The Islands of Time
The Islands of Time is in another realm that is related to the islands found in the Sea of Tranquility but also removed — as Narnia is to the world where the children live their daily lives.
The SWABS series doesn’t include the Islands of Time but in The Time Virus and Time Wizard Frank, Minnow, Skye and Ben visit the Islands of Time and stay at Marescimar. When they first arrive they hover over the islands for some time on the Noesis — magic clouds that can be surfed in order to mine the knowledge and secrets stored there.
‘Of course,’ said Blizzard. ‘Children are Marescimar’s most respected teachers, and its best healers. Not all learning is as dogged and boring as it is at the school you’ve been going to. Marescimar is for everyone, from tiny children right through to wizards and angels who are tens of thousands of years old. Because we have such a mix of students, everyone learns from everyone.’
Ben looked excited. I could tell that he was sold on the idea of Marescimar.
‘Why’s it called Marescimar?’ asked Frank.
‘M.A. for Magic and Mathematics, R.E. for Respect and Religion, and S.C. for Science — although in the word Marescimar, we pronounce the S, C like the S and K in Skye’s name. I.M. is for Imagination, and A.R. is for Art. They’re all equally important, and they make up MaReScImAr.’
‘Ar could be for Architecture,’ said Ben. ‘Our dad was an architect.’
‘It is,’ said Blizzard. ‘Architecture is Art. A very famous architect called Omar Walker designed some of the finest buildings at Marescimar. My favourite is his Melting Classroom.’
Ben’s eyes shone.
‘Seriously?’ he asked. ‘You knew our dad?’
‘Omar was a wonderful fellow,’ said Blizzard. ‘He was always talking about you two — Ben and Skydee.’
‘Skydee!’ I said. ‘That was his nickname for me!’
I felt so glad that Dad had known Blizzard.
‘Your dad loved mixing architecture with the Physics of Enchantment,’ said Blizzard, ‘and ever so much more.’
‘The physics of what?’ asked Frank.
‘Enchantment,’ said Blizzard. ‘It’s the domain of ice-witches — they invented it centuries ago. We’re lucky to have a very clever ice-witch with us at the moment.’
‘When did Dad come to Marescimar?’ I asked.
‘Time and space are strange things,’ said Blizzard. ‘He may have spent days here, while you thought he was asleep in his bed for just one night.’
‘So, Dad used to sneak off to other realms?’ I asked.
‘Well, he did visit quite often,’ said Blizzard.
‘I’m so glad to remember being called Skydee,’ I said.
‘He thought the world of you,’ said Blizzard giving me a big smile.
I nodded, feeling my eyes fill with tears. Ben noticed and covered for me.
‘Can’t wait to see the Melting Classroom,’ he said.
‘It’s one of my favourite places,’ said Blizzard.
In The Magic Time Pirates the friends have their base at Marescimar, the magical university on the main island of Ephinox. Here’s an excerpt from Chapter 2 of The Time Virus:
When we all leaned over the edge of the cloud, we could see a real life map of the Islands of Time. Below us was a large diamond-shaped island that looked like an old-fashioned kite soaring on a watery sky of purplish blue. Below the kite, seeming like they might like to flap in the breeze, were ten smaller islands in a long, snakelike tail.
The sea sparkled, as if covered with gem stones, and the islands were green except for their wild, grey mountains and edges of silvery sand. On the coast of the main island, I could see a huge X-shaped castle, basking in a massive garden.
‘What’s that?’ I asked.
‘The University of Marescimar,’ said Blizzard. ‘That’s where I studied astrophysics, magic, time … sport … and everything else I know.’
‘Marescimar?’ asked Ben.
‘Yep,’ said Blizzard. ‘Believe me, one day you’ll have a craving to return to Marescimar — it’s that sort of place — excellent in every way.’
Ben nodded, looking intrigued.
‘Can children go to the university?’ I asked.
‘Of course,’ said Blizzard. ‘Children are Marescimar’s most respected teachers, and its best healers. Not all learning is as dogged and boring as it is at the school you’ve been going to. Marescimar is for everyone, from tiny children right through to wizards and angels who are tens of thousands of years old. Because we have such a mix of students, everyone learns from everyone.’