Silver Hill

by Catherine Cooper

  ‘Look Camelin, down there, it’s wider on the path, come and help me transform, then I can get the door open.’

  Jack and Camelin hopped down to the lower level. For a split second the whole of Silver Hill lit up. Jack was grateful it was a dark night and no one was around, he wasn’t happy about being naked. He picked up his wand and ran back up the path leaving Camelin to follow. By the time Camelin reached the door Jack had already removed the silver chain and used Nora’s special key to unlock it.

  ‘You’re getting a bit good with that wand,’ said Camelin. ‘I’ve got a lot of catching up to do when I get mine back.’

  Jack removed the key and slipped the chain back over his head when Camelin wasn’t looking. Thankfully the door opened inwards but it squeaked noisily. Jack closed it behind them as quietly as he could. The hat the Dorysk had seen earlier was still on the hook, but to Jack’s delight, hanging underneath it was a coat. It wasn’t the best fit but at least Jack didn’t feel so exposed with it on, especially when he realised it wasn’t pitch black inside. As the Dorysk had said, a soft glowing light filled the warm tunnel. There was an inviting smell of cooking too, which hadn’t gone unnoticed.

  ‘Barbecue!’ croaked Camelin excitedly.

  ‘You don’t think we’re too late do you?’ said Jack.

  ‘Too late for what?’ asked Timmery.

  Jack turned and frowned at Camelin.

  ‘You didn’t tell Timmery, did you? You could have told him everything on the way over.’

  ‘Needed all my breath for flying, don’t do small talk.’

  Jack sighed and shook his head. He had far more important things to worry about than being cross with Camelin. He quickly told Timmery everything the Dorysk had seen and heard. By the time Jack finished, Camelin had already made his way to the end of the tunnel. His beak was open and Jack knew he was enjoying the lovely smells.

  ‘You don’t think that’s roast dragon do you?’ Jack asked him again.

  ‘Naw, that’s sheep. Spriggans will nab one if they can. If it’s an important feast they’ll have more than one down there.’

  ‘But I thought the feast was tomorrow night,’ gasped Jack.

  ‘That’s what they said,’ confirmed the Dorysk. ‘Let me go see what I can find out.’

  ‘Can you see in this light?’ Jack asked Timmery.

  ‘No problem at all, it’s only like dusk or dawn, not too bright at all, I can see just fine.’

  ‘That’s a relief,’ grumbled Camelin. ‘After I brought you all this way it’d be such a shame if you had to wait outside in the dark.’

  ‘This is getting us nowhere fast,’ said Jack. ‘We need to act quickly and get back to Glasruhen as soon as we can, preferably with two dragonettes.’

  ‘I’ll send Timmery back as soon as we find them,’ the Dorysk said as he changed into the form of a moth. They were both soon lost from sight as they flitted off down the tunnel.

  Jack leant against the wall. He’d thought of a plan while they’d been flying but he wasn’t sure it would work. He knew he couldn’t do it on his own and was going to need Camelin’s help.

  ‘How much weight can you carry in your beak?’ Jack asked as innocently as he could.

  ‘Lots, I can lift Nora’s small cauldron when it’s empty.’

  ‘So, do you think you could fly with a dragonette in your beak?’

  ‘No need, why would you want to carry a dragonette when it can already fly?’

  ‘You’d have to if it was sealed inside a lantern like Charkle was.’

  ‘You mean … we’re going to … that’s brilliant … but can you fly all the way back to Glasruhen with a dragonette, a lantern and your wand in your beak too?’

  This was the question Jack had been asking himself. It was the only problem he could see with his plan. He didn’t know if he had the strength to fly all the way back with an extra passenger. The only way he’d find out was if they successfully rescued the dragonettes.

  They seemed to wait in the tunnel for ages. Jack was worried about Pyecroft showing up and demanding his coat back but the only sound they heard was a low rumbling coming from deep within the hillside.

  ‘They’re all eating,’ grumbled Camelin. ‘I can’t smell cooking any more.’

  Jack sniffed the air. He was sure Camelin was right as he knew more about food and how it was cooked than Jack did but he was more worried about the Dorysk and Timmery than his stomach.

  ‘Do you think they’re alright? They seem to have been gone ages.’

  ‘They’ll be fine, how couldn’t they be? A shape-shifter and such a brave bat…’

  ‘Oh, so kind, so kind,’ came a voice from the mouth of the tunnel. ‘Now, are you two ready? The coast is clear and the Dorysk has found the dragonettes. The good news is they’ve not been roasted. The bad news is they’re in the Spriggans’ larder, in a big cauldron full of marinade.’

  ‘Are they hurt?’ asked Jack. ‘Did you ask them their names?’

  ‘I didn’t see them or have time to talk to them but when I left the Dorysk was explaining about the rescue, so maybe he’s asked them.’

  ‘What kind of marinade?’ asked Camelin.

  Jack glowered at him.

  ‘Are you coming or would you rather stay here?’

  ‘Just asking, a raven’s allowed to ask the odd question isn’t he?’

  ‘Lead the way Timmery, we’re coming.’

  Jack was grateful the little bat had such a good sense of direction. The tunnels twisted and turned downwards. The small lights on the sides of the tunnels gave out a warm glow and made it easy for them to follow Timmery. Even though Jack could see where he was going he knew he wouldn’t be able to find his way back without a guide. Timmery didn’t even hesitate when they came to a junction. It meant they were able to move deeper into the hill quickly and quietly. Eventually Timmery stopped outside the doorway of a well-lit room.

  ‘It’s too bright for me in there. I’ll wait out here and keep watch. This is the larder, the others are inside.’

  Jack cautiously crept into the room. He was surprised to see rows of tables, all laden with food. He turned and gave Camelin a warning look.

  ‘Over here,’ called the Dorysk.

  Jack looked around and saw the Dorysk fluttering above a large cauldron, which sat by the hearth. Jack ran over and looked inside. To his relief the two dragonettes looked alright, considering their circumstances. Their cages had been tied to the cauldron rings and were immersed in the mixture. They were having difficulty keeping their heads above the surface.

  ‘Don’t worry,’ Jack told them. ‘We’ve come to rescue you. I’ll have you out of there in no time. I’m Jack Brenin and this is Camelin.’

  ‘We know,’ one of the dragonettes managed to say as it struggled to keep its head out of the marinade. ‘We’re very grateful you’ve come… they were going to…’

  ‘It’s alright,’ interrupted Jack. ‘We’ll talk later, but what are your names?’

  ‘I’m Norris and this is Snook,’ the other dragonette replied.

  ‘Won’t Charkle be pleased,’ said Camelin as he hopped around the cauldron. ‘Now I’ll be able to have my wand back.’

  ‘Charkle!’ cried both dragonettes.

  Jack felt so happy for the two brothers.

  ‘Yes, Charkle. He’s safe and we’ve heard a lot about you two, but let’s save all that for later, we need to get you out of here. We’ve got a long flight ahead of us once we get out of the tunnels.’

  ‘So what’s the plan?’ asked Camelin.

  ‘We all need to get away from here as quickly as possible,’ explained Jack. ‘Timmery can lead and the Dorysk can bring up the rear, in case we need to use Plan B, but first I need to get you two out of this cauldron and find something to tie onto the ends of these ropes or they’ll notice you’ve gone.’

  ‘What’s Plan B?’ asked the Dorysk as Jack looked around the larder.

  ‘You might have to shape-shift into a dragonett
e. Do you think you can do that?’

  ‘I’ll have to keep my glasses on or I won’t be able to see where I’m going.’

  ‘That won’t be a problem, it’s only in case we’re seen and need a diversion. If that happens, Camelin and I will transform, that will be the signal to start Plan B. The light will be so bright it will blind the Spriggans for a few seconds. You’ll need to make sure they see you. They’ll think the dragonettes are loose and will hopefully follow you. If you lead them off in the other direction it’ll give us enough time to get out of the door, then, as soon as you can, shape-shift into a moth and get back to us on the ledge. We won’t leave without you.’

  ‘We won’t!’ said Camelin.

  ‘No, we won’t,’ confirmed Jack as he looked around the room for two heavy objects to put into the marinade, in place of the lanterns. ‘Hopefully we’ll be out of here before anyone finds you’re missing.’

  ‘You’ll need to hurry,’ said Snook, ‘they’ve been coming in and out all night.’

  ‘They’ve not had their pudding yet,’ said Norris as he nodded towards one of the tables. ‘They never go without their pudding, no matter how much they’ve eaten.’

  ‘Spriggans!’ piped Timmery as he flew into the kitchen. ‘There are two of them and they’re heading right this way.’

  THE MONSTER OF SILVER HILL

  ‘Quick! Hide!’ whispered Jack.

  Timmery and the Dorysk immediately flitted off towards the darkest part of the tunnel. Jack turned to speak to Camelin but he was nowhere to be seen. The voices from the tunnel were getting louder and Jack knew if he didn’t find a hiding place soon he’d be discovered. He wished he’d learnt an invisibility spell or could shape-shift like the Dorysk. There weren’t many places to hide in the room. None of the tables had cloths so it wouldn’t be safe to hide under them. The cupboards looked too small, even for Jack to squeeze into. He had no idea where Camelin had gone or where he could go. Jack could hear footsteps now as well as voices. He was contemplating using his wand to send the two Spriggans rolling back down the tunnel, but if he did, they’d know straight away that someone was in their larder. A hissing sound brought Jack to a halt.

  ‘Psst!’

  ‘Is that you Camelin?’

  ‘Who else would it be?’

  Jack spun around.

  ‘Where are you?’

  ‘Inside the chimney, come on in, there’s room in here for both of us.’

  Jack looked at the hearth, it had been carved out of the rock and above it was a wide flue.

  ‘What you waiting for? Get in or they’ll see you,’ whispered Camelin.

  Jack stepped around the remains of the fire as best he could and put his hand inside the chimney. To his surprise the flue was craggy; it too had been carved from the rock. Although it was dark, Jack managed to find enough handholds to climb part way up. He had just managed to pull his feet up out of sight when the first Spriggan entered the room. Jack wondered how Camelin had climbed up into the flue as there certainly wasn’t enough room to fly. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the first Spriggan complaining bitterly in its high-pitched voice.

  ‘Carry this, fetch that, why us? I ask you Grabble, why us?’

  ‘Cos we’s the cooks Dugmore, that’s why.’

  ‘Cooks yes, servants no!’

  ‘Well at least we’ve got us some help for the banquet tomorrow.’

  ‘And not before time I says. Took six of us to get that sheep barbecued tonight and we’s got four of thems to do tomorrow.’

  ‘And two dragonettes don’t forget. They’ll have to be cooked up here, can’t put them into the big barbecue, be nothings left of thems if we did, then we’d be in trouble again.’

  ‘You’re right Dugmore. We’d better check on them.’

  Jack heard the Spriggans shuffle over to the side of the hearth. He presumed they were roped together.

  ‘I’ll do this one, you do the other Grabble.’

  Jack held his breath. He’d no idea what the Spriggans were going to do. Should he jump out and surprise them or not? He decided to wait and listen. The longer the Spriggans were unaware of the rescue party the more chance they had of succeeding. He could hear coughing and spluttering and a lot of splashing.

  ‘There you are little ’uns. That’s got yous nice and coated, won’t be long now. A couple more hours in there and you’lls be the tastiest treat Chief Knuckle’s had in a longs time.’

  ‘Come on Grabble we’s better gets the puddings. Don’t want to keep Pig Face waiting.’

  Jack heard both Spriggans twittering and chittering loudly. He presumed they were laughing.

  ‘Better not let him hear you call him Pig Face, you knows we’s not supposed to mention his nose. It’s the Big One what worries me, I don’t want to get on the bad side of that one.’

  ‘Only having a bit o’fun Dugmore, but you’re right and we’s better gets this lot downstairs. It’s going to take us a few trips.’

  After a few more grumblings and a clattering of plates the Spriggans’ voices began to grow quieter. Jack could hear the sound of their footsteps receding.

  ‘They’ve gone,’ announced the Dorysk as he flitted into the hearth.

  ‘Thanks,’ said Jack. ‘We’d better get out of here and get Norris and Snook to safety before they come back.’

  ‘Give us a bit of light in here so I can see what I’m doing,’ whispered Camelin.

  Jack made the tip of his wand glow dimly. He looked around expecting to see Camelin but he was alone.

  ‘Where are you?’

  ‘Down here, in the side oven.’

  As Jack lowered his wand, he could see Camelin’s head poking out of an alcove in the rock.

  ‘Thought you’d have crawled in the other one,’ he said and nodded towards another opening on the other side. ‘It doesn’t look very comfortable up there.’

  ‘It isn’t. If I’d known about the side ovens I’d have got in.’

  ‘Well you’ll know for next time.’

  Jack hoped there wouldn’t be a next time but he did wonder how Camelin knew about them. If they hadn’t been in a hurry he’d have asked. A bubbling sound brought his attention back to the cauldron. Jack scrambled down the chimney and dashed over to see both Norris and Snook’s lanterns bobbing around. The little dragons were fighting to keep their heads above the marinade. He grabbed both sticks and lifted them up.

  ‘Don’t worry, we’ll have you out of here in no time.’

  Norris and Snook coughed and spluttered.

  ‘What’s it taste like?’ asked Camelin.

  ‘That’s a terrible thing to say,’ said Jack crossly.

  ‘No it’s not, it’s a good question, I need to know how sorry to feel for them. If the mixture’s good they shouldn’t be making such a fuss.’

  ‘Do something useful and hold Snook’s stick for me.’

  Camelin shuffled over to Jack and took the stick in his beak. He held the lantern clear of the marinade while Jack untied Norris. It wasn’t long before both dragonettes were on the kitchen floor and two large spoons hung in their places inside the cauldron. Jack hadn’t realised there’d be a mess on the floor. The Spriggans would see it as soon as they returned. He also needed to put the lanterns inside something until they got clear of the tunnels or they’d leave an easy trail for anyone to follow. Jack found two small flour sacks, tipped the contents into the marinade and brought them over to Norris and Snook.

  ‘I’m afraid I’m going to have to put you in these but it won’t be for long.’

  Jack lowered them carefully inside and moved them over to the tunnel entrance. ‘Now all I need is a cloth to clear up the puddles and we can go.’

  ‘I’ll clean it up,’ said Camelin.

  ‘We haven’t got time.’

  Jack could see Camelin’s beak was already glistening. The marinade on the lantern stick must have been to his liking. Jack grabbed a towel, wiped the floor quickly then tossed it into the cauldron befo
re cautiously putting his head out of the larder and looking down the tunnel.

  ‘It’s all clear,’ said Timmery.

  ‘Nothing’s ahead either,’ said the Dorysk as he flitted into view.

  ‘We’d better get going. I can carry both lanterns as long as I don’t have to transform. Are we all ready?’ asked Jack.

  ‘Ready,’ everyone replied.

  They set off at speed through the tunnels but as they neared the first junction Timmery stopped.

  ‘What is it?’ whispered Jack.

  ‘I don’t know but it’s heading this way.’

  Jack looked around but he couldn’t see anywhere to hide. The tunnel they were in led straight back to the larder and the loud rumbling sound seemed to be coming from the way they needed to go. To get to the next tunnel they’d have to cross the open space at the junction. Jack didn’t know what to do. They still had a long way to go before they reached the door. He listened intently. He’d no idea what it was.

  ‘It’s the monster!’ gasped Camelin. ‘Look!’

  The light coming towards them grew brighter as the thundering and rumbling sounds got even louder. If it came into their tunnel they’d be crushed. Even if it didn’t, they’d be discovered if the monster looked in their direction; the light from its eyes shone brightly. Jack could feel his legs trembling. He didn’t know enough magic to do anything useful. He desperately tried to think of something, anything that might help.

  The loud rumbling increased. If he could only turn the light off they might have a chance, they’d not be seen if the monster went straight past the end of their tunnel. As Jack put his hand over the crystal on the wall it came away in his hand. For an instant it shone brightly in his palm but as soon as his fingers curled around it, the tunnel went dark. Jack held his breath as the noise increased. He felt the air rushing on his face as the monster sped past their tunnel. A terrible smell followed and hung in the air. The noise was deafening. Camelin had somehow managed to get behind Jack. He could feel his wings shaking next to his own trembling legs. For a few seconds it felt as if the whole hillside was shaking as the monster sped by.