The Golden Acorn - Catherine Cooper [89]
‘Search the camp,’ he ordered. ‘He has to be here somewhere.’
‘It’s now or never,’ said Camelin.
They flew down into the shrine. A large white goose, bigger than Gerda, waddled over to them.
‘Shield your eyes,’ warned Camelin.
Medric stood still and obediently put his head under his wing. The flash of light momentarily lit up the whole courtyard. Jack went straight over to the tall gate and lifted up the wooden bar. He opened it enough for Medric to make his escape.
‘He says if you go behind the shrine and look near the ground there’s a loose stone. Behind the stone is a hole. Maximus keeps all his valuables in there, wrapped in a cloth. Medric says he’s put the cauldron plates in there with his gold.’
Jack made his way around the shrine as he’d been instructed. He found the loose stone, pulled it out and put his hand inside the hole.
‘I’ve got them!’ exclaimed Jack triumphantly as he pulled the plates out.
He started to make his way around the shrine so he could throw the plates in the water when Maximus stepped out in front of him.
‘Camelin!’ Jack yelled as he dodged past Maximus who’d immediately begun shouting. ‘What’s he saying?’
‘He says he’s got you this time and now he’s going to deal with you himself once he gets his hands on you,’ Camelin explained. ‘Don’t let him catch you. He says he’s going to kill you.’
The second voice distracted Maximus. He looked around to see who’d spoken. Jack ran around the back of the shrine again.
‘The gate’s open. Make a run for it,’ yelled Camelin. ‘We can throw the plates in the river when we get outside the fort.’
Jack knew if he left the safety of the shrine he’d never make it out of the camp. He had to get back around to the front of the shrine; he had to throw the plates into the water. Maximus was quicker than Jack anticipated. As he turned Jack felt a strong hand grab the back of his neck. He heard Maximus draw his sword. The grip on Jack’s neck tightened. Maximus forced Jack onto his knees before the shrine. He pushed his head into the water. Jack struggled. He felt the water surge up his nose. He struggled again and managed to raise his head. Jack saw Camelin swooping towards the Prefect. Once more Maximus thrust Jack’s head back under the water. Then he heard Maximus cry out in pain; Camelin must have used his claws but Maximus didn’t release his grip. Jack had to do something quick or it would be too late.
‘Jennet!’ he shouted as loudly as he could into the water with the last of his breath.
Seconds later Jack felt the water begin to bubble. A long-armed, green-skinned nymph appeared and rose past Jack’s eyes, her face shrouded in a tangle of dark green hair. Maximus must have seen her too. He let go of Jack’s neck and leapt back from the water’s edge. Jack gasped for breath. He could see the look of horror on the Prefect’s face as he wiped the water from his eyes. Maximus opened his mouth but not a sound came out. Jack’s whole body was shaking. He coughed and spluttered as he tried to clear the water from his lungs. Maximus seemed unable to move. Jack quickly thrust the plates into Jennet’s outstretched hand. For a moment everything went quiet. Then the nymph screeched loudly and dropped the plates into the water. She stretched out her long arms and grabbed Maximus and pulled him into the spring. Once his legs disappeared the whole spring erupted in a mass of bubbles.
‘Quick!’ said Camelin. ‘Let’s get out of here.’
Medric burst out of the doorway and started to run towards to the end of the main street. Once he was there the street would be long enough for him to take off and clear the wall. Jack and Camelin touched foreheads, the light once again lighting up the whole shrine. As they flew up onto the roof they saw bubbles rising again from the spring. There was another loud screech as Maximus was ejected from the water. He landed with a thud on the ground, spluttering and coughing, wearing only his tunic. His magnificent armour and weapons were gone. He’d been stripped of every shiny bit of metal he possessed. Maximus grabbed the package that contained