The Society of Thirteen by Gareth P. Jones Page A

had been unable to sleep. As they ran from that house, they heard her calling after them, ‘
It’s not me. I do only that which my lovely bids me do.
’ The orphans had laughed about it afterwards, but Tom had wondered since then how easy it was to lose a sense of what was real and what was not. A talking bird, he feared, would have seemed perfectly normal to mad old Mrs Drew.
    â€˜You’re a talking magpie.’ It was all Tom could think to say.
    The magpie sighed and looked exasperated. Tom had never seen a magpie do either of these things before. ‘The fact that I can talk should tell you that I am not a magpie at all.’
    â€˜You look like a magpie.’
    â€˜Of course I look like a magpie,’ snapped the bird. ‘But was I born a magpie? No, I was not. My name is Mondriat and I was born in Venice, Italy, a long time ago.’
    â€˜You don’t sound Italian.’
    â€˜And you’d be the expert on what an Italian-born Conjuror confined to the body of a magpie should sound like, would you?’ retorted the magpie.
    â€˜A Conjuror?’ whispered Tom.
    â€˜A Conjuror,’ said the magpie. ‘It is what you are. You have been Infected by the lifeblood, the source of energy that flows from the heart of the earth. Can’t you feel it flowing through your veins just as it flows through the rivers of the world? The world looks different now, does it not?’
    It was true. Every detail was sharper. The rustle of the trees, the movement of the clouds, the sound of earthworms squirming beneath the soil, all of it was so vivid. The world moved so slowly. Or was it him that was moving quickly? Tom took a deep breath and tasted every particle of air. He felt strong. Powerful.
    â€˜There is much you need to learn,’ said the magpie. ‘Much I will tell you. All you need to know now is that you have performed the Creation Spell. The circle encompasses the triangle which holds the circle. These shapes are the basis of all Conjury. Your staff formed the shapes and so you drew the lifeblood into your veins.’
    â€˜My staff?’ said Tom, looking at the stick he was holding.
    â€˜Trees draw straight from the Earthsoul, as does everything that grows from the earth. Any branch may be used but you will find a special affinity for this, your creation staff. In your right hand, your staff must form the spells on the ground, channelling, harnessing, Conjuring that energy while your left turns it into wondrous, beautiful things.’
    â€˜Don’t I need to say magic words or something?’
    â€˜Ridiculous boy,’ snorted Mondriat. ‘Try shouting at the waves or asking the sun not to set. No, words will not help you.’
    â€˜Can you do all these things?’
    Mondriat shook his head. ‘It takes a human form to draw out the required energy. I am able to overcome these weak animal spirits and squeeze my own into their bodies but a human is a more complex machine. My Conjuring days are behind me but now you have performed the spell I can act as your familiar and together we can bring Conjury back to the world.’ Mondriat fluttered up to a high branch. ‘Talking of which  … ’
    Tom turned to see Hardy and the others walking fast towards them.
    â€˜What do I do?’ he asked.
    â€˜Best to avoid complex spells until you find a mirror.’ Mondriat flapped back to the ground, nudged the book open with his beak and flicked through. ‘But you could try this one.’
    â€˜Try what one?’ said Tom.
    â€˜Make this spell with your staff,’ explained Mondriat, sounding extremely exasperated.
    Tom picked up the book and looked at a picture of two circles inside a larger one with three lines connecting them together. He drew the shape on the ground.
    â€˜Now step inside and imagine yourself invisible as the air,’ said Mondriat. ‘Use the power of the Earthsoul to fuel your