Hi guys! I'm back!
Possummagic: Don't you go giving any of my secrets away, now!
chaosfire999: thankyou.
Chloe: Hmm, thankyou! I hope you enjoy this new chapter.
To my dear boys: I am truly sorry you couldn't beat England. But they will only have the Ashes for another year, so don't worry too much!
To Damien Martyn: Those bloody selectors don't know what they're talking about!
Chapter Nine – The Bangladesh Five
All too soon after the disturbing Zimbabwe series, the team was packing away its white clothing and bringing out the bright green and gold uniform of the one-day game. It was late January, the time when the VB triangular series began.
Watto was still injured, resting up in Queensland, wound healing slowly. And while they gained another warrior for the VB series – Brad – they lost one. For Justin did not play one-day internationals, and hadn't for many years. It was with a heavy heart that he took his leave of his friends and flew home to Perth.
The first game the Australians played was a casual, fearless affair. The Sri Lankans didn't worry them anymore, and a five-wicket win had boosted their confidence.
They came to Brisbane feeling confident but wary. No-one had forgotten the disastrous time when they had been beaten by Bangladesh. Plus this time they had to worry about the Bangladeshi Five.
When they arrived at the Gabba, they saw a single, shining Charter Mark inset in the door of their dressing-rooms. Curious, Matt reached out and touched it. Watto's voice filled the air.
'Hey guys, if you're hearing this, it means I haven't told you yet. There are Charter Marks all around this dressing-room, as an exercise in charming things, but they are more than just practice spells. The spells here will not allow any Dead spirit to enter the rooms, and it will alert you to their presence. So good luck, play well and for Charter's sake don't get hurt!'
Brad smiled. 'What a great idea! The Dead may know by now that this is the one place where we're vulnerable.' Stepping through the door made all the Sons tingle with warmth as the spells brushed their Marks.
Drama began right from the start of the game. As Rick returned from the coin toss, Bangladesh's skipper, Kahled Mahmud, drew his sword and followed Rick back towards the changing-rooms. But then Mahmud suddenly found his way blocked. Ricky had won the toss and elected to bat. He had come face-to-face with Adam and Matt. 'Ah! Adam, Matthew!' 'Hi, Kahled. What can we do for you?' 'You could get out of the way.' 'What? And let you attack our dressing-room? I think not. What do you think, Adam?' 'He could have waited till after the anthems. This will not do.' Mahmud brandished his sword. 'Move, openers, or I will kill you both!' Matt drew his. 'Try it, Kahlael. Just try it.' Mahmud raised his sword…and froze as Adam let Saraneth sound. While he paused, Matt added Kibeth's call.
As the runs flowed, Adam – now partnered with Damien – kept his panpipes tucked into his thighpad. This way he would have them handy at all times.
Mortaza trundled in and bowled a vicious beamer, which struck Damien in the side of the head. As Damien fell over, stunned, Mortaza drew Marks of fire and destruction in the air before him. Then Adam's voice called, 'I don't think so!' and Saraneth wound about him, binding him to Adam's will. Damien recovered himself sufficiently to let the Walker do its job.
There weren't any further incidents while Australia remained batting. They set an imposing but not out-of-reach score of 6-289, and all were well-pleased as they settled back in the dressing-rooms for dinner.
With about a quarter of an hour left until the match resumed, all the Charter Marks on the Sons began to flash and burn brightly. Matt turned to Brad. 'Do you feel that?' Yup. I think that the last few Dead dudes are trying to get in.' Adam turned to Damien. 'Marto,' he ordered, 'take the boys out back into the showers. It has only one entrance, you can easily defend it if we can't.' He turned to the others. 'Get ready. Matt, have that Master Mark prepared. Brad – oh, excellent.'
Matt cast his Mark and the spells died away. At once three men came bursting in. At the same time, Brad loosed the three arrows he'd held ready. One of the arrows missed completely, to Brad's disappointment. One poked through Mohammad Ashraful's shirt, pinning him to the wall. And the last was fended easily by the sword of Alok Kopali. Hmm, note to self – archery range, when I get home!
Habib-ul-Bashar, the one Brad's arrow missed completely, thrust his sword at Matt. Matt barely had enough time to block it, but Bashar had the momentum and Matt grunted as the wind was knocked out of him. He just managed to avoid the next strike, before swinging his sword at the bengal. Bashar blocked that blow and taunted, 'What's wrong, puny Matty Hayden lost all his strength?' Which of course ensured that Matt began to do battle with Bashar. He felt Marks of summoning flowering in his mind. He began to laugh as the panpipes appeared in his mouth. Letting Saraneth sound, Bashar copped the Binder full in the face, and Matt had to work hard to ensure that Bashael was the only spirit travelling into Death. Matt then picked up Bashar's limp body and took it to the showers. Damien gaped. 'What did you do to him?' 'It's not my fault that he was right next to Saraneth!'
Meanwhile, from Ashraful and Adam's corner of the room, there was considerable noise. Swords clashing made for one helluva racket. Adam gave a cry as Ashraful smacked the broadside of his sword onto his hand. He could feel the bones breaking. Then the same broadside crashed into his ankle. Adam groped for his sword with his left hand. A small squeal of pain came from somewhere above him. Matt had intercepted Ashraful's next blow, but the tip of the sword had cut his cheek. Adam abandoned his sword and grabbed his pipes, Binding Ashraful to his will. Matt let Kibeth sound, and Ashraful also slumped unconscious.
Over the other side of the room, Brad gave a deafening scream as Kopali thrust his sword deep into his thigh. Blood began to pour from the wound. Brad screamed again as Kopali jumped on his shin, feeling the bones crack. But then Matt blew hard on Saraneth, and Kopali froze. Adam added Kibeth, and Kopali collapsed. Brad was writhing and groaning in pain. Matt quickly fetched Damien, who looked horrified when he saw the wounds. 'What on earth happened here?' Brad groaned, 'I was outmatched. Please…Damien…hurry!'
Damien's head was dizzy now from the spells he had to use, but he turned to Adam. 'Hand,' he grunted. 'Oh, and my ankle, too please.' 'Bloody hell Gilly,' Damien laughed, 'You need that hand in about five minutes!' Then Damien turned to Matt. 'Haydos, I'm afraid you're gunna be left with a scar. My head hurts so much, I can barely summon the small magic for your cut.' 'Oh he shouldn't worry,' Ricky cut in, 'small cheek-scars are all the rage!' Everyone laughed at that, for on Rick's cheek was a small scar, that had once needed eight stitches.
Bangladesh scored a fearful rate, and gave the Australians a hellish scare, before falling two runs short – much to the team's relief.
All too soon they were packing their bags for cold and miserable Auckland, New Zealand.
Okay, guys, don't forget to review!
Next Chapter: The gang go to New Zealand! What surprises lie in wait?
Remember boys, love you all!
Lady Siruae XXX