As they were nearing the coast Matilda signalled Cassius to stop. She pulled the map out of her pocket and opened it. There was a golden dot near the coastline so she rubbed it. A picture of the sea swirling around rocks near to shore appeared. An eel was slithering around in the swell. Matilda touched it and the eel looked up.
“Excuse me but I was wondering if you knew where the secret entrance to the pirate’s fort is?” she asked politely.
“Those vicious hooligans! Those rotten blaggards! Think they own the place,” shouted the eel. “Ought to be hung from their own yardarm. Made to walk the plank. Keelhauled.”
“Yes, all of those things,” said Matilda, “but do you know where the secret entrance is?”
‘The only decent thing they do is dump their rubbish into the sea. Not good for the ocean, mind you, but I get a few meals out of it,” the eel continued ranting.
“The secret entrance,” Matilda repeated.
The eel seemed not to hear properly. “Secret? There’s no secret about it. They just throw the stuff over the wall. Plop! Right into our homes. I might not mind so much but the other fish do. I can tell you, they are not happy,”
“No, the . . . SECRET . . . ENTRANCE!” shouted Matilda in frustration.
“Oh, the secret entrance,” answered the eel. “Why didn’t you say so. I can show it to you if you like. I sometimes go up there to listen in to their carrying-ons. Not that I’m a busybody, of course, although some fish say I am but . . . ”
“It would be wonderful if you could lead us to the secret passage,” Matilda interrupted. “We’ll be with you shortly.” And she rubbed the picture before the eel could get another word in.
“Whew!” she sighed. “I’m not looking forward to the next meeting with that eel.”
Cassius had been watching over her shoulder and was amazed.
“That map is fantastic,” he commented. “Where did you get it?”
“Oh, Maximilian always makes sure we come well prepared,” she answered with a smile. “Now let’s get to the meeting with this eel and see if we can keep its mind on track.”
The sea-scooters started up again and the little army headed towards the coast.
Chapter 18
The Secret Entrance
The waters gradually became shallower as they approached the coast. When they felt the waves crashing against the rocks Matilda looked around for the eel. She finally found it with its head in a tin of something disgusting that was in amongst a pile of other rubbish. She tapped on the tin and the eel pulled its head out.
“Oh, you’re here already,” it said with a frown. “I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until I finish this meal. I don’t want anybody else getting it.” And, with that, it stuck its head back into the tin.
Matilda waited patiently until the eel had finished. She felt it was better not to upset her only ally in the area. At last the eel withdrew its head again, licking its lips.
“Now, this is about that secret entrance to the pirates’ fort, isn’t it?” said the eel as if it was just remembering why Matilda was there. “I hope you’re going to do something about those disgusting vandals and their foul behaviour. Not that I mind them throwing out the occasional tin of food, you know, but they scare the living daylights out of everybody around here. This is a quiet neighbourhood most of the time, everybody getting on with each other but, when those hooligans start playing their tricks, it’s absolute chaos. Why, one time they even . . . ”
“We want to do something about them,” Matilda interrupted, realising that being polite wouldn’t work, “but we’ll never get it done if you keep prattling on. I’m sorry if that sounds rude but we don’t have much time. Can you show us the secret entrance now . . . please?
“Mmph!” exclaimed the eel, looking a little hurt. “I didn’t mean to bore you. It’s just nice have somebody to talk to. The other fish tend to give me a wide berth. I think it’s the fact that I look like a snake.”
“The entrance?” Matilda interrupted again.
“Follow me,” said the eel, swimming away. Matilda, Cassius and the Mermen fell in behind.
The eel lad them around the shore line, just out of the swirl of the waves breaking onto the rocky coast. When he had circled the fort itself, he nodded to a cave worn into the headland.
“You have to ride a wave into that cave,” the eel explained. “When you get inside you will find a small beach. At the back of the cave there is a ladder leading up inside the fort. You only have to push up a cover and you will be in the dungeon. From there you climb stairs to the main room in the fort. Good luck and give those rascals what-ho for me.” And he swam away.
Matilda looked at the opening to the cave and the surge of water as the waves crashed against the headlands.
“Me first,” she said to Cassius. “Hang on tightly, Peri.” She pointed her sea scooter towards the cave, waited for a new surge of water towards the cliff, then hit the throttle. The sea scooter shot forward as if from a gun barrel. At first she thought she was going to be slammed into the cliff face but she twisted the handle bar of the sea scooter at the last moment and glided through the opening.
The cave was enormous inside and the small opening to it meant that the water was reasonably calm inside. She stopped her sea scooter and waited for the others to arrive. One by one the Mermen hurtled into the cave. The last to arrive was Cassius.
“We’ll have to wait here for you,” he told Matilda. “Once you get into the fort you will have to find some way to lead the pirates down here so we can deal with them.”
“We’ll think of something, won’t we my little friend,” she said, looking at Peri.
“I already have an idea,” Peri responded.
“Well, for better or worse, here goes,” said Matilda, giving Cassius a high five. She gently guided her sea scooter to the beach at the end of the cave.
It was just as the eel had said. Parking her sea scooter on the beach, Matilda walked over to a rusty ladder that reached to the roof of the cave. Placing her hands on the rungs, she began the long climb to the top.
Chapter 19
Suspicions, Suspicions
Meanwhile, Husan and his group of Mermen were heading off into the wild blue yonder. After what seemed hours, he was fed up with this charade of looking for Neptune. He already knew where Neptune was and he was hoping the pirates would be squeezing the whereabouts of the treasure chest from him. His mind began to wander as his little group of Mermen motored along. He was thinking of what Maximilian’s reaction would be when he found out that his own elf had betrayed him and he was remembering their last talk. That was when the magic map leapt into his mind and he let out a groan. He had completely forgotten that Matilda had another weapon to help her. He quickly pulled his sea scooter to a stop and the Mermen grouped around him.
“I need a rest,” he said. “Just go over there somewhere and amuse yourselves.” He closed his eyes and began to concentrate. He was sending another message to Odon.
“I’m afraid I have some bad news.”
“I was afraid this might happen. What is it?” replied Odon.
“I forgot to tell you that Maximilian gave the girl a magic map,” said Husan nervously.
“So?” said Odon.
“She can use it to track down the pirates,” mumbled Husan.
“What! You told me we only had to get that magic wand away from the fairy and they would be defenceless. You fool! I should have had more sense than to depend on a pompous blockhead like you,” shouted Odon.
“Hold on,” replied Husan in a hurt tone, “there’s no need to go over the top.”
“Over the top! Over the top! I’ve already told you that you will pay if anything goes wrong. Then you’ll know what over the top is.”
Husan gulped. This was worse than he had imagined. “We don’t even know if the map has helped them yet,” he whimpered. “For all we know they may be wandering around like I am, with no idea about how to use the map.”
> “Somehow I don’t think so,” stated Odon. “I think it’s time for me to take matters into my own hands. You can stop whatever you’re doing and join me at the pirates’ fort. And keep in touch. DO . . . YOU . . . UNDERSTAND?”
“Yes,” said Husan meekly and stopped contact.
As he opened his eyes Husan decided that it was time to rethink his options.
While Husan was communicating with Odon, the Merman who had been told to watch him was sending his own message on his walkie-talkie.
“Cassius, I think we have a problem,” he whispered into the handset.
“What is it?” asked Cassius.
“Our friend has asked us to stop and I think he is sending a message to somebody,” the Merman informed him.
“You think he has suspected something?” said Cassius.
“I’m sure of it,” responded the Merman, “and he’s not looking too pleased. In fact he looks terrified.”
“Let me know what happens,” murmured Cassius. “In the meantime I will prepare my forces for an attack from the rear. Look after your own men and keep in contact.”
The Merman put away the walkie-talkie as Husan rejoined the group.
“This is useless,” he told the group. “There is nothing in this direction. We’ll head back to Neptune’s Cave.”
“Shouldn’t we inform the other groups?” asked the leading Merman.
“Of course,” said Husan hurriedly. “Er . . . I’ll do that when we get back to the cave.”
“Yes, sir!” replied the Merman and, signalling to his men, turned his sea scooter around to head back home.
Chapter 20
Freedom
Hand over hand, Matilda climbed to the top of the ladder. Looking up, she saw marks in the roof that indicated a trapdoor. She reached up with one hand and pushed. The trapdoor wasn’t heavy and she was able to shove it to the side. Cautiously, she poked her head through the space and into the room above. There was nobody about. Looking around, she saw that she was in the dungeon - once again just as the eel had described. If things kept going this way she would owe that
long-winded, over-sized tapeworm a real meal. She climbed into the room.
She jumped as she heard a voice cry out.
“You’ve found me!” a man had shouted from behind her.
Spinning around, she saw Neptune locked in a cell. His hands and feet were bound by chains and he looked to be in a desperate condition. Matilda ran across to him, holding a finger to her mouth to quieten him.
“Sh!” she whispered. “We’ll have you free soon. Your Mermen are down below waiting for you.”
“The pirates are up the stairs celebrating,” Neptune told her. They could hear the shouting, singing and banging from above.
“You haven’t told them where the chest is yet, have you?” she asked.
“No, but I was ready to do it before you arrived,” Neptune admitted. “You have no idea what they’ve done to me. I couldn’t have lasted much longer.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry any more. You’re safe now,” Matilda said with tears in her eyes. “We’ll get you out of there as soon as we can.” She looked at the thick bars and the lock on the door. “What can we do about that lock?” she asked Peri.
“No problem,” answered the little fairy, fluttering down to inspect it. She reached up to her hair and pulled out a small bobby pin. “I always carry my burglar’s kit around with me.” She straightened the bobby pin out and poked it into the lock’s keyhole. With her little tongue poking out between her lips, she wiggled the bobby pin about until she heard a click. “Presto!” she announced. “You can open it now.”
Matilda gave her a big hug and pulled the lock open. The door squealed as she pushed it to one side and she jumped with fright. She listened for a moment in case the pirates had heard it, then rushed over to Neptune.
“Those monsters,” she cried angrily, and saw that the chains secured by two more locks. “More work here for you,” she said to Peri.
In a matter of minutes the little fairy had opened the two locks and Neptune was freed of the chains. “Now we have to get you to your guards,” said Matilda.
Neptune put his arm around her shoulder and, together, they hobbled over to the trapdoor. “Can you manage to climb down there by yourself?” Matilda asked.
“Yes, but what about you?” enquired Neptune.
“We still have business with the pirates,” she informed him. “Cassius will explain when you get down to him. He’ll keep you safe from what is about to happen.”
“I can’t thank you enough,” cried Neptune. “I’m so glad Odon decided to contact you.”
That’s when the penny dropped in Matilda’s brain. It was the thing that she had been trying to remember. She had been contacted through her dreams.
Looking at Neptune, she said, “Tell me one thing before you go. Does Odon have the power of telepathy?”
“No, of course not,” replied Neptune. “Why?”
“I’ll explain later,” answered Matilda evenly. “For now get back to your Mermen.” She helped Neptune climb through the trapdoor and watched as he descended the ladder. Then she carefully replaced the trapdoor so that it would be hard to see except for the small brass handle on top.
“What was that all about?” asked Peri.
“Things just fell into place. We have been led a merry dance – and by those we trusted. I’ll fill you in after we’ve finished with the pirates. We have to get them down to the Mermen. I hope you meant it when you said you had something planned.”
“Trust me,” replied Peri. “I’d never let you down.”
“Come on then – into the lion’s den,” said Matilda.
Chapter 21
Face to Face
Matilda climbed the stairs in a cold sweat. She could here the clamour of the pirates as she inched forward but she was not prepared for what she saw when she reached the top. Peering around the arched entry she saw the ten pirates. No wonder she hadn’t recognised them as men. They were dressed as normal pirates and had shaved their heads. But what shocked her was the way they were behaving. Several were wrestling each other on the floor, in amongst foul slops and rubbish, others were standing on the tables waving their cutlasses while swigging from mugs and the rest had their arms around each other as they sang a bawdy song out of tune. The noise was horrendous and the sight was terrifying.
“Well here goes everything,” Matilda whispered to Peri, and stepped into the room.
Suddenly there was complete silence as the pirates saw them.
The largest and fiercest-looking woman moved towards them. “What have we here, me hearties. Unwelcome visitors, that’s what they be. It looks like we’ll have more to amuse us when we’ve finished with the old man. Come in, come in,” she beckoned to Matilda. “Don’t be bein’ shy. We’s all be friends ‘ere, ain’t that right, shipmates.”
“Aye!” responded the other pirates.
Matilda summoned her courage. “You must be Anne Bonny,” she said. “I’m sorry but I have some bad news for you.”
“You be right about me name,” Bonny responded with a black look. “Now what be this bad news you have me shakin’ in me boots for?” The other pirates laughed.
“Neptune has gone. We freed him from his cell,” Matilda informed her.
Bonny didn’t react and simply screwed up her face, thoughtfully. She signalled to one of the pirates near her. “Get thee down to the dungeon and see if this wee lassie is straight.” The pirate edged past Matilda and ran down the steps.
Turning back to Matilda, Bonny asked, “And who would we be talkin’ to?”
Matilda felt less brave than she sounded as she replied,” My name is Matilda and this Peri, Maximilian's Persian fairy, and we’re here to stop this nonsense.”
“Oh my, bless me daddy. A wee lassie and her fairy friend,” she said in a mocking voice, shaking her body and pretending to cower. “Time to run up the white flag and surrender our sword
s, me hearties.” The other pirates burst out laughing again.
At that moment the pirate, who had been sent down to check the dungeon, barged past Matilda and shouted out, “'E's gone! Vanished! Poof! The old bloke’s disappeared.” Obviously she hadn’t noticed the trapdoor.
“Well now, how did a little mite like you manage that?” said Bonny glaring daggers at Matilda. “Methinks it’s time we did stop this nonsense. Grab 'em, shipmates.”
As the pirates rushed towards them, Peri shouted out, “Stop! I know where the treasure chest is!” And they froze in their tracks.
“Are you playin’ for time little girl? 'Cause it’ll do you no good,” warned Bonny.
“No, Neptune told me where the chest was when we freed him from his cell. He said I needed to know in case anything happened to him,” Peri lied. “I can show you where the treasure is hidden.”
The little fairy whispered into Matilda’s ear, “Run for the dungeon when I make my move.”
“Get rid of the girl,” snarled Bonny, “and grab the fairy.”
When the pirates scrambled towards them with their cutlasses raised, Peri took off, flying straight at them. Caught by surprise, the pirates tripped over each other as they groped in the air, trying to grab her. In the meantime, Matilda turned and bolted down the steps to the dungeon. Peri kept flying in and out of the pirates until she was certain that Matilda had reached the trapdoor, then she soared down after her, with the pirates following.
Matilda had the trapdoor open and was already halfway down the ladder when Peri swooped past her. The pirates were left behind, falling over each other as they came down the steps, with Bonny shouting at them, “Catch 'em you fools!”
Peri landed on Matilda's shoulder as she dragged her sea scooter off the beach and into the water with the Mermen.
“Well done my little treasure,” she said to Peri.
She noticed that Neptune was kept at the back of the Mermen who were lined up in the shallows, prepared for battle.
Unfortunately the pirates could only come down the ladder one by one so it took some time for them to assemble on the beach. Bonny was the last to arrive. She was shocked to see the warriors awaiting them, but when she spotted Neptune there was no turning back.