Spellbound
Chapter 10

On the night of the second letter delivery Nibbles was able to talk more to Nathaniel because Azadarin wasn’t with her. She only had two letters to deliver so he stayed home instead to work on the next tests while Nibbles again delivered the letters by air mail to their respective owners. Once there, Nathaniel produced some food and water for her and they began to talk openly about the last test and in particular Mr Morkas.

“Aza is very impressed with how both you and Penelope handled yourselves when he came at you as that hideous tree he loves turning into” said Nibbles munching down on a home cooked biscuit and taking sips of water from a bowl at nearly the same time.

“I didn’t like the tree roots Nibbles, that scared me and I stuck my knife into them...I hope I didn’t hurt them” said Nathaniel apologetically.

“They will be fine so don’t worry about them, they heal quickly....it’s not the first time they have been stabbed, Aza did it himself when he was tested many years ago” said Nibbles gulping down more and more of the biscuits than her mouth could hold. Her cheeks ballooned out with how much she was storing in them.

“Nibbles...have you ever heard of a man called Mr Morkas...he is our teacher at school” said Nathaniel hoping for a response but instead all he go was the sound of a chewing talking bat trying to swallow her mouth full. When at last she had swallowed she said....

“No cant say that I have Nathaniel....what is his first name that might trigger something in my memory, which is extensive to say the least” said Nibbles confidently.

“Zell” said Nathaniel and Nibbles stopped chewing. Her eyes went wide and she spat out what was left of her biscuit out the window and into the garden below.

“Zell Morkas did you say Nathaniel?” stated Nibbles on high alert now.

“Yes...have you heard of him?” asked Nathaniel.

“Yes I have...but more importantly I know a lot about his mother and so does Azadarin” said Nibbles now starting to show signs of concern.

“Are you allowed to tell me Nibbles about him and his mother?”

“I think Azadarin should be the one to tell you Nathaniel but I will tell you this and you keep it between you and Miss Penelope ok?” and after she said this she looked outside for a time as if she was looking for some one and then turned and faced Nathaniel with a very serious look on her face and spoke to him in hushed tones.

“Morkas is his middle name...his last name is Calarook and his mothers name is Daria Calarook” said Nibbles in an almost whisper that made Nathaniel lean in to hear exactly what Nibbles was saying. She went on to say.....

“Daria Calarook is a Witch, a very powerful Witch to I might add and it was her relatives that this village was named after. They were all bad eggs who were set on revenge against The Magic Guardians for something that happened years ago. Rumour has it that after the last battle between The Magic Guardians and Blackwatch, the tribe of bad Witches and Wizards all had been annihilated except one and she disappeared without a trace only to surface some years ago with a small boy in tow called Zell Morkas Calarook."

"A dark Wizard in training we all thought but because we couldn’t replace where she and her son were hiding we gave up looking for her and nothing more was said about the matter. Until just now Nathaniel. I must deliver Miss Penelope’s letter now so good luck with the next test and I will see you again soon....oh and just so you know...this one is not as hard as the first one so just keep your wits about you both and you will do fine” and Nibbles turned and faced the garden then turned her head back to Nathaniel and winked at him then flew off into the night sky with her fangs buried buried deep inside Penelope’s letter.

So much new information had just been shared Nathaniel was overwhelmed. But he and Pen were right, there was something strange about Mr Morkas and their instincts about this creepy feeling they had about him were correct. Nathaniel could hardly wait to share his news with Pen in the morning at school. He even beat her to the school gate and waited to she arrived. He opened the school gate for her and said in a quiet voice...

“Hi Pen, did Nibbles give you your letter last night?” enquired Nathaniel smiling.

“Yes...she is such a sweet bat but she didn’t stay long, just enough time to have a glass of water then she was flying home to Azadarin”

“Well then....have I ever got some news for you...can you wait until Lunchtime or would you like to go to the library now and hear it” said Nathaniel.

“I do have some books in my bag that need returning so...Library it is!!”

Nathaniel opened the library door for Pen and they sat down to talk before the school bell sounded. Penelope’s jaw almost hit the floor when Nathaniel shared his news.

They had been right about Mr Morkas all this time and now things might become decidedly serious in regards to who taught them at the school and what terror would lay in wait for Azadarin, Nibbles and the Village all over again.