Lottie and the Land of Dofstram: The Return

Lottie and the Land of Dofstram

The Return

MA Haggerty

Smashwords Edition

Copyright ©MA Haggerty, April 2012

First published in England, 2010

Published by Memoirs

Memoirs Books

25 Market Place, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 2NX

info@memoirsbooks.co.uk

www.memoirspublishing.com

ISBN 978-1-909020-18-4

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of Memoirs.

Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this book was correct when going to press, we do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. The views expressed in this book are purely the author’s.

Contents

Foreword

Lottie and the Land of Dofstram – Summary of Book One

Chapter 1 The call of Dofstram

Chapter 2 A battle remembered

Chapter 3 Capture and rescue

Chapter 4 A visitor in disguise

Chapter 5 Crocanthus

Chapter 6 A meeting in the park

Chapter 7 A visit to Jeremy

Chapter 8 Beauty to the rescue

Chapter 9 The black mass

Chapter 10 Terror in the library

Chapter 11 Penny in danger

Chapter 12 Turning the tables

Chapter 13 Trouble with Ms Beckett

Chapter 14 Imelda and Zanus

Chapter 15 Imelda shows her powers

Chapter 16 Battle plans

Chapter 17 A warning for the King

Chapter 18 Danger in the Forbidden Wood

Chapter 19 To the castle

Chapter 20 Crocanthus returns

Chapter 21 Council of war

Chapter 22 Lottie learns the truth

Chapter 23 An unwelcome visitor

Chapter 24 Departure for Dofstram

Chapter 25 By royal appointment

Foreword

When my children were small I used to make up stories, but never got round to writing them down. The story of Lottie started out as a one-off book for my grandchildren, but the more deeply I became involved with the characters the more the story progressed, until it had developed into a trilogy.

Finally, encouraged by my family, I agreed to publish the books.

—M A Haggerty

Facebook: MAHaggerty

Twitter: @MAHaggerty

Lottie and the Land of Dofstram

Book One the first volume in the Lottie trilogy

When cave explorers David and Jayne Montmerencie find themselves in the magical land of Dofstram, they little realise what terrible dangers they face.

David is drawn to a peculiar orange stone which he finds sealed within a rock, which turns out to have magical powers, and communicates with David telepathically. The stone guides them to Castle Urbone, the home of Dofstram’s legitimate rulers, King Alfreston and Queen Matilda. Here David and Jayne learn of the terrible war that has consumed Dofstram, thanks to the determination of the evil Zanus to seize power.

They vow to help the King. But in a savage battle they are captured by the evil Zanuthians and held captive in the dungeons, where they learn that their daughter Lottie has been betrayed by someone from their own land who has told Zanus of her existence.

Back home, Lottie works in a library with her friends and colleagues Penny Barker and Peter Martindale. Soon she and her friends are in great danger. Fortunately Lottie has her two talking pets, Allsorts the dog and Scruffy the cat, to guard her, and she soon comes under the protection of a wise man from Dofstram called DaVendall and his friends. However Lottie’s greatest safeguard is her magical sea-horse brooch, Beauty, which was carved by by her father from the enchanted stone he found in Dofstram.

Lottie and her friends soon find they need all the help Beauty, Allsorts, Scruffy and DaVendall can give them in their battle against the traitors who would capture her and her magical stone. Finding their way to Dofstram, Lottie and Penny find themselves facing the terrors of Zanus and his troops and the witch-crone Imelda.

After many adventures Lottie and Penny leave Dofstram, determined to return as soon as they can to release the prisoners held in the tower and free the land from terror.

Chapter One

The call of Dofstram

Waking early after a somewhat disturbed night, Lottie found her thoughts full of her visit to Dofstram. What would happen to those poor prisoners being held in that dreadful dungeon? How long would it be before they could return?

Trying to shake these concerns from her mind, Lottie slid out of bed, put on her dressing gown and made her way towards the landing.

Passing the bathroom door, she was somewhat surprised to hear her friend Penny singing a familiar tune. She smiled to herself and called out, ‘Good morning Penny. Did you sleep well? I’m just going downstairs to feed the animals’.

As she stepped on to the second stair, she heard a muffled reply coming from the bathroom. She continued downstairs to find her beloved cat and dog waiting eagerly at the bottom.

‘Good morning Scruffy, good morning Allsorts,’ she said. ‘I bet you’re waiting for your breakfast!’

Wasting no time in getting to the kitchen, she started sorting out their food. Then she placed a bowl of cat food in front of Scruffy and one of dog food in front of Allsorts and stood looking on as they gently ate their food.

With the animals fed, Lottie set about putting the kettle on, ready to make tea. To Lottie, this was the best drink of the day. She stood looking out of the window at the frosty white-tipped shrubs and the birds hopping beneath them. They brought to mind her parents. Early autumn had been their favourite time of the year.

For just a moment, she had the feeling that they were close by. Lost in her thoughts, she could see her father gently brushing off the frost and pruning the dead leaves as her mother placed food on the bird table, waiting as she always did to see what birds would come first.

Now she could see herself as a youngster, running happily between father and mother. She remained content with these thoughts until the sound of the kettle bubbling behind her brought her back to the present. Her feelings of contentment shaded into apprehension.

Unaware that her pets were observing the varying expressions pass over her face as each memory passed through, she surprised them both by starting to hum a merry tune as she set about filling the teapot. Placing the mugs on the table, Lottie tried to curb her negative feelings. Now she was pouring too much water into the teapot.

‘Oh gosh!’ she cried. ‘What a silly billy.’ Taking hold of the nearest cloth, Lottie began mopping up the spilt water. As she finished clearing up the mess, with humour in her voice she reprimanded herself. ‘Come along Lottie, pay attention or you’ll never get the tea made!’

Neither of the animals made a comment, but they smiled at her words and went back to finishing their breakfast. When they were content and with full stomachs, Allsorts commented telepathically, ‘Lottie seems happy today, eh Scruffy?’

‘Seems like it,’ replied Scruffy, as he continued washing his paws. Just then Lottie casually asked, ‘Is everything all right boys? Have you had enough to eat?’ Settling herself at the table, and pouring the tea into the mugs, Scruffy replied, ‘Yes thank you, Lottie, a sentiment which was quickly echoed by Allsorts.

Taking a sip of the hot tea, Lottie was a little surprised to hear Allsorts say, ‘You seem happy today Lottie, any special reason?’

‘Oh, just going over a few happy memories, Allsorts’ she told him in a vacant voice. Twisting the hot mug round in her hands, she took another couple of sips of the hot tea and found herself starting to think of Dofstram.

Her thoughts were on the unknown husband and wife who had rescued her magical sea horse charm Beauty. With her imagination working overtime, she tried to imagine what it must have been like to wander into an unknown land and discover that it was being fought over by two brutal races of people. Her thoughts began churning over what she’d been told about the couple.

Lottie suddenly blurted out, ‘I do wish someone would tell us who those mystery helpers were. I wonder what the big secret is. Why will no one talk about them?’

She suddenly realised that Penny’s mug was still on the table and it had gone cold. Jumping up from the table, she hastily set about making a fresh pot, poured a fresh mug of tea, and took it upstairs to her friend’s room. On reaching the top of the stairs she almost collided with Penny as she came out from the bathroom.

‘Oops, nearly spilt your tea’ said Lottie.

‘Ooh, is that for me?’ asked Penny, taking the offered mug. She took a sip of the hot tea. ‘I really needed that. Mmm!’

‘I’m just going to sort out what to wear, then take a shower,’ said Lottie.

‘Right,’ replied Penny. ‘Sorry Lottie, I haven’t even wished you good morning. Well, I’m doing it now. Good morning Lottie, did you sleep well?’

Chuckling, Lottie replied in a cheerful tone, ‘You really are a one Penny, we’ve already done that bit!’

‘Oh, have we?’ said Penny in a dreamy voice. ‘I can’t remember what we said earlier. My mind is still filled with our visit to Dofstram. It really is the most amazing place, isn’t it?’

Still rambling about Dofstram, she made her way back to her bedroom, leaving Lottie shaking her head in amusement.

Bringing herself back to business, Lottie went into her bedroom and began sorting out her clothes for the day. Finally she stood back, feeling satisfied with her choice, then, heading for the bathroom, she called out, ‘Just going for a quick shower, then I’ll be down to do breakfast.’

‘Right,’ called Penny. ‘I’ll start the breakfast if you like.’

‘I think I started to set the table, but somehow I got distracted and never finished,’ replied Lottie. ‘Toast and coffee will be fine.’ Closing the bathroom door, Lottie failed to hear Penny’s reply - ‘Is that all?’

Penny felt guilty for not having contacted her parents. She decided she would do it immediately after breakfast. She knew why she was stalling, and hoped she’d find the right words to explain about their sudden visit to Dofstram. Like Lottie, she wondered how long it would be before they would return. Satisfied in her own mind that she was ready to help free the prisoners, Penny wasn’t so sure about the fighting.

Unaware that their friend DaVendall had already visited her parents, Penny reassured herself that after breakfast was soon enough. She confidently made her way downstairs and into the kitchen. Bidding a cheery good morning to the animals, she placed the bread in the toaster and flicked the switch on the kettle.

‘Good morning, Penny. Did you sleep well?’ asked Scruffy.

‘You know what, Scruffy, I had one of the best nights ever,’ said Penny to the cat. Then in a more humorous voice she added, ‘Perhaps I should visit your land more often.’

Wanting to make sure breakfast was ready for when Lottie came downstairs; Penny replaced the teapot with the coffee pot. She was just checking the toast when Allsorts asked, ‘How are you really feeling this morning, Penny?’

Penny was surprised by the question. ‘Fine Allsorts, just fine,’ she replied. ‘As I said, I had a wonderful sleep, and now I’ve had a lovely warm shower to set me up for the day. And anything those awful uglies want to throw our way.’

Seeing the amused glint in Allsort’s eyes, Penny found herself humming the same cheerful tune she’d been humming in the shower. She set about removing the bread from the toaster and replaced it with another couple of slices. Occupied with the toaster, she hadn’t noticed Lottie entering the kitchen, which caused her to jump when she heard her friend say, ‘You certainly sound cheerful this morning. Wasn’t that the same tune you were humming in the bathroom earlier?’

Removing a chair from under the table, Penny said, ‘I suppose so. That’s one of my mum’s favourite tunes, I guess it must have come into my head. Is breakfast ready?’

‘All ready, and yes I am feeling extremely cheerful this morning,’ said Penny, recovering herself. ‘As I told these two here, I had a wonderful sleep and a warm calming shower, so I’m ready for anything that might happen today.’

‘Don’t say that Penny, I don’t want anything to happen,’ said Lottie nervously.

‘Toast and coffee is the order of the morning, if I remember correctly?’ said Penny.

‘That’s correct,’ replied Lottie. Then, turning to her pets, she added, ‘Good morning again boys, have you each had enough to eat?’

‘You’ve already asked us that once, Lottie,’ replied Scruffy.

‘Yes thank you, we really have had enough.’ Allsorts added, ‘These two ladies must be feeling somewhat happy at going to our land.’

‘Is that why you were so preoccupied when you gave us our breakfast?’ Scruffy asked in a soft voice.

‘Not just that, Scruffy. I had a passing memory of my parents when I looked out at the frost on the ground. This was always their favourite time of the year,’ Lottie replied softly. ‘But let’s not get carried away with my memories. I guess I’m still trying to come to grips with visiting your land.’

Hearing a gentle voice calling her name, Lottie remembered she hadn’t been to collect her magical brooch, Beauty. She hastily pushed her chair back and made her way to the living room, missing the look of concern that passed between her pets. Beauty, sensing the turmoil Lottie was experiencing, called out, ‘Good morning, Lottie. Is everything all right?’

Lottie removed the delicate sea-horse-shaped brooch from the arm of the sofa. ‘Good morning, Beauty. I think I’m all right’ she replied. Pinning her brooch on to her cardigan, Beauty asked gently, ‘Did you sleep well?’

‘I was a little restless to start with, but it didn’t last long before I dropped off to sleep,’ Lottie told her, checking to make sure Beauty was safely attached to her cardigan. Having settled herself back at the breakfast table, Penny surprised them all by asking, ‘Can we talk about our visit to your land?’

Lottie took a bite of her toast and a sip of coffee. She knew she’d like to talk about their visit as well, hoping her friends would tell them about the husband and wife who had come to the rescue of Beauty. Unable to hide the excitement in her voice, Lottie answered without any hesitation, ‘Yes, lets. We said we’d discuss it. What do you say, Beauty?’ Smiling at the two ladies and giving the animals a crafty wink, Beauty gave a gentle murmur of agreement.

‘Why don’t you start, Lottie, with us adding in the bits you miss?’ she said. Seeing Penny give a nod in agreement, Lottie said, ‘I really don’t know where to start, it was all so magical.’ She paused for a moment, looking at the expectant faces looking towards her.

‘I think I should start with the grandfather clock,’ she said.

‘What an amazing and beautiful clock. I’m not surprised Frances wanted to buy it.’ Then, realising she’d strayed from the subject, she continued, ‘When I saw Moff open the pendulum door I couldn’t help wondering how we were all going to fit in. Didn’t you Penny?’

Absorbed in listening to Lottie’s account of the grandfather clock, Penny excitedly replied, ‘I absolutely agree, especially after seeing DaVendall and Allsorts disappear almost as soon as they stepped into the clock. I do have to admit I was a bit scared, but that soon went and excitement took over. I was desperate to follow them. I thought what the heck. I knew, Allsorts would be around if I needed any help.’

‘That’s funny, Penny, I was feeling the same thing,’ said Lottie. ‘I just knew we were in safe hands, or paws!’ Seeing the grins on the animals’ faces, she added, ‘It’s all right for you boys to smile, don’t forget we’ve never seen anything like that. It was like entering a vortex of beautiful lights. The colours and patterns were just fantastic. It was so beautiful and bright, just like an enormous kalei…’ But before Lottie could finish, Penny interrupted in an excited voice, ‘That’s exactly what I thought. It was like being in one big massive kaleidoscope. Sorry Lottie, I didn’t mean to interrupt, but I’m so excited at going to Dofstram. It is such a beautiful place!’

‘I know exactly what you mean, Penny. It took me a while to take in how different, Moff, looked in his own land. Very debonair,’ Lottie wistfully added.

‘I’ve never seen so many different colours and shapes, all rolling around together,’ said Penny. ‘But then when we reached the bottom I was really taken by surprise. Seeing those smaller people with their pikestaffs, I thought at first they weren’t going to let us enter. At one time I thought, oh oh, into a cooking pot we go.’ They all joined in laughing when Scruffy asked, ‘Why a cooking pot, Penny?’

‘I don’t know, just thinking about some of the books I’d read I suppose,’ Penny said in a quiet voice, wishing she’d kept that bit to herself. Then, seeing the funny side of it, she joined in with the laughter.

‘Thank goodness you weren’t right,’ joked Allsorts. ‘I wonder who would be the unlucky one to get a hairy paw.’

Lottie said in a thoughtful tone, ‘There are lots of things about Dofstram that are beautiful, but I think the nicest is being able to talk to the animals and birds, knowing they can talk back.’ After a moments thought she added, ‘It even appeared the flowers had a language of their own. They seemed to greet everyone with a gentle nod of their heads.’

With elbows on the table and her hands supporting her chin, Penny was totally absorbed in what Lottie was saying, and wondered why she’d stopped. She suddenly realised that they were waiting for her to respond to Lottie’s last remark.

‘Er, sorry I was just doing a little dreaming of my own. But I do agree with everything Lottie has said. Dofstram is the most magical place.’ With a slight change of tone, she added with a tremor in her voice, ‘But what about those awful ugly enormous black birds? Those terrible shrieking cries, and the spiteful beaks. They really scared me!’

Listening to their chatter, Beauty winked at the animals and gave them a warm, knowing smile. When they realised Penny was talking about Zanus’ birds, the smile went from their faces and they paid keen attention to what Penny was saying.

‘They were horrible, weren’t they, and so scary! I don’t know why, but I’m sure I’ve heard that screeching noise before. I wish I could remember where.’ Pausing for a moment as her thoughts filled with the sound of the black birds, she tried desperately to recall where she’d heard the noise before. Frustrated at not being able to remember, she heard Lottie say, ‘Don’t force it Penny, it’ll come back to you when you least expect it. You know what I thought this morning, when will we be likely to return to Dofstram?’

Lottie waited to see if Beauty or one of her pets would tell them, but she soon realised that none of them were going to give her an answer. Disappointed, she added, ‘I don’t think it will be as pleasant as our visit last night.’ She looked at her pets and then across to Penny, hoping that this time one of them would say something, but as before, no one was giving any answers. Frustrated, and a little annoyed at their lack of response, Lottie turned her attention to Beauty, snug under her cardigan.

‘I’m right, Beauty, aren’t I?’ she asked. ‘You don’t think it will be as pleasant?’ Hearing the wary tone in Lottie’s voice brought a moment of silence as each pondered on what the possible forthcoming visit would entail. Beauty, having sensed the frustration in Lottie, gently replied, ‘I’m afraid you could be right, Lottie. That’s why DaVendall must be sure everything is in place before we return.’

Glancing round at his friends and taking in what Beauty had said, Allsorts noticed their facial expressions seemed to be reflecting similar concerns to his own. ‘I have to agree with what has been said. I too am aware that our return to Dofstram will not be as pleasant as our previous visit. DaVendall has one or two things to do here, then we will be able to return.’

Before he could say any more, Beauty gave a little cough and said, ‘As you know I have since spoken to Queen Matilda. We know King Alfreston took many of his troops to help the Outlanders fight off the Zanuthians and the Gorgonians. We just have to hope this is accomplished and that they return safely.’

With what Beauty had said, and the echoing response from Allsorts, Penny and Lottie couldn’t help giving each other worrying looks, which made Penny say cautiously, ‘I too hope they all return safely, Beauty. Will you be able to ask Queen Matilda if they have?’

‘I will hear from Matilda shortly, Penny, then I can let you know,’ Beauty assured them all.

‘I can’t help wondering how you manage to talk to anyone in Dofstram when you’re here in our land,’ said Penny.

‘Not too difficult to explain, Penny. I open my mind and free it of all other thoughts, then I’m able to channel my mind to whoever it is I wish to speak to,’ Beauty told her, with a hint of amusement in her voice.

‘Well I still find it hard to understand how you can communicate from one land to another,’ Penny said stubbornly. With only a smile from Beauty, Penny knew she’d have to accept Beauty’s answer. Meanwhile, Beauty had begun picking up the concerns that were affecting them all. Wanting to reassure them as best as she could, in a calm and quiet voice she said, ‘I’ve sensed your concerns, but do try not to worry too much.’ Shocked to hear Beauty’s comment, Lottie shyly said, ‘I still find it amazing how you, and my pets, are able to pick up what we are thinking. Allsorts has often surprised me by responding to a thought or concern.’

‘We can only do that when a thought becomes quite strong. We can’t just pop into anyone’s mind whenever we think we will,’ Allsorts explained.

Smiling at her dog in response to this explanation, Lottie surprised them all by asking the same question that had been asked earlier: ‘I wonder how long it will be before we can return?’

Hesitating before finishing her sentence, she spoke in a voice just above a whisper. ‘There’s one thing I can’t help wondering. Who are the mystery couple, the ones whose names are never mentioned?’

Feeling all their eyes were on her, Lottie shifted self- consciously on her chair, quietly hoping that one of her friends would give her the answer. Penny, taking in Lottie’s wistful voice, echoed it with her own thoughts, then said in a cautious voice, ‘I’ve often wondered that too, Lottie. It seems odd the way everyone keeps quiet about who they are.’

Looking round and waiting to see if anyone would respond, Penny added, ‘I might add that there is one person who really scared me, and that was that awful brute Zanus. I can’t think when I’ve ever seen such an ugly, dirty person as him. As for having the cheek to stomp his way to King Alfreston, I just wished those lions had chewed him up.’

As she finished speaking, Penny noticed her companions were looking at her and quietly laughing.

‘What’s so funny?’ She asked indignantly.

‘Penny, you’re like a breath of fresh air,’ said Beauty in an amused voice.

‘Why?’ asked Penny, ‘I’m only saying what I think. That man is ugly and dirty, and I still wish you’d left those lions to eat him up!’ She gave them one of her cheeky grins. Her friends knew their feelings weren’t far from hers.

‘Good for you, Penny, is what I say’ said Scruffy, wiping his whiskers dry from tears of laughter. ‘Good for you.’

‘I must say I agree with you, Scruffy’ added Allsorts. ‘On a more serious note, Penny, much as Beauty might have liked to have done what you suggested, she had to think about what would have happened if she had let the lions eat Zanus.’

Penny paused for a moment before saying in a determined voice, ‘I think we should go back as soon as possible and help to get any prisoner in his cells free.’

As she stopped speaking, Penny wondered if she’d been too outspoken. She noticed how attentive Scruffy and Allsorts had become. Waiting for one of them to comment, she was surprised to hear Lottie say, ‘Is it possible that these people, the ones with no names, might be some of the unlucky ones held in his cell?’ Without waiting for Scruffy or Allsorts to respond, Beauty answered, ‘It could indeed be a possibility.’ She soon realised that they were waiting for her to complete what she was going to say. ‘For some time now I’ve been having difficulty in breaking through the protective cover which Imelda has surrounded Zanus’ tower’ she went on. ‘Up until now I have never had any trouble breaking through any of her coverings. But I fear that as a result of my capture, I might have unknowingly given her some of my power, and she’s using this to prevent me from breaking through.’

Wondering if she should say what was in her thoughts, Beauty hesitated before slowly and gently adding, ‘Perhaps, with a little assistance, I might eventually be able to break through the cover.’

Lottie took another bite of her toast. She wondered what

Beauty was implying.

‘What kind of assistance, Beauty?’ she murmured.

‘That’s something I’m hoping to discover. In time I will know if this is possible.’

‘I’m not sure I really understand what you’ve just said,’ answered Lottie. ‘Is it something to do with these mystery people? If it is, is there anything you can tell us about them, Beauty?’

Taking a moment before responding to Lottie’s question, Beauty answered in her gentle, melodious voice, ‘There is very little I can tell about them Lottie. But l do know this is something

DaVendall would like to discuss at the right time.’

A hushed silence filled the kitchen, each one taking a momentary glance at each other. Beauty and the animals sensed the same thought was going through their minds. Then out of the blue, Penny spoke.

‘I wonder if we’ll have anything to do with the Old Witch, or the Outlanders?’ she said.

Startled, Scruffy gave a throat-clearing cough which gained their attention. ‘I know you will meet the Outlanders’ he said.

‘They are a gentle race of people who cultivate the land, but they are not afraid to fight for their country. I hope you never get involved with the, Old Crone.’

Lottie couldn’t stop herself from saying, ‘Wow, Scruffy, you sounded a little nervous at the mention of this old woman. Have you ever come across her? I do hope we’ll be able to help with freeing the prisoners. I just hope we don’t let King Alfreston down.’

Recalling the many friends who’d been caught by Imelda, and knowing many had subsequently been tortured to death, Scruffy whispered, ‘Imelda is indeed someone to fear.’ Taking a glance at Beauty, he telepathically asked, ‘Please try and explain how cruel and evil she is.’

Realising this was still a painful memory for Scruffy, Beauty gave him a nod to confirm she would do what he asked. Gaining their attention, Beauty started to explain why she is feared.

‘Imelda is someone to fear greatly. After sealing me in the boulder, she used many cruel things to try and withdraw my powers. Needless to say, there were times when I failed to prevent her attempts. As a result, she can use what powers she extracted from me to enhance her own. That’s how she has managed to shield Zanus’ tower, which has prevented me from gaining access to any telepathic prisoner’s thoughts. On one occasion, she pierced me with a hot poker. I can only presume that this was an attempt to cut me in half, but thankfully she failed.

‘If I remember correctly, she’d been called upon by Zanus to create some other creatures, what for I have never found out. The one joyous memory at that time was the arrival of the ones who eventually rescued me.’

With the memory of that painful time coming to the forefront of her mind, Beauty could hear herself faltering over the last few words. Noticing the concern on their faces, Beauty drew herself together and continued, ‘She created a potion to stop any animal or creature belonging to Zanus from talking. The only exception was his spy birds. I can only guess he needs them to tell him about all movements of others in Dofstram. Many of the unfortunate ones captured inside the wood are either kept for experimenting on or made into zombie-like creatures, with which Zanus and Sizan decorate the walls of their towers. No one is really sure how Zanus and she became close, but their union increased when Zanus went to her for help in getting rid of his father, Zanus the Elder.’

Looking across at Lottie, Penny could see her friend’s expression had changed from one of concern to one of fear. Thinking she would try to ease Lottie’s fear, Penny said in a cheerful voice, ‘I guess we’ll have to hope we don’t come in contact with any of these horrible people. But one thing I am certain of Lottie, we won’t let the King down. We’ll all stick together.’

She waited for a response, and felt disappointed when none came.

‘Now, with regard to DaVendall, there’s a mystery man for you. Did you notice how he managed to avoid answering many of our questions?’ Penny asked quietly. ‘I wonder what he’s hiding?’

Stunned at what Penny had said, they sat looking at each other. Beauty suddenly gave a quiet laugh.

‘So Penny, you think DaVendall’s a mystery man. I think he’d quite like that description. Don’t you agree fellas?’

Scruffy and Allsorts could only join in with Beauty’s laughter and nod in agreement with her. Some time later, the laughter gone, Scruffy asked with a smile, ‘What do you think Lottie. Is he a mystery man?’

Not only had Lottie been amused at Penny’s description of DaVendall, she was somewhat surprised by the direct question Scruffy had asked. Looking across at her pets, she saw the expectant expressions on their faces. Dragging her thoughts away from Dofstram and concentrating on DaVendall, Lottie considered the best way to answer Scruffy’s question.

‘Sorry, my thoughts were still in Dofstram. I haven’t really thought about DaVendall being a mystery man. I’ve almost come to accept he knows when I need help. Then he appears and disappears without a sound. But I don’t know if I’d call him a mystery man.’

In a wistful voice she added, ‘There is one curious thing that has crossed my mind. Does he know who these mystery people are?’ Looking at her pets and her brooch, Lottie wondered if it was her imagination, or did she see a look of alarm pass over their faces?

Although she was aware that this was a subject her friends were not keen on discussing, Lottie couldn’t stop herself from saying warily, ‘I wonder if these people really do come from this land? If they do, I wonder if Penny or I might know them.’ Pausing to take a breath, she heard Penny say in an incredulous voice, ‘This is a big country, Lottie. I shouldn’t think it’s anyone we’re likely to know.’

Having heard Penny’s response, Lottie couldn’t think of an immediate answer, as a shadow of doubt had now crept into her thoughts. Not wanting to get into a long discussion on a subject she knew no one could or would answer, Lottie turned her attention to the discussion they had been having earlier.

‘I remember the very first time DaVendall appeared, don’t you, Allsorts?’ she suddenly said. Not giving Allsorts time to reply, she continued, ‘He appeared out of the blue in my car. I was driving home from work when those two men started to scare me. At the time I had no idea what their problem was, I just wanted to get away from them before they could harm Allsorts or me. I must have been more scared than I thought, because the next thing I knew, DaVendall appeared on the passenger seat next to me. I do know that at the time I was grateful someone was able to stop them from harming us. It was only when I reached home that I realised I had no idea who DaVendall was, or how he’d got into my car.’

Recalling the image of DaVendall sitting beside her, it still surprised her how calmly she’d taken his arrival. But even then, she could feel there was something about him that stopped her from being afraid.

As if to confirm her thoughts, she said, ‘I guess he must have used some kind of magic.’ Taking in the amused expression on their faces, Lottie noticed how they’d fallen back into discussing Dofstram, with each one relaying episodes of the recent visit.

With Allsorts and Scruffy joining in and describing some of their adventures, they failed to notice Beauty wasn’t giving her full attention. Beauty was anxiously recalling Lottie’s comment earlier with regard to Jayne and David, which made her even more certain that DaVendall should reveal who they were, and as soon as possible.

Bringing her attention back to her companions, it was with some relief she heard Penny say, ‘Well, that at least is something we can all agree on. We need to return to Dofstram as soon as possible.’ Remembering what Lottie and she had agreed on, Penny added, ‘Don’t forget Lottie, we said we would learn some sign language before returning. Even if it’s only enough to understand and return their greetings.’ She turned her attention to Allsorts and Scruffy. ‘Perhaps you’d help us with this?’ she said cheekily.

‘I remember,’ said Lottie. ‘When we go to work on Monday we’ll sort out some sign language books. No doubt we’ll get some wrong, but with the help of these two they’ll soon correct us. Listening to the cheerful banter as Lottie and Penny discussed the fun they’d have in practising sign language brought to Scruffy’s mind the fun he’d had learning the language. Assuring them of their assistance, Allsorts noticed the determined look on their faces.

‘I can see some very amusing evenings ahead, eh Penny?’ said Lottie.

‘I think so too, but at least if we do it together we can enjoy it,’ Penny replied in a somewhat vacant voice.

While they’d been discussing this topic, Penny was thinking about her friend Peter, who she worked with at the library. Why she’d thought of him at that moment she couldn’t think, but she wondered if they should tell him about their visit.

In a strained voice, just above a whisper, Penny asked, ‘Should we tell Peter we’ve been to Dofstram? Remember he was brought to my house by DaVendall and was told about it.’ Lottie thought for a moment before replying, ‘I’m not sure, what do you think, Allsorts?’

‘I think we should. Remember DaVendall did ask him to help protect, you and Penny. I think it would only be fair he’s told,’ Allsorts replied slowly. Again, Beauty found she was only half listening to the discussion. Her mind was on a different subject - how to discover if Lottie had inherited her father’s ability to join minds with her.

Unaware that someone else had homed in on her thoughts, Beauty was surprised to hear Scruffy say telepathically, ‘I’m sure she will have. As you learned with David, something will happen which will give you confirmation.’ Taking a moment to absorb Scruffy’s comment, and continuing with telepathy, Beauty added, ‘It’s a relief to know they’ve realised their next visit won’t be so pleasant. However, I think that after seeing and hearing Zanus for themselves they are aware of the dangers we all face. He certainly made sure Matilda and Alfreston knew he wasn’t about to submit to them as his father did.’

Considering for a moment what Beauty had said, Allsorts couldn’t resist entering the telepathic conversation. ‘I only hope we’re in time to save some of the prisoners’ he said. ‘But we mustn’t forget the battle that’s going on between the Outlanders and Gorgonians.’

Scruffy quietly added, ‘I agree with you, Allsorts. There is another awful question, how many prisoners are being held? And who are they? We know Alfreston has gone with troops to assist the Outlanders. Knowing that the Gorgonians have once again joined forces with the Zanuthians, we know it will be a ruthless and bloody battle.’ Remembering previously-fought battles, it was a surprise to hear Scruffy say, ‘I have great difficulty in not letting slip what I know of David and Jayne. There are times I feel very guilty, but knowing DaVendall’s request to leave it for him to inform Lottie, I for one don’t envy him.’

‘Before we continue with this conversation, may I suggest we move into the living room?’ Beauty asked. They left the kitchen and went into the living room. Taking up their usual positions they settled down and waited for Beauty to continue.

With the thoughtful voice of Scruffy commenting on Lottie’s parents, Beauty and Allsorts realised that they often had the same thoughts. At that moment, Allsorts’ thoughts were turning back to when he had last seen David and Jayne, leaving him deaf to what his nearby companions were discussing.

* * *

Now Allsorts was travelling back to Dofstram, and to his other identity, that of the brave warrior, Pointer. At the memory of the recent battle involving the Gorgonians and the Zanuthians, he felt his body flinch. Again he saw all the true and loyal friends who had fallen victim to the enemy. The sight of his friend’s bodies strewn over the battleground and the blood running freely on the ground still filled him with hatred for his enemies. He knew that the memory of this would stay with him for a very long time.

As his thoughts went deeper he was seeing the clouds of dust in the distance as clearly now in his mind as it had been on the day. With the voice of Drewan, the King’s Chief Scout, echoing in his thoughts, Allsorts recalled the same fear he had had then.

‘God help us! Not content to fight us with the aid of his demon birds, he’s brought in the Gorgonians!’ Drewan shouted. Pointer had become aware of Drewan’s words when the sound of frightened voices travelled around the barricade. Watching the clouds of dust draw near, he remembered hearing Rouand, Leader of King Alfreston’s troops, order many of the troops to help with preparing the weaker areas around the barricade.

Recalling the hastily-built barricade the Outlanders had struggled to complete, it was a relief to all when they saw how it had become a better line of defence. Up until then, many, including the Outlanders, had wondered how long these particular parts of the barricade would keep the enemy from gaining entry. Concentrating his thoughts on his friends, Pointer had known many of his friends would not come through this attack. This thought brought to mind the bravery of these people as they stood armed with a variety of weapons.

David summoned the women and some of the less injured folk to help prepare more buckets of boiling tar. Pointer knew how weak some of them were, but he noticed they wasted no time in getting busy with David’s request.

Soon after that, Pointer noticed how once again they were strategically placed inside the barricade. As soon as the order was given, the buckets of boiling liquid were flung over. This brought a sense of relief to many when they saw the devastating effect it had on the enemy as they tried to advance. With many of the troops and archers lined up on the balustrades at the top of the barricade, it wasn’t long before the King ordered the archers to release their arrows. It was then that the image of David reappeared, bringing to mind the question of Lottie being told who the mystery people are. Pushing that thought to one side, Pointer’s thoughts turned once more to the battle.

The feeling of nervousness that filled the air was soon confirmed when Rouand finally succeeded in gaining his attention. ‘It’s a harder and bloodier fight this time,’ said Rouand. Hearing the anxiety in his voice, Pointer sensed that many others were having the same thoughts. Rouand surprised him by adding, ‘Especially as Zanus has once again managed to secure Sizan and his Gorgonian brutes. I wonder what he’s offered as a reward this time?’

Alfreston called out, ‘Scan the area, there are dust clouds coming closer to the barricades. Archers prepare for attack.’ Sensing David’s struggle to control his nerves, Pointer quickly realised this was a result of Jayne’s position along the barricade. Making his way down to where she had stood, he remembered the shaking voice of Jayne asking, ‘Will we be able to hold them off?’

He placed a paw on her arm in the hope that it would give her some reassurance. He hoped it was his reassuring touch that had given her that little bit of extra courage to scan over the walls with her sword poised ready. He was fully aware that Jayne knew only too well what the Zanuthians and the Gorgonians were capable of, as she and David had been held prisoner by Zanus for a long time.

* * *

As his memories continued, Allsorts released an occasional groan, much to the distress of Lottie. Wondering if he was in pain, Lottie couldn’t help but ask, ‘Do you think we should bring him out of his thoughts? I fear something might be worrying him.’

Aware of what his memories were about, Beauty waited a moment before replying, ‘Allsorts is all right Lottie. He’s reliving some painful memories.’

‘Should we give him a nudge out of it, Beauty?’ asked a solemn Penny, feeling something ought to be done.

‘I think we’ll leave him for a moment. If he becomes any more disturbed we can bring him back to the present,’ replied Beauty gently.

Not sure she was happy with that idea, Penny sat back, secretly wishing Allsorts would come out of his thoughts.

‘Will going back to Dofstram mean Allsorts would be dragging up even more disturbing memories?’ Penny asked.

‘Oh no my dear, Allsorts is remembering his last encounter with the enemy,’ Beauty told her in a gentle voice. Without disturbing Allsorts, they continued talking, while still keeping a wary eye on him.

Allsorts remained lost to his thoughts, unaware of all this. His memories of his life as Pointer were as vivid to him as if the events were still taking place.

Chapter Two

A battle remembered

Deep in his dream, Pointer was still back on the battlefield. He heard the sound of Zanus bellowing, ‘Attack, attack!’, quickly followed by the almost unintelligible voice of Sizan shouting, ‘Kill, kill!’ Then, as they waited to see where they were to make their initial attack, the sound of thundering feet reached their ears. The trofalogues and troopers were running headlong towards the barricade. Absorbed in watching the approaching enemy, Pointer remembered Drewan’s low mutter, ‘Well my friends, this looks like it, we’d better be ready.’

Rouand called out, ‘We couldn’t go into battle with better folks than these. This isn’t the first time I’ve brought troops to help defend these lands.’ Sensing many different thoughts going through the defenders’ minds, Pointer had felt an element of apprehension as he watched the enemy drawing ever nearer to the barricades. Seeing Zanus in all his battle gear and riding hard on his black, snorting steed, he could still feel the shiver of fear making its way down his back.

Pointer looked round at his companions. He had for one moment wondered how many would survive this onslaught. But seeing Sizan fast approaching on his horse, closely followed by many of his men running behind, he dropped those thoughts and concentrated on finding a position which would offer the best defence. He, like many of the other defenders, had been shocked to see the Gorgonians approaching on monstrous beasts, the like of which they’d never seen before.

‘Good Lord! What on earth are those creatures?’ called out Drewan. ‘What devil thing has Imelda created now?’

By now many more of the defenders had seen the monsters and had felt a shudder of fear. They knew that if they wanted to save their land they’d have to fight for it, whatever creature Imelda sent. Gearing themselves for the onslaught, and with murmurings of beasts and the Old Crone’s curses echoing from person to person, they returned to their previous positions armed and ready.

Seeing that many warring groups were still assembled a little way from the barricades, Pointer recalled the horrific feeling of fear as he stared at the monstrous, misshapen beasts. He watched the awkwardness of their running and noticed how big and solid their heads were in comparison to their bodies.

An eerie silence began to fall on the defenders. Pointer had just caught Jayne’s last whispered words, ‘I can’t help wondering how many will come through this battle.’ No sooner had she finished speaking than Zanus’ coarse voice roared, ‘Attack, attack, kill all!’

The row of archers stood on the balustrades, ready to fire. Pointer heard David call out to the nearby defenders, ‘Hurry everyone, with the archers ready we need to get back to the boiling buckets.’ Within a moment, many folk had joined David and were clambering down the ladders, which they’d climbed earlier to the balustrades, to race back to where the buckets of boiling tar had been placed. Leaving the King’s troops and other helpers to place themselves strategically along the top of the barricade, they waited for the order to release the tar.

‘We’ll have to attack these monsters with everything we can,’ said David. ‘Until we discover their weaknesses we can only hope the tar will keep them at bay.’

Having watched David and Drewan waiting for their moment, Pointer had taken that opportunity to tap into David’s thoughts. ‘David, can you hear me?’ he asked. ‘How will we attack these unknown beasts?’

‘That’s a good question, I’m not too sure myself,’ replied David. ‘I’ve suggested we aim for the body. We may be able to stop a few of them, though we don’t yet know their weaknesses.’

Pointer waited for the King to give the order for the archers to fire, taking in what David had said. He wished him and his friends good luck. Then, without warning, and before the King’s order came, a volley of arrows flew over the barricades, claiming several casualties.

The King wasted no time in giving the awaited signal. He raised his arm high in the air