The banshee and the three friends walked up the steps into the large building. As they passed the two guards, one winked at Kirsty, who immediately blushed. The guard was tall, strong and very good-looking, but she couldn’t help thinking he smelled like a dog blanket, one of the disadvantages of living in a marsh. Burp saw what was happening and didn’t like the idea of his girlfriend flirting with another man. “It’s a good job I’m now royalty or I would have given him a smack on the nose!” he lied. “Why, Burp? Surely you’re not jealous are you?” laughed Kirsty. “No, I just don’t like anyone trying to chat up my girlfriend.” “Kirsty isn’t your property, Burp. Stop acting like a caveman!” snapped Molly. “Ooh! Untwist those knickers and let me be nice again,” laughed Burp. On they walked, reaching a long corridor with large, carved, arched wooden doors on each side. From behind these doors they could hear hushed voices which seemed to merge together like a choir of whispers. In the centre were spiral staircases, twisting their way to different levels of the building. The corridor was empty except for the banshee, the three friends, and the sound of their footsteps echoing on the stone floor, and seemed to stretch on forever. Finally they reached the end where there were two more large carved doors. Outside stood marsh warriors on guard. The banshee bowed to them. “Ambassador Wolf to see the Conoscenza,” she said in almost a whisper. The three friends stifled their laughter; if only the guards knew that she really was a wolf. The banshee gave the three of them a wink, sharing the joke. One of the guards banged on the doors three times and they slowly swung open to reveal a large room. In the centre was a group of old men seated around a large stone table, at the far end of which stood Liam. Pretending they had never met him before, the friends hid their hatred. The group of old men rose to their feet and bowed; after all, they were meeting royalty! Following the introductions one of the old men asked in what way they could help. The banshee explained the need for an escort of marsh warriors who knew the land to help search for their cousin. While they were talking Burp couldn’t help but notice that Liam was smiling at him; not a friendly smile, but a soppy ‘I like you’ sort of smile. This was making Burp feel quite uneasy and all he wanted to do was leave the room. The old men agreed they could supply an escort and, as this was a royal party, they would have the best. So it was agreed that Liam, the strongest and best marsh warrior, along with his closest aid, would escort them. Although the friends weren’t happy to be travelling with Liam, they thanked the old men and Liam himself for their help before leaving the room. “Why did Liam keep smiling at me like that?” asked a worried Burp. The banshee let out a rasping laugh. “I have just realised that the only royalty I have ever met was from Santra. Because I can only use life-forces of beings I have come into contact with, I used them.” “Yes, well? What’s that got to do with the big ape grinning at me like that?” “Well, King Zeg has three daughters so, to everyone in this world, you are a beautiful princess.” “What? You mean you’ve turned me into a girl?” “Not really. You cannot change shape like Wilf or myself, you just appear to be female.” The girls started laughing. “Just think, Burp: this morning when you woke up you were just a normal boy, now you’re a girl!” joked Kirsty. Burp was horrified at the situation and annoyed with the girls for poking fun. “I’m sorry,” said the banshee, “but I didn’t realise. You all look the same to me.” Burp turned to Kirsty. “I don’t know what you’re laughing at because your boyfriend’s now a girl!” “Oh, don’t be stupid about it, Burp. You still look the same to us,” said Molly. “Yes, and we can show you how to put your make-up on!” added Kirsty. The girls were still laughing as they walked back along the corridor and out of the building. |
An extract from The Keeper by Gez Walsh |
