Martha rubbed a comforting hand down Octavia’s arm as Bracken squeaked sadly from her perch on Martha’s lap.
When everyone had eaten, Queen Rhosyn issued a rainbow from her staff, and all talk immediately ceased. “The rescue party will consist of the Bloom children, Soren, Doran, Aurus and Conn—”
She broke off as she was interrupted by Bracken, who squeaked, “And me!”
The queen turned her luminous violet eyes to the small bunny and nodded. “Of course you may go too.” She then turned back to Soren and Conn. “Soren, I bestow to you one small rainbow beacon: it will alert only me to your location, if you should need backup. Conn – please contact Lysana and work with her to find a way to get in and save the companions.”
Soren took a small rainbow amulet from Queen Rhosyn, who smiled at Evony. “This was Princess Evony’s when she was a girl-fairy. I was always worried she would get lost in my woods, so this was my way of ensuring she could always call me if she needed me.” Evony exchanged a reminiscent look with her mother. “Just press on the stone in the centre, and it will send up a beacon only I can see.”
Soren nodded and placed the golden chain over his neck, tucking the amulet underneath his tunic.
Conn stood and bowed respectfully to the queen and king. “If I may, your majesties, I’d like to clean myself up and prepare for the journey ahead.” He held up a flat flower and added, “And send a message to Lysana.”
Queen Rhosyn stood. “Of course, Conn. Your information has proven invaluable. We will reconvene in the courtyard in one hour.”
With a wave for the children, Conn headed out of the room.
Evony turned to Felicity with a smile. “I would love you to show me your new archery skills.”
Felicity smiled back. “I would be honoured,” she said, standing and waiting for Evony to join her.
“Yes, Bloom children, go and stretch your wings – I mean legs,” Queen Rhosyn said with a quick laugh. “I will see you out in the courtyard shortly. Soren, if I may have a word?” she finished, looking at the fairy, who nodded in assent.
The children all followed Felicity and Evony from the room along with Doran, leaving the king and queen to their discussion with Soren and the guard. Octavia and Otto chattered to Bracken, taking comfort from the fact that she had been good friends with Ferren and Sage before they had become companions.
They came out into the bright training yard, and Felicity and Evony hurried over to the targets eagerly. Doran took Beatrice aside to work on her magic, so Martha took the opportunity to take out her great-grandfather’s book and dry its pages in the sunlight. They were still slightly damp from Nesrin’s deluge earlier.
Bracken hopped over, her whiskers twitching. “Oh, that looks like my auntie!” she squeaked, gesturing at a brown bunny on one of the crinkled pages.
Martha looked down with affection at the small rabbit. “These are drawn from the descriptions my Great-Aunt Clara gave my great-grandfather. Her squirrel companion, Rowan, told her all about the companions, and she would write little stories about them.”
Bracken clapped her paws together in delight. “How lovely!” Her eyes suddenly dimmed. “I hope we get them back. Imagine no more Key Keepers enjoying the special bond between them and their companion.”
“I know we will,” Martha said, bending down to stroke the tiny bunny’s back. “How many are missing? It was quite a small class, wasn’t it?”
Bracken nodded. “Yes; once the latest companion has been paired with their Key Keeper, ten new creatures are chosen to train and prepare for the possibility of becoming the next companion when the time comes. Until the Key Keeper nears their tenth birthday, no creature knows who it will be. The companion is carefully selected based on the Key Keeper’s character and traits.”
That made perfect sense to Martha; Octavia, who loved hide-and-seek, sneaking around, and eating crumbly biscuits, was the perfect match for Ferren, the bold little mouse.
“So that’s why it’s important we get them back – any one of them could become the next companion,” Martha said with understanding. “That means that besides you there are nine missing, along with Ferren and Sage?”
Bracken squeaked in agreement.
Martha looked down at the pencil sketch of the bunny and felt determination rise within her. She knew that along with her sister, cousins, and friends, they would get the creatures back.
“Martha, look!” Beatrice called over, shaking Martha from her thoughts. Leaving her book to dry in the sun, she joined her sister, Octavia and Otto.
Doran had been watching with interest as Beatrice worked with Octavia to combine their power. The colour coming from the wand was a beautiful, deep golden yellow. Bracken bounded over to stare at the pretty glow. She put up a paw and batted at the sparkles.
“Wait,” Beatrice exclaimed, horrified, “we’re still learning what our joined powers can do!”
Bracken withdrew her paw, but instead of looking sad at being told off, she gave a bounding somersault and did a loop of the yard. “I feel amazing – like I could do anything! Come on, let’s go and defeat Nesrin now!”
Felicity and Evony stopped their archery to look over bemusedly at the bunny, while the other Bloom children stood open-mouthed.
“Interesting,” Doran said. “It seems that this combination gives the recipient courage.” He stroked his long beard as he watched the bunny jump up and down at Martha’s feet.
Martha gave a laugh and bent to pick up Bracken. “That makes sense – Octavia is one of the bravest people I know.”
Octavia gave her eldest cousin a startled look. “Thank you, Matty,” she said in an awed whisper, her violet-blue eyes enormous.
“You’re welcome.” Martha smiled back as she stroked Bracken, trying to calm her down.
With a nod, Doran said, “Courage is a noble trait indeed, but we do not want to use it recklessly.” He looked significantly at Octavia, who gave him her trademark cheeky grin in return.
“What about mine?” Otto asked, holding out his hand.
Beatrice looked at Doran, who inclined his head. Beatrice took Otto’s hand and closed her eyes. The end of her wand glowed a beautiful deep copper.
Beatrice opened her eyes and said, “Any volunteers?”
Conn and Soren walked into the training yard at that moment. “Volunteers for what?” Conn asked. He had changed into a fresh tunic and trousers, and a short, shining crystal sword hung at his hip. His long blue hair had been tied off his face, and between his large wings nestled a quiver of arrows.
“We’re seeing what happens to Beatrice’s power when she links with me!” Otto told him enthusiastically.
Soren gave a good-natured grin and, holding up his hands, stepped back, leaving Conn in front.
“Thank you, friend,” Conn said dryly. But he gamely joined Otto and Beatrice and held out his hand. Beatrice directed the light over it, and watched apprehensively for Conn’s reaction.
“How do you feel?” Doran asked, as a slow smile crept across the large fairy’s face.
“I just feel really happy and optimistic, and I have this strong feeling that we’ll get the companions back safely,” Conn replied happily. “I haven’t felt like this for a while – being stuck in the Middling Market will do that to you.”
Martha shuddered as she remembered what a bleak and desolate place the Middling Grounds were.
“Optimism and faith – wonderful traits. You two will be great helps in keep spirits high,” Doran said, looking at the copper-headed twins.
Martha felt a swoop in her stomach at the thought of facing Nesrin in possibly another battle. She wished the dark fairy would give up her ceaseless pursuit of ruling Fairy Land. But Martha knew in her heart that Nesrin was never likely to do so.
“How about you, Matty? Want to give it a go?” Beatrice asked, more confident now that nothing had gone terribly wrong.
Martha forced a smile onto her face at her sister’s enthusiasm, and was about to place
her hand in Beatrice’s outstretched one when Queen Rhosyn and King Llyffant entered the yard with Aurus.
“It’s time,” the queen said.
Chapter Six
Smoke and Mirrors
Cegin bustled out behind the queen, floating packages and bottles in front of her. She directed them over to the children, who chorused their thanks as they grabbed them from the air and stowed them in their bags.
“That will start you off, but I’ve taught my son here a few basic food spells, so you won’t starve,” Cegin said brusquely, gesturing at Doran, whose cheeks turned pink with embarrassment.
Octavia giggled, and Martha was happy to see her young cousin forgetting her worry for Ferren for a moment.
“Don’t forget to use the rainbow beacon, should you need us,” Queen Rhosyn said to Soren. He bowed respectfully, and turned to embrace Evony and say his goodbyes.
“Farewell for now, Bloom children.” King Llyffant gave his slow, toad-like wink and settled his mottled-green-and-gold wings behind him.
Octavia and Otto grinned and bowed to the king and queen.
“I wish you luck, and please do not take any risks where your safety is concerned. Nesrin, as you know, is a tricky and formidable foe,” Queen Rhosyn said seriously, looking deep into Martha’s eyes before nodding at the other Blooms.
Martha picked up Bracken, who had calmed down considerably, retrieved her great-grandfather’s book, and tucked them both into her satchel.
Queen Rhosyn then used her staff to create a rainbow. “This will take you to Bloomsville, where you will collect your unicorns,” she said with a flutter of her wings. Waving to Evony, the children stepped onto the rainbow bridge with Conn, Soren and Aurus, and headed over the bridge.
Martha felt a swooping in her stomach as they all slid over the rainbow, landing in the town square of Bloomsville Village.
Soren gave his wings a shake and turned to the children. “I’ll go and collect the unicorns,” he told them.
Bracken popped her head out from Martha’s bag and looked around, her nose twitching.
“Maybe you should get out your compass to see which way we should be going,” Conn suggested to Martha, distracting her from watching Bracken’s ears blow about in the breeze.
Bracken wriggled into the bottom of Martha’s bag, her cottontail sticking up, causing Octavia and Otto to giggle. After a moment the little rabbit re-appeared, her tiny paw holding up Martha’s glass compass.
“Thanks, Bracken,” Martha murmured, taking the compass. The sunlight refracted through the glass, sending tiny rainbows shooting off in every direction. She stared down at the compass and thought about a safe way to get to Misty Marsh. Immediately, the golden point spun before settling on a direction that pointed towards the Union Tree, where Evony and Soren had got married last Christmas.
“That’s a different way from last time we set off,” Felicity remarked, nodding at the compass.
Conn gave a satisfied nod. “Yes, we need to avoid as much of the Middling Grounds as possible. Working undercover has allowed me to scope out the land, but Bloomsville fairies and creatures never usually venture past the Flower Fields – it is much too dangerous.” He stared into the distance, then continued, “At least we have your clever compass to lead us another way.”
“How did your friend Lysana come to work in Castle Astra’s kitchens?” Martha asked.
“We were both working undercover at the Middling Market when guards came from the castle, looking for servants to work at Astra,” Conn replied, placing a hand on the hilt of his sword. “Lysana was recruited, and has been spying on Nesrin’s activities ever since.”
Beatrice shuddered. “She’s very brave.”
“That she is.” Conn nodded, then turned as the sound of hooves clip-clopping across the square caught his attention. “Ah, here is Prince Soren with the unicorns.”
Octavia and Otto gave whoops of joy as they ran over to Xanthe and Oren, running their hands over the unicorns’ blooming yellow and orange coats, hugging them as if it had been days rather than hours since they had seen them last.
Smiling indulgently at her younger sister and brother, Felicity walked more calmly over to Emeraude and patted her neck before climbing up onto her back. Martha and Beatrice followed suit with their own unicorns.
“Are we all ready, then?” Soren asked as he flew up onto Ember’s back. Conn was busy reconnecting with his unicorn – a large mare with silver-grey blooms – but he looked up at Soren’s words.
“I believe Martha has discovered the way we need to go,” he replied, vaulting up onto his unicorn’s back. “Come, Arianwen,” he said, patting the unicorn on the neck and guiding her around.
Soren looked questioningly at Martha and she smiled, holding up the compass. “We need to head to the Union Tree,” she told him.
Soren paused, and Martha wondered if he was remembering his and Evony’s wedding day, when she had been kidnapped by Lord Riad. Then he gave a jerky nod and headed off towards the gigantic, magnificent tree, followed by the children, Doran, Conn and Aurus.
Martha stared up at the beautiful tree, noting its changes from the last time she had seen it; its branches were now covered in a myriad of colourful blossoms, which sparkled and glistened in the spring sunshine.
As the group trotted underneath the huge network of branches and around the massive trunk, a most tantalising aroma filled their nostrils.
“Oh, what is that delicious smell?” Otto asked, peering up through the flowering canopy.
Aurus breathed in deeply. “That is the fragrance of the spring blossoms – it smells like your favourite scent. I smell the earth and wood of Rhosyn’s Woods, where I was born. It makes you feel connected with Fairy Land and your place here.”
“I smell sticky toffee pudding!” Octavia announced, making the Bloom children laugh.
“That’s no surprise,” Felicity said with an indulgent smile. “I don’t know who loves it more – you or Rowan!”
There was a sudden silence at the mention of Great-Aunt Clara’s squirrel companion. The sparkle extinguished in Octavia and Otto’s eyes, and Martha thought they must be thinking of Ferren and Sage.
“I’m sorry, Tavi, I didn’t mean to remind you,” Felicity said helplessly, guiding Emeraude so she walked between the copper-haired twins. Leaning over, she rubbed their arms in turn.
“It’s alright, Fliss; I know we’ll get them back,” Otto said. “I can smell it – I can smell Sage’s fur!” He pointed up at the huge tree as they came out from underneath its massive shadow.
Felicity’s eyes widened at his words, then she let out a laugh. “Oh, Otto, you never cease to amaze me with your optimism and humour.”
Sharing an identical grin with Octavia, Otto patted Felicity on the arm and moved on.
Martha looked down at Bracken, who was sitting inside Martha’s bag with just her head visible. “What do you smell, Bracken?” she asked the bunny.
“Clover! My favourite scent in the whole realm,” Bracken said with a twitch of her nose.
Martha smiled, and consulted the compass clutched tightly in her hand. “We need to go east now,” she called ahead to Soren.
Soren stopped Ember, and he and Conn surveyed the river dissecting the landscape to the right of them. Doran approached on his teal-coloured unicorn.
“I can get us across,” he told the fairies. “Remember my mist dragon that took us into Inlustris Mountain?”
Conn looked impressed. “I’ve missed out by not coming on more adventures with you,” he said with a wink to the children.
Soren nodded. “Of course – that would be a great help,” he told the old mage.
Doran pushed up the sleeves of his robe, revealing his long, heavily tattooed, sinewy arms, and closed his eyes. Smoke rippled from his fingertips, waterfalling to the ground, where it sinuously undulated across the grass towards the riverbank. The children watched with awe as the form of a long, broad dragon materialised in front of them, h
overing over the slow-flowing river.
“Wow,” breathed Octavia and Otto together. Doran opened his eyes and gave the twins a quirky little bow.
“Ya always were a show-off. I could ‘ave got ya across for only five coins,” a voice said from the cover of the trees.
Aurus whirled about, dipping his great head, and thrusting his antler forwards.
“Castor, you no-good beaver! You still owe me coin,” Doran grumbled as his eyes settled on a dark shape, leaning on a large punting stick next to a wide raft in the water.
“Times are ‘ard.” Castor shuffled into view, chewing on a large wad of leaves. “What with ‘is Lordship bein’ banished, I ‘aven’t ‘ad many customers.” He gestured into the distance where a large red castle could be seen, standing still and empty now that Riad had been banished to the lands beyond Draig, in the far north.
“Well, be that as it may, next time I see you I’ll want my coin. For now, we have business to attend to,” Doran said dismissively.
“Oh? Where ya off to then, on yar mighty dragon?” Castor said. His voice was casual, but his eyes gleamed with interest.
“Never you mind, nosy beaver,” Doran said, and gestured for the children to follow him onto the back of the dragon. With a wave for the eccentric creature, the children settled their unicorns on the dragon’s large back. Soren and Conn brought up the rear with Aurus.
Soren was eyeing the beaver worriedly. “Are you sure we can trust him not to tell anyone he’s seen us head off this way?” he murmured to Doran, who was concentrating on guiding the smoky dragon across the river.
“Ordinarily I would have said yes, but he’s a mercenary little fellow, and if someone pays him enough for the information… well, who knows,” Doran replied grimly. “Best thing to do is put as much distance as we can between us. He doesn’t know where we’re heading, so let’s keep it that way.”
Soren stared thoughtfully at the rapidly shrinking figure of the beaver before nodding in agreement.
The mist dragon flowed over the surface of the river, and before long they had reached the other side. The unicorns happily cantered off, shaking tendrils of mist from their sparkling hooves.
Martha Bloom and the Glass Compass Page 5