The Damn Artefacts. Lana Gilman

day our forest was conquered by the trolls. But it happened a long time ago. Only legends and traditional tales have been preserved ever since then».

      «Thank you for your interesting narration! It is my pleasure to have met you, sir!»

      «Me too. I shall be most pleased to meet you again».

      The dwarf went on fulfilling his chore, whereas Ted and Lily kept walking.

      «Lily, our parents would never let me walk in the forest alone. How come that you walk here all by yourself?»

      «No worries! I never walk alone. I happened to be there by chance and met the dwarf. He looked very upset: his pet unicorn was sick and I helped cure him of the illness. Please don’t tell the parents, will you?»

      «All right. But promise me that you won’t act recklessly».

      «I promise. You are the best brother ever!» – Lily kissed him in the cheek. «Now tell me about your fiancée».

      «Well, she isn’t yet my fiancée. However, who knows? We call each other, met a couple of times. It’s Alice, my former classmate. Do you remember her?»

      «Alice? Her name sounds quite familiar to me. Her father is currently running some high position in the Magistrate. Despite that, she isn’t arrogant. Given that you have been walking together and staying in touch on the phone, then she is… right, your girl-friend. Have you kissed each other yet?»

      Ted got embarrassed.

      «Lily? Such questions are not to be asked. But my answer is negative. No, haven’t kissed yet».

      «But I am your sister, aren’t I? You may undoubtedly entrust me with every secret of yours».

      «Yes, I know, sweetie. But I feel a bit awkward talking about such things. This… this is too personal. Do you see what I mean?»

      «Fine. But in case you are willing to talk, I shall always listen to you. Who else, if not me, can prompt you on what exactly we, girls, feel, what is to our liking, how you are supposed to court us, in order to capture our attention…»

      Ted gave a laugh.

      «Thanks, darling! I shall definitely turn to you for advice in the future».

      «Where did you get hurt? Could you not apply magic?»

      «Yesterday I was participating in a training session toward the magician knights’ joust. Alice wanted to come and watch».

      «The joust? So, you did sign up for it? Terrific! It must be so interesting! Tell me when it’s held – I also want to be present».

      «Certainly. I may take you with me to the practice».

      «With great pleasure! I haven’t been at your new place of residence yet. Nor have I attended the Museum».

      «Done. Either this coming Saturday or the following one. O.K.?»

      «Yes, thanks! You’re the best brother in the world! So, you got injured during the practice? What does Alice have to do with your wound?»

      «She doesn’t. We were on our way back home by Tube and a mob of hoodlum started bullying her. At first I applied my fists and afterwards my magic wand».

      «Ah, I see».

      They came back home. Their father, Mr. Spencer, was already awaiting them indoors. He got up towards Ted.

      «Hi, sonny!»

      «Hi Dad! Glad to see you».

      They hugged each other.

      «Have a seat. Fire away. What’s new?»

      «I have practiced once for the joust. I fought an experienced magician. I am proud to declare that our duel ended in a draw».

      «Did it? Not bad. Was it him who decorated your face like that?» – asked Mr. Spencer.

      «No, it was…»

      «Ted said he had fallen down,» – Mom interrupted him.

      Ted got embarrassed.

      «No, I didn’t fall. Just got involved in fist-fighting. Defended a girl from some hooligan».

      «Well, this is a praiseworthy act!»

      «Dad, you misunderstood,» – Lily pronounced insidiously. «Ted was defending his fiancée».

      «Lily! You promised not to divulge my secrets!»

      «But not this one».

      «Lily, you weren’t supposed to act like that! If Ted doesn’t feel like sharing with us, he isn’t obliged».

      «C’mon, Mom! I have no secrets from you. She isn’t yet my fiancée though. We only dated a few times and that’s it».

      «Where did you get acquainted with her? In the Museum?»

      «No. this is my ex classmate Alice».

      «Alice? A daughter of the Second Master’s personal assistant?»

      «Yes, right».

      «Well, I don’t mind – go on dating her. But please be careful».

      «Why careful, Daddy? She is a good girl. I have known her since the first form. What’s wrong?»

      «Ignore my warning. I am a little biased against the Second Master and his entourage. He is a filthy guy».

      «Yes, I know. But it doesn’t apply to Alice».

      «Providing that you fancy her, continue dating her. Invite her over. The most important part here is your being happy».

      «Thanks, Mom!»

      Ted spent the entire Sunday at his ancestral home, as usual, and in the evening he transported himself to his flat.

      Chapter 6

      A new working week began. During the intervals of time free from visitors Ted continued to explore the books and documents. He compiled a catalogue, arranged all the papers in the closet. What was left was to study everything in a proper way. After all, if Roderick had recorded some mystery somewhere, he must have applied magic. Ted had to pinpoint this record down. Given that such a mystery had ever existed at all, a fact that Ted started to doubt. But Roderick was gone. Where? Providing that he had not fancied his work at the Museum, he could have just quit and that would be that. In the same sequence, the way Ted had been making up his catalogue, he decided to explore the available books to find the secret records and magic. He took «The Magicians’ Code».

      «Just fancy! We were forced to learn this book by heart! Terrible!»

      Ted opened it up and checked whether there was any magic involved – he pointed his wand at it and pronounced,

      «Quesemto».

      Had this book been enchanted, it would glitter green. But nothing of the kind happened.

      «Hmm… Maybe, Roderick didn’t use any magic. Had he concealed anything from the magicians, he had to know which incantations had been allowed to say, in order to find this thing. As for me, I have no clue what exactly I have been looking for. Hopefully, some records».

      Ted started to leaf through the book.

      «Laws, laws. I have always laughed at Law Number Fifteen which runs as follows: „In case of implementing a death incantation the Magistrate is eligible to make a magic wand of the one who implemented it null and void“. But what is the sense of doing that, I wonder? The user can purchase a new wand (after having served his prison term, of course), whereas the one who experienced the incantation on his own skin will never ever resurrect». Ted thumbed through the entire «Code» but it yielded zero outcomes. He returned the book on the shelf and grabbed the next one. He pointed his wand at it as well and uttered,

      «Quesemto».

      There was