Chapter 12: Magic, Part 2

Immediately, Herman went into action, pulling jars from the shelves and throwing things from them into the cauldron. He retrieved a large crystal stick with a ball on the end for a handle-obviously a stir stick-and laid it on the table. Herman then poured smoldering liquid from a vial into the pot. He unscrewed caps from other jars and containers to retrieve dry items, which also joined the contents of the pot along with a paste. "You will be going to the year 1128 A.D.," Herman instructed, never breaking his stride. "You will not be going to the time of Tristan and Nina. When I tell you, you must slide the medallion around your neck and say the word 'Cambria' while holding it. I will tell you when."

It was happening so fast that Seth's head began to spin. He looked at the medallion gripped tightly within the palm of his hand, then at his uncle, "Will you be going, too?"

Herman never stopped slinging things into and stirring the cauldron. "No, but I'll be there in my younger form. I may not know you at first, but if you ever need anything and you really need me, I will come to your aid." He paused once more to look into his giant crystal ball.

The scene reminded Seth of an old sorcerer movie. If his uncle was wearing a pointed hat with moons on it, the scene would be complete. It was surreal and happening very fast, not giving him time to think about what he was about to do.

"Just remember that the time you spend in Cambria will also be passing here, as well," Herman instructed. "In other words, be back in time for school."

Suddenly, a thought passed through his mind. "How will I get back home?"

"Just place the medallion around your neck and say the words 'St. John's,'" Herman said, still filling the cauldron and stirring. Steam rolled from the cauldron and tiny white lights-almost like bright fireflies-came swirling from the cauldron, creating a funnel. "Don't worry! I'll be able to watch you through the cauldron and my crystal ball!" Herman shouted over the rising noise resembling an approaching freight train, growing in noise as it drew near.

"How will I be able to come back to the right time?" Seth quickly shouted, sensing that he didn't have much time left, but feeling slightly panicked.

"Because this is your time here, and 1128 A.D. is your time in Cambria!"

To Seth, it made no sense. Then Herman crossed the room and quickly yanked out one of his coffee colored hairs. "Ow!" Seth yelled, holding his head.

Herman gave him a smirk, shook his head in disbelief, and then threw the hair into the cauldron. Suddenly, the bright white fireflies multiplied, swirling faster. The funnel, resembling a tornado, grew higher until it was a huge swirling mass of sparks. The whirling cloud was deafening, growing louder by the second, rumbling, shaking the house. Suddenly, Seth was afraid that the curtains might catch fire, but knew instinctively that the swirling mass wasn't fire, but a transporter. Herman pulled a magic wand from a drawer, pointed it at the funnel cloud and literally moved it magically from the cauldron to the floor without touching it, chanting something Seth could not understand. The funnel cloud grew, swirling loudly.

"Put on the medallion!" Herman yelled above the deafening whirling noise. "It's almost time! When I tell you, jump into the light!"

Seth nodded, knowing he could no longer turn back. Then excitement and adrenaline filled his chest, spreading throughout the rest of his limbs. This was really happening. He held the medallion tightly within his grasp, ready to jump in at his uncle's word.

The funnel cloud swirled faster, growing higher, brighter. The fireflies multiplied, sending bright sparks flying into the room. Then his uncle yelled, "Now!"

The swirling stopped just as swiftly as it began, becoming a bright funnel, stable, like wind and bright white light blowing up from the floor in a straight line.

"Now, Seth, NOW!"

"Cambria!" Seth yelled at the top of his lungs as he jumped into the bright light. For a moment, all Seth could see was bright light engulfing him, and the noise from the transporter was deafening, sounding like a massive, rumbling storm. Wind blew through his shoulder length warm brown hair, swirling it about. Suddenly, he had the sensation of moving without being moved. He could feel time quickly rushing by on the outside of the transporter, catching glimpses of the past as time rushed by. It was happening so fast that he could only see glimpses of images that were, which appeared and were gone just as quickly. There was a rumbling under his feet, deafening to his ears, and his body shook as time rushed by. It felt like an eternity, and then time stopped abruptly. He fell to the ground, breathless. It was suddenly too quiet. After a moment, he raised his head from the ground, and the transporter and the bright white lights were gone.