Chapter 11
The Long Walk.
Dawn broke and with it the weather. Adam woke up wondering what the noise on the canvas was. He slipped out of the small wooden bed, stretched and yawned before walking across the carpeted floor to look outside.
The world had closed in and everything looked grey and washed out. The trees blended into the background as rain poured from the sky splatting onto the leaves. He ambled back across the tent, checked out the still unconscious Messi, finding that Tony had found bandages and had used them on her during the night. He checked the wounds on her stomach; they were already starting open again. He used the Dittany, noticing that the little bottle was at the halfway mark.
In the kitchen area, he stopped and sat down on the bench, looking forlornly at the items he could make a drink with, releasing that no magic meant he could not use a single item. He looked over at the toilet he couldn't use.
He sat for a while dwelling on his future in the magical world, realising, that he wasn't suited to it and if he had to spend time in this world, he would always need a helper. Perhaps this wasn't the world for him.
Tony appeared a few moments later bringing Adam out of his darkness he was slipping into. He headed straight into the toilet without speaking, disappearing behind the canvas.
"How's Messi?" He asked while yawning coming back out of the toilet.
"Fine but we're running out of Dittany. Can I use the toilet?" He asked standing as Tony sat.
Tony gave him a confused look. "Course you can."
"Without magic?"
Again, Tony looked confused. "The toilet and shower work the same way yours do at home."
He frowned before answering. "I've closed the wound on her stomach again, but for how long I don't know. I'll see if I can get us a quick breakfast and we'll get underway."
"Hold up." He said causing the rising Tony to drop back down. "Can you make a stretcher of some sort and make it float?
Tony's face lit up. "Good idea, we'll make better time if we don't have to carry her."
"How about making something we all sit on and travel in style?" Tony frowned. "You did it with Aunt Matilda; she must weigh nearly ten tonnes, surely you can make a log do the same thing?"
"I think you may overestimate my abilities somewhat."
"You used your wand to carry her in here last night and you keep overestimating my ability to be surprised." This brought a smile to Tony's face.
"When I was getting Aunt Matilda running, I had some serious help from some professors at Durmstrang. I can't remember some of those spells, because I only did them once."
"Try, because, light as she is, I'll only be able to carry her less than an hour at a time, your fitness level would suggest you can't even lift her." Tony's jaw fell open. "And I think we need to get her some help, sooner rather than later."
He closed his mouth, nodded saying nothing as he slipped out of the tent. Adam had hit a nerve in Tony that had hurt, something Adam was happy about, knowing he needed to harden up.
A few minutes after Adam had used the facilities, feeling refreshed, and his mind had stopped dwelling on the negative so much. He looked out of the tent to see Tony walking around the area outside with an umbrella, before realising that the umbrella was being produced by his wand and he was dry. He watched a small tree trunk, covered with moss and vines hanging from it, as it lifted itself from the ground and moved between the trees. Then Adam saw that Tony was moving the trunk with his other wand. Seems he was getting used to controlling two wands, whether this was good, remained to be seen.
"Good work Tony that should help." The trunk dropped to the ground with a deep thump felt rather than heard. He looked at Adam with a hound dog expression.
"Pondusicus Nullum." Said Tony after his swapping wands, the wooden one now providing the umbrella. Nothing happened until he reached down and lifted the trunk from the floor with one hand, giving Adam a triumphant grin.
"Very good," Adam yelled. "How are you going to get Messi on it and keep her on it?"
"Easy." He said sitting on the log. The log rolled, throwing him at the wet ground, both wands landing in the mud.
Adam shook his head as he closed the canvas flap, listening to the sounds of expletives coming from Tony. Adam knew he should feel guilty that Tony never used language like this before they had met. He shrugged as he prepared a breakfast for them both.
Breakfast made he called Tony. Making the breakfast had turned out to be easy as the stove lit itself when he placed a pan on it. A little cupboard at one side, filled with enough food to last them for several weeks.
Tony was soaking when he entered the tent, having given up using his wand as an umbrella. He waved his wand over himself and stream rose from his clothing, and within a minute he looked dry.
"I've split that trunk in two." He announced sitting down and pulling the full plate off fried food towards him. "I've fixed the two half's together, so they don't roll over so much. One of us will have to keep a hand on it and push it."
"Why not just keep her afloat the way you did last night?"
"I have to keep the wand on her, which means I can't keep a look out and you can't use a wand."
"Fair enough. How long will the spell past?"
"I don't know, an hour, but the spell is easy to do." He looked down at the plate of food. "When the hell did you get this?" He asked eyeing the sausages, bacon, eggs, and toast.
"It was all in a cupboard in the kitchen area, no red or brown sauce though."
"You cooked this?" He asked amazed. Adam nodded and started eating. "I didn't know you could cook?"
"It's what we muggles have to learn." This brought a smile to Tony's face.
"If I hadn't magic, I'd have starved to death by now." He pushed the first fork full of food into his face with relish.
"I know," Adam said as he continued to eat.
Adam cleaned up while Tony moved Messi from the bedroom to outside. He felt guilty having a full belly while Messi still unconscious, had eaten nothing and continued to bleed from the open wounds. Tony had provided dressings, which they had covered the wounds with the night before. As he changed the dressings this morning, a little blood oozing from them, he noticed her skin had taken on a grey pallor; which he decided was not a good thing.
Tony dropped her on the two split longs, which he had applied a blanket first. He took her wand and produced the umbrella effect again, before slipping the wand between her fingers, which rested on her stomach, just clear of the wound. This umbrella effect covered her whole body and the logs. Adam came out and looked at Tony's handiwork. He smiled at him and pushed at the log surprised nothing happened. He pushed again and felt it move.
"The weight may have gone," Tony said watching, "but inertia is still a constant. Once we get it moving, it will be hard to steer or stop."
"I'll do the pushing; you keep a lookout for nasties. If we come to a bend, we can turn it together."
Adam put his weight against the trunk that was still drifting, building the speed up to a walking pace, and heading along the track that was almost straight for quite some distance. Tony used his wand to pack the camp, tent and bits, putting them back in Messi's pack, which he put on his own back, before running to catch up with Adam who was by now almost two hundred meters down the track.
They had walked for perhaps four hours, the rain had stopped soon after they started out, with it came the expected rise in humidity. Their speed, hampered with having to push the log, when the track diverted. Tony had to use his wand every time the logs slid into the ground, which was around every half hour.
The logs held out for the last half an hour sinking to the floor at the edge of the village. Again, Tony used his wand to lift Messi and carry her forward towards the big house. A man came out, old, black and skinny and gave them a glare that was far from pleasant.
"It's Messi, she's been hurt." He said to the man, who ignored him, looking at Messi for a moment, assessing the severity of the wounds.
"Do you have Dittany?" He said, His voice full of disdain his voice deeply African's, almost impossible to understand.
"We've used Dittany many times; the spell used on her causes the wounds to re-open."
"Who did this spell?" His voice changed, now hard and angry.
"The man who did this is dead. I killed him." Adam said with menace in his voice.
"You killed a wizard, how does a shadow kill a wizard?"
"Does that matter at the moment?" Adam's anger matching the old man's. He looked at them for a moment before turning away and going back inside, only to reappear a moment later, this time carrying the ubiquitous wand. Tony dropped Messi down onto the wooden floor of the veranda. He took Messi's pack from his back, ready to help. The old man waved his wand over her stomach, the wound was unravelling yet again, showing no sign of ever healing up, which now looked worse as the edges now had redness to then, and suggesting infection was setting in.
"This is very bad." He said as the wound healed itself again, the angry redness remaining.
"There's another one on her back," Tony said rolling her over, exposing the wound that was now worse than the one on her stomach. The old man tutted as the wound closed up. He stood and went back inside again, this time for longer.
"They don't say much around here do they?" Tony said sitting done on the veranda's step.
"They probably don't get the chance with Messi's around." Tony giggled.
"I heard that Shadow." Said Messi, her voice hoarse and quiet. Tony's giggle turned into a laugh, his reaction to the relief he felt that Messi seemed fine.
"How long have you been awake?"
"Just now, I have a really bad headache, my back hurts, my stomach hurts and I feel as if I am about to burst into flames."
The old man returned with a handful of leaves and a small bottle, some rags and a blanket. He knelt down giving Adam and Tony a look that could kill before rolling Messi onto her back again.
"None of your voodoo shit Blyds." She said forcefully or at least as forcefully as she could manage. She was still grey, her eyes looked deep and shrunken as if she had lost a lot of weight in a short time, which she probably had.
"Always with the mouth Messi. Here drink this." He handed her the bottle.
"Just patch me up and I'll sort myself out." She gave Adam a baleful look just as the old man, Blyds, pressed the leaves against her now closed wound. She gasped and looked down. "What the hell is that?" She exclaimed throatily as she saw the huge red, raw scar. "Who the hell did this to me?" The amazement in her voice had given way to anger as she first glared at Adam, then at Tony. "Did you do this to me?" She yelled at him.
"Why would I do that, we've just carried you all the way back here while you were unconscious?" He replied, surprised she would accuse him.
"Why, you had." She stopped and thought before looking at Adam. "I gave you Dittany." He nodded and smiled, which did nothing to placate her.
"You could have used all the other potions in my bag." she gestured at the pack on the floor. "Why did you not use the other potions?"
"I don't know how to." He said looking ashamed. Blyds shook his head stood up walked over the nearest bench and sat down to wait for Messi to be quiet. It was obvious he was used to her and had enough patience to wait for her.
"What sort of Auror are you?"
"Obviously not a good one."
"Why didn't you use my potions?"
"I tried, but none of them came out of your backpack."
"Why?"
I assumed I didn't know the Afrikaans name for them."
She went quiet and looked at Blyds who looked the other way, trying not to smile.
This would continue for some time, so Adam happy that she was OK, moved away and sat down beside Blyds.
"Can you make her sleep again?" He asked smiling at him.
"No point," Blyds said. "She talks in her sleep, no, she argues with herself in her sleep." He looked at Adam. "Who produces such a spell and uses it on a young girl?"
"I don't know his name, but we think we've had dealings with him before."
"And who is we?"
"He is Tony Garrett, an Auror with the Ministry for Magic in London." He took this information in his eyes never left Adam. His eyes brows went up as his head tilted to one side, waiting for him to continue. "Adam Croft."
"I am Blyds."
They both stopped and looked over at the minor war breaking out between Messi and Tony, she trying to stand up, he, trying to stop her and failing. Blyds shook his head, stood up, and clapped his hands, the way someone does to control young children. It worked.
The leaves Blyds put on her stomach had fallen off, the wounds had remained closed, and some redness had already dissipated. As she turned away, the wounds on her back became visible. He walked over and placed more of the leaves against her skin, she sucked in a mouthful of air, holding her ground. Blyds moved her to a chair and pushed her into it, which held the leaves on her back in place. Then he replaced the fallen leaves back on her stomach, using her own hands to hold them in place. She sat and allowed him to continue while trying to keep her dignity and composure. She kept giving Tony glares, and then she looked at Adam with the same glare for a moment.
Her eyes seemed to light up. She pointed her finger at him. "What of the man you killed?"
"He is still in the jungle, probably being eaten as we talk, just like the man who did that to you." He pointed back.
"You killed two wizards?" Blyds asked. "I asked before, how is this possible?"
"I took their wands off them first." He replied, knowing the response it would get. It didn't, Bylds just stared at him with a bemused look on his face, before looking at Tony for confirmation, he smiled and nodded. Blyds retook his seat beside Adam.
"Tony, can I make a suggestion?" Adam asked when everyone went quiet. He nodded back unsure of what was coming. "I suggest you put the tent up as Messi is in no fit state to move today. We need to make sure we get her back to her grandfather in one piece."
"My grandfather already knows about my injury. I am fine, we can go now." Stated Messi rising, she stopped halfway up before tilting to one side. Tony was on his feet in a flash, lowering her back into the chair. "Give me a minute, I feel a little light headed."
"Messi, you will eat a meal with us, then you will go to your bed, understand."
"You can't send me to bed, I'm a Voog." Her voice angry. "I have a job to do." She gestured at Adam and Tony.
"You have been hurt, badly, you have lost a lot of blood, and you have an infection."
An hour later Messi declared herself well enough to walk. She walked across the ground, with Tony holding her arm, leaving the two of them alone for the afternoon chatting. Blyds more than a little interested in Adam's background, although he got a lot from him, as he was open and forthcoming, especially when it was about Messi.
Messi and Tony came sauntering back in time for the evening meal, just as a small boat dropped out of the sky, landing on a patch of bare ground near to the front of the house. Another tall black woman, wearing a white outfit and similar to the Matron at St Mungo's, stepped off, she smiled at Blyds before hugging him, while giving Adam careful consideration. Then she walked over and gave him a hug and kiss on both cheeks, much to his surprise.
"Amanda sends her regards Adam. I am Sowande." She said in English without a hint of an accent.
"I am so pleased to meet you," Adam replied. It was clear where Messi looks have come from, this woman looked no more than ten years older, but in reality, she must have been at least thirty or even forty years older. She had the same lean healthy look as most of them did here.
"I have something for your rash. Where is Messi?"
"What rash?" He asked.
"The one on your neck just by your collar." She said as he tried to fold his collar down and look, which was an impossible thing to do. He rubbed his neck and yelped.
"What the hell." He exclaimed as his hand came away with blood on it.
Messi and Tony had seen the boat arrive and came over to investigate. She ran over and hugged Sowande, while Tony took a seat, keeping as far away as possible.
"You've been hurt." She said giving Tony a look that was a little unfriendly.
"Blyds put it right and Tony and Adam carried me back. I'm fine."
"You should have come straight to Float." She said as Adam was still trying to look at his own neck.
Sowande took Messi's pack from the floor, opened it, and produced her wand, a small bottle flipped out, which she caught.
"Adam, take your shirt off." Turning to him, she had the same tone as the Matron at St Mungo's and he did as he was told.
"Bloody hell Adam," Messi said looking at his chest and stomach muscles. "You don't look like that with your shirt off Tony." Her eyes grew wider as she realised everyone had stopped and looked at her. Adam watched Tony's head sink down even further.
"You," she exclaimed, making Tony look up to see her pointing at him, "and I will talk later." She turned Adam around, allowing the others to see that the small rash turned out to be red track marks that spread from his neck to his waistband.
"What the hell is that?" Asked Tony standing up for a better view.
"Burrowing bug larva." She said opening the small phial as something under Adams skin moved. She dipped the end of her wand into the bottle, then and pressed it against the spot moving on Adams back. Under the tip of the wand, the movement became frantic, the lump rose and the skin burst open. A small grub slid out along with a trickle of blood. She did the same thing three more times, each with the same result. She picked off the grubs and threw them on to the floor across the clearing. Her wand came up again and with a deft wave, the red tracks on his back faded.
"Blyds handed him his shirt back.
"Is that it?" He asked.
"Yes, they're common and they do you know harm in small numbers, but when they mature and burst out and infection can get in, and infection here can be unpleasant without magic."
Tony conjured up a mirror allowing Adam to look at the marks on his back.
"I never felt a thing."
"Every plant, animal, or insect in the Extensions uses chemicals of some description; these grubs use an anaesthetic to numb the area they are burrowing through."
"That makes me feel so much better." He said sarcastically.
"Messi, can I assume you have already checked this man out for stings and bites." She pointed at Tony, who seemed to cringe.
"No." She replied.
Sowande looked around and stared at her.
"Yes," Messi said correcting herself.
"Good. I am hungry." Everyone laughed as Blyds formed a jet of water from his wand, allowing her to wash her hands. The other all stood and headed to the large table on the veranda, now covered with plates filled with various foods, again, unrecognisable to Adam and Tony.
Night had dropped after the meal, which tasted wonderful. Messi had been sent to bed by Sowande, Adam had dozed on the bench on the veranda and Bylds had done similarly, sitting with his back against the tree. Small globes of light came on giving the house and the clearing a magical look.
Tony slipped away into the house and down to Messi's room, looking through the door, finding her awake, reading a book. She waved him in, patting the edge of the bed beside her. Reluctantly he sat at the bottom of the bed.
"Still the shy little boy." He grinned.
"How are you feeling?"
"A lot better, my headache has gone, that was the worst bit. Bylds medicine is always good, just a little unorthodox."
"You had us worried for a while."
"I remember being scared when I saw Adam hit that man. I watched him clutching at his throat sinking to the floor and Adam just stepped over him and walked away."
"Adam kept his wand and I checked it. The spell he aimed at me in the clearing was the Avada Kedavra curse, luckily it missed. Adam did the right thing; he's had years of experience. He saved my life yet again."
She thought about this, while he looked down, worry etched across her face.
"I don't think my grandfather knew this would be so dangerous, they wouldn't have let me be your guide."
"Funny that." He looked down again. "I'm glad he did." He glanced up feeling stupid and saw her huge eyes looking at him, a smile on her face.
"Can I tell you something?" She whispered, making Tony lean down.
"Anything." He replied. She looked over his shoulder before becoming him towards her. He looked around before leaning forward just as her hand clasped the back of his neck and her lips found his. He was more than a little shocked as she drew him down onto the bed pressing herself against him. His hands slipped around her, a thrill ran through when he realised she was naked.
A loud cough came from outside. Tony leapt off the bed in utter surprise, then he sat down again, realising his trousers were giving his true feelings away. He looked at Messi and saw her trying very hard not to burst out laughing. She patted the bed next to her again. He moved closer, less reluctant this time.
"My grandfather can be a little protective." Tony's jaw few open in shock, she kissed him again.
"I am not protective Messi." Tony flinched again, but Messi held onto him. "You have been hurt and you need sleep, not sex." Tony could hear Sowande laughing somewhere outside.
Messi moved to one side and whispered in his ear. "I won't always be hurt. See you in the morning Blondie boy."
"Yes." He said, unable to say anything else. He slipped out; walking through the house, across the veranda, stopping when he realised he was not alone. He looked down at the swing bench and saw Sowande and Blyds staring at him, they were both smiling. They bade him goodnight, loud enough for Messi and Adam to hear.
Feeling guilty, he retreated to the tent, finding Adam lying in his bed grinning at him.
"I do not want to talk about it." He said throwing himself at his own bed. He lay there his mind full of conflicting emotions while listening to Adam chuckling to himself.
