The Ark of Dun Ruah, Book 1 Read Online Free

‘What business have you going on a dangerous journey like that?’
    â€˜It’s a great opportunity for Kerry to get her business started.’
    â€˜But now is a terrible time to travel,’ said Pod. ‘There are dark and evil forces at work out there in the world. The swishtrees are moaning. I haven’t heard them moan like that since I was a boy. The signs are clear. Wicked things are stirring. Things I wouldn’t dare speak of.’
    â€˜But it’s all arranged, and we were hoping you’d come with us,’ said Kerry.
    Pod’s eyes began to twitch. ‘Then cancel it! This is not the time for foolish and risky adventures. You have no idea of the evil that is lurking out there.’
    â€˜But we’re going on a ship,’ said Timmy. ‘You’ve always said that ships are the safest way to travel.’
    â€˜Not in these troubled times,’ warned Pod. ‘Nothing and nobody is safe. And a ship is no place for an elderly owl like me. Ships are full of hungry rats and cats all vying to get their teeth into a tasty bird. No this is a terrible idea. Stop all this nonsense and stay at home in Kilbeggin.’
    â€˜Our passage is booked,’ said Kerry. ‘President Lumina of the Land of Fire paid for everything. She has invited me there to design a new wardrobe for her. I have to earn a living, Pod. Simon needs to be fed and sent to school and I’ve had a lot of bills since Mom died last year. I’m barely able to make ends meet as it is. Without this trip we can’t afford to keep our home here in Macken Cottage. And I don’t want to sell it. It’s the only thing we have left!’
    â€˜Go without me then,’ said Pod. ‘All of you. I’ll stay here where I belong.’
    â€˜Please come with us, Pod,’ pleaded Kerry. ‘The Land of Fire is a beautiful place. It’s a land of opportunity.’
    â€˜Opportunity,’ Pod snorted.
    â€˜But we badly need a wise old head like yours to help us on our journey,’ pleaded Kerry. ‘We’d be lost without you, Pod, you know that.’
    â€˜And what if those eagles keep tormenting you here?’ added Dot. ‘You’ll be stuck inside all alone every day, terrified out of your wits.’
    Pod let out a huge hiccup and before he had a chance to recover himself Simon burst through the back door.
    â€˜I’ve done it,’ he cried. ‘My matches are ready. In fact they’re perfect. And now for the demonstration you’ve all been waiting for—’
    â€˜No Simon!’ cried Kerry. ‘The last time you did a demonstration in the house, you nearly took the roof off. It took us a whole week to clean up the mess.’
    â€˜Don’t worry,’ said Simon digging into the rubbish bin and pulling out fistfuls of old food scraps and wrappers. He quickly packed them into the fire grate and took a large box of matches from his pocket. Flicking it open, he picked out a long, bright green match and struck it.
    A mighty crack rocked the floorboards and a dazzling plume of green smoke burst from the match. Sending blinding flashes darting across the room, it swirled into the fireplace and hovered over the rubbish. A rapid series of sparks and flames shot out of the fireplace causing Pod to flee with a shriek into the rafters. A quick succession of bangs and snaps followed and an exploding stream of flashing emerald fireworks cascaded into the room.
    â€˜Simon, I said no fireworks in the house,’ screamed Kerry.
    â€˜Sorry. I couldn’t resist it,’ said Simon, calling their attention back to the fire.
    â€˜Now here’s the important bit. Watch this!’
    The kitchen rubbish popped and hissed. It then started to swirl in the grate. Plastic bottles shrivelled, newspapers fizzled and lumps of food shrunk into small nuggets that looked like dark green coal. Then a circle of yellow flames sprang from the coals and flared