Voyage of the Owl

by Belinda Murrell

  All four fell asleep, in their two little bed chambers, almost as soon as their heads touched the pillows. Charcoal slept curled in the crook of Lily’s knees, while Aisha stretched out on the floor by the bed, one ear carefully cocked as always for any strange sounds or sign of danger.

  That afternoon, while the children slept peacefully at the White Horse Inn, Sniffer waited nervously outside Governor Lazlac’s office. The Sedah soldiers had searched every room in the palace, every outbuilding, every nook and cranny.

  Every vehicle and person leaving the palace had been examined. They had found nothing. Sniffer had personally searched dozens of rooms with his usually unfailing thoroughness. Nothing.

  He had returned again to the kitchen and the pantry. He had cross-examined servants. No-one had seen or heard anything. That impertinent cook had repeated her story about finding the pantry robbed and demanded he find the thieves.

  Sniffer had even searched the cook’s room himself on a whim. The room was spotless. The cook must have been a secret smoker because there was a faint smell of burnt cigars in the room, but there was no crime in that.

  Now he had to report to Governor Lazlac that the quarry had disappeared into thin air once more. He chewed his fingernails.

  They must have left the palace grounds. But how?

  Sniffer pulled out a long curly golden hair from his pocket. He sniffed it lovingly.

  ‘I will find you, Princess,’ he muttered to himself. ‘I’ll find you. All of you.’

  Perhaps he should just check with the guards on gate duty once more and find out exactly what vehicles had left the palace grounds that day. There must be some clue, somewhere.

  Inside the office he could hear Governor Lazlac shouting at someone. Things were not going quite to plan – the Sun Gem had disappeared and the Governor’s missive to Emperor Raef had been stolen from his bed chamber while he slept.

  Couriers were running hither and thither with messages. Convoys of chests and crates were being escorted down to the port under double guard. Governor Lazlac was taking no more chances.

  When the children woke it was late afternoon. Their clothes and cloaks were washed, dried and folded in a neat pile out in the hall. They dressed and wandered down to the taproom for hot tea and a very late lunch.

  Ethan, Saxon and Roana were dressed in brown breeches, white cotton shirts, dark green woollen cloaks and sturdy leather boots. With her long golden ringlets cut short and her hair dyed brown, Roana looked like a village boy instead of a royal princess.

  Ethan had his bow hung in its usual place over his shoulder, with his quiver on his back. Lily wore her ankle-length blue dress with its tight bodice, wide skirt and white petticoats, with a green cloak and black boots. Charcoal peeked out from her pocket, twitching her whiskers, although the kitten was growing rapidly and would not fit in a pocket for much longer.

  The taproom was largely empty, with just a couple of customers in the far corner. The children chose a table as far from the doorways and other customers as possible.

  In a few minutes Peg hurried back with a huge tray laden with steaming food and a large jug of ginger ale.

  The four children stared hungrily at the tray as Peg set it down on the table.

  ‘Hungry, are yez?’ Peg laughed. ‘Well, we’ve hot roast beef, gravy, baked potatoes, pumpkin and beans. There’s also a chicken and leek pie in case you don’t like beef, but leave a morsel of room because I’m baking a cherry tart with custard for pudding.’

  Everyone’s mouths started to water at the list of these culinary delights, as well as the delicious smells wafting from the tray. Aisha’s tail thumped joyfully under the table at the mention of food.

  Peg laughed again. ‘And I’ve a large bone in the kitchen for the dog, so don’t go feeding her all that lovely beef. Enjoy!’

  Aisha happily followed Peg out to the kitchen to feast on a beautifully smelly old joint bone. Peg had even thought of Charcoal, bringing her out a bowl of scraps and a saucer of milk, which she lapped under the table.

  Saxon poured large glasses of bubbling ginger ale, while the others served out plates laden with hot food.

  There was no conversation as everyone happily munched their way through the first helping of main course. The beef was finely sliced and swimming in rich brown gravy. The potatoes were golden and crunchy and salty. The chicken pie was light and flaky, filled with creamy chicken and leek sauce.

  ‘I know we have cherry tart still to come, but this pie is so delicious I just have to have another slice,’ sighed Saxon, helping himself to another large wedge.

  ‘What a feast,’ agreed Roana, her blue eyes sparkling with enjoyment. ‘I think my lovely Cookie must have some influence in Master Drummond’s kitchen. Anyone for more baked potatoes?’

  ‘Yes please,’ asked Ethan. ‘And a little piece of pumpkin. Thanks.’

  There was very little food left on the tray by the time everyone pushed their plates away, sighing with contentment.

  ‘That was simply delicious,’ Lily pronounced, stretching happily.

  ‘After lunch, we should head out and see if we can find out anything about the Sea Dragon and its cargo,’ suggested Ethan, sipping on his ginger ale.

  ‘We need to be very careful,’ Saxon added. ‘Tira is probably crawling with Sedahs. Not to mention pickpockets and ruffians. We still need to think of a good way to hide the gem and Roana’s gold.’

  ‘I had an idea when I woke up about where to hide you-know-what,’ whispered Lily. ‘We could sew it into the hem of Roana’s cloak. No-one would ever think to look for something there, so if we were searched it should be safe.’

  ‘That is an excellent idea,’ enthused Roana. ‘We could double and even triple sew it to make sure it could not come undone. At last, my hours of boring embroidery lessons may finally become useful! I can do a stitch so tiny it is invisible!’

  ‘I can’t imagine you being such a meek and dutiful student, Roana,’ Ethan grinned. ‘I am sure you gave your poor embroidery mistress some royal cheek.’

  ‘I did indeed,’ admitted Roana. ‘Much to my mother’s chagrin. I was well behaved in languages, geography and history because I could see the point in all of that. But embroidery!’

  The other three were silent. They had all learned to read, write and figure numbers but not in a school room. They had learned at the kitchen table, taught by their parents. Sometimes they had difficulty imagining Roana’s privileged upbringing as a royal princess.

  ‘My father had a little trick he used for hiding money when he travelled to buy cloth and supplies,’ Saxon said, tactfully changing the subject. ‘He had a cord attached to his money pouch around his neck and he hid the pouch inside his clothes so it would be harder for a pickpocket to find it.’

  After each consuming a generous slice of cherry tart with custard, they requested needle and thread from Peg, and retired upstairs to set to work. Soon the Sun Gem was carefully triple sewn, with tiny invisible stitches, into the hem of the green riding cloak that Roana had borrowed from Ethan. Roana could feel the power of the gem pulsing through her fingertips as she sewed.

  Saxon fashioned a strap for the money pouch. Ethan burned both the original and decoded messages in case they were stopped and searched.

  Regretfully they burned the curious puzzle box, pushing it into the hottest part of the fire with the poker. A strange exotic smell filled the room as the timber smouldered. The four watched the flames tentatively lick the box, then flare into a greedy, leaping blaze. Saxon used the poker to crush and crumble the box until it was just a pile of glowing coals and ash.

  Now there was nothing left to link them with the stealthy adventures of their night in the palace. The evidence was completely destroyed.

  They had finished all their preparations when Peg knocked on the door once more.

  ‘Master Drummond has returned and wishes to speak with you,’ she murmured shyly.

  Roana retrieved the curl of paper from her boot and hid
it in the palm of her hand. The four children and Aisha followed Peg downstairs into the taproom. Peg waved them towards a large round man with rosy cheeks, who was waiting alone at a table by the window, then she scurried back to the kitchen.

  ‘Good afternoon,’ the man smiled, offering them each a cup of steaming tea. ‘I am Albert Drummond. I am told that my sister sent you from the palace, hidden in the back of a garbage cart.’

  The children nodded. Master Drummond looked remarkably like his sister Cookie, and the children immediately felt they could trust him.

  ‘A most curious form of transport for her to choose!’ Master Drummond exclaimed. ‘However, I am happy to have you in my humble inn. I hope my staff have looked after you well?’

  ‘Peg has been lovely,’ replied Lily. ‘She even managed to get our clothes clean again after our journey – no easy task!’

  ‘The lunch was absolutely wonderful too,’ Ethan agreed.

  ‘Good,’ Master Drummond continued. ‘I presume my sister sent you here because you are in some sort of trouble, and you need my help.’

  Roana handed the bedraggled ribbon of paper to Master Drummond. ‘Cookie asked me to give you this,’ she explained.

  Master Drummond looked around carefully, checking that there was no-one else in the taproom. He rose and fetched a broom from beside the fireplace and brought it back to the table. Carefully he fastened one end of the paper ribbon to the end of the broomstick, then wound it tightly round and down the wood. He glanced down the stick, reading the letters on the paper ribbon.

  Master Drummond whistled low, thoughtfully assessing Roana.

  ‘Your highness, I am honoured to have you here,’ Master Drummond whispered, bowing his head. ‘I am happy to help you and your friends in any way I can.’

  Roana flushed, conscious of her ragged clothes and shorn hair. ‘I thank you kindly, sir,’ she murmured.

  Saxon and Ethan glanced surreptitiously at the ribbon of paper, rolled around the broomstick, wondering what was written there. Master Drummond laughed and showed them the message. With the ribbon of paper curled around the broomstick, the letters lined up in a different order so they now made sense.

  ‘HELP PRINCESS ROANA ESCAPE SEDAH’

  ‘My orders from the palace,’ Master Drummond joked. ‘Cookie has the same broomstick in the palace kitchens – you can only read the message if you have exactly the same size stick as the one the message was written on.’

  ‘Who would have thought that Cookie could be so clever?’ Roana cried.

  Master Drummond chuckled, throwing the ribbon of paper onto the fire, where it burst into flames immediately. ‘Well, working in the palace requires multiple skills. Now, what can I do to help?’

  ‘We need to leave Tira undiscovered as soon as possible and head to the port,’ replied Ethan.

  ‘The port?’ Master Drummond asked, puckering his brow. ‘The port is crawling with Sedah soldiers. No, I think it is better if I take you out of the city to a safe hiding place in the countryside. I know of several cottages that would be ideal.’

  ‘It is imperative we go to the port, Master Drummond,’ Roana replied, her voice strong and regal. ‘I cannot tell you why, but we must go there. The future of Tiregian and my family may depend upon it.’

  Master Drummond did not laugh at this pronouncement or Roana’s grave demeanour. He examined the faces of each child carefully, considering Roana’s words.

  ‘All right then,’ he decided. ‘To the port. Is there anything else?’

  ‘We need to check on our four horses,’ Lily added. ‘We left them tethered in a clearing with our gear, on the eastern side of the city, a couple of days ago. I pray that no harm has come to them.’

  ‘I also need to find a sea captain called Fox,’ Saxon said. ‘Our friend Saira said he may be able to help us.’

  ‘Aaah. The mysterious Fox,’ Ethan grinned. ‘I wondered when we might find out more about your friend Fox.’

  ‘We should also send a message to Cookie, to let her know that we escaped safely,’ Roana added. ‘Perhaps she could get a message to our parents. They will be worrying.’

  Roana felt inside her shirt and touched the amethyst heart locket she wore there. It had been her mother’s, stolen by Lord Lazlac on the fateful day the Sedahs had invaded. Roana had stolen it back from his very bedside last night. Now it comforted her with thoughts of her mother.

  Master Drummond nodded silently, his mind ticking.

  ‘Draw me a map of where you left your horses and I will send my stableboy to fetch them,’ he decided. ‘I can stable them here until you send for them.’

  ‘Thank you, that would be wonderful,’ breathed Lily, her face shining with relief. ‘Also, I need to get some more herbal potions. I’ve used up nearly everything in my pack.’

  Master Drummond laughed. ‘You certainly ask for a lot! Well, you’d better talk to Peg and see if she can help you with your herbs.’

  Lily smiled her thanks.

  ‘I think it would be best if you split up to leave the city,’ Master Drummond suggested. ‘The Sedahs may have briefed the guards on the gate to look out for a dog, a girl with a kitten and three boys, one with a very posh accent.’

  Here he grinned at Roana, who flushed crimson.

  ‘I can lend you some things to make you look like servants running chores,’ Master Drummond continued. ‘You should all walk separately through the guards on the gate and across the bridge, spread out over half an hour or so. I will take your packs and weapons in my cart and meet you at the western port in a couple of hours. Hopefully I may be able to discover something about this seaman Fox for you by then. I know a few of the owners of the inns down near the port. They should be able to tell me something.’

  Everyone nodded. The plan made perfect sense.

  Master Drummond sent Peg to fetch some paper and a quill. Roana sketched a map of the clearing where the four horses had been tethered to graze and where their extra gear was hidden. Then the four children and Master Drummond composed a coded note to Cookie.

  ‘How can we let Cookie know we are safe, and what we plan to do?’ asked Roana, her brow furrowed in concentration. ‘Should we send Cookie a broomstick note like the one she sent you?’

  ‘No,’ said Master Drummond. ‘That code is just for emergencies. We’ll have to think of something that looks more ordinary.’

  ‘We need to use a code that Cookie will understand but no-one else will,’ Lily suggested.

  ‘How about a note about something mundane and boring, like housekeeping or shopping or fish or vegetables … but really it is about us,’ said Ethan.

  ‘Something to do with food and cooking,’ added Saxon. ‘If it is signed by Master Drummond she will know it is about us escaping.’

  ‘Perhaps we could talk about eggs,’ Lily grinned. ‘Eggs symbolise both the golden sun and the white moon, in harmony together – new beginnings, spring, hope and all that!’

  ‘Oh, Lily! I’m sure it doesn’t need to be quite that symbolic!’ laughed Ethan. ‘But then again, why not eggs?’

  They wrote several drafts of the note, changing and improving it, then Master Drummond copied it out in his neat, businesslike handwriting. It was addressed outside to Mistress Cookie Drummond, Palace Kitchens. Inside it read:

  Dearest Sister,

  Thank you kindly for your gift of eggs. Please tell the farmer that they arrived fresh and unbroken this morning. They were so good I have decided to share them with my friends down in the port. They are preparing for a sea voyage so will welcome some fresh farm produce.

  If you need any high quality fish for the palace kitchens, let me know.

  Best wishes, your loving brother

  Albert.

  Jed the stableboy was despatched to deliver this note to Cookie at the palace, then to hasten to the clearing on the eastern side of the city to collect Moonbeam, Nutmeg, Toffee and Caramel, together with their saddles and bridles.

  Peg was sent to gather vario
us servant props, while Ethan carefully unstrung the precious bows and stowed them in a barrel, with the packs, cloaks, arrows and some food supplies. The barrel was cunningly fitted with a false bottom and topped up with ale, so anyone searching the cart would think it was a simple barrel of ale.

  The children were too polite to ask why Master Drummond had such a handy hiding spot on his cart, or why he seemed such a master of disguises.

  ‘Best we don’t talk about it for all our sakes,’ winked Master Drummond. ‘’Tis always handy to have a secret hiding spot, whether hiding something from cut-throats and pickpockets, the authorities of Tira or now the Sedahs.’

  Lily was dressed in a white mob cap, hiding her curls completely, and a rather dirty apron. She carried a basket and some shears, and her cover story was a journey to pick herbs in the meadows by the river.

  Saxon was disguised as a fishmonger returning from the city market to the fishing boats. He carried a huge pannier that smelt strongly of fish. He wore a filthy smock, smeared with blood and fish scales, and his hands and face were also fishy.

  Roana had a big cap pulled low over her face. She carried an empty sack, her fingernails caked in dirt and a large muddy smear on her cheek. She was now a farmer’s son, returning from delivering potatoes to the White Horse Inn. Roana, at her insistence, was the only one to wear her green riding cloak. She imagined she could feel the fiery gem glowing in the hem of her cloak.

  Ethan was transformed into a chimney sweep. Black soot darkened his face and hands and he carried a sweep’s brush. The distinctive white streak of hair at his temple was also blackened. His mission was a blocked chimney at one of the inns at the port. Ethan felt strangely vulnerable without his bow and arrows.

  ‘Perfect,’ grinned Master Drummond. ‘You all look the part. You will notice the attention to detail – the blood and dirt under the fingernails, the tools of your trade. The Sedahs will not even look at you twice! Remember to say as little as you can and try to talk like a pauper’s child, especially you, Princess.’