The Flight of the Candle Dragon
When Poppy and Natasha got back to the river, the guards had begun loading the cage containing the scarlet foxes onto a cart. Sir Fitzroy was joking loudly that the foxes’ magical invisibility could not defeat his amazing detector machine.
“Stay here until the men start chasing us,” Poppy whispered to Little-paw. “Then go to your family and tell them we’re going to set them free.”
Natasha held the kite ready while Poppy used a taper to light the Red Flamer. She lifted the long stick into the air with the lantern tied to one end.
The Red Flamer lit up the night with a bright-red glow. Quickly, Natasha threw the dragon kite into the air and worked the strings. Once it unfurled, the kite looked nearly as big as a real dragon. The girls gazed upward. They had to keep the lantern and the kite close together to make the dragon trick work.
Swooping high, the dragon’s tail fluttered from side to side. The creature’s black eyes shone as they caught the glow of the candle. Its fierce jaw hung open, filled with pointed teeth. Natasha hurriedly tugged the left string as the kite blew sideways in the breeze. Poppy lifted the lantern higher.
There was a shout from farther down the riverbank.
“A dragon!” yelled one of the guards.
“It’s breathing fire!” called another.
“Catch that beast!” bellowed Sir Fitzroy. “I want that dragon.”
“They’ve fallen for it!” gasped Natasha.
“I know!” cried Poppy. “Run!”
The girls raced down the riverbank. Poppy went first, leading the way with her Red Flamer. Natasha followed so that a dragon with a spiky tail streamed out behind the lantern.
Poppy’s chest felt tight and her heart pounded. She could hear the men running. They mustn’t let the guards catch up with them!
“Poppy!” gasped Natasha. “Put the candle out now. That way we’re harder to find.”
Poppy brought the branch down and quickly blew out the flame. Natasha ran on, pulling the kite behind her.
The men shouted to one another. They sounded closer.
Poppy’s foot caught on a bramble but she managed to keep her balance.
“Throw the ropes!” bellowed Sir Fitzroy. “Catch the beast!”
Loops of rope came snaking through the air but they missed the girls completely. Poppy dashed round a bend in the riverbank and nearly ran straight into Natasha.
“I’ll carry on!” gasped the other girl. “You go back and free the foxes.”
“Are you sure?” panted Poppy.
“I’ll keep them chasing the dragon kite for as long as I can,” said Natasha. “Go!”
Poppy watched while Natasha sprinted away, the dragon flying high in the air behind her. Poppy ducked beside some water rushes as the guards chased after her friend. A minute later Sir Fitzroy stumbled after them.
When she was sure they were gone, Poppy crept out of her hiding place and stole back to the bridge. Little-paw was waiting by the cage. The cub put her front paws against the metal bars and whined.
“Stay calm, dear,” said Bright-fur. “Here’s Poppy now.”
Poppy reached for the bolt high up on the cage door. The catch was stiff and it wouldn’t move. She took hold of it with both hands. At last it slid back and Poppy swung the door open. Quick-eye and Sleepy-tail bounded out first, followed by their parents.
Bright-fur nuzzled Little-paw’s face. “I was so worried about you, little one. We tried to go back and look for you, but then those men came.”
“Thank you, Poppy,” said Long-shanks. “You’ve helped us so much.”
“What’s this, Daddy?” Quick-eye nosed at a box on the ground. Inside were two cogwheels, a chain and a sharp metal spike.
It was the magical-animal detector.
“Keep away from it!” barked Long-shanks. “It’s a wicked, nasty thing!”
Quick-eye jumped back and his ears flattened in alarm.
Poppy crept up to the machine. It had started whirring as it picked up on the foxes’ magic. What should she do with it? She couldn’t let Sir Fitzroy use it again, but she didn’t really want to touch it. Shuddering, she managed to lift it up. Then she stumbled to the river’s edge and threw it in.
The machine tumbled through the air. It gave a huge splash as it hit the water before sinking below the surface.
Little-paw gave a whoop and jumped round and round in a circle. “Splosh goes the machine! Poppy saves the day!”
Poppy grinned. It was lovely to see Little-paw so happy again.
“We must hurry. Those men may return soon.” Long-shanks began rounding up the cubs.
“Where will you go?” asked Poppy.
“I have cousins that live on the other side of the green marsh. It’s a swampy track and one that humans seldom use. I think we will be safe there.” Long-shanks bowed his head. “Farewell, Poppy. We will always remember your kindness.”
“Good-bye and good luck!” Poppy bowed to each fox in turn and then gave Little-paw a big hug. The cub rubbed her nose against Poppy’s neck. She stroked Little-paw’s ears. “I’ll never forget you, Little-paw!”
The scarlet foxes scampered over the bridge with Long-shanks leading the way. As they reached the other side, each one used their magic to disappear. Little-paw went last. With a swish of her three tails, she vanished.
Poppy gave herself a shake. There was no time to stand here feeling sad; she needed to help Natasha.
She hurried back along the riverbank, hoping desperately that Sir Fitzroy hadn’t caught her friend. Shouting came from her right, followed by a loud splash.
“Natasha?” she whispered. “It’s me, Poppy!”
“Over here!” Natasha’s face poked out from behind a tree. “Careful the guards don’t see you! Did you free the foxes?”
Poppy dodged behind the tree trunk. “Yes, they’ve escaped! What happened to the kite?”
“I brought it down when I decided to hide. Sir Fitzroy’s ordered his guards to search the bushes,” Natasha told her. “I think he’s suspicious about the dragon now. He knows he’s been tricked!”
There was another loud splash.
“What’s going on?” said Poppy. “I hope they’re not hurting some poor ducks.”
The girls crept out from their hiding place. Angry voices echoed up the riverbank.
“Well, clearly this was NOT the right direction!” Sir Fitzroy yelled. “Now I am COLD and WET!”
Poppy giggled, pointing. “I don’t believe it! They’ve fallen in!”
Sir Fitzroy was standing up to his waist in water with his hands on his hips. Two of the guards were also in the river. One was trying to climb the slippery, muddy bank.
“I’m sorry, sir!” said a guard. “I didn’t notice the water.”
“You’re SORRY!” Sir Fitzroy spluttered. “That doesn’t make up for it. You were the one who led us this way. What am I supposed to do if the water makes my armor rusty?”
Two guards took hold of the knight’s arms and tried to haul him up the muddy bank, but they lost their footing and all three collapsed into the water again.
Poppy giggled so hard her stomach felt fluttery. “Sir Fitzroy looks so funny when he’s angry, like a bull that’s ready to charge!”
Natasha grinned. “And the best thing is that while he’s stuck in there the foxes are getting away!”
