The Baby Firebird Page 2

  “You!” Lord Fortescue shouted, pointing straight at Talia. “What do you know about this Cave of Wonders?”

  Talia felt like his finger was pinning her to the spot, but she knew she had to be brave. “I don’t know anything,” she told him. “It’s probably just a story.” She met his angry gaze. It was the truth. No one knew anything for certain because no one had ever seen the cave.

  “With a name like that, it’s probably full of treasure,” said one of the soldiers. “That’s why they don’t want to tell us where it is. They want all the gold for themselves.”

  Lord Fortescue rubbed his chubby hands together. “This is good! We’ll capture the dratted birds AND get ourselves some treasure.” He addressed the crowd again. “By order of the queen I shall imprison these firebirds. As magical creatures, they are a danger to Her Majesty and to all people in the kingdom.” He unrolled a parchment and showed them the queen’s seal of approval. “If anyone here tries to stop us, I’ll have them locked up too.”

  “I can’t believe the queen agreed to all this,” Lucas whispered to Talia. “It makes no sense!”

  “But it’s exactly what Sophy told me,” murmured Talia. “She’s a maid at the royal castle. She said there’s a bad knight called Sir Fitzroy who persuaded the queen that all magical animals are dangerous.”

  The crowd began to scatter, and Talia and Lucas hurried away.

  “So what do we do now?” said Lucas. “In the morning, Lord Sweaty-pants will go into the forest and try to find the hidden valley.”

  “Sophy said if there was trouble I could send a golden songbird to fetch her,” explained Talia. “I have to find one right now.”

  “But how will she come all that way?” Lucas looked doubtful. “The queen’s castle is miles from here.”

  Talia grinned. “She’ll fly here on a dragon. That’s how she came here before!”

  It didn’t take long for Talia to find a golden songbird. They flew past the village quite often. Now that she had her magical stone, all she had to do was call for one. She gave the little golden bird her message for Sophy and went to sleep that night feeling glad that help would come the next day.

  Talia woke early in the morning and hurried to the edge of the village. She wanted to meet Sophy as soon as she landed and explain how dangerous Lord Fortescue was. They had to be careful.

  But instead of a dragon with enormous green wings, the same golden songbird fluttered down to perch on her hand.

  “Dear Talia, I have a message for you,” sang the little bird. “Sophy is so sorry, but she cannot come to help you. There is danger at the castle and Sir Fitzroy is watching everyone closely. If she gets a chance, she will come another day.”

  “But the soldiers will search for the firebirds today!” cried Talia.

  “I’m sorry not to bring better news,” trilled the songbird before flying away.

  Talia bit her thumbnail. If Sophy couldn’t help she would have to try to protect the firebirds herself. She would start by finding the soldiers and following them into the rainforest.

  An hour later she was watching Lord Fortescue and his men pack up their things. Her mum had gone to the market to sell the pottery and wouldn’t be back till late. Talia was watching the soldiers so closely she didn’t notice Lucas creeping up behind her. She jumped when he tapped her on the shoulder.

  “What’s happening?” whispered Lucas.

  “They’re getting ready to leave,” Talia told him. “I’ve decided to follow them. I have to stop them getting too close to the hidden valley.”

  “What about your friend with the dragon?”

  Talia sighed. “She’s stuck at the castle.”

  “That’s a shame!” Lucas grinned. “A fire-breathing dragon would be handy for chasing Lord Fortescue!”

  “Lucas!” Talia gave him a stern look.

  “I’m joking!” He rolled his eyes. “I only want to scare him a bit. Anyway, if the dragon girl can’t come, maybe someone else can help.”

  “Really? Who’s that?”

  “Me!” said Lucas. “I don’t want those soldiers finding the hidden valley either.”

  “But won’t your parents worry about you?”

  “No, they’re busy fixing our roof.” Lucas folded his arms. “Don’t you think tracking those men will be easier with two of us?”

  Talia smiled. “It’ll be much easier. But I don’t want to get the whole village into trouble so it has to be a secret!”

  Leaving their horses behind, Lord Fortescue and his soldiers set off into the rainforest. Talia and Lucas sneaked behind them, keeping their eyes on the men through the thickly growing trees.

  The men stopped at a fork in the path and peered at a very old-looking map.

  “Which way should we go, my lord?” The soldier pointed at the map. “I believe we’re here and this is the mountain called Tam.”

  As if in answer, there was a deep rumble from the mountain and the ground trembled a little. Lord Fortescue clutched the soldier’s arm till the rumbling stopped. Then he let go and marched up to the fork in the path as if he hadn’t been scared at all.

  Hidden behind a broad tree trunk, Talia and Lucas watched the men. The two children were used to the noises of the mountains. The firebirds’ hidden valley lay between three mountains called Kel, Dem and Tam, and each of them rumbled from time to time. The old stories said that the mountains used to be giants. They had been turned to stone by a spell, so the tale went, but sometimes you could still hear their deep, rumbling voices.

  “It’s this way. I’m sure of it!” Lord Fortescue took the left-hand path and his men followed.

  “They’re taking the path to Tiller’s Ridge and the waterfall,” Lucas said into Talia’s ear. “This is great! They’re going completely the wrong way.”

  “I hope they get lost and give up on finding the valley,” murmured Talia.

  The men struggled on through the thick forest. Their heavy backpacks kept getting caught by low branches. They stopped more and more often to rest and drink water. Each time a parrot squawked or a wasp buzzed, they jumped. The ground sloped upwards and their steps grew slower. By lunchtime their faces were grim and they sat down to rest, mopping their sweaty foreheads.

  Talia and Lucas found a hiding place behind a yellow-flowered sun bush. From here they could see the river winding through the forest. A thick bank of trees hid the secret valley where the firebirds lived.

  The soldier with the map unfolded the paper and turned it round several times. Talia could see he was looking at it upside down. “I can’t make out where we are, my lord,” he said at last. “Maybe we should go back to the village and strike out in another direction tomorrow.”

  “Go back!” shouted Lord Fortescue, startling a blue parrot in the tree above. “Don’t talk such rubbish! We shall search here the whole day and every day until we find these firebirds!”

  Talia froze. A tiny golden shape glided through the air and disappeared behind the bank of trees that hid the firebirds’ valley from view. She stared at the spot but the firebird had gone.

  “Did you see that?” said a soldier. “There was a bright golden thing flying through the air.”

  “Where?” demanded Lord Fortescue. “Tell me quickly, man! You must lead us there immediately.”

  Talia and Lucas fled down the path as the soldiers marched back the way they’d come. They hid among the trees as the men took the track that led to the riverbank opposite Jalmar Valley.

  Something fluttered in the leaves above their heads. “Talia! And the boy!” squawked Riki. “I’m so glad to see you!”

  “Riki!” gasped Talia. “Shh, don’t make a sound!”

  As soon as the soldiers had marched on, Riki flew down to perch on Talia’s shoulder. His wing brushed her cheek. She’d forgotten how warm he felt.

  “Riki, why are you away from your home again?” said Talia. “It’s dangerous out here!”

  “Don’t be cross, Talia!” Riki begged her. “I was lo
oking for you and the boy!”

  Talia hugged him. “Maybe it’s a good thing you came. It’s our turn to need your help! Those men are heading towards the river and if they cross the water they’ll discover your valley. We have to think of a way to stop them!”

  “Perhaps they’ll decide there’s no way to get across,” said Lucas hopefully.

  They sneaked further down the path to listen to the soldiers. Lord Fortescue was standing on the edge of the river pointing to the other side. No firebirds could be seen on the opposite bank, but there was something unmistakably different about the place. The trees were taller, the flowers brighter and the air glittered with magic.

  “This must be the right place,” decided Lord Fortescue.

  “But, my lord, the water is too deep and the current is moving so fast. It can’t be safe to swim,” said a soldier.

  “Then run back to that village and get a boat,” snapped Lord Fortescue. “One of the villagers must have one. I shall await you here.”

  “What shall we do?” whispered Talia, once they’d crept to a safe distance.

  “Let’s tell Lord Fortescue that we know where the firebirds are and then take him in the wrong direction,” suggested Lucas.

  Talia frowned. “What if he doesn’t believe us? I think we should warn the firebirds. They should know how much danger they’re in.”

  Riki fluffed his feathers and asked grumpily, “What did the boy say? It’s very tail-tickling only to understand half of what’s going on.”

  “Sorry, Riki,” said Talia. “I wouldn’t like it either.”

  “What did the bird say?” asked Lucas. “It’s really annoying to only get part of what’s happening.”

  Talia rolled her eyes. This was pretty annoying for her too! “Riki, we need to get across the river to Jalmar Valley before those men do. Can you help us?”

  “But what about the law?” cried Lucas.

  “There’s a place where the water is shallow,” Riki told her. “You can cross there – easy! I will show you.”

  “Good!” Talia turned to Lucas. “I know we’re not supposed to go to the valley but someone has to talk to the firebirds. They have no idea these men are coming to capture them. But if you don’t want to break the rules you should stay here.”

  “No way!” Lucas folded his arms. “I’m coming too.”

  “This way!” Riki swooped low through the branches. “I will take you to the valley of firebird magic.”

  Riki led Talia and Lucas along the riverbank. Black clouds swarmed across the sky, and the rain poured down. Spotting an umbrella tree, Talia picked an enormous leaf and used it to keep the raindrops off her head.

  Riki huddled against her neck, shivering. “I do not like the cloud water.”

  Talia smiled. “But the rain’s good for the trees and plants.”

  Riki shuddered. “The biggest Izzala tree has a space inside its trunk. That’s where I go to stay dry when the rain comes.”

  The rain shower finished and Riki told them to stop at a bend in the river. The water flowed more gently here and instead of sharp boulders there were smooth stepping stones.

  “This way!” Riki swooped low across the water, whistling in delight.

  Lucas leapt across as fast as he could while Talia jumped carefully from stone to stone. When she reached the other side, her stomach turned a somersault. She was in the hidden valley – the home of the firebirds!

  She gazed up at the gigantic Izzala trees covered with beautiful red flowers. Their honey-sweet scent filled the air. Water drops from the rain shower glistened on every leaf and petal. Talia noticed that everything here looked bigger and brighter. Even the air she breathed seemed fresher.

  Her heart leapt as she heard firebirds calling close by. “Will the other firebirds be pleased to see us?” she asked Riki. “They won’t mind us being here?”

  “They will love to see you!” cried Riki.

  “We’d better hurry!” urged Lucas. “Those men might already have found a boat.”

  Talia and Lucas followed Riki over a small hill. There were no paths so they had to squeeze through the undergrowth before climbing over some rocks. They skirted round a massive hole that looked dark and deep.

  “Isn’t it weird that we’re the first people EVER to come here?” said Lucas. “Wow, look at that huge hole!”

  A column of white smoke burst from the chasm and shot into the air with a deafening hiss. Talia leapt back and grabbed hold of a tree trunk. Lucas wobbled beside the hole, trying to keep his balance.

  Talia pulled him backwards and they both collapsed on the ground. The smoke stopped as suddenly as it had started.

  “That was weird!” Lucas crept forwards and peered into the darkness. “I wonder what happened.”

  “It must be the breath of the red-back dragon,” said Talia, remembering what Riki had told her.

  Riki flew down. “Yes, that’s the dragon’s home. No point in visiting him. He’s nearly always sleeping. Come on, we’re almost there!”

  Talia gazed curiously down the shadowy hole. A muffled rumbling came from deep inside, like a gigantic cat purring. She wondered for a moment what the red-back dragon looked like and whether he was friendly. Riki certainly didn’t seem to want to disturb the creature.

  As they went deeper into the valley, Talia spotted flashes of golden wings in the trees and heard firebirds calling to each other. She strained to make out their words. “To the circle … to the circle of trees!”

  “Come, Talia! Come, boy!” called Riki. “This is the place.”

  “You should call him Lucas,” corrected Talia.

  “Lu-cas!” squawked Riki. “I like that name.”

  Lucas and Talia broke through the undergrowth and found themselves in a clearing ringed by tall Izzala trees. Among the red-flowered branches were dozens of tidy nests. A flock of firebirds swooped to the ground. Many more perched in the trees, their dark eyes fixed on the children.

  Talia swallowed. What if they didn’t want humans in their valley? But she had to tell them about Lord Fortescue. “Dear firebirds!” she began, trying to speak loudly so they could all hear her. “I’m sorry to disturb you but it’s an emergency!”

  Before she could say more, the firebirds broke into a great chorus of squawks and cries. Lucas’s eyes grew round in alarm.

  “Show them your magical stone, Talia,” hissed Riki.

  “Oh! Yes of course!” Talia pulled the thread over her head and opened the stone to reveal the golden-orange crystals inside. “Sorry, I should have explained. I can talk to you because of this magical Speaking Stone. But there’s not much time! Some bad men are trying to find your valley. They’ve already reached the river and when they get here you’ll be in terrible danger.”

  One of the taller firebirds hopped forwards. “My name is Amber-wing,” she said. “We have seen these men you speak of and we have heard about the danger spreading through this kingdom. But what should we do? We are peaceful birds. We are not fighters.” She spread her wings in a kind of shrug. Flames sparkled among her feathers.

  “Then fly away!” cried Talia. “Go far away from this valley until the soldiers have left.”

  A murmur rippled through the flock of birds.

  Amber-wing’s beak dropped for a moment as if she was thinking. Then she shook her head. “I’m afraid we cannot leave Jalmar Valley. This is a special place for us.”

  Talia’s heart sank. “But Lord Fortescue wants to capture you all! Please fly away – at least for a little while.”

  Lucas was listening hard to Talia’s side of the conversation. “Why won’t they leave?” he asked. “Don’t they understand the danger?”

  “I’ve tried to explain—” began Talia.

  “We are the ones who should explain,” interrupted Amber-wing. “You have done a brave thing coming here. We will show you why we cannot leave our valley. Come!” She flew into the air.

  “They’re showing us something,” Talia told Lucas.

>   Amber-wing took them to the bottom of the rocky slope of Mount Kel. She perched next to a narrow hole in the rock. The other firebirds gathered nearby and waited for Lucas and Talia to climb through the undergrowth.

  “I would like to show you the Cave of Wonders,” Amber-wing said quietly.

  “The Cave of Wonders!” Talia felt a shiver of excitement run down her back.

  “Can I come too?” squawked Riki, hopping from foot to foot.

  “Yes you may, young one.” Amber-wing slipped through the crack in the rock.

  Talia had to turn sideways to fit through the narrow gap. The warmth inside washed over her like a wave. She followed the firebirds down a low tunnel, her sandals crunching on loose stones. Lucas squeezed through the thin entrance and followed her.

  The dark tunnel grew brighter with every step. Talia’s heart raced as she saw orange light dancing on the tunnel walls and she wondered where it came from.

  At last they turned a corner and the tunnel opened into a large cavern where the floor gleamed like gold. It took Talia a moment to realise that she was actually looking at a pool of golden water. A gentle heat rose from its surface.

  Riki spread his wings to bask in the warmth. “Welcome to our Cave of Wonders!”

  Talia gazed into the shining pool. The orange-gold water swirled and wisps of steam curled into the air. Her stomach flipped over.

  “This is our magical fire pool,” said Riki proudly.

  “It’s so beautiful!” breathed Talia.

  “So this is what the Cave of Wonders is about,” said Lucas. “Lord Fortescue was so wrong when he thought it would be full of treasure!”

  “This place is special to us because it’s where our magic comes from,” explained Amber-wing. “Without this fire pool we could not survive. This is why we cannot leave the valley.” She sprang gracefully into the pool.