Zach versus The Beast
Challenge Eighteen: March Madness Redux
Title: Zach versus The Beast
Author: seaislewitch
Wizard/Witch: Zach Smith/Mandy Brocklehurst
Rating/Warnings: G/PG -- language, innuendo
Genre: Romance/Humour
Word count: Exactly 500
Prompt: 21. A Jarvey sees his shadow
Summary: Zach must perform a humiliating ritual in front of his bride.
At twilight, Zach strode through the waist-high, whispering grasses. His Hebridean-hide boots smacked the ground, soggy from an afternoon thunderstorm. As disdainful as this ritual was, it was now his responsibility as master of the estate. If the beast found him worthy -- Zach greatly resented that aspect -- it would reveal a secret.
The vernal equinox signalled the start of the Aethonan breeding season. A cold snap, however, may upset the temperamental winged horses, and the mares might go a year without foaling. Britain's largest stable couldn't miss any opportunities to breed champions.
Disillusioned, Mandy silently hovered on a broomstick to observe the proceedings. Their wedding trip had been interrupted for this, so she had insisted on watching. Zach wasn't keen about it, but he'd be spared the humiliation of recounting the event later.
Zach stood in the centre of the field, like his ancestors had. "Vernus Bestia Ludus." The creature guided Zach's magic, the rapeseed bending and flattening in an intricate pattern. This was one way botanical traceries -- crop circles to Muggles -- were made.
After several hours, the beast showed himself. It was the size of a Kneazle but stood on two legs. It had vivid orange eyes and brownish fur.
"Who's this prat? Lost your daddy?"
"Did you see your shadow?" Zach demanded, instantly hating the Jarvey.
"Not telling! Stupid son of a half-wit father!"
"My father--" No, he wouldn't explain his father's sudden death to this nasty creature. "Tell me about the shadow, or I will hex you."
"With your tiny stick?" Chortling, the Jarvey dived into the reeds.
"I've got a huge stick!" Zach yelled, waving his fist. Little bastard! There was giggling from above. Mandy had heard. Just great.
Zach recast the spell. When he spotted the Jarvey's white-tipped tail, Zach went forward with a vengeance. He wondered how well his father had suffered this indignity. By midnight, Zach was ready to give up, but the Jarvey appeared with another strange creature.
"Can't finish? Sorry sack!" the Jarvey taunted. "Mooncalf can!"
"Fine!" Zach stomped away as the Mooncalf began its full-moon dance.
"Wait, pillock!"
Gritting his teeth, Zach stopped. "What?"
"The shadow! I saw it!"
Zach reeled around to face the Jarvey. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, brainless! See you next year!"
Zach spat on the ground. He never wanted to repeat this but had little choice. When he emerged from the field, his wife materialised on the broomstick.
"It saw the shadow," he said, taking her hand. "That means a month's delay in our breeding."
"Still, I'm impressed with your perseverance," Mandy said, leaning over to kiss him. "Come see what you created."
Feeling less irritated, Zach climbed onto the broom, moulding his body around hers. They zoomed into the starry sky and looked down.
"It... I did that?" The spiral design incorporated two linked hearts.
"Yes! It's for us! Isn't it fantastic?"
"Not as fantastic as you, Amanda."
"I was thinking..." she murmured, landing on their bedchamber's balcony. "I need to see your huge stick now."
Author's Notes: A Jarvey is a ferret-like talking magical creature who hurls insults. I've used him as a sort of magical groundhog in this story. (If Punxsutawney Phil could talk…) Rapeseed or 'canola' seems to be the first crop grass to mature each year, and with a little magic, it can grow more rapidly. The spell, Vernus Bestia Ludus, roughly means 'a spring beast sporting game', and it uses the will of the Jarvey and the magic of the wizard to form a traditional botanical tracery. The Mooncalf can also make what Muggles call crop circles, according to Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander. (The Circlemakers website.) Thanks to gelsey for her Proof-Witchery.
Proof-reader: gelsey