Axel Light Trilogy: Wands and Shield

Chapter 18-A

'Are you ready, Ax?'

Axel took a deep breath and nodded.

'Elliot, maybe the broom will work if I borrow your wand,' said Axel uncertainly, 'I think you shouldn't go with me. It's too dangerous...'

'Shut it, Ax! Let's go!' snapped Elliot agitatedly.

Elliot heaved his broom onto their desks. He squatted on his desk and hovered his broom right outside the window. He placed a finger on his lips and gave Axel a nod.

They had been through their plans. They would leave right after breakfast. Elliot had gone to the kitchen and brought lots of food with him – he told his mother that they would be staying in the room for the day, and he would take enough food for lunch.

Margaret would bring them tea – whom they had convinced to knock on their door three times, walked in and placed a tray on their desk. They told Margaret that they were working on a secret project – not entirely untrue, and they would hide in the wardrobe when she would come in because they did not want her to see the secret. But she was in the secret, so she could not tell their mother about their secret.

A complicated scheme that was entirely Elliot's idea.

Elliot was convinced that his plan would work, and it could give them a day in Xeliq without being in the hiding because nobody would have realised that they were missing – yet.

Axel adjusted his cap and slowly mounted the broom after Elliot. They closed the window softly behind them, hovering right outside it. Axel took a last look at the photograph on his desk – he had decided to leave it in the room. Evie too, was lying on his pillow. He would be back for them. He did not know how, but he vowed he would be back. For Elliot.

They soared to the skies in silence. Elliot was quick and swift on his Spark 3000. Though, Axel would prefer a Lightning Cruz if he had the chance to own a broom. But he was not complaining. He had to admit that Elliot's Spark 3000 was indeed an amazing broom. He knew that Elliot loved his brooms a lot and he had a good sense in tweaking the brooms to make them fast.

It had been a while since he had been on a broom as well. A weight had been lifted off his chest and the clear blue skies made his mind calm. Maybe because of its vastness, his mind was as clear as day. The air was sweet as well – he had been indoors for too long, he had nearly forgotten how fresh air smelt like.

Elliot had climbed higher as they were travelling inter-cities. There were many Magical in the skies. Elliot said it would be perfect for them to travel during peak hours. Nobody would notice them because there were too many people around and everyone was busy going to work or school.

Soon, they had reached Xeliq, without any incident. They had touched down at Central Square like Axel did the first or the last time – the only time – that he was at Xeliq. Elliot parked his broom in a broom stand – a different one that Nelly had used the last time, Axel vaguely recalled. Elliot though, was nervous about parking his broom in public.

'You know, my broom has an expensive brake and a gear, limited edition...' mumbled Elliot worriedly.

Their first stop at Xeliq, as planned, would be Million Wands. According to Elliot and based on Axel's own memories as well – Mr. Krow did not seem to care if Axel would be the most wanted man in the world. As long as someone wanted to buy a wand, he would sell it to them.

Axel thought that he could remember the way to Million Wands – but the labyrinth of the Old Quarters proved to be too complicated for his memories. Luckily, Elliot was with him – he knew Million Wands alright.

Elliot paused in front of the shop and peered in.

'There's no customers,' whispered Elliot, as he adjusted his bag on his shoulders.