The next morning Silver had gotten up early as he had formed a plan. He wrote a letter to send to Elias saying that he probably just imagined it and he just had a normal sore head. He then headed up to the Aviery which was a circular stone room, rather cold and drafty, because none of the windows had glass in them. The floor was entirely covered in straw, Flicky droppings, and the regurgitated skeletons of mickys. Hundreds upon hundreds of Flickys of every breed imaginable were nestled here on perches that rose right up to the top of the tower, nearly all of them asleep, though here and there eyes glared at Silver. He spotted Lily nestled to others. She had her back to him evidently still furious over his lack of gratitude at the perilous trip she made. Eventually though she came down when Silver suggested using Crusher instead. He tied the letter to her leg "Just please find him. Before anyone else does" he caressed her head. She gave a soft hoot and set of out of the tower.
"That was a lie, Silver" Coral told him after he explained where he was over breakfast "People get sore heads all the time. You knew this one was different" "So what? He's not going to Prison Island because of me". "Drop it" Razor told Coral just before she was about to say something else. Razor understood better what Silver was worrying about "It can't be anything that serious Coral. What's You-Know-Who going to doign in a Muggle suberb?".
Silver spent the next few weeks trying to keep Elias off his mind although not very well. He anxiously watched the post arrive every morning and he often had this terrifying image in his head of Elias cornered by Prelates. He wished he had Sky Chase to distract him. On the other hand, their lessons were getting more demanding than ever particularly Defence the Dark Arts. To their surprise Striker had announced that he would be putting the Imperious Curse on each of them in turn, to demonstrate its power and to see whether they could resist its effects. Coral was shocked "But- But you said it was illegal, Professor. You said to use it on-" "Locke wants you taught what it feels like, and the Ministry has given him permission. If you'd rather learn the hard way when someone's putting it on you so they can control you completely, fine by me. You're excused. Off you go". Coral went very pink and muttered something about that she didn't mean she wanted to leave. Silver and Razor grinned, they knew Coral would rather drink a pint of Dryalid Pus than miss such an important lesson. One by one Silver had to pleasure of watching his classmates perform extraordinary and or hilarious feats. Marcos hopped around the room singing the national anthem. Undina played the flute with impeccable talent. Antione performed a series of gymnastics which he would never manage under his normal state "Silver, you're next!" Striker shouted. Silver gulped as he moved to the middle of the room. Striker raised his trident "Imperio!". It was the most wonderful feeling. Silver felt a floating sensation as every thought and worry in his head was wiped gently away, leaving nothing but a vague, untraceable happiness. He stood there feeling immensely relaxed, only dimly aware of everyone watching him. Then he heard Striker's voice echo from somewhere far away "Jump onto the desk… Jump onto the desk". Silver's knees bent ready to jump when "Why?" another voice said. The first voice came back "Jump onto the desk" "No. It's stupid. Why would I?" "JUMP! NOW!". Silver felt considerable pain. He both jumped and prevented himself from jumping at the same time. He fell forward but Striker caught him, he helped Silver back to his feet and laughed "That's more like it. You lot see that? Silver fought it! Fought it and damn near beat it! We'll try that again, Silver. And you lot watch. Pay attention to his eyes. That's where you see it". Silver was put through the curse three more times where he finally managed to break the curse completely. He limped out of the classroom once it was over "The way he talks we'll be attacked any minute" "I know, right" Razor said. He had much more trouble fighting the curse and now skipped every other step; Striker assured him it would wear off by lunch.
Next lesson was Transfiguration with Echo who gave them a new set of homework. Her nostrils flared when they complained "Need I remind you, you're now entering a most important phase of your magical education! Your G. are drawing closer" "We don't have G. till fifth year" Marcos said. Echo gave him a stern look "Maybe not, Mr Marcos, but believe me, you need all the preparation you can get! Miss Coral remains the only person in this class who has managed to turn a Flicky into a satisfactory pincushion. I might remind you that your pincushion, Mr Marcos, still trembles in fright if anyone approaches it with a pin!". Coral tried very hard to not look pleased with herself.
Silver and Razor were very happy with themselves when Pyjamas gave them top marks for their homework. She commended them for their unflinching acceptance of the horrors in store for them. Hawking meanwhile had them writing weekly essays on the Goblin Rebellion and Infinite was making them research antidotes. Chuck wanted them reading three books to prepare them for a Summoning Charm they had to demonstrate. Even Big was adding to their workload. In their latest lesson he wanted them to observe the Plasma's and take notes "I will not. I've seen enough of these things already!" Rutan said. Big's smiled faded "Yeh'll do wha' yer told, or I'll be takin' a leaf outta Professor Striker's book. I hear yeh made a good Ricky, Rutan". The Shinobis roared with laughter. Rutan's face flushed with anger but clearly the memory of Striker's punishment still lingered in his mind because he didn't retort. The trio left the lesson in high spirits. When they went up to the entrance hall they noticed a small crowd forming and saw something had been put up on the notice board.
THE EMERALD CHAMPIONSHIP
The delegations from Sylvania and
Grimm will be arriving at 6 o'clock
on Friday the 30th of October. Lessons will
end half an hour early
Students will return their bags and books
to their dormitories and assemble in front
of the castle to greet our guests before
the Welcoming Feast.
"Great. We've got Potion then" Silver said grinning "Infinite won't have time to poison us all". Void looked interested "Only a week. Better tell Sonic" he ran off. Razor looked confused "Sonic?" "Maybe he's entering the tournament" "What? That idiot? Soleanna's Champion?". Coral shook her head "He's not an idiot. He's very smart and he's a prefect" she said this as if it settled the matter. Razor rolled his eyes "You just like him because he's handsome" "No I don't". Razor let out a cough that sounded oddly like "Geoffrey".
Over the next week all anyone could talk about was the spreading rumours of the Emerald Championship. Who would the Soleanna championship be, what were the tasks going to be like, how different are the Sylvania and Grimm students. Silver noticed too that the castle seemed to be undergoing an extra-thorough cleaning. Several grimy portraits had been scrubbed, much to the displeasure of their subjects, who sat huddled in their frames muttering darkly and wincing as they felt their raw pink faces. The suits of armour were suddenly gleaming and moving without squeaking, and Rykor, the caretaker, was behaving so ferociously to any students who forgot to wipe their shoes that he terrified a pair of first-year girls into hysterics. The Soleanna coat of arms was also being placed around the walls of the Great Hall as well. The teachers were also getting very tense. Echo sternly told Antione not to mention that he can't perform a simple switching spell while in front of the visitors. On the morning of the day the other schools were to arrive the trio headed down for breakfast. They noticed Mighty and Ray sitting far from the other Shinobis discussing "I know it's a bummer but if he won't talk to us in person, we'll have to send him the letter after all. Or we'll stuff it into his hand. He can't avoid us forever". Razor looked suspicious "Who's avoiding you?" "Wish you would" Mighty said. Razor looked to Ray "What's a bummer?" "Having a nosey git like you for a brother". Silver could take the hint "You found a way of entering yet?" "Working on it. We asked Echo how the Champions are chosen but she just told us to shut up and get along with our work". Ray then suddenly realised something and looked through his bag "Coral, I almost forgot. Here, wrote down everything you have to do. It's the painting of fruit bowl" he handed her a piece of paper "Thanks, Ray". Razor and Silver were staring open mouthed, Coral needing help form anyone especially "Troublemakers" like Mighty and Ray was a strange sight "What's that?" Razor asked. Coral put the paper in her pocket "There's a secret passage into the kitchen. I'm going to use it when I get the chance". Razor groaned "What? You gonna lead them in Marmolim Revolution?" "I just want to talk to them. I want to get their side of all this" "Can't you just go to the library". Coral in a moment thought impossible scoffed at the idea of going to the library "I tried. Marmolims are glossed over in every book I've read. So, I'm going to the source". Silver was thankfully spared from having to listen to further argument by the arrival of Lily who landed at the table in front of him. Coral and Razor both stopped abruptly as they knew what her having a letter meant. Silver made sure Mighty and Ray were both back to their conversation before he opened the letter.
Nice try, Silver
I'm back in the country and well hidden. I want you to keep me posted on everything that's going on at Soleanna. Don't use Lily, keep changing Flickys, and don't worry about me, just watch out for yourself. Don't forget what I said about your head
Silver rolled up the letter and slipped it inside his robes, wondering whether he felt more or less worried than before. He supposed that Elias managing to get back without being caught was something. He couldn't deny either that the idea that Elias was much nearer was reassuring; at least he wouldn't have to wait so long for a response every time he wrote. Silver stroked Lily's head "Thanks, Lily" she helped herself to a drink from a goblet and flew back out of the Great hall. There was a pleasant feeling of anticipation in the air that day. Nobody was very attentive in lessons, being much more interested in the arrival that evening of the people from Sylvania and Grimm; even Potions was more bearable than usual, as it was half an hour shorter. When the bell rang early, Silver, Coral and Razor hurried up to Shinobi Tower, deposited their bags and books as they had been instructed and rushed back downstairs into the entrance hall. The Heads of Houses put their students into lines "Marcos, straighten your hair. Undina, take that ridiculous thing off your head!" Echo said before leading them to the front of the castle. They waited; Silver saw Skye shaking with anticipation. Everyone wondered how the students were going to arrive "Maybe they'll Chaos Control or a Warp Gate" Coral suggested. Razor raised his eyebrows "Thought you said you couldn't use Chaos Control at Soleanna" "You can if the Headmaster allows it. They control the protection around the school". Silver didn't think the schools would use Chaos Control. He remembered what Rob said "We can't resist showing off when we get together" and he thought them all just appearing wouldn't be that impressive. Locke then spoke from behind the students "If I'm not mistaken the delegation from Sylvania are about to arrive". "Where?" many students asked when one sixth year pointed to the sky "There!". A gigantic flying carriage was skimming over the top of the Deep Woods. It was being pulled by eight Lava Bats "Takers. I've never seen one before" Coral said. The carriage hit the ground in front of the students making some of them jump. The door to the carriage had a coat of arms, a large purple flower. A set of golden steps unfolded from the door before it opened. Out stepped a woman, the largest woman Silver had ever seen in his life. He guessed from her appearance she was a dog, but she was as tall as Big. She wore a blue dress with a purple cap, a yellow pointy hat and gold round earrings. Locke began to clap, and the rest of the crowd followed his lead in applause.
The woman gave a gracious smile and extended her hand to Locke. He barely had to bend to kiss her hand "My dear Lady Windermere" "Locke. I 'ope I find you well?" "In excellent form, thank you". Windermere gestured to the carriage "My pupils". Silver finally realised that dozens of teen boys and girls had also emerged from the carriage. They were all staring up at Soleanna castle with great apprehension. Windermere looked around "'As Benidict arrived yet?" "He should be arriving any minute now. Would you like to wait here and greet him, or would you prefer to step inside and warm up a trifle?" "Warm I think". She looked back at the carriages "But ze Takers" "Our Care of Magical Creatures teacher will be delighted to take care of them, the moment he has returned from dealing with a slight situation that has arisen with some of his other, er… charges". Silver could easily put together he was talking about the Plasmas. Coral shuddered at the idea of those things loose on the grounds, especially when two other schools were visiting. Windermere nodded "Very well. Will you please inform zis Big zat ze Takers drink only single-malt whiskey" "It will be attended to" "Come". Windermere led her students up the stone steps to the Entrance Hall. Everyone waited excitedly to see how the Grimm students would arrive "Do you hear that?" Larry asked. Manic gasped "Look, the lake!". Slowly and magnificently a ship rose out of the water. With a thud it dropped an anchor in the shallows and a plank dropped onto the bank. The students disembarked first then came a man old enough to be presumed as the headmaster. He was a red echidna with a white beard, he wore a brown jacket and green trousers. He approached Locke and shook his hand with both his own "Locke, my dear fellow, how are you?" "Blooming, Benidict". Benidict looked up at the castle with a smile which didn't reach his eyes "Old Soleanna, good to be here. Come alon" he beckoned one of his students forward, a familier youg wolf. Razor grabbed Silver's shoulder "Silver, it's him. It's Reynard" he whispered.