The Golden Acorn - Catherine Cooper [86]
Two soldiers shook Jack awake. One lifted him to his feet, the other undid the leg irons. He was grabbed once more underneath each arm and marched towards the Camp Prefect’s office.
As soon as Jack entered the room he saw the three cauldron plates laid out on the table. Drusus stood to attention in front of Maximus with a fixed expression. Jack assumed from the look on the Prefect’s face that he was still annoyed. Maximus banged his fist on the table making the plates rattle. He pointed at the plates and shouted at Jack. Each time he asked Jack a question he thumped the desk. Maximus picked up the plate embossed with the oak tree and held it in front of Jack’s face. Jack thought he knew what he was being asked but had no way of answering. He didn’t say a word. His silence seemed to annoy Maximus even more. The two guards restraining Jack were given more orders. Maximus was still shouting as Jack was marched out of the room and returned to the quadrangle where he was shackled again.
As the light began to fade the guard came over and checked Jack’s irons. Two guards arrived in the quadrangle. The soldier who’d been on duty spoke briefly with them, then left. The night guard had obviously arrived. Jack could smell food and hear the sound of cooking; everyone in the camp must be sitting down to eat. He was very thirsty and he hoped Camelin wouldn’t be long. Jack watched the rooftops as the sky darkened. The guards were laughing and chatting. Jack thought they were playing a game but by now it was hard to see across to the other side of the quadrangle.
Camelin appeared from around the corner of the office building. He covered the distance between Jack and the wall in a few hops.
‘I’m numb all over,’ Jack told him.
‘No time to talk. Come on, let’s get you out of those irons.’
Jack bent over and touched Camelin’s forehead. There was a blinding flash, which lit up the whole quadrangle.
‘Come on, we’ve got to get out of here,’ urged Camelin. ‘Now, before they come over.’
Jack looked at the soldiers. They were rubbing their eyes. He tried to take off but his body wouldn’t respond. The soldiers were on their feet. He hopped to the end of the building; Camelin followed looking concerned.
‘I can’t fly! I’ve got cramp in my muscles from sitting on the cobbles so long.’
They hid behind three large barrels and listened to the soldiers arguing about what could have caused such a bright light.
‘It’s Fulgora, Goddess of lightning. She’s angry. It’s always a bad omen to have lightning and no rain.’
‘That was sorcery, nothing to do with Fulgora, but I agree it’s a bad omen. Sorcery, you mark my words.’
They were too busy trying to decide who was right to notice Jack had gone.
‘I need water,’ croaked Jack. His throat was so parched he could hardly speak.
‘Do you think you can fly now?’
‘I think so.’
‘Follow me. I’ve got supper waiting and plenty to drink too.’
Together they flew across the rooftops and out over the wall. Jack’s body ached. He felt weak and faint.
‘Have we got far to go?’
‘No, over here,’ replied Camelin as he began to descend.
Jack followed. They landed behind one of the large round houses on the outskirts of the fortress. Jack could hear faint clucking sounds coming from a coop and smelt cooking coming from inside the house. His stomach growled.
‘Over here,’ croaked Camelin.
Jack followed him over to a pen which smelt strongly of pig. There by the fence were two troughs, one full of water and the other food. Jack was so thirsty he hopped onto the top of the trough and was about to scoop up a beakful of muddy water.
‘Not there!’ Camelin cried. ‘Over here.’
Much to Jack’s relief he saw a bucket of fresh water. He drank his fill then drank some more.
‘I thought I was going to die of thirst,’ he gasped.
‘When we’ve eaten I’ll tell you about our plan.’
‘I’m starving,’ said Jack as his empty stomach growled again.
This time Camelin led him back to the trough.