by Maria Burke
‘Maybe he doesn’t know how weak Pod is,’ said Kerry.
‘Alright Kerry,’ said Browdan, ‘I’ll go to him on your behalf and tell him that you are asking for him.’ Then he left them.
Later in the morning Malachy called to the town hall to enquire about Pod.
‘Oh, I knew you’d come,’ said Kerry rushing to meet him. ‘I knew you wouldn’t desert Pod.’
‘Kerry, you must understand there are things I can’t interfere in. Pod needs you to be there for him. And the islanders need me. They have a great burden of work to do. They need my help even more than Pod does. Trust me.’
Kerry hung her head.
‘Where is Browdan?’ said Malachy. ‘I’ve got something to give him.’
Browdan was already standing at Malachy’s side.
‘While we were moving the Ark of Dun Ruah from the ruins of the old chapel’, said Malachy, ‘I found something that I know you will treasure.’
He held out his closed fist and opened it. Browdan gasped to see his father’s sapphire ring glittering in its radiant blue glory. It was the chieftain’s ring that had been handed down through generations to his father. Coleman Cooley had always worn it until Red Beak had prised it from him at his death.
‘I found it on the chapel floor under the pulpit. I saw it fall from Red Beak’s talon just before he fell.’
The dazzling deep blue stone lay sparkling in Malachy’s hand.
‘Take it and treasure it,’ Malachy said, giving the ring to Browdan.
‘Think of your father while you wear it. This stone has passed from chieftain to chieftain of this island from ancient times. It is your inheritance. And it is a symbol of a greater treasure, that of true wisdom. You have been blessed to inherit your father’s wisdom and knowledge. This ring is a symbol of the treasures within you. Guard them and nurture their goodness. You will make a great chieftain, Browdan.’
Browdan took the ring from Malachy’s hands and just as he slipped it onto his finger Pod stirred in Simon’s arms. They all gathered around him.
Pod opened his amber eyes and rested them on his little group of friends. ‘So you all went off and left me alone in the woods with Red Beak’s terrible army,’ he said. ‘What kind of friends are you?’
‘I’m so sorry, Pod,’ cried Kerry. ‘It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have let you out of my sight. And I should never have brought you on this trip in the first place.’
Pod’s bright eyes smiled at Kerry.
‘Then I wouldn’t have gotten the chance to be a hero. It wasn’t your fault, Kerry. I’m just a tired old owl. My wings aren’t what they used to be. They just gave up. But don’t worry about me. It’s time for me to go to the Ocean’s End and rest.’
‘But, Pod, you can’t leave us now,’ cried Kerry. ‘And why are you talking about Ocean’s End?’
‘Ocean’s End is a great place for old owls. There are miles of open skies for me to glide through and peaceful forests where I can regain my strength. I’m hoping to get a fresh pair of wings. Don’t worry about me. I’ve got lots of friends waiting for me there.’
‘Then we’ll come with you,’ said Kerry.
‘No. This is something I’ve got to do on my own. It’s time for me to leave you at last. But I’m glad I got to spend so much time with someone as beautiful as you. I’ll always be your friend, Kerry, remember that. Keep me in your heart.’
Then Pod looked at Simon.
‘Take me to the old chapel on the cliff Simon. That’s a good place for me to fly to Ocean’s End. It’s time for me to go. We must hurry while I still have some strength.’
Simon lifted Pod onto his shoulder and although the owl’s coat was thick with layers of rich, blue feathers, his body felt light. Simon carried him through the streets of Coracle followed by his group of friends and many of the villagers. Soon they reached the ruins of the old chapel which had been ripped apart by the Ark of Dun Ruah. Already the ship had been hauled over to Coracle harbour by the monks and villagers. From the clifftop they could see them busily working on her restoration. There they all stood, clustered around Pod at the edge of the cliff, facing out over the sea.
Browdan came forward and stood before Simon and Pod. ‘We will always remember you for what you did, Pod. Your courage and bravery have been a huge blessing to everyone on this island. If it wasn’t for you we would be still living in the caves and hiding from the evil Red Beak. Thanks to the sacrifice you made for your friends, we have our beautiful island back. We’ll never forget you, dear friend.’
‘I don’t deserve this honour,’ said Pod. ‘In the short time I’ve been here I’ve grown to love this island. It was a small price to pay. Now I must go before my wings entirely fail me. Goodbye to all my friends.’
Then he looked at Simon. ‘Take care of your sister and of those two little swiftails. And be careful with the matches. How many times have I told you they’re dangerous?’
‘Oh, Pod, don’t leave us,’ cried Kerry. ‘Please, please stay. I can’t bear to say goodbye.’
Niamh placed a hand on Kerry’s shoulder. ‘Let him go, Kerry,’ she said.
Kerry reached out to stroke Pod’s breast. Then she looked into his amber eyes. ‘Goodbye, my brave friend,’ she said. ‘I’ll miss you so very much.’
Pod’s head had tilted to one side. His glittering eyes filled with golden warmth. Kerry saw a little flutter inside his breast and then he lifted his wings to fly. He glided out over the clifftop and hovered there for a moment looking back at his friends. Then he drifted out over the waves and flew into the distant blue horizon.
Instead of feeling sad, Kerry suddenly felt lighter. It was as if a heavy cloud had been lifted from her heart. The air grew sweet and crystal clearness descended over the clifftop. She could hear the sound of Pod’s hooting ringing across the heavens.
The little group stood gazing out over the Sea of Sorrows until the sun set. As they walked back to the town of Coracle, Kerry looked down over its calm blue harbour and at the people working there to bring the island back to life. The curse of Red Beak was broken, the water spirits were silent and the sea was at peace.
CHAPTER 28
New Beginnings
That night Malachy came to visit Kerry in the town hall. The villagers had worked hard during the day to repair the roof and make it comfortable for the night. Victory was sweet and peace reigned on the island but Kerry felt a deep sorrow in her heart for the loss of her friend Pod. She sat with Malachy high up on the town hall terrace overlooking the town of Coracle and the silent sea beyond.
Malachy told Kerry that the monks had made good progress on the restor ation of the Ark of Dun Ruah. The ship would be restored within a few days and ready to take her to the Land of Fire with Simon and the swiftails. Despite the great blow it had received hitting the chapel wall, the repairs it needed were quite minor. The Abbot had kindly offered to place a crew of his best seafaring monks at their disposal.
‘But I don’t want to leave the island without Pod,’ said Kerry.
‘Pod has gone on an exciting new adventure of his own, Kerry. And now it’s time for you to get on with your life.’
‘You don’t understand.’
‘Maybe I do understand something,’ said Malachy. ‘Would I be right in saying that you blame me for what happened to Pod?’
‘Why couldn’t you help him Malachy? I believe you could have healed him if you put your mind to it. But you didn’t want to. You just let him go. What’s the point in having all these miraculous powers if you don’t use them?’
‘I’m really a very simple man, Kerry. I’m a great lover of nature and I’ve learnt the discipline of keeping my eyes and ears open. I’ve studied the weather and the seas and the skies. I have trained myself to listen carefully to what the people and creatures of this planet tell me. I just watch. I know that Pod was happy to sacrifice himself for you and the islanders. It was his choice to give his life to save you. He choose to be a hero. And I know he is goi
ng to a good place now. It’s a place where he can rest and be restored!’
‘But why did he have to leave us?’ Kerry asked.
‘It was his choice Kerry.’
‘But I miss his voice.’
‘Keep his memory in your heart. You are a lucky girl to have a great future ahead of you. You have been blessed by the one who is much greater than all of us. Develop your gifts and use them the way God created you to use them.’
‘I wish I could just stay here with you and my friends. Why can’t we all stay together on this beautiful island?’
‘Things always change. Adventures end and new ones begin. Remember the words of the prophet who wrote:
Do not dwell on the past.
See I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.
The wild animals honour me,
the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the desert.’
‘That’s the same scripture we found in the Abbey,’ said Kerry. ‘It was written on the last page of the manuscript in the library! Pod read it to me. You knew it, Malachy! You were there.’
‘I was keeping an eye on you, my child. And I always will.’
‘Will you come with us Malachy?’
‘Your brother and your friends will be with you. The Abbot wants me to stay here to help the islanders with rebuilding their lives. And I will do that until the Great Creator of the universe calls me somewhere else. But don’t worry, child. This is not the last you’ve seen of the Messenger. There will be many more adventures. And remember, whenever you need me, Kerry, just whisper the words to the wind and I promise I’ll be there.’
‘I’ll miss you, Malachy. I’ll miss all my friends on this island.’
Malachy looked at her thoughtfully. ‘But now you must think about the future. What about that famous trip to the Land of Fire? President Lumina is waiting for you.’
On a clear blue morning the Ark of Dun Ruah was ready to set sail. Kerry, Simon and the swiftails were saying goodbye to their friends at the pier in Coracle when a flock of eagles appeared on the horizon and made straight for the village. Kerry saw that Queen Kiki was at the head of the flock. She quickly descended and alighted with her entourage before Kerry on the pier wall. She wore a silver crown of jewels in many colours and a long headress of black feathers.
‘I’ve come to say goodbye,’ said Kiki. ‘And I want to thank you for telling me the truth about my husband when you came to see me at the Lone Peak. I didn’t want to hear it at the time, Kerry. Sometimes the truth is the last thing we want to hear.’
‘You are a wise queen,’ said Kerry. ‘Will you stay here on the Isle of Dun Ruah and lead the colony?’
‘Red Beak is still alive,’ said Kiki. ‘He is hanging on by a thread. I’ve thought about leaving him and going back to my family but I can’t. I will stay loyal to him. It sounds crazy but I do love him still, Kerry. His power is broken and I will be there for him if he needs me. I hope that I can be a good influence on my husband if he recovers. And I’m sorry for all the pain he has caused you.’
Kerry reached out to embrace the Eagle Queen. ‘Where will I find you when I come to visit Coracle?’ she said.
‘In my Crystal Chamber, of course,’ laughed Queen Kiki, ‘on the Lone Peak Mountains. It is beautiful there, far more comfortable than the Abbey. And much more fitting for an Eagle Queen. You know, despite all the work we did to the Abbey, it was never suited to be a palace!’
‘I’ll see you at the Crystal Chamber then,’ called Kerry as she boarded the Ark of Dun Ruah with Simon and the swiftails. She gazed out over the Sea of Sorrows on the beautiful island where Browdan, Niamh, Coleman, Grinwick and all the birds and villagers of Coracle stood to wave them off.
As the ship sailed across the peaceful waters, Kerry thought she heard a faint hooting call above her. She looked up at the mast and she saw two amber eyes looking down. There was a flutter of blue feathers as the bird flew high up into the heavens and disappeared.
Then she remembered the owl’s last words.
‘I’ll always be your friend, Kerry, remember that. Keep me close to your heart.’
Protectors of the Flame
CHAPTER 1
Protectors of the Flame
Kerry sat at the window of Macken Cottage gazing out into the garden. She searched for some sign of her brother and wondered what was taking him so long. Her wide, blue eyes scanned the line of old oak trees that skirted the bottom of the garden where the Swishtree Forest began. Earlier she had seen the THING staring at her through the trees again. She was being watched, she was sure of it now. It was beginning to haunt her dreams.
‘Simon’s been gone for ages,’ she complained, drumming her fingers on the windowsill. ‘When I asked him to check the garden I didn’t think it would take this long!’
‘Maybe he found the THING!’ said Timmy.
‘That’s what worries me …’
‘Look there’s a light in the shed,’ cried Dot, darting onto Kerry’s shoulder.
They stared through the fading autumn sunlight at the flickering bulb inside the shed window. Something was wrong in there and Kerry knew it. A low rumble echoed around them like distant thunder. Suddenly, a rapid series of bright green flashes lit up the shed.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion hit their ears. The sky lit up. And a blaze of fire burst from the shed. The kitchen window cracked open. Beneath them the floorboards rocked. Shards of glass sprayed onto the counter top, shattering all over the floor. The kitchen dresser shook violently and collapsed, sending crockery flying in all directions. Cupboard doors flew open. Saucepans rattled across the room. Plates and cups smashed into tiny pieces.
Kerry and the swiftails were flung backwards by the force of the flying glass. Kerry hit the wall and a shelf piled with jugs and tumblers crashed down onto her head. Timmy and Dot flew up to the rafters trying to escape falling debris. Broken pictures and kitchen implements fell from scattered drawers and containers. Food tins clattered across Kerry’s limp body.
Then – silence.
With a loud moan, Kerry tried to free herself from the debris. She managed to push the fallen shelf off of her and raise herself to her knees. Drops of blood dripped onto the dusty rubble that covered the floor. She wondered where the blood came from. A heavy haze flooded across her brain and she swayed dangerously towards the floor. Through the fog she saw Timmy hovering before her. He fanned her face with his feathers. The soft breeze cleared the dust and the dizziness subsided.
‘You OK, Kerry?’ he said.
‘What on earth was that?’ she said as she struggled to free herself from the broken remnants of her kitchen.
‘The shed’s on fire,’ cried Dot. ‘Look out the window.’
Kerry turned to see scorching flames leaping up outside the gaping hole that had been her window.
‘Simon,’ Kerry yelled as she pulled herself onto her feet. She staggered to the back door and rushed towards the shed which was now completely engulfed in flames.
‘Simon,’ she screamed louder. She tried to get closer to the shed door. But a powerful blast of heat forced her back.
‘Keep back,’ came Timmy’s voice close behind her. ‘You’ll be burned alive.’
‘But Simon is in there. We’ve got to get him out.’
‘Kerry get back from the fire,’ screamed familiar voices. She turned to see two of her neighbours running up the garden path with buckets of water in their hands. It was Tom Dillon and his son John from up the road. They ran towards the shed and emptied their buckets in through the broken window. But the fire raged on with enormous flames ripping through the roof.
‘We’ve got to get Simon,’ cried Kerry. ‘He said he was going to check the shed.’ She lunged towards the blaze.
‘Keep back,’ shouted Tom Dillon grabbing her by the arm and pulling h
er away from the flames. ‘Do you know that there’s blood pouring down your face?’
‘Let me go, I’ve got to find Simon.’
‘Get back, Kerry. You’ll be burned alive if you go in there. The fire brigade are on their way. Let them do the job.’
‘But he’s the only family I have in the world. Let me go.’
Kerry struggled in Tom’s arms but he had a tight grip. She tried to shake him off but he held her fast. She could hear the sound of sirens in the distance. People were running up the road with more buckets. Within minutes the fire brigade were on the scene smothering the blaze with their powerful hoses.
‘Be careful,’ yelled Kerry. ‘My brother’s in there.’
‘We know what we’re doing, young lady,’ said the chief fireman. ‘Now keep away from the blaze.’
Within minutes the fire brigade had the fire under control. Soon the last flames were out. Thick black smoke rose from the ruins. Kerry held her breath while the firemen entered the shed to search for Simon. They picked their way through the charred remains of his equipment. At last, when she thought she couldn’t bear it any longer, the chief fireman emerged through the ruined doorway.
‘There is no sign of your brother in here,’ he said. ‘The place is burned badly but we’d definitely see his body if he was here.’
Tears of relief sprang into Kerry’s eyes. ‘Are you sure?’ she asked.
‘Yes and you need to get some medical attention. Let Mr Dillon take you to the doctor.’
‘I’m not leaving here without Simon.’
‘Maybe he saw the THING,’ said Dot. ‘And went after it.’
‘What THING?’ asked the fireman.
‘There was something in the garden,’ said Dot. ‘Simon went out to see what it was. It was watching us through the trees.’
‘What did it look like?’
‘I don’t know,’ Kerry answered. ‘Please help me! We’ve got to find Simon.’ She wiped her hand across her forehead and gasped when she saw that it was smeared with blood.
