The Golden Acorn - Catherine Cooper [50]
Elan took the lantern from Camelin and looked for a catch to open. It was completely sealed.
‘There’s no escape from the cage,’ the dragon explained sadly. ‘It’s made from a special magnetic metal. The Spriggans welded it together so you’ll not find an opening. I’ve tried melting it with my flames. It’s no use. I’m going to be trapped in here forever.’
‘Shield your eyes,’ Nora warned the tiny dragon.
Once its wings were wrapped tightly around its face and body. Nora waved her wand and aimed it straight at the top. It shattered into tiny pieces. The lantern sprang open and a small green dragon with beautiful shiny scales and tiny purple wings tumbled out.
‘Oh thank you,’ he cried as he bowed to Nora, ‘Charkle at your service.’
‘I haven’t seen a dragon for years,’ Nora exclaimed.
‘I’ve never seen a dragon at all!’ gasped Jack, staring with his beak open.
‘They captured me when I was a baby,’ explained Charkle. ‘They wanted me for my flames, you know, in case their candles went out in the tunnels. They’d pull my tail and use my flames to relight them. They pulled my tail all the way through the tunnel just now when they were chasing you. I’m sorry about the giant but it was my only chance to escape. They’re not allowed to take me outside but they were so intent on getting their rat back, Grub must have forgotten he’d got me in his belt.’
‘I hate Spriggans,’ croaked Camelin.
All the rats nodded in agreement.
‘Well you’re free to go home now,’ said Nora kindly.
‘Free,’ repeated Charkle. There was a hiss of steam as tears ran down his cheeks, ‘to go home.’
‘Where is home?’ enquired Jack.
‘My family has a roost in one of the caverns in Westwood,’ replied Charkle.
‘Why don’t you stay with us for a few days and we’ll take you home,’ said Nora. ‘Jack’s going to need somewhere to have a practice flight soon and Westwood’s a perfect place to go.’
‘That’s very kind,’ said Charkle as he wiped away the last of his tears.
‘Well that’s settled,’ said Nora, smiling kindly at the dragon.
‘But what’s going to happen about the golden acorn,’ Jack asked.
‘Excuse me,’ said Charkle politely, ‘did you say a golden acorn?’
Everyone looked expectantly at the little dragon.
‘A little man with a very long nose told Chief Knuckle where he could find a golden acorn. He said a boy had picked one up not long ago. Whiff, Pinch and Grub were sent to collect it.’
‘A Bogie!’ exclaimed Elan. ‘We should have known.’
‘The little man showed Chief Knuckle something called a torch. The Chief was very impressed with a light he could turn on and off without using a flame. He agreed to trade the torch for the golden acorn.’
‘But I still don’t understand how the Bogie knew about it,’ said Jack.
‘Bogies make it their business to know everything. Information is their main trade and I wouldn’t be surprised if this particular Bogie is Peabody. I intend to find out what’s been going on,’ said Nora thoughtfully.
Jack was worried. He’d not liked the look of Peabody when he’d seen him in Newton Gill Forest and he’d been frightened when the Bogie had appeared at his window.
‘The little man was in the chamber just before you arrived,’ Charkle explained. ‘He took the golden acorn and went on ahead to give the torch to Chief Knuckle.’
Jack frowned.
‘But how will we get it back if the Spriggans don’t have it any more?’
‘We don’t have to worry about that. Very soon I shall make it clear to Chief Knuckle that he’s got a problem. He’ll realise he’s made a big mistake. It won’t be long before he’ll be falling over himself to get my golden acorn back,’ Nora replied.
Jack looked puzzled.
‘But I don’t understand.’
‘Spriggans believe all gold belongs to them but they can lay no claim to any gold which comes from Annwn. To make matters worse his men have stolen from a Druid. I don’t think Chief Knuckle’s going to be very happy about that when he finds out. I shall send him a message and arrange to meet him. If he doesn’t return my golden acorn by the end of the month I shall shrink him to the size of a matchstick. He won’t be