So much had happened that he knew that no matter how exhausted he was, there was no way he would be able to fall asleeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzz . . .
Dani tried to touch Potjer as little as possible. At first she had had to put her arms around his waist to keep her balance on the horse, but as the hours went by and she got used to the rhythm of the animal’s movements and felt more confident, she was able to firstly loosen her grip and then let go entirely and instead hold the sides of the saddle. She spoke little to Potjer, and less to Edward. She had told them about the hay trail and, about every two hundred paces, they kept seeing pieces.
As it was starting to get dark, she spotted a piece of hay at the mouth of a side track leading off to the left into the forest. She pointed it out and they turned off the main track onto the narrower one. A little way along they found another piece of hay.
‘Let’s stop here for the night,’ said Edward.
‘But we might be near,’ replied Dani.
‘Or we might not be,’ said Edward. ‘And even if we are, it’s nearly dark. Much better to get there when we can see what we’re doing.’
‘Except then it’ll be easier for them to see us.’
‘Yes, but if we keep going in the dark we might miss a piece of hay and lose the trail,’ responded Edward. ‘We camp here.’ He pulled up and dismounted.
Dani was itching with frustration. All he’s doing is trying to put off the moment he has to face danger, the coward.
Chapter 11
Tied to a Tree
Bart awoke to the sound of birds twittering. He rubbed his eyes, looked around and wondered why his back didn’t hurt. Every morning, for as long as he could remember, he had woken with a sore back, courtesy of his thin mattress. Now he felt as if he were floating. He lay there, remembering everything that had happened. Today, Randling would remove the spell that blocked his animal powers.
He dressed and was about to leave the room when he remembered the sparrows and tried to sense them. They were in a tree near the cottage.
‘Hello,’ he thought.
‘About time,’ thought Louey.
‘We laid the trail all the way here,’ thought Denise.
It still amazed Bart that he could talk to them. ‘Thank you so much. Are you going home now?’
‘Nah. We decided we kind of like travelling,’ thought Louey. ‘It’s fun. We’re going to keep moving. You okay, kid?’
‘It’s all turned out all right. Thanks again and goodbye.’
‘So long,’ thought Louey and Denise in unison.
Bart wondered if anyone was following the trail of hay. If Dani had somehow managed to escape and do so, things would work out perfectly. They would both be free.
He tried to open the door. It was locked, so he knocked. Almost instantly it was opened by a tired-looking Gronk.
‘Good morning,’ said Bart.
‘Well, it’s morning, anyway. Breakfast?’
‘Yes, please.’ Bart went to move through the doorway but Gronk stayed where he was, blocking his path. ‘Best if you eat in here, then Lord Randling will meet you in the living room.’
‘Sure,’ said Bart, stepping back. Gronk shut the door and Bart thought he heard a key turn. But why would they need to lock him in?
Soon Gronk returned with a tray of fresh fruit, fresh rolls and fresh jam. Even the plates looked fresh. Bart ate until he was full and then, because it was the best breakfast he had ever had, stuffed himself a bit fuller. When he had finished he knocked on the door. Again, Gronk opened it almost instantly.
Bart gave him a look that he hoped suggested that he had had breakfast and was ready to go.
‘Have you had breakfast?’ asked Gronk. ‘Are you ready to go?’
When they reached the sitting room Lord Randling was pacing up and down. He motioned for Bart to sit.
‘You and Wanda go ahead and make sure everything is ready,’ he said to Gronk.
As Gronk turned to go, Bart smiled at him, but Gronk looked away and hurried off.
‘So, Bart,’ began Randling. ‘Today is the day I will remove the blocking spell, and you will become the person you were meant to be.’
‘Are you a wizard?’ said Bart.
Randling smiled. ‘No, but I have some knowledge and tools that will enable me to heal you. When your powers are restored, we can think about helping Dani, but this morning we must move quickly. The removal of the blocking spell must be done outdoors and the temperature, the wind, sunlight – all must be just so. Luckily, at the moment, conditions are favourable, so let’s get going. We must perform the procedure at the top of the hill. I promise I will tell you more after you are restored, and we can talk as we walk. Is that acceptable?’
‘Yes, fine,’ Bart replied, feeling a little off-balance, but also excited.
Randling led Bart out of the house and across the clearing where a narrow path, just wide enough for two people to walk side by side, disappeared into the trees up a hillside. It was a warm, sunny day and Bart marvelled at how good it felt to be walking in the forest, with no buildings in sight. It was the first time he had ever done it.
‘Bart, can I ask you about the King’s son and heir, Edward? What sort of a person is he?’
‘Why?’
‘You will understand soon, I promise. What do you know of him?’
Bart remembered how Edward had threatened to hurt Midnight in order to force him to ride her. ‘He’s, um, not the nicest person.’
‘Is he a leader? Is he strong?’
Bart shrugged. ‘He was scared to ride a horse.’
‘Not brave then.’
Bart shook his head.
‘Popular?’
‘Not very, for a prince.’
They walked on, climbing higher.
‘Why are you helping me?’ asked Bart.
‘Because what happened to you was wrong, Bart.’
‘But lots of things in the world are wrong. Why are you going to all this trouble for me?’
‘It will all become clear very soon, I promise.’
‘Can you at least tell me how you rescued me? How did you know I’d be riding around the castle on the Prince’s horse?’
‘At my request, Miss Bertha has been keeping an eye on you for some time. She found out you would be spending your free afternoon on the grassy bank behind the stable, and sent a pigeon with a message to Gronk and Wanda. They were waiting outside the city with a wagon. They entered the city, and then the castle, pretending they were delivering hay to the stable. They spied on you, looking for an opportunity, and saw you exchange clothes with the Prince and set off riding around the castle. They picked a secluded spot and knocked you off your horse. I am sorry about that. Unfortunately, there just wasn’t time to stop and explain things to you. They had to be quick. They hid you under the hay and left.’
Bart was impressed. ‘Wow.’
‘They’re very good. Ah, here we are.’
The path ended at a clearing on top of the hill, from which Bart could see out over the huge expanse of forest surrounding them. On the far side of the clearing was a chair facing a tree. Next to the tree was a rope, some straps, some clear tubes, and Gronk and Wanda.
‘It doesn’t look too impressive,’ said Randling apologetically, ‘but it works. To remove the spell that’s blocking you, we need to be up high to harness the power of the air and the sun. I will connect myself to you and draw the spell out, much as someone might suck venom out of a snake bite wound. Understand?’
Bart nodded. ‘I think so.’
‘I know it’s a lot to take in, but trust me and soon you will be healed.’
He led Bart to the tree. ‘Firstly, I must connect you to the tree so that you stay still. To remove the spell, we need to harness powerful forces, and it’s important that you don’t move during the procedure. If we became disconnected h
alfway through it could be dangerous.’
‘How dangerous?’ asked Bart.
‘Don’t worry, it’ll be fine. Just put your hands by your sides.’
Randling took Bart lightly by the shoulders, manoeuvred him so his back was against the tree and grabbed the rope. ‘I am so envious of you, Bart, and those wonderful powers you’ll soon have.’
Randling stood in front of the tree and Gronk behind it, and they passed the rope around and around both Bart and the tree, gradually securing him to it from his chest to his ankles.
‘I’m sorry, my boy, but this is just to keep you safe.’ Randling passed the cord once more to Gronk, who tied it to a branch.
Randling tested that the rope held Bart firmly and then stepped back.
Bart tried to move but he was held fast. Suddenly, he realised how powerless he was.
Wanda handed Randling a cup, and he held it in front of Bart. ‘This is a potion,’ said Randling. ‘Drink it, and then I can remove the blocking spell.’
‘What’s in it?’ asked Bart nervously.
‘Just tree roots, berries and leaves. It’s a natural concoction.’ He held the cup to Bart’s lips. ‘It might not taste the best, but it will do the job.’
Bart kept his mouth shut, uncertain.
‘Bart,’ said Randling. ‘I have gone to great trouble to rescue you. Gronk and Wanda risked their lives. I want to help you, but you have to trust me.’
Bart eyed the cup doubtfully.
Randling looked high over Bart’s shoulder. ‘Oh no. Clouds are coming. We don’t have long. The procedure must be done in sunlight.’
Bart twisted his neck but couldn’t see where Randling was looking.
‘Quickly, Bart. Drink,’ urged Randling.
Bart licked his lips and nodded. Randling tilted the cup so that the contents ran into Bart’s mouth. The liquid tasted of dirt and zucchini, and Bart hated zucchini, but he shut his eyes and gulped it down.
Randling stood back, smiling, but it was a different type of smile.
‘Now, let’s get on with the draining,’ said Randling. His voice was different, too. It had lost its warmth and friendliness.
‘Huh,’ was all Bart could manage.
‘My dear boy, is that the best you can do?’ Randling’s tone was mocking, even nasty.
Bart’s head was whirling. He didn’t know what was going on, but he knew it wasn’t good. He tried to pull his wrists and ankles free, but they were held fast. ‘What’s happening?’
‘It’s simple, my boy. You have powers, and I want them. So I’m going to take them from you.’
‘H . . . how?’
‘I’m going to suck them out of your mind. Unfortunately, when I’m finished you won’t have much of a mind left.’
Bart started to panic. ‘You said you were going to help me.’
‘Yes, well, I needed you to trust me and tell me all about your powers and how they worked, so I could prepare my own mind to receive them. I didn’t want to blow my head off, did I? I’ve practised by draining animals, but you can’t be too careful. I needed you to drink my potion willingly, too. Force-feeding is difficult.
‘And you told me lots of other useful things about the King and Prince Edward. Of course, Bertha has been reporting to me, but it’s nice to get confirmation that her slow poisoning of the King is actually working.’
Bart’s eyes widened. ‘You’re making the King sick?’
‘Well, technically, the poison is making him sick.’
‘But why?’
‘Many years ago, my boy, the King did me and my family a terrible wrong. Up until now, I haven’t been able to do anything about it. But when I drain your mind, I will be able to shape the powers you have and use them to control people, and then I can act.’
‘But can’t you do it another way? Maybe I could help you?’ pleaded Bart desperately.
Randling held up his hand. ‘I don’t really trust other people anymore. Better to have the powers myself. Now, there’s no point me telling you anything else, because in a few moments your mind will be completely empty.’ Randling smiled. ‘Sorry.’
‘You don’t look sorry,’ said Bart.
Randling picked up one end of a tube and closed in on Bart.
‘Wait!’ cried Bart. ‘What you said about Dani not being my sister. Was that true?’
Randling paused. ‘If this is going to be your last ever thought, then it’s not going to be a happy one. That was true. She’s not your sister.’
Suddenly, Bart felt tired and foggy. He wanted to lie down, but the ropes held him to the tree.
‘Ah, the potion is working,’ said Randling. He held up the tube and Bart saw a spike at its end. He tried to curl away from it but there was nowhere to go. Randling took the spike around the side of Bart’s head and he felt a sharp prick just below his ear.
Randling stepped back and sat in the chair that faced the tree. He carefully uncoiled the tube, found its other end, which also had a spike, and slowly inserted it just below his own ear.
Randling stared into Bart’s eyes. ‘Goodbye, my boy, and thank you for this wonderful gift. Even though you give it unwillingly.’
Bart stared back at him and then, suddenly, it was as if Randling was rushing into him. He cried out. He could feel Randling inside his mind, searching, grabbing, taking his knowledge, his feelings, his memories. It was all leaving him. Bart felt as if his very self was rushing out of him and into Randling.
Everything was going fuzzy. Bart tried to remember where he was and what was happening, but every second it became more difficult. He had to try to hold on to something. His name. He knew he had a name. He opened his mouth to say it. What was his name? He knew he should know, but he didn’t.
And then he didn’t even know what a name was.
Eventually, Randling stepped back, beaming. ‘Oh yes,’ he said. He pulled the tube out from below his ear and dropped it.
Gronk looked closely at Bart, who stared ahead, blank-faced. Gronk waved his hand up and down in front of his eyes. Bart didn’t react.
‘Is he all right, then?’ Gronk asked.
‘Goodness, no,’ replied Randling. ‘He’s empty. Dispose of him.’
‘Dispose?’ repeated Gronk uncertainly. ‘But he’s no danger to you now.’
Randling turned sharply towards him. ‘He was never any danger to me. Take him out into the forest and kill him. There’s virtually nothing left of him, anyway. It’s the kindest thing we can do. Otherwise, he’ll just wander about until he starves.’
Gronk hesitated.
‘Do it!’ ordered Randling.
Slowly, Gronk removed the tube from Bart and untied him, as Wanda collected the equipment. When Bart was free, Gronk took him by the arm and led him to the far side of the clearing.
‘Don’t be too long,’ said Randling, and then headed back down the track towards the cottage, Wanda behind him.
Gronk watched them go and then led Bart into the trees and down the other side of the hill.
Chapter 12
An Extremely Good Shot
Dani woke first, and immediately felt that they had wasted time. She roused Edward and Potjer and tried to hurry them to get ready. Soon they mounted up, Dani once again sitting behind Potjer, and they followed the hay trail along the track through the forest. Gradually, the track became more overgrown and bumpy, but it was still wide enough for a wagon.
They continued until, all of a sudden, they rounded a bend and emerged into a clearing. On its far side stood a stone cottage and a wagon full of hay.
‘Turn around, quickly,’ Dani whispered to Potjer in front of her.
‘Me or the horse?’ asked Potjer.
‘All of us!’ hissed Dani.
‘Your Highness, should we . . .’ began Potjer, but Edward had already whipped his pony about
and was heading back the way they had come. Potjer and Dani followed. They retreated a little way along the path and then into the forest, where they stopped and dismounted.
‘Bart’s probably in the cottage, along with whoever abducted him,’ said Dani quietly.
Edward shifted uneasily, but said nothing.
‘We have to investigate,’ pressed Dani.
‘Well, maybe some of us should investigate,’ said Edward nervously.
‘That wagon must be the one Bart was in,’ said Dani.
‘We can’t be sure of that,’ said Edward cautiously. ‘But it is a wagon.’
‘I also thought it looked like a wagon, your Highness,’ added Potjer.
‘It’s full of hay,’ said Dani, beginning to get frustrated. ‘It must be the one he was in.’
Edward looked around, as if for a plan. ‘Hmmm,’ he said.
‘I agree with his Highness,’ said Potjer.
‘Bart must be in the cottage,’ said Dani.
‘Not necessarily,’ said Edward.
Dani forced herself to stay calm. She had to keep Edward and Potjer on-side. They had a much better chance of rescuing Bart if they worked together. ‘You’re right, but it’s likely he’s being kept prisoner in that cottage. Yes?’
Slowly Edward nodded.
Potjer looked at Edward and then also slowly nodded.
‘I’ve got an idea,’ said Dani. ‘Fire.’
Edward eyed her suspiciously. ‘Fire?’
‘We can’t just walk up to the cottage and knock on the door. And attacking it without knowing who’s inside, or what weapons they have, would be stupid. Whoever’s in there has already got into the castle, kidnapped Bart and got out again, so we know they’re dangerous. If we light a fire, they’ll come running out and we’ll be able to see what we’re up against.’
‘But what if we burn the forest down?’ asked Edward. ‘What if we burn ourselves down?’
‘I’ll light the hay in the wagon,’ explained Dani. ‘It’s in the middle of a clearing and away from the trees, so the fire won’t spread, but it will get their attention. We’ll hide in the bushes and when they come rushing out then . . . then . . . then we’ll work out what to do next. Maybe we can get into the house without them seeing us, or we can overpower them. At the very least we’ll know how many there are, and what they look like, and we’ll have destroyed their wagon.’
The Twins of Tintarfell Page 7
