Euuuugh! Eyeball Stew! Read Online Free Page B

by.
    â€˜It’s Snark. He snores.’
    â€˜Shall us throw a rock?’
    Neither of them moved.
    â€˜Look!’ cried Iggy suddenly.
    Beyond the trees, a bright plume of fire lit up the darkness. Seconds later they saw another and another, until everywhere they looked there were torches like red eyes. They formed a rough line, moving closer.
    â€˜Iggy,’ breathed Hubba, ‘I don’t think them are wolves.’
    Iggy’s heart beat faster. It was too late to run and there was nowhere they could hide.
    â€˜Better wake the others,’ he said. He grabbed his boo and arrow – at least he would get the chance to try it out before he died.
    The line of torches was close now and he could see the dark shapes of men holding them. There were far too many to count. Oosha and Snark appeared next to him, looking pale and frightened.
    â€˜What do we do now, oh leader?’ asked Iggy.
    They closed ranks – as much as they could with only four of them. The enemy had them surrounded and Iggy could make out their faces in the flickering torchlight. They were clothed in brown and grey furs but there any resemblance to Urks came to an end. At first Iggy thought they were dark skinned but now he saw they were painted head to foot in what looked like red mud. Their hair was red too and coiled in loops, ponytails, or topknots that bobbed about like hairy pompoms. In their hands they carried short spears carved with magic symbols and the faces of weird beasts. Iggy doubted if they were here to ask directions.
    A giant man who appeared to be the tribal Chief stepped forward. His long red hair trailed down his back. Round his neck were strings of shells threaded with brilliant stones that Iggy immediately recognised. Firestones! He drew out an evil-looking dagger and pointed it at Iggy’s head.

    â€˜BLUDMUGGER!’
    â€˜Erm, thanks,’ said Iggy. ‘But actually we’ve already eaten.’

Chapter 6
    The Big Cheat
    T he Chief took a step closer. Iggy pulled back the bowstring ready to let go. Suddenly Oosha burst between them and threw her arms round the stranger’s neck.
    â€˜PAPPA!’
    Hubba lowered his spear. ‘You think they know each other?’
    â€˜Looks that way,’ replied Iggy. ‘They must be Henna.’
    â€˜Thank Urk! Then they’re not gonna kill us?’
    The men crowded round Oosha, patting her head and jabbering all at once in their own strange language. Eventually, when things had calmed down, she turned to Iggy to explain.
    â€˜This my Pappa. Karratop, Big Cheat of Henna.’
    Iggy bowed low before the Big Cheat and Hubba did the same. He certainly was big. He made Hammerhead look like a stick insect. Iggy nudged Snark, who was so busy staring at the firestones round the Chief’s neck that he’d forgotten to bow.
    They waited while Oosha and her father talked. They obviously had a lot to catch up on. At one point the conversation seemed to get heated because the Chief jabbed his finger at them and growled something about Bludmuggers. Finally Oosha came over to explain.
    â€˜I tell Pappa you brave worrier. Save Oosha life. He make thank.’
    Karratop threw a meaty arm round Iggy’s shoulder. ‘THANK!’ he bellowed. Then he said something to Oosha.
    â€˜Pappa say we go now,’ she said.
    â€˜Go where?’ asked Hubba.
    â€˜Mountains. Not many walk. Pappa say we want you for suppers.’
    Iggy laughed. ‘You mean he wants us to stay for supper?’
    Oosha looked confused. ‘Yes, stay – this what he say.’
    *
    Iggy could see how the Cloud Mountains got their name. Once they had climbed to the top they were surrounded by a thick grey mist. As they inched their way down the slope towards the Henna camp, the mist cleared and Iggy could see smoke rising from a dozen fires. Instead of caves there was a ring of straw huts, which from above looked like hairy mammoths fast asleep. People went