by Sue Bentley
To Teddy—tiny dog with a big heart
GROSSET & DUNLAP
Published by the Penguin Group
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Text copyright © 2008 Sue Bentley. Illustrations copyright © 2008 Angela Swan.
Cover illustration copyright © 2008 Andrew Farley. First printed in Great Britain in 2008 by Penguin Books Ltd. First published in the United States in 2013 by Grosset & Dunlap, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group, 345 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014. GROSSET & DUNLAP is a trademark of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.
ISBN: 978-0-698-15965-5
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter ONE
Chapter TWO
Chapter THREE
Chapter FOUR
Chapter FIVE
Chapter SIX
Chapter SEVEN
Chapter EIGHT
Chapter NINE
About the AUTHOR
Storm rolled on his back on the stony ground. The young silver-gray wolf enjoyed the scratchy feeling against his thick fur. It felt good to be back in his homeland.
Suddenly, a fierce howl rose into the air and echoed over the quiet hillside.
“Shadow!” gasped Storm. The fierce lone wolf who had attacked Storm’s Moon-claw pack was very close. He should have known that it wasn’t safe to return.
There was a flash of bright gold light and a silent explosion of gold sparks. The young wolf disappeared and in its place stood a tiny, fluffy white Labrador puppy with floppy ears and big midnight-blue eyes.
Storm’s short puppy legs trembled. He needed to find somewhere to hide, and quickly.
Halfway up the slope, thick bushes clung to the rough ground. Storm raced toward them, his little paws kicking up spurts of dust. A dark wolf shape was crouching near one of the bushes. Storm’s breath caught in his throat with terror, and he skidded sideways in an attempt to escape.
“In here, my son,” the wolf called in a deep, gentle growl.
“Mother!” Storm yapped with relief.
He stopped and raced back toward the bush where she was hiding. As he reached her, Storm’s whole body wriggled and his silky little tail wagged delightedly.
Canista reached out a huge paw and gathered her disguised pup close against her warm body. She licked Storm’s fluffy white muzzle. “I am glad to see you again, but you cannot stay. Shadow is looking for you. He wants to lead the Moon-claw pack, but the others will not follow him while you live.”
Storm’s midnight-blue eyes sparked with anger and fear. “He has already killed my father and brothers and wounded you. I will fight Shadow and make him leave our lands.”
Canista showed her strong, sharp teeth in a proud smile. “Bravely said, but Shadow is too strong for you, and I am still weak from his poisoned bite and cannot help you. Go back to the other world. Hide there and return when you are wiser and your magic is stronger.”
Storm whined softly. He knew his mother was right, but he hated to leave her.
He huffed out a warm puppy breath that glittered with a thousand tiny gold sparks. The healing mist swirled round Canista’s paw and then sank into her thick gray fur.
“Thank you, Storm. The pain is much better,” she rumbled softly.
Suddenly, another terrifying howl rang out and there came the sound of enormous paws thudding up the slope toward them.
“I know you are there, Storm. Let us finish this!” growled a harsh, cruel voice.
“Go now! Save yourself!” Canista urged.
Storm whimpered as he felt the power gathering inside his tiny form. Bright gold sparks ignited in his fluffy white fur. A bright gold light spread around him. And grew brighter . . .
“Robyn, sweetheart. Are you awake?”
At the sound of her mom’s voice in the doorway, Robyn Parsons sat up slowly. Her bunk was moving very slightly with the motion of the ship. From somewhere deep below her, she could hear the faint rumbling of the Sea Princess’s enormous engines.
“I wasn’t asleep. I was just resting,” Robyn murmured. “Uh-oh,” she breathed as her tummy gave a familiar lurch.
“Still feeling weak and wobbly?” Mrs. Parsons said gently. “Poor old you. That’s nearly two days you’ve been stuck in here.”
“I know,” Robyn said glumly, feeling very down in the dumps.
She’d been looking forward to this Christmas even more than usual.
Robyn didn’t have any brothers or sisters, and her dad worked away from home a lot. This was the first chance in ages to spend lots of time with him, and they would all be together as a family.
“I think we deserve a vacation with guaranteed snow, lights, and lots of atmosphere! Leave it to me,” Mr. Parsons had declared.
And now here they all were, all aboard the Sea Princess for a winter cruise around the wild and beautiful coast of Norway.
Robyn sighed. At this rate, she was going to be lucky if she caught a glimpse of any snowcapped mountains through the cabin window, let alone spend any time with her dad. It looked like this was going to be another lonely Christmas after all.
“How come you and Dad are okay? I can barely even stand up without wanting to throw up,” she grumbled.
“It’s just sheer bad luck,” her mom said sympathetically. “We had no idea that you’d react so badly to a sea voyage, or we’d have chosen a different way of spending Christmas.” She handed Robyn a glass. “Have a drink of water. It might help.”
Robyn sipped the water. She felt a tiny bit better after having a drink. “Thanks, Mom. I think I might stay sitting up. Maybe I’ll look through that music magazine you got me. Where’s Dad?”
“In the sun lounge, reading his paper. Are you sure you wouldn’t like me to bring you something? Maybe a sandwich or some fruit?”
At the thought of food, Robyn made a face. “I couldn’t eat a thing.”
Mrs. Parsons shook her head slowly. “I’m really starting to wonder whether we shouldn’t get off the ship at the next port and arrange to take you home.”
“No! You can’t!” Robyn said at once and then wished that she hadn’t spoken so loudly. Her head felt as if it was spinning. “Dad will be so disappointed if we waste this vacation. And you’ve been really looking forward to it for ages.”
“So have you, sweetheart,” her mom reminded her gently. “This was supposed to be a really special Christmas together, remember?”
Robyn nodded. “I know, but we’ll have lots more of them,” she said, trying hard to hide her disappointment for her mom’s sake. “I don’t see why you and Dad can’t still have a good time. I’ll be fine in here by myself. I’m nearly ten years old, aren’t I? And I have to start feeling better soon. No one stays seasick forever!”
Mrs. Parsons shook her head slowly. “I’m still not happy about leaving you alone. I’m just going to pop back to have a word with your dad. Let’s see what he has to say about this. I won’t be long.”
Robyn’s shoulders slumped as the cabin door closed. Even though it wasn’t her fault that she felt so ill, she knew she’d feel really guilty if their cruise was cut short.
It
’s just not fair! I’m so fed up of being sick! she grumbled to herself.
She took a deep breath and decided to get up. Maybe her mom and dad would change their minds about taking her home if she could convince them that she was feeling stronger.
Pushing back her quilt, Robyn slowly swung her legs over the side of her bunk. Her head swam a bit, but she stood up determinedly and reached for her jeans and fleece top. She was a bit wobbly on her feet, but she took her time getting dressed and finally managed it okay.
I’m much better. I’m fine, she told herself determinedly as she bent down to pull on her sneakers. Suddenly, a strong dizzy feeling washed over her, and she lost her balance.
“Oh,” Robyn gasped, toppling forward.
She threw out her arms, ready for a painful bruising landing, when a brilliant golden flash and a shower of sparks lit up the small cabin. Time seemed to stand still and a warm tingling sensation ran down Robyn’s spine. She felt a sudden jolt, but there was no hard landing.
To her complete astonishment, Robyn found herself sprawled full-length on her tummy on a sort of bouncy raft, made of shimmering gold-colored bubbles, and whizzing all around her was an ice storm of spinning, glittering sparks.
Robyn caught her breath as she felt herself slowly rising up into a sitting position and then being lowered gently on to the floor. The bubble raft and sparks dissolved with a loud crackling noise, like chip bags being crumpled up.
Robyn sat there shakily on the floor and looked around nervously.
What had just happened? She felt like pinching herself to see if she had been dreaming.
“I hope you are not hurt,” woofed a strange little voice.
Robyn nearly jumped out of her skin. “Who said that?” She twisted around, her eyes searching the small cabin.
Crouching on top of the neat chest of drawers opposite, Robyn saw a tiny, fluffy white puppy, with cute floppy ears, a silky white tail, and midnight-blue eyes. Thousands of tiny diamond-bright golden sparkles glittered in its thick fur.
Robyn’s eyes widened. Her mom must have brought in the cute toy to cheer her up and then forgotten to tell her about it. She must be more affected by her seasickness than she’d realized—first she’d imagined floating on a sparkly bubble raft, and now she thought she’d heard this toy puppy speak to her!
Robyn stood up and went to reach out toward the toy. “Hello. Aren’t you gorgeous? I wonder where Mom found you.”
“I came here by myself,” the puppy woofed. “When you fell, I used my magic to stop you from being hurt. I am sorry if I startled you.”
Robyn gasped and pulled her hand back as if it had been burned. “You…you can talk!” she cried.
The puppy blinked up at her with wide midnight-blue eyes. Despite its tiny size, it didn’t seem to be afraid of her. “Yes. I am Storm of the Moon-claw pack. What is your name? And what is this strange moving place?”
“Robyn. Robyn Parsons. And we’re on a ship called Sea Princess. I’m here on a Christmas cruise with my parents,” Robyn explained, her mind still whirling. She found it difficult to take all this in, but she didn’t want to scare the amazing puppy away. “Um…I don’t know what you did just now, but thanks for helping me. I could have hurt myself badly.”
“You are welcome,” Storm yapped.
Robyn slowly backed up to the edge of her bunk and then sat down. “Sorry, I’m feeling a bit sick. I’ve been like this since we came on board.”
Storm’s little pointed face clouded with concern. “I will make you better.”
Robyn instantly felt another warm tingling sensation down her back as Storm reached out one fluffy, little white paw and sent a fountain of tiny sparks toward her. They whirled around her, humming like tiny worker bees before disappearing. She felt the sickness washing downward and draining out of her toes, just as if she’d been standing under the flow of a warm shower.
“Wow! That’s amazing,” she cried delightedly, jumping up. “I don’t feel sick anymore, and I’m not dizzy or anything! Thanks again, Storm!”
“That is good.” Storm grinned, showing his sharp little teeth, and then his face took on a serious expression. “I need to hide now, Robyn. Can you help me?”
“I’d love to, but why do you need to do that?” Robyn asked, looking down at the cute white puppy, who was beginning to tremble all over.
Storm’s midnight-blue eyes darkened with anger. “An evil lone wolf attacked our Moon-claw pack—he is called Shadow. Shadow killed my father and brothers and wounded my mother. He wants to lead our pack, but the others are waiting for me.”
“But how can you lead a wolf pack? You’re a tiny pu–” Robyn began.
“Stand back, please!” Storm interrupted.
There was a dazzling flare of golden light, which blinded Robyn for a moment. For a second or two, she couldn’t see anything. But when her sight cleared, the cute white puppy had gone and in its place a magnificent young silver-gray wolf stood proudly, almost filling the whole of the tiny cabin. Its thick neck-ruff glittered all over as if it had been dipped in gold dust.
Robyn caught her breath and would have backed away if there had been room. “Storm?” she gasped, eyeing the young wolf’s sharp teeth, strong muscles, and huge powerful paws.
“Yes, it is me. Do not be afraid. I will not harm you,” Storm replied in a deep, velvety growl.
Robyn had hardly got used to the great majestic wolf when there was a final flash of dazzling light. A shower of bright sparks crackled harmlessly down around her and Storm reappeared as a cute, fluffy white puppy.
“Wow! You really are a wolf! That’s an amazing disguise,” Robyn whispered.
Storm tucked his little white tail between his legs, and Robyn saw that he was beginning to tremble again. “Shadow will recognize me if he finds out I’m here, and then he will use his magic against me. Please will you help?”
Robyn’s soft heart went out to the tiny scared puppy. She bent down and stroked his soft little head. Storm was impressive as his real self, but in his cute puppy disguise he was totally adorable.
“Of course I’ll help you and—” Robyn stopped as she realized something. “Oh, I don’t think animals are allowed on board. I could try to hide you in my cabin, but it’s small and you’ll be really bored if you have to stay in there for the whole time.”
“I can come everywhere with you. I will use my magic so that only you can see and hear me,” Storm woofed eagerly. A couple of tiny sparks danced around his floppy white ears and then blinked out. “It is done.”
“You’ve made yourself invisible? Cool!” Robyn said delightedly. She picked Storm up and gave him a cuddle. His white fur was thick and silky and smelled of cold fresh air. “Let’s go and explore Sea Princess together!”
“I would like that!” Storm’s little white muzzle wrinkled in a smile, and he licked her chin with his pink tongue.
“I can’t wait to go and find Mom and Dad and tell them about you.” Robyn smiled down at him.
“No!” Storm’s face was suddenly serious. “You can never tell anyone my secret. Promise me,” he woofed gently.
Robyn felt disappointed that she couldn’t share the news about her wonderful new friend with her parents—she was sure they would love him, too. But if it would help to keep the tiny puppy safe, Robyn decided to keep this secret to herself.
“Okay. I won’t say anything. Cross my heart.”
“What’s this promise you’re making?” said Mr. Parsons, coming into the cabin.
“Dad!” Robyn whirled around in shock to see her mom and dad standing there. She’d been so busy talking to Storm that she hadn’t heard the cabin door open. “I was just promising…um…myself,” she said, thinking quickly. “That I was…um…going to have the best time ever, now that I feel better. Because I’ve got lots of time to make up, haven’t I?”
“You certainly have,” her dad said, looking surprised but delighted. “Well, I must say that you seem to have made a miracle recovery. And t
here your mom was, wondering whether we ought to take you home!”
Robyn still couldn’t quite believe that her mom and dad hadn’t noticed Storm in her arms. But when neither of them said anything about the tiny puppy, she felt herself starting to relax.
“No one’s going home. So there!” Robyn exclaimed, her eyes shining.
She spun around and pretended to straighten her quilt, giving Storm the chance to jump onto her bunk.
When Robyn turned back to her parents, her mom was beaming at her. “I can hardly believe it. You’re like a totally different girl than the one I was talking to just a few minutes ago. It’s just like magic!”
If only Mom knew how right she was, Robyn thought, smiling inwardly.
“Well, you look ready to leave the cabin at last. I expect you’d like a look around to see what you’ve been missing. Where do you feel like going?” her dad asked.
Robyn’s tummy rumbled, and she realized that she was starving.
“Lunch it is, then!” said her mom.
As Robyn followed her parents to an upper deck, Storm trotted invisibly at her heel. Robyn had a warm glow inside. After a false start, her vacation was just beginning, and she now had a wonderful new friend to share it with, too.
“Doesn’t everywhere look great?” Robyn said to Storm. “It makes me feel all Christmassy.”
They were walking across a part of the ship with a domed ceiling and large picture windows, swathed with evergreen garlands. Lanterns and traditional decorations made of wood and tin were strung around the walls and Christmas trees gleamed with hundreds of twinkly lights.
Robyn peered through one of the large windows. The Norwegian sky was filled with a strange dark-gray light and the heavy, rolling sea looked like a sheet of ridged silver.
“It’s really weird to think that it never gets completely light during the day in winter. I don’t know if I’d like to live here all year round,” she whispered to Storm. “But it looks amazing, doesn’t it? Like something out of a fairy tale. You can just imagine scaly monsters in the sea and fierce trolls and frost giants living in the mountains.”