Furnaces of Forge (The Land's Tale)

by Alan Skinner

  ‘And why take Kevin?’ added Brian. ‘Why is he so important?’

  ‘How did they know Crimson?’ Bligh asked. ‘From what you say, Reach, they knew who she was and had planned to harm her. But why? What has Crimson to do with the people from That Place?’

  ‘The Place,’ Brian corrected him.

  ‘Yes, yes, that place, The Place,’ said Bligh irritably. He was clearly vexed by the events.

  ‘There’s only one way to find out,’ said Megan. ‘We have to find these people. We have to find out what they want.’

  ‘And rescue Kevin,’ Brian added.

  ‘So these other Muddles – Grunge, Slight, Calamity and Eugene – will meet Crimson at the meadow?’ Bligh asked the Muddles.

  ‘As soon as Calamity finds Eugene,’ Wave confirmed.

  ‘I don’t think I know this Eugene, though the name sounds familiar. Who is he?’ Bligh asked.

  ‘He was at the Quenching Day party,’ Brian answered. ‘He’s a lion.’

  Bligh’s bushy brows rose. ‘Is he? By the bells! Well, he should give those hounds a shake!’

  ‘You’re not just going to leave it to the Muddles, are you? I mean, we’re going to help, aren’t we?’ Megan protested. ‘We have to help Kevin!’

  For some inexplicable reason, Brian found he was annoyed with Kevin for getting himself kidnapped. He felt annoyed with Megan, too. ‘I wonder if she’d be this upset if I was kidnapped?’ he thought to himself.

  Bligh waved away Megan’s protest. ‘Of course we’re going to help, Megan. Brian will go to Home. If Crimson returns with Kevin, Brian can bring him back. If not, Brian can agree with the Muddles what to do next.’

  ‘I’m going with Brian,’ Megan announced. Her voice made it clear that she had made up her mind.

  Surprise showed on the faces of both Bligh and Brian. Bligh was taken aback by Megan’s tone.

  ‘Ah, um, well, yes, if you like, Megan. In fact, I was thinking that Brian might need help,’ he answered, just a little lamely.

  Brian wasn’t too sure how his heart could leap and fall at the same time. On the one hand, he was delighted at the thought of Megan going with him. On the other, it occurred to him that she might be going solely out of concern for Kevin. In any case, he knew he didn’t have a choice. When Megan used that tone of voice, she had made up not only her own mind, but everyone else’s, too.

  ‘I should like that,’ he said in a small voice.

  Megan wasn’t finished. ‘We should go to Crimson first, in case she needs help,’ she said.

  ‘Oh, I doubt that will be necessary. You heard for yourself that they have a lion with them,’ said Bligh. ‘And a wolf. Let’s not forget the wolf.’

  ‘A very brave lion, I’m sure. But a Muddle lion. What happens if the Mix occurs at the wrong time? A lion with all the usual parts expected of a lion is to be feared, but a lion with the body of a rabbit and the back legs of a penguin is not quite as fearsome,’ Megan persisted, with an apologetic look at Wave and Reach.

  ‘That is true,’ Bligh sighed, remembering the unfortunate episode at Brindle Island when the Mix allowed Amelia to escape. ‘Very well. But I think you will be too late. You have the drive to Home and then a long walk ahead of you. But do what you think best. Brian, do you agree?’

  Brian nodded.

  ‘Good,’ said Megan. ‘Brian, bring a map. I have an idea,’ she added.

  ‘Well, that’s settled, then,’ said Bligh. He turned to Reach and Wave. ‘Will you be going with them, or can I offer you some coffee and cake before you return to Home? Brew has a particularly good upside-down cake I think you will enjoy.’

  ≈

  Home’s bus made its way past the forests and fields of Muddlemarsh en route to Myrmidia. Every once in a while someone would flag down the bus and Shift would pull over to let them board. Soon the bus was buzzing with laughter and chatter. Seated behind Shift, Patch and Japes were eating the sandwiches Whist had prepared for them.

  ‘Have you been to Forge before?’ asked Japes.

  ‘No, I ain’t ever been,’ Patch admitted.

  ‘Me neither. Grunge said that it’s pretty cool. Actually, he thought it was pretty strange. But strange can be cool.’

  ‘Do yer think Reach ’n’ Wave will bring back any of them Beadles?’ asked Patch.

  ‘Beadles? Like that special envoy Brian? I don’t know if that’s cool. He’s a bit uptight sometimes.’

  ‘P’raps a bit high-strung, like. He don’t like water, that’s fer sure. Now, I’m not sayin’ that they’re boring-like, but them Beadles can be a bit . . .’ Patch searched for the right word.

  ‘Predictable?’ prompted Japes.

  ‘Aye, that’s it. Predictable,’ Patch agreed. He looked at Japes and sighed. ‘Pass me one o’ them sandwiches, Japes,’ he said.

  ‘Hey, Japes,’ shouted Shift. ‘Why don’t you tell us a joke?’

  ‘Go on, Japes, tell us a joke,’ urged a Muddle.

  ‘Or a riddle,’ yelled another.

  ‘No, that joke about the fisherman and the mermaid,’ suggested a third.

  ‘Ah, that’s not a joke. That really happened,’ said a fourth.

  ‘OK,’ said Japes. ‘Let’s see . . . I’ve got a good one. I think I know this one. Most of it, anyway. Well, two astronauts are in their spaceship and they decide to have lunch. I’m not sure what they were having. Sky might know. But I don’t think it really matters. Anyway, the first astronaut says to the second, “Is it spaghetti again?” and the second astronaut . . .’ Japes paused. ‘Maybe there were three astronauts, not two . . .’

  All the way to the border, Japes entertained them with jokes she couldn’t remember and with riddles without answers, and it must be true what they say about it all being in the way you tell the joke, because the Muddles laughed and said they couldn’t have been funnier if she’d got one right.

  All good things end sooner or later, and before they knew it, Shift was pulling over to the side of the road and calling out, ‘Myrmidia border. End of the line!’ Patch and Japes got off the bus. They waved goodbye to the other passengers, all of whom had been having far too good a time to remember to get off at their own stops.

  Chapter 9

  Needle and Thread

  Calamity and Eugene caught up with Grunge and Slight at the lake near the top of the meadow. The campsite wasn’t far ahead. Grunge figured Crimson would be nearby: if she’d found the campsite empty, she would have waited; if the strangers were there with Kevin, it was unlikely she would have tried to rescue him on her own.

  They slipped quietly through the trees. It wasn’t until they were right at the edge of the clearing that they could see the campsite. It was deserted; and there was no sign of Crimson or Flyte.

  The four walked into the clearing. The camp had been abandoned in a hurry. The tent door flapped in the breeze; a small folding chair was on its side next to a smouldering fire that would soon die. No one spoke. Eugene and Calamity sniffed the ground. Grunge walked to the tent and peered inside.

  A sound made them freeze. It came from the long grass on the far side of the clearing. They listened. The grass rustled and the sound came again, a small whimper of pain. Then out of the undergrowth limped Flyte, her fur wet with blood. She tried to speak but all that came from her throat was a strangled yelp. As she took a step towards her friends, her hind legs slowly crumpled and she fell on her side and lay still.

  Everyone rushed over to her.

  ‘She’s still breathing,’ said Grunge. ‘Slight, can you get that fire going? Calamity, scout around and see if you can find something to boil water in. Eugene, we’ll need some wood and sticks for the fire.’

  The three hurried to their tasks. Gently, Grunge slid his arms under Flyte and carried her to the fire. Flyte whimpered as he laid her on the grass. She had been badly mauled. The fur round her neck was wet and Grunge could see bite marks on her throat. Claws had raked her sides and her front right leg still bled. The tip of one ear had been b
itten off and a deep gash ran from her right eye to her nose.

  Calamity nudged Grunge. ‘There’s nothing we can use to boil water.’ She put her nose to Flyte’s. ‘She needs help, Grunge.’

  Grunge thought a moment. ‘Leaf’s camp isn’t far from here. There’ll be a kettle there. Take Eugene. It’ll be easier for him to carry the kettle. And bring a blanket. I’m sure Leaf won’t mind.’ Grunge looked at the small oval tent. ‘For some reason, I don’t want to put her in their tent. Doesn’t seem right.’

  Calamity scampered off, growling to Eugene to follow. The lion didn’t bother asking why or where they were going. He dropped the sticks in his mouth next to the fire and took off after the puppy.

  Slight revived the fire. He watched Grunge check Flyte’s injuries.

  ‘There’s nothing broken, I think, but she’s been badly bitten and scratched. Some of these gashes are pretty deep. We’ll need to bandage that leg. But first we need to clean her up.’

  ‘Grunge, where do you think Crimson is?’ asked Slight.

  Grunge shook his head. It was the same question he’d been asking himself. ‘I don’t know, Slight. I don’t know,’ he said sadly.

  A few times Flyte opened her eyes and tried to speak, but all that came out was a broken rumble. She was weak and her throat was damaged and after the second time Grunge told her not to try again.

  ‘Calamity should be back soon,’ said Slight. He scanned the woods in the direction of Leaf’s camp. A movement off to the left caught his eye. Slight peered at the long sloping hill that led west to Beadledom. His eyes widened and his face broke into a grin.

  ‘Well, there’s something I never thought I’d see!’ he exclaimed. ‘Look!’

  Grunge looked up. Bumping and lurching down the hill was the Beadles’ bright red bus.

  Calamity and Eugene came running round the lake. Leaf’s white enamel kettle, with its little painted roses, swung from Eugene’s mouth. Calamity had a blanket clutched between her teeth which flowed behind her like a cape.

  Eugene placed the kettle carefully next to Grunge. ‘I filled it with water from the lake,’ said the lion.

  Calamity dropped the blanket and yapped excitedly. ‘The bus is coming across the meadow! Megan’s bus! Look, Grunge!’

  ‘I saw it, Calamity, but I’m not sure I believe it. I don’t know what could have made Megan take her bus off the road but I’m glad she did.’

  Grunge and Slight lifted Flyte off the grass and on to the blanket. Slight set the kettle over the fire.

  By the time the bus was making its way round the east side of the lake and through the long grass, the water was nearly boiling. Grunge took off his bandana, dipped it in the hot water and began cleaning Flyte’s wounds. It didn’t take long for the water to turn red with blood. Eugene grabbed the handle of the kettle in his teeth and was just about to dash to the lake to get fresh water when the bus creaked and whirred into the clearing. The door of the bus whooshed opened and out stepped Brian.

  There were lots of things that Brian considered himself to be very good at. When it came to making lists, sorting things into alphabetical order and generally being organised, he didn’t deem himself immodest in thinking no one did those things better. On his list of skills he lacked though, anything involving blood was pretty near the top. He took one look at Flyte and Grunge’s bloody bandana and called into the bus, ‘Aunt Mag, do you have a minute?’

  Out stepped Aunt Mag, Megan, Reach and Wave.

  Aunt Mag took one look at Flyte. ‘Oh, the poor dog,’ she muttered. She saw Eugene nearby with the kettle in his mouth. ‘What are you standing around for? The kettle won’t fill by itself,’ she said brusquely. Showing good judgement, Eugene decided this wasn’t a Beadle to mess with and he ran as fast he could to the lake.

  Brian saw Megan watch the lion lope away. ‘It’s OK, Megan. That’s Eugene.’

  ‘I had a goose once,’ said Megan. ‘I called him Pillow. Just having a name didn’t stop him pecking anyone who came near. Anyway, I know who it is. It’s just that he looks a lot bigger when you’re standing next to him.’

  Reach and Wave knelt beside Grunge. Reach was close to tears as she looked at Flyte. ‘What happened? Where’s Crimson?’ she asked.

  ‘I don’t know,’ Grunge admitted. ‘We’ve not been here long. We found Flyte like this.’

  ‘She’s going to need some stitches in her side and that leg wants bandaging,’ declared Aunt Mag. ‘The rest of the injuries don’t look too bad although, judging by the teeth marks on her throat, something did its best to really hurt the poor dog.’

  Flyte opened her eyes, looked at Aunt Mag and gave a small, croaking growl. Grunge smiled. ‘OK, Flyte,’ he said. He turned to Aunt Mag. ‘She said, “Wolf, if you don’t mind.”’

  Aunt Mag glared at Flyte as if the wolf was a troublesome child, and then smiled broadly. ‘Of course you are. Anyone can see that,’ she said tenderly. ‘Now.’ She switched to her no-nonsense voice. ‘What are we going to do about bandages and a needle and thread?’

  Watching Eugene bring Leaf’s kettle back gave Reach an idea. ‘Leaf!’ she exclaimed. ‘She’s a scout. She always has a first-aid kit in her tent. And she always has a needle and thread. You know Leaf. She likes make-up and decorating and sewing and stuff. She won’t mind. I’ll get them.’ And she ran as fast as her pink legs could manage.

  While Reach was away, Aunt Mag finished washing Flyte’s wounds. Calamity lay at Flyte’s head, her nose a whisker away from the wolf’s nose. Megan and Wave made coffee and then Brian told Grunge how they came to be there.

  ‘When Reach and Wave told us you were coming here to look for Kevin, we decided to come straight over. Wave showed us Leaf’s Meadow on the map. It was Megan who said the quickest way was as the crow flies, but since crows don’t fly on roads we’d have to make our own. She just pointed the bus in this direction and drove.’

  ‘You should have seen her, Grunge. She’s one fearless bus driver,’ said Wave, making Megan blush.

  ‘When Aunt Mag heard what had happened to Kevin, she insisted on coming,’ Brian continued.

  ‘Well, it sounded as if those strangers needed a good talking-to,’ said Aunt Mag.

  ‘But now we don’t have either Kevin or Crimson,’ said Brian.

  ‘Let’s see to Flyte. Once we’ve tended to these wounds, she might be rested enough to tell us what happened,’ Grunge suggested.

  It wasn’t long before Reach returned with Leaf’s first-aid kit and sewing box. Aunt Mag dressed Flyte’s leg, and then threaded a small needle with the finest cotton she could find. When she was ready, she spoke gently to the wolf.

  ‘This will hurt, Flyte. I’ll be as quick as I can but you have to keep still. Is it OK if I start now?’

  Flyte looked at Aunt Mag and gave a little nod. She lay as flat as she could, stretched her legs and closed her eyes.

  Brian couldn’t bear to watch. He drifted away from the others, and found himself looking across the beautiful meadow. He sat in the soft grass and felt refreshed by the quiet of the valley. ‘We will find Crimson and Kevin. Everything will be OK. I know it,’ he told himself. After a while he rose from the grass and headed back to the camp. From somewhere in the long grass of the meadow came the mocking bleat of small white goat.

  Flyte raised her head from Reach’s lap and caught Brian’s eye when he walked back into the clearing. The wolf held Brian’s gaze for a moment, and then put her head back in Reach’s lap. He was puzzled. It was if the wolf was acknowledging him. Brian couldn’t imagine what he had done to deserve it. ‘Flyte thinks I’m someone else,’ he thought. ‘But who?’

  He pushed the thought from his mind and looked around the camp. ‘Where’s Aunt Mag?’ he asked no one in particular.

  ‘Behind you,’ said Aunt Mag. ‘Just washed my hands in that lake. It’s cold this time of year.’

  ‘How’s Flyte?’

  ‘She’ll be fine,’ Aunt Mag assured him. ‘Poor thing’s more exhausted than
anything else now that she’s patched and pricked.’

  ‘Can she talk?’ said Brian anxiously.

  ‘Of course she can. All Muddle animals can talk,’ Aunt Mag teased.

  ‘Well, yes, I know that. What I meant was, is she able to . . .? Is her throat OK? I know it’s not really OK, but is it possible for her . . .? I mean, when . . .’ stammered Brian, who still hadn’t quite got used to the fact that sometimes people tease someone they really like. ‘We have to know what happened to Crimson and Kevin. We can’t just sit here all day. It’ll be evening soon,’ he finished lamely.

  Aunt Mag laughed. ‘Let’s go find out, then.’

  Wave and Slight had dragged some logs and large stones near the fire so that everyone had a place to sit. Aunt Mag and Brian seated themselves in front of Flyte, who lifted her head from Reach’s lap and managed to roll on to her belly and lever herself upright with her long front legs. When Flyte was sitting on her haunches, Aunt Mag leaned forward.

  ‘Feeling better? Ready to tell us what happened?’ she said. Flyte nodded.

  Of course Grunge had to translate for the Beadles. Flyte’s voice was croaky and unsteady at first but, with the fire behind her and the shadow of twilight creeping across the meadow, the wolf was finally able to tell her story.

  ‘We crept as close as we could to the camp. Even before we could see the camp, we knew someone was here. We could smell the smoke of the fire and hear someone moving around. We came to the edge of the wood, where we could see the camp, careful to remain hidden.

  ‘The someone we heard was Kevin. He wasn’t bound or chained. He didn’t need to be. The four spoorhounds were guarding him. They lay in front of the tent and watched every move he made. When he walked to the lake to get water, two of them followed.

  ‘There was no sign of the man and woman or their horses. Crimson was torn. She wanted to speak to them. I think she wanted to understand why they were in the Land and why they would wish to hurt anyone. And what it had to do with her.