The Castle With Hiccups Chapter 4

Chapter Four.

 

Heroes.

 

Thomas dashed up the stairs to the Magician’s room with his news. The Magician listened intently, nodding with sympathy.

“Quite right,” he said. “The first thing we must do is get rid of those three would‑be heroes. I’ll work on that while you fetch some seaweed for the Dragon. It would be a shame if it died.”

Thomas agreed. He found a wheelbarrow in the gardener’s shed and trundled it down to the seashore. There was plenty of fresh green seaweed on the rocks, and it didn’t take long to fill the barrow. Getting it down the Dungeon steps was another matter. In the end he abandoned the barrow and carried the slimy weed in his arms.

The Dragon was very grateful and tucked in immediately. Some of the blue tinge faded from its scales, but even in the gloom Thomas could see it would take a great deal more food to turn the Dragon fully green again.

“More work,” he sighed.

After washing off as much slime as he could, Thomas returned to the Magician.

“Ah, come in, my boy,” said the Magician. “I’ve found some spells that are just the thing.”

The table in the centre of the room was covered with bottles, boxes, and open books.

“If those three want a dragon to deal with,” the Magician continued, “then we must give them one. Can you find out exactly how each one intends to defeat the Dragon?”

Thomas thought he could.

“Good. Now, I have a spell that will make part of the Castle wall disappear for a few minutes, but it will take time to prepare. Until then, we must protect the Dragon.”

Thomas nodded.

There was a noise on the stairs. The Magician shuddered.

“Have you seen that dratted Nurse woman?”

“She was downstairs earlier,” Thomas grinned, “with a spoon, a bottle of cod liver oil, and a bag of sweets. She was shouting for her ‘Lambkin’.”

The Magician went pale. “In that case, I shall put a spell on the door so only you can enter. A pity, I would have liked to talk to the Dragon. Now off you go. The King was calling for you.”

Thomas fled down the stairs to the throne room.

“Where have you been?” King Oswald demanded.

“Preparing lunch, sire,” Thomas said, carefully not mentioning whose lunch.

“Humph. Show these three gentlemen to their rooms. They begin ridding us of the Dragon tomorrow.”

Thomas led the adventurers to the guest rooms. Queen Jessamy and Princess Jasmine had been busy preparing them.

Sir Roger immediately began polishing his armour. “Need a good sharp sword to cut off its head.”

Sir Cedric sniffed. “Barbarian. I shall lull the beast to sleep with my music, then stab it through the heart with my dagger.”

“Well, I am going to poison it,” announced Prince Bombo, proudly producing a small purple bottle.

Thomas was sent for tools for Sir Roger, lute strings for Sir Cedric, and food, a great deal of food, for Prince Bombo. He was busy for the rest of the morning, but managed to slip away long enough to tell the Magician the heroes’ plans.

Princess Jasmine had been introduced to the three and had immediately locked herself in her room. She refused to come out or speak to anyone.

Queen Jessamy left her to sulk and went to the kitchens to prepare the evening meal.

King Oswald fretted and fumed, but his foot hurt too much for him to do anything useful.

The Magician mixed and muttered spells in his tower.

Nurse wandered the corridors calling for her “Little Lambkins,” promising the nicest treats if he appeared and the most terrible punishments if he did not.

Mr Henry the Butler slept peacefully in his pantry.

After lunch, simple but perfect, Thomas washed the dishes, took more seaweed to the Dragon, and then went upstairs to the Magician.

King Oswald settled down for a nap.

Queen Jessamy knitted happily.

The three would‑be heroes wandered the battlements arguing about who should go first.

Princess Jasmine stayed in her room.

Nurse had given up her search and was feeding cod liver oil to the cat, who enjoyed it enormously.

The cat’s loud purring hid the strange noises coming from Nurse.

The Magician had finished his spell‑making.

“That was an interesting challenge,” he said, “but I think I am ready to deal with those three.”

He handed Thomas three small boxes.

“This one is for Sir Roger, this for Sir Cedric, and this for Prince Bombo. I’ve drawn a picture of each man on the lid. You must make sure you are the one who takes each man down to the Dungeons. Put the box on the floor outside the door, and then run. Oh, and warn the Dragon to keep very still and not speak, whatever happens.”

Thomas nodded and took the boxes carefully.

He went down to the Dungeons with more seaweed and explained the plan.

“I am very grateful,” said the Dragon. “I am sorry to be such a bother.”

“Never mind,” said Thomas. “It’s not your fault they built a Castle wall over your tail.”

“I wish I had never left the Islands,” sniffed the Dragon. “If I ever get free, I’m going straight home. And if anyone wants any more errands done, they can ask someone else.”

A tear trickled down its cheek.

“Where are these Islands?” Thomas asked.

The Dragon sighed. “Straight out across the bay, just below the horizon. I was on my way there when I stopped for this little nap. They are very beautiful, and best of all, there are no people. Sorry and all that, but we do have problems with humans.”

Thomas nodded. “I understand. There are some unpleasant kinds of people. Why are there none on the Islands? Have the Royal Dragons eaten them?”

“Bless you, no! There are no people because only magical creatures can reach the Islands. They are peaceful and safe, and the beaches are covered in every kind of seaweed you can imagine. And speaking of seaweed…” The Dragon gave a hopeful cough. “I don’t suppose you could manage a little more, could you? Please?”

“I’ll bring some as soon as I can,” promised Thomas. “But I have to help prepare the food for King Oswald and the others. Hard work was nothing new to Thomas, which was just as well, because there was plenty of it. He helped Queen Jessamy prepare a simple meal, helped Henry the Butler serve it, and then took more seaweed down to the Dragon.

“The three dragon slay— whoops, sorry!” Thomas said quickly as the Dragon winced. He tried again. “The three idiots are arguing about who should go first.”

“They should draw cards,” said the Dragon. “Highest card goes first. I just wish they would all go home. I will not fight. I do hope your Magician’s ideas work.”

“So do I,” said Thomas.

After washing the dishes, Thomas went up to the throne room. He paused at the door and listened.

The three adventurers were still arguing.

“After all,” Sir Cedric was saying, “the first person to go in might get lucky and kill the beast before the others have a chance.”

“Especially if it is I,” boasted Sir Roger. “My sword will pierce even the toughest scales.”

Prince Bombo waved the chocolate éclair he was eating. “My poison is guaranteed to kill any beast, even magical ones like a dragon.”

Sir Cedric sniffed. “You two stand no chance. Everyone knows music can send even the fiercest animals to sleep. Then my knife will find its throat.”

Through the keyhole, Thomas could see King Oswald slumped on his throne, leg propped on a stool, looking bored out of his mind. Queen Jessamy was playing Patience at a table.

Thomas knocked and entered.

“I believe our heroes are having trouble deciding who should go first,” he said politely. “May I suggest they draw cards? Highest wins.”

King Oswald brightened at the interruption. Queen Jessamy, whose Patience was refusing to come out, handed over her pack of cards.

She shuffled them.

Sir Roger drew the Three of Spades.

Prince Bombo drew the Ten of Clubs.

Sir Cedric drew the Queen of Diamonds.

So, it was decided: Sir Cedric would go first, followed by Prince Bombo, and Sir Roger last.

“Now,” announced the King, “you three had better have an early night so you’re ready for dragon‑slaying in the morning.”

“A good night’s sleep is essential before battle,” agreed Sir Roger.

“And a hot bath to relax one’s muscles,” added Sir Cedric.

“I say,” protested Prince Bombo, “what about supper?”

“Thomas will bring hot water,” said King Oswald firmly, “and supper will be served in your rooms.”

The tone of his voice left no room for argument. The three adventurers bowed stiffly and left.

Thomas bowed and followed. As he closed the door, he heard the King mutter, “You know, I almost prefer a hiccupping Castle to any one of those idiots.”

When Sir Roger was tucked up in bed, Sir Cedric had bathed and been wrapped in fluffy towels, and Prince Bombo had been fed, Thomas finally had a few minutes to visit Princess Jasmine. She refused to open her door even for him, but he managed to explain the Magician’s plan through the keyhole.

Then he went to the Magician.

“Ah, Thomas, come in,” said the Magician. “I was just having a bite of supper. Will you join me?”

He gestured to a table where a large plate of roast duck and green peas sat steaming.

Thomas blinked. He didn’t remember anyone cooking that.

“Magic has its uses,” the Magician said with a smile.

Thomas agreed and sat down to eat.

When they had finished, the Magician handed Thomas a message for the Dragon.

“Tell him to wait about ten minutes after each man leaves before giving his tail a good waggle.”

Thomas nodded and headed back down to the Dungeons.

The Dragon listened carefully. “I will do as you say,” it promised. “But I really do not like the noises of things falling over when I waggle my tail.”

“Don’t worry,” said Thomas. “It’s me who has to tidy up, and I don’t mind.”

The Dragon gave him a grateful look.

Then, with a tired sigh, Thomas climbed the stairs and went to his own bed.