Read Online Tara Duncan and the Spellbinders by Princess Sophie Audouin-Mamikonian - Free Book Online Page B

gift for simplifying the most complicated things. Ah, Padimo isn’t going to like this. He always gets tangled in circumlocutions when he tries to explain the nature of magic. A motor and gas—exactly the metaphor we were after!”
    Isabella entered, scowling at the racket.
    â€œWell, well, what’s going on here?”
    â€œWhat’s going on is that your granddaughter is remarkable,” said the delighted wizard. “Simply remarkable.”
    Tara was flattered that Chem liked her analogy, but thought he was making too much of it. And speaking of magic, it was time she got a few things straight.
    â€œTell me, Master, when are we leaving?” Tara asked.
    â€œSoon. And you won’t be alone. Deria will join us on Other-World at Travia Castle. She insisted on going along as your protector. She’s a trained magus, so we had the court take her on as its weather wizard. Your grandmother’s assistants will stay here to help her prepare the manor’s defenses.”
    â€œTerrific!” said Tara with an enthusiasm that surprised Isabella, who’d though she might refuse to go. “What do I have to do now?”
    â€œFirst, finish your breakfast. Deria will help you pack your bags. Then we’ll go to the Portal and transfer to Travia. By the way, it might be useful to take your great-grandfather with you. He’ll be a perfect familiar, since he can’t be identified in his present form.”
    To Tara, it sounded as if the wizard was speaking Martian, and she stared at him blankly.
    â€œBy Demiderus, Isabella,” he growled, “don’t tell me she doesn’t know about your father, either?”
    â€œNo, of course not,” she snapped. “Manitou, come in here!” she commanded in a ringing voice that made Tara jump.
    A moment later, the big black Labrador padded into the kitchen. Isabella hugged him then turned his muzzle toward the girl.
    â€œTara, I’d like you to meet your great-grandfather. Manitou, you’re going to accompany Tara to OtherWorld. You’ll pass as her familiar, which will allow you to stay with her and protect her. Can you handle that?”
    The dog wagged his tail and barked once.
    â€œAlack the day!” said the old wizard sadly. “There’s been no improvement, I see. Maybe this will help. ‘By Interpretus the wall between our species breach, so we can understand each other’s speech.’”
    When the dog barked again, it was with a very different voice.
    â€œ Woof ! I mean, of course I’ll go with her. Blasted mutt! He’s stronger than I am, and his instinct overwhelms me. But I’ll do my best. OtherWorld’s magic vibrations may help me stay in my human mind. I hope so, anyway.”
    Tara fell to her knees in front of the dog.
    â€œManitou? I mean, Grandpa . . . er, Great-grandpa?”
    â€œJust call me Manitou, it’s simpler. It’s such a pleasure to think and act like a human being! You have no idea how I’ve suffered not being able to chat with you during my rare moments of lucidity.”
    Isabella looked down at him regretfully.
    â€œI’m sorry, but no one has been able to replicate the formula of your spell yet,” she said. “And since the shock of the transformation erased your memory, all we can do is keep searching.”
    â€œYes, I know,” said Manitou, nodding. “Oh! The dog’s instinct is coming back again. Tara, I’ll meet you in the yard later.”
    He gave the astonished girl a little nuzzle and went out.
    â€œBut, but—” Tara stammered.
    â€œSad story,” said the wizard somberly. “He managed to discover a spell that gave him eternal life. Problem is, it also changed him into a dog. So he’s immortal, but in the shape of a Labrador retriever. And you can’t just take him along as your dog, because only familiars are allowed in the Castle.”
    â€œWhat’s a