Thirty-nine

 

They realised that if The Serpent knew they were coming, for the evil stench was everywhere. Their walk through the placid meadows was determined and purposeful, but slowed down by the old man with one leg. ‘It’s a delaying tactic. He is giving The Serpent sufficient time to get ready,’ whispered the little boy to Little Girl.

As they approached the evil castle, Little Girl thought of the lessons she had been taught by The Master. She realised that this was for real and worried a little at what might lie in store.

She saw the little boy smile. He seemed to know what she was thinking of.

‘The Serpent preys on our doubts and our fears,’ he said. ‘We must not lose faith.’

Little Girl nodded in agreement.

Crow tried to sit on the boy’s shoulders but kept falling through. ‘This is too complicated,’ he told himself and flew off to sit on Little Girl’s shoulders.

Balloon peeped furtively out of the bag. It was understandable that she was terrified.

They were alert and cautious, since they did not know what sinister games might be afoot. They had to remain vigilant. And so, each of them was on the lookout. They knew that they needed to be extra careful because they could easily walk into a trap, especially since their guide was surely The Serpent’s ally.

The castle stood silhouetted in the dying rays of the setting sun. The windows were shut but on the glass panes, the grotesque Dance of the Shadows could clearly be seen.

They stood at the foot of the hill to catch their breath. By the light of the full moon, they saw that it was going to be a long and arduous climb. The entire hill seemed to be wearing a slimy green cloak covered with thick bushes. Not an inch had been spared.

‘Walk on,’ said the old man with one leg, as he urged them on. ‘Let us not dawdle for there is a killing to be done!’

But there was something quite strange about the bushes. It was as if they were all alive! And dangerous, thought Little Girl. She could have sworn that each branch and twig was moving to the sinister rhythm of some reptilian dance.

‘Good that you could see it!’ said the little boy, reading her mind. ‘Watch,’ he said as he threw a handful of jasmine flowers into the nearest bush. With lightning movements, the branches snatched the jasmine from the air. Then, they burnt them to cinder in a matter of seconds.

‘We call it The Snake Bush,’ said the little boy, ‘because each branch is a snake. The hill is filled with millions and millions of them. Nothing can live here other than snakes, for this is The Serpent Hill.’

They stood in horrified silence, watching the serpentine branches. ‘We need to find another way to get to the castle,’ said Little Girl.

‘We must go ahead this way,’ the old man with one leg insisted. ‘We’ve come too far to turn back now! Let us move on!’

‘The pump!’ cried Balloon, ‘I could fly you up to the castle.’

‘No, no!’ said the old man with one leg. ‘This is absurd! Walk on!’ Plans were going awry, he whispered to himself. The idea had been to let the bushes trap them.

‘It just might work,’ agreed the little boy quickly, looking at Balloon.

They filled Balloon with air. Little Girl fixed the chair and sat on it. The old man with one leg reluctantly crawled up. The little boy sat beside the little girl. She thought it would be quite a squeeze but it wasn’t, because neither he nor the old man with one leg appeared to be really there! Crow sat on top of Balloon to guide them, for it was Balloon’s first night flight. Little Girl tied the black string so that the air would be sealed tight and then, she released Balloon. In a matter of seconds, they rose gracefully, escaping the snapping bushes. A short journey and then, Little Girl released the air and they slowly descended and stood opposite the castle gates.

‘We would never have known if you hadn’t warned us about the bushes,’ said Little Girl gratefully to the little boy.

‘Fried stuff by now, old chap!’ said Crow. ‘Fortunately, no one likes barbequed crows. At least, not as yet!’

The old man with one leg descended with difficulty. He looked angry and when he turned towards Balloon, his look was one of despise.

‘Thanks Balloon,’ said Little Girl.

‘Good job,’ said the little boy.

Balloon blushed. So many compliments in one night! She had hoped that Crow would say something nice. Little Girl folded her up and tucked her into the bag. When Balloon settled into a comfortable position in the bag, after some wiggling around, she looked up and almost screamed in fright! She found herself staring at the heavy doors to the castle. They were shaped like the hoods of a double-headed serpent, and looked hideous and terrifying. The hollow eyes seemed to be alive for they ominously moved from side to side, as they stared at them. Balloon felt her throat go dry.

‘Beware,’ sniggered the old man with one leg, ‘this is The Serpent’s castle.’ Little Girl could have sworn that she heard the man hiss.

A hushed silence followed. And then, Crow said, ‘Don’t worry, Balloon. I can take care of all of you!’

‘So be it,’ said Little Girl. She briefly closed her eyes in prayer, and then, she firmly pushed open the doors.

They all stepped into The Serpent’s lair.