Nocturnal Academy 6: The Da Vinci Codex

By Ethan Somerville

A supposedly routine visit to the Nocturnal Academy by a Department of Education public servant was actually instigated by the mysterious Church of the Stigmata, who have set up in Appleton. They are actively recruiting new followers, including the mother of Alice Dibble's friend Nick and her own father's girlfriend Janice Cooper. They appear to want to close the Academy down, but are really after something else, an extremely powerful tome of Magick hidden within the school.

When Alice returns to school for term 2, Professor Abbacus devises a plan to sneak her into the church by disguising her beneath a magically enhanced holographic projector. She sits through a bizarre sermon, but at the end a strange monk appears and she realises he can detect her. It seems he is a technomage who shares Abbacus's affinity for machines.

An old schoolmate of Alice's returns to Appleton and claims he can help. Believing he can redeem himself, this boy tries to sneak into the Church of the Stigmata but is captured by the priest Father Donelli and the monk, a formidable Jesuit half-elf known as Marco the Hunter.

When her friend fails to return, Alice tries to tell Professor Abbacus the truth. Unfortunately he loses his temper with her, and she decides to save the boy on her own. She runs into the church - and discovers the true, horrible secret behind the Church of the Stigmata.

Also available:
Nocturnal Academy
Nocturnal Academy 2 - Teacher's Pet
Nocturnal Academy 3 - Immaterial Girl
Nocturnal Academy 4 - The Supernatural Circus
Nocturnal Academy 5 - Mage Against the Machine
Nocturnal Academy 7 - School of Thought
Nocturnal Academy 8 - The Lonely House
Nocturnal Academy 9 - Mirror Mirror

• Language: English
• Publisher: Storm Publishing
• Release date: May 12, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476063973

Ethan Somerville

Ethan Somerville is a prolific Australian author with over 20 books published, and many more to come. These novels cover many different genres, including romance, historical, children's and young adult fiction. However Ethan's favourite genres have always been science fiction and fantasy. Ethan has also collaborated with other Australian authors and artists, including Max Kenny, Emma Daniels, Anthony Newton, Colin Forest, Tanya Nicholls and Carter Rydyr.

Book preview

Nocturnal Academy #6

The Da Vinci Codex

By

Ethan Somerville

SMASHWORDS EDITION

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PUBLISHED BY:

Storm Publishing on Smashwords

Nocturnal Academy 6

Copyright © 2011/2016 by Ethan Somerville

www.stormpublishing.net

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Chapter 1

Just after 9 o’clock one bright autumn morning, a plain white car with government plates drove down Pink Lady Lane and stopped in front of the overgrown gates of the Nocturnal Academy. A tall, thin man in a slightly worn brown suit and spectacles got out, pulling a battered briefcase out after him. He locked up the car and stared disdainfully at the rusty old iron gates of the school. Thick vines and long grass were tangled around them, and they looked like they hadn’t been opened in a hundred years.

But the man, whose name was Lexington, knew this school was still very much in operation. He carried in his briefcase a rather disturbing report. It had been detailed enough, and from a sufficiently reputable source, for his superiors to arrange for him to follow up its claims.

Right now, as Lexington stood before the ancient gates, he thought that perhaps the report had some truth in it. He had never seen such a run-down entrance to a supposedly elite educational establishment. He walked up to one of the lichen-covered stone pillars at the side of the gate and noticed an incongruous-looking speaker set into the brickwork. He cleared his throat, pushed a large brass button beneath the speaker, and spoke clearly into it. Hello, this is Nigel Lexington from the New South Wales Department of Education. I have an appointment to see the Principal.

Ah, yes, of course, we’ve been expecting you, answered a chirpy female voice, emerging as clearly as though the secretary had been standing right beside the government official. Please, come on in.

Suddenly, with a mournful creak, the old iron gates swung apart. All the foliage surrounding them didn’t seem to be impeding them at all. In fact, it seemed to be helping them open! Lexington blinked. No, surely not. He removed his rimless spectacles and gave them a vigorous polish. I must need a new prescription, he thought as he slipped them back on, squared his narrow shoulders, and marched onto the property.

He noticed a gravel path snaking off into the distance and supposed it would lead him to the main building, which, at the moment appeared to be hidden behind a lot of very large trees. He looked right and left as he walked, taking in the old school’s grounds. He noticed more long grass, and a great deal of untended foliage. He wondered when these surroundings had last seen a gardener. Most of the trees looked like they had been planted all over the place.

Walking along the path, Lexington passed through a small forest. Trees of all shapes and sizes surrounded him. He spotted European plants mixed in with Australian natives and more exotic tropical growths. There were even ponds in amongst the trees, some deep enough to fall into and drown. What kind of a school is this? he wondered, already putting down in his mind the detailed report for his supervisor.

Then, the most dreadful smell assaulted his nostrils. He paused on the path and coughed, his eyes actually starting to water from the stench. Where on earth was that coming from? It smelled like a rubbish dump!

Then, through the trees, he spotted it. Huge, dark and ominous, with bubbles exploding on its noxious surface. The biggest compost heap he had ever seen. Oh no, that won’t do at all! Lexington declared out loud. Can’t have something like that near children! He quickened his pace along the trail, and soon came out of the little wood at a run.

The main building of the school appeared before him, far larger and older than he had expected. It looked like a cross between a church and a university from Europe. It had high, arched windows, pointed rooftops, and a very tall observation tower with an old-fashioned clock in it. Parts were covered with ivy.

It was also bigger than he had expected, with various wings stretching off into the distance all around him. One very large English oak grew close to the front doors, so close its branches were almost touching the roof. One day a fierce storm will bring that down right into the building, Lexington thought darkly.

He walked towards the big double doors, which were wide open to admit him. He entered a long, dark hallway, dimly lit with actual flickering torches. Their light didn't reach the shadowy corners and doorways, where strange shadows flickered. Lexington jumped. He could have sworn he just saw some sort of bat or bird flutter from one rafter to another. Even though children should have been in class at this time of day, the public servant was struck by how eerily quiet the school was. Surely he should be able to hear muffled voices, the instruction of teachers, children as they turned pages, whispered to their friends or read out loud?

He could hear nothing but the chirp of birds and the rustle of a morning breeze in the branches.

Perhaps the classrooms are too far away from here, he thought. He noticed some large paintings on the walls of previous principals and thought their outfits looked a little odd – old-fashioned, many years out of date. In fact, older than the colony itself. Men had not worn huge wigs like that since the early eighteenth century!

But before Lexington could examine the paintings more closely, a reinforced wooden door swung open and a very tall, thin lady glided out. She looked to be in her mid sixties, with lines on her face and a stark white streak in her hair, but her dark green eyes were clear and bright, and she smiled brightly on seeing Lexington.

He did not smile back, instead giving the woman a look of disdain. She looked like a hippy with that long streaked hair and that filmy gown she was wearing. Are you Madam Nocturna, the principal? he asked without any preamble.

Her smile actually faltered in surprise. She had obviously not expected such abruptness. But she quickly regained her composure, and turned on her heel. Why, yes. Please Mr Lexington, come this way. She glided back through the door she had come from.

The government official followed her into a cavernous office, hung with more of those old paintings with their fancy gilt frames. Shadows lurked in the corners, and whenever he didn’t look at them dead on, they seemed to flicker and move. Madam Nocturna sat down behind an enormous whale of a desk with a very strange looking computer on it. Lexington could see right through its thin green glass screen. Steel pipes studded with brass rivets held it together, and a tangle of cables ran down into a hole in the table from which the occasional wisp of steam issued. The whole thing looked extremely dangerous.

Take a seat, Madam Nocturna invited, gesturing towards a voluminous leather chair. Lexington sat, but continued to examine her office, with its tall shelves of dusty books, cupboards and endlessly shifting shadows. A pile of papers plopped onto the principal’s desk, falling from seemingly nowhere, and the public servant jumped.

Where on Earth-

Thank you, Sylphie, Madam Nocturna told the air. Then she sighed and fixed Lexington with an intense stare. So Mr Lexington – to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?

Lexington felt a twinge of pain behind his eyes and rubbed his forehead. It has come to the attention of the New South Wales Department of Education this school is not conforming to our standards, and from what I have seen outside, I am inclined to agree.

What did you see outside? the principal asked softly, but still not taking her gaze from the official.

Severely overgrown grounds, unprotected pools of water, trees growing too closely to buildings – and one very large and particularly noxious compost heap! Lexington lifted his brief-case onto his lap and opened it, drawing out a thick sheaf of papers. Four violations already! And I haven’t even begun to survey the buildings. Although, I can tell by those torches outside and that bizarre computer on your desk, that your technology is definitely not standard! In fact, your machine appears to be issuing smoke! He slapped the large bundle of papers down on Madam Nocturna’s desk. Here is the complete Code of Practise that all schools must abide by. I suggest you read it.

Mr Lexington, I have read the code, Madam Nocturna answered calmly. What I would like to know is how this school came to your attention in the first place.

That’s classified.

Madam Nocturna sighed again. Lexington felt another twinge behind his eyes, so intense he actually groaned and lifted a bony hand to his head. What’s the matter? the principal asked.

I have a headache.

Would you like some water?

If it’s not too much trouble.

Madam Nocturna rose from her desk and crossed the room to an old-fashioned sink in a corner. Lexington continued to massage his forehead with his fingertips. He had never had a migraine come on so quickly before. His frontal lobes felt like they were going to explode. Perhaps he ought to postpone the rest of his survey for the day and return tomorrow.

Madam Nocturna handed him his drink, and their fingers touched. Suddenly, Lexington felt a blinding flash inside his mind and abruptly, his headache vanished. He straightened up. That’s funny – it’s gone now. Completely gone!

Madam Nocturna smiled. That’s good.

Lexington drained his water. I feel better now. He stared at the principal, wondering why he’d thought her so unconventional before. Her long dark hair was pulled back in a neat bun at the nape of her neck, and she was wearing a frilly white blouse tucked neatly into dark blue pants. Her office wasn’t as dark as he’d first thought either; bright and airy with gossamer curtains fluttering in the breeze and a very new, modern computer on her desk.

Lexington felt a sudden, deep sense of foreboding, that something was very wrong. He felt like he was missing something vitally important. He looked around the office, trying to work out what he’d forgotten.

Then, just as abruptly as it had arrived, the strange sensation vanished. He picked up the Code of Practise from Madam Nocturna’s desk. I’m sure you know all this already. But I would still like to examine this facility, if you don’t mind, just to make sure everything is in order.

Of course, Madam Nocturna smiled.

I mean, everything I’ve seen so far looks fine, but this inspection must be done by the book, you understand?

Of course, she said again, and rose to her feet. If you would like to accompany me we can get started right away.

Lexington rose to his feet, collected his briefcase, and followed Madam Nocturna out of the office and into the hallway. Now he saw a brightly lit corridor lined with modern prints and cheerful coloured drawings by children. He nodded in approval. Behind him, Madam Nocturna sagged against a wall for a few seconds and rubbed her forehead, as though she had a headache now. Then she straightened up, squared her shoulders, and took the public servant on a full and in-depth tour of the Nocturnal Academy.

Later that afternoon, when the public servant had left, satisfied that the Nocturnal Academy conformed completely to the state’s Code of Practise, Madam Nocturna stormed down the hall in a temper. She shut herself in her office and drank a very large bottle of strawberry milk. Then she activated her computer and sent a message to all the House Heads to meet her as soon as the wake-up bell went for an emergency gathering.

Professor Icarus Abbacus, who never slept and only occasionally meditated, showed up right away. He was closely followed by Professor Albrecht Longenfang in human form.

What’s up? Abbacus demanded immediately.

I’d rather explain when everyone is here, Madam Nocturna snapped at him. It concerns today’s visitor.

The official from the Department of Education? Abbacus queried. I thought that was just a routine inspection!

"So did I,’ Madam Nocturna growled, her eyes dark.

At that moment Professor Hypatia Subrette from the Maths Department arrived, closely followed by Geography Professor Analise Durnell. Professor Morpheus McDingley came next, followed by Art Professor Thiago Martinez. Last came Professor Finnegan Florana, who was still yawning and brushing leaves off his brown leather outfit.

What’s all the hubbub about? he grumbled, looking irritably around at all the other House Heads.

Mr Lexington, our visitor from the Department of Education, was protected from the Nocturnal Academy’s glamour, Madam Nocturna declared.

Professor Florana gaped at her. Protected? How?

I have no idea. All I know was that he could see right through it. He saw this school for how it really is. None of the Magick worked on him. At all.

Preposterous! shouted Abbacus, banging his metal fist down on Madam Nocturna’s desk. I reworked all the wards last year after Andre left!

Mr Lexington came onto the grounds and saw all the trees, the pools and the compost heap. He saw you, Finnegan, growing far too close to the school. He stared at the old paintings in the hall outside, and questioned the computer on my desk. She gestured towards it. When I tried to read his mind, I found a barrier, like a blindingly white sheet, protecting his mind. Although it was thin and filmy, it took me considerable effort to penetrate it. I gave him quite a headache in doing so.

Professor Abbacus swore. Professor Subrette winced at his bad language and glared at him, but as usual Abbacus ignored her. What did he say when you probed him? Abbacus asked Madam Nocturna.

Nothing. He didn’t even realise he had been protected.

"Someone gave him protection?" exclaimed Longenfang.

"It would appear so. Someone shielded him and sent him in here to gather information. I really had to push him hard to make him see the glamour all daydwellers see. In doing so I gave myself a headache!" Madam Nocturna reached for another bottle of strawberry milk on her desk and drained a good half of it.

Who could have done such a thing? asked Professor McDingley.

While I was inside Mr Lexington’s mind, I did find reference to a letter full of detailed allegations, from a certain local priest. Father Donelli.

All the professors drew in shocked breaths, including Professor Abbacus who didn't actually breathe and only inhaled so he could speak. That's the Stigmata priest that Dibble told us about! he snarled.

"It would appear so. It seems that Father Donelli sent the Department of Education a very long letter, describing all the nasty and illegal practises going on here in an attempt to get us investigated, and if possible, shut down. I couldn’t examine the letter in Lexington’s mind in too much detail, but I did get the gist of it. Father Donelli elaborated about overgrown and unkempt grounds; supposedly obsolete technology; corrupt and wayward children produced by this school, apparently roaming the streets late at night; and most disturbingly, dangerous and illegal experiments taking place within the