Disclaimer: Harry Potter and his world belong to J. K. Rowling. In this story, Harry Potter is very old, and is known as 'The Great Wizard.' His name is Bellamy.

Chapter 14:

In the middle of April, Bellamy was absent a couple of days, made a brief appearance to collect his dogs, then Tasha and Valencio heard that he wouldn't be there for a while, that he was working on something else.

Inge had the news first, as she often did. "Dot said it was an invention, and would doubtless make him more money. She said it's where he gets most of his income - from inventions, and from books. He just disappears into his workshop, forgets everything else, and emerges in a few days or a few weeks, and then he leaves it to them to arrange manufacture and marketing."

"He's written books?"

"I didn't realise. There's ones in the library by Henry Bellamy, and that's him."

There was more talk at dinner time. Farfalla was thrilled. "It's luggage for wizards. They just have to tap it with a wand, say, 'Home,' and it's home. A bit like the App. Box, except that the starting point can be anywhere."

"Very handy," said Valencio, who was often called on to help carry things.

Farfalla beamed at him. "He's going to call it the Farfalla. He asked me."

A week later, Connie and Mary frowned over an article in the wizard newspaper. The news was that Morocco was accepted into the AOCWN. There was little explanation - it seemed the meaning of the initials was assumed knowledge. The great wizard had been in attendance, it was noted. Madam Bouchra Khatabi-Vrie was the Pasquila-Kha, their head of wizardry.

"There's an editorial," said Connie, and they looked for it, and learned more. A brand new system of law, a hospital, a school, law enforcement, and a Central Committee. Credit must go to the co-leaders of the powerful Khatabi Family of Morocco, Zhor and Najia Khatabi, who now lead a nation into the ranks of modern civilised wizarding nations.

Connie remarked, "I wonder if that means they've stopped duelling at the drop of a hat."

The newspaper went the rounds. Dot and Michael were unable to add much information, and they didn't see Bellamy for weeks.

xdividerx

The work on the new barn was stalled. They needed Bellamy for the new roof, and Michael said that he couldn't do it. "You need a team of highly experienced workmen for something like that - or the great wizard."

Clarence said regretfully, "Looks like we won't get the roof on the new barn for a few weeks."

There was another gymkhana, and this time, Bellamy wasn't there, but Dot and Michael and Melanie were, and in any case, they were becoming far more independent.

Tiffany didn't fall off this time, Astra won a first in the showing, with the pretty mare, Annie Oakley, and the girls had a wonderful time. There were a few now feeling ready to start spreading their wings, but the worst stories were yet to come, and they waited. Every evening, they gathered, but the talk was casual, and Carol was wondering if some of them could ever bring themselves to talk of it. She had begun to think it was very, very important. Whether it was because people told the stories when they were ready to move on, or because telling the stories enabled them to move on, she was positive she saw a difference in each one who took the symbolic chocolate, and started talking.

Tasha didn't go to the gymkhana, explaining to Valencio that she had to tell her story, and every evening, she tried, and just couldn't quite make a start. "Afterwards," she told him. "Afterwards, I can live again."

Valencio said tentatively, "It's not really necessary." He didn't know if he wanted to hear Tasha's story. She was the woman he loved, and the bastards had hurt her.

Tasha looked at him, troubled, and said, "I think we have to talk. Talking lets the poison out, and the old wounds start to heal."

"How was Honey today?"

Tasha said enthusiastically, "An easier ride all the time. I love her, and it's so wonderful to have my own horse."

Valencio said, "See, it's not really necessary, is it? You can enjoy life. Just forget it ever happened."

"It happened, and it's a part of me. Tonight. I'm sure I can do it tonight."

But it was two nights later that she started speaking in a low voice. Many didn't even realise at first, until there were hushing sounds. Valencio was taken by surprise, at the other end of the room, talking to Margaret and Shirley.

"...in Paris. I was a prisoner for weeks. I don't think I was taken for the enclosures, just for temporary use - a convenience. I never saw magic in Paris. We were prisoners, but didn't know they were anything but cruel bullies. We had no numbers. Ahjmed was there, and I saw a girl he raped. Camille was nine, and had been there two weeks already when I was pushed into the locked room. She was crushed, spiritless. He kept her another week, and I think she was released.

"There were usually only about three or four of us, and some were only kept a few days. We were not looked after at all, just cans of food and a can opener, not even any way to heat it. A shower and toilet, and a large bedroom. Enough blankets, no sheets, and four single beds. When one came for us, he just told us to strip, take a shower, and then took the girl to the bedroom next door, and used her. Resistance was punished with beatings. One who seriously resisted, was whipped, but they didn't break the skin, and a couple of days later, I think she was released as well. Too much trouble maybe. I'm pretty sure they were released, not killed. If they were going to kill them, they wouldn't have taken so much trouble not to use magic in front of us.

"I was thirteen, a tourist. I didn't know English, and very little French. No Arabic, of course. But there was little need when dealing with the wizards. It was always fairly obvious what was wanted. One called Fawaz started wanting me each time. He was Khatabi, only about twenty-one, but I was not a Favourite or anything at that time, just used by anyone who wanted. No appointments, just that a couple would come in, one just for safety, I think, and they'd point, and if you didn't take off your clothes and have a shower straightaway, there would be punishment.

"I was started fairly easily, a man who was quite old, and didn't hurt much. I never knew his name, though I suppose I might have been told. Usually only one or two a night, and then Fawaz wanted me all the time, and the others stopped, letting him have his way.

"Then one day, me and another girl were inspected very closely, by someone we hadn't seen before. Fawaz was there, waiting, I think, hopefully. I was quiet and obedient. I thought it was safer. But Sabine started screaming, and fighting, clawing at faces. The man, whom I later knew was Pervez, shook his head, and she was taken back to the prison room. She was probably released. She took the right gamble.

"Fawaz was pleased with what he said, and I was taken to a different room, by myself. Pervez took out his wand, and I was No. 39, and while I was still gaping, he aimed his wand again, the Nala Spell. I started crying, and Fawaz came to me, and comforted. Pervez put on the wristband then. I was the Favourite of Fawaz, and Pervez took me to Morocco the day after, where I was untouched until Fawaz arrived a couple of weeks later.

"Fawaz always treated me gently, except for once, when I begged to be free, crying, screaming at him. He slapped my face and told me I would never be free. It was the first time he'd hit me, and I just stared at him. He pointed at the bed, and when I didn't obey, he vanished my clothes, and pointed again. I told him again I wanted to be free. It was hard to understand him sometimes, though I was beginning to know both English and Arabic. Anyway, he paralysed me, put me on the bed, and raped me. He was just as ruthless as any of them.

"I suppose he thought it was just a lesson I had to learn, as he came for me the following night, and treated me just exactly as usual, as if he was a gentle lover. I knew different."

There was something Tasha especially wanted to say. For Valencio, who'd never been able to admit that he'd found pleasure.

"The first days were awful, also when I realised that if only I'd screamed and carried on when Pervez inspected, I might have been released. There was only Adelbert, at first, whom I could speak to, as at least I knew German. There was another thing. I knew he wasn't really a gentle lover. I knew that he was a rapist the same as any of them. I guess my body didn't know that. It happened really suddenly. I became very excited, and then climaxed. Fawaz, the bastard, looked absolutely smug, but I was furious with myself. I wanted to be dead. Kwai-Jeeha found me crying, and knew immediately, I think. She explained that it was normal for a healthy body to enjoy sex. That people, men and women both, were designed to enjoy sex.

"I relaxed a bit then, enjoyed it with Fawaz, who owned me for three years, until he was killed in a duel. Often enjoyed it with others. Enjoying it made it far easier to endure the life. As I became more experienced, they didn't need to last long, or give me much consideration."

She smiled suddenly, with humour, "I never made it so far as to enjoy it with Haru, who takes about thirty seconds, but even Botan gave me pleasure. He thought he was hurting when he went hard, and for a long time. We all know he liked to hurt. But he seldom hurt me, and when you're really excited, a bit of minor hurt doesn't seem to matter as much. And anyway, Nusa'pei knew about Botan, and I think tried to give an easy time for a few days after."

She finished, "That's all I wanted to say. Especially that we should not be ashamed if the bastards sometimes gave us pleasure."

Valencio missed the message. It was alright for the women to enjoy it, and he was glad that it hadn't been too bad for Tasha. He'd dreaded hearing a story of violent rape, but she said that she was started 'fairly easily.'

Tasha accepted several chocolates, went to Valencio, and Margaret gave up her seat for her, so she could sit very close to Valencio, wanting the comfort of the man she loved. She told him, "You have to eat chocolate tonight, as well."

Valencio ate chocolate.

Shirley stood, and asked, "Can I tell my story now?"

There was a hush. Shirley said, "You've heard my story before, several times, by different people. I was ten, just another young girl violently raped by Ahjmed. He kept me only a few weeks, and then another Khatabi tried me. I was his for a few weeks, but then I was on general duties. I never enjoyed it, and though I'm pretty enough, I was not in nearly as much demand as some others. I went into Enclosure 2 when I was only in my early twenties, much earlier than some others. And while I loathed having bloody young boys putting spells on me, it was much better than having to lie still for the same sort of bloody young boys to rape me."

Kaliska said, "I was the same, except that on the second night, when I was supposed to be sleeping in the corner of his room, after the rape, I waited until he was asleep, and then tried to kill him by hitting him on the head with a big vase, then slashing at his throat when it broke."

She grinned. "I have a feeling that it might have been a valuable antique, as it was quite beautiful. Anyway, he woke in time, punished, but oddly, not severely, repaired the vase with magic, and kept me as Favourite for a long time, just that from then on, I was restrained when in his room, with an ankle cuff locked to a bolt on the floor. He didn't hurt much after the first two nights, and I stopped being so frightened of him after a while."

That was three more. Carol was very pleased.

xdividerx

A few days later, in the magazine for Ania, Pat's Mag, there was a lengthy story about John Bellamy's 'harem.' Eighty women, every single one of them beautiful, it said. He would make an inspection every evening, and make his choice, except that sometimes he had two or three. And there were sly hints about his reputed prowess in bed.

Some of the women thought it hilarious. Others were indignant. Valencio suggested again to Tasha that it was time to go. "We've both told our stories."

Tasha answered, "There are many who have not yet been able to tell their stories. We need to be here for them. Only when it's over."

Valencio said grumpily, "We might be here ten years before it's over," and he went to talk to Madigan, who was missing his owner, he thought.

But Emma came to him that day, wanting him to ride with her, and admitting she was frightened all the time. "More than I was before Christmas, I think. Connie and Mary as well."

So Valencio saddled some horses, and rode with Emma, Connie, Mary and Thierry, all of whom rode better than he did himself, and all of whom wanted him, to make them feel safer.

Emma asked him, afterward, almost whispering, "You're not going to leave, are you? I need you, and you said you'd be my brother."

"One day, you might want to leave yourself."

Emma shook her head, "I'm like Connie and Mary. This is home, and this is where I'm comfortable. I'm too much damaged. I can't face Outside."

Valencio kissed her, and said, "Tell me when you can do without me. I won't leave until then."

xdividerx

Connie, Mary and Emma had a new project, a memorial track, 'Pamela's Track.' For all those victims of Khatabis who died there. They needed the help of the men, and were enthusiastic. "We've worked out the route, but places need to be cleared, and there's lots of little memorials to work out."

Clarence and Jimmy were keen, but Valencio apologised and said he had an urgent errand for Dot. Five minutes later, he saw Clarence and Jimmy sitting on two of the ponies, and following the three women. Valencio checked his list. He always had errands to do when he went into town, but there was nothing urgent. Paints again for Mary, a particular book requested by Mildred, and when he asked, Dot sent him to Michael, who had a couple of items he needed as well.

He supposed it was a good thing to do, a memorial track. Did any others get so furious they wanted to return to Morocco, just in order to take a machine gun to the whole bloody Compound of Khatabi bloody wizards? He chose a car, and drove to Duich. He drove a little too fast.

Clarence and Jimmy spent a lot of time over the next few weeks helping with the memorial track, and in the ballroom at night, they were often occupied with engraving writing on copper plaques. After the first few times, they stopped asking Valencio. He was always too busy.

xdividerx

Weeks went by, and they hadn't seen Bellamy since April. The men had become competent carpenters, and while they waited for Bellamy so they could finish the barn, they fenced off another paddock, and under the guidance of Cam, made a show jumping course for practise. There would be a half dozen competing in the jumping when next they went to a horse show. Cam gave his time willingly, and his own property was somewhat neglected.

Valencio visited Dennis McKay, and arranged with him to start taking lessons in driving heavy vehicles. The lessons cost a bit, as trucks and buses had to be hired for the purpose. He assured Tasha that it was an investment. Maybe he could earn a living as a driver.

Dennis was pleased with his competence, but said, "Clem told me he caught you speeding the other day. You were lucky to be let off with a warning."

Valencio said, "I was hardly going fast at all. Just a tiny bit faster than the speed limit. Perfectly safe, though."

Dennis gave him a lecture about the importance of speed limits, doubted if he was impressed, so told him about fines and penalties, instead. "You can lose your license, and it doesn't take much. Just a little bit over the speed limit, three times, or maybe twice caught speeding, plus not wearing a seat belt, and you're grounded for three months or more."

Valencio asked when he could get his heavy vehicle license. "It has to be a full year after you got your license, and you have to have an unblemished license. That is, no traffic violations."

"A full year? It's only about six months."

Dennis grinned. "Sorry, Vince. So don't get any speeding tickets."

"What about the bus? Can I drive that?"

"Twenty-seater, isn't it? That's a higher grade of license as well, and the same rules apply."

Valencio sighed, "I guess I'd best stop driving it then. Horse boxes okay?"

"Those four-horse ones are okay, not bigger ones."

xdividerx

The men were working on the barn again, completing details inside, though the roof still lay beside the structure. Racks for bridles, saddles, halters, each with the name of the horse. Several stalls, mangers, bins for brushes, and tins of leather polish. Melanie used magic to do all those routine jobs, but Gloria, Tiffany, and each of the horse owners had made the effort to learn exactly what was needed if they didn't have the help of magic. Gloria, especially, was learning more all the time. There was a shelf of books in the library now, about horses and horse care, next to the beloved books about wild horses, some of which were very old, and had been in the enclosures.

There were sudden whinnies outside, and Jimmy strolled to the door, and called Clarence and Valencio. "John's back."

He pointed, and Valencio laughed. "Madigan. I suppose we should be pleased he condescends mostly to stay in his paddock." Madigan had jumped the fence, and was already being fussed over by Bellamy, still at the main gate.

"Look at Cam," chuckled Jimmy. Cramsie McGonnigal had been conducting a riding lesson for the three girls. The horses had been abandoned, as the girls raced to meet their John. Cam was scratching his head, as Bellamy cantered towards them, no bridle, no saddle, two dogs racing in front of him.

Ten minutes later, John seemed to be surrounded by women. Clarence, Valencio and Jimmy stood together at the back, and Jimmy commented that they might finally get the roof on the new barn. Clarence spun around and swore, as he was bitten on the bottom by Revenge. Women quickly got out of the way. Revenge, her colt trailing behind her, followed by Sherese with her foal, and by Kennedy, looking fit and glossy.

Bellamy hugged the horses, hugged any women who seemed to want to be hugged, and said he'd be staying until the end of June, when his youngest daughter came home from school. Then he was towed over to admire a new garden that Mildred, Hilde and Veronica had made.

Valencio commented, "He gets a welcome."

Jimmy declared, "He's a great man. He deserves a welcome."

Shirley said, "His hair's too long - looks like that of a bloody wizard."

Valencio said, "He is a wizard. I think nearly everyone forgets that. He's not like us. Not our species. A wizard, even if he seems a reasonably well behaved one."

Shirley said indignantly, "Reasonably well-behaved! When I think of what he's done for us..." She looked at Valencio, disgusted, and stalked off.

Valencio shrugged, disgruntled. John was a bloody wizard. He might be a good bloody wizard, but they should not forget he was a wizard, and not truly to be trusted. It was time to leave, so that he wouldn't know where he was. But Tasha trusted him, and trusted to the goodwill of Dot and Michael. As soon as she agreed, they'd be off.

He sighed. When Emma didn't need him any more. And when the barn was finished. The men were needed, the jobs where strength was required, and also for making them feel safer. Dot and Michael would not be staying much longer, and they'd be left on their own. It was a home, and Valencio admitted to himself that it was a good home. He was happy in the work he was doing, feeling useful, and being able to look at completed projects with a real feeling of satisfaction. He only wanted to leave in order to get away from wizards. But John would never hurt him. He knew that, really, and the women needed him.

But at lunch, he still took a seat at the far end of the room from Bellamy, and as the coveted places near him were gone anyway, Tasha sat next to her husband. It seemed that Shirley wasn't the only one who didn't like their John with long hair, as Brigitta called down the table, "Veronica. Bellamy wants you to give him a haircut."

Tasha grinned, "Did she ask him or tell him?"

"He says he makes it a policy to do what women tell him. He'll probably obey."

Straight after lunch, Valencio was grabbed by Mary. "Can you help saddle some ponies for us? We're going to show John the Pamela Track."

Valencio frowned. He still hadn't looked at it, but felt strongly that no bloody wizard should ever see it. It was Mary and Connie's project, however, and he guessed they had a right to show whoever they wanted.

Mary looked at his face, and said hurriedly, "Not if you're busy, of course."

Valencio apologised, and said he was thinking of something else. "What ponies?"

"Dragon Breath, Ruby, Kellie, and two other quiet ones. Best for this."

Valencio went to the job, knowing each of the ponies, who liked him. A little later Mary and Connie, Clarence, Jimmy, and Carol rode off with Bellamy. Bellamy's dogs followed, and Barney, who belonged to Carol. Valencio was frowning again, and Gloria said, "I agree. It shouldn't be for a bloody wizard."

Tasha said indignantly, "It's John. He's not a bloody wizard. He's the one who rescued us, and we're having a party tonight to celebrate a whole year of freedom, and he'll be there, and Susan, if she wants, and Dot and Michael and Melanie."

Valencio admitted, "I don't like owing my freedom to a wizard. It would have been great to kill them all, and make our own escape."

"Sure," said Gloria mockingly, "As if you didn't like some of them, sometimes."

Tasha asked, "Would you have killed Bashir, or Kofi-Zee, or Abensur?"

Valencio snapped, "I'd've killed the bloody lot of them," and stalked off to Bluey's paddock, and talked to Kennedy, who was being tamed, and maybe should have known better.

Tasha looked at Gloria, who said very firmly, "Me, too!" and decided to go for a gallop on whatever big fast horse was available.

Valencio occupied himself energetically digging a new garden bed for Mildred for the rest of the afternoon. He still felt disgruntled. John Bellamy got around all of them, even the horses. Like Yiko, who'd been able to manipulate him into giving pleasure, even when he hated him most. Bloody wizards. You could never trust a bloody wizard.

Tasha was still annoyed with him, and at dinner, Valencio found himself sitting close to some of the young ones who'd not been quick enough to get a seat closer to their John. Valencio ate in silence, as Treen and Ingrid laughed to each other about the contents of the books they'd been reading.

"Romances," explained Amber. "They're terribly predictable, and the only hint of sex comes at the end when the handsome hero kisses the beautiful heroine, and she almost swoons with pleasure."

Ingrid giggled. "I don't know why, but I'm hooked. I'm reading them at the rate of two a day, until I can't remember whether the current heroine is angelically blonde, or a gorgeous redhead."

"I'm hooked, too. I think it's because it's so far from our own experience."

Nikola asked, "Valencio, what about you? Have you been reading romances?"

Valencio started, and looked at her, "Sorry, what did you say?"

Nikola repeated her question, and Valencio shook his head, and said, "I don't believe I know what romance is."

Amber said, "Cam's a romantic. He's been pursuing Tiffany for months, ever since that first horse show, and she hasn't even been to bed with him."

"She hasn't?" said Valencio, surprised.

"She says when we're finished sorting things out, and there's over a dozen yet to go."

"She's silly then. He's a good man, and she should take him. No point trying to sort things out. It's not as if telling everyone makes the slightest difference to past history."

The women glanced at each other, and Amber said, "The one I'm reading now - he's a lone yachtsman, dark and handsome, of course. And he's perfectly obviously going to fall for the girl artist, except, of course, there has to be some dreadful and heartbreaking misunderstandings first."

Valencio wondered if Tasha would be cross with him if he left early, and glanced at her, listening dotingly to something John was saying. Well, he wasn't restrained to the chair, and no doubt he'd find something to do. He excused himself politely and tried to slip out unobtrusively, only that Amber said, "Don't forget we're having a party tonight."

Valencio smiled, suddenly, blindingly. "We're free! Free for more than a year now! How can I feel grouchy?"

He left though. He wanted to be alone.

xdividerx

Tasha was helping with final preparations for the party. Valencio was no longer rostered on to jobs like that, as he was fully occupied every day, mostly building, but quite often helping Carol or Dot with errands. Carol was now officially manager, though Dot and Michael were still resident in case of need. The dance floor was cleared, and music waited, ready to play. Decorations proclaimed, 'A full year of freedom!' Balloons, streamers, flowers, nothing magical. A severe strain had been put on the budget to provide generous quantities of party foods, and drinks, alcoholic and non alcoholic. No-one lit the fire, but a few cats lay in front of it anyway, soon joined by assorted dogs as their owners entered the room. The castle was kept always comfortably warm, by magic pretending to be electricity.

The women had party clothes this time, some bought, some designed and sewn. Now they had a choice what they wore, many had developed a consuming interest in fashion.

Valencio and Tasha joined the party together, leaving Ginger contentedly in front of the fire.

Valencio said, "I must remind him that he promised me a pup."

Tasha said sternly, "Be more polite about him, then."

Valencio gave her a sidelong glance. He wasn't accustomed to being in her bad books.

Dot and Michael were early, and Dot quickly made up a bed in an alcove for later, when young Robin became tired. Thierry and Emma claimed him, to the disappointment of a half dozen others. Robin always had too many nursemaids.

Valencio had cast off his moodiness, and laughed and chattered with his particular friends among the women, though taking care not to drink too much. That very first night of freedom when he'd given Michael a black eye. And Michael worked all day for them. A whole year! He would never have dreamt they'd still all be here after a whole year.

Bellamy came in, wearing jeans, but new looking, and a very bright, red-orange shirt, that had the women looking away from him, pained, as he grinned. Tiffany fingered it, and said, "John, just where do you buy a shirt this bright?"

"Very difficult. I had to conjure it."

Tiffany laughed, and said, "Dot told me that conjured clothing is apt to vanish, suddenly and unpredictably, and within hours, occasionally minutes."

"Not mine," and he turned to Tasha, who wanted to tell him how well Honey was going now.

The young girls surrounded him, as usual, until Carol told them to let someone else in for a change.

Valencio observed from a distance. Nearly all the women looked for their chance, and spoke to him for a few minutes, and he seemed to know everyone's name. Valencio admitted that he was a bit special. How did he remember everyone's name when some hadn't even spoken to him?

Emma crept close quietly, and just touched him on the back. Valencio had seen that sort of action before, and Emma had told him solemnly that he was good luck, and that it was good luck to touch him. Bellamy didn't turn around, which might have alarmed her. Emma was still very timid. Valencio assumed that Emma, too, had been one of Ahjmed's victims, and had never recovered. She'd never spoken of it, and he'd never asked.

It began to be late, and the party became hilarious. Jimmy had too much to drink, and was coaxed into telling John Doe stories again. He was one of the group that surrounded Bellamy. Valencio wandered closer, wanting to hear.

Bellamy protested, and was ignored, even held very firmly by a laughing Marietta, as he tried to retreat. Jimmy said, grinning, "They set him up with a girlfriend, you see. She was a secret agent to find out what he was, except that she wasn't very secret, as everyone knew she was an agent. But when she asked, he didn't say no."

"That right, John?"

Bellamy laughed and nodded. "Clare. What was I supposed to do? Couldn't have sex with Jimmy. Of course I said yes!"

Jimmy continued, grinning, "One time, he'd been sick for weeks, skin and bone again, barely able to walk, but the moment they let him out of Ward 3, he visited Clare, and we heard later that he definitely wasn't too sick for that."

Bellamy tried to retreat again, beginning to go very red.

Jimmy suddenly looked down at his glass, and said, "I forgot."

"What? What did you forget?"

"We weren't supposed to tell him, because he was already distressed, they said."

Jimmy suddenly stood, swaying, and slurring his words. "I'm stupid and I'm drunk, and I forgot. I'm sorry, John."

Bellamy said softly, "She did not commit suicide, Jimmy. She made it appear like that only because she was pregnant, and didn't want anyone to know."

"They said she killed herself because it was too hard, conflict of interest, what we all had."

"The child is called John Douglas, he's five next month, and has black hair, and looks like being tall."

Jimmy beamed, "Really?"

"Clare is happily married, and has a son, and a tiny baby daughter to her husband, who's a wizard. She knows what I am now."

Marietta still had a firm hold of his arm. "Wasn't there a scandal about a daughter no-one knew about? Suddenly appeared at a formal function, and proclaimed it to the world."

Bellamy was red again. "Yvette. She was angry with me."

"Any others?" asked Tiffany, teasingly.

Bellamy said very quietly to Marietta, "Please let me go," and she let him go.

"Excuse me, Tiffany," he said, "Definitely need another drink."

Tiffany looked questioningly at Dot and Michael, who decided that they definitely needed another drink, as well.

Valencio was grinning. The great wizard was blushing. There must have been more. At least he was embarrassed about it.

Valencio went to find Tasha then, who was laughing at Brigitta and Inge, acting out a scene from one of the romances that they, too, had been enjoying. Brigitta was being the heroine, acting as if crying, "I was sure you didn't love me... I thought it was Anne-Marie... I always loved you..."

Inge declared, "It was only that I thought you too beautiful! How could I declare myself?"

Shirley said, "Hey, Vince! You used to be able to act. You play one of the parts."

"The part of the heroine?"

He went to his knees on the floor, raised piteous eyes to Inge, his voice throbbed, and tears flowed, as he said, heart rendingly, "I was sure you didn't love me... I thought it was Anne-Marie... I always loved you..." He raised a trembling hand, and said, "Now, you say you love me, and I know you do..." His voice changed, and he said innocently, "Does that mean I have to give up having sex with Tom and Hank and Ben?"

There was a shout of laughter, and Brigitta said, "How do you do that? Cry real tears?"

Valencio shrugged, wiped his eyes, and said, "I've always been able to do that. It was great when I was a kid, just shed a few tears and my mother would give me whatever I wanted."

Tasha said, "You must have been spoiled rotten."

Valencio shrugged, "I had a nanny, she was strict, and never fooled by my tricks. And at school, there was no favouritism, just because I'd been in films."

Evita said shrewdly, "Those films. You said they were nothing. They weren't, were they?"

"Twenty years ago. Old, forgotten."

Evita glanced at Inge. She thought she might go searching. Valencio. What had been his surname? Not McDonald, that was for sure. The older ones might know.

There was a sudden commotion, and the group looked around. Raised voices, Gloria's furious voice: "We're not free! We won't ever be truly free because John Bellamy interfered in our minds, and we have no choice whether we tell anyone what happened or not!"

Gloria faced Bellamy, who sat on the floor, leaning against the wall. More women joined her, first Maliwan, then Tiffany, Eva, Lucy, all facing him, confronting him, angry.

Valencio was astounded. The women all doted on John. Emma was suddenly clinging to Valencio, who put an arm around her, comforting. He said, in a low voice, "Don't worry, Sis. It'll blow over in a minute."

It always made her smile, when he called her 'Sis.' This time she whimpered. The other Anirage, Dot and Michael, even Melanie, were looking very alert, wary.

Gloria spat, "You're like all bloody wizards. You use your power to hurt ordinary people, just because you can. Just bloody bullies." She paused, and restated her complaint. "You've interfered in our minds. You have to free us, properly free us!"

Carol said reasonably, "We can be trusted, you know, John. Maybe you should allow us to be free."

Bellamy stood up, facing them. He didn't look frightened, or aggressive, or defensive, still perfectly calm.

Helene said, "We know it was just the Khatabis, and we promise we won't tell anyone about wizards and magic."

Gloria, demanding, "Take away the orders in our minds. We cannot be free while there's magic on us."

Jimmy said, "You haven't put magic on me."

Valencio still had his arm around Emma, who was shaking. Tasha, on the other hand, had joined the women who faced Bellamy, furiously demanding. Valencio suddenly noticed that Melanie had her wand out, not quite hidden in the folds of her dress. He frowned. If she tried to put a spell on any of the women, he'd do something! Bellamy's dogs were by his sides now, and Trey was snarling. No-one took any notice.

It was the pendreiya they were complaining about. Valencio wondered why he'd given no thought to it before. He, too, hated the idea of someone interfering in his mind. First Yiko, though he wasn't totally sure about that, now John Bellamy. He suddenly noticed that Michael was keeping a careful watch on him. Just like the bloody Khatabi guards, in fact! His anger was mounting.

Bellamy said, very calmly, "I cannot allow so many people who know the worst of wizardry, to be free to spread the story. There is too much possibility of serious repercussions."

Jimmy said, "What about me?"

"One person would just be labelled lunatic. Eighty would be believed."

Carol said slowly, "Don't you trust us?"

Bellamy said, "Maybe I don't. It's too much risk."

Carol said again, "We know it was only the Khatabis. We know all wizards are not like that."

Bellamy looked at her, very sadly. "It is not just the Khatabis, though that was the most systematic abuse I've ever come across. It is an ongoing problem, especially with young men. They think they're so powerful compared to medj, and they become arrogant and bullying. They refer to it as medj-baiting, often fairly harmless, sometimes very cruel. It's why there are so many aurors. We have a far bigger governing body, in relation to our population, than medj do. And it's needed, mostly for the purpose of policing young wizards. Occasionally witches, usually wizards. It's even why our children all go away to school, where they learn self control, as well as magic, and are away from ordinary children who are too easy to dominate."

Shirley demanded, '"Have you ever killed medj, John?"

Michael intervened smoothly, "It is illegal to kill anyone, medj or wizard. Bellamy was once convicted of the unlawful killings of two wizards even though they had kidnapped him, tortured him, and starved him. He was still sentenced to three years imprisonment."

Bellamy still simply stood, looking perfectly calm. There was a brief silence, and then Gloria said, "You're not going to free us, are you?"

Bellamy shook his head. "I told you that you could not talk to other medj about magic or wizardry. The command stays."

Gloria stared at him angrily, and then turned and flounced away. Emma gave a deep sigh of relief. Bellamy still had a glass in his hand. He drained it, set it down on a nearby table, and left the room, followed by his dogs. They were all acutely aware of him, and not a one spoke to him. Dot and Michael picked up their sleeping child, and Melanie followed them out, and there were no goodbyes for them, either.

Valencio took a deep breath, and his anger drained away. It was John's honesty, and his sadness. An ongoing problem, he said, but it was policed, as best they could. Even John himself had been sentenced to prison because he'd killed. Was that the imprisonment he'd spoken of once? That he'd said was far worse than when he was a prisoner of American soldiers.

Gloria still raged, pacing furiously, ranting about the arrogance of wizards.

Emma asked, "What's she talking about?"

"Don't you remember? It's called a pendreiya. Instructions in our minds, instilled with magic, so we can't tell anyone about wizards and magic."

"Like he did to the Khatabis."

"Like that. In the App. Box, remember? Just casual, but that's when he did it."

Tasha said to her husband, "You've got to help. You can make him take it off."

Valencio was a bit taken aback, but thought he'd best do as Tasha said, and when she declared that they would make him do what they said, he said, yes, undoubtedly. How on earth were they to make John do anything he didn't want to?

Tasha still looked at him expectantly, and he joined Gloria, pacing swiftly towards the window, and whirling around. "I told you he was just like the rest of them! Bloody arrogant wizards. Do exactly what they want!"

Tiffany took over, to his relief: "I hate it. He has no reason not to trust us! He should trust us!"

Eva declared, "We should take their wands, and then make him release us!"

Lucy said, almost crying, "After all the Khatabis did to us, and he's just the same. He never cared about us, just pretended."

Bernice cried, "It's all his fault. We should be free!"

Kwai-Jeeha, "Selfish, just like the rest of them!"

Valencio agreed, "Selfish."

Tasha strode to Valencio, facing him. "So what are we going to do about it?"

Valencio looked blank. Surely they realised. There was not a thing they could do about it.

It was Farfalla who answered, usually so gentle. "There are a lot of us. We could just wait until they're asleep, and bash them to death, even Robin, because he's a boy, and would only grow into a murdering, raping wizard."

There was a hush. And finally, Gloria said, "I never meant that. I know they're good people. I know they're only trying to help us. I just get so angry, sometimes."

Tiffany said, "Of course, we're not going to hurt them," but she smiled. "It's good thinking they might be frightened."

"If we were still in the enclosures, the four of them would just stand back a bit, paralyse and start punishing."

Carol said, "And they won't do that, either. Probably they'll still be here in the morning, and Bellamy will start riding Kennedy, and Dot will give me what I've been wanting to know about the sourcing of our income, Michael will continue working on making magical heating appear to be electrical and Melanie will continue training Nigretta."

"Do you think we should apologise?"

"No, let them stew. He should trust us and take the magic off."

Tasha smiled at Valencio, and said softly, "You can stop acting now. I know you think we were just being silly."

"Not silly, just that John's not just any wizard. He believes he's done the right thing, and will not change his mind."

"You don't think he should trust us?"

"He shouldn't trust me. If there was a way, I'd still wipe Wizardkind from the earth."

Farfalla was relieved. She'd been frightened they were working themselves up to an attack, but her words had just the effect she'd wanted. After a while, the ones on duty quietly started cleaning up, followed by several more. By the time they went off to bed, the ballroom was again immaculate.

In the morning, the news spread quickly. Melanie was gone, and so was young Robin. Tasha was upset. "None of us would have hurt Robin!"

Valencio said, "Michael was an auror, remember? He's probably seen awful things. He sometimes looks like he's seen awful things. I bet he said Robin and Melanie had to go."

Valencio inspected the barn again, but there was really nothing more to do until the roof was on. He went and talked to the young horses instead. Melanie was gone, but he thought they seemed fairly well trained for their owners, and Dot and Michael had been riding them sometimes, as well. Gloria was in Bluey's paddock, fussing over Revenge and the foal, still unnamed. No-one was speaking to Bellamy, but he didn't appear to be worrying, just talking to Kennedy for a while, then he attached some reins to the halter, led the horse through the gateway, and then simply leapt onto his back. Everyone in sight turned to watch.

Kennedy stood still, ears flicking. Bellamy prepared himself for the ferocious buck that followed. And then the horse leapt and twisted, reared and bucked, as Bellamy grinned and stayed on the bare back without apparent effort.

Kennedy stopped dead, turned his head about, and sniffed at the man still on his back. Valencio laughed out loud. What a man! And that wasn't magic, staying on the back of a bucking horse. Bellamy patted the horse, and then the pair went streaking down the driveway, narrowly avoiding being hit by a car driven by Cramsie McGonnigal.

Brigitta sighed, and said, "He's amazing, isn't he?"

Valencio said, "Look, Shaz has given up."

Bellamy's other dog still followed, even nearly keeping up. Kennedy was not as fast as Madigan.

Clarence and Jimmy joined Brigitta and Valencio, just as Valencio lifted the saddle on to Daybreak. Brigitta always said it was too heavy for her, but then, Brigitta had become very good at having men do her bidding.

Jimmy said, "If we tackle him after he comes back, we can finish the barn today, and probably have all the gear in tomorrow."

Valencio agreed.

Clarence said cautiously, "You don't think we should hit him or something instead, then?"

"What on earth good would that do?"

Jimmy was relieved. He liked Valencio, very much, and Valencio had looked after him when he needed it. But he worshipped John, and thought he could do no wrong. Mostly. He, too, had been caught up in the anger of the others the previous night, as much as any. One of the medj, opposed to the wizard. Was that mob mentality? If they'd attacked John, what would he have done? In the cool light of the morning after, he was still unsure.

Two hours later, Valencio, Clarence and Jimmy found Bellamy in the swimming pool, doing laps, smoothly and rhythmically stroking through the water. Jimmy said softly, "I used to pray that he wouldn't try to escape anywhere near where I was. And I think maybe I wasn't the only one."

Valencio said, "It's hard to believe that he couldn't escape when he's the great wizard."

"He was so sick, so often, and had forgotten his past, had apparently forgotten his magic, though it was magic that he must have finally used to free himself."

In the enclosures, Nusa'pei had been apt to threaten mass silencing if they annoyed him by making loud noises. But now Valencio suggested, "Whistle for him?"

Clarence laughed and nodded. It was Ricky, who taught Inge, who taught several others, how to make an earsplitting whistle. The three of them put fingers to mouths, and blew, with the result that Bellamy first dived, and then came up in a different spot, looking around for the threat. "Jumpy," commented Clarence.

But then Bellamy was pulling himself out and greeting them.

"The roof?" asked Clarence.

"Sure," and Bellamy picked up a towel from the floor, that surely hadn't been there before, dried himself and dressed, as they waited and talked about their next project - a hayshed.

Bellamy frowned. "Can we afford the machinery to cut hay?"

"We can hire, and Carol says it winds up cheaper than buying feed, when we have so much growing."

"I guess if I'm still wanted, I can do it for free," said Bellamy, diffidently.

They were silent. They wanted him, but they were not at all sure about many of the women.

xchapter endx