The Twins of Tintarfell

by James O'Loghlin

  Twelve of them had left the castle. Edward had made them pass through the castle gates in groups of three so as not to attract attention. Outside, he had sent four soldiers to the city’s Western Gate with instructions to spread out and search for a wagon carrying hay.

  He and the other seven guards arrived at the Eastern Gate. Edward trotted Pancake up to the two guards. ‘Have you seen a wagon with two people on it, filled with hay?’

  ‘Yes, your Highness,’ replied the taller, thinner guard. ‘It came through a while ago and took the right fork down the hill there. Someone else was asking about it too. A girl.’

  ‘What was she wearing?’

  ‘A grey tunic, I think.’

  Surely, Edward thought, it was Dani. Somehow, she had escaped from the castle.

  ‘You’re sure to catch them, your Highness,’ said the guard. ‘Even on your pony.’

  ‘He’s not a pony,’ snarled Edward. ‘He’s a small horse.’

  It was starting to get dark by the time Dani came to the first major intersection. So far she had walked over mainly open ground with farmland on either side, but now the forest closed in on the track. She had already passed a few thin side tracks, but most looked like they just led to farms. Of course, the wagon could have gone down any one of them, but she couldn’t check them all. She was beginning to realise how difficult her task was.

  At the intersection she faced a choice. She could continue straight ahead east, turn left and go north, or turn right and south. She had no idea what lay in any direction. She stared carefully at the ground but all she saw was a mess of tracks – footprints, hoof marks and wheels – going in every direction.

  The frantic energy that had propelled her out of the castle was rapidly being replaced by a creeping exhaustion. She stopped, sat down and took a few swigs of water, and ate an apple and some fruitcake. Then she walked fifty steps along the northerly track to see if that would somehow make it clear whether Bart’s cart had gone that way.

  It didn’t. She returned and then walked fifty steps along the easterly track with the same result. Finally, she started to walk fifty paces down the southerly track. If she didn’t see any sign, she decided, she would return to the intersection and pick one of the three roads at random, which would give her a one-in-three chance of picking the right one. She was thinking about how terrible it would be to pick the wrong track when, after she had taken twenty-eight steps, she saw a piece of hay in the middle of the track. She stared at it. Bart, she thought, was in a wagon full of hay. She looked around, wondering if there was a pile of hay nearby from which this piece could have blown. There wasn’t.

  She looked carefully at the piece of hay. Even though it had rained the previous day and the dirt track was still a bit soft, the piece of hay was dry and lay on top of the ground, not in it, suggesting it had only been there a short time.

  She picked it up and examined it. She didn’t know if it had fallen from Bart’s wagon, but it was the only lead she had. Carefully, she placed the piece of hay in her pocket and continued walking south.

  Bart awoke again. He had lost track of whether it was day or night, and how many meals he had missed. All he knew was that he was alive, hungry and thirsty, and that he had been talking to sparrows. He reached out and sensed them high up behind the wagon.

  ‘Hello,’ he thought.

  ‘We’re doing all the hard work and you’re just sleeping,’ thought Denise.

  ‘How are you going with the hay?’ thought Bart.

  ‘It’s quite fun,’ thought Louey. ‘The humans haven’t even noticed us.’

  ‘Great,’ thought Bart. ‘Do you know where we are?’

  ‘We’ve never been here before, but it’s almost exactly like where we’re from,’ thought Denise.

  ‘Can you keep going with the hay?’

  ‘Sure, kid,’ thought Louey.

  Time passed, and then suddenly the blanket covering him was pulled away and a man’s hand thrust a water-skin at him. Bart hesitated and then took it. The hand withdrew. With his tied hands, Bart pulled the cork out and drank greedily. As he finished he felt the cart stop. The blanket was pulled away again and Bart found himself looking up into a bearded face.

  Edward and his party came to an intersection. He pulled up in the middle of the crossroads and squinted through the darkness. Roads led north, east and south. His father had said that Bart would most likely have been taken east towards Pirainia, so four of them would go that way, two north and the remaining two south.

  But which way should he go? When he felt uncertain or nervous, Edward always asked himself the same question: What would be the least dangerous thing to do?

  The answer, of course, was to turn around, go home, lock himself in his room and do some drawing, but if he did that he would never be King. He must keep going. The best outcome would be if some of the other soldiers found the kidnappers and rescued Bart. Then he would get the credit for the success of the mission without having to actually do anything dangerous. So, if Bart was most likely down the easterly road, he would go one of the other ways.

  He pointed at four of the soldiers. ‘You four go east, and . . .’ he pointed to two others, ‘. . . you two head north. I’ll go south with Potjer.’ Potjer was a soldier who looked strong and capable. ‘Be brave and bring the boy home.’

  Dani walked on, scanning the track, looking for the next piece of hay.

  When she had seen the first piece, Dani had assumed it had fallen from the cart, but she had continued to find piece after piece, all roughly the same distance apart, and now wondered if perhaps Bart could be deliberately leaving a trail.

  She saw another piece, picked it up and put it in her pocket. She realised why she kept collecting them. When doubts and fears about Bart’s safety arose within her, she put her hand in her pocket and clutched the hay to remind herself she was on the right track.

  When she was younger, Dani hadn’t really understood the concept of family. She knew it was something that most other people had, but she didn’t understand how it worked. Of course Bart was her brother – that was why they shared a room – and she liked him, but she had never thought much more about it.

  When they were ten that had all changed. A new orphan called Adam had come into the kitchen. He was twelve and loud, funny and cheeky, the sort of person everyone noticed. His parents had only recently died, so he knew a lot more about the outside world than they did, and he hated his new life as a servant. He was always talking about the adventures he’d had outside. Dani doubted if all he said was true, but Bart was fascinated, and the two of them started to spend time together.

  One night Dani had been woken by a pounding on the door. When she’d opened it, guards had ordered her to come with them.

  ‘I’ll just tell my brother,’ she replied.

  The guards laughed. A moment later Dani realised why. Bart’s bed was empty.

  She was taken to the office of the captain of the guards, a thin man with a perfectly trimmed moustache and cold eyes. He sat behind a desk. In front of it stood Bart and Adam, hands tied. Dani’s heart nearly stopped. Instantly, she realised that Bart was her family, and that she would do anything to protect him.

  The captain explained that Adam and Bart had been caught digging a tunnel underneath the castle wall. Going by the length of the tunnel, they had been at it for a while. As soon as the captain finished speaking, Dani shushed Bart, and spoke forcefully over Adam, explaining that Bart was easily influenced and even implying that he was a bit simple. Over Adam’s protests, she explained that, before Adam’s arrival, Bart had never done anything wrong and that the new boy must have manipulated him into helping him with his scheme.

  ‘He’s gullible, sir, not bad,’ she pleaded. ‘I promise nothing like this will ever happen again. If it does, you can hold me responsible. But it won’t.’ She pointed at Adam. ‘He’s the leader. It
was his plan.’

  Adam had denied it and tried to deflect blame onto Bart, but Adam was a new arrival, whereas Dani and Bart had lived in the castle all their lives. The captain believed Dani. Bart spent only a week in the dungeons while Adam was there for half a year, and was then sent north to serve the soldiers stationed on the edge of the desert, a harsh posting reserved for those in disgrace.

  Dani had felt bad about what happened to Adam, but had never regretted what she had done. Yes, she had lied about Bart being simple, but she had just done what she had to do to help her brother. And she had no doubt that it had been Adam who had thought of the plan and then persuaded Bart to join him.

  Dani was, however, furious and upset that Bart had been planning to escape without her.

  ‘I was going to tell you when the tunnel was ready, D,’ Bart explained after his release. ‘I’d never have gone without you.’

  That had put her mind at rest somewhat, but ever

  since she had watched Bart much more closely. In nearly losing him, she had realised just how important he was to her. She loved Bart’s spontaneity, his sense of fun, and everything else about him, but if he had been led astray once, it could happen again. It was her job to take care of him.

  And today she had failed. Dani was furious with herself for allowing Edward to force Bart to ride the horse. She went over the afternoon’s events again and again, trying to work out what she could have done differently to stop things turning out as they had.

  Clouds covered the moon, making it harder for Dani to see the pieces of hay that guided her. She was exhausted in both body and mind, so she veered off the track into the forest, gathered some leaves into a pillow and lay down.

  Apart from the seven nights Bart had spent in the dungeon, this was the first time she had ever gone to sleep without him nearby. She would find him. She had to. Without Bart, life was unimaginable.

  Chapter 8

  Measles and Gronk

  Bart stared up at a rugged, dark-bearded head that was partially blocking the night sky.

  ‘Thought we better check you was alive’n that. Waste of time bringing you all this way if you was dead.’ The man laughed loudly. ‘And I figured maybe we should give ya some food. Boss’ll cut our ears off if we damage ya.

  ‘Here’s the go. You can sit beside me on the back of the cart. Your ankles and hands’ll still be tied, but I’ll put a blanket over ya so if we pass anyone they won’t see. If you promise

  not to scream, I’ll take the gag out. Say “yes” if you agree.’

  Bart tried to speak, but couldn’t because of the gag.

  ‘Well? Do you agree or not? ’Cos if you don’t, I can just shove ya back under the blanket.’

  Bart tried to say ‘yes’ again, but all that came out was a strangled gurgle.

  ‘Oh right, you can’t talk.’ The man chuckled. ‘Classic. Silly me. Nod then, if you agree.’

  Bart nodded.

  The man untied the cloth around Bart’s head and pulled the gag out of his mouth. He pulled Bart up so they sat side by side on the back of the cart, their legs dangling off the edge. All the while the cart rumbled on.

  ‘To be clear,’ the man continued. ‘If anyone comes past and you shout or anything, I’ll stab ya. I won’t kill ya, ’cos I’d get in trouble, but in the leg or something. And shoutin’ won’t help anyway, ’cos if anyone tried to rescue ya, they’d find themselves pretty dead pretty quick. Me and her,’ he jerked his thumb over his shoulder towards the front of the cart, ‘we know what we’re doing.’

  Bart looked around and, through the gloom, saw the back of a solid-looking woman who was driving the cart. A tight plait of black hair hung down her back.

  ‘Well, you can speak now,’ said the man. ‘Let’s hear ya. You understand what I’ve said?’

  ‘Yes,’ Bart said, but his voice, which he hadn’t used for many hours, sounded all wrong and high-pitched. He cleared his throat and tried again. ‘That’s fine. I mean, not totally fine, but I agree.’

  ‘All right. Water?’

  ‘Yes, please.’

  The man handed Bart a water-skin. Bart raised his tied hands to his mouth and gulped greedily.

  ‘Thirsty, then,’ said the man when he had finished.

  ‘Not really,’ said Bart because, while he hated being kidnapped, he loved a joke.

  The man chuckled. ‘No sleep tonight. Not allowed to stop till we get there. Orders.’ He reached to his side, brought out a sausage, cheese and a slice of bread and offered them to Bart.

  ‘Thanks,’ said Bart, taking the bread and cheese.

  ‘What about the sausage?’

  ‘I don’t eat meat,’ said Bart.

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘I like animals.’

  ‘Me too. They’re delicious.’

  ‘No. I mean I like them, so I don’t eat them.’

  ‘Oh. I like them, so I do eat them!’

  Bart decided to let the subject drop. He wondered if the sparrows were still doing their work. As he chewed he opened his mind to them and was relieved to sense them nearby.

  ‘Bart. That you on the back of the wagon?’ Denise thought.

  ‘Yes,’ replied Bart.

  ‘We’re tired,’ Louey thought.

  ‘Please keep going. It’s my only hope of being rescued,’ thought Bart.

  ‘All right,’ thought Denise. ‘Come on, Louey.’

  ‘Hey. You all right?’ said the man to Bart. ‘You’ve gone all weird looking.’

  ‘Sorry,’ said Bart. ‘Been a big day.’

  ‘I guess you’re wondering why we nabbed you, and where we’re going?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Bart eagerly.

  ‘Can’t tell you. Not allowed.’

  ‘Oh. Can you at least tell me your name?’

  ‘Measles.’

  ‘Measles? Isn’t that an illness?’

  ‘It’s a code name.’ He jerked his thumb towards the front of the wagon. ‘And hers is Tracey. So you don’t know who we really are, see.’

  ‘Hey, um, Measles,’ called Tracey from the front of the cart. ‘Pass the water.’

  ‘Sure, Wanda,’ replied Measles, and then his face froze. ‘Whoops.’

  ‘Nice one, Gronk,’ called Tracey/Wanda.

  Measles/Gronk slapped his thigh. ‘Dang! I got mixed up. Sorry. But why’d you use my real name?’

  ‘’Cos you used mine!’ said Wanda. ‘It’s not fair if he knows my name but not yours.’

  ‘I guess,’ said Gronk and threw the water-skin towards the front of the cart. ‘Ah, well,’ he continued. ‘See, she drives and I keep a lookout in case anyone’s following us.’

  ‘What if someone is?’

  ‘Then I stop them rescuing you.’

  ‘How?’

  ‘With this,’ he said, pointing to a sword beside him, ‘and this.’ He pointed to an axe next to the sword. ‘And these.’ He pointed to three apples next to the axe.

  ‘You’d offer them an apple?’

  ‘No, I’d throw them.’

  ‘Wouldn’t rocks be better?’

  ‘Yes, but you can’t eat rocks. And I’m pretty sure no one is following us.’ He picked up an apple and took a big, crunchy bite. ‘Want one?’

  ‘Thanks,’ said Bart. Gronk handed him an apple and he took a big bite. He wondered if he should tell him that he wasn’t the Prince. Would that make things better or worse? If they realised they had got the wrong person, would they let him go, or kill him? In spite of the sword and the axe, Gronk didn’t seem like the killing type, but on the other hand he and Wanda had already attacked him, kidnapped him and kept him tied up in the back of a wagon for many hours.

  ‘Why do you think I let you sit up here?’ asked Gronk.

  Bart shrugged. ‘You felt sorry for me?’

  ‘Nah. I�
��m not like that.’

  ‘You wanted to make sure I was all right, so you won’t get in trouble?’

  ‘A bit. Also, I’m bored. Sitting here looking backwards isn’t as glamorous as it sounds, you know. You, er, you know any stories?’

  ‘Stories?’

  ‘Yeah. How ’bout you tell me one? I like stories, and in my line of work you don’t get to hear many.’

  Bart often made up stories for Dani in the evening, and enjoyed it. Telling one to Gronk would both pass the time and distract him from worrying about what was going to happen to him. ‘All right,’ he said.

  He was about to start, but then he thought of Dani. If she were here, she would tell him that if he did something for Gronk, he should make sure that, in return, Gronk did something for him. ‘Wait. What’s in it for me?’

  Gronk looked thoughtful. ‘How about, if you tell me a story, then I won’t hit you on the head again.’

  ‘It’s a deal.’

  Chapter 9

  An Uneasy Alliance

  Dani awoke with the sun, ate and drank, and set off. Her legs were stiff, but she forced herself on, following the hay trail. Occasionally she passed someone going the other way, but now that she was far from the city, the track was nearly deserted. She had been going for some time when she heard the sound of hooves behind her. She turned, and her eyes widened. It was Prince Edward. He was on a pony, and next to him was a soldier on horseback. Dani felt a surge of anger. It was Edward’s fault that Bart had disappeared. If he hadn’t forced Bart to ride his horse, then . . .

  She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She had to work out how to play this to her advantage. What was the Prince doing here? Could he be searching for Bart, too? She stood in the middle of the track and waited. When Edward got closer, he pulled up his pony and stared at her. ‘Dani,’ he said suspiciously.

  ‘Your Highness,’ replied Dani. ‘Are you looking for my brother?’