Giving Fantasia: The Taking Fantasia Sequel

Chapter 96: Garrett and Frumpy Pig Skin

Chapter 96: Garrett and Frumpy Pig Skin

Kayley woke up sore and miserable.

Schmendrick woke up sore and overjoyed!

"I DID IT!" Schmendrick rotated his hands. He pressed them to his nose. The "after-magic-scent" was intoxicating. "I am a – I summoned the – the magic came to – "

Euphorically, Schmendrick spread his arms. "Oh whoa the powers of WHOA! Master Emrys wherever you are! I DID IT! I DID IT! I – DID – IT!"

"What..." Kayley moaned, slowly perceiving their surroundings. There wasn't much to perceive: the land was parched, dehydrated, and stripped to the bone.

And...it was cluttered with bones. Dragon bones.

"What have you done?" Kayley whispered, gawking at the gigantic ribcage arched over them. She stepped back, crunching brittle dragon scales. "Schmendrick. We're in Dragon Country! What have you done? What – have – you – done?!"

"What have I done?" Schmendrick danced, bones snapping under his heels. "What do you mean what have I done? I've only saved us, Caliburn, and The King by magic, that's all I've done! By magic! Magic! By my own true MAGIC!"

Schmendrick was breathless. He was hysteric.

Kayley was not.

"But where is The King?" Kayley demanded, dust fluffing as she spun. "Schmendrick he's not here! Neither is Caliburn! Where are they? Schmendrick where are they?"

"Gone!" Schmendrick triumphantly proclaimed. "They've gone exactly where I bade the magic to take them! Remember? Remember what I said? I said that only a true magician could send Caliburn and The King far away where no human could find them!"

"So...since you and I are human..." Kayley covered her mouth. "Then...that means...oh no."

"It means the magic worked!" Schmendrick beamed. "It means The King is amongst non-humans! It means The King is far from Ruber, and safe from harm! It means my magic is a force to behold! It means I am not the world's worst magician! That's right Schmendrick – no more card tricks for you!"

Theatrically, Schmendrick recounted his incantation. "Magic do as you will! Magic do as you will! AHHHHHHHH – YES!"

"No!" Furiously Kayley clenched her hair. "Schmendrick we were supposed to save The King! We were supposed to protect Caliburn! HOW are we going to fulfill this quest if we are separated?!"

"A fair question!" Schmendrick fanned his robes. "DOUBTLESS you are wondering how I plan to locate The King and reunite him with his magical sword!"

"Yes! "exclaimed Kayley. "The thought did cross my mind!"

"Well wonder not!" Schmendrick countered, giddy with glee. "The magic will come when I need it! And someday, when I CALL!"

"Then call it now!" Kayley yelled. She'd had enough of his pomposity. "Tell the magic to find Caliburn and The King! Tell the magic – "

"I can't tell the magic!" Schmendrick patronized (nonetheless joyously). "Total mastery is the second stage of wizardry and I have just breached the first! Kayley, it was the magic that chose the destinations, not I! I am a petitioner – I am a supplicant – !"