The Youngest Mage [Completed]

(17) A Mystery in the Nunn Garden

After lunch Dalbreath and Deearo were allowed to explore the large backyard garden. The "real outside" was strictly off limits Maurinn told them. They were to shape-shift into birds at the first sign of trouble, and also to come back inside immediately if there was any sign of trouble.

The boys were prepared to be bored to death by unusual flowers and water lily ponds, but they found themselves walking through sculpture gardens and impressive rose gardens. As they went further, for the gardens covered several acres and was quite ancient, they came to an area that was growing a little wild compared to areas they had already seen closer to the old mansion. Then they came to a fork in the path. The path that went to the left looked more used than the path too the right, which looked partly grown over. The boys smiled knowingly and immediately took the path to the right.

The path went into a forgotten part of the garden overshadowed with large rowans and beeches. The path went on a twisty journey toward the outer edge of the garden, which was a tall hedge fencing off the woods beyond. After several minutes they heard a large animal rummaging around behind some blackberry bushes. They shape-shifted into song birds, but then flew up into the trees to see what kind of animal it was. They chirped in laughter when they saw who it was, for it was Ontiwa greedily eating berries. They flew down and turned back into boys.

"Ontiwa!" they yelled in unison.

"Little ones," said Ontiwa, only a bit startled. "How did you sneak up on me like that? Usually I hear everything."

"We shape-shifted into little birds when we heard you," said Deearo.

"How could you hear me? I'm as quiet as a bear," said Ontiwa indignantly.

"You mean as loud as a bear," said Dalbreath. "I'm surprised they didn't hear you up at the house. Does Mrs. Nunn know you're munching away all her blackberries?"

Ontiwa grunted in protest, "No, but it's a little known bear secret that they have the juiciest blackberries in the region, and they ripen up early in the season here."

"We want some," said the boys in unison.

"You have fingers," grunted Ontiwa, "get your own."

It was difficult for Dalbreath not to turn into a bear, but he managed to resist the temptation.
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They all ate berries greedily in silence for some time. Then Ontiwa stopped and looked at the blue lipped children and their dark stained hands and laughed a deep growling bear laugh.

"Well, my little cubs, that is enough berry eating for today. Mrs. Nunn is sure to be upset when she sees what a huge dent we have put in her berry patch," said Ontiwa.

"You're the bear, you did the heavy eating," said Dalbreath with a big grin of dark blue stained teeth.

Ontiwa chuckled. "How hard was it not to shape-shift into a bear," said Ontiwa.

Dalbreath frowned. "Almost impossible, I would have too, but I haven't told Deearo what animal I shifted into my first time, and I didn't want to scare him."

"Oh, how noble of you," said Deearo, punching him in the arm as he overheard them talking.

"Ouch, you always hit me in the worst spots, Deearo."

"Wouldn't be fun if I didn't," said Deearo proudly. Ontiwa chuckled.

"Cubs, always fighting. Come here tomorrow," said Ontiwa, "and I will show you something you should know about. Better wash your hands and faces in the lily pond on the way back to the house, and don't talk to anyone until you brush your teeth. See ya tomorrow."