«Fine. I shall tactfully get lost after the practice».
«Done».
On Sunday Ted moved to his parents. He had to share with them his impressions from his first day at work, to tell them about his current life, as well as ask for the financial assistance to sponsor his participation in the joust. In addition, he felt homesick. East or west home is best! Ted was only beginning to settle in his London flat and render it habitable the flat he obtained from the Magistrate. But this apartment would never ever become his home. After all, as soon as he quits his employment with the Museum, he will be forced to return the flat. That is why, in the meantime, he was saving money for his own dwelling.
Only his Mom was at home. Ted, as he did every time, hugged her tenderly and gave her a kiss.
«Hello, Mom! Howre you? Ive made a decision to spend my day-off at home. Sorry to have not warned you of my visit».
«Hi, dearest! Your father and I were talking about you yesterday and hoped you would come to see us».
«Did you?»
«Of course».
«Id be most willing to visit you two every Sunday».
«Sounds attractive, why not? Have you had breakfast yet?»
«Not yet. Where are Dad and Lily?»
«Your father is at work. Lily is still sleeping. Why did you wake up so early?»
Ted shrugged his shoulders.
«Dont know. It so happened».
«Sit down at table. Ill make you a cup of coffee in the meantime».
«Thanks! Your coffee is the tastiest!»
Soon afterwards Mrs. Spencer put two cups of hot and fragrant coffee on the table. She also put some cookies which she had baked by herself. Ted made a sip and closed his eyes, enjoying the taste.
«I havent drunk this tasty coffee of yours for such a long time!»
«Would you weigh coming back home? You may transport yourself to work from here as well».
«Yes, I know. But it would be much more convenient for me to stay in the city. Besides, there is one more circumstance. Ill tell you later once Dad comes home».
«What kind of circumstance?» Mrs. Spencer got uptight.
«Oh, nothing bad! Dont you worry, Mom,» smiled Ted.
They heard stamping of feet on the staircase it was Lily getting downstairs. Apparently, she had just woken up and neither washed nor combed herself yet. Seeing her brother she immediately rushed into his arms.
«Ted! Hi! I am so happy to see you!»
«So am I. Sleeping in?»
«Thats right. Holidays is the most wonderful time! Isnt it?»
«Definitely,» Ted sighed. «But for me this wonderful time has already finished. It has been replaced with the working life».
«You arent lucky, bro! But you may look at the bright side of it: youve already finished school, lead an independent life Wheres Dad? Are we having breakfast soon?»
«Dad is at his patients. Once hes back we all shall sit down to breakfast. Have you washed yourself yet?»
«Not yet».
Lily went to her room.Mr. Spencer returned half an hour later. He rejoiced seeing his son.
«Sonny! Im glad your life in London didnt infatuate you and that you didnt forget us!» Father and son embraced each other.
«What are you talking about, Daddy! Why should I forget you? Ive told Mom already: Id be most willing to spend every Sunday with you in here».
Lily got downstairs to the kitchen already washed, dressed up and coiffed.
«Everyones here and I can serve your breakfast!»
While the whole family was relaxing in the living room afterwards Ted told his parents and sister about his new job. He also mentioned the joust playoffs.
«I need your help in purchasing the equipment. To tell you the truth, I havent clarified the prices yet,» Ted summed his story up.
His parents exchanged looks. Mrs. Spencers eyes flashed concern.
«Isnt it dangerous, Ted?»
«Why, Mom? I was the winner back at school».
«Theres a certain difference. At school your rivals were pupils, like yourself. But this coming tournament will be attended by adult and experienced magicians».
«Theres hardly any threat for me anyway. Nothing except defeat and frustration. However, I shall overcome that and try again next year».
Mr. Spencer smiled.
«If you want it so much I guess well help you out».
«Will you?!» Ted was gleeful. «Thanks a million! I promise that Ill earn and return every coin».
«Stop it, Ted! After all, this is honor for us that our son is going to take part in such a contest! Who knows one day you may become the world champion?»
«I am not even dreaming of such a title. The joust simply tickles me. I feel as though I were a medieval knight. I wish I could create a time machine with the help of a magic touch!»
«Who knows? Perhaps, somewhere in secret offices and labs of the Magistrate magic scholars are involved in thinking up such an invention. None of us is aware of what is going on down there».
At work Ted made up his mind to tell Mr. Merlegg about the joust. Probably, he would get interested in it? He knocked on his superiors door.
«Ah, Ted, come on in! Hows work?»
«Smooth, Mr. Merlegg. I wanted to share with you something. Youre likely to find it interesting».
«Really? Have a seat. Im listening to you attentively».
Ted sat down and started his narration.
«As far as you know, four years ago the Magistrate disclosed our existence. Now it has been decided to allow ordinary people non-magicians to be present at a magician-knights joust».
«A magician knights joust? Whats that?»
«Oh, it resembles a usual chivalrous joust from the Middle Ages, the only difference is as such: we are entitled to take advantage of any big flying animal and to use magic against one another. I used to be the champion back in my school».
«The champion? So, you also intend to participate».
«Hope so. Yesterday I applied for participation in the joust and the playoff matches are to start in September. I think, I shall have got hold of a winged horse or some other animated vehicle by then».
«A winged horse? The one from myths?»
«Not necessarily from myths. This is quite an existent beast. Hope you will also have a chance to see it. You may use dragons, but only the tamed ones».
Mr. Merlegg was shocked.
«Dragons? Do you imply that dragons also exist? And that its not a fable? I was more than confident that such a fictitious tourist attraction had been made especially for the Department».
«But they do exist, really. They arent as wicked as they are described in books. They inhabit the places where people almost dont show up. They are facing hardships, as of now. The Magistrate is willing to set up special nature reserves for them».
«Why arent they exhibited in zoos? I happened to see some magic animals in our local zoo in the Department of Magic Creatures».
«Dragons are the entities who value freedom. They cannot be kept under lock and key. Its strictly forbidden to cut their wings, like birds».
«Then youd better used horses to fly around.» smiled Mr. Merlegg.
«I am going to have a practice joust this coming Saturday. Would you like to come and see it?»
«Saturday? Its a pity I am travelling to Paris with my family this coming weekend. But Id be most delighted to attend your next practice».
«Definitely come by!»
Ted went returned to the Department.
After a few minutes, a group accompanied with a tour guide came in. The guide was speaking French. Ted was very fluent in this language.