The Damn Artefacts. Lana Gilman

battle was over. Ted and Jim landed, shook hands, returned their horses to the stable and went to the cloakroom.

      «Thanks for the duel, it was my pleasure!» – said Ted.

      «Thank you, me too! I warmed up in a proper way – haven’t taken part in such fight for a long time. How about you?»

      «Two months ago it was my last joust. But I was still a schoolboy then. The arena was much smaller in size and the horses weren’t that frolicsome and obedient».

      «Are you participating in this event for the first time? Was it your first practice session?»

      «Yes».

      «Mine too. This year. Please allow me to advise you».

      «Feel free».

      «Next time when you sign up for a practice, make sure that you know in advance who your rival will be».

      «What for?»

      «It’s kind of boring to fight against the same rival. Thus, you will only learn his techniques and you will be feeble and powerless while facing the others».

      «Yes, I see. Back at school one of my rivals was fond of throwing incantations into my back, when the judges didn’t see that. But I had long been aware of this method, so I was able to dodge every time».

      «You see? That’s how you might be more knowledgeable about your future rivals’ behavior».

      «Thank you for your advice!»

      «Don’t mention it! I am already thirty-seven years old. When I was as young as you are now, older magicians would always guide me with their helpful tips».

      Each one of them proceeded to his cloakroom. Ted changed and came out. Alice and Jeffrey had been already waiting for him outside.

      «Ted, you were amazing!» – exclaimed Alice.

      «Good job,» – confirmed Jeff. «It was cool!»

      «Was it? Thanks! But I had few chances to win, I am afraid. I had a strong and experienced rival».

      «I wouldn’t say you were weaker».

      «Yes, you never got frightened and gave up! You were fighting on par».

      «I was trying hard. But he did hit me in my chest».

      «Does it ache?» – asked Alice sympathetically. Jeffrey smiled: women love the wounded heroes.

      «It’s gone already. But I thought that I would fall down. I could hardly stay afloat. I must repeat the incantations, as well as learn the new ones. I’m going to look for them in the Museum. There are plenty of books there».

      «All right, time to go,» – said Jeff. «I don’t want to bother you, guys».

      «What are you talking about? You aren’t bothering us,» – objected Alice.

      «Don’t I understand that the third one is redundant here? Bye for now. Ted, it was great!»

      «Thanks, Jeff! We’ll keep in touch».

      «Self-explanatory».

      «Bye, Jeff!»

      Jeffrey pressed his portal signet-ring gem and left home. Ted and Alice stayed alone.

      «Alice, where are you heading for right now?»

      «Home».

      «Do you want me to see you off? We may take the Tube».

      «What for if there is the portal?»

      «Well, that’s how I can stay with you a little bit longer».

      «Ted, you are so cute! Good, let’s take the Tube».

      The underground train station was ten minutes away from the arena. Ted bought the tickets and they got down to the dungeon of the trains kingdom.

      «The Tube has always reminded me of the Iron Magician’s den,» – said Alice.

      «Does such a den really exist?»

      «No idea. Definite maybe. We aren’t aware of many things, especially of our own world».

      «The Black Wizard’s abode was in a cave,» – Ted pronounced thoughtfully, recollecting his adventure.

      «Haven’t you ever told anyone about what happened between you and him?»

      «No one. I swore».

      The train arrived and they got on it.

      «There are vacant seats over there. Let’s go and sit,» – said Alice.

      «Let’s go. We must get off in five stops».

      They sat down and the train started.

      «I am not that enthusiastic about public transportation», – said Alice.

      «Why not?»

      «It is very time consuming».

      «You know what? I’d like to learn how to drive a car. It must be so awesome to run an iron horse!»

      Alice burst out laughing.

      «I just imagine myself Jeffrey’s eyes when you come to see him by car».

      «Why? Do you assume he won’t like it?»

      «No idea. But he has this gear of horses».

      «Horses, not vehicles! No, he’s going to like it. I will talk him into learning together. You too join in».

      «No, thanks».

      That is how they passed three train stops. At the next stop five slovenly clad youths entered their train car. They were standing nearby our heroes, discussing something out loud and drinking beer. Suddenly one of them noticed Ted and Alice.

      «Hey, look at this couple! You can tell right away – they are from the upper crust!»

      «Leave them,» – said another one. «They are from beau monde, driving «Bentley».

      «How come that you know?» – asked the first lad. «Do you hobnob with them? You weren’t with us last year when we beat their showcases and set several cars on fire».

      «Joe, shut up! You’ve drunk a lot.»

      «Hey you, young lady,» – the first one addressed Alice. «Would you come with me and we’ll have fun together? Why do you need this nerd?»

      Alice got pale and pressed into the train seat. Ted jumped to his feet.

      «Shame on you! Apologize to the girl right away!»

      «Ted, leave them alone! We are to get off pretty soon. Or let’s apply our portal».

      «No way! Tykes like them are to be taught a lesson!»

      «What was it that made you that mad? The girl is dying of boredom with you. I’m an expert in entertaining such beauties. Come by, you won’t regret!» – He pronounced these words with a cheeky smile and pulled Alice by her hand.

      She screamed and Ted pushed the intruder. The ruffian grabbed Ted by his shirt collar and tightly pressed him against the window pane. Ted could not get released and punched the guy. He set Ted free and covered his face with his palms, but in his turn outrageously stroke Ted. Ted lost his balance and fell down. His injured lip was bleeding. The mob started to laugh. Ted got up, pulled out his wand and aimed it at his offender.

      «Hafcha!»

      At the same moment the scoundrel turned into a pig. A few girls who were sitting in the corner during the whole skirmish began to holler.

      «Shit! These are magicians! Let’s run away now!» – Voices were heard in the mob.

      The train just stopped at the station and all of them headed by the pig rushed away. Ted directed his wand at the pig and the guy’s previous image was retained.

      Ted