The Damn Artefacts. Lana Gilman

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СКАЧАТЬ each other and never ever categorize others as magicians and non-magicians. If a man is devoid of the magic power, it does not necessarily mean that you can gain an upper hand over him. Each one of you has received today a magic portal-ring which symbolizes your entrance into the independent route. Utilize it wisely! You should only mentally choose your final destination and press the ring gem, and you will find yourselves there right away. Good luck to you all! Home safe!

      «Thank you! Thank you!» – shouted the students.

      Some of them pressed the ring gem right after the Principal’s speech and disappeared.

      «So, what do you think, Ted, shall we follow their example?»

      «Yes, even though I feel sad».

      «So do I. So long, stay in touch».

      «Once I am in London I will call you».

      «And I will update you on the exact party time. See you around».

      The two friends hugged each other and each one of them pressed his gem on the ring.

      Chapter 2

      Several days after graduation, Ted agreed to meet the Third Master. He was interested to find out which kind of job was awaiting him, as well as which flat he was supposed to get hold of.

      The long-awaited day arrived. A quarter of an hour before the previously set appointment Ted had thought about the Magistrate and pressed the gem. Naturally, he had immediately found himself in front of the main entrance to the sanctum sanctorum of the magic world. The Magicians’ Magistrate was located and functioning in London. In clandestine times it would have been invisible to the rank-and-file citizen. Now that the top secret status had been cancelled and ordinary people had already learned about the magicians’ existence, and furthermore, had even put up with them, the notorious spell had been removed, and, as a result, everyone was able to see this huge building.

      There were special tours around the building at certain hours. Lest people be bewildered, there was not a single clue, not the slightest hint of magic indoors. However, it only seemed so at first sight. There were lots of doors in the Magistrate, invisible for uninitiated visitors. Those doors led to the rooms where scientist-magicians were brushing up their magic mastery, inventing brand new potions, carrying out experiments, thinking up novel magic artifacts, storing their knowledge… There had been some rumors that some inmates had even been kept in dungeons.

      Ted entered the Magistrate. A security guard met him at the entrance.

      «Hello, who have you come to see?»

      «Hello, I am Ted Spencer. I have an appointment with the Third Master».

      The guard attentively looked through his diary entries.

      «Pass on please. You are to go to the third floor. Turn to the right from here and you will see the elevator».

      «Thanks a lot».

      Ted crossed a large hall, where magicians and enchantresses were busily scurrying to and fro about their business. Turning to the right he ran into a tall man. Ted apologized.

      «Oh, it is unnecessary!»

      Ted went on, but the magician called him.

      «Excuse me; you’re Ted Spencer, aren’t you?»

      Ted turned around. He wondered who could know him here, in the Magistrate.

      «Yes, it’s me. I am sorry, but I scarcely remember you, sir».

      «Alfred Fortescue, your classmate’s father. Well, already your ex-classmate Alice. We have met before. It happened way back, about four years ago».

      «Yeah, that’s right».

      Ted was embarrassed. Well it must be – he had come across Alice’s dad in the Magistrate! How could he have possibly forgotten that Alfred had been working as the Second Master’s assistant? He wondered whether or not it would sound impolite to ask how she was doing. All these thoughts flashed through Ted’s head at lightning speed.

      «May I help you, Ted? What are you looking for?»

      «I have got an appointment with the Third Master».

      «Ah, do you? What about, if this is not a secret?»

      «About my employment».

      «I wonder why he keeps bombarding me with questions,» – Ted thought and made up his mind to ask the man.

      «How’s Alice? What are her plans?»

      «Oh, Alice is doing fine! Well, good luck, Ted! Pleasure meeting with you. After all, Alice has told me quite a lot about you, especially after that case. Here is the elevator. The Third Master’s domain is on the third floor».

      «Thank you, sir. Good-bye».

      Mr. Fortescue went on about his business and Ted entered a hallway, where there were about ten elevators and a lot of people that were being herded in front of them. There was a sudden ring and one of the elevators opened up. It was empty and the magicians began filling in. In order to arrive at the meeting on time, Ted somehow managed to thrust himself into the elevator. The latter soared up, stopping by each and every landing.

      «The third floor,» – pronounced the electronic voice and Ted stepped outside.

      At the landing he looked around. There was a long hallway with plenty of doors where people were going in and out about their business… Ted was clueless as to where to go.

      «Can I help you, sir?» – A young magician wearing a dark crimson robe asked him.

      «Yes, sir. Thank you. I have an appointment with the Third Master. But I am here for the first time».

      «Then please allow me to show you the way,» – The youth kindly proposed.

      «Oh, I’m so grateful. This would be very nice of you, since I am afraid to be late. Thanks a million!»

      «Do not mention it. It is my job. My name is John».

      «Pleased to meet you».

      The magician guided him along the hallway, and then they turned right and went through a door. That was the Third Master’s anteroom – a tiny place furnished with bookcases full of books and folders along one wall and with a desk by the other wall, at which another young magician wearing the same dark crimson cloak was sitting. There also were a few chairs for visitors in the room. There was another door in the anteroom, apparently, leading to the Master’s office.

      John came up to the secretary.

      «This young man is has a meeting with the Third Master».

      The secretary looked at Ted with curiosity.

      «You must be Ted Spencer, right?»

      «Yes, it’s me».

      «Have a seat. The Master will soon meet you. Thank you, John».

      «Thanks,» – СКАЧАТЬ