The Opal Quest Read Online Free

in case there was a way in behind it. Close to, the water thundered so loudly she didn’t hear the metal tube begin to rattle and clank as a rickety cage cranked down it.
    She came to a little hut tucked away in a cleft of the rock. She looked inside but it was empty except for what seemed to be a very large, curled-up flag in one corner.
    She followed a narrow, rocky path that led behind the waterfall but as a dense, freezing mist sprayed over it she decided not to explore any further until she could find something to cover her clothes so they didn’t get soaked. She turned, and took a step backwards in fright as she came face to face with four men in uniform.
    â€˜Look at this, lads,’ one said as he grabbed Tia’s arm. ‘Our little bird’s flown
into
the trap – this is going to be the quickest sweep I’ve ever done!’
    â€˜Sweep’ – these men must be the guards that Halla had told her about.
    The man pushed Tia inside the cage. ‘You carry on with the rest of the sweep,’ he told the other guards, ‘and I’ll take our sparrow here to the Lady Yordis.’
    He pulled a handle and the cage began to jerk its way upwards on a cable, swinging and banging on its way. ‘Hope you’re not going to be sick,’ he said, grinning.
    Tia couldn’t speak for terror as the ground dropped away under her and the cage lurched up to the castle entrance. There was nothing between her and the ground except for a lattice of bars! She was so frightened that when they reached the castle entrance she felt as though her legs had turned to water: the guard had to support her as he marched her out.
    Kulafoss castle was grimmer than Drangur, and so dark Tia found it hard to memorise where the guard was taking her as they sped through winding corridors.
    Eventually he stopped outside a thick wooden door and banged on it.
    â€˜Oi! I’ve got the Trader girl – let me in.’
    The door swung open and the guard pushed Tia forward.
    â€˜She’s all yours, Katinka. I’m off to report to the Lady Yordis,’ he said to the girl inside and left.
    Katinka was a few years older than Tia.
    â€˜You’re very small,’ she sniffed. ‘And your clothes are ridiculous.’

    Tia bristled. She thought her Trader clothes were very practical and she liked the bright colours.
    Katinka went over to a cupboard and pulled out some clothes including a skirt, a top and a jacket, all in a faded pink. ‘You can have these. Give me yours and I’ll take them to the laundry.’ She sniffed again. ‘You smell like you’ve been sleeping among animals!’
    Tia glared at the girl but obediently went behind a screen and threw her clothes over it to Katinka.
    â€˜There’s hot water in the basin by the fire. Get washing while I go to the laundry.’
    Tia scrubbed away using the same kind of Traders’ soap as she had in Drakelow where she lived with her DragonMother, Freya. Tears came into her eyes as she felt a pang of homesickness. But there was no time to feel sorry for herself. She plunged her head into the water and rubbed hard at her gritty hair.
    By the time Katinka came back Tia was washed and her hair stood up in damp, red-gold spikes. But she’d rummaged in the cupboard and found clothes she liked better than those Katinka had given her.
    â€˜You can’t dress like that! You look like a boy!’ Katinka said.
    Tia looked down at the grey tunic and trousers she’d swapped for the pink garments. ‘I don’t care,I’m not wearing that horrible long skirt – I keep treading on it and falling over.’
    Katinka pushed Tia outside and along yet more corridors till they came to grand door with a carved surround. The girl knocked timidly.
    A loud roar came from inside. Tia knew it was the bear saying, ‘Enter.’ So Yordis was still in her animal form! Tia would have to pretend to be surprised at not