Charlie Bone and The Blue Boa (Children Of The Red King, Book 3) (15 page)

Charlie's mind was racing. His uncle would soon have to buy a new car. Suppose he bought a van? Mid-semester was coming up. Would a journey to Sparkling Castle be possible, for eight children — and a dog?

"I think we've got enough sorted out to start our little operation," said Lysander. "Let's begin on Monday night, with numbers one and two. The finding and taming of the boa."

Charlie had a problem. How to get Billy up to the west wing attics without being seen?

"Distraction," said Tancred, who seemed to have recovered his composure. "Leave it to us, Lysander and me. We can do it, can't we, Sander?"

Lysander nodded.

They left the Pets' Café in very good spirits, each one of them eager to begin the week ahead. At that moment, none of the seven children wanted to consider the pitfalls of their mission. They could only imagine the visible Ollie Sparks, reunited at last with his grieving parents.

While the others went home to feed their pets or work on the end-of-semester play Charlie took Runner Bean for a walk. When he returned the dog to the Pets' Café, Mr. Onimous popped out from behind the counter.

"Something's going on," said the little man. "If you need a hand, Charlie, you know where to come."

Charlie thanked Mr. Onimous and ran back to Filbert Street, eager to see if his uncle's amazing recovery had lasted.

It had.

When Charlie looked into the kitchen he was astonished to see his mother and Paton having tea with Grandma Bone. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say dessert rather than tea. It was a hot afternoon, and Paton had ordered several tubs of liqueur-laced ice cream from the same grand store that had provided his lunch.

Charlie was invited to join them and he sat opposite Grandma Bone, who was guzzling a large bowl of green-and-brown-striped ice cream, topped with almonds. She didn't so much as glance at Charlie but kept spooning the ice cream into her mouth at a rate of two spoonfuls a second, by Charlie's reckoning.

"Chocolate, cherry rum, and walnut? Toffee, apple, brandy and almonds? Or coffee, orange, whiskey and peanut?" Paton asked Charlie.

Charlie chose the chocolate and began to dig in. It was the most delicious ice cream he'd ever tasted; he hoped Paton's recovery meant that more of the same would be arriving at number nine every weekend.

Grandma Bone's bowl was now empty She stared at it rather sadly and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Charlie thought she looked tipsy When she got up, she swayed a little as she moved to the sink. She had still not said a word or even looked in Charlie's direction. What had happened to her?

Charlie's mother said, "That was just about the best thing I've ever tasted. Thank you, Paton."

"You're very welcome." Paton winked at Charlie as Grandma Bone made slow and stately progress past the table and out of the room.

"What's happened to Grandma?" Charlie whispered.

His mother put a finger to her lips.

Charlie grinned. It was only then that he noticed the wicker basket sitting just inside the door. It gave him an idea. When his grandmother had finally tottered upstairs and closed her door, Charlie asked his uncle where the basket had come from.

"It's a food hamper, Charlie," said Paton. 'The store sent it around with my lunch."

Charlie went to investigate. The hamper hadn't been entirely emptied. There were still several jars of jam, a fruitcake, and two packages of cookies left inside. Charlie picked out a jar of Best Strawberry Conserve.

"Whole strawberries," Charlie murmured. "Uncle Paton, could I have this jam?"

"Of course, Charlie. I think I can guess what it's for."

"And the hamper," said Charlie. "Do you think you could get the store to send an even bigger one to Cook at Bloor's Academy? The very biggest they've got?"

"Charlie, whatever for?" said his mother.

"Charlie's got a plan," said Paton. "We'll just have to go along with it and not ask too many questions, Amy"

Mrs. Bone shook her head. "I hope it won't stir things up again," she said. "Grandma Bone's settled down nicely this afternoon."

"Too nicely," Charlie muttered. “And too quiet. Something's brewing, you can tell. I wonder what the aunts are up to."

CHAPTER 16

THE NIGHT OF WIND AND SPIRITS

On Monday Charlie took the first available opportunity to speak to Cook. In the middle of lunch, he slipped into the kitchen on the pretext of fetching a mop for a spilled glass of water.

Cook saw Charlie standing by the door and came over. Anyone observing them would have wondered why they appeared to be having such a deep discussion about mops. But the lunch ladies were too busy to notice anything unusual. Charlie did most of the talking and Cook nodded now and again, eventually patting Charlie on the shoulder with a reassuring smile.

Charlie said, "Thanks, Cook!" and left the kitchen — without a mop.

Billy Raven was sitting between Gabriel and Fidelio at their table, and when Charlie joined them, he noticed that Billy seemed very depressed. But then he hadn't looked happy since Rembrandt had gone.

It was Gabriel who brought up the subject of the black rat. "Would you like to see Rembrandt again?" he asked Billy

Billy gave a rueful nod. "He was my best friend. I could talk to him about practically anything. He was so clever. But how can I see him? They won't let me out of here." Billy's ruby eyes filled with tears.

"It could be arranged," said Charlie. "Cook says she would keep him for you, and you could see him every weekend. But you'd have to promise never, ever to tell anyone where he was."

"I wouldn't!" said Billy crossing his heart. "I swear!"

"If we arranged this for you, you'd have to do something for us," said Fidelio.

"What would I have to do?" Billy immediately looked anxious.

Charlie suggested they discuss things outside.

Olivia and Emma were sitting under a tree when they saw Charlie and his friends come through the garden door. The girls would have joined them, but they noticed Billy was with them and decided to stay where they were rather than intrude on what looked like a tense situation.

Billy was very pale; he kept shaking his head and nervously biting his nails. And then Gabriel said something and Billy calmed down. He gave a resigned sort of smile, nodded, and hung his head.

When the hunting horn sounded, the girls rushed over to Charlie just before he stepped into the hall.

"What happened with Billy?" said Olivia.

"He'll do it," whispered Charlie. "It'll be tonight. Don't leave the dormitory and keep an eye on Belle."

Emma quickly handed Charlie the spider. "You'll need this," she said.

For the rest of the day Charlie found it hard to concentrate on anything but the night ahead. He knew he would have to wait until at least midnight before he and Billy could set off to find the blue boa. And what if Billy failed to communicate with the snake? What if it hugged them both into invisibility? What then?

After homework, Charlie caught up with Tancred and Lysander before they went into their dormitory “Are you on for tonight?" he asked them. "Billy's agreed."

"We'll do our bit," said Tancred. "What time?"

"Midnight."

"I hope we don't scare the kid," said Lysander. "The ancestors can look a bit awesome."

"I'll tell Billy you're in control," said Charlie.

"You wish." Lysander gave a loud chuckle.

Zelda Dobinski happened to breeze past at that moment. She gave the trio a nasty look and sent one of Tancred's folders flying up to the ceiling. A cloud of loose paper fluttered out as the folder flopped back onto the floor.

"She thinks she's so clever," muttered Tancred, gathering up the paper.

"Wait till tonight," Lysander said softly "She's in for a shock."

"What are you all doing?" This time it was Belle creeping up on them.

The boys stood aside and she marched over the paper, deliberately stepping on every piece she could see.

"Watch it!" cried Tancred. "That's my work."

"So?" She glared back at him with blazing cherry-colored eyes.

"So, just watch it," Tancred retorted, his yellow hair sparking.

"Trouble?" said a voice, and Asa appeared, loping along in the gloom.

"Nothing I can't handle." Belle gave Asa one of her brilliant smiles.

Asa smirked with pleasure. "Pick up this stuff and get to your dormitories," he told the boys.

Belle tossed her blonde curls and walked on, with Asa trotting in her shadow

"I think they've guessed that something will be happening tonight," Charlie whispered as he helped the others to gather the paper.

"But they don't know what it is," Lysander reassured him. "Good luck, Charlie!"

"Thanks!" Charlie walked on to his own dormitory. He found Billy Raven sitting up in bed, looking horribly anxious.

“Are you OK, Billy?" Charlie asked.

Billy shook his head. "I'm scared," he whispered.

"Don't be. We've got a lot on our side. I'll wake you up when it's time." Charlie went back to his own bed and changed into his pajamas.

In the bed next to him, Fidelio was lying on his side reading a music score in the same way that anyone else might read a book. "Should I come with you tonight?" he asked Charlie.

"No need," Charlie replied. "It'd be better if you stayed here to keep an eye on things."

"You're on." Fidelio returned to his music score, humming softly as he scanned the notes.

Gabriel came in just a few minutes before lights out. He was flushed and breathless, either from running or something that had taken him by surprise. He was carrying a rolled-up green cape.

"Are you changing to art?" Charlie asked him, more as a joke than a serious question.

Gabriel took it very seriously He sat down heavily on the bed on Charlie's other side. "I found Mr. Boldova's cape," he said in a low voice. "It was right at the back of the art closet. I've been looking for something that might give us a clue to his disappearance."

“And did the cape . . . you know?"

"It certainly did," said Gabriel.

Fidelio looked up. "What's going on?" he said.

Gabriel glanced around the dormitory Boys were coming and going from the bathroom, some were reading in bed, others chatting or arguing. No one appeared to be interested in Gabriel and the green cape.

"Mr. B's quite close," he said softly "He didn't go home. But he's kind of — lost. It's the same feeling I got about your father, Charlie, but Mr. B's not quite as bad. Maybe it's because he's endowed. He can still fight."

The mention of his father caught Charlie off guard. Finding his father had been the last thing on his mind. Now suddenly he found himself wondering if his own family would ever be whole again. Where was Lyell Bone? Far, far away or closer than anyone imagined? Close, yet lost.

Concerned by Charlie's frown, Gabriel said, "I'm coming with you tonight, Charlie."

"There's no need," Charlie said slowly

"I'm coming," said Gabriel firmly "And I'm going to wear this." He tucked the green cape under his pillow. "Mr. Boldova was a brave man. I think his cape will give me an extra ounce of courage."

On dangerous occasions, dreamy slightly scatterbrained Gabriel became someone calm and strangely powerful. Charlie was glad he would be with him on this risky boa hunt.

The children of Bloor's Academy still talk about the night of wind and spirits. It will never be forgotten.

On the stroke of midnight, that magical hour when Charlie always felt most alive and resolute, three boys left their dormitory and began to make their way toward the west wing. Billy walked between Charlie and Gabriel, the latter wearing Mr. Boldova's green cape.

A light breeze came whispering in their wake. Gradually the breeze turned into a wind that sighed down the dark passages, rattling doors and windows, lifting carpets, and tugging at the curtains. In the dormitories, children pulled the covers over their heads and tried not to hear the mysterious howling, creaking, and rattling that was going on outside their doors.

Lucretia Yewbeam had been alerted by her clairvoyant sister, Eustacia, that something odd would be happening at Bloor's Academy that night. As soon as she heard the unnatural wind, Lucretia got out of bed, intending to put a stop to any "nonsense." But when she opened her door, the wind threw her back onto her bed with such force, she could only lie there, breathless and terrified.

Others were also attempting to leave their rooms. In vain. Manfred Bloor tugged at his door handle, yelling with frustration while, on the other side, two brown hands held it firm.

Old Ezekiel couldn't even manage to wheel himself to the door. An army of spears had invaded his room. They hung all around him, slicing the air with a violent hiss whenever he tried to move.

On the floor below, Dr. Bloor was already marching along his brightly lit and thickly carpeted corridor. Halfway down he was met by the wind, but this was not enough to deter a man like Dr. Bloor. He battled on, grunting with fury until he came to a force too powerful to overcome. First, the lights went out, and then three wraithlike shapes loomed before him. Their faces were hidden in mist but the dark hands that held their gleaming spears were clearly visible. And they made a strange sound, a distant rhythmic drumming.

At the top of the western tower, a man who rarely slept lifted his hands from the piano and laid them in his lap. Mr. Pilgrim listened to the midnight chimes. There were other sounds in the air: distant drumbeats and a wind that moaned and sang. The music teacher frowned, trying to remember what his life might once have been.

Emma and Olivia hadn't closed their eyes all night. They'd been lying in bed, listening and watching. On the stroke of midnight Olivia saw a pale shape gliding toward the door. In a second she had jumped out of bed and raced toward the figure. It turned to face her, and in the dim light from the half-open door, Olivia saw an old and hideous woman.

"Get away from me," snarled the woman.

"No." Olivia grabbed a bony wrist.

"Get off!" shrieked the hag.

"I know who you are, you old witch," cried Olivia. "Your name's Yolanda Yewbeam, and I'm not scared of you, not one bit."

"Is that so?" The old woman gave a throaty cackle, and every other girl in the dormitory but two burrowed deeper under their covers.

Olivia, still clinging to the hag, was dragged into the passage. As she kicked out desperately her leg was clamped between jaws of iron. Olivia screamed as jagged teeth bit into her bone, and then she looked into the face of a beast so hideous and so terrifying she had to close her eyes. The scrawny wrist slipped from her grasp, and through half-closed eyes she saw the white-robed woman and the beast vanish into the shadows.

As she dragged herself back into the dormitory Olivia almost fell over a body lying just inside the door. It was Emma, wrapped from head to foot in thick cord.

"Em!" breathed Olivia. "What happened?"

"I was coming to help." Emma gave a gasp of pain. "I thought that being a bird would . . .”

Olivia saw the feathers at the tips of Emma's fingers, bound painfully tight with cord.

"Oh, Em. Who did this to you?" She began to tear at the cord.

"I can't be sure, but I think it was Dorcas."

Olivia looked at the two rows of beds. Every girl had her head under the covers. "I'll get you out of this, Emma," she said fiercely and finding a knot, she began to attack it with her teeth.

Emma gave a sigh of relief and the soil black feathers at the tips of her fingers started to fade.

Charlie, Gabriel, and Billy had reached the dusty gaslit region where old Ezekiel had lived for a hundred years. Billy was now shivering with fright. Gabriel and Charlie held his hands and led him toward the staircase where Charlie had seen the blue boa. The snake was still there, a silvery blue coil at the top of the steps, gleaming softly in the dim light.

As the three boys mounted the stairs, the creature lifted its head, and they froze. Charlie's legs suddenly felt like lead. He couldn't move. Behind him he heard Billy's sharp intake of breath.

"Talk to it, Billy," Charlie whispered.

Silence.

"Billy?" said Gabriel.

"I c . . . can't," Billy mumbled. "I don't know what to say."

“Anything," said Charlie desperately "Say anything."

All at once, the boa gave a loud hiss. It swayed ominously and its head swung down toward Charlie, who stepped back, almost knocking Billy over.

To Charlie's surprise, Billy echoed the snake's hiss, and the creature reared up with a loud chuckling sound. Almost as though he couldn't stop himself, Billy crept past Charlie and began to climb up to the boa.

Charlie stepped down until he was standing in the passage with Gabriel. Breathlessly they watched the small boy creep closer and closer to the glimmery blue coils. The boa's chuckling grew soft and intense, and Billy who seemed to have found the creature's language, hummed and whistled in reply When he reached the top step he sat cross-legged, gazing at the strange snake with its frill of feathers. And, although Charlie couldn't understand its speech, it seemed to him that the creature had warmed to Billy and was trying to tell him a story

In a quiet and hesitant voice, Billy translated the snake's words.

"It says . . . it was born a thousand years ago. Once . . . it lived with a king . . . who treated it well. But one day the king went away . . . and his son . . . tortured it, until it hated . . . hated . . . hated . . . and killed. The king's daughter found it . . . all curled up with fury . . . and . . . she . . . almost cured it . . . with kindness. But it couldn't forget its . . . yearning hug . . . its hungry embrace . . . so the princess . . . gave it the power of . . . vanishment . . . not death."

Billy looked down at Charlie and Gabriel. "It's a good snake, really" he told them. "Since the princess died it hasn't spoken to anyone ever . . . until now . . . I think I've made it happy"

"Look out, Billy" said Charlie.

The snake was gliding across to Billy and the white-haired boy turned back just as the boa slid on to his lap. Billy gasped as the creature wrapped itself around his waist. Gradually the lower half of Billy's body began to disappear.

"Oh, no!" cried Charlie. "What have we done?"

"Shhhh!" hushed Gabriel. "Listen."