Voyage of the Owl Read Online Free PDF Page B

Cookie a broomstick note like the one she sent you?’
    ‘No,’ said Master Drummond. ‘That code is just for emergencies. We’ll have to think of something that looks more ordinary.’
    ‘We need to use a code that Cookie will understand but no-one else will,’ Lily suggested.
    ‘How about a note about something mundane and boring, like housekeeping or shopping or fish or vegetables … but really it is about us,’ said Ethan.
    ‘Something to do with food and cooking,’ added Saxon. ‘If it is signed by Master Drummond she will know it is about us escaping.’
    ‘Perhaps we could talk about eggs,’ Lily grinned. ‘Eggs symbolise both the golden sun and the white moon, in harmony together – new beginnings, spring, hope and all that!’
    ‘Oh, Lily! I’m sure it doesn’t need to be quite that symbolic!’ laughed Ethan. ‘But then again, why not eggs?’
    They wrote several drafts of the note, changing and improving it, then Master Drummond copied it out in his neat, businesslike handwriting. It was addressed outside to Mistress Cookie Drummond, Palace Kitchens. Inside it read:
    Dearest Sister,
    Thank you kindly for your gift of eggs. Please tell the farmer that they arrived fresh and unbroken this morning. They were so good I have decided to share them with my friends down in the port. They are preparing for a sea voyage so will welcome some fresh farm produce.
    If you need any high quality fish for the palace kitchens, let me know.
    Best wishes, your loving brother
Albert.
    Jed the stableboy was despatched to deliver this note to Cookie at the palace, then to hasten to the clearing on the eastern side of the city to collectMoonbeam, Nutmeg, Toffee and Caramel, together with their saddles and bridles.
    Peg was sent to gather various servant props, while Ethan carefully unstrung the precious bows and stowed them in a barrel, with the packs, cloaks, arrows and some food supplies. The barrel was cunningly fitted with a false bottom and topped up with ale, so anyone searching the cart would think it was a simple barrel of ale.
    The children were too polite to ask why Master Drummond had such a handy hiding spot on his cart, or why he seemed such a master of disguises.
    ‘Best we don’t talk about it for all our sakes,’ winked Master Drummond. ‘’Tis always handy to have a secret hiding spot, whether hiding something from cut-throats and pickpockets, the authorities of Tira or now the Sedahs.’
    Lily was dressed in a white mob cap, hiding her curls completely, and a rather dirty apron. She carried a basket and some shears, and her cover story was a journey to pick herbs in the meadows by the river.
    Saxon was disguised as a fishmonger returning from the city market to the fishing boats. He carried a huge pannier that smelt strongly of fish. He wore a filthy smock, smeared with bloodand fish scales, and his hands and face were also fishy.
    Roana had a big cap pulled low over her face. She carried an empty sack, her fingernails caked in dirt and a large muddy smear on her cheek. She was now a farmer’s son, returning from delivering potatoes to the White Horse Inn. Roana, at her insistence, was the only one to wear her green riding cloak. She imagined she could feel the fiery gem glowing in the hem of her cloak.
    Ethan was transformed into a chimney sweep. Black soot darkened his face and hands and he carried a sweep’s brush. The distinctive white streak of hair at his temple was also blackened. His mission was a blocked chimney at one of the inns at the port. Ethan felt strangely vulnerable without his bow and arrows.
    ‘Perfect,’ grinned Master Drummond. ‘You all look the part. You will notice the attention to detail – the blood and dirt under the fingernails, the tools of your trade. The Sedahs will not even look at you twice! Remember to say as little as you can and try to talk like a pauper’s child, especially you, Princess.’
    He looked at Aisha. ‘Hmm, one left to disguise. Ethan, rub