Chapter 15 Chapter 15 Winky is Kidnapped

Reluctantly, Timminz led Charmain through the long and complicated road back to the cave of the goblin.When he got there, he said happily, "The way back, you know how to go," and disappeared into the cave, leaving Charmain alone with Waif in his arms. Charmain didn't know how to get back from here.She stood next to what Timminz said was a sleigh chair and froze for a few minutes, wondering what to do while watching the goblins paint, carve, and decorate it, they had no time to look at Charmain glance.Finally, it occurred to her to put Waif on the ground. "Take me back to Uncle William's house, Waif," she said. "You are very smart."

Waif runs away.But Charmain soon began to wonder if Waif was really smart.Waif ran, Charmain followed, they turned left, then right, then right again, and it seemed like hours passed.Charmain kept thinking about what she had discovered today. Several times, she failed to follow Waif to turn left or right, so she had to stand in the dark and wait, shouting, "Waif! Waif!" Until Waif came running back to find her.Like this, Charmain might make the stretch of road twice as long as it used to be.Waif began to gasp for breath, and her tongue grew longer and longer, but Charmain was afraid to pick her up, for fear they might not make it home.She started talking to Waif, encouraging them both.

"Vaif, I must tell Sophie what happened. She must be worried about Calcifer by now. I'll also tell the king about the coins. But if I go to the royal mansion as soon as I get home, dreadful Luther Prince Vic will be there, pretending he likes those pancakes. Why doesn't he like pancakes? Pancakes are delicious. Because he's Lubbkin, I suppose. I dare not tell the king in front of him. We'll wait until tomorrow, I Think. When do you think Prince Ludvik will leave? Tonight? The king told me to go back in two days, so Prince Ludvik should have left by then. If I go earlier, I can talk to Sophie first —Oh dear! I just remembered. Calcifer said they were pretending to leave so I might not find Sophie. Oh Waif, wish I knew what to do!"

The more Charmain talked, the less he knew what to do.Finally, too tired to speak, she staggered behind Waif's pale back as Waif ran ahead panting.Finally, Waif slowly opened a door, and they returned to Uncle William's living room.Waif groaned and lay on his side on the ground, gasping for breath.Charmain watched from the window the pink and purple hydrangeas blooming in the sun.It's been a whole day, she thought.No wonder Waif is so tired!No wonder my feet hurt so much!Peter should be home by now, I really hope he has dinner ready. "Peter!" she yelled. When there was no response, Charmain picked up Waif and walked into the kitchen.Waif licked Charmain's hand feebly, thanking Charmain for keeping her from taking another step.Sunlight from the kitchen window falls on the winding clothesline, and the pink and white clothes hang quietly outside in the yard.There appears to be no sign of Peter.

"Peter?" Charmain called again. no respond.Charmain sighed.Apparently, Peter was completely lost.Worse than she had imagined was not knowing when he would show up again. "Too many colorful tapes!" Charmain whispered to Waif, knocking on the fireplace and asking for dog food for her. "Stupid boy!" She was too tired to get food.After Waif finished two plates of dog food and drank the water Charmain brought from the bathroom, Charmain staggered into the living room and ordered afternoon tea.After thinking about it, she ordered a second afternoon tea.Then she ordered morning coffee again.Then she thought about going to the kitchen for breakfast, but she decided she was too tired, so she picked up a book.

After a long time, Waif climbed onto the sofa and shook her awake. "Oh, nasty!" said Charmain.She climbed into bed and fell asleep with her glasses on without even bothering to wash up. When she woke up the next morning, she could hear Peter had returned.There was noise from the bathroom, footsteps, and doors opening and closing.He sounds in good spirits, Charmain thought.Wish I could too.She knew she had to go to the royal residence today, so she yawned and got up.She had dug out her last clean suit and done her hair very carefully, when Waif came running anxiously to her from somewhere.

"Yes. Breakfast. There. I see," said Charmain. "The thing is," she said as she picked up Waif, "I'm afraid of the inconspicuous gentleman. I think he's worse than the prince." She pushed the door open with one foot, turned, and turned left again. Entering the kitchen, she stopped and looked on in surprise. A strange woman was sitting peacefully at the kitchen table eating breakfast.One can tell at a glance that she is the kind of very neat woman.It can be seen from her narrow dry face that she is very neat, and from her pair of slender and strong hands, she can also be seen that she is very capable.Those hands were neatly cutting a large pancake with sugar sauce, and a slice of bacon from the side.

Charmain looked at the pancake, then at the woman's gypsy dress.Her dress was full of shiny but faded ruffles, and a colorful turban was wrapped around her somewhat blond hair.The woman turned and looked at her also in surprise. "Who are you?" They asked at the same time, the woman's mouth was full of food. "My name is Charmain Baker," said Charmain. "I came to look after Uncle William's house, and the elves took him to be treated." The woman swallowed what was in her mouth. "Great," she said. "Glad he's still here with a housekeeper. I don't want to see that dog left alone with Peter. Plus, she's fed. Peter isn't very fond of dogs. He's still sleeping ?"

"Er..." said Charmain. "I don't know. He didn't come back last night." The woman sighed. "I just turn around and he's gone," she said. "I know he's here safely." With pancakes and bacon on her fork, she pointed out the window. "The laundry has Peter's marks on it." Charmain blushed suddenly. "Some of it was my fault," she admitted. "I put the robe in and cooked it too. Why do you think it was Peter's fault?" "Because," said the woman, "he's never been able to cast a spell properly. I should know. I'm his mother."

Charmain was so shocked that he was talking to the witch of Montalbino.She was surprised.Of course Peter's mother must be very neat, she thought.But what is she doing here? "I thought you were going to England," said Charmain. "I have been," said the Witch. "I have even been to Strangea farther away. Queen Beatrice told me that Wizard Hal came to Nolan. So I turned over the mountain and found the elves. They told me that Wizard Nolan There they were. So I started to get nervous because I thought Peter might be here alone. I sent him here for safety, you understand. So I rushed over right away."

"I think Peter is safe," Charmain said. "At least he was safe before getting lost yesterday." "He is safe now, for I have come," said the Witch. "I can feel him somewhere nearby." She sighed. "I think I'm going to find him. He can't tell his left hand from his right, you know." "I know," Charmain said. "He'd use colored tape. He's sharp, too, really." But she was talking to the super-slick Witch of Montalbino, and Peter must be as innocent in her mind as she was in Peter, she thought. Medicine can save.Parents!she thought.She put Waif on the ground and asked politely, "How did you get these pancakes with your breakfast spell?" "Of course it is necessary to give the correct order," said the witch. "Would you like some?" Charmain nodded.The witch flicked her fingers neatly towards the fireplace. "Breakfast," she ordered, "pancakes, bacon, juice, and coffee." Immediately the loaded tray appeared, with a stack of pancakes dripping from the center. "See?" said the Witch. "Thank you," Charmain said, taking the tray gratefully. Waif's nose picked up the scent and started spinning in circles, screaming.Apparently to Waif, what the Witch fed her wasn't breakfast.Charmain put the tray on the table and gave Waif the crispiest piece of bacon. "You dog has magic," said the Witch, and went on to her breakfast. "She's so cute," said Charmain, sitting down to eat pancakes. "No, that's not what I meant," said the Witch impatiently. "I never talk nonsense. I mean, she's—a magic dog." She took another bite of the pancake and said with her mouth full, "Magic dogs are rare, and she has magical powers. She treats you like a Your master is an honor. She even changed her gender to suit you, I guess. I think you should thank her, too." "Yes," said Charmain. "Thank you very much." I might as well go and have breakfast with Princess Hilda, she thought.Why is she so serious?She went on eating her breakfast, remembering that Uncle William did seem to think Waif was a male dog.Waif did seem to be a male dog at first.It wasn't until Peter picked her up that he realized she was a bitch. "I think you're right," Charmain said politely. "Why isn't Peter safe here alone? She's my age and I'm safe." "I think," said the Witch dryly, "that your magic is much better than Peter's." She finished her pancakes and began to pick up her toast. "If Peter had the chance to screw up a spell, he would," she said firmly, spreading butter on toast. "Don't tell me," she said, taking a big bite, "because I won't believe you when you say your magic doesn't do what you want, use it however you want." Charmain thought of the flying spell, and the plumbing spell, and Rollo in the bag, and said, "Indeed," with her mouth full of pancakes. "I think--" "However," the witch interrupted her, "Peter is the complete opposite. His method is perfect, but the spell always fails. One of the reasons I sent him to Wizard Nolan is that I hope the wizard can make Peter's Magic has advanced. William Nolan has The Book of Parchment, you know." Charmain felt her face flush again. "Uh..." she said, handing Waif another pancake, "Then what's the use of the Book of Parchment?" "If you continue to feed like this, the dog will be too fat to walk," said the witch. "The "Parchment Book" allows people to use all kinds of earth, wind, fire, and water magic at will. But only a reliable person can make it work. Of course, that person must have magic power." Her serious face showed A trace of anxiety. "I think Peter has the ability." Fire, Charmain thought.I put out Peter's fire.Does that mean I'm a reliable person? "He must have the ability," she told the witch. "You can't make a spell go wrong if you don't know magic. Why did you send Peter here?" "The enemy," said the witch, drinking her coffee gloomily. "I have enemies. They killed Peter's father." "You mean Lubbock?" Charmain asked.She put everything back on the tray, took another sip of coffee, and got up to leave. "Here," said the Witch, "seemed to be only one Lubbock, as far as I could tell. It seemed to have killed all its opponents. But indeed, it was the Lubbock that caused the avalanche. I saw it." "Then you needn't worry any more," said Charmain, rising. "Lubbock is dead. Calcifer killed it the day before yesterday." The witch was surprised. "Tell me!" she said eagerly. Although Charmain wanted desperately to get to the royal mansion, she had to sit down, pour another cup of coffee, and tell the witch the whole story, including not only Lubbock and Lubbock's eggs, but Rollo and Lou Bock thing.It seemed an inappropriate use of magic, she thought, as she told the witch that Calcifer seemed to be missing. "Then why are you still sitting here?" said the Witch. "Run to the royal mansion and tell Sophie at once! The poor woman must be going mad by now! Come on, girl!" More than that, I'm afraid, thank you for telling me, Charmain thought sourly.I'd rather live with my mother than with Peter's mother.And I would definitely prefer to have breakfast with Princess Hilda too! She stood up and said goodbye politely.Waif followed her and rushed out of the living room and along the path outside the garden.It's a good thing I didn't tell her the way to the conference room, she thought as she hurried along, her glasses flapping on her chest.Otherwise she'd let me go that way, and I'd never have a chance to find Calcifer. Just before the turn, she came to the spot where Calcifer blasted Lubbock's eggs.A large piece of the cliff slid down, and a large pile of rubble rolled all the way to the road in the distance.Several people who looked like shepherds were crawling on the stone pile, looking for the sheep buried below, and scratching their heads from time to time, as if thinking about the cause of the landslide.Charmain hesitated.If there was any sign of Calcifer, these people must have found him long ago.She slowed down, peering carefully at the rubble as she passed.There seemed to be no traces of blue between the rocks, and no sign of flames. Deciding to come back later to search thoroughly, she ran again.She hardly cared that the sky was azure blue and the mountains were filled with a thin blue mist.It was one of the seldom hot days in Upper Norland.The only effect this had on Charmain was that Waif soon became hot, panting and swaying from side to side as she ran, her pink tongue sticking out so long it almost touched the ground. "Oh, you! I think it's because of the pancakes," said Charmain, picking her up and sprinting forward. "I wish the witch hadn't said those things about you," she said as she ran. "It makes me worry if I still like you that much." Charmain was as hot as Waif when she got to town, so hot that she almost wished she had a tongue like Waif's.She had to slow down, and even though she took a shortcut, it still seemed like the road to the Place Royale would never end.She finally turned the last corner to the square and found herself blocked by a crowd of onlookers.Half the population of Upper Norland seemed to be gathered here, looking at a new building erected a few feet away from the royal residence.It was about the size of a mansion, tall and dark and the color of coal, with a tower at each corner.This was the castle that Charmain had vaguely seen flying listlessly away from the mountains that day.She watched with as much wonder as anyone else in the square. "How did it get here?" Someone was asking, while Charmain was pushing hard. "How did it get in?" Charmain looked at the four roads leading to the Royal Plaza and began to think the same question.Each road is less than half the width of the castle.But it just sits there, as if it rose from the ground overnight.Charmain pushed forward with growing curiosity. As she approached the castle walls, blue flames burst from one of the towers and flew toward her.Charmain bowed his head hastily.Waif squirmed, too.Someone is screaming.The crowd backed away hastily, leaving Charmain standing alone, facing a blue teardrop-shaped flame floating at the level of her face.Waif's frayed tail slapped Charmain's arm, shaking him in greeting. "If you're going to the mansion," Calcifer crackled at them, "tell them to hurry. I can't keep the castle here all morning." Charmain was so happy that he could hardly speak. "I thought you were dead!" She managed to squeeze out a sentence. "What happened?" Calcifer took to the air, seemingly ashamed. "I must have knocked myself out of my head," he said. "I was buried under a pile of rocks. It took me all day yesterday to get out of it. When I got out, I had to find the castle first. It had flown miles away. I just got it here, really Yes. Go tell Sophie. She's pretending to leave today. And tell her I'm running out of wood. She'll come." "I will," Charmain promised. "Are you sure you're okay?" "Just hungry," Calcifer said. "Wood. Remember." "Wood," Charmain agreed, and then walked up the steps of the mansion, suddenly feeling that her life was much better than before, much happier and more free. Sim was quick to open the door, much to her surprise.She saw the castle outside and the crowd watching, and shook her head. "Ah, Miss Charmin," he said. "It's getting more and more uneventful this morning. I think His Majesty may not be ready to start library work. But please come in first." "Thanks," Charmain said, setting Waif to the ground. "I don't mind waiting. I need to speak to Sophie first." "Sophie ... er ... Mrs. Pendragon, isn't it," Sim said, closing the door, "she seems to be in some trouble this morning. The princess is very angry, and - come with me first, You'll know what I mean." He led Charmain down the damp corridor.Before reaching the corner of the stone steps, Charmain heard Chef Jamal's voice: "How do you want a chef to cook? The guests say they want to go, say they can't go, and say they want to go. I ask You!" Then comes the loud bark of Jamal's dog, mixed with other sounds. Sophie was standing at the bottom of the stone steps with Morgan in her arms, Winky clung to her skirt anxiously like an angel, while the fat nurse stood aside as useless as ever.Princess Hilda stood by the stone steps, more dignified and dignified than Charmain had ever seen before.The king was there too, blushing and obviously angry.Charmain glanced at the expressions of all of them and knew that now was not the time to lift wood.Prince Ludvik leaned against the banister, looking happy and condescending.His lady stood beside him, looking contemptuous in what looked like a ball gown, and, to Charmain's dismay, the inconspicuous gentleman was also there, standing dignifiedly beside the Prince. You don't think he just stole all the king's coins, you beast!Charmain thought. "I would say it's a total disappointment to my daughter's hospitality!" said the king. "You cannot make promises you cannot keep. If you are our people, we will forbid you to leave." Sophie wanted to be as dignified as possible, "I really want to keep my promise, Your Majesty, but you can't expect me to stay here when the child is threatened. Please at least let me send him to a safe place first, Then I would be free to do whatever Princess Hilda wanted." Charmain understood Sophie's question.Prince Ludvik was on the sidelines with the inconspicuous gentleman, and she dared not tell that she was only pretending to leave.And she really had to try to keep Morgan safe. The king said angrily, "Stop making false promises to us, young man!" Suddenly Waif yelled at Charmain's feet.Prince Ludvik stood behind the king laughing, tapping his fingers.What happened next took everyone by surprise.The clothes of the nurse and the young woman beside the prince were torn.The nurse became a strong purple figure with gleaming muscles and bare paws.The dress of the other woman was also torn, revealing a thick purple body. There were several holes in the back of the black dress, and a pair of small purple wings that seemed to be useless.The two Lubbockins approached Sophie with their huge purple hands outstretched. Sophie screamed, turned around holding Morgan, and escaped from the clutches.Morgan screamed, too, in panic and fear.Other voices were drowned out by Waif's loud yells and Jamal's dog's deep growl.Jamal's dog barked and chased after the woman next to the prince.Before he could catch up, the woman rushed towards Shining with fluttering little wings and grabbed him.Winky screamed and swung her blue velvet feet.The nanny-turned-lubbkin stood in front of Sophie, preventing her from rescuing Winky. "See," said Prince Ludvik, "leave, or your child will be in danger."