and ran out to the pier end to meet her. He caught her hand as she came alongside and then took the painter and made fast.

"Gosh that was hard work," said Jennifer Jane, "I'm jolly glad you saw me coming."

"Spring tide," said Phil, "it runs pretty quick about now and I could see you being swept back to the fog in a few more minutes if I didn't come and give you a hand."

Phil leaned over the pier end and steadied 'Drawrof', so that she could stand up and get out without capsizing.

"Now then young lady, what can I do for you today?"

She explained about the Magician's visit and the new spell to be demonstrated at midday.

"I thought I could paddle up the creek as far as Lurgin's Bridge and land on the Witches' Home side of the river, then I wouldn't have to try and think of a riddle to give Gordon. I don't think I've got enough time now, to go to the George and Dragons to find a riddle he hasn't seen before in Lurgin’s old book."

"Well you certainly won't be able to paddle any further for another hour or two. I'm not sure you’d get there in time now, even if you ran all the way. I can't see the church clock from here but it must be getting on for eleven already."

"Ten to," said Jennifer Jane, looking at her wristwatch.

"That's the smallest clock I've ever seen," said Phil, "handy as well if you can carry it round with you all the time. You might be lucky though if you hurry off to the village green, I don't think I've seen the giant come over to pick up the castle visitors this morning and you might be able to scrounge a lift from him. I expect he'd put you down just outside the Witches' Home if you ask him nicely."

Jennifer Jane thanked Phil and rushed down the pier and along the river road leading to the village. As she rounded the corner she could see the giant in the distance walking towards the village green to pick up his visitors for the week. Phil watched her go, then shook his head and smiled to himself as he bent down to lift her canoe from the water and place it safely on the pier ready for her return.

The giant put down his carrying box and those villagers who were curious about the castle started to climb in and sit on the side benches. He was smiling happily as the little people showed him the food they were bringing as the price of admission. Once it had all been enlarged, he was going to eat well for at least another two weeks. He had just lifted the box by it's carrying handle when Jennifer Jane ran up waving her arms and shouting.

"Can you give me a lift as far as the Gate?" she panted.

"No trouble," said the giant, "there'll be plenty of room on the floor if you can't find a proper seat."