Chapter 7
That afternoon Niko and his entire family went to the home of the magic tester, not having a clue of what Henda had recently done. When the tester opened the door he greeted them all warmly. When he looked at Niko his breathe hitched in his throat, but he quickly covered it with a nervous laugh, "So, that must be the…special boy that everyone is speaking of isn't it."
Niko's father grinned, "Yes, Pembrandt that is him."
Niko bowed slightly to the man, 'So this is Val Pembrandt, the town's famous magic tester. For some reason I just don't trust him…I'll deal with that later.'
Pembrandt led them down the stairs to a larger room beneath the one they had just been in.
"So who goes first?" Pembrandt asked with a forced smile on his face. Niko was about to ask his brother or sister to go first, but they already had that idea from the start. Corithe bolted to the seat before the magic tester while Amuris stood close behind. Niko stood by his father, still trying to figure out what was going on in that man's head.
No magic was found in either Corithe or Amuris and they were both slightly disappointed. It was now Niko's turn and they all waited for him to step up to the magic tester. Niko walked to the small stool in front of Pembrandt and quietly sat. He looked up at him and caught his eyes. Niko looked deep into them and Pembrandt, despite all his efforts, could not look away. An image began to appear and Niko saw Henda speaking. Suddenly everything around them; Niko's family, the house, all but Pembrandt, disappeared. Niko saw Henda speaking with the man, wearing a heavy hooded cloak. He couldn't hear what was being said, but he caught some of the last part. "…wish sir, the boy is as good as a demon." As Niko saw the slight glint of silver and gold coin in Henda's palm he blinked, releasing his hold on Pembrandt. When Niko's eyes opened again they were back in the tester's house.
Niko's father looked worried, "Is everything alright? You both seem a bit…dazed."
Pembrandt trembled slightly, but shook his head, "No, no problem, not at all."
He took a small bottle filled with an odd coloured powder and sprinkled it in the air around Niko. It seemed to float in the air as Pembrandt made symbols with his hands and whispered spells in a language Niko did not know. As he did this the dust and powder began to shimmer and a slight crimson glow began to radiate from them. Niko's mother, father, and siblings did not see it, but he caught a glimpse of it. Pembrandt did also and knew Niko had. He said one word, that did not seem to go with the others, and suddenly a black light erupted from the circle of powder that the tester had sprinkled. The spell he had cast must not have been tightly under his control because Pembrandt was blown backwards into a far wall. Niko's family also was thrown back, but did not collide with anything hard. Only Niko was not affected by the display and after moments of this the spell began to die down. The black light surrounding Niko evaporated, leaving him sitting on the stool, completely unaffected, not even a hair of his was out of place.
Pembrandt looked at Niko, wide eyed, as Niko gave him an evil glare that would of lay fear in a dragon's heart. Niko's father got up from the floor, astonished "Pembrandt what in the world was that?"
Pembrandt was still getting over his own shock but managed to say "That was not supposed to happen."
"So what does Niko have?"
"He does not have a mage's magic but…he is not normal either."
Niko continued to give him an icy stare as Pembrandt fumbled with his words.
"There is something…I don't know if he is possessed or part demon, but he is certainly no regular child. I fear that he may cause you more trouble than good if…"
Niko's father looked to his wife, not knowing what to say or do. Suddenly the room seemed to get very cold and an eerie feeling fell on everyone. They all looked towards Niko as he got up and slowly walked up to Pembrandt.
"You are a treacherous liar" he said in a calm, anger filed voice "Henda told you to say that and you listened to him. Where is the gold he paid you to lie for him? How pathetic of you to sink to such greed that you have to falsely accuse me of demonic tendencies. Soon you'll see how badly you'll pay for it."
He turned and walked up the stairs to the main floor and walked out the door. Val Pembrandt shook so much that he had to steady himself on his chair before he could get up. He looked up at Niko's father "You see? He accuses me and your brother of wrongdoings because we are the only ones who have seen the demon within him. He is afraid that we will destroy him so he tries to keep us silent with threats. If you have any sense sir you will send him away immediately."
Niko's father didn't say a word as he quickly turned and walked out; the rest of children and his wife close behind.
Niko stood outside Pembrandt's house where the carriage was. When he saw his parents, brother and sister, he quickly climbed in and sat waiting for them.
When they got in the driver sent the horses on a slow trot towards their home. Everyone was silent for awhile until Niko decided to speak.
"You believe him don't you? You think I'm a demon."
Niko's mother chose this time speak, "Niko we never said that, we didn't say that we agreed with Val."
"But you didn't say you disagreed either."
Niko's mother fell silent after that. Corithe and Amuris looked at each other, then at their parents, then at Niko.
"Listen we don't think what Pembrandt said is anywhere near the truth, but even if others do, so what. You are our brother, our family and we will stand by you through thick and thin, alright?" said Amuris bravely.
Niko smiled, he knew he could count on his brother and sister.
Well there's another chapter done for all you guys. Thank you sooo much to all my reviewers, I wouldn't keep writing if it weren't for you guys tear. Oh yeah, and the part where Niko looks at Pembrandt and the room gets cold, I got that from "Sandry's book" when Niko got Briar and the man tried to question him and the room felt slightly colder. I don't know how that comes about but I'm sure that's an anger thing with Niko (I wouldn't want to get him angry). Ok I know I'm talking to much , but one more thing, does anyone know how a real magic tester tests? If so could you tell me if my way was anywhere close, thanks. Well…later!
