Master Haywood drew his wand, yanked Iolanthe behind him, and pointed the wand at Mrs. Greenfield.
Obliviscere! he shouted. Obliviscere! Obliviscere!
Obliviscere was the most powerful spell of forgetfulnessand illegal for mages without a medical license to use. Mrs. Greenfield would lose six months, if not a year, of memories.
What are you doing? Iolanthe cried.
Mrs. Greenfield dropped to her knees and vomited. Iolanthe started toward her. Master Haywood caught Iolanthes sleeve. You come with me.
But Mrs.
He had a death grip on her arm. You come with me this moment if you want to live!
What?
They both startled at the sound of wings beating abovethe peryton. It carried a rider. She squinted for a better look. But the next moment, she was looking at her own front door.
Master Haywood shoved her inside. She stumbled.
Mrs. Needles poked her head into the vestibule. Master Haywood, Miss Seabourne
Get out! Master Haywood bellowed. Leave this instant.
I beg your
Master Haywood pushed Mrs. Needles out of the house and slammed the door shut. He dragged Iolanthe into the parlor and pointed his wand at the ceiling. The tip of the wand shook.
She swallowed. Tell me what is going on!
A satchel fell from nowhere into his arms. I already told you. Atlantis is coming after you.
From the open windows came the sound of the perytons wing beats. The hairs on the back of Iolanthes neck stood up.
What should I do? she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her hand clenched about her wand.
A loud knock struck the front door. She jumped.
Master Haywood, open the door this minute! The voice belonged to Mrs. Oakbluff, who also served as the village constable. You are under arrest for the assault on Mrs. Greenfield, as witnessed by Mr. Greenfield and myself. Miss Seabourne, you come with me too.
Master Haywood thrust the satchel into Iolanthes arms. Ignore her. You need to leave.
She hurried after him. The satchel was heavy. Whats in the bag?
I dont know. Ive never opened it.
Why not?
In a corner of his bedchamber stood a large trunk, which had followed them through many moves. As he unlocked the trunk and lifted the lid, she saw its inside for the first time. It was completely emptya portal trunk. Where am I going?
I dont know that either.
Her stomach twisted. What do you know?
That you have put yourself in terrible danger. He closed his eyes briefly. Now get inside.
The house exploded. Walls caved; debris hurtled. She screamed, threw herself down, and shielded her head with the satchel. Chunks of brick and plaster pummeled her everywhere else.
When the chaos had died down a little, she looked around for Master Haywood. He was flat on the floor among the wreckage, bleeding from a head wound. She rushed to his side.
Are you all right, Master Haywood? Can you hear me?
His eyelids fluttered open. He looked at her, his gaze unfocused.
Its me, Iolanthe. Are you all right?
Why are you still here? he shouted, struggling to his feet. Get in the trunk! Get in!
He grabbed the satchel from her and tossed it into the trunk. She took a deep breath and hauled herself over the trunks high sides. He pulled on the lid. She held it open with the palm of her hand. Wait, arent you coming w
He crumpled to the floor.
Master Haywood!
Through the chalky air, a matronly figure advanced. Mrs. Oakbluff waved her wand. Master Haywoods inert body went flying, landing with a thud in the next room and missing being impaled upon a broken beam by mere inches.
Mrs. Oakbluff came at Iolanthe.
Where had they vaulted?
The village was not big, but it still had some forty, fifty dwellings of varying sizes. The villagers stopped what they were doing to gawk at Marble, her shadow gliding on rooftops and cobbled streets like a harbinger of doom.
The prince assessed the situation. Were he the father or the guardianwho obviously understood the implications of what the girl had donewould he have already gone on the run? Unlikely. He would want to return to their home nearby, where he had a bag packed for just such an emergency and a swift means to safety.
But where was home?
The prince had zoomed past the small house that
sat apart from the rest of the village when a movement caught his eye. He turned his head, hoping it was the man and the girl rematerializing. Only one mage, however, stood before the housenot the long-haired girl, but a squat woman.
Disappointed, he continued his search. Only to see, a minute later, the same house shaking violently before collapsing on itself.
He reined Marble as close to a full stop as he dared and vaulted for the now crooked front steps of the house.
What are you doing? Iolanthe wanted to shout in indignation, but her voice was barely above a whimper.
Impressive, isnt it? Mrs. Oakbluff smiled, but her square face was without its usual rustic goodwill. Did you know I once worked in demolition?
You destroyed our house because I damaged the flagpole?
No, because you resisted arrest. And I need the credit for your arrest, young ladyIve been in this wretched place too long.