Beaver Towers

by Nigel Hinton

  ‘Well, whatever he is, he’s got Beaver Towers in his power,’ said Mr Edgar. ‘And the Prince of Darkness is on his way there to take control. We’ll never get back there in time.’

  ‘In that case, your grandson and his friends will have to do battle on their own,’ Master Tabriz said calmly.

  ‘But they’re just three young animals – how can they do it? Baby B can’t even think-talk properly any more. You know what they say, ‘Misuse it and you’ll lose it’ – well, he’s lost it.’

  ‘What do you want them to do, then?’ Master Tabriz asked, looking at Mr Edgar. ‘Lie down and wait for the Prince of Darkness to take them into his power? Even young animals can show love and courage. And remember, love and courage can work miracles.’

  ‘By Jove! You’re right, Tabby!’ Mr Edgar said, slapping Master Tabriz on the back. ‘Never say die, eh? That’s the stuff! Come on, young Philip – show us how much you’ve learned. Get that power of yours working. See if you can contact our little heroes and tell them what they’ve got to do.’

  Philip closed his eyes. He could feel the power bubbling up inside him, stronger than ever. There was a huge surge inside his head and he sent his thoughts spinning out towards the Manor.

  In a flash he was there, looking at Baby B, Nick and Ann sitting on the floor of the cellar. They were holding paws, still trying to think-talk to Mr Edgar and they all jumped with surprise when he spoke to them.

  ‘Flipip!’ Baby B shouted with joy when he got over his shock. ‘Where are you?’

  ‘I’m with Mr Edgar in Master Tabriz’s observatory – it’s a very long way away, I’m afraid.’

  ‘I wish you was here, Flipip, then you could biff smelly old Retsnom and bonk him on the head.’

  ‘I wish I were there, too,’ Philip chuckled. ‘Mr Edgar and I will be back as soon as we can but we won’t be there in time to help you. You’re going to have to deal with Retsnom on your own.’

  ‘We can help,’ Ann and Nick said.

  ‘So can I,’ chirped Sergeant Robin, flying down from his perch on the logs and landing on Baby B’s shoulder.

  ‘That’s right,’ Philip said. ‘You must all help each other. Evil creatures hate it when friends stick together and look after each other.’

  ‘What must we have to do, Flipip?’ Baby B asked.

  ‘First you must tell the other animals the truth about Retsnom. He’s not really a bird, he’s a monster. When they stop believing in him he won’t be able to hypnotize them.’

  ‘But they won’t listen to me.’

  ‘Then you must go to Beaver Towers and think-talk to them.’

  ‘I can’t,’ Baby B said sadly. ‘I can’t do proper think-talking now. I losed it ‘cos I mischewed it.’

  ‘Listen, Baby B, it’s very important. You’ve got to do it!’ Philip urged. ‘I can think-talk to you and help you. But you’ve got to be brave and go to the castle.’

  ‘But I’m not brave,’ Baby B suddenly wailed as he thought about the dangers ahead.

  ‘Of course you are, Baby B,’ Philip said and he sent out the warmest, most loving thoughts he could towards his friend. ‘You’re the bravest little beaver I’ve ever met.’

  ‘Am I really?’ Baby B asked, with a shy smile.

  ‘Yes, really’

  ‘Well, you’re the bestest human beak I ever met, Flipip,’ Baby B said.

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘And Nick’s the bestest Nick I ever met, and Ann’s the bestest Ann, and Sergeant Robin is the bestest Sergeant Robin,’ Baby B said. Then he added, ‘And Retsnom is the smelliest of all smelliest’

  Everybody laughed, and the laughter seemed to fill Baby B with courage because he stood up and said, ‘And I’m going to Beaver Towers and I’m going to biff him to make him go away. Paws up, anybody who wants to help.’

  Nick and Ann quickly raised a paw and Sergeant Robin lifted the tip of his wing.

  ‘Hooray!’ cried Baby B. ‘Come on, let’s go!’

  ‘Good luck!’ Philip said. ‘And remember, I’ll be there if you need my help.’

  He watched as they ran up the steps, pushed open the small stone door, and rushed out of the cellar. He let the picture of the Manor flicker and fade away.

  He opened his eyes and found himself back in the observatory with Mr Edgar and Master Tabriz.

  Nobody said anything, but in the silence he knew they were all thinking the same thing. Baby B and his friends had gone charging off bravely but they were only small animals and they were facing a mighty force of evil.

  They had love and courage on their side but if they failed, they would be crushed. And Beaver Towers would be lost for ever.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Baby B and the two hedgehogs set off along the path and Sergeant Robin went winging away across the forest to check for danger.

  As the sun dipped below the trees there was a cool dampness in the air and a mist began to rise from the ground. Bushes loomed out of the mist like ghosts and the three friends walked closer together and looked round anxiously.

  Wings fluttered above them and they all ducked, thinking it was Retsnom, but it was Sergeant Robin. He told them that the forest was all clear and that he had flown over the castle and seen everyone standing completely still in the courtyard.

  ‘They is waiting for the Prince of Darkness,’ Baby B said with a shiver. He wanted to turn right round and go back to the safety of the Manor but he smiled at the others and pretended he wasn’t scared. ‘Come on, there’s nobody in the forest so we can do running.’

  They ran along the misty forest path until they came in sight of the castle, then they hid under some bracken to decide what to do next. The sun went down and night fell as they tried to think of a plan.

  ‘We’ve got to tell everyone about Retsnom,’ Ann said.

  ‘But we can’t go in the courtyard or they will catch us,’ Nick pointed out.

  ‘I’ve got a good idea,’ Baby B said. ‘We go in the secret tunnel to the castle. Then we climb out of a window near the courtyard and we will be too very high to be catched.’

  They all agreed that it was a good plan so they crept along the edge of the forest until they came to the steps that led to the tunnel. They parted the ferns and started down the steps, then stopped in surprise – the entrance to the tunnel was blocked by a row of wooden stakes.

  ‘Retsnom must have thinked we might come in here,’ Baby B groaned.

  ‘We’ll have to go across the drawbridge then,’ Ann said.

  ‘No, there will be guards waiting for us – probably that pesky Rufus Rabbit,’ Baby B said, then he took a good look at the stakes. ‘It will take me millions long but I can make a hole in the wood.’

  It did take a long time – hours and hours – while Ann and Nick sat on the steps and watched Baby B gnawing at the wooden posts. Sometimes they helped by clearing away some of the wood chippings but it was Baby B who did all the hard work.

  Sergeant Robin kept flying off to see what was happening in the courtyard but he always came back with the same report – there was no sign of Retsnom and the animals were still all rooted to the spot, waiting.

  ‘Finished!’ Baby B said at last. ‘Phew, my teeth don’t half feel tired.’

  They patted him on the back for all the hard work he’d done, then they squeezed through the hole he had made.

  It was so dark in the tunnel that Sergeant Robin couldn’t fly so he perched on Baby B’s shoulder. They moved forward slowly, feeling the ground in front of them in case Retsnom had left any traps for them. The walls were wet and slimy and the constant drip-drip of water echoed along the tunnel sounding horribly like footsteps following them.

  They were glad when they felt the ground slope upwards and they came to the steps that led up to the library. They climbed up the twisty, rock staircase and reached the secret door. Baby B leaned forward to push it open but Nick tugged at his dungarees to stop him.

  ‘S’posing Retsnom’s in the library,’ the littl
e hedgehog whispered.

  Too late.

  Baby B had already put his weight against the door and it had started to swing open.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  The library was empty.

  They dashed across the room to the other door and peered up and down the corridor - no one. They tiptoed along the corridor and down the stairs to the next level. From here, the windows looked out directly on to the courtyard.

  Baby B opened one of the windows and Sergeant Robin flew out across the courtyard and landed on the castle wall opposite. Ann and Nick climbed out on to the ledge, then Baby B heaved himself up and joined them outside.

  The ledge was quite wide but it was very high up and Baby B felt a bit dizzy when he looked down. He moved slowly along the ledge, followed by Nick and Ann, until they were right above the main door to the castle.

  The only movement below was from the flickering flames of the torches that lit up the courtyard. All the animals were standing as still as statues, staring at the door. They were in a deep trance.

  ‘I’m going to shout to wake them up,’ Baby B said.

  ‘But s’posing Retsnom hears you and comes and gets us,’ Nick whispered with a shiver.

  ‘Oh yes,’ Baby B said. ‘I know – let’s try and think-talk to them.’

  He took hold of Ann’s paw and she held on to Nick’s paw. They closed their eyes and concentrated.

  ‘Don’t listen to Retsnom,’ Baby B thought, as hard as he could. ‘Mr Edgar and Flipip is coming back but you must have to stop being hippotrized by smelly Retsnom. Lift your paw or your hoof if you can hear me.’

  He opened his eyes. None of the animals had moved; they were still staring at the door.

  ‘They can’t hear you,’ Ann said. ‘Try again.’

  They closed their eyes and squeezed their paws tighter while Baby B tried even harder to think-talk to the animals below. He thought and thought but still they didn’t move.

  Baby B was just about to try for a third time, when there was the sound of the door opening below. Light spilled out from the open door on to the top of the steps and Retsnom came hopping out of the castle.

  He stood on the top step and gave three loud croaks.

  The animals blinked and stirred as they came out of the trance. Then they caught sight of the big black bird with the light shining on him and they began clapping and cheering.

  Rufus Rabbit ran to the front of the crowd and began chanting, ‘Retsnom! Retsnom!’ All the animals joined in the chant and soon the courtyard echoed with his name.

  The raven stood for a while, his eyes glittering with pride, then he opened his wings wide. At once, the animals fell silent.

  ‘I have great news,’ Retsnom croaked. ‘The Prince of Darkness is coming. At this very moment he is on his way. He will be here by dawn. Soon you will be his slaves and you will obey his every word. Who do you love?’

  ‘The Prince of Darkness!’ the animals cried.

  ‘Who do you love?’ Retsnom croaked again.

  ‘The Prince of Darkness!’

  It was so terrible to see all the animals of the island calling out this dreadful name that Baby B forgot what he was doing. He leaned over the edge of the ledge and shouted out loud, ‘No! No! You don’t love the Prince of Darkness. He’s evil!’

  A silence fell over the courtyard. Some of the animals looked about them, puzzled, as if they had heard something but didn’t know where it was coming from.

  ‘I’m up here!’ Baby B shouted again. ‘It’s me, Baby B. Don’t listen to Retsnom! He’s your henemy.’

  There was a gasp from the animals and they all looked up. None of them seemed to know what to do. Then Rufus Rabbit ran up the steps shouting, ‘The traitors! It’s the traitors!’

  There was a terrible squawk from Retsnom and he beat his ragged wings and flew into the air.

  He rose high above the courtyard and looked down. Baby B, Nick and Ann pressed back into the shadows against the wall, hoping to hide. But it was no use. Retsnom saw them at once and dived to attack.

  Baby B cringed low and closed his eyes as the bird plunged towards them. He felt wing-tips brush across his back then he heard two little screams. When he opened his eyes he saw Retsnom flying away with Nick clutched in one claw and Ann in the other.

  For one awful moment Baby B thought that the evil bird was going to let them drop to their death in the courtyard. Instead, he swooped low and put them down next to Loco and Chez.

  ‘Guard them! I will deal with them later,’ Retsnom croaked to the two badgers, then he hopped round and looked up towards Baby B. ‘But first, I will kill that stupid little beaver up there.’

  Just then, Baby B heard a noise from the window and he glanced round to see Rufus Rabbit scrambling out on to the ledge.

  ‘It’s the traitor,’ squeaked Rufus and he began to run along the ledge towards Baby B.

  The young rabbit had only taken a few steps, though, when he happened to glance down and see how high up he was. It was such a shock for him that his front paws got all tangled up with each other and he tripped. He tumbled flat on his face and rolled off the ledge.

  At the last moment he managed to grab hold of the edge with one paw. His little claws dug into the stone and he hung there, high above the courtyard. His weight was too much, though, and his claws suddenly slipped and slid nearer the edge before he managed to dig them in again.

  ‘Help!’ Rufus screamed to Baby B. ‘Help!’

  For just one second Baby B thought, ‘Serve him right. Let the pesky little thing fall.’

  But even before he had finished thinking it, he had darted forward and grabbed the little rabbit’s paw. He pulled him up and set him down safely on the ledge.

  Rufus Rabbit’s big eyes filled with tears and he started to tremble from head to foot.

  ‘Don’t cry, silly billy,’ Baby B said gently. ‘You’re safe now.’

  There was a strange tingling inside Baby B’s head and his brain was suddenly filled with words.

  ‘Fall down … Mummy … fall … Baby B … Mr Retsnom … Mummy … traitor … hurt me … friend …’

  Baby B realized he was hearing the jumble of scared thoughts that were racing round in Rufus Rabbit’s head. That must mean that his think-talking powers had started to come back.

  There was a loud flapping noise and Baby B spun round to see Retsnom flying towards them.

  Rufus Rabbit saw him too. He gave a squeak of fear and covered his eyes with his paws. Baby B pushed the little rabbit back against the wall and stood in front of him.

  Retsnom was coming. His cruel beak was open and his razor-sharp claws were raised.

  There was a blur of red as something dived down from the sky.

  It was Sergeant Robin.

  The small bird pounced on Retsnom, pecked him on the head, and went whizzing away with a couple of black feathers in his beak. The raven let out a croak of anger and gave chase.

  The brave little robin had done it to save Baby B, but now he was the one in danger. Retsnom was nearly on him. The huge raven opened his beak, ready to snatch him out of the air and crush him. But the robin knew exactly what he was doing.

  Just as Retsnom swooped down on him, Sergeant Robin dodged to the side and dived towards the courtyard wall. He darted into a crack between two stones in the wall and hid. The hole was far too small for the big bird to follow so the robin was safe.

  Retsnom let out an angry squawk, wheeled round in the air, and started back towards Baby B.

  This time Sergeant Robin wouldn’t be able to save him. This time Retsnom’s pointed claws would grab him and hurl him down into the courtyard.

  Baby B shivered and tears started to fill his eyes.

  Then suddenly he heard Philip calling to him inside his head.

  ‘Come on, Baby B – don’t be afraid. I’m here with you. Remember what I told you. Retsnom isn’t a real bird at all. He just looks like a bird because of magic. Laugh at him. Trick him into showing you what h
e really is.’

  ‘I can’t,’ Baby B cried. ‘I’m too little. I can’t.’

  ‘Yes, you can!’ he heard Philip say. ‘You rescued Rufus – that’s why your think-talking has come back. Now you must be just as brave and trick Retsnom. Laugh at him. Come on. It’s your last chance. Do it now!’

  As Retsnom flew towards him, Baby B felt Philip’s power filling him. He opened his mouth and shouted with all his might.

  ‘Yoo-hoo! Smelly Retsnom,’ he yelled. ‘I’m not scared of you. You’re just a silly old bird.’

  Baby B saw the look of surprise in Retsnom’s eyes and it gave him the courage to go on. He took a deep breath and started singing a silly song that he’d learned in the playground at school.

  ‘Hee-hee, cup of tea!

  You couldn’t scare a flea!’

  Retsnom let out a scream of rage.

  ‘Not scared of a silly old bird, eh?’ he squawked. ‘Well then, take a look at what I’m really like.’

  Baby B gasped as he saw Retsnom begin to change. The body grew larger and larger and the glossy black feathers began to melt into wet skin. In an instant, the raven had turned back into his real shape.

  He was a huge, glistening slug with green slime oozing from his hideous mouth.

  The sight was so awful that Baby B had to close his eyes, but he could still hear the monster’s horrible voice.

  ‘You see!’ he heard Retsnom hiss. ‘They don’t call me Retsnom the Monster for nothing. And now I … Oh no! Help!’

  There was a terrible scream and Baby B opened his eyes in time to see the monster falling towards the courtyard.

  Philip’s trick had worked!

  Without his bird-disguise to keep him in the air, Retsnom was crashing back to the earth.

  There was a dreadful squelching sound as Retsnom hit the ground and his flabby body split open. He twitched once, then lay still.

  He was dead.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  For a moment there was total silence in the courtyard.

  Then suddenly all the animals began shaking their heads and yawning and rubbing their eyes and stretching their arms up in the air. It looked just as if they were waking up after a long sleep.