First Aid for Fairies and Other Fabled Beasts Read Online Free PDF Page A

curiosity.”
    Yann sighed. “But we were impatient. We have so much to learn, about how to live in a world that is hardly ours any more. We wondered if our parents were making the right decisions for us, and we wondered if the Book could give us guidance.
    “So we called on our skills and magic to draw the Book from its place of safety. Then we opened it. But before we could ask it anything important, it took fright and flew off.
    “We don’t know if it was angered by our impertinent questions, or if it sensed the presence of darker creatures who wanted it too. But now the Book is gone, and we must find it.
    “We must find it before our parents realize it is gone. Before my father says the words to release the Book from its place of safety for the Winter Solstice Gathering at the end of the week.”
    Rona took a deep breath. “If we tell our parents, they would help …”
    Yann interrupted, “We have discussed this. We must be responsible and sort it out ourselves.”
    “We should be responsible enough to admit our mistake and ask for help.”
    “It wasn’t just a mistake, Rona, it was a crime and we would be punished for it. If we can find the Book before the ceremony, they may never know it was gone.”
    Lavender’s little voice broke into the argument. “We might even be banned from seeing each other if they find out. I couldn’t bear that, could you?” She flew to Rona and hugged her.
    Yann trotted in a tight circle round the garage, then returned to his place in front of the couch. “But our parents’ anger is not the worst of it. We must retrieve the Book and take it back to a place of safety before the Master of the Maze finds it, or it could mean the end of our world.”
    Helen asked, as she was clearly meant to, “The Master of the Maze?”
    “The Master of the Maze was cast out from the community of fabled beasts many years ago because he wanted to read the whole Book, and use its power to make our numbers grow as fast as those of humans. Our elders say he would use the Book to overturn the balance between questions and answers, wonder and truth, wisdom and facts.
    “He has waited for generations to get his hands on the Book, and now we may have given it to him. And he will use its answers to gain power for himself.”
    “What is he? What kind of creature?” Helen asked.
    “He is the Master of the Maze. The creature at the heart of the puzzle. The Minotaur.”
    “A Minotaur? Like you? Half man, half animal ?”
    Yann reared up. His front legs churned in the air, and his head reached up to the rafters. Helen forced herself back into the couch’s saggy cushions , away from the slashing hooves.
    Yann crashed back down, shouting, “I am not like him! I am not an animal! I am a noble centaur . We have been leading the fabled beasts safely and honourably for more years than there are stories.”
    Rona put her hand on Helen’s arm. It felt a little damp. “Helen, it’s not the animal part that’s the problem. The Master is mostly man. More than the rest of us. A man’s body, with a man’s heartand a man’s greed, but the head of a black bull. He is very strong, and he is the leader of those who crave chaos and bloodshed.”
    “Well, they certainly left chaos in my Mum’s surgery.”
    “We are sorry that we have led danger to your door.” Rona stroked Helen’s arm, then took her hand away.
    Yann humphed. “So, that is the story. That is all I owe you. It is our secret and our problem, and need be no more concern of yours.”
    Helen thought for a moment, then said slowly, “But if the Master wants answers so he can increase your population to challenge human numbers, then it is my problem and my family’s problem.”
    Yann shrugged. “But you humans are not taking very good care of the earth, are you? Would it be any worse if fabled beasts were in charge? If he were to ask the Book how to increase our numbers and reduce yours, then we could get back to equilibrium. More centaurs and