Dumall turned to Shaun, placing his hand on his shoulder. ‘Yes, I see the sense in that and I have every faith in him.’
‘That’s decided. Shaun, go and tell your two friends and prepare yourselves: you had better pay a visit to the Grey Elf’s castle before you leave. He has some special gifts that might be of use on your journey and you keep hold of the magic ring: you seem to have it under your control. Once you find the ship, the ring will release it from its resting place and you can all fly back in it. I will contact the Guardian: he will make sure Star is waiting for you. Have a safe journey: I will see you when you return.’
They said their goodbyes before slipping back through the portal into Dumall’s quarters. He set the portal for the Grey Elf’s castle and wrapped his arms around Shaun. ‘May the gods be with you on your journey. I only wish I was going with you, but if anyone can succeed it is you: take no chances and stay safe till we meet again.’ Shaun could see he was fighting to hide the fact that tears were welling up in his eyes as he waved Shaun through.
Shaun threw back his head and laughed out loud when he saw Louis and Ava standing alongside the Grey Elf. ‘This looks as though you and the Great Wizard knew what was going to happen before I spoke to him,’ Shaun said, striding over to his two friends. They clapped their rainbow wristbands together. ‘Once again we ride together, this time it is my quest,’ he said with a chuckle, ‘but I couldn’t think of taking anyone else.’ He turned to the Grey Elf. ‘Is there any chance of some refreshment before we start? I’m so hungry I haven’t eaten for ages.’ They all burst into fits of laughter.
After they had eaten, the Grey Elf led them to his magic room and they ate on the stone bench which brought back memories of their first visit and the beginning of their magical adventure.
‘You remember this place, Ava, and you, Louis. Shaun has already been back: he needed a little assistance to find out where the witch had taken you captive. You will all need help with this dangerous quest you are about to embark on.’ He ambled over to the large, golden chest at the end of the line of old chests at the opposite side of the room. As he opened the lid a stream of fairy dust gushed out, circling continuously around the chest. He pulled out four coloured sacks, red, blue, black and green, before running his hand along the top of the chest. The fairy dust swept back inside and he closed the lid. ‘You remember these,’ he said with a smile. ‘You used them to great effect the last time so I’m sure they will be of great assistance again. Just to refresh your memory, the red one makes you invisible; the blue shrinks you to the size of your thumb; the black gives you super-strength; and the green one will enable you to communicate with the animals and hopefully the dragons. Just sprinkle a few specks of dust over yourselves when needed.’
He ambled over to the rucksacks on top of the chests. ‘And these are your rucksacks: remember them, Shaun?’ he said with a mischievous grin. ‘Even you couldn’t eat all the refreshments inside. When you take something out it is immediately replaced: I know you tried your best.’ Louis and Ava stifled their giggles. ‘And of course you can put anything you need inside and they will remain as light as a feather, and as you experienced, they are watertight and indestructible.’ He sat down beside them, the flickering light from the flaming torches above revealing the worried, anxious expression on his face. ‘I’m afraid these sacks will not be enough to protect you once you reach the land of the dragons. Hopefully they will at least enable you to explain why you are there, but even if you are able to win, their trust retrieving the ship and weapons will be even more of a dangerous task. The Great Wizard has been able to furnish us with information on the whereabouts of the ship; it lies at the bottom of the flaming canyon and described a blazing inferno, so we assume you will need to travel down through the flames. But what we don’t know is: is the canyon on fire and do the flames go right down to the bottom?’
He again went to the row of chests and returned with the silk shroud that Shaun used in the witches’ den. ‘You have experienced the capabilities of the shroud, Shaun, and you will have every faith in the knowledge that it will protect you from the flames, but the one thing I’m concerned about is how long will it take you to reach the ship and will you have enough air inside the shroud to last until you emerge from the canyon?’
There was an awkward silence as they tried to digest the dangers and reality of their journey and think of a solution. ‘It’s a pity we didn’t bring the breathing apparatus the deep-sea divers use,’ Ava said flippantly. Shaun’s face lit up. ‘That is how clever you are.’
‘I was joking,’ she said, her face flushing up with embarrassment. ‘It was just a silly, light-hearted joke.’
‘No, that’s the answer,’ Shaun replied as he turned to the Grey Elf. ‘That’s if the Great Wizard will allow me to create it using the ring. Will you ask him?’
‘How would you be able to do this? I’m sure if you could, and it would help, I know he would not object as the success of your quest is paramount to all of us. Without the weapons we cannot defeat the zombies, and we would surely lose the battle.’
‘The Great Wizard told me while I wear the ring if I need something to happen I just close my eyes and imagine it and it does.’
‘Go ahead, then. If it works I will make sure it has the blessing of the Great Wizard.’
Ava and Louis held their breath as Shaun closed his eyes and held the ring. After a short lull there was a blinding flash of smoke, and when it cleared, Ava gasped out loud. Shaun was sitting there wearing the full set of breathing equipment, oxygen cylinders and all.
Shaun slipped off the headgear and turned to the Grey Elf. ‘Now we are ready with this and the shroud, we cannot fail.’ He placed the equipment in the rucksack. ‘Very well, you still have your waystones so we can follow your journey. Star is waiting for you at the Magic Kingdom, so be on your way and be careful.’ He hugged them one by one before they stepped through the portal into the Guardian’s cave.
They were greeted with the sound of Herne’s booming voice reverberating around the cave and a huge grin beaming across his face as he wrapped his arms around his three friends, lifting them off their feet.
‘So you are reunited for this important life-or-death journey. I just wish I could come with you, but I am told you will have more chance of success on your own. Well, at least I can take you to the secret valley where Star is waiting for you and then escort you to the edge of the Magic Kingdom. I have found a shortcut; my trusty steed is outside. And my hands are becoming restless.’
They left the cave, climbed up behind him and held on tight as they took off, heading for the secret valley. His three passengers were enjoying the ride, taking in the magical beauty of the landscape, and the air around them was filled with the warbling and calling of so many birds and other strange, unfamiliar creatures creating a warm, comforting, alluring feeling. Even the fluffy, white clouds floating slowly overhead seemed to add to the magic, the constantly changing shades and colours of the sweeping contours of their surroundings. And, although they had passed that route before, when they finally came to rest on top of the hill looking down on the secret valley below, they gasped in unison. It took away their breath: it was truly a magical place, the home of the legendary fairy horses.
Lush green grass was laid out along the valley floor like a vibrant, green carpet, beautiful flowering shrubs and bushes skirted around the fringe, but the sky above was mesmerising, all the colours of the rainbow swirling and blending in perpetual motion. At the centre of the valley was a beautiful tarn so calm and still as though it was made of glass and around its perimeter a host of tall, slender pinnacles, their reflection shimmering on the surface as the light above changed.
They swept down to the valley floor, coming to rest a short distance from the tarn. Each pinnacle was shrouded in a halo of rainbow mist circling from their base round and round to the top and back down again. They were shrines to the legendary fairy warriors, all 50 of them, with a golden cross at their base
and an engraved inscription never to be forgotten. They walked around them until they reached the pinnacle of their friend Favoria, last of the great warriors. It was he who had brought them there, taken on their first quest, and persuaded Star to go with them. They stood in silence, paying homage to a great, wise leader: they would be forever in his debt.
Suddenly the serene silence was broken by the sound of galloping hooves, and they turned and smiled as the herd of wild horses emerged from the wooded fringes all around them, coming to a halt a few metres away and the two huge, white stallions that had saved their lives slowly approached and pawed the ground gently as a gesture of welcome, dropping their heads to allow Shaun, Louis and Ava to stroke them.
‘I wonder where your leader is,’ said Shaun, scanning the sky and searching for Star. His face lit up as he suddenly appeared on one of the hilltops before gliding down and landing alongside the two stallions, its eyes wide open and sparkling. It, too, pawed the ground and tossed its huge head in the air, giving out a loud neighing which echoed through the valley before dropping its head down to nuzzle his three friends. It was wearing the golden, magical bridle which enabled him to communicate with them.
Herne and his steed were standing further back: he was touched by the reunion but he was anxious to get moving.
‘We had better make tracks: the Guardian keeps reminding me time is so important and you have a long journey ahead.’ Star lay down so that his three passengers could climb on-board and rise to his feet. He checked that they were sitting comfortably before slowly moving forward. The herd opened up, allowing Star and Herne to pass through, trotting at first before breaking into a gallop. As soon as they reached full speed he spread his wings and they lifted off, soaring majestically into the sky with Herne close behind. Ava closed her eyes and took in large gulps of air, her face beaming with joy with her beautiful, long, golden hair flowing in the warm breeze. After a torrid time at the hands of the witch she felt her soul was free once again. Shaun, too, had a warm, exhilarating expression on his face, excitement tinged with a hint of trepidation surging through his veins. Louis was the calmest of the three: he was just pleased he had been rescued to make this journey and was so looking forward to the day he would have his revenge on the wicked witch.
Herne took the lead as Star had never ventured to that side of the kingdom. Ava smiled and sighed with pleasure as warm shafts of golden sunlight washed over them, and she snuggled into Shaun’s back, squeezing him tightly. She felt so safe, even though they were heading for the most dangerous area of Colgilor. As they travelled on, below them wooded, flower-filled meadows opened up and valleys with dazzling waterfalls tumbled down into roaring rivers, crashing against huge boulders on their journey through this picturesque landscape.
They travelled on through the afternoon, passing amongst startling changes of scenery becoming wild and rugged with deep canyons with towering rock walls gilded by the strong sun on their rims, and below filled with eerie shadows and floating mist. Herne was eager to push on, but Shaun needed refreshments. He always needed refreshments, and Herne knew Shaun well enough to know he could never survive all day without opening his rucksack.
So they landed on a craggy outcrop overlooking the vast mountainous area ahead of them. They laughed and giggled as they watched Shaun excitedly dipping into his rucksack with a blissful expression on his face as he devoured his favourite treats before slumping back against the rock with a satisfied sigh and dreamy eyes. He would have been happy to enjoy a quiet nap after his meal, but Herne was on his feet and waving them up, and as the sun darkened and started its journey down towards the distant horizon they were on their way. Below them were so many weird and wonderful creatures roaming the land but thankfully no real threat from the harpies and flying lizards which they had encountered on their previous journey.
Finally they reached the border, a huge gorge cut deep through the mountain range stretching as far as the eye could see over the other side, a colossal, rugged cliff face rose sheer from the raging torrent of water crashing through the boulder-strewn riverbed, forming a great divide barrier protecting the Magic Kingdom and making it impossible to enter other than by air. Herne glanced skyward: the sun was low in the sky. He shook his head.
‘We had better stay here for the night: it will be dark soon and you will be safer starting off on the other side at first light.’
Although they were keen to make tracks they could see the sense in his words and he led them to a deep cave set in the mountainside. They made themselves comfortable and of course Shaun was quickly tucking into his rucksack’s endless supply of goodies. They chatted for a short while about what lay ahead, but the effect of the long day’s travel had tired them out. They were soon bedded down and fast asleep.
Herne was the first to rise just as the first rays of early morning sun splashed the mountain tops with a golden glow and the morning mist brushed the craggy face of the cliff opposite. They were soon enjoying a hearty breakfast and, although they were excited at the thought of their journey ahead, the excitement was mixed with the realisation of the dangers involved. There were a few tears as they said farewell to their friend Herne. He was so disappointed he would not ride with them and they would have felt a lot safer with him by their side, but it was not to be. He waved them off as Star swept off the mountainside with his three passengers and soared across the gorge. As soon as they reached the other side, Star landed on an overhanging ledge. He turned to see Herne still waving his arms. They waved back before disappearing into the distant blue yonder.
Leaving the Magic Kingdom behind, the landscape was very similar, but becoming thickly forested the further they travelled. Dramatic landforms of domes and rocky outcrops erupted from the forestation with valleys and gorges cutting through; sparkling waterfalls emerging from the outcrops plummeted over the edges, discharging into the shimmering river far below; and the sunlight piercing the thinning clouds above washed the whole area with multicoloured shades – truly breathtaking. Using their waystones to guide them, they travelled on through the morning into the afternoon, stopping only to enjoy a well-earned rest and refreshments before moving on. The further they travelled, the warmer it was becoming and they were grateful for the cool backdraught created by the flapping of Star’s huge wings, and at the first sign of the fading sun they were on the lookout for a safe shelter for the night.
Over the following days they stuck to the same routine, keeping alert all day for the many dangers, and at night taking turns to keep watch while the others slept. Some two weeks into their journey they discovered a cave, its entrance camouflaged with vegetation, perfect for their safety from the nocturnal creatures that roamed the land searching for prey. They were just finishing their refreshments and were thinking of bedding down when the stillness was shattered by a bellowing scream coming from deep in the cave, which reverberated all around them. They jumped to their feet and quickly gathered their belongings, but before they could escape a hideous-looking creature emerged from the eerie gloom behind them. It was doubled up and crouching down on its huge, elephant-like feet, staring at the intruders with its small, deep eyes set back in the ugliest of faces, a large, bulbous nose, and a wide mouth with penetrating, black teeth dripping with saliva. Its hair was long and white, all matted with tangled ringlets dangling down over its huge, hairy shoulders, and its arms and hands were ape-like. Suddenly it let out another earsplitting scream and was joined by another three creatures. It slowly rose to its feet and they moved forward.
‘Get ready to run,’ Shaun whispered as he quickly slipped his hammer out of its pouch and sent a bolt of lightning up over the advancing creatures’ heads. Louis quickly grabbed Star’s reins, and he and Ava disappeared outside while Shaun stood facing the startled creatures. He slowly backed away, let off another bolt of lightning before running outside. Louis and Ava were already mounted, and helped Shaun drag himself up between them, and they galloped off into darkness.
The air was thick and
heavy and the evening shadows masked their escape as they rode away from the cave. The moon burst forth, sending intermittent beams of silvery light through the forest canopy. They hurried on, winding their way through the forest, keeping close to the mountainside on full alert; the light was dim and dappled, casting eerie shadows. Ava was convinced someone or something was watching them. And she was relieved when they came across another cave. Shaun went in first, armed with his hammer, to check there was nothing lurking inside, and they were soon bedded down. Shaun kept first watch as Louis and Ava dropped off to sleep.
They continued over the following weeks following the same routine, and apart from a few skirmishes had a relatively trouble-free journey, although the landscape was changing rapidly, becoming more barren and so much warmer. But fatigue was setting in not only for the three passengers, but Star, too, was beginning to find the relentless pressure draining away his strength. All of them felt more tired and had more aches and pains when they woke than when they bedded down the night before, and of course the humid atmosphere was adding to their woes.
The forest disappeared and they entered a bleak, desolate area, a rough, rugged terrain with wild mountains and deep valleys with steep gulleys stretching as far as the eye could see. The air was thick and humid as they flew on, and the fierce sun beat down relentlessly; beads of sweat dripped from their brows and for the first time their hearts were filled with doubt and anxiety: was this a journey too far? Although Ava was still convinced they were being watched, imagining eyes following their every move, peering from the shadows of every nook and cleft, in truth the whole area looked to be uninhabitable. As their belief slowly waned with every tortuous mile, they hardly talked, they were so tired and overcome with negative thought. To discuss them would only make their situation worse. So they continued forward, travelling from early morning till midday when they took shelter from the scorching sun until the temperature dropped, allowing them to continue till dark. They were so thankful for the Grey Elf’s rucksacks; without them, they would have surely perished, as there was no sign of food or water in these barren areas.
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