The Morrow Secrets (17 page)

‘Mmm,’ said Ruker scratching her head, ‘but what does that mean? Twinned with what? How can you go backwards? It’s difficult enough going forwards in those deep caves.’

That evening he pored over the words and kept asking them questions. Did they think it meant this? What about that? But it was no good, nothing seemed to fit.

After supper Ruker suggested a stroll around Hanging Trees and everyone but Benedict agreed.
‘I’ll stay here and decipher the puzzle. Besides I may get stuck on a rope bridge and spoil your fun,’ he said, sounding slightly put out.
So Benedict snuggled down into the cushions on Ruker’s floor. When they left him he was sitting happily with pen and paper scribbling away trying all sorts of combinations to solve the riddle.
It was windy and the rope-bridges creaked and groaned across the village. Tyaas leapt across each bridge without fear. He was extremely nimble, almost outdoing Ruker with his ability to race across the rungs without touching the sides.
‘Come on, this is great fun. Wooooooooh!’ he shouted as he sped across.
‘Wait for me!’ screamed Tallitha with delight.
They were happy and free, safe amongst the tall trees.
‘What are they doing?’ asked Tyaas pointing at the Skinks who were flying through the air from tree to tree on long rope swings. ‘That looks amazing‒can I have a go?’
‘Not tonight. It’s too dark for inexperienced tree skimmers. But you can try tomorrow,’ said Ruker.
‘You bet,’ said Tyaas ‘it looks incredible!’
The lights from the Skink dwellings lit up the evening sky like twinkling stars and Tallitha thought it was the most magical place she had ever seen. On their way home Ruker suggested popping into The Wild Oak for a draught of beer. The ale house was run by a Skink called Neeps who was an old travelling companion of Ruker’s. It was bright and noisy inside the tavern and the cheerful Skink behind the bar gave them a winning smile.
‘Good evening, ladies and gents. What will you have? Tonight we have a number of guest ales, bottled though, we can’t get draught up here,’ said Neeps chuckling.
Tyaas had never drunk ale before and chose half a pint of Taddy Brown Pot. Tallitha had a pint of Shepherd’s Tipple and Esmerelda had a Black Chocolate Malt Ale. Ruker and Neeps had their favourite drink of Old Badger Stout with bags of Pig’s Trotter Crisps all round. They sat round the rustic bar chatting and watching the comings and goings of the ale house. Skinks were an adventurous lot, Tallitha could see that. Both male and female Skinks came into the bar carrying sacks over their shoulders and began to show one another the contents.
‘What’s in those bags?’ asked Tyaas.
‘The day’s catch, probably rabbits and squirrels for supper,’ explained Neeps.
He was shorter than Ruker but heavier built, with fair hair pulled into a stubby pony-tail at the back of his head. He had brown and ochre coloured beads around his neck and two silver earrings in his left ear. Tyaas thought he looked like a real pirate, a swashbuckler of the high trees! He was cool.
‘So what you doing in these parts?’ asked Neeps winking at Ruker.
The Skinks leant on the bar, supping their stout and studying the travellers.
‘They’re headed for Breedoor,’ explained Ruker.
‘Are they now?’ said Neeps quizzically.
But Neeps knew they would never make it through alone. Either the Black Hounds would see them off in Ragging Brows Forest or the Murks would destroy them in the caves.
‘That means you’ll be going underground. Been down there before have you?’ asked Neeps, twiddling with his earrings.
Esmerelda coloured. Neeps’ humorous expression said it all. He thought they were ill-prepared for such a journey.
‘I’ve been down there, many times in fact,’ Esmerelda blurted out.
‘But you ’aint actually ever made it to the other side, have you?’ asked Neeps.
His brown eyes twinkled as he teased the wary travellers. Esmerelda shook her head and supped her ale.
‘Seems to me, you need a guide,’ he said. ‘Someone who knows these parts and may have half a chance of getting you in and out of the caves in one piece.’
‘Do you know anyone who would be willing to help us?’ asked Tallitha innocently.
Ruker grinned at Neeps and continued. ‘Well, Neeps and I are old travelling companions. I’m not saying we’ve been all the way through the Out-Of-The-Way-Mountains, because we ain’t, but we know our Shroves from the Murk Mowl,’ she laughed.
‘Aye and we know the dangers underground. Been potholing manys-a-time in Weeping Holes and Startling Caves,’ said Neeps slapping Ruker on the back and chinking their glasses in memory of long gone escapades.
‘Ain’t that a fact, those were the days, got the scars to prove it,’ shouted Ruker and downed the rest of her ale in one glugging mouthful.
She lifted her trouser leg to reveal an old purple-coloured wound. Neeps laughed and lifted his hair to reveal his ear with the top half missing. Tyaas marvelled at the two of them.
‘So, will you help us?’ asked Tyaas, beguiled by the Skinks.
He was elated at the thought of travelling alongside these dare devils.
‘I think we might just do that,’ said Neeps, ‘I’m due some leave and we take it in turns behind the bar, so the others can manage things whilst I’m away.’
‘How splendid’ said Esmerelda perking up at last. ‘That definitely calls for another round of drinks, bartender.’
‘Here’s to us’ said Tallitha and Tyaas in unison, smiling and chinking their glasses
‘Bottoms up!’ shouted Neeps.
When they got back to Ruker’s dwelling, Benedict was snoring, fast asleep on the cushions, so they covered him up and sat down to a nightcap.
‘So tell me about the Black Hounds,’ said Tallitha, supping her hot drink.
‘Ah, those critters,’ said Ruker, her face becoming serious, ‘they’re vicious dogs who roam the forest at night. That’s the reason we live up here,’ she said patting the walls of her home. ‘They’re savage and will kill you in an instant. They hunt in packs too, very nasty. Some people were killed a while back, looking for mushrooms. Here one minute and gone the next. We heard their screams from way down there. Dragged into their lairs they were and, well, you can guess the rest.’
Tyaas shuddered. So the awful story was true.
‘But how will we get past them? Won’t they smell us?’
Ruker grinned and started to undo her long plait ready for bed.
‘Skinks have ways and means, don’t you worry. All will be revealed in the morning,’ she said mysteriously and bid them good-night.
They scrambled into their warm pods and snuggled down. Almost before her head touched the pillow, Tallitha fell asleep but in the night something disturbed her. A dreadful wolfish howling could be heard from down in Ragging Brows Forest.
‘What’s that?’ she said terrified, sitting bolt upright in bed.
‘Shut up, Sis,’ shouted Tyaas, ‘it’s just the dogs howling.’
Tallitha pulled the blankets over her head to keep the dreadful noise at bay. What would they do if they came across those hounds? They had killed the travellers when they were searching for mushrooms. But at some point Tallitha did fall asleep. Images of rushing headlong through the trees filled her dreams with the Black Hounds snapping at her heels.

The next morning wonderful sizzling sounds came from the kitchen and the smell of smoked bacon and scrambled eggs wafted through the morning air and greeted the hungry travellers still drowsy from their over-indulgence of the night before. They happily tucked into the hearty breakfast while they discussed plans for the day ahead.

‘Any success with the riddle?’ asked Esmerelda handing round the mugwort leaves.
Tyaas pretended to chew but when Esmerelda wasn’t looking, he spat them out of the window.
‘Riddle?’ asked Benedict distractedly, ‘Oh that... sorry, nothing made sense to me.’
‘Perhaps there’s an easy answer, it might be staring us in the face,’ said Tyaas sticking out his tongue at his cousin.
‘OK brainbox, what do you suggest?’ snapped Benedict, but Tyaas shrugged. It wasn’t his thing, riddles and puzzles. He was stumped.
‘Maybe it’ll make sense once we’re in the caves,’ said Ruker trying to keep the peace between the boys.
‘I suggest we start for the mountains tomorrow. It’s a long hike to Startling Caves. First we need to show you tree-skimming,’ said Ruker laughing. ‘It’s like flying. You’ll love it,’ she said looking at Tyaas’s excited face.
‘Ooooh wait a minute,’ said Benedict alarmed, ‘that sounds dangerous.’
‘Shut up Benedict and stop being a baby. Of course we want to try,’ said Tyaas scowling at his cousin.
‘No we don’t!’ snapped Benedict, his face turning sour.
‘Well, those of you who want to try tree-skimming, come with me. There’s another way down, using the redwoods, it just takes much longer. Why don’t you give it a go, Benedict, and come with us?’
‘OK, I’ll watch, but I’m not promising anything,’ said a moody Benedict.
Ruker led them to the tree school in Hanging Trees where all the little Skinks learnt how to tree-skim. A collection of rope swings were tethered to the trees and the young Skinks just hopped on and off as the fancy took them. All the ropes had bulging knots in the bottom so the Skinks could fly through the trees, sitting comfortably on the knot, or the daredevils amongst them could fly through the air standing up.
‘Here Tyaas, take hold of this rope and lunge out as far as you can. There’s a skill to it, just watch me and you’ll get the hang of it.’
Ruker jumped onto the knot, deftly skimming the trees all around her. It looked fantastic and Tyaas was soon flying through the air behind her.
‘Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh,’ he yelled at the top of his voice. ‘Come on Sis, it’s incredible.’
Within seconds they were flying above Ragging Brows Forest, skimming the trees in all directions. But Benedict would not budge and scowled at them from the platform.
‘Come on Benedict it’s easy,’ said Tallitha as she returned to their jumping-off point.
‘I’m staying put,’ said Benedict folding his arms.
Later, as they made their way back for supper, Tallitha walked next to the Skink. Images of the wild dogs had plagued her for most of the day. She put her arm through Ruker’s.
‘Where will we sleep tomorrow night?’ asked Tallitha, peering below her.
‘Don’t worry, there’s another Skink settlement at the northern edge of the forest. We’ll be there before nightfall,’ said Ruker putting her arm round Tallitha’s shoulders.
But Tallitha was far from reassured. She twisted her hair in and out of her fingers and stared down into the gloomy forest. A dense mass of fir trees and endless woody darkness greeted her gaze as the impenetrable forest seemed to go on and on forever. She shivered and moved closer to the Skink. What if those hounds were down there, the pack circling on the forest floor, just waiting for them to come back down?
*
Morning came and Neeps arrived bright and early.
‘Just before we go,’ he said, ‘you’ll need this.’
He took a bottle from his pocket and began dabbing their clothes with a thick green smelly liquid.
‘Ugh, what is that smell? It’s vile!’ said Tallitha, holding her nose.
‘Essence of forest I’m afraid,’ explained Ruker. ‘It’s to put the Black Hounds off our scent.’
‘Excellent,’ said Tyaas. ‘Dab away my friend.’
He laughed, twirled around, lifting up his arms so the Skink could dab the disgusting aroma under his armpits and all over his clothes.
‘Eugh, Tyaas you are quite revolting’ said Tallitha as they fell about laughing at Tyaas’s antics.
‘Come on, Tallitha, this includes you!’ said Neeps rubbing the green gunge on Tallitha’s clothes.
Later, with their bags packed snugly on their backs, they left Ruker’s home. The Skink fastened the door behind her and they started off on their journey. Despite Benedict’s protests they persuaded him to cross the swaying bridges but he refused to attempt the rope-swings.
‘If you won’t try the tree-skimming it will take much longer,’ explained Neeps, exasperated with the foolish boy.
‘I’m not doing it. You can’t make me,’ said Benedict.
His stubbornness meant they had to go the long way round, over the maze of interconnecting rope bridges. On their journey they met many Skinks so Ruker and Neeps passed the time of day with their neighbours. To do otherwise for a Skink would be considered the height of bad manners. By early afternoon they had not made much headway at all.
‘Come on, Benedict, do hurry up, this is taking forever,’ snapped Tyaas.
‘I’m doing my best. Ahhhh! But it’s so wobbly,’ shouted Benedict grabbing hold of Tyaas.
‘Hold the ropes and stop looking down,’ said Ruker as she steadied Benedict, ‘There’s the redwood tree, not much further now. Do hurry up, Benedict.’

Down and down they climbed, intermittently stopping to coax Benedict out of his fears. Once at the bottom they came to a twisting burrow and crept along the earth floor until they reached the leafy camouflaged shaft at the end.

‘Come on, nearly there,’ said Ruker pulling herself out of the hole quickly followed by Neeps.
He extended his hand to Tallitha but as she scrambled through the foliage a familiar tingle started to churn in the pit of her stomach. She glanced warily at the fading light and swallowed hard. Dusk was falling and the birds were silent. How could this have happened? Damn Benedict!
‘It’s too dark. Let’s go back in the burrow,’ pleaded Esmerelda, grabbing hold of Tyaas.
They stood together, huddled against the spectre of the dark wood, desperate to escape the deepening shadows that were gathering in ghostly shapes all around them. Tallitha narrowed her eyes and peered way ahead into the twilight. All she could see was the criss-cross of branches fading into the darkening distance.
‘This is your fault, Benedict’, said Tallitha sharply. ‘If you hadn’t been such a scaredy cat we would have been out of this forest by now.’
‘Stop having a go at me,’ he whined.
‘Shhhh, stop it, both of you’, said Tyaas apprehensively staring into the greyish-light.
He pulled up his jacket collar to protect his throat, blinking nervously in the twilight.
Tallitha turned to speak to the Skinks. ‘Ruker,’ she said softly, ‘where are we?’
But Ruker and Neeps were far ahead, ripping through the thickets, gesticulating to the others to follow them. Esmerelda’s heart missed a beat and fear began to eat away inside her. With each slipping second it was becoming more difficult to see the misty path before them. The dark forest grabbed at their resolve and swallowed their flagging spirits. Tyaas called out to the Skinks but they had vanished amongst the thickly tangled undergrowth.
‘What shall we do?’ asked Tallitha looking warily behind her.
She was afraid that something unspeakable was lurking, licking its jaws and sharpening its claws, ready to pounce.
‘We have to get out of this dreadful place,’ said Benedict looking wildly about him.
The owls hooted overhead, mocking the hapless intruders, seeming to herald their impending doom. Suddenly Tallitha could bear it no longer and she grabbed hold of Tyaas’s hand. She raced down the path, keeping her head down, trying not to think about what may be stalking them just beyond the branches.
‘Just run, Tyaas, and keep going, no matter what happens!’ Her thin voice crackled with fear.
‘Quick, follow them,’ cried Esmerelda to Benedict.
They fled in raggedy bundles, their clothes flying wildly behind them into the seeping mists of the forest night. Brambles snagged at their hair and tore at their faces as the moon shone down making strange pointed shadows all about them. Tallitha’s uneven breathing caught in the back of her throat as she stumbled headlong over the forest floor.
‘Just keep running. We must get...’
But Tallitha was prevented from finishing what she was about to say. Out of nowhere Ruker lunged at them, roughly pushing them under the bushes. Then Neeps jumped out, dragging Esmerelda and Benedict in with the others and diving in on top of them.
‘Ouch! Hey, what’s happening?’ shouted Tyaas as he struggled to get out from under Neeps, but the Skink held him fast and slapped his hand over the boy’s mouth.
He took the bottle from his pocket and began dousing the area around their bodies.
‘This should keep them at bay,’ he said as he worked furiously, dribbling the green liquid on the ground by the edge of the thicket.
‘What do you mean?’ asked Tallitha, her voice shaking.
Her frightened eyes shone in the greying-light, riveted on the Skink’s every move.
‘Be quiet,’ said Neeps harshly under his breath.
In the earthy-darkness of the tightly packed thicket Tallitha could sense the Skinks were on their guard as their strained bodies protected them against the encroaching danger. Something had scared them. Ruker held one hand over Tallitha’s mouth and the other was poised on the hilt of her sword. Neeps put his finger to his lips to signal absolute silence. Tallitha’s heart was pounding as she stared at their drawn faces, scratched and dirty from dashing headlong through the brambles as the approaching menace saturated the dark wood all around them.
Suddenly, out of the night, came a rustling sound, in the distance at first, then moving swiftly towards them through the undergrowth. Tallitha looked at Ruker for reassurance, desperate that the sounds should not foretell what she feared the most. But Ruker’s eyes were filled with terror. The sound was the unmistakable pad-pad-padding of the wild dogs’ paws treading on the fallen leaves. It was the nightly rampage of the Black Hounds, the hideous pack were scavenging for fresh prey. Pin-pricking fear immobilised Tallitha as she waited for the moment when the dogs would strike. Their low belly-growls filled the night as they snarled at each other, ferreting away in the leaf litter, their paws scratching violently at the dirt, eagerly sniffing for the scent of their next meal.
The sound of the pack came closer as the smell of rancid meat and damp fur filled the air, making Tallitha want to retch. Ruker held her tightly and pulled a scarf around her mouth to suppress her screams. Then the dark-blur of the Black Hounds pounded past their hiding place, baying and snarling at the unholy prospect of a feeding frenzy. Suddenly, one of the hounds broke free from the pack and stopped next to their thicket, sniffing the night air and absorbing all the forest smells that surrounded him. The large scruffy hound had been distracted by something. Maybe it had smelt them out!
As Tallitha peered through the branches, shards of moonlight fell on the beast’s head and exaggerated the hooded blood-red eyes, as the enormous fangs and the drooling, dripping jaws pointed upwards towards the moon. She could hear the wild dog’s dreadful panting and smell its foul murderous breath. The monster sniffed again, dripping saliva on the forest floor, its fat tongue lolling by the side of its huge brown teeth. Then the hound turned towards the thicket and projected its enormous gaping jaws in their direction. Tallitha stiffened and closed her eyes, waiting for the dog to strike and the pack to seek them out.
Suddenly the wolfish hound sprang into the air and with an appalling deep-throated howl began chasing after the pack. There was a cacophony of terrifying baying and blood- curdling howls as the dogs took chase after some poor creature whose life was extinguished within seconds. The dark forest was filled with the sounds of death, cries of pain, the manic tearing of flesh and a final whimper into bleak nothingness.
*
The friends remained frozen, huddled together against the horrific night. Time passed slowly, punctured by the sound of their shallow breathing and Tallitha’s intermittent weeping in the eerie silence. At last, when they were certain the dogs had finished off their prey and had left their part of the forest, the Skinks crawled from under the bushes. Tallitha’s bleary face was scratched and smeared with mud and tears. Tyaas starred vacantly into the distance, shocked by what he had witnessed. It was Esmerelda who took charge and roused the bedraggled friends. She passed round the liquorice cordial and they nibbled pieces of Dryad’s Saddle as they ran helter-skelter through the deep dark pockets of the forest night.
Later, as the moon shone down and the big buster moths fluttered idly past them, the Skinks pushed them down another muddy hole and they found themselves in the safety of a Skink burrow.
But Tallitha could not stop shaking, nor could she forget the sight of the Black Hound as it stopped by their thicket and licked its terrifying jaws. They had all been a sniff away from death. In the warmth and safety of the Skink village it took Tallitha many hours to fall asleep. Horrific images of the hound’s salivating jaws crowded before her eyes whenever she tried to close them.