TRADE IN THE OLD FOR THE NEW

By Richard Temple

As both the Atlantian and Skarkill and his company headed for the Forest of Dunn in different directions, Lord Fear started trying to contact Honesty Bartram. However, he was having some technical difficulties.

  “Bartram… Bartram! Honesty Bartram, talk to me, you snivelling, grotty peddler!” Lord Fear raged.

Meanwhile, in Wolfenden Market, Hordriss’s daughter, Sidriss, was out shopping, with the unwilling help of Elita, the cavern elf.

  “Erm, now, what did Father want me to get?” Sidriss pondered. “Was it three bottles of toad juice and one jar of sulphur, or three jars of sulphur and one bottle of toad juice?”

Elita rolled her eyes and was about to let fly with some sarcastic barb, but managed to restrain herself by reminding herself that it was just such an act that had caused Hordriss to place the spell on her that compelled her to help Sidriss for a day, whether she wanted to or not.

  “Try thinking… I know it’s hard for you, but try,” the cavern elf seethed under her breath.

The two made their way across the market square, and came across Honesty Bartram flogging his wares to a gathered crowd. Sidriss and Elita joined in to see what the peddler had to offer.

  “Roll up, ladies and gentlemen, roll up and view some of the finest quality stock on offer in Wolfenden today!” Honesty Bartram cried loudly. “Here, for example, is a one hundred per cent guaranteed – guaranteed, I mark you - stormgeist repellent!”

He held up an object that looked like he may have simply cobbled it together himself. It was some sort of wooden frame with witch amber hanging from it. Elita took one look at this object and rolled her eyes.

  “Bartram, that’s not going to repel a stormgeist!” Elita declared. “It’s more likely to attract angry fireball-throwing witches wanting to get back their stolen amber!”

Bartram shot the elf maiden a dirty look, and said in his usual slimily charming way, “I do hope, Miss Elita, you’re not suggesting that I half-inched this amber from one of those charming Grey Sisters?”

Before this conversation could go any further, Bartram became aware of a low buzzing from with in his robes. He sighed, and reluctantly put down the supposed stormgeist repellent. He apologised to the crowed, saying that he had some business elsewhere, and made a hasty exit down an alleyway. Sidriss and Elita watched him go.

  “He’s up to something… I think,” said Sidriss.

  “Of course he is, pea brain!” Elita snapped. “He’s the Opposition’s pet trader; his master’s probably just given a tug on the lead and now Bartram’s gone scampering to him like some sort of poodle!”

  “Then Lord Fear could be up to something!” Sidriss realised. “Let’s go and see if we can find out what.”

Before Elita could protest, Sidriss had grabbed her hand and set off after Bartram, who was now standing in the shadows of a doorway in the alley, receiving his instructions from Lord Fear.

  “Right you are, squire! I just go to the edge of the Forest of Dunn and the Goblin Master will meet me there, and if he’s not there I’m to wait for him,” Bartram grinned, as he repeated his instructions back to Lord Fear, thinking that this sounded a simple way to get back into his master’s good books.

  “Correct, Bartram. A simple task, which even you couldn’t muck up! Well, don’t just stand there grinning. GET MOVING!” Lord Fear bellowed.

  “Oh, right you are, your Lordship.”

Bartram deactivated the spyglass and set off for the Forest of Dunn, unaware that not just the Goblin Master was waiting for him, but also a blast from the past! Bartram was even more unaware of the two figures who were following him rather haphazardly, and all three parties were unaware of the danger into which they were now walking, and of the monstrous assassin that had concealed itself along the path that ran through the Forest of Dunn.

Well, readers, things are certainly building up to an exciting conclusion, particularly with Sidriss and Elita thrown into the mix. If your curiosity, like mine, is in need of satisfaction, come back next time for the sixth (and definitely final this time) chapter of Richard’s gripping story.