The Ark of Dun Ruah, Book 1 (3 page)

CHAPTER 1

The Blue Owl

The Blue Owl flew through the busy streets with six Giant Eagles in pursuit. The streamlined bodies of the huge eagle predators swept over the startled crowds. Their penetrating eyes scanned the partygoers who were arriving in the town to attend the Fire Fair. Bent on their evil mission, the eagles honed in on their single victim. They flew low, clipping the heads of stunned pedestrians. The crowds scattered, running for cover.

The Blue Owl knew he was almost within their grasp. He felt an icy fear clawing his heart. At lightning speed the eagles gained on him every moment. His only chance was to keep low and try to lose them among the crowds. If he shook them off he'd make for the Swishtree Forest. There the trees would hide him.

He came to a narrow alley between two tall rickety buildings and took a sudden turn into it. Twisting his head sharply, he craned his neck backwards to see if the eagles were following him.

Then, with a screech, he crashed.

Kerry Macken took the force of the blow straight into the forehead. She fell backwards onto an old terrace, hit a metal garage door and collapsed. A shock of crimson hair fell over her wide blue eyes and a bright red bundle flew out of her arms. She sat stunned on the ground trying to focus on the owl as he reeled across the dim alley. He landed fluttering and spluttering in the gutter.

‘Pod, you daft owl, you nearly killed me!' cried Kerry. ‘And now look. I've dropped the Lord Mayor's new coat. It'll be ruined!'

Scrambling to her feet, she limped across the cobbled street and straightened her leather jacket. She retrieved the red bundle and examined it closely. Satisfied that it was still intact, she turned her attention to the agitated owl.

‘Where are you going in such a hurry?' she asked him. He flitted nervously around her shoulders.

‘The eagles are after me,' panted Pod. Attaching himself firmly to Kerry's shoulder he dug his beak into her ear. ‘They're coming around the corner. This time they'll get me. I'm done for!'

‘Not eagles again!' said Kerry, smoothing her hair. She scanned the alley and then hobbled towards the corner, clutching her bundle. Pod burrowed deep inside her jacket while she looked up and down the busy street.

‘There are lots of people around, but I can't see any eagles.'

Pods voice trembled. ‘They're after me, I tell you.'

‘Maybe they were chasing a cat or a rat or something else,' said Kerry. ‘Oh Pod, stop shaking! It's not good to be getting so worked up. You'll give yourself another dose of the hiccups. Don't you remember the last time you got upset? You got such a fit of hiccups. It lasted an entire week!'

‘Those eagles have been following me around for days,' moaned Pod. ‘Everywhere I go I see them watching me and waiting to pounce. And they're so big and evil looking. It's torture living like this. I can't sleep. I can't eat—'

‘Oh Pod, what a terrible imagination you have! Last summer you complained that monkeys were following you everywhere. Now it's Giant Eagles. All this excitement is not good for your nerves.'

‘But the monkeys really were following me everywhere last summer,' replied Pod. His eyes began to twitch.

‘Don't you remember that horrible circus that was camped at the edge of the town? I'll never forget how nasty those little monkeys were—'

‘Pod, I feel really sorry for you but I can't talk right now,' said Kerry. ‘I've got to get to the town hall to meet the Lord Mayor. The Grand Opening of the Fire Fair is just about to start and he's waiting for his new coat. It's a good job you didn't damage it you silly old owl! It's taken me months to finish.'

‘I may be old but I am not silly. This is real! Those eagles are out to get me and I can't for the life of me figure out why. You should see the size of them. They're deadly. You've got to believe me, Kerry – before it's too late for all of us.'

‘Pod, I do believe you. But there's no sign of any eagles around here now. So pull yourself together. Go home and calm down. Now I've got to find Simon. Have you seen him anywhere? He promised he'd be home early, to come with me to meet the Lord Mayor. And of course he's gone missing again. Wouldn't you know? It's always the same with that brother of mine. He's never in the right place at the right time.'

‘I did see him somewhere,' said Pod, blinking his large amber eyes. ‘Where was it? Let me think. Oh yes, I saw him hanging around St John's Square, shuffling around doorways like he was up to something. At least he was there a few minutes ago when the procession started. That was before those eagles saw me and came after me and—'

‘Thanks, Pod. You're a big help. I'll go there now. Promise me you'll go straight home for a rest. I'll talk to you later and we'll sort out the problem with the eagles. I'll be back after the Grand Opening is over.'

‘Me, go back to Macken Cottage on my own?' exclaimed Pod. ‘Are you crazy? Don't you realise that those eagles have it under 24-hour surveillance? I wouldn't stand a chance back there all on my own. I can't bear to think of what they'd do to me if they got their horrible, sharp claws all over me—'

‘Pod, I promise I'll be straight home after the Mayor's Grand Opening. You know how important this is. He's waiting right now for this coat I've designed for him. And it's a big break for me. I must go.'

‘Go then. But I know who my real friends are. The swishtrees are the only ones who will protect me. Where else can I go to hide from those vicious eagle giants?'

Before Kerry could reply Pod flew up into the air and, with a great flurry of blue feathers, fled in the direction of the Swishtree Forest.

Kerry sighed. Pod's behaviour was very odd lately. He had been talking about Giant Eagles for days and was constantly fidgeting and looking over his shoulder. His huge amber eyes never closed and his mind was obsessed with the threat of eagles. At night he flitted nervously back and forth across the loft of Macken Cottage, banging into rafters and disturbing everyone's sleep.

Kerry hurried on to St John's Square searching for her younger brother on the way. Earlier she had checked the shed and outhouses of Macken Cottage, where Simon was usually busy doing one of his crazy experiments with explos ives. But he was nowhere to be found. The trouble with Simon was that he was never there when she wanted him. And he always popped up in places where he was least expected. He was one of those boys who kept getting stuck into things that were none of his business. Kerry tried her best to look after him but his curious interests and hobbies caused a lot of trouble between them.

The candlelight procession wound its way around the ancient streets of Kilbeggin on its way to St John's Square. A long line of monks clad in white, hooded robes chanted verses in deep harmonies as they marched in unison. They moved slowly, carrying long, tapered candles that flickered in the deepening twilight. Kerry skirted along the edges, searching through the crowds as the procession progressed. She followed the monks through the narrow streets and right up to the doors of St John's Cathedral.

Her eyes scanned the sea of faces looking for Simon. Some quick movement above the huge gothic doorway stopped Kerry in her tracks. She studied the ancient stone carvings. A host of menacing gargoyles leered down from the heights, their jaws gaping at the crowds who followed the monks' procession into the cathedral.

She looked closely at one of the gargoyles. Its eyes seemed to be moving. Her heart leaped as two red beams of light flashed through the stone carved eye sockets and flooded down over the crowds. Kerry followed the laser-like beams with her eyes as they fell upon a side door of the cathedral, saturating it with an eerie red glow. There she spotted a tall, hooded figure lurking in the shadows under a pointed archway. The laser beams scanned him as he gazed straight up at their source behind the stone gargoyles.

Suddenly, an enormous bird flew out from behind the carvings and swooped down, plunging its talons into the shoulders of the man. A piercing cry shattered the peaceful procession as the victim burst from the doorway struggling with the attacking bird. The creature's mighty claws sank deeper into the man's cloak; its eyes flashed red as it pecked savagely at the man's hood. But to Kerry's astonishment the man counterattacked with a stunning blow to the bird's head. A blinding flash of light engulfed the bird as the man raised his right arm. The bird rallied and as fast as it had descended it flew back up to the gargoyles once again, vanishing behind them.

Pulling his long, grey cloak closely around him, the man retreated into the shadows. His face was entirely concealed under a deep hood. Then he vanished into the church.

A sharp voice in her right ear caused Kerry to jump.

‘Did you see that Giant Eagle?'

‘Simon. You scared the life out of me,' said Kerry. ‘Where have you been? I've been looking for you everywhere.'

Simon, her younger brother, was still gazing up at the gargoyles, his eyes transfixed, his cheeks on fire and his mop of rusty brown hair standing on end.

‘A Giant Eagle,' continued Simon. ‘Boy, what a beauty! Did you see his claws, Kerry? Sharp as steel! But what's a rare bird like that doing in this boring old town? That's what I'd like to know. Those creatures are strong enough to carry a fully grown man. I thought they were extinct. Did you see it, Kerry? Wasn't it powerful! But hey, where did the man go? I'm going after him into the church.'

‘Simon! Don't you remember one single thing? You promised to come with me to the town hall to meet the Lord Mayor. I've been trying to find you.'

‘What? Oh I know, I know. Just hang on a second, I've got to talk to that man and find out why the eagle attacked him. I'll be back in a minute, really I will.'

‘But it's none of your business and I …'

Simon was already running through the archway and before Kerry knew it he had disappeared into the cathedral after the man with the grey cloak.

CHAPTER 2

An Invitation

Kerry paced the marble tiles under the Gothic doorway of St John's Cathedral. Simon still hadn't returned and the Lord Mayor was waiting in the town hall for his designer coat. Kerry dreaded the thought of going there alone. She had worked long and hard on this coat, specially designed for the Grand Opening of the World Fire Fair. It was an opportunity to showcase her work to the town and the world beyond. While Kerry shied away from the spotlight, Simon loved it. Only a month ago he had brazenly walked up to the Lord Mayor at the town's Young Designer Exhibition. He showed him Kerry's work and talked him into giving her a commission to design him a new coat.

It was at times like this that Kerry missed her mother. She knew that if she had been alive she would have been proud of her daughter tonight. It was only a year since she died and Kerry had been forced to drop out of school and start her own business to make a living. She loved designing clothes but it was always a struggle to make ends meet.

A fluttering in the great arches above startled her. She looked up at the vaults, hoping that the Giant Eagle hadn't returned. Then she saw two sets of wings fluttering to and fro. A couple of little, dark green birds descended onto the steps beside her, their bright eyes flashing. The larger one fluffed out his creamy breast and the little one perched softly on Kerry's shoulder. She was relieved to see that it was her swiftail friends Timmy and Dot who lived with Pod in the loft of Macken Cottage.

‘We've been looking for you everywhere,' said Dot. ‘Are you OK? Why aren't you at the town hall? It's almost time for the Grand Opening.'

‘I'm waiting for Simon to come back. He was here a moment ago and then he went running off into the cathedral after a man who was attacked by a Giant Eagle. He promised to go with me to the town hall. But now I think it's gone clean out of his head.'

‘Let me come with you,' said Dot. ‘I'd love to meet the Mayor.'

‘And I'll go look for Simon,' said Timmy. ‘If he's in the cathedral I'll find him and make sure that he follows you down to the town hall.'

‘Oh Timmy, that would be great! And I'd love if you came with me, Dot. I'd better not keep the Lord Mayor of Kilbeggin waiting any longer.'

‘Well, off with you,' said Timmy. ‘The Mayor needs that beautiful coat of yours to perform the Grand Opening. He'll be delighted when he sees it. But you'd better hurry up. If you don't get there soon he might wear something else.'

Timmy flew into the church. And with a fresh burst of courage Kerry followed Dot through the narrow streets and down to the town hall.

The arrival of the World Fire Fair to Kilbeggin had created quite a stir. It was the first time an event of this size had ever come to town and a packed fest ival of dazzling spectacles was promised. Outside the town hall a great bonfire blazed. Barbecues burned and all the mouth-watering aromas of outdoor cooking filled the air. Trees glittered with flickering lanterns and the cent ral fountain blazed with light. Showers of red, orange and yellow cascaded as people gathered for the Grand Opening. Everyone was waiting for the Lord Mayor to open the festival with the launch of a glittering fireworks display.

Kerry and Dot found the Mayor's private entrance at the side of the town hall. Dot pulled the bell chord and a butler dressed in gold livery opened the door. He informed Kerry that the Mayor was expecting her. She followed him to the Mayor's private chambers with Dot firmly perched on her shoulder. The butler ushered them into a huge, ornate sitting room.

‘Miss Kerry Macken and her friend … ahem … Dot,' he announced.

The Mayor was sitting on a red sofa at the top of the chamber with a tall, silver-haired lady at his side. He jumped to his feet as soon as he saw Kerry and bounded across the room to greet her.

‘At last you're here. Well done, my girl. I thought you'd never make those final adjustments. Especially when I put on that bit of extra weight last week! Show me my lovely new coat and let me try it on. But where are my manners? My dear Kerry, I want to introduce you to my very special guest. I've been telling her all about your work. President Lumina, this is my talented designer Kerry Macken.'

The tall, silver-haired lady rose with great dignity from the sofa. She was wearing a stunning full-length, gold-sequined dress.

‘I'm delighted to introduce you to one another,' said the Lord Mayor. ‘Lady Lumina is the President of the Land of Fire. She is waiting to get the first glimpse of my new coat.'

‘It's great to meet you, Kerry,' said President Lumina. ‘I've been hearing all about the coat you've made for Frederick. And I know you based it on the theme of fire. It sounds divine. Try it on, Frederick and let's have a look at it.'

Kerry took the bright red coat from its wrapping and helped the Mayor into it. With great fuss, the butler was ordered to wheel in a full-length mirror. Kerry did up the buttons and straightened the shoulders and collar. Then they all peered into the mirror.

‘Wow! It's beautiful, Kerry, absolutely top class,' proclaimed President Lumina.

‘It makes me look younger,' cried the Mayor.

‘Yes and thinner,' President Lumina added while the Mayor blushed.

‘I love the fiery reds you've used and, look, this gold stitching shimmers like real flames. It's so detailed. Quite exquisite! This is certainly an extraordinary talent you have, dear child. I simply must get you to make one for me too. Sometimes I have four or five functions to attend in a day and I'm always looking for talented designers to come up with a new image for me. Why don't you visit me in the Land of Fire? You could design an entire new wardrobe for me. I would pay you handsomely, of course, and give you a very good time. What do you say?'

‘Well, thank you, Lady Lumina. I'm very honoured. But do you mind if I think about it?' Kerry asked.

‘What's there to think about? I know you'd love it! If Frederick can spare you for a few months you can leave for my home in Fire City next week. There's nothing to worry about. All your expenses will be covered.'

‘I'd love to go, but the problem is that I have a younger brother. He's just a schoolboy and I can't leave him here on his own.'

‘Then bring him with you,' insisted President Lumina.

Simon was fighting his way through the crowds that had filtered into St John's Cathedral. He was still searching for the man with the hooded cloak. The monks were chanting and it was difficult to see anything in the flickering candlelight. He was just about to go back outside to rejoin Kerry when he spotted the man in the grey cloak ahead of him. People were filing into the pews but the grey-cloaked man was making for a side aisle. As the crowd suddenly parted, Simon found a way through and darted after him. The man took a right turn into a side altar and skirted the railings behind it. Simon followed. He was curious to know why an almost extinct bird would attack a man in such a savage way. He also wondered what kind of power the man possessed that was strong enough to overpower a Giant Eagle.

The man in the grey cloak stopped abruptly. It was as if he knew what Simon was thinking. He turned to face him and suddenly reared up to a great height. He stared down into Simon's eyes. A deep hood still shaded his face. But Simon sensed that the man was warning him to keep his distance. Penet rating green eyes flashed from under the dark cowl and bored into Simon, almost piercing through his skull. A wave of fear coursed through his veins causing his head to spin. He staggered into a pew and righted himself in time to see the man vanishing behind the side altar. Simon rushed after him and jumped over the altar railings. He scanned the area. There were no doors or windows visible, only stone walls towering up on each side. The man had vanished.

Then light breeze brushed his face. Something landed on his shoulder.

‘What are you doing hiding behind here?' asked Timmy. ‘I've been looking for you everywhere.'

‘You nearly gave me a heart attack,' said Simon. ‘Did you see the way that man disappeared? He was standing here right before my eyes one moment and the next he was gone. I can't find any trace of him.'

‘You've got to come with me to the town hall right now,' pleaded Timmy. ‘No more chasing after disappearing men. Kerry is relying on you. This meeting is important to her, to both of you.'

Casting a final look around the altar in the hope of catching one more glimpse of the man with the green eyes, Simon tore himself away from his quest. He followed Timmy out of the church. St John's Square was still deserted but Simon felt he was being followed by hidden eyes. He paused to take a final look at the gargoyles on the cathedral walls.

‘Timmy, can you see something red flashing behind those carvings?'

‘It's probably just reflections from the Fire Fair.'

‘No. There's something still up there,' said Simon. ‘I think I can see eagles with red eyes. I have to find out what they're doing here.'

‘There's no time for this Simon,' said Timmy. ‘Come on. Kerry really needs your support right now. I promised her I'd bring you straight to the town hall.'

Simon reluctantly gave in and followed Timmy to St John's Square. The streets were filling up with merrymakers. Bonfires blazed in the distant hills. Flickering lanterns illuminated doorways and alleys. Along the streets flamethrowers and fire jugglers were displaying their skills.

A man on stilts suddenly leaned towards Simon. He was eating bright red flames and breathing out smoke that swirled eerily up into the night sky. A juggler tossed fireballs high into the air and spun them into kaleidoscopes of colour and light. Flamethrowers swirled batons of fire over their heads, then wove them between their arms and legs.

Just as Simon and Timmy reached the door of the town hall an enormous eagle engulfed in fire and smoke flew across the sky above them. It was followed by a menacing army of evil- looking birds. They swooped towards the crowds causing screams of surprise and horror. People scattered across the square, fleeing for cover.

‘Simon, come on inside,' called Timmy.

Simon was relieved to see the butler standing at the open doorway, waiting to escort them to the Mayor's quarters. His hair was tussled and his face was flushed with excitement as the butler showed them into the chamber.

‘Master Simon Macken and his friend … ahem … Timmy,' said the butler.

‘Hello, Simon,' said the Mayor. ‘It's great to see you again.'

‘Simon, we've been waiting for you,' said President Lumina. ‘What a handsome boy you are with your rusty head of hair. I was talking to your sister about a very interesting proposal. How would you like to travel to the Land of Fire on a business trip with her?'

‘What?' Simon's face lit up. ‘The Land of Fire, I've always dreamt of going to the Land of Fire. Is this true, Kerry?'

‘I haven't decided yet,' said Kerry. ‘There's your school to think about!'

‘Don't worry about school,' exclaimed President Lumina. ‘Simon can study with my own children. And we have the best teachers. We'll take good care of him.'

Kerry looked at her younger brother's excited face.

‘But Simon would miss his experiments. He's got some unusual stuff that he works at in our shed … it's not exactly the normal sort of thing that boys do …'

‘He seems like a normal boy to me,' said the Mayor. ‘What could be so unusual about his activities?'

‘I'm an inventor,' said Simon with a grin.

‘But that involves experimenting with home-made explosives in the garden shed,' said Kerry. ‘He's set it on fire several times and I know it wouldn't be safe—'

‘But this is perfect,' cried President Lumina. ‘We love inventors. We can teach him all about explosives and pyrotechnics in the Land of Fire. He'll be right at home with us. We are at the cutting edge of fire technology.'

‘But it can be dangerous,' said Kerry. ‘I'm always so worried that he'll set himself on fire or blow our whole house up. He might destroy your home too and ruin the whole trip!'

‘Stop exaggerating Kerry!' interrupted Simon.

‘Now, now my dear, don't you worry about Simon. The Land of Fire is the safest place you could take a boy with such interests. At least with us he can learn to make explosions in a safe and controlled environment without creating any accidents. Why, he might even make a career out of it.'

‘Kerry, don't you see', said Simon, ‘this is the perfect opportunity for both of us. Open your eyes. If you want us to stay together and keep our home we've got to grab this chance. You said yourself we haven't got enough to live on.'

‘I think we'd better settle this matter now,' said the Mayor. ‘It's time for me to open the World Fire Fair and I'm late already. The crowds are waiting.'

‘What do you say, Kerry?' asked President Lumina.