The trogs filed off. Ash and Rhyll were forced to follow. As they descended deep underground, they passed stables where donkeys and goats were kept. Next came the kitchens, from which wafted the smells of baking bread and roasting chickens. Then came the living quarters with thin screens serving as doors. All the while, the music grew louder.
Finally, they arrived in a great hall with a high roof. The cavernous room was filled with tiny, dirty trogs, all of them chanting and dancing and waving spears.
The hall’s cream and apricot limestone walls glittered like a million tiny diamonds. A river of dark bubbling liquid ran through the hall, and, in the centre, sat a creature resembling a gigantic, obese earthworm.
The worm was as tall as some of the trees in the Emerald Forest. The hideous creature wore a massive studded leather collar around its neck and a garland of flowers upon its head. The worm opened its mouth and roared, showing countless rows of sharp, jagged yellow teeth.
Rhyll gasped. “What in all Krell is that?”
The chief raised his spear above his head. The crowd fell silent. “Oh great, merciful Mozar,” he boomed, “we offer you these trespassers spewed forth by our generous river. They are yours to do with what you wish.”
The trog chief made a sweeping bow. The crowd applauded. Mozar roared, its pink body glistening, its foul breath washing over the gathering.
Ash’s legs trembled. His gut twisted with fear.
Those teeth are razor sharp, Ash thought. I hope Mozar doesn’t have a taste for human flesh.
“I don’t want to die,” Rhyll said. “Do you think it will eat us?”
“Not if I can help it,” Ash said. He turned to the chief. “Please, let us go. We didn’t mean to make you angry. We’re on a mission to save our village. Many lives depend on us.”
The chief looked serious. “We care not for those who live above. We care only for those who live below, those of the trog.”
Ash decided to try another tack. “Look, we’re sorry for using your bridge, but we had no other way across. If I could pay you, I would, but I have no money, nothing of value. Couldn’t you let us go? We haven’t hurt anyone.”
“I cannot let you go,” the chief said. “Mozar needs to be paid for your wrongdoing.”
“But you trapped us,” Ash said. “We would never have crossed the bridge if we knew it was forbidden.”
The trog chief gave a sly smile. “That is a shame, I’ll admit, but it can’t be helped now. You could repay your debt by becoming Mozar’s servants. Does that sound acceptable?”
“No, it doesn’t,” Rhyll said. “We haven’t got time for this.”
Mozar roared again.
“Please.” Ash glanced at the monster. “We are truly, deeply sorry for using your bridge and coming into your territory. We didn’t mean any harm. We promise if you let us go, we’ll never, ever come back.”
The chief watched Ash and Rhyll carefully. He sighed. “I can see that you’re being honest with me. I admire that. So I will give you one chance, humans. Answer this riddle and instead of becoming Mozar’s servants for life, I’ll set you free.”
Ash almost fainted with relief. “That sounds fair. I guess.” He wasn’t sure he would be any good at answering the chief’s riddle but it was their only hope.
“Listen carefully,” the chief said. “Here is the riddle. More precious to a goblin than gold, more striking than sight to behold. More dangerous than an unsheathed sword, far greater than life’s true reward. Desired by all who seek her out, of her purity there never has been doubt. Answer me this, tell me if you can, what do trogs worship that soars above all humankind?”
The trog smiled, looking supremely confident. “Now, you have my word. If a human, any human, can answer this ancient trog riddle, you shall be set free. Hurry up, mind, we haven’t got all day. Mozar is hungry and someone needs to serve him.”
As if to validate the chief’s words, the giant earthworm leaned down towards those gathered near the moat. It sniffed at Ash and Rhyll then threw back its head and roared. A cheer went up from the trogs.
Ash tried not to be put off. He racked his brain for an answer to the riddle. He glanced at Rhyll. By the look of concentration on her face, she was doing the same.
“Any ideas?” Ash leaned down and whispered to Gwaam.
The bird paced in his basket. “I’m no good at riddles, I’m afraid. I’ve never had much need for them.”
“Never mind,” Ash said. “I’ll keep trying.”
After a few short minutes, the chief stood up. “Time’s up. Do you have the answer?”
“You never said there was a time limit.”
The trog chief shrugged. “I am now.”
“I don’t know the answer.” Ash shook his head. “What about you?” he asked Rhyll.
“No,” she mumbled.
The chief waved at an attendant. “Bring the chains and lower the bridge.”
Trogs rushed forwards with chains to secure Ash’s and Rhyll’s ankles.
“As Mozar’s servants you will need to live close by him,” the trog chief explained. “You will cater to his every need. And so you don’t try to escape, we will chain you right here.” The trog chief leaned in close to Ash. “A word of warning though, Mozar is a little short-sighted and has been known to munch on his servants sometimes.” The chief winced. “We’ve lost more than a few servants that way. He sometimes gets them mixed up with the barbecued chickens, see?”
“Is that …?” Beside Ash, Rhyll was squinting at something in the crowd.
“What is it?” Ash said.
“I don’t believe it,” Rhyll said and she waved her hands in the air. “Taine! You’re alive! Taine!”
“What?” Ash searched for his friend. “Where?”
Rhyll pointed. “There!”
“Stop!” Taine pushed his way through the throng of dirty trogs. “I have the answer.”
Ash was so glad to see his friend he wanted to run over and hug him. But with so many trogs crowded around him he couldn’t move, so he waved instead.
Taine waved back.
“Who are you?” The chief glared at the red-haired boy.
“I’m with them.” Taine jerked his thumb towards Ash and Rhyll. “And I have the answer to your riddle.”
“The time for answers is over,” the chief said. “Your friends couldn’t solve the riddle so they’re to spend the rest of their lives serving Mozar. You may join them if you wish.”
“But you said if any human could answer your ancient trog riddle, you’d set them free. Therefore, any human can answer the riddle. I’m a human and I have the answer.”
“That is what you said, chief,” a nearby trog said.
The chief shook his spear at the speaker. “I know what I said.” He glared at Taine. “Very well. A trog must live by his word. What is the answer?”
“The answer is a star. Trogs value stars above all else.”
“And why is that?” The chief’s eyes were cold, his lips stretched tight.
“Because you spend so much time underground where it’s safe and warm and where Mozar is. Despite this, you value the light, the night-time stars that light the sky with their beauty and the daytime star, the sun, which warms the earth.” Taine waved his arm at the twinkling limestone walls of the cave. “That’s why you build your home here, among this glowing earth, to remind you of the stars that light the sky and soar above all humankind, like the riddle says.”
The chief studied Taine for a long moment, his face giving away nothing.
Taine’s confidence, and his smile, slipped. “That is right, isn’t it?”
“Humph.” The chief grunted. “You are correct, though it pains me to admit it.”
Taine sagged with relief. Ash and Rhyll each gave a cheer.
“Mozar will be disappointed,” the chief said. “However, I gave my word.” He flicked his hand at Taine dismissively. “You are all free to go.”
“Yay!” Ash and Rhyll hugged Taine whi
le Gwaam flapped his wings happily.
Not wanting to linger in case the chief changed his mind, Ash motioned to the others that it was time to leave. The group hurriedly backed out of the great hall.
“Someone bring in the roast chickens,” the chief ordered his minions. “And hurry, Mozar is hungry!”
Ash and the twins ran all the way to the top of the underground city. When they reached the opening, they saw the sun was almost setting. Ash and Rhyll ran outside, filling their lungs with fresh air.
“Where’s Taine?” Ash said. “I thought he was right behind you.”
“I was.” Taine popped his head out of the hole. “I had to stop for something.” He offered them a bowl filled with bread, cheese and roast chicken.
“That’s stealing,” Rhyll said.
“I won’t tell if you don’t.” Taine devoured a square of cheese then offered Gwaam some. “Here you go. I bet you’re as hungry as me.”
The phoenix gobbled the food down then burped loudly, causing everyone to laugh.
“That bird’s legs are as hollow as yours,” Ash said.
“My legs aren’t hollow,” Gwaam said, completely missing the joke. “But my stomach is still empty. More please!”
Taine groaned. “Here you go, greedy-guts.” He handed Gwaam some bread.
Rhyll hugged her brother. “Where were you?”
“I went to find some food, but I got lost, didn’t I?”
“Silly boy,” Rhyll said. “If you weren’t my brother, I’d strangle you.”
“Thanks for leaving me behind, by the way,” Taine said.
“We didn’t leave you,” Ash said. “You left us. You took all your stuff and disappeared. How were we meant to know where you were?”
“I took my pack so I could fill it with food,” Taine explained. “I wanted to make up for being an idiot by fixing us a good, hearty breakfast. But I messed up. I didn’t catch any food, I got lost and when I finally found my way back to camp you guys had taken off.”
“Trust me, I searched for you for ages,” Ash said. “When I couldn’t find you we had to move on. You know we do have a village frozen under black snow to save.”
“Yeah, I get it,” Taine said. “I’m just glad I saw you being hauled off by the trogs so I could follow you down here.”
“And I’m glad you saved our lives,” Ash said. “Thanks, Taine.”
“You did well solving the riddle,” Rhyll said. “I was completely stumped. I never knew you were that smart.”
“Hey!” Taine protested. “You know I’ve always been good at riddles, although trying to solve the trog chief’s one did make my head hurt a bit.” He laughed for a moment. “But seriously, the clues were pretty easy to solve if you thought about them.”
“Maybe for you.” Rhyll gave her brother another hug. “Thanks for saving us.”
“All right, all right.” Taine pushed his sister away. “Enough of the gushing and hugging. We’re all good, all square. So where to now?”
“Gwaam, where are we heading?” Ash asked.
“East,” Gwaam said. “We need to go east.”
“Aha! I have precisely the thing for that,” Taine said. “While you two were getting ready to become worm servants, I was being my usual resourceful self and found a boat for us to travel in. It’s tied up at the river.”
“Who are you and what have you done with my brother?” Rhyll demanded.
“Very funny. Come on, I’ll show you the boat.”
Ash and Rhyll followed Taine across the grasslands, making sure they stayed close together in the dim light. As they reached the riverbank Ash halted suddenly.
“Wait,” he said. “I thought I saw something.”
“Where?” Taine asked.
Before Ash could reply, out from the shadows stepped an enormous griffin, its long lion tail flicking menacingly from side to side. On the ground behind it lay the remnants of a shattered timber boat.
Ash’s breath caught in his throat. The creature looked deadly. Its eyes were glassy and cold, its talons long, sharp and cruel. It could easily have ripped them to shreds if it wanted to. Ash glanced at Rhyll to gauge her reaction. One look at her face told him they were in trouble. He pushed Gwaam down to the bottom of the basket and shifted it behind him, hoping the griffin hadn’t spotted the phoenix.
Taine saw what Ash was doing. “Hey,” he whined loudly, addressing the griffin to distract him, “you’ve destroyed my boat. Why would you do that?”
Ash tugged Taine’s arm. “It’s fine. Leave it.”
The griffin snarled as he leaned forwards menacingly. “You should think yourself lucky you weren’t in it at the time.”
Taine gulped, his momentary bravado evaporating. He stared at his feet. “Um, yes, yes, you’re right. Of course. Forgive me.”
“Wh-who are you?” Ash asked the griffin, his shaking voice revealing his terror.
“I am Savage. Sent to do my master’s bidding.”
“Who is your master?” Rhyll said.
“Wizard Zadoc, but I’m sure you know that already.”
16
TREE HOUSE FAIRIES
Ash’s grip on the basket tightened.
“We have been on your trail for some time,” Savage said, looking at Taine. “You, foolish boy, led us to your friends.”
Taine looked ill.
“And now we have found you,” Savage continued, “we will take what belongs to our master, for that is what we seek. That is what we have sensed and tracked and will soon seize from you to return to its rightful owner.”
Taine sniffed the air. “What is that stench?”
“Hold your tongue!” Savage roared. “I do not need your snide remarks about how we griffins smell.”
Taine quailed, stumbling backwards. “Sorry. I didn’t realise it was a sore point.”
“Forget the smell,” Savage said. “Hand over the phoenix.”
Ash feigned innocence. “What phoenix?”
“Enough chatter,” Savage snapped. “I can recognise the dull creature’s heartbeat anywhere. Now give it to me.”
“Never.” As Ash clutched the basket to his chest, Taine and Rhyll stepped protectively in front of him.
“As you wish.” Savage twisted his great head and shrieked into the twilight behind him. Two more griffins appeared. “Meet Farand and Ebrel,” said Savage. Before Ash knew what was happening, Farand clamped his beak around Rhyll’s throat, holding her.
“Hand over Gwaam,” Savage repeated. “Or we will kill her.”
Rhyll tried to struggle free but Farand’s grip was too tight.
“Be still,” Ebrel ordered.
“Ash, do as he says.” Taine watched his sister with a stricken look on his face.
Tears of pain streamed down Rhyll’s cheeks. “Don’t, Ash.”
“Do it!” Savage roared.
“I’m sorry,” Ash told Gwaam. “I can’t, I don’t …”
“It’s fine,” Gwaam whispered. “Follow the river east, always east. You will find me soon enough.”
Ash reluctantly held the basket out. Ebrel seized it in her beak and flew off. Farand released his grip on Rhyll’s neck and with a rough shove, sent her sprawling to the ground. She lay there, gasping for breath.
“Our work is done here,” Savage said. “Home!”
The mighty griffins crouched low then sprang into the air and flew away.
Ash watched them go, fury burning inside him.
I have to get him back, he seethed. Otherwise I’ve failed as a Keeper.
Taine rushed over to Rhyll. “Are you all right?” he asked, helping her up.
“I’m fine.” She rubbed her neck. “What do we do now?”
Ash was glad Rhyll was so tough. He picked up her pack, which she’d dropped when Farand had grabbed her. “We keep going,” he said, handing the pack to her.
“But how can we find Zadoc without Gwaam?” Taine said.
“Gwaam said to head east,” Ash said. “So that’s what we
’ll do.”
“What hope have we got against those beasts and Zadoc?” Taine asked.
“I don’t know,” Ash said. “But we can’t give up. Gwaam is depending on us. So is everyone back home.”
The three friends walked all night, only stopping before dawn to catch some fish and cook it for breakfast. Ash was especially quiet. He deeply regretted handing over Gwaam to the griffins, though he’d seen no way around it at the time.
If only I was big and strong like Duncan, Ash thought. I could have put up a fight to save Gwaam. Why he would ever choose me as his Keeper is a mystery. I must be the worst Keeper ever.
After breakfast, Ash got them moving again. “No time to sit around,” he said. “It’s been almost four full days since the black snow.”
The others agreed and quickly set out. Around midmorning, a stillness settled upon the air. The birds ceased twittering. All grew quiet.
Rhyll noticed it first. “That’s strange. Can you hear that?”
“What?” Ash and Taine said together.
“The silence.”
In the distance came a rumbling, like the beating of a thousand drums. The wind rose into a howling frenzy, whipping around them and pushing them this way and that.
“Quick! To the trees!” Ash shouted.
Rain descended, hard and icy cold. Lightning flashed all around while thunder roared with pent-up fury. By the time they reached shelter they were soaked.
“What sort of storm is this anyway?” Rhyll shouted above the crash of thunder. “There aren’t any clouds.”
A bolt of lightning slashed the blue sky, shattering a tree nearby. Rhyll screamed and ran deeper into the forest. Ash and Taine followed. At last, they stopped to catch their breath, under a silky oak tree. They didn’t notice the branches forming into rough woody hands that lowered silently and wrapped around their waists. Then it was too late.
“Help!” they cried as they were reeled skywards.
The friends were lifted high into the air then deposited onto a timber platform spanning the branches of several trees. The tree’s hands released their grip and became ordinary branches once more.
“Weary travellers, welcome to our tree house.” A fairy no taller than Ash’s waist stepped forwards. She had large pointed ears, green eyes and long white hair. “I am Galiena of the Tree House Fairies. These are my sisters: Yon, Neysa and Tansy.”
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