Wychetts and the Thunderstone

by William Holley

  “But not about the claw,” said Stubby.

  “Then what is that?” The Weather Vane swivelled to point at the large pincer-like appendage that broke the water’s surface.

  “That indeed looks most claw-like,” conceded Stubby. “Well done. I’d ask if you knew how many teeth it has, but I’ve a horrible feeling we’re about to find out the hard way.”

  “I shall fight the beast.” The Shield Maiden aimed her spear at the monster. “I shall defeat this accursed creature and regain the Key for the Guardians of Wychetts!”

  The Knucker dived before the Shield Maiden could launch her attack, taking the Wychetts Key with it. As the vast bulk disappeared beneath the surface, Bryony saw another shape darting through the water towards it. Much smaller and more human like, with scaly skin and a crown of gold tipped fins on its head.

  “That was the Nyx Queen,” said the Weather Vane. “She has survived and come to our aid.”

  Bryony heard loud groans and gurgling from below. The water around them heaved and broiled, and the tree rocked as though caught in a storm.

  “Watch it,” moaned Twisted Bough. “I’m too old to go white water rafting. Ruddy hooligans, the lot of you!”

  Bryony clung on to Edwin for fear he might slip into the water. Katya arched her back, digging her claws into the branch. The Shield Maiden hovered above them, her sharp blue eyes scanning the surrounding water while the groaning and gurgling continued.

  Then the groaning and gurgling stopped. The waters calmed, and the tree ceased rocking.

  Bryony looked questioningly at the Shield Maiden, who pointed with her spear.

  “Look, my girl!”

  A scaly head crowned with gold tipped fins had surfaced next to the tree. The Nyx Queen extended a scaly arm, and Bryony gasped with delight when she saw what those webbed fingers held.

  “The Wychetts Key!” She almost fell off the tree trunk in her excitement. “You took it from that monster?”

  “There was no need,” said the Nyx Queen. “The Knucker surrendered it willingly. It seems the boy’s bravery and faith has restored his trust in humanity.”

  The Shield Maiden lowered her spear. “And Grinny Greengums?”

  “Fled the fight.” The Nyx Queen could not disguise her contempt. “Slipped back into the dark mud from which she was spawned.”

  “Thank you.” Bryony took the Key from the Nyx Queen. “We owe you one.”

  “The Nyx are in your debt,” said the Nyx Queen. “I only hope we are not too late to save your fellow Guardian.”

  Bryony closed her hand around the Key. She felt the familiar magical tingle, and her spirits lifted at the sound of that deep cheery voice.

  “Young Mistress, I trust you are well?”

  “It’s not me you should be worried about.” Bryony held the Key over Edwin. “He absorbed the Rainbow Magic from me. It’s burning him up.”

  Inglenook examined Edwin, and his miniature metal face creased with concern.

  “Well?” Bryony’s throat had turned dry. “Is there anything you can do?”

  “I can draw the Rainbow Magic from him, Young Mistress. But I need you to act as a physical link between us.”

  “You will die,” purred Katya. “A second dose of Rainbow Magic will be fatal, even to a Guardian.”

  “Inglenook will protect her.” The Shield Maiden’s voice was firm with conviction. “He would never allow harm to befall a Guardian of Wychetts.”

  “And yet he led the girl straight into our trap.” Katya’s purring quickened. “He let her father be taken prisoner, he let the boy endanger his own life to save her.”

  “That was the Young Master’s decision,” said Inglenook. “Yet I can save him now if the Young Mistress agrees to help.”

  “And sacrifice herself in the process.” Katya’s green gaze locked on Bryony. “That’s what he wants you to do. Destroy yourself to save the boy.”

  “Don’t listen to her,” implored the Shield Maiden. “Inglenook will protect you, girl. You have to trust him, as Edwin does.”

  “But she doesn’t,” hissed Katya, her tail coiling in the air. “She knows his magic is weak. She knows he lies to her, as he has lied since the day she awoke his power.”

  Silence fell, broken only by the slapping of water and the rhythmic squeal of a rusty old Weather Vane.

  Bryony looked down at the Wychetts Key.

  Inglenook gazed silently back at her, his features seemingly as cold and unyielding as the iron in which they were wrought.

  Then Bryony heard a voice, but it wasn’t Inglenook speaking to her.

  “This is not about you,” said Stubby. “Or Inglenook, or Wychetts. It’s about the boy.”

  “The bravest of boys,” gulped the Nyx Queen. “The boy who risked everything to retrieve the Wychetts Key.”

  “And then risked all again to save his fellow Guardian,” said the Weather Vane.

  The Shield Maiden smiled at Bryony. “The boy who trusted you to do the same.”

  Bryony took hold of Edwin’s hand, and winced when she felt his skin burning in her grasp. She knew what he was going through: the raging inner fire, the swirling sea of colour closing in all around. He was being consumed by the Rainbow Magic, his body and soul withering in the heat of its power.

  She could save him, with Inglenook’s help. But could she trust the Keeper of the Ancient Wisdom to prevent the Rainbow Magic burning her up as well?

  She felt the Key tingling in her hand, as though in response to her unspoken thoughts. And then a voice, echoing deep in her head.

  Believe.

  Bryony knew there was nothing else for it.

  She had to believe.

  Just this once.

  A surge of heat travelled through her, flowing from Edwin’s hand to the Key. Bright colours swirled all around, and her head thumped with pulses of pain. She feared she might pass out, but held on to the Key, held on to Edwin’s hand and took strength as she felt his fingers tighten around hers.

  That voice again.

  Believe.

  The swirling colours flared brighter as the thumping pain intensified. Bryony gritted her teeth, trying to convince herself that the pain would pass.

  And then it did, melting away as the swirling colours faded to reveal a boy’s freckled face smiling back at her.

  “You did it,” whispered Edwin. “You believed.”

  Bryony looked at the Wychetts Key, which now glowed with dabs of multi-coloured light.

  “The Rainbow Magic has been absorbed,” announced Inglenook. “You are both free from its power.”

  Bryony and Edwin smiled at each other, but were too exhausted to speak.

  “I knew you would succeed,” said the Shield Maiden.

  “Never in doubt for one moment,” agreed the Weather Vane.

  “Wish I could say the same,” said Stubby. “But I’ll admit you children never stop surprising me one way or another.”

  In contrast there was an angry hiss from Katya. “You got lucky, Guardians. But this is only an illusion of triumph.”

  “What happens next, Inglenook?” Bryony held the pulsing Wychetts Key at arm’s length. “Now you’ve got all the Rainbow Magic, so how are you going to get rid of it?”

  “By using it.” The cheery tone returned to Inglenook’s voice. “I think there is a bit of clearing up to do.”

  Bryony knew what he meant, and held the Key above her head.

  “This is where I must take my leave,” said Katya. “My emergency transport has arrived.”

  A tatty black bird with a balding head flew down to circle the floating tree.

  “You took your time,” groaned Twisted Bough. “I’ve been in the water so long I’ve gone wrinkly.”

  “You started off wrinkly,” croaked Dawes. “I’ve seen smoother skin on a fossilised prune.”

  Whilst Twisted Bough continued to grumble, Dawes swooped over Katya and dangled a length of cord from his clawed feet.

  “Until we meet aga
in.” Katya looked at Bryony as she grabbed the cord with her front paws. “And next time you’ll wish the boy had let you burn.”

  Dawes flew upwards, lifting Katya from the tree.

  “Oi,” shouted Twisted Bough. “Don’t I get a lift? You can’t leave me here. Elder citizens should get preferential treatment. Hey, come back…”

  Bryony watched Katya’s departure, but then a gasp from Edwin drew her attention elsewhere.

  Beams of multi-coloured light radiated from the Wychetts Key. Bryony heard splashing, and saw circular ripples forming on the surface of the surrounding water. It looked as though it had started raining, but the sky was blue and cloudless.

  Then she saw the first raindrop, then another and another. But there was something odd about them. She couldn’t figure out what, but Edwin had already worked it out.

  “It’s raining upwards!”

  At first Bryony didn’t believe him, but on looking more closely she saw her stepbrother was right.

  The rain droplets were going up. It was raining in reverse.

  “That is incredible,” gasped the Weather Vane. “I have never seen the like in all my long life.”

  Stubby nodded. “The scientists are going to struggle to pin this one on global warming.”

  “The elemental balance is restored,” said Inglenook. “The Rainbow Magic is being dispersed back into nature.”

  Clouds formed in the sky as the upwards rain intensified. The lying waters receded, revealing a landscape of green fields around them.

  As the last few drops of water returned to the heavens, Bryony felt another wave of magic flow through her. She held on to Edwin’s hand as a warming white light enveloped them both.

  And then there was just the ugly old tree in a field, standing on its branches with its withered roots pointing at the sky.

  “You can’t leave me here like this,” groaned Twisted Bough. “It’s undignified for a tree of my age. Honestly, there’s no respect!”

  Chapter 29- An Alternative Arrangement

  “Rock cake, anyone?” Val offered a plate of biscuits to her guests. “I made them myself.”

  Bryony reached out to take one, but withdrew her hand on spotting a subtle head shake from Edwin.

  “Suit yourselves,” muttered Val, taking a seat between the children at the table. “But I’m more than ready for a bite to eat.”

  “That’s the problem,” said Edwin. “You can’t bite them.”

  They were sitting in Val’s immaculate garden. There were a few wispy clouds, but it had turned out to be a pleasantly warm afternoon, a welcome contrast to the three weeks of rainstorms preceding it.

  Shattered from their experiences that day, both Bryony and Edwin were grateful for a chance to relax before returning home. And Val, now back in the shape of a little old lady, was more than happy to oblige them.

  “What a day that was,” she sighed, pouring tea for her guests. “Still, a nice cuppa will soon put things right.”

  Edwin peered guardedly at the dark brown brew in his teacup. To be honest, he’d sooner try his chances with the Nyx Queen’s Marsh Brew.

  “Help yourself to sugar,” said Val. “I seem to have got all my spoons back.”

  “It would seem everything is as it should be.” The Wychetts Key lay on the table next to Edwin, Inglenook’s miniature metal face glinting in the sunshine as he spoke. “Order has been restored to the world.”

  Edwin smiled, but he noticed Bryony didn’t react the same way. She stared glumly at the table, her downturned lips unmoving.

  “I can’t take all the credit,” said the metal cockerel in the umbrella stand next to the table. “And must acknowledge the part played by others in my success.”

  “Very gracious of you.” Stubby had been happily nibbling on a napkin, but looked up to glare at the Weather Vane. “And for my part I’d like to say what a pleasure it’s been working with both you and your ego.”

  “We saved the world together,” said Val, looking at everyone around the table. “All of us.”

  “That is true,” gulped a voice from the flowerbed. “And you have the eternal gratitude of the Nyx people.”

  The Nyx Queen had risen from the sewer, her crown of golden fins glinting in the sunlight as she bowed her head respectfully.

  “All of them?” asked Edwin. “Is the Council on your side again?”

  “The people’s trust for their monarch is restored,” beamed the Nyx Queen. “The only regret is that our enemy Grinny Greengums has escaped justice. But she did leave something behind, which I shall now return to its rightful owner.”

  The Nyx Queen extended a scaly arm towards Val, presenting her with a set of pearl white false teeth.

  “My proper dentures!” Val squealed with delight and clapped her hands like an excited child. “I’m glad to see those again. My emergency pair is nowhere near as comfy.”

  Val took the dentures from the Nyx Queen, then put her fingers in her mouth. Edwin closed his eyes and blocked Bryony’s view with his hand. There was a horrible squelching sound, and then Val spoke again.

  “A perfect fit. Thank you.”

  Edwin opened his eyes and saw the old lady grinning from ear to ear.

  “Have you any idea where they’ve been?” Edwin was unable to hide his revulsion.

  “They do taste a bit fishy,” conceded Val. “But just the thing for rock cakes.” She picked up a rock cake and bit right through it.

  “Your parents have been returned to Wychetts,” the Nyx Queen advised Edwin. “As I promised, they are completely unharmed and will remember nothing of their experience.”

  “Thank you.” Edwin felt no mistrust towards the Nyx Queen now.

  “I must take your leave,” gulped the Nyx Queen. “I have a kingdom to govern. One day perhaps we shall meet again, but for now I will say farewell to the Shield Maiden, the Weather Vane, and the Guardians of Wychetts.”

  “And what about me?” huffed Stubby.

  The Nyx Queen bowed her head again. “And their vole. Farewell.”

  The Nyx Queen slipped back into the sewer. There was a soft splash from below, then silence.

  “Do you think we’ll see her again?” wondered Edwin.

  “I hope so,” said Inglenook. “Although the Nyx remain shy creatures, I believe they are now more trusting towards humankind.”

  “And now I too must depart,” said the Weather Vane.

  “You?” Stubby blinked his black button eyes at the metal cockerel. “You’re as likely to depart anywhere as that rotary washing line.”

  “I’ve changed,” said the Weather Vane. “As you can see.”

  The Weather Vane had been polished and had his spindle straightened, but Edwin didn’t notice the biggest transformation until the metal cockerel moved away from the table.

  “You’re mobile.” Edwin pointed to the little wheels attached to the bottom of the umbrella stand. “How did that happen?”

  “A little show of thanks on my part,” revealed Inglenook. “After the Weather Vane told me he no longer wished to return to his steeple.”

  “I thought I knew everything.” The haughty tone fell from the Weather Vane’s voice. “But today I learned so much more by experiencing life myself. I thank you for that, Guardians of Wychetts, but now I must see more of the world.”

  “Good on you,” said Edwin. “But do you think it’s safe to travel on your own?”

  “I will not be alone,” said the Weather Vane. “The lovely Jemima has agreed to accompany me.”

  “Jemima?” Edwin saw the umbrella with a duck head shaped handle in the stand with the Weather Vane.

  “I knew they’d hit it off,” chuckled Stubby. “Two bird brains together.”

  “So adieu!” The Weather Vane trundled out of the garden, with Jemima beside him in the mobile umbrella stand. “And thanks for everything.”

  Edwin smiled as he watched the metal cockerel depart. “I think I’ll miss him in a way.”

  “Me too,” said
Stubby. “He didn’t turn out so bad after all.”

  Edwin turned to smile at Bryony, but she was staring into space.

  “I’m fine.” Bryony responded to his questioning look. “Just tired, that’s all.”

  “I’m not surprised,” said Val, after demolishing her second rock cake. “You’ve both been through the mill today. It will take a while to get over a dose of Rainbow Magic.”