The Golosina, the Forgotten Land and the Skurkene - 2. Chapter 2

‘This lesson is about Tavarious scales,’ said the tutor. ‘So, you already know Tavarious is different sort of wizard with scales instead of skin that change colour and dark eyes. His mother and father were cursed by?’

Freddy remembered seeing Tav’s deep dark large eyes, he remembered how his eyelashes were quite long and it was almost hypnotic to watch. He almost distracted him from reaching out and touching his soft dark hair.

‘Um, they were cursed by, um, another wizard, and his skin turned into scales,’ mumbled Freddy.

‘So, remember,’ said the old tutor, using his long stick pointing at the board. ‘When you are doing your battle scene, look out for the scale changes. Black means bad mood; purple is plotting and lilac means lying.’

‘Okay,’ mumbled young Freddy, he paused after adding the notes. ‘Is that all the colours?’

‘What do you mean?’ frowned the old tutor.

‘If he turns blue what does that mean? Or green?’ he paused and then thought about the last colour he saw. ‘Or yellow or amber?’

‘The ones I have told you about are the ones we are focusing on,’ the tutor frowned again, tapping his ruler. ‘Those other colours don’t matter, he won’t feel anything else but black purple and lilac.’

‘I’m just saying there’s lots of colours, if he changes colours, then he can change into other colours, right? That he had more emotions that just bad mood, plotting and lying?’

The older servant smiled gently, raising his hand to the angry tutor before he could speak. The older servant bent low to Freddy’s desk and gave a soft smile, ‘Sir, you are right there are different colours, but these are the only ones you will ever see.’

Freddy opened his mouth. He stared at the old servant’s kind eyes. He gave up, shrugged and putting his pencil down.

A few days later, Freddy came back to that garden. He went to the same spot he last saw Tav, stood next to the tree and saw Tav wasn’t there.

‘He’ll be back,’ he said confidently to himself.

He then sat down near bush. He saw little spiders with long black legs climbing about the little sticks on the bush, he saw the raindrops resting on the spiderwebs. It was such a large web from little spiders.

Freddy smiled and pulled at the grass around him.

Even if Tav didn’t come today, it felt nice just being outside the perfection of Phaenomenon. He leaned back; his eyes closed and felt a foot at the back of his head.

Opening his eyes, he instantly smiled, and sat up.

‘Your head is in the way of my foot,’ declared Tav.

‘Then use your magic to move me’ dared Freddy, turning around completely.

Tay clicked his fingers and with magic, Freddy was instantly moved to the other side of the bush, his hair caught up in the web.

‘Sorry, guys,’ Freddy shook his head, freeing himself from the webs and their spiders. He pulled himself up, standing up. ‘Well, I guess you did what I said.’

Tav smiled and crossed his arms, ‘I can do more than that.’

‘Great,’ exclaimed Freddy, moving over to him, ‘Then tell me, it will help me to know what you can do with your powers.’

‘For our fight scene?’

‘Mm,’ said Freddy as he sat on the grass.

Tav stared at him, he was smiling at him, why was Freddy smiling? Tav sat down next to him, his legs crossed, his scales turning a soft pink and red. ‘Fine. I don’t see how it will help; you’ve already read the script.’

‘I’m just passionate,’ grinned Freddy, resting up on his elbows on his knees.

‘So, you’re a little nerd? Want to be the best Goodie Prince around here?’

‘Definitely aiming not to be the worst one at least,’ Freddy stuck his tongue out.

Tav laughed out loud. He couldn’t help it. Freddy grinned, enjoying this uncontrolled emotion from Tav.