The search for Merlin Homes 11/15

There were several paintings displayed in the shop window, one of them even bore some resemblance to their cottage. However, the sign over the shop proclaimed that Merlyn Holmes was the proprietor and was a purveyor to the Gentry of oil paintings of the highest quality.

“Well we can’t come all this way and not go inside,” said Morwenna when they’d both stopped giggling, “we can at least ask him if he knows where the picture of that cottage was made.”

The shop man told them that he only sold the paintings, which in fact were the work of several artists. He smiled politely when Morwenna told him of the confusion about the name.

“I’ve heard of Merlin Homes of course, because of the similarity of the name when spoken. We don’t get too many enquiries about them, but I have managed to find out where they have offices so that I can answer the question on the odd occasion when people do ask. You won’t find them in this country I’m afraid. They work across the sea in a strange island called England; if you have a map I could show you.”

Jennifer Jane ran back to the inn and fetched her scooter. She took the map the squire had given them out of the boot then drove back and hurried into the shop.

The squire’s map didn’t show England at all but Merlyn showed them the general direction for them to travel.

“Once you reach the coast you’ll have to find a fisherman willing to take you across the sea. Nobody likes going there very much. I’m told that all the people who live there paint themselves blue and eat raw meat, but it’s the only place I’ve heard of where you’ll find what you’re looking for.”

Morwenna thanked him for his help as they left the shop.

“Why on earth didn’t I think of that before,” said Jennifer Jane. “All we have to do is fly out to sea until we find a travel fog, then ask to go to Timber Creek or the Witches Home. Even if we can’t find a fog we can fly direct to one or the other of those places and once we’re there I know how to get to the head office of Merlin Homes. They should easily be able to sort everything out for us.”

“If it’s as easy as all that, why am I getting the strangest feeling about trying to go there?” asked Morwenna.

Jennifer Jane drove out of the town until they were sufficiently far out in the countryside not to be seen by anyone. Then she took off and flew as fast as she could in the direction Merlyn had pointed out to them. Morwenna had been right, try as she might she wasn’t able to find a travel fog, so they had to continue across the sea until at last she could see a dark cloud on the horizon.

From past experience she knew that the coastline of England could be found underneath. Once again they flew until a village could be seen in the distance, before landing and driving along the ground until they discovered the local pub.

The barman assured them that he’d never heard of Merlin Homes and if they didn’t want to buy a drink they could jolly well leave and make space for those who did. Jennifer Jane thought this was a bit unfair since there was nobody else in the pub anyway.

“Well at least let’s be grateful he didn’t send for any witch hunters!” said Morwenna.

“As I have no idea where we are and the weather’s too bad to see the sun to get a direction to head in, I propose we head off that way,” said Jennifer Jane.

“I’m sure one way is as good as another,” replied Morwenna, “off we go again!”

Moggy didn’t want to go this time. He was fed up with sitting still and wanted to stretch his legs. He was finally persuaded only when Morwenna told him that they’d leave without him unless he got a move on.

The scooter settled down at the height they’d found best for their search pattern and flew off in as straight a line as Jennifer Jane could manage.

“The first thing I’m going to do when we get home, is buy a compass for this thing. I’m fed up with not having any idea where I’m heading!”

The ground ahead of them was slowly becoming more and more hilly. Then they crossed a river and almost immediately the hills turned into mountains.

“This looks very much like Wales,” said Jennifer Jane, “I think we’re well on the way to finding the area where Megan lives.”

Sure enough, a few seconds later a dragon could be seen heading in their direction.

“I’ll go and land just down there, then whoever it is can come and join us for a chat. It must be Megan or Clarence; there aren’t too many other dragons about in this country.”

The dragon headed straight for them as they landed, letting fly with a blast of flame as he passed overhead.

Morwenna looked at Jennifer Jane. “I hope you know what you’re doing kid, that didn’t look very friendly to me!”