The Neverchanging Story

by Gary D. Snyder

Part 7:

After Sheen left the classroom he wandered the school hallways for several minutes before it occurred to him that he had no idea where the Headmaster's office was. As the other classes were still in session he encountered no one else and rather than risk offending yet another instructor he decided to refrain from opening any doors to ask directions. In the hopes he might find a sign that would help him he continued wandering about, and either by chance or design found himself back at the display case in which the Tureen was housed.

"It's about time," he heard a voice say with some impatience.

Sheen jumped and whirled about, searching for the source of the words, but saw no one. "Hello?" he asked tentatively.

"What kept you?" the voice demanded.

Sheen decided that the voice must that of the Headmaster he had been sent to see. "Well, the teacher just threw me out of class a few minutes ago and I wasn't really familiar with the building so it took me a while to get here. Umm…where are you? Am I on camera?" Sheen looked about, having decided that the voice must be coming from a two-way loudspeaker but unsure as to how the Headmaster knew where he was. A video camera seemed to be the most logical answer.

"Trelawney has been neutralized?"

Sheen thought about that. "I'm not sure," he answered slowly. "I think only a vet would know for sure if she's been neutralized."

"Explain."

"Well, I turned her into a cat, but I don't know if –"

"A cat?" The voice sounded almost amused. "You were able to do that?"

"Well, yeah…but it was an accident."

"Excellent. Accident or no in that form she will be unable to maintain the wards. You've done well. Now prepare for the next phase."

Sheen was beginning to have some doubts about the voice with whom he was speaking. It didn't seem right that the Headmaster would be happy he had turned one of the instructors into a cat. "What next phase?"

"To dissolve the barriers, of course," the voice said impatiently. "There is not much time. Prepare yourself. I will provide you with the incantation."

Sheen answered slowly, "Well, I'm not sure. That doesn't sound like something I should do."

The voice came back like an arctic blast that literally left Sheen staggered and shivering. "You dare to betray me?"

"Uh…'betray' is such a strong word…I just don't feel sure about this…" Sheen stammered.

"You know well the price for our obedience, and even more so the penalty for your disloyalty. Time is short. Decide!"

Sheen was totally confused. "I don't know what to decide. All I really want is to get my friends and myself out of here."

There was a pause. "Done. Fulfill the agreement and I will bring you and your friends out safely."

"You can do that?" Sheen could scarcely believe his ears. Wait until Jimmy and the others found out! he thought happily. Maybe I'll finally do something right after all. "Really?"

"My word on it," the voice replied. "Hurry! Time is nearly gone."

"Okay," Sheen decided. "I'm in. What do I do?"

The voice sounded relieved but urgent. "Raise your wand and repeat these words. In nihile transmuto…"

Obediently Sheen did as he was told, thinking only that his friends and he would soon be out of their predicament. As he repeated the words of the unseen voice his wand began to glow, feeling warmer to the touch with each passing second. Dimly he was aware that a similar glow had appeared around the display case. As with most children he had once played with magnets, marveling at the unseen forces that had pushed and pulled at each other. Now he felt something similar but much more powerful, a battle between the invisible energies surrounding the display case and those emanating from his wand. As Sheen continued to repeat the mystical words provided him his arm and wand began to shake violently from the intensity of the unseen struggle. As one minute gave way to another he began to feel drained in both body and spirit, and wondered how much longer he would be able to continue. Near the limits of his endurance, however, the case suddenly exploded soundlessly into a million glittering particles that flickered and then faded into nothingness.

"Excellent. You have done well," the voice said. "Quickly now! Take the Tureen and enter the portal."

Sheen carefully lifted the precious object from its ruined place of honor and looked about. "What porthole?"

The voice sounded exasperated. "Portal, you dolt! The doorway!"

Sheen felt irritated. "There must be a couple hundred doorways in this place. Which one?"

"The one right in front of you!"

Sheen looked carefully and shook his head in frustrated annoyance. "I don't see anything."

"Follow my voice," the voice said intently. "It will lead you to the portal. Make haste before we are discovered!"

The voice continued to speak, urging Sheen to hasten as he carefully followed the sound. Sure enough, the voice did seem to get louder as he cautiously moved forward although he still saw no sign of a door or any other passage. "Okay, I'm following," he said in response to the voice's frantic urgings. "But I don't see anything. Are you sure there's something here? I mean –"

His words were cut off as a hand appeared from nowhere, grasping him by his school tie and dragging him forward. As if stepping from one room to another Sheen found himself in a large chamber with stone walls and floor. Holding him by his tie was a tall man with long black hair, a flowing black beard streaked with grey, and long charcoal-colored robes. The man scrutinized Sheem with cold, dark eyes, and then smiled slowly as he took in the object in Sheen's hands.

"Greetings, Smegleigh Toadspittle," the man said. "Lord Cordemal Folderol bids you welcome."

End of Part 7.