Lemuria: The City of Mysts

Part 2 | Chapter 12: Taking Flight

"Bottom's up", Fred said, not unkindly.

The chauffeur gave the medicine a dubious look and drank.

"Very good." Fred took the cap. "Now, I'll answer your question. I put in eye of newt, a boar's nose hair, lizard's entrails, monkey's balls..." The chauffeur paled. His eyes bulged and his jaw slackened. "I'm kidding. Its main components are oregano, mint and honey."

The expression didn't change.

Amused, Fred said, "Wipe that expression off your face. I'm a doctor slash herbalist, not a witch."

"Warlock", the chauffeur said. The quality of his voice was less hoarse. The colour of his face had returned to normal.

"Pardon?"

"Warlock, sir. It's the male version of a witch." The chauffeur frowned. He had noticed the fever was gone.

Interesting, Fred thought. It had been a while since a stranger hadn't look scared or impressed at him after a healing. The man even had the courage to correct him.

"What's your name, chauffeur?"

"Tony Jones, sir."

"Tony, drop the sir and call me Fred."

"Sir?" Tony looked shocked. Surely, this doctor was making fun of him.

"Fred. Not sir. I mean it." Fred stared at the tongue-tied chauffeur in the mirror. "For heaven's sake! How old are you?"

"Nineteen."

"I'm neither thirty nor have I been knighted by royalty."

"But, sir..."

"You're making me feel old", Fred grumbled; his arms folded across his chest.

Tony decided to change the subject: "The signor gave instructions to my employer to take you wherever you wish to go...sir."

Fred glared daggers at him and said, "Fine. Take me to the Roucan Academy."

Outside the airport, the ground didn't lay flat. Roads, buildings and houses followed the lay of the land. Streets were lined by electrical posts which held solar panels and black boxes.

The black box was another one of the many secrets of the Mysts. The material was made of silverwood. It was supposedly indestructible. The etchings of overlapping circular symbols in its interior, however, meant that advanced equipment had been used. What baffled the scientists more was the fact that the box held nothing inside. Yet, it produced energy absorbed from the Earth's frequency. The people of the Mysts had tried to explain how it worked, but the idea seemed to be beyond logical comprehension.

The car passed the residential area. The houses were curved and seemed to sprout from the ground. The roofs were covered with vines. The façade of each residence was vibrantly painted and grew garden in front. The overall effect made a quaint and colourful picture.

Gradually, boutiques, restaurants, delis, and buildings replaced houses. They had reached the commercial district. People in suits were leaving offices to lunch or to meet clients. It was a busy day but traffic was not heavy. In minutes, the car slowed to a stop across Roucan Academy. The school had older branches overseas but this one was special to him. Nothing had changed from what he could see. The sprawling grounds, lush with greenery; a path bordered with thick hedges; and a tree-line walkway leading to the park. Fred once considered it a gilded cage for rich children. He glanced at his chauffeur. A question burned in Tony's eyes.

"I studied here years ago", Fred said.

Tony's ears perked up like a dog's. Fred stifled his laughter. He didn't want to offend his chauffeur's feelings.

"What was it like?"

"It was just like any other school. You make new friends, new enemies. You meet good teachers and bad ones..." Fred's smile didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Made lots of good memories?"

"Some."

"I bet you had a lot of admirers."

"Maybe."

"Were you fond of anyone in particular?"

Amber-coloured eyes flashed in his mind. He looked away from the academy.

"Tell me, Tony. Are you always this familiar with your passengers?" Fred said coldly.

There was a heavy pause before Tony replied, "I'm - um, sorry, sir."

"Drive me to Alexandria Hotel."

The chauffeur studiously avoided making eye contact with the brooding figure in the mirror. Fred was the best passenger he has had until they came to the academy. Was it something I said? Tony recalled the last thing he had asked.

An hour later, they pulled over in front of the hotel. Fred looked at his downcast chauffeur and felt guilty. He wanted to make amends.

"Tony", he began. The chauffeur met his gaze in the mirror. "Pick me up at ten tomorrow morning. Don't be late."

"Yes, sir", Tony said. He had obviously thought he would get sacked for his impertinence. Celebrities were known for their quirks. Fred wasn't Doc Fredenstein for nothing. He was famous for his rare but scary temper. "Thank you, sir."

Fred smiled inwardly at how Tony's eyes shone.

With his sunglasses in place, Fred alighted and entered the hotel lobby without being recognised.

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A/N:Hullo. I added a little history and what it's like in the Mysts. Would you say the place is scary or idyllic?

Fred has gone back to the Mysts as James predicted. But what is he up to? Stay tuned. :)

If you have suggestions, requests or simply have an opinion, please leave a comment. Comments and votes are always appreciated. I'd love both...

Thanks. ;)