Axel Light Trilogy: Wands and Shield

Chapter 27

Cyrus Veldor twirled his wand, looking pensive. And troubled.

'Master Cyrus, is there something that is bothering you?' asked Xavier carefully.

Cyrus broke his concentration from twirling at his wand and looked at Xavier – his most trusted assistant who could detect his feelings like a barometer.

He was indeed, bothered. The stars were scattered. They were scattered when the Elites did not manage to bring Axel to him the other night. He needed to align them again. Carefully. He would normally accept the alignment of the stars without any questions. As with everything, they were bound to be some hiccups. But sometimes, they needed tweaking and a little bit of help to make them in a nice line.

'I think we need to give the stars a little bit of a nudge,' said Cyrus, 'Carter said that the boy is going home in two days. I want to show him something before he leaves Xeliq.'

Xavier looked at his master thoughtfully, and gave him a determined nod, 'We will bring him to you, Master Cyrus. By tomorrow. Allow us to make some... arrangements.'

Cyrus nodded agreeably, 'He needs some guidance. MaxPol is restricting him too much, clouding his mind.'

'The other time... at Stirling...'

'That was not sufficient,' said Cyrus disappointedly, 'It did help, but not a lot. He needs more... help.'

'Understood, Master Cyrus,' said Xavier, as he bowed low at his master, 'As you wish.'

*

The next morning, Stanley came to Axel's room and informed him that they would be making the trip to Million Wands after breakfast. He was looking at Axel cautiously – Axel suspected that he must had been told off by the others for leaving the newspapers on his dining chair, but Axel pretended nothing had happened and gave him a nod and a warm smile.

Jane and Margaret were going to the hospital to see Elliot and they had parted ways at the gate of the safe house. Stanley held Axel's arm and they had then Translocated to the centre of Xeliq. Johnson was already waiting for them. The spot where they had appeared were deserted – it seemed like it was made way for him to arrive. Axel could see some other MaxPol standing guards at some corners of the streets.

They walked swiftly into the Old Quarters towards the precarious looking rows of shophouses where Million Wands was. Cobbled streets and dingy lanes – empty; all cleared and secured for him.

Beatty stood guard right outside Million Wands and opened the door for him when they arrived. Axel smiled apologetically at him – he had created a lot of inconveniences for a lot of people. Stanley gave him a nod that he could enter the shop. He and Johnson would wait outside Million Wands with Beatty. None of them would be in the shop with him – Axel had requested to speak to Mr. Krow privately.

Mr. Krow was sitting behind the counter waiting for him. Next to him was the little boy whom Axel had seen the last time he was in the shop, when he got the Ash wand. This time, the boy was doing some colouring in a book – he was colouring a Pegasus and some Unicorns.

'The famous Axel Light,' said Mr. Krow drawlingly, 'Is it an honour that you want to see me?'

Axel looked at Mr. Krow blankly. Was that a question? He would not be answering that even if it were. Axel remained silent, struggling to find the right words to respond.

'The boy stays here,' Mr. Krow said in a matter-of-fact tone when he saw Axel lost and kept glancing at the boy, 'Everything here will be his, eventually. Including our conversation today.'

'He is... your... erm...' Axel did not know what or how to ask.

'He is my grandson. Timothy is the only descendant of the Krows so, Million Wands will be his eventually,' explained Mr. Krow.