The Deptford Mice 2: The Crystal Prison Read Online Free Page B

sat beside her and brushed the leaves off her back. ‘I have heard some in my field at home as do call squirrels tree rats,’ he whispered.
    A muffled crash and a mariner’s curse announced Thomas’ arrival. ‘I’d forgotten about that drop,’ he muttered, rubbing his back, ‘Where’s that nervy chap gone to now?’
    ‘I don’t know,’ said Audrey. ‘There are some openings over there – are they the roots of this tree?
    ‘Aye, we are in the heart of the squirrel domain and here the Starwife lives, but there were Starwives before this oak was an acorn and before this very hill was made. The Starwives go back a long way.’
    Just then the escort came bounding back. ‘What are you waiting for? Come, come,’ he implored, ‘she is impatient. Hurry now!’ He scurried away down one of the openings.
    Audrey and Twit set off after him. ‘I wish I’d brought some rum with me,’ murmured Thomas to himself.
    Down the narrow passages the mice followed the squirrel. Deep into the earth they seemed to be going. After a short while Audrey noticed something other than the silver lights twinkling ahead. It was a richly embroidered banner hung across the width of the passage. The background was a dark blue and over it was stitched a field of twinkling stars that reflected the light of the lamps around them. As Audrey examined the stars more closely she saw that the silver thread of which they were made was in fact tarnished by great age.
    The escort paused and bowed before the banner.
    The three mice waited apprehensively. Audrey and Twit stared at one another and wondered what lay beyond this elaborate partition.
    A strong, impatient voice snapped from the other side. ‘Bring them in Piers – stop dawdling boy!’
    The squirrel jumped in fright. ‘Oh madam, forgive me!’ He clutched one corner of the banner and popped his head through as he drew it aside. ‘By your leave, madam, may I introduce—’
    ‘Show in the midshipmouse first!’ commanded the voice.
    The squirrel looked back at Thomas and said, ‘Come through when I announce you.’
    Thomas grinned at Twit. ‘Battle stations!’ he remarked wryly, dragging the hat from his head.
    ‘By your leave madam,’ the squirrel had begun again, ‘may I introduce to you, midshipmouse Thomas Triton.’
    ‘Triton,’ called the other, sharp voice, ‘come in here.’
    Thomas scowled as he straightened the red kerchief around his neck and strode through the banner.
    Audrey held on to Twit’s paw as they waited for their turn.
    With a rising dislike for the voice she presumed was the Starwife’s, Audrey tried to keep calm.
    ‘So seafarer,’ said the voice on the other side of the banner. ‘It has been a long time since last I saw you in my chamber.’
    ‘Yes ma’am,’ came Thomas’ awkward reply, ‘too long.’
    ‘The fly has kept away from the web as best he might. But now you could say that the old boot is on the other foot.’
    Audrey gasped. How did the Starwife know that Thomas had compared her to a spider and an old boot? Whatever her sources, it was unkind and downright rude of her to taunt Thomas with his own words. Audrey felt herself becoming angry.
    The midshipmouse was coughing to cover his embarrassment. He was a mouse of action, not words, and the respect he had for the Starwife and his own code of honour would not allow him to answer back.
    ‘I hear you’ve settled down in your retirement at last,’ the voice began once more. ‘No more nightmares to haunt you?’
    ‘No ma’am, not since my last visit when you were kind enough to give me those powders. That particular ghost has been laid to rest.’
    ‘It should be so. Though wounds of the heart and mind are the hardest to heal. You seem to be on the right path at last.’
    ‘I have taken your advice ma’am and not taken to the water once in all these years.’
    ‘Let it be so always Thomas or . . .’ The Starwife’s voice dropped to a whisper and Audrey could not catch what she