“Stop! Everyone stop!” Fletcher stepped in front of Stingwood. “We’re not here to spoil anything or get in your way, we just—”
“But you are in my way and now you must move.” Stingwood pointed his walking stick at Fletcher for a moment. Then his stony face softened as he gazed back through the invisible wall. “I’m so close now,” he muttered. “So close to making Avalon a place of unrivalled natural beauty.”
“Did you use anything special to make it?” said Fletcher. “I mean—”
“It’s all special!” Stingwood growled. “Imagine a place with no humans, no chemicals in the air, no poisoned water … all of it perfect without a single blemish.” He glared at Laney and Claudia, his eyes wild. “And then you stroll up with Mist trash and a Filthy Tail to infect the place. It’s an abomination! Get them out of here!” He advanced on the girls.
Fletcher stood his ground but Stingwood knocked him aside as if he was swatting a fly. The Thorn boy fell to the earth, groaning.
“Fletcher!” Laney cried, crawling towards him.
“Picking on your own tribe now, Stingwood?” yelled Tom, flying straight at him. “That shows how low you’ve sunk.”
“Stay out of this forest, Greytails,” roared Stingwood. “Your kind doesn’t belong here.” He shot more lightning at them.
Laney reached Fletcher and fear twisted inside her when she saw how still and pale he was. She took hold of his arm and he groaned again.
Stingwood advanced, letting loose great volleys of lightning. Tom and Charlie shot back, firing short bursts from their fingertips but Stingwood’s bolts were stronger and the Greytails fell back. Stingwood’s lightning intensified and he fired without stopping, his mouth twisting horribly.
Lightning flew over Laney’s head as she crouched low by Fletcher. Tom and Charlie’s attack bolts were stuttering now. Laney let go of Fletcher’s arm and clasped her hands together, willing her Mist power to work – wishing for water to burst from the earth and wash Stingwood away. None came.
“Get out of here, Tom!” Claudia yelled. “Just go!”
Stingwood spun round and threw lightning at her. Laney watched her dodge behind a tree. Her heart pounded. She and Claudia could transform and fly away but they couldn’t leave Fletcher.
Charlie cried out as a lightning bolt hit his leg. The barrage of spells ceased. Laney looked up hopefully, but she could see from Stingwood’s face that he was preparing for an all-out attack.
She pointed all her fingers at the sky the way the older Mist faeries did. Let it rain. Bring the storm. Her hands throbbed painfully. But Stingwood saw what she was doing and crossed to her in a few strides.
“The Mists had better stay out of my forest too,” he roared. “And you – you bring disaster wherever you go.” He snatched her outstretched hands and pulled them down to her sides.
Laney tensed, waiting for the lightning strike but instead she felt something soft brush past her ankle. A stream of cats poured out of the woods and Tom and Charlie shouted to them, egging them on. They swept past Laney and leapt on Stingwood, biting and scratching every piece of skin they could find.
Stingwood shot off another bolt of lightning but he was pulled off balance by the cats clinging to his arms and legs, and the bolt zapped uselessly into the ground.
“Call the cats off!” Claudia shouted to her brother. “Call them off. He’ll hurt them.”
Laney knelt down by Fletcher and shook him. “Come on – wake up!” She hated seeing him like this, with his eyes closed and his skin so pale. “Wake up, Fletcher!” She shook him again, and he moaned and opened his eyes.
Stingwood’s face darkened and black roots sprang from the ground, twisting into the air to catch hold of the cats.
“Get back! Retreat!” Tom yelled, and the cats jumped away from the Thorn Elder, who was staggering around wildly. He had a deep diagonal gash on his cheek and something was oozing from it. He wiped his face on his arm, leaving a dark-green bloodstain on his sleeve. Laney stared, horrified, at the strange-coloured blood.
A large ginger tom pounced on one of the black roots, shredding it with his claws and Stingwood howled with fury.
“Fletcher, we have to get you out of here.” Laney hitched his arm over her shoulder and helped him to stand. He swayed woozily. She pulled him forward, supporting his weight, and Claudia ran to take his other arm.
“Can you switch form?” Laney asked him. “It’ll be easier to fly you out of here if you’ve changed.”
“Uh … maybe…” Fletcher closed his eyes and managed to transform.
Laney and Claudia changed to faerie form too, and dragged him into the air. A lightning bolt crackled past Laney’s leg. She turned and saw the cats streaming away into the forest.
“Get out of here, Claudia! We’ll hold him off,” shouted Tom, swooping over the birch avenue. “And don’t tell Mum about this when you get home!”
Stingwood’s lightning bolts began to stutter and his arms looked stiff and angular. Leaves fluttered where his fingers had been. Long creases formed on his face giving him a tortured look. “No!” he cried out. “Make it stop.”
“Look at him,” coughed Fletcher. “You were right, Laney. He’s becoming a tree.”
Stingwood roared as his face turned to tree bark, and the roar became the creaking of branches.
“Just hold on.” Laney beat her wings grimly, desperate to get higher in case Stingwood managed to shoot more lightning.
Fletcher hung between her and Claudia, his wings drooping. They flew away from the birch avenue, and Laney darted one last look at the crooked figure of Stingwood stretching his branch-arms up to the sky.
Laney and Claudia glided over the forest, pulling Fletcher between them. Laney looked around for some sign of where they were. The treetops spread below in all directions. “We need to get out of the sky. If someone down there is walking their dog or something we’ll be seen in a heartbeat.”
“Not to mention the hundred or so kids on the field trip that are loose in this forest,” added Claudia.
They flew down. Supporting Fletcher at the same time as landing was difficult and they ended up collapsing on the leaf-strewn ground.
“If the Elders find out we flew while we were on a school trip they are going to be so mad,” said Laney.
“Getting grounded will have a whole new meaning,” agreed Claudia.
Fletcher clutched his stomach, grimacing. “Don’t you think they’re going to be more interested in the news that Stingwood attacked us, and that Tom and Charlie used lightning spells even though they’re not eighteen yet.”
Laney pushed her hair out of her eyes. “The Wildwood Arrow is in that Avalon place producing all the power. I just—” She broke off, her head jumbled with thoughts. “I’ve been thinking Stingwood is the Shadow for weeks, but now … the way he turned into a tree and the lightning he used…”
“It wasn’t the red lightning that the Shadow used,” Claudia finished off. “I noticed that too. I’ll never forget that red lightning.”
Beep, beep! The noise of a horn broke through the trees.
Claudia checked her watch. “It’s three fifteen! We’re already quarter of an hour late for the bus.”
“That’s why there weren’t hordes of kids around as we landed then,” said Laney.
Changing into human form, they headed back as fast as they could. Mrs Martin stood by the coach steps with a face like thunder. “Where are your clipboards, maps and samples?”
Laney looked at the others. None of them had anything.
“Get on!” snapped Mrs Martin. “I’ll speak to you three when we get back to school.”
They made their way to the spare seats halfway down the bus. Laney caught sight of Steph; her eyes were red-rimmed. Jessie was at the back with Cathy and Leah, and she smirked when she saw Laney and muttered something to the others.
As the bus moved off, Laney twisted round to ask Steph if she was all right but Craig’s face popped out from the sea
t behind her. “Steph twisted her ankle,” he announced loudly. “And she reckons the tree roots moved to trip her up – says she saw them do it.” He drew circles in the air next to his head. “Loopy or what!”
An image of Craig all tied up by tree roots popped into Laney’s head and she hid a grin. “Sometimes I wish he remembered how we had to rescue him,” she whispered to Claudia.
“Sometimes I wish we’d just left him there,” her friend replied.
Laney, Claudia and Fletcher were given two weeks of lunchtime detentions by Mrs Martin, despite pleading that they’d got lost and accidentally left their clipboards behind while trying to work out which way to go. Laney went to look for Steph and found her limping out of school on her injured ankle.
“Oh, you remember me then,” Steph said accusingly. “I thought you were too busy hanging out with your new friends.”
“Yeah, if you call being told off by Mrs Martin ‘hanging out’,” Laney said. “Is your ankle really bad?”
“I can walk on it a bit better now. It’s going to take me a while to get home though.”
“Can’t you call your mum and get a lift?” Laney’s gaze twisted upwards, her eyes drawn to a cloud of silvery sprites flying over the school roof. It was really strange to see them here. She still wasn’t used to the faerie world colliding with school.
“She’ll be busy at work.” Steph scanned her friend’s face closely. “You seem kind of different lately. I’m not sure you’re listening to me half the time.”
“I was listening.” Laney pulled her gaze away from the sprites.
The school bus started its engine. Steph gave a half-smile. “You’d better go. You’re going to miss the bus.”
“I’ll phone you later.” Laney ran for the bus, getting on just before it pulled away. She sat down next to Fletcher, braving the glares of the other Thorns. “Do you feel OK?” she asked quietly.
“My ribs are a bit sore but it’s no big deal. I just want to get back and tell my dad what we saw.” Fletcher lowered his voice. “I can’t believe the Wildwood Arrow’s inside that Avalon place, just waiting to be found.”
“We have to work out how to get past the invisible wall first.” Laney wasn’t sure it was as simple as Fletcher was saying. “We should talk to Gwen straight away. She didn’t want other people knowing about the Myrical search in case it helped … y’know … the Shadow.” She caught sight of Fletcher’s expression. “I don’t mean your dad would plan to do that.” She changed the subject hastily. “Fletch, what’s Saturn Rising? Tom said what happens after Saturn Rising, like it was something that would make everything worse.”
“It’s a thing, an occasion really, that the tribes have.” His gold-ringed eyes flicked round the bus but no one was listening.
“What happens?”
“Every two and a half years, at the exact moment the sun sets, the planet Saturn rises from behind it. It looks amazing, and most of us feel an increase in power. The next one’s coming up this weekend…” He fell silent as two girls moved seats to sit in front of them.
The bus drew into Skellmore and stopped behind a delivery lorry that was parked outside the minimart. They got off and made their way round crates of tissues and washing-up liquid that were being wheeled into the shop. Then Fletcher made off down Gnarlwood Lane without waiting for anyone.
“He’s moving pretty fast for someone with an injury,” said Laney.
“Thorns always heal fast.” Claudia sped up. “He’s going to blab it all to his family, isn’t he?”
Laney quickened her pace too. “It’s because it’s the Thorn Myrical. That’s why he wants to tell them.”
“It doesn’t matter which Myrical it is!” Claudia said. “The Shadow could be waiting for something like this – for someone to let a secret slip. You’ve got to stop him. He listens to you.”
“Not always.” Laney broke into a half-run. She rounded the corner and found her dad’s van right in front of her. Simon’s head poked out of a manhole and he grinned cheekily. “Watch out! We don’t want you falling in!”
“Thanks, Simon.” Laney edged round the hole with one eye on Fletcher, who was still heading straight for his house.
Simon picked up a wrench and wiped his forehead. “Your mate’s in a hurry, isn’t he?”
“Yeah,” said Laney, wondering why grown-ups always had to say what was obvious.
Claudia passed them. “Come on, Laney!”
Laney said a hurried goodbye to Simon and ran on down the street. There was no smoke rising from the trumpet-shaped flowers on Gwen’s roof and no lights on inside.
Fletcher had reached his front gate. “Fletcher!” called Laney, but he didn’t turn round.
“He’s not going to listen,” said Claudia, turning into Gwen’s front garden. “Gwen will know what to do.”
The path to Gwen’s front door was overgrown with a sea of tiny white flowers floating on tall stems. As they waded through them, a strong scent rose into the air and Laney’s head whirled.
Claudia knocked and the girls waited impatiently for the door to open.
“Laney, Claudia!” Gwen smiled at them. Her white hair curled over her wrinkled forehead. Laney thought she looked very strange without a hat.
“Can we come in?” said Claudia. “It’s really important.”
“Of course.” Gwen let them in. “Come this way, I was just … I was just…” Her brow creased more deeply. “I’m sorry, I’m not sure what I’m saying. Come on in.”
The girls exchanged looks and followed Gwen as she walked slowly through the front room and down the corridor to the plant house. A large silver watering can stood in the middle of the floor, and Gwen picked it up and began watering the plants. A clump of roses swayed extravagantly as the water poured all over them. Laney thought they would have sung if they could.
“What can I do for you?” said Gwen.
“Well, it’s sort of good and bad news really.” Laney paused. The strong scent in the room reminded her of the little white flowers growing in the front garden.
“The good part is we think we’ve found a Myrical!” Claudia brushed off a vine that was curling over her arm. “But the bad part is that Stingwood’s found it too.”
Gwen stopped watering and fixed her gaze on them. “Girls, do you know what you’re saying? The Myricals were lost thirteen years ago. The tribes searched and searched but no one’s ever found them.”
“But…” Laney faltered. “The Crystal Mirror was found a few months ago and you said we should let you know if we found any more. We’re not sure if Stingwood knows he’s close to the Wildwood Arrow. But he’s working on a secret project in Hobbin Forest – making an area for Thorns that humans can’t enter called the Avalon project. That’s what Fletcher’s dad says, and we saw the place today but we couldn’t get in.”
“Then Stingwood came along and attacked us with lightning spells,” said Claudia.
Gwen blinked and picked up the watering can again. “This is a lot to take in, girls.” She sounded stern. “You’d better slow down and explain it to me properly. Ah, just one moment. This is empty.” She peered into the watering can, then took it over to the tap and began filling it with water.
Laney waited, anxiety bubbling in her stomach. Claudia flicked a leaf impatiently with her finger and it curled itself up into a ball.
Gwen turned back to them, her watering can full. “Now, girls, what did you want to talk to me about?” She smiled, her face serene.
Laney’s eyebrows rose. “Well, about Stingwood and the Myrical – I don’t think we really explained it very well.”
“Explained what, dear?” said Gwen.
The flowery scent grew, making Laney feel dizzy. “Remember what we just said about the Myrical? It’s just that—” she coughed.
“Start at the beginning, dear.” Gwen started pouring water on to the clump of roses.
“You’ve already watered those roses,” said Claudia suddenly.
Gwen laughed. �
��I can’t have done. I’ve only just filled up the watering can.”
Laney drew her breath in sharply. She beckoned Claudia over to a corner. “It’s like she’s forgotten the whole conversation. Why doesn’t she remember anything?”
“It could be a spell,” said Claudia tightly. “She doesn’t seem to remember anything about finding the Myricals either.”
Gwen walked over to a small lemon tree and began watering it. “Hello, girls,” she said suddenly. “How are you? I didn’t see you come in.”
Tears sprang to Laney’s eyes. “Someone’s done this to her,” she whispered.
“How can they? Gwen’s more powerful than any other faerie I know,” said Claudia.
“Yeah maybe … except for one person.” Laney pictured the dark figure of the Shadow.
“Use the adder stone! If someone’s enchanted her we might be able to see a spell shimmer around her.”
Laney felt in her pocket. “I haven’t got it. I gave it to Fletcher when we were in the woods. He must still have it.” She looked over at Gwen. “If this is a spell she won’t be able to help us. We’ll have to find the Arrow on our own and get it to safety.”
“We could try breaking the spell,” said Claudia. “Although that’s going to be hard if we don’t know what it is.”
Laney turned back up the passageway. “Do you think the air feels funny in here – sort of thick?”
“There’s a horrible flowery smell.” Claudia glanced into the kitchen as they passed. “Look, she’s left something for you.”
On the kitchen worktop there was an open envelope with Laney written on it in Gwen’s spidery writing. A pen and a sheet of paper lay next to it but the paper was blank.
“That’s weird.” Laney turned the paper over. It was blank on the other side too.
“Why would she need to write to you?” said Claudia.
“I don’t know.” Laney turned the envelope over and pulled a piece of paper out of it. This one was covered in writing.
“Dear Laney,” she read. “I must write down my thoughts while I still can. I may not be able to do so for much longer and there is much to tell you. I realise there is a risk that these words may be seen by the wrong person but I have to take that chance. I have detected an enchantment at work in this house. I can smell the valerian in every room and it has been strengthening steadily despite my best efforts to banish it. Valerian affects the memory and already I find myself struggling to remember what I should be writing. I will try to be brief.
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