Beaver Towers

by Nigel Hinton

  BEAVER TOWERS

  THE SERIES

  Far away, on a magical island, is a castle called Beaver Towers. It was once the home of happy beavers – until they were betrayed by magic. Magic which called up evil creatures from the world of shadows. The animals of the island send out a call for help and Philip, an ordinary boy, finds himself drawn into the struggle to save them from the powers of darkness.

  There are four exciting books in the Beaver Towers series. Here they are in reading order:

  Beaver Towers

  The Witch’s Revenge

  The Dangerous Journey

  The Dark Dream

  Nigel Hinton was born in London. He has written fifteen novels, including four prize-winners, and a number of scripts for TV and the cinema. He enjoys swimming, walking, films, reading, watching football and listening to music, especially 50s rock ‘n’ roll and Bob Dylan

  Some other books by Nigel Hinton

  THE FINDERS

  For older readers

  BUDDY

  BUDDY’S SONG

  BUDDY’S BLUES

  COLLISION COURSE

  OUT OF THE DARKNESS

  NIGEL HINTON

  THE DARK DREAM

  THE FOURTH BOOK IN THE BEAVER TOWERS SERIES

  Illustrated by Anne Sharp

  PUFFIN BOOKS

  For Joey

  PUFFIN BOOKS

  Published by the Penguin Group

  Penguin Books Ltd, 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  Penguin Putnam Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA

  Penguin Books Australia Ltd, 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia

  Penguin Books Canada Ltd, 10 Alcorn Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4V 3B2

  Penguin Books India (P) Ltd, 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi – 110 017, India

  Penguin Books (NZ) Ltd, Cnr Rosedale and Airborne Roads, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand

  Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank 2196, South Africa

  Penguin Books Ltd, Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  www.penguin.com

  Published in Puffin Books 1997

  15

  Text copyright © Nigel Hinton, 1997

  Illustrations copyright © Anne Sharp, 1997

  All rights reserved

  The moral right of the author and illustrator has been asserted

  Except in the United States of America, this book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser

  British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

  A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

  ISBN: 978-0-14-192933-0

  WELCOME TO BEAVER TOWERS ARE YOU READY FOR ADVENTURE?

  If you are, then follow the journey made by a young boy called Philip in the book Beaver Towers. He was flying his kite in a park when suddenly he was lifted into the air and carried away.

  Follow him – high in the sky, over the mountains, over the sea and far, far away from home …

  He landed on an island where a terrible witch, Oyin, was capturing all the animals and locking them up in the castle called Beaver Towers. Philip soon became friends with the animals who were still free – a little beaver called Baby B, and his grandfather called Mr Edgar, the kindly Mrs Badger, and three hedgehogs called Mick, Ann and Nick. These hedgehogs look after Doris, an old car, and because of their names everyone calls them The Mechanics.

  Philip decided to help them and, after all sorts of dangers, he managed to free the other animals and to defeat Oyin and send her back to her dreadful master, the Prince of Darkness.

  The book called The Witch’s Revenge tells how Oyin was so furious about what Philip had done that she followed him to his home to try to destroy him. Philip was too clever for her, though. He escaped to Beaver Towers and, after many scary adventures, he put an end to the wicked witch for ever.

  After that, Philip thought that all his adventures were over. Then, one day, he was amazed to find Baby B and Nick in his house. Mr Edgar had sent them to fetch him back to Beaver Towers. The book The Dangerous Journey tells how they made their way back to the island, chased all the way by enemies sent by the Prince of Darkness.

  Philip and his friends faced so many dangers and were so brave that they started to develop a wonderful power called think-talking, which allows you to send your thoughts to other people. Mr Edgar was so pleased about this that he decided to take Philip on a journey to meet some special people who could help him increase his powers.

  That journey is just about to begin.

  Oh, I forgot to tell you something. There isn’t just one island – there are two. The second island is a large, bare, round rock not far from Beaver Towers.

  It’s on that island that our story starts.

  Don’t go too close, though – there’s something horrible lurking there …

  CHAPTER ONE

  In the dim light just before dawn, a dark shape stood on the cliffs of Round Rock Island. It stared across the sea towards another larger island where the castle of Beaver Towers stood. Hatred glowed in the creature’s red, serpent eyes and a growl of anger rumbled in its throat.

  ‘Soon you will be mine. And I, the Prince of Darkness, will destroy you.’

  At that moment, the first rays of the sun struck the flags flying from the top of the walls of Beaver Towers. The dark shape hid its face and scuttled back into the shadows of a cave.

  Philip woke with a start and listened. Had somebody spoken?

  There was silence.

  Where was he? At home? No. He looked round and remembered.

  Oh yes, he was in Baby B’s room in Beaver Towers. There was the little beaver curled up in his bed on the other side of the room. Philip smiled at the sight of his sleeping friend. Then he got out of bed and tiptoed over to the window.

  The sun was coming up and a new day was beginning. And what an important day! Today he was setting off on a long and mysterious journey with the old beaver, Mr Edgar. Philip felt sad to be leaving all his friends at Beaver Towers but he was excited at the thought of all the adventures in store.

  ‘Come on, Baby B, time to wake up,’ Philip said, gently shaking the little beaver’s shoulders.

  Baby B’s eyes opened sleepily, then he blinked and sat up.

  ‘Hello, Flipip,’ he yawned. ‘Is it morning?’

  ‘Yes, time to get up. Mr Edgar is probably waiting for us.’

  Philip dressed quickly but Baby B kept getting the straps on his dungarees buttoned up the wrong way round.

  ‘Oh drat these gungarees!’ Baby B said as the straps got tangled up again.

  ‘Let me help,’ Philip suggested.

  ‘No thanks. Grandpa Edgar says that I’m bigger enough to do it on my own. Hooray, I did it – look, Flipip!’

  Philip didn’t have time to say that Baby B had still got the straps done up the wrong way round because the little beaver was already running out of the room. Philip ran after him.

  Baby B bounded down the stairs two at a time then raced along the corridor. At the top of the main staircase he jumped up on to the bannister and started to slide down the rail.

  ‘Wheeee! Look at me, Flipip,’ he shouted as he whizzed down.

  He was so busy shouting that he forgot to slow down at the bottom. Sergeant Robin was perched on the end of the bannister and the little bird darted into the air as Baby B swept towards him. The beaver shot off the end of th
e rail, turned a somersault in mid-air and flew towards Mrs Badger who was talking to Mr Edgar in the Great Hall.

  ‘Baby B, look out!’ Mrs Badger cried out just before he crashed into her tummy, knocking her flat on her back.

  ‘Thank you for catching me, Mrs Badger,’ Baby B said, scrambling off the poor badger. ‘I nearly hurted myself.’

  ‘Blow me down, Baby B, you are a scamp,’ Mr Edgar said as he helped Mrs Badger to her feet. ‘Are you all right, ma’am?’

  ‘Yes, thank you,’ Mrs Badger said, rubbing her tummy. ‘Just a bit puffed, that’s all.’

  ‘I should say you are, ma’am, I should say you are. This madcap grandson of mine came at you like a dratted cannon ball. Really, Baby B, how many times have I told you not to slide down the bannisters?’

  ‘Millions, Grandpa,’ Baby B said sheepishly.

  ‘Yes, millions,’ the old beaver said, patting his grandson on the head. ‘And it’s high time you listened and started to grow up.’

  ‘But I am growed up. I did doing up my gungarees all by myself this morning, didn’t I, Flipip?’

  Philip smiled and nodded.

  ‘Hmm, yes … well, there’s a bit more to being grown up than being able to put on your dungarees,’ Mr Edgar said. ‘And remember, now that you’ve learned how to think-talk, I’m relying on you to keep things shipshape at Beaver Towers while I’m away. So you must start acting in a responsible way.’

  ‘Yes, Grandpa,’ Baby B said, his eyes growing big and his lower lip starting to tremble. Then he had an idea that seemed to cheer him up. ‘It’s not just me. Nick can think-talk too. So he can be riskonstable as well, can’t he, Grandpa?’

  ‘He most certainly can. The only reason I can go away like this is because I know that you and your young hedgehog friend will be able to get in touch with me just by thinking.’

  ‘Even if you are millions and millions away?’ Baby B asked.

  ‘Yes, no matter how far away I am.’

  ‘And will you think-talk to me and Nick, Grandpa?’

  A little flicker of sadness passed across Mr Edgar’s eyes, then he smiled and shook his head.

  ‘’Fraid not, you little rascal. I’m too much of an old duffer nowadays – bit by bit I’m losing all my magic powers. I’ll be able to hear you and talk to you when you contact me but I won’t be able to contact you. I’ll have to rely on young Philip to do that for me. That’s why I’m as pleased as Punch that all three of you have learned how to do it. Now come along; I don’t know about anybody else, but I’m starving. Time to get some breakfast. We’ve got a big day ahead.’

  CHAPTER TWO

  Everybody helped to get the breakfast ready. Mrs Badger set the table while Mr Edgar cut big slices of bread from the loaf that had just finished baking in the oven. Philip fetched the butter and a big bowl of honey, then filled the mugs with fresh, creamy milk.

  Baby B’s job was to go to the storeroom to get some nuts and apples, but by the time everything else was ready he still hadn’t come back. Philip went to look for the little beaver and found him trying to juggle with the apples.

  ‘I can nearly do it – look,’ Baby B said, throwing two apples up into the air. The apples fell back down and hit him. ‘Ow!’ he said, rubbing his head. ‘I can nearly do it, ‘cept these apples keep being silly.’

  Luckily the apples weren’t too badly bruised and they made a crisp and juicy end to the delicious breakfast.

  ‘Well,’ Mr Edgar said when they all finished eating, ‘best to get a move on. Many a mile before midnight, eh lad?’

  Philip nodded and stood up. His heart was knocking hard in his chest and he suddenly felt nervous. If only he could stay here in Beaver Towers with Baby B and all the others.

  He looked across at Mrs Badger who smiled at him as if she knew what he was feeling. Baby B slipped his paw into Philip’s hand and they followed Mr Edgar and Mrs Badger up the stairs, through the Great Hall, and out of the main door.

  As they started down the steps, a big cheer went up from all the animals waiting for them in the courtyard. Baby B’s parents were there and the little beaver ran down, jumped into his father’s arms, and started cheering louder than anyone.

  ‘Blow me down, what a lovely surprise!’ Mr Edgar said, beaming with joy. ‘Seeing all my friends like this makes me wish I didn’t have to go off on this mission. But, as you know, I’m taking Philip to meet some special animals and people. In the meantime, I’ve left a list of jobs for everyone to do. If there are any problems, Mrs Badger and Mr Stripe are two wise old heads who can sort things out. Just one last word, though – be on your guard! You all remember Oyin, don’t you?’

  All the animals nodded and a few of them shivered with fear at the memory of the terrible witch who had nearly captured the island.

  ‘Well, the danger is never over. The forces of evil are always plotting and planning, ready to pounce. You must be brave and sensible and good. If you think of others before you think of yourself, you won’t go far wrong. Now, that’s enough chinwagging from me. Philip and I must be on our way. Goodbye everyone, and good luck!’

  The castle rang with cheers as Philip and Mr Edgar walked across the courtyard and away over the drawbridge. Sergeant Robin dived down from one of the walls and flew ahead of them to the edge of the forest. He perched on a bush and sang a last little goodbye-song as they walked past him. Then he took off and flew back towards the turrets and towers of the castle. They watched him go, then they turned and headed along the forest path.

  Autumn had coloured the trees and the sun shone down through a mass of red and yellow and golden leaves. Shafts of sunlight caught the jewelled dewdrops on spiders’ webs in the bushes and the air was filled with the scent of ripe fruit and fresh nuts.

  Philip felt fit and strong and the clear sharpness of the day made him want to run and skip along the path but he walked slowly so that Mr Edgar could keep up. The old beaver was always laughing at what he called his ‘shaky pins’ but he seemed slower and more unsteady than ever and Philip wondered if he was really fit enough to make a long journey.

  Suddenly the old beaver grabbed hold of Philip’s hand and pulled him back.

  ‘Shh!’ Mr Edgar said as Philip opened his mouth to speak.

  The old beaver cocked his head to listen. Philip stayed silent and listened with him. He couldn’t hear anything but Mr Edgar’s sharp ears must have picked up some sound because he pulled Philip behind a tree.

  ‘What is it?’ Philip whispered.

  ‘We’re being followed,’ Mr Edgar said.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Philip crouched down behind the tree and pressed himself against the trunk, trying to make himself as small as possible. He held his breath and listened.

  At first, the forest seemed silent but then he heard the sound of footsteps rustling through the fallen leaves. The sound got closer and closer. Philip felt Mr Edgar grow tense, then suddenly the old beaver leaped out on to the path. Philip scrambled to his feet and followed.

  There was a squeak of surprise and Philip caught sight of two small creatures diving into the bushes at the side of the path.

  ‘Baby B! Nick! Come out at once!’ Mr Edgar barked.

  The little beaver and the hedgehog shuffled out on to the path and stood looking down at the ground.

  ‘What the drat are you two rascals up to?’ Mr Edgar said. ‘Are you following us?’

  ‘Only a little bit,’ Baby B mumbled, still not daring to look up.

  ‘Well, turn round this instant and get yourselves back to Beaver Towers. Your mother and father will be worried out of their fur about you.’

  ‘Oh, Grandpa, it’s not fair,’ Baby B cried. ‘We want to come with you and Flipip, don’t we, Nick?’

  ‘Yes,’ said the little hedgehog. ‘We want to have adventures like you.’

  Mr Edgar chuckled and bent down and tapped Nick gently on the snout.

  ‘Well, you’ll probably have plenty of adventures here at Beaver Towers,’ he sai
d. ‘I’m relying on you two to keep the old place safe and sound from danger while I’m away’

  ‘Yes, but we looked on the list of jobs,’ Baby B cut in, ‘and we only got smelly things to do. Like, Nick’s got to do polishing Doris the car. And I’ve got to do smelly washering-up. It’s not fair – we’re the ones who can do think-talking but …’

  ‘Now, now! Don’t you start getting swell-headed, you young whippersnapper. Think-talking is a gift. Use it for silly reasons or get too big for your boots and the gift will fly off and leave you. Always remember the old rhyme:

  You must earn it to learn it.

  Misuse it, and you’ll lose it.

  ‘Now then, no more chit-chat – you get off home at once. Quickly!’

  Baby B and Nick turned and began to walk sadly along the path towards Beaver Towers. They stopped once and glanced back but Mr Edgar pointed his paw towards the castle and the two little animals went on their way again.

  ‘Oh, dear me,’ Mr Edgar sighed when they finally disappeared. ‘I hope I’m doing the right thing, leaving them like this. Think-talking is such a powerful thing. It always attracts the notice of the powers of evil. And I’ve got a nasty feeling in my bones …’

  ‘What about?’ Philip asked.

  ‘Oh, nothing certain – just a feeling that there’s danger in the air.’

  A moment before, the forest had been warm and bright but now there seemed to be dark shadows everywhere. They walked on without speaking and their eyes darted to every movement – each tremble of a leaf, each sway of a branch. They didn’t see anyone but Philip couldn’t stop feeling that they were being watched.

  When they finally came out of the forest on to a broad, sunlit meadow, Philip let out a sigh of relief. Crowds of small, blue butterflies flickered round them as they walked and the warm sun drove away the last shivers of fear. Mr Edgar began humming a tune and Philip joined in.