jacob and the wizard

Introduction

After reading out loud the mysterious letter, Jacob embarks on a fantastic voyage to the magical land of Cabras.

Adrift in Amnesia, Chapter Six: Jacob and the Wizard (excerpt)

It would be a little while before Jacob mustered the resolve to come out from under his bed. When he eventually plucked up the courage, he slowly emerged from the safety of cover, peering towards his window to see the wizard sat on the chair by his desk, busying himself with writing on what appeared to be an ancient piece of scroll. He was quietly humming to himself, scribbling away with his feathered quill and seemed too preoccupied to acknowledge the confused young boy come out from underneath the bed. Jacob tentatively got to his feet and, after briefly watching this curious intruder scrawling contentedly, he asked, ‘who … who are you?’

The wizard stopped writing. Standing up, he smiled and responded with a slight a bow, ‘I am your guide … uh, here to assist you on your journey.’ ‘What journey?’ Voiced in bemused enquiry. His mysterious new mentor paused; only just realising he had not even considered how to answer this rather obvious and simple question. ‘Well,’ he began … another interlude before remembering his manners, ‘tea!’ He abruptly exclaimed. ‘I’m sorry?’ Replied Jacob, now puzzled by the sudden and excited change of topic. ‘Tea, we must first have a drink and, uh … well, all shall be revealed. Would you like a cup? It’s Cabras’s finest brew, made by the dwarves, you know.’

‘What’s Cabras and who are the dwarves?’ Completely ignoring the question of tea, but his guide nevertheless responded in kind. ‘Cabras is not so much a “what,” but a where and the dwarves … well, they are indeed a “who” … a who, who live on Cabras … the magical land that awaits our arrival.’ Jacob maintained a doubtful mien at this rather eccentric character, despite all the drama with lights flashing and the room shaking. The wizard intuited that he needed more convincing. He looked to the subject of his assignment while picking up his staff, which he tapped gently on the floor and, to the amazement of the young boy, a cup and teapot materialised in mid-air. Jacob stood transfixed as he observed aromatic, steamy hot liquid pouring smoothly into a cup and saucer that floated gently down into the wizard’s palm, who had since re-seated himself by the desk, quill in hand. ‘It’s a long journey ahead … are you sure you won’t join me for a cup?’

Mouth still open, with eyes widening at the sight of magic, just as Holly had said, he moved closer to his guide. ‘Um …’ continuing to feel a little uncertain, ‘okay … I’ll try some …’ (already he had forgotten the name of the magical land) ‘some of your … your special tea.’ ‘Excellent!’ Exclaimed the wizard; most pleased at the impression things were now moving swimmingly, regardless of the fact he had not really explained a thing. It was his first assignment, hence the Board’s disapproval, not to mention all the other politics simmering in the background involving the President’s son, rumours of saboteurs and disgruntlement over him being the first to summon the Firekyma since the great Professor.

For his part, the wizard had initially been reluctant to undertake this task. The Professor, along with the Oracle, felt certain that he was the Chosen One and believed it was crucial he followed his path. Remaining ever tentative, they looked to his best friend, Atanofea, who eventually persuaded him to accept this most urgent responsibility. The Professor was subsequently called before the Board for, once a selected Cabran has accepted an appointment, it cannot be reversed, save a unanimous vote to the contrary, which must include the entire Board (not just senior members) and the leader of the New Forest Ranxi dragons. However, the dragon leader supported the decision, bolstered further by the Oracle’s blessing, hence the upper Board members’ reluctant concurrence of his selection. While they might challenge the Professor alone, they dare not go against all three such significant figures of unity. The fact Jacob was to prove pivotal to the wizard’s – and consequently the entire community of Cabras’s – destiny, was a secret kept close by only the Professor and the Oracle. It is not that either declined to trust Atanofea with this last detail, but rather they knew she had an important path of her own to follow and was already risking enough. They hoped not to put her in any further danger, though would fail to stop events leading to a deadly confrontation.

A cup and saucer appeared over Jacob’s bed and a teapot gently poured an odorously rich brew of Cabras’s finest. ‘Uhh … you might want to catch that,’ suggested the wizard, a casual urgency to his voice. Jacob moved quickly across the room to receive his drink. Gliding slowly downwards, not much was spilled, but it was heading straight for the edge of his mattress and would surely have caused an inconveniently hot splash had he not got there in time. He seated himself on his bed and went to drink his tea. It was a little hot as he sipped cautiously to become acquainted with a rather bittersweet taste. ‘Mint with some of our handpicked fruits and berries, dried into an aromatic mixture … delicious, don’t you think?’ He had never tried this kind of tea before and was not sure what to make of it. Observing a look of mild expectation on the wizard’s face, he felt it would have been rude to say he did not like it. Even so, Jacob was an honest chap and politely expressed he was not overly keen on this odd tasting refreshment.

‘Oh … well, as your guide, I would be most intrigued to know the drink favoured by the young adventurer.’ Jacob thought for a moment, ‘um … well, do you … do you have lemonade?’ ‘Ah, of course … one of those, how you say, fizzy drinks, yes? Jacob nodded in acknowledgement, while on the desk he should suddenly see a cool glass of lemonade, ‘complete with ice n’ a slice!’ The wizard smiled, feeling rather proud of the fact he had done his homework, which had mainly involved spending a night chugging pints in the Drunken Toad, getting progressively inebriated while bending the landlord’s ear to give him the lowdown on Earth’s popular beverages. The next day saw a rather nasty hangover take hold and so he was delighted to find some of the new found knowledge had been retained. Still feeling rather perplexed, Jacob reached for his drink, continuously grinning in silent awe at the spectacle of magic, as he seated himself back on the bed.

‘What are you writing?’ He asked, taking a sip from his glass. ‘Oh, it’s just boring stuff, paperwork, I believe you call it here … just some details I need to write down before we depart. How’s the lemonade?’ ‘Oh, it’s very nice, thank you. Um …’ Jacob hesitated … ‘Yes?’ Enquired the wizard, prompting him to continue. ‘Well, um … I, I like … when you say … journey, where … where are we going?’ ‘To Cabras!’ Responded his guide, enthusiastically. ‘Yes, but … but where is Cabras?’ The wizard stood up again, dropping his scroll to the floor, he began reading thus: ‘Cabras is a magical land far away orbiting a giant star that lies at the centre of the Aurea Spiralis. It is full of many magical beings including witches, wizards, dwarves and the enchanted folk. For centuries, we have been travelling to Earth via a thaumaturgic passageway called the Mysterium Vortex and …’ He paused, ‘and what?’ Keen to learn further. ‘Well, do you really want me to read all of this? It is rather long and I think it’s best you just see it for yourself.’

Still feeling unsure about what to do, Jacob nonetheless felt drawn towards following his curiosity to discover more of this peculiarly described world. He remembered Holly’s words regarding what a wonderful thing all this magic was, of which she had seemed so confident and assured. The wizard himself presented as both amiable and kind. He could not say why at the time, but Jacob perceived a sense of trust in the figure before him, as the fires of courage began to rise in his Heart. ‘Ok,’ he said, ‘but … but how do we get to Cabras?’

‘Through the Mysterium Vortex, travelling many light years across the stars … although, don’t worry, it really doesn’t take that long.’ He cheerfully informed the young adventurer. ‘And … and how do we get to this Mist-rium…’ ‘Mysterium,’ politely corrected the wizard, ‘Yeah, Vortex …’ Continued Jacob. ‘Why, it’s right behind you!’

He quickly turned around. To his astonishment, the space that had previously occupied his door and wall had since been transformed into a multi-coloured spiral reverberating outwards, through which he could see an infinite number of stars and minute constellations millions of light years away. ‘Whoa … that’s amazing!’ Jacob beamed, more than just a little impressed at everything he was seeing. ‘Careful now, don’t get too close! I must first set the right coordinates before we travel through … otherwise we could end up anywhere and never find our way home!’ ‘Oh,’ he replied, stepping away observantly, maintaining a gaze fixed upon the splendour before him.

The wizard tapped his staff on the floor and recited a language from the scroll, which Jacob did not understand. Shortly after, a multi-coloured boat appeared through the Vortex and docked in his bedroom. ‘All aboard … as they say in these parts!’ His guide joyfully climbed in and turned to Jacob, beckoning him to follow suit. Slightly reluctant, while at the same time utterly excited, he trusted his instincts and clambered into the vessel adorned with swirling hues in constant motion. The wizard handed him a pair of sunglasses. ‘Here, you’ll need to wear these … the journey can get a little bright and so you might want to protect your eyes … oh, and be sure to hold on tight, this thing goes quite fast!’ With glasses on, his guide paddled the oar towards the Vortex and, with a mighty ‘whoosh,’ the boat was pulled into the spellbinding, cosmic tunnel.

Jacob did as the wizard advised, hanging on for dear life, as endless spirals of colour shot past at breakneck speed. Despite wearing sunglasses, he remained rather dazzled by the brilliance of innumerable shades flitting incessantly by. It was the most incredible thing he had ever seen and found himself thoroughly enjoying the sensation of travelling the‘Mist-rium Vortex!’ The rush of colours intensified more and more, while the boat began increasing in velocity. He looked towards the wizard, who appeared cool and calm as ever – reading an old piece of scroll, legs crossed, with cup of tea in hand, their transport sporadically rocking amid cascades of perpetual tones.

The fervour of pigments, stars and distant constellations flying past gradually slowed and eventually they found themselves floating gently before the vessel finally came to a stop. It appeared quite murky all around. Jacob took off his sunglasses and found he could not see a thing. The wizard helped him out of the boat and he stepped onto what seemed like grass. Still pitch black, Jacob gingerly lowered his hand to feel the wetness of evening dew and felt sure he was stood in a field. The night sky was dense with cloud and he could not see any stars above. ‘Where are we?’ He whispered, feeling a little apprehensive. ‘Ssh,’ replied the wizard quietly, ‘we don’t want to startle them.’

Jacob briefly sensed an abrupt tingle of fear, as if he had made a terrible mistake getting into the craft and journeying to the magical land, which so far looked to be steeped in nothing but complete darkness. Then, a small light suddenly appeared to the right of his foot. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a butterfly, glowing brilliantly in every colour. He bent down and examined this curious creature, coated in continually pivoting nuances, around which formed a gently pulsating aura. Mesmerised by such delicate grace, he noticed another glint of light protruding from the grass up ahead … followed by another and another, until the entire field, for miles and miles, became alive with luminous butterflies shining radiantly in a multitude of rich hues.

The young boy was stunned by the majestic sight before him, as the butterflies slowly ascended in unison. Rising all around him, he watched the most spectacular take-off he could possibly imagine. At once, an oceanic semblance gleaming in every tint lifted upwards into a spiral formation, unhurriedly gliding ahead of where they stood. At first, Jacob could not see there was a huge forest in front of them. As the butterflies disappeared into it, while the stars above began to reveal themselves, adding light to the proceedings, he could hear noises emanating from the woodland, which to him sounded like music.

He took the wizard’s hand and they walked towards where all the sound was coming from. The clouds dispersed above, beyond which endless stars glittered brightly. As they reached the entrance of the forest, Jacob looked through the trees and could see all manner of strange and wonderful looking creatures; some playing music, while others danced and he could see a number of what looked like spells and various acrobatics being performed. Many of these characters had faces painted and dressed like something you might come across in a carnival, but he also observed a great number of beings that were altogether unfamiliar. The wizard stepped through its entrance and turned to the awestruck young boy, ‘welcome, Jacob, to the Secret Forest’s Magical Theatre!’

Click here for a sample of chapter seven.