Emajen

by Ashley Ledigo

  ‘So what’s the plan?’ asked Anthony, once they had stopped to take a breather.

  ‘I think some’ow we’ll ‘ave to find our way back to the Prof. If Kaz got word to ‘im that we needed another map, ‘ooever ‘e asked to bring it to us would’ve long since gone back and told ‘im we were nowhere to be found. I know it’s wasting more time, but I just don’t see any ‘elp for it!’

  ‘Erm …’ Boff coughed politely. ‘If it’s any help at all, I know the way to the Prof’s abode from here.’

  ‘Why the ‘ell didn’t you say so before?’ Saddler muttered irritably.

  ‘He could hardly have known that’s where you wanted to go,’ Destiny pointed out.

  ‘No, no, you’re right. I’m sorry, Boff. It’s all this time we’ve lost already and now we’ve got to squander more going right back to where we started! So ‘ow long will it take from ‘ere?’

  ‘Oh, about – let’s see, half a day perhaps.’

  ‘Half a day?’ Destiny looked perplexed. ‘How can that be, when it took us so long to get here!’

  ‘I think you’ll find we’ve let ourselves be thoroughly befogged by this ‘ere Crevitos character!’ groaned Saddler. ‘We’re really going to ‘ave to be on our mettle from now on!’

  Boff gave Destiny a puzzled look.

  ‘Translation?’ she asked. He nodded.

  ‘Saddler means we’ve been led astray by Crevitos and we need to be much more careful from now on.’

  ‘S’wot I said innit?’ huffed Saddler.

  Boff however just nodded gravely.

  ‘I think,’ he said, ‘that the more Crevitos learns, the stronger and more powerful he becomes. I don’t know what happened a while back, but suddenly he seemed to have a lot more power. It doesn’t surprise me that he’s been causing you grief.’

  ‘Well, the longer we stay around here, the more likely it is that he’ll catch up with us again,’ said Anthony. He stood up and dusted himself off. ‘Why do you think Crevitos has any interest in Emajen at all, Boff?’

  Boff considered carefully. ‘I think he’s such a Mad-Creation that he just wants to conquer world after world until or unless he’s stopped. Why Emajen? I’m not sure. Perhaps just because we came here or maybe it has some other importance. Either way, I don’t think it will be long before he gets what he wants!’ Boff’s brain fizzed with the emotion of it all.

  There was a silence as the others considered the import of what he’d just said.

  ‘Best get going then!’ said Saddler.

  They shouldered their belongings and set off once more for the Prof’s house.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  ‘Ah, I was rather afraid something like this might happen,’ said the Prof, seeming not at all surprised when they turned up on his doorstep. ‘Obviously we mustn’t underestimate the increase in power our evil friend has gained!’

  Tea was made, biscuits produced, and provisions re-stocked. Squib had paid a visit to Nebiré with another copy of the map. She had very kindly worked a charm to protect this one from being tampered with.

  ‘Handy,’ said Anthony, who was still a bit bemused by some of the more mystical aspects of Emajen.

  ‘Before you go,’ said the Prof, ‘I have a couple of other little items for you that I’ve just finished working on. They may be of some use. They need a little explanation, so before that there’s also something else, which I think will please you greatly, Destiny. This way.’

  With a quizzical look at the others, Destiny followed the Prof. He led her through his kitchen to the back door. The others traipsed after them.

  ‘I bet I can guess,’ grinned Anthony.

  The Prof had a small, neat, pretty cottage type garden, beyond which stretched fields and hills as far as the eye could see. He led Destiny through a smart wooden gate at the back of his garden and there, munching grass to his heart’s content was …

  ‘Kaz!’ shrieked Destiny, hurrying forward to throw her arms around him.

  Horses don’t have the muscle structure to smile, on Earth or on Emajen, but he certainly radiated pleasure even though he said gruffly, ‘I knew you wouldn’t get far without me!’

  Once Destiny had been persuaded to tear herself away from Kaz, the Prof took them into his living room and sat them down comfortably, while he rooted around for two objects that he thought might assist them in their travels.

  To Anthony, he gave a round globe that looked rather like an opaque crystal ball.

  ‘It doesn’t tell the future I’m afraid.’ The Prof smiled. ‘But it will shed light and warmth – all you have to do is ask.’

  Destiny was given a ring in the shape of a coiled snake, with diamond eyes that glittered and sparkled. It was beautiful.

  ‘It’s not just a pretty trinket, although I confess, I do rather like the sparkly eyed touch. More importantly, it has the power to heal whoever wears it. You just have to rub your thumb around the coil from head to tail and it will release enough of the natural endorphins in your body to cure most ills. However …’ here he held up a warning finger, ‘… its power is limited, so use it sparingly!’

  By this time it was very late, so after a very welcome bath and a hot meal, the travellers collapsed into their beds and slept dreamlessly until dawn.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  This time, they took only what they could carry in their rucksacks. They had lost the cart and it was obvious that there were going to be parts of the journey where it would be difficult for Kaz to follow.

  The nator walked along with them for a short way to be companionable he said, although of course it had nothing what-so-ever to do with the fact that Destiny was plying him with carrot treats the whole time.

  At last, with a flick of his tail and a warm affectionate snuffle in Destiny’s ear, Kaz set off at a sedate canter back to the Prof’s and the comfort of his grassy field.

  The travellers made good progress now that they actually had a map that led them in the right direction. As dusk began to fall, they reached a landmark they had been aiming for and were chuffed to have made it so far without any mishap.

  It was beginning to get quite chilly, so they headed for a clump of trees to give them some shelter. Without any spoken agreement, no one suggested finding any accommodation. Nebiré might have been able to protect the map, but it was unlikely that she would have any control over what might happen on the rest of their journey.

  The vision of what they had encountered last time at the inn was still fresh in their minds and was not an experience they would willingly repeat.

  They set up camp, but decided they would have to forego the pleasure of a hot drink. Lighting a fire might be dodgy. Crevitos’s creatures could be anywhere and they didn’t want to announce their presence if they could avoid it.

  Anthony dug in his rucksack and carefully pulled out the globe the Prof had given him.

  ‘I wonder how bright this is?’ he mused. ‘I should probably have checked it out before.’

  ‘Try just asking it for warmth,’ suggested Destiny. ‘Maybe you can get light and warmth separately?’

  ‘Could we have some warmth, please’ asked Anthony, and nearly dropped the globe as it glowed a pale red in his hands.

  Within just a few moments a cheering heat began to radiate from the globe and the group huddled around it, amazed and delighted by the amount of heat such a small object could disperse.

  ‘Good ole Prof!’ said Saddler, and they all heartily agreed.

  The night passed peacefully. Comforted by the soothing warmth that emanated from the globe, they all slept dreamlessly. Destiny half awoke only once, saw the pale radiance of the orb and, smiling, drifted back to sleep again.

  Although quite cold, the day dawned bright and clear; a soft pastel sun promising some measure of warmth as the day wore on. Breakfast was consumed quickly and in companionable silence. Just before they set off again, Anthony took the egg timer out and looked at it thoughtfully. The rainbow coloured sand was now split in eq
ual parts between the top of the timer and the bottom.

  ‘Looks like we’d better get a move on,’ said Anthony seriously. The group looked sombre. They had wasted so much time and, even if the rest of the trip went smoothly, they still had to work out what to do about the Natorqua. Shouldering their backpacks, they set off determinedly on the next leg of their journey.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  After a brief stop for lunch, the travellers headed for their next landmark, an ancient market town that was rumoured to have been there, so Saddler said, since anyone could remember.

  He filled them in as they were going along.

  ‘According to Nebiré, it’s a strange old place. Used to be a proper market, full of ordinary folks coming to buy and sell their wares. Now, rumour ‘as it, there’s more sly dealings going on than enough!’

  ‘But you’ve never been there?’

  ‘Not me, never ‘ad the need, but the Prof told me all about it. Used to be one of Nebiré’s old ‘unting grounds too, but as you’ve seen she doesn’t get out much these days.’

  ‘So why are we heading for this delightful place?’ enquired Boff, as they reached the outskirts of the town.

  ‘I’ve got a friend of Nebiré’s to see; about a mile off over there. Least I can do after all ‘er ‘elp. Then we can stock up on provisions in the town.’

  Strange was hardly a sufficient word for the place they found themselves in. From a distance it looked like any old town with market stalls ranged around the cobbled main square. But as they approached, they could see that the individuals frequenting the market place could hardly be described as ‘ordinary folk’.

  They could feel the charged atmosphere, almost as though at any moment a violent thunderstorm might rent the air. They all shivered.

  ‘Magic,’ murmured Saddler, ‘an’ not necessarily the good kind neither. Right, listen up. I’ll be as quick as I can. ‘Ave a wander round, but don’t talk to anyone and whatever you do, don’t eat or drink anything!’ So saying, he hurried off.

  The children and Boff began to wend their way amongst the various stalls. They were afraid they would look very out of place in their ordinary clothes, aware they might attract unwanted attention. But they needn’t have worried. Most of the market’s inhabitants were too intent on their own business to pay any attention to them.

  They gazed around them fascinated. No shape, size or colour of individual seemed unrepresented. Some of the outfits looked like witches’ clothes straight out of a film, whilst amongst the varying shades of black and grey there were flashes of vibrant colour and people in flamboyant attire that might easily have been designed for a carnival.

  ‘Look at that!’ hissed Destiny as one particularly striking individual, about seven foot tall, swirled past them in a blaze of red, purple and gold. The individual in question turned and flashed her the most amazing, brilliant white smile, before melting away into the crowd. Destiny blushed so furiously she thought she might self-combust. Anthony grabbed her arm and dragged her behind a nearby stall.

  ‘Twit!’ he said affectionately.

  ‘He must have had supersonic hearing!’ complained Destiny. Anthony and Boff exchanged smiles.

  ‘What?’ Destiny frowned.

  ‘Come on,’ said Anthony, ‘let’s find somewhere a bit quieter, before someone gets us into a whole lot of trouble!’

  Leaving the stalls behind them, they walked down a narrow, cobbled alleyway marvelling at all the ancient, drunken looking houses. Destiny enthused, her embarrassment forgotten. Roofs sagged and walls bowed, but somehow, despite all that, the wooden beams and whitewashed walls looked as though they would quite happily weather a few more hundred years yet.

  But … everywhere seemed quiet and totally deserted.

  ‘Maybe everyone goes to the market?’ suggested Boff hopefully.

  ‘Or maybe everyone shuts up shop and stays indoors until the market’s over!’ Anthony shuddered. ‘I don’t like the feel of this place. Anyway, it’s beginning to get dark and Saddler said he wouldn’t be long. He’s probably wondering where on earth we’ve got to.’

  They wound their way back through the cramped cobbled streets, until they could hear the hue and cry of the market once more. Judging by the volume, it was still very much in full swing despite the creeping dusk.

  They were just in view of the first stalls, when Destiny saw something in a dull recess that caught her attention.

  ‘Look!’ she said, pointing.

  The smallest monkey they had ever seen, dressed in a tiny soldier’s uniform was performing juggling tricks with bananas and oranges. They watched enthralled for a couple of moments, until the monkey accidentally dropped one of the bananas. Instantly it scampered to the farthest length of a chain that they could now see was attached to one of its legs. It cowered, tiny hands covering its face. A wizened old man stepped out of the shadows with a raised stick in his hand.

  ‘Useless beast!’ he growled, and was just about to bring the stick crashing down on the unfortunate creature, when he noticed the group watching him. Without a word he turned and hurried back the way he had come.

  Before the others could stop her, Destiny had rushed forward.

  ‘You poor thing!’ she cried.

  The monkey raised its head from its hands and peered at her uncertainly. Fortunately, the chain was attached to a small leather band around the monkey’s leg and so Destiny talked soothingly to the little fellow while she undid the tiny buckles that secured it there. Free at last, the tiny monkey leapt gratefully into her arms and snuggled there, chattering softly.

  ‘Fleas,’ pointed out Anthony, grinning.

  ‘Shush.’ Destiny scowled.

  ‘When you two have finished canoodling, I think this might be a good time to get out of here. That old man didn’t look too happy when he left and I’m pretty certain he’s not going to be any more cheerful when he comes back and finds you’ve let his monkey go!’

  ‘Well, what do you expect …?’ Destiny began to argue, but she was cut short as the monkey leapt to the floor and scurried off. It ran a few yards and then stopped, looking back at them pointedly.

  ‘Looks like he wants us to follow,’ said Boff, somewhat unnecessarily.

  Anthony raised his eyebrows. ‘Here we go again,’ he muttered as the three of them hurriedly followed in the monkey’s wake.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  Just on the edge of the town there was a tavern. With frequent stops to check that the children were still following him, it was here that the little monkey led them. It sped through the swing doors, across the dusty floor and leapt straight up onto the bar.

  Anthony, Destiny and Boff hovered uncertainly in the doorway. The place was gloomy and uninviting and seemed to be full of dark little niches, where most of the inhabitants looked as though they were furtively discussing dodgy deals. But the bar tender seemed jolly enough. As soon as he appeared, his big, round face broke into a beaming smile at the sight of the little monkey. For his part, the little fellow leapt at once into the barman’s arms and chattered furiously, pointing at the group in the doorway and patting winningly at the barman’s fluffy white beard.

  After a minute or two, the barman’s grin became even broader and he gestured expansively at the children and Boff to come in. He led them to a table in a cosy little nook and loomed cheerily over them, rubbing his meaty hands.

  ‘Well, now,’ he said effusively, ‘my little friend over there –’ he gestured towards the monkey who was contentedly nibbling at nuts on the bar – ‘tells me that you’ve been most kind … most kind! That dratted man keeps catching him and forcing him to do those ridiculous juggling tricks. I’ll get hold of him one day – and when I do …’ The barman’s face darkened for a moment, but then brightened again almost immediately.

  ‘Enough of that! The least I can do is to offer you some refreshment.’ He looked first at Boff and then at the children. ‘I think I have the very thing for you youngsters. Warm you up a trea
t.’

  He bustled off before they could say a word, moving surprising quickly for a man of his girth.

  ‘This is supremely weird!’ said Destiny.

  ‘Is there anything that hasn’t been weird since we met Saddler?’ queried Anthony.

  ‘I don’t want to be a misery guts,’ Boff said tentatively, ‘but Saddler was most insistent that we shouldn’t eat or drink anything!’

  ‘You’re right,’ said Anthony, ‘but that was from the market stalls. Surely a tavern should be safe enough?’

  ‘But still …’

  ‘Shhh,’ hissed Destiny, ‘he’s coming back!’

  The barman was carrying a tray with tall glass mugs, full of something that looked a bit like ice-cream sundaes. There were also huge cakes of some description that might have been chocolate muffins. With his beaming smile, the barman placed the glasses and plates in front of each of them and then stood back with a look of tremendous satisfaction on his face. Suddenly, he threw his hands up in the air.

  ‘Oh, napkins, forgot the napkins. Back in a jiffy.’

  Destiny looked worriedly at Anthony.

  ‘I’m not sure about this!’

  ‘It’s going to look extremely rude if we go without touching anything though,’

  ‘If we drink up quickly,’ said Boff, eyeing up the cakes hungrily, ‘we can say we’re in a bit of a hurry. No harm done.’

  The others agreed as the barman returned with the napkins.

  ‘Anything else I can get you?’ he enthused.

  They all thanked him several times and assured him there wasn’t. He hovered by them, obviously keen for them to tuck in.

  Boff was the first to give way. He supped some of the liquid from the tall glass. His eyes closed for a moment, as though he were thinking deeply. Then he opened them again and beamed at the others.

  ‘Delicious!’ he announced.

  The barman laughed delightedly and hurried away to serve another customer.

  Boff seemed fine, in fact he was tucking into his cake as though he hadn’t had a meal in weeks.