Daisy's Secret

by Jodie Wells-Slowgrove

  Nothing happened. The spell didn’t work. Daisy shook her head in confusion. It had to be the right word. What was she missing? She went back to the book, feeling all the pages again. The letters were the same, the blank page still empty.

  What if the empty page is the space between words?

  A tingle ran up her spine as Daisy turned to the next page and brushed her fingers along it. Almost straightaway, near the top left corner, she found what she was looking for, a letter ‘y’.

  Quickly, she wrote it down. There were three more letters before the next blank page and then seven more before a long line of blank pages that made Daisy think that maybe the message had ended.

  She looked back at what she had written.

  The message was made up of three words, the first one of which Daisy was confident she already knew.

  ‘Reveal what?’ Daisy murmured. The second word had only four letters. It shouldn’t be that difficult. She shifted them around in her mind, trying different combinations until they formed a real word.

  ‘Your!’ Daisy exclaimed. ‘The second word is “your”. Reveal your . . . what? Your words? Your letters? Your sentences? None of them fit.’

  She stared at the letters, knowing that she was so very close.

  ‘I’ve got it!’ Daisy cried. She held her wand against the cover and chanted, ‘Reveal your secrets!’

  The book seemed to jump in Daisy’s hands. There was a wild fluttering as the layers of paperbark in the cover separated from each other creating new pages while the blank pages fused together. Then all was still again.

  Tentatively, not sure what she would find, Daisy opened the book to the first page. This time it displayed the title, and underneath were the words, ‘By Guardian Hide’.

  Guardian Hide! He was the one who had sent Melaleuca. Daisy shivered. This book was magically protected and contained the secret knowledge of a Guardian. She didn’t want to think of how many rules she was about to break by reading it.

  Crossing her fingers, she made a wish that Raven would not come looking for her anytime soon. Then, trembling with excitement, she turned the page and began to read.

  For those with the Calling of Protection and Concealment, it is vital to know about humans. Other species may cause fairies harm, but only humans have the potential to devastate fairy colonies and destroy the forests that we live to protect.

  But why? thought Daisy, her head spinning. Why would they want to destroy the forests? It didn’t make sense.

  Maybe the book would have the answers? Looking anxiously towards the door, she began to read again.

  ‘Oh!’ Daisy gasped at the bottom of the fourth page. ‘Humans have no magic!’

  She tried to imagine what it would be like to not have magic, to see the forest with only her eyes and not feel its living energy flowing around and through her. It would be like losing the most important part of her.

  No wonder they cause so much damage, Daisy thought. They can’t really see what they’re destroying.

  The next part of the book explained what fairies with the Calling of Protection and Concealment should do when confronted with humans. Daisy felt a flush of guilt, knowing that she had no right to keep reading. A fairy who hadn’t found her Calling yet shouldn’t snoop through the secrets of someone else’s.

  But she didn’t want to stop reading. And not just because of Maggie. The more Daisy learned about humans, the more she wanted to see one for herself. And thanks to Melaleuca she knew just where to look.

  Daisy jumped up to go and almost fell back down again. Her legs tingled sharply, numb from sitting for too long.

  ‘Ow! Ow! Ow!’ Daisy muttered, stamping her feet and wishing that she could just get going. Her legs were almost feeling normal again when the door began to open.

  Vu was the first to enter, flying through as soon as the gap was wide enough and chittering happily when Daisy held her hand out for him to land on.

  ‘There she is!’ Pea crowed triumphantly, pushing the door the rest of the way open and stepping into the room. ‘I knew she’d be in the library.’

  ‘Of course you did, Pea,’ said Cricket as he joined her. ‘That’s why we checked five other places first.’

  Daisy watched them argue, wondering if she could sneak off without them noticing?

  ‘It’s not like you were any help at all,’ said Pea, rounding on Cricket. ‘Why don’t you just be quiet for once?’

  Cricket thought for a second then smirked. ‘That wouldn’t be much fun.’

  Pea’s face was dark as a thundercloud as she let Cricket know exactly what she thought of his idea of fun.

  ‘Stop!’ said Daisy, coming to a decision. ‘I have something I need to tell you.’

  She waved Guardian Hide’s book beneath their noses.

  ‘Encounters with Humans,’ Cricket read. ‘Someone has been naughty!’ He snatched it out of Daisy’s hands and put on a mock serious expression. ‘Didn’t I tell you this book was forbidden?’ Then he laughed. ‘Come on, let’s read it.’

  A look of befuddlement crossed Cricket’s face as he opened the book.

  ‘Well, go on,’ Pea giggled. ‘Or is it too difficult?’

  Cricket held up the book for Pea to see. ‘The pages are empty.’

  ‘Will you stop for a minute and listen?’ said Daisy, taking the book from Cricket and putting it back on the shelf. ‘How would you like to see a real human?’

  Cricket gave Daisy an approving look. ‘Now that’s my kind of adventure.’

  ‘Ooh,’ said Pea. ‘I’ve never seen a human. But how are we going to find one?’

  ‘Leave that to me,’ said Daisy. ‘I just hope Queen Jasmine has no plans for us this afternoon.’

  ‘Queen Jasmine isn’t here,’ said Cricket. ‘Cook Cherry said she and Raven would be away all afternoon. Some secret trip that came up suddenly.’

  ‘I bet she’s gone to see the humans too,’ said Daisy. ‘They crossed the borders near Hakea College. The Protection and Concealment fairies will be trying to scare them off. So we have to hurry or they might be gone before we get there. How did your lessons go, Pea? Can you fly through a wombat’s yawn without grazing its teeth?’

  ‘Not quite, but I can fly through a tree without touching the leaves,’ said Pea proudly.

  Daisy gave her a quick hug. ‘That’s wonderful!’

  ‘Not that it will matter,’ said Cricket with a cheeky grin. ‘There are more exciting ways to travel than flying.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ asked Daisy.

  ‘Let’s eat first,’ said Cricket. ‘Then I’ll tell you.’

  After a quick stop at Cook Cherry’s kitchen for a snack, Cricket led them down to the forest floor. Putting two fingers in his mouth he let out a sharp whistle.

  The leaf litter rustled all around them and three large, brown skinks raced out from under the trees.

  With a squeak of fright, Vu dived into Daisy’s hair. This was not his kind of adventure.

  ‘Daisy and Pea, meet Ula, Pru and Yi.’ said Cricket proudly.

  The lizards bobbed their heads in greeting.

  ‘Fauna introduced me to them this morning,’ said Cricket, throwing his arm around Ula’s neck. ‘Aren’t they amazing!’

  Pea didn’t look convinced, and neither did Vu, who burrowed further into Daisy’s hair.

  Cricket leapt onto Ula’s back. ‘Skinks are fast and they love to run! Come on, we’re in a hurry aren’t we?’

  Pea edged closer to Pru. She rubbed her hand against the lizard’s neck. ‘They seem friendly, Daisy. Riding them might be fun.’

  ‘All right,’ said Daisy, walking over to Yi. ‘But you won’t eat my beetle friend, will you?’ When Yi shook her head, Daisy fluttered onto her back.

  Pea clambered awkwardly onto Pru.

  ‘To Hakea College!’ Cricket shouted. ‘Hold on, everyone.’

  The skinks sped into the bush.

  Daisy had expected the trip to be bumpy but she wasn’t prepared for the fa
st-paced thrill ride of an adult skink running at full tilt. Up and over the leaf litter they ran, through hollow logs and up and around the sides of tree trunks, the fairies clinging tightly so as not to fall off.

  Twice they had to stop as Pea lost her grip, tumbling down into the leaf litter. ‘Oops!’ said Pea as she brushed off the dirt and eagerly clambered back on.

  The speed and wind set Daisy’s heart racing. She dodged fearfully, the blood rushing to her head, when a hungry kingfisher swooped down for the lizards, pulling up only at the very last minute when its bright eyes spotted the fairies.

  There was no time to think about what lay ahead.

  Then Cricket shouted, ‘We’re here!’

  The dashing skinks came to a sudden stop behind a tuft of tall grass near the edge of a cliff. Close by was a large, spiky hakea bush that served as the hidden entrance to the cave system that was Hakea College.

  With a pat of thanks, Daisy climbed down from Yi’s back.

  ‘What now?’ asked Cricket as he and Pea came up beside her.

  ‘Now we’re very careful,’ Daisy answered. ‘We mustn’t be seen.’

  Voices drifted up from the base of the cliff, much louder than any fairy’s.

  ‘Humans,’ breathed Daisy, her heart pounding.

  ‘They sound awfully close,’ said Pea.

  ‘And excited,’ added Cricket.

  Daisy shivered. ‘Let’s see what they’re doing.’

  Crawling out onto Daisy’s shoulder, Vu chittered a warning.

  ‘It is risky,’ Daisy agreed, ‘so stay low everyone. And keep behind cover.’

  ‘Gotta take a chance sometime,’ said Cricket. He ran to the cliff edge and lay flat against the rock.

  Daisy listened for the shout that would mean Cricket had been seen, the swoosh of wings as the fairies Called to Protection and Concealment swooped down to drag him back to safety.

  All was still.

  Excited and nervous, Daisy grabbed Pea by the hand. Together they ran to join Cricket who was already peering over the edge.

  The humans were on the beach at the base of the cliff.

  There were three adults with a group of children who looked to be about Daisy’s age, even though they were many times bigger. At their feet were coils of rope, alongside bits and pieces of strange equipment. One of the adults was explaining to the group how to climb the cliff face.

  As Daisy watched them, something strange began to happen. A tingling sensation began at the base of her neck then whooshed like a wave up the back of her head. Though only one human was speaking out loud, suddenly all their voices, talking over the top of each other, sounded inside her mind. Vu chittered his concern as Daisy pulled back from the cliff edge feeling dizzy and confused.

  ‘I’m okay, Vu,’ Daisy whispered. With the humans out of sight, the voices had faded and the dizziness had begun to subside.

  ‘Did you see them?’ Cricket grabbed Daisy by the shoulder. ‘I counted at least ten.’

  ‘They were so huge!’ said Pea. ‘And right on the edge of our forest! I hope they don’t come in.’ She glanced back at the hakea bush. ‘We should go before somebody sees us.’

  Grabbing Daisy by the hand, Pea dragged her towards the trees.

  ‘What’s wrong, Daisy?’ Cricket asked when they reached the forest edge. ‘You look all shivery. Are you sick?’

  Daisy didn’t answer. Can I really hear what humans are thinking? she wondered. No one would believe me if I told them.

  Pea put an arm around Daisy’s shoulders. ‘Maybe we should go back. You do look pale.’

  ‘I’m fine,’ said Daisy. ‘Just a bit shocked by what that human said.’

  ‘You could understand him?’ asked Cricket, incredulously. ‘It was all gobbledygook to me.’

  ‘Stop joking, Cricket!’ Daisy scolded.

  ‘Cricket isn’t joking,’ said Pea. ‘I couldn’t understand the human either.’ She looked thoughtful. ‘I wonder how you could?’

  ‘Never mind that,’ Cricket interrupted. ‘What did he say?’

  Daisy frowned. ‘They’re going to climb the cliff.’

  ‘But they’ll end up right near the College,’ worried Pea. ‘We need to tell Queen Jasmine!’

  ‘And let her know we were here. No way!’ said Cricket. ‘Let’s go down to the beach. I want to see the humans in action.’

  ‘We don’t know where Queen Jasmine is,’ said Daisy. ‘And even with my finding spell, by the time we reach her it might be too late. I think Cricket’s right. We should keep the humans in sight. If no one else is watching them, it might be up to us to stop them.’

  ‘I suppose you’re right,’ said Pea. But she didn’t look convinced.

  ‘It’s settled then,’ said Cricket. ‘We’ll fly through the forest to the west and then downhill to the beach behind them.’

  ‘We’ll have to fly low,’ said Daisy, ‘in case Raven and the others are around. We’ll be in big trouble if they see us.’

  Pea nodded. ‘Maybe Vu should scout ahead?’

  ‘Good idea,’ agreed Daisy. ‘Will you help us, Vu?’

  Vu chittered that he’d rather be flying away from the humans but he set off ahead of them anyway.

  They were almost to the beach when Vu chittered a warning. The three fairies dashed behind a log. Waving for the others to stay down, Daisy flew up to peek over the top.

  Raven, Melaleuca, Queen Jasmine and a short, squat fairy with a long bristly beard were watching the humans from a gum tree near the base of the cliff.

  And there were at least four other fairies that Daisy didn’t recognise, all dressed in shades of gum leaf green, hiding in the trees around them.

  Putting a finger over her lips Daisy silently led Pea and Cricket around the camouflaged fairies to the shelter of a stand of mangroves a little further down the beach.

  Cricket peered eagerly out from between the leaves. ‘The human that was talking has put a strange belt around his body and through his legs. And he has a funny round hat on his head.’

  ‘Oh!’ exclaimed Pea. ‘He’s got a rope. He’s moving to the base of the cliff! Why aren’t the fairies stopping him?’

  Pea sucked in her breath as the man reached up to grasp the rock wall, finding hand and footholds in the crevices. Letting go with one hand he reached up again but the rock wall crumbled beneath his fingers and he tumbled back down to the ground.

  ‘Fairy magic,’ grinned Cricket.

  The human children laughed as the man stood up, shaking his head and brushing the sand from his pants.

  ‘He’ll try another spot,’ said Daisy as a light tingle prickled behind her ear and the shadows of thoughts floated through her head. The thoughts were fainter now that the humans were further away, but there was no more doubt in Daisy’s mind that she could hear them.

  ‘He won’t get far,’ predicted Cricket.

  ‘I don’t know,’ answered Daisy, sensing from his thoughts that the man wouldn’t give up easily.

  They watched as the man moved to a spot around a bend in the cliff face. Placing his hands firmly against the rock he began to climb once more.

  ‘Can the other fairies still see him?’ questioned Pea as the man moved up once and then twice. ‘If they can’t see him they won’t be able to stop him,’ she worried.

  ‘I’m sure they’ll think of something,’ Daisy reassured her. But as the man pulled himself up again, she started to wonder if it was true.

  Then something dark emerged from a crevice to slither across the rock wall, just above the man’s face. Daisy felt a quick jolt of fear that was not her own as the man yelped in surprise and dropped back down to the ground.

  ‘Is that a diamond python?’ marvelled Pea.

  ‘Only a young one,’ grinned Daisy.

  ‘That’s brilliant!’ crowed Cricket, leaping up into the air to swing excitedly from the branch above his head. ‘I bet it was Raven’s idea! Did you see the look on the human’s face?’ Cricket dropped back down next to Daisy, o
pening his eyes and mouth wide in a perfect imitation of the man. He bent over in a fit of giggles. ‘I bet he gives up now.’

  Daisy shook her head. ‘I think he was just startled. Look!’

  The man pointed to where the snake was slithering across the rock face. He was grinning as he talked quickly and gestured with his hands as though he was giving a lesson.

  Groans of disappointment came from the watching children as the snake disappeared into another crevice. Smiling, the man moved back to his position and started to climb the cliff again.

  ‘I don’t believe it!’ exclaimed Cricket. ‘Aren’t humans scared of anything? Don’t they ever give up?’

  Daisy put a finger to her lips as a twig snapped loudly nearby. ‘Ssh,’ she hushed, tilting her head. ‘Something’s coming this way!’

  Vu chittered softly that it sounded heavy, like a wombat.

  The three fairies froze, listening to the crunch of leaves and the snapping of twigs as whatever it was drew closer.

  ‘That doesn’t sound like a wombat,’ whispered Pea.

  ‘Of course not,’ hissed Cricket. ‘It’s a human!’

  They stared in wonder as a human girl, younger than the other children, stepped out of the forest and onto the beach.

  The girl was humming a happy tune, her eyes bright with curiosity as she bent down to examine a spiral-shaped shell.

  ‘No crab in this one, Bella,’ she muttered to herself. ‘It’s very pretty though.’ She carefully replaced the shell where she’d found it and stood up again.

  Daisy’s neck began to tingle. She grinned as a girlish voice slipped into her mind. Forgetting to be cautious, Daisy crept along the branch until she was standing just behind its outermost leaves.

  ‘Come back, Daisy,’ hissed Pea, who had moved as close to the tree trunk as she could. ‘The human might see you.’

  Rubbing his head against Daisy’s cheek, Vu asked if she knew what she was doing.

  Daisy gave him an absentminded pat, her head too full of Bella’s thoughts to answer.