The Hook:
When Aaron Franks and his friends return to the Montana Academy for Advanced Magic And Wizard Studies after Christmas vacation they continue to have problems with the top black-hearted wizard Boragon. Thus, when Aaron's father Jefferson uncovers some information that may lead him to the hypothetical Suit of Leviathan that Boragon is after, he begins a quest that leads him on a circuitous journey to Milan, Italy hoping to find Leonardo da Vinci's secret studio.
The first five chapters:
Marion Harris came out of the bathroom and woke up her roommate,
Harriet Jipsome. They were staying on Yolanda Grembal's private island. “Time
to feed the inmates,” she said, referring to the wizards who were still tied up
on the beach.
The evil wizards, known as black-hearts, had arrived on the
island via a huge wave to attack Yolanda and her guests. The black-hearts had
been under the command of Boragon, an exceptionally evil and powerful wizard. After
sailing from Miami, Yolanda and her guests arrived on the island by yacht, warding
off an attack by hammerhead sharks and surviving a massive storm. They managed
to subdue the black-hearts thanks to Yolanda’s knowledge of the brains sleep
centers and help from two of her wizard guests.
“All right,” Harriet rolled over making no effort to rise.
“Oh no you don't,” Marion pulled the covers off the bed.
“I said all right,” Harriet swung her feet over the edge of
the bed and rose to a sitting position while shooting Marion an angry grimace.
The light streaming in the window forced Harriet to shade her eyes. “Thanks for
blinding me.”
Marion ignored Harriet’s complaints while she replaced her pajamas
with jeans and a sweatshirt and waited while Harriet did the same.
“Going to the beach?” Don Harper's mother, Sylvia, stuck her
head out of her room as Marion and Harriet walked down the hall. Don was a
student at the Montana Academy for Advanced Magic and Wizard Studies as was
Aaron Franks, who invited Don to be with him during Christmas vacation. Aaron was on Yolanda’s
island to be with his father. Sylvia was invited so she could be with Don and
because she was friends with Randy Asmet, Aaron's uncle, also in the group.
“We are,” Marion said. “I think it may be the last time. The
authorities are supposed to come today to take all the black-hearts into
custody. I must say, this is definitely one duty I'm not going to miss.”
“I’d agree with that sentiment,” Sylvia said. “They don't
seem to be too appreciative of our efforts to keep them fed and watered.
Especially the ones who claim they weren’t part of the attack of their own
volition.”
“Yeah,” Harriet said, “they are a bit grumpy. But it's not
for us to decide which of the attackers were bewitched and which are actually
followers of Boragon. That's for the authorities to sort out.”
“Do you want any help?” Paddy Stevens, another invitee, peered
sleepily over Sylvia’s shoulder.
“Nah, we can handle it,” Marion said. “Get some rest and
we’ll see you at breakfast.”
When Harriet and Marion got downstairs, Marion looked around,
surprised that Don and Aaron hadn't arrived yet. They generally helped the
girls take the food to the beach. “Where's Aaron?” Jefferson, Aaron's father looked
up from the lounge chair where he was reading a magazine.
“Still in bed, I guess,” Marion said.
“No I'm not,” Aaron responded from the top of the stairs.
“Me either,” Don said, stepping up beside Aaron.
As they started down the stairs, Aaron said, “What's up,
Dad?”
“Nothing much, except I have something to tell you.”
“What's that?”
“I think Yolanda and I need to tell you together, but I
haven't seen her this morning.”
“Maybe she's in the kitchen, helping with the food for the black-hearts,”
Marion said. “She usually does.”
“You're probably right. Let's go see.”
When they all trooped into the kitchen, Jefferson looked
around but Yolanda wasn't there. Betsey, the cook, was busily frying a big pan
of bacon. “Betsy, have you seen Yolanda this morning?” Jefferson asked.
Betsey shook her head. “No, sir, I haven't. Perhaps she's
still in bed. She came down for a midnight snack and mentioned going for a
walk. I didn't see or hear her return, but that doesn't mean anything. She's
always quiet when she returns from a late night walk as she doesn't want to
wake anyone.”
Jefferson shook his head with a concerned look crossing his
face. “She's not in her room. I knocked, but she didn't answer, so I went into
her room and she wasn't there. Maybe we'd better go look for her.” His voice had
an edge of panic which was contrary to his normally calm demeanor. “She might
have gotten lost. I know that’s unlikely as she's been all over this part of
the island any number of times and it was a full moon last night. However, it's
always possible or maybe she took a misstep or some such and is lying out there
somewhere hurt.”
Betsey’s eyes grew wide. “Let's hope not. Let me finish this
pan of bacon and I'll help you look.”
“No, I think you need to finish breakfast for the black-hearts
as well as for the rest of us. I appreciate the offer, but honestly, we’ll look
for her.”
“As you wish, sir,” Betsey turned her attention back to her
pan of bacon.
Christine, the wine steward, came up from the wine cellar. “What's
up?”
“Yolanda seems to be missing,” Betsey said.
“What?”
“Apparently, she went out for a walk last night around
midnight and nobody’s seen her since,” Jefferson said.
“Oh no. Let's hope she's not hurt. Are you going out to look
for her?”
“We are.”
“Well, Harold and Bruce are in the back garden. I'll go
round them up and we'll all meet you out front.”
“Works for me,” Jefferson said, “See you there.”
Christine headed for the back door while everyone in the
kitchen followed Jefferson to the front. In the front hall, they ran into
Sylvia, Randy, Paddy and Tom. Tom was another of Aaron’s friends and classmate
at the academy. Jefferson had invited Tom for the holidays himself because
Tom’s parents had been killed during an attack by black-hearts at the academy’s
Thanksgiving celebration. Tom, with Aaron’s permission, had invited Paddy.
Soon they were all gathered in front of the small mansion.
Chapter 2
Jefferson looked around the group of anxious faces. “Does
anyone have any idea where Yolanda likes to walk?”
Christine shook her head. “No. She simply heads off in
whatever direction strikes her fancy at the time. We’d better spread out to
cover as much ground as quickly as possible.”
“Agreed.” Jefferson broke the group into pairs. “Does at
least one person in each party have their wand with them?” Only Harold, the
gardener, and Bruce, the butler, had to say no as neither was a wizard. “I’m
sorry. I didn’t know you were both withouts.”
“No problem,” Harold said. “Just send each of us with a
wizard.”
Jefferson studied his pairings. “Randy, why don’t you go
with Harold and Sylvia you can pair up with Bruce.”
Sylvia glanced at Bruce. “Okay with
me.”
So they’d all be on the same page, Jefferson explained a
simple incantation that would cause a loud noise, much like a firework aerial
bomb, to be sounded in the air and then he showed them another that would generate
a shower of sparks high in the sky so the others would know where to go. He had
the kids try each incantation once to be sure they knew how and then sent
everyone on their way. Jefferson had Christine go with him as he and she were
the only ones left with no obvious partnership.
Everyone had been searching for at least a half hour before
an aerial bomb went off followed immediately by the shower of sparks directing
everyone to where Aaron and Marion had discovered Yolanda’s lifeless body.
It only took a few minutes for everyone else to arrive.
Jefferson immediately knelt over Yolanda’s inert body. Her throat was ripped
from one side to the other with large pieces of flesh missing. Several other
parts of her body had also been savaged. He picked up her body, cradling it in
his lap. Her body was so cold it was obvious she’d been dead for hours. He
pulled her to his chest, mindless of the now, mostly, dried blood. He looked up
at no one in particular. “Oh God. What could have done this?”
Harold leaned over her body. “I’ve seen something like this
before. I think it was a bear, probably a grizzly.”
With tears streaming down Jefferson’s face, he glared at
Harold. “Are you nuts? There aren’t any bears here. This is an island. Even if
a bear did live on the island, it would be in hibernation this time of year.
Besides,” he sadly shook his head and said more softly, “Yolanda was a talented
wizard. She could’ve defended herself against a bear.”
Marion glanced around the area for the fourth or fifth time
since she and Aaron had discovered the body. “Aaron and I’ve been looking, but
her wand doesn’t seem to be here.” She turned to Christine. “She wouldn’t have
come out here without her wand, would she?”
Christine’s eyes grew wide as she shook her head. “Absolutely
not. Yolanda was very careful. Even here where she knew almost every rock and
tree on this island.”
“Then where do you think—”
“Here it is,” Sylvia said from a short distance.
Aaron’s eyes welled
up and he looked at his father with drooping eyelids. “Do you think it could’ve
been Boragon or one of his followers?”
Jefferson shrugged
slightly without looking up.
Aaron glanced to
where Sylvia still held the wand. “Whoever it was could have used the Ejectemous
incantation to knock her wand away and, if so, she’d have been defenseless. I’ve heard Boragon can change into any
animal of his choosing, including a dangerous animal like a bear, a lion or a
tiger. I’d image he could’ve taught the spell to his followers so they could do
it. I’m sure he wasn’t pleased by Yolanda thwarting his attack plan when we
arrived on the island.”
Jefferson glanced
up with tears streaming down his face. “That’s a possible scenario. We know
Boragon doesn’t take defeat well.”
“That’s for sure,”
Harriet looked away as if the act would help her forget what she feared would
forever be a part of her. She spoke her mind anyway. “He took terrible
retribution on the wizards who failed in the attack on the academy. He also used
the Kaldimos curse on a friend of my family, who I called Aunt Jen, when
she failed to force me to kill Tom.”
Sylvia came back to the group. “I heard about the burning of
the wizards, but I didn’t know about the Kaldimos curse. So how did she try to
get you to kill Tom?”
Harriet explained how Jen cast the Sulinorus Death curse on
a knife she presented to Harriet in a box as if it were a gift. She spoke of
how the moment she touched the knife she’d been overtaken by the irresistible
urge to stab Tom and how Marion, Dr. Morris, the academy’s doctor, and Dr.
Marshant, the academy’s director, prevented her from doing so. “I found out
that Boragon was waiting for her when she went home and he used the Kaldimos
curse on her.”
Jefferson suddenly came back to the present. “I’m sorry to
hear about all of that, but what am I to do about poor Yolanda?” He hugged her
body to him again before he stood with her in his arms. “I need to get her… back.”
He choked out the last words and began walking in the direction of the house.
Everyone followed in silence. Though they wanted to say some
comforting words, nothing they thought of seemed quite appropriate so they all
kept silent.
When they reached the house, Jefferson took Yolanda’s body
to her room and laid her gently on the bed. Christine and Bruce followed
Jefferson into her room while everyone else had other places to go.
“Do you want me to call the coroner?” Bruce asked.
Jefferson tenderly stroked her cheek. He glanced up. “I
guess you’d better. Send the helicopter to bring him here.”
“Yes, sir,” Bruce left the room.
Jefferson peered up at Christine and wiped several tears
away with the back of his hand. “We were going to get married. I’d already
asked her.”
“I know,” Christine said. “She told me. She was the happiest
I’d seen her in years.”
“Now what am I going to do? I loved her so much.”
“She loved you too. I could see it in her eyes every time
you looked at each other.”
Aaron came through the door. “Dad, breakfast is ready.”
Jefferson glanced up and then back at Yolanda’s body. He
shook his head. “Thanks for telling me, but I’ll pass. I can’t eat anything.”
Aaron gazed at his father and then at Yolanda’s lifeless
body. “I understand. Do you need me to take care of anything for you?”
Jefferson slowly shook his head, tears welling in his eyes
again. “I don’t know what it would be.” Almost as an afterthought, he added, “We
were going to be married.”
Aaron showed no surprise. He walked to the bed putting his
arm around his father’s shoulder. “I had a hunch that’s what you were getting
at this morning. I’m so sorry. I hadn’t known her long, but I liked her and I’m
sure you would’ve been happy with her.”
Jefferson slowly nodded. “She’d have made a wonderful wife.”
He leaned down, kissing her cold forehead. He looked at Christine. “Can you
stay with her? I think I need some air. This is just too hard.”
“Of course I can. Take as much time as you need.”
Chapter 3
About two hours
later the helicopter arrived with the coroner from a neighboring island.
Jefferson met Dr. Carl Draburn at the helicopter and took him to Yolanda’s
room. Bruce had accompanied the pilot in the helicopter, describing the
condition of Yolanda’s body to the doctor during the flight.
The coroner
examined the body for only a few minutes before he turned to Jefferson. “I
agree with the preliminary assessment. I definitely think she was attacked by a
bear, though, like you, I really don’t understand how this could’ve happened.
Bears aren’t indigenous to these islands. Besides, it’s the wrong time of year.”
Jefferson told him
what Aaron had said about Boragon and the transformations of which he was
capable.
The doctor’s eyes
grew wide and his brows furrowed. “But Yolanda was a wizard of the Third Order
of Magic. How could a transformed wizard do this to her? Surely she couldn’t
have been taken completely by surprise. From what I understand, an attacking
bear is hardly quiet.”
“Unless I miss my
guess, the wizard who attacked her wasn’t an ordinary wizard. We think Boragon
or someone he sent did this or possibly more than one wizard attacked her.
Boragon certainly wouldn’t have sent anyone he didn’t feel capable of carrying
out his orders. We also think she was disarmed by an Ejectemous
incantation before the attack, which also lends credibility to the idea of
multiple attackers. If so, she would’ve been defenseless. I’d be surprised if
Boragon hadn’t sent more than one wizard to do this. You’ve heard of Boragon, haven’t you?”
“I have, Yolanda and I discussed him several
times. She mentioned you’re in hiding from him. I never quite got the whole story
though.”
Jefferson walked
to a chair against the wall and sat down heavily. “It’s complicated, but here
goes. I don’t know what you know about Leonardo da Vinci, but he was a wizard.”
Draburn sat on the
bed away from Yolanda’s body. “I learned that at the academy. And I must say, I
wasn’t at all surprised.”
“I wasn’t surprised
when I learned about Leonardo in my stint at the academy either. So you accept
he was a wizard, but what you may not know is Leonardo died when he was sixty-seven
and one of the things he is purported to have had in his possession is what was
called the Suit of Leviathan. The Suit was supposedly made from the hide
of a legendary sea creature and was supposed to be impervious to attack by any
weapon including magic. The suit also imparted a sense of well-being to the
wearer and was supposed to prolong one’s life. No one really knows if even the
smallest part of this legend is true. However, Boragon must believe it because
he’s gotten the idea that I know where the Suit
is. I don’t, of course, but he doesn’t believe that. He captured me once and
tried to force me to tell him what I don’t know. Fortunately, I was able to
escape that time. Then, a few years ago I was hurt in a fall climbing in the
Alps and Yolanda operated on my brain and took care of me afterwards. That gave
me the idea of playing dead so I could hide from Boragon because I knew he was
still after me. I thought he might kidnap my son to force me to go to him
which, of course, I would’ve done.”
Draburn’s eyebrows
raised in question. “Do you think the Suit
actually exists?”
Jefferson shrugged.
“I really have no idea, but I hope it does. I’m going to try to find the suit
and use it as bait to bring Boragon to me. I’m going to get rid of that
black-hearted beast once and for all.”
Draburn turned
back to his duty. “I guess the best I can do at this point is wish you luck
although I don’t know how lucky it’ll be if you do end up going up against
Boragon. However, now I’d better get Yolanda’s body back to the morgue to
confirm the cause and determine time of death. Can you or one of the servants
bring me a stretcher? I know Yolanda had several of them stored somewhere.”
Jefferson heading
for the door before glancing back at Yolanda’s body. “I’ll check with Bruce.
He’ll know where they are and I’ll have him help you with her body.”
“Thanks. I’d appreciate
that. I’ll wait here.”
When the
authorities arrived from the same island where Dr. Draburn lived, they were
informed three of the black-hearts had escaped. Marion and the others who
helped her feed the black-hearts had discovered the missing wizards. It was
decided Boragon or one of his followers mustve released the wizards and they
were probably the ones who’d killed Yolanda. When someone mentioned that they’d
taken their wands and crystals when they tied the wizards up on the beach, it
was pointed out that it would’ve been easy enough for Boragon or whoever he
sent to bring crystals and wands for the wizards. The fact that the crystals
wouldn’t have been their own and might not have matched up with their energy signal
as much as their own had probably wouldn’t have made a huge difference as three
wizards would still have been able to generate enough wand power to overwhelm
any wizard, including a third-level Order wizard like Yolanda.
Fortunately,
Sylvia had brought a camera to take pictures of Don and his girlfriend Harriet,
so she’d taken pictures of all the wizards and withouts after they were tied up.
Therefore, they had a record of the wizards who’d been let loose. Randy copied
the pictures from the camera to Yolanda’s computer and then copied the pictures
to a disc which he gave to the authorities. They said they’d do what they could
to track down the escapees.
Chapter 4
Two days later
Jefferson heard from Dr. Draburn confirming the cause of death and informing
him that Yolanda had died at approximately 12:30 a.m. He said her death was
quick so she didn’t suffer. That last bit of information gave Jefferson some
small comfort. Draburn also told him there’d be a coroner’s inquest on Friday,
but he didn’t have to attend if he chose not to as there wasn’t any question as
to the cause of Yolanda’s death.
On Thursday of
that same week Jefferson was contacted by Yolanda’s lawyers informing him he
was in her will. The reading would be the following Tuesday with the funeral
the next day. The funeral had already been arranged by her attorneys as part of
the duties she’d assigned them. They told him they expected him to be at the
reading of the will and he should bring all the staff as they were all
mentioned in her will as well. He told them he’d be there as would everyone
else.
On Monday everyone
joined Jefferson on Yolanda’s yacht and they all sailed to the nearby island
where the reading of the will would take place. Jefferson put them up at the
best hotel on the island.
When they were all
settled in one of the lawyer’s offices, the lawyer came in, introduced himself
as Phillip Francis, and began with, “I don’t know what you know of Miss Grembal's
financial position, but she was quite well off. Not only did she own the yacht
on which you arrived and the island from which you came, she also owned
property on Corsica and a couple of other places and had stocks and bonds that
had been valued at slightly over twelve million dollars before we sold the few needed
to cover the bequests listed here.” He waved her will and then set it back on
the desk. “Therefore, she was, I believe, generous in her bequests to all of
you.” He looked at the captain of the yacht and his crew, resplendent in their
uniforms. “You are Captain Frederick Nablur, are you not?”
Nablur waved at the five men beside him. “I am, and these
gentlemen are my crew.”
“To you Captain,
Yolanda left one hundred thousand dollars and to each of your crew she left
twenty-five thousand dollars.”
“That’s…that’s,”
Nablur stuttered.
“That’s quite all
right, Captain. She obviously valued your services.”
Next he looked at
Bruce and Harold who were sitting together. “You are Bruce Nichols, the butler,
and Harold Simmons, the gardener?”
“We are,” Bruce
said
“To each of you
she left fifty thousand dollars.”
Bruce gasped, but
Harold merely smiled. “Bless her heart,” he said.
He cast his glance at Christine and Betsey. “I will now read
the actual passages in the will.” He paused only slightly. “To Christine, my
superb wine steward and valued friend, I leave the sum of two hundred thousand
dollars.”
Christine wrapped
her arms around herself as if she was cold, let out a deep breath, and wiped a
tear from her cheek.
“For Betsey my
loyal cook to whom no request was too big or small or too late at night or
early in the morning, I leave the sum of two hundred thousand dollars.”
Betsey shook her
head. “Unbelievable,” was all she said.
Phillip read on, “To
each of the rest of my house staff, including Tomas Givers, my helicopter
pilot, as well as the staff at the house in Falls Glenn,” Falls Glenn was her
house on the island of Corsica, “and the staff at my other two properties in
New York and Switzerland, I leave the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars each.”
There were several gasps and several people let out the deep breaths they’d
been holding.
Phillip looked up
at Jefferson. “She recently changed her will so everything else goes to you. I
read on. To my friend and, I hope, soon to be husband, Jefferson Franks, I
leave the remainder of my estate to include all stocks and bonds beyond what
will need to be sold to cover my previous bequeaths. I also leave Jefferson my
island and everything thereon, my yacht, and my properties in Falls Glenn, New
York, and Switzerland. All of which he may do with as he pleases.”
“It’s signed
Yolanda Grembal and witnessed by myself and my partner in this firm
Richard Pasterim. Miss Grembal also gave us her power of attorney to sell
whatever stocks we needed in order to cover her bequests. We have done this.
Therefore, you may all see Misty, our receptionist, to receive your checks which
have already been prepared.” Before anyone moved he looked back at Jefferson,
and added, “I will, however, need you, Mr. Franks, to remain behind as we have
other arrangements to make.”
Jefferson and all those who’d accompanied him on his trip sat
still as everyone else filed from the room. “I assume you have some papers for
me to sign,” Jefferson said.
“I do, but we need to discuss something first. As stated in
the will, you are free to do with the portions of Yolanda’s bequest as you choose,
but I thought you might like to know two different parties who live in Miami
had been in touch with Yolanda expressing interest in buying her island. Of
course, you can keep the island to live there or visit when you wish, but there’s
interest in the island in case you wish to dispose of it.”
Jefferson looked at his hands as he silently intertwined his
fingers. “I don’t think I could stand living there, or even visiting, considering
what happened. Therefore, I’d appreciate it if you’d arrange for the sale. Not
that it really matters but has either party made an offer?”
Phillip picked up a piece of paper briefly glancing at it
although he already knew what it said. “Actually, they both have. The best
offer has been for ten million, five hundred thousand. I think, however, both
of them will increase their offers once they find out you’re willing to sell.”
“Okay. I’ll leave it up to you to get the best price you
can. Next, can you give me the name of Yolanda’s stock broker?”
Phillip turned back to Jefferson. “Of course. All that
information is in the papers you’ll be signing.”
“Well, why don’t we get all this over with then.”
Phillip picked up a small pile of papers and leaned over his
desk so he could point out things on the paperwork. “Certainly all right with
me.” He explained each page as Jefferson signed them.
Chapter 5
An hour later Jefferson and his entourage were seated in the
office of Herbert Janson, Yolanda’s stock broker. “As of one hour ago,
Yolanda’s, excuse me, your portfolio had a total valuation of eleven million,
two hundred five thousand dollars after the sales necessary to fulfill
Yolanda’s other bequeaths.”
Jefferson glanced at Aaron and then back at Herbert. “I want
you to sell one hundred-thousand dollars’ worth of whatever stocks you think
will probably have the most downside over the next few months.” He took a small
slip of paper out of his pocket, handing it to Herbert. “I want fifty-thousand
to be deposited into each of the accounts listed here. One is my account and the
other is my brother-in-law’s account.” He turned to Randy. “Randy, I want you
to keep forty-thousand for yourself as thanks for looking out for Aaron for the
past six years and the other ten-thousand I want you to deposit in Aaron’s checking
account.” He glanced at Aaron. “You do have a checking account, don’t you?”
Aaron nodded. “I do. Randy started it for me several years
ago. But why the ten thousand dollars? Randy has always taken good care of me.”
Jefferson smile briefly. “I know he has. Consider it your
college fund. You were planning on going to college I presume.”
“He is definitely going to college if I have anything to say
about it,” Randy said.
Aaron looked over at Marion. “Not to worry. I’ve already
been researching Northern Wizard University. Marion and I began talking about
college one afternoon so I simply thought I’d start checking into what was
available. Considering the trouble we’ve had with Boragon, I’ve been
contemplating majoring in Protection Against Evil Magic.”
Jefferson furrowed his brows and narrowed his eyes. “Are you
sure that’s what you want to do? I’ve heard the life of a Protector is not an
easy one.”
Aaron shook his head. “I haven’t decided anything. I still
have a long time before such a decision will be necessary. Besides, even after
I start, I can always change my major.”
“True enough,” Jefferson said. “But back to business.” He
turned to Herbert. “Are we clear on what you’re to do?”
Herbert glanced down at his notes. “We are. Is there
anything else I can do for you?”
“There is. Yolanda owned an island near here which she left
to me. I’m going to sell it and want you to put the majority of the proceeds
into my portfolio. Pasterim and Francis will deposit some of the money into my
account and send the rest to you. I’ll also most likely sell the properties
Yolanda owned in New York and Switzerland and make arrangements to have any
monies to be invested sent to you.”
“I’m sure we can handle it. Do you have any idea what type
of securities you want to invest the money in?”
“None at all. I’ll leave it entirely up to your discretion. I
presume you know what you’re doing when it comes to that.”
Phillip smiled in spite of himself. “I do. My clients
generally don’t complain as I take pretty good care of them.” He glanced at a piece
of paper on the right side of his desk. “Yolanda’s portfolio, and now yours,
has gained approximately thirty percent over each the last three years.”
Jefferson stood. “If you can continue to do that well for
me, we should have a long and fruitful relationship.”
Phillip stood, reaching his hand over the desk. “I’ll
continue to do what I can. It’s been a pleasure to meet all of you, though I
wish it could’ve been under other circumstances.”
“I’m sure we all wish that,” Christine said.
When they got back to the hotel, an eagle was resting on a
perch inside the lobby. “Mr. Franks.” The receptionist said as Jefferson walked
past the eagle.
“Yes.”
“You have an eaglegram, sir.”
Jefferson turned to the eagle and glanced at the parchment
it carried. Sure enough, it was addressed to him. “Who’s it from?”
“I wouldn’t know, sir. The only thing we do here is check to
see who the eaglegram is for and then contact that party. We do not disturb the
parchment as its message is none of our concern. Since you were not here when
the eaglegram came, the eagle has been patiently waiting for you.”
Jefferson took the parchment off the eagle’s leg and
unrolled it. He turned to Aaron and the others who waited behind him. “It’s
from the Wizard Historical Society about the tomb you discovered. They say
they’ve found some interesting information in the tomb and want me to come back
to tell them what I want them to do about it.”
“What could that possibly be?” Aaron asked. Aaron and his
friends had discovered the tomb when they visited his father in Falls Glenn on
Corsica before they went to Yolanda’s island. Jefferson contacted the Wizard Historical
Society so they could explore the tomb.
“It could be anything. The researchers are only allowed to
delve into things they’ve been tasked to do. If anything further arises from
any discoveries they make, they have to get permission to explore farther. For
example, whatever they found in the tomb, as long as it refers to something in
the tomb, they can do whatever they need to do, but if what they found leads
them beyond the tomb, they cannot explore that without getting my okay.”
“So,” Marion said, “what are you going to tell them?”
“I guess that’ll depend on what Aaron and possibly the rest
of you want to do. I’d like to know what they found, but if you kids would
rather go back to the academy, I’ll tell them to go ahead with their next step.”
Aaron rolled his eyes to the ceiling and rubbed his chin as
if he were an aged sage. “As we have another week before we have to be back at
the academy, I’d love to go back to Falls Glenn to see what they found.”
“Sounds good,” Jefferson said glancing at all their faces. “How
about the rest of you? Are you up for another plane ride to Corsica?”
Almost as one they said, “I am.”
“Okay then. It’s decided. We’ll all go back to Falls Glenn.”
He glanced at the clock on the wall.” However, since it’s rather late in the
day, we won’t leave until in the morning. But we’ll go back to the island
tonight so everyone can get packed. I’ll call the captain of the yacht while
you all pack what you brought with you here. Let’s go.”
When Jefferson called the captain, he also told the captain
to have the cook on the yacht prepare an evening meal so they could eat on
their way back to the island.
They landed in Rome about six the next day. From there, they
took two helicopters to Corsica where they were greeted by Armend and Annaleese,
Yolanda’s, and now Jefferson’s, two without servants. From there they took
jeeps deep into the mountains to the village of Falls Glenn.
They were almost as amazed as the first time they came. Every
house they could see had a waterfall cascading over the front of the house. All
the creeks created by the housefalls merged into one large rush of water
cascading over a cliff near the last house on the edge of town. It was a truly
spectacular sight.
When they got out of the jeeps Jefferson asked Armend the
location of the historical society researchers.
Armend glanced in the direction where Aaron knew he and the
others had discovered the tomb. “They’ve been returning to the tomb area every
day since they’ve been here.”
“They must’ve found more than we did,” Paddy said.
Armend nodded. As I understand it, the stone coffin in the
tomb wasn’t a coffin at all but an opening to an underground vault and that’s
what they’ve been exploring.”
“If that’s the case,”
Marion said, “I wonder what else they found that needed your attention.”
Jefferson smiled at her. “I guess we’ll just have to go find
out now, won’t we?”
Marion smiled too. “I guess we will.”
Jefferson crooked his head in the direction of the tomb and
set off with everyone close behind.
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