Chapter 8
“I think that may be the last that we see of those pigs.” the wizard said quietly.
“I hope so.” Replied the bear “They were never very nice to me you know. They were always trying to get me to do things that I had no appetite for…I really only have an appetite for picnics, especially ones that have jam sandwiches in… They’re my favourites, especially strawberry ones, although maybe I like honey sandwiches the best…because…”
The wizard exchanged glances with the baby and hurriedly interrupted the bear before he moved onto describing his favourite cakes and crisps, the two boys were already painfully aware that they had not eaten for several hours without the bear filling their thoughts with images of delicious treats and delights.
“We are almost at the end of our journey baby, the lights that beckon us are brighter now and they grow larger with each step that we take to the East, let’s carry on before the dark begins to fall.”
“What about me?” piped up a small, frail voice.
The boys looked over at the bear. At the mention of his new friends leaving him, his whole body had changed. His shoulders now drooped, his head hung forward and his face was downcast.
“I have no friends to call my own and nowhere to go. I was busily eating my tea an hour ago when a message came through on the pig phone telling me that I was being transported immediately to undertake a mission to stop two boys and a giant from crossing the enchanted realm with a magic key. I only just had time to stash some biscuits under my hat and grab onto the table leg before the window of my tree house burst open and a tornado began to drag me through. I am no fighter, I like to paint, draw, dance and eat, so I clung on until I had no choice but to let go, when my last claw became unstuck, I was spirited away inside a vortex and landed here to wait for you…In fact, come to think of it…”
The bear tucked a paw up into the sleeve of his hideous blouse,
“Ta da!”
Inside was a shiny, red packet of chocolate chip cookies!
Five minutes later, after a discussion that resulted in the bear securing an invitation to join their little group, the trio stood and swept the crumbs from their hands and faces. The wizard rubbed his tummy in appreciation of the impromptu snack.
“Time to go boys, I don’t think it will be too much longer before we solve the mystery of this key.”
They turned from the shore and looked at the wall of trees facing them before the bear spoke,
“There’s a path beyond that sand dune, I hid there to watch you as you approached, wondering whether to run away or not. It leads in the direction of the lights.”
“Then we must follow it.”
The companions, now a company of three, trudged up the sand dune and disappeared into the gloom of the trees.
In a clearing in the woods, the beautiful colours of the cottage shimmered in the sunlight. Butterflies and dragonflies hummed and murmured around its walls in search of sugar whilst hummingbirds and finches landed upon the roof to break off tiny pieces of marshmallow to take to line their nests. To an unsuspecting visitor, the scene was one of peace and tranquillity, yet behind the cottage, if one was not dazzled by the sight and looked carefully, a brown, still dragon could be glimpsed, chained to a boulder by a heavy collar and lead.
Inside the cottage, an old lady sat, watched and waited…
A dragon could be glimpsed, chained to a boulder by a heavy collar and lead