by Maidie Reeve
Lots of things then happened at once.
Basil and Aisha, knocked over by the collision, lay sprawled near the path.
“Ouch, my head,” Basil muttered, rubbing his right temple.
“Get up, Basil, we can’t let them take us. We’ve got to get back onto the path.” Aisha staggered to her feet and grabbed Basil’s arm, trying to get him to stand up.
But it was too late. Rope lassos were thrown over their heads, and their arms were bound tightly to their sides. Unfortunately, Aisha’s charm fell out of the pocket in her jeans in the scuffle, and was trampled into the dirt by the goblins. Luckily, Basil’s charm remained safe in the small pocket inside his jacket.
While Aisha and Basil were struggling with some of the soldiers, two others went after Twig.
“Quick, get that brownie,” one of the goblins yelled.
Before Twig realized what was happening, and could make himself invisible, a large sack was thrown over his head. Two goblins held him down while another two tied him up.
At the same time, Sophie and Jun, only briefly stunned by the collision, were struggling with two more of the soldiers. The goblin attacking Sophie grabbed the satchel containing The Book, and it fell off Sophie’s shoulder and onto the path. One of the soldiers tried to get past Sophie to grab it.
“No, you don’t,” she shouted, and punched him on the nose. Before he could recover, she kicked him as hard as possible in the shins. The goblin dropped his rope, and held onto his sore nose. He hopped onto his good leg groaning loudly. Sophie then hooked her leg around his ankle and the goblin toppled to the ground. He lay there, stunned by the fall.
“Take that, you nasty thing,” she shouted, as she rescued the satchel.
Jun had also managed to wrestle the other goblin to the ground. He had fallen hard onto his back, and was trying to sit up. Jun pushed him over again. He then managed to quickly tie the goblin’s ankles together with the goblin’s own rope so that he couldn’t stand up.
“Sophie, get the soldier’s rope and tie him up. Quick!” Jun cried.
Sophie grabbed the rope which lay nearby, and quickly bound the other goblin’s ankles together.
Both of the goblins were now hobbled and unable to stand.
Jun and Sophie looked around for the others. They saw two goblins dragging Twig away in the sack. He was struggling wildly and yelling to be let out. Aisha and Basil were being pushed and pulled by two other goblin soldiers. They were being herded towards the large iron gate in the castle wall.
A pony cart, its wooden wheels rattling over the rough cobble stones, came hurtling out of the gate, and pulled up near the goblins and their captives. Fixed to the top of the cart was a large wooden cage.
“Hurry up. Lock them in,” the goblin driver shouted at the soldiers. “And get the other two. They mustn’t escape. The master won’t be happy.”
“We’ve got to get out of here, fast. We’re outnumbered,” Jun shouted out to Sophie. “Come on.”
He and Sophie took off. They ran past the fallen goblins and skirted around the ponies. The goblin driver raised his fists and shouted at them as they sped past.
“We know your tricks. You won’t get far!”
Meanwhile, the other six goblin soldiers were still trying to push their three prisoners into the back of the prison cart.
“Don’t worry about us! They’re only stupid goblins!” Basil yelled out to Sophie and Jun, as he kicked his attackers. “We’ll get away soon, and catch you up!”
“Run for it! We’ll be alright!” Aisha screamed out.
“Make it hard for them,” Twig shouted to Basil and Aisha from inside the sack. “Give Sophie and Jun time to escape and get help.”
“You fools, they’re getting away. Can’t you do anything right!” The driver said angrily as he twisted around to stare at the goblin soldiers and their struggling captives. The two that had attacked Sophie and Jun had recovered from their falls and untied their ankles. They had come to help their comrades get their prisoners into the cart instead of chasing after the two escapees.
Standing at the top of the wall, a small dark hooded figure looked down at what was happening.
“You won’t get away the next time we meet,” he murmured to himself.
Jun and Sophie didn’t look back. They ran as fast as they could along the path without knowing where they would end up. They knew that they could only help the others if they were free.
After about five minutes they changed from a sprint to a jog. There didn’t seem to be anyone in pursuit, and Jun took the chance to look over his shoulder.
“The path’s empty,” Jun said a little breathlessly to Sophie. “I can see all the way back to the castle and I can’t see the cart or the goblins. They must have decided to make sure the others were securely imprisoned before they try to catch us again.”
“I think they know about Twig’s magic powers,” Sophie panted. “That’s why they threw a sack over him so fast. They wanted to catch him before he became invisible.”
“Yeah, they were prepared alright. I know we only got a quick look, but I’m sure the driver was our old friend Grot,” Jun added.
Confident that they were not being followed, the two friends slowed to a fast walk.
The path had led them through the valley, but they now entered one of the thick groves of elm trees they had seen from a distance. Their eyes darted left and right, on the lookout for another ambush. But nothing stirred.
“I think this is where we’ll find the next gateway,” Sophie said as she brushed aside the thick branches that shaded the path.
“Mmm. This place feels very mysterious, so you’re probably right. Watch it!” Jun ducked to avoid a branch that had nearly hit him in the face.
They walked on a bit further, pushing their way through more heavy branches and thick foliage.
“I think we’re here,” Jun announced. Sophie nodded.
In front of the two friends was a small thatched cottage. The path led straight through a closed front door. They couldn’t see inside, as the two small windows were covered by shutters.
“I suppose we’d better knock, and hope that something friendly lives here,” Jun said, as he went up to the front door and knocked. Sophie followed and stood next to him.
A shuffling noise came from inside the cottage, and they heard a soft click. A squinting, watery grey eye appeared at the peep-hole in the front door.
“Who’s there?” a croaky voice whispered.
“Jun and Sophie. We need to follow the path to the next gateway, but it goes through the cottage. Can you let us in? We won’t cause any trouble,” Jun replied.
“Do you have a pass?” the voice croaked again.
“Yes, I’ll show you.” Jun reached inside his jacket and pulled out the piece of parchment with its drawing of the black feather.
“Push it under the door.”
Jun slid the parchment under the door.
He and Sophie looked at each other and waited. They heard the peep-hole close, and then the sound of a door latch being raised.
A bony, wrinkled hand with very long fingers and cracked nails appeared around the corner of the door.
“Come in,” the whispery voice said, and the door slowly opened.
Chapter Six
The Evil Garden
“I’ll go first,” Jun said bravely. “Stay close.”
Leading the way, Jun, with Sophie hanging onto the back of his jacket, stepped cautiously into a poorly lit room. At first they couldn’t see who had let them in. However, their eyes quickly adjusted to the gloom, and they stared at the bent figure standing by the cottage door.
It was a very old woman, wearing a long grey tunic over a rough linen shirt. Her face, with its watery grey eyes, was creased with age, and there were deep lines on either side of her mouth. Her white hair was plaited into two long braids which hung to her waist.
“Welcome to The Fifth Gateway. I have been waiting for you,” she croaked as she s
hut and latched the door.
Sophie and Jun didn’t like the sound of that.
“Who are you?” Jun asked.
“And how did you know we were coming?” Sophie added.
Both were concerned that their every move seemed to be known by everyone in the game.
“Come. Let us sit. Do not be afraid.” The old woman shuffled over to small round wooden table placed in the centre of a tiny room. On the table was an old candle covered with dripping wax. Around the table were three small stools, two of which stood on the paved pathway. Sophie and Jun felt uneasy that this was more evidence that they were expected.
The old woman sat on one of the stools, and clasped her boney hands in front of her. She watched the children intently.
A large black cooking pot was being heated over an open fire. Nearby was a dresser crowded with pots and rough clay crockery. A small wooden bed, covered with a thin blanket, was pushed up against the opposite wall. The path went through the middle of the room, and through another latched low wooden door.
Not sensing any immediate danger Sophie and Jun sat on the two stools placed on the path, and waited for the old woman to speak.
“I am Albreda, the keeper of The Fifth Gateway. You carried the sign of the black feather, so I opened the door. Here, take it back,” Albreda whispered as she thrust the piece of parchment across the table towards Jun.
Jun picked it up, and pushed it back into his pocket.
“So, this cottage is the world of The Fifth Gateway. It’s very small,” Sophie said, glancing around at the tiny space. She looked at the old woman with continued suspicion. “Why were you waiting for us?” She asked again.
“Morgan, the minstrel, passed this way. He told me to expect two humans carrying the sign of the black feather, and to let them in. He and I have ancient ties, and he helped me once, so I am in his debt.”
Albreda then clasped her hands together and held them to her chin. She paused.
“You are wrong my dears. This room is not the world of The Fifth Gateway. But it is the passage through which you must pass to reach it. The world you are looking for lies beyond that door.”
She raised a boney finger and pointed at the low wooden door.
Jun and Sophie looked at each other, still not sure that they could trust the old woman.
“Do you know what lies behind the door? And how can you help us, and our friends who have been captured by goblins?” Sophie asked, watching Albreda carefully.
The old woman scratched her chin, and squinted at the children.
“My eyes may be old, but they see far. I have seen the next step in the game. You cannot avoid what is waiting for you beyond that door, but you may be safe if you heed my words.”
Her voice was low and croaky and it was difficult to make out the words.
I see you in a world of shadowing night
Running from creatures with teeth that bite
It’s a world of dreams to trap you there
So stay awake and take much care
Do not stop, no matter what
Nothing is real in that terrible spot
Your friends have been taken to Malefic’s tower
They are under his spell and are in his power
Their rescue is hard and not easily done
All will be well if the battle is won.
“There. That’s all I can see for now. And my debt is paid.”
“Thank you. At least we now know where our friends are. And we also know that it’s possible to rescue them, as we’ve been to Malefic’s fortress before.” Sophie said, not liking the crafty look which had appeared in Albreda’s eyes.
“Yes, and we’ll listen to your advice about staying awake and moving quickly through the next world,” Jun added, and stood up.
“Sophie, I think we should go. The sooner we pass through the world of The Fifth Gateway, the sooner we’ll reach our friends.”
Jun also did not like the change that had come across the old woman’s features and manner. Her face looked even uglier and more menacing. Her grey eyes were turning red, and her body was straightening, and becoming thicker.
“Not so fast.” Although still gruff, Albreda’s voice had grown stronger.
The old woman stood up and moved surprisingly quickly around the table and grabbed Sophie’s arm. Despite her age her grip was strong.
“I’d like to see what’s in your satchel. Give it to me,” she snarled.
Sophie did not want the old woman to think that she was frightened, or that she would give up the satchel willingly.
“No! It’s personal. Thank you for giving us advice about the next world, but we have to go now,” Sophie said firmly.
She shook her arm free, and turned quickly away to join Jun at the door to the next world. They had both realised Albreda was one of Malefic’s creatures. Now that her debt to Morgan was paid, her true character was revealed.
The old woman hissed, but she did not come any closer.
“You will not escape the master. He will win this time. He has become too powerful for you, and for those who try to protect you.”
“Come on Sophie. She can’t hurt us while we’re on the path. Let’s go through this door and see what’s there.”
Jun pulled up the latch, and he and Sophie hurried through the door into what they knew was going to be a scary place.
As expected, it was night-time in the world of The Fifth Gateway. There was a very narrow crescent moon, and therefore very little light. They could see that instead of entering a maze, like in the first game, they had entered an overgrown garden. The tall trees formed a ghostly outline in the night sky, and underneath their canopies was a dense tangled mess of weeds, brambles and ivy. Just next to the path, Sophie and Jun could just make out some old raised garden beds made from now rotted wood. The path was narrow and overgrown with creepers.
In this world of shadows it was hard to see what lay ahead.
“Let’s think about what that dreadful old woman said,” Jun whispered, unsure if there was anything lurking in the garden that wished to harm them.
“I suppose we can believe her, as she was fulfilling her promise to Morgan,” Sophie replied. “All I can remember about this place is that we mustn’t fall asleep, nothing’s real, and that we have to keep moving.”
“Yeah, and something about creatures wanting to bite us,” Jun added.
“We can’t consult The Book. It’s too dark, and anyway, we don’t know if it’s fixed itself yet,” Sophie sighed. “As long as we keep moving we should be okay.”
At first the garden had been still, and eerily quiet, but as Jun and Sophie moved cautiously along the path, and deeper into the shadowy world, they could hear strange noises. It was as if the garden, and the things that came out at night had been asleep, and had now woken up.
They could hear rustling in the bushes, loud sighs and something howling in the distance.
“I don’t like this,” Sophie muttered. “The trees and plants seem to be moving and getting closer. Ah! A creeper has just curled itself around my ankle. Ouch, it’s got thorns.”
She bent down to free herself and another creeper caught her arm. Sophie disentangled herself, but several more vines swirled around the path and looked ready to attack
“We’ll have to try and go faster,” Jun said as he and Sophie walked away as quickly as possible to escape the advancing creepers.
The swirling creepers shrank back as the two friends entered an arched walkway. It was covered with a mass of thick vines which blocked out what little weak moonlight there was.
Jun and Sophie picked their way carefully along the dark overgrown path towards an eerie pale green light which had appeared at the end of the arbour. As they got closer they saw that the light was actually a strange, shapeless green creature which hovered above the path. They could just make out hooded eyes, thin lips, and long weed-like straggly hair. Thin green hands reached out of the shimmering light, and scattered some fine green powde
r into the air. It sparkled as it fell softly onto the path.
The creature spoke with a low sing-song voice.
“You must be tired. So very tired. I have pieces of dreams to give you. They will remove all your cares. So rest, rest. Sleep, sleep and dream. Come, come and taste my dreams.”
Sophie’s eyelids began to close and she felt herself growing very sleepy.
“No, Sophie, stay awake.” Jun shook her arm. “Remember the warning. We can’t go to sleep or we’ll be trapped here. Keep pinching yourself, and keep moving.”
“Yes, yes, of course,” Sophie muttered, and started to pinch her arm. “But how are we going to get past the Dream-maker thing?”
The shimmering Dream-maker scattered more green powder, and continued to chant its hypnotic song.
Jun stared hard at the creature before he spoke.
“I don’t think it’s real, just like Albreda warned us. It’s part of the shadows and fears of the night, and I’m sure we’ll be able to walk right through it. We just need to avoid getting any of that green stuff on us.”
“Alright, let’s go now before it throws any more of it,” Sophie said, trying to ignore the soft voice of the green Dream-maker, which continued to whisper its strange lullaby.
Grabbing hold of each other’s hands, Jun and Sophie shut their eyes and walked straight ahead. They felt nothing as they passed through the green light. Looking back, they saw that the creature hadn’t moved, and that it continued to float over the path. They were relieved that the Dream-maker did not try to follow them, and soon they could no longer hear the whispery voice.
“I hope it’s daytime in the next world,” Sophie said. “This world of shadows is one of the scariest in the game. It’s so dark and spooky, and you can’t see anything properly.”
“I’m worried because we haven’t seen anything that wants to bite us. Unless it was those creepers, but I didn’t see any teeth,” Jun replied. “There could be something awful up ahead.”
“Well, something’s out there. I can hear it howling,” Sophie replied. “Let’s hurry. I don’t want to run into it, whatever it is.”
“Yuk. I’ve just stood in something sticky,” Jun said, as he lifted his foot to see what he’d stepped into. Something gooey clung to the bottom of his joggers.