Hide & Seek

by Barbara Gaskell Denvil

  The different colours intermingled. Some scales shone, glinting in the light from above. Others were darker. It was not easy to see one serpent from another for they curled around and beneath each other, all submerged in the lapping steam and the bubbling water.

  Nathan and John sat, staring down, eager and fascinated. “P’raps I doesn’t hate them after all,” John decided. “Right pretty, some o’ them. And they looks so happy. But reckons they’s in thousands down there. Or more.”

  “I’m wondering,” murmured Nathan, “How many are Quosters. Or are they all just snakes?”

  “If they’s Quosters,” John pointed out, “they can talk. So ask.”

  So Nathan did. He leaned over a little, peering down, but careful not to fall in. “I’ve come here to talk to the Quosters,” he said. “You are all very beautiful, but I am looking for Laksta and Hexaconda. Can anyone speak, and tell me where to look?” Every tail flicked, moved a little, or coiled. Whether any of them could talk was not clear, but it seemed that virtually everyone heard and understood what Nathan said. So he spoke again. “I’m Nat,” he said. “And this is my friend John. We have no weapons and we’d never dream of hurting any of you. We are friends of Laksta and Hexaconda, but enemies of Clebbster. I have a message for Hexaconda.” Nathan knew he was being watched. A thousand bright green eyes stared up at him, and eventually, a voice whispered from the depths.

  It gurgled a little, being underwater, and it spoke softly, as though half afraid. “We do not like humans,” it said, “and usually humans do not like us. We would much prefer you to leave us alone.”

  Although it was not a helpful message, Nathan was delighted, and John clapped his hands. “You’s Quosters, then,” John said, grinning. “Ruddy brilliant. How many is Quosters? Half? A few?” He paused, getting excited. “All o’ yer?”

  “I don’t want to be a nuisance,” Nathan said, trying to be extra polite and friendly, “but it would be extremely helpful if one of you could inform Hexaconda that I’m looking for her. And I promise it’s not a message from Clebbster. Clebbster is still wounded and can’t get out of bed.” He waited, hoping. Nothing happened. The bubbles increased but it seemed no one had the courage to speak.

  “Reckon there be so many o’ yous,” decided John, “must get mighty crowded. You got enuff to eat?”

  At this, almost every serpent twitched and trembled. Now another voice echoed up from beneath the water. “We eat very little, sir. As snakes we only need to eat once a week or less, and if we stay here very still in the hot water we use no energy and can eat less. There are fish, but we don’t want to eat every single one, poor things, and then there would be none left. We try to eat a little moss and weed, but it’s not very nice. And we dare not turn into people, because they need feeding far more often. We would have to hunt the crabs and dragons and rabbits, and we’d hate to do that. Besides, then they’d hate us and come and kill us.”

  “Tis all very well,” said John, “but Sparkan ain’t an easy place to live. Reckon them rabbits is alright on the grass, but then other things eat them.”

  “We have just come from the Forest of Sharr,” explained Nathan, “and we have made a pact with the trees. We all want to be friends. But they really want the Quosters to come back and live with them. They miss you. That’s what I wanted to say to Hexaconda.”

  Immediately there was a gurgling and buzzing under water as the snakes spoke to each other in a delighted hurry, hissing and splashing.

  “Is you angry or pleased?” asked John, confused.

  “We are most happy,” answered a very large python. “I am Laccyjon, so we have names a little alike. I am young so I’ve never been to the forest, but it sounds wonderful. Is there real food?”

  “Well -,” Nathan thought a moment, then said, “Yes there is, lots. Because we’re putting back the streams and the marshlands and the ponds, and apart from all that, my mother and granny can make food out of the air, and keep it coming as if it’ grows in the trees. Actually,” he’d had another idea, “some of it does. You should eat the golden figs. They’re good for everyone.”

  “We do not eat fruit unless we change into people,” hissed the snake sliding forwards.

  But John rummaged in his pocket and pulled out a very squashed fig. “I reckon this be wot them early Quosters ate,” he said, broke the fig in half and threw both pieces into the water. The snake which had spoken first opened its huge mouth, sank it fangs into the yellow juice, and swallowed with what looked almost like a smile.

  The other piece of fig had also been snapped up. A long thin snake which had grabbed the second piece of fruit and swallowed it fast, now gasped in appreciation, and said in an astonished voice, “That was the best thing I ever tasted. It is three months since I ate, except for a beetle. This fruit is truly delicious. I was starving and so hungry I could not swim. Now, after that one tiny mouthful, I have energy. I am not hungry at all. I am happy.”

  “Where do these miracles grow?” asked the other snake, licking the fig juice from its lips with its forked tongue.

  “There’s a tree near the end of the rainbow,” Nathan told him. “But I had already intended to grow more on Sparkan, and there are plenty in the forest down on Lashtang. Enough fruit for all of you to have a bit, I think, though I don’t know how many of you are Quosters.”

  The snakes were pushing forwards, trying to get closer to the bank where Nathan and John sat, and also hoping there might be more hidden golden figs. Laccyjon nodded with a faint splash. “We are all Quosters,” he said. “Eight of our ancestors came here nearly a thousand years ago, and they had many eggs which hatched quickly in the heat of the water here. They loved it at first and were pleased to create a huge colony. We cherish their names. But now there are too many of us for these lakes, and the food is desperately scarce.”

  Both Nathan and John started to talk together, and Nathan laughed, letting John speak first. “Reckon you best come to Sharr,” he said.

  “The sooner the better,” added Nathan. “Golden figs, other food, and friendly trees who love your memory. I think a lot of them were growing when your eight famous ancestors first came here, escaping from cruel rulers on Lashtang.”

  “But you speak of putting back the streams and lakes,” said Laccyjon. “How long will that take? We must live half our lives in water or we shrivel up and die.”

  Nathan grinned. “My mother and grandmother can put in some hot water fast and quick,” he said. “They’re magic and really good at it. You can eat, drink, swim and be snakes or people whenever you like.”

  Suddenly he was aware that one voice was familiar. A great anaconda with scales that shone and changed, had swum towards him. Recognising serpents one from another is not usually easy, but Nathan knew from her voice that this was Laksta. She said, “I come at your call, Nathan. And I will come to Sharr with you if you wish it. We have stories of wonder in Sharr and the beauty of the trees which tried to protect us. But if my father is still alive, you will be leading me to my death, and my friends too if they come.”

  “Oh dear. I’d never do that,” said Nathan at once. “But you know Clebbster is badly wounded, come with me just for one day to see the trees and talk to them. There’s a great oak called Soar who is so old he remembers your ancestor who lived there, and he wants you all back like before. Can you come and meet him. Then I promise no one will stop you coming back here. And you can bring bags and bags of golden figs with you for all the other Quosters.”

  “I will come too,” said a nearby voice, and Nathan realised this was Hexaconda. “I will come and protect my daughter.”

  Laccyjon reared up from the water’s surface. “I shall come and protect all of you,” he said. “As a giant cobra I have the power to kill even a wizard.”

  Smiling, Nathan stood again, stepping back with a relieved sigh. “Will you all change, then? It will be easier down the rainbow if you are people.”

  With pleasure and pride, the three serpents rose from th
e steamy water and began to change. Heads first, each one shook out long hair as their faces flattened into human shapes. Laksta and Hexaconda became the women that Nathan already knew, Hexaconda with vibrant green curls down her back, and Laksta with red hair that blew out like a vast curled fan around her face and shoulders. Laccyjon had black hair, very long and straight. His skin was dark like his scales, he was muscled and beautiful with dark brown eyes that smiled even when his mouth did not. Now he said, “We are ready. Will you come with us to the rainbow?”

  Both John and Nathan had hoped to stay longer in Sparkan and meet up again with their dragon friends, but they felt this was not the time.

  “Reckon we ortta comes back later,” said John.

  “I agree,” Nathan said. “Let’s go.”

  Chapter Five

  “If we go back now,” Alice told Messina, standing in the garden, Alfie beside her, “I can see my people and do the things I need to so I can keep my home safe. I want to live there again one day.” She smiled up at Alfie. “And my Alfie does too. So I can sort all that now, before the big war starts. But there’s something else important I want to do while I’m there, and that’s collect John’s father and some of the crew and bring them back with me. They really want to be involved, and John would love it if he comes back from the forest and finds his dad waiting for him.”

  “There’s that ship of pirates too,” Alfie said. “And those Sicilian bandits. If they come over here, well, they ain’t criminals no more, is they?”

  “I need to check on the baron too,” sighed Alice, “and make sure he isn’t there waiting for me.”

  “He was returned to the Tower dungeon during Henry VIII’s reign,” Messina reminded them.

  “I just want to be sure.”

  “We can bring John’s dad over,” added Alfie, “but not his granny. She ought to be in a dungeon too.”

  Alice laughed. “I can think of a few things to do with her. She could be Clebbster’s nurse.”

  “Or go and visit the wolves on Sparkan.”

  “We could marry her off to Deben.”

  “That reminds me,” said Messina, frowning suddenly. “I must see if anything is left of that old palace Bymion where the meteor landed. If it is just rubble, I can have it cleared and build into something else. But the magic may stay in some places. I hope the Chord of Destiny has not been destroyed.”

  “It can’t be,” said Bayldon, coming up behind her. “Since our destiny most certainly is still running. I shall come with you to explore. And I’m quite sure Poppy will want to come with us.”

  Messina opened her mouth to complain, but then snapped it shut again. “Oh very well,” she said, “I suppose Poppy will get into less trouble if you watch over her.” She turned back to Alice and Alfie. “In the meantime, yes indeed, I do hope you have a wonderful time sleeping back in your own home instead of being squashed in here. Anyone you can bring back to help us in the coming battle will certainly be welcome.” She thought a minute. “Except Violet Crinford..”

  “I won’t be bringing her.” Alfie, “that I can promise. But can Hermes take us and stay with us so he can bring us back too? And how can we bring all the others back?”

  “Take Hermes by all means,” said Bayldon, “he enjoys living in your house, I believe. And he can then call the Ladder for everyone to get back here once you’re ready.”

  “Perfect,” said Alice. “We hope to see you soon.”

  Hermes, called from a doze in the garden, was a little ruffled but exceedingly pleased to be needed again. Both Alice and Alfie climbed on his back, arms around his neck and around each other, and disappeared into the cloudy sky.

  “Early winter,” muttered Bayldon as he waved goodbye. “It’s going to rain tonight.”

  Messina was walking back into the living room with Poppy. Poppy regarded both her mother and father. “You don’t normally call me unless I’m in trouble,” she said in a challenging voice. “So what have I done now?”

  “Almost certainly not tidied your bedroom,” said Messina, “And since Alice has just gone back to her own home for some days or more, you’ll have to do it alone from now on. And have you even combed your hair? It’s even more of a mess than your bedroom.”

  “I don’t have a bed hidden in my hair,” scowled Poppy.

  But Bayldon laughed. “It’s not what we wanted you for,” he said. “Your mother and I decided it was time to go back to Bymion, now the meteor has left. It may be crushed out of existence, but we need to make sure.”

  Immediately cheering up with a wide smile, Poppy said, “Hang on, I’ll brush my hair.”

  “Don’t bother. It looks fine,” Messina told her. “I don’t want to be too long and I imagine we’ll find a large hole with bricks and broken wood, and a last trickle of the lake. That’s all. You can help me look for anything remaining of the Chord of Destiny, and then we come home for dinner.”

  “Granny’s cooking roast lamb, roast potatoes, roast aubergines, roast onions, roast pumpkin, roast zucchini, roast parsnips, roast tomatoes and roast something else that I’ve forgotten,” her father told her.

  “With gravy.”

  “And then custard tart with strawberries and cream,” said Bayldon. “So we have to get back home by six o’clock.”

  Poppy giggled. “So we have to be home by five thirty. Let’s go.”

  With a silent whoosh from Messina, her arms upraised, they opened their eyes to dust. It swirled around a great pit in the ground, as large as a village or a small town. They could hardly see, for the dust was thick and dark, and swept continuously.

  “This is horrible,” yelled Poppy. “Mum, can you stop it?”

  She couldn’t even see her mother’s face through the dust, flying dirt and filthy smoke, but she heard Messina’s voice call back, “No, I’m afraid not. It will probably go on for days. But we have to climb down into this enormous pit, and see what’s left of the old palace. Not much, I hope.”

  “I’ll die of suffocation by dust,” Poppy complained.

  “Then walk home. I’ll see you later,” said her mother.

  They began to climb down. It was not a simple climb, for as they put one foot down, the ground beneath began to slip, and there were soon more smaller holes within the larger hole. Luckily the ground was dry, but this made the dust worse and it swirled up their noses and into their eyes and mouths every time there was a faint breeze.

  “I just wish it squashed Deben too,” Poppy.

  “This will all have to be cleared,” sighed Messina. “I can certainly move some, and some must stay to help fill up the pit. But I can’t do all this alone. My mother and Zakmeister will help, I hope. Then we can build a proper palace here.”

  “Too far away from Peganda,” decided Bayldon. “And there’s that boggy part over there where the lake was. That will never give a proper water supply.”

  Now deep into the yawning pit, Messina was kicking away some of the broken bricks, which then made the dust swirl up again. The bottom was slightly rounded as the meteor had been, and there were scrapings of mossy bushes and thorny brambles which had clearly rubbed off from the meteor’s surface. But it was quite impossible to see all the details, and they all had constantly to wipe their eyes and cough.

  “And if we’re not careful,” warned Poppy, “we’ll fall into the dungeons. They have to be under here somewhere.”

  “My dear child,” said Messina with an annoyed wave of her hand, “I am not so stupid.”

  And with that she promptly disappeared.

  Bayldon and Poppy stared one moment and then began to shout. “My dearest, where are you? Can you climb out on your own? Or shall I come and collect you?”

  No answer.

  “Mum, mum, mum. What have you done?”

  And again there was no answer. Bayldon was already rushing down, covered in dirt and dust, and coughing wildly the whole time. Poppy raced after him, still calling for her mother, and begging her father to be careful. She fell over an
d over again, tore her long silken Lashtang trousers, scratched her hands until they bled, and swallowed so much dust, she felt sick.

  It was when she couldn’t hear her father coughing anymore that she suddenly realised something was wrong. She peered down and started calling him instead of her mother. But there was no one to answer for now Bayldon had also disappeared.

  Poppy sat on a pile of broken slats, and burst into tears. For once in their lives her parents had actually asked her to accompany them on a very simple little expedition, and now suddenly it had turned into a disaster.

  Now, honestly, she told herself, stop making a fuss about nothing. I expect they’re fallen through the ceiling of an old room somewhere, or one of those great big fireplaces, or maybe those horrid dungeons. But Dad’s strong enough to climb out, and Mum’s magic is brilliant so she’ll magic herself out any minute. If not, I’ll just climb in after them.

  She was still scrambling downwards and trying to avoid any holes, when she saw the place where both her parents had disappeared. She stopped nearby, and stared over at the spot. It seemed closed. There were no gaping holes. It looked just like everywhere else, with a couple of skid marks going nowhere, which she recognised as her father’s boots, and a splintered slab of wood with her mother’s hand mark in the dust. Poppy climbed just a little closer.

  There was absolutely nothing to see, and she dared to climb closer still.

  With a squeak and a groan, the whole pile of rubble gave way beneath her, and Poppy discovered herself sliding downwards, just as though she was on a fairground water slide. Beneath her was the splintered plank with her mother’s handprint. She could hear crashing, banging and scraping, and her splintered ride helter-skeltered straight into a solid closed door, and she was thrown off, hurtling into the air.

  Poppy landed on something soft. Thinking it might be a body, and perhaps even one of her parents, she closed her eyes and whispered, “Is that you?” But when there was no reply as usual, she dared to look and was even more surprised than before. She was riding on a large bed. Indeed, she was fairly certain this was Ninester’s bed where they had first met him a long time ago. The carved posts held up a very fancy canopy with tassels at all four corners. She was sitting tight against the pillows, and holding onto the two top posts, while the bed hurtled down and down into darkness.