The Deptford Mice 2: The Crystal Prison Read Online Free PDF Page B

walk without it.’
    ‘And now,’ she sighed, turning to Audrey once more, ‘you shall know the other reason why I brought you here.’ She banged the stick on the floor loudly and waited for the young squirrel to return.
    ‘Ah there you are, Piers. Don’t be afraid. I promise not to throw it any more today.’
    ‘Did you wish for anything madam?’ asked the squirrel doubtfully.
    The Starwife nodded and told him, ‘Bring in our guest.’
    Piers disappeared once more.
    ‘It’s over a week ago now,’ she began, ‘that our sentries spotted someone skulking in our park. The sight of this creature was fearful to behold and all fled before it. Nearer to my realm it drew. I could not get a word of sense from my guards – such a state they were in. “A gibbering ghost” they called it. I gave them a clip round the ear and told them they would be the gibbering ghosts if they didn’t bring the creature to me.’ The Starwife allowed a slow smile to spread over her face.
    ‘Did they bring the ghost?’ asked Twit breathlessly.
    ‘Oh yes they did right enough, but it was no ghost. They caught her in their nets and she was in a terrible state.’
    ‘She?’ asked Audrey in surprise.
    The Starwife narrowed her misty eyes. ‘Yes, her ribs were like roots poking through the soil and her belly was taut as a bark drum. She had not eaten for many days but she still managed to put up a hearty resistance. Seven of my sentries still have sore heads.’
    ‘So who was she?’ Audrey broke in. ‘What did she want?’
    ‘She wanted nothing, but I made her drink some milk and with that some life seemed to return to her dead eyes. I questioned her but could learn very little. In fact, Miss Brown, you have told me more about my guest than she has herself.’
    ‘I have? ’ Audrey could not believe it. Slowly a vague suspicion began to dawn on her.
    ‘Yes, for she is known to you – can you not guess? I see you suspect.’
    Audrey’s heart was fluttering with apprehension and dread.
    Behind the banner, coming down the passage she could hear Piers returning – his quick, nervous footsteps were unmistakable but alongside came a clumsy flapping of large ungainly feet and with them there was a voice.
    ‘Go to see squirrel boss lady, oh yes.’
    Audrey’s mouth fell open and she inhaled sharply. The banner was thrust aside and Piers scampered into the chamber followed by . . . Madame Akkikuyu.

3. The Bargain
     
    Audrey backed away as Madame Akkikuyu entered.
    Once she had been a beautiful rat maiden but her looks had faded with the cruel blows life had dealt her. When Audrey had first met her, Madame Akkikuyu had been a fortune-teller who also dabbled with poisonous love potions. But she had always craved genuine magical powers and that’s how Jupiter had corrupted her into his service. It was Madame Akkikuyu who had delivered Audrey to him. Even then she had still been a striking figure – her fur a rich, sleek black and her eyes dark and fathomless.
    Audrey pitied the fortune-teller now. As Madame Akkikuyu dragged her feet towards them they could plainly see that the rat had nearly starved to death in the past weeks. Her skin hung baggily off her frame and her fur was moulting away in ugly patches. Only the tattooed face on her ear looked the same. Around her shoulders she still wore the old spotted shawl, and strapped about her waist she carried her pouches of dried leaves and berries. In one large bag was her crystal ball.
    Madame Akkikuyu stumbled up to those gathered around the throne and grinned sheepishly up at the Starwife. With a shock Audrey saw something terrible dancing in the rat’s eyes – Madame Akkikuyu had lost her mind.
    ‘Welcome Akkikuyu,’ said the Starwife warmly. ‘There are friends of yours here.’
    The rat gazed distractedly at the mice. She did not recognise the sturdy one with the red kerchief around his neck, but then she hardly knew anything any more. Her head was in such a muddle these days,