Madam Vanilla insisted on keeping Silver in the hospital wing for the rest of the weekend. He didn't argue or complain, but he wouldn't let her throw away the shattered remnants of his Blue Star. He knew he was being stupid, knew that the it was beyond repair, but Silver couldn't help it; he felt as though he'd lost one of his best friends. He had a stream of visitors over the next few days all intent on cheering him up. Big had sent him up flowers, or at least Silver thinks they were flowers, they looked kind of like yellow cabbages. Blaze came by blushing furiously and gave him a card that sang when you opened it. The problem was she didn't do the spell right because by that night it started to wear off and it kept singing open or not. Silver managed to shut it up by putting the fruit bowl on top of it. That Sunday the Shinobi team visited again this time with Khan who told Silver in a cold, hollow voice that he didn't blame him. Razor and Coral would rarely leave his bedside. But even they couldn't cheer him up because they only knew half of what was troubling him. He hadn't told them about seeing the Grim in the stands. He knew Razor would panic and Coral would scoff. The fact remained, however, that it had now appeared twice, and both appearances had been followed by near-fatal accidents; the first time, he had nearly been run over by the Mirage Express; the second, fallen fifty feet from his board. Was the Grim going to haunt him until he actually died? Was he going to spend the rest of his life looking over his shoulder for the beast? And then there were the Prelates. Silver felt sick and humiliated every time he got near them. Then with the alone time he had at night he felt even more sick as he slowly figured out what the screaming was. He lay awake for hours listening to it over and over again. He heard the last moments of his mother's life, her trying to protect him and Finitevus laughter as he killed her. The sounds wouldn't let him sleep, they just got louder when he closed his eyes. It was a relief on Monday that he returned to the loud bustle of the school. He was happy to be back even if he had to endure Rutan's reenergised taunting. He had finally taken his bandages off and took advantage of both his arms by doing dramatic imitations of Silver falling off his board. Razor finally got tired of this in potions and threw a bloody liver at his face which led to Infinite taking fifty points from Shinobi.
They waited in line for their next class "I swear if Infinite's in there I'm skiving. Poke your head in, Coral, who is it?" Razor asked. Coral made it to the front and checked "It's okay. Knuckles is back". They happily went in and sat down. Knuckles did look like he had been ill, his fur was a lot paler red, there were bags under his eyes and he moved with a pain in his legs. Never the less he smiled happily to the class who immediately exploded in talk over Infinite's essay "It's not fair, he was only filling in, why should he give us homework?" "We don't know anything about Zillas two rolls of parchment!". Knuckles frowned "Did you tell Professor Infinite we haven't covered them yet?" "He wouldn't listen!" multiple people yelled. Knuckles looked amused at their indignation "Don't worry. I'll speak to Professor Infinite. You don't have to do the essay" "Oh, no. I've already finished it" Coral said. They had another fun lesson finishing their work on the Gillman. When the bell rang everyone went to leave "Silver, stay for a moment. I'd like to talk". Silver doubled back and joined Knuckles near the desk. Knuckles waited for the rest of the class to leave "I heard about the match. I'm sorry to hear about your board. Is there any hope of repairing it?" "No. The Granifer smashed it to bits". Knuckles sighed "They brought the Granifer to Soleanna the same year I came. People used to play a game, trying to get near enough to touch the boulder that made the head before it assembled. In the end, a boy called Davey Gudgeon nearly lost an eye, and we were forbidden to go near it. No Extreme Gear would have a chance". Silver with difficulty asked "Did you hear about the Prelates as well?" "Yes. I don't think any of us have seen Professor Locke that angry. They have been growing restless for some time. They're furious at his refusal to let them inside the grounds... I suppose they were the reason you fell?". Silver nodded not being able to hide his shame "Why… Why do they affect me so badly? Am I just-" "It has nothing to do with weakness" Knuckles answered sharply.
He moved around his desk and was now in front of Silver "The Prelates affect you worse than the others because there are horrors in your past that the others don't have. Prelates are among the worst creatures that walk this planet. They infest the darkest, filthiest places, they glory in decay and despair, they drain peace, hope, and happiness out of the air around them. Even Muggles feel their presence, though they can't see them. Get too near a Prelates and every good feeling, every happy memory will be sucked out of you. If it can, the Prelates will feed on you long enough to reduce you to something like itself... soul-less and evil. You'll be left with nothing but the worst experiences of your life. And the worst that happened to you, Silver, is enough to make anyone fall off their board. You have nothing to feel ashamed of". Knuckles started to pack away his briefcase. Silver felt his throat tighten "When they get near me… I can hear Finitevus murder my mother". Knuckles made a motion like he was about to grip Silver's shoulder but then decided against it. There was a moment of silence and then "Why did they come to the match?" "They're getting hungry. Locke won't let them into the school, so their supply of prey has dried up. I don't think they could resist the large crowd around the Sky Chase field. All that excitement emotions running high it was their idea of a feast" "Prison Island must be terrible". Knuckles nodded grimly "It's far out at sea. The actual Prison is right in the centre island but they don't need walls and water to keep the prisoners there. , not when they're all trapped inside their own heads, incapable of a single cheery thought. Most of them go mad within weeks" "But Elias Acorn escaped". Knuckles knocked his briefcase off the desk and quickly caught it. He straightened up "Yes. Elias must have found a way to fight them. I wouldn't have believed it possible. Prelates are supposed to drain a wizard of his powers if he is left with them too long" "You made that one on the train go away". Knuckled nodded "There are defences against them. But there was only one Prelate on the train. The more there are, the more difficult it becomes to resist" "Can you teach me?" Silver blurted out. Knuckles hesitated "I'm not an expert in fighting Prelates, Silver. I don't know how much help I can be" "If they come back at the Sky Chase matches I need to know how to fight them". Knuckles considered for a few moments "Well… Alright. I'll try and help. But it'll have to wait until next term, I'm afraid. I have a lot to do before the holidays. I chose a very inconvenient time to fall ill".
With the promise of anti-Prelate lessons from Knuckles, the thought that he might never have to hear his mother's death again, and the fact that Gossamer flattened Yagyu in their Sky Chase match at the end of November, Silver's mood took a definite upturn. Shinobi were not out of the running after all, although they could not afford to lose another match. Khan became repossessed of his manic energy, and worked his team as hard as ever in the chilly haze of rain that persisted into December. Silver saw no hint of a Prelate within the grounds. Locke's anger seemed to be keeping them at their stations at the entrances. Two weeks before the end of term the mountains around Soleanna shined with a glistening frost. People were getting into the spirit, Chuck arranged some trained wisps to fly around his class room creating beautiful lights. Razor and Coral had also both agreed to stay at the school for Christmas. Even though Razor insisted it was to get away from Hamlin and Coral said she wanted to use the library Silver knew the real reason. They wanted to keep him company which he greatly appreciated.
To everyone delight (Except Silver) there was to be one more visit to Spiral Hill before the holidays "We can do out Christmas shopping. My Mum and Dad would love those tooth flossing string mints from Josef's" Coral would say excitedly. Knowing he would again be the only third year not going Silver borrowed a book from Khan. It was a catalogue on different board makes. He had been using a school practice board at training, an ancient High Booster which was slow and jerky. He needed a new one.
On Saturday morning Silver said goodbye to Coral and Razor who were wrapped in coats and scarfs. He then took the third corridor back to the Shinobi Common Room when "Psst! Silver!". Mighty and Ray were beckoning him from a door. Silver entered the empty classroom "What're you two doing? Why aren't you at Spiral Hill?" "We've come to give you some festive cheer before we go". They were both beaming "Early Christmas present for you, Silver". Mighty placed an old, worn piece of parchment with nothing written on it onto the table. Silver stared at it expecting it to be one of Mighty and Ray's jokes "What's this?" "That, dear Silver, is the secret to our success" Ray answered. Mighty nodded "It's a shame to lose it but we have decided that your needs are greater than ours" "And what needs do I have for an old piece of parchment?". Mighty closed his eyes with a grimace as if Silver had personally offended him "Old parchment? Explain it to him Ray" "Well, Silver, when we were in our first year, young, carefree, innocent…". Silver raised his eyebrows, he doubted Mighty and Ray had ever been innocent. Ray seemed to agree "Well, more innocent than we are now. We got into a spot of bother with Rykor. He hauled us to his office and threatened us with the usual. Detention, disembowelment and we couldn't help noticing a drawer in one of his filing cabinets marked Confiscated and Highly Dangerous". Silver grinned "Don't tell me" "Well what would you have done? Ray caused a diversion by dropping a ring bomb then in the confusion I grabbed this. It's not as bad as it sound. I don't think Rykor knew what it was. Probably just suspected it". Ray stared at the letter like an old friend who was going away "Took us ages to find out how it worked" "Is it useful?" "Useful? That thing's taught us more than all the teachers in this school". Silver was sceptical "Come on" "Fine, you want proof?". Ray placed his hand on the parchment, his blue scarf and flight goggles glowed yellow "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good". At once, thin ink lines began to spread like a spider's web from the point that Ray's hand had touched. They joined each other, they crisscrossed, they fanned into every corner of the parchment; then words began to blossom across the top, great, curly green words, that proclaimed:
Messrs. Guardian, Hood, King and Terios
Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers are proud to present
THE CHAOTIX MAP
It was a map showing every detail of the Soleanna castle and grounds. But the truly remarkable thing were the tiny ink dots forming footsteps moving around it, each labelled with a name in minuscule writing. Astounded, Silver bent over it. A labelled dot in the top left corner showed that Professor Locke was pacing his study; the caretaker's Chao, Spooky, was prowling the second floor; and Charmy was currently bouncing around the trophy room. And as Silver's eyes travelled up and down the familiar corridors, he noticed something else. This map showed a set of passages he had never entered. And many of them seemed to lead "Right into Spiral Hill" Mighty said tracing one of the passageways. He pointed out the others "There's seven in total. We think Rykor knows about these four but we're sure we're the only one who know about these three. Now this one here behind the mirror, it caved it last year. Don't ask. This one here we haven't used before. The entrance is behind the Granifer Giganticus, even we're not that mad. This is a good one. It leads right into Josef's sweet shop. We use it all the time". Ray saluted the map "Guardian, Hood, King and Terios. We owe them so much". Mighty did the same and spoke in a solemn voice "Noble men, working tirelessly to help a new generation of lawbreakers" "Now, one more thing. You have to wipe it when you're done. Just put your Talisman to it and say Mischief Managed" he did so and the map was erased. Mighty stood up straight and did an uncanny impression of Hamlin "Now, young Silver, be sure to behave yourself" "See you at Josef's" Ray said winking and the twins left. Silver stared at the miraculous map, it was incredible, he could get into Spiral Hill without meeting a single Prelate. But then an ominous warning from Rob came to the front of his mind "Never trust anything that can think for itself, if you can't see where it keeps its brain". But this couldn't be like Sam's Diary, he just wanted to get into Spiral Hill and Mighty and Ray had been using it for years and nothing's happened to them. He picked up the map "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good".
The map reformed on the parchment, there was no one outside the classroom so Silver moved quickly. He followed the map to a statue of a one eyed walrus which was apparently the entrance to the tunnel. He didn't know what he had to do so looked back down at the map. He found the small pair of feet that represented him. It stepped forward on its own, a small hand formed and tapped the statue. Silver approached the statue and tapped his hand against the statue. Nothing happened so he looked back at the map. A speech bubble appeared next to his ink self "Dissendum" "Dissendium". The statue split in half revealing an opening that a very thin Mobian could fit through. Silver tucked the map away and pushed himself through the opening. He fell down a steep stone slide and then hit damp dirt. It was pitch black "Lumos" he was in a narrow passageway "Mischief Managed" the map erased again. He put it away and he slowly walked down the passageway, his heart beating fast with both fear and excitement. The passage twisted and turned, more like the burrow of a giant rabbit than anything else. Silver hurried along it, stumbling now and then on the uneven floor, holding his wand out in front of him. It took ages, but Silver had the thought of Josef's Sweet Shop to sustain him. After what felt like an hour, the passage began to rise. Panting, Silver sped up, his face hot, his feet very cold. Ten minutes later, he came to the foot of some worn stone steps, which rose out of sight above him. Careful not to make any noise, Silver began to climb. A hundred steps, two hundred steps, he lost count as he climbed, watching his feet. Then, without warning, his head hit something hard. It seemed to be a trapdoor. Silver stood there, massaging the top of his head, listening. He couldn't hear any sounds above him. Very slowly, he pushed the trapdoor open and peered over the edge. He was in a cellar, which was full of wooden crates and boxes. Silver climbed out of the trapdoor and replaced it. It blended so perfectly with the dusty floor that it was impossible to tell it was there. Silver crept slowly toward the wooden staircase that led upstairs. Now he could definitely hear voices, not to mention the tinkle of a bell and the opening and shutting of a door.
Wondering what he ought to do, he suddenly heard a door open much closer; somebody was about to come downstairs. "And get another box of Jelly Slugs, dear, they've nearly cleaned us out" said a woman's voice. A pair of feet was coming down the staircase. Silver leapt behind an enormous crate and waited for the footsteps to pass. He heard the man shifting boxes against the opposite wall. He might not get another chance. Quickly and silently, Silver dodged out from his hiding place and climbed the stairs; looking back, he saw an enormous backside and shiny bald head, buried in a box. Silver reached the door at the top of the stairs, slipped through it, and found himself behind the counter of Josef's. He ducked, crept sideways, and then straightened up. Josef's was so crowded with Soleanna students that no one looked twice at Silver. He edged among them, looking around, and suppressed a laugh as he imagined the look that would spread over Menniker's piggy face if he could see where Silver was now. There were shelves upon shelves of the most succulent-looking sweets imaginable. Creamy chunks of nougat, shimmering pink squares of coconut ice, fat, honey-coloured toffees; hundreds of different kinds of chocolate in neat rows; there was a large barrel of Every Flavour Beans, and another of Fizzing Whizbees, the levitating sherbet balls that Razor had mentioned from previous visits; along yet another wall were "Special Effects" sweets: Droobles Best Blowing Gum (which filled a room with bluebell-coloured bubbles that refused to pop for days), the strange, splintery Toothflossing Stringmints, tiny black Pepper Imps (Breathe fire for your friends!), Ice Mice (Hear your teeth chatter and squeak!), peppermint creams shaped like toads (Hop realistically in the stomach!), fragile sugar-spun quills, and exploding bonbons.
Silver squeezed himself through a crowd of sixth years and saw a sign hanging in the farthest corner of the shop (UNUSUAL TASTES). Razor and Silver were standing underneath it, examining a tray of blood-flavoured lollipops. Silver sneaked up behind them "Ugh, no, Silver won't like those. They're for Death Leeches" Coral said, "I agree". Coral gasped "Silver, what're you doing here? You're not supposed to be…". Razor looked amazed "Silver… You can use Chaos Control" "What, no, of course I can't". He dropped his voice so the nearby group of Sixth years couldn't hear and told them about the map. They had the predictable reactions "How come they never told me about this map. I'm their brother" "But Silver isn't going. He's going to hand it in to Professor Echo aren't you, Silver?" "No, I'm not!". Razor found this idea equally outrageous "Are you mad? Hand in something that good?" "I couldn't even if I wanted to. I'd have to tell Rykor where I got it and that would get Mighty and Ray in trouble". Coral was still worried "What about Elias Acorn? He could be using one of those passages to get into the school" "He can't. That's the only one the teachers don't know about that's usable and you can't see the entrance from this side. He woulnt' know it's there". But now thinking about it, what if Elias did know it was there. He had gone to Soleanna as a child. Maybe he found it the same way Mighty and Ray did. Before he could think harder on this Razor hit his arm "Look". He gestured to a notice board that had a new announcement.
-BY ORDER OF - THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC
Customers are reminded that until further notice, Prelates will be
patrolling the streets of Spiral Hill every night after sundown. This
measure has been put in place for the safety of Spiral Hill residents and
will be lifted upon the recapture of Elias Acorn. It is therefore
advisable that you complete your shopping well before nightfall.
Merry Christmas!
This was enough to convince Razor "You see. I'd like to see Elias try to get in while Prelates are swarming the streets. Besides, Coral, Josef or his wife would have reported a break in if Elias was using it" "Yes, but… But…". Coral struggled to find another problem "Look, Silver still shouldn't be coming into Spiral Hill. He hasn't got a signed form! If anyone finds out, he'll be in so much trouble! And it's not nightfall yet. What if Elias turns up today? Now?" "Come on, Coral, Silver deserves a break". She bit her lip, Silver stared at her "Are you going to report me?" "I… No, course not". It being settled the two bought their sweet and the three of them left Josef's and went out into the blizzard. Spiral Hill looked like a Christmas Card: the little thatched cottages and shops were all covered in a layer of crisp snow; there were holly wreaths on the doors and strings of enchanted candles hanging in the trees. Silver shivered, he was just now realising he forgot his winter gear. Razor's teeth chattered as he said "You want to go to the Piston Pit. Get something to drink". Silver couldn't say yes fast enough, the wind was fierce. After a few minutes they reached a small inn. Inside was the owner, an attractive looking tiger woman. Razor went red making Coral smirk "That's Tatiana. Razor fancies her" "I do not!". Tatianna thankfully didn't hear them as she approached "Sorry, you two will have to come back in an hour. The Minister's visiting". Coral didn't understand "Two?" she glanced back Silver was gone "Oh, okay, thank you". Once Tatiana turned around the invisible Silver put an arm over both his friends shoulders "Sit down over there" he whispered as they too disappeared without Tatianna noticing. They moved to the table near the corner "Why did you turn invisible?" Razor asked in a hushed voice, "I saw Max outside. He'd recognise me" "Okay, but why didn't we leave?" "I heard him say something. Just wait".
The door opened letting in a breeze. Echo entered in a coat, followed by Chuck, Big and finally Max. With in no time they were sitting together and Tatianna was handing out drinks, Big had four pints to himself "Come join, us Tatianna" Max said pleasantly, "Thank you, Minister". She left to make herself a drink and sat with he group "So what brings you all the way up here, Minister?". Max looked around to make sure the room was indeed empty "Elias Acorn. I assume you heard about what happened at Halloween" "I did hear a rumour. So is he here then?". Max gave a grave nod "I'm sure of it" "You know Prelates have searched my pub twice now. Scared all my customers away. It's bad for business, Minister" "I don't like them anymore than you do. I spoke to them earlier today. They're in fury over Locke not letting them onto the ground". Echo made an approving sound "And he's absolutely right. How are we supposed to teach with those horror's strolling about". Chuck raised his drink "Hear, hear". Max started to sound defensive "All the same they are here to protect you all from something much worse, we all know what Elias's capable of". Tatianna gave a sigh "I still can't believe it. Of all the people to go over to the Dark Side, Elias Acorn was the last I'd have thought. I mean, I remember him when he was a boy at Soleanna. If you'd told me then what he was going to become, I'd have said you'd had too much mead" "The worst he's done isn't even widely known" "Worst? Than killing all those people?". The others at the table paused and then Echo finally spoke "You say you knew him when he was at Soleanna. Do you remember who his friend was". Tatianna thought back and then gave a short laugh "Yes. Never saw one without the other, did you? The number of times I had them in here. Ooh, they used to make me laugh. Quite the double act, Elias Acorn and Shadow the Hedgehog". Silver's arm slid off Razor's shoulder. He quickly put it back just as the top of Razor's fin became visible, thankfully it disappeared again before anyone noticed. Echo was explaining to Tatianna "Elias and Shadow. Ringleaders of their little gang. Both very bright, of course, exceptionally bright, in fact, but I don't think we've ever had such a pair of troublemakers".
Big chuckled "I dunno. Mighty and Ray could give 'em a run fer their money". Chuck took another drink before saying "You' think Elias and Shadow were brothers. Inseparable" "Exactly" Max said. He hit his hands against the table "And that was the problem. Shadow trusted Elias beyond all his other friends. Nothing changed when they left school. Elias was best man when Shadow married Tikal. Then they named him godfather to Silver. Silver has no idea, of course. You can imagine how the idea would torment him" "Because he was in league with You-Know-Who?". Max shook his head gravely "Worse. Not many people are aware that the Shadow and Tikal knew You-Know-Who was after them. Locke, who was of course working tirelessly against You-Know-Who, had a number of useful spies. One of them tipped him off, and he alerted them at once. He advised them to go into hiding. Well, of course, You-Know-Who wasn't an easy person to hide from. Locke told them that their best chance was the Fidelius Charm" "I've not heard of it". Chuck cleared his throat happy to explain "An immensely complex spell involving the magical concealment of a secret inside a single, living soul. The information is hidden inside the chosen person, or Secret-Keeper, and is henceforth impossible to find - unless, of course, the Secret-Keeper or the ones in hiding chooses to divulge it. As long as the Secret-Keeper refused to speak, You-Know-Who could search the village where Shadow and Tikal were staying for years and never find them, not even if he had his nose pressed against their sitting room window!". Tatianna started to understand "So, Elias was the secret keeper". Echo nodded "Naturally. Shadow said Elais would rather die than give him up. That Elias was planning to go into hiding himself and yet, Locke remained worried. I remember him offering to be the Secret-Keeper himself. He suspected someone in the Order had been passing along information". Tatiana's eyes widened as she finally understood "He betrayed them" "A week after the charm was cast Shadow and Tikal were killed. Elias was tired of his double-agent role, he was ready to declare his support openly for You-Know-Who, and he seems to have planned this for the moment of the deaths. But, as we all know, You-Know-Who met his downfall in little Silver. Powers gone, horribly weakened, he fled. And this left Elias in a very nasty position indeed. His master had fallen at the very moment when he, Elias, had shown his true colours as a traitor. He had no choice but to run for it".
Big angrily banged his fists against the table "Filthy stinkin turncoat! I musta bin the last ter see him before he killed all them people! It was me what rescued Silver from Tikal an' Shadow's house after they was killed! jus' got him outta the ruins, poor little thing, with those glowing eyes, an' his parents dead. An' Elias Acorn turns up, on that flyin' that Mobo-Cruiser he used ter ride. Never occurred ter me what he was doin' there. I didn' know he'd bin their Secret-Keeper. Thought he'd jus' heard the news o' You-Know-Who's attack an' come ter see what he could do. White an' shakin', he was. An' yeh know what I did? I COMFORTED THE MURDERIN' TRAITOR!". Echo put her hands on his arm "Calm down, Big. People outside might hear you". Big didn't seem to hear her "How was I ter know he wasn' upset abou' Shadow an' Tikal? It was You-Know-Who he cared abou'! An' then he says, 'Give Silver ter me, Big, I'm his godfather, I'll look after him…' Ha! But I'd had me orders from Locke, an' I told him no, Locke said Silver was ter go ter his aunt an' uncle's. Elias argued, but in the end he gave in. Told me ter take his Mobo-Cruiser ter get Silver there. 'I won't need it anymore' he says. I shoulda known there was somethin' fishy goin' on then. He loved that cruiser, what was he givin' it ter me for? Why wouldn' he need it anymore? Fact was, it was too easy ter trace. Locke knew he'd bin the Secret-Keeper. Elias knew he was goin' ter have ter run fermit that night, knew it was a matter o' hours before the Ministry was after him. But what if I'd given Silver to him, eh? I bet he'd 've pitched him off the cruiser halfway out ter sea. His bes' friends' son! But when a wizard goes over ter the Dark Side, there's nothin' and no one that matters to em anymore...". There was a long silence and then finally Tatianna said with some satisfaction "At least he didn't escape" "Not before he could do more damage. Little Mordred Snake found him first. One of Shadow's other friends" Max said regrettably. Tatianna nodded remembering "Oh, I remember him. Always followed them around Soleanna" "Hero worshipped them. Never quite in their league, talent-wise. I was often rather sharp with him. You can imagine how I… regret that now" Echo said looking at the floor. Max patted her back "There, now, Echo. He died a hero's death. He corned Elias, maddened with grief. The Muggle witnesses told us he was sobbing, asking how he could have done it. Then he went to attack but naturally Elias was quicker. He was blown away". Echo blew her nose "Stupid boy. He was always hopeless at duelling... should have left it to the Ministry" "I tell yeh, if I'd got ter Elias before little Mordred did, I wouldn't 've messed around with Talismans I'd 've ripped him limb from limb" Big growled.
Max shook his head "You don't know what you're talking about, Big. You didn't see the aftermath. I was only Junior Minister in the Department of Magical Catastrophes at the time I was first on the scene after the explosion. The crater was huge, Bodies everywhere. Muggles screaming. And Black standing there laughing, with what was left of Hamlin in front of him. A finger, that's all that was left. A finger". The memory made him pause "Well, of course Elias was taken away. Mordred received the Order of Forelock, First Class, which I think was some comfort to his poor mother. Elias has been on Prison Island ever since… Until now". Tatianna gave a long sigh "Is he really mad, Minister?" "I wish I could say he was. I certainly believe his master's defeat unhinged him for a while. The murder of Mordred and all those Muggles was the action of a cornered and desperate man. Cruel... pointless. Yet I met Elias on my last inspection of Prison Island. You know, most of the prisoners in there sit muttering to themselves in the dark; there's no sense in them. But I was shocked at how normal Elias seemed. He spoke quite rationally to me. It was unnerving. You'd have thought he was merely bored, asked if I'd finished with my newspaper, cool as you please, said he missed doing the crossword. Yes, I was astounded at how little effect the Prelates seemed to be having on him and he was one of the most heavily guarded in the place, you know. Prelates outside his door day and night". There was a chink of glasses being put down empty "You know, Max, if you're dining with the headmaster, he'd better head back up to the castle" Echo said. One by one each of the drinkers left the bar until eventually our invisible trio were alone. Razor and Coral had been feeling Silver shaking for a while now. Now that they were alone Silver removed his arms from them and stormed away "Silver!" Coral yelled as she slowly reappeared. They followed him outside and saw his footprints in the snow. Silver pushed past confused bystanders. The last thing Razor and Coral saw was the door to Josef's open on its own and then violently slam back shut.