by Maria Burke
‘Miss Kerry Macken and her friend … ahem … Dot,’ he announced.
The Mayor was sitting on a red sofa at the top of the chamber with a tall, silver-haired lady at his side. He jumped to his feet as soon as he saw Kerry and bounded across the room to greet her.
‘At last you’re here. Well done, my girl. I thought you’d never make those final adjustments. Especially when I put on that bit of extra weight last week! Show me my lovely new coat and let me try it on. But where are my manners? My dear Kerry, I want to introduce you to my very special guest. I’ve been telling her all about your work. President Lumina, this is my talented designer Kerry Macken.’
The tall, silver-haired lady rose with great dignity from the sofa. She was wearing a stunning full-length, gold-sequined dress.
‘I’m delighted to introduce you to one another,’ said the Lord Mayor. ‘Lady Lumina is the President of the Land of Fire. She is waiting to get the first glimpse of my new coat.’
‘It’s great to meet you, Kerry,’ said President Lumina. ‘I’ve been hearing all about the coat you’ve made for Frederick. And I know you based it on the theme of fire. It sounds divine. Try it on, Frederick and let’s have a look at it.’
Kerry took the bright red coat from its wrapping and helped the Mayor into it. With great fuss, the butler was ordered to wheel in a full-length mirror. Kerry did up the buttons and straightened the shoulders and collar. Then they all peered into the mirror.
‘Wow! It’s beautiful, Kerry, absolutely top class,’ proclaimed President Lumina.
‘It makes me look younger,’ cried the Mayor.
‘Yes and thinner,’ President Lumina added while the Mayor blushed.
‘I love the fiery reds you’ve used and, look, this gold stitching shimmers like real flames. It’s so detailed. Quite exquisite! This is certainly an extraordinary talent you have, dear child. I simply must get you to make one for me too. Sometimes I have four or five functions to attend in a day and I’m always looking for talented designers to come up with a new image for me. Why don’t you visit me in the Land of Fire? You could design an entire new wardrobe for me. I would pay you handsomely, of course, and give you a very good time. What do you say?’
‘Well, thank you, Lady Lumina. I’m very honoured. But do you mind if I think about it?’ Kerry asked.
‘What’s there to think about? I know you’d love it! If Frederick can spare you for a few months you can leave for my home in Fire City next week. There’s nothing to worry about. All your expenses will be covered.’
‘I’d love to go, but the problem is that I have a younger brother. He’s just a schoolboy and I can’t leave him here on his own.’
‘Then bring him with you,’ insisted President Lumina.
Simon was fighting his way through the crowds that had filtered into St John’s Cathedral. He was still searching for the man with the hooded cloak. The monks were chanting and it was difficult to see anything in the flickering candlelight. He was just about to go back outside to rejoin Kerry when he spotted the man in the grey cloak ahead of him. People were filing into the pews but the grey-cloaked man was making for a side aisle. As the crowd suddenly parted, Simon found a way through and darted after him. The man took a right turn into a side altar and skirted the railings behind it. Simon followed. He was curious to know why an almost extinct bird would attack a man in such a savage way. He also wondered what kind of power the man possessed that was strong enough to overpower a Giant Eagle.
The man in the grey cloak stopped abruptly. It was as if he knew what Simon was thinking. He turned to face him and suddenly reared up to a great height. He stared down into Simon’s eyes. A deep hood still shaded his face. But Simon sensed that the man was warning him to keep his distance. Penet rating green eyes flashed from under the dark cowl and bored into Simon, almost piercing through his skull. A wave of fear coursed through his veins causing his head to spin. He staggered into a pew and righted himself in time to see the man vanishing behind the side altar. Simon rushed after him and jumped over the altar railings. He scanned the area. There were no doors or windows visible, only stone walls towering up on each side. The man had vanished.
Then light breeze brushed his face. Something landed on his shoulder.
‘What are you doing hiding behind here?’ asked Timmy. ‘I’ve been looking for you everywhere.’
‘You nearly gave me a heart attack,’ said Simon. ‘Did you see the way that man disappeared? He was standing here right before my eyes one moment and the next he was gone. I can’t find any trace of him.’
‘You’ve got to come with me to the town hall right now,’ pleaded Timmy. ‘No more chasing after disappearing men. Kerry is relying on you. This meeting is important to her, to both of you.’
Casting a final look around the altar in the hope of catching one more glimpse of the man with the green eyes, Simon tore himself away from his quest. He followed Timmy out of the church. St John’s Square was still deserted but Simon felt he was being followed by hidden eyes. He paused to take a final look at the gargoyles on the cathedral walls.
‘Timmy, can you see something red flashing behind those carvings?’
‘It’s probably just reflections from the Fire Fair.’
‘No. There’s something still up there,’ said Simon. ‘I think I can see eagles with red eyes. I have to find out what they’re doing here.’
‘There’s no time for this Simon,’ said Timmy. ‘Come on. Kerry really needs your support right now. I promised her I’d bring you straight to the town hall.’
Simon reluctantly gave in and followed Timmy to St John’s Square. The streets were filling up with merrymakers. Bonfires blazed in the distant hills. Flickering lanterns illuminated doorways and alleys. Along the streets flamethrowers and fire jugglers were displaying their skills.
A man on stilts suddenly leaned towards Simon. He was eating bright red flames and breathing out smoke that swirled eerily up into the night sky. A juggler tossed fireballs high into the air and spun them into kaleidoscopes of colour and light. Flamethrowers swirled batons of fire over their heads, then wove them between their arms and legs.
Just as Simon and Timmy reached the door of the town hall an enormous eagle engulfed in fire and smoke flew across the sky above them. It was followed by a menacing army of evil- looking birds. They swooped towards the crowds causing screams of surprise and horror. People scattered across the square, fleeing for cover.
‘Simon, come on inside,’ called Timmy.
Simon was relieved to see the butler standing at the open doorway, waiting to escort them to the Mayor’s quarters. His hair was tussled and his face was flushed with excitement as the butler showed them into the chamber.
‘Master Simon Macken and his friend … ahem … Timmy,’ said the butler.
‘Hello, Simon,’ said the Mayor. ‘It’s great to see you again.’
‘Simon, we’ve been waiting for you,’ said President Lumina. ‘What a handsome boy you are with your rusty head of hair. I was talking to your sister about a very interesting proposal. How would you like to travel to the Land of Fire on a business trip with her?’
‘What?’ Simon’s face lit up. ‘The Land of Fire, I’ve always dreamt of going to the Land of Fire. Is this true, Kerry?’
‘I haven’t decided yet,’ said Kerry. ‘There’s your school to think about!’
‘Don’t worry about school,’ exclaimed President Lumina. ‘Simon can study with my own children. And we have the best teachers. We’ll take good care of him.’
Kerry looked at her younger brother’s excited face.
‘But Simon would miss his experiments. He’s got some unusual stuff that he works at in our shed … it’s not exactly the normal sort of thing that boys do …’
‘He seems like a normal boy to me,’ said the Mayor. ‘What could be so unusual about his activities?’
‘I’m an inventor,’ said Simon with a grin.
‘But that involves experimenting
with home-made explosives in the garden shed,’ said Kerry. ‘He’s set it on fire several times and I know it wouldn’t be safe—’
‘But this is perfect,’ cried President Lumina. ‘We love inventors. We can teach him all about explosives and pyrotechnics in the Land of Fire. He’ll be right at home with us. We are at the cutting edge of fire technology.’
‘But it can be dangerous,’ said Kerry. ‘I’m always so worried that he’ll set himself on fire or blow our whole house up. He might destroy your home too and ruin the whole trip!’
‘Stop exaggerating Kerry!’ interrupted Simon.
‘Now, now my dear, don’t you worry about Simon. The Land of Fire is the safest place you could take a boy with such interests. At least with us he can learn to make explosions in a safe and controlled environment without creating any accidents. Why, he might even make a career out of it.’
‘Kerry, don’t you see’, said Simon, ‘this is the perfect opportunity for both of us. Open your eyes. If you want us to stay together and keep our home we’ve got to grab this chance. You said yourself we haven’t got enough to live on.’
‘I think we’d better settle this matter now,’ said the Mayor. ‘It’s time for me to open the World Fire Fair and I’m late already. The crowds are waiting.’
‘What do you say, Kerry?’ asked President Lumina.
‘Well, if you don’t mind Simon coming along …?’
‘I’ll be delighted to have Simon! Don’t give it another thought. Oh and Frederick, will you please make sure that my two new friends and their dear little birds are on board the ship bound for the Land of Fire on Monday night? It leaves from Corkscrew Harbour at midnight.’
‘Certainly, my dear,’ said the Mayor. ‘I’ll do everything in my power to get them there. They’ll have a wonderful voyage on board the legendary ship, the Ark of Dun Ruah.’
CHAPTER 3
Fireworks and Explosives
On the outskirts of Kilbeggin, in the foothills of the Purple Mountains, Macken Cottage nestled. The Swishtree Forest skirted the cottage garden and wrapped itself like a giant green scarf all the way around the town of Kilbeggin.
Every now and again a loud bang rattled the garden shed where Simon was working on his latest invention. He was in a hurry to get it finished before they set out for the Land of Fire. Timmy and Dot flew back and forth, helping Kerry to sort and pack their things for the journey. Another loud explosion from the shed sent Kerry running to the back door.’
‘Simon,’ she called. ‘What are you doing out there? Please don’t make me call the fire brigade again.’
‘Everything’s under control,’ Simon’s voice replied from the depths of the shed. ‘And I’m nearly finished. This is my best invention yet. Wait ’til you see my ‘Handy Matches,’ Kerry. I think I’ve got the formula right at last.’
Kerry shook her head. ‘I hope they cure him of his obsession with lighting matches in the Land of Fire. He can’t get much worse.’
‘Speaking of obsessions, has anybody seen Pod?’ asked Timmy.
‘Hiding in the forest, no doubt,’ said Dot.
‘But we still haven’t told him about our trip to the Land of Fire,’ said Timmy, ‘and we can’t leave him behind.’
‘He was right about those eagles though,’ said Kerry. ‘Everyone in Kilbeggin is talking about them. They’ve been raiding people’s gardens and sheds and causing so much trouble.’
‘Trouble,’ hooted a deep voice from the window.
There, perched high on a ledge, stood Pod with his thick crop of blue feathers gleaming in the moonlight and his amber eyes flashing.
‘I told you they were trouble. But you didn’t believe me. This Fire Fair is the worst thing that’s ever happened to Kilbeggin. All sorts of peculiar folk coming in here, poking their noses in our business! If it wasn’t for the Fire Fair those eagles would never have come here in the first place.’
‘Oh, Pod, we’re glad you’re home,’ said Timmy. ‘Have you heard the news? We’re all going to the Land of Fire.’
‘The Land of Fire!’ screeched Pod. ‘Is this some kind of a joke?’
‘Kerry has been invited there by President Lumina,’ said Dot, ‘to be her personal fashion designer.’
‘You’re out of your minds,’ said Pod. ‘What business have you going on a dangerous journey like that?’
‘It’s a great opportunity for Kerry to get her business started.’
‘But now is a terrible time to travel,’ said Pod. ‘There are dark and evil forces at work out there in the world. The swishtrees are moaning. I haven’t heard them moan like that since I was a boy. The signs are clear. Wicked things are stirring. Things I wouldn’t dare speak of.’
‘But it’s all arranged, and we were hoping you’d come with us,’ said Kerry.
Pod’s eyes began to twitch. ‘Then cancel it! This is not the time for foolish and risky adventures. You have no idea of the evil that is lurking out there.’
‘But we’re going on a ship,’ said Timmy. ‘You’ve always said that ships are the safest way to travel.’
‘Not in these troubled times,’ warned Pod. ‘Nothing and nobody is safe. And a ship is no place for an elderly owl like me. Ships are full of hungry rats and cats all vying to get their teeth into a tasty bird. No this is a terrible idea. Stop all this nonsense and stay at home in Kilbeggin.’
‘Our passage is booked,’ said Kerry. ‘President Lumina of the Land of Fire paid for everything. She has invited me there to design a new wardrobe for her. I have to earn a living, Pod. Simon needs to be fed and sent to school and I’ve had a lot of bills since Mom died last year. I’m barely able to make ends meet as it is. Without this trip we can’t afford to keep our home here in Macken Cottage. And I don’t want to sell it. It’s the only thing we have left!’
‘Go without me then,’ said Pod. ‘All of you. I’ll stay here where I belong.’
‘Please come with us, Pod,’ pleaded Kerry. ‘The Land of Fire is a beautiful place. It’s a land of opportunity.’
‘Opportunity,’ Pod snorted.
‘But we badly need a wise old head like yours to help us on our journey,’ pleaded Kerry. ‘We’d be lost without you, Pod, you know that.’
‘And what if those eagles keep tormenting you here?’ added Dot. ‘You’ll be stuck inside all alone every day, terrified out of your wits.’
Pod let out a huge hiccup and before he had a chance to recover himself Simon burst through the back door.
‘I’ve done it,’ he cried. ‘My matches are ready. In fact they’re perfect. And now for the demonstration you’ve all been waiting for—’
‘No Simon!’ cried Kerry. ‘The last time you did a demonstration in the house, you nearly took the roof off. It took us a whole week to clean up the mess.’
‘Don’t worry,’ said Simon digging into the rubbish bin and pulling out fistfuls of old food scraps and wrappers. He quickly packed them into the fire grate and took a large box of matches from his pocket. Flicking it open, he picked out a long, bright green match and struck it.
A mighty crack rocked the floorboards and a dazzling plume of green smoke burst from the match. Sending blinding flashes darting across the room, it swirled into the fireplace and hovered over the rubbish. A rapid series of sparks and flames shot out of the fireplace causing Pod to flee with a shriek into the rafters. A quick succession of bangs and snaps followed and an exploding stream of flashing emerald fireworks cascaded into the room.
‘Simon, I said no fireworks in the house,’ screamed Kerry.
‘Sorry. I couldn’t resist it,’ said Simon, calling their attention back to the fire.
‘Now here’s the important bit. Watch this!’
The kitchen rubbish popped and hissed. It then started to swirl in the grate. Plastic bottles shrivelled, newspapers fizzled and lumps of food shrunk into small nuggets that looked like dark green coal. Then a circle of yellow flames sprang from the coals and flared up into a glittering blaze. But, to
Kerry’s relief, within a few moments the whole thing quietly settled down into a warm, steady and well-behaved fire.
‘That fire will last for hours,’ said Simon, clapping his hands. ‘And it runs on every kind of rubbish. No need to buy any more wood or coal. It costs nothing and burns up all the old waste in the house.’
‘This must be magic or trickery!’ proclaimed Pod from the rafters. ‘Open the window or we’ll all be poisoned to death.’
‘Don’t worry,’ said Simon, ‘it’s science! I’ve been experimenting with gases for months and this one is perfectly safe. It’s a harmless eco-friendly gas that accelerates waste decomposition and transforms old rubbish into solid fuel. The result is a great long-lasting fire. It’s simple and cheap.’
‘It is a nice fire,’ said Dot, ‘but what about the other matches in the box here? They’re all different colours.’
‘See this white one,’ said Simon, pulling a tall, thin match with a long stem from the box. He struck the match and raised it over their heads. The match produced a white flame that crystallised into a solid beam of light that shone like a laser, projecting a powerful ray onto the rafters above them. ‘This one lasts for a few hours. It’s very handy if you can’t find a torch.’
‘It might be useful in a power cut,’ said Kerry. ‘You know, Simon, people might be interested in your inventions if you only got rid of the nasty fireworks that go with them. What sane person would allow a box of exploding matches into their house?’
‘You’d be surprised,’ said Dot. ‘That fuel-saving idea is a good one,’
‘They’ll love it over in the Land of Fire,’ said Timmy. ‘I think you’ll be fam ous. But show us what the other matches do Simon. What about these orange and blue ones.’
Timmy had perched himself precariously on the edge of the matchbox and was gazing closely in at the contents.
‘Hey, be careful Timmy,’ said Simon, waving him away. ‘Some of them are dangerous. They do all sorts of useful things. But they’re not ready. I need to do more work on them. There’s not much time left before we leave for the Land of Fire. And I want to bring my best inventions with me.’
