Voyage of the Owl Read Online Free PDF

palace,’ Master Drummond joked. ‘Cookie has the same broomstick in the palace kitchens – you can only read the message if you have exactly the same size stick as the one the message was written on.’
    ‘Who would have thought that Cookie could be so clever?’ Roana cried.
    Master Drummond chuckled, throwing the ribbon of paper onto the fire, where it burst into flames immediately. ‘Well, working in the palace requires multiple skills. Now, what can I do to help?’
    ‘We need to leave Tira undiscovered as soon as possible and head to the port,’ replied Ethan.
    ‘The port?’ Master Drummond asked, puckering his brow. ‘The port is crawling with Sedah soldiers. No, I think it is better if I take you out of the city to a safe hiding place in the countryside. I know of several cottages that would be ideal.’
    ‘It is imperative we go to the port, Master Drummond,’ Roana replied, her voice strong and regal. ‘I cannot tell you why, but we must go there. The future of Tiregian and my family may depend upon it.’
    Master Drummond did not laugh at this pronouncement or Roana’s grave demeanour. He examined the faces of each child carefully, considering Roana’s words.
    ‘All right then,’ he decided. ‘To the port. Is there anything else?’
    ‘We need to check on our four horses,’ Lily added. ‘We left them tethered in a clearing with ourgear, on the eastern side of the city, a couple of days ago. I pray that no harm has come to them.’
    ‘I also need to find a sea captain called Fox,’ Saxon said. ‘Our friend Saira said he may be able to help us.’
    ‘Aaah. The mysterious Fox,’ Ethan grinned. ‘I wondered when we might find out more about your friend Fox.’
    ‘We should also send a message to Cookie, to let her know that we escaped safely,’ Roana added. ‘Perhaps she could get a message to our parents. They will be worrying.’
    Roana felt inside her shirt and touched the amethyst heart locket she wore there. It had been her mother’s, stolen by Lord Lazlac on the fateful day the Sedahs had invaded. Roana had stolen it back from his very bedside last night. Now it comforted her with thoughts of her mother.
    Master Drummond nodded silently, his mind ticking.
    ‘Draw me a map of where you left your horses and I will send my stableboy to fetch them,’ he decided. ‘I can stable them here until you send for them.’
    ‘Thank you, that would be wonderful,’ breathed Lily, her face shining with relief. ‘Also, I need to getsome more herbal potions. I’ve used up nearly everything in my pack.’
    Master Drummond laughed. ‘You certainly ask for a lot! Well, you’d better talk to Peg and see if she can help you with your herbs.’
    Lily smiled her thanks.
    ‘I think it would be best if you split up to leave the city,’ Master Drummond suggested. ‘The Sedahs may have briefed the guards on the gate to look out for a dog, a girl with a kitten and three boys, one with a very posh accent.’
    Here he grinned at Roana, who flushed crimson.
    ‘I can lend you some things to make you look like servants running chores,’ Master Drummond continued. ‘You should all walk separately through the guards on the gate and across the bridge, spread out over half an hour or so. I will take your packs and weapons in my cart and meet you at the western port in a couple of hours. Hopefully I may be able to discover something about this seaman Fox for you by then. I know a few of the owners of the inns down near the port. They should be able to tell me something.’
    Everyone nodded. The plan made perfect sense.
    Master Drummond sent Peg to fetch some paper and a quill. Roana sketched a map of the clearingwhere the four horses had been tethered to graze and where their extra gear was hidden. Then the four children and Master Drummond composed a coded note to Cookie.
    ‘How can we let Cookie know we are safe, and what we plan to do?’ asked Roana, her brow furrowed in concentration. ‘Should we send