There was no denying it. Becky had turned James into a newt.
Where the tall, dark haired man had until moments ago been standing looking nervously at Becky now sat a small and sad looking brown and orange salamander just as she had silently specified. Even with everything that had already happened that day she couldn't believe what she had just been able to accomplish. In amongst her feelings of excitement and wonder was also more than a hint of guilt. She really hoped she would be able to reverse this spell as she had been promised.
"I can turn him back any time right?" she asked Alcuin a little nervously.
"Of course!" Alcuin smiled "But not here?"
"What?"
The old wizard chuckled at the sudden trepidation in Becky's voice "I'm sending you both back where you belong. There is no point keeping you with me any longer, but your powers over your friend will remain. Call it compensation for your inconvenience. I realise this doesn't work out so well for James, but I gave him the same chance as you to take this gift"
Becky was about to say something but Alcuin raised his hand to stop her.
"There will be no more questions. Farewell"
Alcuin chuckled to himself again in a way that convinced Becky the old wizard was not finished with her or James yet, but there was no time left to argue. Everything quickly went fuzzy and the next thing Becky knew she was stood back in the tent, where she had argued with Kayla earlier that day, next to a pile of her discarded clothes. Becky quickly dressed and poked her head out of the cave entrance to check nobody had seen any of the crazy shit that had just happened. Fortunately, people just seemed to be going about their business as normal. Everything was fine now except - shit! James!
Becky spun around and to her relief spied a familiar looking newt staring at her from a small bowl which had appeared on a table nearby. Becky carefully freed her companion from his glass prison, placed him on the floor and shut her eyes. When she opened them again a naked James was lying face down on the floor in front of her, propping his upper body up with his outstretched arms. Her relief was short lived when she saw just how mad he was.
"Find me some clothes. Now!" James demanded, rising to his feet.
Becky quickly scoured the tent and handed James the clothes he had been wearing earlier, which he hurriedly changed back into.
"I can't believe you did that" James scolded Becky.
"I didn't really have a choice. It worked out though" Becky spoke quickly to placate her friend "And Alcuin said that.."
"I heard. I was there remember?" James sneered.
"Oh, I wasn't sure you could understand as you were, you know..."
"A newt!" James almost spat the words out "Why that of all things? Why not a tiger or a wolf?"
"It just came into my head" James stared at Becky's weak explanation blankly "I didn't think it would work anyway"
"Well, I assume that you don't intend to use your powers now we're away from that insane place?" James challenged. Becky hesitated just a moment too long to placate him "You are?!"
"Hear me out" Becky began. Se was in something of a dilemma. She knew transforming James was morally wrong but it had been so much fun. She desperately wanted to do it again, but preferably with less guilt attached this time.
"I'm listening" James raised an eyebrow cynically.
"This could work out well for both of us. We could become a magical double act. I can turn you into literally anything and nobody will have a clue how we're doing it. We can be rich and famous!"
"I don't want to become a magicians assistant thanks" James sneered.
"Well, I don't think you are in a position to decide" Becky threatened, surprising even herself "Look, there is a talent show audition here today with a big money prize for the winners. If you help me win that I promise I'll leave you alone."
"Fine, then lets get it over with" James replied angrily.