The Serpent of Eridor by Alison Gardiner

In seconds the circle became wood once more, the blood on the knife floating to the floor as sawdust.
    â€˜Please unblock your minds. We’ll use thought transference on the journey.’
    A door opened in the glass cubicle nearest Zorrin. He climbed into the navy velvet chair and settled down as Myth padded in to lie at his feet.
    As Alex moved towards the next cabin the door opened automatically. He got in, reaching down to stroke Skoodle’s shaking head. Keeko climbed in the last one, perching herself on the edge of her seat like a constipated parrot, Ikara sliding in after her.
    â€˜Portus ferme,’
called out Zorrin.
    With not a whisper of sound, the doors shut.
    â€˜Levator reptilia superioris,’
Zorrin shouted, his voice clear despite the barrier of glass.
    Clutching the edge of his chair, Alex waited for something amazing to happen. Unspectacularly the crocodiles lumbered heavily across the room, away from the door.
    They’ve gone the wrong way
, transferred Alex.
    No, they haven’t,
came back Zorrin’s voice.
Trust me. I’m a wizard. And a lizard pilot.
    So they’ll circle back?
    Not exactly.
    Alex realised with horror that the crocodiles were picking up speed, still aiming for the solid wall. Helpless to do anything, Alex clutched his seat, waiting for the impact.
    â€˜Worse than I thought,’ wailed Skoodle. ‘Uncle Toomba, I’ll be with you any second.’
    Alex could see Zorrin’s crocodile passing through the wall ahead of him. The snout of Alex’s own crocodile entered wood. He himself must follow shortly. He braced himself for the unknown, unnerving experience of passing through something solid.
    Silence and misty blackness closed in. Freezing wind ruffled his hair, as if he was flying through a freezer. He felt weightless. After a few seconds the darkness evaporated. The front of his reptile had emerged from the tree, the back still passing through wood.
    A pair of long scaly wings swung smoothly out of each side of his crocodile. Glittering in the sunlight they rose and fell gracefully even before they finished unfolding, propelling them upwards.
    He could hear Keeko transferring to Ikara,
Help, we’re going to crash. Why has it gone dark? I feel really odd. Cool, look at that.
    Alex turned to watch their crocodile emerge from the tree. He waved at Keeko, grinning as he saw Ikara wound tightly round the chair leg – the tip of her tail across her eyes. Keeko scrambled on to the back of the chair, peering down at the jungle below.
    Gathering speed the trio of reptiles rose into the sky, heading for the wispy clouds above. As the jungle fell away from them the massive redwood soon became the size of a tallish ant. The crocodiles levelled out, glittering silver wings rhythmically beating.
    Are you all OK?
transferred Zorrin.
    Fine. I was right. This is cool,
Alex replied.
    Magic is
.
We’ll be at Ravenscraig in a couple of hours. There you’ll meet my sister, Flick. Relax. Enjoy the scenery. Soon we’ll fly over the living Mountain of Makusha.
    Skoodle frowned
. Sounds scary.
    Not really. He’s a friend.
    This is fantastic,
returned Keeko.
I’m hungry, but otherwise… Wow. Doughnuts. Thanks, Zorrin.
    Are they enchanted?
asked Ikara.
    Not even slightly. Enjoy.
    The slight swing of the crocodile and the soft rush of the wind whistling past made Alex feel sleepy. He curled up, laid his head on the cushions and drifted into a dreamless vacuum.

CHAPTER 11

    A few hours later Alex was woken by Zorrin’s voice.
We’re nearly there. Down to your right is Ravenscraig.
    Through the glass dome Alex could see a few ruins: blocks of white marble breaking through the tangled emerald jungle, as if randomly tossed around by a giant.
    Where? I can’t see anything,
Alex transferred back.
    I know. It’s a great piece of magic,
replied Zorrin.
I’m really pleased with it. We’ll go in round the side by the