by Adam Blade
I’m going to drown! he thought frantically. Was this the end of his new Quest already? Then pain stabbed through him as his flailing arm struck something hard. Instinctively, he grabbed at it and found he was clinging to a spur of rock that thrust upward from the ocean bed. Working his way along it, he managed to drag himself out from the force of the whirlpool and up to the surface. He took a few deep breaths to calm his panic, and dove back down once more.
Looking around, Tom saw the spires and hollows of a coral bed stretching into the distance. Then a dull gleam of gold caught his eye. On one spike of coral rested the golden helmet.
He had never seen a helmet like it before. It was shaped like an eagle’s head: The visor was molded in the shape of a hooked beak, and the golden surface was patterned to look like feathers.
Tom was amazed. He couldn’t believe how easy this was! He would just collect the helmet, then swim back up to the boat.
Kicking away from the rock, Tom swam toward the golden gleam. But as he reached for the helmet,
he spotted movement just beyond it. A dark shadow was rising up from behind the coral. It was so huge that it took Tom a moment to realize it was a head, with staring, bulging eyes and a mouth like a gaping beak. Seconds later, a body followed, a mass of giant tentacles. Tom could see through the creature’s skin, to where three red hearts were pumping.
Zepha was a giant squid! More than that, a monster squid!
This was the Beast who was threatening the villagers with starvation by driving all the fish away. Panic froze him. How could he battle such a vast creature? His eyes alone were as tall as Tom was and his beak could swallow him up in one bite.
Before Tom could make a dive for the helmet, the squid hurtled out of its shelter in the coral, its snaking tentacles lashing out for Tom.
Tom felt his lungs start to hurt with the effort of holding his breath. As he pushed himself through the water, away from the grasping tentacles, he let the last few precious bubbles of air escape from his mouth.
Now he was deep below the surface with no air, and the monster squid was between him and the helmet.
What could he do now? He’d never get out alive!
CHAPTER EIGHT
UNEXPECTED HELP
KICKING OUT STRONGLY, TOM SWAM FOR THE surface — fast. At any moment, he expected one of Zepha’s tentacles to fasten around his ankle, dragging him back into the depths.
Tom’s head burst through the surface of the sea; he coughed up water and took in great gulps of air. Blinking to clear his eyes, he spotted Lindon’s boat rocking on the waves a few yards away, and swam carefully around the whirlpool toward it. When he reached the boat, Lindon leaned over the side to help him on board.
“I thought I’d seen the last of you,” said Lindon. There was a grudging respect in his tone of voice. He grasped Tom’s hand and shook it firmly. “I reckon you can keep your horse after that.” He looked at Tom curiously. “What did you see down there?”
“You have to take me back!” Tom gasped. “I need to pick up Elenna.”
Lindon saw the determination in his face and nodded. Quickly he hauled on the ropes and soon the boat was plunging back toward the beach.
Elenna was waiting for Tom at the water’s edge, holding his sword and shield. She flung them down and hugged Tom as he leaped ashore. Silver bounded around him excitedly, letting out a howl of welcome.
“You’re safe!” Elenna exclaimed. “But where’s the helmet?”
“At the bottom of the sea,” Tom replied. “Guarded by a giant squid.”
“Zepha is a squid?”
“Yes. He’s huge. A monster.” Hesitating, he added, “I’m not sure I can defeat him.”
“Then we can do it together,” Elenna said.
Tom was warmed by his friend’s courage and loyalty. “I was hoping you’d say that,” he said.
He turned back to Lindon, only to see the fisherman already heading away, toward the people still huddled around the fire. He was carrying the basket of fish he had caught earlier.
“Hey!” Tom called out. “I need you to take me out there again.”
“I’ve had more than my share of risk for today,” Lindon said. He shook his head regretfully. “I’m not going back out again. Sorry.” He strode off toward the fire.
Elenna and Tom looked at each other. They both knew that Elenna was skillful at handling a boat.
“Do you think we should take it?” Elenna whispered.
“We had to do that last time, when we freed Sepron,” Tom replied. “It’s for the good of the people here. We have no choice.”
When they were sure that no one was looking, Tom fastened on his scabbard and put his shield into the boat. Then he and Elenna climbed in. Silver watched them, letting out a mournful whine.
“All right, you can come, too,” said Elenna.
The wolf’s ears went up and he took a flying leap into the boat, which rocked from side to side.
“Storm will be fine,” Elenna added. “Calum is looking after him.”
Tom’s fear returned as Elenna guided the boat out to sea. He imagined one of Zepha’s giant tentacles lashing out of the water, dragging the boat down into the depths. All three of them would drown.
“Are you ready for this? It’s very dangerous….” he began.
“We wanted to come, didn’t we, Silver?” Elenna said calmly.
Silver gave a yelp of agreement.
“But you haven’t seen Zepha.” Had he made a mistake coming back for his friend?
“I’ve seen Sepron, though,” Elenna said. “If we could defeat him, we can defeat Zepha.”
“Sepron!” Tom shouted. “Of course!”
Tom grabbed his shield and polished Sepron’s tooth hard with the sleeve of his tunic. At first nothing happened. Then, Tom heard the sound of rushing water.
Elenna leaned over the side. “I can see something moving!” she cried.
Tom’s stomach lurched. “Sepron?” he asked himself. “Or Zepha?”
Joy flooded through him as a huge head and arching neck burst out of the water, glittering seawater pouring off it. Tom gazed up at Sepron’s shining eyes and rainbow-colored scales.
“It worked!” Elenna laughed.
The great sea serpent arched his neck protectively over the boat. Then he dove beneath the waves again. Even though Tom could no longer see him, he knew that the Beast was there, ready to help and protect them. Would it be enough? Or was Malvel’s evil Beast too strong, even for Sepron?
As if in answer to Tom’s question, a blue glow formed in the air just ahead of the boat. Inside it, Aduro appeared. Tom could still see the tossing waves through his robes. The wizard had sent an illusion of himself, just as he had many times before.
“Don’t give up hope, Tom,” he said.
Tom smiled, happy to see such a familiar face.
“Aduro!”
“I don’t have much time, so I’ll speak quickly. It was good thinking to summon Sepron,” Aduro went on. “But remember: As a good Beast of Avantia, he can only attack Zepha in order to protect you.”
Tom nodded in understanding. He had so many questions, but the wizard’s form was already beginning to fade.
“Good luck!” Aduro called out before he disappeared altogether. Then the blue mist evaporated, and Tom could see the turbulent water at the edge of the whirlpool.
Silver began to whine and pace back and forth along the boards of the boat.
“He knows something’s wrong,” Elenna said grimly.
Gripping his shield, Tom climbed onto the side of the boat, Elenna scrambling up beside him. “I’ll distract Zepha,” Tom said. “When he comes after me, you grab the helmet and swim back to the boat as fast as you can.” Elenna nodded.
Tom gazed down into the whirlpool. Just below the surface Sepron was circling, waiting.
“Stay, Silver,” Elenna told the wolf. He whimpered a little, but settled down obediently in the bottom of the boat with his nose on his paws.
Together, he and Elenna dove into the whirlpool.
CHAPTER NINE
THE ANGER OF ZEPHA
THIS TIME THE WEIGHT OF TOM’S SWORD AND shield took him down faster. He managed to keep his sense of direction, swimming in a spiral down to the seabed. He looked up. Above him, Elenna swam with Sepron.
Soon Tom spotted the coral reef and the golden glint of the helmet. He pointed Elenna toward it. Elenna saw his signal and began to head in that direction.
Then the huge form of Zepha came into view behind the spires of coral. Tom saw Elenna’s mouth open in a cry of horror. Valuable air bubbled away toward the surface. Tom had to help! He swam close to her and gripped her shoulder encouragingly.
Then they swam on together toward the menacing shape of the monster squid.
As they drew closer, Tom could see the giant tentacles waving gently in the underwater tide. Zepha was curled up as if he was sleeping. But Tom wasn’t fooled.
In a sudden movement, Elenna darted toward the helmet. Tom swam nearer, despite the danger, hoping to distract the evil Beast. But he got too close.
As Tom turned to swim away, hoping Zepha would be lured to follow, a tentacle lashed out and wrapped itself around his ankle.
Tom tugged furiously, trying to free himself. He spotted Elenna swimming in his direction, but waved her back, toward the helmet.
He could feel the tentacle tightening. It was cutting off his blood supply; his foot was growing numb. He kicked out, trying to swim for the surface, but the tentacle held him back. Starting to panic, Tom swallowed a mouthful of seawater and began to choke. Then he caught another glimpse of Elenna. Her knife in her hand, she was swimming down toward the giant squid. She pulled her arm back, and the knife flashed in a shaft of sunlight that pierced the sea-green gloom. Then she thrust the blade deep into the tough muscle of Zepha’s tentacle.
The Beast’s pale eyes opened wide in a spasm of pain and fury. Tom felt the grip on his ankle loosen. Drawing his sword, he slashed angrily at the tentacle. Red blood billowed out into the water. The tip of the tentacle fell away as the Beast thrashed wildly in agony. Tom was free — for the moment.
He swam away from Zepha, but the squid heaved himself up from the coral bed and gave chase, closing the gap between himself and Tom with frightening speed.
Then Tom saw Sepron swimming toward them. His scales glittered and his eyes flashed with fury. The sea serpent’s jaws gaped as he snapped angrily at Zepha. His teeth punctured the squid’s leathery skin and gripped tightly.
Zepha twisted with rage and pain, and squirted a huge cloud of black ink from the underside of his body into the sea serpent’s face. Sepron reared back, blinded by the ink and lashing his head from side to side as the black cloud spread. His grip on Zepha loosened as he rolled over and over in the water, trying to clear his sight.
Free again, the monster squid shot after Tom. His tentacles thrashed through the sea, churning up underwater currents. Tom was battered around by the angry water. Where was Elenna? He couldn’t see her! He swiped at Zepha with his sword, aiming at the three hearts that pulsed beneath the squid’s skin.
But one flailing tentacle knocked the sword out of his hand. Tom stared in horror as it sank and was lost in the darkness of the green, watery depths.
Tom had never felt so alone. Sepron couldn’t help him, and Elenna had vanished. His arms and legs ached with exhaustion, and the air in his lungs was running out again. He struck out for the surface, but he knew he would never swim fast enough to escape, and he had no weapon left to fight the monster.
Zepha sensed Tom’s weakness and swam right for him, his beak open wide. The beast’s pale eyes gleamed. One of his tentacles coiled around Tom’s waist. Terrified, Tom felt himself dragged closer to the gaping hole of the squid’s mouth. He held up his shield as a last attempt to defend himself. But Zepha’s mouth was big enough to engulf the shield and Tom as well.
Malvel had won. There was nothing more Tom could do.
CHAPTER TEN
VICTORY?
THE WATER SWIRLED AS ELENNA SWAM IN front of Tom, his sword gripped in one hand, her knife in the other. Fearlessly, she plunged the sword into Zepha’s open mouth, jamming his beak open. The squid’s eyes flared with anger. He released his grip on Tom and flung all his tentacles at Elenna. More bubbles escaped from her mouth as she gasped in alarm. She turned and swam away.
Tom knew he didn’t have much time. The sword wouldn’t hold Zepha back for long and he couldn’t hold his breath much longer. He had to find the helmet, but in the battle with the squid he had lost his sense of direction. He peered down through the gloom, but he couldn’t see the telltale glint of gold.
To his relief, Sepron came gliding through the greenish darkness. Tom could tell he had recovered his sight: His eyes glared with anger and he was heading straight for Zepha. He swooped down and wrapped his rainbow-colored coils around the squid. This time, Zepha couldn’t squirt ink into his face, or grip him with his tentacles.
Sepron clutched the giant squid tighter and tighter with his coils. Tom could hardly believe what he was seeing. It looked as if the sea serpent was squeezing the life out of Zepha. Astonished, Tom watched as the edges of the squid started to blur. He looked around for Elenna, who had reappeared, and pointed frantically. Something was happening! Rippling movements came from beneath Zepha’s skin as the evil Beast writhed in agony.
Suddenly, the monster squid’s three pulsing, red hearts shattered into tiny glinting pieces, too many for Tom to count, and his skin burst open, tearing cruelly. Tom struggled not to gasp as thousands of tiny squids shot out, swimming as if terrified. Zepha’s empty papery skin began to sink slowly down into the gloom, toward the seabed. Malvel’s beast was no more.
Elenna grabbed Tom’s sword before it could fall out of sight. Tom swam after her, gazing around for a glimpse of the helmet. Then he spotted its golden gleam.
But exhaustion made his limbs heavy. He had no air left. His lungs were screaming with pain. Elenna must be feeling the same. Were they going to die after all?
Then Tom caught sight of Sepron swimming toward them. The sea serpent dove underneath them and rose slowly upward so that Tom and Elenna could cling to his scaly neck as he headed for the surface. Tom hugged Sepron with relief.
As they passed the coral spire where the golden helmet rested, Tom reached out and grasped it by the hooked beak.
Sepron’s neck rose out of the water just beside the boat. Tom and Elenna hung on for a moment more, gasping air into their tortured lungs. Silver sprang up and rested his front paws on the side of the boat, letting out an astonished yelp.
Then the sea serpent lowered his neck, gently depositing Tom and Elenna into the bottom of the boat. Silver pushed up close to Elenna, nosing her. She rolled onto her back and allowed the wolf to lick her face. Her chest rose and fell as she gasped for air. Then she reached out a hand to ruffle Silver’s fur. She was all right.
“Thank you, Sepron,” Tom panted, reaching up to pat the serpent’s gleaming scales. “We couldn’t have done it without you.”
Sepron bowed his head before sinking back beneath the waves again. Tom caught a last glimpse of his rainbow coils as he swam away into the open sea. He felt warmed by the thought that the Beast who had once been his foe had saved their lives.
“Well,” he said with an exhausted sigh. “We’ve got the helmet.”
“Why don’t you try it on?” Elenna asked, climbing to her feet.
Tom hesitated for a moment, turning the helmet over between his hands. The gold shone brightly and he could see how skillfully the helmet was crafted — even the finest pieces from his uncle’s forge couldn’t compare.
Could it really be for him? Was he worthy to wear the helmet that had once belonged to the Master of the Beasts of Avantia?
“Go on!” Elenna urged him.
Tom raised the helmet and put it on his head. Instantly he felt it shrink to fit him. H
e gasped. His eyesight had suddenly grown stronger! He could see the people on the shoreline; Calum’s father Matt was mending a fishing net and Lindon was squatting by the fire, drinking something from a bowl. Farther away from the sea, Calum was leading Storm along the edge of the trees. Tom could even see the whites of the stallion’s eyes as he paced up and down.
“This is amazing,” he exclaimed. “I can see everything! I just wish my father could see me.”
“He’d be so proud of you,” Elenna told him.
Triumph bubbled up inside Tom. The first part of his new Quest was over! He had retrieved the helmet. And now he was determined that it wouldn’t be long before he found the other five parts of the armor, too.
“We’ve only just started,” he said to Elenna. “I’m not giving up until I have every piece of the golden armor.”
Elenna smiled in agreement. “Let’s get back to shore,” she said gently.
She pulled up the sail and began to guide the boat back to the beach.
They were halfway back when a familiar blue glow began to appear before them, and Aduro seemed to stand on the waves.
But this time he was not alone.
Behind him was Malvel, who held a slim dagger against the wizard’s neck. Aduro’s face was set hard. Tom knew that face: It was the one he wore himself when refusing to show fear.
“Get away from him!” Tom shouted at Malvel.
The Dark Wizard smiled. “So you have the golden helmet,” he sneered. “But I don’t suppose you feel quite so pleased with yourself now, do you?”
“I don’t believe this!” Tom cried. “It’s just an illusion. You could never take Aduro prisoner. You haven’t the power.”
“I’m afraid I do.” Malvel dug the point of the dagger into Aduro’s neck. “Tell them, fool.”
“This is a true vision,” Wizard Aduro said reluctantly. “I was foolish, and didn’t guard myself well enough. I am Malvel’s prisoner.”