The Damn Artefacts. Lana Gilman

fond of deciphering and unraveling mysteries».

      «Yeah, back at school you excelled! When everybody else was already desperate to find out what, in fact occurred and was at their wits’ end. Wow! As soon as I recall it, my memories send thrills down my spine!»

      «What about your parents? What do they do for living?»

      «Mom is jobless. She stays at home and her hobby is conducting experiments with all types of curses and incantations. Dad is the Second Master’s personal assistant. You met him».

      «Yes, I did. When is your exam?»

      «Pretty soon. By the end of July. The results will arrive at the beginning of August».

      «Good luck to you!»

      «Thanks. But we’ll see each other before. Or we’ll continue staying in touch by phone.»

      «Sure!»

      Their breakfast was over. Ted asked for the bill and paid.

      «You weren’t supposed to pay for me. Above all, it was me who invited you».

      «C’mon! How could I possibly let a girl pay for me?»

      «All right. Please don’t exaggerate. Otherwise you will remain without a coin!»

      They left the café.

      «Where is the joust going to be held?»

      «At the arena – outside the city. Do you know where it is?»

      «No clue».

      «Then hold me by my hand and you will be transported there together with me. One more thing I haven’t mentioned: Jeffrey will also be at the arena».

      «But he is your friend! No wonder».

      «Thank you! I was afraid you would mind his presence there».

      «No way! It is a quarter to one p.m. It’s about time!»

      Chapter 5

      Alice took Ted by his hand and he pressed the gem of his portal-ring. They found themselves in front of a bizarre building which looked like a small stadium, yet spectator boxes were arranged one above another. It might seem to the uninitiated viewer that the Coliseum had left Rome for London and taken its form there in the city center.

      «Have we reached our destination?»

      «Yes, we have. Here the championship will take place».

      «But it’s so big! Our school arena was much smaller in size».

      «Right you are. Hopefully, I’m going to cope with the challenge. At long last I am not losing anything».

      «Aren’t you scared of losing the fight?»

      «Sure I am. I’ll make every possible effort to win».

      «You will make it, Ted! I trust you».

      «Thank you, Alice. I’ll try my best not to disappoint you. Well, let’s go!»

      They entered the building and saw Jeffrey.

      «Heya!» – he greeted them. – «I’ve been waiting for you here for ten minutes or so».

      Ted and Jeffrey hugged each other. Alice stepped a little back, lest Jeff all of a sudden decide to embrace her, too.

      «Hello, Jeff! I’m glad that you came!»

      «I couldn’t help coming. Hi there, Alice! As far as I see, you aren’t the happiest person due to my presence here».

      «C’mon, Jeff, stop it! I’m glad to see you. But its one o’clock already – its high time Ted get to the arena».

      «That’s right».

      They proceeded further on to get to the secretary.

      «Hi, I’m Ted Spencer. My practice has been scheduled today at one p.m.»

      «Hello. Hold on please,» – he checked the list. «Yes. Your rival is Jim Reyton. He hasn’t arrived yet. You will get your props. You are to pay fifteen pounds, sir».

      Ted paid and took the receipt.

      «Thanks».

      «Your companions will have an opportunity to watch the joust from one of the boxes, the one which they find as the most convenient one. The elevator is to the right».

      «Good luck to you, Ted! We’ll look for a suitable place».

      «Break your leg!»

      «Thanks.»

      Alice and Jeffrey headed for the elevators, while Ted went to the props room. There he received a uniform that suited him well. It resembled a true medieval chivalrous garb. The only difference was that it had been sewn of thin leather and silver satin. A cloak had to be put on above this garment, which was also of silver color. Dressed in all that, the black-haired swarthy youth looked irresistibly handsome! From the props room he continued to the stable where he was granted a beautiful white winged horse whose nickname was Persian.

      «Where’s my rival?» – asked Ted.

      «He’s just arrived and is currently getting his props. As long as he is getting ready you may try your horse».

      «Great! Thank you».

      Ted climbed the winged horse and grabbed the bridle. There were neither saddle nor stirrups; otherwise the horse would be unable to fly. With his knees Ted propped against the wing base and easily pulled the bridle. Persian made a few skips around the arena and took off. Ted made several rounds to make sure that it was easy to guide this wise animal. He spotted his friends who got settled in the ninth tier and waved his hand at them. They waved back in response. There appeared his rival down there, riding the same horse, but black. Ted landed in the arena. In compliance with the applicable ritual, both of them rode to the center and greeted one another with their magic wands. Then they turned around and galloped to opposite directions. After three steps both horses took off and, having made a graceful and refined circle, began approaching each other.

      The goal of such a fight was to recapture the rival’s spell and with his own incantation to disarm the rider and throw him onto the ground. The more powerful the incantation was, the more prize-winning points were accumulated. One of the key factors to the successful outcome of such battles was a magician’s skill and might. After all, having lost his wand, one magician becomes completely helpless, whereas another one can work magic without its help. But let’s return to the arena.

      The rivals were getting closer to each other. Jim was the first to use his incantation against Ted. The latter managed to dodge and immediately lunged with his wand in Jim’s direction.

      «Otser!»

      «Magana!» – Jim riposted with his protective incantation, thus, evading the cease, used by Ted.

      Both of them stayed unharmed and started to perform their U-turn. It was strictly banned to send a spell to the rival’s back. As a rule, such tournaments were presided by five judges, one per each field side, plus the chief judge. In that case there was a regular practice; therefore there was only one officer present at the arena. Victory was not that important – it was much more significant to recollect basic incantations and to brush up flying ability. After all, many participants had not competed in jousts for a long time; and their skills had become rusty.

      The two rivals turned around and flew at each other. Jim happened to be higher, thus, making Ted’s position less favorable. Both of them sent their incantations at each other at the same time. Ted saw that his incantation hit home: Jim grabbed his hand. Jim’s response was successfully fought off with Ted’s protective spell.

      The rivals turned around once again, but this time Ted was the first to send his incantation at Jim. However, Jim not just succeeded in fighting off Ted’s incantation, but also in sending his own incantation in his rival’s direction. Ted failed to react in a timely