The Golden Acorn - Catherine Cooper [65]
‘See you later,’ she hooted as she spread her wings and gracefully flew off towards the roost.
Jack watched in admiration as Elan rose effortlessly higher and higher. There hadn’t been a sound from her wings as she’d flown away.
‘Come on you two,’ said Camelin through a beakful of sandwich. ‘Get stuck in.’
‘I’m not hungry,’ Charkle replied as he sniffed back another tear.
‘Well, do you think you could warm this up for me? You know send a bit of a flame over. Only I love toasted cheese sandwiches.’
‘Camelin,’ said Jack sharply, ‘Can’t you see Charkle’s upset,’
‘You’re beginning to sound just like Nora,’ grumbled Camelin as he looked longingly at the sandwich. ‘Everyone knows cheese tastes better when it’s toasted.’
Charkle moved away from the rug where the picnic was spread and flew up onto the lower branch of the nearest tree. Jack followed him.
‘I’m sorry about your family. I know what it’s like to feel alone, I’m never going to see my mum again. She died not long ago, and my dad’s living hundreds of miles away. I haven’t got any brothers or sisters either. I’ve only got Grandad and I still feel sad inside.’
Charkle’s eyes filled with tears again.
‘All the time the Spriggans had me in that cage I kept hoping one day I might escape and come back to my family. Do you think I’m ever going to see them again?’
‘I don’t know but try not to worry. Nora will do her best to find them. You’ll never be alone any more now you’ve got us.’
Jack smiled at Charkle and the little dragon managed to smile weakly back.
‘We ought to do what Nora said. Try to eat something. It might be a long day.’
They joined Camelin who was still grumbling to himself. Jack didn’t really feel hungry but if he wanted to fly back he’d have to eat. Charkle sat hunched up, looking forlorn until Nora returned.
‘Did you find out where they went?’ he asked eagerly.
Everyone looked at Nora; even Camelin stopped eating.
‘Not quite, but if Elan’s been able to flush a Hag out of the roost we might find out a bit more. The Dryads in Westwood live in silver birch trees. They haven’t got good memories at the best of times. As soon as they lose their leaves in autumn they curl up and sleep until the new buds appear in the spring. They think Charkle’s family left after a Hag moved into the cave but it was so long ago now they can’t remember any more.’
Charkle let out a puff of steam and two huge tears.
‘Come on you two, help me to get this lot cleared away and we’ll go and find Elan.’
Camelin looked wistfully at all the food that hadn’t been eaten and sighed. Once everything was back in the basket they made their way to the car.
‘Do you want to come with me Jack or do you want to fly over to the roost with Camelin?’
‘I’ll fly. I feel OK now I’ve had a rest.’
‘You’ll have to come with me Charkle. It wouldn’t do for anyone to see you flying around.’
Charkle didn’t protest; he still looked very sad.
As Jack and Camelin circled around the roost they could see Elan on the ground with her wings outstretched in front of the entrance. The tips of her wings almost touched each side of the rock. Her feathers were all puffed out and her head jutted forward as she fixed her gaze on something inside the cave. It was strangely quiet as they landed. The trees were still and not a bird could be heard. Camelin kept his distance and landed on a branch in a nearby tree. Jack alighted on the ground nearer the cave. It wasn’t long before they heard the engine of the Morris Traveller.
Once Nora stood before the entrance Elan lowered her wings and straightened up.
‘Come out,’ Nora commanded.
‘No!’ came a high-pitched reply.
‘Then we’re coming in.’
Nora walked straight into the cave. Everyone followed. The smell was revolting. It made Jack gag and he could see it had the same effect on Camelin. Nora held up her wand and sent an arc of light, shaped like an umbrella, above their heads.
‘Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh!