by Maria Burke
‘But what about poor old Pod? We can’t leave him alone on a deserted island with some crazy eagle warlord.’
‘I could tell you many terrible things about Eyrie Island. But it’s a long story. And I don’t want to waste any more time talking here. I have a duty to report you to the Abbot. You must accompany me to his quarters right now.’
CHAPTER 7
Grinwick
Kerry and Simon were escorted by Grinwick, the Giant Eagle, through a series of narrow passageways. They emerged out onto a small, open air deck. A rugged island was clearly visible from where they stood looking out over the sea. It had three peaks and was surrounded by jagged cliffs. It looked grey and desolate. Grinwick knocked on a cabin door with his sharp beak. There was no reply.
‘The Abbot must be at vespers,’ said Grinwick, ‘and he doesn’t like to be disturbed during prayer time so we’ll have to wait.’
‘That must be Eyrie Island,’ said Simon, gazing out across the waves. ‘It looks like a bleak sort of place.’
‘Yes and you can just see the Abbey from here between those two jagged peaks at the eastern end of the island. That’s where Red Beak lives with his Queen.’
‘What was it like when you lived there?’
‘Oh, it was beautiful back when I was young,’ said Grinwick. ‘At that time it was a peaceful island well known for its learning and the writings of the ancient monks. My father was a friend of the chief of the island, Coleman Cooley. He was a good leader and a kind and wise man. He came from a long line of fair and just chieftains. His descendents live on the island to this day. Now, of course, they’ve been banished from their towns and villages and forced into the caves by the Giant Eagles.’
‘But you’re a Giant Eagle too,’ said Simon.
‘Yes, I’m a Giant Eagle and proud of it. Most Giant Eagles are quiet creatures who live in seclusion. We lived for centuries in harmony with the islanders. That is until Red Beak came along.’
‘I thought that Giant Eagles were extinct.’
‘Many people think we’re extinct but we’ve survived, hidden in the huge rock crevices on the island. We have always got on well with the people there. In fact, the people were very good to us and protected us from the outside world.’
‘So what happened to Red Beak?’ asked Simon.
‘When I was a chick, the Giant Eagle population on the island started to grow. Red Beak was a fledgling but even at a young age he was greedy for power. He started creating mischief on the island. He attacked the farming community, raided their fields and destroyed their crops.’
‘But why didn’t anyone stop him?’ said Kerry.
‘Coleman Cooley, the chieftain, was such a peaceful man that he did little to stop Red Beak. I suppose he never believed that an eagle could gain control of the island. As the years went by Red Beak grew in power. He terrorised the islanders and the monks who lived in the Abbey. Most of the people got fed up with the situation. They gathered their possessions and emigrated. Those who stayed fled to the massive underground cave system on the island. I’ve heard that they’ve built a town down there at the edge of an underground lake.’
‘And what happened to the monks?’ Kerry asked.
‘Finally, the monks had to leave the island too. After that, Red Beak crowned himself king. Later he discovered that another eagle colony existed on a southern island called Iolathar. He went there to visit and returned with his bride, Kiki. She was crowned queen and they made the Abbey their palace. Since then he has ruled the island in a reign of terror. He has raised an army of vicious hit men. He is capable of turning against his own most loyal friends on a whim. None of them are safe. I have many friends and even family members working for Red Beak against their will. They live in constant fear for their lives.’
‘But why don’t they stand up to him?’ asked Simon.
‘It’s not easy. Red Beak has got squadrons of secret police. Nobody knows exactly who they are. They spy on members of their own families and turn their friends in if they don’t agree with Red Beak’s policies. Then they’re thrown in prison where they are tortured and brainwashed into Red Beak’s philosophy.’
‘What is his philosophy?’ Kerry asked.
‘Eagle Power,’ said Grinwick. ‘Red Beak claims to have supernatural powers. He says his eyes can see through walls. He wants to raise up a tribe of Giant Eagle descendants who have powers like him and who will rule the world.’
‘Eagle Power,’ cried Simon. ‘He’s crazy if he thinks a bunch of eagles are going to take over the world. Is nobody going to stop him?’
‘It’s not that simple. His spies and secret police tell him who is about to betray him. They know everything. They also keep control of the seas around the island. Many people call it the Sea of Sorrows. Only eagles are allowed to cross over to the island. Passing ships often lose passengers who get lured into the whispering waves. They disappear forever.’
‘What happened to the chief of the island and his family?’ Kerry asked.
‘They say that Coleman Cooley and his wife and son were murdered by Red Beak, along with most of his family and chief officials.’
‘But that’s terrible. Red Beak is truly wicked. And I feel so sorry for the poor monks. It must be awful to be banished from their towns and villages to this floating monastery for the rest of their lives.’
‘Well it’s supposed to be a secret,’ said Grinwick. ‘The monks want to keep it that way. They don’t mingle with the passengers. They live down here in the hull of the ship and take paying passengers to support themselves. The money is also used to help the cave dwellers on the island. They often deliver food and clothes to them on the lifeboats at night-time. But, of course, the monks hope to go back to the island and reclaim their monastery. We all pray that someday a great leader will come to face Red Beak and his cronies and break his tyranny over Eyrie Island.’
‘What I can’t understand about all this is why Pod’s feathers are so valuable,’ said Simon. ‘Nobody has ever come looking for his feathers before.’
‘Feathers are very valuable to Giant Eagles,’ said Grinwick, ‘especially such rare, royal-blue feathers! Red Beak’s wife, Kiki, is very beautiful. But she is a vain and proud creature. She comes from a royal family of Great Eagles. To gain her hand in marriage Red Beak convinced her family that he has true blue blood in his veins. They believe that he ascended as an heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Eyrie Island. He told them nothing about his wicked coup. He’ll be hoping that the royal-blue feathered cloaks will keep his wife happy. Then he’ll give cloaks as gifts to her family. He is constantly looking for an opportunity to impress them and to keep his Queen at his side. Many times she has threatened to leave him. The ruling couple are well known for their tempestuous relationship and their frequent arguments.’
‘We’ve got to do something fast,’ said Simon.
‘No, you will stay here until the Abbot comes back,’ ordered Grinwick. ‘He will be the one to decide what should be done.’
‘It may be too late by the time the Abbot comes back,’ argued Simon.
‘Yes Grinwick, you’ve got to help us,’ pleaded Kerry. ‘It’s your island and your loved ones that are being controlled by that brainwashing Eagle King. How long are you going to let this go on for?’
Grinwick sighed. ‘You don’t know what you’re getting into. Red Beak has five thousand dangerous and vicious eagles in his army. You don’t want to tangle with them. It’s time to forget about your friend Pod. Maybe Red Beak will let him go as soon as he’s got enough feathers.’
‘I’m not letting those savages pluck poor old Pod alive,’ said Simon, shaking his fist in the air. ‘He’d never survive it. I will not leave here without him.’
‘Shhhh! Keep your voice down,’ said Grinwick. ‘I’ve told you that Red Beak has his spies everywhere.’
‘Well how would you feel if you were plucked alive?’ challenged Simon.
Grinwick hung his head and was at a loss for something to say.
Simon had already jumped onto the railings and was preparing to dive.
‘No,’ said Grinwick. ‘The waters are treacherous. You’ll never survive. And I will try to help you. I’m working for the Abbot. He’s a good and wise man and I believe he’s got a plan to deal with Red Beak. Wait and talk to him. Vespers will be over in two hours.’
‘I’m not sitting around here for another two hours. Now is the time to deal with Red Beak before anyone else around here goes missing!’
‘Wait! Wait! I’ll carry you to the island.’
‘What?’
‘There’s a strong sea breeze blowing towards the island today. I can carry you there.’
‘Then you’ll have to take me too,’ said Kerry.
‘OK, OK. But first I’ll take Simon. You wait here,’ said Grinwick.
He flew up and grasped Simon’s shoulders firmly in his mighty claws. Lifting him high into the air, he soared out over the Sea of Sorrows. Kerry marvelled at the size of the bird as he flew. She figured that he must have a wingspan of at least seven feet. She saw him drop Simon on a sandy beach in the distance and then return to the ship.
Before she knew it Kerry herself was in the eagle’s clutches, gliding high over the blue sea, looking down over the whispering waves. Soon they reached Eyrie Island. She saw that it had a rugged coastline and many tall cliffs. At one end of the island two jagged peaks were visible rising up from a lofty mountain range. The Abbey lay nestled in the foothills between them. A single peak dominated the other end of the island. The beauty of the view from beneath the eagle’s wings took Kerry’s breath away.
Grinwick flew low over a long, cliff-lined, sandy beach and began his descent. He dropped her beside Simon who was keeping out of sight under a shaded rock face. The eagle led them to a narrow crevice in the tall cliff. They climbed through and inside found a long tunnel, which wound its way through the rock. Simon struck a match and lifted it over their heads. Kerry could see that the tunnel was deep and wide and glistening in dark red marble. Water dripped from a domed ceiling into still pools along the path. Grinwick led them through a series of lofty caverns all banded in glimmering red and white marble.
‘This is amazing,’ said Simon.
‘It is an ancient underground route to the Abbey,’ said Grinwick.
‘Did you say that the island has a massive cave system?’ Kerry asked.
‘Yes, the entire island is a warren of natural caves of great beauty. There has been a tradition of people living in the caves going back to ancient times. But we eagles generally keep away from the caves. We can only use the widest ones. Most of us are terrified of enclosed spaces. We were born to live in the air, not underground. And this is as far as I can go.’
Grinwick had paused at a narrow point in a long cavern. Its floor sloped steeply downwards.
‘Where are we?’ asked Simon.
Grinwick pointed at a jagged crack in the rock at the end of the cave.
‘Go through and you will find a passage that will take you to the Abbey, the home of the Great Red Beaked Eagle,’ whispered Grinwick. ‘This is where I leave you. Keep going straight ahead and you will come to some cellars. Go through them and you’ll find a stairs that will lead you straight to Red Beak’s Great Hall. Now I must go. I’ve taken enough risk by just bringing you here. I wish you Godspeed. And I hope you find your friend the owl. I will return now to tell the Abbot that I brought you here. Perhaps he will send the Messenger to help you.’
‘What messenger?’ Simon asked.
‘The Messenger … haven’t you heard of him?’
Simon and Kerry shook their heads.
‘They say that the Messenger comes from an ancient and distant realm. He has great power and has always been a guardian and protector of the monks. It is widely held that he has walked the earth since the dawn of time.’
‘Since the dawn of time!’ exclaimed Simon.
‘Yes. Many don’t believe in the Messenger. But I have seen him with my own eyes. I’ve heard that the Abbot has been talking to him in recent times. There are fresh hopes that he will break the tyranny of Red Beak and his henchmen. But now I must hurry. Let me warn you again that Red Beak is dangerous. There’s no limit to his trickery.’
‘Please do us one favour,’ said Kerry. ‘Will you tell our friends the swiftails that we are here? And ask them to follow us. They are waiting for us on the top deck of the Ark of Dun Ruah.’
Grinwick nodded and left them. Kerry and Simon were alone under the great Abbey of Eyrie Island.
CHAPTER 8
Kerry and Simon in the Abbey
Kerry and Simon made their way through a chain of narrow tunnels until they found themselves in the musty cellars of the Abbey. They came to a heavy wooden door that Simon pushed open. Beyond it stood a narrow staircase. They climbed the stairs to a large cellar filled with caskets of wine. At the end of the cellar stood a wide staircase that was flooded with shafts of natural light, falling from above.
‘Follow the light,’ said Simon.
They crept up the long staircase, into the brightness, through a vaulted hallway that led straight to an open door. Kerry and Simon stood looking through the doorway into a magnificent dining hall adorned with dazzling chandeliers.
‘I expect this must have been the place where the monks ate their daily meals,’ said Kerry, ‘and now it’s been converted into a great banquet hall.’
A huge ornate fireplace stood before her on the opposite wall. There was an arched doorway on her right. Narrow windows, placed high up on the stone walls above the doorway let shafts of coloured light through their stained glass. The room was also lit by small crystal lamps, recessed in little alcoves. Two high thrones stood side by side on the left side of the room. They were very elaborately carved and gilded in glittering gold. The room was filled with dark wooden furniture and the walls hung with tapestries.
‘What a stunning room!’ Kerry exclaimed. ‘It looks more like a palace than an abbey.’
They crossed the room and stood before the two large thrones.
‘These are perches for eagles,’ said Simon pointing at a metal bar on each seat.
‘The largest throne must be for Red Beak. The smaller one is for his wife.’
The sound of flapping wings brought their inspection of the room to an abrupt end. A breeze blew up the dust around them. It was coming from the open doorway through which they had entered. Simon scanned the room for somewhere to hide. A small door near the fireplace caught his eye. Grabbing Kerry by the arm, he rushed over and opened the door. They slipped through it and quietly closed the door behind them.
Kerry and Simon hurried down a stone corridor towards a descending staircase. When they reached the bottom they found a little scullery and off it stood a large kitchen. Just as they were about to enter it they heard the sound of some creature shuffling around inside. There was a clatter of dishes and then the sound of voices.
‘Hurry up with the owl’s lunch,’ said a voice, ‘And give him plenty to eat. Red Beak has sent orders to fatten him up.’
‘It’s nearly ready,’ replied another voice. ‘I’ll take it straight down to the dungeons, sir.’
‘Then get a move on!’
More shuffling sounds came from the kitchen and then a door slammed.
‘After him,’ whispered Simon.
They darted into the kitchen and through a door at the other end. They could hear the eagle scratching the floor ahead of them with his sharp claws as he moved down the corridor. Simon and Kerry followed him to a stone stairway and descended it into a dark passage.
Now they heard sounds approaching them from behind.
‘Quick, get behind those bags,’ said Simon, pulling Ke
rry behind some soft brown sacks stacked high on the passage floor. They crouched down behind them.
Scraping and scratching sounds echoed across the floor. Heavy and raspy breathing filled the air. Another door was slammed. Kerry felt a sweat breaking out on her forehead as the scratching sounds moved closer. Suddenly, she felt a cold rush of air above her head. She looked up and screamed.
A Giant Eagle hovered above them. He was peering down at them with searing red eyes.
‘Run,’ cried Simon. He picked up a brown sack and threw it at the eagle. The bag burst as it hit the bird and smothered it in flour. The stunned eagle fell to the floor in a great cloud of white dust. There was nowhere for Kerry and Simon to go but back up the stairs. They could hear the eagle screaming behind them.
They rushed on back to the kitchen and into the corridor beyond it. In her hurry, Kerry panicked. She lost her footing on the old flagstone floor and tumbled headlong into a hanging tapestry. To her shock, it gave way. She fell through the tapestry and landed on the floor of a small, dark room. Simon followed close behind her. He pulled the tapestry back into place behind them. They retreated from the doorway into a dark corner and crouched silently in the shadows.
Then they heard the sound of a great flapping of wings along the corridor and the echoes of eagles crying out. With a powerful rush of wind they felt the surge of a great flock of eagles passing the tapestry door. Kerry and Simon waited until the sounds died down.
It was evident that the room in which they found themselves was once a monk’s cell. It was small and bare with whitewashed walls and a simple flagstone floor. Above them were dark wooden beams. A single window was set high up under the ceiling, way above their heads. It let a narrow shaft of light into the room. Simon climbed up onto the only piece of furniture in the room, a tall wooden table. From here he jumped onto the window ledge. He opened the window and looked out.
‘It’s just big enough for us to get through,’ he said, ‘but you’ll have to climb up here to the window, Kerry. We can run across those lawns and find cover under the trees beyond. Come up and see for yourself.’
