The Golden Acorn - Catherine Cooper [52]
Camelin frowned at the little bat as he jumped onto the table and waddled over to the high stool next to Elan.
‘For those of you who don’t know,’ Nora began, ‘this is Timmery.’
Charkle fluttered briefly in front of Nora’s shoulder and introduced himself.
‘I’m Charkle of the Dragonette family from the Westwood Roost.’
‘Lovely to meet you,’ fussed Timmery.
‘And this is Jack,’ said Nora, as Jack stood and smiled at Timmery.
‘Oh Jack Brenin! I’ve heard so much about you. I’m so pleased to meet you too. If I can do anything to be of service just let me know.’
Camelin gave a great sigh and looked bored.
‘Pleased to meet you,’ replied Jack.
‘Oh I’m honoured, honoured I am…’ began Timmery, but Nora interrupted him by calling the meeting to order.
‘We have an important matter to discuss. Some of us have had a long, tiring day. The sooner we sort this out the better. I need to arrange a meeting with Chief Knuckle. The golden acorn must be found and returned or we won’t be able to perform the ritual to open the window in time. Most of you know this already. I think Elan’s told you about our problems Charkle?’
‘Oh yes,’ he replied. ‘What do you want me to do?’
‘You can explain to Timmery how to find Chief Knuckle so he can deliver my message. I’ve made a tiny hole at the bottom of the prickly bush to allow Timmery to enter the tunnel.’
Charkle began to explain to Timmery the way through the tunnels to Chief Knuckle’s chamber. As he spoke Nora drew his directions on a piece of paper.
‘Go into the tunnel and carry on until you come to the first cave, then take the opposite tunnel and keep going until you’re in a big cavern. There’ll be lots of tunnels leading off in different directions. Sniff each entrance to find the one you’re looking for. Chief Knuckle’s is the smelliest of the lot. He’s the one you’ll want to talk to. None of the rest can do anything without his permission. The Chief’s chamber is massive. There’ll be candles lighting up the whole place. Even though they live underground, Spriggans don’t like the dark. At the far end you’ll see a great golden chair which looks more like a throne. That’s where you’ll find Chief Knuckle.’
‘Have you got all that?’ Nora asked Timmery.
Timmery nodded then floated down to the table and scrabbled along the route Nora had drawn on the paper.
‘Got it,’ he chirruped. ‘This is going to be a great adventure, a story to tell all my relatives. What should I call it? Timmery in the Spriggans’ Lair or what about Timmery and the Spriggan Chief?’
Everyone laughed except Camelin. Nora tapped the table with her wand for quiet and gave out more instructions for the evening.
‘Now, I suggest the Night Guard stick together Motley. There’ll be safety in numbers. If you all patrol around the garden tonight it would help. My main concern is to make sure the Spriggans don’t come up somewhere else in the garden before I’ve spoken to Chief Knuckle.’
Motley nodded but looked very apprehensive.
‘Don’t worry,’ said Nora kindly. ‘If they come back up the tunnel they’ll have a problem getting past the prickly bush I’ve put over the hole. You’ll have plenty of time to raise the alarm. If you see any sign of a Spriggan scatter in as many directions as you can. Being roped together will slow them down.
Motley put on a brave face but Jack could see he wasn’t happy.
‘Timmery, when you’ve delivered my message, come back as quickly as you can and let me know you’re safe. Then you can join the night watch and report anything unusual.’
‘They can report to me,’ said Camelin with an air of importance. ‘I can raise the alarm if there’s a problem.’
The kitchen was suddenly filled with a loud hooting as Camelin demonstrated the call of the raven-owl.
‘Well if you’re sure,’ said Nora.
‘I’m sure,’ replied Camelin, looking pleased with himself.
‘Now that only leaves Gerda,’ said Nora, ‘I’d like you to sleep in the kitchen tonight. You know what to do if anyone or anything breaks in.’
Gerda nodded and waddled round to a basket of straw Nora had placed by the dresser. She shook her tail several times