Sacred Wind: Book 2

by Andy Coffey

  Chapter 22 – So it would appear that the outcome is not decided

  As he began the long walk back to Llangollen, Cracky tried to piece together the events so far. Blacktie was obviously interested in the mine, and it did seem a little coincidental that he had a readily-prepared contract waiting for Agnar’s signature. Claiming that he wished Sacred Wind to enter the competition for his own altruistic reasons was undoubtedly a lie. It was the mine he was after; but why?

  The motive for kidnapping the Queen was less clear. Cracky had been told that she was certainly not overawed by the Baron when they had met at The Sheep’s Stirrup. She had been typically courageous and had put in him in his place, following his lewd suggestions towards her and her friends. Blacktie certainly couldn’t abide defiance, and there were many who had suffered quite ghastly fates for rubbing him up the wrong way. But this was the Queen of the Faeries we were talking about. No, this was more than simply taking revenge for an act of impertinence. Blacktie would know for certain that the band’s plans to travel to Chester for the tournament would be thrown into disarray, with them potentially abandoning the trip. And then the mine would be his. But why take such a risk? Blacktie may have been many things but he wasn’t a fool. The mine obviously held a secret of great import.

  Theo was still awake when Cracky walked into the Diner, although Captain Marmaduke and Half-blind Ron were curled up fast asleep. ‘You don’t have to tell me what’s happened, Cracky. I’ve been picking up your thoughts for the last five minutes or so. I hope you’re not offended.’

  ‘I thought as much,’ said Cracky. ‘I am still sensitive on occasions and I noticed your presence, but, no, I’m not offended in the slightest.’

  As Cracky slumped wearily into a chair, Theo jumped up on his knee, much to Cracky’s surprise. ‘I’m still a cat, Cracky. If you stroke me it’ll make you feel better, trust me.’

  Cracky smiled and did as he was advised. ‘We’re missing something important and I can’t put my finger on it, Theo. The mine is obviously a big part in this, but I sense there’s something else.’

  ‘I agree. The Prophecy is coming together and perhaps that is a good place to start, “Four great warriors will face a challenge from an evil Baron in a city far away”.’

  ‘What’s the next line?’

  ‘From memory I think it was “because he desired their cheese”.’

  ‘Well, let’s go and confirm that,’ said Cracky. ‘I’ve not been in the loft in a long time and there are some very interesting books up there.’

  Cracky returned from the loft with two very old books. One was a copy of The Prophecy, which was already open at a particular page, the other he simply placed on the table next to them. ‘I think that you’ll find this edifying,’ he said to Theo, pointing at the page in question. ‘Which version of The Prophecy do you have?’

  ‘I believe it was one of the later editions. Why what do you have there?’

  ‘This is THE 1st edition. It was my father’s. Look at this paragraph here.’

  He placed the book on the floor so both he and Theo could see more clearly in the light. ‘It says “The evil Baron will despatch his spies and capture the faerie queen, who will be betrothed to one of the warriors. He will challenge them to take part in a great tournament, lest she be left to suffer at his hands and be subject to his wind! And, if the warriors lose, the Baron will also win the right to their cheese. And, if this happens, he will gain power beyond imagining”.’

  ‘I’ve never read that section,’ said Theo.

  ‘You won’t have. For some reason it was removed from the 2nd edition onwards.’

  ‘It’s uncanny,’ Theo said, scratching behind his ear. ‘This passage seems to be describing the very times we are in.’

  ‘Indeed,’ replied Cracky. Now I’ll read the next bit and then I need to show you something in the other book over there. Right then, “They”, which I think means the four great warriors, “will gather with them friends willing to join their quest to win the tournament, to win freedom for the land, to save the faerie queen, to be able to fart freely, and to win the right to their cheese. Together they will be known as the Companionship of Wind!”.’

  ‘Are you aware that Aiden actually asked the Baron to grant The Sheep’s Stirrup an unlimited flatulence license?’ Theo said.

  ‘Yes, Oldfart told me. Now, listen, there’s more. “They will gather up supplies and weapons and set sail down the great river in a boat with a mighty dragon at the helm. They will face many dangers on the way, unspeakable terrors and some particularly dodgy curries, yet they will reach the city in time for the great tournament”.’

  ‘How does it end?’ asked Theo.

  ‘That’s it. There’s no more.’

  ‘So it would appear that the outcome is not decided,’ Theo said. ‘This is not the first time the passages in The Prophecy leave fate to write the final chapter.’

  ‘So it would appear. Now, let me show you the other much older book.’

  Cracky wiped a considerable layer of dust from the book’s cover and put it on the floor. The letters on its ancient, leather cover were barely legible. ‘This is possibly the most ancient book on cheese in the world,’ he said, carefully turning the parchment pages. ‘It once belonged to an evil wizard called Scratchy Crotch, and although there is no signature of authorship it is likely he wrote it. Look at this map here.’

  Theo stared at the map, recognising the topography immediately. ‘This is a map of North Wales, Chester and the Wirral.’

  ‘It is indeed. Do you see these small circles dotted about?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘These are cheese mines. And beneath each mine is written the type of cheese contained within it. This one near Mold is Orange Tummywarmer; this one near Wrexham is Blue Bottomgrabber; this one near Chester is Green Kneetrembler… and this one near Llangollen…’

  ‘That’s near the Circle of Wind. It’s Agnar’s mine.’

  ‘Yes. And can you make out the type of cheese written below it?’

  ‘Does that say “Ceridwen”?’ Theo said, turning and looking directly at Cracky.

  ‘It does. You’d expect it to say Red Cheekfizzler, as that was the last known cheese mined there. But it clearly says “Ceridwen”.’

  ‘I’ve heard of that cheese, but I thought it had long since been extinct. I also remember reading that it was called something like “The Cheese of Pleasant Dreams”.’

  ‘Your education for one so young is noteworthy, Your Highness,’ Cracky said, smiling. ‘But, other than having soothing and pleasant properties, it has never been known to be particularly magical.’

  ‘So why would the Baron be after a mine containing Ceridwen’s Cheese, if all it’s going to give him is a warm glow all over and some calming dreams?’

  ‘He wouldn’t,’ Cracky replied. ‘There’s a missing piece of this increasingly enigmatic puzzle that we need to discover. But one thing is for certain, we’ve got to convince the band that, irrespective of the Queen’s untimely abduction, they MUST travel to Chester for the music tournament, and they MUST go in Ethel.’

  ‘Absolutely,’ Theo agreed.

  ‘Right,’ said Cracky. ‘We better get some sleep, Your Highness. There are only a few hours until dawn and I feel we’ll need all the rest we can get, given what’s likely to be ahead of us.’