– Get up!
I woke up and recognised my father's voice, and unwillingly got out of bed, just as it was the best for sleeping. That always gets to me. The talk of Mr. Miketić senior was full of surprises: first there was the news that he, my mom, and my sister are going to the seaside for the whole week.
– Unfortunately, you have to stay at home because you have school.
My mouth fell open, I wasn't expecting this. The third surprise was that during the time they were enjoying themselves I have to tidy up the attic. »An hour or two of work« he said. »Hmm«, I said.
During the week I wasn't at home, and even less in school. My everyday route was from the café to near wood. I was lucky my old man was generous when he was leaving me money.
On Saturday I woke up 'round 10 and I had a lovely idea: I had to clean up the house because my family was coming back tomorrow, and the house looked like a mess. And to add to all of this, I haven't touched the attic. So I started from the attic, which was as old as the house and believe me, its old. Under the big stacks of dust were some strange pipes, books, crates, some really old skies, even some meat boxes. I couldn't bare my self from not looking in some of the crates with books: Someone was at the door and then I realised that if I continue like this I will probably be over at the end of the century. Outside was standing my friend Ico. I quickly gave him some chores too and we started cleaning up. I just started sweeping when he called me:
– Mickey, come see this.
In his hand he was holding a little book with heavy covers. I took it, it was really old. The paper was all grey from the dust and yellow from the years, covered in beautiful leather with little golden chains. The language was completely unrecognisable.
– It's nice – I said and opened it and started to read out loud. I read a chapter and suddenly I heard Ico talking.
– Your wish is my command, master.
– What are you saying Ico?
– Your wish is my command, master. – he repeated.
– Listen, stop fooling around and dust those books already.
Without a word he started working so fast it wasn't very clear to me anymore. He was working faster and faster and finished all the books in 15 minutes. Then he stopped and asked me again what is his next job. I wanted to see for how long is he going to play Mr. Enchanted and I told him to clean up the rest of the attic, and I went down and cleaned the kitchen expecting him to come down any second. Some time later he came all covered in dust.
– It's over, master. What is my next command?
– Ico, are you alright? – I asked
– Master, my name is Nifitis. What is my next command?
My legs almost broke. Nifitis was the word mentioned twice In the text. I ran to the attic and I saw it was as clean as a drugstore. There was definitely something wrong here. Ico was standing next to me and asking for new orders. To get rid of him I told him to clean up the house. He rushed away and I grabbed the little book( which was also cleaned) and started looking for the text that would make Nifitis go away from Ico. Just above the part which I read was the title Ab tes Niftis.
– How to get to Niftis, let's say – I said and looked for the part that mentioned Niftis. I assumed that the spell could be taken off in the second part of the book, but I found nothing. Ico-Niftis, appeared once again and wanted more chores. It started to get to my nerves, and I said in anger:
– When you are so smart, translate this book for me!
To my surprise he took the book out of my hand, went downstairs and started writing. He was writing like a machine, with the same handwriting as the one in the book. After about a half an hour he was finished, and he handed me the manuscript.
– Here you go, master. What is my next command?
I told him to sit and wait. I grabbed the manuscript and maniacally started looking for that part. It sounded like this: come, servant Niftis, enter and serve in this human body an a real Niftis. The next par was the one that was taking the spell away: you are free servant, leave this body. »Ha! This must be it«, I thought. I read it out loud but nothing happened.
– Damn, this must be it! – I said, and then it came to my mind how I read it for the first time. I concentrated, and read it the same way I did the first time, very theatrically. Suddenly, on Ico's face there was a grime, and then surprise.
– Hey, what are we doing here ? – he asked me with his normal voice.
I didn't quite explain to him what was this about. I only said that he fainted. The school finished a month ago ( with the best marks in history) and I'm on a holiday in Paris. When I get bored, I'll just go to Florida.
I'll read some of the titles from the book to explain all that's happened: A journey in a flash; Gold from the dust; Haali, bring the food; Thee, the most beautiful woman, appear again and so on. Very practical. There is even a part that says how to get younger, but I haven't decided to try that one yet. To finish all this, I just want to say:
If you ever find a little book, covered with little golden chains, eight a big title that says: Atherhiani arto peraa ahto skri, guard it well. You will need it. When you translate the title it says: A guidebook for young sorcerers.
Translation: Vedran Kranjcevic