Icespell by C.J. Busby Page A

a very large mobile bonfire.
    â€œNo, no, that’s not it at all,” said Max hurriedly. “Adolphus has got it a bit mixed up. We have an ice problem, but it’s not fire we need. It’s a spell.”
    Great-Aunt Wilhelmina narrowed her eyes. “So. An icespell. Which you can’t undo yourself? Where is it, and who cast it, may I ask?”
    Max coloured. “It was me. And it’s on Camelot.”
    â€œCamelot?” she said, looking surprised. “The whole castle?”
    â€œYes,” said Max, in a small voice. “I got tricked into it. And the spell that tricked me was made by Morgana, so I can’t seem to undo it.”
    Max waited for the old dragon to tell him what a foolish boy he’d been, and how wizards should never ever be tempted to show off. But to his surprise she did neither of these things. She widened her eyes, took a deep breath, and hooted with laughter.
    â€œIced the whole castle? The whole castle? My dear boy, what a spectacular idiot you are! Morgana must be rubbing her hands in glee!”
    She snorted in delight, breathing little gusts of blue-white flame from her nostrils and waving her long green tail as she laughed. Finally she stopped, and wiped her eyes with a great claw and grinned at Max.
    â€œHaven’t laughed so much in years. Not since Merlin… well, anyway. Knew you’d be good value, Max, way back when I gave you my special cauldron…So. We’ll have to do something about this before that dreadful sorceress gets down to Camelot, won’t we?”
    â€œSo you can reverse the spell,” said Max, thankfully. “We were hoping you could.”
    â€œOh, no, not me,” said Great-Aunt Wilhelmina, shaking her head. “We’ll have to ask the Lady. She’s a bit potty, but she’s very powerful, and she’s got a soft spot for Merlin. I’m sure she’ll find a way to sort it all out. But not till morning. Can’t get to the Lady till sunrise. So we may as well get some rest. Come along, A-dormouse, and Your Royal Highness, there’s a nice waterfall back here to shower in, and comfortable beds all round.”
    Max exchanged glances with Olivia, and she gave him a thumbs-up. It looked like Great-Aunt Wilhelmina was going to help, and it seemed like she had a good idea of what to do. They followed her to the back of the cave, where there was indeed a small waterfall, as well as a deep pool in which Vortigern was already happily splashing around, quacking loudly. Next to the pool was a pile of soft, richly embroideredblankets. Olivia fell onto the pile with a sigh, and closed her eyes.
    â€œFantastic. I feel like I could sleep for a week.”
    â€œNot quite so long, please, my dear,” said Great-Aunt Wilhelmina with a rumbling laugh. “We need to be up well before dawn. I’ll wake you when it’s time. And in the meantime, A-dog’s-nose, maybe you could come and sit with me and tell me all the family news…”
    Adolphus danced alongside her to the front of the cave, chatting away. The greenish light faded as they went, leaving the area round the pool in a gentle dusky darkness.
    Ferocious jumped onto Max’s shoulder and gently nipped his ear.
    â€œTime for sleep, Max. Been a long day. Lots of magic and too much fear of death by falling off Adolphus’s back.”
    Max grinned, and tickled Ferocious behind the ears, then settled down on the pile of blankets with a yawn.
    â€œAny idea who this Lady is we’re going to see?” he asked sleepily, as Olivia started to snore.
    â€œNope,” said Ferocious. “Must be some witch or other. Better hope she’s a match for that evil old hag Morgana, eh Max?”
    But Max was already asleep, dreaming of ice and dragons and flying down an endless dark tunnel looking for something that wasn’t there.

The Lady of the Island
    T he Lady, when they met her, was planting cabbages, and looked