Dark Tidings

Chapter 31 - Fish Tales

Scallops resting on black pudding followed by wild mushroom risotto, all washed down with a very fine Pinot Blanc. Michael was enjoying yet another splendid lunch with Madrick and Tung at the Ritz. What a perfect way to spend an afternoon; except he missed Faith. He was there again without her because he'd decided not to share this secret until he knew what direction things were going to go.

"Where's Faith?"

"She's still not feeling the best. Does that girl get hangovers, or what?"

"I'm guessing yes," said Tung.

"That was a rhetorical question," said Michael.

"What's a rhetorical question?"

"It's a question which doesn't want an answer."

"Then what's the point of asking it? That's just annoying."

"Is there anything more annoying than a rhetorical question?" replied Michael smiling.

"No, I don't think there is," said Tung as the joke flew silently and unnoticed over his head.

They got back to their meals and the talk began to get more serious so Michael decided it was time to share his secret. He started to tell them about his skill with computers.

"You know this isn't making any sense to us?" said Madrick.

He simplified his story.

"I work in a bank. It's the richest bank in the world. I plan to steal all their money."

"How will you carry it all? Where will you hide it?" asked Tung who, from a 'professional' point of view, was immediately interested in every detail of the theft.

"It's not actual money that I'll steal," he began, however he stopped when he saw the bewildered looks were back.

"I'll explain it all some other time but put simply, I want to destroy the bank and become wealthy in the process. Oh yes, and make the world a better place."

"Put simply, I want to live it up at the Ritz... forever," said Tung.

"Put simply, I just want a quiet life of luxury," said Madrick. "And I emphasise 'quiet life'. We need to keep a low profile and make sure the Spell Spell remains our own well-guarded secret."

They chatted easily about how they could achieve their aspirations. Michael started again to explain the outline of his hacking plan. Once again, it soon became clear they weren't going to grasp any of it. Maybe it would be better to give up and hear what way the travellers wanted to go.

The level of trust within the group was building, shared secrets made a good foundation; you spill my secret and I'll spill yours. On top of that, as a nice little bonus, they enjoyed each other's company so friendships were developing.

"I've had an idea," said Madrick, "let's adjourn up to our suite and we'll show you something amazing."

Michael followed them up to the room and settled into a comfy chair.

"How about we get Tung to create the next spell?" said Madrick. "Here, now, in front of you."

This thing just got weirder and weirder.

"Can he just make magic?"

"No, He's empty at the moment, has been for a while. I was worried that if he carried round an active spell for too long, it might cause problems. We felt safe here so this was a good time to let Tung's mind rest."

"What? I don't understand."

"Don't worry about it, why not just sit back and watch the whole process? Then you'll get to see how this thing works and it'll give you the absolute proof that our story is true."

"Sounds good to me."

"Just sit back and enjoy. Tung, you're on."

"No problem," said Tung, who seemed to relish any opportunity to show off.

He stood and duly obliged with a demonstration of saying the Spell Spell. Michael watched in fascination although he was slightly disappointed because nothing particularly dramatic happened. Tung merely wobbled a bit on his feet, as if he was going to faint but then he was back to normal almost immediately.

"I see a giant fish. A great big silver fish with intense black eyes and two pointy fins on its back," said Tung without being asked.

"Easy," said Madrick. "You're going to create an enormous, delicious fish which will be so big it could feed a small village. In fact, two of these fish would be enough to feed five thousand people. It's of no worth to us so you might as well do it and get it out of the way."

Tung did the business. SPLOOSH, and then there it was. It was indeed an enormous fish and actually not so easy to 'get it out of the way'. The monster now lay in the middle of the lounge area, half of it on the floor and half of it draped over one of the leather sofas.

"Bloody hell," said Michael as his mouth dropped open. His face froze in amazement, mouth agape, so now he looked quite a lot like the fish, which must have been equally surprised by events.

"That is going to be very smelly very soon," said Tung as he prepared the next spell.

Michael watched totally transfixed as Tung formed spell after spell. Strange things began to populate the room: a white marble statue of a beautiful woman, a black bearskin fur cape, a small sack of gem stones, a great bronze battle shield and an elephant's foot. Madrick tried to explain the point of each of the spells but not even he could conjure up any sort of reasonable explanation for the foot.

Michael said nothing but he knew now, for certain, for absolute definite, that the amazing tales of the Scroll, time-travel, hunters, escape and adventure were all true. Strap yourself in, the rollercoaster is heading up the first big incline.

He surveyed the mess in the room and made an instant decision.

"You're going to have to get out of here before that fish rots. Why not come and stay at my place, it won't be as comfortable but it'll give us some time to work out how to keep you guys out of trouble?"

After a short confab, Madrick and Tung agreed. They packed up their small collection of possessions into their backpacks and said a final goodbye to their luxury room. It had served them well, much like the hotel staff who had served them well too.

Before they left, Tung put the fur cape on the statue and wobbly-walked it across the floor so the hand was in the giant fish's mouth. Then, just for good measure, he attached the great battle shield to the side of the fish.

"That'll so confuse whoever finds this," said Michael, "as if they weren't going to be confused enough by Moby Dick and his lady friend."

"Moby Dick?" said Tung.

"Time to go," said Michael.

"Time to go," said Madrick and Tung in unison.