by Burt Candy
“Well I'm glad all that mush is over,” came the voice of The Keeper. “It's enough to make anybody sick.”
“Back to normal,” said Matilda with a sigh as she crawled out of the attic and locked the door behind her.
Chapter 39
Where There's Smoke . . .
Matilda had just reached her bedroom when she heard her father's voice calling out from below.
“Matilda, we're home!”
“Coming,” Matilda replied as she took the Zeus medallion from around her neck and replaced it in its hiding place in the book, “Arabian Nights”. She quickly checked that her clothes and hair were in order then ran down the stairs to the kitchen where her mother and father were waiting as they prepared a cup of coffee. Her baby brother, Heironymus, was sitting in his rocker, gurgling away as he played with the seahorse mobile dangling over his head.
“Miss us?” asked her mother, pouring coffee into two mugs.
“Of course,” replied Matilda. “But I had a good sleep and an amazing dream.”
“You must tell us all about it . . . later,” said her father as he picked up his mug and took a long sip. “We're all pretty tired after the book launch.”
“How did it go?” inquired Matilda, happy with the change of topic.
“Really well,” said her mother, “despite the fact that the author prattled on for over an hour about how talented he was. Boring!”
“But there was a good crowd there and we sold heaps of books,” added her father. He suddenly stopped and began sniffing the air. “Is that smoke I can smell?”
“Uh, oh,” thought Matilda as her father looked at her suspiciously. “Here it comes. What am I going to say?”
“You've been cooking toast again, haven't you?” said her father. “How often do we have to tell you, no cooking while we're away? You never know what will happen. You could burn the house down and then where would we be, huh?”
“Now, now, Frank,” said her mother, “you know I want her to learn to cook for herself. Don't be so hard on her. You'll be careful in future, won't you dear?”
“Yes, Mum,” said Matilda, glad that she hadn't had to tell a lie. “I'll always avoid doing dangerous things.”
STORY 2
MATILDA AND THE PEARL DRAGON
Chapter 1
A Gift From Maximilian
Matilda had slept well. She snuggled down under her patchwork quilt and enjoyed the warmth of her bed. She didn't look forward to having to get up as it was the middle of winter and the old house had gaps everywhere for the cold winds to enter and chase the inhabitants around its four storeys -not counting the attic of course. Weak winter sunlight filtered through her bedroom window and, as Matilda rolled over to check the time on her bedside table clock, she noticed something strange.
There, beside the clock and resting on the book she had been reading, was a glass ball about the size of a softball. It glowed with an emerald green light as it rested on its golden base. It certainly hadn't been there when Matilda had switched off her reading light last night.
Matilda slipped out of bed, shivered as the cold air hit her, hurriedly put on her dressing gown and slippers, and went over to the glass ball for a closer inspection. When she peered into it she was stunned to see a miniature Maximilian smiling up at her.
“Good morning, my little treasure,” he said.
“What in heaven's name are you doing in there?” Matilda asked in a shocked voice.
“Yes, cute isn't it?” replied Maximilian with a laugh. “I thought that this would be a better way to stay in touch. Better than having to climb that wobbly old staircase to the attic, don't you think? I put this by your bed while you were asleep.”
“But why?” Matilda enquired.
“Well . . . there have been a few changes,” Maximilian went on to explain. “After the fire in the attic, the Keeper of the Treasures decided to retire. None of my doing I have to say although I was quite upset with him for causing the fire. He simply decided that he was getting too old and tired for the responsibility. Really I think he was frightened that he would make another mistake and end up destroying the treasures. As a result I have been forced to clean out the attic and relocate everything back to my palace. It is slightly inconvenient because my storerooms there are crowded anyway, but I had no other choice. And since we have already achieved our aim, that is of finding you, I decided that the attic has outlasted its usefulness. So here we are. I had to find another way to keep in contact with you and I came up with this idea. What do you think?”
Matilda was a little confused, although the thought that she wouldn't have to go to the attic again and put up with the whining of the Keeper had its attraction.
“Er . . . I don't really know. It's a beautiful crystal ball but where will I hide it and what will my parents think if they see it? They're sure to ask questions. What will I say? 'Oh, it's a present from my friend Maximilian who lives in the Other World and lets me use his Story Mat to visit strange places and take part in adventures.' I don't think they'd react very well to that.”
“All taken care of,” Maximilian declared. “Watch this.”
He clicked his fingers and disappeared. He was replaced by a diorama of a snow scene. There was a pretty little cottage surrounded by fir trees and banks of snow, with snowflakes falling down upon it.
“It's a snow dome!” exclaimed Matilda with a delighted smile.
Maximilian reappeared. “You can keep it beside your bed and, whenever your parents look at the crystal ball, that is what they will see - a snow dome. You can say that it was given to you by a friend and that will be the truth. They needn't be told who that friend is.”
“Very clever,” commented Matilda, “but how will it work for us?”
“Ah,” Maximilian smiled. “Now that's where the really clever part comes in.”
Chapter 2
The Crystal Ball
Matilda watched Maximilian disappear again and then jumped backwards when a cloud of smoke exploded beside her.
“Sorry about that,” said Maximilian as he appeared beside the bed, “but I need to be on the outside looking in if I am to show you how the crystal ball operates.”
“That was a bit scary,” confessed Matilda. “You need to warn me, Max.”
“Yes, yes,” agreed Maximilian. “I'm truly sorry my princess, but look into the ball now.”
Matilda stepped over to the bedside table and peered into the crystal ball. What she saw was surprising and perplexing. The ball was filled with a pulsating green mist and small bolts of lightning flashing through it.
“What am I supposed to see?” She turned to Maximilian with a frown. “It just looks like a storm in a snow dome.”
“Yes,” said Maximilian. “Now, my little pearl, gently wrap your palms around the ball and watch what happens.”
Matilda followed his instructions and saw that the mist suddenly cleared and she was looking at herself in a forest talking to the wolf from her first adventure with Red Riding Hood. She could even hear the conversation.
“Wow!” she exclaimed.
“But there's more,” said Maximilian. “Squeeze the ball and see what happens.”
Matilda did as she was instructed and saw the pictures in the ball fast-forward until she eased her grip and saw Zeus handing her the magic medallion from her adventure with Neptune. As she pulled her hands away the scene reverted to the mist and lightning bolts.
“You can control the speed of the replay by how hard you squeeze the ball.” Maximilian explained. “It's a record of all of your adventures. But . . . it can also lead you to your next adventure if you wish. Now gently stroke the ball with both hands.”
When Matilda did this the scene in the ball changed to show a beautiful palace around a huge courtyard. People in strange clothes were sweeping the cobblestones and tending the gardens. It was very Chinese in appearance. The scene was replaced by a dragon that was obviously sobbing, as large tears ran down its cheeks a
nd dropped to the ground. The amazing thing was that the tears were pearls and they quickly formed a heap around the dragon's clawed feet.
“Just a brief preview of what awaits you should you choose to take part in this new story,” explained Maximilian. “If you are challenged by what you see and wish to know more, all you have to do is tap the top of the ball three times. Go ahead.”
Matilda used her forefinger to tap the ball three times. There was another explosion of smoke beside her and Maximilian disappeared only to reappear inside the crystal ball.
“This going backwards and forwards could get monotonous,” he laughed, “but I need to explain everything to you. When you tap the ball I will appear and explain anything you wish, just as we did in the attic.”
“I understand,” replied Matilda. “Squeeze, stroke, tap. That sounds simple enough. But I just thought, where is the Story Mat now that you've emptied the attic, and how will you give it to me from inside there?” She pointed at the crystal ball.
“The Story Mat will stay with you, my little gem,” answered Maximilian. “Although your parents have no idea what it can do, they have already seen it so there will be no surprise for them. You have certainly earned it with your bravery and I know I can trust you with it. So here it is.”
He waved his hand and clicked his fingers. The Story Mat seemed to fly out of the crystal ball and materialise in the bedroom. As it glided slowly to the floor beside her, Matilda recalled how her parents had hidden in her room and watched her lying on the Story Mat. Luckily they hadn't seen the mat fly away through the wall and Matilda had been quick-thinking enough to tell them that she had discovered the mat in a cupboard and used it to read on. Her explanation had been accepted , mainly because she had mentioned reading, which was an obsession with her parents.
“The Story Mat is now yours, my little rose. However, you can only use it after consulting me.
Is that clear?” said Maximilian.
“I understand, Max,” Matilda replied.
“I say that, not because I don't believe that you can make your own decisions, but to ensure that you have all of the information you will need before embarking on a new adventure. Now, speaking of new adventures, what do you think about what you have seen in the crystal ball?”
“Very interesting,” stated Matilda. “The dragon was really fascinating. Were they real pearls it was crying?”
“They certainly were,” said Maximilian. “And the dragon has much to cry about. But you will discover that for yourself if you choose to use the Story Mat to visit Shi Guang, the City of Light, in Sheng Long, the mystic Province of Dragons.”
“I'd love to go,” cried Matilda enthusiastically. “Dragons? Wow!”
Chapter 3
Help From An Old Friend
“I thought you might be interested,” said Maximilian with a smile. “I'm afraid that this story will probably be the saddest one you have encountered, but we shall see. I do know that your help in solving a very painful problem will be greatly appreciated . . . if you can achieve that.”
“You seem to have some doubts,” commented Matilda. “Is something wrong?”
“No, no,” replied Maximilian, “it's just that the problem will be very difficult. You will be up against some very pig-headed opponents and I worry about you.” He had tears in his eyes. “Sometimes I think that sending you out into the perils of the Other World is not my wisest decision.”
Matilda felt cared but needed to reassure her mentor. “I love it . . . and you know that. Anyway it's hardly your decision. I can say yes or no.”
“Harumph,” Maximilian cleared his throat and wiped his eyes. “Now I have a pleasant surprise for you. You'll recall that my magical fairy, Peri, couldn't accompany you on your last adventure because she came down with a dose of fairy flu which robbed her of her magic powers? Well, the good news is that she is no longer sick and has stated that she would like to go on your next adventure. And here she is.”
Maximilian clicked his fingers and Peri appeared on his shoulder.
“Hi, Matilda,” whispered the little fairy. She waved her magic wand and flew straight out of the crystal ball to plant a kiss on Matilda's cheek.
“Oh, Peri, you can't imagine how happy I am to see you,” replied Matilda as the fairy hovered in front of her. “I've missed you so much.”
“Likewise,” replied the fairy of few words.
“I was really worried when Max told me about your illness,” said Matilda.
“Thank you,” said Peri. “All is well now and I've heard that the monkey, Zanzibad, did a good job looking after you in the City of Diamonds.”
“Yes,” agreed Matilda, “but I still missed you, my treasured friend.”
Smiling broadly at the warmth of their greeting, Maximilian continued, “Well, now that that's settled we'd better look at Sheng Long. Wait a moment, this will be easier with me on the outside.”
There was another explosion of smoke and Maximilian appeared beside Matilda again.
“Ah, that's better,” said Maximilian. “Time for a map, I think.”
He clicked his fingers again and a scroll appeared in his hand. He unrolled it and, clicking his fingers again, the map was pinned to the floor. Matilda and Maximilian knelt down to view the map while Peri fluttered above.
What they saw was a large area of land divided into two parts by a stone wall that stretched right across the map. The northern half of the country was labelled Sheng Long, the Province of the Dragon, while the southern half was named Sheng Hu, the Province of the Tiger. Small villages were shown with dots while the capital cities, Shi Guang, the City of Light, and Shi Hua, the City of Blossoms, were recorded with stars. Beautifully detailed drawings of a dragon and a tiger dominated the scroll.
“The people of Sheng Hu, in the south, honour the tiger because it symbolises the protection
of the province from invasion,” explained Maximilian. “In Sheng Long, to the north, dragons are revered as controllers of the weather and the Emperor, Choy Ziang, possesses the most treasured of dragons, the Pearl Dragon, which you saw earlier. However, in the culture of these lands it is believed that the tiger and the dragon are eternal rivals. And so it is with these two provinces. Although there has been no warfare, they sit beside each other, separated by a huge wall, staring at each other scornfully . . . until now.”
“Why now?” asked Matilda.
“The people of the Tiger Province are suffering from a serious drought,” answered Maximilian. “Their crops have failed and they are starving. They are desperate to seek the help of a dragon to change the weather patterns but the Emperor of the Dragon Province refuses to lend them the Pearl Dragon. The Emperor of the Tiger Province, Li Peng, is naturally upset and has been a little bit naughty as you will find out when you arrive there. At the moment everybody is sad. Your task will be to make both sides see common sense after decades of ill-will. It will be your greatest challenge as you will find that both Emperors are very stubborn.”
“Oh,” said Matilda. “That does sound difficult. Will they know that I'm coming and why?”
“They will be expecting you but they won't know why,” replied Maximilian. “They think that you are coming as my representative to study the importance of tigers and dragons in their lives.
You will be playing the part of a visiting professor.”
“A very young professor,” commented Matilda.
“Yes,” agreed Maximilian, “but they are used to bright young people and they've been told that you are doing research for me. That will be enough cover for your real mission . . . except that you'll need a pen and notebook, of course.” He clicked his fingers again and a thick, leather-covered notebook and pen appeared beside the map.
“Very nice,” said Matilda. “It sounds like this adventure is more about diplomacy than danger, for a change.”
“I hope that is the case,” said Maximilian, “although you never know with these two old cranks. I feel certain that Peri will
be enough protection for you. And you also have your Zeus medallion if you need it. But you must remember that it is only to be used in the most desperate situation where your life and the lives of others are in mortal danger. Even so, once again, if things get out of control, you are to return on the Story Mat immediately. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Max,” said Matilda with a wink. “Haven't I always?”
“M-m-m,” muttered Maximilian. “You have been fortunate, and brave, in the past, but please don't stretch your luck.”
“We'll be fine,” said Matilda, glancing at the little fairy, “won't we, Peri?”
“Of course,” agreed Peri with a smile.
“Very well,” said Maximilian. “Time will stand still again while you are away so your parents will not be aware of your absence. All you have to do now is place this map on the Story Mat and your adventure can begin.” He clicked his fingers and the map rolled up. “Goodbye and good luck, my little treasures. Travel safely.”
Maximilian slowly faded away..
“Well,” said Matilda to her fairy friend, “I'll just put the notebook and pen in my backpack, fetch the Zeus medallion, and we'll be on our way.”
Matilda picked up the map, stowed the notebook and pen in her backpack and put it over her shoulders. Unfortunately, in her rush to start on her adventure, she forgot to retrieve the Zeus medallion from its hiding place on her bookshelf. That oversight was to cause a serious problem.
Peri flew onto her shoulder.
“Call me whenever you need me,” she whispered and, as she waved her wand, she disappeared. Sitting down on the Story Mat, Matilda placed the rolled-up map on the golden sun, then closed her eyes and folded her arms across her chest.
With a WHOOSH! The Story mat took off through the wall of the house and out into the many new nations of the Other World.
Chapter 4
Shi Guang – The City Of Light
The Story Mat whizzed down a large glass tube, lights in all of the colours of the rainbow flashing on its surface, with silver and gold sparkles filling the air. When she managed to open her eyes, Matilda was once again stunned by the speed of the Story Mat as it raced towards its destination in the Other World.
