Shifting Read online

Viancourt in session, do not enter!

  “Great! It says not to enter. Maybe we arrived too late,” Colin said. They decided to take a seat in what appeared to be a small waiting room. The fireplace was unlit and the twins shivered as they waited. They hoped to catch a glimpse of someone who could tell them whether they should enter or wait.

  They waited, silently, their minds still trying to comprehend all that had happened, when a pleasant voice came over a loud speaker.

  “New incoming message. Please listen carefully. In the case of Meghan and Colin Jacoby, a decision has been reached. Please enter through the archway within the next thirty seconds.” The pleasant woman’s voice came over the distant speaker again, counting down from thirty.

  Meghan grabbed Colin and dashed for the archway. As they passed through, an iron barrier slammed down behind them.

  The building changed too, the walls now made out of wooden planks, like a ship. They stepped cautiously down the only corridor, stopping at a door. Streaks of light snuck through the cracks in between thick wooden planks.

  The door creaked as it opened into a dimly lit room, made up of nine wooden desks. The desks were lined up in a semi-circle with a podium in front, which swiveled, to face an audience, or, the nine desks.

  Behind the row of desks was an elevated chair, currently empty. Lanterns and candles were the only light in the room and a smaller desk sat off to the side. A man hunched over it, scribbling notes.

  After seeing the twins’ arrival, he jumped up, guiding them to stand in front of the podium, in clear view of the desks. Only three of the chairs were occupied, two men (one being Garner Sadorus), and one woman. The twins assumed they were the Viancourt. The court examined the twins with great interest. However, not one of the three gave any indication as to what kind of decision they had made.

  “Please stand for Banon Juliska Nandalia Blackwell.” The twins were startled as the man who had assisted them announced the Banon’s entrance. A door opened from the back and she elegantly strode into the room, wearing a long-jacket as before. This time, it was emerald green and simpler in style. She took her seat in the raised chair behind the court.

  “You have come to a unanimous decision in the matter of the Jacoby siblings?” asked the note taker. The three court members answered “Yes” in unison. The man returned to his desk and began scribbling a transcript of the meeting. The one female court member, an older, rough looking woman, whose nameplate read, Tanzea Chase, was the first to speak.

  “I have been led to believe that you lived with your uncle. Is this correct?” Her voice was cold and the smell of mothballs emanated from her direction.

  Colin was shaking too hard to speak, so Meghan started.

  10

  “Yes, that’s true, our Uncle, Arnon Jacoby, Ma’am.” Meghan tried to be courteous and confident.

  Tanzea Chase continued her questioning.

  “What circumstances brought you to living with him?”

  “Our parents,” she gulped hard, “died when we were two years old.” Another member of the court spoke, his nameplate read, Darius Hadrian. His face was stern and gave away no emotion.

  “How is it that you decided to help our Jae Mochrie?” The twins were not sure how to answer this and Meghan trilled a silent reminder to Colin not to mention that Jae had told them about magic.

  “We met Jae at the lake one day, back at Camp Cobscott,” explained Colin timidly. “Then we asked him to hang out again the next day, and he told us that he would be leaving. We left it as it’s been nice to meet you and all…”

  Meghan sent him a mind nudge to get to the point.

  He continued nervously.

  “The night you were all leaving, my sister and I did something we now realize was a very bad idea.”

  He took a deep breathe and retold the story of the night Jae got stuck behind, and how they had found the fallen down pine tree and encountered the Scratchers. As Colin explained, Meghan realized something: their current predicament was entirely her fault!

  It was due to her desire to go into the woods that began the series of events that brought them to this moment! Moreover, she was the reason her uncle was likely dead, or worse, being tortured, if he had somehow survived. Her knees wobbled and she grabbed the podium for support. Meanwhile, Colin finished explaining their first encounter with the Scratchers.

  The group talked amongst themselves.

  “So, their story corroborates his,” Tanzea’s rough voice said.

  “Fascinating information! This could prove most useful, proof of a Scratchman,” said Darius Hadrian.

  Juliska Blackwell had not yet moved or spoken. Meghan, regaining her composure, was captivated by her as she gracefully vaulted from her chair, facing the twins. The three members of the Viancourt went mute behind her.

  “We are sorry for putting you through this, and we are sorry for your uncle. It has been decided by this court that you will be permitted to live amongst us. There is no alternative. No way to send you home.” The court clapped lightly behind her, although the twins noticed Garner Sadorus and Tanzea Chase hunched over, whispering. The court arose behind her, believing Juliska would depart the wooden chamber, but she lingered.

  “There are a few things you must understand,” she told them. “Though our guests here, there will be certain events you may not be permitted to attend. Things meant only for the Svoda people. Things that must be kept secret.”

  Both Meghan and Colin shook their heads that they understood. They were in an unfamiliar place, with no knowledge of how to get home. At least they could stay.

  11

  Jae will be so relieved, they both thought. The Banon exited the room in the same graceful manner as she had entered. The court followed behind her, but not before Garner got in one last scowl. He had been so anxious to question them yesterday, and today he had not asked them one single question. The twins did know what to think about that.

  The note taker still hunched over his desk, scribbling away. After a minute he noticed the two still standing there, awkwardly.

  “Oh, sorry, forgot. This way to get out,” he headed them off to another door. As he pushed them through the door, he advised, “Go down a flight of stairs and then up two levels, and then down a flight. Find yourselves right back where you started.” He slammed the door behind them.

  2

  They could not get out of the building fast enough. A crowd of around twenty waited, breathlessly, Jae in front. Colin gulped, seeing a few Svoda off to the side, glaring. Meghan answered the group’s question.

  “They said we can stay.” Jae was instantly relieved. The glaring Gypsies stormed off, muttering to each other. This clearly was not the decision they had expected. Jae introduced the twins to his family.

  “This is my mother, Sheila, and my sister, Mireya.”

  “Oh, nice to meet you,” the twins replied, half-heartedly.

  Sheila was a frail woman, with short thin hair. She wore a knee length skirt and apron, with tall tan boots. Mireya was a miniature image of her mother.

  “This situation is dreadful,” Sheila spoke. “However, I must admit I am glad to be able to thank you in person, for everything you’ve done for my family. Helping my son return home, and saving my husband from a fate worse than death. I’m deeply sorry about your uncle. Arnon Jacoby was it?”

  “Yes, it is Arnon,” Meghan corrected.

  Sheila did not respond. An uneasy minute passed as the Gypsies dispersed, most ignoring the twins completely.

  “While here, you are welcome to stay with us, it is the least, and the most, I can offer,” she told them, abruptly taking hold of Mireya’s hand and speeding her frail frame down the walkway. She yelled back, “Make sure you’re home early tonight, Jae.”

  “Yeah, I will, mom.” After she was out of sight, Jae said, “Why don’t I show you around a little, help you get settled in.”

  Before they could begin, the trio noticed someone standing in the shadows of a nearby build
ing. It was Billie Sadorus. Seeing that the crowd had dispersed she strutted over, muttering her satisfaction that the court had made the only right decision.

  12

  “That took long enough! Don’t see why they couldn’t have done that last night. Keeping two youngins locked up like common criminals! A shame! That’s what it is, a shame,” her voice was raspy as it spoke the same mutterings the twins had heard the evening before.

  “Hi, Billie,” said Jae in an exited voice, after her tirade ended.

  “Glad to have you back, boy. Why don’t you and our new guests come over for a bite?”

  “I can show you around later, you’ll love Billie’s place,” insisted Jae.

  The twins were overwhelmed and not in the mood for visiting, but also did not feel they had a choice. They tiredly agreed and followed Billie down a street called Scrooby, which ended abruptly at a boat-shaped brown shingled cottage; crooked turrets protruded from the sides of the cottage.

  “Make yourselves at home,” said Billie. “I’ll go get us a bite.”

  “Cool house, huh,” said Jae.

  “Where are all her belongings?” asked Meghan, noticing how empty the house was as they stepped inside.

  “Our homes here are replicas. All our real belongings are still on our island, other than what we could bring with us.” The place was empty, with the exception of some simple furniture, and a few trunks stuffed with papers and books, most of which were strewn about.

  “Ah, I see you’ve found my papers. Sorry, I was filing some work. Can’t locate the file I’m looking for,” said Billie, arriving with a tray of cocoa and the most delicious smelling chocolate chip cookies the twins had ever smelled.

  “What do you do for work?” asked Colin curiously.

  “A little o’ this, little o’ that. Mostly I keep track of historical information. I like to collect things. Keep a record of our journey. If you ever have questions about Svoda history, in these papers lie your answers. I keep hoping one of these days my sad excuse for a brother, Garner, will...” she trailed off, mumbling.

  “Garner Sadorus. I don’t think he likes us,” said Colin, forgetting it might offend their host.

  Meghan shot him a glare.

  Billie responded, as if speaking to the air.

  “Not a full day here and already they see how atrocious my brother has become.”

  “I don’t know if I’d say atrocious,” said Colin, trying to make up for his mistake. “But definitely scary.”

  “Exactly! He’s lost touch with reality, that man! I don’t understand what’s gotten into Garner these last few years. He’s changed. Listen to me babbling on about my sibling issues. Eat up, drink up, and tell me about yourselves.”

  To Meghan’s surprise her brother started.

  “We were raised by our uncle and we just turned thirteen.” Meghan thoughts strayed to Kanda Macawi, the Jendayas (especially Sebastien), and how at this precise moment they could be mourning their uncle’s death, and wondering what had happened to them.

  Billie picked up their worry.

  “It’s a real shame I’ll say again, you two being stuck here. Must have plenty of people worried about ya back home. If I knew of any way to even get a message to them, I’d sure help ya out.” 13

  “Thanks, Billie,” said Meghan. The twins knew that Billie would be a good friend in this new world they were stuck in. She sat cross-legged on the floor, shuffling through some folders, when a photograph of a woman slipped out. Billie’s rugged eyes saddened, and even though it was a black and white picture, it was easy to see that the woman’s natural features were pale, her smile addictive. A tattoo crawled over her left shoulder and up her neck. Jae sighed.

  “It’s been a long time, Billie? Hasn’t it?”

  “Yes. Such a long time.” Billie slid the picture back into the folder. “Oh, no worries now! We all have loved ones we haven’t seen in a long time.”

  Meghan was about to ask what she meant, when Jae interrupted.

  “I hate to run, Billie, but I should show these two around, and get them settled in.”

  “Sure, sure, a ‘course. Thanks for coming and don’t be strangers. Stop in any time you like. If you weren’t staying with the Mochries I’d have invited you both to stay with me. If it gets too crowded, well, not to impose on your family’s generosity, Jae. But my door’s always open.”

  “Thanks, Billie,” replied Jae.

  She nodded then and went back to searching through her folders. As the trio departed the twins noticed her slide out the photo of the pale, tattooed woman. It looked as though it broke her heart to see it and she cast her gaze to the floor, clutching the photo to her heart. As pained as they already were over their uncle, this depressed them even more. There was a lot they didn’t understand about this place.

  Jae led them through Bedgewood, towards the Mochrie house.

  “I like Billie,” said Colin, unexpectedly.

  Meghan raised her brow, impressed. Her brother had met someone and not been shy around her. She could sense the confidence he felt over Billie. This is good, she thought, blocking him from hearing. She knew Colin would have at least one ally here, besides her or Jae.

  “She is great,” agreed Jae. “Couldn’t be more opposite from her brother.”

  “I can’t believe they’re even from the same family,” replied Meghan.

  “I don’t remember, ‘cause this was years ago, but Billie insists that Garner wasn’t always mean.

  Says he’s changed since we started traveling again.”

  “How long ago was that, Jae?” asked Meghan.

  “About eleven years ago.”

  “Oh! So, until eleven years ago, you lived off the coast of Maine?” she said. “Wow, who could’ve guessed we’d been camping a few hours away from a magical island?”

  “It is odd. When you think about it like that, I guess,” Jae chuckled.

  As anxious as the twins were about the unknown fate of their uncle, and their new life with the Gypsies, it was becoming obvious that the Svoda had some serious problems of their own.

  As Jae led them into town, Colin and Meghan realized they had not gotten an update on Jae’s father.

  “In all the confusion today, we didn’t ask how your father was! Shouldn’t’ you be with him, rather than showing us around?” questioned Meghan.

  “Yeah, we can wait,” agreed Colin.

  “No, it’s fine. My dad is getting better. I saw him this morning. He might even come home tomorrow. It’ll still take a while for him to fully heal.”

  14

  “What about that huge gash across his chest?” asked Colin.

  “We do things a little differently here when it comes to healing.”

  “Oh, right. Magic,” remembered Colin.

  “Not all injuries are so easily healed with magic. This time we were lucky!” insisted Jae. They arrived back in the village center and Jae pointed out where they had come in. It was an odd sight to behold. An ornate wooden door framed by two trees. Jae showed them which shops were open, and as they left the main village, trudging closer to the Mochrie home, he pointed out an old brick building, far off the road.

  “That’s our school.”

  “I hadn’t even thought about school,” said Colin.

  “Will we have to go? We can’t exactly be in classes that teach magic,” said Meghan, hoping that maybe one thing could go right and she would not have to attend school.

  “Guess we’ll see,” said Jae, not knowing.

  On the twins’ next inhale the smell of the ocean overwhelmed their nostrils. The cobblestone road they strolled down merged to one made of dirt. A cluster of shingled cottages, all colored in dark browns and yellows popped into view. Green stiff shrubs lined the streets, breaking only for small gated entrances. They passed a side street to their right.

  “That’s our closest ocean access,” Jae noted. As he said it, another strong whiff of ocean wafted by, reminding them of their many trips to Maine. The
y stopped in front of an iron gate, which Jae swung open.

  “This is our home while we’re here in Grimble, and now, I guess it’s your home away from home, too!”

  The inside of the cottage was not what the twins expected. It was normal sized, unlike the wagons. It was cozy and warm, small and quiet.

  Sheila, and Jae’s sister Mireya, were in the kitchen cooking over an old fashioned wood stove; it was about four feet long and made of iron, with copper pots hanging overhead. Across from the stove was a stone fireplace; a large pot simmered over the fire. Dried herbs and fruit hung from the ceiling. A wooden table and chairs filled the middle of the kitchen, with a small sofa covered in a plaid pattern shoved against the wall. The twins thought for a moment they had stepped back in time.

  “Good, you’re back,” began Sheila. “Dinner will be awhile yet. How did you two like our little village?”

  “It’s very nice,” answered Meghan sleepily.

  “Anything new on Dad?” asked Jae.

  “Nothing new,” she replied. “Show our guests where they will sleep. Oh, and there are some packages upstairs for you two, things you’ll need.”

  “People sent them,” spoke Mireya. “They assumed you would need clothes and stuff.” Her voice was young and giggly.

  “Clothes?” Meghan perked up. Jae and Mireya took them up a spiral staircase. The rest of the cottage had the same old-fashioned feel as the kitchen. On the wall across from the staircase there were two doors.

  15

  “The one across from us, that is where we sleep,” said Mireya, in her playful voice. Meghan glanced at the door, wondering if she had heard correctly.

  “Where we sleep?” she questioned.

  “Yes, we all share a room here.”

  Meghan and Colin were used to sharing a room, but the thought of two extra people was a little daunting.

  Jae then opened a door on the left.

  “This is the bath room,” he said, emphasizing the word bath. Inside, a large porcelain tub stood a few feet from the fireplace, with a bronze pump attached. There was a matching pump latched to a sunken sink.

  “How do I run hot water?” asked Meghan.

  “That’s what the fireplace is for,” twittered Mireya, twirling her way out of the room.